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ThesisItem Open Access INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT IN YELLOW SARSON - GREENGRAM CROPPING SYSTEM UNDER RAINFED CONDITION(2016) Gogoi, Bebi; Ojha, N. J.A field experiment entitled “Integrated nutrient management in yellow sarson - greengram cropping system under rainfed condition” was carried out at the Instructional-cum-Research farm of Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat during two consecutive rabi (Oct-Feb) followed by summer (Feb-May) seasons of the year 2017- 2018 and 2018-2019. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design for first crop and split plot design for second crop with three replications. The eight INM practices viz., 100% RDF (60-30-30 kg/ha N-P2O5-K2O) (Y1), 100% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (Y2), 75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost (Y3), 75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y4), 50% RDF + 50% N through vermicompost (Y5), 50% RDF + 50% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y6), 25% RDF + 75% N through vermicompost (Y7) and 25% RDF + 75% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y8) were applied to yellow sarson crop. In greengram crop the residual effect of the treatments applied to yellow sarson were allotted in main plots and two different integrated nutrient management practices viz., 100% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (G1) and 50% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (G2) in the sub plots. The soil of the experimental site was sandy loam in texture, acidic in reaction (pH 5.40 and 5.56), medium in organic carbon (0.69 and 0.72%), available N (274.86 and 290.75 kg/ha), available K2O (138.16 and 140.89 kg/ha) and low in available P2O5 (17.90 and 20.30 kg/ha) in the year 2017-18 and 2018-19, respectively. Experimental findings revealed that application of 75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y4) resulted in significantly higher growth as well as yield attributing characters like plant height, number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, relative growth rate, number of siliquae per plant, length of siliqua, number of seeds per siliqua in both the years. The highest seed yield of 998.34, 1026.22 and 1012.28 kg/ha, stover yield of 2393.97, 2420.65 and 2407.31 kg/ha during 2017-18, 2018-19 and in pooled analysis, respectively, were recorded with treatment having 75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y4). The seed oil content of 36.40 and 36.97% and seed protein content of 13.27 and 13.44% were also recorded in Y4 in 1st and 2nd year, respectively. Similar effects of this treatment were also observed in respect of N, P and K content and uptake by both seed and stover. However, soil microbial population, microbial biomass carbon, phosphomonoesterase activity and fluorescein di-acetate hydrolase activity after harvest of yellow sarson were significantly higher in treatment having 25% RDF + 75% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y8). The crop recorded the highest gross return (` 56105 in 2017-18 and ` 57652 in 2018-19), net return (` 35407 during 2017-18 and ` 36954 during 2018-19) and benefit-cost ratio (2.71 during 2017-18 and 2.79 during 2018-19) with the treatment containing 75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y4). 7 In case of greengram, residual effect of 25% RDF + 75% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium (Y8) resulted in significantly higher growth as well as yield attributing characters like plant height, number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation, crop growth rate, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod in both the years. The effect of these was reflected in higher seed yield (849.56, 806.56 and 828.06 kg/ha in the year 2018, 2019 and in pooled analysis, respectively) and stover yield (2012.68, 1935.58 and 1974.13 kg/ha in 2018, 2019 and in pooled analysis, respectively) under the same integrated nutrient management practices. The maximum values of N, P and K uptake by seed and stover, soil microbial population, microbial biomass carbon, phosphomonoesterase activity and fluorescein di-acetate hydrolase activity after harvest of greengram were also observed under this treatment (Y8). However,direct application of 100% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (G1) brought about higher values in growth parameters, yield attributes, yield of seed (804.21, 724.68 and 764.45 kg/ha during 2018, 2019 and in pooled analysis, respectively) and stover yield (1830.89, 1763.80 and 1797.35 kg/ha during 2018, 2019 and in pooled analysis, respectively), protein content in seed (22.39 and 22.26% in 2018 and 2019 respectively), content and uptake of N, P and K by both seed and stover, soil microbial population, microbial biomass