Showing papers by "Central Agricultural University published in 2013"

Beta-glucan: an ideal immunostimulant in aquaculture (a review).

Abstract: The major hindrance in the development and sustainability of aquaculture industry is the occurrence of various diseases in the farming systems. Today, preventive and management measures are central concern to overcome such outbreak of diseases. Immunostimulants are considered as an effective tool for enhancing immune status of cultured organisms. Among different immunostimulants used in aquaculture practices, β-glucan is one of the promising immunostimulant, which is a homopolysaccharide of glucose molecule linked by the glycoside bond. It forms the major constituents of cell wall of some plants, fungi, bacteria, mushroom, yeast, and seaweeds. Major attention on β-glucan was captivated with the gain in knowledge on its receptors and the mechanism of action. The receptor present inside the animal body recognizes and binds to β-glucan, which in turn renders the animal with high resistance and enhanced immune response. This review highlights β-glucan as an immunostimulant, its effective dosages, and route of administration and furthermore provides an outline on role of β-glucan in enhancing growth, survival, and protection against infectious pathogens pertaining to fishes and shellfishes. Study also summarizes the effect of β-glucan on its receptors, recognition of proteins, immune-related enzymes, immune-related gene expression and their mechanisms of action.

Elderly Adi Women of Arunachal Pradesh: “Living Encyclopedias” and Cultural Refugia in Biodiversity Conservation of the Eastern Himalaya, India

Abstract: Elderly women of a particular socioecological system are considered to be “living encyclopedias” in biocultural knowledge systems. These women play a pivotal role in retaining and passing on biodiversity-related traditional knowledge to the next generations. Unfortunately the fast changing sociocultural values and the impact of modernity have rendered their knowledge somewhat less valuable and they are being treated as “cultural refugia.” Our study on the importance of these women in the conservation of indigenous biodiversity was conducted in 14 randomly selected villages dominated by the Adi tribe of East Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh (northeast India). Data were collected from 531 women (381 elderly and 150 young to middle aged) during 2003–2008 using conventional social science methods and participatory rural appraisal. One innovative method, namely “recipe contest,” was devised to mobilize Adi women of each village in order to energies them and explore their knowledge relating to traditional foods, ethnomedicines, and conservation of indigenous biodiversity. Results indicated that 55 plant species are being used by elderly Adi women in their food systems, while 34 plant species are integral parts of ethnomedicinal practices. These women identified different plant species found under multistory canopies of community forests. Elderly women were particularly skilled in preparing traditional foods including beverages and held significantly greater knowledge of indigenous plants than younger women. Lifelong experiences and cultural diversity were found to influence the significance of biodiversity use and conservation. The conservation of biodiversity occurs in three different habitats: jhum lands (shifting cultivation), Morang forest (community managed forests), and home gardens. The knowledge and practice of elderly women about habitats and multistory vegetations, regenerative techniques, selective harvesting, and cultivation practices contribute significantly to food and livelihood security while sustaining an array of threatened plant species. Basically, knowledge of elderly women on using biodiversity in food and medicinal systems was found in three categories namely: “individual,” “community,” and “refined.” We identified a need to develop holistic policies to recognize and integrate knowledge and practices of elderly women with local level of planning on sustainable conservation of biodiversity as well as community-based adaptations.

Supplementation of microbial levan in the diet of Cyprinus carpio fry (Linnaeus, 1758) exposed to sublethal toxicity of fipronil: effect on growth and metabolic responses

