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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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19757
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Author: KAU × End date: 1975 × Start date: 1975 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the postnatal development of the epididymis in the Malabari goat (capra hircus)
    (Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Harshan, K R; KAU; Radhakrishnan, K
    The postnatal development of epididymis was described and illustrated from studies in 39 Malabari goats, divided into 13 groups, ranging from day old to 180 days of age. The weight of epididymis was positively correlated to age and body weight. The epididymal weight was more significantly correlated to body weight than to age. The left epididymis was found to be significantly heavier than the right. The length and thickness of the head, the body and the tail of the epididymis increased with increase in the weight of the organ. The tunica albuginea was found to be fibro- muscular in structure. The interstitial tissue was fibrous. The diameter of the epididymal duct and its lumen increased with increase in age. Both these measurements were highest in the cauda, less in the corpus and least in the caput. The process of pseudostratification of the epithelial lining of lumen of the duct was completed at first in the cauda, secondly in the corpus and finally in the caput. Regional differences in the height of epithelium was noticed, the highest being in the caput, lower in the corpus and lowest in the cauda. The epithelial height increased with advance in age. Sperms were observed at 165 days of age in the lumen of the epididymal duct. The concentration of sperm was maximum in the cauda, slightly less in the corpus and least in the caput. The lumen of the epididymis of the 150 days and 165 days old goats showed some spherical cells with spherical nuclei. These were considered to be spermatogenic cells coming from the testis.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative study on the feed utilisation of local and cross bred cows
    (Department of Animal Husbandary, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1975) Chacko, C T; KAU; Subramanyam, M
    A comparison of the feed utilisation efficiency between Sindhi and Sindhi x Jersey cross bred lactating cows of the University livestock farm was made. Six cows each from the two groups were paired on the basis of the lactation number and stage of lactation. The animals were stall fed for 76 days including a pre – trial period of 15 days. The ration consisted of a concentrate feed and guinea grass to meet the protein requirement and paddy straw ad libitum. The following observations were recorded for individual cows: i) daily intake of different food ingredients; ii) daily milk yield ; iii) daily out put of dung; iv) body weight and body measurements during the pre – trial period, commencement, middle and close of the experiment; v) percentage of butter fat and total solids of individual composite samples tested once in a week; and vi) calculation of gross efficiency of feed utilisation. The following inference could be drawn: 1. The total dry matter consumption by the Sindhi and the cross bred cows were 3.30 kg and 3.61 kg per 100 kg body weight respectively and the dry matter consumption from roughage alone was 2.04 kg and 2.10 kg respectively. 2. The digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein and nitrogen free extract were higher for the cross breds and in straight breds it was higher for crude fibre. For ether extract the digestibility coefficient was the same in both the groups. 3. The straight bred cows gained weight and increased in heart girth significantly (P < 0.01) during the experimental period, but no significant weight gain was recorded in cross breds. The increase in heart girth was significant (P < 0.05) among cross breds. The height at withers and body length did not increase significantly in the two groups. 4. The average daily 4% fat corrected milk yields were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the cross breds. No significant difference was noticed between the two groups in the percentages of fat and total solids in milk. 5. The average gross efficiency of feed utilisation for milk production was 24.65 in cross breds and it was 18.62 in straight breds indicating that the cross breds were superior to the straight bred in the utilisation of feeds for milk production.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the Effect of Corticosteroids, Neostigmine and Calcium in Cobra Venom (Naja naja) Intoxication
    (Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology,College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Venugopalan, K; KAU; Nair, K P D
