009162   Chauhan R S (Biodiversity and Applied Botany Div, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR), Canal Road, Jammu-180 001, Email: rchauhanua@gmail.com) : Harvesting of Nardostachys jatamansi DC. at peak flowering phenophase for optimum essential oil yield. J essential Oil Bearing Pl 2016, 19(2), 397-402.

Nardostachys jatamansi DC. is a small, herbaceous medicinal and aromatic plant species (MAPs) of family Valerianaceae. Essential oil content in relation to various phenophases (seasonal variation) and methods of drying is not reported so far. Therefore, mature plants were collected from two different sites of Tungnath during four different phenophases and variability in the essential oil content was determined. Optimum essential oil content (2.18 ± 0.16%) was recorded during peak flowering stage (August). Extraction of leaves produced only traces of the essential oil. Essential oil content was highest in freshly distilled samples as compared to air and oven dried samples. The study on quantity of essential oil of different phenophases found to be helpful for getting better quantity of the essential oil and will helpful for practicing good harvesting practices for N. jatamansi.

3 illus, 21 ref

009161   Chandra N;Jain N K;Singh R P (Veterinary Pathology Dep, College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Univ, Meerut, Email: drncvet@gmail.com) : Effect of alpha-tocopherol on hemato-biochemical profiles of broilers in deltamethrin induced toxicity. J Cell Tissue Res 2016, 16(3), 5863-8.

Deltamethrin is a broad-spectrum insecticide mainly used to protect crops, fruit and vegetables from mites, ants, weevils, beetle etc. Thus deltamethrin contaminated food of commercial oultry diet may cause toxic effects in broilers and indirect adverse effects on human through food chain. Therefore, hematological and biochemical alterations in White Leghorn birds due to deltamethrin induced toxicity along with protective effect of alphatocopherol were evaluated. A dose dependent decrease in hemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count and increase in serum ALT and AST levels were noticed in deltamethrin exposed birds after 42 days in comparison to control. Reduction in ALT and AST levels with alpha-tocopherol were observed, however serum level of total protein, creatinine and BUN remained unaltered. Exposure of birds to deltamethrin at 100 to 150 mgkg-1 was found capable of inducing hematological and biochemical alterations which could be effectively ameliorated by alpha tocopherol at 300 mg kg^-1.

3 tables, 42 ref

009160   Buhroo Z I;Malik M A;Ganai N A;Kamili A S; Bhat B A (NO, Temperate Sericulture Research Institute, Sher-e- Kashmir Univ of Agri, Srinagar-190 025, Email: zafar.buhroo1985@gmail.com) : Comparative performance and genetic polymorphism in some potential silkworm Bombyx mori L. genotypes. J Cell Tissue Res 2016, 16(3), 5911-20.

The study was undertaken to evaluate twelve potential bivoltine silkworm Bombyx mori L. genotypes viz., SKAU-R-1, SKAU-R-6, SKUAST-28, SKUAST-31, CSR₂, CSR₄, CSR₁₈, CSR₁₉, NB₄D₂, SH₆, DUN₆ and DUN₂₂ for their performance during spring and summer seasons of 2012 and 2013. The data generated in respect of different traits was pooled separately and analyzed statistically. During spring, significantly higher estimates for larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio and filament length was registered by SKAU-R-1. However, during summer significantly higher estimates for larval weight, cocoon weight, shell weight, shell ratio and filament length was recorded for SKAU-R-6. The results of the study revealed that SKUAR-1 and SKUAR-6, performed significantly higher for all the traits under study in both spring and summer seasons. The study also revealed that irrespective of genotypes the values for these traits were marginally higher in spring than summer season. Based on the extent of DNA polymorphism, RAPD markers were effective in assessing the genetic variability within genotypes of silkworm Bombyx mori, given the large number of markers identified and the higher polymorphism of 88.88% found with mean PIC value of 0.322 per loci were sufficient to discriminate between all genotypes. The study has demonstrated that 117 markers obtained with RAPD molecular marker technique suggest that this population has a wide genetic base suitable for rational utilization in designing the breeding programs to boost up bivoltine silk production in the temperatesericulture industry.

4 tables, 44 ref

009159   Buhroo Z I;Ganai N A;Malik M A (Tenperature Sericulture Research Institute, Mirgund, Faculty of Agriculture, , Email: zafar.bujroo1985@gmail.com) : An efficient protocol for silkmoth DNA extraction sutable for genomic fingerprinting and genetic diversity analysis. J Cell Tissue Res 2016, 16(3), 5921-8.

In the present study, fresh Silkmoths were used for DNA extraction. The wings, legs and antennae of moths were cut with sterile scissors, crushed under liquid nitrogen to fine powdered content which yielded high resolution DNA bands using modified phenol chloroform extraction method. The genomic DNA from twelve different silkmoth strains was further checked for its suitability in DNA fingerprinting and diversity analysis using seven Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. RAPD profile obtained from the genomic DNA with twelve silkworm strains revealed high degree of polymorphism. The Silkmoth strains were analyzed using 8 random primers which gave 104 alleles of which 88 were polymorphic generating 79.86% Polymorphism. Cluster analysis based on Nei's similarity coefficients resulted in the formation of three main clusters on the dendrogram. Cluster-I included three stains viz., SK-6, SK-31 and SK-28 with SK-6 and SK-31 under sub-cluster while as CSR₄, SH₆, CSR₁₈, CSR₁₉ and NB₄D₂ grouped together in cluster-II with CSR₄ and SH₆ in sub-cluster. CSR₂ and DUN₂₂ were grouped together in Cluster-III of the dendrogram. However, SK-1 and DUN₆ formed separate clusters. Similarity coefficients ranged from 0.0054 to 0.3579 with an average similarity coefficient of 0.18165, indicating considerable genetic diversity within bivoltine silkworm groups. Of the pair wise combinations, DUN₆ and SKUAR-1, showed the lowest similarity (0.0054) thus highest genetic distance among the strains. Isolated genomic DNA from Silkmoths was found suitable for DNA finger printing studies and identifying diverse genotypes for taking up directional breeding programs to push up bivoltine silk production.

3 tables, 25 ref

009158   Brojendra Singh L;Paul G;Singh V;Nagesh Ram; Sarkar K;Roy S D (Physiology Dep, Kalyani Univ, West Bengal) : Assessment of local cultivars of banana under coconut in tribal areas of Car Nicobar island. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 775-84.

Production of local cultivars of banana as intercrops in coconut evaluated in farmers field (Tuhet garden) on participatory approach in eight tribal villages of Car Nicobar (Nicobar district )in the year 2012-13. This approach aims at improving livelihood security of Nicobarese community through improving household nutrition, income and employment generation. The tribes are living in a social system called Tuhet (jointfamily) and have no individual land right. Majority (73.4 per cent) of the house hold heads comes under active workforce with workers consumer ratio of about 60 per cent. The coconut is the predominant century long crop occupying 84 per cent of the agricultural area. Car Nicobar contributes an area of around 9027 hectare under coconut cultivation with an annual average production of 33.38 million nuts with a productivity of 3698 nuts hecater^{1 against the national average of 6863 nuts header1. However Banana is the second most important fruit crops grown as an intercrop under coconut in Car Nicobar Islands with an area of 152 hectare (2011-12).}

7 tables, 16 ref

009157   Bhise R N (Extension Education Dep, PGI, DR.PDKV, Akola and Principal, Kai. Rajaram Marathe College of Agr, Phondaghat, Dist: Sindhudurg, Email: rushikesh.bhise@yahoo.in ) : Determinants of utility perception of soybean growers about recommended cultivation technologies. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 119-23.

Agricultural technologies could be viable only when they are used by farmers. But more terrible would it have been if the farmer's perception of these technologies is not only low but wrong. Hence the present investigation was carried out in Akola Pancliayat Samiti of Akola district in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra State by conducting field survey with exploratory research design of social research. Total 150 soybean growers constituted the sample for present investigation who cultivated soybean crop continuously since last five years. The key findings of the present study revealed that relatively higher proportion of soybean growers possessed medium level of utility perception about recommended technologies of soybean crop. The multiple regression analysis inferred that among all independent variables socio-economic status, knowledge and attitude were the most important contributory variables for increasing the utility perception of soybean growers about recommended technologies. So, it is necessary to raise the knowledge and attitude level of soybean growers about the recommended technologies. It will be definitely helpful for increasing the utility perception and ultimately the productivity which again helps for raising the socio-economic condition of the soybean growers. In this context, it is implied that the information regarding recommended practices should be disseminated to the soybean growers by extension functionaries.

