<div style="text-align: justify;">Ghungroo is the first registered pig breed of indigenous origin in India. The work was designed to develop a reference dissection method for carcasses by establishing bi-lateral symmetry and to determine whether or not differences exist between right and left sides of pig carcasses for some precisely measured physical and chemical traits. Carcass evaluation procedures could be simplified if selected measurements from one side accurately reflect the composition or meat quality of the entire carcass. Forty pigs of Ghungroo breed were selected to represent equally two sexes and two market weight groups. The pigs were slaughtered and after the carcasses were chilled they were carefully split into left and right sides. Least correlation coefficient (0.961) was observed for carcass length. The weights of all the five muscles evaluated differed slightly, but the left and right averages were not significantly different. Similarly, the mean difference for total intramuscular fat between left and right units of a muscle pair was not significant for any of the five muscles studied. Thus, the data obtained from left side of a Ghungroo pig carcass apparently was sufficiently accurate for most experimental purposes.</div>

Establishment of bilateral symmetryand accuracy of carcass data estimates in Ghungroo pig carcass

<div>Background: The seed yield of chickpea can be improved by selection of superior genotypes on the basis of different yield and yield component traits. These genotypes exclusively utilize in breeding programs. Yield is a complex trait which is affected by several factors, hence, a well-known technique known as principal component analysis was used to identify and minimize the number of traits for effective selection. To obtain efficient recombinants, the identified component traits need to be combined from diverse parents through recombination breeding followed by selection of transgressive segregants. Hence, the present study is envisaged to measure the genetic diversity among genotypes of chickpea. 
 
Methods: The experimental material comprised of 40 chickpea genotypes evaluated in randomized block design with three replications. The experimental unit was four rows per plot with 4 m length and spacing between row to row and plant to plant maintained as 30 x 10 cm. NPK (20:40:00) fertilizers was applied as basal doses. The data were recorded for each genotype on nine quantitative traits as per standard methods. Descriptive statistics and PCA analysis was performed by using the statistical package SPSS 16.0 version and cluster analysis was done using the Wards method of hierarchical clustering technique. 
 
Result: Out of nine PCs only three PCs exhibited more than 1.0 Eigen value and showed about 73.4% variability. PC1 contributed 28.6% of the total variation and correlated with days to flowering, days to maturity, plant height, first pod height, seeds per pod and number of pods per plant while PC2 explained 21.00% of the total variation and dominated by plant height, first pod height and seed yield. PC3 explained an additional 13.00% of the total variation and dominated by primary branches per plant. Genotype commonly found in more PC, were BG 4016, IPCB 2015-165, IPC 2011-247, GNG2459 and RKG 19-4. Hierarchical clustering technique grouped 40 genotypes into two main clusters (A and B) and nine sub clusters. The present investigation depicted that the chickpea germplasm displayed considerable genetic diversity for most of the traits under consideration.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Principal Component and Genetic Diversity Analysis for Seed Yield and Its Related Components in the Genotypes of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the important Rabi season food legume crop ranked third after common bean and field pea. The degree and extent of trait variability, genetic relationship and genetic diversity in promising chickpea genotypes should be known for possible yield improvement. Realizing the importance of genetic relationships and genetic diversity in key economic traits, the present investigation envisaged to measure the genetic relationships in the yield component traits to make effective selection for yield improvement in chickpea breeding programme. Methods: The experimental material comprised of 60 chickpea genotypes (both Desi and Kabuli types), grown in RBD with three replications at Pulses Section of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCSHAU, Hisar during Rabi 2014-15. The data on 11 quantitative traits was analysed for ANOVA, correlation coefficient, path coefficient, regression and principle component analysis. Result: The present study has led the understanding of many inter-related traits involved in the genetic variation of chickpea seed yield. This would certainly provide guidelines for selection of parents as well as effective selection of promising chickpea genotypes, and also have paramount importance in formulating plant model for selection of segregating generations in chickpea breeding programmes for development of high yielding varieties.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Genetic Relationships and Principal Component Analysis in Elite Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes for Seed Yield and Its Component Traits</div>

Selected forty F2 single plant progenies of a lentil cross viz., L-830 &times; MC-6 and bulked seeds were evaluated in a randomized block design with two replications for secondary branches per plant, pods per plant, seed yield per plant and seed index as independent selection criteria. Out of the four selection criterion, highest realized selection response in percentage was recorded for pods per plant (37.42 %), and was followed by secondary branches per plant (28.5 %). &nbsp;The realized correlated response to selection for seed yield per plant was significant under the selection criteria number of pods per plant. &nbsp;Thus the selection criteria pods per plant was more effective than other selection criterion.

Response of different yield components as selection criteria for yield and yield components in early generations of lentil (Lens culinaris L.)

