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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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End date: 2013 × Start date: 2013 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: Ph.D ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    LABORATORY STUDIES ON BIOLOGY AND FEEDING POTENTIAL OF MEXICAN BEETLE, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister ON PARTHENIUM, Parthenium hysterophorous L. AND EVALUATION OF HERBICIDES FOR THEIR SAFETY TO THE BIOAGENT
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) PAWAR, SATISH RAMCHANDRA; Korat, D. M.
    Investigations on biology, morphometries and feeding potential of Mexican beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) and toxicity of weedicides as well as effect of temperature on biological attributes of the bioagent were carried out in Biological Control Research Laboratory, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat) during theyear 2011 to 2012. Studies on biology of Z. bicolorata on Parthenium hysterophoms L. revea:ied that the female laid their eggs either singly or in cluster on under surface of leaves. Eggs were oblong in shape, slightly elongated, smooth and the surface was finely reticulated. There were four distinct larval instars. Newly hatched larvae were yellowish in colour and gradually turned in creamy white with the advancement of age. Adults of Z. bicolorata were elongate and oblong in shape. Dorsal surface was strongly convex and glabrous. In general, females found relatively larger in size than males. Average egg, larval, pupal and adult period was 3.93+0.80, 13.87 ± 1.36, 7.40 ± 1 . 1 8 and 32.40 ± 8.05 (males) to 44.53 + 7.33 (females) days, respectively. Entire life-span of female and male completed in 59.13 ± 7.75 and 71.33 ± 8.78 days, respectively. Fecundity, hatching percentage, adult emergence percentage and male to female sex ratio was 669.73 ± 141.34 eggs, 55.75 ± 12.27%, 76.67 ± 14.82% and 1 : 1.26, respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF ROW RATIOS, PHOSPHORUS LEVELS AND WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE OF MUSTARD - CHICKPEA INTERCROPPING AND ITS RESIDUAL EFFECT ON SUMMER BLACK GRAM UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT CONDITIONS
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) GAIKWAD, VAIBHAV POPAT; Patel, J. J.
    An experiment was conducted during rabi season in the year 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 with succeeding summer black gram at College Agronomy Farm, B. A. College of Agriculture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat to study the "Effect of row ratios, phosphorus levels and weed management practices on performance, of mustard - chickpea intercropping and its residual effect on summer black gram under middle Gujarat conditions" The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture. It was low in organic carbon and available nitrogen, while medium in available phosphorus and high in available potash with pH 7.9 and EC value 0.11dsm-1. There were thirty treatment combinations comprised of five row ratios IC1 Chick pea (Sole), IC2 Mustard (Sole), IC3 Mustard + Chick pea (1: 1), IC4 Mustard + Chick pea (1: 2), IC5 Mustard + Chick pea (1: 3) and two levels of P 1 (25 kg P2O5 ha-1 ) , P2 (50 kg P2O5 ha-1) and three levels of weed management practices ( W1 :Weedy check , W2 : Hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS, W3 : Pendimethalin @ 1 kg ha-1 (Pre-emergence) tested in randomized block design under factorial concept with three replications. Plant population of mustard recorded at 15 DAS and at harvest showed non-significant differences due to different row ratios. The plant heights at all the crop growth stages were significantly influenced due to different row ratios. Higher plant height (30.89 cm) was recorded under the treatment IC5 Mustard + Chick pea (1:3) row ratio while significantly the lowest plant height (27.94 cm) at 30 DAS was observed under the treatment IC3 Mustard + Chick pea (1:1). The difference in the plant height recorded at 60 DAS due to the different row ratios was non-significant on pooled basis. While plant height recorded at 90 DAS and harvesting was significantly influenced due to different row ratios. Significantly the highest plant height (204.83 and 213.94 cm) were recorded under the treatment IC2 (sole mustard) at 90 DAS and at harvest during second year and on pooled basis, respectively. Lower plant height (193.31 and 207.44 cm) of mustard were recorded under the treatment IC5 Mustard + Chick pea (1:3) which was remained at par with the treatment IC3 Mustard + Chick pea (1:1) and IC4 Mustard + Chick pea (1: 2) at harvest, respectively