019090   Das B;Vishal Nath (NO, ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region, Research Center, Ranchi, Plandu, Ranchi, Jharkhand-834 010, Email: bikash41271@yahoo.com) : Performance of - 282 - traditional mango varieties from different parts of the country under of eastern plateau and hill region. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4A), 2010-13.

An experiment was laid out during 1982 to identify most suitable mango variety amongst 20 important commercial varieties from different parts of the country (Krishna Bhog, Jardalu, Himsagar, Swarnarekha and Fazali from eastern India, Mankurad, Mulgoa, Vanraj, Kesar and Fernandin from Western India, Bombay Green, Dashehari, Langra, Maldah and Chausa from Northern India, Bangalora, Alphanso, Neelam, Mallika and Benisan from south India) for commercial cultivation in the eastern plateau and hill region. Keeping this view, the fruit quality (medium sized fruits with high TSS) and yield the variety Himsagar was found to be most promising for commercial cultivation for fresh fruit purposes whereas cultivar like Bangalora can suitable be grown in the region particularly to cater to the newly upcoming mango processing industries in the region.

3 tables, 6 ref

019089   Daikho A;Hulihalli U K;Tuppad G B (Agronomy Dep, Directorate of Research Office UAS, Dharwad 5, Karnataka, Email: tuppadgb@gmail.com) : Productivity and economics of maize hybrids as influenced by fertilizer levels under changing climate. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4A), 1972-7.

A field experiment was conducted under rainfed situations during kharif of 2012 to study the performance of maize hybrids to graded levels of fertilizer under different climatic situations. The results revealed that among the hybrids significantly higher grain yield was recorded with 900 M Gold (64.6 q ha^-1), gross returns (Rs 95446), net returns (Rs 65795) and B: C ratio (3.22) as compared to other hybrids and it was on par with NK-6240 (62.0 q ha^-1) and were followed by CP-818(59.3qha^-1), PAC-740 (57.8q ha^-1) and 30B07 (54.7 q ha^-1). The hybrid Arjun (38.2 q ha^-1) and Hema (39.2 q ha^-1) were recorded signifi-cantly lower grain yield and economic returns. The yield components like grains cob^-1 (652.7), grain weight plante^-1 (166.7 g), Test weight (100 grains weight) (37.9 g), Cob length (19.8 cm) and Rows cob^-1 (15.4) also recorded significantly higher grain yield over other hybrids but at par with NK-6240. With respect to nutrient levels, the application of 150% RDF (150:75:37.5 NPKkg ha^-1) recorded significantly higher grain cob^-1 (599.8), 100 grain weight (35.02 g), grain weight plant^-1 (141.9 g) grain yield (52.7 q ha^-1), net returns (Rs 47479 ha^-1) and B: C ratio (2.56) as compared to 100% RDF (100:50:25 NPK kg ha^-1).

3 illus, 13 ref

019088   Czaban J;Wroblewska B;Leszczynska D (Agricultural Microbiology Dep, Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation, State Research Instit, Pulawy-24 100, Poland, Email: janusz.czaban@iung.pulawy.pl) : Allelopathic effects of barley and oats on their rhizoplane and rhizosphere Fusarium spp.. Allelopathy J 2017, 42(1), 109-22.

This study aimed to determine the differences between the colonization of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) rhizoplane and rhizosphere by various Fusarium species. Two cultivars each of barley and oats were cultivated in 2013 in pure stands and in barley/oats mixture in an organic field experiment. The roots of these plants were freed from adhering soil, then divided into three parts: crowns, upper crown roots and lower crown roots. They were cut into approx 1 cm fragments and were used to isolate the Fusaria using CZID agar medium. Oats, in comparison with barley contained significantly higher percentage of F. culmorum and F. avenaceum and significantly lower percentage of F. equiseti and F. graminearum in its rhizoplane. On the other hand, significantly lower CFU numbers of both total fungi and Fusarium were found in the rhizosphere soils of oats than in barley.

5 tables, 41 ref

019087   Cui C;Liu B;Hou L;Zhang S X (College of Forestry, Northwest A&F Univ, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China, Email: sxzhang@nwsuaf.edu.cn) : Allelopathic effects of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) leaves extracts on germination, seedling growth and enzymatic activities of receptor plants. Allelopathy J 2017, 42(1), 49-64.

Authors studied the mechanism of allelopathic effects of fresh persimmon (Diospyros kaki) leaves extract on: (i). seed germination, seedling growth and chlorophyll content of seedlings of receptor plant and (ii). analysed the activity of superoxidedismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and root activity of receptor plants and content of malondialdehyde (MDA). The aqueous extracts of persimmon leaves had variable allelopathic effects on the receptor plants. All aqueous extracts significantly inhibited the lettuce and cabbage than control, but only high concentrations (50 mg and 100 mg) were inhibitory to mung bean, millet, rapeseed and corn. The extracts at 100 mg concentration were most inhibitory to lettuce and cabbage than other receptor plants. The growth and development of plants were significantly affected and the roots activity decreased with the increasing extracts concentration. The effects of extracts from persimmon leaves on activities of CAT, SOD, POD and the content of MDA of receptor plants were determined during the lettuce and cabbage seedling growth. The extracts had significant effects on the activities of CAT, SOD and POD in receptor plants, which in vivo first increased and then decreased. Of all the enzymes assayed (SOD, - 281 - POD, CAT), the SOD and the POD activity cooperated to remove the reactive oxygen radicals. The allelopathy affected the activity of protective-enzymes of receptor plants and broke the structure and function of membrane. So the balance of activate oxygen metabolism was broken, the cell membrane was destroyed and the content of MDA increased.

10 illus, 5 tables, 32 ref

019086   Choudhary R;Mehra K;Vikram;Singh V (Entomology Dep, SHIATS, Allahabad, Email: keshav.mehra35@gmail.com) : Seasonal incidence of fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on tomato in trans yamuna region of Allahabad. J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 85-7.

Studies on seasonal incidence of the fruit borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on tomato were conducted under field conditions at Central Research Farm, SHIATS, Naini, Allahabad during Rabi, 2014-15. The incidence of fruit borer commenced in 8th standard week (third week of February) with an average population of 2.2 larvae per plant. The fruit borer population increased and gradually reached its peak level of 6.4 larvae per plant at 12th standard week (March third week) there after declined trend was observed as temperature increased. Abiotic factors, temperature [maximum (r = 0.623) and minimum (r = 0.662)], wind velocity (r = 0.512) and sunshine hours (r = 0.733) had significant positive correlation with fruit borer population. Relative humidity [morning (r = -0.138) and minimum (r = -0.382)] showed non-significant negative correlation while, rainfall showed non-significant positive correlation (r = 0.083) with fruit borer population.

1 illus, 1 table, 20 ref

019085   Chhabra N;Amarjeet Kaur (Food Science & Technology Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana, Punjab) : Physical and engieering characteristics of maize, pearl millet and soybean. J Pharmac Phytochem 2017, 6(6), 1-5.

Evaluation of physical and engineering characteristics of food material are crucial for efficient equipment design. In the present study the above characteristics were accessed for maize, pearl millet and soybean at moisture content 6.40%, 7.95% and 5.25% in - 280 - the order. Data revealed that highest length, breadth and thickness (L,B,T) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) was found in maize. Test weight and thousand kernel weight ranged between 718.33 g to 791.33 g and 10.72 g to 330.21 g in the sequence, being highest for maize in both cases. The average bulk density and true density were 0.72 to 0.79 g/cc, 1.04 to 1.24 g/cc, respectively. Soybean exhibited maximum porosity trailed by maize and pearl millet. Among the grains, pearl millet had highest internal friction while maize and soybean portray the highest external friction. Referring to angle of repose, soybean showed highest value followed by maize and pearl millet.

