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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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  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Formulation and quality evaluation of chicken meat balls
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Aniaml Sciences, Mannuthy, 1991) Rejikumar, T P; KAU; Narayanankutty, K
    A study was undertaken to examine the feasibility of formulation of chicken meat balls from deboned minced meat of broilers and to evaluate its shelf-life. The ready-to-cook yield, total loss and meat to bone ratio averaged 72.76 per cent, 27.24 per cent and 1.31 respectively for broilers used for the study. The chicken meat balls prepared as per two recipes were kept under refrigeration (50 C) upto six days and under frozen (-150 C) storage upto 60 days. Representative samples were analysed qualitatively and evaluated organoleptically by a taste panel on zero, four and six days under refrigeration and zero, 15, 30, 45 60 days of storage under frozen conditions. It was observed that irrespective of different temperatures and duration of storage, the proximate components, viz., moisture, protein, fat and total ash of the product remained unaltered. At 50 C the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number and total bacterial counts were increased significantly with increase in the duration of storage. At -150 C the TBA number was found to increase, whereas the total bacterial counts decreased significantly as the storage period increased. The chicken meat balls prepared by both the recipes were found to be equally good and acceptable organoleptically. Twelve and thirteen chicken meat balls could be made from each 1000 g of deboned chicken meat of recipes I and II respectively. The cost of a chicken meat ball(100 g) prepared by recipe II was found to be less comparatively. From the above findings it was concluded that a highly acceptable, nutritious, ready-to-cook meat product could be prepared from deboned minced chicken meat. The optimum storage temperatures for its short-term storage up to a period of four days and that for long-term storage up to 60 days were found to be 50 C and -150 C respectively, without any quality deterioration of the product.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Genetic characterisation of buffaloes in Kerala using cytogenetic technique
    (Department Of Animal Breeding And Genetics, College Of Veterinary And Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1991) Anilkumar, K; KAU; Mukundan, G
    Buffaloes from four districts of Kerala formed the materials for this study. Blood samples were collected from external jugular/ear vein, in heparinised tubes. The technique employed was peripheral leukocyte culture technique. Out of the three different mitogens viz., pokeweed mitogen (PWM), phytohemaggultinin (PHA). and a mixture of these two. the mixture of PWM and PHA was found superior in inducing mitosis. A significant interaction between the mitogens and time of addition of mitotic arrester into the medium was observed. The mixture of PWM and PHA at an incubation time of 71 hours was found to produce best results in culture of buffalo lymphocytes followed by PWM at 70 hours. Ideal concentration of colcemid as mitotic arrester in this study was found to be 2 µg and 3 µg per ml of culture media, when the time of action of colcemid was retained for one hour. Out of the 54 animals studied 45 had 2n=50, 5 had 2n=48 and rest 4 had 2n=49. In all the three chromosome types of animals 10 submetacentric chromosomes were observed. The sex chromosomes were similar in all the three types. Number of acrocentric autosomes was 38, 36 and 37 in the three classes respectively. The buffaloes having diploid chromosome number of 49 had two non homologues submetacentric chromosomes, one being the largest of the whole complement and one acrocentric was without a pair. The longest submetacentric autosome of swamp type had a relative length of 6.925+0.152 whereas in river type it had a relative length of 7.228+0.094. The smallest submetacentric autosome was having an average relative length of 4.911+0.118 and 5.05+0.107 in swamp type and river type respectively. Relative lengths of longest acrocentric autosome in swamp type and river type were) 4.953+0.13 and 4.618 + 0.095 respectively. The shortest acrocentric in swamp type showed a relative length of 2.301+0.034 whereas in river type the shortest chromosome had a relative length of 2.064+0.275. The X chromosome was largest acrocentric chromosome of the complement. The Y chromosome was acrocentric and took a position of 22 in descending order based on relative length in the river buffaloes, whereas it occupied 20th position in