3 tables, 3 ref

009156   Bhendekar S N;Shenoy L;Raje S G;Chellappan A; Singh R (NO, Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai-400 061, Email: lathashenoy@cife.edu.in) : Participatory GIS in trawl fisheries along Mumbai coast, Maharashtra. Indian J Geomar Sci 2016, 45(8), 937-42.

An effort was made to prepare thematic maps of fisheries resources from trawlers along Mumbai coast, Maharashtra using Participatory GIS. Geospatial data on fishing, catch and samples of fish from commercial fishing vessels was collected and processed in Arc GIS 10.2 to develop tools for fishery management and resource conservation of the region. It emerged that the trawlers from Mumbai carried out trawling operations between 20°22'50''N to 18°12'20''N latitude and 72°21'50''E to 72°52'00''E longitude in depth range of 5 to 40 m. Catch percentage varied from 66% to 92% and 70% to 95% by multi-day and single-day trawlers respectively. Discard comprised juveniles of commercial species and adult fishes of low market value. In all, 121 species were caught by multi-day and single-day trawlers.

11 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

009155   Bhat M A;Buhroo Z I;Manjunatha H B (Proteomic and genomic Laboratory, DOS in Sericulture Science, Mysore Univ, Manasagangothri, Mysuru, Karnataka-570 006, Email: mbhat.muzafar@gmail.com) : Harsh impact of temperature on proteomics profile of the silkworm Bombyx mori L.. J Cell Tissue Res 2016, 16(3), 5929-35.

The present study investigates the proteomic profile in the bivoltine (NB₄D₂) and polyvoltine (Daizo) silkworm strains of Bombyx mori L. Following the concept of whole organism, silkworm larvae were subjected to thermal stress at 40°C for 2h followed by 2h recovery from first to fifth instar. Heat shock proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and it was found that the appearance of 97 and 70kda protein were assessed in all instars in all silkworm strains. Organism responses to thermal stress can be detected at the proteomic level where the specific proteins are linked to the physiological changes. These results propose that heat shock protein based breeding strategy should be used for inducing robustness in silkworm strains. Heat shock proteins act as molecular markers for evaluation and evolution of thermo tolerant silkworm strains.

1 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

009154   Bhargavi B;Sunitha N;Swathi P;Reddi Ramu Y; Reddy G P (Agronomy Div, ICAR-IARE, New Delhi-110 012, Email: bhargavibussa@gmail.com) : Weed dynamics, growth and yield of transplanted finger millet as influenced by different weed management practices. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 420-3.

A field experiment conducted during kharif, 2013 at S.V. Agricultural College Farm, Tirupati, to study the weed management options in transplanted finger millet. Pre-emergence (PE) application ofoxyflourfen @ 0.1 kg/ha at 3 days after transplanting (DAT) followed by (fb) post-emergence (PoE) application of azimsulfuron @ 20 g/ha applied at 20 DAT resulted in lesser weed density, weed dry matter, maximum plant height, tillers/m2, dry matter production which in turn favourably influenced the grain yield and straw yield of transplanted finger millet compared to other weed control treatments. The unweeded check recorded the smaller plants and lesser dry matter and hence, resulted in yield reduction of about 47% in transplanted finger millet.

2 tables, 8 ref

009153   Behera S;Das A K;Mishra N;Mishra P P (College of Agriculture, Orissa Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar-751 003, Email: nityamanjari.mishra@gmail.com) : Effect of spacing on growth and yield of banana Cv. grand naine and bantala. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 39-43.

A field experiment was carried out during 2013-14 to study the effect of spacing and variety on growth and yield of banana under Bhubaneswar agro-climatic condition. The experiments was laid out in Randomized Block Design with six treatments comprising of two varieties banatala and grand Naine with three spacing (2mx3m, 1.8mx3.6m and 1.8mx1.8m) and replicated four times. Vegetative parameters like plant height (273.27cm) and number of leaves(13.60) were recorded highest in T₁ (variety Bantala with spacing 2mx3m). Earliest shooting (242.12 days) and harvesting (351.56 days) observed in T₆ (variety Grand Naine with spacing 1.8mx1.8m). The yield of Banana was recorded highest(87.8 t ha^{-1) in variety Grand Naine with spacing 2mx3m (T₄) followed by variety Grand Naine with 1.8mx3.6m (T₅) and the least was in variety Bantala with normal spacing 1.8mx1.8m (T₃). There was 4.37% higher yield in T₄ over T₅.}

4 tables, 14 ref

009152   Beena C;Kanakamany M T;Sindhu P V (All India Coordinated Research Project on Medicinal, Aromatic Plants a, College of Hosticulture, Kerala, Email: beenac2@gmail.com) : Marker assisted quality evaluation of important ayurvedic raw durg Plumbago rosea. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 125-9.

Plumbago rosea Linn. (Synonym.P.indica Linn.)., commonly known as chitrak from the family Plumbaginaceae is widely used in indigenous system of medicine. It is the one of the most effective digestive and carminative herbal drug of Ayurveda. Chitrak roots are used in the treatment of dyspepsia, bronchitis, elephantiasis, chronic intermittent fever, tmenorrkoea, anaemia, skin diseases and also used as an abortifacient in ayurvedic system. It is being used in many ayurcedic preparations like Chitrakativadi, Thaleesapathravatakam etc. Alkaloid plumbagin is the major active ingredient in the roots. The plant is also being used for isolation of plumbagin. The increasing demand along with less availability has led to its widespread adulteration. In this context, an attempt has been made to assess the extent of adulteration in traded samples of P.rosea available in Kerala markets by checking the presence of marker compound plumbagin in them using thin layer chromatography(TLC) technique. Quantitative estimation of plumbagin was also performed following spectrophotometric method. The study revealed that out of 30 market samples analysed, 28 were genuine samples while two were spurious confirming adulteration (6.6%) in the market in the case of this particular raw drug.

2 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

009151   Baruah N;Sharma B J;Barua I C (Botany Dep, Birjhora Mahavidyalaya, Bongaigaon, Assam) : Effect of plant growth regulators on pigment content in Sechium edule L.. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 721-6.

Foliar application of Plant Growth Regulators was carried out to find out the pigment content on Sechium edule L. The growth promoter GA₃ was applied at the concentrations of 50,100, 250, 500 and 1000 μg/ml to the seedlings of the crop. In the same way the same range of concentrations of growth retardants Ethrel and CCC were made to the seedlings of S. edule grown in separate experimental plots. Pigment content was estimated by UV spectrophotometric method. GA₃ 50μg/ml, Ethrel 500μg/ml and CCC 250 μg/ml were recorded as optimum for production of maximum pigment contents in S. edule. The experiment established that application of Plant Growth Regulators, both promoter and retardant are beneficial for regulating pigments in S. edule which can be utilized for regulation of the number of fruits per plant.

1 illus, 3 tables, 31 ref

009150   Barod N K;Satish Kumar;Dhaka A K;Baghel M (Agronomy Dep, CCS HAU, Hisar, Email: nijubarod@gmail.com) : Effect of preceeding intercropping systems and nitrogen levels on N, P and K concentration, uptake and yield of wheat. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 391-6.

The investigation was carried out during Kharif and Rabi season of 2011-12 and 2012-13. The effect of different intercropping treatments on nitrogen requirementof succeeding wheat was significant. Maximum N content in grains and straw was recorded with 125% RD of N during both the years.The uptake of N in grain and straw increased significantly with the increasing levels of N during both the year of study. The maximum total N uptake was recorded with the application of 125% followed by 100% N ha-1. Wheat produced significantly higher grain yield when planted after pigeonpea (75 cm) + greengram (1:1 or 1:2) treatment as compared to pearlmillet intercropping treatments at the same row spacing and row ratio. Application of 100 percent RDN being at par with 125 percent RDN produced significantly higher grain yield of wheat as compared to 75 percent RDN.

3 tables, 12 ref

009149   Barai V N;Kare B K;Atre A A (Dr. A. S. College of Agricultural Engineering, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Dist-Ahmednagar, Email: unbarai@gmail.com) : Effect of land slope and rainfall intensity on splash erosion under simulated rainfall condition. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 791-6.

