eBook Chapters

13.1 Introduction

Eutrophication, means an increase in chemical nutrients — typically compounds containing nitrogen and phosphorus in an ecosystem. It may occur on land or in water. The term is however often used to mean the resultant increase in the ecosystem’s primary productivity (Fig. 13.1), in other words excessive plant growth and decay and even further impacts, including lack of oxygen and severe reductions in water quality and in fish and other animal populations.

1. Multiple Choice Questions

Introduction

Structural changes in host cells by the viral infection is referred as cytopathic effect (CPE) and the responsible virus is called cytopathogenic virus. As a virus hijacks a cell to make copies of itself, the cell goes through distinct changes in its chemistry and structure. These effects are easiest to see in lab grown cell cultures. The severity of the damage caused by the virus depends on the specific virus itself, the type of cell it infects, how many viruses infect each cell (MOI), and other factors.

The early stages of this damage, called cytopathic effects (CPE), can be spotted directly under a microscope without any dyes or special treatments. While various types of CPE exist in living cells, some signs of viral infection, like inclusion bodies, require staining the cells to be visible. We can classify viruses based on how quickly they cause visible damage (cytopathic effect) in cell cultures. Viruses are typically considered slow if it takes 4-5 days to see this effect in cultures with a low starting dose of virus (MOI). On the other hand, viruses are considered fast if the damage shows up in just 1-2 days under the same conditions. It is important to note that at a high MOI all CPE can occur rapidly. So all decisions about rate of CPE appearance should be based on the lowest MOI that produces CPE

Summary

Human activities involving rapid industrialization and urbanization without concomitant environmental planning have resulted in a situation where substantial parts of our land and water resources have been polluted with organic and inorganic toxicants.  Environmental engineering principles have been utilized to detoxify polluted areas; however, the efforts, adopting predominantly physico-chemical methods, have addressed the issue to a restricted extent, focusing on solutions for specific categories of pollutants and applicable for limited areas, in addition to being expensive. Hence cost-effective sustainable alternatives in the form of bioremediation (involving microorganisms) and phytoremediation (involving plants alone or along with associated rhizospheric microorganisms) are gaining public acceptance. Considerable scientific evidence has proved that many plant species can detoxify the pollutants utilizing various mechanisms. In this background, in vitro plant cultures have served as invaluable tools in identifying appropriate plant species for phytoremediation. Better understanding of the complex interactions underlying phytoremediation has been facilitated using in vitro cultures where the only variable is the pollutant, in contrast to field experiments where there are many confounding variables. While straightforward extrapolation of in vitro data can be erroneous, these systems provide the basic framework for translating laboratory-scale experiments to field-scale technologies.

Summary

The soil is the basis of agriculture as the productivity of the farm enterprise is strongly linked to the fertility status of the soil. The soil acts as a reservoir for the essential nutrients that crops need for growth. When these nutrients are in sufficient quantities and balance, agricultural productivity is greatly enhanced. On the other hand if the nutrients are in short supply and imbalanced, crop growth is hampered. When crops grow and produce harvest, they remove nutrients from the soil. These nutrients are exported when the grains or edible parts are eaten and the stover removed. Consequently with time, a soil that is considered fertility will also lose its fertility if no nutrients are added periodically. It is important to assess the fertility status of the soil before planting and all necessary ameliorations effected in time to ensure a good harvest. Various methods exist for evaluating soil fertility. The best indicator of a fertile soil is good growth of crops growing on it.

Evaluating the Evaluation

To present clarity, representation of components of program, stake holders, senility, needs of target group, sample, data, technical adequacy, data collection methods cost, recommendation the steps have been described below as per syllabus contents prescribed by ICAR.

Evaluating the Evaluation

This practical assignment is dealt with background and nature of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme MGNREGP works and students will gain first-hand information and will evaluate this programme in this assignment.

PURPOSE

To acquaint students with the first-hand knowledge about the work carried out in MGNREGP and how it progress.

To know the socio-economic background of the MGNREGP workers and nature of economic activities available in the villages under MGNREGP.

Levitical Law of Old Testament initially authorized meat animals for food of man who had to part the hoof and chew the cud. So man started eating the animals and their edible parts of animals who consume grass and other arable crops.  Examples were cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pigs, horses, deer, reindeer, yak, camel etc. Now poultry have become major meat producing species while rabbit, guinea pigs, various game animals and birds provides substantial meat. Advancement of knowledge on quality and safety enforced the man to evaluate and grade the live animals and carcasses for values decision in marketing.

Rice is the longest continuously grown cereal crop in the world and according to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) it is “one of the most important developments in history” (Forssell, 2008). India has to produce 114 million tons of rice by the year 2030 to meet the food grain requirement of burgeoning population. In state Bihar, Kharif is the predominant season with rice cultivated in 3.2 m ha. On the other hand the rice is cultivated in about 1 lakh ha during Rabi season (Anonymous, 2014). The process-based dynamic simulation crop models based on soil, crop and weather factors could be effective research tools for planning alternative strategies for crop management, land use and water management and also a useful tool for planning and developing technological interventions in diverse areas like India (Aggarwal and Kalra, 1994).