swamp type. The X chromosome in swamp type had the relative length of 6.228 + 0.099 and that of river type was 6.220+0.136. The Y chromosome of swamp type and river type had relative length of 2.675+0.188 and 2.550+0.095 respectively. In terms of relative length X chromosome occupied fourth position in comparison to submetacentric autosomes of river type, whereas it was third position in swamp type. In swamp buffaloes arm ratio ranged from 1.479+0.055 in fifth to 2.183+0.169 in first submetacentric autosome. In river type the largest arm ratio was 2.289+0.221 in first chromosome and the smallest was 1.542+0.158 in fifth chromosome. The highest centromere index of 40.4+0.9 was obtained for fifth chromosome and the smallest centromere index of 33.2 + 2.1 was for first chromosome of swamp type. In river buffaloes fifth chromosome had a centromere index of 40.4+1.9 and first chromosome had the centromere index of 31.2+2.4. The observation of chromosome polymorphism in buffaloes of Kerala State have to be borne in mind prior to drawing breeding strategies in buffaloes for improved production potential and reproductive efficiency.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of housing systems on performance of broilers in summer
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1991) John Jacob, E; KAU; Peethambaran, P A
    A study was undertaken to quantamise the performance of broilers during three to eight weeks of age under three systems of rearing namely deep litter (DL), deep litter with fanned environment (DLF) and wire floor (WF) in a house with ACC roofing. The deep litter system of rearing broilers in a house with tile roofing (DLT) was also studied and compared with the above systems. Each system consisted of five replicates of 28 chicks each. Wood shavings were used as litter material in deep litter system. Plastic hexagonal mesh was used in wire floor system. Pedestal fan were used for providing fanned environment. Dry mash was fed throughout the study. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Standard managemental practices were followed identically in all systems of rearing. It was observed that the eighth week body weight and cumulative feed efficiency were numerically better with broilers reared in the house with tile roof. The cumulative feed intake per broiler during the period from zero to eight weeks of age was low during summer with all rearing systems studied. The cumulative feed efficiency was adversely affected by rearing broilers on DL with fanned environment. A marked reduction in maximum temperature inside the house, per cent relative humidity at the level of birds and cloacal temperature of birds were noticed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with tile roofing. The overall mean per cent relative humidity inside the house was found to be 82.5 per cent in the morning and 49.0 per cent in the afternoon during summer. Livability was not affected by any of the housing system. Among the different rearing systems, a reduction in ready to cook yield was observed in broilers reared with deep litter system in the house with ACC roofing. The returns over cost of feeding broilers revealed that it was Rs 7.99 per broiler with deep litter system of rearing in the house with tiled roof. In the house with ACC roofing, the returns over feeding cost in various systems were comparatively lower. From the above findings, it was concluded that rearing of broilers on deep litter system in a house with tiled roof was preferable in comparison with deep litter and wire floor system of rearing in a house with asbestos roofing, during summer season under hot humid environment.
  • ThesisItemOpen Access
    Comparative study of ketamine hydrochloride and thiopentone sodium anaesthesia in birds
    (Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1991) Devanand, C B; KAU; Abraham Varkey, C
    The present study was undertaken to assess the efficacy of (i) ketamine hydrochloride, (ii) thiopentone sodium, and (iii) ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium, for anaesthetising domestic chicken and ducks. Th~rty apparently healthy White Leghorn cocks, aged 18 - 20 weeks and weighing 1.120 - 1.920 kg (Group I) and thirty apparently heal thy White Pekin .dz-ake s , aged 20 - 22 weeks and weighing 1.700 - 2.100 kg (Group II) were used. Group I and II were further divided into three sub-groups, viz.,A, Band C consisting of ten birds each. Ketamine hydrochloride at the rate of 100 mg per kg bodyweight was administered in sub-group A, thiopentone sodium (2.5 per cent solution) at the rate of 15 mg per kg in sub-group B, and ketamine hydrochloride at the rate of 50 mg per kg followed by thiopentone sodium (2.5 per cent solution) at the rate of 7.5 mg per kg in