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Anand Agricultural University, Anand
Anand Agricultural University (AAU) was established in 2004 at Anand with the support of the Government of Gujarat, Act No.(Guj 5 of 2004) dated April 29, 2004. Caved out of the erstwhile Gujarat Agricultural University (GAU), the dream institution of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. K. M. Munshi, the AAU was set up to provide support to the farming community in three facets namely education, research and extension activities in Agriculture, Horticulture Engineering, product Processing and Home Science. At present there seven Colleges, seventeen Research Centers and six Extension Education Institute working in nine districts of Gujarat namely Ahmedabad, Anand, Dahod, Kheda, Panchmahal, Vadodara, Mahisagar, Botad and Chhotaudepur
AAU's activities have expanded to span newer commodity sectors such as soil health card, bio-diesel, medicinal plants apart from the mandatory ones like rice, maize, tobacco, vegetable crops, fruit crops, forage crops, animal breeding, nutrition and dairy products etc. the core of AAU's operating philosophy however, continues to create the partnership between the rural people and committed academic as the basic for sustainable rural development. In pursuing its various programmes AAU's overall mission is to promote sustainable growth and economic independence in rural society. AAU aims to do this through education, research and extension education. Thus, AAU works towards the empowerment of the farmers.
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ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON EFFECT OF KETOPROFEN AND FEBRILE CONDITION ON PHARMACOKINETICS OF LEVOFLOXACIN AND SAFETY OF LEVOFLOXACIN ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH KETOPROFEN IN SHEEP(AAU, Anand, 2009) PATEL, URVESHKUMAR DAHYABHAI; Thaker, A. M.Levofloxacin is a novel third generation fluoroquinolone with broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently recommended with antibacterials for the treatment of various bacterial infections accompanied by fever and other inflammatory conditions in animals. Ketoprofen (KTP) is an aryl propionic acid derivative, non-selective COX inhibitor NSAID having anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic properties. In veterinary practice, ketoprofen is used to lower body temperature in animals having fever, to relieve bacteremia and pain in all animals. Pharmacokinetics of an antibacterial drug may change when administered with anti-inflammatory drug or in febrile animals. Despite the great potential for clinical use of levofloxacin, the data on its pharmacokinetics and safety profile in sheep are scarce. The present study was planned to determine the effect of intramuscularly administered ketoprofen (3 mg/kg) and febrile condition (lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced) on pharmacokinetics of levofloxacin following intravenous, subcutaneous and oral administration (3 mg/kg) in sheep and safety of daily intravenous administration of levofloxacin alone (3 mg/kg) and in combination with intramuscular administration of ketoprofen (3 mg/kg) for five days in sheep by monitoring haematological and blood biochemical profiles.ThesisItem Open Access DETECTION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF MAREK'S DISEASE VIRUS SEROTYPES BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) AND CHARACTERIZATION BY DNA SEQUENCING OF THE PCR PRODUCT(AAU, Anand, 2006) KALYANI, IRSADULLAKHAN HABIBULLAKHAN; Purohut, J. H.Marek's disease (MD) is a lymphoproliferative disorder of chicken characterized by oncogenic transformation of T cells that infiltrate lymphoid tissues, peripheral nerves and visceral organs, resulting in a complex pathogenesis that usually leads to death of the affected chicken. The causative agent of MD, Marek's disease virus (MDV) a cell associated herpesvirus, is ubiquitous in almost all poultry population raised under commercial conditions. The present study was under taken to assess incidence of MD as per the farm records on the basis of clinical signs and post mortem lesions, detection of MDV from clinical cases exhibiting frank lesions of MD by PCR, comparing the efficacy of different primers in detecting the MDV as well as differentiating the serotypes in tissues and feather follicle and genetic characterization by sequencing of the PCR amplified fragment carrying 132 bp repeats. During June to November 2005 outbreaks of MD were suspected in flocks of egg type birds on farms situated in and around Anand district located of central Gujarat as well