Abstract: A 60-day feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary microbial levan on growth performance and metabolic responses of Cyprinus carpio fry exposed to sublethal dose (1/10th LC50) of fipronil [(±)-5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl)-4-trifluoromethylsulfinylpyrazole-3-carbonitrile]. Two hundred and twenty five fry were randomly distributed in five treatments in triplicates. Four purified diets were prepared with graded levels of microbial levan. Five different treatment groups were levan control L0P0 (basal feed + 0 % levan without exposure to pesticide); pesticide control L0P1 (basal feed + 0 % levan with exposure to pesticide); L0.25P1 (basal feed + 0.25 % levan with exposure to pesticide); L0.50P1 (basal feed + 0.50 % levan with exposure to pesticide); and L0.75P1 (basal feed + 0.75 % levan with exposure to pesticide). Weight gain% and specific growth rate were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in levan fed groups compared to their non-levan fed counterpart. Highest (p < 0.05) content of ascorbic acid in muscle, liver and brain tissues was observed with higher level of dietary levan. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity decreased with the increasing level of dietary levan in the liver and muscle. Aspartate aminotransferase activity exhibited a second order polynomial relationship with the dietary levan, both in liver (Y = −1.001x 2 + 5.366x + 5.812, r 2 = 0.887) and muscle (Y = −0.566x 2 + 2.833x + 6.506, r 2 = 0.858) while alanine aminotransferase activity showed third order polynomial relationship both in liver (Y = 1.195x 3 − 12.30x 2 + 35.23x + 9.874, r 2 = 0.879) and muscle (Y = 0.527x 3 − 8.429x 2 + 31.80x + 8.718, r 2 = 0.990). Highest (p < 0.05) superoxide dismutase activity in gill was observed in the group fed with 0.75 % levan supplemented diet. Overall results indicated that dietary microbial levan at 0.75 % in C. carpio fry ameliorated the negative effects of fipronil and augmented the growth.

Isolation, molecular characterization and antibiotic resistance of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) from buffalo in India

Abstract: In total, 363 Escherichia coli were isolated from 165 faecal samples of healthy buffaloes in West Bengal, India. Twenty-four of these isolates (6·61%) were found to carry at least one gene characteristic for Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC). These STEC strains belonged to 13 different O-serogroups. The stx1 gene was present in 23 (95·8%) of total STEC isolates, whereas 20 (83·3%) STEC isolates carried the gene stx2. Twelve strains of E. coli (50% of total STEC isolates) possessed enterohaemolysin (ehxA) gene in combination with others. Fourteen (58·33%) isolates found to possess saa gene. However, no E. coli was detected harbouring gene for intimin protein (eaeA). Of 23 stx1-positive isolates, seven (30·43%) were positive for genes of the stx1C subtype. Of the 20 isolates with the stx2 gene, 25% (5/20) possessed stx2C and 10% (2/20) possessed stx2d gene. The phylogenetic analysis after RAPD of STEC strains revealed six major clusters. The isolated STEC strains were resistant most frequently to erythromycin (95·83%), cephalothin (62·5%), amikacin (54·17%), kanamycin (45·83%) and gentamicin (41·67%) group of antibiotics. No ESBL-producing (blaCTXM, blaTEM, blaSHV) or quinolone resistance gene (qnrA) was detected in the STEC isolates. Significance and Impact of the Study The buffaloes from different districts of West Bengal, India, are important reservoir of multidrug-resistant Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC). India is home to more than 56% of world buffalo population, traditionally raised by farmers. So, there is a major risk of transmission of STEC among the human population of this part of the globe. However, there is no prevalence study of STEC from healthy or diarrhoeic buffalo in India. The present study reports for the first time in India about isolation, molecular characterization and antibiotic resistance pattern of STEC in healthy buffaloes.

e-Agriculture Prototype for Knowledge Facilitation among Tribal Farmers of North-East India: Innovations, Impact and Lessons

Abstract: Purpose: This case study deals with the implementation methodology, innovations and lessons of the ICT initiative in providing agricultural extension services to the rural tribal farming community of North-East India. Methodology: This study documents the ICT project implementation challenges, impact among farmers and briefly indicates lessons of the e-agriculture project. Findings: The e-agriculture prototype demonstrated that the Rs. 2,400 (USD 53) cost of the extension services to provide farm advisory services was saved per farmer per year, expenditure was reduced 3.6 times in comparison with the conventional extension system. Sixteenfold less time was required by the farmers for availing the services and threefold less time was required to deliver the services to the farmers compared with the conventional extension system. However, this article argues that in less developed areas, information through ICTs alone may not create expected development. Along with appropriate agricultural informat...

