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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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ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the pathogenicity of tetrameres mohtedai and acuaria spiralis of fowl(Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Ramaswamy, K; KAU; Sundaram, R KControlled experiments were conducted at three levels of monospecific and dispecific infections with two commonly occurring spirurid worms of fowls viz. Tetrameres mohtedai and Acuaria spiralis. The blood studies conducted in monospecific T. mohtedai infection revealed a normocytic normochromic anaemia and eosinophilia during the initial phase and later a macrocytic anaemia, heterophilia and slight monocytosis by 66th day post infection. The infected birds lost considerable amount of their body weight. In layers there was a great delay in sexual maturity and poor feed efficiency as indicated by greatly reduced egg production. The percentage of establishment of worms in these experiments were found to be inversely proportional to the number of juveniles administered. The pathological changes in the affected proventriculi indicated an acute inflammation during the invasive phase of juveniles, followed by a chronic reaction which by 55th day post infection was well established indicating the development of a host – parasite balance towards the later stages of infection. Among the blood changes in monospecific A. spiralis infection, eosinophilia was evident initially followed by a marked leucopenia and development of a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. Other effects due to parasitism were, delayed maturity, reduced rate of egg production, poor feed efficiency, loss of weight, emaciation and a mortality rate of 25% in chicks. The gross pathological changes in Acuariasis included the appearance of an irregular whitish patch on the serosa and formation of nodular growths in the mucosa which in heavy infections occupy the whole of the mucous membrane. Juveniles of A. spiralis were found to invade the compound glands in very heavy infections. The microscopic changes indicate a severe acute inflammation during the initial stages. Later as the disease became chronic pedunculated fibro – adenamatoid growths were evident on the mucous membrane. In dispecific infections with T. mohtedai and A. spiralis the haematological changes observed were eosinophilia during the early stages followed by a l eucopenia and heterophilia. As the disease progressed a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia developed. There was a great decrease in the live body weight of the infected birds. A mortality of 33.33% were observed in chicks with heavy infection. In layers the sexual maturity was delayed and egg production was greatly suppressed with consequent poor feed utilization. The gross and microscopic changes found in the affected proventriculi indicated a combination of lesions observed under monospecific infections of both the parasites. The results obtained show that the loss due to morbidity (mainly as a result of decreased body weight and reduced rate of egg production) was considerable. These facts indicate that both T. mohtedai and A. spiralis are economically important.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on growth response, feed efficiency and carcas characteristics of pigs reared up to different market weight on two dietary treatments(Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1977) Ramachandran, P; KAU; Sivaraman, EA detailed investigation was carried out to study the growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass quality and economics of production of fattening pigs maintained on two dietary treatments differing in protein levels and reared upto three different body weights. Thirtysix weaner pigs of Large White Yorkshire breed belonging to the University Pig Breeding Farm, Mannuthy were distributed under two dietary treatments and divided into three groups 1, 11 and 111 of six animals each, the animals in the three groups being slaughtered at body weights of 55, 70 and 85 kg.respectively. Higher dietary protein level of 18 per cent promoted better weight gains in pigs during the initial period of their growth. Lowering of protein level in the finishing ration reduced the weight gain and feed efficiency of the animals. A dietary protein level of 16 per cent throughout the feeding period brought about linear increase in overall average daily gain at all body weights studied. Though the protein level does not seem to influence any of the carcass characteristics studied, the dressing percentage, carcass length, backfat thickness and eyemuscle area are positively correlated with body weights under both the dietary treatments. Fat constants are not affected either by protein levels or by live weights. The overall results obtained during the course of the present investigation indicate that the unit cost of production of fattening pigs is least at 55 kg live weight on the dietary treatment A having 18 – 16 – 14 per cent protein and at 85 kg live weight on the dietary treatment B having 16 per cent protein level throughout.