The present study is the analysis of large scale data (31949 ha area and 79873 farmers) generated through the CFLD on pulses across the major pulses growing states under the ICAR-ATARIs of Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Jodhpur (Rajasthan), Pune (Maharashtra), Patna (Bihar), Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Kolkata (West Bengal), Guwahati (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya), Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Bengaluru (Karnataka) and Patna (Bihar). The pulse crops included in this analysis were from all three growing seasons: kharif (pigeonpea-5556 ha, blackgram-6067 ha, and greengram-2689 ha), rabi (chickpea-8376 ha, lentil-3747 ha and field pea-1890 ha), and summer (greengram-3624 ha). The average performance data of CFLD were obtained for the above states for all the crops representing all three growing seasons during the cropping seasons of 2016–17 and 2017–18. Thus, CFLD data were analyzed from across minimum of 21 states (greengram) and maximum of 24 states (blackgram). The major variables analyzed were average yield obtained from the check plots and demonstrations plots. These yields were computed for yield advantages and also compared with the reported district level, state level, national level yields and the potential yields of the respective crops in the given states (data procured from secondary sources for the year 2017–18). Accordingly, the yield advantages (absolute as well as per cent) at various level were analyzed and their degree of variation was computed for all the crops across the seasons. The paper brings out the results of above analyses in objective manner.

It has become mandatory for all the domestic producers of urea to produce Neem Coated Urea (NCU) since 2015 to reduce overall input cost in farming and to ensure environmental sustainability through enhanced nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). The present study was carried out during 2017–19 with the aim to find out the awareness level of farmers about NCU and its impact on crop productivity. A total of 12,604 farmers across the country were interviewed by 458 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs). The results of the study showed that 76% farmers were aware about NCU and its effectiveness in increasing crop yield. Farmers of Delhi NCR, Haryana and Rajasthan were found to have the highest awareness while those of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Jammu & Kashmir had the lowest level of awareness. Overall, 79% farmers were satisfied with its use. Use of N fertilizers decreased significantly in 2018 compared to 2017 in both the seasons (kharif and rabi), however, the existing rate of application was still significantly higher than recommended doses. The average yield enhancement due to use of NCU was 8.25%. The highest yield increase due to use of NCU was observed in Goa, Madhya Pradesh, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Results of the study implied that more emphasis is needed for dissemination of information about NCU through awareness, training and capacity building programmes for farmers and grassroots level extension functionaries.

The present study was conducted to elucidate the effect of different antioxidants on the semen quality of cryopreserved yak semen. The ejaculates found suitable were extended (1:10) with 4 different Tris extenders by split sample technique containing different antioxidants in each of 3 extenders, viz. Taurine @ 50 mM, Trehalose @ 100 mM or vitamin E @ 2 mM and one control (without additive). The sperm motility, live sperm, HOSTreacted sperm, total incidence of acrosomal changes and extracellular release of ALT and AST differed significantly between antioxidants. Total sperm motility, live sperm and HOST-reacted sperm were significantly higher and total incidence of acrosomal changes and extracellular release of AST were significantly lower in extender containing antioxidants than that in control. The difference between taurine, trehalose and vitamin E was not significant for parameters like sperm motility, HOST-reacted sperm and extracellular release of ALT. The per cent live sperm was significantly higher and total incidence of acrosomal changes was significantly lower for taurine than for trehalose and vitamin E. The extracellular release of ALT was significantly lower in extender containing taurine or trehalose than in control while the extracellular release of AST was significantly lower in the extender containing taurine than that in containing trehalose, vitamin E and control. The findings of the present study revealed that addition of taurine, trehalose and vitamin E in Tris extender significantly improved the post thaw quality of yak semen. Among the antioxidants evaluated, 50 mM of taurine in Tris extender could be effectively used to obtain better quality of frozen thawed yak semen.