<div>Background: Drumstick (Moringa oleifera Lam.) is a miracle plant because of its therapeutic and nutraceutical properties. The present work aims to study the optimization and quality attributes retention in drumstick through Heat Pump-assisted dehumidified air Dryer (HPD) because the conventional drying process takes more time and energy which also affect the product quality and safety. 
 
Methods: Dried drumstick powder was prepared by using fresh drumstick pieces, steam blanched for 2-5 min and then sulfated at 0.1% for 10 min. After that, the dehydration process was performed at different temperatures (45, 55 and 65&deg;C) in an HPD drier.&nbsp; 
 
Result: HPD dried drumstick powder at 55&deg;C was found maximum drying characteristics and higher retention of bioactive compounds with special reference to high powder recovery (97.22%), excellent flowability and better functional characteristics. The extract of fresh and HPD dried drumstick powder contained 50 major bioactive compounds such as 2,6-Dihydroxybenzoic acid 3TMS derivative, Butanal 2-ethyl-3-methyl-, etc, these bioactive compounds act as various nutraceuticals and therapeutic values.</div>

<h3>Identify Bioactive Components and Optimize Dehydration Characteristic of Drumstick in GC-MS and Principle Component Analysis by using Heat Pump-assisted Dehumidified Air Drying (HPD)</h3>

Background: Castration is a practice with significant implications for the meat production industry. It influences carcass composition, enhancing meat quality traits such as tenderness, flavor, color, juiciness. Additionally, it aids in managing animal behavior, reduces stress and meets market demands, leading to economic benefits. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Lambs from the Jamuna basin area were divided into two groups: T1&nbsp;(uncastrated) and T2&nbsp;(castrated). Each group was made up of ten lambs. The data were subjected to analysis using an independent t-test, in conjunction with the GLM procedure of the SAS statistical software. The parameters that were examined in this study included carcass characteristics, proximate components such as dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and ash, physicochemical properties including ultimate pH, cooked pH, cooking loss, drip loss and water holding capacity, sensory analysis factors such as color, flavor, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability, as well as lightness (L), redness (r) and yellowness (b) through instrumental color values represented by the International Commission on Illumination (Commission Internationale de l&rsquo;&Eacute;clairage) or CIE. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The uncastrated group exhibited significantly higher values (p&lt;0.05) for hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, blood, skin, limb, half carcass, pluck and neck compared to the castrated group. The ether extract (EE) in the castrated group exhibited a significant increase (p&lt;0.05) compared to the uncastrated group. The group that underwent castration exhibited a statistically significant reduction in drip loss (p&lt;0.01), cooking loss (p&lt;0.05) and a notable increase in ultimate pH (p&lt;0.01). The CIE L*, a* and b* values of uncastrated lambs did not exhibit a statistically significant increase (p&lt;0.05). The study of carcass traits, proximate components, physicochemical properties, sensory evaluation and instrumental color values suggests that 12-month-old lambs that had not been castrated had better reproductive performance and carcass traits. On the other hand, castrated lambs displayed enhanced meat quality attributes.

Effect of Castration on Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality Traits of Jamuna Basin Lamb of Bangladesh

<div>Background: Hassan sheep is the third most populous breed of the five registered sheep breeds from Karnataka with limited studies on its morphological and carcass characteristics. Hence, the study was undertaken to know the present status of morphological and carcass characteristics of this breed. 
 
Methods: A total of 34 randomly selected flocks were surveyed and the data on various parameters were collected. The morphometrical data was collected on 344 sheep belonging to eight flocks from the breeding tract. The carcass characteristics were documented by slaughtering six male lambs (between nine to twelve months of age). 
 
Result: These sheep had varied coat colours viz. complete white (23.3%), white with light brown patches (58.1%) and white with black patches (18.6%) on head and neck region. It was observed that 40.4 per cent of males and only 1.4 per cent of females were horned. Atrophied ears were noticed in 2.3 per cent of these sheep. The average adult body length (cm), height at wither (cm), chest girth (cm), paunch (cm), ear length (cm), tail length (cm) and average adult body weight (kg) were 66.4&plusmn;0.62, 65.03&plusmn;1.45, 75.2&plusmn;1.02, 76.5&plusmn;1.38, 15.2&plusmn;0.07, 11.5&plusmn;0.07 and 32.7&plusmn;2.03 in males and 63.8&plusmn;0.85, 61.7&plusmn;1.38, 71.8&plusmn;2.32, 74.5&plusmn;2.60, 15.0&plusmn;0.34, 11.3&plusmn;0.08 and 27.8&plusmn;1.21 in females, respectively. The difference in body weight between males and females increased significantly over the age. The pre-slaughter weight (PSW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage recorded were 20.3&plusmn;1.42 Kg, 9.5&plusmn;0.23 kg and 46.80 per cent, respectively.</div>

Phenotypic and Carcass Characterization of Hassan Sheep

<div>Background: Principal component analysis is a multivariate technique that transforms a number of possibly correlated variables into smaller number of uncorrelated variables leads to dimension reduction. Various economic traits of layer chicken are used for selection of parent birds which need to adjust for selection strategies to augment the genetic improvement.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The data was collected from 2020-2021 which includes weekly body weight (g) from 0 day to 20th week and 40th week, Body weight (g) at first egg production, age at sexual maturity (days), weight of first egg (g), egg numbers at 40th week, egg weight at 40th week (g), egg numbers at 52nd week, egg weight at 52nd week (g). The least squares mean was estimated considering three different genetic groups of layer chicken (N=450, 150 each group). The main focus of this study was to identify the principal components for economic traits in layer chicken. Further varimax rotation method was applied for the transformation of components to approximate simple structure. 
 
