Performance of pearl millet under agri-horti system as influenced by sowing methods and integrated nutrient management in Vindhyan region of Uttar Pradesh, India

An experiment involving three sowing methods and four integrated nutrient management practices was undertaken at Rajeev Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University in factorial randomized complete block design with three replications. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of sowing methods and integrated nutrients management practices on performance of pearl millet under agri-horti system. The sowing methods and integrated nutrient management practices significantly (P=0.05) influenced performance of pearl millet. Adoption of ridge and furrow sowing method recorded higher growth [plant height (147.7 cm), dry weight (72.7 g), and number of tillers plant-1 (2.0)], yield attributes [effective tillers hill-1 (1.77), panicle length (17.9 cm), grains panicle-1 (1508.3), grains weight panicle-1 (13.9), and test weight (9.23 g)], yields [ grain yield (1412 kg ha-1 ), and stover yield (3972 kg ha-1 )], and economics [net returns (Rs. 36371 ha-1 ), and B:C ratio (1.79) than broadcasting and raised bed. Application of 50% recommended dose of fertilizer + 50% poultry manure resulted higher growth [plant height (151.9 cm), dry weight (79.7 g), and number of tillers plant-1 (2.22)], yield attributes[effective tillers hill-1 (2.0), panicle length (18.8 cm), grains panicle-1 (1615.6), grains weight panicle-1 (14.5), and test weight (9.76 g)], yields [ grain yield (1552 kg ha-1 ), and stover yield (4360 kg ha-1 )] and economics [net returns (Rs. 38227 ha-1 ), and B:C ratio (1.77) than remaining integrated nutrient management practices. The combination of ridge and furrow and 50% recommended dose of fertilizer + 50% poultry manure was adjudged to be better for pearl millet performance

Identification of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Markers in Endemic Yellow Catfish, Horabagrus brachysoma (Gunther 1864)

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was applied to individuals of Horabagrus brachysoma sampled from three geographic locations of Western Ghat river systems in India. Of the thirty-two 10-mer RAPD primers screened initially, ten were chosen and used in a comparative analysis of H. brachysoma collected from Chalakkudy, Meenachil and Nethravathi river systems. A total of 124 RAPD fragments were amplified, out of which 49 (39.51%) were found to be shared by individuals of all three river systems. The remaining 75 fragments were found to be polymorphic (60.48%). This confirms the suitability of RAPD markers for the study of population genetic structure in yellow catfish stocks

A record of anopthalmia in Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822) from Assam

An abnormal case of anopthalmia in a striped catfish Mystus tengara (66.8 mm in standard length) from Assam is reported in this communication. Thirty eight morphological characters of the abnormal specimen were also studied and compared with normal specimens to observe variation in the morpho-meristic traits, if any. In the abnormal specimen, the proportionate height of the dorsal fin (31.1 mm) and nasal barbel length (75.9 mm) was found to be higher compared to that of the normal specimens (21.6 – 26.5 mm and 47.9 – 72.5 mm, respectively). While the body depth of anus was higher in case of normal specimens (19.1 – 29.2 mm) compared to abnormal specimen (14.5 mm). However, no marked variation was observed in meristic characters. This anomaly does not seem to have affected morphological aspects. Factors like weed infestation, pesticide and herbicide application adversely affecting the habitat is believed to be the cause of such deformity. The abnormality does not seem to have affected the overall growth of the fish

Ornamental Fishes of the Western Ghats of India

India is blessed with a rich diversity of freshwater fishes both in the Western Ghats and North Eastern Hills. The Western Ghats of India is one of the 34 - biodiversity ‘hotspot’ areas of the world. The rate of endemism is well reflected in the case of lower vertebrates especially with regard to fishes. Of the 300 species of freshwater fishes in the Western Ghats, 155 are considered ornamental fishes, of which 117 are endemic to the Western Ghats (Gopalakrishnan & Ponniah, 2000). At present, only a small fraction of the endemic fish diversity is utilized in ornamental fish trade. All the ornamental fishes marketed in India are exotic. Eventhough there are quite a lot of indigenous fishes, having high potential as ornamental fishes, they have not been properly exploited. The fish fauna of the Western Ghats include variety of barbs, rasboras, killifishes, glassfishes, catfishes, catopra, hill trouts, and danios, which are ideal candidates for ornamental fish industry. They are exceptionally beautiful with a wide variety of bands, blotches, spots, and colourful fins on their body. In spite of the fact that the Western Ghats of India is a gold mine of endemic freshwater fishes suitable for the ornamental fish trade, no concerted efforts have so far been undertaken for the development of sustainable market for these resources. Lack of scientific information on these native aquatic fauna is the main reason for the poor performance of this sector

To study the outcome of previous one cesarean pregnancies in a rural tertiary center of Haryana, India

Background: Rising rates of caesarean section is a matter of great concern and TOLAC is an attractive alternative. Analysing outcome of previous one caesarean pregnancies will provide an insight for reducing the caesarean rates and formulating protocols and policies for TOLAC.Methods: A retrospective study of patients of previous one caesarean pregnancy was done from February 2015 to January 2016 and 3 groups were made, ERCS group, failed TOLAC group and successful TOLAC group. The rates of elective repeat caesarean, failed TOLAC, successful TOLAC, maternal complications, neonatal morbidity and mortality in all three groups were studied.Results: There were 5177 total deliveries with 488 (9.43%) previous one caesarean pregnancies. Out of 488 patients 161 (33%) underwent elective repeat caesarean and 327 (67%) underwent trial of labour. Out of 327 patients 234 (71.56%) had a successful TOLAC and 93 (28.44%) had failed TOLAC. Breech (23%) followed by foetal distress (20%) were the most common indications of previous caesarean. Commonest indication of elective repeat caesarean was short interval (33%) and that of failed TOLAC was foetal distress (38.7%) followed by failed induction (23.6%). There were 4 morbidly adherent placentas (0.82%), 1 scar rupture, 3 scar dehiscence, no maternal mortality and 10 neonatal deaths.Conclusions: Previous one caesarean section is not only a risk factor for repeat caesareans and complications like morbidly adherent placenta, uterine rupture but also a financial burden on health facilities. Encouraging the patients for trial of labour and emphasizing the usage of contraception is the need of the hour