Mushroom cultivation is a highly profitable enterprise with a least cost and high profit combinations. Temperature and relative humidity has large impacts on cultivation of mushroom. Among all the mushrooms Pleurotus spp. are second highest cultivable mushroom in the world. Sub-tropical climates are found suitable for its cultivation. The present study was conducted to evaluate the year round performance of different varieties of oyster mushroom viz. P.ostreatus, P. florida and P. sajor-caju in the Lakhimpur district of Assam under ARYA (Attracting and retaining Youth in Agriculture) project of ICAR implemented by KVK, Lakhimpur. The study comprised of five youth groups under the project. The spawns are obtained from Biswanath College of Agriculture under Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat and Spawn Production Unit of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Lakhimpur. 120 packets of spawn per unit were provided to each youth groups/unit. Each unit has a capacity to run 240 beds/crop cycle and a total of 4 crop cycle were run at 4 different seasons viz. winter season, summer season, monsoon and post monsoon seasons of the year. All the 3 species of oyster mushrooms performed well throughout the year. The yield of P.ostreatus, P. florida and P. sajor-caju are found to be highest in the post monsoon season. The lowest yield of P. ostreaatus and P. florida was obtained in the summer season (March-May) whereas for P. sajor caju lowest yield was obtained in the monsoon season (June-September). The performance of P. ostreatus was found to be better as compared to the P. florida and P. sajor-caju throughout the year. For the development of entrepreneurship through year round production of oyster mushroom in the Lakhimpur districts of Assam, cultivation of P. ostreatus was found to be more profitable followed by P. sajor-caju .

A total of 150 ejaculates, 10 from each of 15 swamp buffalo bulls comprising each group 5 animals were used in the study to observe the seasonal effect in sperm biochemical and semen quality. Methods: Clinical and andrological examinations, and monitoring of semen production and quality were carried out on fifteen mature, healthy swamp buffalo bulls in North East India. Seminal characteristics were compared between three seasons of the year (Summer, March-June; Monsoon, i.e. July-September; Autumn, i.e. October-November and winter, i.e. November-February) with distinct ambient temperature and humidity. Results: All bulls were diagnosed as clinically healthy and with good libido throughout the period of study. Ejaculate volume, mass activity, HOST and acrosomal integrity differ significantly (P < 0.05-0.001) between all seasons, whereas initial sperm motility, sperm concentration and abnormalities did not differ significantly. The total protein, total cholesterol and total lipid of seminal plasma of swamp buffalo semen differ significantly between all the seasons. In conclusion, climatic changes did not seem to largely affect semen sperm output or viability, although the proportions of some semen characteristics and biochemical constituents altered season wise. Conclusion: Seasonal changes moderately appear to cause deleterious changes in sperm quality in swamp buffalo.

The Arunachali breed of yak is reared by the Monpa pastoral community of Arunachal Pradesh in India for their livelihood and nutritional security on highland pastures. In addition to fulfilling the basic needs of highlanders, this animal is associated with poor production potential linked to its inherent reproductive problems, including silent oestrus, seasonality, and inbreeding, making yak rearing a less-profitable venture. In the recent past, efforts have been made to improve reproductive efficiency of Arunachali yak through assisted reproductive techniques. However, a few regimens for superovulation have been tried to date with limited success in terms of superovulatory response and embryo recovery. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of two different doses and regimes of superovulation: Stimufol (400 and 200µg per animal) and Folligon (1500 and 1000IU per animal) in Arunachali yak. Twenty-four yaks were allotted in 4 groups (of 6 animals each) and subjected to respective superovulation treatment. Thereafter, the treatment response was assessed in terms of expression of oestrus, interval between treatment and oestrus onset, duration of oestrous, number of corpora lutea and embryos recovered, and analysed using two-way statistical analysis between treatment groups. The results (Table 1) showed a significant (P<0.01) variation in onset of oestrus after the treatment, whereas other responses did not differ among the groups. Further, the recovered embryos were categorized as excellent, good, fair, and poor according to cell size, shape, texture, and number of vesicles present in the blastomeres; 58.33, 20.83, 8.33, and 12.5% embryos in these categories were recovered, respectively. The overall embryo recovery rate was 30.77%, ranging from 10.53 to 52.38% in different treatment groups. The numbers of embryos recorded were less than the numbers of CL present, showing the possibility of non-availability of all ovulated oocytes for fertilization in the oviduct due to untrapping by the fimbriae. The effectiveness of treatments depended upon the precision of oestrus detection and the time of ovulation. In our study, the variation in onset of oestrus might be associated with poor expression of behavioural oestrus in the treated animals. Based on the present findings, we conclude that all the treatments are effective in superovulation and embryo recovery. However, the use of Folligon at 1500IU seemed to be comparatively more effective in Arunachali yak. Table 1. Mean (n=6) average of treatment responses in yak following different superovulatory treatment Variable Treatment Stimufol Folligon 400 µg/animal 200 µg/animal 1500 IU/animal 1000 IU/animal Oestrus response (%) 100 100 100 100 Interval between treatment and oestrus onset (h) 17.67±0.56a 20.83±0.79b 21.17±0.79bc 23.67±1.43c Duration of oestrous (h) 30.33±1.09 28.50±0.99 31.50±1.50 28.83±1.25 Corpora lutea (n) 2.83±1.22 3.50±1.18 3.50±0.67 3.17±0.87 Embryo recovered (n) 0.83±0.83 1.00±0.81 1.83±0.98 0.33±0.21 Recovery rate (%) 29.41 28.57 52.38 10.53 a–cMeans within a row with different superscripts differ P<0.05.