sub-group C, in both the trials. The drugs were administered intraperi- toneally. During the onset of anaesthesia, when ketamine hydrochloride was administered, loss of balance, unsteadiness of head, cyanosis of comb and wattles, defaecation and vocalisation were noticed in chicken, but in ducks defaecation was not present. Ruffled feathers, dropping of wings, fluttering and wagging of tail were noticed as additional symptoms in ducks. When thiopentone sodium was administered, loss of balance, unsteadiness of head, cyanosis of comb and wattles, ruffled feathers and dropping of' wings were noticed in chicken, but in ducks vocalisation and fluttering were noticed in addition. When ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium was administered, loss of balance, unsteadiness of head, cyanosis of comb and wattles, dropping of neck and wings, and closing of eyelids were noticed in chicken and ducks. In ducks the onset was very quick. All the birds assumed sternal recumbency followed by lateral recumbency after the onset of anaesthesia. As the effect of anaesthesia deepened, pedal reflexes were abolished in both the groups. However, other reflexes such as corneal, pupillary, palpebral and reflexes of the third eyelid, comb and wattles were persisting in chicken and ducks. During ketamine hydrochloride anaesthesia eyes were kept open, and when thiopentone sodium or ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium were administered, eyes were kept closed. In ducks, abolished when the reflexes of the third eyelid were ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium was administered. The induction was smooth and uneventful in chicken and ducks. The time for induction was 7.30+0.53 min.,. 9.30+0.38 min. and 8.00+0.58 min. in sub-groups A, Band C respectively in chicken, and 9.20±.0.58 min., 10.20+0.87 min. and 4.60+0.70 min. in sub-groups A, Band C respecti vely in ducks. The time for induction was the least in chicken when ketamine hydrochloride was used, and ln ducks when ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium was used. The duration of anaesthesia was 63.40+2.16 min., 31.40+1.82 min. and 40.20+3.99 min. in sub-groups A, Band C respectively in chicken, and 35.90±2.43 min., 18.90+0.99 min. and 20.20+0.89 min. in sub-groups A, Band C respectively in .du ck s , The duration of anaesthesia was maximum when ketamine hydrochloride was administered and minimum when thiopentone sodium was administered in both the groups. The duration of recovery was 135.50+9.24 min. in sub-group A, 149.60+8.32 mln. in sub~group B and 131.20+5.10 min. in . sub-group C, in chicken, and 84.50+7.31 min. in sub-group A, . 64.40+8.33 min. in sub-group Band 113.10+6.15 min. in sub-group C, in ducks. The duration of recovery was the least when ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium was used in chicken, and when thiopentone sodium was used in ducks. The recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and uneventful in both the groups. Vigorous shaking of the head was seen when ketamine hydrochloride was administered in ducks. There was reduction in cloacal temperature during anaesthesia. Respiration rate showed an initial rise followed by gradual reduction. The total erythrocyte count was decreased during anaesthesia. The total leukocyte count was decreased in sub-groups A and B, and increased in sub-group C, in chicken. There was an increase in total leukocyte count in ducks. Lymphocyte count was decreased, but heterophil count and eosinophil count were increased. There was no response to pain on incising and suturing the skin, muscles and peritoneum except for slight movement while incising the skin during ketamine hydrochloride anaesthesia. Focal congestion of liver and kidney were noticed on the 5th day. Mild degree of inflammatory reaction on the parietal peritoneum was noticed at the point of entry of the needle wherein thiopentone sodium was administered. From the results of present study, it could be found that intraperitoneal administration of ketamine hydrochloride, thiopentone sodium, and ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium resulted in satisfactory surgical plane of anaesthesia in chicken and ducks. For chicken, ketamine hydrochloride is preferred because of the comparatively least time for induction, prolonged duration of anaesthesia and recovery. Post anaesthetic complications were not found. In ducks the duration of anaesthesia was more, when ketamine hydrochloride was administered, but vigorous shaking of the head was seen during the period fr~v.ay. Hence, for ducks, ketamine hydrochloride followed by thiopentone sodium is preferred because of the comparatively least time for induction and satisfactory duration of anaesthesia and recovery.