3 tables, 27 ref

019084   Chauhan R;Patel P R (Plant Pathology Dep, ACHF, NAU, Navsari, Gujarat) : Evaluation of seed bio-priming against chilli (Capsicum frutescence L.) cv. GVC 111 in vitro. J Pharmac Phytochem 2017, 6(6), 17-19.

An experiment was to know the efficacy of various seed bio-priming against chilli in vitro. Chilli (Capsicum frutescence L.) seeds were subjected to biopriming with Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Paecilomyces lilacinus applied at imbibition and after imbibition. Seed bio-priming of chilli seeds in vitro revealed seed biopriming with P. fluorescens @10gm/kg seed recorded maximum seed germination 86.70% than the other treatment tested but it was statistically at par with T. harzianum applied at imbibition and minimum per cent infected seeds with P. fluorescens applied at imbibition 21.3%.

1 illus, 1 table, 5 ref

019083   Chandel S;Tripathi D;Kakar R (Soil Science Dep, Punjab Agricultural Univ, Ludhiana-141 004, Email: sumi.chandel@gmail.com) : Soil health assessment under protected cultivation of vegetable crops in north west Himalayas. J envir Biol 2017, 38(1), 97-103.

Soil health is a concept that integrates soil physical, chemical and biological indicators into a framework for soil resource evaluation. Quantitative assessment of soil health is required to determine the sustainability of land use in terms of environmental quality and plant productivity. The main objective of the study was to find out the impact of intensive cultivation on soil health under polyhouses condition of mid hill zone of Himachal Pradesh. The soil samples were collected from polyhouses and adjacent open fields from three districts of Himachal Pradesh, India (Mandi, Solan and Sirmour) and were analysed for physical (bulk density, particle density and porosity), chemical (pH, EC, organic carbon, cation exchange capacity, bicarbonate, chloride, available N, P, K, extractable calcium, magnesium and SO4-S, DTPA extractable Zn, Fe, Mn and Cu) and biological (microbial biomass C) properties. All the soil indicators were combined to calculate soil health index (SHI). The soil health indicators like EC, OC, P, S, chloride and microbial biomass had more influence on soil health under polyhouse condition. Majority of the soils in polyhouse conditions were in high soil health (57%) of the surveyed samples, followed by very high (40%) and medium health soil (3%). Soil health was found to be affected by the management practices adopted by the farmers and the extent of fertilizer used over a period of time.

5 illus, 2 tables, 30 ref

019082   Bisht K;Verma S;Singh N N (Research Scholar, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh) : Impression of elevated Co₂ on the herbivory of tomato fruit borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner). J Ent Zool Stud 2017, 5(6), 34-7.

The present study was conducted to observe the influence of elevated CO₂ concentrations i.e. 550 ppm, 700 ppm on host (Tomato, pLycopersicon esculentum) and its insect herbivore (Tomato Fruit Borer, H. armigera, Hubner) in relation to ambient CO₂ i.e. 398 ppm concentration in open top chambers and laboratory conditions between September to December, 2015. Biochemical analysis was done for the tomato leaves raised under elevated CO₂ conditions, which included nitrogen, carbon, C:N ratio and phenol content analysis using different methods. The results of biochemical analysis showed that nitrogen per cent was 2.80 per cent and 2.52per cent as compared with ambient condition 3.78 per cent, carbon content did not affected by elevated CO₂ concentrations. The C:N ratio was observed in increasing trend with the elevated CO₂ level i.e. 11.8, 12.8 and 13 per cent in ambient, 550 ppm and 700 ppm respectively. However, no change was observed in phenol content of - 279 - the leaves. While growth performance on H. armigera showed larval weight and larval duration were in increasing trend i.e. 0.72g (700ppm) and 20.15 days (700ppm) respectively. Moreover, pupal weight and fecundity were found in decreasing trend i.e. 0.28g and 424 eggs/female/day respectively.

1 illus, 2 tables, 22 ref

019081   Bhavyasree K T;Sankar S J (College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural Univ, KAU P.O, Thrissur, Kerala-680 656, Email: jayasree.sankar@kau.in) : Distribution of Azolla in Palakkad eastern plains (AEU 23). J trop Agric 2016, 54(1), 95-100.

A study was conducted in the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara during the period 2013 to 2015 to study distribution of Azolla in Palakkad eastern plains. The electrochemical properties of soil were studied in the nine locations coming under two blocks viz., Chittoor and Kollengode of AEU23, as described by Kerala State Planning Board. General composition of Azolla was analyzed to get information on parameters like moisture, dry matter, carbon, nitrogen, C/N ratio, crude protein, phosphorus and potassium. Correlation was also worked out between the soil parameters and Azolla composition. Locational effect was significant on all the soil parameters studied. Significant positive correlation was noticed between the carbon content of Azolla and the electrochemical soil properties like pH and EC. The contents of nitrogen, crude protein and phosphorus of Azolla revealed a significant positive correlation with soil phosphorus status. But the C/N ratio exhibited a significant negative correlation with soil P. The potassium content in Azolla showed a significant positive correlation with the potassium content of soil.

5 tables, 19 ref

019080   Bhattacharyya M (Agricultural Entomology Dep, Bidhan Chandra, Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal) : Use of marigold (Tagetes sp.) for the successful control of nematodes in agriculture. Pharma Innovation 2017, 6(11), 1-3.

Control of plant parasitic nematodes through antagonistic plants has some advantages like biodegradability, selective toxicity to target pests, safety to non-target organisms and environment and is renewable in nature. The primary soil borne plant parasitic nematodes having spear like mouth parts used to feed on plant roots cause serious reduction in yield and quality of wide variety of crops. Management of nematodes in agriculture include crops that are not hosts of these plant parasitic - 278 - nematodes, using resistant available plants, applying chemical nematicides, soil solarization, use of organic amendments, employing trap crops, microbial biocontrol agents and plants that are antagonistic to parasitic nematodes. Wild marigolds Tagetes sps are highly toxic to the plant parasitic nematodes and are capable of suppressing wide range nematode pests. The plausible mode by which marigolds suppress plant parasitic nematodes is through the biochemical interaction known as allelopathy. The root exudates of marigold known to contain toxic bioactive chemicals having nematicidal, insecticidal, fungicidal, antiviral and cytotoxic activities. Thus as a method of biocontrol of nematodes, growing of marigolds is not only a comely but also highly economical and helps in environmental amelioration.

12 ref

019079   Basha S J;Basavarajappa R;Shimalli G;Babalad H B (Agronomy Dep, College of Agriculture, Dharwad-580 005, Email: shaik.jaffarbasha@gmail.com) : Soil microbial dynamics and enzyme activities as influenced by organic and inorganic nutrient management in vertisols under aerobic rice cultivation. J envir Biol 2017, 38(1), 131-8.

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of organic and inorganic nutrient management practices on dynamics of soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities in vertisols under aerobic rice cultivation during kharif 2013 and 2014 at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad. The experiment consisted of twenty four treatment combinations, comprising of six main plots (manurial practices) and four sub plots (liquid organic manures), which were replicated thrice. The seeds of variety MAS-26, developed specifically for aerobic rice production from UAS, Bengaluru were used. Integrated application of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) (1/3) + vermicompost (1/3) + green leaf manure (1/3) equivalent to Recommended Dose of Nitrogen (RDN) with recommended FYM + microbial consortium (Azospirillum + PSB) with soil application of biodigester @ 2500 l ha^-1 at 30, 60 and 90 DAS recorded significantly higher nitrogen fixers (42.7 and 39.8 x103 cfu g^-1 soil), PSB (44.2 and 41.8 x104 cfu g^-1 soil), Azospirillum spp. population (3.95 and 0.80 x106 cfu g^-1 soil), dehydrogenase (15.7 and 14.3 g TPF g^-1 soil day-1) and phosphatase (29.9 and 28.7 g pNP g^-1 soil h-1) at flowering and harvest, respectively. Higher soil microbial population viz., N fixers, PSB, Azospirillum spp. and soil enzyme activity of dehydrogenase and phosphatase at flowering and harvest was with the application of FYM (1/3) + vermicompost (1/3) + green leaf manure (1/3) equivalent to RDN of 100 kg ha^-1 with recommended FYM (5 t ha^-1) and microbial consortium (Azospirillum + PSB) with soil application of biodigester in aerobic rice.