Realizing the importance of farm mechanization in purview of shortage of farm labour and increasing demand from land for higher productivity, the Government of India implemented a subsidy scheme for promoting purchase and use of power tillers by farmers during 2007–2015. The present study aimed at assessing perception of the beneficiaries about the status of implementation of the scheme with a focus on power tiller purchase, use, and hindrances (if any). The study was conducted in randomly selected 23 districts from 5 purposively selected states of India with a total of 746 beneficiary farmers (n=746). Primary cross sectional data were collected with the help of a structured personal interview schedule. Variation was noticed among the states regarding cost and subsidy received to buy the power tillers. The average cost of power tillers including subsidy, was the highest for Tripura (`₹ 171577) followed by Assam (`₹ 169317). The average amount of subsidy was ` ₹ 70701 with the highest reported in Andhra Pradesh (` ₹ 90626). Overall, a majority (91.96%) of the respondents reported not to face difficulties in availing the subsidy. Overall 89.01% of the beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the quality of power tillers supplied under the scheme. However, more than half of the beneficiaries were not satisfied with the overall services provided by the dealers including training and maintenance services. The findings of the study will be helpful for policy makers to evaluate the scheme and make improvements based on the lacuna investigated in the study.

A study was conducted on pubertal Swamp buffalo heifers and puerperal Swamp buffalo cows maintained at Network Project on Buffalo Improvement (Swamp), College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Guwahati, indicated that buffalo heifers of 1.5 to 3 years of age exhibited no genital changes indicative of cyclic activity. The ovary was active characterised by presence of palpable corpus luteum in 50.00 per cent buffalo cows within 45 days of parturition. Serum IGF-1 level in pubertal heifers increased significantly from 61.58 ± 0.66 ng/ml at 1.5 to 2 years to 69.31 ± 2.99 ng/ml at 2.5 to 3 years of age. Level of leptin, ghrelin and IGF-1 did not vary during the puerperal period in buffalo cows. Level of serum calcium and phosphorus was significantly higher in pubertal heifers of 2 to 3 years of age and the values were 9.50 ± 0.23 mg/dl for calcium and 3.70 ± 0.02 mg/dl for phosphorus as against 8.74 ± 0.21 mg/dl calcium and 3.44 ± 0.04 mg/dl phosphorus recorded in 1.5 to 2 year old heifers.

BACKGROUND The quality of frozen semen can be improved by supplementing Tris extender with antioxidant to prevent oxidation and maintain sperm motility. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of adding combinations of suitable concentrations of butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and Vitamin E in Tris extender on the quality of frozen goat semen. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 40 ejaculates collected from five Beetal bucks were used to study the effect on the quality of frozen semen of supplementing Tris extender with 200 µM BHT, 2 mM Vitamin E and 200 µM BHT + 2 mM Vitamin E. RESULTS The sperm motility, live sperm, live intact acrosome and HOST-reacted sperm differed significantly (P<0.01) between stages and between antioxidants. There was no significant difference (P<0.05) in interaction between stages (equilibration, freezing) and antioxidants, except for HOST-reacted sperm. Critical difference test revealed that Tris extender containing 2 mM vitamin E showed significantly (P<0.05) higher sperm motility, live sperm, live intact acrosome and HOST-reacted sperm, and significantly (P<0.05) lower release of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). CONCLUSION Supplementation of Tris extender with 2 mM vitamin E maintained superior quality of frozen Beetal buck semen.

