<div>Background: The effect of non-genetic factors including feeding, management, climate, calving year, season and others on animal production improvement has attracted considerable attention in recent years. In addition to improving animal genetics, the importance of optimum environmental conditions in enhancing animal production is recognized.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Data collected from 2008 to 2018 on 2036 records from crossbreeding dairy cattle herd at Holeta Agricultural Research Center were analyzed to evaluate the genetic and non-genetic environmental effect on lactation milk yield (LMY), lactation length (LL) and calving interval (CI). The fixed effect used in the data analysis were breed group, parity, years group of calving and seasons of calving. GLM procedure of SAS was used to analyze the data. 
 
Result: Results of data analysis indicated that breed group and year group of calving had a significant (P&lt;0.05) effect on LMY, LL and CI. Parity significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected LMY and CI but had no significant effects on LL. While, season of calving had no significant influence on all traits. Least square mean LMY was significantly (p&lt;0.05) highest (3191 kg) for 75% first generation breed group and significantly (P&lt;0.05) lowest for pure Ethiopian Borena breed (124 kg LMY). Mean LL was significantly (p&lt;0.05) highest (354 days) for 75% first generation breed group and significantly (P&lt;0.05) lowest for pure Ethiopian Borena breed (178 days). Least square mean CI was significantly (p&lt;0.05) longest (477 days) for 75% first generation breed group and significantly (P&lt;0.05) shortest (422 days) for 75% inter se mated breed group. Among 75% crosses, the 75% inter se mated breed group had lower LMY (2553 kg) and shorter CI (422 days) compared to 75% first generation breed group. The decline in LMY and CI for 75% inter se mated breed group by 637 kg (25%) and 54 days (13%), respectively compared to 75% first generation, which can be attributed to recombination effect.</div>

Analysis of the Non-genetic Factors Influencing the Performance of High-grade and Inter se Mated Crossbred Dairy Cows at Holetta Dairy Research Farm, Ethiopia

<div>Background: Pedigree method of breeding in predominantly self-pollinated crop like dolichos bean enable exploiting only fixable genetic effects as a result of rapid increase in homozygosis. One or a few cycles of inter-mating in F2 generation help create populations with high frequency of desired recombinants which otherwise cannot be realized in later generations. The objective of the present investigation was to assess the impact of inter se mating in F2 population on nine quantitative traits&rsquo; (QTs) mean and variability parameters. 
 
Methods: Randomly selected 20 pairs of a single cross-derived F2 plants with flowering synchrony were inter se mated. Progenies derived from 20 paired crosses (designated as BIP F3 progenies) and those (F3) derived from their 40 F2 parents were evaluated for 9 QTs. Statistics such as mean, absolute range (AR) and standardized range (SR), variance (&sigma;2), additive genetic variance (&sigma;2A) and narrow-sense heritability (NS-h2) were estimated. BIP F3 progenies were compared with those of F3 progenies for QTs mean, AR/SR, &sigma;2, &sigma;2A and NS-h2. Significance of differences between BIP F3 progenies and F3 progenies for mean and &sigma;2 were examined using two-sample t test and Levene&rsquo;s tests, respectively.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The random mating in F2 population was effective in increasing the means, variances, &sigma;2A and NS-h2 of racemes plant-1, fresh pods node-1, fresh pods plant-1 and fresh pod yield plant-1 in dolichos bean. Considering that random mating followed by selfing is a method of genetic improvement for future breeding rather than for immediate use, our results suggest long-term genetic gain and better prospects of deriving superior pure-lines with desired traits/combination of traits from inter-mated population in dolichos bean.</div>

<div>Effect of F2 Inter se Mating on Quantitative Traits Mean, Range, Variance and Heritability in Dolichos Bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet var. Lignosus)</div>

<div>Background: Indian vegetable oil economy is world&rsquo;s fourth largest after USA, China and Brazil. India was a net exporter of oilseeds and edible oils till 1960s but with stagnation in production and increasing demand for edible oils, India became net importer of edible oils by late-1970s. The government decided to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oilseeds through various policy/schemes such as NODP (1984-85), TMO (1986), OPDP (1991-92) was launched under the TMOP and ISOPOM (2004-05). Karnataka is the sixth largest state in area and production of oilseeds crops in India. Among the oilseed crops, sunflower accounts highest in area (36.71%) and production in state. Hence, the study was undertaken in Karnataka state with the objectives of assessing the growth and instability of sunflower production. 
 
