<div style="text-align: justify;">Screening of thirty genotypes of rapeseed-mustard against Alternaria blight during 2012-13 and 2013-14 at Instructional cum research farm, AAU, Jorhat, Assam revealed four genotypes as moderately resistant while none was highly resistant. Nine genotypes were susceptible, sixteen moderately susceptible and the control (TS 38) was highly susceptible. Lowest number of spots/leaf was found in Pusa Mustard 25 at 80 DAS while; in Pusa Mustard 28, it was at 60 DAS. Highest number of spots/leaf was in TS 38 at 80 DAS. Lowest and highest number of spots/pod was found in NRCDR 601 and TS 38 at 100 DAS respectively. NRCDR 601 exhibited lowest number of spots/pod and TS 38 the highest at 100 DAS. The smallest and largest spots on leave were found in Pusa Mustard 28 and TS 38 at 80 DAS respectively. Smallest spot in pod was observed in Pusa Mustard 27 and the largest in TS 38 at 100 DAS.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Screening of rapeseed and mustard genotypes against Alternaria blight in Assam</div>

<div>Background: Baby corn is the small (6-7 cm long) and young unfertilized corn ear harvested at the stage of silk emergence (i.e. within 2 - 3 days of silk emergence). In the present scenario, the use of chemical fertilizers may help in achieving maximum yield of baby corn but they pose serious health hazards and it is a big threat to the sustainability of agriculture. Assam has tremendous potential to grow crops organically and emerge as the main supplier of organic products in the world&rsquo;s organic market. In Assam, baby corn is rather a new introduction, so efforts are required to standardize the its cultivation. Therefore, the need was felt to standardize organic production technology for baby corn through supplementation of the nutrient requirement through organic manures and biofertilizers. Moisture conservation in agriculture is also very essential in this dynamic climate change.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during the year 2016-17. The experiment consisted of two different factors i.e. nutrient management viz., control, enriched compost 2.5 t ha-1, vermicompost 2 t ha-1 incubated with bio-fertilizers, poultry manure 2 t ha-1 incubated with bio-fertilizers, FYM 2.5 t ha-1 incubated with bio-fertilizers and FYM 2.5 t ha-1+lime+ash (1000:10:1) and moisture conservation i.e. no mulch and mulch with paddy straw @ 2 t ha-1). Plant height at harvest, number of leaves plant-1 at harvest and dry matter production (g plant-1), LAI, LAD at 30 day days interval was recorded. Reading on chlorophyll content was taken by SPAD- 502 chlorophyll meter at 45 DAS and 90 DAS. Cob yield was recorded from the net plot area and expressed in t ha-1. 
 
Result: Application of enriched compost 2.5 t ha-1 in baby corn produced highest growth characters like plant height, number of leaves plant-1, dry matter production, leaf area index, leaf area duration, chlorophyll content, cob yield with husk (8.165 t ha-1) followed by FYM 2.5 t ha-1+lime+ash (6.495 t ha-1). Mulching with paddy straw 2 t ha-1 recorded the higher cob yield (6.172 t ha-1) over no mulch condition (5.431 t ha-1).&nbsp;</div>

<div>Influence of nutrient management and moisture conservation practices on Growth and development of organic baby corn (Zea mays L.) in Assam</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">North east India is one of the exotic hotspots for Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and harbors about half of the global population of the Asian elephant. Here we present the first population genetic study of free-ranging Asian elephants, examining within- and among-population differentiation by analyzing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) differentiation across the Brahmaputra valley and elephant reserves of North east India. Surprisingly, the population here had shown lower mtDNA haplotype diversity with little mtDNA differentiation among localities within the Brahmaputra valley. This suggests extensive gene flow in the past, which is compatible with the home ranges of several hundred square kilometers for elephants in this region. Conversely, the Brahmaputra valley population is genetically distinct at a mitochondrial level than other tested elephant populations. These results significantly indicate the importance of population bottlenecks, social organization, and bio-geographic barriers in shaping the distribution of genetic variations among Asian elephant populations in North east India.</div>

Mitochondrial DNA variation, phylogeography and social organization of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) of North East India

<div>Background: Organic farming proves many advantages for recycling regenerates the waste matter into wealth and can wipe out the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Sustainable agriculture can be ensured in future with the help of organic farming which includes various processes of biological origin such as compost and vermicompost. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted at Alanthurai, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Agro-industrial waste of sugarcane trash and bagasse were collected and were used for biocomposting process using Pleurotus florida, Trichoderma asperelloides, microbial consortium and Eudrillus eugeniae. Six different treatments were incorporated in the present study. Vegetative parameters such as shoot length, root length, number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight at different stages (30, 60 and 90 DAS), number of flowers and number of branches on 60 and 90 DAS. On 90th day yield characters like number of fruits, diameter of fruits, single fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per plot were analyzed. 
 
