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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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End date: 1977 × Start date: 1977 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the pathogenicity of tetrameres mohtedai and acuaria spiralis of fowl
    (Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1977) Ramaswamy, K; KAU; Sundaram, R K
    Controlled experiments were conducted at three levels of monospecific and dispecific infections with two commonly occurring spirurid worms of fowls viz. Tetrameres mohtedai and Acuaria spiralis. The blood studies conducted in monospecific T. mohtedai infection revealed a normocytic normochromic anaemia and eosinophilia during the initial phase and later a macrocytic anaemia, heterophilia and slight monocytosis by 66th day post infection. The infected birds lost considerable amount of their body weight. In layers there was a great delay in sexual maturity and poor feed efficiency as indicated by greatly reduced egg production. The percentage of establishment of worms in these experiments were found to be inversely proportional to the number of juveniles administered. The pathological changes in the affected proventriculi indicated an acute inflammation during the invasive phase of juveniles, followed by a chronic reaction which by 55th day post infection was well established indicating the development of a host – parasite balance towards the later stages of infection. Among the blood changes in monospecific A. spiralis infection, eosinophilia was evident initially followed by a marked leucopenia and development of a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia. Other effects due to parasitism were, delayed maturity, reduced rate of egg production, poor feed efficiency, loss of weight, emaciation and a mortality rate of 25% in chicks. The gross pathological changes in Acuariasis included the appearance of an irregular whitish patch on the serosa and formation of nodular growths in the mucosa which in heavy infections occupy the whole of the mucous membrane. Juveniles of A. spiralis were found to invade the compound glands in very heavy infections. The microscopic changes indicate a severe acute inflammation during the initial stages. Later as the disease became chronic pedunculated fibro – adenamatoid growths were evident on the mucous membrane. In dispecific infections with T. mohtedai and A. spiralis the haematological changes observed were eosinophilia during the early stages followed by a l eucopenia and heterophilia. As the disease progressed a macrocytic hypochromic anaemia developed. There was a great decrease in the live body weight of the infected birds. A mortality of 33.33% were observed in chicks with heavy infection. In layers the sexual maturity was delayed and egg production was greatly suppressed with consequent poor feed utilization. The gross and microscopic changes found in the affected proventriculi indicated a combination of lesions observed under monospecific infections of both the parasites. The results obtained show that the loss due to morbidity (mainly as a result of decreased body weight and reduced rate of egg production) was considerable. These facts indicate that both T. mohtedai and A. spiralis are economically important.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the biology, pathogenicity and treatment of important nematodes of domestic duck
    (Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1977) Chandrasekharan, K; KAU; Kalyanasundaram, R
    Studies on the incidence of nematode infections in 340 domestic ducks indicated that 67.94% of birds harboured one or more species of the following nematodes viz., Amidostomum globocaudata skrjabini , capillaria contorta, capillaria , Echinuria uncinate, Epomidiostum uncinatum, Eustrongylides papilosus, Strongyloides avium and tetramers antis. The rate of infection was highest in the case of Epomidiostomum uncinatum (41.86% ) and lowest in the case of strongyloides avium (0.59%). The lifecycles of Echinuria uncinata and Tetramers anatis were worked out in detail. It was established that Tetramers anatis was distinct from Tetramers Fissispina. The complete details of the morphology of juveniles both within the intermediate and final hosts were given. The juveniles of Echinuria uncinata completed the first and second moultings on the third and fifth day respectively and the stage juveiles reached infective stage on the seventh day following infection in Daphnia pulex at a room temperature ranging from 25 to 30C0. In ducklings the juveniles underwent the third and fourth moultings on the third and seventh day respectively and the eggs of the parasite were first found in the droppings on the thirty- third day. The juveniles of Tetramers anatis completed first mopulting on the third day, the second moulting on the fifth day and the third stage encysted in fat bodies of the grasshopper, Spathosternum prasiniferum. The third stage juveniles attained infective stage on the sixth day following infection. Within the ducklings, the parasite underwent the third moulting on the third day. The fourth moulting in respect of males was seen on the nineth day and in the case of females on the tenth day. The prepatent period of the parasite was found to be 24 days. Development of the juveniles was also noticed in five other species of grasshoppers viz., Oxya nitidula, Oedaleus abruptus, Conocephalus maculatus, Ducetia Japonica and Atractomorpha crenulata. No development of Tetrameres anatis, beyound the first stage was observed inDaphnia Pulex and Daphnia Magna on experimental infection. Anaemic changes with significant reduction in weight gain and haematological values were observed in experimental infections of Tetrameres anatis, Amidostomum skrjabini and Epomidiostomum uncinatum. Histopathological changes like haemorrahage, desquamation of cells, catarrbal inflammation and necrosis were seen in experimental tetramerosis. Ulceration and atrophy were also evident in amidostomiasis and epomidiostomiasis. The anthelmintic efficacy of 9 drugs against adult worms of Tetrameres anatis, Amidostomum skrjabini and Epomidiostomum uncinatum under experimental infections were determined. The efficacies against tetramerosis, amidostomiasis and epomidiostomiasis were 79.23%,32.15% and 79.88% with Tetramisole by drochloride at 50 mg/kg body weight; 70.36%, 52.42% and 50.23% with phenothiazine at 500 mg/kg; 26.85%, 74.8% and 65.68% with Morantel tartrate at 40mg/kg; 45.70% 67.29% and 57.84% with Parbendazole at 100 mg/kg; 41,0%’63/93% and 43.13% with Thiabendazole at 200 mg/kg; 59.28%,61.06% and 52.66% with Carbontetrachloride at 2ml/kg; 35.94%, 30,12% and 13.13% with Methyridine at 200 mg/kg; 28.87% 20.17% and 11.32% with Disophenol at 10 mg/kg and 31.02%, 39.04% and 12.66% with Cashewnut shell oil at 10 g/kg body weight respeectively. The drug Rametin at 200 mg/kg was found to be fatal to ducklings. In a cross infection trial delyed development and lesser percentage of establishement of Ascaridia galli of fowl origin were observed in ducklings as compared to chicks.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Investigations on the salinity problems of pokkali and kaipad areas of Kerala state
