<div><strong>Background:</strong> Knowledge about propagation of rare and endangered plant species is very important for their conservation and sustainable utilization. Therefore, it is imperative to understand different reproductive aspects of such species for their conservation and management. It is in this backdrop different propagation method of <em>Aconitum chasmanthum</em>- a Critically Endangered and Endemic Medicinal plant species has been undertaken.<br />
<br />
<strong>Methods:</strong> Seed germination was carried out using different media. For each treatment mean germination time (MGT) was also calculated. Different agro-techniques were also developed in different soil textural classes. The fresh underground tubers of the species were collected from natural population and were split longitudinally into 2, 3 and 4 pieces depending upon the size of the parental tuber containing a portion of shoot apex. The split cuttings were treated with 100 ppm IAA, IBA and GA<sub>3</sub> for 48 hours and were sown in sandy loam soils under pots at Herbal Garden. The pots were kept in diffused light to monitor the leafy shoot generation, survival and comparison with the control (untreated cuttings).<br />
<br />
<strong>Result:</strong> The present study revealed that seeds of the species remain dormant for a pretty long period and do not germinate in darker conditions. Among various treatments the species showed 90.0&plusmn;8.66% germination when chilled for 20 days with mean germination time (MGT) of 13.678&plusmn;1.874 days as against 10.66&plusmn;1.154% germination of the control. Although the plants grew nicely on various soils, maximum plant survival and vigorous growth was obtained in loamy textured soils. The plants responded to various nutrient treatments and in loamy soil the maximum dry biomass was shown by the plants treated with nitrogen (300 mg/kg soil) and NPK (500 mg/kg soil). The plants treated with NPK (500 mg/kg soil) produced 14.46&plusmn;2.50 gm dry biomass as against the control of 5.23&plusmn;0.750 gm per individual. The experimental manipulations also reveal that the species has a potential to propagate through tuber cuttings in sandy loam soils. The cuttings treated with IAA, IBA and GA<sub>3</sub> showed 68.75% to 75.0% survival rate as against the 62.5% in control.</div>


<p>Efficient Propagation Methods and Management Implication of <em>Aconitum chasmanthum </em>Stapf ex Holmes: A Critically Endangered and Endemic Medicinal Herb of Kashmir Himalaya</p>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>Species threatening is of great concern now-a-days, for Bangladesh as well as the whole world. Present research work has been carried out to make an inventory of the medicinal species of family Fabaceae, determine their status in the flora of Bangladesh and assess their probable threat.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Research was carried out at the University of Chittagong during the period 2014-2016 by the first author as part of her thesis work. Previous records of species were collected from different literatures dating back to 1814 and their place of occurrence was recorded as well. Medicinal literatures were consulted for screening of medicinal species of Fabaceae. Herbarium specimens preserved at different herbaria were examined for updating the time of their collection. Finally field trips were made to relevant localities for assessing their status in the field condition.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> The present study reveals that out of 254 total species, 169 species under 61 genera have medicinal properties. In this investigation, 7 species under 7 genera were identified and documented as Critically Endangered according to International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources criteria. Enumeration of these threatened taxa is provided with updated nomenclature and short annotation with data on medicinal value, recorded locality, global distribution, first and last authentic record and list of specimens available at different herbaria.</div>


<div>Investigation through Bangladesh Flora: Critically Endangered Medicinal Species of Fabaceae</div>


<p style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background: </strong>Biofloc technology relies on adding a carbon source to maintain optimal carbon to nitrogen ratio for transforming the waste into microbial biomass that aquatic animals can use. In the present study, the growth performance of the critically endangered Hypselobarbus pulchellus in biofloc-based seed rearing with different Carbon to Nitrogen ratio was studied.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Healthy early fry (0.01 g) was randomly stocked into 15 circular FRP tanks (1000 L) at a density of 100 individuals/m3 and reared for 90 days. The carbon to nitrogen ratios of 5:1(CN5), 10:1(CN10), 15:1(CN15) and 20:1(CN20) were maintained using jaggery without considering carbon content derived from the feed and the control group received no additional source of carbon.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>The results indicated that H. pulchellus had better growth performance in biofloc systems having higher C/N ratios. The highest weight gain (0.48&plusmn;0.01 g) and weight gain percentage (3931.15&plusmn;120.68%) and specific growth rate (4.11&plusmn;0.03% per day) were found in the CN10 group (P&lt;0.05), followed by CN15 and CN20, while the control group values were lowest. In terms of survival, all treatments had high survival rates ranging from 92% to 94.67%, with no significant variations (P&gt;0.05). The CN10, CN15 and CN20 treatments had significantly higher amylase, protease and lipase activities than control (P&lt;0.05). Moreover, the immunological and antioxidant activity increased with CN ratios. The CN10, CN15 and CN20 groups had significantly lower total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate levels than control group (P&lt;0.05). Overall, this study suggests that C/N ratios of 10:1 to 20:1 are optimal for rearing H. pulchellus fingerlings from early fry, with 10:1 presenting the best growth results.</p>


