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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: KAU × End date: 1979 × Start date: 1979 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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Now showing 1 - 9 of 16
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Assessment of the antifertility property of ocimum sanctum
    (Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Girisdan, K; KAU; Jacob Cheeran, V
    A study was carried out in rats, to assess the antifertility property of the benzene fraction of the leaves of the plant Ocimum sanctum. Premating treatment was done in female animals at does levels of 200 and 400 mg per kilogram body weight for a duration of eight days. Male animals were subjected to the treatment at a dose level of 200 mg per kilogram body weight for 20 days . The experimental animals were allowed to mate with untreated animals of the opposite sex. Histopathological examination of the organs – pituitary, ovary, tests, liver and kidney were carried out. Results of the study suggested considerable reduction of fertility in both the sexes. This can be attributed to the impaired release of gonadotrophic hormones and the resulting improper functioning of the gonads. Administration of the extract showed no toxic effects in the treated rats as well as in their offspring.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the nutrient requirements of kids
    (Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Mercy, A D; KAU; Sivaraman, E
    An investigation was carried out to find out the nutrient requirements for optimum growth in kids. Twenty four Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids of 3 4 months of age formed the experimental subjects for the study. The animals, divided into three identical groups (groups 1, 11 and 111), were maintained on three different levels of nutrient intake for over a total period of 4 ½ months, the parameters recorded during the course of the study being average daily body weight gain, drymatter intake, feed conversion efficiency, digestibility coefficients of nutrients, nitrogen balance, mineral balance and haematological constituents. The average daily gain and feed conversion efficiency recorded for animals in the three groups 1, 11 and 111 were found to be 63.7 + 5.3, 64.4 + 5.0 and 67.6 + 2.0 g and 7.0 + 0.7, 7.5 + 0.5 and 7.9 + 0.3 respectively. The average drymatter consumption of animals were 3.1 + 0.2, 3.5 + 0.3 and 3.6 + 0.3 kg per 100 kg body weight respectively for the three groups 1, 11 and 111. The data collected for the haematological constituents were found to lies within the normal range for the species indicating that all the animals under the three dietary regimes were maintaining normal and sound nutritional status. The requirements arrived at for protein and energy for unit gain in body weight were 0.86 + 0.06 0.90 + 0.06 and 0.89 + 0.03 kg D. C. P. and 4.84 + 0.4, 5.20 + 0.30 and 5.31 + 0.19 kg T. D. N. for the animals in groups 1, 11 and 111 respectively. The requirements of D. C. P., T.D. N., calcium and Phosphorus arrived at from the results obtained during the course of the experiment are considered optimum for normal growth in Alpine – Malabari crossbred kids.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on utrine pathology in repeat breeding cattle
    (Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Aravinda Ghosh, K N; KAU; Bharathan, T R
    An investigation was undertaken to study the uterine pathology in repeat breeding cows employing uterine biopsy as a diagnostic technique. The studies were carried out in 26 repeat breeding cross bred cows from the herd of University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy using a biopsy instrument which was a modification of one designed by Minocha et al. (1964). Four cows which settled at first insemination served as control animals for comparison. From all the animals biopsy was taken during the early part of heat and was inseminated 8 to 12 hours after biopsy followed by intrauterine antibiotic therapy after 12 to 24 hours. Seven out of 17 animals which failed to conceive even after biopsy and treatment were slaughtered and their genitalia were subjected to detailed studies. Nine out of 26 repeat breeders and all the four control animals conceived at inseminations in the same heat of biopsy explaining the fact that biopsy operation did not affect the functional status of uterus. Pathological changes in the endometrium were observed in 14 out of 26 (53.85%) repeat breeding cows. Changes in the uterus observed in the biopsy were significant and consisted of infiltration with various types of inflammatory cells, periglandular fibrosis, cystic dilatation of glands, glandular hypertrophy, stromal hyalinization and sclerosis. It was seen that endometritis constituted the most important lesion. The experimental animals were classified into three groups based on histological findings; group I showing normal or nearly normal endometrium, group II with more extensive inflammatory changes and group III with severe inflammatory and fibrotic changes. Group I and II had a conception rate of 58.33 and 25 per cent respectively. In group III, none conceived. Results of insemination revealed that uterine lesions characterized by severe cellular infiltration and glandular changes affected the changes of conception adversely. The lesions in the slaughtered animals correlated with biopsy findings in general.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on Lice Infesting Domestic Animals And Birds
    (Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1979) Mohan, M C; KAU; Sathianesan, V
    In a study on the lice of animals and birds in and around Trichur and their control, cattle was found to be infested with Haematopinus, quadripertuous and linognathu vituli. Buffaloes with haematopinus tuberoulatus, goats with linognathus africanus and damalinia cappre dogs with heterodoxus longitatsus. Elephatnts with haematomyzus elephantis and poultry with Menacanthus stramineus menopon gallinae, Goniodes gigas and Lipeurus caponis. Their incidence and intensity were maximum in winter and minimum in summer. Their morphology has been described in detail. For their control, Nuven, Malathion and sevin were tried and Nuven (0.05 percent) was found to be superior to the other two insecticides, with 100 percent efficacy.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on post- partun oestrum in cross bred cows
    (Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Suresan Nair, S P; KAU; Neelakanta Iyer, C P