Energy input–output analysis and mechanization status for cultivation of rice and maize crops in Sikkim

Abstract: Rice and maize are main cereal crops cultivated in Sikkim In this paper energy input-output and the level of agricultural mechanization for cultivation of rice and maize in Sikkim state of India has been presented The data were collected on area under rice and maize crops, sources of power and agricultural tools/implements used total production through village survey It has been observed that the traditional practices of cultivation of rice and maize crops consumed an average energy input of 3,338984 MJ ha -1 and 4,386435 MJ ha -1 respectively Data analysis showed that about 60% of the total input energy in the present cultivation practices comes from human and animal power sources The output-to-input energy ratio was observed to be 766 and 586 for rice and maize, respectively The observational estimate showed that average productivity of rice and maize crop in the region is only 9240 kg ha -1 and 4310 kg ha -1 , respectively, which is very low Mechanization and machine energy indices were found to stand at a value of 03618 and 03244, respectively for rice crop cultivation, and 02612 and 02111, respectively for maize crop cultivation The average farm power availability in the state has been estimated as 070 kW ha -1

PCR-Based Detection of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases (bla CTX-M-1 and bla TEM ) in Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Pigs in North Eastern India (Mizoram).

Abstract: Cephalosporins are major antimicrobials used to treat serious infections. However, their effectiveness is being compromised by the emergence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). A total of 138 enteric bacteria were isolated from 53 faecal samples of pigs collected from different districts of Mizoram, of which 102 (73.91 %) were Escherichia coli, 26 (18.84 %) were Salmonella spp. and 10 (7.25 %) were Klebsiella pneumoniae. Phenotypic confirmatory test (Double Discs Synergy Test) showed that 8 (5.80 %) E. coli isolates were ESBLs producer. PCR analysis confirmed that out of the eight isolate, 7 (5.07 %) harboured bla CTX-M-1 gene and/or bla TEM gene. Of the eight positive isolates, 7 (5.07 %) and 3 (2.17 %) were found to be positive for bla CTX-M-1 gene and bla TEM gene, respectively, of which 3 (2.17 %) isolates were positive for both the genes. Only 4 (2.90 %) E. coli isolates carried bla CTX-M-1 gene alone. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed that all the isolates were carrying plasmids ranging between 0.9 and ~30 kb. Out of the seven isolates positive for bla CTX-M-1 and/or bla TEM , 2 (1.84 %) isolates were confirmed for bla CTX-M-1 gene in their plasmid. Only one E. coli isolate was found to be positive for both the genes in its plasmid. The resistance plasmid could not be transferred to a recipient by in vitro horizontal gene transfer method.

Studies on the diversity and selection of superior types in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.)

Abstract: Forty four superior jackfruit genotypes were collected from three districts of West Bengal, India based on jackfruit descriptor (2000). These genotypes were analyzed based on 19 important quantitative and 7 qualitative characters. From the analysis of genetic parameters, it could be concluded that characters like weight of fresh flakes without seed, weight of fresh flakes with seed, stalk length, fruit yield per tree, rachis diameter, rachis length, fruit length, shelf life, number of flakes per kg of fruit, flake width, number of seeds per kg of fruit, vitamin C, TSS/acid ratio and sugar/acid ratio could be used as selection criteria for development of effective and productive plant types in jackfruit. Further, these 44 genotypes were grouped into ten clusters for quantitative characters and eight for qualitative characters.

Mass production of entomopathogens in less industrialized countries

Abstract: Production of a number of entomopathogenic agents as pesticides, mainly fungal but some viral agents, has been established in a number of countries of Asia, South America and Africa using low technology approaches, often by small scale producers. However while these low technology systems can generate effective products these systems also require the systematic application of appropriate production methodology and rigorous monitoring if the appropriate quality and safety standards are to be reached. The role of LIC governments in creating and maintaining a policy and regulatory environment that promotes local EP production remains important to success. The wider adoption of EP products in LIC may also require a shift in users from the ad hoc reactive application of pesticides to more systematic IPM approach, a shift already underway in the export horticulture sectors in some of these countries.

Immobilization and applications of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase: a review.

Abstract: Immobilized enzymes have been used extensively in the fields of food industry, materials processing, textiles, detergents, biochemical and chemical industries, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. Studies on immobilization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase have been less extensive than those for other industrially applicable enzymes. Immobilization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase has been carried out for the formation of biosensors for the estimation of glucose, ATP, phosphate, and so on. The present review deals with the attempts made for immobilization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and its applications for various purposes.

Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli isolate possessing the Shiga toxin gene (stx1) belonging to the O64 serogroup associated with human disease in India.

Abstract: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes a spectrum of human sufferings, like bloody diarrhea and even life-threatening conditions, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) ([1][1]). In addition to the serotype O157:H7, several serogroups of STEC have been isolated from severe outbreaks

Influence of hill slope on biological pools of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in acidic alfisols of citrus orchard

Abstract: This study assessed how different hill slope positions under uniform management practice within a Khasi mandarin orchard (Citrus reticulata Blanco) influence biological pools of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), and soil quality. The orchard soils (0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm depths) of summit, shoulder and backslope hill slopes were analysed during post-monsoon (October–November) and post-winter (March–April). Higher soil moisture content, organic carbon (SOC), pH, size of biological pools {microbial biomass-C, -N and -P; dissolved-OC (DOC), MBC:SOC, potentially mineralizable-N (pMN)}, and soil dehydrogenase and acid-phosphomonoesterase activities were in order of summit > shoulder > backslope. Principal component analysis revealed that hill slope position and soil moisture had significant influence on variability of soil biological pools. Sizes of biological pools were significantly higher in post-monsoon than post-winter. Higher MBC and DOC in summit supported significant higher pMN compared to that in shoulder and backslope. The soil quality index within the orchard differed significantly between hill slope positions and higher soil quality was in order of summit > shoulder > backslope. In conclusion, hill slope position and soil moisture had coupled control on spatio-temporal variability in soil biochemical attributes within an orchard in spite of uniform orchard management practice. We believe these findings will ignite new thoughts that the current approach of uniform orchard management within a horticultural orchard especially on hill topography may not be appropriate.

Absolute copy number differences of Y chromosomal genes between crossbred (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) and Indicine bulls.

Abstract: The Y chromosome in mammal is paternally inherited and harbors genes related to male fertility and spermatogenesis. The unique intra-chromosomal recombination pattern of Y chromosome and morphological difference of this chromosome between Bos taurus and Bos indicus make it an ideal model for studying structural variation, especially in crossbred (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) bulls. Copy Number Variation (CNV) is a type of genomic structural variation that gives information complementary to SNP data. The purpose of this study was to find out copy number differences of four Y chromosomal spermatogenesis-related candidate genes in genomic DNA of crossbred and purebred Indicine bulls. Four Y chromosomal candidate genes of spermatogenesis namely, sex determining gene on Y chromosome (SRY), DEAD box polypeptide 3-Y chromosome (DDX3Y), Ubiquitin specific peptidase 9, Y-linked (USP9Y), testis-specific protein on Y chromosome (TSPY) were evaluated. Absolute copy numbers of Y chromosomal genes were determined by standard curve-based quantitative real time PCR. Copy numbers of SRY and TSPY genes per unit amount of genomic DNA are higher in crossbred than Indicine bulls. However, no difference was observed in DDX3Y and USP9Y gene copy numbers between two groups. The present study demonstrates that the structural organization of Y chromosomes differs between crossbred and Indicine bulls which are reproductively healthy as observed from analysis of semen attributes. The absolute copy numbers of SRY and TSPY genes in unit mass of genomic DNA of crossbred bulls are significantly higher than Indicine bulls. No alteration in absolute copies of DDX3Y and USP9Y gene was found between the genome of crossbred and Indicine bulls. This study suggests that the DDX3Y and USP9Y are likely to be single copy genes in the genome of crossbred and Indicine bulls and variation in Y chromosome length between crossbred and Indicine bulls may be due to the copy number variation of SRY gene and TSPY array.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal helminth infections in rodents of Tarai region of Uttarakhand