as from farms around Mahuva located in Saurastra region of Gujarat state. The strength of individual affected flocks varied from 4500 to 25000 birds with a total population of 4,26,991 birds. Of these, 14110 birds died due to MD (as per the farm records of history, symptoms and postmorterm lesions) with an over all mortality of 3.30 per cent during the months of June to November 2005. During the investigation, a total of thirty six commercial poultry farms and forty nine batches of layer birds suffered from mortality due to MD, in addition to Central Poultry Research Station (CPRS) Veterinary College Anand, where mortality occured in layer birds. Mortality in commercial poultry farms ranged between 0.6 to 7.3 per cent. A total of 34 clinical samples (17 feather follicles and 17 spleen ) from 27 birds suspected of MD were collected by making visits to the various commercial poultry farms and also from CPRS Veterinary College Anand. Suspected clinical samples and four MD vaccine strains, including three HVT (MDV-3) vaccines and one SB-I(MDV-2) vaccine were processed for DNA extraction. DNA was extracted from samples of feather follicle using proteinase K mixture, where as DNeasy Tissue Kit (QIAGEN Pvt. Ltd) was used for tissue samples. Sample showing acceptable purity and concentration were subjected to PCR amplification using six different primers. Total of six pairs of primers were used, which were selected to amplify different gene segments. The primer pair BamHl/BamH2 specifically amplifying a 434 bp segment from BamHI fragment (of MDV-1) containing 132 bp repeats located in TRL and IRL region of MDV genome, detected 32 samples positive indicating presence of double 132 bp repeats in the amplified segment. All the three HVT vaccines and one SB-1 vaccine failed to produce the amplification as the selected primer is specific for MDV-1 only. Primer pair AGAM1/AGAM2 and P1/P2, both targeting the antigen A gene (UL44) produced 314 bp and 199 bp products respectively in 30 out of 34 clinical samples tested, however, none of the HVT vaccine or SB-1 vaccine yielded positive result, suggesting the specificity of these primers for MDV-1. Primer set M1.1/M1.8 amplified a 318 bp product as against expected 247 bp product in 30 samples. To confirm the result, these primers were subjected to NCBI BLAST, and it was found that the primer specific segment of 318 bp does exist in pubhshed sequence of Md5, and Mdl IBAC. None of the HVT as well as SB-1 vaccine produce any amplification indicating the specificity of primer in detecting MDV-1. Only two field samples produced expected amplicon of 505 bp when tested with MDV-3 specific HVT1/HVT2 to detect the vaccine virus (HVT). All the three HVT vaccines produced the amplicon of 505 bp, whereas SB-1 vaccine was negative, proving specificity of this primer pair for HVT. Out of the six primer pairs, BamHl/ BamH2 and AGA1/AGA2 detected MDV in maximum number (32) of field samples. Primers AGAM1/AGAM2, P1/P2 and Ml.l/M.1.8 detected the same number (30) of samples positive. Primer pair HVTl/ HVT-2 detected MDV-3 in two feather follicle samples indicating possible excretion of the vaccine virus. PCR products (434 bp) of MDV genome amplified by BamHl/BamH2 primers from two field samples (M3, M4) having good quality DNA (i.e. 1.7-1.9 OD at 260/280 nm) as detennined by spectrophotometry were used for sequencing by ABI PRISM® 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, USA), using BigDye® Terminator v3.1 Cycle sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems, USA). The sequence obtained revealed two 132 bp repeats in the 378 bp stretch indicating virulent nature of the field MDV. The alignment of 378 bp sequence of M3 and M4 with previously published sequences of the MDV isolates Md5, Mdll, HPRS-16 and CDs of tumourogenicity associated m-RNA and CDs published from BamH gene family revealed that the field isolates of present study shared complete homology (100%). Results of sequencing along with history of vaccination in the affected birds and involvement of different organs on postmortem examination indicated about the increase in virulence of MDV circulating in field causing recent outbreaks.ThesisItem Open Access INFLUENCE OF FEEDING BYPASS PROTEIN AND FAT ON MILK PRODUCTION IN BUFFALOES OF DAHOD DISTRICT(AAU, Anand, 2009) VAHORA, S. G.; PARNERKAR, SUBHASHEighteen Mehsani buffaloes in their 2nd and 3rd lactation were selected to conduct on-farm trial at the Jalat and Borkheda villages of Dahod district for 150 days duration. The animals were selected on the basis of their average daily milk yield of last lactation, present daily milk yield, fat % and body weight. The experiment was initiated on 5th day of lactation. The experimental animals were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments i.e. T1 (Control) and T2 (Bypass protein) and T3 group (Bypass protein and bypass fat). There were six animals in each group. The experiment was conducted following Completely Randomized Design. All the experimental buffaloes were individually offered a basal diet of green shedha grass (5 kg) and wheat straw ad lib along with required amount of concentrate mixtures to meet their protein and energy needs for maintenance arid for milk production as per NRC (2001). The CP requirement of control group buffaloes was worked out and was supplied through 1.5 kg cotton seed cake; 1.5 kg gram chuni and the remaining from Type n compound concentrate mixture as per ISI (1979) Specification. The UDP requirement of treatment groups' (T2 and T3) buffaloes was worked out and was supplied through 1 kg formaldehyde (HCHO) treated guar meal and 2 kg cotton seed cake. The remaining quantity of CP required in treatment groups was supplied through gam chuni (up to 1.5 kg) and from compound concentrate mixture, so as to make the control and treatment ration isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The commercial bypass fat supplement, Megalac was provided to buffaloes in T3 group @ lOg/kg milk yield as per the recommendation of the manufacturer M/s. Vetcare India Ltd., Bangalore.ThesisItem Open Access Study of Pituitary transcription factor, Insulin like growth factor, Leptin, Oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 and Proteases inhibitor gene loci in Mehsana buffaloes(AAU, Anand, 2009) Deshpande, Manisha Ramesh; Rank, D. N.The present work was carried out to study the polymorphism in Pituitary transcription factor (PITl exon 6), Insulin like growth factor (IGFl exon 4), Leptin (exon 2), Oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLRl 3'UTR) and proteases inhibitor gene (PI exon 2) loci in Mehsana buffaloes through PCR-RFLP and sequencing in Mehsana buffaloes. DNA extraction was carried out by John's method from sixty blood samples of non related Mehsana buffaloes from the animals registered under progeny testing programme of Dudhsagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), Mehsana. Locus specific primers were used for PCR amplification for each of five loci. The fragment of 451bp of Pit-1 was amplified by PCR, using the primers reported by Renaville et al. (1997) and digested with restriction enzyme Hinfl. All the samples showed identical restriction pattern consisting of one site at 207 bp obtaining two fiiagments of 207bp and 244 bp. All the animals revealed monomorphic pattern with BB genotype. This result indicated no polymorphism existing in Mehsana buffalo at Pitl exon 6 locus as revealed by Hinfl RFLP. The study revealed only one allele B fixed in Mehsana buffalo with allele frequency 1.0. PCR products of representative samples were purified and cloned in pTZ57R/T vector of InsT/Aclone TM kit. Ligated recombinant vector was transformed in competent E. coli (DH5-a) cells. Recombinant plasmids were obtained and used for cycle sequencing. Sequencing revealed G—>T variation between cattle and buffalo at 283 nucleotide position. The fragment of 320 bp of IGF Iwas amplified by polymerase chain reaction, using the primers reported byDierkes e^a/.(1999) and digested with Ecol30I. On screening the IGF/Ecol30I polymorphism in Mehsana buffalo, all the animals revealed monomorphic pattern with three bands of 34, 127, and 159 bp (B allele) indicating two RE sites at 127 and 161 bp position. The investigation revealed B allele fixed in Mehsana buffaloes. As there is no polymorphism, association analysis is not warranted. PCR products of 320bp of IGF-1 (exon 4) from representative samples were purified and cloned in pTZ57R/T vector. Recombinant plasmids were obtained and used for cycle sequencing. The nucleotide sequence variation between cattle and buffalo was present at four nucleotide positions i.e. 35bp, 102bp, 132bp, 257 bp. The fragment of 331 bp of leptin gene loci was amplified by PCR, using the primers reported by Haegeman et al. (2000). Amplified products were digested with HphI and electrophoresed on 2% agarose. All the samples showed identical restriction pattern with 331 bp fiugment only. On screening the Leptia/HphI polymorphism in Mehsana buffalo one genotype AA was observed indicating allele A fixed in Mehsana buffalo. Representative sample PCR products of 331bp of leptin (exon 2) was purified and cloned in pTZ57R/T vector. Recombinant plasmids were obtained and used for cycle