carbon, phosphomonoesterase activity and fluorescein diacetate hydrolase activity after harvest of greengram over 50% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (G2). The highest gross return (` 50726 in 2018 and ` 48922 in 2019), net return (` 33611 during 2018 and ` 31807 during 2019) and benefit-cost ratio (2.96 during 2018 and 2.86 during 2019) were observed under treatment Y8G1 containing 100% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (G1) + residue of treatment Y8 (25% RDF + 75% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium). In regards to yellow sarson-greengram cropping system the highest yellow sarson equivalent yield (1678.57 and 1614.02 kg/ha in 2018 and 2019, respectively) were obtained by treatment Y4G1 containing 100% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (G1) + residue of treatment Y4 (75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium). The highest gross return (` 93518 in 2017-18 and ` 89981 in 2018-19), net return (` 55705 during 2017-18 and ` 52168 during 2018-19) and benefit-cost ratio (2.47 during 2017-18 and 2.37 during 2018-19) of yellow sarsongreengram cropping system were observed under treatment Y4G1, containing 100% RDF + biofertilizer consortium (G1) + residue of treatment Y4 (75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium). The performance of yellow sarsongreengram cropping system was assessed on the basis of yellow sarson equivalent yield, net monetary returns and B-C ratio. The application of 75% RDF + 25% N through vermicompost + biofertilizer consortium to yellow sarson and 100% RDF + biofertilizer consortium to greengram was the most beneficial combination compared to rest of the treatments.ThesisItem Open Access EFFECT OF COLOUR ON ATTENTION AND MEMORY OF YOUNG CHILDREN(AAU, Jorhat, 2015-07) Dutta, Ankita; Baruah, JuriMost of the child psychologists pay greater attention to the pre-school age because it is the time when children undergo the greatest development. Learning in this period is critical to their subsequent development throughout their lives. Coloured presentation of information is considered by many studies as an important and stimulating cue for learning in children. Colour has the potential to increase the chances of environmental stimuli to be encoded, stored and retrieved successfully. With this background the present study entitled, “Effect of colour on attention and memory of young children” was undertaken in Jorhat district during 2014-2016 with the objectives: 1. To analyze the frequently used colours in existing instructional materials of young children. 2. Preparation of instructional materials using different colours. 3. To identify the colours which facilitate attention and memory of young children. 4. To develop guidelines for using colours in instructional materials of children. A total of 30 children aged 4 to 5 years, with average intelligence level and without any chronic illness, signs of inattention and impulsivity were selected for the study. The sample was selected from 180 respondents from six preschools of Jorhat district. Data was collected from the respondents using a questionnaire and a tool with subtests Prose Memory and Test Card to assess the health status of the respondents and identify the colours which facilitate attention and memory of young children respectively. Culture Fair Intelligence Test was also used to screen out the children with average intelligence. The books of four preschools were analyzed to find out the frequently used colours in existing instructional materials of young children. Upon completion of data collection, the results indicated that the most frequently used colour in the existing preschool books is yellow, followed by red, green, blue, light blue, natural, black brown, purple, pink, orange and lastly grey. The results of the responses to colours in the Prose Memory sub-test reveal that natural colour may facilitate most attention and memory in young children, followed by red, green, blue, light blue, yellow and black. Test Card results also reveal that natural colour may facilitate most attention and memory in young children, but followed by red, green, yellow, blue, light blue and black. Females responded more to colours of red and yellow than male respondents. And males responded more to green, blue, light blue and natural colours than females. There was no gender difference in response to black colour. On the basis of the findings of the study, few guidelines were recommended in the area of use of colour in instructional material for children.ThesisItem Open Access ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF HERBAL PLANTS ON COTTON FABRICS(AAU, Jorhat, 2016-07) Choudhury, Swapna; Phukan, Ava RaniThe study comprises of an investigation on antimicrobial effect of herbal plants on cotton fabric. Antimicrobial finish on textiles is a large