Abstract: The present work was aimed to investigate helminth biodiversity among rodents in order to evaluate the threat for helminth transmission to humans since they act as a potential source of parasitic zoonoses. In this study, faeces of 43 black rats (Rattus rattus) and 35 house mice (Mus musculus) were collected from various habitats viz. domestic places and agricultural fields of different parts of tarai region of Uttarakhand. These faecal samples were examined for the presence of parasitic eggs, adult and segments of the worms. The study revealed that the rodents were infected with 5 genera of helminth parasites, i.e. Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Syphacia muris, Capillaria hepatica, Trichuris muris and other strongyle eggs (2 species of cestodes and 4 species of nematodes). Adult Syphacia muris and segments of Hymenolepis nana were also recovered from faecal droppings. Of the 43 samples of black rat, all (100 %) and of the 35 samples of mice 9 (25.71 %) were found positive for one or more than one species of parasitic infections. Greater infection of H. diminuta 19 (44.18 %) followed by H. nana 17 (39.53 %) was seen in rat whereas mice were mostly infected with H. nana. The diversity and prevalence of various parasites reported here within domestic habitats may suggest that these can pose a high risk of helminth transmission to human population and are thus of considerable public health importance.

Use of asynchrony in flowering for easy and economical polyhaploid induction in wheat following Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach

Abstract: Wheat × Imperata cylindrica-mediated approach of doubled haploidy breeding requires hand emasculation followed by pollination with I. cylindrica pollen. The pace of this endeavour can be enhanced by utilizing asynchronous flowering of wheat spikes by direct pollination without emasculation followed by morphological marker–assisted screening of selfed and crossed seeds. The emasculated and un-emasculated spikes of 13 spring and six winter wheat genotypes and two triticale × wheat derivatives were pollinated with I. cylindrica pollen. The response of different genotypes for production of crossed and selfed seeds with direct pollination varied significantly within and between groups for spring and winter wheats, whereas triticale × wheat derivatives responded similarly to each other but significantly different from spring and winter wheats. Although, the proportion of pseudoseed formation was lower in case of direct pollination, yet in some genotypes, it was comparable to that of pollination after emasculation. Moreover, the response for haploid embryo induction frequency was similar in both the cases. The method of direct pollination can be utilized for easy and economical induction of haploids.

Effects of Drought on Livelihoods and Gender Roles: A Case Study of Meghalaya:

Abstract: Climate change has serious repercussions on food security, availability, accessibility and utilisation and food system stability. Women farmers currently account for 45–80 per cent of all food prod...

Effect of co-dried silage from fish market waste as substitute for fish meal on the growth of the Indian major carp Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) fingerlings

Abstract: Silage prepared by acid digestion of wastes from fish market and co-dried with rice bran was used as ingredient in experimental diet for rohu ( Labeo rohita ) fingerlings as source of animal protein by partial or complete replacement of fish meal. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated replacing 0, 50, 75 and 100% of fish meal (FM) by fish silage co-dried with rice bran (CFS). The results of the study for six weeks indicated that, the control group that was fed with feed (0% replacement) made from FM showed highest weight increment with lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) and higher specific growth rate followed by the group fed diet made with 50% replacement of fish meal by CFS. The specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio between 100% and 50% FM-based diets were not significantly different (p 0.05) with 0% and 25% FM-based diets. The replacement of 50% FM by CFS in L. rohita fingerlings diets did not significantly affect the growth and feed utilisation parameters. Whereas, the higher replacing levels of FM by CFS (75 or 100%) in diets significantly (p<0.05) reduced the growth and feed utilisation parameters

Formulating the spring discharge-function for the recession period by analyzing its recession curve: A case study of the Ranichauri spring (India)

Abstract: The Greater Himalayan region is witnessing a changing rainfall pattern from the last few decades. Low-intensity longer-duration rainfall events have now been replaced with intense and shorter-duration events that are further responsible for the reduced recharging of the spring catchments. Consequently, the natural springs are either drying up or becoming seasonal. Prediction of spring water availability during the recession period is the key to its proper management. The spring discharge-rate can be forecasted by studying its behaviour for the past recession periods. Expressing recession curve in mathematical terms requires its quantitative analyses in priori. It was found that the fitting of recession-curve (of the Ranichauri spring under study) with two exponential components gives accurate results. The maximum value of exponential coefficient (i.e., 0.0206) represents the major contribution to drainage from the spring-catchment’s portion with highest permeability, whereas the minimum value (i.e., 0.0016) represents the major contribution to spring discharge from the portion with lowest permeability. Analyses show that the permeability of the porous medium is responsible for discharge rate and its capacity is responsible for perennial or seasonal behaviour of the spring. Using the mean values of the recession parameters, the master discharge-function of the spring for the recession period is formulated for calculating its discharge-rate during the recession period of any year. Apart from the year 2001, its predictions are in close agreement with the actually monitored data. The efficiency of the formulated master discharge function of the spring for the recession period has been evaluated equal to 0.965 using the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency criterion.