Introduction to Evaluation in Strategic Management Process

Strategic management is the process of formulating and implementing strategies to achieve an organization's goals and objectives. It entails making decisions and taking actions that align the organization with both its external environment and internal capabilities. Evaluation is a crucial component of the strategic management process as it helps assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the strategies implemented. It involves the systematic and objective assessment of various aspects of the organization's performance, including its strategy, resources, operations, and outcomes. The primary purpose of evaluation in strategic management is to determine whether the strategies are yielding the desired results and to identify areas for improvement. It offers valuable insights into the organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, enabling informed decision-making and adjustments to strategies as necessary.

In the modern industrialized world, cancer has become the most feared of all diseases. Cancer has gained considerable relevance in animals now-a-days owing to the increased awareness among people towards animal sufferings and pain. The diagnosis and management of neoplasm, therefore, represent the major challenges faced by a veterinary oncologist. With the emergence of multitude of interdisciplinary and subspecialty fields of cancer science like tumour biology, cancer chemotherapeutics, immuno-pathology etc, different managemental modalities like excisional surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy have evolved. These therapies either alone or in combination make all neoplasm patients to have an improved quality and quantity of life if not always cures. The quality of life of the animal should always be prioritized.

1. Introduction

Medicinal plants are the most important source of life saving drugs for the majority of the World’s population. Plants have been an important source of medicine for thousands of years. Diabetes is one of the major degenerative diseases in the world today. It is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. About 70 - 80% of deaths in diabetic patients are due to vascular disease. Diabetes mellitus is also associated with hyperlipidaemia with profound alteration in the concentration and composition of lipid (Odetola et al., 2006). Changes in the concentration of lipid with diabetes contribute to the development of vascular disease. Excessive levels of blood cholesterol accelerate atherogenesis and lowering high blood cholesterol reduces the incidence of CHD Grundy (1986). One of the risk factors for coronary heart disease is elevated Total Cholesterol (TC), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) and Lower High Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (HDL-C) (Hu et al., 2001; Schaefer, 2002; Moreno and Mitjavalia, 2003; Jain et al., 2007). In particular, hyperglycemia, the primary clinical manifestation of diabetes, is thought to contribute to diabetic complications by altering vascular cellular metabolism, vascular matrix molecules and circulating lipoproteins (Inoguchi et al., 1994).

1. Introduction

India throughout its long history has accumulated a prosperous practical acquaintance of the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases. Chemical studies on Indian medicinal plants make available a priceless material foundation for the discovery and development of new drugs of natural origin. Contrary to the synthetic drugs, antimicrobials of plant origin are not associated with many side effects and have an enormous therapeutic potential to cure many infectious diseases (Bibitha et al., 2002; Maghrani et al., 2005; Doughari, 2006). Plants are used as a medicine in different countries and are a source of many potent and powerful drugs (Kambizi and Afolayan, 2008). Extraction and characterization of several active compounds from these green factories have given birth to some high activity profile drugs (Mandel et al., 2007). Phyllanthus is a medicinally important genus belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. A number of plants of this family are observed to be beneficial for the treatment of liver ailments. Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. is a large climbing shrub growing from 8-10 feet in height. It is used in the traditional medicinal system of our country for treatment of a variety of ailments including small pox, syphilis, asthma, diarrhoea, and bleeding from gums (Kirtikar and Basu, 2003;

1. Introduction 

Medicinal plants are a basis of huge economic value all over the world. The use of plants and plant products as remedies could be sketched as far back as the beginning of human civilization. The most primitive medicinal use of plants in Hindu culture is mentioned in “Rigveda”, which is believed to have been written between 4500 - 1600 B.C. and is theoretical to be the oldest arsenal of human knowledge (Dhale and Mogle, 2011). Ayurveda is the base of curative science of Hindu culture, in its eight dissection deals with specific properties of drugs and different aspects of science of life and the art of healing (Rastogi and Mehrotra, 2002). Nature has presented on us an affluent botanical wealth and a large number of varied types of plants nurture in different parts of the country. Herbal medicine is still the basis of about 75 - 80% of the whole population. The major part of traditional therapy occupies the use of plant extract and their active components (Akerele, 1993). Secondary metabolites are green medicines present in plants and plant parts that act as defense system against disease inducing organisms or more accurately to protect against disease due to the physiological and biochemical mechanism failure (Alarcon-Aguilar et al., 2002).

1. Introduction
 
Keratinophilic fungi are the natural colonizers of keratinic substances like hair, nail, fur, feathers, hooves, claws, beaks, scales etc. Cattle sheds, garbage, animal burrows, sewage, birds nest, feather and hair dumping sites, poultry farms, public places like parks, schools, market place etc., are the common habitats of these fungi (Ali-Shtayeh and Rana, 2000). They utilize keratin as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen and produce an extracellular enzyme keratinase.

Keratinophilic fungi have been receiving considerable attention in recent days as these include dermatophytes which are potential pathogens causing various diseases in skin and scalp (Weitzman and Summerbell, 1995). Human exposure to these fungi is a matter of health risk. Several non-pathogenic fungi are now being reported as opportunistic pathogen and their occurrence in various environments, where they are naturally occurring is not directly investigated. Although several antifungal drugs are available in the market, its use is being limited due to a number of reasons such as low potency, poor solubility, development of resistant strains and drug toxicity. Hence there is an essential need to evaluate plant extracts scientifically for their medicinal properties to discover more safer and effective antifungal agents.