Result: A significant increase in shoot length, root length, number of leaves, fresh weight and dry weight was observed in T3 - C3 (Predecomposted sugarcane trash + Trichoderma asperelloids and Microbial consortium 5 t/h) treatment, followed by T1 - C1 (Predecomposted sugarcane trash Pleurotus florida and earthworm (Eudrilus eugeniae) 5 t/h) treatment on 30, 60 and 90 DAS. A significant increase in number of flowers and number of branches was observed in T3 treatment followed by other treatment on 60 and 90 DAS. The maximum amount in number of fruits, diameter of fruit, single fruit weight, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield per plot were noted in T3 treatment, followed by T1 treatment on 90 DAS and minimum amount were reported in control (soil). The results of the study clearly indicated that treatment T3 significantly increased the vegetative parameters and yield characters in tomato.</div>

Effect of Composted Sugarcane Trash and Bagasse on the Growth and Yield of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Background: The field experiment was conducted at the Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu during rabi, 2022-2023 to study the influence of spacing and weed management practices on growth characters, nutrient removal by weeds and nutrient uptake of direct seeded rice (DSR).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plots were spacing of 20 &times; 15 cm, 20 &times; 20 cm and 25 &times; 25 cm. Sub plots were assigned with weed management practices viz., pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on&nbsp; 3 DAS as PE + Cono weeding on 20 DAS + hand weeding (HW) on 40 DAS, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Cono weeding on 20 DAS and 40 DAS, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Cono weeding on 40 DAS, Pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Hand weeding on 40 DAS, Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS and unweeded control.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results indicated that the highest growth attributes, higher nutrient uptake of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium under DSR and were significantly improved by spacing 20 &times; 20 cm along with pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i&nbsp; ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Cono weeding on 40 DAS. This was on par with pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Hand weeding on 40 DAS and hand weeding on 20 and 40 DAS. Similarly lower nutrient removal by weeds were registered under 20 &times; 15 cm spacing along with pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + cono weeding on 40 DAS. The interaction of spacing 20 &times; 20 cm and pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS&nbsp; as PE + Bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS as PoE + Cono weeding on 40 DAS significantly increased the growth attributes such as plant height, dry matter production and total numbers of tillers and significantly lowered the nutrient removal by weeds.&nbsp;

Influence of Spacing and Weed Management Practices on the Growth Characters, Nutrient Removal of Weeds and Nutrient Uptake of Direct Seeded Rice

Background: Finger millet is an important dryland crops since they can tolerate unfavorable weather and are frequently planted in soils with low nutrient and poor water holding capacity in soils. The main cause for yield loss is weed infestation which occurs in finger millet. Several integrated weed management techniques were carried out to control them particularly and to increase yield which benefits farmers. 
 
Methods: In this context a field experiment was conducted in Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences, Coimbatore, during Rabi season of 2022-23 in direct sown finger millet under irrigated condition. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with ten treatments and three replications viz., PE pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ha-1 8 DAS + Hand weeding @ 35 DAS, PoE 2,4-D @ 2 kg ha-1 40 DAS + Hand weeding @ 35 DAS, PE pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg ha-1 8 DAS + Hand weeding @ 35 DAS, PoE 2,4-D @ 2 kg ha-1 40 DAS + Twin wheel hoe @ 30 DAS, PE pendimethalin @ 0.75 kg ha-1 8 DAS + Twin wheel hoe @ 30 DAS, PE pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg ha-1 8 DAS + Twin wheel hoe @ 30 DAS, Hand weeding @ 25 and 40 DAS, Twin wheel hoe @ 25 and 40 DAS, Hand weeding @ 25 DAS + Twin wheel hoe @ 40 DAS and Unweeded control. The CO 14 finger millet was used a test variety with 110 days medium duration. 
 