<p>Growth Performance of Critically Endangered Hypselobarbus pulchellus in Biofloc Systems with Various C/N Ratios</p>


<div><strong>Background:</strong> Ultisols are characterized by low pH, low cation exchange capacity and low base saturation due to dominance of kaolinite and oxides and hydrous oxides of iron and aluminium. Among the basic cations, magnesium has smaller ionic size and larger hydrated radius which limits binding of Mg to soil exchange sites. As a result the deficiency of magnesium is a common nutritional disorder in these soils due to leaching of bases under humid tropical conditions. The determination of critical level of magnesium in soil and plant helps to manage the nutrient deficiency and will help to avoid crop loss.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>A pot culture experiment was conducted to determine the critical level of magnesium for cowpea in Ultisols of Kerala during January 2019. Graded doses of magnesium were applied @ 5 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> to 80 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> of soil as magnesium carbonate along with recommended dose of fertilizers to evaluate the effect of applied magnesium on soil pH, available magnesium in soil, magnesium content in plant, crop uptake and yield.<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>Soil pH and available magnesium in soil recorded at flowering and harvest was highest where magnesium was applied @ 80 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> of soil. Magnesium content in stem and leaves was found to increase with the levels of magnesium added. No significant variation in the content of magnesium in pods was recorded. Crop uptake (66.62 mg g<sup>-1</sup>) of magnesium and yield per plant (79.33 g plant<sup>-1</sup>) was highest in the treatment (T<sub>5</sub>) where magnesium was applied @ 10 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> of soil. The critical level of magnesium determined by Cate and Nelson graphical method was found to be 75 mg kg<sup>-1</sup> of available magnesium in soil and 0.38% in leaves of cowpea during flowering.</div>


<div>Critical Level of Magnesium for Cowpea [<em>Vigna unguiculata</em> (L.) Walp.] in Ultisols of Kerala</div>


<div><strong>Background: </strong>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.<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> 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 (<em>Trigonella foenum-graecum</em> 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.<br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> 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 (<strong>`</strong>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 R<sup>2</sup>. 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 (<em>Trigonella foenum-graecum </em>L.)&nbsp;</div>


<div>Annona deceptrix is an endemic and endangered tree from Ecuador according to the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species&trade;. Its endangered status has been related with anthropogenic activities and some intrinsic characteristics of this species such as a low germination capacity of its seeds under natural conditions which is a serious limitation to obtain plants to establish conservation and breeding strategies. The objective of this study was to determine the seed germination capacity of A. deceptrix under different conditions and pre-germination treatments as a decisive factor in the survival of the species in ecosystems. The six pre-germination treatments were seed mechanical scarification (fine sandpaper), seed imbibitions in gibberellic acid solutions with three different concentrations (600, 700, 800 ppm) for 24 hours, imbibition of seeds in distilled water for 48 hours and direct sowing (control). For each treatment was sown twenty seeds under greenhouse conditions and germination chamber. The variables evaluated were: total number of germinated seeds, germination capacity, maximum germination value and germination energy. Mechanical scarification was the best treatment with 100 % germinated seed and showed to be significantly different than the other treatment. In this regards, the rest of the treatment the germination ranged between 35 % to 55 % and did not show statistical differences each other. In conclusion, the seeds of A. deceptrix have a low germination capacity in natural conditions and then they need a pre-germination process such as mechanical-scarification to guarantees for their performance in the ecosystems.</div>


<div>Germination Capacity of Annona deceptrix (Westra) H. Rainer (Annonaceae) an Endemic and Endangered Species in Manab&iacute;, Ecuador</div>


<div style="text-align: justify;">Quality management of citrus fruits is the top priority as the demand for the fruits is increasing tremendously. In order to investigate the effect of critical success factors (CSF,s) or predictors on the performance measurement factors of citrus industry, an exploratory type of study was conducted with 100 valid responses collected from citrus stake holders. Specially prepared questionnaire consisted of 102 items clubbed in to ten groups for performance improvement Input factors and 24 items clubbed in to four groups for performance measures. The questionnaire is prepared in consultation with experts of industry and 1-5 Likert scale is being used for data collection. The data obtained is tested for normality, validity and reliability then, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis is performed. The ANOVA test revealed that the perceptions associated with the findings were in conformity with the hypothesis. Quality improvement frame work or model is derived from the current study. The study revealed that business environment and resources leads to Economic, Quality, Non-financial and Innovation/ technology performance of the citrus industry. Post harvest process control and post harvest pest and disease control measures improved economic performance and technology and innovation performance. Critical factors like marketing and distribution contributed to non-financial performance. It is further seen that socio economic aspects lead to innovation and technology performance.</div>

