Genetic studies on mote index, pollen sterility and earliness in interspecific cotton hybrids

Hybrids between four divergent varieties of Gossypium hirsutum and eight of G. barbadense were evaluated for three components of commercial importance, mote index, pollen sterility and earliness in their F1 generation. It was found that the former two components were predominantly under the control of additive gene action. The studies brought out the possibilities of selecting for fertile and early-maturing hybrids with the incidence of motes. American Nectariless, K 3400 SB 289 E, SB 1095-6 were found to be desirable parents and the crosses of the former two as female with the letter two as male parents were found to possess all the desirable character

Study of TORCH infections and its impact on newborn babies and infants: a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Background: TORCH is an acronym for Toxoplasma, others (syphilis), Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes simplex virus. These are important causes of morbidity and mortality in new-borns, infants and children. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality.Methods: It was a cross sectional record based retrospective record-based study conducted in King George Hospital, Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Samples from clinically suspected cases (newborns and infants) for possible TORCH infections were tested in virology laboratory from January to November 2019 and the samples were collected and tested by EUROIMMUN kit for the respective IgM antibodies and analyzed. Clinical details of newborns and infants were gathered from the patients through telephonic communication.Results: Total number of patients tested were 104 in which 54 (52%) showed positivity in which 36 were positive for CMV, 25 for HSV2, 23 for Rubella, 12 for Toxoplasma and 11 for Varicella zoster infection. Out of 52 positive cases 20.4% were alive and normal, 20% were alive but severely affected, mortality was 16.7%. Out of 16.7% mortalities 22% of deaths were due to nephrotic syndrome. Clinical manifestations include hepato-splenomegaly in 33.3% cases, fever in 30%, low birth weight in 25%, heart disease in 13.7%, microcephaly in 13.7%.Conclusions: Our study showed hepatomegaly, fever and low birth weight as common clinical manifestations. Fever and nephrotic syndrome were typically associated with CMV positive cases. Out of 52 % positively tested cases CMV was very common infection followed by HSV2, Rubella and Toxoplasmosis

Seroprevalence of syphilis in human immunodeficiency virus patients

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by, Treponema pallidum. Syphilis facilitates the transmission and acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and causes transient increase in the viral load. Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are 3-5 times more likely to acquire HIV infection, if exposed to the virus through sexual contact. Aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence of Syphilis in HIV patients.Methods: A total of 920 blood samples were collected from HIV patients attending ART (Antiretroviral therapy) centre and were tested for Syphilis by using Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) and Treponema pallidum Hemagglutination Assay (TPHA). A total of 100 HIV non-reactive individuals were taken as a control group.Results: Out of 920 samples, 102 (11.1%) were positive for Syphilis. Out of 102 Syphilis seropositive patients, males (76.5%) were more commonly affected in age group of 21-40 years. Both RPR and TPHA were reactive in 46% of cases and only TPHA reactive in 53.9% of cases. Out of 100 HIV non-reactive patients, 5% of patients are reactive for Syphilis.Conclusions: In the present study, prevalence of Syphilis was more in HIV patients compared to HIV non-reactive persons. Persons with HIV infection acquired through sexual route should be screened for Syphilis by one nonspecific test along with specific test to confirm the diagnosis. This will help in proper management of the patients having Syphilis and HIV co-infection

Culture experiments on the edible oyster Crassostera madrasensis in the Bheemunipatnam backwater

Studies on the possibilities of culture of edible oyster Crassostrea madrasensis in the Bheemunipatnam backwater were conducted during 1977-79. Spat collection experiments using different types, of spat collectors showed that empty oyster shells and close meshed plastic baskets were most efficient. Setting of spat on the spat collectors kept near the bottom was more than on those kept suspended off bottom. Spat fall was observed throughout the year with peaks in March and October. The oyster attained a size of about 8 cm during the first year. Low salinity during monsoon months appeared to retard growt

Studies on some aspects of biology and transplantation of the clam Meretrix casta (Chemnitz) in the Bheemunipatnam backwaters

Studies on the growth of Meretrix casta (Chemintz) showed that the clams in the natural bed grew at the rate of 3.6-3.9 mm per month while the speciemens kept in the cages showed growth rates of 0.9 mm and 0.77 mm per month respectively for on bottom and off bottom culture. The equation for length weight relation was found .The spawning period of M. casta was found to be between April-May. Dispersal of clam seed in virgin areas did not yield fruitful results as there was heavy mortality due to floods

Marine Fish Calendar. 8. Veraval

The coastline of Gujarat, spread around 1,660 km is well known for its bombay duck and pomfret fisheries. Veraval located in the Saurashtra region forms one of the major fish landing centres. The average annual landing is around 50,000 t, forming about 20% of the catch of the Gujarat State. The peak landing period is from October to January by the trawlers. In Veraval it is observed that due to poor handling and storage facilities about 40% of the catch goes as trash fish and is used for manure and fish meal purpose