Result: The result showed that pre-emergence pretilachlor @ 0.75 kg ha-1 8 DAS + Twin wheel hoe weeding @ 30 DAS significantly decreased weed density, importance value index and summed dominance ratio of weeds with higher weed control. The same treatment combination recorded higher plant height (115.8 cm) and grain yield (2368 kg ha-1) at harvest.

Effect of Integrated Weed Management Practices on Weed Dynamics, Growth Performance and Yield of Direct Sown Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.)

Background: Field experiment was conducted at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Thiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu during the rabi season of 2022-23 to evaluate the effect of spacing and weed management practices of yield parameters and yield of direct seeded rice under sodic soil using three levels of spacing and seven weed management strategies.

Methods: The main plots were spacing of 20 x 15 cm, 20 x 20 cm, and 25 x 25 cm. Sub plot consisted of weed management practices in direct seeded rice viz., PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at&nbsp; 20 g a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoE bispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at 20 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on&nbsp; 3 DAS + cono weeding on 20 DAS + hand weeding&nbsp; (HW) on 40 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron Ethyl 10% WP at 20 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on&nbsp; 3 DAS + cono weeding on 20 DAS and 40 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron ethyl 10% WP at&nbsp; 20 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS +&nbsp; PoE bispyribac sodium 10% SC&nbsp; at&nbsp; 25 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS +&nbsp; cono weeding on 40 DAS, PE pyrazosulfuron Ethyl 10% WP at 20 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on 3 DAS + PoEbispyribac sodium 10% SC at 25 g&nbsp; a.i ha-1 on 20 DAS +&nbsp; HW on 40 DAS, Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, and unweeded control. The field experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications.

Results: The results indicated that lower total weed density (40.39 no. m-2), dry weight of weeds (85.52 g m-2) and higher WCE (77.5%) were registered under 20 &times; 15 cm which was on par with spacing of 20 &times; 20 cm. The higher number of productive tillers m-2 (389), number of grains panicle-1 (192), number filled grains panicle-1 (187), grain yield (4546 kg ha-1) and straw yield (6714 kg ha-1) were observed under spacing of 20 &times; 20 cm. Application of pyrazosulfuron ethyl&nbsp; 20 g&nbsp; ha-1 at 3 DAS +&nbsp; bispyribac sodium&nbsp; 25 g&nbsp; ha-1 at 20 DAS + cono weeding at 40 DAS possessed the lowest total weed density (7.67 no. m-2), dry weight of weeds (12.63 g m-2), higher WCE (97.0) at 45 DAS and significantly improved the yield parameters and yields compared to unweeded control. The highest grain and straw yields were recorded from interaction between 20 &times; 20 cm and pyrazosulfuron ethyl 20 g ha-1 at 3 DAS + bispyribac sodium 25 g ha-1 at 20 DAS + cono weeding at 40 DAS.

Effect of spacing and weed management practices on yield parameters and yield of direct-seeded rice

<div>Background: Weeds are the major threat to direct seeded rice and a single strategy of weed control may not be effective for season-long weed control. Intending to accomplish the long-term and sustainable weed management of direct seeded rice, the integration approach of weed management strategies seems a better alternative. The current field study was aimed to evaluate the impact of integration of different weed control methods on direct seeded rice under irrigated ecosystem on weed growth and rice yield.</div>

<div> 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and twelve treatments during 2017 at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. The twelve treatments included the combination of cultural, mechanical, physical and chemical weed management methods.</div>

<div> 
Result: Combination of stale seedbed technique integrated with pre-emergence application of pendimethalin with mechanical weeding at 25 DAS followed by 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS, Sesbania (line sowing) fb application of pendimethalin (PE) fb 1 mechanical weeding at 25 DAS fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS, stale seedbed with application of pendimethalin (PE) with Sesbania brown manuring supplemented with mechanical weeding (25 DAS) fb hand weeding at 45 DAS, mulching with wheat straw mulch along with post-emergence application of penoxsulam (20 DAS) fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS and application of pendimethalin (PE) fb penoxsulum (PoE) at 20 DAS fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS with a row spacing of 25 cm found to be similar in the suppression of weed population and weed density at 40 and 60 DAS and crop yields (4.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.0 and 4.2 t/ha, respectively) were on par with weed free plot i.e. 4.4t/ha. Application of pendimethalin (PE) fb penoxsulum (PoE) at 20 DAS fb 1 hand weeding at 45 DAS with row spacing of 25cm recorded 93.7%, 90.6% and 4.5% weed control efficiency, weed control index and weed index respectively, which was similar with above integrated weed management treatments. A negative correlation of the weed density and dry matter with the yield of rice was recorded.</div>