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the bacterial species associated with pneumonia in goats(Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,mannuthy, 1977) Madhusoodanan Pillai, R; KAU; Abdulla, P KA total of 214 specimens which inoculated 80 lung tissues, 55 nasal swabs, 43 tracheal swabs and 36 bronchial lymph nodes from goats with signs of pneumonia were examined during the course of this study. Out of these, 139 revealed the presence of different species of bacterial organisms. One – hundred and fifty six strains of various bacterial species were isolated and identified. The important species being Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus pneumonia, Streptococcus Pyogenes, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcs aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli. On experimental transmission study it was observed that P. multocida and Str. Pneumononiae were found to be lethal to mice and rabbits whereas C. pyogenes could produce only suppurative changes in omentum and liver. Intra tracheal inoculation of the cultures of P. multocida, Str.pneumoniae and C. pyogenes in goats have revealed the reproduction of mild pneumonic changes, but did not produce death due to pneumonia. As time advanced these earlier changes showed a tendency towards healing. Compared to P. multocida and Str. Pneumonia it could be said that C. pyogenes had produced more intense tissue reaction in the lung under identical conditions. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity studies of P. multocida, Str. Pneumonia and C. pyogenes to 11 chemotherapeutic agents were carried out. The agents included were ampicillin, bacitracin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, nitrofurans, penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and triple sulfa. In the light of the results obtained it could be stated that the drugs of choice for P. multocida are nitrofurans, chloramphenicol and tetracycline. In the case of Str. Pneumonia, penicillin, chloramphenicol and bacitracin were found to be more effective and for C. pyogenes, ampicillin, chloramphenicol and penicillin showed cent percent sensitivity.ThesisItem Restricted Studies on certain economic traits in desi ducks(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Thrissur, 1977) Renchi P, George; KAU; Unni, A K KThis thesis embodies the results of an investigation carried out to study the incubation, growth and processing characteristics of desi ducks (Anas platyrhyncos). Duck eggs procured from a local farmer were used in this study. Sound eggs were weighed and their shape indices were calculated based on the measurements of length and width of individual eggs. The eggs were grouped in to four shape index ranges and were incubated in chicken incubator. The hatch records were obtained. The dead in shells and dead germs were subjected to bacteriological and pathological studies. The ducklings hatched were reared on two systems of management viz., battery and litter floor upto seventh week of age when they were transferred to semi intensive system upto twelve weeks of age. Thirty randomly selected male ducklings were subjected to slaughter studies at twelve weeks age. The desi duck egg showed a mean weight of 68.86 g with a range of 55 to 85 g. The study reveals that the shape index has no influence on fertility, hatchability or weight of duckling at hatch. Egg weight was found to be significantly correlated with the hatch weight of ducklings. It was observed that the fertility of eggs was fairly good even with a male femal ratio of 1: 25. The incubation data suggested that duck eggs could be efficiently hatched in incubators meant for chicken with suitable measures to provide higher humidity. Weekly body weight, feed and water consumption data for desi ducklings are placed on records. The male ducklings recorded better body weights over the females during all ages confirming the normal sexual dimorphism. The special problems, encountered in the processing of desi ducks are discussed and data on yields and losses during dressing are presented.ThesisItem Open Access Evaluation of feeding value of rubber seed cake for promoting growth in calves(Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Viswanathan, T V; KAU; Ananthasubramaniam, C RA detailed investigation was carried out to assess the value of rubber seed cake as an ingredient in the concentrate mixture of calves to study the growth rate, nutriture, feed efficiency and economics of rearing. Twenty four, Jersey x Sindhi cross – bred calves of 8 – 14 months of age belonging to the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy were divided into three equal groups and distributed under three dietary treatments, T1, T2 and T3, the animals being fed concentrate mixtures containing 0, 15 and 30 per cent levels of rubber seed cake respectively for a period of six months. Paddy straw served as the sole roughage. Rubber seed cake at 30 per cent level promoted better weight gains, body size and feed efficiency. Incorporation of rubber seed cake in the concentrate mixture improved the digestibility coefficients of nutrients as also the balance of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus in the animals. Animals fed rubber seed cake maintained perfect health as