research focus in the textiles industry. The population explosion and the environmental pollution in the recent years forced the researchers to find new health and hygiene related products for the well being of mankind. The nuisance caused by microbes is numerous and the problem is still aggravated in tropical and subtropical regions. Pathogenic microorganisms transfer infectious diseases and develop lung related disorders. Mold and fungi cause staining, discolouration and degradation of textile substrates. The Antimicrobial textiles are becoming important to avoid cross infection by pathogenic microorganisms, especially bacteria to control the infestation by microbes and to arrest metabolism in microbes in order to reduce the formation of odor. Textiles for medical and hygienic use have become important areas in the textile industry. Therefore, to reduce/prevent infections, various antibacterial compounds have been used for all types of textiles. The solutions of disinfectant used are generally active in vitro, but, it is also necessary to know the effectiveness of disinfected cloths while in use. In the current study, eco-friendly natural antimicrobial finishes have been prepared from the plant extracts for textile application. Out of 35 plants having antimicrobial properties ten (10) nos. of plants have been selected on the basis of availability as well as knowing its antimicrobial function. The different parts of the plants such as root and leaf were extracted using different solvents like ethanol, methanol, acetone and aqueous solution. These extracts were tested by diffusion method against three isolated bacteria associated with cotton fabrics to confirm the antimicrobial activity. The durability of the fresh and aged extract up to 6 month with their effectiveness against all isolated bacteria were also examined. Finally five herbal extracts from Achyranthes aspera, Adhatoca vasica, Ageratum conyzoides, Bambusa tulda and Chromolaena odorata with methanol have been applied on cotton fabrics by direct application method. Different concentrations of herbal extracts (100%, 50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25% and 3.125%) were applied to 100% cotton material for developing antimicrobial finish on the material. All tests done on organisms showed results up to 25% concentration except Adhatoca vasica, which showed results up to 3.125% concentration (Isolate II) and Ageratum conyzoides showed results only at 100% concentration in case of isolate I. All the treatments with methanol extracts showed good antimicrobial properties. The wash durability of the fabrics up to 10(ten) wash cycles against bacteria were done to evaluate the durability of the finished fabrics. The results of the present study showed that the most susceptible bacteria were Bacillus clausii bacteria in all standard test methods. It has been observed that there is a decreasing trend on the antibacterial activity of the finish material with every wash cycle. The treated fabrics were then analyzed for physical properties such as stiffness, crease recovery angle, tensile strength, elongation, wicking height etc. Decrease in tensile strength was observed in both warp and weft direction which could be due to the various treatment given to the material. Results showed that the effect of Adhatoca vasica extract was stronger than other herbal extract used in the study. It was also observed from the research findings carried out by other research workers that the antimicrobial effect of plant extract varies from one plant to another and also from place to place. This may be due to many factors such as the effect of climate, soil composition, age and vegetation cycle of plant, quality, quantity and composition of extracted product and different bacterial strains.ThesisItem Open Access PHYSICO-BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION AND VALUE ADDITION TO SELECTED MINOR FRUITS OF ASSAM(AAU, Jorhat, 2016-07) Firdusi, Syeda Nishat; Bhattacharyya, RumaThe present investigation entitled “Physico-Biochemical Characterisation and Value Addition to selected Minor Fruits of Assam” was carried out in order to study the physico-chemical properties of the selected minor fruits namely Rhus semialata (Local name- Nagatenga), Baccaurea sapida (Local name- Leteku), Flacourtia gangomos (Local name - Poniol) and Garcinia cowa (Local name – Kujithekera) and products were developed from these selected fruits. The qualities of the developed products were also evaluated. The entire study was sectioned in four well defined separate parts i.e. 1) Evaluation of the physico-chemical composition of the selected minor fruits. 