1 illus, 3 tables, 26 ref

019078   Basavaraja S;Naik V R;Suma Biradar S;Desai S A;Veeresha B A (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, Agricultural Sciences Univ, Dharwad-580 005, Email: ambavee@gmail.com) : Genetic variability parameters for yield and rust resistance in F₅ populations of bread wheat. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4A), 1958-61.

The study was undertaken to esti-mate the genetic variability parameters for grain yield and its component traits in F₅ population of the cross DWR162 X NIL PBW343. High phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation were observed for number of productive tillers per plant, grain yield per plant and coefficient of infection for leaf rust. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for plant height, number of productive tillers per plant, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, grain yield per plant and coefficient of infection for leaf rust. This suggested better scope for selecting superior transgressive segregants in this population.

2 tables, 17 ref

019077   Banuprakash A R;Rajeshwari Y B; Narasimhamurthy H N;Satyanarayana K;Gloridaoss R G;Prasanna S B (LPM Dep, Veterinary College, Hebbal, Bengaluru-560 024) : Growth performance of large white yorkshire piglets weaned at different age intervals. J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 159-62.

An experimental trial was conducted to assess the effect of weaning at different age intervals on growth performance of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) piglets. Thirty piglets of comparable body weights were randomly and equally divided into Three groups - weaned at 28 days (Group-I), 42 days (Group-II) and 56 days (Group-III). During experimental period body weight gain, average daily weight gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency (FCR) were 25.78 ± 0.90, 23.28 ± 0.82 and 19.10 ± 1.20; 306.89 ± 10.71, 332.56 ± 1 1.66 and 341.06 ± 21.53; 2.59 ± 0.08, 2.65 ± 0.10 and 2.88 ± 0.19 for Group-I, Group-II and Group-III respectively and it was found that there was a significant difference (P <60>0.05) in body weight gain for Group-III. The weaning weights (kg) for the three groups were 6.8 ± 0.34, 8.78 ± 0.41, 9.67 ± 0.39 and at the end of 112 days(16 weeks) statistical analysis revealed that there was non-significant (P<60>0.05) difference in body weight between the groups and the overall weight(kg) was 32.59 ± 0.98, 32.06 ± 1.21 and 28.77 ± 1.44 for Group-I, Group-II and Group-III, respectively.

4 illus, 6 tables, 18 ref

019076   Bano S;Sultana N;Ved Prakash (Zoology Dep, M.S.D.T.N. Mahavidyalaya, Araul, Kanpur) : Comparative efficacy of plant parts of Carica papaya in the treatment of helminthes parasites in goats. J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 365-7.

In the region of Kanpur at Araul, Makanpur the present work was done to evaluate the efficacy of plant parts of Carica papaya against helminthes parasites in goats. The treatment was done during the period when the worms infections become in predominant position. Seasonal infections, treatments and effectiveness have been compared. The leaves juice with combination of powdered seeds of Carcia papaya was more effective than juice of leaves, flower and powdered seeds. Efficacy of leaves juice, flower juice and powdered seeds 93.3%, 86.5% and 96.8% were recorded respectively, but the combination of leaves, juice and powdered seeds of Carica papaya was 100% effective against naturally occurring helminth parasites.

1 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

019075   Baiswar P;Ngachan S V;Verma V K;Chandra S (Crop Protection Div, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793 103, Email: pbaiswar@yahoo.com) : Molecular evidence reveals presence of Albugo candida on Brassica juncea var rugosa in Northeast India. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4A), 1849-51.

White rust was observed on plants of lai-patta (Brassica - 276 - juncea var rugosa) during December 2013. Host plant (leaves) is used for vegetable purpose in this region. Morphological and molecular evidence based on ITS and cox2 region confirmed the presence of Albugo Candida on this host. To our knowledge, this is the first confirmed record of this pathogen on this host. This information will be useful to breeders and also help in devising management strategies in future.

1 illus, 17 ref

019074   Azhar M;Mohite A;Sadawarte R (Fisheries Engineering Dep, College of Fisheries (Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli), Ratnagiri-415 629, Email: ashishmohite@yahoo.com) : Operational aspects of brackish water shrimp farms of north Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 497-500.

The study was undertaken to investigate the operational parameters of brackish water shrimp farm of North Ratnagiri region. Farm details including general information, site selection, design, shape of pond, specifications of ponds (length, width, depth, pond bottom slope, water spread area), dikes (Peripheral and Partition dikes), drainage canal, drainage canal dike, cat walk, sluice gate, water supply system were measured. In North Ratnagiri region, total area of the farm was 2.5 ha whereas the total water spread area was found to be 2.1 ha. The length of the ponds ranged from 64 to 160 m. The maximum designed depth was 1.5 m. The pond bottom slope was 1000:2. Top width of the peripheral dike was 1.5 m.

1 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

019073   Ashwini S B;Ashoka J;Bheemanna M;Hanchinal S G;Diwan J R (Agricultural Entomology Dep, Univ of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agriculture, Raichur-584 104, Email: ashwinisb07@gmail.com) : Biology and morphometry of Spodoptera litura (FAB.) on cabbage. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4), 1764-7.

The studies on the biology of Spodoptera litura (Fab.) on cabbage revealed that the incubation period of egg, total larval and pre-pupal period were 2.33 ± 0.19, 21.10 ± 1.08 and 2.22 ±0.38 days, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and post-oviposition periods were 2.94 ± 0.33, 3.11 ± 0.43 and 4.45 ± 0.72 days, respectively. The total life cycle from egg to emergence of adult was 35.44 ± 1.44 (male) and 36.04 ± 1.61 (female) days, respectively.

3 tables, 7 ref

019072   Ashwathi S;Ushamalini C;Parthasarathy S; Nakkeeran S (Plant Pathology Dep, Centre for Plant Protection Studies, Agricultural Univ, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu) : Morphological, pathogenic and molecular characterisation of Pythium aphanidermatum: A causal pathogen of coriander damping-off in India. Pharma Innovation 0000, 6(11), 44-8.

Damping-off caused by several soilborne fungi and oomycetes is dangerous threatening disease affecting coriander plants in India and presumably in many other countries. The objective of the present investigation was to characterize the pathogen morphologically in vitro and to confirm the pathogenicity of Pythium aphanidermatum isolated from several coriander growing regions of Tamil Nadu, India. Pathogenic P. aphanidermatum isolates were characterized using molecular methods based on ITS-PCR. Based on the morphological and molecular characters, all tested isolates were confirmed as Pythium aphanidermatum. According to the pathogenic test done on young coriander plants under glasshouse conditions, all the isolates of P. aphanidermatum were found to be pathogenic in nature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that shows that P. aphanidermatum might be a major agent causing damping-off disease of coriander plants in India.

4 illus, 30 ref

019071   Arya S R;Ameena M (NO, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala-695 522, Email: drameenaubaid@gmail.com) : Efficacy of new generation herbicides for weed management in semi dry rice. J trop Agric 2016, 54(1), 55-9.