evidenced from their haematological values and were free from any toxic effect as adjudged from the histopathological examination of the internal organs and their carcass quality. The cost of feed was found to be 14 per cent lower for kg body weight gain when rubber seed cake was incorporated at 30 per cent level in the concentrate mixture of growing calves. The overall results obtained during the course of the present investigation indicate that rubber seed cake can be incorporated in the concentrate mixture for growing calves at 30 per cent level to achieve both biological and economic efficiency.ThesisItem Open Access Feeding of sour colostrum to dairy calves(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Sukumaran, M V; KAU; Subramanian, MA study was undertaken to compare the physiological status and performance of the calves fed fermented colostrum for a period of 30 days with those reared on whole milk and also to find out the changes in the properties and composition of bovine colostrum stored at room temperature for 10 days. The colostrum required for feeding the calves was obtained by collecting the first 10 milkings of individual cows after calving and stored at room temperature for 10 days to undergo natural fermentation. A total of 16 crossbred calves of the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy, weaned at birth formed the animals for the study. The experimental group consisting of four males and four females received sour colostrum and a similar number in the control group was reared on whole milk. On the first day all the calves received the fresh colostrum of their dams at 10 per cent of their body weights. From the second day onwards the calves in the experimental group received sour colostrum (diluted 1: 1with lukewarm water) and the control group whole milk at the rate of 10 per cent of their body weights, fed twice daily. The calves were weighed at birth and subsequently everyday. Samples of blood were collected once in five days from all the calves for studying the blood values. The statistical analysis of the data collected recealed that the growth rate of calves fed sour colostrum was significantly higher than that of the calves on whole milk. The calves in the experimental group gained a total of 45.7 kg in their body weights as against 28.6 kg for the control group during the period of four weeks. The physiological status of both the groups of animals were satisfactory as revealed by the blood values. The main changes that occurred when colostrum was allowed to ferment naturally were lowering of pH from 6.2 to 4.2, reduction of protein percentage from 8.2 to 6.2 and a slight drop in the percentage of milk fat from 4.6 to 4.1. The microbial changes that occurred in the store bovine colostrum at room temperature for 10 days were as follows: the various micro-organisms such as total aerobic bacteria, coliforms, gram-negative bacteria, lactics, streptococci and yeast and molds generally increased in number during the first four days and thereafter tended to decrease and stabilized at the end, No undesirable effects were noticed in the stored colostrum. The feeding of sour colostrum to young calves was found to be beneficial in terms of health and performance. Storing colostrum at room temperature for 10 days to bring about natural fermentation was found to preserve the same for use in calf feeding.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on hormonal induction of lactation in cows(Department of Animal Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Joseph, P M; KAU; Pavithran, KA trial to induce lactation in cows and heifers using the hormones oestradiol dipropionate or stilboestrol dipropionate in combination with progesterone was conducted. The experimental animals comprised of six each of heifers and cows divided into three groups of two each of cows and heifers. Natural oestrogen and progesterone were given to animals in the first group at the rate of 0.05 mg and 0.125 mg per kg body weight respectively at 12 hour intervals consecutively for seven days. The animals in the second group received synthetic oestrogen and progesterone at the same dose and for the same duration. The Animals in the third group were given synthetic oestrogen and progesterone at the rate of 0.10 mg and 0.25 mg per kg body weight respectively, on alternate days, during a period of 14 days. There was considerable udder development in all the animals. The development was more in the animals of group I and III in comparison to those of group II. The heifers exhibited pronounced udder development than the cows. Lactation commenced within a period of 13-21 days after the first injection in all the animals. The milk yield reached the peak with in period of four to ten weeks. The peak yield varied from 140 ml to 4300 ml. The average milk yield per day in the three groups during the period of the first 60 days was 1766,942 and 1638 ml for group I, II and III respectively. The yield obtained for group I and III was significantly higher than that of group II. The heifers gave better yield than the cows. The composition and properties of the milk obtained from the induced lactation was compared with those of the milk from normal cows. It was found that on the