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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 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 KControlled 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.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the postnatal development of the epididymis in the Malabari goat (capra hircus)(Department of Anatomy, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1975) Harshan, K R; KAU; Radhakrishnan, KThe postnatal development of epididymis was described and illustrated from studies in 39 Malabari goats, divided into 13 groups, ranging from day old to 180 days of age. The weight of epididymis was positively correlated to age and body weight. The epididymal weight was more significantly correlated to body weight than to age. The left epididymis was found to be significantly heavier than the right. The length and thickness of the head, the body and the tail of the epididymis increased with increase in the weight of the organ. The tunica albuginea was found to be fibro- muscular in structure. The interstitial tissue was fibrous. The diameter of the epididymal duct and its lumen increased with increase in age. Both these measurements were highest in the cauda, less in the corpus and least in the caput. The process of pseudostratification of the epithelial lining of lumen of the duct was completed at first in the cauda, secondly in the corpus and finally in the caput. Regional differences in the height of epithelium was noticed, the highest being in the caput, lower in the corpus and lowest in the cauda. The epithelial height increased with advance in age. Sperms were observed at 165 days of age in the lumen of the epididymal duct. The concentration of sperm was maximum in the cauda, slightly less in the corpus and least in the caput. The lumen of the epididymis of the 150 days and 165 days old goats showed some spherical cells with spherical nuclei. These were considered to be spermatogenic cells coming from the testis.ThesisItem Open Access Experimental studies on rumeno-rectal fistula in calves(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Sumangala, M; KAU; Muraleedharan Nair, K NChronic tympany of the rumen is common in cattle. Rumen fistulation has been reported to be successful in the treatment of chronic tympany. Left side external fistulation of rumen has been adopted by many workers. But this was accompanied by seepage of rumen contents and soiling of the flank. While screening the available literature, no reports on an internal rumen fistulation could be found. The effects of rumeno – rectal fistula in experimental calves were studied in the present work. The study was conducted on 12 male calves in two groups , each group consisting of six calves. In the animals of Group – I , laparotomy was performed on the right flank and the right dorsal sac of rumen was anastomosed to the anterior part of the rectum. In the animals of Group II, laparotomy was performed on the left flank and the left dorsal sac of rumen was anastomosed to the anterior part of the rectum. The PH of the rumen contents and the rectal washings, presence of rumen protozoa in the rectal contents, haemoglobin content, packed cell volume, total and differential leucocyte count, nature of dung and the body weight were noted before fistulation and at regular intervals after fistulation. The animals were kept under observation for a period upto 100 days. Closure of the fistula was performed 60 days after fistulation, in two calves, one from each group. The details as described above were noted in these animals also after closure of the fistula. The PH of rectal contents before surgery ranged from 7.3 to 7.5. From the second day after surgery, it ranged between 7.0 and 7.2 in both the groups. The erythrocyte count and haemoglobin content showed a progressive reduction in eight animals and packed cell volume showed a reduction in 10 animals. The variation in the total and differential leukocyte counts were within normal limits. Rumen protozoans were present in the rectal contents from the second day after surgery. Loss of body weight was noticed in all the six animals of Group –I, whereas an increase in body weight was noticed in four animals of Group – II. The feeding habits of the calves were normal. Dung was loose in consistency from the second day after surgery and it contained more fluid soon after drinking water. One animal of Group – I died on the 46th post – operative day, and another one was sacrificed on the 53rd post-operative day. Surgical closure of the fistula was performed in two animals, one from each group. All other animals were sacrificed between 60th and 100th post-operative day. At autopsy omental adhesions were noticed at the site of anastomosis in six calves. The fistula was patent and had a diameter of about 2 cm in 11 animals. Rumen contents were present in the rectum. The site of anastomosis was hard to touch and no other abnormalities could be detected in the rumen and rectum. Complete encapsulation of sutures at the site of anastomosis was noticed in four calves. The healing at the site of anastomosis was complete in all the animals. In the two calves in which closure of the fistula was performed, the healing was uneventful and there was progressive improvement in haemogram values and body weight. It is concluded that functional rumeno – rectal fistula could be established in calves and that it did not cause any untoward clinical manifestations. There was escape of rumen contents through the fistula to the rectum. Surgical closure of the fistula could also be done successfully.ThesisItem Open Access Comparison of serological tests for the detection of leptospira antibodies in immunised animals(Department of microbiology, College of veterinary and animal sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Ravikumaran Nair, R; KAU; Abdulla, P KLeptospirosis is a widespread disease of man and animals and is of considerable