The indigenous sheep breeds Tamil Nadu were screened for the presence of fecundity gene: FecB as part of FecB gene introgression program. A total of 864 genomic DNA samples of Coimbatore, Mecheri, Niligiri, Trichy black and synthetic Sandyno sheep breeds were used to screen the FecB gene mutation through PCR RFLP method. The screening results showed that considerable percentage of FecB mutation present in both Nilagiri and Sandyno synthetic sheep breeds. In Nilagiri sheep the frequency of wild, FecB heterozygote (B+) and homozygote (BB) genotype were 54.71, 35.87 and 9.41 percent respectively. In Sandyno sheep the frequency of wild, FecB heterozygote (B+) and homozygote (BB) genotype were 88.14, 11.86 and 0.00 percent respectively. Whereas in Coimbatore, Mecheri and Tiruchy Black sheep FecB gene was absent in all samples screened and all animals showed only the uncut 140 bp band wild type (++) genotype.

Eight numbers of local land races of maize germplasm were collected from different part of Mon district Nagaland and evaluated to identify their varietal performance, periodical sowing time and genetic variability for seventeen quantitative traits under the agro morphological purview at the Instructional Farm, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Mon (Aboi), Nagaland under upland farming conditions during kharif season 2017. The economic characters of the genotypes MM-7 (24.64 q/ ha), showed maximum yield with late in maturity, on the other hand MM-8 (22.51 q/ ha) genotypes observed moderate yield potential with early in maturity. Highest seed yield (21.68 q/ ha) was also recorded when the crop was planted between10th April to 10th May, irrespective of all the land races and different planting time. Significant inter-genetic differences were recorded for all the characters. The highest estimates of genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic (PCV) coefficients of variation were observed in case of grain yield (28.30% and 27.44%), followed by kernel thickness (23.78% and 21.10%). High heritability (%) coupled with high genetic advance was observed for grain yield (97.00 and 48.88), kernel thickness (89.00 and 42.84), plant height (88.00 and 36.95), kernels per row (87.00 and 31.50). Such high heritability followed by high genetic advance indicates that selection may be effective for improvement of such characters to increase grain yield per plant. Sowing of crop at optimum period is very important non- monetary input in obtaining higher yield. Sowing operation for maize should be also find- out during the month of April first fortnight to May first fortnight of the district.