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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively. Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively. On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs. In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc. During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU). Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.

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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Efficacy of argyrrophilic nucleolar organizer region count test for in vivo biomaterial evaluation
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 2001) Umashankar, P R; Divakaran Nair, N
    The efficacy of argyrophilic Nucleolar organizer Region (AgNOR) count test in the evaluation of biomaterial was assessed in this study utilizing a reactive (medium chromic catgut) and a non-reactive (Polypropylene) material. The materials were implanted into rat gluteus muscle for a duration of seven and 14 days and sham surgery done on a separate group of animals served as the control. The tissue response such as inflammation, muscle degeneration and peri-implant scar thickness around the reactive and non-reactive implant and the controls at seven and 14 days were studied using H&E and special stains for collagen. Besides this the estimation of collagen of the reactive and non-reactive material implanted tissue was studied. The observations made in this were compared with the fibroblast proliferation response at the respective durations as assessed by the AgNOR count estimation. On histopathological evaluation, the reactive material showed an initial acute inflammatory response with mild fibrosis and collagen deposition which subsequently settled into a chronic form with severe fibrosis and more collagen deposition at the end of 14 days. Non-reactive material elicited an acute inflammation initially (seven days post implantation) which settled into a mild chronic response at 14 days post implementation. Mild fibrosis and less collagen deposition were noticed in the peri-implant area at both the duration. Observations on fibroblast proliferation as assessed by AgNOR count test well correlated to the above findings. The AgNOR counts observed with reactive material at seven days and 14 days were 1.97 + 0.03 and 2.23 + 0.02 respectively. The counts for non-reactive material were 1.81 + 0.01 and 1.67 + 0.02 at seven and 14 days post implantation respectively. The collagen content of the reactive and non-reactive implanted tissue did not reveal any statistically significant difference as compared with the respective control. From this investigation it was proved that AgNOR count test could be reliably applied for biomaterial evaluation even at seven days duration and it formed a valuable adjunct to the routine method employed in the in vivo evaluation of biomaterials.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hepato-renal pathology in canines
    (Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Lakshmi, R; KAU; Koshy Varghese
    The present investigation was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathology of the liver and kidney disorders in canines. The results of the present investigation and the evaluation of data from the records revealed a high incidence of liver (76 percent) and kidney (85 per cent) disorders. A detailed systematic examination of one.hundred cases of canine carcasses brought for autopsy during the period of investigation was conducted and the gross and histopathological lesions were studied in detail and were classified based on age, sex and breed. Vascular and degenerative changes were the predominant lesions in these organs. The other lesions recorded in the liver were necrosis (15 cases), hepatitis (19 cases), fibrosis (9 cases) and cirrhosis (2 cases). One case each of cholangiocarcinoma, hepatic cyst and adhesion of diaphragm and the liver was encountered in the present study. Among kidney disorders, glomerular lesions were predominant next to vascular and degenerative changes. A total of 59 cases had some lesions in the glomeruli of which, 32 hadglomerulonephritis. PGN was the predominant type of glomerulonephritis. Males had a higher predilection for PGN and it was common in animals less than three years of age. MN and MPGN were common in animals more than three years of age. The high incidence of glomerular lesions and their possible causes were discussed. Tubulo-interstitial nephritis was observed in 16 cases. Interstitial nephritis was common in males while both cases of pyelonephritis were seen in females. Acute interstitial nephritis was seen in animals less than five years of age while all cases of chronic interstitial nephritis was seen in animals more than five years of age. Bacterial isolations were obtained in the liver or kidney or both in only 14 cases. Viral etiology was suspected in two cases where intranuclear inclusions were seen in the hepatocytes and the glomerular epithelium. The high incidence of vascular lesions without any evidence for infectious etiology in rest of the animals suggested the involvement of some toxic factors. The importance of identifying the specific etiology in these suspected cases of toxic conditions and the need and scope for further studies in these lines were highlighted.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Prevalence and pathology of pancreatic disorders in cattle
    (Centre for Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Princy Thomas; KAU; Valsala, K V
    The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and various pathological disorders of the pancreas in cattle. One hundred pancreas collected from the slaughter house and autopsy specimens formed the basis of the study. Serum and urine samples were collected from the slaughtered animals for clinico- pathological evaluation. Fifty one per cent of the pancreas showed lesions of which, 17 per cent severe, 14 per cent showed moderate and 20 per cent showed mild lesions. It was observed that chronic pancreatitis was the most common condition encountered. Other specific conditions encountered were parasitic infections (2), pancreatic tumour (2), pancreatic lithiasis (1) and islet cell hyperplasia (1). Serum amylase value showed correlation with changes in pancreas, while urine and serum glucose values did not show correlation with islet changes. Many of the conditions reported were the first record. The incidence of pathological disorders encountered were relatively high. The need and scope for investigation in to the pathological disorders in cattle were highlighted.