Soil erosion is a global problem that threatens the natural resources seriously. Soil erosion is one of the major threats to agricultural productivity and environmental quality, especially water and soil. With increasing amount of soil loss at the hill slope scale, agricultural productivity is decreasing and environmental quality is deteriorating. Splash erosion is recognized as the first stage in a soil erosion process. The importance of the soil erosion problem and its impact on soil management and conservation led to this study, in which an attempt has been made to study splash detachment process for various combinations of land slopes and rainfall intensities with the help of rainfall simulation system and modified Morgan's splash cup. The study was conducted under laboratory condition by using rainfall simulation system, capable of generating artificial rainfall almost similar to natural rainfall. The clay soil was used to study the splash erosion. Uniformity coefficient of simulated rainfall was above 70 per cent for all the six rainfall intensities viz. 7.75, 5.80, 4.23, 3.28, 2.04 and 1.07 an h^{-1. The directional splash soil loss rate (kgha-1), i.e. upslope and down slope were found increasing with increase in rainfall intensity and land slope. The rate of increase in down slope splash was comparatively more than upslope. The highest soil splash i.e. 16369 kgha-1was observed for combination of 10 per cent land slope and 7.75 cmh1 rainfall intensity in clay soil for the various combination of slope and rainfall intensity.}

3 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref

009148   Bankar P B;Shinde A K;Kagar V G (Agricultural Botany Dep, College of Agriculture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vid, Dapoli-415 712, Email: pankajbankar0207@gmail.com) : Dry matter accumulation, its partioning and growth analysis studies in pigeonpea genotypes growing on rice bunds. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 7-11.

A field experiment consisted fifteen pigeonpea genotypes laid out in randomized Nock design with three replications. Among the genotypes, the genotype AKTE-11-1 recorded significant difference on dry matter accumulation, its partioning pattern and various growth parameters as compared to other genotypes. The genotype AKTE-11-1 recorded significantly highest dry matter of leaves, stem, root and total dry matter per plant (16.03, 109.96, 25.28 and 151.27 g) respectively as compared to other genotypes at harvest. The magnitude of various growth parameters viz., leaf area, LAI, SLW, SLA, AGR, RGR, NAR and LAR was also recorded significantly highest in genotype AKTE-11-1 at harvest of crop.

2 tables, 25 ref

009147   Bankar P B;Panchal V V;Kharade M R;Shinde A K (Agricultural Botany Dep, College of Agriculture, Depoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi, Vidyapeeth, Dapoli-415 712, Email: pankajbankar2007@gmail.com) : Evaluation of pigeonpea genotypes for morpho-phenological traits by growing on rice bunds. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 1-5.

The experiment consisted fifteen pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.). Millsp.) genotypes laid out in randomized block design with three replications. The various morphological characters like plant height, mean number of leaves, number of secondary branches and mean leaf area per plant had the highest magnitude at the harvest in high yielding genotype AKTE-11-1 while low yielding genotype ICPL-87 was recorded lowest magnitude. High yielding genotype AKTE-11-1 required the highest number of days for 50% flowering (140.50) and physiological maturity (179.83) while reverse case was noticed in low yielding genotype ICPL-87.

2 tables, 25 ref

009146   Balwan;Virdia H M;Verma H P;Manoj Kumar;Singh M (Agronomy Dep, SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner, Jaipur-303 329, Email: balwanchuru1986@gmail.copm) : Effect of weed management practices of on growth, yield attributes and economics gram in south Gujarat. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 410-15.

An experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2010-11 at the College Farm, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. The results revealed that higher values of all the growth and yield attributing characters ultimately resulting in the highest grain yield (2.15 t/ha) and stover yield (2.80 t/ha) under HW at 20, 40, 60 DAS. Among herbicidal treatment maximum yield, net realization was found in oxyfluorfen 0.120 kg/ha (PE) + quizalofop ethyl 0.040 kg/ha at 35 DAS (POE). However, test weight was not significantly influenced by various weed control treatments, the highest net returns of ` 49056/ha with B: C ratio of 3.91.

2 tables, 11 ref

009145   Baliarsingh S K;Srichandan S;Pati S K;Sahu K C;Dash S K;Lotliker A A;Srinivas Kumar T (Marine Sciences Dep, Berhampur Univ, Berhampur-760 007, Email: kalicsahu@rediffmail.com) : Phytoplankton community structure along offshore transects of some Indian estuaries of east coast: an experience with a summer cruise. Indian J Geomar Sci 2016, 45(8), 960-73.

This paper is based on the analyses of samples collected during a summer cruise onboard CRV 'Sagar Paschimi' (Cruise no.09/11) from 1st to 8th of April 2011. Species composition, abundance and distribution of phytoplankton, and water quality parameters (transparency, water temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients viz. NO₂, PO₄ and chlorophyll-a) were examined in this study. A total of 123 phytoplankton species were identified. Of total, 86 species of diatoms from 44 genera, 22 species of dinoflagellates from 10 genera, 5 species of green algae from 5 genera, 4 species of cyanobacteria from 4 genera, 2 species of cocolithophores from 2 genera and 1 species of silicoflagellate were identified. Phytoplankton communities were found to vary from transect to transect. Highest and lowest values for species diversity index are associated with Godavari and Gosthani transects respectively. The highest phytoplankton abundance was found at transect Krishna (26680 cells/l) and the lowest at Godavari (9480 cells/l). Thalassiothrix longissima was quantified as the dominant species among diatoms and Dinophysis caudata among dinoflagellates. Abundance of bloom forming species Asterionellopsis glacialis was observed at transects Godavari & Mahanadi. Diversity and evenness indices of phytoplankton were found highest at Godavari transect. There exhibited a linear relationship between chlorophyll-a and phytoplankton abundance at all the transects with deviations at Gosthani and Godavari.

5 illus, 5 tables, 63 ref

009144   Babar K H;Lawar V S;Gaikwad D S;Gaware P M (Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science Dep, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri-412 722, Email: dsgaikwad7@gmail.com) : Path analysis of calving interval in Phule Trivani cattle. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 663-6.

The present investigation was undertaken on the basis of records of Phule Triveni (50% HF + 25% Jersey + 25% Gir) cows maintained at RCDP on Cattle, MPKV, Rahuri, M.S. (India) from 1977 to 2012. Least squares means of gestation period, service period, lactation length, dry period and calving interval were worked by considering the effects of season of calving, period of calving and lactation order. Wherever the effects were significant, the means were compared by DMR Test. The data were corrected for significant effects and used for correlation between reproductive and productive traits and path analysis. The overall least squares mean of LL, DP, GP, SP, and Cl in Phule Triveni cows were 339.50 ± 7.24, 104.28 ± 4.54, 284.03 ± 3.03,117.86±3.83 and 430.91±4.83 days, respectively. The influence of season of calving on II, DP, GP, SP and Cl was non-significant. The influence of period of calving on LL, DP, SP and Cl were significant. Thevariationsduetoorderoflactationin LL, DP, GP and CI werenon-significant, while it was significant on SP. The correlationsofcalving intervalwith lactation length, dry period andservice period were highly significant and positive,while the correlations of calving interval with gestation periodwere significant and negative. The path analysis of calving interval by taking reproductive components revealed that service period. The maximum variability of the effect of gestation period was almost nil. By taking the productive components of calving interval, the dry period was found to have more effect than lactation length. The direct effects of service period, dry period, lactation length and gestation periodwere 0.793, 0.567, 0.288 and 0.001, respectively. The model explained nearly 29% variationbasedonthedata of differentcows. The magnitude of residualeffects(0.7196) clearlyindicatedthat environmental factors influenced calving interval to great extent and genetical factors considered for study had lessin fluence on calving interval.

2 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

009143   Arvind Preet Kaur;Sodhi G P S;Singh S (Fruit Science Dep, Punjab Agricultural University-Ludhiana, Presently working at Krishi V, Ludhiana, Email: drarvindpreet@gmail.com) : Impact of frontline demonstration on PAU fruit fly traps in guava crop in bassi pathana block of distt Fatehgarh sahib of Punjab. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 185.

Guava fruit flies, Bactrocera spp. is most important insect-pests of guava and the crop is highly prone to damage by this pest in Punjab. Because of the difficulties associated with the control of this pest through chemical insecticides, the fanners experience huge losses to guava crop. Tlie management of fruit flies (Bactrocera spp.) by using methyl eugenol bused traps was attempted in guava orchards of the district @ 16 traps/acre. A field study was conducted in guava orchards of 10 villages of Block Bassi Pathana of District Fatehgarh Sahib of Punjab during year 2015. A sample size of 75 fruitgrowers were used for this study. The data were collected through the use of structural interview schedule. 25.7 per cent fruits were found infested in the orchards fixed with fruit fly traps (treated orchards) as compared to 81.3 per cent in amtrol plots. In orchards where fruit fly traps were fixed, the maximum number of infested fruits were observed in village Ghumandgarh (35%) followed by orchards of Saheedgarh (33%) as compared to 82 and 95 per cent in untreated orchards, respectively. Maximum number of marketable fruits in these orchards was recorded in orchard of village Talanian (1243 fruits/tree) followed by orchard of village Rasulpura (1203 fruits/tree) in the treated orchards as compared to 721 and 603 in untreated plots, respectively. About 67 per cent fruit growers were found to be more sincere in adopting this technology. 17ms, successful management of fruit flies in guava can be achieved by fixing 'PAU Fruit Fly Traps' @ 16 traps/acre during first week of the July till end- October.