2) Development of products from the selected fruits and their quality evaluation, 3) Quality evaluation of the developed products across storage, 4) Microbial load of the developed products was studied to determine the shelf life of the products. The physical parameter of the minor fruits was studied and found that all the fruits possess good amount of edible portion except Leteku. The shelf-life of Nagatenga (Rhus semialata), Leteku (Baccaurea sapida), Poniol (Flacourtia gangomas) and Kujithekera (Garcinia cowa ) was recorded as 1.83±0.28, 6.00±1.00, 4.00±1.00 and 2.33±0.57 days respectively under ambient temperature. The shelf life of fruits can be extended by processing it to different food products like jam, jelly and squash. In case of value addition to Leteku (Baccaurea sapida) only those products should be considered which required juice of fruits such as beverages as the pulp content (26.16±1.25 g/100g) of the fruit is very low with high juice content (40.00±2.64 ml/100g). The acid content of Nagatenga (Rhus semialata) (3.46±0.25%) and Kujithekera (Garcinia cowa) (4.87±0.19%) are high with good amount of pulp content and so can be consider for pickle, chutney and sauce making. The juice content of Poniol (Flacourtia gangomas) was found to be low (20.33±4.04 ml/100g) but the TSS content of the fruit was highest (21.33±3.21°Brix) and thus can be preferred to develop beverages products from the fruit. A considerable amount of pectin was present 0.94±0.10%, 0.64±0.07%, 1.55±0.05% and 0.43±0.07% in the selected minor fruits - Nagatenga (Rhus semialata), Leteku (Baccaurea sapida), Poniol (Flacourtia gangomas) and Kujithekera (Garcinia cowa) respectively which are enough to develop jelly but due to pH below 3.0, fruits other than Poniol (pH -3.28±0.15) do not produce good jelly. The selected minor fruits are lauded for their pleasing flavor and colour as well as therapeutic properties and encompassed with most of the nutritional qualities. All the selected minor fruits Nagatenga (Rhus semialata), Leteku (Baccaurea sapida), Poniol (Flacourtia gangomas) and Kujithekera (Garcinia cowa) can be considered as good source of fibers (3.51±0.21 g/100g, 2.37±0.31 g/100g, 8.40±0.33 g/100g and 10.34±0.44 g/100g respectively), minerals (iron -26.33±1.15 mg, 7.16±1.44 mg, 29.83±1.44 mg and 15.16±2.25 mg per 100g respectively, calcium - 250.44±5.05 mg/100g, 143.24±4.00 mg/100g, 65.83±3.52 mg/100g and 192.81±2.44 mg/100g respectively and potassium - 111.0±7.0 mg/100g, 59.00±4.00 mg/100g, 44.00±3.00 mg/100g and 33.33±4.04 mg/100g, respectively), vitamins (ascorbic acid -216.66±14.40 mg, 24.16±7.21 mg, 43.33±7.21 mg and 67.78±3.40 mg per 100g of fruits respectively and carotenoids - 126.60±0.06 μg/100g, 50.76±0.99 μg/100g, 190.16±0.33 μg/100g and 890.33±0.94 μg/100g respectively) and phytochemicals (the total phenolic content-538.83±5.01 mg, 149.5±2.17 mg, 261.16±1.04 mg and 347.00±3.04 mg per 100g respectively, flavonoid - 246.45±21.55 mg, 44.64±5.61 mg, 87.17±2.70 mg and 98.03±2.01 mg respectively and total alkaloid - 104.00±13.52 mg, 170.33±5.77 mg, 143.33±7.09 mg and 156.33±1.52 mg respectively) as well as low in fat (1.02±0.05 g/100g, 0.66±0.09 g/100g, 0.88±0.10 g/100g and 0.25±0.02 g/100g, respectively). Based on the quality characteristics of the selected minor fruits, following products were developed namely – squash, spicy squash and sauce from Nagatenga (Rhus semialata), squash and RTS from Leteku (Baccaurea sapida), squash and jelly from Poniol (Flacourtia gangomas) and squash, candy and pickle from Kujithekera (Garcinia cowa). The acceptability of the products was determined through organoleptic evaluation using 9 point Hedonic scale by 10 panel judges and found highly acceptable, except the colour and appearancee of Nagatenga sauce was scored low (7 point). The chemical parameters namely TSS, acidity and pH of the products was evaluated and was within the range of FSSAI specification (squash TSS- ≥40 and acidity - ≤3.5, sauce TSS- ≥15 and acidity – ≥1, RTS TSS- ≥10 and acidity - ≥0.3, jelly TSS- ≥65 and acidity - 0.5-0.75 and candy TSS- ≥70). The nutrient content of the products was evaluated and found good amount of nutrients, that help to improve nutritional status of the people. The present investigation reveals that the RTS is more susceptible to spoilage due to high moisture content (89.04±1.13%) and low sugar content (11.93±0.28%) followed by the squashes. Whereas sugar based products jelly and candy have low moisture content (40.26±1.37% and 37.59±0.36% respectively) and good amount of sugar (75.01±3.06% and 90.47±5.69% respectively) may be considered to have long shelf life. Again pickle contain good amount of oil (17.56±1.86%) and salt which enhance quality retention thus increasing shelf life. The results as per physico-chemical parameters, sensory evaluation and microbial assay across storage reveals that in case of Nagatenga squash stored in glass bottle, plastic bottle and standing pouch are safe for consumption upto 180 days, 150 days and 60 days respectively. The Nagatenga spicy squash stored in glass bottle, plastic bottle and standing