    Administration of specific antiserum as early as possible after snake bite is of utmost importance for better chances of survival. Supportive measures are definitely capable of reducing the venom toxicity And prolonging survival period eg., if the absorption of venom from the site of bite could be delayed or retarded it will be highly beneficial to the patient. It has been shown that certain drugs are capable of decreasing capillary permeability and altering the rate of absorption of venom from the site while other agents may alleviate neurotoxicity or reduce haemotoxicity of venoms on the system. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the beneficial effect of (1) ‘Betnesol’ (Glaxo brand of betamethasone), (2) Neostigmine bromide (E Merck) and (3) Calcium gluconate – 10% (Sandoz) in experimental envenomation with cobra venom (Naja naja) in adult rats of both sexes. One LD50 cobra venom (0.097 mg per 100 g body weight – death within 8 hours) was given intramuscularly to these experimental rats and the trial drugs viz., ‘Betnesol’ (0.6, 0.8 and 1 mg per 100 g body weight), neostigmine bromide (30 mcg per 100 g body weight) and calcium gluconate (8,10 and 12 mg per 100 g body weight) were given intraperitoneally at varying intervals to evaluate the efficacy to these drugs in respect of their ability to prolong the survival period of experimentally envenomated rats. It is observed that ‘Betnesol’ at dose rate of 0.8 to 1 mg per 100 g body weight of rate when given immediately after injection of one LD50 cobra venom gave 100 percent prolongation of survival period and the degree of protection decreases when the time lag for the administration of this drug. Neostigmine bromide was found to be of not much value to counteract the neurotoxicity produced by cobra venom. Results of calcium administration were of a varying nature and require further investigation.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the rate of disappearance of chloramphenicol from the blood of goats and calves
    (Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Joy, A D; KAU; Rajagopalan, M K
    Studies were conducted in goats and calves on the blood level of chloramphenicol at three dose levels of 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg per kg body weight intramuscularly. The data obtained revealed that: Single dose of 10 mg per kg body weight, failed to produce minimum therapeutic concentration (5 mcg/ml) of the drug in blood of both goats and calves. At 20 mg per kg body weight, the minimum therapeutic concentration persisted between second and seventh hour in goats, and second and seventeenth hour in calves. At 30 mg per kg body, weight, the minimum therapeutic concentration maintained between second and eleventh hour in goats and second and nineteenth hour in calves. Peak concentrations of the drug were obtained both in goats and calves between second and third hour after the administration of chloramphenicol. The drug concentration was higher in urine than in blood and minimum therapeutic concentration was found to persist for 24 hours in all the three doses. In a limited attempt made to study the toxicity of chloramphenicol in calves, 100 mg per kg body weight, administered daily, intravenously for 30 days, did not produce acute toxicity. Transient “shock like” symptoms were noticed soon after injection and persisted for 10 to 15 minutes. No alternations in blood constituents could be detected for the 30 days duration.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the postnatal development of testis in Malabari goat
    (Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Unnikrishnan, M D; KAU; Radhakrishnan, K
    A detailed study on the postnatal development of testis is undertaken using 39 pairs of testis of goats belonging to Malabari breed. The animals varied in age from one day to 180 days. The experimental animals were divided into 13 groups having an age difference of 15 days between groups. It was observed that the testicular weight was positively correlated with age and body weight of the animal. The growth of testis could be divided into two phases. A slow gradual increase in weight until about 135 days of age and a sharp rise thereafter till adulthood. The left testis was found to be more heavier than the right testis in the same animal. During growth, the shape of the organ was not altered. The diameter or seminiferous tubule was found to be positively correlated with age, body weight and testicular weight of the animal. Weight of testis was found to be having a greater influence on the diameter of seminiferous tubule than age or body weight. Goat testis follows five phases of postnatal development based on histological changes. It was established that a Malabari buck attains sexual maturity by the age of 180 days.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on vesico-colostomy and vesico-rectostomy in dogs
    (Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Sarada Amma, T; KAU; Venugopal, A