A study was conducted during kharif season of 2014 to evaluate the weed control efficiency of low dose high efficiency new generation herbicides in semi dry rice in Kerala. The new herbicides evaluated were benzsulfuron methyl + pretilachlor @ 60 + 600 g a.i. ha^-1, pyrazosulfuron ethyl @ 25 g a.i. ha^-1 along with post emergent herbicide azimsulfuron @ 30 g a.i. ha^-1. Results of the study revealed substantial reduction in weed population and biomass in all the herbicide treated plots compared to weedy check. Pre-emergent herbicide application followed by either hand weeding at 40 DAS or application of post emergent herbicides recorded higher weed control efficiency in comparison with hand weeding twice (20 and 40 DAS). Grain yield (4817.67 kg ha^-1) and straw yield (7969.33 kg ha^-1) were significantly higher on application of benzsulfuron methyl + pretilachlor followed by hand weeding at 40 DAS. Yield loss due to weeds was found to be 52.22 per cent and the most economically viable weed management practice was pre emergent application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl followed by azimsulfuron with a B: C ratio of 1.76, which was on par with pre emergent application of benzsulfuron methyl + pretilachlor followed by azimsulfuron @ 30 g a.i. ha^-1. Hence pre-emergence application of either benzsulfuron methyl + pretilachlor @ 60 + 600 g a.i. ha^-1 or pyrazosulfuron ethyl @ 25 g a.i. ha^-1 on the day after sowing followed by post emergence application of azimsulfuron @ 30 g a.i. ha^-1 at 25 DAS could be recommended as the most effective weed management practice for semi dry rice.

3 tables, 11 ref

019070   Aruljothi K;Karal Marx K;Chidambaram P; Kiruthiga Lakshmi D (Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Univ, Nagapattinam-611 001, Email: thijolrua@gmail.com) : Induction of triploidy in rohu, Labeo rohita (hamilton) by thermal shock treatment. J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 39-45.

The present study was conducted to determine the optimum conditions for the induction of maximum percentage of triploid Labeo rohita with high survival and growth rates. Cold shock and heat shock treatments were evaluated for their efficacy of manipulating triploidy in rohu. The most effective method of inducing triploidy was heat shock at 38°C for 1min and cold shock at 9°C for 45 min, which resulted in 82.3% and 75% triploidy. In growth experiment, growth of triploids was higher than control for both heat and cold shock treatments. Triploidy was confirmed by chromosome count and erythrocytes measurement.

7 illus, 43 ref

019069   Anoop E V;Sindhumathi C R;Jijeesh C M; Jayasree C E (College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural Univ, KAU PO, Thrissur-680 656, Email: cmjijeesh@gmail.com) : Radial variation in wood properties of nedun (Pericopsis mooniana), an introduced species to south India.. J trop Agric 2016, 54(1), 27-34.

The physical, anatomical and mechanical properties of a timber species determine wood quality; hence, its evaluation is a prerequisite for the establishment of commercial plantations of a species having high potential for various end uses. Pericopsis mooniana (Thwaites) Thwaites wood has apparent similarity and even superior wood quality than teak, particularly as structural timber. Due to the dwindling timber resource base, large scale cultivation of this species should be enhanced through introduction to other suitable ecoclimatic conditions of the world. This study attempts to quantify the variation in wood physical, chemical and mechanical properties of P. mooniana introduced to Nilambur in Kerala, South India and the relationship among wood quality parameters. For this purpose, three trees were randomly selected from Aruvakkode, Nilambur located in Malappuram district of Kerala and standard tests of wood physical, mechanical and anatomical properties were conducted. Results indicated that the P. mooniana logs had bark thickness of 2.93 mm, heartwood content of 75.24% and a sawn wood recovery of 54.32%. Radial variation from pith to periphery was obvious among wood physical and anatomical properties. Physico-mechanical properties were correlated with anatomical properties. The specific gravity was linearly related to fibre wall thickness. No significant predictions could be made linking anatomical and mechanical property variables. Most of the wood - 274 - quality parameters were higher compared to Tectona grandis (teak) and there is every possibility of using it as a substitute for teak.

1 illus, 5 tables, 11 ref

019068   Anil Kumar P;Sudhakaran S;Chandra Mohan T; Pammana P;Kumar P R;Shanthanna P (School of Aquaculture and Biotechnology, Kerala Univ of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Panangad, Kochi, Kerala) : Evaluation of colour enhance potential of three natural plant pigment sources (african tulip tree flower, red paprika, pomegranate peel) in goldfish (Carassius auratus). Int J Fish aqua Stud 2017, 5(6), 47-51.

Attractive colouration is a decisive factor in determining the commercial value of ornamental fish. Gold fish (Carassius auratus) are in demand in world markets due to their attractive golden colour. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of three natural plant pigment sources (African tulip tree flower, red paprika, pomegranate peel) in the colour enhancement of goldfish, Carassius auratus. Commercially available feed was used as the base feed. The pigment sources of plant origin tested were African tulip tree flower (T1), red paprika (T2) and pomegranate peel (T3), added @ 5%. The control feed (T0) was without any such additive. The fishes were fed with experimental feed ad libitum. The experiment was conducted for a period of 60 days. The average body weight gain of the gold fish fed the test diets was measured once in every 15 days, over the period of study. The final mean weight of gold fish in treatment T0 is 4.65g, 5.16g in treatment T1, 5.21g in treatment T2 and 5.13g in treatment T3. Fish fed the 5% red paprika (5.21g) feed recorded higher growth than other treatments. Survival rate was good in all the treatments with mean survival value ranging from 86.6% to 100%. The poorest FCR was obtained in the red paprika (1.54) feed and best FCR was obtained in the pomegranate peel (1.28) feed. Highest SGR was observed in the pomegranate peel diet (1.42) followed by red paprika (1.21), control (1.20) and African tulip flower (1.18) feed. The pigment concentration obtained in goldfish were high in red paprika fed {6.37μg/g (T2)} fishes when compared to other treatments and control. The present investigation indicated that among the diets tested, the diet containing 5% of red paprika feed led to the maximum enhancement of colouration in goldfish.

6 illus, 20 - 273

019067   Anand Kumar;Kerketta P;Singh D;Pandey R (Sundaresan School of Ani. Husbandry and Dairy., Sam Higginbottom Inst. of Agri., Tech. and Sciences, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, Email: priscillak802@gmail.com) : Marketing system of pigs followed by small pig farmers in the Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Life Sci Bull 2016, 13(1), 95-7.

The present study was conducted to assess the marketing system of pig in Allahabad district of Uttar Pradesh. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the marketing channels of pig production. Majority of the respondents 47.2% sold piglets at one month of age at a price of Rs. 1500-2000 while most of the respondents 41.6% sold their adult pigs at 11-12 months age at a price of Rs. 130-140 per kg weight. The small pig farmer could not achieve maximum profit due unawareness of market price and involvement of middlemen in the market channels.

2 illus, 2 tables, 7 ref

019066   Anand Kumar;Kerketta P;Singh D;Pandey R (Sundaresan School of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology & Sciences, Allahabad-211 007, Email: priscillak802@gmail.com) : Socio-economic characteristics and managemental practices of small pig farmers in chaka block of Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India. J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 171-7.

The aim of the study was to assess the socio-economic profile and managemental practices of small pig farmers in Chaka block of Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India. A well-structured questionnaire was administered to 60 respondents, randomly selected from 11 villages of Chaka block of Allahabad district. The results revealed that pig farmers mostly belong to weaker section of the society. Majority of the pigs reared were local breeds and crossbreeds. Most of the respondents 53.3% were between age group of 31-40 years. The educational status of the respondents revealed that 58.3% of them illiterate. Herd distribution pattern revealed that the pig farmer of Chaka block reared 71.9% of the piglets, 18.8% of sow and 9.3% of boar, respectively. Pig rearing system was dominantly free scavenging system. Majority of the respondents 80% did not practiced castration of boar while 20% practiced castration of boar at the age below 3 months. Farmers did not practice vaccination of their pigs.

8 illus, 12 tables, 28 ref

019065   Amin A;Indulkar S T;Pai R (NO, College of Fisheries (Dr. B. S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth), Shirgaon, Ratnagiri-415 629, Email: adnanamin2011@gmail.com) : Sublethal effect of buprofezin pesticide on carcass composition of Cyprinus carpio communis fingerlings. J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 269-72.