1. Introduction

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a collective term used for oxygen containing free radicals, depending on their reactivity and oxidizing ability. They participate in a variety of chemical reactions with biomolecule (Kunwar et al.,2011).These free radicals include superoxide anions (O2-), hydroxyl (OH-), peroxyl (ROO), peroxynitrite (ONOO) and nitric oxide (NO) radicals; produced through oxidative process within the body. They can damage both the structure and function of a cell membrane in a chain reaction leading to degenerative disease conditions such as alzheimer, ageing process, cataracts, acute liver toxicity, cardiovascular disease, arteriosclerosis, nephritis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatism, inflammation process and DNA damage that can lead to carcinogenesis (Ghosh et al., 2011).

An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting or preventing the oxidation of molecules. Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damaging effects of oxygen radicals, highly reactive chemicals that play a part in atherosclerosis, some forms of cancer and reperfusion injuries. Medicinal plants are an important source of antioxidants. The secondary metabolites like phenolics and flavonoids from plants have been reported to be potent free radical scavengers. They are found in all parts of plants such as leaves, fruits, seeds, roots and bark (Chanda and Dave, 2009).

Abstract

In order to solve the problems of irregular bearing, lower yields and less colour development in apple, plants of different improved spur types and standard cultivars of delicious and other cultivars on EMLA 111 rootstock were imported from USA. Plants of different cultivars namely, Real Mecoy Red Delicious, Red Chief, Oregon Spur II, Criterion and Mutsu on EMLA 111 rootstock were planted at a distance of 15’x12’ with a density of 598 plants per hectare, in RBD design with 6 replications during 1989-90 at progeny cum demonstration orchard (PCDO) Anu (Jubbal). The observations were recorded during 1999-2002.

Abstract

The paper presents an approach of selecting suitable areas for artificial groundwater recharge structures through remote sensing and integrated terrain analysis by statistical method. The study area “Ayyar basin” is an aquifer system of gneisses and charnockite litho-units in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu. The area has witnessed a steady decline in groundwater table. Hence, the scope for artificial groundwater recharge was studied in this area with the help of Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCS&T).

• To identity the normal fertile, infertile (Temporary loss of fertility), subfertile (reduced fertility), or sterile (no fertility) male animals makes the requirement of breeding soundness evaluation necessary. Infertile and sterile animals prove to be harmful for the economic survival of the dairy industry and should be eliminated from the breeding management system. • The breeding soundness examination is very necessary for the breeding management system as the ultimate goal is the achievement of healthy pregnancies. It is also useful for successful artificial insemination (AI) programs that involve the collection and cryo-processing of quality semen.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in both humans and canines. Mammary tumours are most common tumours in canines next to skin tumours. These are common in intact female pertaining to its relation to imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. This study is carried out on 18 client-owned dogs presented to the Institute referral veterinary polyclinics with the history of spontaneous mammary tumours. The animals are randomly divided into three groups viz., groups I, II and III each consisting of six animals.

Bone grafting is important in the treatment of non-unions, delayed unions, joint arthrodesis, and filling of bone cavities and the replacement of bone lost due to cyst, trauma or tumours. An ideal bone graft or substitutes should be a material that is biologically inert or bioadaptable, a source of osteogenesis, having osteoconductive property, act as a mechanical support, readily available, easily adaptable to the site in term of shape and size and replaceable by the host bone. The beneficial effect upon osteogenesis of impregnating allograft bone with autogenous red marrow or autogenous citrated plasma has been the subject of current research. It is claimed that autogenous fresh bone marrow and citrated plasma are two useful contributors for osteogenesis. Biodegradable and bioadaptable ceramics like ALCAP (Aluminum-calcium-phosphorus oxide) seem to be the most promising biomaterials for correcting bone defects, since these ceramics encourage self-replacement by endogenous bone. However, use of bone grafts and ceramics with autogenous bone marrow or citrated plasma has not been investigated so far. This chapter is undertaken to evaluate bone marrow and plasma impregnated bone allografts and ceramic implants in fracture healing in goats.

Study protocol & grouping

Eighteen, locally available nondescript male/female goats of 12-14 months of age are selected on the basis of their clinical status and are kept under observation for a period of one month before start of experiment. The animals are housed in their shed and are allowed to graze in the surrounding pasture. They are kept on standard feed and fodder throughout the experiment. The animals are randomly divided into six groups consisting of three animals each. Two trials of a similar experiment are performed in each goat. A total of 36 trials are conducted to evaluate different bone grafts and ceramic implants (six trials for each group with three animals each): Group A, frozen decalcified allogenic bone grafts; Group B, frozen decalcified allograft impregnated with autogenous bone marrow (composite bone graft); Group C, frozen decalcified allograft impregnated with autogenous citrated plasma (composite bone graft); Group D, ALCAP ceramics; Group E, ALCAP ceramics impregnated with autogenous bone marrow; Group F, ALCAP ceramics impregnated with autogenous citrated plasma.

