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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Open Access
Evaluation of different protein sources in the formulated feed for macrobrachium Rosenbergii (De Man) Juveniles
(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 1989) Anilkumar, P; KAU; Thampy, D M
The nutritional quality of five locally available sources of protein such as clam meat, squid waste, squilla shrimp head waste and silkworm pupae was evaluated in the feed for the giant freshwater prawn, macrobrachium rosenbergii, with a view to develop a feed which is cost effective. The feeds were prepared using these locally available ingredients along with groundnut oil cake, wheat bran,tapioca flour, supplevite (a commercially available vitamin- mineral mixture) and sardine oil and maize oil mixture. The protein sources tested were not found to be grossly deficient in their nutritional quality as good survival rates of over 90% were obtained when they were used as the main protein sources in the feed of juvenile prawn. Highest growth rate was obtained for clam and squid based diets, intermediate growth response with squilla and shrimp head based diets and the lowest growth among the various sources was given by silkworm pupae diet. Feed conversion efficiency was higher for clam and squid based diets, while intermediate feed efficiency was noted for squilla and shrimp head meal diets. Lowest feed efficiency was observed for silkworm pupae diet. Protein efficiency ratio showed a similar pattern. In the second experiment, substitution with carbohydrate for protein was found to be promising from an economic point of view. It was found that lowering of protein level from 35 to 30% could be achieved by increasing the carbohydrate level from 20 to 30% without affecting the growth , survival and feed efficiency. Similarly, protein level could be lowered from 30 to 25% by increasing carbohydrate by 10% from 20% level. This suggest that a 5% reduction of costly protein could be achieved by including 10% more of carbohydrate which will be able to reduce the cost of the feed with out sacrificing the nutritional quality of the formulated feed.
Open Access
Studies on certain aspect of the biology of the barracuda of Cochin region
(Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 1992) Krishnadas, K J; KAU; Rajasekharan Nair, J
A systematic redescription of the three species viz. SphyraenajelloCuv.,S.obtusata (Cuv. & Val.) andS. barracuda (Walbaum), available in the Cochin region has been done. The food and feeding habits, breeding biology, length – weight relationship and condition cycles of S. jello, the commercially most important species of the region, have been studied in detail. A total of 141 males (270 – 943 mm TL) and 64 females (322 – 770 mm TL) collected during Nov. ’88 to Oct. ’90 were subjected to various investigations like qualitative and quantitative assessment of stomach content, feeding intensity, prey – predator length relationship, feeding habits, quantification of maturity stages, size at first maturity, spawning season and spawning frequency, sex ratio, spawning potential, length – weight relationship and condition and relative condition cycles using standard methods. S. jello is found to be a typical predator and a predominant piscivore. The species mostly feeds on small pelagic and mid – water shoaling fishes like clupeids, anchovies, scads and silverbellies, occasionally consuming cephalopods. The total length of the prey rangfed from 18.68 to 31.43% of the predator length. The size at first maturity is found to be 360 mm for males and 370 mm for females (350 – 400 mm length class). The species exhibits a prolonged spawning season in the Cochin region, spanning from April – September/October with increased activity during June to September. Individuals of S.jello spawn more than once during this prolonged spawning season. Female dominance in the population was noticed during May to July coinciding with spawning activity. The absolute fecundity of recruit spawners of S. jello ranged between 82, 431 and 1, 63,533 9400 – 501 mm TL). The intensity of feeding was lower during the period of increased spawning activity and higher during post – spawning period. The length – weight relationship worked out for the species is log W = -4.2751 + 2.5848 log L, the relationship showing no significant difference between the sexes. The relative condition cycle closely followed the spawning cycle, the values being close to ‘1’. Condition factor calculated using eviscerated weight of fish provided an index of true well being of the fish.
Open Access
Effect of eyestalk ablation on androgenic gland and male secondary sexual characters in Macrobrachium Idella (Hilgendorf)
(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 1998) Sherine Sonia, Cubelio; KAU; Thampy, D M
The present study in the prawn, Macrobrachium idella was taken up to find out morphotypic variation among the males, the endocrine basis for these variations and also to know the role if any, the eyestalk endocrines have, on the control of androgenic gland, which in turn is controlling the development of male primary and secondary sex characters. The study conducted to find the relationship between development of sex characters with that of androgenic gland conducted using 30 male prawns of different sizes has ShO\\-l1 that these sex characters are under the control of androgenic gland and have no relationship with that of the body size. Of the 30, 22 individuals were found to have a bodylength to cheliped length ratio below 1: 1.5, their androgenic gland and appendix masculina, not fully developed indicating that they are reproductively inactive. Remaining 8 individuals have a body length to cheliped length ratio above I: 1.5. They have well developed androgenic gland and appendix masculina showing that there is positive correlation between the biomass of androgenic gland and the cheliped length. An experiment conducted to find out the effect of unilateral eyestalk ablation on growth and development of primary and seconadry sexual characters as well as on the androgenic gland, had shown that destalking brings about a positive change in the development of androgenic gland and sex characters. The increase in the size of the androgenic gland and consequent hypertrophy of primary and secondary sexual characters brought about as a result of unilateral eyestalk ablation do indicate that the GlH, a hormone produced in the eyestalk has got an inhibitory effect on androgenic gland as well as on the growth of the prawn, which when removed by " destalking" , results in the enlargement of the androgenic gland and other sexual characters.
