<div>Background: Weed populations reduce crop yields by influencing the pattern of crop growth and development throughout the season and by directly competing with the crop for limiting precious resources, like light, water or nutrients. A number of the factors that influence magnitude of crop yield losses from weed interference include the timing of weed emergence relative to the crop, weed density, pattern of weed growth and development. Weed management is one among the foremost critical factors influencing crop yield. By providing a window of weed-free growth early within the season, the size advantage that crop seedlings have over weeds can be utilized to reduce the intensity of direct competition for resources at the stages of crop development when yield is being determined. Weeds are identified as a significance drawback since they create biotic stress in realizing the genetic yield potential of this valuable crop. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2010-11 to 2014-15 at ICAR- National Research Centre on Seed Spices, Ajmer, Rajasthan to estimate the yield losses because of weed infestation and to work out the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.). There were 14 treatments comprising of initial weedy periods of 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 days after sowing (DAS) and weed free period upto 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 DAS along with weedy till harvest (un-weeded check) and weed free till harvest (weed free check). The treatments were replicated three times in a randomized block design. 
 
Result: Maximum pod length (cm), number of pods/plant, number of seed/pod, test weight (g), seed yield (kg/ha), straw yield (kg/ha) and harvesting index (%) to the tune of 9.47, 41.2, 16.67, 12.60, 2297, 4954 and 31.73 were recorded at weed free throughout growth period. Weed infestation up to 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 DAS and weedy throughout growth period reduced the seed yield significantly to the magnitude of 567.3, 801.7, 913.3, 1253.3, 1393.7 and 1736.3 kg/ha. Yield losses in fenugreek increase from 2.95 kg/ha/day at 15 days weed infestation to 12.31 kg/ha/day at 135 days weed infestation. Maximum gross return (`104248/ha), net return (`67018/ha) were obtained at weed free throughout growth period with the B:C ratio 2.80 among the weed free treatments. The employment of response curves with weed free or weed competition period showed that seed yield of fenugreek&nbsp;were&nbsp;the highest with the field&nbsp;free&nbsp;from weeds throughout the growth period and the critical period of weed/fenugreek competition was 32 days after sowing and lies between 30-45 days after sowing. In regression approach for fenugreek seed yield and weed free or weed competition period the quadratic function was fitted to estimate the expected yields which had the high significant with the data recorded and have the highest values of R2. If we predict the seed yield losses based on the quadratic model for weed free period model, it declined from 42.04 at 0 DAS to 0.0% at 135 days. Similarly, weed infestation period model predicted the seed yield losses increased from 0.00 at 0 days weed infestation to 73.42% at 135 days. Critical period for weed competition in fenugreek was found to be 32 days after sowing. The CPWC is helpful for making decisions on the necessity for and timing of weed control.</div>

<div>Yield Losses Due to Weeds, Critical Period for Weed-crop Competition in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)&nbsp;</div>

<div>Background:&nbsp;Indigofera tinctoria plays the role of a natural dye source that produces indigo color and contains the secondary metabolite indican which is highly responsive to light intensity. This study aims to examine the critical period for the formation of the secondary metabolite indican on light intensity. 
 
Methods: The method used was a completely randomized block design with a split-plot design. The study consisted of 2 treatment factors, namely: length of shade (main plot) and light intensity (subplot). The length of shade included 5 levels, namely early growth phase (up to 1 month after planting), mid-growth phase (up to 2 months after planting), maximum growth phase (up to 3 months after planting), 1 month before harvest and 2 months before harvest. Light intensity had 3 levels, namely 50% light intensity (38,464.3 lux), 25% (19,232.15 lux) and 10% (7,692.86 lux). 
 
Result: The combination of duration of shade and light intensity affected the growth, yield and content of secondary metabolites (indican) in Indigofera tinctoria. The highest number of leaves, plant fresh weight and biomass was found in the combination of shade in the early growth phase (up to 1 month after planting) with 50% light intensity. The highest indican production was found in the mid-growth shading (up to 2 months after planting) with 10% light intensity, which was 843.33 ppm. The critical period of shade to increase indican production along with the number of leaves was the mid-growth phase (up to 2 months after planting).</div>

The Critical Period of Production of the Secondary Metabolite Indican in (Indigofera tinctoria L.) on Light Intensity

<div>Sweet corn [Zea mays (L.) var. saccharata strut] is the most important variety of maize with high sugar content. It contains a glossy sweetish endosperm and primarily grown for human food. It requires moderately high temperature from 22oC up to 33oC, high light intensity and adequate and well distributed rainfall of not less than 200mm during growing season. It can be grown on the wide range of soils. However, it performs best on neutral, well drained, well aerated and moderately heavy, deep fertile soils. Sweet corn is not so much competing with weeds like other crops. Avoid the influence of weed competition on the growth and development of sweet corn produce maximum yield and the economic importance of sweet corn used for conception and health benefits. By so far it is good in health and as medicinal uses it should be managed without affecting by weeds. The weed management option properly controls by the method of mechanical, biological, chemical and integrated weed management. In general, it is significant that properly controlling critical period weed competition in sweet corn reducing the competition of light, water, nutrient and space and maximizing the yield of sweet corn.</div>

<div>Effect of Critical Period of Weed Competition and Its Management Option in Sweet Corn [Zea mays (L.) var. saccharata strut] Production: A Review</div>

<div>Background: Transition period is a critical period&nbsp; in which most dairy animals undergo a period of negative energy balance (NEB), hypocalcemia, insulin resistance, hypoglycemia and susceptibility to infectious diseases. The critical changes in biochemical indicators are well reported in dairy cows whereas; in dairy buffaloes limited data related to alterations in hemato-biochemical changes have been reported so far. The current study aimed to evaluate the hemato-biochemical changes in buffaloes during transition period. 
 
