Effect of micronutrient supplementation around calving on the plasma cortisol levels of Murrah buffaloes and Sahiwal and Karan Fries cows

Micronutrients when fed around peripartum may reduce the stress induced by cortisol. With this objective, 24 Sahiwal (SW) and 24 Karan Fries (KF) cows and 24 Murrah (Mu) buffaloes were taken and divided into four groups of six each. Vitamin E (VE), zinc (Zn) and copper were supplemented from 30 days pre- to 30 days postcalving in groups 1, 2 and 3. Animals without supplementation served as control. Blood sampling was done on days 30, 15, 7 and 3 precalving; at calving; and on days 3, 7, 15 and 30 postcalving. Plasma cortisol levels were measured by ELISA. Supplementation of VE and Zn significantly (P?<?0.05) reduced plasma cortisol levels at calving and at 30 days postcalving. KF cows exhibited best results with VE, whereas SW cows and Mu buffaloes responded best to Zn. Copper increased the peripartum cortisol levels. Reduction in cortisol levels may help in keeping the animal healthy and stronger to fight immuno-suppression generally observed around the period of peripartum.     

Effect of supplementation of vitamin E,copper and zinc on the in vitro phagocytic activity and lymphocyte proliferation index of peripartum Sahiwal (Bos indicus) cows

To study the effect of vitamin E (VE), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) supplementation on the in vitro phagocytic activity (PA) and lymphocyte proliferation response (LPR) of blood neutrophils and lymphocytes, thirty Sahiwal pregnant cows (six in each group) in their late gestation at 30 days before the expected date of calving were selected from the NDRI experimental herd and supplemented with various micronutrients from 30 days before calving to 45 days after calving. Cows were supplemented individually with VE (1000 IU/cow/day), Cu (20 ppm/cow/day) and Zn (80 ppm/cow/day) and also with a combination of VE, Cu and Zn to study cumulative effect of all micronutrients. One group without any supplementation acted as a control. Blood neutrophils and lymphocytes were isolated and studied for their PA and LPR. Supplementation of micronutrients like VE, Cu, Zn and a combination of all these nutrients significantly (p < 0.01) increased the PA of experimental cows as compared to control (unsupplemented) cows during the pre‐partum period. During post‐partum, all the micronutrients (VE, Cu, Zn and their combination) showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase in the PA of experimental cows as compared to control cows. Of all the groups, significant (p < 0.01) and maximum PA was observed in the combination group followed by Zn‐supplemented group during both the pre‐ and post‐partum period. A significant (p < 0.01) increase in LPR of B lymphocytes was observed in combination‐supplemented group during the pre‐partum period and during both the pre‐ and post‐partum period in the Cu‐supplemented group.     

Demographics and functional response of Blaptostethus pallescens preying on Tuta absoluta

Phytoparasitica - In order to enhance the ecofriendly management of Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), we studied the demographics and functional response of Blaptostethus...     

Inheritance of resistance to black rot (Xanthomonas campestris pv. Campestris) in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis)

Summary Black rot disease caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris is a limiting factor in the commercial production of the cauliflower crop. Crosses were attempted between SN 445, a mid season cultivar resistant to black rot and two highly susceptible commercial cultivars (Pusa Snowball-1 and K-1). Studies of the F₁'s, F₂'s and back crosses indicated that SN 445, carries a dominant gene imparting resistance to black rot.     

Factors influencing crossability among triticale and wheat and its subsequent effect along with hybrid necrosis on haploid induction

Gene introgression in wheat is not only limited by crossability but also affected by environmental conditions, genotypic differences and necrotic genes. Hence, the present investigation was formulated to determine the influence of genotypic and environmental factors on the crossability of elite triticale and wheat genotypes, screen the effect of necrotic genes in the F₁ hybrids and the relative performance of hybrids towards haploid induction following the Imperata cylindrica-mediated chromosome elimination approach. The dry temperate region was observed to be significantly better than sub-humid mid-hills for seed set in intergeneric crosses. Lower rate of crossability (17.49–48.33% and 14.46–36.51%) was found in triticale?×?wheat crosses at both locations. The hybrids having HPW236 as one of the parent revealed necrosis ranging from the lowest to highest grade. Further, negative influence of the necrotic genes on the haploid induction parameters was apparent due to significant hybrid necrosis symptoms in F₁ hybrids. Statistically significant variation in haploid induction parameters was also evident between and within different cross combinations, indicating that haploid induction parameters were profoundly influenced by genotypic specificity.     

Variability pattern and correlation studies in Silybum marianum Gaertn

Phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variability, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance were determined investigating the characters of 15 accessions of Silybum marianum. Seed yield/plant and number of capsules/plant had highest estimates of genotypic variation, heritability and genetic advance which suggest that direct selection for these traits is suitable for the improvement of this crop. Number of capsules/plant had a significant positive correlation with the number of branches/plant and leaf length (r=0.3398, 0.7547), whereas seed yield/plant had a positive significant correlation with leaf length, stem diameter, capsule diameter and silymarin content (r=0.6830, 0.3140, 0.3484, 0.2925).