    The object of the study was to find out the various reproductive parameters that influence the onset of post – partum oestrus in cross bred cows. With this object in view, a detailed investigation was undertaken in a herd of 115 cross bred cows of Jersey x Sindhi and Jersey x Local breeds belonging to the University Livestock Farm of the Kerala Agricultural University, Mannuthy during the period from February 1978 to March, 1979. After parturition, they were grouped into normal and abnormal calvers based on the normalcy of calving. All the cows were stall fed and were under identical conditions of feeding and management. The observations made and inferences drawn are summarised below: There were significant variations in the cessation of lochial discharge, regression of pregnancy corpus luteum, period of uterine and vulval involution, onset of first and second ovulations and the post – partum oestrus interval between normal and abnormal parturitions. Duration of lochial discharge, regression of pregnancy corpus luteum and onset of first ovulation were found to be significantly influenced by the season of calving. Parity of the cow was found to influence the period of lochia, involutions of uterus and also the post – partum oestrus interval. Milk yield of the cow significantly influenced regression of pregnancy corpus luteum and vulval involution. However, the breed of the cow and sex and weight of calf were not found to have any significant effect on the reproductive parameters studied. An incidence of 13.4 per cent of aberrations of oestrum was also observed.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative effectiveness of extension communication media used under the dairy development programme and extent of adoption of improved dairy husbandry practices by members of milk cooperatives in selected areas in Trichur taluk
    (Department of Extension, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Subhadra, M R; KAU; Nair, G R
    The objective of the study were to know the effectiveness of various extension communication media used in dairy development programs for disseminating improved dairy husbandry practices, to measure the extent of adoption of selected improved dairy husbandry practices and to understand the influence of personal and socioeconomic characteristics on the adoption of improved dairy husbandry practices. One hundred members of seven milk supply cooperative socities in ollukara block area were selected for the study. The findings showed that nighberhood and government agencies played dominant roles in diffusing the improved practices concerning dairy husbandry. Among the neighbourhood agencies, milk supply cooperative socities ranked first. Government agencies were found to be effective for influencing the respondents in adoption. Veterinary surgeons were found to be a powerful medium within the government agencies. Thus veterinary surgeons and milk supply cooperative socities accounted very much to the knowledge as well as the adoption of all the practices expect for the practices “clean milk production” which was influenced by mass media. The adoption of practices in the aggregate were not influenced by the nine personal and socio-economic characteristics, viz.,age,education,caste,income, land holding size, farming experience, herd size, social participation and contact with extension agencies. But for some individual practices there was slight significant difference between adopters and non-adaptors. Age, herd size and education seen to have only a very negligible role in the adoption behavior of dairymen, while content with extension agencies appeared to have the largest influence on dairy husbandry practices. It was also observed that among the 10 practices only one practice, viz., “Vaccination against contageous disease“ was not influenced by any one of the nine variable studied.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Evaluation of coffee husk for milk production in cows
    (Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Geevarghese, P I; KAU; Subramaniam, M
    An investigation was carried out to find out the feeding value of coffee husk for milk production in cows using a total of nine Sindhi x Jersey cross bred cows, divided into three groups of three animals each. The experiment was for a period of 90 days. Coffee husk was included in the concentrate mixture at 0, 10 and 20 per cent levels. A switch – over design was used for the experiment. Coffee husk fed at 10 and 20 per cent levels in the concentrate ration did not significantly influence the body weight of animals. The total milk production of the animals getting coffee husk in the ration did not significantly differ from that of the animals on the control diet. The percentage of fat in milk, the total quantity of milk fat produced, the amount of four per cent fat – corrected milk, the percentage of total solids, the amount of total solids in milk, percentage of solids – not –fat, total quantity of solids – not – fat and the amount of solids – corrected milk remained the same for all the three groups of animals included for the study and no significant differences were noticed due to treatments. The physiological status of the cows in all the groups was normal and satisfactory. No significant difference due to treatments was noticed in some of the physical and chemical constants of butter fat. The dairy merit (percentage) based on efficiency of feed conversion was less of animals getting ten per cent coffee husk due to the reduced milk production and the greater feed consumption. The total cost of feed for producing one kg milk was Rs.1.42, 1.38 and 1.33 for animals getting 0, 10 and 20 per cent coffee husk in the concentrate mixture respectively. It was concluded that coffee husk upto 20 per cent level can profitably be incorporated in the concentrate mixture of dairy cows.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Performance of certain purebreds and crossbreds for broiler traits
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Leo, Joseph; KAU; Ramakrishnan, A
    An experiment was conducted to compare Australorps, (ALP), Rhode Island Red (RIR) and White Plymouth Rock (WPR) breeds of chicken and their crosses for broiler production. All the nine possible combinations of these breeds were taken, the genetic groups being three purebred and crossbreds. There were twenty chicks for each group and a total of 180 chicks. They were raised upto twelve weeks of age on deep better identical conditions of management. Body weight was recorded at ten and twelve weeks of age. Feed efficiency and genetic effects – General combining ability, Specific combining ability and Reciprocal effects on body weight-were also calculated at ten weeks of age. Slaughter studies were conducted at ten and twelve weeks of age.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Economics of raising white leghorn male chicks for meat
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1979) Maria, Liza Mathew; KAU; Venugopalan, C K
    With a view to determine the economics of raising White Leghorn male chicks for meat, the present study was undertaken. Two hundred one-day old White Leghorn chicks were divided randomly in to four groups of fifty chicks each to form two treatments with two replicates. Chick starter, grower: and broiler starter, finisher diets were fed.