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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 Influence of different levels of energy on growth performance of crossbred pigs(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Rekha, P; KAU; George, MathenAn experiment was conducted to assess •the influence of different levels of energy on the growth performance of crossbred (Large White Yorkshire x Desi) pigs. Fifteen male (castrated) and fifteen female weaned crossbred piglets with an average body weight of 12.9 kg were divided into three equal groups as uniformly as possible with regard to age, sex and body weight. The three groups of piglets were maintained on three rations with 16 per cent crude protein but differing in their energy content, viz., 2800 kcal (T1), 3000 kcal CT2) and 3200 kcal (TI) of digestible energy (DE) per kg. The average daily gains recorded for the three groups T1, T2 and TI were 262.9, 302.0 and 362.8 g respectively. The cumulative feed conversion efficiencies were 6.0, 5.2 and 4.1 for the groups T1, T2 and TI respectively. The values recorded for TI were higher (P<0.01) than those for T1 and T2. The digestibility coefficients of nutrients except that of crude fibre and crude protein were found to improve with increase in the energy content of the rations. Study of the carcass traits revealed that the body weight at slaughter and dressed weight without head improved as the energy content of the rations increased. However, dressing percentage, carcass length and back fat thickness were not significantly influenced by the energy content of the ration. The cost of feed per kg weight gain of animals was significantly lower (P<0.01) for the dietary treatment T3 compared to that of T2 and Tl, the values being Rs.49.90, 43.30 and 34.10 for Tl, T2 and T3 respectively. The above results indicate that crossbred pigs require 3200 kcal of DE/kg of the ration for better growth performance provided the crude protein level is maintained at 16 per cent.ThesisItem Open Access Investigations on etio-pathology of vomiting in dogs(Department of Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Muraly, P; KAU; Baby, P GThe study "INVESTIGATIONS ON ETIO-PATHOLOGY OF VOMITING IN DOGS" was conducted in 20 dogs to evaluate ultrasonography and radiography as diagnostic tools in vomiting dogs; to assess hydration status, electrolyte and acid-base balance in vomiting dogs and to correlate clinico-pathologic findings with radiographic and ultrasonographic changes. Various parameters such as history, physical examination, hydration status, ultrasonography, radiography-plain and contrast, haematology, serum biochemistry, and wherever possible histopathology were studied. Most of the dogs under study had bile stained watery vomitus but dogs with pyloric stenosis had frothy or watery white vomitus. The frequency of vomiting in dogs with gastritis and gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction was two to seven times per day, it was variable in dogs with hepatic and renal disorders, but was associated with food intake in dogs with pyloric stenosis. Physical examination was found useful in dogs with GI obstruction, while it was non-specific in dogs with gastritis and renal disorders. Capillary refill time (CRT) and degree of sunken eye balls were helpful to assess dehydration. Estimation of volume of packed red cells (VPRC) was found beneficial to assess dehydration unless the dogs are anemic. Ultrasonography could not identify any lesions in dogs with gastritis, but was useful to detect GI obstructions due to pyloric stenosis, intussusception and foreign body and to characterise lesions in the parenchymal organs like liver and kidney. While plain radiographs could give indication to possible non-radiopaque GI obstructions, contrast radiography was required to confirm. Radiography could not identify any lesions in dogs with gastritis, hepatic and chronic intestitial nephritis. Hypokalemia with metabolic alkalosis was the significant electrolyte and acid-base derangement in dogs with vomiting due to gastritis and GI obstructions.ThesisItem Open Access Immunodiagnosis of bovine gastrothylacosis using coproantigens(Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2000) Kandasamy, A; KAU; Devada, KA study was conducted on the prevalence of paramphistomatidosis in Thrissur from June 1999 to May 2000, feasibility of coproantigen detection by ELlSA and comparison of sensitivity of ELlSA using coproantigens and ELlSA using serum antibodies in diagnosis