The current study was carried out in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh with the specific objective to assess existing housing, feeding and breeding practices related to backyard poultry production of desi birds. A total of 120 poultry rearers (12 respondents from each village) were randomly selected from two blocks (Bakawand and Jagdalpur) of Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. The data was composed from selected poultry rearers through a semi-structured interview schedule after initial pretesting. The findings of the study revealed that 68.33 per cent poultry owners constructed separate small houses with locally available materials viz., bamboo, mud, wood, net, jute stalk, tiles, tin, straw etc., with a average height of 2.24±0.07 feet’s in order to avoid disputes with neighbours and attack of predators. Feeding practice involved left the birds for scavenging on insects, worms, grasses, seeds and flowers in the morning. In the evening birds were offered kitchen waste, broken rice, and boiled rice to supplementary feed ingredients at average of 50.29±0.87 grams per birds per day. About breeding practices average incubated eggs per birds per year were 18.31±0.24 for breeding with average hatching of 65.76±0.46 per cent. Overall housing, feeding and breeding practice indicated that scientific practices were not followed in tribal areas of Chhattisgarh.

Sisal plant produces hardest vegetable fibre from the mature leaves.In this study the physical properties of individual elements for sisal (Agave sisalana) plant and leaf were determined using basic measuring devices.A free falling device was fabricated and used to assess the energy required for cutting the sisal leaf at every 0.1 m distance along leaf length and measure the unitary energy. The unitary energy was quantified by the relationship between the leaf cutting energy and transverse sectional area of same cut positions. The unitary energy required for cutting of leaf was found to be 2.38 Jcm-2. The relationship between cutting position, its sectional area andenergygoverns second order polynomial equation with correlation coefficient (R2) near to 1.

The data obtained for 653 dogs from clinical records (September 2012- May 2014) and screening of 80 clinical cases presented to Madras Veterinary College Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex during the study period (August 2013 to May 2014) were pooled to study the breed, age and sex related incidence of septic Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) among dogs.

An experiment was conducted to study the genetic variability, heritability and expected genetic advance for morpho-physiological, yield and NUE component traits in wheat accession under two different N levels. A set of 84 wheat genotypes was evaluated at two different nitrogen regimes, the T0 (without an external supply of nitrogen) and T1 (100 kg N/ha, RDF). All the characters studied, have shown good amount of variability in the genotypes. The mean performance of physiological traits like NDVI and SPAD, yield related traits like the number of tillers per meter row, spikelet’s per spike, spike length (cm), thousand grain weight (g) and seed yield (q/ha) and nitrogen use efficient traits like grain N, straw N, nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUpE) was found to be higher under the treatment with external supply of nitrogen (T1) than under the nitrogen stress treatment (T0). The high PCV and GCV values were recorded for trait grain yield, biomass and NUE, which indicates that, these characters have high variability that in turn offers good scope for selection. The high heritability estimates along with high genetic advance was obtained for NDVI at anthesis stage, days to fifty percent flowering, spike length, grain yield, biomass, harvest index (%), straw N, NUtE, NUpE and NUE. These traits are the most important to be taken into consideration for effective selection in wheat for NUE. Based on the four key variables determining N-efficiency in a wheat crop are grains N, NHI, high grain yield and high nitrogen use efficiency can be considered as important criteria for selection of high NUE in wheat. The genotypes viz., 2nd WYCYT 34, 3 rd SATYN 9403, 5th CISA HTEM 10212 and WH 1022, were found showed the highest performance for these characteristics at both T0 and T1 nitrogen levels. These identified lines would be further used in development of nitrogen use efficient wheat varieties, which will greatly facilitate the resource poor farmers to enhance the productivity.

The objective of this study was to demarcate the septic and non septic dogs with SIRS and to describe the variety of bacteria involved. The study was conducted in 110 dogs of which 80 clinical cases of dogs, which had SIRS, and 30 normal healthy dogs which were taken as control group. Bacteremia was detected by blood culture in 72% (80/110) of dogs and 0% (0/30) of control dogs. Bacteria cultured from blood included Escherichia coli (70% of all isolates), Staphyloccous sp (20%) and Bacillus sp (10%). It was concluded that blood culture was a reliable and standard test for demarcating dogs with septic and non septic SIRS compared with other diagnostic modalities.

An experimental trial was carried out to know the time required to complete the life cycle of maize cyst nematode, Heterodera zeae on sweet corn (var.- Madhuri). Life cycle studies revealed that second stage larvae of maize cyst nematode, H. zeae are the infective stage and penetrated sweet corn roots at 48 hours of inoculation. After penetration, the third stage larvae were observed on the 6th day of inoculation. Fourth stage larvae and adult females were observed at 13th and 19th day after inoculation, respectively. The mature cyst of H. zeae was observed on the 25th day after inoculation. Thus, the life cycle of maize cyst nematode, H. zeae on sweet corn took place in 25 days after inoculation of second stage larvae.