eighth day onwards there was no significant difference in the composition and properties of milk obtained from the experimental animals as compared to those milk from postpartum cows. In general the milk from the animals of induced lactation had similar qualities to that of the milk from postpartum cows. The erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume decreased and the plasma protein increased during the treatment as well as the post-treatment periods in comparison to the pre-treatment period. During the treatment period the animals exhibited symptoms of heat. Normal oestrus was observed in six animals with in 42-57 days from the commencement of lactation. Four of them were inseminated and all of them conceived. The body weight remained unchanged in the cows but the heifers showed a slight decline in body weight. Both natural and synthetic oestrogen along with progesterone were effective in inducing lactation. Natural oestrogen in combination with progesterone was more effective in short duration treatment. When the synthetic oestrogen along with progesterone was given for a longer period better results were obtained than short duration. The induction was more successful in heifers than in cows. Regaining of the reproductive efficiency in some fo the problem breeders was an added advantages of the technique adopted.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of early weaning on the reproductive performance of sows(Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Madhavan, E; KAU; Surendra Varma Raja, C KThe object of the study was to find out how early weaning of piglets could be practiced for a profitable swine industry. For this, two aspects were investigated; (1) Post weaning reproductive performance of the sow (2) the growth rate and survival capacity of weaned piglets. The experiment was conducted on 24 gilts of same age group selected at random from the University Pig Breeding Farm, Mannuthy. On farrowing, the sows (with their litters) were divided into four groups of six animals each. The piglets in groups I, II, III and IV were respectively weaned at 15th, 30th, 45th and 60th day of farrowing. The weaned piglets were maintained upto 60 days on creep feed of the same composition. The sows were fed on farm ration. The observations made and inferences drawn are summarized below: There was no significant verification in the onset of post – weaning heat, conception rate, litter size and litter weight in sows of different groups. At the same time, there was a significant reduction in the inter-farrowing period when weaning was done during early lactation. This was considered as an important criteria in favour of early weaning. As far as the post-weaning performance of the piglets were concerned, it was observed that the gain in weight of piglets weaned at 45th day was significantly higher than the other three groups. Probably, the low gain in body weight of the early weaned piglets could be improved by feeding them with creep feed of superior quality. Post-weaning mortality observed in early weaned piglets was well within the permissible limit. To sum up, it may be stated that weaning of piglets at 15th day of farrowing would be of advantage for the over all increase in the productivity of swine.ThesisItem Open Access Feeding value of rubber seed meal for laying hens(Department of Poultry Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Amrithavally, Panan; KAU; Venugopalan, C KAn investigation was carried out to study the feeding value of rubber seed meal for layers in view to its exploitation as a newer unconventional protein source for poultry. Thirty-six, S.C. White Leghorn pullets aged 20 weeks were housed in individual cages on four dietary regimes. One group was fed a basal diet containing groundnut cake as the vegetable protein source and formed control, while the other groups were fed experimental diets containing rubber seed meal at 10, 15 and 20 per cent levels partially replacing ground nut cake. Major economic characters like hen-day egg production, feed consumption, feed efficiency, body weight maintenance, egg weight, egg quality and livability were studied for five, 28-day periods. The results obtained during the course of investigation are presented and discussed. Incorporation of rubber seed meal at 10 per cent was found to be superior as far as hen-day egg production and feed intake were concerned. Feed efficiency and body weight maintenance were not significantly affected by different dietary treatments. Egg weight was significantly depressed among birds fed rubber seed meal in their diets. Per cent yolk and per cent albumen showed no change attributable to treatments. However the per cent shell increased in rubber seed meal fed groups. The group fed with 10 per cent rubber seed meal in the diet excelled the other three groups based on the overall performance, while, the feed cost per unit production favoured the 15 per cent rubber seed meal fed group. Laying house mortality was not at all influenced by feeding rubber seed meal. It was concluded that inclusion of rubber seed meal as a protein concentrate in layer diet is useful upto 15 per cent level. However, its adverse effect on egg size has been pointed out as a probable drawback.