The effect of sublethal concentrations of Buprofezin on proximate composition of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings was studied. Two concentrations were selected for sublethal studies i.e.,1/10th (0.936 mgL^-1) and 1/5th - 272 - (1.872mgL^-1) of LC₅₀ for a period of 28 days. Crude protein, crude fat and ash content were observed. Crude protein significantly decreased from 66.70±0.025 on 7th day to 61.04±0.015 on 28th day, crude fat decreased from 11.32±0.040 on 7th day to 10.04±0.020 on 28th day of the study whereas, ash content increased from 12.03±0.028 to 14.72±0.060 on 7th and 28th day respectively. All parameters showed significant changes during the 28 days of exposure period.

1 table, 22 ref

019064   Ali A;Mondal A K;Wali P;Rai A P;Vijay Kumar; Manoj Kumar (Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry Div, S.K Univ of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Jammu-180 009, Email: ajai_nrc@rediffmail.com) : Submergence effect of availability of micronutrients in basmati growing areas of soils of Jammu. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4A), 1896-9.

An incubation study on 20 representative basmati growing soils of Jammu was carried out for 15,30,45 and 60 days submergence to record changes in the availability of rnicronutrients (Zn,Cu, Fe and Mn). The soils under study were sufficient in DTPA extractable Cu, Fe and Mn, but 95% soil samples were deficient in Zn. The availability of Fe and Mn increased by 60-65% and 200-250% after 30 and 45 days of incubation, respectively whereas Zn and Cu de-creased upto 34 and 74%, respectively. Both simple and multiple correlation and regression analysis showed variable contribution of physico-chemical properties. Management of Zn and Cu for better nutrition, production and productivity of famous basmati rice growing soils in rice-wheat agro-eco-system of Jammu is needed.

3 tables, 6 ref

019063   Alam M J;Rahman M M;Mondal M A H;Ali M;Rahman M M (Fisheries Management Dep, Faculty of Fisheries, Patuakhali Science and Technology Univ, Dumki, Patuakhali-8602, Bangladesh) : Assessment of the livelihood status of fish retailer at new market in Patuakhali district. Int J Fish aqua Stud 2017, 5(6), 1-5.

To determine the socioeconomic condition of fish retailers a study was undertaken from August to October 2015 in New Market, Patuakhali. It was found that most of the retailers were in the age range 35 to 44 years (33.34%), 55 years (3.33%), represented by 90% Muslim and Hindu 10%. The family size usually consisted of 5-6 members. Among them, 76.69% were literate and 23.31% were illiterate. Around 53.28% used wood & tin house, 9.99% lived in other type of house. Majority portion (43.29%) used paka toilet, where 33.3% had no sanitary toilet facilities. About 84% of the retailers have electricity facilities while 17%, 43.29%, 72% and 56.61% have refrigerator, agricultural land, good communication system and television respectively. Per day average income was around BDT. 300-400. To develop their socio-economic condition and sustainable livelihood status, more institutional, organizational and technical supports needs to be carried.

11 illus, 2 tables, 10 ref

019062   Ajithkumar S;Hegde N K;Sampaganvi S S;Hegde S N (Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops Dep, K. R. C. College of Horticulture, Arabhavi-591 218, Email: ajithkumar.592@gmail.com ) : Effect of vermicompost on growth, yield attributes and quality of garlic (Allium sativum L.). Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4), 1799-802.

The experiment was carried out during rabi season of 2012 and 2013 to study the response of garlic to different levels of vermicompost. The experiment consisted of seven treatments with varying doses of vermicompost along with the RDF. Significant differences were observed among treatments with respect to growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf breadth and collar diameter due to application of vermicompost. Significant differences were also observed for yield parameters. Significantly higher mean weight of bulb, mean bulb - 271 - diameter, mean weight of cloves per bulb, mean number of cloves per bulb and mean bulb yield (8.77 g, 26.66 mm, 21.25,7.87 g, 3.45 kg and 7.67 ha^-1 respectively) and higher sulfur concentration of bulb (0.043%) was obtained with the treatment receiving 100% RDN through vermicompost (T₂). A dose of 100% RDN through vermicompost is found to be optimum for better growth, development and for getting higher returns in garlic.

4 tables, 9 ref

019061   Ajithkumar S;Hegde N K;Pujari R;Sampaganvi S S;Kukanoor L (Plantation Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops Dep, K. R. C. College of Horticulture, Arabhavi-591 218, Email: ajithkumar.592@gmail.com) : Influence of different storage structures on storability of garlic. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4A), 1843-8.

The experiment was conducted to assess the storability of garlic bulbs under different storage structures during April 2013 to Nov 2013. The storage study consisted of eight storage structures with three replications. Among the different storage structures, significantly lower per cent weight loss, Maximum TSS, Higher per cent of germination, and seedling vigor was recorded when the bilbs stored in wooden battens storage structure with AC Sheet roofing and with bottom and side ventilation.

6 illus, 1 table, 6 ref

019060   Ahmad M J;Mohiuddin S;Pathania S S (Entomology Div, Sher-e-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Sciences & Technology-Kashmir, Srinagar-190 025, Email: ahmad_j@rediffmail.com) : Effect of protein enrichment of maize based diet on important biological parameters of rice meal moth, Corcyra cephalonica (stainton). J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 471-7.

Laboratory evaluation of ten maize based diets was carried out to study important biological parameters of Corcyra cephalonica. The present study revealed total adult emergence as 73.4 to 92.4 per cent in studied diets. Maximum (92.4 per cent) and minimum (73.4 per cent) adult emergence was reported in diet comprising maize + chick pea flour and unfortified maize, respectively. Per cent female emergence ranged 50.87 to 72.88 per cent, with increased percentage in protein enriched diets (62.74- 72.88). Average fecundity of a female varied from 275.2 to 490.66 eggs during average female longevity of 8.46 to 12.13 days. A maximum of 450.0 to 490.0 eggs were obtained in high protein diet. Mean fecundity was significantly correlated with the diet (r= 0.71**; d.f.= 148) but negatively correlated with age of fecund females (r= -0.91**; d.f.= 148). Increase in per cent fecundity in fortified diets ranged 6.57 to 78.39 over unfortified check. Maximum increase (78.39) in fecundity was recorded in diet containing Maize + Chick pea flour+ crushed roasted soya + crushed ground nut.

6 tables, 19 ref

019059   Acharya S;Basu P (NO, , Zoological Survey of India, M-Block, New Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal, Email: acharya.shelley@gmail.com) : Community structure of soil oribatid mites in the kapas fields of western part of Vidarbha, Maharashtra, India. Envir Ecol 2016, 34(4), 1689-92.

The present work deals with a collection of soil oribatid mites from the Kapas fields of five districts of the western part of vidarbha region of the Maharashtra state; 13 species under 10 genera belonging to 9 families of soil oribatid mites were found from the present investigation. In order to study the abundance, species diversity and evenness of oribatid mites soil samples were taken from various kapas fields of 5 districts of Western Vidarbha Region namely Bhandara, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha and Chandrapur during July to August of the year 2014. Shannon-Weiner diversity indices and evenness index - 270 - were calculated for the samples. Chandrapur was the district with maximum number of species diversity of soil oribatid mites.

1 illus, 3 tables, 14 ref

019058   Abraham E;John J;Pillai P S (College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural Univ, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Email: eldhoseabraham10@gmail.com) : Allelopathic effect of leaf loppings of homestead trees on ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). J trop Agric 2016, 54(1), 60-5.

A pot culture study was carried out to investigate the allelopathic effect of mulching with fresh leaves of eight tree species viz., jack (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.), mango (Mangifera indica L.), tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.), matty (Ailanthus triphysa Dennst.), wild jack (Artocarpus hirsuta Lamk.), teak (Tectona grandis L.f.), rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Mull. Arg.) and panal (Glycosmis pentaphyllus Retz.) on growth and yield of ginger (cv. Karthika). Mulching with mango and tamarind leaves adversely affected growth and yield of ginger. Rhizome yield was significantly less when mulched with mango (521 g plant^-1) and tamarind (512 g plant^-1) leaves which was a consequence of the significantly lower plant growth, tiller production, leaf production, root length, root spread, rhizome spread, rhizome thickness and stomatal conductance in ginger. However, mulching with all the other tree leaves gave significantly high rhizome yield. An interesting observation was that in the control where newspaper was used as mulch, the yield was high (637 g plant^-1) and comparable to mulching with panal, rubber, teak, matty, wild jack and jack leaves.