Cancer cryosurgery began in England during 1850s, when James Arnott used local application of salt solutions containing crushed ice to treat advanced cancers in accessible sites, such as breast and the uterine cervix. Since then, landmark advances in chemistry, physics, material science, and biology have culminated in the sophisticated cryosurgical devices currently in use.
 
Cryosurgery is defined as a method that uses the local application of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue, with the possibility of the maintenance of normal adjacent tissue. Normal tissue can be maintained because the extension of the ice ball can be controlled. Tissue temperature should reach -20^o C or below. Attempts should be taken to kill all tissues in the target with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. There is a variable response of tissues to cryotherapy based on density, vascularity and the water content of the tissue, temperature and size of the cryoprobe, spray rate, rate of freeze, rate of thaw and number of freeze and thaw cycles. It is ideal to have quick freeze and slow thaw for maximum benefit. The extent of freezing should be closely monitored, with either temperature monitoring probes or by visual inspection and palpation of frozen area and this is more advantageous in case of relatively small lesions.

15.1 Introduction

In addition to serving as a means of reproduction, avian eggs are a staple meal in the diet of humans and include a natural balance of all the required components. However, eggs must overcome a few drawbacks in the current food market in order to compete for sales with an expanding number of other items. For instance, eggs are a delicate commodity that age-related quality reduction. Additionally, the intrinsic variability of the egg’s three primary parts—the shell, albumen, and yolk—does not meet the demands of contemporary customers for consistency. The successful sale of eggs depends on planned production techniques and effective quality control processes, both of which contribute to decrease this fluctuation.

Introduction

Cherry (PrunusaviumL.) is considered as one of the most important temperate deciduous fruit and is the season’s first tree fruit to reach the market. Cherries are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals and have more calories than apple. Most of the present day cherry cultivars are of European origin. The annual world production as of 2012-13 of cultivated cherry fruit is about 2.5 million tonnes. Around 40 per cent of the world production originates from Europe and 13 per cent in the United States. The other important global players during 2012-13 were Turkey (4,80,740 MT), United States (3, 84,646 MT), Iran (200,000 MT) and Italy (1, 04,766 MT) (FAO, 2012). Important sweet cherry cultivars include Bing, Brooks, Tulare, King, Sweetheart, Rainier etc.

The impetus for the development of aquaculture extends beyond food production. Aquaculture can help to diversify rural employment opportunities, reduce trade deficits, reduce pressure on living marine resources and rebuild depleted wild stocks (FAO, 2000b). The rapid development of coastal aquaculture, however, is now an area of critical international concern owing to the immense role it plays in transforming coastal landscapes and livelihoods. With the advent of new technology and rising global demand for fish and fish products, the basic character of aquaculture in coastal communities is changing dramatically. Traditional, low production forms of aqua-culture catering to local households are being supplanted by modern, resource intensive high production systems that cater to international markets. This restructuring has generated widespread concern over the contribution of aquaculture to the degradation of coastal ecosystems and the social and economic costs that are being passed on to the rural poor leading to growing inequality (Lakshmi and Rajagopalan, 2000).

There is large-scale conversion of wetlands including mangroves for other uses despite their valuable functioning, products and attributes. Normal market forces always favour the conversion of mangroves (and other wetlands) to other uses and ; many alternative uses of natural mangroves in tropical and sub-tropical coastal areas have produced disappointing economic results due to low and declining productivity (eg. abandoned shrimp ponds due to unscientific shrimp farming in formerly mangrove areas) (Dixon and Lal, 1997).

The large-scale destruction of mangroves for shrimp ponds has adversely affected the productivity of nearby fisheries and consequently the economic conditions of traditional fishermen households. The conversion of mangrove forest into shrimp ponds in the coastal areas in Asia including India is nothing but redistribution of income from poor fishermen to rich investors, mostly non-fishermen marine product industrialists and merchants. (Maler, 1998). The destruction of mangrove forests in India, China, Thailand and other Asian countries is synonymous with the destruction of fishing grounds of the traditional fishermen leading to their occupational displacement.

A. Answer the following questions

1.    What isdigestibility?

Ans: The portion of a feed or any single nutrient of feed which is not recovered in faeces i.e the portion which has been absorbed by the animal is called digestibility.

2.    Whatis digestibilitycoefficient?

Ans: When the digestibility is expressed in % then it is called digestibilitycoefficient.

3.    Why digestibility of ash is not calculated?

Ans: Digestibilityfor ashisnot calculatedsince mostof the minerals are re-excreted in the gut and it does not contribute to the energy content of food.

4.    Why digestibility of carbohydrate is overestimated?

Ans: This is because there are losses of ingested carbohydrate as methane and carbon dioxide. But these losses are not counted.

5.    Why digestibility of crude protein is underestimated?

A. Answer the following question

1.    What is Gross Energy?

Ans: Gross energyistheamount of heat givenoffwhen a substance is completelyburntor oxidizedtooxidationproducts like carbon dioxide,waterandothergases ina bombcalorimeter containing 25-30 atmospheric oxygen psi.

2.    What is BTU?

Ans: It istheamount of energyas heat required toraise temperature of 1 pound of water by 10F

3.    What is Heat Increment (HI)?

Ans: The increase in heat production after the ingestion of feed when the animal is in a thermoneutral environment is known as heat increment.