economic importance besides being a public health problem. The leptospira infection in man and animals may be confirmed either by isolation of the organisms or by detection of specific antibodies in the serum and tissues of infected animals. Isolation of Leptospira is time consuming and beyond the scope of many diagnostic laboratories. In the present study the sensitivity of passive haemagglutination test was compared with the established microscopic agglutination test utilizing rabbit hyperimmune serum as the source of antibody. Leptospira serotypes were grown in Korthof’s medium enriched with 10% haemolysed rabbit serum. By 7 – 10 days satisfactory concentration of the organisms was obtained and was used for MA test. Passive haemagglutination test was carried out employing ethanol extracted antigen from concentrated leptospiral cultures. The PHA test was carried out after determining the optimum dilution of antigen required to sensitize sheep erythrocytes. Hyper immune sera to both serotypes were raised in rabbits by a series of intravenous inoculations. Serum samples for antibody titration was collected at weekly intervals from seven days following the first injection till the 49th day. Antibody titration by MA and PHA tests have shown that all the three animals inoculated with L. autumnalis had a uniform titre of 1:400 on the seventh day whereas the other three animals inoculated with L. pyrogenes showed a low titre of 1:100 by MA test. The PHA titre of both the groups remained the same ie 1:5. The maximum titre of 1:28000 for L. autumnalis was attained on the 21st day and remained unchanged until 35th day. The maximum PHA titre was attained only on 35th day (1:160). The rabbits inoculated with L. pyrogenes showed a maximum titre of 1:3200 by MA and 1:80 by PHA. The results obtained tend to show that PHA titres after reaching the maximum level remained detectable for longer period when compared to MA titres. Erythrocyte sensitizing substance from both the serotypes and the sera samples collected periodically from immunized rabbits were preserved at – 200 C at varying length of time upto three months. There was no deterioration in the stability or potency of ESS or sera on storage.ThesisItem Open Access Investigation on the pathological conditions in the genitalia of female goats(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Ramachandran, K; KAU; Neelakanta Iyer, C PA study was undertaken to assess the incidence and nature of pathological conditions affecting the genitalia of female goats. The material for the present study comprised of 950 genitalia, inclusive of 42 gravid ones, collected at random, from the slaughter house, Corporation of Cochin, Ernakulam. The organs which revealed gross lesions and those which were suspected to be affected were subjected to detailed histopathological studies. Pathological lesions of genital organs were observed in 48 (5.053%) genitalia. Thirty two (3.368%) genitalia revealed various pathological changes of the ovaries and pathological changes of the uterus were recorded in20 (2.105%) genitalia. The cervix, vagina and vulva did not reveal any pathological changes in any of the genitalia examined. The following pathological conditions were observed during the course of the present study: Ovarian hypoplasia (0.316%); cystic ovarian degeneration (0.947%); cystic corpus luteum (0.421%); chronic oophoritis (0.211%); multifollicular atresia (0.105%); par ovarian cyst (1.368%); Bursitis (0.842%); salpingitis (0.105%); macerated foetus (1.684%); endometritis (0.211%); cystic glandular hyperplasia (0.105%) and cyst in the endometrium with sub – epithelial haemorrhage (0.105%).ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the incidence , pathogenicity and control of gastro- intestinal nematodes In crossbred calves in Kerala with special reference to strongyloidosis(Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Sukumara Pillai, G; KAU; Chandrasekharan, KThe non – descript and cross bred Calves of Kerala were infected with eight species of gastro – intestinal nematodes viz. Strongyloides papillosus, Neoascaris vitutorum, Cooperia sp., Haemonchus contortus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, and Trichuris globulosa and of which Strongyloides papillosus was the commonest. Incidence of namatodes was more in cross bred calves (64.8 per cent) as compared to non – desctipt calves (51.52 per cent). Out of the cross bred calves, Jersey cross bred calves were found to more susceptible to nematodiasis. Nematodiasis was observed more during the rainy season of the State (June to August). Morphological features of adult worms and infective larvae were redescribed in detail. Strongyloides papillosus produced catarrhal enteritis and frequent diarrhoea in naturally infected cross bred calves. Thiophanate at 100 mg per kg body weight, Mebendazole at 15 mg per kg body weight, Levamisole at 15 mg per kg body weight., Thiabendazole at 100 mg per kg body weight, Tetramisole hydrochloride at 20 mg per kg body weight, Morantel tartrate at 15 mg per kg body weight and parbendazole at 45 mg per kg body weight exerted 100 per cent efficacy against Strongyloides papillosus, whereas, Fenbendazole at 5 mg per kg body weight showed only 83 to 100 per cent efficacy against Strongyloides papillosus, 78 to 100 per cent against ascariasis, 85 to 100 per cent against Strongylosis and 50 to 100 per cent against Trichuriasis.ThesisItem Open Access Pathogenicity of acuaria hamulosa to chicken(Department of parasitology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Ganeswara Rao, Y; KAU; Kalyanasundaram, RControlled experiments were conducted with commonly occurring spirurid worm of chicken, Acuaria hamulosa, in two breeds of chicken, namely the White Leghorn (an egg strain) and the White Plymouth Rock (a broiler strain). The blood changes conducted revealed an initial leucocytosis from 14th day to 36th day, followed by heterophilia from 43rd day to 70th