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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Studies on mastitis in goats
(Department of Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Venugopal, K; KAU; Paily, E P
In the present investigation, milk samples from 56 clinical and 379 apparently normal goats were examined. Staphaurous was isolated from 52 percent of clinical cases. The other organisms isolated were, starph. Epidermidis, str, agalactiae, C.pyogenes, K.pneumoniae, Esch. Coli, Ent.aerogenes and P.aeruginosa. The samples examined from apparently normal goats revealed an incidence of 47 percent subclinical mastitis. Mastaid Test conducted on milk samples from apparently normal goats revealed that this test was 96.5 percent efficient in detecting subclinical mastitis. From the somatic cell counts performed on milk samples, it was observed that normal milk (CMT Zero) had a mean cell count of 0.9 lakhs per ml. The cell counts of 5 to 10 lakhs (CMT + ) represented subclinical mastitis. When a comparative study was conducted study was conducted with mastrid test, whiteside test and tcepol mastitic test it was observed that mastaid reagent could only be relied upon in detecting subclinical mastitis. Chloramphenicol was found to be the drug of choice in goat mastitis, as evidenced by the in vitro sensitivity tests. Erythromycin, Ampicillin, Terramycin and Pencillin were moderately efficient. Results of the treatment with sensitive drugs on 40 selected clinical cases have been discussed.
Open Access
Evaluation of productive performance of desi ducks reared in vconfinment
(Department of Poultry Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Andrews, C V; KAU; Venugopalan, C K
This thesis embodies the results of an evaluation of the productive performance of Desi ducks reared in confinement. One hundred ducks of 135 days old were reared in two groups of 50 each under intensive and semi intensive system of management. The results revealed that the ducks reared under intensive system returned better hen-day egg production and also consumed less feed than those under semi intensive system. The efficiency of feed conversion did not differ, between treatments. The pattern of the body weight maintenance was similar in both the systems and the survival rates were excellent in both systems. The two systems of rearing did not appear to exert any influence on the egg size or egg quality in terms of albumen, yolk and shell percentages. Fertility and hatchability of eggs were better in the semi intensive system. It was concluded from the above results that the intensive system of rearing Desi ducks may be adopted for table egg production while for breeding purposes, semi intensive system may be better choice.
Open Access
Studies on the efficiency of intra - uterine administratuion of antibiotics to improve breeding efficiency in cows
(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Ramadas, K; KAU; Surendra Varma Raja, C K
The object of the study was to investigate the usefulness of intra – uterine antibiotic therapy at the very first breeding in bovines so as to improve the chances of conception. The experiment was conducted on animals brought for insemination at the artificial insemination centre, Trichur attached to the Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy. The animals were divided into two experimental groups and one control group. The first group of 166 cows and 56 heifers was given one vial each of Dicrysticin – S in 30 ml of distilled water after 24 hours of insemination. The second group of 47 cows and 31 heifers was treated with Mastalone – U in the say way. The control group of animals (300) did not receive any treatment either before of after insemination. The conception rate of the animals treated with antibiotics was significantly higher than that in control group. Dicrysticin - S–and Mastalone – U did not show any specific advantage over the other in improving the conception rate. The rate of conception increased on repeating the therapy at the subsequent heat. The overall conception rate in heifers was significantly lower than that in cows. Also the conception rate in dry animals was lower than that of lactating ones. To sum up, it may be stated that antibiotic infusion of uterus 24 hours after insemination could be considered as a routine measure under field condition for the overall improvement of breeding efficiency in cows.
Open Access
Study of the calf starter with locally available feed ingredients
(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Francis, U T; KAU; Subramanyam, M
An investigation was carried out to compare the physiological status and performance of the calves fed two different kinds of calf starters. The calves fed with whole milk and concentrates were used as the control. A total of 18 crossbred calves of the University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy, immediately after birth were assigned at random to one of the following three groups. Group I (control), group II (fed with calf starter I) and group III (fed with calf starter II). There were one male and five female calves in each group. The two calf starters used for the experiment contained 24 per cent protein and 68 per cent TDN. The calves on the experimental group started getting calf starter on the eighth day onwards and the milk was completely withdrawn at the beginning of the fifth week of age. The calves of the control group were fed with concentrates at the beginning of the fifth week when the quantity of the milk was reduced. At 12 weeks of age milk was completely withdrawn. The feeding trial was a period of 24 weeks from the birth of the calves. The statistical analyses of the data collected revealed that the growth rate of calves fed calf starter I was significantly higher as compared to the calves fed calf starter II. But the growth rate of calves in Groups I and II was almost the same. The total gain in body weight was 44.17 kg in a period of 24 weeks for the calves getting calf starter I as compared to the value of 43.08 and 30.91 for groups I and III respectively. Eventhough there was no significant difference with regard to other body measurements in the three groups, the calves that received calf starter I had a higher paunch girth in comparison to the calves on calf starter II. The physiological status of the calves in all the groups as revealed by the study of the blood value was normal and satisfactory. Eventhough all the calves showed a positive nitrogen balance at the termination of the experiment the valves fed calf starter I had a greater nitrogen balance. Calf starter I was found to be beneficial in terms of general condition, physiological status and weight gain of the calves. By incorporating calf starter I in the feeding schedule of calves, a quantity of 141.4 kg whole milk could be made available for human consumption in addition to a saving of Rs. 186.83 in the cost of feeding a calf during the first 24 weeks of age.