4.    Why digestible energy (DE) is called apparent DE?

Ans: It is calledapparent because thefaecalenergyincludes energy of undigested feed; microbial cell residues spent digestive enzymes and abraded intestinal mucosa (FEm).

5.    WhyME values are higher in non-ruminants than ruminants?

A. Answer the following question

1.    Writethe two assumptions whicharetaken into consideration during CP estimation of any feedstuff?

Ans: In the feed, a) all N is present as protein and b) All food protein contains 16%nitrogen.

2.    What is protein equivalent?

Ans: It is the arithmetic mean of the percentage of DCP and DTP (digestible true protein).

The potential value of any feed for supplying a particular nutrient can be determined by chemical analysis but the actual value of the feed to the animal can arrived at only after making allowances for inevitable losses that occur during digestion, absorption and metabolism. The first tax imposed on feed is that represented by the part of it which is not absorbed and excreted in the feces.

1. INTRODUCTION

Food is constantly being rated for its quality either consciously or subconsciously by all people. Consumers choose food on the basis of its quality and their individual likes or dislikes. The attractiveness of food is clearly a quality which is important both to the manufacturer and to the consumer. When consumers make a selection they basically look for food that is attractive in terms of colour, flavour and texture apart from other psychological and social factors, which they may associate with food. The nutritional quality, shelf-life/keeping quality and cost factor are other criteria which may affect their selection.

The distinctive and attractive colour of food is not only pleasing but is also an indicator of good quality and freshness. The senses of taste and odour help us in detecting and appreciating different flavours and deciding on whether we like the food. The feel and texture of food entering the mouth should be firm, juicy, crisp and are extremely important characteristics that dictate the acceptance of a food. Today’s consumers are discerning, demanding, and more knowledgeable about food. They expect safe products having good value and high sensory quality. Therefore, knowing consumer’s preferences and perceptions of the sensory characteristics of food and beverage products is vital to food manufacturers. Without appropriate evaluation, there is a high risk of market failure.

There is no rapid direct test to determine fertility of semen sample. During freezing and thawing of semen, 20-80% of the spermatozoa become immotile or dies. In addition to this, there may be damage to spermatozoa by disintegration of sperm cell membrane and acrosome leading to loss of intracellular enzymes. The only reliable method to evaluate the semen is to inseminate a cow and get a calf at the end of gestation period. Now-a-days new methods have been developed for in-vitro assessment of fertility of spermatozoa. Some of these methods are exhaustive, time consuming, need for a full-fledged analysis and difficult under field conditions.

1. INTRODUCTION

During fermentation, the fruit wines have to be monitored for different parameters to know the progress of fermentation and to control the quality of the finished products. It is essential to maintain the quality of the products, for which it is necessary to keep a complete record of wine fermentation. One such form is the fermentation control record or fermentation logbook, which is kept to monitor and record fermentation progress. It includes the name of fruit, variety, original characteristics of juice/pulp, amelioration, tank number, inoculum type and quantities, sampling time, date of start of fermentation and completion. It should also have daily record of temperature of fermentation, total soluble solid or ^oBrix reading, titrable acidity and volatile acidity, racking time/date and other comments on the fermentation. Fermentation control records should be completed and all new wines be entered in the bulk wine book inventory, the annual supplemental records can be kept in a file entitled, for example ‘Vintage season 2018’.

ABSTRACT

An In vitro study was conducted to evaluate the fungicidal efficiency of four selected fungal antagonists against leaf spot pathogens of ivy gourd by dual culture method. The antagonists evaluated were Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Aspergillus niger and Chaetomium globosum. The major leaf spot pathogens of ivy gourd used for the study were Cercospora cocciniae, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Alternaria alternata, causing severe infection on the foliage. Among the four antagonists tested, T. viride and T. harzianum were found to be the most effective recording the highest AI value of 1500 against all the three pathogens followed by A. niger. C. globosum was least inhibitory on C. gloeosporioides and A. alternata, but was effective against C. cocciniae. A complete overgrowth of the antagonists on all these pathogens were observed in the case of T. viride, T. harzianum and A.niger. C. globosum showed aversion to the hyphal growth of C. gloeosporioides and A. alternata, whereas in C. cocciniae, a homogenous growth was observed.

Abstract

Spot blotch of wheat is devastating disease as one of the yield limiting factor especially in north eastern plains zone and also in north western plains zone of India. Chemical fungicides play an important role in controlling the spot blotch in India due to non availability of spot blotch resistant commercial varieties. To identify the suitable chemicals method and time of application, various fungicides thiram 37.5% WP, carboxin 37.5% WP +, propiconazole 25% EC, tebuconazole 25% EC and mancozeb 75% WP) were evaluated either as seed treatment or foliar sprays or in combination under artificial epiphytotic in vivo conditions for two crop seasons. Seed treatment (ST) by thiram + carboxin @ 2.5 g/kg of seed along with Foliar spray (FS) of propiconazole @ 0.1% at boot leaf stage on Flag-1 leaf followed by second spray at 20 days interval (two sprays) resulted in best management of spot blotch in severe conditions. It was found that the fungicide treatment not only reduced the spot blotch disease but also increases the grain yield.