    Vesico-colostomy and vesico –rectostomy as methods of urinary diversion in dogs and cats had been reported. The following experiments were undertaken to assess the relative efficacy of either of these techniques. Surgery was performed in two groups of dogs. Under genral anaesthesia, after laparotomy, in the vesico-colostomy group, the fundus of the bladder was anastomosed to the terminal part of descending colon; and in vesico-rectostomy group, the neck of the bladder was anastomosed to the anterior part of rectum. In addition to general observations, the postoperative changes in haemoglobin content, leucocyte count, and blood urea nitrogen level were also recorded and are compared to the preoperative levels. Their clinical significance was also assessed. The experimental dogs acquired physiological control over micturition through the anus within three to four days and there was no soiling of the perineum, though no indwelling catcheter was used. The animals were kept under observation for a period up to four weeks and were later sacrificed. Two of the four dogs in vesico-colostomy group was in apparent good health after surgery. Of the other two, one animal died on the 17th day and autopsy revealed nephritis of the left kidney. The other died on the 22nd day and in it the ostium was seen to be closed completely by scar tissue. In the vesico- rectostomy group, three of the four dogs were in apparent good health. One dog in the group showed symptoms of uraemia and died on the 11th day but no abnormally at the level of anastomosis could be detected at autopsy. Haematological studies, in animals of both the groups did not reveal any significant changes except in one dog which had uraemia. Intravenous pyelography after one month, in 2 dogs of vesico-rectostomy group, revealed normal kidney function and emptying of the bladder. At autopsy the areas of anastomoses were studied (grossly and histopathologically) and urine samples were cultured to check up infection. E.coli, streptococci, staphylococci and certain gram negative organisms were isolated from the urine samples collected at autopsy in all animals. In the vesico- rectostomy group the ostium was well established and patent in all animals. In the vesico – colostomy group, there was constriction of ostium in one and in another the ostium was completely closed by scar tissue formation; but the remaining cases were apparently normal. Histopathological examination of bladder, colon and rectum revealed complete healing of the corresponding layers of tissues at the site of anastomosis in the successful cases of either group. Mild cystitis was observed at postmortem in three animals, one in Group I and two animals in Group II. There was faecal regurgitation into the bladder in three cases one from Group I and two from Group II. It is concluded that either vesico-colostomy or vesico-rectostomy could be adopted as urinary diversion technique in dogs; but vesico – rectostomy appeared to be more desirable than vesico – colostomy.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the bacterial species associated with digestive disturbance in pigs
    (Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Balakrishna Pillai, K P; KAU; Abdulla, P K
    Prior to this investigation, limited studies conducted in the department of Bacteriology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, have revealed the association of pathogenic strains of E. coli and Salmonella with enteric disorders of pigs. Therefore, a detailed study of the incidence and magnitude of prevalence of those pathogens was carried out. A total of 274 specimens collected from sick as well as dead animals were examined. Faecal materials collected from living as well as dead animals, mesentric lymphnode, spleen, liver, lungs and heart blood formed the materials for isolation studies. Both enrichment and selective media like selenite and tetrathionate broth, D. H. S. broth and D.H.S. agar, modified MacConkey medium 1 & 11, and composite medium 1 & 11 were employed for isolation of pathogens. A total of 75 strains of E. coli and 24 strains of Salmonella were isolated and studied. Most of the isolations were made from piglings ages 3 – 8 weeks. Out of 75 strains of E. coli only 5 strains were found pathogenic based on various tests like haemolysin, necrotoxin and enterotoxin production and pathogenicity to mice. These isolates belonged to serogroup 05, 017 and 039. Salmonella strains belonged to two serotypes, S. weltevreden and S. typhimurium var coCopenhagen The identity of the isolates were confirmed biochemically and serologically. Pathogenicity studies conducted with two strains of Salmonella weltevreden and Salmonella typhimurium Var Copenhagen have revealed that they were pathogenic to laboratory animals like mice, guinea pigs and rabbits. It has also been observed that these serotypes could produce enteric form of the disease in primary hosts. Invitro drugsensitivity studies were carried out to determine the effectiveness of antibiotic to gastrointestinal disorders the effectiveness of antibiotic to gastrointestinal disorders caused by these species. It has been observed that all E. coli and Salmonella strains tested were sensitive to chloramphenicol. However multiple resistance was observed to penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, erythromycin and nitrofurantoin. The significance, possible role of infection by these species and their drug sensitivity reactions are discussed.