sequencing. The nucleotide sequence variation between cattle and buffalo was presentat six nucleotide positions i.e. 100,112,119,135,185,321. OLRl 3' UTR region was explored for Pst 1 RFLP in Mehsana buffalo. The primers reported by Khatib et al. (2006) for Bos taunts could not amplify the region in Mehsana buffaloes. Hence, new primer sets were designed using Bioinformatic tools, Primer 3.0 and Primer Express softwares (http://www.genome.wi.mit.edu/cgi bin/primer/primer3_www.cgi) on the basis of gene sequence available in the data base NW_174132.2. A 288 bp fragment of OLR gene loci was amplified by PCR, using the designed primers and digested with Pst 1. It has aPst 1 site at 215 bp and produced two fragments of 215 and 73 bp. Representative sample PCR products of 288 bp (3'UTR) was purified and cloned in pTZ57R/T vector. Recombinant plasmids were obtained and used for cycle sequencing. The nucleotide sequence variation between cattle and buffalo was present at nine nucleotide positions i.e. 85,91,116,129,151,168,171,217,240. The fragment of 448 bp of PI gene loci was amplified by PCR, using the primers reported by Khatib et al. (2005) and digested with restriction enzyme SfaNI. SfaNI digestion of PI axon 2 gene fragments revealed monomorphic pattern with appearance of three bands of 242bp, 124bp, 82 bp (B allele) in all the samples. Representative sample PCR products of 448 bp of PI (exon 2) was purified and cloned in pTZ57R/T vector. Recombinant plasmids were obtained and used for cycle sequencing. The nucleotide sequence variation between cattle and buffalo was present at ten nucleotide positions i.e. 110,141,146,170,236,257,277,306,350,396. None of the polymorphic site reported in cattle for PITl, IGFl, Leptin, OLRl and PI could be verified in buffalo. Genomic nucleotide sequences of PITl, IGFl, Leptin, OLRl and PI was submitted to Genbank of NCBI database. Bankit online sequence submission tool was used for submission of sequences to Genbank. 1. GQ385224: Bubalus bubalis POU domain class 1 transcription factor 1 (PITl) gene, exon 6 and partial cds. 2. GQ385225 : Bubalus bubalis serpin peptidase inhibitor clade A member 1 (SERPINAl) gene, partial cds. 3. GQ385226: Bubalus bubalis oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 (OLRl)gene,3'UTR. 4. GQ385227: Bubalus bubalis insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFl) gene, exon 4 and partial cds. 5. GQ385228: Bubalus bubalis leptin gene, exon 2 and partial cds.ThesisItem Open Access ISOLATION, IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF LISTERIA SPECIES FROM MARKET MEAT(AAU, Anand, 2009) NAYAK, JITENDRAKUMAR BHOGILAL; Brahmbhatt, M. N.The present study was carried out with a view to isolate and identify Listeria spp. from different samples of buffalo meat, chevon and mutton sold in retail market as well as from butcher's hand and their instruments in Anand city. The recovered isolates were studied for their properties in relation to phenotypic characterization (CAMP test), standardization of PCR protocol for detection of i . monocytogenes in raw meat, specificity and sensitivity of the developed assay, comparision of the PCR assay with conventional culture method for the detection of L. monocytogenes from meat, comparison of efficacy of different selective plating media for the recovery of Listeria spp, detection of virulence genes by PCR and antimicrobial drug sensitivity pattern of Listeria spp. to various antibiotics conmionly used in human and veterinary treatment. Altogether 500 samples comprising of buffalo meat, mutton and chevon (150 samples each) as well as swabs from butcher's hand, knife and log (50 samples) were collected from randomly selected five different retail meat shops of Anand (Gujarat State) and subjected to two stage enrichment process with UVM 1 and UVM 2 for two days each, followed by plating on three selective media viz. DRIA, PALCAM and Oxford agar. Out of 500 samples collected, 25 (5.5%) meat samples and 2 (4.0%) swabs were positive for Listeria spp. with overall prevalence of 5.4 per cent. Out of these 25 positive meat samples, 12 (2.7 %) samples were positive for L. monocytogenes, 6 (1.3%) samples positive for L. innocua, 5 (1.1%) samples for L. seeligeri and 2 (0.4%) samples for L. welshimeri. Out of two positive swab samples 1 (2.0%) was positive forZ. monocytogenes and 1 (2.0%) forZ. innocua. The highest prevalence of Listeria spp. was observed from mutton (7.3%) followed by buffalo meat (6.7%), chevon {1.1%) and least in butchers' hand and knife swab (2.0 % each). L. monocytogenes isolated from 13 (2.6 %) samples. The observation in the study suggested DRIA medium found