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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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2004 - 20054
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End date: 2005 × Start date: 2004 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.F.Sc ×
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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Effect of phosphatic fertilizer compounds on aquatic primary production in saline water
    (Department of Fishery Hydrography, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2005) Rajkumar, K R; KAU; Mrithunjayan, P S
    Fish production in farms largely depends on the primary productivity In the water bodies. Among many factors, plant nutrient levels and their availability in absorbable forms for the plankton is the most important one contributing to primary production. The plant nutrient element, phosphorus often found to limit the production, mainly due to the behavior of phosphorus compounds to remain in unavailable form in aquatic environment. Hence it becomes imperative to supplement phosphorus in suitable chemical form to achieve better production. While the dosage is also important, the salinity of water bodies has an interactive effect. Thus species of compounds in phosphatic fertilizer is vital. In the present study, two types of phosphatic fertilizers and combination of these fertilizers with additives were tested for their effect on aquatic primary production. Synthetic fertilizer namely single superphosphate and natural phosphatic fertilizer namely rock phosphate were selected for study. Commercial grade trisodium phosphate was used as additive in combination with single superphosphate and rockphosphate in 1: 1 ratio with respect to phosphate- P. All the above four fertilizer materials were tested in brackishwater having two salinity levels, a low salinity level of approximately 10 ppt and a high salinity level of approximately 20 ppt. Each fertilizer was added in three different doses, ie, O.lppm, 0.2 ppm and 0.4 ppm of phosphate-P. A set of control with two salinity level of water and without adding fertilizer were also run. All the experiments were done in duplicate, in accordance with statistically designed 2x4x4 Factorial Completely Randomized Design. The experiments were conducted in wide mouth polythene drums having 25 litre capacity using 20 liters of water. The experiment was set up in a protected, undisturbed, elevated place and kept exposed to sun light for 30 days. Volume loss due to evaporation was compensated by adding appropriate amount of water having corresponding salinity. 140 Water samples were drawn on l " day (before the addition of fertilizer), i\ 14th and so" days and analysed for available phosphate, total phosphate, silicate, nitrite, nitrate, iron, water pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, total alkalinity, total hardness and calcium. Productivity was assessed on 1 st day and so" day by estimating chlorophyll. The results were statistically analysed with ANOV A technique. In the experiment, maxrmum productivity in terms of chlorophyll (14.6mg/m3) was found under the treatment with single super phosphate along with additive trisodium phosphate when applied at a dose of 0.4 ppm of phosphate-P in the high saline media. For the same type of treatment in low salinity level, a little reduced value of productivity was observed (chloropyll =13.9 mg/rrr'), The next effective treatment was rock phosphate with trisodium phosphate at a concentration of 0.4 ppm of phosphate-P, here a chlorophyll concentration of 13.6mg/m3 and 12.6 mg/rrr' were obtained in high and low salinities respectively. The minimum productivity levels were observed in treatments with rock phosphate alone in all concentrations, compared to other treatments. It could be concluded from the experiments the following i) single super phosphate with a combination of trisodium phosphate was most effective compared to rock phosphate with trisodium phosphate, which could be due to the greater solubility of single super ph~sphate ii) single super phosphate was found to be more effective than rock phosphate, which could be due to the grater solubility as already explained. iii) the concentration level of 0.4 ppm of phosphate-P was found to be the most effective in enhancing the primary production compared to the lower doses tried ie, 0.1 and 0.2 ppm. iv) along with an increase in the available phosphate from the added fertilizers there was an increase in the primary production also v) salinity was found to have some effect on production, higher the salinity grater the production. This can be due to the availability of other minerals and intrinsic factors required for the synthesis of chlorophyll and biomass.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Studies on the maturation and reproduction of pristolepis marginata jerdon under captive conditions
    (Department of Fishery Biology, College of Fisheries, Panangad, 2005) Nisha, Raj; KAU; Anna Mercy, T V
    Pristolepis marginata Jerdon commonly called “Malabar catopra” or “Malabar sunfish” or “Chutichi” in the vernacular is an attractive ornamental fish belonging to the family Nandidae. This species, which is endemic to the Kerala part of Western Ghats inhabits clear and rapid streams. The species has been enlisted as vulnerable by – the Conservation Assessment and Mangement Plan Workshop (CAMP, 1998) for fresh water fishes of India held at NBFGR, Lucknow. Conservation of the endangered/vulnerable fishes cannot become successful without protection to the resources, which support the diversity and abundance. Hence Pristolepis marginata was one of the prioritized species for the development of captive breeding technology under NBFGR – NATP programme entitled “Germplasm inventory evaluation and gene banking of fresh water fishes of India”. Anna Mercy et al., (2003) developed the captive breeding