pouch showed a shelf life of 180 days, 150 days and 60 days respectively. The shelf life of Nagatenga sauce was 180 days in all the packaging materials. The shelf life of Leteku squash stored in glass bottle, plastic bottle and standing pouch are 180, 180 and 150 days respectively. The Leteku RTS can be consume safely upto 30 days when stored in glass bottle and get spoiled in other two packaging material on the 30 days of storage. The shelf life of Poniol squash stored in glass bottle and plastic bottle are upto 180 days and when stored in standing pouch the shelf life is till 150 days. The Poniol jelly stored in all the three packaging material showed acceptable shelf life across the entire storage period. The Kujithekera squash stored in glass bottle, plastic bottle and standing pouch are at safe and consumable state upto 180, 180 and 90 days of storage respectively in terms of physic-chemical evaluation. The Kujithekera candy was safe and within acceptable quality during all the storage period (0-180 days) stored in the all the three packaging material. The results depicts that in terms of sensory, physico-chemical (Significant at P < 0.05) and microbial evaluation of the developed products in different packing material across storage it can be concluded that glass bottle packaging is the best packaging materials for storing both liquid and solid products due to its highly inert, durable and chemical resistant properties. Plastic bottle can be considered next to glass bottle in terms of light weight and easy to handle properties and this packaging material also showed less prominent spoilage characters compared to standing pouch.ThesisItem Open Access OCCURRENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE Meloidogyne incognita IN PATCHOULI Pogostemon cablin(AAU, Jorhat, 2016-07) Buragohain, Pallab; Gogoi, B.B.Patchouli [Pogostemon cablin (Blanco)] is an important aromatic plant belonging to family Lamiaceae, is a native of Philippines (Arpana et al., 2008). It is grown wild in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and few other countries. Owing to high demand of its essential oil many countries have domesticated this crop. It has multiple uses, it is used in cosmetics, breath fresheners, flavouring baked foods, meat, sausages, etc. Patchouli is very susceptible to root -knot nematode and wilt causing pathogens. In moist and wet weather condition root knot infestation is high in plants which may lead to wilting of plant and kill the plant within 2-3 days due to secondary infection by fungal and bacterial pathogens. The study on “Occurrence and distribution of root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in patchouli Pogostemon cablin” was carried out in the year 2014 -2016, in Golaghat, Nagaon, Jorhat and Sonitpur districts by conducting a survey programme. A total of 123 samples were collected randomly from the four districts. Root-knot infestation was recorded in most of the fields covering the four districts. Root and soil samples were found to be heavily infested by root-knot nematode. The maximum frequency was recorded in Nagaon districts i.e. 38.88 per cent whereas minimum frequency of 21.87 per cent was recorded in Golaghat district. Many fungal pathogens were found to be associated with most of the root-knot infested plants. In the present investigation, three fungal pathogens were found to be associated with root-knot infested plants. They are Fusarium sp., Rhizoctonia solani and Cercospora sp. It has been observed that the patchouli plants are also infested by different insect pests like leaf roller and grass hopper. These insect pests are voracious eater and almost eat up the green foliage leading to defoliation and heavy yield loss.ThesisItem Open Access Characterization and Identification of Potential Probiotic Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) Isolated from Fermented Dairy Product of Assam (Doi)(AAU, Jorhat, 2016-07) FATMA, JAIBA; Barooah, M.Probiotics are the health promoting viable microorganisms that exhibit a beneficial effect on the health of human being by improving the intestinal microbial balance. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are important and well known agents. Fermented milk products like Dahi are known source of probiotic organisms. In the present study, LAB was isolated from 25 different ‘Doi’ samples collected from 8 different districts of Assam viz, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sivsagar, Jorhat, Lakhimpur, Udalguri, Morigaon and Bongaigaon. A total of 30 bacteria were isolated initially but only 20 bacteria isolated from Doi meet the classification of LAB as Gram-positive and catalase negative (Salminen et al., 1993). These 20 LAB isolates were characterized based on their phenotypic, biochemical and molecular characteristics. Further, the isolates were screened for their potential