superior to PALCAM and Oxford agar for the recovery of Listeria spp. including L. monocytogenes with the highest recovery on DRIA (92.6 %) followed by PALCAM (88.9 %) and Oxford agar (59.3 %). The PCR assay targeting iap gene was found useful for the specific detection of L. monocytogenes up to the level as low as 2 x10 to power 1 CFU/ml from various samples. PCR targeting iap gene can be used for the rapid detection of L. monocytogenes. The specificity of both the cultural and PCR method was compared and foimd to be 100.0 per cent. Very good correlation was observed between these two methods for detection of Z. monocytogenes. All the 13 L. monocytogenes isolates were screened for the presence or absence of virulence genes viz. inlA, inlB, InU and plcB using specific primers. Presence of virulence associated genes in L. monocytogenes isolates ranged from 76.9 per cent to 100.0 per cent suggesting the presence of pathogenic L. monocytogenes in meat samples. The highest degree of sensitivity of listeria isolates was observed towards gentamicin (96.3%) followed by ampicillin and ciprofloxacin (92.6% each); tetracycline and erythromycin (88.9% each); chloramphenicol and penicillin G (85.2% each) while isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone (81.5%) and cefotaxime (70.4 %). The antibiogram of L. monocytogenes isolates showed cent percent sensitivity to penicillin G followed by ampicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline (92.3% each), erythromycin (84.7%), gentamicin, rifampicin (76.9%), where as the maximum resistance was recorded against ceftriaxone, cefotaxime and ceftazidime.ThesisItem Open Access RESPONSE TO SELECTION FOR EGG PRODUCTION IN IWN PURE LINE WHITE LEGHORN CHICKEN(AAU, Anand, 2007) PALEJA, H. I.; SOLANKI, J. V.A total of 961 (S3), 1219 (S4), 2049 (S5), and 1309 (S6) progenies of four consecutive generations of IWN pure line White Leghorn were considered for the study. In each generation 49, 50 and 60 sires of S3, S4 and S5 respectively produced progenies in S4, Ss and Sg generations. Corresponding number of dams were 197, 220 and 279. The selection differentials for generation S3, S4 and S5 were 17.17, 28.94 and 18.12 respectively. The corresponding selection intensity were 1.63, 1.81 and 1.93. The females were selected based on 64 week egg number (EN64) and independent culling level for egg weight at 40 week (EW40). The male progenies were selected based on the production performance of the fuUsib and halfsib sister progenies. The least squares means for AFE (day) were 148.75±0.50, 149.60 ±0.45, 140.34±0.39 and 150.46±0.42 in S3 to S6 generations respectively. There were significant differences between the generations except for S3 and S4 as well as S4 and S6 (P>0.05). The LSMs for egg production (no.) upto 64 weeks of age were 252.23±1.13, 255.00±1.02, 268.91±0.87, 254.71±0.96 in Se generation, respectively. There were significant differences between generations for egg production upto different age between two or more generations. The egg weights (g) at 40 weeks of age were 47.86±0.17, 51.65±0.16, 50.6110.14 and 50.49±0.15 in consecutive four generations under study. The differences for EW40 were significant between generations except between S4 and S5. The age at first egg was moderate to highly heritable trait. The differences between generations for heritability estimates of age at first egg were non significant. The heritability estimates for egg number upto different stages showed no significant differences between generations. The heritability estimates were 0.361±0.104, 0.132 ± 0.058, 0.231±0.060 and 0.180±0.084 for EN64 in S3 to S6 generations, respectively. The heritability estimates of egg weight at 40 weeks of age were 0.496 ± 0.124, 0.682 ±0.140, 0.432 ± 0.089 and 0.248±0.074 in S3 to Se generations, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between egg number and AFE and EW40 were negative. The egg production has shown phenotypic response of 2.13 ± 3.86 eggs per generation for ENe4. As a correlated response to selection for EN64, an increase was observed in all the traits under consideration except BW40 and AFE which declined over generations. The direct response and correlated response to selection for egg were however, non significant. All the traits except AFE have shown increasing trend for LSMs over the generations. Heritability estimates for AFE, EN64 and EW40 showed decline. The genetic and phenotypic correlations between EN64 and AFE showed declining trend whereas between EN64 and EW40 showed increasing trend over generations. However, the trend for LSMs of traits, their heritability estimates, genetic