Direct and maternal (co)variance components and heritability estimates for body weights in Chokla sheep

Estimates of (co)variance components were obtained for weights at birth, weaning and 6, 9 and 12 months of age in Chokla sheep maintained at the Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan, India, over a period of 21 years (1980–2000). Records of 2030 lambs descended from 150 rams and 616 ewes were used in the study. Analyses were carried out by restricted maximum likelihood (REML) fitting an animal model and ignoring or including maternal genetic or permanent environmental effects. Six different animal models were fitted for all traits. The best model was chosen after testing the improvement of the log-likelihood values. Direct heritability estimates were inflated substantially for all traits when maternal effects were ignored. Heritability estimates for weight at birth, weaning and 6, 9 and 12 months of age were 0.20, 0.18, 0.16, 0.22 and 0.23, respectively in the best models. Additive maternal and maternal permanent environmental effects were both significant at birth, accounting for 9% and 12% of phenotypic variance, respectively, but the source of maternal effects (additive versus permanent environmental) at later ages could not be clearly identified. The estimated repeatabilities across years of ewe effects on lamb body weights were 0.26, 0.14, 0.12, 0.13, and 0.15 at birth, weaning, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, respectively. These results indicate that modest rates of genetic progress are possible for all weights.     

Allelopathic activity of root exudates from Leonurus sibiricus L. (Raktodrone)

Root exudates (RE) of Leonurus sibiricus L. show the stimulatory effect of a bioassay on rice, wheat and mustard. Root exudate shows concentration-dependent activity. A stock solution (one seedling in 200 mL of 0.1% Knop's solution for 4 days) is denoted as (1). A 10-fold higher concentration (10) was made by using a rotary vacuum evaporator; for example, 100 mL stock solution was reduced to 10 mL. For bioassay, (25), (50), (75) and (100)-fold concentrations have been used. The stimulatory effect increases with concentration (peak at 10), decreases thereafter, and at (50) (75) and (100), the effect is inhibitory (almost 100% at 75 and 100). Paper chromatography and staining suggest the presence of phenolics including caffeic acid in RE. Caffeic acid also shows the same concentration-dependent activity on rice seeds. An ether extract of acid hydrolyzed leaves shows a number of phenolics on thin layer chromatography. Among these phenolics, three are common with RE. One highly fluorescent band occurs in a much larger amount (both RE and acid hydrolyzed leaf extract), and coincides with standard caffeic acid. On ultraviolet spectrometer analysis after elution, the putative caffeic acid compound shows two characteristic peaks similar to that of caffeic acid at 277 and 231 nm, respectively. Gas liquid chromatography retention time of both standard caffeic acid and the fluorescent spot is the same.     

Variations in the Length of the Y Chromosome and the Seminal Attributes of Karan Fries Bulls

Fresh semen and blood samples from 20 Karan Fries bulls (4–6 years of age), maintained at the Artificial Breeding Complex of the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, were collected for one year. All the bulls had 60 chromosomes, comprising 58 acrocentric autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes, with X as the larger and Y as the smaller submetacentric. The mean lengths of Y_p and Y_q; the total length of the Y chromosome and the length ratio were 1.10±0.01 m, 1.83±0.02 m, 2.92±0.02 m and 62.46%±0.18%, respectively. Analysis of the length measurements of the the Y chromosomes in Karan Fries bulls showed that all the measurements, viz., the short arm of the Y chromosome, the long arm of the Y chromosome, the total length of the Y chromosome and the variation in length of Y chromosome, varied significantly among bulls. All the seminal parameters, the volume of semen, mass activity, initial motility, concentration, live sperm count and the total abnormal sperm count, were significantly affected by bulls, whereas season had a significant effect on all the seminal parameters except the total abnormal sperm count. No significant relationship between the ratio of the long arm to the total length of the Y chromosome and seminal attributes was observed.     

Effect of in ovo threonine supplementation on early growth,immunological responses and digestive enzyme activities in broiler chickens

1.?The effects of injecting threonine in ovo on early growth, some immunological responses and the activity of digestive enzymes of broiler chicks were investigated. Fertile eggs were distributed into 6 groups, each of 60. These were: untreated control, sham control, 10, 20, 30 or 40 mg threonine. Threonine was dissolved in 0·5 ml sterile saline and inoculated into the yolk sac of the 14-d-old embryo through the narrow end of the egg.

2.?The ratio of chick to egg weight was 1·6% higher in the group given 30 mg threonine and at 28 d of age chicks receiving threonine were 29 to 79 g heavier than untreated controls.

3.?Food conversion ratio until 7 d after hatching was improved in those chicks receiving 10, 20 or 40 mg threonine but there was no significant effect on the activities of amylase, pepsin or trypsin.

4.?The humoral response to sheep red blood cells was significantly greater in those groups receiving 10, 20 or 30 mg threonine supplementation than in untreated controls.

5.?The response to phytohaemagglutinin-P, a measure of the cell-mediated immune response, was not affected, however.

6.?It is concluded that injections of 20 to 30 mg threonine into yolk sac can improve post-hatching growth and humoral responses of broiler chicks.     

