Central Agricultural University

About: Central Agricultural University is a education organization based out in Imphal, Manipur, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Agriculture. The organization has 1116 authors who have published 1157 publications receiving 9217 citations.

Lentil in India: An Overview

Abstract: Traditionally pulses have been considered important elements of cropping systems in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. They were popular because of their importance as a source of protein and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N) and thus improve soil fertility. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, a large area under pulses in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) was substituted by high- yielding varieties of rice (Oryza sativa) and wheat (Tritium aestivum). Lentil production in India has always been important as it is the one of the most important rabi crops in the country. In fact, India was the largest producer of the Lentil crop in the world until recently Canada took over the lead leaving India at the second place. The new technology of rice and wheat substantially changed the agricultural scenario and largely contributed to increase in agricultural production in the IGP. Indian subcontinent has a reputation of being an important player in the world’s pulse scenario. The present article tries to analysis the current scenario of lentil, its uses, and constraints to increasing production of lentil in India

Influence of light intensity and photoperiod on embryonic development, survival and growth of threatened catfish Ompok bimaculatus early larvae

Abstract: Larval growth and survival of catfishes are largely influenced by the various biotic and abiotic factors. The present study investigated the effect of different light intensities and photoperiods on growth and survival of Ompok bimaculatus larvae. Three separate trials of 21 days each were carried out in an aquarium tank. The first trial investigated the embryonic changes (based on hatching rate and time) upon exposure to varied light intensity (0, 300, 500, 900 and 1200 lx) and photoperiodic regime (24l:0d, 16l:8d, 12l:12d, 8l:16d and 0l:24d). Subsequently, hatched-out larvae were subjected to the aforementioned intensities (Trial II) and photoperiod (Trial III, intensity of 300 lx) for growth and survival attributes. Eight hundred healthy larvae (average body weight = 0.003 g) were randomly distributed into five treatment groups for the last two trials. Results suggest a higher embryo hatching rate and larval survival at 0 and 300 lx, whereas the largest larval growth was observed at 900 lx. In Trial III, survival was highest in 0l:24d and growth in 24l:0d and 16l:8d was higher (P < 0.05). Performance index was higher (P < 0.05) in both 0 and 300 lx light and decreased at higher intensities. The overall interpretation from the present study concludes that a completely dark rearing environment is recommended for better survival of O. bimaculatus although growth was compromised.

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.

Effect of garlic extract on physical, oxidative and microbial changes during refrigerated storage of restructured product from Thai pangas (pangasianodon hypophthalmus) surimi

Abstract: The effect of garlic’s aqueous extract (GAE) during refrigerated storage of the restructured products from Pangasius (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) was evaluated. Protein and lipid oxidation, protein pattern on SDS-PAGE, TPC as well as WHC, gelling properties, texture profiles and whiteness of the surimi gel was evaluated periodically during a refrigerated storage period of 20 days. Increase of water holding capacity in GAE added gels indicated stronger protein network formation, whereas, decrease of protein solubility suggested formation of protein aggregates during gelation process. Lipid oxidation decreased in treated samples but the rate of increase varied, depending upon the concentration of GAE. Protein carbonyl content increased during storage, but slow increase in treated samples. Gel strength in treated samples increased and accompanied by thickening of myofibrillar head chain. Hardness, adhesiveness and gumminess parameters affected most due to addition of GAE. Sensory analysis revealed that the RP with 1 % GAE preferred most and control was acceptable upto 12 days.