Methods: The growth trends and instability analysis of sunflower was corrie out in Karnataka. The four divisions of the states viz., Bangalore, Mysore, Belgaum and Gulbarga with 30 districts were selected for the study. The data pertaining to area, production and yield of sunflower were collected from many secondary sources and analysed for the period I: 1975-1995 (Pre-WTO), Period II: 1995-2015 (Post-WTO) and whole period: 1975-2015 by using CAGR and CDI Index.&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify"> 
Result: The growth pattern of sunflower showed a downward trend with respect of area, production and yield in all the four regions of the state during the period II than compared to period I. It might reflect the adverse effect of modern technology on production of sunflower in Karnataka state. The study indicated that the fluctuation in area, production and yield of sunflower were higher during post-WTO period when compared to pre-WTO period in across the districts and divisions. The mixed trend was observed during whole period with respect to growth and instability of sunflower production.</div>

<div>Growth Trends and Instability of Sunflower in Karnataka: An Inter-Districts and Inter-Divisional Analysis</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Mating system of a population refers to the general behavioral strategies which employed in obtaining mates. In order to investigate the genetic parentage of 151 individuals in Tupaia belangeri from Haikou Forest Farm, 8 microsatellite loci with higher polymorphic characters were used for genetic relationship analysis. The results showed that the number of alleles per polymorphic locus in 151 individuals ranged from 2 to 9. The average observed and expected heterozygosities per locus ranged from 0.2476 to 0.8367 and from 0.2789 to 0.7773, respectively. While the polymorphic information content ranged from 0.2469 to 0.7773. Except the locus (TBC1) deviated from Hardy&ndash;Weinberg equilibrium, the others 7 microsatellite loci were employed to research the mating system in T. belangeri, which found that non-strictly monogamous in T. belangeri, but exhibited evidence of multiple paternity. All of the results suggested that characteristics of 8 microsatellite loci provide an excellent tool for the research of mating systems and fine-scaled population structuring of tree shrew, which was the first molecular evidence for mating system in T. belangeri.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Research of Mating System in Tupaia belangeri by Microsatellite DNA Markers</div>

<div>Background: Attitudes are learned, emotionally, predisposition to react in a consistent way, favourable or unfavourable to the situation of inter-cropping practices. The purposed of this finding was to find out the attitude of the adopter and non-adopter of inter-cropping in areca nut plantation in Ri-Bhoi District of Meghalaya. It is important to study the attitude of the respondents towards the inter-cropping practices as this can help to understand the reason behind the adoption or non-adoption of the practices in the study area. This study also helped in determining the relationship between the attitude and the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. 
 
Methods: This field survey was done during the year 2017 to 2019. Ex-Post Facto research design was used for this study. The sample study was selected through multistage sampling method in the selected study area of the respondents. Number of respondents was selected using a simple random method by using computer aided random selection based on the criteria of practicing areca nut plantation and those who practiced both areca nut plus inter-cropping. A survey of 310 adopters and 310 non-adopters of areca nut plantation were selected for the study. Collection of primary data was done using an interview schedule and appropriate statistical tools were used for interpretation of the data. Independent variables included in this were gender, age, marital status, educational level and type of house, family size, family type, social category, and annual income. 
 
Result: Based on the study it was observed that the attitude of the adopters and the non-adopters of Ri-Bhoi district were found to be favourable towards the inter-cropping practices but the attitudinal level among them were found to have been different based on some factors. The adopters were having most favourable attitude than the non-adopters. The findings of this study led to the conclusion that the attitudes of adopters and non-adopters differ depending on their educational status, annual income, land size and so on. The findings of this study can be used by the government to assist farmers in any way possible, so that non-adopters can also adopt inter-cropping practices because, according to the study, they have a favourable attitude toward this practice, but they require government assistance.</div>

Attitude of the Adopters and Non-adopters towards Inter-cropping in Areca Nut Plantation in Ri-Bhoi District of Meghalaya

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Weeds are one of major threats to crop yield and quality. Weeds compete with cane crop and reduce the yield significantly in a very short period. Planned use of all available farm resources leads to integrated control strategy. The current study aimed to study the use of inter row rotary weeder for integrated weeds management to control population dynamics of weeds in sugarcane crop. The objective of experiment is to find out economical, feasible and easy to use approach to minimize the weed density below the threshold level in sugarcane crop and to minimize the use of chemicals for weeds control to promote organic farming. Methods: In this research experiment, at Sugarcane Research Institute, Faisalabad during 2017 and 2018, the treatment includes viz. Application od Click (atrazine and acetochlor) @ 3.75 Liter per hectare as Pre-emergence, Ametryn + Atrazine 80 W.P @ 2.50 kg per hectare as post-emergence, Machanical Inter-culture with Rotary weeder and cultivator plough and earthing up. These treatments in different combinations were compared with control. Result: The application of Pre-emergence weedicide Click (atrazine and acetochlor) @ 3.75 Liter per hectare + Inter culture with Rotary weeder 50 days after planting (DAP) + Inter culture with cultivator plough before earthing up (100 DAP) produced significantly higher cane yield of 105 t. ha-1 and highest net benefits per hectare of Rs. 156250/-. The lowest cane yield of 70 t. ha-1 was noted from the experimental units with Weedy check / control. If farmers use this approach, the use of post emergence weedicides will be minimized and will encourage organic farming with safe and healthy environment.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Valuation of Weed Control Methods by using Inter Row Rotary Weeder in Sugarcane Crop</div>