Extension in India by Public Sector Institutions: An Overview

Abstract: Presently, Indian agricultural extension has wide mandates and despite the pluralistic extension approaches, its coverage and use of services is limited; particularly in rain-fed regions that are represented by marginal and smallholder farmers’. Hence, there is need to develop “need-based” capacity building of small-scale men and women farmers, as well as gaining access to reliable information in increasing their productivity and profitability for livelihoods improvements. There are five major agricultural public sector extension systems devoted to extension work in India: (i) the Ministry of Agriculture at central level, including the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Directorate of Extension (DoE); (ii) State Departments of Agriculture (DoA), as well as the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs); (iii) the Departments of Agriculture (DoA), Animal Husbandry (DAH), Horticulture (DoH) and Fisheries (DoF), as well as the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) and, more recently, the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) at the District level; (iv) also, there are a wide variety of producers groups, including cooperatives and federations of milk, fruits, cotton, oilseeds, coconut, spices etc.; as well as (v) civil society organizations, such as the Non-governmental Organization (NGOs). In agricultural innovation systems, there are still large gaps between research and extension approaches. Hence, there is need to evaluate the performance and socio-economic impacts of research and extension programs. Also, a greater understanding of Public Private Partnership is also required; including the mechanisms that help encourage partnerships. There is a want for a thorough evaluation of extension approaches in order to identify best practices and to understand their impact on farming communities in reaching small-scale and marginal farmers. The present study tries to analyze the role played by public sector institutions in India.

Genetic Divergence in Indigenous Wild and Cultivated Rice Species of Manipur Valley

Abstract: Genetic divergence of 32 indigenous rice germplasms and five wild rice of which three from Manipur and two wild rice procured from IRRI, Philippines was investigated using Mahalanobis, statistic. Based on twelve agromorphological characters, the thirty-seven germplasms both wild and cultivated were grouped into five clusters based on the relative magnitudes of values following Tocher's method of cluster formation. Based on the rank totals, the characters which contributed maximum towards genetic divergence in the present studies were grain yield/plant, spikelet/panicle, 100 grain weight, grain length, days to 50% flowering, ear bearing tillers/plant, and flag leaf length. In the present study, maximum intercluster distance was estimated between cluster III and () which was closed followed by clusters II and V (). On the basis of their greater intercluster distance, high value of cluster mean according to the character to be improved and performance of the individual germplasms for the character, the germplasms could be used in hybridization programme for improvement of different plant characters in the rice germplasms of Manipur.

Bamboo Forest Resources of India and its Role in Food Security - A Review

Abstract: Bamboo, the fastest growing plant, is estimated to cover 8.96 million ha of the total 63.3 million ha forest area of India. The plant is intricately associated with humans from times immemorial. Though popularly known for industrial usage, a lesser known fact of bamboos is the utilization of its juvenile shoots as food that can be consumed fresh, fermented, canned or pickled. Bamboo shoots have high nutritive value containing low fats and cholesterol and high amount of carbohydrate, proteins, minerals and dietary fibres. It holds great promise for utilization as health food because of presence of bioactive compounds which is found to have medicinal properties. Being one of the fastest growing plants, its shoots can be utilized for feeding the ever increasing human population and also because of its nutritional and therapeutic values, the shoots can be used to make up for the dietary deficiencies of nutrients in the diet.