Blue revolution in India: Status and future perspectives

Fisheries and aquaculture development in India witnessed impressive growth in recent years. The country is rich in aquatic genetic resources distributed from deep sea to the cold Himalayan rivers sharing about 10% of the global aquatic biodiversity. The capture fisheries production in the country has more or less stabilised but the growth in inland aquaculture has been tremendous during the past three decades

Development and characterization of two cell lines PDF and PDH from Puntius denisonii (Day 1865)

The Puntius denisonii colloquially and more popularly referred to as Miss Kerala is a subtropical fish belonging to the genus Puntius (Barb) and family Cyprinidae. Two cell lines PDF and PDH were developed from the caudal fin and heart of P. denisonii, respectively. The cell lines were optimally maintained at 26°C in Leibovitz-15 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. A diploid count of 50 chromosomes at passage 50 was observed in both the cell lines. The high growth potential of the cell lines was reflected from the cell doubling time of 28 and 30 h of PDF and PDH cell lines, respectively. The viability of the PDF and PDH cell lines was 70% and 76%, respectively, after 4 mo of storage in liquid nitrogen (−196°C). The origin of the cell lines was confirmed by the amplification of 653 bp fragments of cytochrome oxidase subunit I of mitochondrial DNA genes

Marine fisheries and biodiversity management in Maharashtra: Status, challenges and opportunities

Fisheries plays a pivotal role in the economy, food security, foreign exchange earnings and employment of the coastal population. Maharashtra is bestowed with a coastline of 720 km spread over 7 coastal districts, viz. Thane, Palghar, Mumbai city, Mumbai suburban, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg along the Arabian sea with rich marine fishery resources. There are 25 fishing zones in the seven districts with 173 fish landing centres. The total marine fish production from the state during 2018–19 was 4.6 MT valued at `6298 crores (DOF, Government of Maharashtra). The state offers huge potential for the sustainable utilization of the marine bioresources for fisheries, mariculture, coastal aquaculture and post -harvest development and exports. Maharashtra falls under the North- West coast which contributes the highest (32.8%) in the total catch during 2019–20. The major share is contributed by pelagic resources (39%), followed by crustaceans (31%), demersal comprising 22% and molluscs (7%). The prominent species/groupwise landings include non-penaeid shrimp (21%), penaeid shrimp (9%), Bombay duck and croakers (8.2%), Indian mackeral (6.9%), threadfin breams (5.9%), squids (5.1%), ribbon fishes (4.1%), golden anchovy (4%), horse mackerel (3.5%), cuttle fish (2.1%), silver pomfret (2.0%). The trawl fishing accounted for 55%, set bagnet (SBN/Dolnet) 23%, purse seines (15%) and gillnet (7%) (CMFRI Annual Report 2019)

Mitochondrial DNA (Cytochrome c oxidase I) sequencing of Indian marine mussels

Two species of marine mussels, the green mussel Perna viridis (Linnaeus, 1758) and the brown mussel Perna indica (Kuriakose and Nair, 1976) are found along the Indian coast. It had been suggested that P. indica, which occurs only along the Indian coast, is a synonym of the globally distributed Perna perna. Along the south-west coast of India, where both P. viridis and P. indica co-exist, a third type referred to as parrot mussel, which has shell shape of brown mussel and color of green mussel (suspected to be their hybrid/morphotype) also occurs. The present investigation is a preliminary attempt for resolving the taxonomic ambiguity among Indian marine mussel species using the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene. P. indica revealed 95% sequence similarity to P. perna. The sequence divergence between P. indica and parrot mussel was negligibly low (< 2%). Green mussel P. viridis showed 20.87% of sequence divergence with brown mussel P. indica as well as with the parrot mussel

Development and characterization of a fibroblastic-like cell line from caudal fin of the red-line torpedo, Puntius denisonii (Day) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

A fibroblastic-like cell line was established from the ornamental ¢sh, red-line torpedo (Puntius denisonii). The red-line torpedo fin (RTF) cell line is being maintained in Leibovitz’s L-15 mediumsupplementedwith 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for over 1year at 28 1C on a continuous basis in normal atmosphere. The growth rate of RTF cells increased as the FBS proportion increased from 5% to 20% at 28 1C with optimum growth at the concentrations of 10% FBS. The morphology of RTF cell was predominantly fibroblastic like. Propagation of these cell lines was serum dependent, with a low plating efficiency (o15%). Karyotyping analysis of RTF cells at the 25th passage indicated that the modal chromosome number was 2n550. The cell line was cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen at �196 1C and could be recovered from storage after 6 months with good cell viability. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment of two mitochondrial genes, 16S rRNA and CO1, con¢rmed the identity of these cell lines with those reported from this animal species, confirming that the cell lines originated from P. denisonii. The bacterial extracellular products from Vibrio cholerae MTCC3904 and Aeromonas hydrophila were found to be toxic to RTF. The cell lines were not susceptible to viral nervous necrosis virus, a marine ¢sh virus