Identification of quantitative trait loci associated with iron deficiency chlorosis resistance in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea)

Iron deficiency chlorosis is an important abiotic stress affecting groundnut production worldwide in calcareous and alkaline soils with a pH of 7.5–8.5. To identify genomic regions controlling iron deficiency chlorosis resistance in groundnut, the recombinant inbred line population from the cross TAG 24 × ICGV 86031 was evaluated for associated traits like visual chlorosis rating and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading across three crop growth stages for two consecutive years. Thirty-two QTLs were identified for visual chlorosis rating (3.9%–31.8% phenotypic variance explained [PVE]) and SPAD chlorophyll meter reading [3.8%–11% PVE] across three stages over 2 years. This is the first report of identification of QTLs for iron deficiency chlorosis resistance-associated traits in groundnut. Three major QTLs (>10% PVE) were identified at severe stage, while majority of other QTLs were having small effects. Interestingly, two major QTLs for visual chlorosis rating at 60 days (2013) and 90 days (2014) were located at same position on LG AhXIII. The identified QTLs/markers after validation across diverse genetic material could be used in genomics-assisted breeding.     

Evaluation of dietary protein requirement for the growth performance of minor carp,Cirrhinus reba (Hamilton, 1822) fingerlings

An experiment was designed to evaluate the requirement of dietary protein for Reba carp, Cirrhinus reba fingerlings using semi‐purified diet. Five isocaloric diets were prepared containing 20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40% level of protein using casein, gelatin as a major protein source. The experiment was conducted for 105 days in triplicates to evaluate the growth, survival, feed utilization, carcass composition of C. reba. Mean weight gain was highest (p < .05) in T3. Specific growth rate was highest in T3 and lowest in T1. Similarly, significantly (p < .05) highest net fish yield were recorded in T3. No significant difference was recorded in survivability. Feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, feed conversion efficiency and protein conversion efficiency were significantly (p < .05) higher for T3 compared with other treatments. Highest carcass protein and lipid values were recorded in T3. So, conclusion can be drawn that 30% crude protein is optimum for overall performance. Furthermore, broken‐line analysis for specific growth rate, final biomass and net fish yield indicated that dietary protein level of 28.148 to 28.253% is optimum for the best growth performance of fingerling C. reba.     

Inhibitory effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistia</Emphasis> tannin on digestive enzymes of Indian major carps: an in vitro study

Aquatic weeds are one of the major unconventional feed ingredients tested for aquafeed formulation. Tannin content in the water lettuce, Pistia, has been quantified (26.67 mg g⁻¹; dry weight) and graded levels of which (12.5–200 μg) have been incorporated in the reaction mixtures to evaluate any change in the in vitro activity of the principal digestive enzymes from the three Indian major carps (IMC), namely rohu (Labeo rohita), catla (Catla catla) and mrigala (Cirrhinus mrigala). Result of the experiment revealed that the Pistia tannin (PT) significantly inhibit/lower the activities of the digestive enzymes from three IMCs in a dose-dependant manner, even at very low concentration. Significant variation in the reduction of the enzyme activities was noticed between the three fish species, as well as between the three enzymes studied. Among the three species studied, digestive enzymes from L. rohita were found to be the most sensitive to the PT, whereas enzymes from C. catla were found to be comparatively least affected. On the other hand, protease and lipase activities were comparatively more affected than the amylase activity. The results of the study suggest that more stress should be given on the elimination of tannin while incorporating feed ingredients of plant origin in fish diets.     

Comparative analysis of genome of Edwardsiella tarda by BOX-PCR and PCR-ribotyping

The Genus Edwardsiella comprises of bacteria differing strongly in their biochemical characteristics, physiological features, natural habitat and pathogenic properties. The most common species of the genus is Edwardsiella tarda, recovered from a variety of environmental and animal sources. In this study 51 isolates including one reference strain obtained from freshwater culture systems were analyzed for their genomic diversity by BOX-PCR and PCR-ribotyping. By comparison of fingerprint of different isolates 27 and 32 genotypes were obtained by PCR-ribotyping and BOX-PCR respectively. Cluster analysis of genetic profile obtained by BOX-PCR and ribotyping clearly showed 9 and 8 clusters respectively. Some correlation between BOX-PCR and ribotyping was observed. Several clusters delineated on the basis of source of isolation in the dendrogram by BOX-PCR with 70% cut off value had corresponding clusters in the ribotyping with 50% cut off value. Some of the genotypes were found to be habitat specific. However, there was mixing and dispersal of most of the genotypes obtained from water, sediment and fish samples. Of both the techniques, BOX-PCR was found to be more discriminating than ribotyping.     

Landscape and land use effects on soil resources in a Himalayan watershed

Sustainable land management decisions at all scales require solid, science-based information. Soil quality assessment can provide this regarding soil physical, chemical, and biological characteristics and the ability to provide ecosystem and societal services. Our objective was to make a regional assessment of soils in the Garhwal Himalayas to determine their ability to perform various functions and respond to external influences. Five functional categories were assessed using 13 soil parameters focused on ecological sustainability. Human land use effects on soils were referenced to natural woodlands at each landscape position. Within upper-slope regions, flora and fauna habitat, moisture retention, organic matter and nutrient cycling, air and water infiltration and resistance to erosion were decreased 35, 27, 24, 24, and 9%, respectively. At mid-slope positions the order and magnitude of decrease were organic matter and nutrient cycling, flora and fauna habitat, and moisture retention (26, 22, and 16%, respectively). Changes within the valley were lowest, averaging − 3% for flora and fauna habitat and − 13% for organic matter and nutrient cycling. We conclude that the minimum data set (MDS) used provided a representative assessment of soil quality and could serve as a basis for assessment in similar tropical watersheds.