This paper presents identification of suitable method for assessment of crop water requirements in the agriculture lands at Malaprabha Riverbed, Bagalkot, India (15.8N-75.5E). Climatic data required for assessment are collected for the selected site. In the present investigation, Blaney-Criddle, Christiansen, Hargreaves, Turc and Thornthwaite methods are employed to estimate evapotranspiration and resultant values are compared with standard reference Penman-Monteith estimated values for the said region. The evapotranspiration is obtained for four different seasons and comparative analysis is carried. Turc and Thornthwaite methods resulted in more deviation from reference and Blaney- Criddle, Hargreaves and Christiansen pan evaporation methods derived the results much closer to each other and standard reference. However, Blaney-Criddle method requires only air temperature data for analysis and yields optimum results. In view of this, Blaney-Criddle method is selected as most suitable method for the said location. Further, water requirement of various crops grown in North Karnataka region are assessed by using crop factors

Study of combining ability and genetic behavior of the parents are essential to search newer hybrid combinations with better grain quality features. An experiment was conducted on twenty one crosses which were generated in line x tester (LxT) fashion by using three CMS lines and seven testers. The LxT interaction was significant for all 23 traits taken under study. The magnitude of specific combining ability variances was higher than that of general combining ability variance for all the traits under study indicating a key role of non-additive gene action in controlling these traits. IR79156A was identified as a good general combiner for grain yield per plant because it exhibited the positive GCA effect with many desirable traits, whereas CRMS32A was identified as best general combiner for most of the quality traits viz., head rice recovery, hulling%, milling%, and elongation ratio. Among the testers, Karmamahsuri, Suraksha, Bagdidhan and TOX981-11-2-3 were found to be a good combiner for grain yield per plant and other related traits. TOX981-11-2-3, Karmamahsuri and Bagdidhan were identified as a good general combiner for head rice recovery and other quality traits. Crosses IR58025AxSuraksha, IR58025AxInger-2114, CRMS32AxKarmamahsuri, IR79156AxKarmamahsuri and IR79156AxRIL-62 showed the higher SCA value for grain yield per plant. IR58025AxSuraksha, IR58025AxTOX981-11-2-3, CRMS32AxInger-2-114 and IR58025AxKanakgopala were identified as promising hybrid based on SCA effect for head rice recovery and other quality traits.

Experiment was conducted during three growing seasons (2011 to 2013) in Jamunali village of Chhendipada block in Angul district of Odisha, India in a farmer’s field to study the effect of five different single and double inlet lateral connections with three different commonly available sub-main pipe sizes (40, 50 and 63 mm) on yield and economics of drip irrigated brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) crop. Maximum yield and WUE of 399.48 q/ha and 880.58 kg / ha-cm have been observed in case of double inlet system connected with two sub-mains of 63 mm diameter and the lateral connecting to both the sub-mains at two ends laid on two sides of the field (T15). Minimum yield (380.67 q/ha) and WUE (839.11 kg / ha-cm) values have been found in case of single inlet laterals laid on one side of sub main of 40 mm diameter (T1). Economic analysis shows maximum value of Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost ratio (B:C), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and minimum Pay Back Period (PBP) in case of treatment where laterals have been laid and looped on one side of the sub-main with size 40 mm (T2, NPV – Rs. 649488/- , B:C – 3.11, IRR – 67.29%, PBP–2.66 years). Similarly, minimum value of NPV, B:C, IRR and maximum value of PBP have been observed for treatment where laterals have been connected to two sub-main pipes of dia 63 mm laid at two sides of the experimental plot (T15, NPV – Rs. 523824/-, B:C – 2.13, IRR – 41.02, PBP – 4.03 years) in spite of maximum yield due to increase in cost of the system. Hence, the system where laterals are looped on one side of sub-main pipe with dia 40mm (T4) is considered as the best one with respect to economic indicator values. Similarly, it is also observed that when single inlet systems are converted to the corresponding double inlet systems by looping the laterals (L1 to L2 and L3 to L4), yield and economics become better with incorporation of some minimal cost towards in-line laterals and connectors.

