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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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Subject: Veterinary Pharmacology × Author: KAU × End date: 2003 × Start date: 2003 ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Hypoglycaemic effect of Brassica Juncea (mustard) and Trigonella Foenum-graecum (fenugreek) in albino rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Preethy, John; KAU; Aravindakshan, C M
    A study was undertaken to assess the hypoglycaemic activity of seed powders of Brassica juncea (mustard) and Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek) at two different doses (2g/kg and 8g/kg body weight) in alloxan diabetic rats and to compare their efficacy with standard oral hypoglycaemic drug, glibenclamide. The experiment was conducted in fifty six male albino rats for a period of 45 days. Rats were divided into seven groups of eight each. Group I served as normal control and group 11 as diabetic control. Seed powders of mustard and fenugreek at low and high doses were given to group III to group VI respectively for 30 days from 16th day onwards. Glibenclamide at a rate of 0.5mg/ animal/day was fed to group VII. Blood glucose level was estimated at zero day, 16th day and 45th day of the experiment. Serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and liver glycogen were estimated at 45th day of the experiment. Fenugreek seed powder caused a maximum decrease (39.14 percent) in blood glucose level at 8g/kg body weight. But it is not effective as glibenclamide which caused a 46.38 percent reduction. At 2g/kg body weight, fenugreek caused 21.18 percent reduction. Mustard at 8g/kg can also act as a hypoglycaemic agent, hut less effective when compared to fenugreek seed powder. No significant reduction was noticed with the low dose of mustard. This showed that fenugreek seed powder at both doses and mustard at high dose are having potent hypoglycaemic effect. Higher level of serum cholesterol and triglyceride were noticed in group II ie, 166.96±15.70 mg% and 162.08± 25.04 mg% respectively. The levels of group III animals were comparable to group n. All the other treatment groups showed a significant reduction in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. But the reduction is not as effective as that caused by glibenclamide. Fenugreek seed powder showed a better hypolipidaemic effect than mustard seed powder. Low level of liver glycogen was observed in group n. Among the treatment groups, group VII showed a peak level of liver glycogen. The liver glycogen level of group VI was comparable to that of group VII ie, 2.16± 0.05 g% and 2.17± 0.05 g%. respectively. Other treatment groups also showed an increase in liver glycogen. From the study, it can be concluded that fenugreek seed powder at both doses and mustard seed powder at high dose are potent hypoglycaemic agents, but their effect is less when compared to glibenclamide.