Chemical changes in washed mince of silver carp (hypophthalmichthys molitrix) during frozen storage at −20c with or without cryoprotectants

Abstract: Studies were conducted to assess the chemical and quality changes in washed silver carp mince when frozen and stored at −20C with or without cryoprotectants. A previous washing step has led to a positive effect on fish quality according to marked content decreases in expressible moisture, volatile basic amines, free fatty acids and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; such quality performances were maintained throughout the frozen storage. On the other hand, addition of cryoprotectants enhanced the quality life of mince as far as gel-forming ability was concerned. Based on the gel-forming ability, the shelf life of mince with cryoprotectants was found 135 days against 90 days for the mince stored without cryoprotectants. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) has acquired great attention because of its increasing farming production and application in the surimi-product commercialization. Because of relatively low market price in fresh condition, the fish received less attention from the researchers to study its technical feasibility. This work focuses on the quality life of washed silver carp mince when frozen stored at −20C. The shelf life was assessed based on the gel-forming ability of the mince because this functional property is considered most important for product development.

Association of qLTG3-1 with germination stage cold tolerance in diverse rice germplasm from the Indian subcontinent

Abstract: Low temperature is a major constraint for crop productivity. To cope with this challenge, plants have developed several mechanisms to adapt to low temperature. Developing breeding strategies to enhance cold stress tolerance in crops requires an understanding of the mechanisms by which plants perceive and transmit cold stress-related signals to their cellular machinery, thereby activating adaptive responses. Only one quantitative trait locus for tolerance to low-temperature germination, qLTG3-1, has been narrowed down to the gene level in rice. A 71 bp indel that can be used to distinguish between tolerant and susceptible parents has been identified. We tested the 71 bp indel on 65 diverse rice genotypes including those adapted to colder climates of North and Northeastern India to find evidence of the tolerant allele (insertion) and to see whether it is associated with low-temperature germinability in these genotypes. Our results show that 48% of the rice genotypes tested carried the tolerant allele. The insertion was found to be significantly associated with cold tolerance during germination. Moreover, several landraces/improved varieties known for their superior performance in other abiotic stress conditions such as drought and high salinity conditions, and which were previously never exposed to low temperature, carry the beneficial allele for qLTG3-1, suggesting an additional role of this allele in adverse climatic conditions. This study enhances current understanding of the distribution of the tolerant allele qLTG3-1 in rice germplasm, which could help in the identification of suitable donors for potential marker-assisted breeding programmes.

Low pH, dissolved oxygen and high temperature induces Thelohanellus rohita (myxozoan) infestation in tropical fish, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

Abstract: In Labeo rohita, myxozoan infection is very common and here occurrence and distribution of myxozoan gill parasites were studied with an objective to evaluate the relationship between myxozoan infections with different abiotic factors. All ponds were infected with myxozoan infection. Sampling of water and fish was done fortnightly and soil sample on monthly basis for about 6 months. L. rohita is infected with the one myxozoan species Thelohanellus rohita. The first, second and third gill arches showed higher distribution of myxozoans than the fourth one. Posterior hemibranch of second gill arch was the most preferred site for parasite attachment. The mean intensity of parasite was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the size class of 8–9 cm in comparison to the other size classes. There were profound variability in the prevalence, abundance and mean intensity of gill myxosoporeans from three ponds. During the start of the sampling, myxozoans were present in all the ponds but their intensity varied in different ponds. These may be due to the variability in the abiotic factors of individual ponds. Most importantly acidic pH, lower DO and higher temperature promote myxozoan infestation and their propagation. Low soil pH is also seen to enhance their propagation. Our data clearly highlighted that prevalence, intensity and abundance of T. rohita strongly influenced by the above environmental parameters and suggested that its life cycle is probably effected by their change; our hypothesis must be regarded as speculative as long as further detail study is not carried out.

