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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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Author: Aparna, Sankar × Author: KAU × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic resistance to gastro-intestinal nematodes in goats
    (College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Aparna, Sankar; KAU; Radhika, G
    The present study aimed at exploring the possibility of incorporating Gastro Intestinal Nematode (GIN) resistance as a criterion for selection in goat breeding. Here Faecal Egg Count (FEC) was taken as an indicator of host resistance. Heritability estimate for FEC and correlation of FEC with Packed Cell Volume (PCV) were calculated. While assessing resistance at phenotypic level using FEC as indicator, the possibility of using PCV as an alternative to FEC was also considered. Using IFNγ intron 1 as the locus of study, an attempt was made to identify a genetic marker for GIN resistance in goats. University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy and two field centers under All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP), namely - Tellichery and Badagara, formed the venue for study. In the present investigation, data from three genetic groups - Malabari, Attappady Black and Malabari crossbreds were used. Representative population in the study comprised of 150 goats. The nematode eggs encountered during the study belonged to Strongyle and Strongyloides sp. Mean FEC was 764.39 eggs per gram of the faeces (epg) with values ranging from 0.00 to 16700 epg. The value of PCV estimated ranged between 19 and 48 per cent. Effect of non-genetic factors on FEC was analyzed after logarithmically transforming the FEC. University Goat & Sheep farm, Mannuthy recorded the least FEC. This might be due to the improved immune status of the animal through careful selection along with scientific managemental practices followed in the University farm. The non-significant influence of sex, birth weight and type of birth might be due to uniform managemental conditions given to kids irrespective of sex, birth weight or type of birth, which do not favour GIN prevalence. The reason for failure of season in influencing FEC could be due to the fact that, not much demarcation was observed between seasons during the study. The genetic similarity between Malabari purebreds and Malabari crossbreds, lesser sample size for Attapady Black breed and similar management given to the breeds led to non significant effect of breed on FEC. A negative phenotypic correlation estimate of -0.1791 was observed between LFEC and PCV. The heritability estimated for FEC was 0.39 ± 0.3630 as per paternal half sib correlation method and it was moderate. This moderate heritability estimate for FEC shows that there is significant genetic variation within the population for the trait, which makes selection for nematode resistance possible. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples of 150 goats maintained in the farm and two field centers of Kerala using phenol chloroform extraction procedure. Through PCR, a 202bp product of IFN γ intron 1 was amplified. On restriction digestion of the amplified product, the restriction-endonuclease, BspHI cut PCR product into two fragments of 180 bp and 22 bp sizes. Monomorphic pattern was observed on the particular RFLP analysis. The 202bp PCR product was sequenced by the dideoxynucleotide sequencing method with M13 universal reverse primer using an automated DNA sequencer. The sequence included a tetra nucleotide repeat, (GT4)5 and an Adenine present at a position, 49 bp downstream of this microsatellite. The sequence had 100 per cent homology with sheep, 89 per cent with European cattle, 73 per cent with pig and 70 per cent with human. On submission of the nucleotide sequence data of goat-IFNγ intron1 to the GenBank DNA database, an Accession Number: HM047072 was obtained. As per available literature, this work seems to be the first of its kind in establishing the DNA sequence data of intron1 of IFN γ gene in goats. It is recommended that study of this gene in a larger population with greater genetic base might bring out the polymorphism and help in marker assisted selection for GIN resistance in goats. Overall, the study aided in establishing nucleotide sequence of IFN γ intron1 in goats and showed that there is immense scope for selection of animals for nematode resistance. This study emphasizes the fact that along with other production traits, host genetic resistance should also be included as a criterion for selecting goats, producing genetically superior stock.