and phenotypic correlations were non significant (P>0.05). Out of total 25 different model of curve attempted to fit the egg production curve, model Y=A+B / X + C / X*X, second order hyperbola fitted to the three (S3. S4 and Be) generations. The curve fit model Y=A+B*X + C/ X, which was linear and reciprocal observed to be fitting S5 generation.ThesisItem Open Access STUDY ON PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE AND GENETIC PARAMETERS OF SYNTHETIC LINE OF WHITE LEGHORN(AAU, Anand, 2006) BAROT, VASANTKUMAR NAVALJI; PATEL, ASHOK M.The present study was carried out to investigate the production performance, inheritance and association among various economic traits in a synthetic strain of White Leghorn for five successive generations under Central Poultry Research Station Project at Department of Poultry Science, Anand Agricultural University, Anand. Number of pullets from first to fifth generation utilized as experiraental materials were 413 (37 Sire family), 446 (30 Sire family), 441 (37 Sire family), 449 (40 Sire family) and 440 (39 Sire family). The data obtained on these birds were analyzed, to obtain the estimates of the means, heritability and genetic and phenotypic correlations, through Least Square Analysis using LSMLMW and MIXED MODEL Computer programme. The least squares means for various economic traits in S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 generations respectively were 1173.21 ±9.11, 1133.36 ± 9.64, 1214.75 ± 11.32, 1200.56 ± 8.56 and 1214.73 ± 5.45 g for BW20, 1514.10 ± 14.64, 1421.86 ± 14.70, 1450.10 ± 11.70, 1456.77 ± 11.96 and 1429.75 ± 7.79 g for BW40, 1525.63 + 14.89, 1477.94 ± 12.41, 1591.66 ± 16.39, 1593.30 ± 13.67, and 1538.53 ± 9.62 g for BW56, 1530.87 ± 19.08, 1487.32 ± 12.89, 1655.85 + 17.06, 1517.11 ± 16.22 and 1645.74 ± 9.44 g for BW72, 153, 150, 159, 151 and 151 days for AFE, 103.736 ± 0.784, 99.511 ± 1.051, 93.576 ± 0.933. 107.036 ± 0.729 and 104.923 ± 0.652 eggs for EN40, 180.730 ± 1.354, 185.623 ± 1.227, 179.663 ± 1.220, 196.590 ± 1.040 and 189.130 ± 1.021 eggs for EN56, 238.403 ± 2.150, 254.015 ± 2.133, 277.950 ± 1.151, 271.726 ± 1.634 and 266.933 ± 1.434 eggs for EN72, 46.235 ± 0.325, 50.139 ± 387, 49.134 ±0.310, 48.012 ±0.265 and 51.724 ± 0.158 g for EW32, 53.272 ± 0.356, 51.915 ± 0.319, 49.219 + 0.326, 50.356 ± 0.281 and 52.306 ± 0.165 g for EW40, 54.101 ± 0.372, 54.379 ± 0.401, 53.139 ± 0.384, 54.897 ± 0.301 and 55.777 ± 0.174 g for EW56, 51.962 ± 0.341, 54.908 ± 0.385, 56.542 ± 0.515, 52.593 ± 0.351 and 61.610 ± 0.224 g for EW72, Rs. 74.00, 95.00, 76.00, 33.00 and 40.00 for ROFC per bird. The heritability estimates for various traits were found to be 0.450 ± 0.168, 0.679 ± 0.203, 0.976 ± 0.229, 0.678 ± 0.192 and 0.427 ± 0.159 {BW20), 0.490 ± 0.174, 0.617 ± 0.194, 0.737 ± 0.203, 0.723 ± 0.197 and 0.573 ± 0.180 (BW40), 0.425 ± 0.168, 0.235 ± 0.128, 1.019 ± 0.235, 0.770 ± 0.204 and 0.533 ± 0.175 (BWse), 0.718 ± 0.241, 0.378 + 0.162, 0.837 ± 0.269, 0.773 ± 0.207 and 0.204 ± 0.127 (BW72), 0.482 ± 0.173, 0.720 ± 0.209, 0.354 ± 0.148, 0.330 ± 0.143 and 0.481 ± 0.167 (AFE), 0.246 ± 0.135, 0.212 ± 0.120, 0.364 ± 0.150, 0.349 ± 0.146 and 0.831 ± 0.i211 (EN40), 0.387 ± 0.162, 0.064 ± 0.091 , 0.162 ± 0.118 , 0.257 ± 0.133 and 0.901 ± 0.219 (ENse), 0.193 ± 0.171, 0.140 + 0.114, 0.190 ± 0.191, 0.097 ± 0.108 and 0.790 ± 0.210 (EN72), 1.199 ± 0.250 , 0.936 ± 0.243 , 0.832 ± 0.204 , 0.624 ± 0.185 and 0.660 ± 0.194 (EW32), 1.099 ± 0.243, 0.861 ± 0.234, 0.708 ± 0.204, 0.630 ± 0.186, and 0.551 ± 0.180 (EW40), 1.081 ± 0.251,1.102 + 0.264, 0.948 ± 0.228, 0.621 ± 0.186 and 1.187 ± 0.244 (EWse), 0.471 ± 0.235, 0.575 ± 0.220, 1.196 ± 0.299, 0.723 ± 0.204 and 0.588 ± 0.195 (EW72) in S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 generation respectively. The genetic correlations amongst body weight traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) were positive and high in magnitude and in desired direction. The genetic correlations of BW20 with other growth traits (BW40, BW56 and BW72) ranged from 0.475 ± 0.226 to 0.924 ± 0.054. The genetic correlations of BW40 with BWse and BW72 were ranged from 0.491 ± 0.213 to 1.176 ± 0.117 where as the same between BW56 and BW72were ranged from 0.940 + 0.162 to 1.227 ± 0.115. The estimates of genetic correlations between body weight at 20 weeks of age and age at first egg were found to be low positive to negative side in all the generation except for the fourth generation. Contrary to this, positive and low genetic and phenotypic association was found between BW40 and age at first egg. The genetic correlations between body weight at 72 week and AFE were found to be positive, favourable