An Overview of Gender Issues in Agriculture

Abstract: Agriculture occupies a key position in the Indian economy providing a source of livelihood for a majority of the population. Successes in agricultural front with high production levels, especially in food grains have indeed been achieved. But more energy in the form of mineral fertilizers, chemical pesticides and farm machinery are required every year to produce the same quantity of farm products. Historically, women have been the managers of natural resources as they are dependent on them for their livelihood and their family’s needs. The consequences of over exploitation of these resources have rendered them scarce. The rural women collect over 28% of all energy consumed in India in the form of firewood. Most of the 140 million tonnes of firewood burnt annually come from forests. Poverty and unemployment in rural areas have resulted in large-scale migration to urban areas. Women are being forced to take up more drudgerous jobs as a source of livelihood as most of the migrants are absorbed into the construction sector. Women form the largest work force in agricultural sector. Caring for livestock comes naturally to women. The most drudgerous jobs in livestock production like cleaning of the cattle sheds, feeding the cattle, collection of fodder etc. always fall on the woman. Care for young animals and backyard livestock is also largely done by women. In caring for sick young animals women have evolved several ethno veterinary practices. Despite recent agricultural innovations there is no respite for rural women. While agricultural innovations leads to the reallocation of family labour and the assignment to men of complete control over output and income, without associated changes in the allocation of obligations, welfare and nutritional status of the family may actually decline.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants for Enhancing Farm Income: The Case of Bihar

Abstract: Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) provide opportunities for developing a variety of safe and cost effective, prophylactic, and curative medicines for a number of maladies. It is estimated that the primary health care of over 80 per cent of the world’s population still depends on plant based traditional medicines (WHO, 2002). Growing consciousness about health and side effects of modern medicines has again set the stage for innovation and use of herbal medicines. Evidence shows that the total domestic potential for crude drugs and oil extracts in India is worth Rs 3 billion, of which the requirements of over-the-counter products. Realizing the vast untapped potentials of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) and impediments in their development. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Patna has followed a systematic approach while taking MAPs for pilot testing. It made assessment about the local conditions and requirements, and demand for MAPs; strengthened capacity by trainng various stakeholders; played role in supporting individuals and institutions; developed relevant literature in local language; emphasized on group approach by organizing the growers; encouraged cultivation through the organized sector with linking the unorganized farmers; and evolved a pricing mechanism with buy back arrangement with partner industry under public-private partnership (PPP). The present study tries to outline some of the steps taken to promote MAPs in Bihar for better income to the farmers.

Impact of Self Help Groups on Attitudes of Members

Abstract: An evaluative study was undertaken for measuring the attitude of self help group (SHG) members. Data were solicited from randomly selected 100 SHG members of Patna district, Bihar at two points of time (before and after), i e during 2008 and 2013. The attitude construct was measured by using a Likert-type scale developed by Meena et al. (2008). The study shows a significant improvement in attitude of SHG members on all the five dimensions, viz. socio-economic upliftment; education and training; marketing and entrepreneurship qualities; technology adoption and participatory research; and banking/credit aspects. This favourable attitude of SHG members could be harnessed through knowledge and skill up gradation for diversification towards high value crops for higher incomes. Market information and infrastructure may be helpful to scale up their production and become competitive in the market. The SHGs could be used as an effective mechanism for technology dissemination to support the public extension system, social and mutual learning, institutionalized process of empowerment, conflict management, participatory extension and sustainable and equitable development.

Pluralistic Agricultural Extension System in India: Innovations and Constraints

Abstract: The major issues before Indian extension system are: how to improve the effectiveness of extension systems? How to serve the small land holders and marginal farmers in diversified farming systems? and proper allocation of fund, human resources and its management. The ATMA model has been successful in addressing many extension problems. Hence, the model should be introduced and implemented vigilantly. ATMAs should be empowered with sufficient administrative, financial and implementation flexibilities to reach the large numbers of small and marginal farmers. There is need of coordinated attempt to synergize and converge efforts at district and block levels to improve the performance of stakeholders. It is essential to route all the state and central government extension funds and human resources through a single agency, i.e. ATMA for effective utilization of crucial resources. The state governments should provide proper financial support by allocating at least 20% of states total budget to ATMA, which in turn distributes among state departments. The development grant provided by ICAR to SAUs and KVKs should be reviewed and adequately enhanced. Scaling up of FIGs/SHGs and Farmers Associations (FAs) could be an effective mechanism for empowerment and transfer of agricultural technologies. For serving the small communities efficiently, Information and Communication Technologies could be useful tools to increase connectivity between various FIGs/SHGs. It will also reduce extension cost and the workload of extension functionaries. There is need to learn from other actors like private sector, NGOs as they have much in-depth presence with various successful model.