Critical success factors and organizational performance: A study on citrus industry

<div style="text-align:justify"><strong>Background:</strong> 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.<br />
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<strong>Methods: </strong>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;<br />
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<strong>Result: </strong>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, <em>viz</em>., 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 style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background:</strong> Zinc plays an important role in different plant metabolism processes like development of cell wall, respiration, photosynthesis, chlorophyll formation, enzyme activity and other biochemical functions etc. In spite of these various metabolic functions, no extensive field study was taken up in Manipur, India. Therefore, this study was aimed to find out the critical stages of Zn in soil and pea plant for Zn nutrition.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods:</strong> In a pot culture experiment during 2017, the response of pea (<em>Pisum sativum</em> L.), cv. Rachna to Zn was studied on 20 acidic soils of Imphal West district, Manipur. In our investigation, physico-chemical properties of the various soil samples collected from different fields were analysed and various plant parameters were recorded grown in the pots.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Result:</strong> Addition of Zn in the soils significantly increased the dry matter production and Zn uptake by the crop. &nbsp;DTPA extractable Zn was significantly correlated with dry matter yield of the plant (r=0.443*), Zn content (r=0.446*), Zn uptake (r=0.535*), Bray&rsquo;s per cent yield (r=0.519*) and Bray&rsquo;s per cent uptake (r=0.458*). The critical levels of Zn in soils and 50 days old pea plants below which response of pea to Zn fertilization may be expected are 0.69 mg kg-1 and 0.21 per cent Zn, respectively.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Critical Limits of Zinc in Relation to the Growth of Pea (<em>Pisum sativum</em> L.) in Acid Soils of Imphal West District, Manipur (India)</div>

<div><strong>Background:</strong> <em>Curcuma caesia</em> Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) is a rare, critically endangered medicinal plant of Northeast India. The rhizome of the plant is famous for its significant medicinal properties.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong>Methods:</strong> Various concentrations of plant growth regulators in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium were tried in the study using rhizome bud as explant for development of an efficient cost effective protocol for <em>in vitro </em>mass multiplication and microrhizome induction of <em>Curcuma caesia.&nbsp;</em><br />
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<strong>Result:</strong> Shoot multiplication and plant generation was achieved from freshly sprouted shoots of <em>Curcuma caesia</em> on Murashige and Skoog&rsquo;s medium supplemented with different phytohormones. The best response for shoot multiplication (23.80&plusmn;0.51shoots/explant) was obtained within 8 weeks in MS medium supplemented with BAP (1.0 mgl-1) and 2,4-D (0.25 mgl-1). Microrhizomes were induced at the base of the <em>in vitro</em> derived shoots upon transferred to medium containing various combinations and concentrations of sucrose and BAP and grown under varying photoperiod. Half strength of MS basal medium containing BAP (1.0 mg/l) and 9% sucrose was found to be optimum for induction of large sized microrhizome within 45 days of incubation under 16 hrs of photoperiod.&nbsp;</div>


<div>A Protocol for Rapid Clonal Propagation and Microrhizome Production of <em>Curcuma caesia </em>Roxb. (Zingiberaceae): A Critically Endangerd Medicinal Plant of North East India&nbsp;</div>


Efficient Propagation Methods and Management Implication of Aconitum chasmanthum Stapf ex Holmes: A Critically Endangered and Endemic Medicinal Herb of Kashmir Himalaya

Investigation through Bangladesh Flora: Critically Endangered Medicinal Species of Fabaceae

Growth Performance of Critically Endangered Hypselobarbus pulchellus in Biofloc Systems with Various C/N Ratios

Critical Level of Magnesium for Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Ultisols of Kerala

Yield Losses Due to Weeds, Critical Period for Weed-crop Competition in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Germination Capacity of Annona deceptrix (Westra) H. Rainer (Annonaceae) an Endemic and Endangered Species in Manabí, Ecuador

Critical success factors and organizational performance: A study on citrus industry

Doppler Ultrasonographic Assessment of Maternal and Foetal Blood Flow in Canine Pregnancy and Its Application in the Critical Management of Gestation#

Critical Limits of Zinc in Relation to the Growth of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) in Acid Soils of Imphal West District, Manipur (India)

A Protocol for Rapid Clonal Propagation and Microrhizome Production of Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Zingiberaceae): A Critically Endangerd Medicinal Plant of North East India