of gastrothylacosis, caused by Gastrothy/ax crumenifer, in cattle. It was noted from the registers maintained at the University Veterinary Hospitals at Kokkalai and Mannuthy and that at the Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, that out of a total number of 1534 faecal samples from bovines examined, 253 (16.5 per cent) animals were found to be positive for amphistome eggs with the maximum prevalence (23 per cent) in June and July. Generally the infection was prevalent throughout the year. An indirect ELlSA using rabbit hyperimmune serum against somatic antigens of G. crumenifer was performed to detect coproantigens in faecal samples collected from 100 known G. crumenifer infected cattle. Seventy four samples were found to contain detectable levels of coproantigen indicating a sensitivity of 74 per cent. Serum samples collected from the same infected cattle were tested for antibodies to G. crumenifer by an indirect ELlSA using somatic antigens. Fifty one samples were found positive for antibodies indicating a sensitivity of 51 per cent. It was seen that when 43 cattle were positive for both coproantigens and serum antibodies, 18 cattle were negative for both of them. Although 31 cattle which were negative for serum antibodies were found positive for coproantigens, eight cattle negative for coproantigens were found positive for serum antibodies. The results showed that coproantigen detection, which revealed a higher sensitivity than the detection of serum antibodies by ELlSA, is feasible for the diagnosis of gastrothylacosis in bovines.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of probiotic supplementation on the performance of broiler chicken(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2001) Sabitha Mahaboob Kadari, A; KAU; Elizabeth, V KThe effects of different levels of pro biotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium and Yeasacc 1026) supplementation• at 0.025 and 0.05 per cent of the ration on the performance of broiler chicken were evaluated using 144, one-day old, commercial broiler chicks for a period of eight weeks. The birds were divided into three dietary treatment groups viz., standard broiler ration (T 1), standard broiler ration with 0.025 per cent probiotic (T 2) and standard broiler ration with 0.05 per cent probiotic (T3). Standard broiler ration was formulated as per Bureau of Indian Standards (1992) specification for broiler chicken feed. The 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented birds showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) body weight upto six weeks of age. At the end of eight weeks of age, the 0.05 per cent probiotic fed birds grew faster. The body weight gain was significantly higher in 0.025 per cent probiotic supplemented group upto six weeks of age but was statistically non-significant upto eight weeks of age. The feed intake was not statistically significant throughout the experimental period. Eventhough the feed efficiency was significantly (P<0.01) better in the group fed with 0.025 per cent probiotic at the end of second week, it was statistically non-significant at sixth and eighth weeks of age. The protein efficiency was not significantly different throughout the experimental period. The serum cholesterol levels were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in both the probiotic supplemented groups. The serum protein level was not affected by probiotic supplementation. The processing Yields did not show any significant difference among treatments. The mortality percentage was not affected by treatments. Cost of production of broilers in the 0.025 per cent probiotic group was lower when compared with other two groups at the end of six weeks of age, while it was lower in the 0.05 per cent probiotic supplemented group at the end of eight weeks of age. It can be concluded that probiotic supplementation in standard broiler ration at a lower level was beneficial in the early stages of growth.ThesisItem Open Access Induction of parturition and evaluation of postpartum fertility in crossbred cows(Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2010) Sheeja, S; KAU; Aravinda Ghosh, K NA preliminary study was conducted by collecting data regarding gestation length and details of calving among crossbred cattle of the University Livestock Farm and local breeds belonging to “ICAR Scheme on Conservation of Germplasm of Vechur Cattle”. The mean gestation length of crossbred cattle of ULF was 274 ± 0.48 days and that of Vechur scheme was 282 ± 0.98 days. The