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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: Bibu John, Kariyil × Author: KAAU × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Nephroprotective effect of hygrophila spinosa and mangifera indica in albino rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2007) Bibu John, Kariyil; KAAU; Joy, A D
    The present study was undertaken to assess the nephroprotective effect of whole plant of Hygrophila spinosa and stem bark of Mangifera indica against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. The experiment was conducted for a period of 30 days. The animals were divided into ten groups comprising eight each. Group I served as healthy control which received vehicle alone. Groups II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX and X received gentamicin sulphate at a dose rate of 80 mg/kg i.p. for eight days. Group II was retained as such without any treatment till the completion of the experiment. Group III and Group IV received ethanolic extracts of Hygrophila spinosa at a dose rate of 50 mg/kg p.o. and 250 mg/kg p.o. respectively whereas Group V and Group VI received aqueous extracts of Hygrophila spinosa at a dose rate of 50 mg/kg p.o. and 250 mg/kg p.o. respectively. Group VII and Group VIII received ethanolic extracts of Mangifera indica at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg p.o. and 500 mg/kg p.o. respectively while Group IX and Group X received aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg p.o. and 500 mg/kg p.o. respectively. The blood samples were collected on 0th, 9th, 15th and 30th day and serum was used for the estimation of creatinine, urea, albumin, total protein, sodium, potassium and calcium. On 30th day, all the animals were sacrificed and kidney was used for the estimation of superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, catalase and reduced glutathione. Histopathological studies were also conducted to assess the nephroprotective action of these plant extracts. Administration of the herbal extracts at various dose levels brought about a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione, which suggest its efficacy in scavenging free radical-induced renal damage. Treatment with ethanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg was found to be the most effective treatment in scavenging the free radical-induced gentamicin nephrotoxicity. Treatment with the plant extracts showed a decreased creatinine level following gentamicin administration. The serum urea levels were significantly reduced in all the treatment groups. The significant reduction in serum urea levels was predominant in ethanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg and aqueous extracts of Mangifera indica. The most significant reduction in serum creatinine and serum urea levels was shown by ethanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg. Serum levels of albumin, total protein, sodium, potassium and calcium were within the normal range throughout the experiment. The results were substantiated by histopathological studies, which confirmed that treatment with ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Hygrophila spinosa and Mangifera indica inhibited gentamicin-induced proximal tubular necrosis. Ethanolic extract of Hygrophila spinosa at the dose rate of 250 mg/kg was found to be most effective in favouring nephroprotection. Phytochemical analysis of plant extracts revealed the presence of steroids, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, diterpenes and saponins. The findings of the present study validate the nephroprotective effect of Hygrophila spinosa and Mangifera indica for the management of renal disorders.