on pooled basis. The result revealed that different row ratios did not exert its significant influence on number of siliquae per plant and length of siliqua on pooled basis analysis. The results pertaining to seed and straw yield, harvest index and test weight revealed that the different row ratios registered significantly higher mustard seed and straw yield, harvest index as well as test weight were observed under the treatment IC3 Mustard + Chick pea (1: 1). Lower mustard seed yield, straw yield, harvest index as well as test weight were observed under the treatment IC5 Mustard + Chick pea (1:3). Plant height of chickpea recorded at 25, 50 DAS and at harvest was influenced significantly by the different row ratios, respectively. It had non-significant effect on pooled basis result at 25 DAS and at harvest. Plant heights measured at 50 DAS as influenced by the different row ratios were significant during both the years and on pooled basis. Significantly the maximum plant height (41.81 cm) of chickpea was observed under the treatment IC3 Mustard + Chick pea (1: 1) on pooled result. It was remained at par with the treatment IC4 Mustard + Chick pea (1:2). Significantly the lowest plant height (33.72cm) was recorded under treatment IC] sole chick pea. Among the various row ratios, the treatment IC3 Mustard + chickpea (1:1) recorded significantly the highest number of pods per plant (53.55), number of seeds per pods (1.67) seed (809 kg ha-1), dry gotar yield (1678 kg ha-1), harvest index (41.1 %) and test weight (25.63 g.) of chickpea on pooled basis, respectively. Significantly less number of pods per plant (27.76), seeds per pod (1.52), seed (300 kg/ha) and dry gotar yield (502 kg ha-1) of chickpea were recorded under the treatment IC5 Mustard + Chick pea (1: 3) on pooled basis. While significantly the lowest harvest index (25.9 %) and test weight (24.7 g.) was observed under the treatment IC1 (sole chick pea), respectively. As far as interaction effect concern all the possible interaction of different factors had the significant influence on the harvest index of mustard. Different phosphorus levels did not differ significantly for plant height on pooled basis at 30, 60, 90 DAS and at harvest while also it exerted non-significant effect on the yield attributes of mustard (number of siliquae per plant, length of siliqua, test weight of mustard and oil content) on pooled basis.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    IMPACT OF POST-HARVEST TREATMENTS ON SHELF-LIFE AND QUALITY OF SAPOTA [Manilkara achras (Mill.) FOSBERG] FRUITS AND CHIPS CV. KALIPATTI
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) PATEL, PINAKIN DASHRATHBHAI; Vihol, N. J.
    With objective to evaluate the efficacy of different growth regulators with wax coating for quality parameters of sapota fruits and chips, to extend the shelf-life of sapota fruits and chips and to find out the best combination to minimize the post-harvest losses in sapota fruits at ambient condition an experiment was conducted at the laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, Anand Agricultural University, Anand during the year 2007-08 and 2008-09. In sapota fruits, fruit weight and fruit volume was considerable the higher under the treatment of AgNO3 @ 20 ppm. The physiological loss in weight was minimized under the treatment of AgNO3 @ 40 ppm during early i.e. 6th, 9th and 12th day of storage period. Generally marketability of the sapota fruits was quite high under the treatment of GA3 @ 100 and 200 ppm throughout the storage period during both the years of experiment. Due to prevailing high temperature during the storage period, fruits showed high tendency to shrivel. The treatment GA3 @ 200 ppm delayed rate of ripening during the both years. Fruits treated with this treatment required 9.33, 9.00 and 9.17 days for ripening during both years as well as in pooled results. Considerable compactness of sapota fruits was observed under the treatment of NAA @ 200 ppm during second year experiment and in pooled data. Most of the fruits showed high tendency to shrivel due to high temperature prevailed during the storage period of both the years. Quality of ripe fruits in terms of high T.S.S. (22.00, 21.75, 22.50, and 22.75 0brix) was recorded under the treatment of GA3 @ 100 ppm throughout the storage period on pooled basis during both the year experiment. Lower acidity (0.089 %) was recorded under treatment of NAA @ 200 ppm during early storage i.e. at 6th day of storage followed by GA3 @ 200 ppm treatment which recorded considerable the lowest acidity (0.065, 0.038 and 0.021 %) on pooled basis at 9th 12th and 15th day of storage in both year experiment. Reducing sugars content (8.55 %) was higher under AgNO3 @ 