technology for Pristolepis marginata. In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the maturation and reproduction of P. marginata in captivity. Captively reared fishes from the NATP project of College of Fisheries were utilized for the present study. A total of 209 fishes (12 to 149 mm) were used for the study of reproductive biology. A six-stage key was used for the classification of the maturity stages. The size at first maturity for females and females were found to be 54 mm and 72 mm SL respectively. Gross picture of distribution of ova stocks in the anterior, middle and posterior regions of the ovary remained almost the same except for the slight variation in the percentage composition of the mode. Based on the ova diameter frequency studies, P. marginata was found to be a multiple spawner, which release eggs in two or three batches. Absolute fecundity of the fishes ranged from 1102 (first time spawner) to 4965 (repeat spawner) in fishes of size range 66 to 80 mm SL. Number and size of eggs was found to be directly proportional to the size and age of the fish. Fecundity showed a positive linear relationship with the length and weight of the fish as well as to length and weight of the ovary. The reproductive organs of P. marginata were built on the usual percoid plan with paired ovaries and testis. The ovaries of P. marginata showed asynchronous development, in which oocytes at all the stages of development were present in the same ovary at the same time. During the spermatogenesis, there is a gradual decrease in size of different stages from spermatogonia to spermatozoans. Length – weight relationship values showed that the juveniles are exhibiting allometric growth pattern with ‘ b’ value equal to 2.83. Males also showed allometric growth pattern with ‘b’ value equal to 2.68. Females have shown isometric growth pattern with ‘b’ value equal to 2.94. Average relative condition factor values were higher in juvenile (1.43) due to the higher growth rate encountered during this stage of the life cycle. Males showed higher average relative condition value than females.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Incorporation of fish protein gel from shark meat into fishery products
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 2004) Bisheswar Prasad, KAU; Lizy Behanan
    A study was undertaken for the incorporation of fish protein gel from shark meat into fishery products. Fish sausage was prepared with and without protein gel. Standardization was done based on various combinations of starch, protein gel and ice water and most acceptable combination was selected. Fish meat was mixed with various food additives such as salt, sugar, starch or fish protein gel, monosodium glutamate, colour and water and stuffed into cellulose casings, cooked, cooled, packed using low-density polyethylene of thickness 300 gauge, subjected to freezing and stored at –200C in frozen condition. The various starch: protein gel: ice water proportion used for study were 10: 0: 10, 10: 5: 5, 10: 10: 0 and 5: 15: 0. The effect of protein gel was assessed based on gel strength and sensory evaluation of products. Based on these parameters, the following proportion 10: 10: 0 of starch: protein gel: ice water was selected. Fish sausages were prepared using the standardized method and subjected to storage studies along with a control in frozen condition at temperature of freezing -200C. Quality changes during storage were monitored at appropriate time interval based on various tests, viz., moisture content, peroxide value, total volatile base nitrogen content, pH, gel strength, sensory evaluation, total plate count and fungal count. Both control and test were acceptable with no significant reduction in sensory quality during frozen storage. Products were acceptable throughout storage period. Both products showed some changes in moisture content, pH, gel strength and TVBN content with storage period. Products were remained acceptable up to 60 days of storage. The Gel incorporated product appeared to be slightly the better of the two based on sensory responses eventhough statistically there was no significant difference.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of a ready to consume sweetened fish powder for children
    (Department of Processing Technology, College of Fisheries,Panangad, 2004) Varghese John; KAU; Sherief, P M
    A sweetened snack food was developed from a lean and cheap fish (Priacanthus hamrur Forskal, 1775) for children, to meet their increased requirements for protein and energy, corresponding to their higher growth rate and physical activities. The food was planned to be attractive & palatable to children; without any fish flavour and bones; and that could be stored at room temperature. The product was developed from surimi, since the latter was devoid of all the undesirable characteristics of fish flesh but retained its nutritive qualities. Surimi was solubilized with salt, into a protein-sol and sweetened it with sucrose, which also had a protective effect on protein from heat-denaturation. The sol was dried, ground and flavoured with cocoa- powder. The most preferred levels of sucrose and cocoa-powder were standardized by sensory evaluation of samples prepared with different levels of sucrose and cocoa powder. The final product was prepared by the standardized procedure, packed in polyester-LDPE laminated pouches and stored. Children's response to [he product was also tested. A 90day's storage study was conducted and the quality changes during storage were monitored periodically. There were no significant variations in the pH and TVBN values (P>O.05). The moisture and TBARS values showed a statistically significant increase. A decreasing trend was observed in the aerobic plate counts. The sensory quality parameters like odour, texture, taste and overall acceptability, did not decrease significantly. The product was acceptable throughout the storage period.