4 tables, 10 ref

019057   Abhilasha C R;Shekharappa (Agricultural Entomology Dep, Agricultural Sciences Univ, Dharwad-580 005, Email: abhilasha.cr24@gmail.com) : Estimation of crop loss due to the incidence of sucking pests, leaf miner and pod borer complex in pea - 269 - (Pisum sativum L.). J expl Zool 2017, 20(1), 435-8.

Field experiments were carried out to know the avoidable yield loss in pea. The pest spectra comprised of 25 species on pea during kharif season 2014-2016. The pod borer complex Helicoverpa armigera, Cydia nigricana, Lampodies boeticus and Spodoptera exigua has assumed the status of major pests on pea. Among the sucking pests thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) was the major. The highest avoidable loss (59.07 %), pod yield (39.82 q/ha) and per cent increase in yield over control was (144.58 %) recorded in fully protected plots treated with flubendiamide 480 SC @ 0.5 ml/l sprayed twice and carbofuran 3 G @ 12 kg/acre. The avoidable loss due to the sucking pest was 27.18 per cent. The per cent pod and seed damage caused by different species of pod borers viz., H. armigera (23.65 and 83.89 %) followed by C. nigricana (11.90 and 18.60 %), L. bioeticus (10.17 and 45.01 %) and the least was noticed with reference to S. exgiua (5.26 and 32.18 %), respectively.

2 tables, 13 ref

019056   Abhilash B;Basavaraj A;Shrikant M B (Veterinary Clinical Complex Dep, Veterinary College, Bidar) : Identification of goat poxvirus by agar gel immunodiffusion, counter immunoelectrophoresis and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from an outbreak in Bidar. Pharma Innovation 2017, 6(11), 49-50.

Fourteen serum samples from osmanabadi goat breeds suspected for goat pox cases in Islampur village of Humnabad taluk, Bidar district were investigated by three different serological assays: agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID), counter immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (i-ELISA). All the sera samples collected were positive by i-ELISA and 9 were positive by CIE and 6 by AGID. The i-ELISA sensitivity was 100%, while that of CIE and AGID was 64% and 42%, respectively. The i-ELISA described combines high specificity and sensitivity in detection of goat poxvirus. The suspected samples were positive for goat pox disease and an i-ELISA was therefore shown to be the method of choice for goat poxvirus diagnosis directly from serum samples during an outbreak.

8 ref

018330   Yun Y B;Jang S J;Kim S S;Jung H I;Kuk Y I (Oriental Medicine Resources Dep, Sunchon National Univ, Suncheon 540-742, Republic of Korea, Email: yikuk@sunchon.ac.kr) : Controlling levels and tolerance mechanisms of red rice accessions to protox inhibitor herbicide, oxyfluorfen. Res Crop 2017, 18(1), 15-20.

Red rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most troublesome weeds in most rice growing regions of the world. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the tolerance levels of various red rice accessions to the protox inhibitor, oxyfluorfen and also examined tolerance mechanisms in selected red rice accessions. Tolerance levels obtained from seed bioassay were lower than those obtained from whole-plant bioassay. Twenty-one of 38 red rice accessions in seed bioassay and 37 of 38 accessions in whole-plant bioassay were tolerant to oxyfluorfen. The most tolerant accession, R 2, was <62>20 times more tolerant in wholeplant bioassay and 13 times more tolerant in seed bioassay than the susceptible accession, R 116. This was supported by the results of experiments on levels of superoxide, H2O2 and MDA productions. In addition, the accumulations of proto IX in R 116 were more increased than in R 2 after oxyfluorfen treatment. The tolerance mechanism in R 2 was not related to higher antioxidant enzyme activities. However, higher ascorbate contents may contribute to greater tolerance of R 2 to oxyfluorfen.

4 illus, 1 table, 22 ref

018329   Yeom Y H;Won O J;Jia W;Lee K H;Yoon M H;Park K W (Bio-Environment Dep, Chungnam National Univ, Daejeon 34134, Korea, Email: mhyoon@cnu.ac.kr) : Inhibition of weed germination by mixed microbial strains in pots under conditions similar to paddy soil. Res Crop 2017, 18(1), 6-9.

Inhibition of weed germination by mixed microbial strains was investigated in pots under conditions similar to paddy soil. Mixed microbial strains were comprised of four lactic acid bacteria and four saccharomycetes. Twenty seeds of Echinochloa crusgalli, Aeschynomene indica, Digitaria sanguinalis and Amaranthus retroflexus were, respectively, sown in petri dishes and each petri dish was treated with the microbial strain solution at six rates in order to assess its effect on germination. Results showed that the germination of these weeds was effectively inhibited by application of mixed microbial strains. To evaluate the weed control effect, 20 seeds of E. crus-galli, M. vaginalis, L. prostrata, S. juncoides and A. indica were successively sown in pots under conditions similar to paddy soil. Each pot contained 10 cm-deep paddy soil clean of surface weeds, and mixed microbial strains were applied to the pots two weeks after sowing. It was found that at 80 L/ha or higher rates mixed microbial strains could simultaneously and effectively control the above five weeds in pots under conditions similar to paddy soil. In conclusion, the present study results could serve as basic information for the development of new environmentally friendly microbial herbicides in paddy fields.

1 illus, 3 tables, 13 ref

018328   Yadav V R;Chandra S;Singh G;Singh S P (Agronomy Dep, G. B. Pant Univ of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, Email: vimalrajyadav31990@rediffmail.com) : Productivity and economics of direct seeded rice (Oryza sativa L.) as affected by moisture regimes and seed priming under sandy loam and silty clay loam soils. Res Crop 2017, 18(1), 1-5.

Field experiments were conducted in C₅ (sandy loam)and A₁ (silty clay loam)blocks for two consecutive kharif seasons during 2014 and 2015 at Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand to evaluate the performance of DSR under varying moisture regimes and seed priming in different soil types. The grain as well as straw yields increased with increase in irrigation frequency being the maximum at 15 mm CPE. The mean increase in grain yield at 15 mm CPE irrigation was 4.9% over 22.5 mm and at 22.5 mm CPE by 5.9% over 30 mm CPE. The higher net returns were obtained from 15 mm CPE during both the years. Although, the mean B: C ratio was the maximum at 30 mm CPE (0.97). Hydropriming recorded marginally higher values of grain and straw yields as well as net returns and B: C ratio over no priming, but did not cause significant variations. During both the years, the mean grain yield in silty clay loam (SCL) soil was significantly higher than obtained in sandy loam (SL) soil, being 760 kg/ha. DSR in SCL soil registered significantly higher net returns (Rs. 11357/ha) and B:C ratio (37.5%) over SL soil. Interaction effect between soil type and irrigation levels on grain yield was significant in both the years. At all the irrigation levels, SCL soil produced significantly higher grain yield than SL soil. In SL soil, the grain yield increased significantly up to 22.5 mm. While in SCL soil, the grain yield at 30 mm CPE was significantly at par with 22.5 and 15 mm CPEs.

3 tables, 18 ref

018327   Wangchu L;Taki P;Singh B (College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural Univ, Pasighat-791 102, Email: lobsang1974@gmail.com) : Standardization of season, shoot etiolation and growth regulators in air-layering of guava (Psidium guajava L.) var. L-49 under east Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. Res Crop 2017, 18(1), 87-90.