Methods: A total number of 210 buffaloes aged between 3 to 14 years with parity ranged from 1st to 4th, divided in three groups (n=70; each) during transition period were used for the study. Three groups viz Group I (-30 days), Group II (0 days) and Group III (+30 days) were subjected for evaluation of hemato-biochemical parameters.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Our study showed significant increase (p&lt;0.05) in WBC (103/&micro;l), lymphocytes and granulocytes count at the time of calving. Significant decrease (p&lt;0.05) in the level of RBC, Hb and HCT were seen in Group-I and II. In biochemical analysis, parameters like albumin, total protein, triglyceride and A:G ratio showed significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease from Group-I to II. Calcium and Ca:P ratio decreased significantly (p&lt;0.05) along with suppressed levels of sodium and potassium levels in Group-III. Thus, the present study showed significance of hemato-biochemical analysis during transition period for possibility of occurrence of production diseases.</div>

Haemato-biochemical Profiling in Buffaloes in Relation to Metabolic Changes during Transition Period

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Dry period duration of dairy cow is considered as an important factor to maintain udder health and milk production.&nbsp; 
Methods: To investigate the effect of dry period duration (DPD) on udder health, milk production and body condition of dairy cows at lower Gangetic tropics, observations were taken from 25 Jersey crossbred cows which were divided into 2 comparable group viz: 1st group (11 cows), having 50 to 60 days DPD and 2nd group (14 cows), having more than 60 days DPD.&nbsp; 
Result: Statistically analyzed data revealed that milk somatic cell count, MCMT, milk pH and EC were significantly (P&lt;0.01) varied between two group from second month onwards and continue up to 4th months of lactation. Critical analysis of battery tests clearly confirmed the diagnosis for occurring of subclinical mastitis with poor udder health status in 2nd group. &nbsp;Total milk production/day/cow were almost similar in both group in first month but second month onwards significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher milk production was recorded in 1st than 2nd group. The milk composition parameters revealed non-significant difference between groups whereas milk quality parameter significantly (P&lt;0.01) better in 1st than 2nd group. Initial BCS of dry cow of both groups were similar. But BCS at calving was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in 2nd than 1st group with higher negative changes in BCS % in 2nd group as compared to 1st group. It can be concluded that dry period duration of 50-60 days is better over to prolonged dry period (&gt;60 days). Suitable changes in BCS from dry period to calving is beneficial to get higher milk production, quality, better maintenance of body condition and udder health status of Jersey crossbred cows at &nbsp;tropical &nbsp;lower Gangetic region.</div>

Effect of Dry Period Duration on Udder Health, Milk Production and Body Condition of Jersey Crossbred Cows at Lower Gangetic Tropics

Present study was conducted to investigate postpartum oxidative stress in 20 Surti goats. &nbsp;Blood samples were collected on 0, 7th, 14th, 21st, 30th and 45th days postpartum and analysed for Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced Glutathione (GSH) and uric acid. SOD differed significantly between 0, 14th and 21st day postpartum. GPx was significantly low on 14th day and then increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) up to 45th day. Significant (P&lt;0.01) difference was observed between days except 0 and 21st. LPO increased significantly (P&lt;0.01) from 0 to 14th day and then decreased non-significantly up to 45th day. Reduced glutathione was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher on 0 day. Uric acid was lowest on 0 day and highest on 45th day however they were non-significantly different on 7th, 14th, 30th and 45th day. It can be summarized that on 14th day post kidding, the values of SOD, GPx and GSH were lowest while LPO was highest. Uric acid was significantly (P&lt;0.01) low on the day of kidding. Thus it may be concluded that in Surti goats the period from 0 day to 14th day postpartum is most stressful and critical care should be taken during this period. &nbsp;GPx, SOD along with LPO and GSH can be used as marker of stress during postpartum period.

Oxidative stress profile during postpartum period in Surti goats

<div>Background: Climate change is expected to be a major constraint for chickpea as it increases the frequency of drought and temperature extremes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of drought and heat stress conditions on chickpeas&rsquo; physical, quality and bioactive traits, along with antioxidant activity of five chickpea genotypes in normal and late sowning conditions. 
 
Methods: Field trials were carried out at Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops. All the five genotypes were planted at two different sowing dates, one during the normal sowing period (February 28, 2019) and one off-season (April 1, 2019) in order to achieve dry-heat conditions during the chickpea&rsquo;s critical stages of off-season sowing. 
 