Open Access
Effect of tranquillizer on weight gain in broilers
(Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Santa George, E; KAU; Jacob Cheeran, V
A feeding trial of 30 days duration was carried out in 30 days – old commercial broiler chicken to study the effects of two tranquillizers such as meprobamate and nitrazepam incorporated at varying levels in the rations for chicken, on weight gains. There were eight dietary treatments each consisted of 21 birds. The group that had received basal diet without the addition of tranquillizers formed as control while four groups each received basal diet incorporated with meprobamate (Equanil) at levels of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 1.2% of the diet and the remaining three groups received diets added with nitrazepam (Hypnotex) at levels of 0.005%, 0.01% and 0.015% respectively. The gain in body weight, feed consumption and haematology of the chicken were recorded and economics of weight gain in the respective treatments worked out. The results of the study indicated that incorporation of tranquillizers in the diet did not promote growth in chicken at a faster rate than the basal diet. Addition of meprobamate in the diet caused mortality in chicken, the maximum had been in groups that received the highest dose levels. There appeared to have a tendency for longer clotting time for the blood in chicken that had received meprobamate and that their liver showed varying degrees of degenerative changes. None of the tranquillizers at any of the levels studied had any effect on the general behaviour of the birds. Based on the results it was concluded that addition of tranquillisers had not produced any beneficial effect in broiler chicken either in promoting a faster growth rate or a savings in feed consumption.
Open Access
Studies on the larval cestodes of zoonotic importance in Kerala with special reference to hydatid
(Department of Veterinery Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1978) Abraham, J; KAU; Padmanabha, Iyer R
A study was made on larval cestodes of zoonotic importance in Kerala with special reference to hydatid. The investigations included incidence of hydatidosis in animals slaughtered in Kerala in relation to the species, organ involved, fertility status; some of the biochemical constituents viz. total nitrogen, protein, sodium and potassium and diagnostic tests; indirect haemagglutination and cason’s intradermal test. Data on incidence of cysticercus bovis was also collected simultaneously. Indirect haemagglutination test was carried out on sera samples collected from cattle and the observations studied in relation to the infection – status ascertained at post-mortem. Intradermal test was done on cattle brought for slaughter and results were confirmed during post-mortem.
Open Access
Preliminary study of bacteriological quality of market beef of Trichur with special reference to Salmonella and Staphylococci
(Department of Veterinery Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1978) Nanu, E; KAU; Soman, M
With a view to investigate the bacteriological quality of market beef in and around Trichur Town in respect of bacteria of public health importance, with special reference to Staphylococci and Salmonellae, the present study was undertaken. Seventy samples of market beef collected from meat stalls in and around Trichur town were processed for isolation of Salmonellae and Staphylococci following standard procedures. Sixty two isolates of Staphylococci, of which 49 coagulase positive suggestive of S. aureus were obtained. All Staphylococci were resistant to Penicillin and Ampicillin. A high rate of resistance was observed against Erythromycin, Streptomycin, Kanamycin, Terramycin and Chloromycetin. Coagulase positive characters and antibiotic resistance denote its importance in public health.
Open Access
Evaluation of the feeding value of tea waste for milk production in cows
(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Prasad, V; KAU; Subramanyam, M
An investigation was carried out to find out the feeding value of tea waste for milk production in cows. A total of nine Jersey x Sindhi crossbred cows were divided into three groups of three animals each and fed tea waste in their concentrate ration at 0, 15 and 25 per cent levels. A switch – over design was used for the experiment.
Open Access
Comparative study on the production characteristics of white leghorns in cages and on litter
(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1978) Balachandran, T N; KAU; Kochugovindan, Unni A K
This thesis embodies the results of an investigation carried out to study the productive traits of White Leghorn hens under the two housing systems. Single comb White Leghorn pullets formed the experimental subjects and the systems of housing employed were cage and deep litter management. The results revealed that rearing birds in cages significantly improved per cent hen-day production, body weight and feed efficiency. Feed consumption was more in floor reared birds. Birds in the two treatments maintained normal body weight, throughout the experimental period. The albumen and yolk quality showed no change attributable to treatments, but shell weight showed significant increase in the eggs from caged birds than the floor. There was no significant difference in livability. It was concluded that the cage system of management of layers could be employed as a means for better returns.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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