average birth weight of new born calf at ULF was 26.52 ± 0.39 kg and that of Vechur was 10.43 ± 0.12 kg. The sex ratio of male and female was 1: 0.9 and 1: 1.2 for ULF and Vechur scheme respectively The main experiment was undertaken to develop a suitable protocol for induction of parturition in crossbred cattle with prolonged gestation and to assess the postpartum fertility of these animals. The study was performed in 24 pregnant animals of the University Livestock Farm and private farms near by Mannuthy during the period from December 2008 to February 2010. In all animals in group I, II and III, the drug was administered for inducing parturition on 286th day of gestation. In group 1, 24 mg of dexamethsone, in group II 500µg of prostaglandin analogue (cloprostenol) and in group III, a combination of 12 mg of dexamehasone and 250 µg cloprostenol was administered intramuscularly and group IV acted as control. The mean time taken in hours for induction of parturition in group I to III was 39.50 ± 1.26, 30.50 ± 2.17 and 26.90 ± 1.80 respectively and the least time was recorded in combination group. The duration for first stage of labour in groups I to IV was 4.00 ± 0.16, 3.12 ± 0.15, 3.24 ± 0.02, 4.49 ± 0.12 hours respectively and for second stage was 1.27 ± 0.02, 1.12 ± 0.14, 1.21 ± 0.12, 1.53 ± 0.10 hours respectively. The mean time for the expulsion of placenta was 6.67 ± 0.33, 6.35 ± 1.87, 3.02 ± 0.13 2.74 ± 0.14 hours respectively. The mean weight of the placenta for the groups was 2.87 ± 0.43, 3.50 ± 0.54, 3.00 ± 0.28, 3.60 ± 0.25 kg and the mean number of cotyledons were 89.50 ± 0.76, 91.20 ± 0.60, 90.5 ± 0.84, and 91.50 ± 0.76 respectively. The incidence of dystocia in groups I to IV was 50, 0, 33.33 and 50 per cent respectively. The incidence of retention of foetal membranes in groups I to IV was 50, 33.33, 16.66 and 16.66 per cent respectively. In group I, the incidence of postpartum prolapse of genital organs, downer cow and mastitis were recorded as 16.66 per cent each. The sex ratio for the groups I to IV was 1:1, 0.57: 1, 1:1 and 1:1. The mean birth weight in kg for the male calves was 29.33 ± 1.2, 26.65 ±6.5, 31.5 ± 3.40, 34.66 ± 2.03 respectively. Similarly the birth weight of female calves were 30.00 ± 1.15, 27.25 ± 1.97, 23.33 ± 2.40, 32.33 ± 1.20 kg respectively. There was steady increase in body weight of calves as age advanced in experimental and control groups, however there was no significant difference between groups in mean body weight gain. The mean peak yield in the present lactation for the experimental and control animals was 9.57 ± 0.58, 11.33 ±1.17, 11.67 ±1.54 and 13.17± 0.75 liters respectively. The corresponding values in the previous lactation for the experimental and control groups were 11.48 ± 0.48, 11.60 ± 0.75, 12.70 ± 0.47 and 13.50 ± 0.65 liters respectively. The day of peak yield in the present lactation was 25.00 ± 0.63, 21.66 ± 0.61, 22.33 ± 1.05 and 19.16 ± 0.79 days and the corresponding values in previous lactation were 19.80 ± 0.95, 18.70 ± 0.67, 20.30 ± 1.28 and 19.30 ± 0.63 days respectively. The disappearance of lochial discharge for the experimental and control groups was 20.16 ± 1.04, 17.31 ± 1.13, 17.17 ± 0.87, 21.00 ± 1.26 days respectively. The first postpartum oestrus was observed at 33.20 ± 1.25, 30.70 ± 0.88, 29.50 ± 0.76 days for experimental animals and for control animals it was 31.60 ± 0.76 days. Similarly, the second postpartum oestrus was on 59.00 ± 1.22, 51.83 ± 0.83, 48.33 ± 1.99, 53.83 ± 0.94 days respectively. Conception rate for the first AI in group I to IV was 0, 50, 50, and 33.33 respectively where as the overall conception rate for these animals was 16.66, 66.66, 83.33, 66.66 per cent respectively. The highest conception rate was obtained in group III. The mean calving to conception interval for the experimental and control animals was 91.50 ± 15, 77.66 ± 9.38, 74.00 ± 7.00 and 82.00 ± 13.97 days respectively Premature induction of parturition was carried out in four downer cows presented at Veterinary College Hospital, Mannuthy which failed with routine medical treatment and having the gestation length of 253, 285, 270 and 275 days. In the first two animals parturition was induced with prostaglandin and the time taken for induction was 48.30 and 31.20 hours respectively. In dexamethasone treated animal calving occurred at 51 hours after administration of drug. Similarly the time taken for induction in animal which treated with combination of dexamethasone and prostaglandin was 29.45 hours. All the