Open Access
Studies on temporal and spatial variations of circulation and hydrographic characteristics of Panangad region of the Vembanad Lake
(Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2003) Vijayakumar, C T; KAU; Varna, K K
The objective of the study was to find the seasonal and spatial variations of different hydrographical factors of the Vcmbanad Lake around Panangad region and compare the situation with that of the other parts of the lake. Salinity, temperature, current velocity and direction, dissolved oxygen, primary production and nutrients like phosphate, nitrite and nitrate were the parameters studied. For this monthly observations of these factors were made from nine stations located in and around Panangad region of Vembanad Lake. Beside this tidal cycle observations were carried out from two stations to study the tidal variation of the factors. S.T.D. meter was used to measure salinity, and temperature and a current meter for the current measurements. Water samples from surface and sub surfaces were collected with a clean bucket and a Van Dorn bottle. The estimation of dissolved oxygen, primary production and nutrients were done by standard methods. Marked seasonal fluctuation was noticed in the temperature of different stations. Annual variation showed two maxima. The temperature was minimum during southwest monsoon and maximum during pre monsoon months. In general, the vertical thermal stratification was small. The salinity exhibited marked seasonal fluctuation and generally the monsoon months recorded very low salinity values. After that there was an increase, reaching the maximum in pre monsoon months. Some vertical stratification was noticed during certain months. The Dissolved oxygen values were low during pre monsoon months and the content was more at surface than at the bottom layers. There was high seasonal fluctuation In the phosphate concentration. It showed high concentration during pre monsoon period. Generally bottom layers showed higher phosphate concentration than the surface layers. In the case of nitrite high values were observed durin 118 the monsoon and low values during dry season. Nitrate concentration also showed seasonal variation and high values were observed during the monsoon and low values during pre monsoon. The nutrient concentration was more in the inner smaller arms of the study area, in general. These inner arms were vertically homogenous also possibly due to higher mixing generated by the friction of the sides. In the tidal cycle observations it is found that salinity showed an increase during flood tide and decrease during ebb tide. At both stations considerable reduction in flood current speed was observed during post monsoon, compared to pre monsoon. During pre-rnonsoon a comparatively well mixed condition was prevailed. Post monsoon observations indicated very clear salinity stratification. This was due to the effect of freshwater discharge, which continued during this season though at reduced rate compared to monsoon season. It is found that the tidal effect on temperature was not well marked. It can be seen that different hydrographic factors of Panangad region of the Vembanad Lake exhibited much seasonal and spatial variations and the trend was in general, same to that shown by other parts of the lake.
Open Access
Community changes in zooplankton and macrobenthos of a prawn culture field in relation to hydrographical conditions
(Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2003) Shreeram Sudheer, Gubba; KAU; Cherian, C J
The present study was carried out in the prawn filtration field of the College of Fisheries at Panangad adjacent to the Cochin backwater system to find out the faunal variations of zooplankton and macrobenthos and to correlate them with the variations in hydro graphic conditions and compare the results with those obtained from the observations in the adjacent lake. Monthly samples for hydro graphical and biological studies were collected during the period from November 2002 to July 2003 from the culture field and adjacent backwater. Hydrographical features like temperature, salinity, transparency, pH, total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, nitrate-N, phosphate-P, silicate-Si were observed. Crustacean larvae, copepods, tintinnids, nematodes, rotifers and veliger larvae of molluscs were the zooplankton groups obtained in the present study. Crustacean larvae and copepods were the dominant groups in both places and were found during all the months whereas tintinnids and nematodes were observed during saline period and their number decreased with decreasing salinity. Rotifers were recorded during low saline period only. Veliger larvae were recorded during December and February in the culture field, whereas, they were not present in the samples form the adjacent backwater. Statistical analysis for the influence of hydrographical parameters on the zooplankton showed that none of these had significant influence independently and the variations in the zooplankton abundance may be due to the combined effect of all these factors. Even though the seasonal changes in the total zooplankton were not pronounced the per cent composition of different groups showed fluctuation. Tanaidaceans, gastropods, polychaetes, amphipods, bivalves, isopods and chironomid larvae were the benthic groups obtained. Among these 112250 124 gastropods, tanaidaceans and polychaetes were the dominant forms. In the culture field benthic populations were maximum during the post-monsoon months and a showed a decreasing trend during pre-monsoon. With the onset of the monsoon they showed an increasing trend. In the backwater high benthic abundance was observed during January and February when high salinity prevailed and gradually decreased from March onwards reaching the minimum in July. In the culture field benthic abundance was mainly influenced by substratum characteristics and pH, whereas in the adjacent backwater salinity also played a role. The area of the present study is away from the barmouth and the nutrient levels especially phosphate is low in the culture field. This may be limiting the primary productivity of the area leading to low secondary production in terms of zooplankton and macrobenthos in the culture field. The high pH noticed in the culture field may be another reason for the low productivity.