A field study was done to determine the effect of ecological factors on the incidence of sucking insect pests on seven varieties of genetically /non genetically modified cotton. Sucking insect pests (whitefly, leafhopper, thrips) remained active throughout the crop season with little differences among them. Whitefly was active from 24th to 41st standard meteorological weeks (SMW i.e. June to October, 2014) while leafhopper from 25th to 41st and thrips from 25th to 40th (SMW). Whitefly and leafhoppers population were negatively correlated with maximum temperature, minimum temperature, average wind speed and rainfall and positively correlated with RHm, RHe and sunshine hours. While thrips population showed positive correlation with temperature and negative with sunshine hours. There was no significant difference among sucking insect pests among the Bt and non Bt cotton genotypes.

A field experiment was carried out comprised of 11 parents, 30 hybrids and commercial hybrid ABH-1 (check) during summer season 2015, at Collage farm, NAU, Navsari. The analysis of variance for all the traits revealed that parents were found to be significant for all the traits studied, indicating presence of the considerable amount of genetic variability in the parental material tested. IIHR-587 x NSRP-1, IIHR-534 x NSRP-1 and IIHR-587 x NSR-1 significant and desirable heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for fruit yields. Combining ability studies revealed non-additive type of gene action for fruit yield involved in the expression of traits. IC-0742241, IIHR-534 NSR-1 and NSRP-1 were good general combiners for fruit yield per plant. Top three yielded cross IIHR-587 x NSRP-1 (0.3) and IIHR-534 x NSRP-1 (0.28) good desired sca effect. The overall analysis based on gca effect, sca effect, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis revealed that cross IIHR-534 x NSRP-1 and IIHR-587 x NSRP-1 may be use for commercial exploitation.

An experiment was conducted during kharif season of 2011-12 under shade net condition to assess the effects of organic sources of nitrogen viz. FYM, Poultry manure and Neem cake along with inorganic fertilizer i.e. urea and their various combination levels on the yield performance of okra. Eleven treatments were arranged in randomized block design with three replications. The vegetative growth parameters and yield of okra var.-Parbhani Kranti was significantly influenced due to different sources of nitrogen. The maximum values of growth parameters like Plant height (101.51 cm), number of leaves (14.94), leaf area (282 cm2), number of branches (2.20), number of nodes (19.86) per plant and yield (159.12 q ha1) were recorded in the treatment of 60% N through neem cake and 40% N through urea. The keeping quality of fruits was significantly varies among the treatments and storage conditions used. The maximum keeping quality was 4.27, 4.67 and 5.13 days were found in open bag, paper bag and polythene bags of storage conditions respectively in the treatment of T11.

Genetic diversity in 70 upland cotton genotypes for 16 yield attributes and quality characters was studied using Mahalanobis D2 statistic. The 70 genotypes were grouped into 13 clusters. The pattern of grouping of genotypes revealed the presence of considerable diversity in the material studied. The forces other than geographical separation were may be responsible for genetic divergence among the genotypes and this was further confirmed by the distribution of genotypes into different clusters. The distance between genotypes placed in same cluster was more when compared with genotypes belongs to different clusters. This clearly indicates that exploitation of heterosis may be possible when hybrids produced by crossing parents from different and distant clusters.

Efficacy of insecticides and bio pesticides named Chloropyriphos (Dursban 20 EC), Triazophos (Hattrick 40 EC), Lambda cyhalothrin (Warrior 2.5% EC), Imidacloprid (Confidor 17.8 SL), Spinosad (Tracer 45 SC), Neem oil (Neemarin 0.1%), Metarhizium anisopliae (Vallabh B. bassiana 2X109 CFU), Beauveria bassiana (Vallabh M. anisopliae 2X109 CFU) were tested against insect pest complex on okra. The result reported that efficacy of spinosad @ 100 ml/ha treatment against shoot and fruit borer as it recorded fruit infestation and Imidacloprid@ 300 ml/ha against sucking pests of okra was found to be most effective treatment against all insecticides and bio-pesticides treatments. Highest fruit yield was recorded in spinosad @ 100 ml/ha (73.07q/ha) as compared to control (42.08 q/ha), highest net profit per hectare was registered in spinosad @ 100 ml/ha (Rs. 26123.75) with highest cast benefit ratio was registered in Imidacloprid @ 300 ml/ha (1:8.94).

A study was undertaken to compare the pre-treated sweet potato slices (Ipomoea batatas) dried by different drying methods (tray drying and solar drying) and its quality evaluation. From the study, it is found that solution temperature, sugar concentration and duration of osmosis were the most pronounced factors affecting water loss of sweet potato slices during osmotic dehydration. It is found that tray drying of 6 hours at 600C is sufficient to achieve desirable physico-chemical properties of sweet potato slices, while in case of solar drying it will take 8 hours to achieve desirable physico-chemical properties. The overall acceptability was found to be higher for tray drying for 600C at 48oBrix.