A total of 126 ejaculates, 21 from each of six bucks comprising three Beetal and three Sirohi bucks, collected by artificial vagina were used to study various semen characteristics. The semen characteristics viz., ejaculate volume, mass activity, initial sperm motility, live sperm, sperm concentration, sperm number per ejaculate, cold shock resistance index, live intact acrosome and sperm abnormalities were studied by conventional methods. The overall mean values of different characteristics of fresh semen in Beetal and Sirohi bucks for ejaculate volume, mass activity, initial sperm motility, live sperm, sperm concentration, sperm number per ejaculate, cold shock resistance index, live intact acrosome, head abnormalities, mid piece abnormalities, tail abnormalities and sperm with proximal and distal cytoplasmic droplet were 1.08 ± 0.05 and 1.18 ± 0.04 ml, 3.71+ and 3.92+, 82.94 ± 0.73 and 84.60 ± 0.61 per cent, 85.57 ± 0.52 and 86.03 ± 0.48 per cent, 3356.73 ± 83.06 and 3176.94 ± 53.92 million per ml, 3595.17 ± 122.08 and 3669.00 ± 126.42 million, 6.72 ± 0.22 and 6.77 ± 0.20 per cent, 85.18 ± 0.39 and 84.05 ± 0.41 per cent, 1.65 ± 0.13 and 1.50 ± 0.12 per cent, 0.25 ± 0.02 and 0.30 ± 0.03 per cent, 2.73 ± 0.18 and 2.53 ± 0.13 per cent, 0.43 ± 0.03 and 0.48 ± 0.04 per cent and 0.86 ± 0.12 and 0.61 ± 0.04 per cent respectively. The different semen characteristics did not differ significantly between breeds; however, the differences between bucks within the breed were significant for ejaculate volume, live intact acrosome, mid piece abnormalities, tail abnormalities and sperm with distal cytoplasmic droplet.

For the present study a total of twenty normal cyclic and twenty confirmed silent estrous cows yielding 8 – 20 liters of milk were selected at random. Blood samples were collected from each animal on day 0, 10, 17 and 20 (day 0 of the next cycle) and each sample was analyzed for estimation of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, total protein, glucose and cholesterol by using quality kits. The analysis of variance revealed that mean level of serum calcium, zinc, total protein, and glucose differ highly significant (p< 0.01) between different days of estrous cycle in both silent and normal estrous cows. While serum inorganic phosphorus and cholesterol did not differ significantly while serum magnesium differed significantly (p< 0.05) between different days but all above differed highly significant (p< 0.01) among different days of estrous cycle in silent and normal estrus cows.

Talc based bioformulations namely Biofor PF-2, Bioveer, Biomonas and Biozin PTB were evaluated against damping off disease of tomato.Application of these bioformulations as seed treatment and in nursery bed treatment before sowing significantly reduced the pre-and post-emergence damping off of tomato.Among all the bioformulations tested, Biozin PTB was found most effective in reducing maximum (76.68 and 70.76 per cent) reduction of pre-and post-emergence damping off of tomato.Besides reducing the pre-and post-emergence damping off, Biozin PTB also caused maximum increase of root length, shoot length and biomass production of tomato seedlings. K e y w o r d sDamping off, Bioveer, Biofor PF-2, Biomonas and Biozin PTB

