Biochemical changes in the liver of the Indian freshwater murrel, Channa punctatus (Bloch) during estradiol-induced vitellogenin synthesis

Estrogen administration in C. punctatus increases RNA: protein and RNA: DNA ratios and depletes glycogen in the liver. Increase in glucose-6-phosphatase activity accounts for glycogen depletion whereas high activity of pyruvate kinase suggests stimulation of the glycolytic pathway at the pyruvate step to generate ATP and to provide carbon skeleton for the vitellogenin molecule. Five-fold increase in the activity of NADP⁺-dependant malate dehydrogenase generates NADPH possibly for fatty acid synthesis. Additional energy requirement (NADPH) is met by stimulation of hexose monophosphate pathway as well as NADP⁺-dependant isocitrate dehydrogenase. Increase in the activity of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase in microsomal fraction suggests stimulation of electron transport chain. Increase in the activity of glutamate pyruvate transaminase can be directly related to the synthesis to specific amino acids needed for the formation of vitellogenin whereas reduction in glutamate oxaloacetate suggests extra hepatic source of amino acids. Reduction in the activity of glutamate dehydrogenase may be due to catabolism.     

Spread and impact of goat pox (“sagolay bohonta”) in a village smallholder community around Kaziranga National Park,Assam, India

Tropical Animal Health and Production - During September and October 2017, a highly fatal outbreak of a disease clinically indistinguishable from goat pox occurred in the villages around the...     

Efficacy of Ovsynch Protocol with Antiprolactin Treatment for Timed Artificial Insemination During Non‐breeding Seasons in Yaks (Poephagus grunniens L.)

An attempt was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of Ovsynch protocol for timed artificial insemination (TAI) with or without Norprolac (antiprolactin) treatment during non‐breeding season (winter months) in yaks (n = 25). During non‐breeding season, plasma prolactin profile has been reported high due to cold and nutritional stress. The Norprolac dose of i.m. administration was standardized for prolactin suppression. Three different doses viz. 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 mg were attempted and the dose of 7.5 mg Norprolac i.m. per animal was found to be suitable for suppression of prolactin levels up to 30 h. Ovsynch treatment with Norprolac induced more number of oestrous symptoms per animal (4.8 vs 2.1), higher LH peak concentration (24.01 vs 16.16 ng/ml), longer duration of LH surge (6.8 vs 5.2 h) and higher conception rate (70 vs 30%) in Ovsynch plus Norprolac treated animals compared with animals treated with Ovsynch alone. Therefore, this study clearly indicates the opportunity for practical application of the Ovsynch plus Norprolac protocol for TAI in yaks during non‐breeding seasons.     

An avenue for replacement of chemical fertilization under rice-rice cropping pattern: Sustaining soil health and organic C pool via MSW-based vermicomposts

ABSTRACT

The impacts of Municipal solid wastes (MSW) vermicompost (VC) on soil-crop interface have rarely been studied. Hence, the influence of vermicompost on soil health and soil organic C (SOC) dynamics was assessed under intensive rice–rice cropping system. A 20–40% of the recommended N-fertilization was substituted by MSW-vermicompost for the crop. SOC storage, degree of humification, humic acid C, and fulvic acid C in soil gradually increased by 55–60% under NPK₆₀ + VC and NPK₈₀ + VC treatments in 2 years. The improvement in N-mineralization was spectacular in NPK₆₀ + VC (2.79 folds) and NPK₈₀ + VC (2.25 folds) treated soil. The carbon pool management index in soil was greatest under NPK₆₀ + VC (2.1) treatment followed by NPK₁₀₀ + VC (1.96) and NPK₈₀ + VC (1.87) treatments. Moreover, the crop biomass and grain yield increased under VC treatments. The correlation and regression statistics revealed that rice production was enhanced due to improvement of SOC pool and humified carbon fractions in soil. Finally, we recorded highest benefit-cost ratio under NPK₆₀ + VC (benefit/cost 5.55) followed by NPK₈₀ + VC (benefit/cost 5.44). The study indicated that MSW-vermicompost sustained soil microbial health and SOC balance, which significantly correlated with rice production.     

Shredded Hard Stems of Pruning Litters Supported the Growth of Young Tea Plants by Supplementing Nitrogen in Soil: Evaluating Suitable Combination of Urea and Prunings

Tea is an evergreen shrub, and tea bushes (plants) are periodically pruned at 3-year intervals. This practice generates tons of pruning litters (leaves and stems) in tea gardens. In spite of availability, the hard nature and slow decomposition rate limit the use of pruning litters as soil amendments. In this study, an attempt was made to cycle pruning litters in shredded form to evaluate their effect on young tea plants under greenhouse condition. It was observed that shredded prunings were decomposed in soil within study duration and enhanced nitrate-N content in the soil. The study revealed that different parameters like plant height, biomass weight, and N uptake were enhanced due to the application of suitable combinations of pruning litter and urea in the soil. Based on this study, it could be concluded that application of shredded prunings had potential to replace up to 15% of recommended urea during tea cultivation.     

Genetic analysis of river,swamp and hybrid buffaloes of north‐east India throw new light on phylogeography of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

This study analysed buffaloes from north‐east India and compared their nuclear and mitochondrial DNA variations with buffaloes of mainland India, China, Mediterranean and South‐East Asia. Microsatellite genotypes of 338 buffaloes including 210 from six north‐east Indian buffalo populations and three mainland Indian breeds were analysed to evaluate their genetic structure and evolutionary relationships. Phylogenetic analysis and multidimensional scaling plot of pairwise F_ST revealed the clustering of all swamp‐type buffaloes of north‐east India with Lower Assamese (significantly hybrid type) buffaloes in one plane and all the mainland river buffaloes in another plane while the upper Assamese buffaloes being distinct from both these clusters. Analysis of mtDNA D‐loop region of 530‐bp length was performed on 345 sequences belonging to 23 buffalo populations from various geographical regions to establish the phylogeography of Indian water buffalo. The swamp buffaloes of north‐east India clustered with both the lineages of Chinese swamp buffalo. Multidimensional scaling display of pairwise F_ST derived from mitochondrial DNA data showed clustering of upper Assamese, Chilika and Mediterranean buffaloes distinctly from all the other Indian buffalo populations. Median‐joining network analysis further confirmed the distinctness and ancestral nature of these buffaloes. The study revealed north‐east region of India forming part of the wider hybrid zone of water buffalo that may probably extend from north‐east India to South‐East Asia.     

Increasing trend of extreme rain events over India in a warming environment

Against a backdrop of rising global surface temperature, the stability of the Indian monsoon rainfall over the past century has been a puzzle. By using a daily rainfall data set, we show (i) significant rising trends in the frequency and the magnitude of extreme rain events and (ii) a significant decreasing trend in the frequency of moderate events over central India during the monsoon seasons from 1951 to 2000. The seasonal mean rainfall does not show a significant trend, because the contribution from increasing heavy events is offset by decreasing moderate events. A substantial increase in hazards related to heavy rain is expected over central India in the future.