Pelagic fishery resources of Lawson’s bay, Waltair

At Lawson's B;y, the gears employed are shoreseines, boatseines, hooks and lines, surface g!llnets and bottom-set nylon nets. During the period 1970 to 1974, the estimated total annual landings by all gears were 654. 8, 62?.0', 577.<)8, 542.4 and 637.3 tonnes, respectively. The ca'iches by hooks and lines alone accounted for 50-60% of the tot.l landings during the period. Seasonal abundance of fish showed correlations with hydrological and planktological conditions and the food avalable in environment. Far pelagic fi&hes, high catch rates were obtained during Novem'ber to May and to a lesser extent during July-September. Prawns were caught in greater proportions by gillnets than by boat seines, the former being employed during May-September period. The adverse effects arising out of the introduction of bottom-set gillnets in the fishery are discussed

Dynamics of vegetative morphomatrix, productivity and economics of NA 7 aonla (Emblica officinalis) in different planting systems under rainfed conditions

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different planting systems and densities on plant growth and their relation to yield and quality attributes of NA 7 aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn) during the years 2011-2013 under rainfed hot semi- arid ecosystem of western India. The present study contained 5 planting systems as treatments namely, square, hedgerow, double hedge row, cluster and paired system. Different planting systems significantly influenced the vegetative growth, yield and quality of fruits during both the years of experimentation. The highest plant height was noted in double hedgerow system (7.80 m) and the lowest in paired system (7.08 m). Consequently, the rootstock (59.82cm), scion girth (58.38 cm) and plant spread (6.99 cm) was measured maximum in square system of planting. However, these parameters were measured the lowest in double hedgerow followed by hedgerow and cluster planting systems. Result of study revealed that the mean yield/plant (110.24 kg) was recorded the highest in square but the yield/ha were recorded maximum in double hedgerow (225.90 q) followed by hedgerow (202.65 q) and cluster (170.37 q). During the experimentation, a considerable difference in yield over previous year was observed among the different planting systems. An increase in yield over square system by the rest of the system ranged between 83.8% - 132.39% being highest in double hedgerow and lowest in paired system, whereas per cent increase in yield in double hedgerow over other systems ranged between 26.44-132.39 being the maximum and minimum upon square and hedgerow systems of planting, respectively. There were significant differences amongst different planting system with regards to fruit physical and quality attributes. Among the different planting systems, the square system exhibited better values for physical qualities, whereas chemical attributes like TSS, total sugar, vitamin C and total phenols were observed maximum in double hedgerow planting system. The net economic return was computed with double hedgerow (₹192 270.00 and ₹ 243 035.00) followed by hedgerow (₹ 150 800.00 and ₹195 650) and it was minimum in square (₹ 83 950.00 and ₹ 107 605.00) system of planting

Stock assessment of threadfin breams (Nemipterus spp.) of India

The annual average estimated landing of threadfin bieami in India during 1980-83 was 22 247 tonnes which increased to 48100 tonnes during 1984-88;amaxinium of about 60 000 tonnes landed in 1986. Over 90% of threadfin bream catch in the coumiy was obtained by commercial trawlers. Among the maritime states of fodia, Kerala contributed maximum (52%) to the nemipterid landings, followed by Maharashtra (13.6%), Tamil Nadu and Pondicheny (11.2%), Kamataka andGoa (8.8%), Gujarat (7.8%), AndhraPradesh (S.S%) and Oristn (1.1%). Though a total of six nemipterid species contributed to the fishety in different states, only two species viz Nemipterus japoiucus and N. mesoprion contributed significantly; the fomier wu most abundant in Tamil Nadu - POndicheny, Kamataka - Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat and the latter in Andhra and Kerala. Periods of peak abundance were Januaiy-March in Andhra Pradesh, Kamataka-Goa, and Gujarat whereas Apiil-June in Maharashtra and July-September in Tamil Nadu - Pondicheny and Kerala. The parameters of growth and mortality were estimated. The results of stock assessment from each state show that though there is scope to increase the effort by 40%-100% to get MSY from the fishing grounds, the increase in yield will be marginal (1 %-12%). There is need to increase the cod end mesh size of uawl net (or length at first capture Lc) by 10-30% to get MSY. The maximimi possible yidd ofN. japonicus and N. mesoprion from the fishing grounds along east coast (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry) is around S 000 tonnes and along west coast between 43 000 tonnes and 46 000 tonnes. These are dose to the yidds in 1984-88. The problems in stock assessment and different options for management of fisheries are discussed