Result: The genetic group Desi cross 1 performed better than Desi cross 2 followed by Punjab Red layer chicken. A total of three principal components were obtained which explained a total variance of 75.524%. Principal component 1 had high loads on body weight 10th week to 20th week (BW 10-BW 20) and BWSM and had a variance of 38.892%. Similarly, PC2 and PC3 explained variance of 27.072% and 9.560% respectively and had high loads on 1 week body weight to 9-week body weight (BW1-BW9) and age at sexual maturity, 40-week egg production, 52-week egg production respectively. From this study it was included that PCA can be used for selecting the economic traits for breeding purpose of layer chicken.</div>

Principal Component Analysis of Different Economic Traits in Layer Chicken

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present study was aimed at characterizing carcass and meat quality traits in Bandur/ Mandya ram lambs. Eighteen ram lambs were slaughtered at the age of six months by Halal method. The pre-slaughter weight (PSW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage based on PSW recorded were 13.49 &plusmn; 0.26 kg, 6.44 &plusmn; 0.14 kg and 47.77 &plusmn; 0.70 per cent, respectively. The mean loin eye area was 15.43 &plusmn; 0.64 cm2. The mean primal cut weights for leg, loin, rack, chuck, and breast and fore shank were 2.090 &plusmn; 43.35, 0.675 &plusmn; 29.40, 0.646 &plusmn; 28.82, 2.036 &plusmn; 47.35 and 0.601 &plusmn; 23.97 kg, respectively. The highest proportion of meat was recorded in leg (25.06%) and chuck (23.23%). The meat quality traits viz., pH, water holding capacity, Warner-Bratzler Shear Force value, cooking loss and back fat thickness were 6.35 &plusmn; 0.05, 49.74 &plusmn; 3.33 per cent, 3.75 &plusmn; 0.14, 26.01 &plusmn; 2.19 per cent and 0.26 &plusmn; 0.02 cm, respectively. The mean percentage values for proximate principles viz., moisture, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, and total ash were 72.10 &plusmn; 0.38, 19.76 &plusmn; 0.34, 0.24 &plusmn; 0.03, 7.23 &plusmn; 0.47 and 1.01 &plusmn; 0.04 per cent, respectively. Compared to earlier reports higher loin eye area measurement was observed in the present study indicating higher muscular development in Bandur ram lambs.&nbsp;</div>

Carcass and meat quality characteristics of Bandur ram lambs

<div>Background: The geese have several advantages over chickens. These birds are highly valued for its meat, also used to get rid of weeds as it was released in the fields, which the cost of raising it was low. In recent years, despite of interest in geese production, it is important to take cognisance of the fact that there is a dearth of information on carcass traits, and the different effects of age, gender and their interactions on carcass characteristics of geese. Therefore, the objective of the current study aimed to investigate effect of age, gender and their interactions on the carcass traits of geese (Anser anser). 
 
Methods: A number of geese parents at the end of the third season and their gosling hatched reared until 10 weeks of age and each stock contain equal number of sexes for assessing carcass traits. All geese were reared under equal managerial, environmental and hygienic conditions. 
 
Result: Parent stock was significantly (p&ge;0.0001) higher body weight, dressing percentage and edible meat parts compared to the young geese. Males&rsquo; geese had approximately a 17% significantly higher live weight, a 4.6% higher dressed carcass percentage and 5.2% higher edible meat parts percentage than females. The intestine and neck percentages were significantly affected only by age, whereas blood and feather percentages were significantly affected only by gender. Moreover, abdominal fat and gizzard fat percentages were affected by all observed factors. The young geese had approximately a 24.7% higher non-edible meat percentage than the parent&rsquo;s geese. Females&rsquo; geese had approximately 8.7% higher non-edible meat percentage than males. Abdominal and gizzard fat (%) were significantly affected by interaction between age and gender. A significant positive correlation coefficient was detected between live body weight and all edible parts of carcass characteristics weights for goose males. In conclusion, the increase of age had a positive effect on the carcass traits of geese (Anser anser). Males&rsquo; geese had a better carcass characteristics compared to females; in addition, the females were significantly higher than males for the abdominal fat and gizzard fat percentages.</div>