3 illus, 4 tables, 14 ref

009142   Arvind Preet Kaur;Singh H (Fruit Science Dep, Punjab Agricultural University-Ludhiana, Presently working at Krishi V, Punjab, Email: drarvindpreet@gmail.com) : Effect of pre-harvest foliar sprays on fruit quality and nutritional status of peach cv. shan - i - Punjab. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(1), 191-7.

Peach cultivar Shan-i-Punjab is an important fruit crop of Punjab. Fruit texture and size are important quality factors influencing its market value. Optimizing these characteristics will increase acceptability and decrease losses through transportation. The present experiment was designed to study the effect of preharoest foliar sprays of calcium chloride, boric acid and potassium nitrate with different concentrations on fruit quality attributes and nutritional status of the peach cultivar Shan-i-Punjabfor a 2-year period. Peach trees of cv. Shan-i-Punjab were sprayed with calcium chloride, tone acid and potassium nitrate (@1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 per cent), one and two weeks before harvesting. Fruits after harvesting at hard mature stage were transported to the laboratory for the physical and chemical analysis. Foliar application of all calcium chloride and boric acid treatments did not affect mean fruit weight compared with potassium nitrate treatments. The highest fruit firmness and total phenol content were measured after application of the calcium chloride @ 2.0 per cent. Whereas, maximum total soluble content and pectin methyl esterase activity was recorded after the application of potassium nitrate @ 2.0 percent. The levels of calcium, nitrogen, potassium and boron in leaves were higher in the treatments where the respective chemicals were applied. The efficacy of the foliar sprays on some of the tested parameters varied from year to year indicating the influence of other parameters on peach nutrition.

2 tables, 40 ref

009141   Arboleda C A;Martin F;Bravo I S;Perez E H (NO, Universidad del Cauca, Grupo de Agroquimica, Estudinte de Dectorado en, Popayan, Cauca, Colombia, Email: camiloarboleda@unicauca.edu.co) : Effect of land use on adsorption and fractionation of copper in high Andean Andisols. Asian J Chem 2016, 28(4), 877-82.

The presence of high concentrations of copper in soil generates risk of entry into food chain, causing adverse effects. To elucidate its behaviour and prevent potential toxic risks in High Andean soils of Rio "Las Piedras"sub-basin, we assessed availability, the different chemical species of this metal and the adsorption-desorption phenomena occurring in soil phases. We estimated the effect of land use change from forest to crop and pasture on physical, chemical properties, the soil organic matter quality, adsorption phenomena and speciation of copper. In these soils highlights strong acidity, presence of allophanes, high content of organic carbon, high cationic exchange capacity, sandy-loam texture and low bulk density. Organic matter quality was estimated from humification degree determined by different humification index. Crop use change improves quality and increased humified organic matter, opposite effect occurred in pasture. Adsorption phenomenon of copper was evaluated by Freundlich adsorption isotherms, K values were 266.81 (forest), 1103.06 (crop) and 691.19 (pasture); n values corresponded to 1.40, 1.19 and 1.27, denoting change in retention strength as adsorption capacity. The colloidal complex of these soils is not saturated with copper in the dose range used (50-300 mg kg^{-1). Improvement in soil organic matter quality causes increase on copper adsorption process. The chemical speciation of copper in this High Andean soils reveals predominance of fraction bound to organic matter. The mobility factor increases on pasture soil but decreases on crop soil.}

2 illus, 8 tables, 47 ref

009140   Anil Kumar;Sharma N;Jai Kumar;Mahajan A (NO, Advance Centre of Rainfed Agriculture, SKUAST-J Chatha, Jammu-180 009) : Influence of multiple herbicidal interventions in wheat in shiwalik foot-hills of Jammu region. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 416-19.

A field experiment was conducted at research farm, Division of Agronomy, SKUAST-Jammu to evaluate the efficacy of herbicides for the control of weeds in wheat. The treatments comprised of weedy check, isoproturon @1 kg/ha, isoproturon + 2,4-D @ 1.00 kg/ha + 1.47kg/ha at 30 DAS, metribuzin @ 285 g/ha, metribuzin @ 300 g/ha, pendimethalin @ 2500 ml/ha, sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron @ 30g/ha + 2g/ha, mesosulfuron-methyl + iodosulfuron @ 12 g/ha + 2.4 g/ha, clodinafop-propargyl @ 60 g/ha, sulfosulfuron @ 33.75 g/ha, pinoxaden @1000 ml/ha, metsulfuron @ 25 g/ha and fenoxaprop @1000 ml/ha. The results revealed that pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 2500 ml/ha recorded significantly lowest weed dry weight and lower weed index. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 2500 ml/ha recorded significantly higher grain yield of wheat yield which was closely followed by sulfosulfuron + metsulfuron @ 30g/ha + 2g/ha.

1 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

009139   Amaresh Kumar K;Shashikala Bai D; Basavarajappa R;Naik T B;Mavarkar N S (NO, Agricultural and Hosticultural Sciences Univ, Shivamogga-577 225, Email: amareshagri@gmail.com) : Prospective of information technology in rural development. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 555-8.

In recent decades, advances in computer and communication technology have presented a unique opportunity for planners and decision-makers developing specific systems and techniques to rural development. A multi-country study mission on Information Technology (IT) and rural development have been set up as recent developments in information technology and applications for the development of rural areas are assessed. IT doubtlessly contributes much to agriculture and rural development. It can facilitate rural activities and provide more comfortable and safe rural life with equivalent services to those in the urban areas, such as provision of distance education, tele-medicine, remote public services, remote entertainment etc. IT can initiate new agricultural and rural business such as e-commerce, rural tourism, and virtual corporation of small-scale farms. Rural developments have been set up in various forms in many countries, but the number of user fanners of existing information systems is limited, Formidable problems need to be addressed including limited financial resources, lack of IT-trained personnel, inadequate supporting infrastructure facilities and low literacy levels in rural areas leads to slow down the IT applications. IT has to take an important and key role for changing status of farming and farm business enterprises to resolve the above problems and bring positive growth towards agriculture as well as rural deivlopment.

2 illus, 5 ref

009138   Amaresh Kumar K;Manjunath;Shahikala Bai D; Naik T B;Mavarkar N S (NO, Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences Univ, Shivamogga-577 225, Email: amareshagri@gmail.com) : Social and psychological characteristics of mango growers of Kolar and Ramanagar districts of Karnataka state. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(3), 625-31.

The study was conducted to know the influence of Social and Psychological characteristics of mango growers andextent of contributiof social and psychological characteristics on entrepreneurial behaviour. The study was conducted in Kolar and Ramanagar districts of Kamataka state during the year 2014-15. The findings of the study revealed that nearly half (49.16%) of the respondents had medium extension participation, (45.83%) of the respondents had medium level of scientific orientation, followed by 33.33 per cent of respondents had low level of scientific orientation. 59.17 per cent of the mango growers had medium achievement motivation. 70.33 per cent of the respondents were never participated infield days. In case of krishimela, 35.83 per cent of the respondents were participated occasionally and 15.00 per cent of them were participated regularly, with respect to decision making ability of mango growers shows that about half (52.00%) of the respondents had medium decision making ability and 27.50 per cent of respondents had high decision making ability. 74.16 per cent of the respondents opined that they had taken self decision on mango varietal selection for cultivation, followed by 66.66 per cent had expressed similar views on taking decisions with respect to quantity of mango to be processed. It was also noticed that internet connection was possessed by only 4.16 per cent of the respondents. The mobile phone sets were possessed by 97.50 per cent of the respondents for regular usage and obtaining information.

9 tables, 8 ref

009137   Alibas I;Kacar O (Uludag Univ, Faculty of Agriculture, Biosystems Engineering, Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey, Email: ialibas@uludag.edu.tr) : Microwave drying kinetics, hypericin content, effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy of Hypericum perforatum L.. J essential Oil Bearing Pl 2016, 19(2), 454-65.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) flowers with 25 g weight and 2.92 moisture on dry basis were dried in microwave oven using 1000, 850, 750, 650, 500, 350, 160 and 90 W microwave output powers and natural drying as a control, until the moisture fell down to 0.07 on dry basis. Drying processes were completed between 2 and 36 min depending on the microwave powers. The values measured were compared with the obtained data using Page's semi-empirical equations. By increasing the microwave output powers, the effective moisture diffusivity values ranged from 2.70 10-09m2s-1 to 1.54 10-10 m2 s-1. Energy consumption remained constant within the power range of 1000-650 W, whereas 500 and 90 W resulted in significant increase in energy consumption. Mean hypericin content values between natural drying and microwave drying with different microwave power varied between 0.241-0.280%. Maximum hypericin content was observed natural drying (0.280%), microwave drying of 850 W (0.278%) and 750 W (0.277%). The best quality in terms of hypericin content (0.278%) was obtained in the drying period with 850 W. Microwave power of 850 W for 150 s which were produced the least energy consumption was only 0.06 kWh.