day post infection, and a mild eosinophilia throughout the experimental period. The infected White Plymouth Rock birds lost considerable amount of their body weight. In White Leghorn layers, there was great delay in sexual maturity and poor feed efficiency as indicated by reduced egg production. The percentage of establishment in the experiment was found to be not correlated to the infective dose. The pathological changes in the affected gizzards indicated an acute inflammation during the invasive phase of juveniles, followed by a chronic reaction, which by 60th day post infection was well established indicating the development of a host – parasite balances, towards the later stages of infection.ThesisItem Open Access Determination of solids content of milk by specific gravity lactometer(Department of Dairy Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Babu, Mathew; KAU; Subramaniam, MThe methods of estimating total solids content of milk having high percentage by Richmond’s formula (TS = 0.25 L + 1.2 F + 0.14) using Quevenne’s specific gravity lactometer, modified Richmond’s formula (TS = 0.25 L + 1.2 F + 0.50) using Zeal specific gravity lactometer, ISI formula (TS = 0.25 DH + 1.22 F + 0.72) and Ling formula (TS = 0.25 DH + 1.21 F + 0.66) using the density hydrometer, along with the percentage of fat estimated by Gerber method were compared with the value obtained by gravimetric method using 307 samples of milk. In all the milk samples analysed the calculated values of total solids by the formula methods were both higher and lower than the gravimetric values. Since the formulae methods did not give a true estimate of the total solids in milk, modifications to the existing formulae were required by applying a correction factor. It was observed that depending up on the percentage of fat in milk samples, different correction factors were needed to be applied to the different formulae for getting the values close to the gravimetric method. Addition of a correction factor of 0.15 and 0.18 was necessary to the Richmond’s formula for milk samples containing 5.1 to 6.0 and 6.1 to 7.0 per cent fat respectively. For the modified Richmond’s formula, addition of 0.57, 0.53, 0.66 and 0.75 was necessary for samples containing 3.0 to 4.0, 4.1 to 5.0 and 5.1 to 6.0 and 6.1 to 7.0 per cent fat. The addition of a correction factor of 0.16 to the ISI formula was essential for samples containing 4.1 to 5.0 milk fat to get the values in agreement with the gravimetric method. No correction factor was necessary, if Ling formula was used. The order of preference for using various formulae will be (1) Ling formula (2) ISI formula (3) Richmond’s formula (4) modified Richmond’s formula. Ling formula can be used without any correction factor for determination of total solids content of milk for varying percentages of fat from 3..0 to 9.0.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on anoestrum in crossbred cattle(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1980) Vijayakrishnapillai, G P; KAU; Neelakanta Iyer, C PThe object of the study was to assess the incidence of anoestrum among crossbred cattle of Kerala and to find out the possible etiological factors so as to evolve suitable therapeutic measures for the same. For this, 184 crossbred cows and 76 crossbred heifers above 18 months of age maintained in the livestock farms attached to the Kerala Agricultural University and 401 crossbred cows and heifers presented for treatment at various infertility camps in the State were utilised. The incidence of anoestrum was assessed from the breeding history and detailed gynaecoclinical examinations. The nutritional status of the animals was determined by haematological examinations. The anoestrous animals showing nutritional deficiency were treated with Fertimin brand of mineral mixture and those showing normal nutritional status were treated with ‘Fertivet’. Among the farm animals, 28.3 per cent of cows 28.4 per cent of heifers were in apparent anoestrum though true anoestrum was observed only in 17.4 per cent of cows and 22.4 per cent of heifers. The other cases of apparent anoestrum were due to silent oestrum (3 to 15 per cent), cystic ovaries (0.5 to 1.3 per cent) and hypoplasia of ovaries (1.3 per cent). Similarly among the animals brought for treatment at various infertility camps, true anoestrum was observed only in 28.2 per cent though 49.9 per cent were reported to be anoestrous. The other cases were early pregnancy (2.7 per cent), cycling (7.7 per cent), cystic ovaries (0.2 per cent), underdeveloped genitalia, (9 per cent) ovarian hypoplasia (0.2 per cent) and in heat (1.7 per cent) Wide Ca. P ratio (2.69 and 2.46) and subnormal copper level (88.32 g/dl and 91.07 g/dl) were detected in 46.6 per cent of cows and 54.65 per cent of heifers respectively in true anoestrum. ‘Fertivet’ was capable of inducing ovulatory oestrum in 100 per cent of cows and 89.47 per cent of heifers in true anoestrum due to non nutritional causes within a period of 5.73 and 5.43 days respectively, while only 33.3 per cent of cows and 30 per cent of heifers in the control group came in heat; the variations being highly significant. Similarly, the conception rate in the treated groups was 66.6 per cent for cows and 42.11 per cent for heifers, while only one cow from the control group conceived, the variation in both the cases being significant. Treatment with ‘Fertimin could induce ovulatory oestrum in 91.67 per cent of cows and 78.26 per cent of heifers within a mean period of 38.8 and 27.77 days respectively, while the response in the control groups were only 11.1 per cent for cows and 25 per cent for heifers respectively, the difference being highly significant in both the cases. Significant variations were observed in conception rate between experimental and control groups, the values being 50 per cent for cows and 43.48 per cent for heifers in the experimental group. None of the animals in control groups conceived.
