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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: Deepa, P K × End date: 2010 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Antipyretic and CNS activity of seeds from red and white types of lotus (nelumbo nucifera) in albino rats
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2006) Deepa, P K; KAU; Usha, P T A
    The antipyretic and CNS activity of the extract of the seeds of red and white Nelumbo nucifera was studied in albino rats. Qualitiative tests for the detection of phytochemicals showed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, diterpenes, triterpenes and saponins. Pyrexia was induced by subcutaneous injection of 20% Brewer’s yeast suspension. Group I served as pyrexia control, group II was administered aspirin at the dose rate of 100 mg/kg body weight, Group III and IV with extract of red lotus seed and group V and VI with extract of white lotus seed at the dose rate of 400 and 600 mg/kg body weight respectively. The body temperature was recorded from zeroth to fifth hour at one hour interval. Haematological parameters and Serum ALT, AST levels were estimated at peak of pyrexia and five hours after drug administration. For CNS study group I was kept as normal control, Group II was administered chlorpromazine at the dose rate of 7 mg/kg body weight. Group III , IV V and VI were treated as in the case of antipyretic study. Actaphotometer and Rotarod were used to assess the spontaneous and forced motor activities respectively. Haematological parameters and serum ALT, AST levels were estimated at peak of tranquillization. The extract of white lotus seed at dose rate of 600 mg/kg body weight showed maximum antipyretic effect followed by red lotus at 600 mg/kg body weight and white lotus at the rate of 400 mg/kg body weight among the treatment groups. By the fifth hour the effect of white lotus seed extract at the dose rate of 600 mg/kg body weight was comparable to that of standard drug aspirin. Eventhough the extract of red lotus at the dose rate of 600 mg/kg body weight inhibited the spontaneous motor activity to the maximum initially, the extracts were found to be equipotent after 120 minutes of drug administration. But the activity was less when compared with the standard drug chlorpromazine. Comparison of the treatment groups showed that group IV showed maximum inhibition of forced motor activity followed by group VI and group III. The haematological and biochemical parameters assessed were within the normal range in both studies. From the present study it can be concluded that the extracts of red and while lotus seeds possessed potent antipyretic and CNS effects. The extract from the seeds of white lotus showed more potent CNS activity where as both the extracts were showing equipotent tranquillizing property.