The experiment on the effect of season, shoot etiolation and growth regulators in air-layering of guava (Psidium guajava L.) var. L-49 was carried out at Fruit Research Farm, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh in the years 2011-12 and 2012-13. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design (CRD) with three factors i. e. month, shoot and PGR, with four levels in month, two levels in shoot and five levels in PGR, with three replications of each level. The PGR treatments were IBA (20000 ppm), NAA (20000 ppm), IBA+NAA (10000 ppm+10000 ppm), paclobutrazol (500 ppm) and control. The air-layers with treatment T₃ (IBA 10000 ppm+NAA 10000 ppm) recorded maximum number of primary roots (24.33) in June on etiolated shoot and treatment T₁ (IBA 20000 ppm) in July on nonetiolated shoots (22.33). Hence, the treatments T₁ (IBA 20000 ppm) and T₃ (IBA 10000 ppm+NAA 10000 ppm) during the month of June on etiolated and treatment T₁ (IBA 20000 ppm) in July on non-etiolated shoots were the best treatments for getting maximum rooting and survival per cent of air-layers.

6 tables, 12 ref

018326   Viswanatha B S;Padmavathi P;Veeraiah K (Matrix-ANU Advanced Aquaculture Research Centre (MAAARC), Acharya Nagarjuna Univ, Nagarjunanagar, Andhra Pradesh-522 510) : Dealers perception on aqua feed business in Andhra Pradesh, India. Int J Fish aqua Stud 2017, 5(5), 33-6.

The present study was aimed to analyze the profile of aqua dealers and their perception on aqua feed business in Andhra Pradesh. The average age of aqua dealers was 40 years with majority of the dealers have completed graduation (48%). The average initial investment in the aqua feed dealership business was Rs. 1.8 Cr. with an average initial deposit of Rs. 7 Lakh with feed company. The aqua dealers were keeping average target of 5 tonnes/day and 1300 tonnes/year. Majority (71%) of the aqua dealers were engaged in both cash and credit mode of business and maintained an average profit margin of 10% while expecting a minimum of 40% protein in the aqua feeds for better business. The major market competitors for aqua feed business were Avanthi (38%) and CP (31%). The aqua dealers have reported CP (39%) and Avanthi (26%) as best feed brands in Andhra Pradesh. Financial capability (31%) and assets of aqua farmer (23%) were the key factors to involve in the credit mode of business. Credit mode of business (39%) and credit recovery from the farmers (28%) were the potential major risks in the aqua dealership business. The aqua dealers were expecting additional services of credit support (28%) from authorized financial institutions and technical personnel support (24%) from the feed companies for the aqua farmers.

5 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

018325   Vishwakarma R;Chand P (Entomology Dep, Bihar Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural Univ, Sabour, Bhagalpur-813 210) : Foraging activity of insect pollinators and their impact on yield of rapeseed-mustard. Bioinfolet 2017, 14(3), 222-7.

The field experiments were carried out at 'Instructional Farm 'of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya at Jaguli, Nadia, West Bengal, India during Rabi season of 2007-08 to 2008-09, to identify the various species of insect pollinators including honeybees and their peak visiting hours in a day as well as effect of different pollinating methods on yield of B-9 (Benoy) and B-85 (Seeta), varieties of rapeseed-mustard. Seventeen major insect pollinators, belonging to 5 orders, 12 families and 14 genera were observed visiting sunflower capitulum. Amongst the genera, Apis was found to be the most dominant visitor and A. mellifera was recorded to be most dominant pollinator. The foraging rate of the insect pollinators/m²/hour was highest during forenoon (1100-1200 h), followed by 0800-0900 h and 1500-1600 h. The effect of different pollination methods on yield of rapeseed-mustard differed significantly from each other. The number siliquas/m², number seeds/siliqua, weight of 1000 seeds (g) and yield (q/ha) was 727.06, 5463.33, 4.27 and 10.92 in var. Seeta and 744.00, 5194.83, 4.03 and 9.30 in var. Benoy, respectively. It was significantly higher in bee pollination (BP) followed by natural pollination (NP) while lowest was recorded due to self pollination (SP). There was 198% and 210.45% increase in the yield of rapeseed-mustard (in var. Seeta and Benoy respectively), when the - 385 - crop was pollinated by bees, followed by 130.34% and 127.01% in the treatment with NP, as compared to SP.

2 illus, 2 tables, 23 ref

018324   Verma S K;Prasad N;Singh L B;Singh K M;Singh S P (NO, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Shahjahanpur-242 001, Email: narendraprasadkvk@gmail.com) : Yield gap analysis in vegetable crops through of farm testing. Int J Sci Nat 2017, 8(2), 217-19.

Most of the vegetable crops are grown in Shahjahanpur district at Farm Science Centre known as Krishi Vigyan Kendra laid down On Farm Testing (OFT) on three vegetable crops i.e. Bottlegourd, Cauliflower and Chilli by introducing hybrid varieties and applying scientific package of practices in their cultivation. The productivity and economic returns of Bottlegourd, Cauliflower and Chilli in advanced technologies were calculated and compared with the corresponding farmer's practices (local checks). All the three vegetable crops recorded higher gross returns, net return and benefit cost ratio in advanced technologies as compared to the plots where farmers were using traditional practices in their cultivation. It was found that farmers were using old varieties of vegetable crops without proper use of recommended scientific package of practices. So, it is suggested that location-specific integrated approaches would be needed to bridge the productivity gap of the vegetable crops grown in the district.

2 tables, 10 ref

018323   Verma D K;Dhara P K;Kole R K;Hazra G C;Mandal S K (Soil and Water Conservation Dep, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, Email: dkvermabhu@gmail.com) : Assessment of irrigation water quality collected from different sources and effect of seasonal variation in canning block, 24 South parganas, West Bengal. Int J Agric Envir Biotechnol 2017, 10(1), 53-61.

The present work aimed to classify the irrigation water quality of surface water (Pond) and groundwater (shallow), Collected from different sources and different seasons in Canning Block, 24 South Parganas, West Bengal. Thirty water samples were collected in Pre-monsoon and post- monsoon for analysis of physico - chemical parameters like pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Chloride (Cl^-), Carbonate (CO₃^-). Bicarbonate (HCO₃^-), Sulphate (SO₄^-), Calcium (Ca⁺⁺), magnesium (Mg⁺⁺), Sodium (Na⁺⁺), Potassium (K⁺), Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Residual sodium carbonate (RSC). Analysed water samples of shallow tube well were found in pre- monsoon rated as 73.33% (C3-S1) under high salinity and 23.66% - 384 - (C4-S1) under very high salinity water, but after post- monsoon were found of shallow tube well were 46.66% (C2-S1) water samples converted in under medium range and 53.33% (C3-S1) water under high range found. In respect of Pond water samples were found in pre monsoon 93.33% (C3-S1) samples under high salinity water and 6.66% (C2-S1) under medium range. After post monsoon of pond samples found 73.33% (C2-S1) in medium range and 26.66% (C3-S1) in high range.

1 illus, 4 tables, 15 ref

018322   Veena S K;Giraddi R S;Bhemmanna M;Kandpal K (Agricultural Entomology Dep, Univ of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur) : Effectiveness of plant oils for increasing the efficacy of insecticides and acaricides against chilli mite. J Ent Zool Stud 2017, 5(5), 9-11.

The present experiment was conducted to assess the effectiveness of plant oils for increasing the efficacy of insecticides and acaricides under both laboratory and field condition at Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during 2014-15. Among the plant oils used, castor oil emerged as the best material for increasing the efficacy of pesticides against sucking pests of chilli. The mite population at lab condition was influenced at different plant oils indicated that the treatment castor oil + dicofol proved to be superior among all the treatments with least mite population. The mortality levels recorded at different intervals were 56.67 per cent, 70 per cent, 83 per cent and 93.33 per cent at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, after treatment respectively. Under field condition also, the treatment castor oil + dicofol recorded lowest population counts.