three animals in which prostaglandin and its combination with dexamethasone, recovered from recumbent stage after delivery and had regained normal feeding habits. The animal treated with dexamethasone had not regained the normal condition and was advised disposal. But all the four calves survived in this experiment. The present study revealed that induction of parturition with prostaglandin alone in normal dose and its combination with dexamethasone at a lower dose were equally useful for successful induction of parturition in animals with prolonged gestation with least reproductive complications. When parturition was induced with dexamethasone milk yield was found to be reduced during early stages of lactation while when prostaglandin and its combination with dexamethasone were used reduction in milk yield was negligible. In animals in which parturition was induced with prostaglandin and its combination had normal disappearance of lochial discharge, early involution of uterus and had early normal postpartum oestrus and had fairly good overall conception rate. Further it is recommended that premature induction of parturition in downer cows when all other medical treatments have failed, prostaglandin or its combination with dexamethasone could ideally be used to induce premature induction of parturition to save the life of mother and new born.ThesisItem Open Access Immunopathologic and toxic effects of endosulfan in chick embryo(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2004) Kalai Selvan, P; KAU; Divakaran Nair, NThe present study was undertaken to investigate the immunopathologic and toxic effects of endosulfan in chick embryo. The embryos were exposed to endosulfan at various dose levels through different routes. The weight of the embryo, bursa, thymus and spleen, histopathology of the lymphoid organs, liver, kidney and brain and quantification of the preformed maternal IgY level in the egg yolk were the parameters analysed to study the effects. Endosulfan was found to be teratogenic at the grven dose levels. The abnormalities observed were agenesis of beak, crossed beak, short lower beak, eventration of viscera and curled toe. Endosulfan did not cause any significant gross changes in the developing embryos except mild haemorrhages. Endosulfan treatment did not produce any significant reduction in the weight of the embryos as well as the weight of the lymphoid organs. On histopathological examinations endosulfan was found to be nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic to the embryos. Varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis was evident in kidney and liver. Effect on the bursa, thymus and spleen were mild to moderate where in the degenerative changes predominated. Dose dependent increase in the involution process of the thymus as evidenced by increase in the Hassal's zone was observed. The lesions in the developing lymphoid organs reflected that endosulfan is toxic to the system and going to affect the immunocompetency by way of immunosuppression and thereby rendering the chicks susceptible to various diseases. The study indicated that the endosulfan treatment did not have any effect on the preformed maternal immunoglobulin level in the egg yolk.ThesisItem Open Access Microbial agents associated with eye infection in chicken(Department of microbiology, College of veterinary and animal sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Jaison, George; KAU; Jayaprakasan, VA study was undertaken to find out the microbial agents associated with the recently reported eye infection of chickens in many parts of Kerala. Samples were collected from 83 birds from different parts of Kerala. The bio-materials employed for the study were the conjunctival swabs and air sac materials. Organisms isolated from different stages of infection include 45 isolates of E. coli, 28 isolates of S. aureus, 11 isolates of B. coagulans, , eight isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two isolates of S. epidermidis, ten isolates of Alloscheria sp., five isolates of Penicillin sp. and three isolates of Scopulariopsis sp. and three isolates of M gallisepticum. On an average, the rate of isolation of microbial agents per sample at the beginning, mid and advanced stage of infection were 0.5, 1.3 and 2.8 respectively, showing that the number and type of organism isolated increased as the disease advanced except in the case of MG which was isolated only from the beginning stage of infection. No viral agents or e . chlamydia could be isolated through