Burn wounds are considered to be one of the most devastating kinds of trauma that affect the physical, physiological and psychological well being of an individual. Based on the depth of the affected area, burn wound is divided into three categories: first degree (superficial), second degree (partial) and third degree (full thickness). Extensive and deep burns result in scar formation and subsequent deformation of the affected part. Healing of burn wound involves several interrelated and overlapping stages such as inflammatory, proliferative and remodeling phases. The interaction of a variety of mediators, cells and extracellular matrix proteins are involved in this three phases of healing.

Burn wound therapy has been performed in various ways such as bioengineered skin grafts and administration of growth factors. Small intestinal sub-mucosa (SIS) is a resorbable xenogenic bioscaffold that has induced constructive remodeling in variety of animal models. It is unique from other acellular matrices as it contains few growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF) that play a role in the regenerative process. Chitosan is currently proposed to be one of the most promising polymers in wound dressing development and it accelerates wound healing. Epidermal growth factor is known to stimulate growth of keratinocytes in vitro, thus it might be expected to promote wound healing.

In this chapter efficacy of Chitosan and porcine acellular small intestinal sub-mucosal (SIS) matrix seeded with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and recombinant murine epidermal growth factor (m-EGF) on healing of full thickness burn wound in rat model is described.

India is bestowed with an enormous wealth of medicinal plants and has a rich heritage of treating human and animal ailments by using herbal medicines. However, there is need for a systemic, scientific approach to validate the authenticity of claims on plant-based medicaments. This approach has paid rich dividends in developing cheaper, safer, effective and eco-friendly remedies, which recently has gained worldwide attention. Cissus quadrangularis, Linn (Syn. Vitis quadrangularis, Wall; Heliotropium indicum, Linn) is a tender climber with fleshy quadrangular stems and grows in the hotter parts of Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka and East Africa. In Hindi it is known as hardjore; in English as adamant creeper, bonesetter; in Ceylon as hiressa; in China as di xanh voung; in Burma as shazam-lese and in Bangladesh as harbhanga. Considering the advantage of herbal medicines, it is planned in this chapter to investigate the efficacy of Cissus quadrangularis, Linn, in one of the most commonly encountered problem of fractures in small animals.

Dried ethanolic extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQ) is obtained from 500g of dried finely powered stems using soxhlet apparatus. It is dissolved in a vanishing base to make a semi-solid paste for local application. For parental use, this extract is reconstituted with distilled water (100 mg/ml) and filtered.

Twelve clinically healthy mongrel adult dogs aged 2-3 years and weighing 10-15 kg is randomly divided into two equal groups (A and B). In all animals operative site is prepared for aseptic surgery. Premedication is done with atropine sulphate @ 0.06 mg/ kg body weight subcutaneously and anaesthesia is achieved with a combination of Xylazine hydrochloride @ 1 mg/kg body wt. and Ketamine hydrochloride @ 10 mg/kg body wt. intravenously. Unilateral comminuted diaphyseal femoral osteotomy is created under general anaesthesia and the bone defect is immobilized with neutralization bone plating (AO/ASIF technique). All the animals are administered 5 mg/kg b wt Enrofloxacin intramuscularly for 5 d and 1 mg/ kg b wt Diclofenac sodium injection intramuscularly for 5 d postoperatively. Skin sutures are removed after 10 days. In the animals of group B, in addition to the postoperative treatment, the ethanolic extract of the herb, Cissus quadrangularis is applied on the skin twice daily along with subcutaneous injection (50 mg/ kg body wt.) on every alternate day for 20 d postoperatively.

Tumours of mammary gland are the most common tumours of female dog representing approximately 30-50% of all tumours in bitch. Chemotherapy is a kind of treatment that uses drugs to attack cancer cells. The importance of chemotherapy has been emphasized that survival could be prolonged after chemotherapy in cancer patients.

Considering immunosuppressive nature of mammary tumours, the use of immunotherapy to prevent cyto-toxicity of cancer drugs, further metastasis and prolong survival period in canines. “ImmuPlus” (Indian Herbs) is a type of polyherbal ayurvedic product containing extracts of Ocimum sanctum, Withania somnifera, Emblica officinale and Tinospora cordifolia.

The cornea is the anterior transparent part of the fibrous tunic of the globe which has both mechanical and optical function. It functions to support the intraocular contents and transmit and refract light. Histologically, the cornea is composed of an outer stratified squamous corneal epithelium and its basement membrane, an underlying collagenous stroma, a thin acellular membrane, and an inner monolayer of cells, the corneal endothelium. In dogs, the central cornea is thinner than the peripheral cornea, whereas regional differences in thickness may not exist in cats. The active pumping mechanism of corneal endothelium and the barrier function of anterior epithelium keep the cornea in a state of relative dehydration. Compromise of either of these mechanisms will allow corneal edema to develop, with a concomitant increase in corneal thickness. Corneal ulceration is one of the most common ophthalmic disorders in veterinary medicine. Corneal ulcers are classified based on depth and ease of healing. There are several phases during the corneal epithelial wound healing process, including a lag phase where cells alter their metabolic status; a migration phase to cover the bare surface; a proliferation phase and a differentiation phase, where cells stratify and re-establish multiple layers of distinct cells. Methods of surgical treatment for canine corneal ulcers include temporary tarsorrhaphy, third eyelid flap, conjunctival pedicle graft, tissue adhesive, corneo-scleral graft and transplantation of natural or synthetic material.