A study was conducted to compare the efficacy of GnRH and GnRH fortified with bypass fat, minerals and vitamins for treatment of true anoestrus in crossbred cows based on oestrus induction response, post treatment conception rate and blood biochemical constituents. Per cent response to different treatment regimen in terms of manifestation of external signs of oestrus was recorded as 83.33, 50.00 and 83.33 for supportive, GnRH and GnRH + supportive treatment groups respectively. The corresponding post treatment oestrus intervals for the cows under the three treatment groups were 10.60 ± 2.11, 12.67 ± 7.31 and 5.00 ± 1.05 days and the conception rates were 50.00, 50.00 and 50.00 per cent. As regards to blood biochemical constituents studied in true anoestrus crossbred cows it could be mentioned that serum levels of most of the minerals (phosphorus, iron and zinc); reproductive hormone (Oestrogen) and metabolic hormones (leptin, ghrelin and IGF-1) were not found to vary significantly following treatment with different regimens. It can be concluded that Supportive treatment was found to be effective as GnRH in addressing true anoestrus in crossbred cows.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tris egg yolk and Tris soya lecithin in extenders for goat sperm cryopreservation. A total of 15 pooled ejaculates from five adult Beetal bucks maintained at Goat Research Station, AAU, Burnihat, were used in the study. Immediately after collection each ejaculate was evaluated for volume, mass activity and initial sperm motility and those found suitable were pooled. The pooled ejaculates were split into two equal parts and extended with two extenders i.e., Tris extender containing 20 per cent egg yolk (TEY) and Tris extender supplemented with 1.5 per cent soya lecithin (TSL). The extended semen was filled in 0.25 ml French straws and frozen using liquid nitrogen vapour. The mean post-thaw sperm motility, live sperm and intact acrosome in Tris extender containing 20 per cent egg yolk was significantly higher than that in Tris extender containing 1.5 per cent soya lecithin. The mean post-thaw HOST-reacted spermatozoa was non significant between Tris extenders containing 20 per cent egg yolk and 1.5 per cent soya lecithin. In conclusion, although soya lecithin represent an alternative chemically defined extender with decrease risk of biological contamination, egg yolk based extenders are more efficient for cryopreservation of goat semen.

A study was conducted on yak semen to evaluate the effect of different freezing rates on the quality of frozen semen. The semen was frozen following three freezing rates viz., Freezing rate I (@ 5ºC/minute from +4oC to -10oC, @ 40ºC/minute from -10ºC to -100ºC and @ 20ºC/minute from -100ºC to -140ºC), II (@ 4ºC/minute from +4ºC to -12ºC, @ 40ºC/minute from -12ºC to -40ºC and @ 50ºC/minute from -40ºC to -140ºC and III (@ 5oC/minute from +4ºC to -10ºC, @50ºC/minute from -10ºC to -100ºC and @ 20ºC/minute from -100oC to -140ºC). The sperm motility, live sperm, HOST-reacted sperm, total incidence of acrosomal changes and extracellular release of Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate aminotransferase of yak semen extended in Tris extender differed significantly (P <0.01) between stages of processing and freezing but did not differ significantly between freezing rates and due to stage × freezing rate interaction. Analysis of variance revealed that in frozen semen, a freezing rate significantly (P<0.05) influenced the percentage of live sperm with Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (MMP) but did not significantly influence the percentage of sperm with DNA damage. The percentage of live sperm with MMP in frozen semen was significantly higher for freezing rate III than for freezing rate II but the difference between freezing rates I and III was not significant.

The present study was conducted on a total of 909 crossbred cows maintained in various private farms from Kamrup, Darrang and Lakhimpur districts of Assam. Breeding records provided by the farmers and characteristic genital changes detected on per rectum examination of 133 reported infertile cows were analyzed. The study revealed that the incidence of infertility due to different types of reproductive disorders was 14.63 per cent in cross bred cow under field conditions. Common clinically detectable reproductive disorders were repeat breeding with uterine infection, repeat breeding without uterine infection, true anoestrus and silent oestrus with the percentage frequencies of 36.09, 23.30, 20.30 and 17.29 respectively when estimated out of total number of infertile cows. Less frequent reproductive disorders were pyometra, ovarian cyst, infantile genitalia and ovario-bursal adhesion occurring in the frequencies of 36.09, 23.30, 20.30 and 17.29 per cent respectively. Irrespective of type the incidence of anoestrus and repeat breeding was 37.59 and 59.39 per cent respectively. Palpable corpus luteum was present in the ovary of silent oestrous cows but totally absent in cows affected with true anoestrus. Mucopurulent vaginal discharge was a distinct clinically detectable genital characteristic observed in 62.50 per cent repeat breeder cows with uterine infection. Of the infertile cows 53.38 per cent had body condition score between 2.5 and 3.5 and 46.61 per cent had the score less than 2.5. Out of repeat breeder cows with uterine infection 43.66 per cent had good body condition and 27.41 per cent poor body condition. Level of serum calcium, zinc, leptin, ghrelin and IGF-1 did not vary significantly between types of infertility. Level of phosphorus and iron was lower in cows affected with repeat breeding due to infection. Serum oestrogen level remained low in cows affected with silent oestrus and true anoestrus while level of progesterone was higher in cows affected with silent oestrus.