2 tables, 9 ref

018321   Ullah S S;Malik S;Prakash S;Singh M K (Fruit Science Div, Sher-e-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar, Srinagar-190 025) : Standardization of time and technique of grafting for quality production of nursery plants of amrapali mango (Mangifera indica L.). J Pharmac Phytochem 2017, 6(5), 14-7.

The present investigation was conducted at Horticultural Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and - 383 - Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, during 2013-14 under subtropical climatic conditions of western Uttar Pradesh with a view to find out the response of Amrapali mango to time and techniques of grafting. The experiment was carried out in factorial RCBD with five replications in each treatment. There were four grafts in each replication of all 9 treatment combinations. The treatment combinations were comprised of three time of grafting i.e. (25th July, 10th August and 25th August) with three methods of grafting viz, veneer grafting, softwood grafting and epicotyl grafting. Studies revealed that epicotyl grafting performed on 10th August recorded minimum time (15.70 days) for bud sprouting while as softwood grafting performed on 25th August recorded maximum time (20.80 days) for bud sprouting. Veneer grafting performed on 10th August was found to be the best technique in terms of sprouting percentage (79.60 %) after one and six month of grafting. Therefore, veneer grafting should be preferred over softwood and epicotyl grafting in order to get better survival and over all sprout growth for commercial propagation of quality plants of Amrapali mango.

3 tables, 22 ref

018320   Uikey K N;Kamdi S R;Parbat J M;Chandrikapure V M;Mohurle N A;Kamdi R R;Jayade V S (NO, College of Agriculture, Nagpur, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra) : Association studies among the yield and yield contrubuting traits in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Bioinfolet 2017, 14(3), 327-33.

Thirty-eight local collections of groundnut collected from Gadchiroli district along with two checks namely TAG-24 and Kopergaon-3 were evaluated in RBD with three replications. The results on correlation studies showed that dry pod yield plant^-1 was significant and positively correlated with number of mature pods plant^-1 at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Whereas, genotypic positive significant correlation of dry pod yield plant^-1 was observed with number of primary branches plant^-1 and mature kernels per cent. The partitioning of positive genotypic correlation of dry pod yield plant^-1 with different traits into direct and indirect effects revealed that days to 50 per cent flowering (1.014) contributed highest positive direct effect to dry pod yield plant^-1 followed by hundred kernel weight (0.664), number mature pods plant^-1 (0.606), mature kernel per cent (0.395), plant height (0.254), oil content (0.108) and number of immature pods plant^-1 (0.001). The major contributors to the indirect effect were number of mature pod plant^-1 and mature kernel per cent. These two characters have also contributed maximum direct effect towards dry pod yield plant^-1. The correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed importance of number of mature pods plant^-1 and mature kernels per cent as the promising characters to increase dry pod yield plant^-1 both directly and indirectly.

1 illus, 3 tables, 9 ref

018319   Udayakumar S;Santhi R (Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry Dep, Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univ, Coimbatore-641 003, Email: udhayagri307@gmail.com) : Soil test based integrated plant nutrition system for pearl millet on an inceptisol. Res Crop 0000, 18(1), 21-8.

Soil Test Crop Response correlation studies under Integrated Plant Nutrition System (STCR-IPNS) based on targeted yield concept were conducted on an Inceptisol for pearl millet at Western Zone of Tamil Nadu during 2015-16. The requirement of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O for pearl millet (NR) was found to be 2.87, 1.27 and 2.59 kg/q, respectively. The per cent nutrient contribution from soil (Cs) was 23.48, 32.76 and 11.10; from fertilizers (Cf) was 47.45, 45.59 and 78.52, and from organic manure (Co) was 38.03, 19.28 and 37.58 for N, P₂O₅ and K₂O, respectively. Using the basic data viz., NR, Cs, Cf and Co, fertilizer prescription equations (FPEs) have been developed and ready reckoner of fertilizer doses was formulated for desired yield targets of pearl millet for a range of soil test values on Inceptisol. The findings also brought forth the fact that when farm yard manure (FYM) was applied @12.5 t/ha (with 24% moisture and 0.53, 0.26 and 0.50% NPK, respectively), 40, 24 and 28 kg/ha of fertilizer N, P₂O₅ and K₂O could be reduced from the recommended fertilizer doses for pearl millet.

5 tables, 27 ref

018318   Tunje J G;Tole M P;Shauri H S;Hoorweg J C; Munga C N (NO, Pwani Univ, P.O. Box 195-80108, Kilifi, Kenya) : Assessment of fisheries resource-use conflict management strategies among artisanal fishers of the Kenya coast. Int J Fish aqua Stud 2017, 5(5), 37-42.

Fisheries resource use conflicts are common among artisanal fishers of tropical developing coastal areas. These can be resolved by various conflict management strategies. An assessment of these fisheries resource-use conflict management strategies currently used by artisanal fishers along the Kenyan coast was conducted by studying how effective they are in resolving conflicts amongst the fishers. The study adopted a survey approach where 197 active fishers were systematically interviewed at selected fish landing sites of Kuruwitu, Mnarani and Uyombo using a semi-structured questionnaire. Both traditional and modern approaches of conflict management as well as legislative fisheries regulations are used to manage fisheries resource-use conflicts. The use of modern conflict resolution strategies (p=0.932), and fisheries regulations (p=0.740) had no significant relationship with effectiveness across study sites. On the other hand, use of traditional approaches had significant relationship with effectiveness (p <60> 0.05) across study sites. The study concludes that a blanket conflict resolution mechanism is not effective and that a holistic approach in managing conflicts incorporating traditional strategies should be adopted.

2 illus, 7 tables, 29 ref

018317   Tripathy S;Rath L K (Entomology Dep, College of Agriculture, Orissa Univ of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar-751 003) : Silicon induced resistance expression in rice to yellow stem borer. J Ent Zool Stud 2017, 5(5), 12-15.

The field experiment conducted during kharif 2014 on the influence of silicon application in rice for induction of resistance against yellow stem borer revealed that application of orthosilicic acid @ 4ml/l as foliar spray four times starting from 15 days after transplanting (DAT) at weekly intervals reduced the yellow stem borer infestation significantly (1.51% dead heart and 3.33% white ear head) as compared to control treatment (5.0% dead heart and 11.44% white ear head). Other silicon based treatments were observed to be less efficacious than orthosilicic acid. Orthosilicic acid treatment improved the yield attributing characters of rice plant and increased the grain yield substantially as compared to other treatments including control treatment. Reduced incidence of stem borer due to application of orthosilicic acid was attributable to reduced stem diameter, reduced feeding and impediment in larval penetration due to higher silica uptake by the rice plants.

2 tables, 15 ref

018316   Torane H B;Kasture M C;Kokare V G;Sanap P B (Soil Science and Agril Chemistry Dep, Dr. B.S. Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra) : Effect of bio-degradable coated fertilizer briquettes and their application time on growth, yield, and nutrient content on soil properties of cucumber in lateritic soil of Konkan. Maharashtra. Int J chem Stud 2017, 5(5), 27-32.

An investigation was carried out to study the "Effect of bio-degradable coated fertilizer briquettes and their application time on growth, yield, and nutrient content on soil properties of cucumber in lateritic soil of Konkan" was conducted during Kharif season 2013-2014 Vegetable Improvement Scheme, Wakawali Pangari Block, at Wakawali. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with twelve treatments replicated thrice. The result indicated that the split application of tar coated KAB, 1/3rd at sowing, 1/3rd at 30 DAS and 1/3rd at 60 DAS to cucumber variety Sheetal was found beneficial - 381 - in enhancing cucumber fruit yield. The treatment combination C₃B₃ i.e Tar coated fertilizer briquettes three time application 1/3rd at sowing, 1/3rd at 30 DAS and 1/3rd at 60 DAS to cucumber variety Sheetal was found beneficial in enhancing cucumber fruit yield, girth of fruit, length of fruit and weight of fruit per vine, length of cucumber vine, nutrient content and soil properties.

10 tables, 20 ref