6 illus, 4 tables, 31 ref

009136   Agnieszka S;Magdalena R;Jan B;Katarzyna W; Malgorzata B;Krzysztof H;Danuta K (Agrotechnology and Agrocultural Ecology Dep, Agriculture Univ, Al. Mickieqicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland, Email: a.stoklosa@ur.krakow.pl) : Phytotoxic effect of fiber hemp essential oil on germination of some weeds and crops. J essential Oil Bearing Pl 2016, 19(2), 262-76.

Fiber hemp plants (Cannabis sativa L.) display competitive and allelopathic activity against weeds. Fiber hemp essential oil (EO) was previously assessed for its antimicrobial properties. In this work we aimed to assess the allelopathic efficacy of this EO. The essential oil derived from the inflorescences of fiber hemp cv. 'Bialobrzeskie' contained mainly mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, as assessed by GC-MS analysis. In the laboratory test, the germination of three crops and five weeds in the presence of different doses of hemp EO was tested. The oil was an effective and dose-dependent inhibitor of germination and seedling growth. Based on the canonical variable and ED 50 value analyses, we found that the seedlings of redroot pigweed and rye brome were the most susceptible to hemp essential oil. Among the crops, the most resistant to the oil were oilseed rape and oats. Two groups of grasses of similar susceptibility to hemp EO were distinguished, one consisted the seedlings of maize and a barnyard grass from the Panicoideae botanical subfamily and the second the species of the Avena genus: oats and wild oats. FT-Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed that hemp EO modifies the composition of carbohydrates in wild oat seedlings. We conclude that hemp essential oil displays an allelopathic potential against germination and seedling growth in weeds and crops, and this phenomenon should be explored further.

4 illus, 3 tables, 41 ref

009135   Agha J;Dass A;Rajanna G A;Sarkar S K;Rana K S (Nagarhar Valley Development Authority, Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and livestock, Kabul, Afghanistan, Email: janaghaehsas@gmail.com) : Influence of varying nitrogen levels on performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under semi-arid hot climate of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(4), 347-52.

An experiment was conducted during winter season of 2014-15 at Tarnak Research Farm of Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), Kandahar, Afghanistan. Soil of the experimental site was sandy clay loam in texture with slightly alkaline (pH 8.3) in reaction having cation-exchange capacity of 80.58 meq 100g-1 and electrical conductivity of 0.21 dSm-1. The initial N, P and K contents were in low to medium range. The treatments consisted of seven nitrogen rates viz., 0, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160 and 180 kg ha-1 was replicated thrice using a RCBD. Significantly higher growth parameters viz., plant height (85.1 cm), dry matter production (2882 g m-2), number of tillers m-2 (335) and number of spikes-1 (321) were recorded with application of 180 kg N ha-1 in comparison with other N rates. Yield attributing characteristics viz., spike length (12 cm), spikelets spike-1 (20.3), grains spike-1 (46.6), weight of single spike (2.5 g), grain weight spike (1.83 g) and 1000-grain weight (39.2 g) as well as grain yield (4.47 t ha-1), biological yield (10.9 t ha-1) and harvest index (41%) were significantly higher with application of 160 kg N ha-1 than other higher and lower N rates.

1 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

008235   Zinzala V N;Narwade A V;Karmakar N;Ganesh S S;Kudache A N;Ahir N B (NO, , ) : Effect of water regimes on biochemical parameters of Indian bean (Lablab purpureus L.). Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(2), 399-402.

An experiment involving the effect of water regimes on biocliemical parameters of Indian bean (Lablab Purpureus L.) variety Katargam, GNIB-21, GP-1, Wal-125-36, Guj. Wal-1 and Guj. Wal-2 was conducted at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, during 2014-15. Four irrigation treatments viz., I₀ -All inigation given i.e. 30, 60, 95 DAS (Control), I₁-Two irrigation level given i.e. 30, 60 DAS, I₂-One irrigation level 30 DAS and I₃-Rainfed was given. The various biochemical parameters like chlorophyll content, carotenoids, proline content, protein, glycine betaine content and lipid peroxidation productand yield and yield component were studied at 30 days intervals after stress i.e. 30, 60 and 90 DAS. Studies reported that the application of stress conditions at different growth stages of Indian bean was found to be lowers the different biochemical parameters like chlorophyll content, carotenoids and protein and proline, lipid peroxidation product and glycine betaine content increasing to increase stress.

1 table, 11 ref

008234   Zinzala V N;Narwade A V;Ahir N B;Karmakar N; Ganesh S S;Kudache A N (NO, , ) : Effect of water regimes on physiological parameters of Indian bean (Lablab purpureus L.). Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(2), 393-98.

An experiment involving the effect of water regimes on physiological parameters of Indian bean (Lablab Purpureus L.) variety Katargam, GNIB-21, GP-1, Wal-125-36, Guj. Wal-1 and Guj. Wal-2 was conducted at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, during 2014-15. Four treatments viz., I₀ -Control, All irrigation given i.e. 30, 60, 95 DAS, I₁ -Two irrigation level given i.e. 30, 60 DAS, I₂- One irrigation level 30 DAS and I₃- Rainfed was given. The various Physiological parameters like LAI, plant height,number of branches, days to 50% flowering, number of pod per pant and seed per pod were studied at 30 days intervals after stress i.e. 30, 60 and 90 DAS and at haroest. Studies reported that the application of stress conditions at different growth stages of Indian bean was found to be lowers the different physiological parameters. Among the treatments, T₁ treatment i,e., vegetative stage, shows the reduced LAI, Plant height and number of branches per plant. T₂ treatment i,e., Flowering stage, shows reduced Days to 50% flowering and decreases the pod setting. T₃ treatment i,e., seed formation stage, significant reduced the number of pod/plant and number of seed per pod. Control treatment i.e., irrigation as per recommendation, showed the normal physiological parameter compared, to treatment of stress.

2 tables, 16 ref

008233   Ziaei A;Gorji A M;Hassanpanah D (Agronomny and Plant Breeding Dep, College of Agricultural, Eslamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad Univ, Eslamshahr, Iran) : Efficiency of gamma ray to induce genetic diversity in potato. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2016, 13(4), 2107-15.

To study on irradiation yield, two cultivars, Kennebec and Banba, were irradiated with different gamma doses. One hundred and eight suitable genotypes were selected and they were cultivated in four replications as yield primary test (augmented). Twenty seven different genotypes -in any iteration- along with five commercial varieties (Agria, Kennebec, Banba, Marfona, and Caesar) were cultivated. The meancomparison results fortuber's dry mattershowed that clones B20-20, B20-11, and B20-101 in Banba populationhave 10% advantage more than their primary parents, and about Kennebec population this advantage reaches to more than 5% for clones K25-7, K20-21, and K20-27. The maximum of increasing and decreasing in the tuber's flesh color forBanba population was 25% and 43.5% for clones B20-11 and B20-114 respectively. About Kennebec population this color change was remarkable in clones K20-16, K20-45, and K20-30 (49.2%, 35.2%, and 18.3% respectively). The range of yield change was between 0.04% to 56.7%, in positive side, and 0.05% to 66.2% in negative side. In comparison to their parents,the clones B20-24, B20-122, B20-44, and B20-76 in Banba population, and the clones K20-67, K20-70, K20-71, K20-28, K20-26, K20-30, and K20-47 in Kennebec population had better yield. The results from cluster analysis and coefficient of variations revealed that degree of diversity wasn't considerable among studied population. The different gamma doses had different effects on the varieties of potato,and traits including specific gravity, height, and tuber's dry mattershowed least changes but yield and its components presented the greatest variations. It seems that generally irradiation has more negative effect on potato's traits and it is less successful in improvement of traits regarding the potatovariety.

5 illus, 4 tables, 34 ref

008232   Zhanbyrbayev E A;Rysbekova A B;Usenbekov B N; Kazkeev D T;Sartbayeva I A;Berkimbay K A;Sarsenbayev B A;Zelensky G I (NO, Kazakh National Agrarian Univ, Almaty, 050010, Kazakhstan, Email: bakdaulet7@yandex.ru) : Screening rice (Oryza sativa l.) genetic resources for cold tolerance at the germination stage. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2016, 13(4), 1969-73.