and in desired direction. The genetic correlations of EN40 with various growth traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) ranged from - 0.631 ± 0.244 to 0.230 ± 0.314 whereas genetic correlations of EN72 with various growth traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) ranged little wider from -0.765 ± 0.429 to 0.278 ± 0.444. The genetic correlations of growth traits (BW20, BW40, BW56 and BW72) with egg weight traits (EW32, EW40, EW56 and EW72) were positive and moderate to high in magnitude. Negative genetic correlation of high magnitude was reported between age at first egg and egg production up to 40 weeks. In opposition to this, positive genetic and phenotypic association between age at sexual maturity and egg weight was reported. The genetic correlations between egg production (EN40, ENse and EN72) and egg weight traits (EW32, EW40, EW56 and EW72) were negative and high in magnitude in fifth generation. The phenotypic association of egg number with body weight and egg weight traits were negative and low in magnitude compared to genetic association.ThesisItem Open Access A study on the mnagerial efficiency of aaonla growers of Anand and kheda districts of Gujarat state(AAU, Anand, 2006) Patel Suryabhai R.; Dr N.B. ChauhanThesisItem Open Access Rice yield prediction using Crop Growth Simulation and Agrometeorological models in Gujarat(AAU, Anand, 2007) Vikram Singh Chauhan; Dr. A.M. ShekhAmong the various production commodities of basic importance, agricultural production is the one which is subjected to wide and irregular fluctuations of output. The importance of timely and reliable prediction of yield of principal crops need to be emphasized for the country like India where, the economy is mainly dependent on rainfed agriculture. Various yield prediction models are very much useful to the government agencies, trade and industry for planning about the distribution, storage, processing, and export/import of crop produce besides taking timely policy decisions on fixing levy prices as they provide accurate advance estimation of yields. Besides this, these models have facilitated identification of production constraints and for assisting in agro-technology transfer. The present study was undertaken to predict the rice yield using crop simulation models and to develop an appropriate agrometeorological model for prediction of rice yield in Gujarat. Crop growth simulation models viz. DSSAT and WOFOST were calibrated and validated under Gujarat conditions. Suitabl agrometeorological model for predicting the yield of rice was also developed by using combined effects of different weather parameters viz. rainfall, bright sunshine hours, maximum and minimum temperature and morning and afternoon relative humidity on rice yield. For the present investigation the major rice growing districts of Gujarat viz., Ahmedabad, Baroda, Bulsar, Kheda, Panchmahal, Sabarkantha and Surat were considered. The simulation results of DSSAT model for different districts revealed that the performance of the model for grain yield for all the districts was found highly significant with coefficient of determination values of 98.3% and 95.6% during the years 2004 and 2005 respectively. Various test criteria were applied to validate the performance of the model. The simulation performance of grain yield was found better in 2004 than in 2005. The error per cent during the year 2004 was 9.9% and it was 10.3% in 2005. The average error as computed by MAE was 139.3 and 135.6 with 173.3 and 186.4 RMSE during 2004 and 2005 respectively. The respective MBE was found to be 89.0 and -94.7 and index of agreement was 0.98 and 0.97. Sensitivity study of DSSAT revealed that 3°C elevation in mean ambient temperature decreased the yield by 4 to 41%. The 3°C down scaled ambient temperature increased the yield by 7 to 76%. The solar radiation increase from 1 to 3 MJm-2 day-1 resulted in 2 to 26% yield increase. In case 3 MJm-2 day-1 reduction in solar radiation, 1 to 42% decrease in yield was observed. Elevation of 300 ppm in CO2 concentration over its base value increased yield by 4 to 29%. The simulation results of WOFOST model simulation in both the years for different districts revealed that the simulated values of grain yield were found in perfect agreement with corresponding observed yield. Error per cent of WOFOST was 6.83% and 7.34% during 2004 and 2005 respectively. The coefficient of determination was 99.6% and 97.1%; MAE was 93.85 and 91.14, RMSE was 116.98 and 134.60 and MBE was found to be 50.14 and -66.57, respectively during the year 2004 and 2005. Three approaches using original observed