Result: Sowing period significantly affected cooking time and bioactive traits, resulted in decreased cooking time and increased bioactive traits values, in the later sowing period. Genotype&rsquo;s effects were significant for all the traits studied. Amorgos appeared to be a promising variety with high nutritive value as it showed the highest values in terms of bioactive traits and antioxidant activity in both sowing periods, combined with low cooking time and high protein content at the off-season sowing.</div>

​Effect of Genotype and Sowing Period on Chickpea Quality, Bioactive and Antioxidant Traits

<div>Background: The postpartum period being a crucial on future performance and fertility, it should be monitored critically and evaluated. Therefore, the study was designed to investigate associations between the metabolic indicators during early postpartum period with uterine diseases and the subsequent effect on reproductive performance. 
 
Methods: The blood metabolites including non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), beta hydroxy butyrate (BHBA), cholesterol, total protein, blood glucose and calcium are studied at 1st and 2nd week postpartum (PP) in 50 Mehsana buffaloes. The difference and their association were seen in relation to postpartum diseases and reproductive performance.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The glucose concentration significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased in 2nd week compared to 1st week postpartum in Mehsana buffaloes with anoestrous (&gt;75 days PP), longer service period (&gt;125 days) and postpartum disorders (Within 125 days). The BHBA and NEFA did not differ significantly between the time points or between the buffaloes suffering from postpartum disorders or not. The early postpartum glucose level can be used as a predictive indicator for buffaloes suffering from anoestrus, longer service period and postpartum disorders.</div>

Assessment of Blood Metabolites during Early Postpartum Period as an Indicator of Reproductive Performance in Mehsana Buffaloes

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of maternal and foetal blood flow/perfusion has become an indispensable diagnostic tool in veterinary obstetrics. Periodic Doppler examination of critical canine pregnancies to interpret vascular information such as blood velocity, flow direction/pattern and vascular pathologies would ensure safety of dam and survival chances of conceptuses. 
 
Methods: The present study included twenty apparently healthy bitches of different breeds presented at University Veterinary Hospital, Thrissur, Kerala for the management of breeding and pregnancy. Doppler examinations were conducted from fourth week of pregnancy at 10 d interval to evaluate blood flow in uteroplacental artery (UPA), umbilical artery (Uma) and foetal abdominal aorta by measuring pulsatility (PI) and resistive indices (RI).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Throughout the study the UPA showed biphasic wave. Up to 40 days of gestation the UPA showed diastolic notch and from 41-50 days it disappeared completely. The PI and RI decreased significantly at 5 per cent level between each 10 d interval. Similarly, the PI and RI of Uma decreased significantly at 5 per cent level between each 10 d interval. The PI of foetal abdominal aorta increased significantly at 5 per cent level from &pound; 30 d to 31-40 d of gestation and thereafter it decreased significantly up to whelping. During early pregnancy the diastolic wave form was absent for Uma and abdominal aorta although at later stages both these vessels showed biphasic wave forms. The study also included the early diagnosis of two abnormal pregnancies, viz., a complete foetal resorption in a Labrador bitch and an incomplete abortion in a Rottweiler bitch by Doppler ultrasound. The incomplete abortion was critically managed and the bitch whelped five healthy puppies fourteen days from the date of the incomplete abortion of three puppies. Thus, the study demonstrated the potential applicability of Doppler Ultrasound in the management of normal and abnormal pregnancies and predicting survival chances of neonates after whelping.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Doppler Ultrasonographic Assessment of Maternal and Foetal Blood Flow in Canine Pregnancy and Its Application in the Critical Management of Gestation#</div>

<div>Background: Dairy cows during late pregnancy, parturition or early lactation may be subjected to oxidative stress or the production of reactive oxygen metabolites. An imbalance between increased production of ROS and reduced availability of antioxidant defenses near the time of parturition increases oxidative stress and may contribute to peri-parturient disorders in dairy cows therefore in present investigation, of biomarkers of oxidative stress during peri-parturient period in Gir cows were studied.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Total 42 peri-parturient Gir cows were included in the present study. Ten apparently healthy Gir cows were also selected (which were outside the peri-parturient period) to have base line data on levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress for the comparison and analysis. The study was conducted in southern part of Rajasthan. 
 
Result: The mean values of malondialdehyde (n mol/g Hb), super oxidase dismutase (U/mg Hb), reduced glutathione (mM) and catalase (&micro;mol of H2O2 consumed /min/mg Hb) during pre-partum period and post-partum period in Gir cows was 227.34&plusmn;9.48 and 255.85&plusmn;11.15; 72.97&plusmn;4.96 and 56.13&plusmn;4.30; 2.72&plusmn;0.15 and 2.27&plusmn;0.15 and 139.85&plusmn;3.81 and 121.57&plusmn;4.65, respectively. Determination of levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress revealed that level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased during peri-parturient period in Gir cows whereas, levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced Glutathione (GSH) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased. The level of catalase was also significantly (P&lt;0.01) decreased during peri-parturient period in Gir cows.&nbsp;</div>