Open Access
Effect of eyestalk ablation on growth and reproduction of macrobrachium equidens (Dana)
(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 1994) Bijulal, P S; KAU; Thampy, D M
The objective of the present study is to evaluate the effect of eyestalk ablation on survival, growth, food conversion and reproduction of adult Macrobrachiumequidens. In the first experiment conducted for 35 days, unilateral eyestalk ablation, bilateral ablation and control treatments were employed at four level of salinities viz 5, 10, 15 and 20 ppt. Complete mortality in bilateral ablation and survival rates of 40.625 % and 68.75% for unilateral and control treatments were recorded at the end of the experiment, the values ranging significantly. The four salinity levels applied did not significantly affect survival. The difference in growth between ablated and unablatedtreatments was insignificant in terms of percentage gain, specific growth rate and average daily percentage gain in terms of length and weight. Salinity levels also showed insignificant difference in growth. Food conversion rate was significantly better in ablated treatment. The different salinity levels tried showed significant difference with regard to food conversion, being better at 20 ppt. In the second experiment conducted for 60 days on females, eyestalk ablation was found to enhance ovarian. In the second experiment conducted for 60 days on females, eyestalk ablation was found to enhance ovarian development in terms of the number of spawns per female. Fecundity, absolute fecundity, and incubation period were not significantly affected although a marginal increase in absolute fecundity could be observed . In the experiments conducted on males it was found that growth rate and cheliped development were significantly better in ablated ones. The number of spines in the appendix masculine, length and biomass of the androgenic gland and width of vas deference, did not show significant variation, although a marginal increase in the biomass of the androgenic gland and the number of spines in appendix masculine was observed in ablated treatment. The different eyestalk ablation experiments have shown that in females destalking does not stimulate growth but there is better response for reproduction, whereas in males there is better growth and only marginal response to reproduction.
Open Access
Extent of adoption of scientific practices in prawn farming
(Department of Management Studies, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 1990) Sasikumar, P K; KAU; Pushkaran, P S
This study was undertaken to probe into the present situation of prawn farming in Kerala. The study aimed at assessing the communication media used for the dissemination of scientific prawn farming practices, the communication media utilized by prawn farmers at awareness and adoption stages, extent of adoption of scientific practices, correlates of adoption behaviour and the reasons for non-adoption or partial adoption of scientific practices. The study was conducted in Ernakulam district among 100 prawn farmers randomly selected. The data were collected through personal interview using a structured and pre-tested interview schedule. Appropriate standard statistical tools were used for analysis and interpretation. The extent of adoption was measured using the adoption quotient formula. Twenty four characteristics of prawn farmers were tested to find their association with adoption behaviour. The socio-economic variables studied were age, education, experience , land possession training participation, institutional credit utilization and income from prawn farming. The situational characteristics included total farming area, area under selective stocking , salinity, distance from bar mouth, average depth at high tide, average depth at low tide and number of crops raised. Scientific orientation, economic motivation risk preference, marketing orientation, extent of awareness of scientific practices in prawn farming and rationality in decision making were the socio-psychological variables tested. The communication variables studied were utilization of personal localite sources, utilization of personal cosmopolite sources and utilization of mass media sources. The study revealed that the extension communication media were very extensively used for the dissemination of scientific prawn farming technology. The most important individual method employed was farm and home visits. Other methods frequently employed were lectures, film shows, group discussions, training programmes and demonstrations. The farmers utilized more of personal localite sources, followed by personal cosmopolite and mass media sources for awareness as well as adoption. The mean awareness index of prawn farmers was 64.00 with majority of the farmers falling under the category of medium awareness. The mean extent of adoption of scientific practices was worked out , and majority of the farmers came in the medium category based on extent of adoption. Of the 19 scientific practices selected for study, all the practices except ‘acclimation of seeds’, ‘maintenance of dissolved oxygen level in the pond’ ‘monitoring and control of PH, control of algal blooms and ‘need based control of disease and parasites’ were heard by over 50 percent