weather variables (1) weekwise, (2) stagewise and (3) periodwise average weather vaiables and two approaches using generated weather variables (1) week number as weight and (2) correlation coefficient as weight were used for fitting of the agrometeorological models. Approaches using shorter interval i.e. weekly weather variables either original or generated were found superior to the approaches using longer period averaged weather variables i.e. stagewise and periodwise approaches. The results revealed that the effects of all the weather variables in relation to their quantum and direction differed over the approaches. However, they were found important for prediction point of view in rice productivity. The effect of weather variables also differed within the crop stage and period, indicating that small interval of crop period results in significantly higher R2 value and thereby minimizes the error of predicting the rice yield. Different approaches were found superior over others in different districts. In Ahmedabad district week number as weight approach provided suitable yield prediction model, eight week before expected harvest which explained > 75% variation in productivity. The 12 week model fitted with week number as weight approach is recommended as rice yield prediction model for Ahmedabad district Y = 6304.22 + 3.80 RHE1 – 0.69 RHM2 + 0.26 (RF*RHE)0 – 2.37 (MINT*RHE)0 + 4.36 (MAXT*RHM)2 (Adjusted R2 = 90.6%) Weekwise approach provided suitable yield prediction model in Baroda district, 8 weeks before harvest which explained > 75% variability. The 12 week model fitted with weekwise approach is recommended as rice yield prediction model for Baroda district Y = – 5050.94 – 0.33 RF2 + 19.06 BSS6 + 37.45 RHM9 – 42.51 BSS10 + 178.41 BSS11 + 24.46 RHM11 (Adjusted R2 = 99.4%) The 18 week model fitted with weekwise approach which provided earlier rice yield prediction (2 weeks before harvest) and explained > 75% variability is recommended as rice yield prediction model for Bulsar district Y = 5788.42 – 23.63 BSS3 – 0.15 RF3 – 69.95 MAXT5 + 59.49 MINT5 – 86.85 BSS6 + 106.21 BSS7 + 2.47 RF7 +103.57 MAXT8 – 33.49 BSS9 + 25.88 BSS11 + 3.73 RF11 – 0.84 RF12 – 170.01 MAXT13 – 70.32 MINT13 – 106.46 BSS14 – 41.87 RHE14 + 0.60 RF16 + 41.80 RHM17 (Adjusted R2 = 99.8%) The 20 week model fitted with weekwise approach which explained > 75% variability is recommended as rice yield prediction model for Kheda district Y = 8682.13 + 317.72 MINT10 + 12.87 RHE10 – 202.97 MINT12 – 59.17 MAXT18 – 79.21 BSS19 – 32.92 RHM19 (Adjusted R2 = 99.8%) The 12 week model fitted with weekwise approach which provided earlier prediction of the rice yield (8 weeks before harvest) and explained > 75% variability is recommended as rice yield prediction model for Panchmahal district Y = 8881.23 – 105.44 BSS2 + 105.02 MAXT2 – 164.14 MINT2 – 8.90 RHE2 – 54.41 RHM7 + 2.78 RF8 – 80.16 MINT10 (Adjusted R2 = 96.0%) The 14 week model which provided earlier prediction (6 weeks before harvest) and explained > 75% variability is recommended rice yield prediction model for Sabarkantha district Y = – 1075.72 + 37.25 RHM1 + 2.68 RHM3 + 8.99 RHE4 + 28.55 RHM5 – 34.24 RHM6 – 6.40 RHE10 – 59.89 MAXT11 + 68.84 MAXT13 (Adjusted R2 = 99.8%) The 20 week model fitted with weekwise approach which explained > 75% variability is recommended as rice yield prediction model for Surat district Y = 2851.46 + 72.40 MINT1 + 57.63 MAXT4 – 17.24 MAXT5 -0.06 RF8 – 2.83 RHM9 – 1.38 RF11 – 18.61 MINT16 – 2.75 RF18 – 1.66 RF19 – 89.51 MAXT20 – 6.24 RHE20 (Adjusted R2 = 99.8%) The developed agrometeorological models were equally comparable to the crop growth simulation models viz. DSSAT and WOFOST in all the districts except in Baroda district where the performance of WOFOST and DSSAT respectively was found superior to the developed agrometeorological model. The average performance of the models was adept in yield prediction for all the districts. The percent deviation for DSSAT was ±0.9 to ±9.9%, for WOFOST from ±0.2 to ±6.1 and for agrometeorological model it was ±0.1 to ±16.8%. The developed agrometeorological models could efficiently predict the rice yield upto 8 weeks i.e. two months before the actual harvest of the crop with very high accuracy (>90%). Thus these developed agrometeorological models can help the government and various other agencies to take appropriate steps is case of ensuing scarcity or glut situation. The DSSAT and WOFOST also predicted the rice yield in reasonable limit with additional advantage to project yield fluctuation with reasonable accuracy in fluctuating weather particularly temperature, solar radiation and CO2 concentration.