    (Department of Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1977) Samikutty, V; KAU; Aiyer, R S
    The saline soils of the State viz., Pokkali, Kaipad and Orumundakan are coastal saline soils, which cover an area of about 30,000 hectares, cropped to a single crop of paddy. The profile characteristics of the soil reveal that they are Entisols. They contain varying levels of soluble salts depending upon their nearness to sea, backwater, or their situation on the flood plains of rivers and their nearness to the river mouths. The electrical conductivity of the saturation extract (ECe) of these soils range between 7.6 to 226.3 mmhos/cm showing differences in the magnitude of salinity encountered, prior to the soils being leached in summer months. Though the soils are exhibiting extremely high levels of salinity in the summer months, they get decreased rapidly below critical levels for growing a successful saline resistant paddy crop by July-August. The observed SAR and ESP values ranging to the maximum values of 25.0 and 26.3 in the months of February-March rapidly get decreased to 1 to 3 by between August and November. These low levels of salinity are maintained till December-January with an occasional spurt in salinity levels dependent on the opposing hydrological situation caused by the flood and rain waters on the one hand from east to west and the tidal waters from the west to the east on the other. The long period of nearly six months, when salinity in the soils are below critical levels, indicate the possibility of introducing a two crop system instead of one, provided nurseries are raised in non – saline uplands and transplanting resorted to in the raised mounds: previously leached free of soluble salts during the monsoon. The cationic-anionic composition of the soils reveal that they are Na-Mg-Cl-SO4 type of coastal saline soils. About 50 per cent of the soils studied have a pH below 5.5 and 15 to 20 per cent of the soils have lime requirement of more than 5 tons per hectare. In general the soils are extremely poor in phosphates and rich in potash. Application of non-magnesium containing lime materials at the time of mounding and subsequent leaching together with basal application of phosphate prior to planting are likely to enhance the yields of paddy in these areas. In short, the methods of management are highly location-specific calling for intensified research. The occurrence of saline water in the pits between the mounds even during the cropping period indicates the possibility of mixed rice culture with pisciculture
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on growth response, feed efficiency and carcas characteristics of pigs reared up to different market weight on two dietary treatments
    (Department of Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1977) Ramachandran, P; KAU; Sivaraman, E
    A detailed investigation was carried out to study the growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass quality and economics of production of fattening pigs maintained on two dietary treatments differing in protein levels and reared upto three different body weights. Thirtysix weaner pigs of Large White Yorkshire breed belonging to the University Pig Breeding Farm, Mannuthy were distributed under two dietary treatments and divided into three groups 1, 11 and 111 of six animals each, the animals in the three groups being slaughtered at body weights of 55, 70 and 85 kg.respectively. Higher dietary protein level of 18 per cent promoted better weight gains in pigs during the initial period of their growth. Lowering of protein level in the finishing ration reduced the weight gain and feed efficiency of the animals. A dietary protein level of 16 per cent throughout the feeding period brought about linear increase in overall average daily gain at all body weights studied. Though the protein level does not seem to influence any of the carcass characteristics studied, the dressing percentage, carcass length, backfat thickness and eyemuscle area are positively correlated with body weights under both the dietary treatments. Fat constants are not affected either by protein levels or by live weights. The overall results obtained during the course of the present investigation indicate that the unit cost of production of fattening pigs is least at 55 kg live weight on the dietary treatment A having 18 – 16 – 14 per cent protein and at 85 kg live weight on the dietary treatment B having 16 per cent protein level throughout.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the bacterial species associated with pneumonia in goats
    (Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,mannuthy, 1977) Madhusoodanan Pillai, R; KAU; Abdulla, P K