The liver is an organ that plays a central role in maintaining metabolic homeostasis, in its functions of metabolism, synthesis and storage of nutrients. The cells in the liver are parenchyma cells and non- parenchyma cells. The former include hepatocytes (80% of the cell population) and the later includes endothelial cells, Kupffer cells, lymphocytes and stellate cells. Liver dysfunction or failures are having different etiologies. Liver cancer has the fifth highest cancer incidence in the world, and is the third highest cause of cancer related deaths, with resection of the liver remaining the only curative option.

Following liver injury, the repair process involves two distinct phases: a regenerative phase, in which injured liver cells are replaced with regenerated hepatocytes; and a phase known as fibroplasia or fibrosis, in which connective tissue replace normal parenchyma tissue. The process even though initially beneficial becomes pathogenic when it is not controlled appropriately. Extensive accumulation of extra-cellular matrix (ECM) components ultimately leads to cirrhosis and liver failure. Thus, the ideal strategy to treat liver injury is to generate new hepatocytes replacing damaged cells without causing excessive ECM deposition.

Tumours of mammary gland are the second most common tumours of female dog representing approximately 30-50% of all tumours. Chemotherapy is a kind of treatment that uses drugs to attack cancer cells. The importance of chemotherapy has been emphasized and reported that survival could be prolonged after chemotherapy in cancer patients. Clinical trials of the combination of selective COX-2 inhibitors with chemotherapy in patients with a number of cancers have been initiated and preliminary results are encouraging. The introduction of immunohistochemistry and newer techniques like nucleolar organizer region (NOR) staining have improved the objective of diagnosis of cancer. Silver stained nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) count is considered to be valuable prognostic marker for canine malignant lymphomas and other canine tumour. This study is designed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutic agent-Methotrexate with or without COX-2 inhibitors-Meloxicam and also to study the potential clinical application of nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) as prognostic indication in canine mammary tumours.

Introduction

Nutritive value of any food indicates the calories content as well as quality attributes. Macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins provide energy by4-9-4 rule. It meanstheyprovide 4,9 and 4 kcal/genergy, respectively, when oxidized completely. Though micronutrientssuch as vitaminsandminerals do not provide any calories, they are essential for the enzymatic activity and metabolic reactions.

ATP or energy is measured in terms of ‘calories’ or ‘joule’. One calorie is the amount of heat required by 1g of water to increase its temperature from 14.5 to 15.5°C under standard conditions. Nutritive value of any food can be measured on shelf usingcalorimeter, in which food is completelyoxidized under specified conditions and converted into CO₂ and water.

Abstract

Open pollinated seedlings of chrysanthemum offer opportunity of large variations for different attributes, such as seed setting, growth and flowering parameters. The desirable seedlings selected from the germplasm collection of Department revealed that only few cultivars set seeds under Solan, Nauni condition  of Himachal Pradesh. Out of 1368 seedlings raised of different seed setting cultivars, 111 were found promising for various attributes concerning to uses of chrysanthemum.

Abstract

The knowledge of engineering (physical) properties constitutes important and essential data in the design of machines, storage structures and processes. The present investigation was carried out determine the physical parameter (diameters, mass, volume, density, sphericity, angle of repose etc.) of varieties KPS 10. The moisture content in green pea (KPS 10) was observed 411.77% (db). The average values of dimensional and geometrical parameter like length (D₁), width (D₂), height (D₃), AMD, GMD and SMD were found 9.517mm, 9.343 mm, 7.707 mm, 8.856 mm, 8.816 mm and 15.305 mm respectively. Mean values of mass of 1000 pea seeds, volume, bulk density and true density were found 329.501 g, 0.2 ml, 0.275 g/cm₃ and 0.304 g/cm₃ respectively. Average values of angle of repose, sphericity, porosity and moisture content were found 24.7, 0.926 %, 9.528 and 80.96%, respectively.

Introduction In today’s environment, the greatest challenge for the food industry is to develop health promoting foods; it is determined by the raw materials used and its impact on consumer health. Furthermore, people lifestyle has changed greatly, resulting in a change in food eating patterns. In today’s world, people are moving towards eating foods that are nutrient base and tasty (Bonciu, 2018). of all the nutrient based products available in market, expanded snacks have become a popular snack all over the world because of its crunchy texture and low density making it consumer’s acceptance (Grasso, 2020). The basic idea for developing any expanded snacks is utilizing a starch-based material for a better crispy and crunchy product, but to make it more nutritious incorporation of protein and fibre rich raw materials is recommended (Gu et al., 2017). Along with the raw materials, the other important parameters for developing any extruded product is the particle of the flour, its physicochemical and rheological properties of the extrudates are much concentrated (Bouasla & Wójtowicz, 2021) Thereby, extruded snack is considering as functional food with major health benefits.