​Effect of Integrated Weed Management on Weed and Yield of Direct Seeded Rice

<div>Background: Weed management is one of the most important agronomic constraints leading to severe losses in the cropping system. Intercropping has several advantages to mitigate the losses faced by monocropping in addition to which if there is a proper control of weeds then the advantages of the intercropping system can be multiplied. 
 
Methods: An investigation was conducted on medium black clayey soils at Junagadh during kharif 2019-20 and 2020-21 in randomized block design with 10 treatments replicated thrice, to evaluate the effect of different weed management options on the growth and yield of groundnut + pigeonpea relay intercropping. The treatments were: pendimethalin 0.9 kg ha-1 as PE fb interculture and hand weeding at 45 DAS (T1), pendimethalin 0.45 kg ha-1 + oxyfluorfen 0.09 kg ha-1 as PE fb interculture and hand weeding at 45 DAS (T2), interculture and hand weeding at 15 DAS fb sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% (ready mix) 1 kg ha-1 at 45 DAS as POE (T3), interculture and hand weeding at 15 DAS fb quizalofop p ethyl 40 g ha-1 at 45 DAS as POE (T4),&nbsp; interculture and hand weeding at 15 DAS fb propaquizafop 70 g ha-1 at 45 DAS as POE (T5), pendimethalin 0.9 kg ha-1 as PE fb sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% (ready mix) 1 kg ha-1 at 45 DAS as POE (T6), pendimethalin 0.9 kg ha-1 as a PE fb quizalofop p ethyl 40 g ha-1 at 45 DAS as POE (T7), pendimethalin 0.9 kg as ha-1 PE fb propaquizafop 70 g ha-1 at 45 DAS as POE (T8), weed free (T9) and unweeded control (T10). 
 
Result: The results of the experiment revealed that weed free registered significantly higher plant height, number of branches, dry matter per plant and&nbsp; number of root nodules per plant in groundnut and pigeonpea and was statistically on par with to intercultureand hand weeding at 15 DAS fb sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% (ready&nbsp; mix) 1 kg ha-1 at 45 DAS as PoE, pendimethalin 0.9 kg ha-1 as PE fb sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% (ready mix) 1 kg ha-1 at 45 DAS as PoE. The data on yield attributes and yield of both the crops depicted that significantly superior results were obtained with weed free treatment, which was statistically at par with intercultureand hand weeding at 15 DAS fb sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% (Ready mix) 1 kg ha-1 at 45 DAS as PoE and pendimethalin 0.9 kg ha-1 as PE fb sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% (Ready mix) 1 kg ha-1 at 45 DAS as PoE. While in case of groundnut equivalent pod and haulm yields, statistically superior yields were registered with weed free treatment, which was statistically at par with intercultureand hand weeding at 15 DAS fb sodium acifluorfen 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8% (Ready mix) 1 kg ha-1 at 45 DAS as PoE.</div>

Productivity of Groundnut + Pigeonpea Relay Intercropping System as Influenced by Weed Management Options

Background: The present study focused on the localization and comparative expression analysis of RFRP-3 gene in the hypothalamus and testis of adult male rats.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Brain and testis tissue samples were collected from adult Wister rats and used for immunohistochemistry for identification and localization RFRP-3 producing neurons. The expression level of the RFRP-3 gene was assessed by Real-time PCR and compared with muscle tissue.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results confirmed the presence of RFRP-3 secreting neurons in the hypothalamus and in the testes. Scattered RFRP-3 in cell bodies was identified primarily in the VMH, DMH and surrounding the third ventricle of the brain. In testis, RFRP-3 was detected in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells and germ cells. The expression level of RFRP-3 gene in the hypothalamus was observed to be significantly higher in hypothalamus than in testicular tissue (p&lt;0.01) of adult rats.&nbsp;