The present study was carried out in a total of 673 postpartum crossbred cows of first to fifth lactations maintained under stall fed conditions at different Government and private farms from Kamrup Metro, Cachar and Udalguri district of Assam.All the postpartum crossbred cows were examined per rectum to determine the reproductive status based on the owner's history and the incidence of cows with silent oestrus was worked out.Results revealed that a total of 86 crossbred cows (12.78%) reported to be anestrous were identified as silent oestrus on the basis of presence of either uterine tone or corpus luteum or Graafian follicle on clinico-gynaecological examination.The district-wise incidence of silent oestrus was found to be 14.29, 10.08 and 14.25 per cent in Kamrup Metro, Cachar and Udalguri district respectively.Reproductive status of the crossbred cows other than anoestrus investigated were pregnant, recently calved, repeat breeder, true anoestrus, chronic cervicitis, metritis, ovaro-bursal adhesion, cystic ovary and normal oestrus with the percentage frequencies of 11. 44, 8.02, 22.88, 26.11, 2.67, 11.00, 0.30, 0.44 and 4.31 respectively when estimated out of the total number of postpartum cows. K e y w o r d s

A study was conducted to compare efficacy of PGF2α and PGF2α fortified with bypass fat, minerals and vitamins for treatment of silent oestrus in crossbred cows based on oestrus induction response and post treatment conception rate. The study revealed that double intramuscular injection of PGF2αat 11 days apart resulted in 100.00 per cent oestrus response rate and 66.66 per cent post treatment conception rate in silent oestrous crossbred cows. Fortification of PGF2α with supportive treatment comprising oral bypass fat, mineral mixture and injectable phosphorus and vitamins also resulted in 100.00 per cent oestrus response and 66.66 per cent conception rate. With supportive treatment alone only 33.33 per cent oestrus response and 33.33 per cent conception rate could be obtained. It could be concluded that fortification of PGF2α with supportive drugs did not improve its efficacy in the management of silent oestrus in crossbred cattle.

A total of 22 pooled ejaculates comprising 94 ejaculates collected using artificial vagina from five adult Beetal bucks maintained at Goat Research Station, AAU, Burnihat were used to study the effect of extenders on the quality of buck semen preserved at 5 oC. Each pooled ejaculate was split into three equal parts. The parts were extended using three extenders viz., Tris extender containing 20 percent egg yolk, Tris extender containing 1.5 percent soya lecithin and commercial Ovixcell extender by split-sample technique and then preserved in a refrigerator at 5 oC. The extended semen samples were evaluated about two hours after collection before cooling to 5 °C and then at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of preservation at 5 °C for sperm motility, live sperm, intact acrosome and HOST-reacted sperm. The sperm motility and live sperm count in Tris extender containing 20 percent egg yolk were significantly (P<0.05) higher than Tris extender containing 1.5 percent soya lecithin and Ovixcell extender. A significant (P<0.05) decline was also observed in both sperm motility and live sperm count at each hour of preservation period in all the three extenders. The incidence of intact acrosome and HOST-reacted sperm in Tris extender containing 20 percent egg yolk was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the other two extenders and in Tris extender containing 1.5 percent soya lecithin than in Ovixcell extender. Both the acrosome and HOST-reacted sperm were significant (P<0.05) decline at each hour of the preservation period in all three extenders. It can be concluded that Tris-egg yolk extender is superior to Tris-soya lecithin and Ovixcell extenders for the preservation of buck semen at 5 °C.