Resource Availability Versus Resource Extraction in Forests: Analysis of Forest Fodder System in Forest Density Classes in Lower Himalayas,India

Particularly in developing countries, forests provide feed for livestock in the form of fodder for stall-feeding and grazing in forest areas. Extraction of fodder resources from forests often leads to forest degradation. An attempt has been made to qualify extend of biomass extraction from forests and to compare forest fodder dependence of households in a number of forest density classes in the mountainous region of Himalayas, in Uttarakhand state in India, according to livestock owners’ perspectives. Information was obtained from a survey of livestock feed and fodder collection and utilization from 316 randomly selected households distributed across four government-defined forest density classes, namely very dense forest, moderately dense forest, open forest and scrub. Households obtained feed and fodder for livestock from three sources, i.e. forest areas, non-forest areas and local markets. Daily feed consumption per adult cattle unit varied according to source, ranging from 9.85 to 14.70 kg from forest areas, 7.40 to 11.14 kg from non-forest areas, and less than 1 kg from local markets. The dependency of households on fodder for livestock differed significantly between households located in each forest density classes. The current forest fodder extraction rate is likely to be unsustainable. Measures identified to reduce the extraction rate include greater use of alternative fodder sources and managing small patches of the natural forests adjoining dependent villages for fodder production through community participation.     

Fisheries induced shift in sea snake community assemblages along the Konkan coast,India

1. The impacts of fisheries on several charismatic marine fauna have been a subject of global concern. Sea snakes share the same habitats as many commercially important fish species and often end up as fisheries bycatch.
2. Previous studies of bycatch from India have been limited to individual reports of mortality, with little information on the regional community structure of sea snakes. This study was carried out along the Konkan coast, off the central west coast of India, between 2016 and 2018, to determine trends in the bycatch of sea snakes in coastal fisheries.
3. In this study, 922 sea snakes were encountered in 916.57 gillnet haul hours and 449.16 trawlers haul hours of fishing, comprising largely of two species: beaked sea snake (Hydrophis schistosus) and spine-bellied sea snake (Hydrophis curtus) (83.05 and 16.94% respectively) which was in stark contrast to a similar study conducted in 2002–03, which recorded a dominance of H. curtus (84%) followed by H. schistosus (14%) in the same region. Both studies, however, indicated higher mortality in H. curtus than in H. schistosus in trawl nets.
4. This study highlights the significant impact of non-selective fishing practices on regional assemblages of other marine organisms such as sea snakes from South Asia, which has been relatively understudied, and the potential consequences for local ecosystems.

     

Potential impacts of non‐native fish on the threatened mahseer (Tor) species of the Indian Himalayan biodiversity hot spot

1. Mahseer (Tor) fish species are critical components of locally adapted freshwater food webs across the Indian Himalayan biodiversity hotspot; however, multiple human stressors compounded by climate change have significantly depleted their populations over recent decades.
2. Mahseer species are now considered locally vulnerable or endangered in many regions. Hydropower projects in particular have fragmented populations, impairing genetic exchange, obstructing migratory paths, and changing the structure and functioning of riverine habitats, especially of formerly fast‐flowing rivers.
3. Worryingly, a literature survey and group discussions reveal that the increasing spread of non‐native fish species further compounds threats to mahseer and overall freshwater ecology. A better understanding of the current distribution, habitat requirement, and dispersal of non‐native fish is therefore essential to manage the growing threats to mahseer in the Indian Himalayan region.

     

Toxicity ameliorative effect of vitamin E against super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on haemato-immunological responses,antioxidant capacity,oxidative stress,and metabolic enzymes activity during exposure and recovery in Labeo rohita fingerlings

Aquaculture International - The present study assessed the toxic effect of super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) on haemato-immunological responses, antioxidant capacity, oxidative...     

Seed Priming Increases Crop Yield Possibly by Modulating Enzymes of Sucrose Metabolism in Chickpea

The number of seeds and seed yield per plant were higher in chickpea crops raised from water and mannitol (4 %) primed seeds in comparison with the control non-primed crops. In primed plants, an enhanced acid invertase activity in the apical part of the main stem and the part immediately below it at 100 and 130 days after sowing (DAS) might result in an increased availability of hexoses to these plant parts. In addition, decreased acid invertase activity at the point of initiation of branches and in the internodes of stem observed in primed plants indicated restricted hydrolysis of sucrose during its transport through the stem, resulting in its more supply to the actively growing sinks. The activities of sucrose-cleaving enzymes, i.e. invertase and sucrose synthase (SS) in podwall of primed plants were higher at 110 DAS. At 140 DAS, a stage of rapid seed filling, increased activities of SS and sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) were observed in seeds of primed plants. Increased SPS activity in seeds of primed crop could meet the increased assimilate requirements of the developing seeds. Higher activity of SS in seeds of primed crop may facilitate seed filling. These data suggest that enzymes of sucrose metabolism play an important role in increasing the yield of chickpea crops raised from primed seeds.     