5.1 Introduction

Quality is one of the major positioning tools of the commodity for marketability, profitability and for consumer satisfaction. The relative importance of each quality component depends upon the commodity and its intended use and varies among growers, handlers and consumers. To growers a given commodity must have high yield and good appearance and must withstand long distance transportation to market whereas, appearance of quality and longevity is important from the point of view of wholesale and retail marketers. Terms commonly used in measurement of keeping quality of cut flowers are longevity, shelf-life, vase-life, and lasting quality. In addition to these, several criteria have been used for evaluation of post harvest flower quality like:

Epididymal Total Sperm Count

The epididymal sperm is obtained as described above, incubated at 35°C, which is the optimum temperature of rat epididymal sperm. The epididymal f luid is then diluted to a volume of 5 mL of pre-warmed (32°C) the spermatozoa are counted by hemocytometer using the Improved Neubaur (Deep 1/10mm. LABART, Germany) chamber as described by Pant and Srivastava (2003).

Total viable cell/ml = (Average number of sperm per chamber) x 103 x (Dilution Factor)

Liveability and abnormal sperm

Per cent live spermatozoa is estimated by differential staining technique using Eosin-Nigrosin stain (NE) (Campbell et al., 1953). These slides are also used for estimating the per cent abnormal sperm morphologically on the basis of observable abnormalities of head, neck, mid-piece and trail region of the spermatozoa.

The percent live spermatozoa are determined adopting the differential staining technique using Eosin-Nigrosin stain.

• A drop of epididymal semen is taken on a clean, grease free pre warmed glass slide.

• 4-5 drops of Eosin-Nigrosine stain (1% Eosin and 5% Nigrosine in 3% sodium citrate dehydrate solution) is placed near the semen drop.

• Epididymal semen and stain are mixed gently using a blunt fine glass rod.

• After 30 seconds to 1 minute a thin smear is made on a clean, grease free glass slide.

• The smear is examined under oil immersion objective.

• Mature sperm cells are undifferentiated cells which are the testicular product as well as indicators of testicular spermatogenic function. A spermiogram reflects the testicular activity and fertility status of a male animal. • Disease conditions, age, stress factors, vaccination or any altered physiological conditions may affect the seminal quality. Objectives of Semen Evaluation • To provide essential information about the fertility status of the male animal, though the fertilizing capacity of the animal cannot be completely defined by these tests. • To diagnose various pathological conditions of testes and male genitalia. • To determine the eligibility for further processing of semen cryopreservation • To determine the potential of semen for AI purposes

ABSTRACT

The present study reports shoreline changes at Gopalpur along east coast of India for 30 years during 1973-2003. In order to understand the trend of sediment transport, shoreline changes at the vicinity areas viz. Rushikulya and Bahuda estuaries are also discussed. Geomorphological investigation is also carried out to understand the processes acting on this system. One Landsat image (1973) and two IRS 1C/1D images (1993 and 2003) were used for the study. The data were subjected to digital analysis using ERDAS Imagine and management of information layers using ARC/INFO GIS software. The results of the study show that the changes occurred differently in three distinct spatial features namely, i) sand spit ii) beach and, (iii) channel zone. Changes documented in these imageries reveal that the lengths of NE spit and SW spit are increased and decreased respectively in thirty years. Areas of NE and SW spits are also showing the similar pattern. Beach is almost stabilised and a slight decrease of 0.28 km in length is observed. However, area has been increased in the southern beach. Towards north, the beach area is also increased over a period of thirty years. The change of width of the beach is not found to be significant. The mouth near channel zone is reduced to 70 meter from 135 meter during the period of study.

Quality of silage is determined by nutrients content and intake potential of the silage. High quality silage is a stable feed, made from high quality pasture, which is preserved in the absence of oxygen by a high quality fermentation, to minimize any loss of feeding value. It is not possible to produce high quality silage from low quality pasture, no matter how good the fermentation is. The silage quality is generally used to indicate the success of fermentation and not to evaluate the feeding value of the silage. However, the fermentation quality and nutritional value of the silage are usually highly correlated because a poor fermentation can result in great loss of the digestible nutrients (Sutoh et al., 1970; Uchida and Sutoh, 1973). Therefore, both the quality of the ensiled pasture and the quality of the fermentation must be considered.

Abstract

The data for the present investigation were obtained from the performance records of 1081 crossbred cattle progeny of 65 sires maintained at Instructional Dairy Farm Nagla of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology Pantnagar, distributed over a period of 40 years from 1966-2005. A total of 65 sires were evaluated on the basis of single and multi traits of their progeny. For single trait sire evaluation, FLMY was considered as principal trait under univariate models viz- simple daughter’s average () method, least squares method (LSM), DFREML-I method and BLUP-I method. However, for evaluation of sires by multi traits FLMY+AFC, FLMY+FLP and FLMY+AFC+FLP, the multivariate models viz. DFREML-II, DFREML-III, DFREML-IV, BLUP-II, BLUP-III and BLUP-IV method were used. The lowest average breeding value (2616.25) for the trait was obtained by () method and the highest average breeding value (2660.42 kg) was obtained by the rest nine methods. The accuracy, efficiency and stability of different sire indices were compared to judge their effectiveness. The evaluation method that gave the lowest error variance was considered to be most efficient.