probiotic properties based on conditions simulating human gastrointestinal tract (GI). These isolates were able to survive at low pH 2.5 which is similar to the pH of the human GI tract and able to convert lactose into lactic acid. Further studies revealed that these isolates were able to grow in a temperature ranging from 15-40ºC and grow at 9 % NaCl concentration. The antimicrobial activity of these isolates were tested against six pathogenic bacteria viz, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella enterica and Bacillus cereus. Four isolates (ABT-Z2, ABT-Z3, ABT-Z4 and ABT-Z22) were able to inhibit the growth of all the tested six pathogenic bacteria. All the isolates produced Exopolysaccharide (EPS) whose production was maximum at pH-6. Seven best LAB isolates were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and sequence analysis using nBLAST revealed that five of the seven isolates belonged to Lactobacillus plantarum and two belonged to L. brevis. The results of the present analysis revealed that strain L. plantarum is the predominant species of LAB found in Assamese Doi. The strain also displayed the best probiotic potential among the tested isolates. In future, this strain of bacteria can be used in preparing probiotic milk based fermented product and can be developed as an efficient starter culture to make Doi.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON Dirofilaria immitis IN DOGS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH Wolbachia SPECIES(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, 2013-06) Borthakur, Sonjoy Kumar; Deka, Dilip Kr.Dirofilaira immitis is an important canine filarial nematode. An epidemiological study was carried out to record the prevalence of D. immitis in dogs in two different geographical locations viz., Guwahati, Assam and Aizawl, Mizoram of North Eastern Region in India, from February, 2011 to July, 2012. The study also included to evaluate the persistence of Wolbachia endosymbiont with D. immitis. In the present study, dogs were grouped into three categories, i.e., stray, pet and working dogs, their respective numbers being 413, 266 and 103 irrespective of the study regions. Three different methods were used for the study, i.e., microscopy (wet film and KCT), immunological (Ag ELISA by SNAP®4Dx kit) and molecular techniques (PCR). The study revealed overall heartworm prevalence in Guwahati to be higher (18.23%) than in Aizawl (17.68%) irrespective of categories of dogs. Sex-wise, the infection was higher in male (18.12%) than in female (17.90%), though the difference was statistically non-significant. The overall efficacy percentage for detection of heartworm by wet film, KCT, Ag ELISA and PCR test revealed 6.26, 11.38, 18.03 and 13.93 percent, respectively. Ag ELISA test was found to be the best amongst the three types of tests compared. Using molecular tools, prevalence of D. immitis in dogs was 13.52 percent in Guwahati and in Aizawl was 14.62 percent. With PCR, 4 cases of D. repens could be diagnosed in stray dogs from Guwahati. The study revealed overall 22.69 percent occult infection, of which, highest cases were recorded in working dogs (60%). Occult infection was calculated by finding the difference between heartworm prevalence based on Ag ELISA and PCR test. Dot ELISA test using monoclonal antibody of D. immitis for detection of heartworm antigen in dog blood samples was standardized. The test revealed 72% specificity against known positive D. immitis blood samples at SNAP®4Dx commercial kit. Molecular technique using PCR was standardized to detect D. immitis using published primers with slight modification of thermal condition. Two different primers were used viz., specific primers for D. immitis only and another, pan filarial primers for detecting six different canine filariids. Both the primers resulted desired amplification product size against different filarial parasites. Molecular cloning and characterization of D. immitis for ITS-2 region of Guwahati isolates were conducted. The results showed the Guwahati isolates had a close relationship with that of South Asian isolates of D. immitis. Pair-wise homology analysis revealed 98.6 - 98.9% similarity with a few sequences available at NCBI GenBank. Similarly, phylogenetic analysis of D. repens encountered in Guwahati isolate was also done. Endosymbiont Wolbachia association with D. immitis worm as well as in heartworm infected blood was revalidated by PCR method. The findings were substantiated with the presence of the organisms in the worm’s lateral cord by fine structural studies conducted through transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Molecular evidence followed by sequence analysis of Wolbachia revealed 99.4 to 99.8% similarities with other sequences available in NCBI GenBank for Wolbachia endosymbiont of D. immitis. Finding of the present studies establish the endemicity of D. immitis in North East India and validates the association of Wolbachia endosymbiont in D. immitis. Record of D. repens warrants further detail studies owing to its zoonotic significance.