It was conducted the laboratory screening of local and foreing rice samples total amount of 29 genotypes to cold tolerance and cold sensivity. As a result of screening for the first time the most perspective genotypes (Lazurnyi, UzROS 7-13 and Kuban 3) were selected as donors to create the initial cold tolerance forms for rice breeding in Kazakhstan.

3 illus, 1 table, 8 ref

008231   Yeraliyeva Z M;Kunelbayev M;Ospanbaye Z O; Kurmanbayeva M S;Kole T P;Kenesbayev S M;Newsome A S (Biology Dep, Kazakh State Women's Teacher Training Univ, Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan, Email: Murat7508@yahoo.ru) : Study of agricultural techniques of cultivation of new varieties of winter wheat under drip irrigation. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2016, 18(3), 781-7.

The article deals with the study of agricultural techniques of cultivation of new varieties of winter wheat under drip irrigation. For the implementation of tasks in 2014 were sown 2 lines of new varieties of winter wheat. Study of the reaction of new winter wheat varieties under drip irrigation showed that super wheatSWW 1/904 and 1/97, having a large size of the photosynthetic organ, dry biologically harvest reached 167,2-172,8 c/ha. Definition at super winter wheat photosynthetic organ in the study was aimed at the formation of a good total biomass. Structural analysis of the ear on the studied samples of super grade wheat SWW 1/904, SWW 1/97 in comparative terms by morphological characters, they were characterized by a certain variety. Research has established in the cultivation of new varieties of winter wheat under drip irrigation, provided the greatest yield grade line of super wheat SWW 1/904. When seeding rate of 4 million. / Ha and the optimal conditions of mineral nutrition with the introduction N120P60 grade grain formed 95.2 centners per 1 hectare.

9 illus, 2 tables, 24 ref

008230   Yash Kumar;Dhyani B P;Vikash Kumar;Rishi Raj (NO, Sardar vallabhbhai Patel Univ of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut-250 110) : Influence of fertility levels on nutrient uptake and productivity of rice under puddled and unpuddled conditions. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(2), 147-53.

The study was conducted during kharif season 2014 to know the effect of different fertility levels on nutrients uptake and yield of rice under puddled and unpuddled condition. Twelve treatments viz., Puddled rice without NPK, Unpuddled rice without NPK, Puddled rice with 100% NPK, Unpuddled rice with 100% NPK, Puddled rice with 125% NPK, Unpuddled rice with 125% NPK, Puddled rice with 125% N and 100% PK, Unpuddled rice with 125% N and 100% PK, Puddled rice with 100% NK and 125% P, Unpuddled rice with 100% NK and 125% P, Puddled rice with 100% NPK Fe and Unpuddled rice with 100% NPK Fe were managed under complete randomized block design with 3 replications. Rice variety "Pusa Basmati 1" was under taken for present study. Uptake of all primary nutrients viz., nitrogen, phosphorus and potash had increased significantly with application of 125% NPK under puddled condition whereas, highest zinc uptake was recorded with 125% N and 100% PK under unpuddled condition. Application of 100% NPK Fe under puddled condition had positive effect in iron-uptake. Yield attributes viz., panicle length, number of grains per panicle and thousand-grain weight of rice increased significantly with the application of 125% NPK or N over recommended NPK level and higher values of these parameter were also recorded in puddled than unpuddled condition. Significantly higher rice grain yield of 3.6 t/ha was recorded in the treatments consisting of 125% NPK or 125% N with 100% PK in puddled condition. At higher fertility level 7.5% higher grain yield was recorded in puddled condition as compared to unpuddled rice. About 6 to 12 percent increase in rice grain yield was noticed due to puddling under different treatments.

1 illus, 3 tables, 8 ref

008229   Yadav V K;Jatav G P;Garg U K;Shrivastava N; Deshmukh S K (Veterinary Pathology Dep, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Nanaji Deshmukh Ve, Mhow-453 446, Email: shivesh09@gmail.com) : Haematological studies on coccidiosis in Kadaknath brids (Gallus domesticus). Vet Practnr 2016, 17(1), 50-1.

Kadaknath is a native breed of inhabiting tribal areas of western parts of Madhya Pradesh i.e. Jhabua and Dhar districts. This hardy breed of poultry tolerates extreme climatic conditions of summer heat and cold winter stress and thrives very well under minimal management inputs like poor housing, no health care or supplementary feeding while exhibiting appreciable degree of resistance to diseases compared to other exotic breeds of fowl. Poultry sector is adversely affected by the protozoan parasites of the genus Eimeria which causes coccidiosis, the most important worldwide disease of poultry. However, this belief needs scientific approval and evaluation of haematological component by scientific methodology along with certain parasitic infestation.

2 tables, 5 ref

008228   Wani S A;Najar G R;Akhter F;Wani M A;Sajad M; Rasool R (Soil Science Div, Sher-e-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Sciences and Technology-Shalimar, Srinagar-190 025, Email: sartajmess@gmail.com) : Micro-nutrient indexing of pear orchards of Pulwama district in Jamun and Kashmir, India. Biosci Biotechnol Res Asia 2016, 13(4), 2303-6.

A survey was conducted to assess the micronutrient status and their relationship of representative pear (Pyrus Communis L.) growing orchards in district Pulwama during 2014-15. Thirty six surface soil samples at 0-30 cm and equal number of leaf samples were collected from the selected pear orchards. Results of the soil chemical analysis revealed that none of the surveyed pear orchards was deficit in available micronutrients and were medium to high in available Zn (0.64-1.60) and Cu (1.30-1.80), high in available Fe (29.88-58.82) and Mn (22.74-59.69) and low to medium status in B (0.64-1.58) and Mo (0.24-0.43) ppm. The micronutrient content of leaf analysis on dry weight basis ranged from 40.41 to 51.45, 12.88 to 16.74, 89.65 to 111.05, 106.84-144.82 and 35.12 to 44.50 ppm. Significant and positive correlation of available Cu, Mn Fe and B with corresponding leaf nutrients (Cu =0.632*, Mn = 0.584*, Fe = 0.715** and B = 0.596*) was recorded. All the available soil and leaf nutrients were in the optimum range except B and Mn which were low in some orchards.

3 tables, 17 ref

008227   Waiz H A;Gautam L K;Nisar N A;Rathore N S; Nagda R K (Livestock Production and Management Dep, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Sher-e-Kashmir Un, Shuhama, Alusteng, Srinagar-190 006, Email: drhinavet@gmail.com) : Effect of wet feeding on egg quality parameters in laying hens. Vet Practnr 2016, 17(1), 142-4.

Study was carried to investigate the effect of wet feeding on the performance of pullets during summer season for which 192 pullets of eight weeks age (distributed to four groups) were used. The feed offered to chicks consisted of starter diet up to 8 weeks of age and grower diet up to 20 weeks of age. From 20 weeks onwards birds were provided with layer diet up to the end of the experiment. Birds of control group (T1) were offered dry feed. Water was mixed with feed in T2 (700 ml/kg), T3 (800 ml/kg) and T4 (900 ml/kg) groups. The study lasted for 100 days. Wet feeding increased yolk index, shell weight, moisture per cent and yolk per cent significantly (p<0.05) in water treated groups than control. However, there was insignificant (p>0.05) effect of wet feed on shape index, Haugh unit, shell thickness, protein content and albumen per cent.

1 table, 12 ref

008226   Vinod Kumar;Purbey S K;Pongener A;Anal A K D; Nath V (NO, ICAR-National Research Centre on Litchi, Mushahari, Muzaffarpur, Bihar-842 002, Email: vinod3kiari@yahoo.co.in) : Effect of some fructoplane antagonists and postharvest dip treatments on litchi fruit rots and shelf life. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(2), 333-43.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis) fruits are extremely susceptible to postharvestfungal pathogens. Normally, fungicides are used to gain control over such postharvest pathogens. Carbendazim is popularly used for control of postharvest disease control in litchi. However, use of synthetic chemicals has been curtailed due to safety issues and biological control is increasingly explored as an alternative. Four isolates of Bacillus subtilis and two of antagonistic yeast were isolated from fructoplane of litchi. After preliminary screening, the best isolate was applied individually and in combination with chitosan (1.0%), potassium silicate (0.5%) and carbendazim (0.1%) to test the efficacy against postharvest pathogens of litchi. No incidence of fruit rot (decay) and browning was recorded in fruit treated with B. subtilis NRCL BS-l(1x10^{8 cells/mL) up to 6 days stored at 32-36°C temperature and 65-76% relative humidity. Treatment with antagonists resulted in significantly lower fruit rot (0-10%) as well as lower percent disease index. Disease control obtained through application of B. subtilis, chitosan, and potassium silicate + chitosan were at par with that achieved through application of carbendazim. It is concluded that B. subtilis and chitosan merit as good alternatives to carbendazim to reduce fruit decay and improve shelf life of litchi fruit.}

5 illus, 5 tables, 22 ref

008225   Vimala;Bheemanna M;Chowdary R;Reddy S (Biotechnology Dep, K.L.E.F. Univ, Green Fields, Vaddeswaram, Guntur-522 502, Email: rsr@kluniversity.in) : Genetic diversity of cotton leafhopper populations, Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida) in major cotton growing regions of South India. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2016, 18(3), 641-4.