of the respondents. Only three practices viz. strengthening of buds and deepening of channels, fixing or repairing of sluice gate, and stocking the pond with selected prawn seeds were heard by all the respondents. Only two practices namely ‘strengthening of bunds and deepening of channels’ and ‘fixing or repairing of sluice gate’ were found fully adopted by 50 or above 50 percent of respondents. Highest full adoption was observed for the practices ‘fixing or repairing of sluice gate’. There was no full adoptes for the practices ‘maintenance of dissolved oxygen level in the pond’ ‘need based water exchange’ and ‘need based control of disease and parasites’. Highest partial adoption was observed for the practice ‘need based water exchange’ followed by ‘removal of aquatic weeds’, supplementary feeding based on biomass’ and ‘strengthening of bunds’ and ‘deepening of channels’. The partial adopters of these practices were 99 percent , 92 percent, 57 percent and 49 percent respectively. Important reasons for non-adoption and partial adoption of the practices were lack of awareness, lack of knowledge and non-adoption of the practice ‘stocking the ponds with selected prawn seeds’. Among the 24 variables tested to find out association with extent of adoption, only nine showed significant influence on adoption behaviour. The characteristics of prawn farmers which were found significantly contributing to extent of adoption were training participation, land possession, institutional credit utilization, area under selective stocking, number of crops raised, extent of awareness of scientific practices in prawn farming, rationality in decision making, utilization of personal cosmopolite sources and utilization of mass media sources. Multiple regression model fitted with the above nine variables illustrated that these nine variables together explained 86.82 percent of variations in extent of adoption. Further, the step-wise regression analysis revealed that the best subset of variables in predicting the dependent variables were utilization of personal cosmopolite sources, utilization of mass media sources and area under selective stocking. These three variables together explained 86.48 percent of variations in adoptive behaviour. Of the nine variables subjected to path – analysis all the variables except awareness of scientific practices in prawn farming and rationality in decision making had positive path coefficients. The indirect influence of the variables on extent of adoption were mainly channeled through utilization of personal cosmopolite sources and area under selective stocking.
Open Access
Growth response of penaeus monodon fabricus to pelleted feeds of different protein sources
(Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 1991) Josekkutty, P A; KAU; Susheela, Jose
The efficiency and keeping quality of the five pelleted feeds formulated from different protein sources viz. clarm meal, prawn meal, slaughter house waste meal, soybean meal, single protein (marine yeast) were tested with a view to develop a suitable supplementary feed for Penaeus monodon The feeds were isonitrogeneous , crude protein content ranged from 39.76 to 40.3%) and isocaloric (Caloric value between 3.34-3.72 K.cal/g). The quality of the feeds over a period of four months of storage remained good, eventhough a slight reduction in nutritive value has occurred. P. monodon juvenile were reared for 6 weeks in experimental tanks with different artificial feeds the highest growth and survival were recorded in those fed with diet based on animal protein sources. Among the feeds tested, the clam meal based diet was found to be superior followed by diet based on slaughter house waste meal. The diet based on marine yeast was found to give better performance than those based on prawn meal or soybean meal. The food conversion ratios obtained with different feeds ranged from 2.18 to 3.26. The lowest FCR was recorded in diet based on clam meal (2.18) and the highest (3.26) in diet based on marine yeast. Protein efficiency ratios and protein digestability values were found to be higher in prawns fed with diet based on clam meal followed by diet based on slaughter house waste meal. Significant variations in the biochemical composition of prawns fed with diet based on different protein sources were recorded. Significant variation in oxygen consumption, ammonia, excretion and O:N ratios were recorded in prawns reared on different protein based diets. Highest oxygen consumption rate and lowest ammonia excretion rate were observed for diets based on animal protein sources than plant or single cell protein source. Among the different diets tested, diet based on clam meal recorded highest oxygen consumption, lowest ammonia excretion and highest O:N ratio values. The optimum food ration for P.mondon juveniles was found to be at 6% of the body weight while maintenance and maximum rations were 1.8% and 15% respectively for clam meal based diet. Food consumption, growth and survival of P.monodon increased, as feeding frequency was raised, however these parameters increased only upto an increase of 3 meal/day and there after they showed a declining trend.

Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur

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