Genetic analysis of total glucosinolate in crosses involving a high glucosinolate Indian variety and a low glucosinolate line of Brassica juncea

Analysis of the glucosinolate content and composition by high‐pressure liquid chromatography indicated that varieties of Brassica juncea bred and grown in India have a high glucosinolate content characterized by the presence of 2‐propenyl (allyl) and 3‐butenyl as the major and 4‐pentenyl as the minor fractions. In contrast, the B. juncea germplasm from other countries is characterized by the presence of 2‐propenyl as the major glucosinolate fraction, trace amounts of 3‐butenyl and a total lack of the 4‐pentenyl types. In order to transfer the low glucosinolate trait to Indian B. juncea, the inheritance of total glucosinolates was investigated using doubled haploid (DH) populations derived from F1 (DH₁) and BC₁ (BC₁DH) of a cross between ‘Varuna’ (the most widely cultivated high glucosinolate variety of India) and ‘Heera’ (a non‐allyl type low glucosinolate line). A total of 752 DH₁ and 1263 BC₁DH gave rise to seven and 11 low glucosinolate (containing less than 18 μmol/g seed) individuals, respectively. On the basis of the frequency of the low glucosinolate individuals, the total glucosinolate was found to be under the control of seven genes. There was presence of both allyl and non‐allyl types in DH₁ and BC₁DH low‐glucosinolate individuals and absence of 3‐butenyl glucosinolate in some of the BC1DH low glucosinolate individuals, indicating segregation for these fractions in the population. The size of the segregating DH population proved to be crucial for precise determination of the number of genes controlling the trait. Because of the large number of genes involved, incorporation of low glucosinolate trait in Indian B. juncea should be approached through doubled haploid (DH) breeding.     

Barnyard millet – a potential food and feed crop of future

The two species under genus Echinochloa, E. frumentacea (Indian barnyard millet) and E. esculenta (Japanese barnyard millet), are cultivated for food and fodder by hilly and tribal communities in Asia particularly in India, China and Japan. The crop has wide adaptability and occupies a special place in marginal rainfed areas because of its short life cycle. Although the area under the crop has come down drastically in last 50 years, the crop ability to survive under harsh conditions makes it a better choice during famine years. In the Indian Himalayan region, the crop was traditionally used as a substitute for rice. It has been identified as a suitable choice for climate‐resilient agriculture. High nutrient content and antioxidant effects make it to be considered as a functional food crop. Recently, the demand of the crop has increased due to its highly nutritious grains. Thus, it has the potential to provide both food and nutritional security particularly in hills where nutritional deficiencies are in abundance. Despite enormous potential, the crop has not gained the popularity among masses and is still considered as poor man's food. This work therefore is an attempt to compile the meagre information available on crop history, evolution, crop breeding and present status to make the crop competitive and revamp its cultivation.     

Stable classification and nomenclature in the Triticeae: desirability,limitations and prospects

Summary The two causes of destabilization of names in the tribe Triticeae are discussed in detail. These include changes in names due to changing classifications and changes in names due to application of nomenclatural rules. We favour the opinion that a classification should be based on maximum information and not on one single character like the genome as suggested in a recent classification of Dewey and that of Löve. The problem of changes in names is discussed using two examples-Triticum-Aegilops group and Agropyron-Elytrigia-Leymus group. The users of Triticeae grasses, should always authenticate the material they are using and specify the scheme or reference of classification they follow in naming their material, even though one would have the freedom to use a particular classification and thus the names given in this classification.The problem of instability in the names of Triticeae grasses due to nomenclatural rules are discussed using the examples of bread wheat (T. aestivum) and of Haynaldia villosa. A list of recommended names of World's flora for preservation as suggested by Brummitt recently has also been examined.     

Changes in Several Traits of Oats Caused by Selection for Vegetative Growth Rate*

Growth rate and harvest index are the primary components that cause variation in gram yield or oats it growth duration of the crop is fixed as it is in mid western USA. Because harvest index for oats in that region has been optimized 45 %, growth rate is the only remaining trait for improving grain yield. F₂ derived oat lines from inter- (Avena sativa L. ×A. Sterilis L.) and intraspecific mating (among A. sativa cultivars) in F₃ were selected for vegetative growth rate at maturity (GRM) with an intensity of 8.3%. Predicted genetic gain was 21.5% for GRM, and actual gain was 7%. Changes in grain, biological, and straw yields were higher than gains in GRM when expressed as percentages of the oat population means. Predicted genetic gains were very low for traits unrelated or negatively associated with GRM such as heading data and harvest index. This study suggests that indirect improvement can be made for gain, biological, and straw yields by selecting for GRM.