    A total of 214 specimens which inoculated 80 lung tissues, 55 nasal swabs, 43 tracheal swabs and 36 bronchial lymph nodes from goats with signs of pneumonia were examined during the course of this study. Out of these, 139 revealed the presence of different species of bacterial organisms. One – hundred and fifty six strains of various bacterial species were isolated and identified. The important species being Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus pneumonia, Streptococcus Pyogenes, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Staphylococcs aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli. On experimental transmission study it was observed that P. multocida and Str. Pneumononiae were found to be lethal to mice and rabbits whereas C. pyogenes could produce only suppurative changes in omentum and liver. Intra tracheal inoculation of the cultures of P. multocida, Str.pneumoniae and C. pyogenes in goats have revealed the reproduction of mild pneumonic changes, but did not produce death due to pneumonia. As time advanced these earlier changes showed a tendency towards healing. Compared to P. multocida and Str. Pneumonia it could be said that C. pyogenes had produced more intense tissue reaction in the lung under identical conditions. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity studies of P. multocida, Str. Pneumonia and C. pyogenes to 11 chemotherapeutic agents were carried out. The agents included were ampicillin, bacitracin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, gentamycin, kanamycin, nitrofurans, penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and triple sulfa. In the light of the results obtained it could be stated that the drugs of choice for P. multocida are nitrofurans, chloramphenicol and tetracycline. In the case of Str. Pneumonia, penicillin, chloramphenicol and bacitracin were found to be more effective and for C. pyogenes, ampicillin, chloramphenicol and penicillin showed cent percent sensitivity.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the preservation of boar semen in various extenders
    (Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences,Mannuthy, 1977) Vijaya Kumaran, KAU; Neelakanta, Iyer C P
    With the ultimate object of evolving a suitable extender for boar semen 72 ejaculates from six boars selected at random from University Pig Breeding Farm, Mannuthy were used for the preservation studies. Six diluents viz., Egg yolk – glucose – citrate, 111ini variable temperature diluent, Coconut milk extender, Kiew – 1, Kiew – 11 and Glucose – glycine – EDTA – bicarbonate – citrate diluent were used to study the keeping quality of boar semen at two temperatures of storage ( 150 and 50C). The highest percentage of progressively motile sperms was observed in glucose – clycine – EDTA – bicarbonate – citrate, Kiew – 11 and Kiew – 1 extenders. At 150 C semen could be stored in these extenders upto 60 hours with good motility. Coconut milk extender proved to be least suitable for the preservation of boar semen both at 150 and 50 C of storage. Progressive motility in all the diluents was higher at 150 C than at 50 C.
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    ThesisItemRestricted
    Studies on certain economic traits in desi ducks
    (Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Thrissur, 1977) Renchi P, George; KAU; Unni, A K K
    This thesis embodies the results of an investigation carried out to study the incubation, growth and processing characteristics of desi ducks (Anas platyrhyncos). Duck eggs procured from a local farmer were used in this study. Sound eggs were weighed and their shape indices were calculated based on the measurements of length and width of individual eggs. The eggs were grouped in to four shape index ranges and were incubated in chicken incubator. The hatch records were obtained. The dead in shells and dead germs were subjected to bacteriological and pathological studies. The ducklings hatched were reared on two systems of management viz., battery and litter floor upto seventh week of age when they were transferred to semi intensive system upto twelve weeks of age. Thirty randomly selected male ducklings were subjected to slaughter studies at twelve weeks age. The desi duck egg showed a mean weight of 68.86 g with a range of 55 to 85 g. The study reveals that the shape index has no influence on fertility, hatchability or weight of duckling at hatch. Egg weight was found to be significantly correlated with the hatch weight of ducklings. It was observed that the fertility of eggs was fairly good even with a male femal ratio of 1: 25. The incubation data suggested that duck eggs could be efficiently hatched in incubators meant for chicken with suitable measures to provide higher humidity. Weekly body weight, feed and water consumption data for desi ducklings are placed on records. The male ducklings recorded better body weights over the females during all ages confirming the normal sexual dimorphism. The special problems, encountered in the processing of desi ducks are discussed and data on yields and losses during dressing are presented.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the control of bacterial wilt of tomato with reference to organic soil amendments and chemicals
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1977) Jayaprakash, M G; KAU; Rajan, K M
    The pot culture and field experiments were conducted to assess the effort of organic soil amendments and chemicals on the incidence of bacterial wilt of tomato. The population dynamics in relation to the causal organism, total fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes were also studied. Theresult of the investigation revealed that organic materials did not chook the disease incidence to a satisfactory level . However , the application of organic material followed by the treatment with chlorotomycin and streptocycline gave a satisfactory control of the disease.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the grey leaf blight disease of Coconut palm caused by Pestalotia palmarum Cooke.
    (Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, 1977) Francis, A J; KAU; Paily, P V
    An investigation was carried out in the palms at the Coconut Research Station, Balaramapuram during the months of May, June, July, August and September of 1976 to study the influence of different nutrients on the intensity of disease caused by Pestalotia palmarum. The experiment was conducted on the palms which were treated with different combinations of NPK in a 3 confounded factorial design . Morphological characters of different species of Pestalotia were also studied along with this investigation. Highest degree of infection was noticed in the month of June and the lowest in September. Higher disease intensity was noted in the palms which were treated with 1 level of nitrogen, 2 levels of phosphorus and 2 levels of potassium than in these that were treated with 0 level of nitrogen, 1 level of phosphorus and 0 level of potassium.