Among the sucking pests attacking cotton, leaf hoppers (Amrasca biguttula biguttula) are very important. Both nymphs and adults suck the sap from under surface of the leaf causing specking symptoms, crinkling, distortion of leaves and reddening all along the sides of leaves with downward curling. It is an important and key pest causingboth quantitative and qualitative losses on Bt cotton. Amplification of a fragment (<126> 850 bp) of the mtCOIgene was achieved by the primer pair: MT10/C1-J-2195 (5'- TTGATTTTTTGGTCATCCAGAAGT-3') and MT12/L2-N-3014 (5'- TCCAATGCACTAATCTGCCATATTA- 3') obtained from the UBC Insect Mitochondrial DNA Primer Oligonucleotide Set. Taxonomic identification results revealed that composite sample of adult cotton leafhopper population collected from for different states viz., Maharashtra (Akola, Parbhani, Nanded), Karnataka (Raichur, Bijapur, Dharwad), Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore, Madurai, Aduturai) and Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad, Vijayawada, West Godavari) was Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida). Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunitI (COI)gene fragment was amplified and sequenced from the cotton leafhoppers collected from four different states with twelve locations. Highest genetic variation (0.072) was found between populations of Akola and West Godavari followed by Aduturai and Dharwad (0.068); the genetic variation was nil between the populations collected from rest of the location. Sequence analysis and dendrogram showed high similarity among the leafhopper population of major cotton growing districts of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and there was not much genetic variation among the populations.

1 illus, 8 ref

008224   Venkatasalam E P;Tiwari J K;Sood R;Tavleen Kaur;Bairwa A (ICAR-Central Potato Research Station, , Muthorai, Udhagamandalm-643 004, Email: venkat_ep@yahoo.co.in) : Morphological and molecular based genetic stability assessment of in Vitro propropagated potato micro-plants. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(2), 289-301.

Genetic stability of in vitro propagated plants for tissue-culture-based seed potato production was assessed using molecular markers and morphological traits. In vitro propagated potato mother plant and its derivatives (10th and 20th cycle's regenerants) sub-cultured on two MS media (with and without growth regulators) were used in analysis. In the DNA analysis, a total of 38 (10 RAPD, 9 ISSR and 5 SSR) primers produced a total of 152 (53 RAPD, 56 ISSR and 43 SSR) clear, distinct and reproducible amplicons. AH the banding profiles from micro-propagated regenerants were similar to the mother plant. Cluster analysis revealed 100% genetic similarity among the mother plant and its derived regenerants within the corresponding cluster (I-IX). Principal component analysis (PCA) also plotted mother plant and its genotypes of each cluster together. In the morphological assessment, significant genotypic effect was observed in the different phenotypic traits, however, there was no significant difference between 10th and 20th cycle regenerants. Moreover, there were no molecular as well as morphological differences observed by the additional supplementation of growth regulators in the MS medium. This study confirmed that the true-to-type nature of the in vitro propagated plants can be multiplied upto 20 cycles of regeneration and is a safe method for rapid seed production through tissue culture.

5 illus, 3 tables, 34 ref

008223   Tyagi S K;Shukla A;Mittoliya V K;Sharma M L; Khire A R;Jain Y K (NO, , ) : Effect of integrated nutrient management on growth, yield and economics of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench) under Nimar valley conditions of Madhya Pradesh. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(2), 415-9.

An experiment was conducted at fanners' fields in Khargone (M.P.) to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management on the growth, yield and economics of okra co. Arka Anamika under Nimar Valley conditions of Madhya Pradesh during the Kharif seasons of 2011 and 2012 on okra co. Arka Anamika. The experiment comprised two treatments viz. T₂ (75% of Recommended dose of NPK @ 100:50:50kg ha^{-1 + Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @20 t ha-1 + Bio-fertilizers: Azotobactor, Azospirillum and PSB (1:1:1)@6 kg ha-1) and T₁ (100% Recommended dose of NPK @ 100:50:50 kg ha-1) as control. The maximum plant height (105.00 cm), plant girth (3.21 cm), number of nodes per plant (14.60) and inter nodal length (6.63 cm) with least number of days to 50% flowering (32.40 days), days to first picking (38.60 days), maximum number of fruits per plant (17.00), maximum fruit length (17.00 cm), maximum fruit weight (16.20 g), maximum fruit yieldper plant (244.00 g), maximum yield per ha (134.40q) higher gross returns of Rs l,27,615ha-1 net returns Rs 92491 ha-1 and cost: benefit ratio (3.63) were recorded in (T₂). However the minimum growth, yield and net return were recorded incontrol (T₁). The study led to a conclusion, that the maximum growth parameters, highest yield and yield attributing characters of okra could be achieved by integrated use of farm yard manure, biofertilizers, and chemical fertilizers.}

3 tables, 14 ref

008222   Tupkanloo Z N;Yazdani S;Moghadasi R (Agricultural Economics Dep, College of Agriculture, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad Univ, Tehran, Iran, Email: saeed.yazdani1395@gmail.com) : Water demand management under alterativeInstitutional arrangementsin coastal lands of yengejehDam. Agric biol Res 2017, 33(1), 58-73.

This study aims to investigate the management of water demand in different product markets in downstream lands of Yengejeh Dam in Neyshabur. This is an exploratory study in nature which was conducted through a questionnaire survey in 2015-2016. The population of this research is all farmers who use the water of Yengejeh Dam to irrigate their lands. Using Cochran formula at the level of 6% error, 139 farmers selected as the sample of this research randomly. A scenario of increasing the elasticity of product demand in resource allocation in the competitive and monopolar water market was developed by assimilation algorithm in the studied region. According to the market situation of water in the region which is almost similar to monopoly water market, the results suggest that If barley farmers in this area replace the cultivation of these crops and export-oriented instead of barley, the amount of product reduced and Farmers increase their yield per hectare of land with using more water supply and more area under cultivation.

1 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

008221   Thakur S;Reddy B S V;Sharma T;Agrawal V K (NO, Animal Nutrition College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner-334 001, Email: drsonalvet@rediffmail.com) : Sero-biochemical impact of processed karanj seed based diets on growing goat kids. Vet Practnr 2016, 17(1), 138-41.

A study was conducted in goat kids to investigate the effect of feeding solvent extracted karanj cake (SKC) and alkali processed solvent extracted karanj cake (AKC) based diets on the sero-biochemical diagnostic parameters, i.e., serum enzymes, to assess health status and dry matter intake. Twenty male goat kids of uniform age were submitted to one of the five diets containing two different levels of either SKC or AKC for 17 weeks in a completely randomized design. The T₁ group was offered groundnut cake (GNC) as a sole source of nitrogen whereas T₂ and T₃ group were offered SKC @ 8.09% and 16.18% of concentrate mixtures, respectively to replace 25% and 50% of GNC nitrogen. Similarly T₄ and T₅ were fed AKC @ 8.09% and 16.18% of concentrate mixtures, respectively to replace the 25% and 50% of GNC nitrogen. No adverse effect of either SKC or AKC was observed on serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme. No significant effect of either SKC or AKC on the dry matter intake was observed in goat kids raised on concentrate mixtures containing karanj seed cakes. Therefore, the results indicates that long term supplementation of SKC or AKC up to 25% replacement of conventional nitrogen source have no adverse effect on health as revealed by dry matter intake and sero-biochemical enzymes.

4 tables, 25 ref

008220   Tallei T E;Pelealu J J;Kandou F E (Biology Dep, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Sam Ratulangi Univ, Manado, Indonesia, Email: trina_tallei@unsrat.ac.id) : Effects of arbuscular mycorrhiza inoculation on length, leaf number and flowering of Arachis pintoi. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2016, 18(3), 805-8.