embryonated egg inoculation. The findings of the present study suggest that MG could be the primary agent leading to conjunctivitis while other eubacterial and fungal isolates could be secondary invaders complicating the condition. The antibiogram of the eubacterial isolates suggest that proper treatment with antibiotics like ciproflaxacin/gentamycin at the beginning stage of infection could prevent secondary invaders from complicating the condition.ThesisItem Open Access Pathology of cardio-pulmonary disorders in canines(Centre of Excellence in Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Pradeep, M; KAU; Vijayan, NThe present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence and pathology of various cardiac and pulmonary disorders in dogs. The data collected from the autopsy records maintained at the Centre of Excellence in Pathology, Mannuthy and seventy eight samples of heart and lungs from necropsy cases formed the basis of the study. Ninety nine per cent cases showed varying types of cardiac and pulmonary lesions. The highest incidence in the heart was dilated (75.32 per cent) and hypertrophic (15.58 per cent) cardiomyopathies. The other lesions found were hydropericardium, cardiac tamponade, haemorrhage, myocarditis, endocarditis, endocardial fibroelastosis, valvular blood cyst coronary arteriosclerosis and mural. thrombus. Myocardial infarction was found to be confined to the left ventricles and interventricular septum in all the encountered cases (5.19 per cent). Pulmonary congestion (70.51 per cent), haemorrhage (32.47 per cent) and edema (31.17 per cent) were observed with higher incidence rate. The other lesions found in the lungs were bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia, collapse, infarction, mineralization, ossification, anthracosis and endarteritis obliterans. Metastatic osteosarcoma in the lungs, metastatic lymphosarcoma in the heart and lungs were also observed. The incidence of cardio-pulmonary disorders encountered was relatively high. The need and scope for investigation into the pathological disorders of the heart and lungs of canines were highlighted.ThesisItem Open Access Morphometry and ageing of captive male asian elephants (Elephas maximus)(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 2003) Sasikumar, M; KAU; Francis, XavierThe collection of morphometric details from elephants of different age groups would enhance our biological understanding and management of this valuable species.. A total of fifty two clinically healthy captive male Asian elephants, varying in age, under excellent management, maintained by 'Guruvayoor Devaswom Board' were utilized for predicting body weight and height from body measurements as well as determination of age from physical features. For prediction equations several morphometric parameters were measured. All possible linear regressions of weight on one, two, three and four body measurements were calculated. The equations having highest coefficient determination value (R2) with least standard error of estimation was taken for predicting body weight and height in elephants. The data were also divided into age groups (Group I (Young ones; 0-20 years), Group 11 (Sub adults; 21-30 years), Group III (Adults; 31-40 years), and Group IV (0 Id adults; 41-70 years)) and all possible linear regressions were calculated for each group. The best prediction of body weight (kg) for all age groups (G I to G IV) was obtained based on two parameters; the chest girth (cm) and right forefoot circumference (cm). Single and also the combination of various parameters were used for the prediction' of body weight in different age groups. An equation to predict the height at the shoulders (cm) from right forefoot circumference (cm) for various age groups of elephants was also derived. Various parameters were correlated with age of the elephants and average values of these parameters were salculated for age approximation. The data were again divided into various age groups (Group A (Young ones; 0-20 years), Group B (Adults; 21-40 years), and Group C (Old adults; 41- 70 years)) and comparison of parameters between two age groups was done. The parameters such as depigmentation on the trunk, hair distribution, hollow on the temple region, width of the ear, circumference of tusk base and middle, and height at the shoulders had high correlation as well as significant difference in various age group comparisons. So, these parameters could be useful for age estimation in male elephants with more precision.