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON Dipylidium caninum (LINNAEUS, 1758; RAILLIET, 1892) AND ITS INTERMEDIATE HOSTS(College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, 2006-12) Devi, Sagarika; Deka, Dilip Kr.In the present investigation, Dipylidium caninum infection was found to be 23.33 per cent on carcass examination, 0.56 per cent on faecal examination and 2.00 per cent of dogs were clinically positive for D. caninum gravid segments. Overall helminthic infection on the basis of carcass examination was 80.00 per cent and 25.55 per cent on faecal examination. Different flea species Ctenocephalides canis, Ctenocephalides felis felis, Ctenocephalides felis orientis and Xenopsylla cheopis were recorded from dog, cat, mice, goat and cattle. Predominant species in dog was C. felis felis (48.93%) followed by C. felis orientis (40.42%) and C. canis (10.63%). In cat, C. felis felis (50.00%), X. cheopis (27.78%), C. canis (16.67%) and C. felis orientis (5.56%) were recorded. Rate of flea infestation was highest in dog (68.66%) followed by mice (62.50%), cat (24.00%), goat (20.00%) and cattle (13.33%). Recovery percentage of cysticercoid from dog fleas were 0.65 per cent of which C. canis accounted for 0.26% and C. felis 0.39 per cent. One species of dog lice Heterodoxus longitarsus was recorded during the study. Experimental development of metacestode of D. caninum in laboratory bred flea larvae was partly successful under laboratory condition. There was mortality in C. felis felis larvae on exposure to D. caninum eggs in the trial.ThesisItem Open Access FORECASTING MODELS FOR CHARACTERIZING PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF COCONUT AND RUBBER IN KERALA(AAU, Jorhat, 2016-07) Prasad, Arun; Phukan, S. N.India is the third largest country in terms of global area and production of coconut after Philippines and Indonesia. Kerala was traditionally a coconut growing area along with the coastal states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. During 1974-75 Kerala had accounted for about 62 per cent of the coconut production in India and by 2003-04 Kerala’s share had declined to about 49 per cent. Natural Rubber cultivation in India has been traditionally concentrated in Kerala and to some extent in the adjoining states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The agro-climatic conditions in the state were very favourable for rubber cultivation. Kerala accounts for 83 per cent of the area under rubber in the country. The present study has analyzed the production and productivity of coconut and rubber in India with special reference to Kerala. In the case of Kerala, all the fourteen districts have been selected for making a detailed study. The scope of the study is limited to only two places – Coconut Development Board, Kochi for coconut and Rubber Development Board, Kottayam for rubber. For forecasting the production and productivity of coconut and rubber, the study is restricted to fourteen districts in Kerala. In the present investigation of production and productivity behavior for coconut and rubber was analyzed by different forecasting models and their statistical evaluation would provide insight into the reasons for variation with the following objectives: 1. To study the trend for production and productivity of coconut and rubber in Kerala and forecast using time series models. 2. To study the effect of error in forecasting models for coconut and rubber. 3. To validate accuracy of model and suggest suitable forecasting model using time series for production and productivity of coconut and rubber. The major purpose of studies on forecast accuracy is to help the forecasters in selecting best forecasting method. In the present investigation different forecasting models like Trend analysis, ANN model, ARIMA model and Exponential smoothing models are considered to produce forecast and to measure the forecast accuracy among selected different models. In the present study, forecasting excise was conducted to produce yearly production and productivity forecasts for future five years using selected methods for years 2012-2016 in case of rubber and 2015-2019 for coconut. It is hoped that the identification of the best forecasting model would help the producers as well as consumers in taking appropriate decisions. The production and productivity obtained in coconut and rubber found to be increasing for various reasons, notably due to the fluctuations in climate, extent of area, prices etc. The change in life style has also resulted in the increased demand which yields its significant influence on production and productivity of coconut and rubber in Kerala.