The growing need for agriculture has increased interest in soil microorganisms that can improve soil fertility and / or stimulate nutrition and plant health. For example, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is known as fungi, which are essential for the growth of many plant species. But the impact of inorganic, fertilizers intensification has become harmful to human health and the environment. On the other hand, organic fertilizer absorption by plants is considered still too slow. This study was aimed at applying commercial AMF on soil to help improving the soil fertility and the growth and development of pinto peanut Arachis pintoi. Commercial AMF consisted of Gigaspora margarita (INVAM-105), Glomus etunicatum (NPI-126), (Acaulospora tuberculata (INDO-2), and Glomus manihotis (INDO-1). Parameters observed including plant length, leaf number, and flowering. Results showed that commercial AMF application were capable to increase plant length, leaf number, and flower number. The results indicated that the mycorrhizal inoculation was capable to increase the absorption of nutrients by plants.

3 illus, 4 ref

008219   Swain S;Chadha N K;Sundaray J K;Sawant P B; Chhanda Prajnadarsini E M (NO, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai, Email: sambidcife@gmail.com) : Effect of vitamin C dietary supplementation on growth and survival of grey mullet, Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus, 1758) fry. Asian J Microbiol Biotechnol envir Sci 2016, 18(3), 645-9.

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin C on growth performance and survival of Mugil cephalus juveniles. Mullet juveniles of an average weight of 3.5 gm each were distributed into four treatment groups and were fed with one of the ten purified diets for 45 days. The growth performance and survival of the experimental animals were measured fortnightly. The experimental purified diets were formulated to contain with or without graded levels of vitamin C. The growth performance (absolute growth, percentage weight gain, SGR, PER, per day growth) were significantly higher in mullets fed with diet containing vitamin C supplementation than fed without vitamin supplementation. The vitamin had no significant effect on survival of the mullet juveniles and all the treatments were significantly similar to each other. These finding can be used for formulation of species specific feed for mullet fry for ensuring optimum growth.

2 tables, 28 ref

008218   Suthin Raj T;Graff K H;Suji H A (Plant Pathology Dep, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai Univ, Chidambaram, Email: suthinagri@gmail.com) : Bio chemical characterization of a brown seaweed algae and its efficacy on control of rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(2), 429-39.

Rhizoctonia solani is the causative agent of rice sheath blight, which has become a major problem in rice production. The use of natural products such as seaweeds provide a rich source of structurally diverse and. biologically active secondary metabolite and is the ultimate way of combating this disease. In this context, five different seaweeds such as Sargassum muticum, Dictyota bartyrensiana, Padina gymospora, Chnoospora implexa and Sargassssum wightiiwere used to control the sheath blight disease in rice. Evaluation of marine products against R. Solani was carried out by Spore germination assay, Paper disc assay; Agar well method and Mycelial dry weight analysis. Among the five marine extracts tested, extracts of Sargassum wightii [brown seaweed algae] at a high concentration (20%) was found to be the best in reducing of spore germination (19.60 per cent). The leaf extracts of Sargassum wightii [brown seaweed algae] at highest concentration (20%) showed a maximum reduction in both paper disc method and agar well method with 44.65 and 45.90 per cent zone of inhibition respectively. The antifungal compounds were identified through Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy. The results revealed that, 18 compounds were present in S. wightii and among them n-Hexadecanoic add was closely related to 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid which may be responsible for the inhibition of the growth of R. solani. The present study reveals that, the efficacy of seaweed extracts against fungal pathogens may be due to higher levels and early accumulation of phenolics and phytoalexins and the pot study proved that R. solani can be controlled by the application of brown seaweed.

9 tables, 14 ref

008217   Suman B;Vijaya Gopal A;Reddy R S;Triveni S; Damodara Chari K (Agricultural Microbiology and Bio Energy Dep, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Email: suman.biyyani123@gmail.com) : Plant growth promoting attributes of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolated from rhizosphere of rice in Rangareddy district. Pollut Res 2016, 35(1), 91-6.

Rice is an economically important food crop, which is subjected to infect by a host of fungal, viral and bacterial pathogens. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are beneficial bacteria that colonize plant roots and enhance plant growth by a wide variety of mechanisms. The use of PGPR is steadily increasing in agriculture and offers an attractive way to replace chemical fertilizers, pesticides and supplements. Pseudomonas fluorescens is important among PGPR because it is having an ability to induce plant growth as well as control the growth of pathogens. In the present study thirty P. fluorescens isolates were isolated, from the rhizospheric soils of rice fields from the Rangareddy district of Telangana state and the isolates were screened and characterized for the PGPR characters like phosphate solubilisation, ammonia and Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) production. Isolates showing PGP properties were further screened in vitro for biocontrol activities like siderophore, HCN and antagonism against soil borne phytopathogen Rhizoctonia solani causing sheath blight in rice. Results revealed that all isolates reacted positively for Ammonia production, HCN production and 23 isolates showed phosphate solubilisation and siderophore production, 28 showed IAA production. In vitro antagonism was shown by all isolates and high prevalence of antagonism was found against the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani by the isolate DMP1 (53.43%) followed by DBP (51.53%). Results revealed that rhizospheric soils are the rich source of Pseudomonas fluorescens, which have a potential to be used as a biocontrol agent.

1 illus, 6 tables, 22 ref

008216   Soni S;Shushant;Meena L R;Sanjeev Kumar (NO, Apollo College of Veterinary Medicine, Jaipur, Rajasthan-302 031, Email: shushant@yahoo.com) : Effect of nutrient sources, gypsum and growth regulators on growth, yield and quality of Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. and cross] under sub-humid region of Uttaranchal. Ann agric Res 2016, 37(2), 165-70.

A study was taken to assess the effect of integrated nutrient management, soil amendment and growth regulator on performance of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea). The inorganic sources of nutrient supplied significantly improved growth and yield parameters, seed yield and quality parameters of mustard along with the total uptake of N, P and S. The economic returns were obtained higher when only inorganic sources of nutrients were supplied as compared to other sources of nutrients supplied like FYM (farm yard manure) and poultry manure. Gypsum use in mustard crop resulted in significant improvement in growth and yield parameters, stover, seed and biological yield. The total uptake of N, P and S were reported higher when 50% was applied as gypsum at sowing and 50% at 35 DAS (days after sowing). Economic returns and benefit: cost ratio was higher where gypsum applied twice. Application of the growth promoter, thiourea (1000 ppm) also resulted in enhanced yield attributes, stover and seed yield of mustard.

4 tables, 8 ref

008215   Soni M;Kumar V;Goswami S C;Bais B;Jain M;Rana S;Choudhary S (Livestock Production and Management Dep, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan Univ of Veterinary, Bikaner-334 001) : Effect of Shatavari supplementation on milk yield, fat corrected milk yield and economics of milk production in Kankrej cows. Vet Practnr 2016, 17(1), 150-1.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), supplementation during postpartum period on production performance of lactating Kankrej cows. A total of 16 lactating Kankrej cows on the basis of their parity, milk yield and body weight were grouped in to 4 homogenous treatment groups of 4 each. Out of these, one group served as control fed as per NRC (1982) wherein no supplementation was given. Cows in treatment groups T1, T2 and T3, respectively, were subjected to shatavari supplementation @ 50, 100 and 150 gm per day. During the supplementation period the milk yield and fat corrected milk yield (FCMY) were found to be significantly (p<60>0.01) higher in treatment groups than the control. Therefore, it can be inferred that shatavari supplementation is beneficial and it could serve as potential management tool to improve milk production from lactating cows.

3 tables, 12 ref

008214   Sonawane H S;Pujari K H;Ghavale S L;Nawale R N (P.G. Student, Post Graduate Institute of Post Harvest Management, Killa, Roha, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri-415 712, Email: sunillg72@gmail.com) : Studies on effect of foliar sprays of paclobutrazol and cycocel on flowering behaviour of mango cv. alphonso. Int J Trop Agric 2016, 34(2), 471-7.

A field experiment was conducted at plot No.28, in the Department of Horticulture, college of Agriculture, DBS Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (M.S.), India to visualize the effect of foliar sprays of paclobutrazol and cycocel on enhancing flowering behaviour of mango cv. Alphonso. The experiment was laid out in randomize block design having nine treatments viz. T₁500ppm padobutrazol, T₂-1000ppm paclobutrazol, T₃-1500ppm paclobutrazol, T₄-2000ppm paclobutrazol, T₅-1000ppm cycocel, T₆-1500ppm cycocel, T₇-2000ppm. cycocel, T₈-2500ppm cycocel, T₉-control which were replicated three times. The results revealed that foliar sprays of cycocel 1500ppm applied in the month of October are better for early flower emergence, flowering, highest number of hermaphrodite flowers, total number of flowers, fruit set, fruit retention and higher fruit yield. Hence this can successfully be used for emergence of flowering in mango.

3 tables, 14 ref