<div>Timber is a commonly used building material which is porous in nature, continuously maintaining equality with relative humidity (RH) and temperature of the atmosphere in the immediate vicinity. Moisture content influences several performance parameters like timber durability, immunity to deterioration etc. Several procedures have been attempted which enables to measure the moisture contents in timber consistently and rather accurately. This review provides the technical details of the methodologies attempted so far to estimate moisture contents in timber specimens. The proposed inter-digital sensing was carried out at Department of Instrumentation, CUSAT during 2019-2020. Implementation of a method employing a spiral inter-digital capacitive sensor, which is low in cost and non-invasive in nature, is presented and discussed.</div>

Techniques to Measure Moisture Content in Timber: A Review and Proposal for Inter-digital Sensing

<div>Background: The basic plant material consisted of 9 mungbean and 5 urdbean genotypes. 42 different crosses were made comprising 13 Vigna radiata x V. radiata, 4 V. radiata x V. mungo and 25 V. radiata x V. mungo crosses. Varying degree of success has been achieved in obtaining intraspecific and interspecific crosses having desired variability for yield and yield contributing traits along with MYMV resistance. 
 
Methods: The present investigation was done at Agricultural Research Farm, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, during Kharif, 2019 and Summer, 2020. 42 intra-specific and inter-specific cross combinations were initially examined for their crossability. Out of these, six promising crosses with higher crossability percent were further analyzed for hybrid pollen fertility, hybrid lethality and, evaluation of F1 and parents for different yield traits 
. 
Result: Crossability per cent found highest in intraspecific cross HUM 2 x IPM 02-3 (41.86%) in mungbean while, in urdbean cross NDU 1 x R3/12 (41.38%). In interspecific crosses, the maximum crossability per cent was found in SKAU M 365 x R3/28 (34.92%). Two mungbean genotypes (HUM 2 and HUM 26) and two urdbean genotypes (R3/12 and R3/28) can be further utilized for genetic improvement through inter-specific hybridization as there cross combinations are better performing on the basis of yield attributes along with MYMV resistance.</div>

​Comparative Study of Crossability Behavior in Intra-specific and Inter-specific Crosses of Vigna radiata and Vigna mungo

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Urdbean is a prominent legume crop with excellent nutritive value that is utilized in many ways throughout India. To fulfill the increasing demand, production must be enhanced through the use of breeding procedures which leads to production of high yielding cultivars. This necessitates a thorough examination of the gene action involved in the regulation of yield and its attributing traits, which can be accomplished by generation mean analysis. 
 
Methods: In present investigation, generation mean analysis was employed for 11 characters by using six-parameter model to determine the nature and magnitude of gene action of yield and its component traits in six inter-varietal crosses of urdbean. 
 
Result: Simple scaling test revealed that the digenic model (additive-dominance model) was inadequate for most of the traits, confirming the existence of non-allelic interactions for all of the crosses. Duplicate type of epistasis was reported for three traits in HimMash-1xSirmour-2 (days to 50% flowering, days to 75% maturity, harvest index), Palampur-93xKullu-4 (days to 50% flowering, podlength, 100-seed weight) and Palampur-93xChamba-8 (days to 50% flowering, days to 75% maturity, podlength). Two in HimMash-1xKullu-4 (days to 50% flowering, days to 75% maturity), HimMash-1xChamba-8 (days to 50% flowering, 100-seed weight) and Palampur-93xSirmour-2 (branches/plant, 100-seed weight). Hence, it was evident from the study that the bi-parental mating trailed by selection in advanced generations should be employed for harnessing desirable recombinants.&nbsp;</div>

Genetic evaluation of yield and its component traits by using generation mean analysis in inter-varietal crosses of urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

The specific roles of nutrients in reproduction are not well defined in sheep. Hence, the relationships between certain mineral (Ca, Mg) and element (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) levels at mating and pregnancy rates was investigated in fat-tailed Morkaraman ewes synchronised with different hormones (melatonin, norgestomet implant and eCG) early in anoestrus season. For this purpose, 40 healthy ewes (aged 2-4 years) allocated in the synchronised (n=30) and no-treated group (n=10) were used during mid-May (suckling period). On the eCG injection day, fertile rams (n=8) were introduced into the groups and, then the oestrus signs were visually monitored twice daily for 7 days. The oestrous ewes were allowed to hand-mate using rotational (four rams daily) mating system. Additionally, jugular blood samples were collected on the days of onset of oestrus (before mating) for determination of serum Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn levels. Presence of pregnancies was diagnosed by real-time ultrasonography 35 days post-mating. Totally, 25 ewes became pregnant (21 ewes with stimulated- and 4 with spontaneous oestrus), while 9 ewes (all received stimulation) were not pregnant. In non-pregnant ewes, unlike other minerals and elements, the Cu and Zn values were significantly lower than their reference values (for Cu: 0.87&plusmn;0.16 mg/dl vs. 9.20 mg/dl; for Zn: 2.06&plusmn;0.30 mg/dl vs. 3.8 mg/dl, resp.; P&lt;0.01 in both cases). In pregnant ewes, the corresponding values remained unchanged (P&gt;0.05). Hence, the present findings indicate that the low Cu and Zn levels during the oestrus might adversely affect the subsequent pregnancy rate in suckling ewes.

Is there a relationship between serum minerals (Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn) at mating on pregnancy rates in fat-tailed Morkaraman sheep?* 
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