20 ppm during 9th day of storage period followed by GA3 @ 100 and GA3 @ 200 ppm treatment, which recorded 8.98 and 9.62 per cent acidity at 12th and 15th day of storage, respectively on pooled basis. The fruits treated under AgN03 @ 40 ppm found to accumulate higher total sugars (17.77, 18.10 and 18.41 %) during 6th, 9th and 12th day of storage, while, 20.13 per cent of total sugars was recorded under the treatment of NAA @ 200 ppm at 15th day of storage period. Organoleptic score was not influenced by the growth regulators and AgN03. Sapota fruits treated with wax 6 per cent showed considerable high fruit weight (82.97 g) and volume (64.39 ml) at final stage of storage and the minimum physiological loss in weight throughout the storage period resulted in delayed the rate of ripening by recording 7.78, 8.06 and 7.92 days to reach ripening. The treatment also found to control spoilage at 12th and 15th day of storage. Wax coating treatment could not much influence the quality characters viz., T.S.S. and acidity throughout the storage period. Higher reducing sugars (8.12, 8.27, 8.63 and 8.84 %) and total sugars (16.02, 17.20, 17.75 and 18.95 %) were recorded under the treatment of wax 3 per cent in pooled data during second year of experiment during all the days of storage period, respectively. Looking to the organoleptic score of sapota chips, higher score for colour (6.83 and 6.50) was recorded under the treatment of GA3 @10G ppm during second year. Under treatment NAA @ 200 ppm 30.67 per cent recovery of chips could achieved during second year. Reducing sugars content (26.21, 25.25, and 25.73 %) at 3rd month and (26.73, 26.00 and 26.37 %) at 6th month was noted under the treatment of NAA @ 100 ppm during first and second year as well as in pooled data, respectively. The treatment GA3 @ 200 ppm showed higher accumulation of total sugars (51.73, 50.15, 51.93 and 50.40 %) during both the years at 3rd and 6th month of storage period, respectively. Wax coating treatment could not influence much more on organoleptic evaluation, physical parameter and chemical parameters of sapota chips. From the above mentioned results it can be concluded that GA3 @ 200 ppm was the best treatment which not only extend the shelf-life of sapota fruits but also reduced the post-harvest losses and degradative metabolism during ripening without adversely affecting quality of sapota fruits cv. 'Kalipatti'. Dipping of fruits in different growth regulators incorporated with wax 6 per cent could help to reduce the post-harvest losses the fruits. For improving the quantitative and qualitative parameters of sapota chips GA3 @ 100 and GA3 @ 200 ppm was found to be the best treatment, respectively.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Development of Azospirillum liquid bio-inoculants fortified with micronutrients and their assessment on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.)
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) GUPTA, DIPMALA GOPALBHAI; VYAS, R. V.
    Present research was carried out to isolate efficient Azospirillum cultures from soil samples of two different locations practicing organic farming viz. Kathwada (Ahmedabad) and Ravipura (Anand). Three strains were screened out from two locations soil. All three native Azospirillum isolates were characterized based on their morphological, biochemical and physiological nature. Isolates As-1, As-2 and As-3 were found gram negative, curved motile rods with optimum pH range 4 to 8 and salt tolerance up to 5 % NaCl concentration. In vitro compatibility of Azospirillum isolates with micronutrients was assessed through qualitative 100 ppm and quantitative tests recommendation dose concentration of micronutrients indicated compatibility with all isolates. In vitro studies on PGPR traits of native potential Azospirillum isolates demonstrated that nitrogen fixing potentiality of these isolates were ranged from 11.1 to 25.0 mg N2 fixed/g of sucrose consumed. Estimation of phosphate solubilization capacity in the liquid medium revealed that all the strains released P from tri calcium phosphate (TCP) and isolate As-3 recorded maximum soluble phosphorous (20.8 µg/ml) at 3 DAI. Among isolates, As-1 and ASA-1 (standard strain) are able to solubilize zinc oxide. lAA production was recorded by all three isolates of Azospirillum at 5 DAI, ranged from 0.30 to 25.85 µg/ml lAA in tryptophan supplemented media. Isolates As-2 and standard ASA-1 showed ACC deaminase enzyme production. Isolate As-1 and As-3 produced yellow-orange color zone on CAS agar plate showing siderophore production. Among the tested isolates, As-2 found to possess cellulase, lipase and chitinase enzyme, while isolate As-1 was found to produce cellulase and lipase enzyme, whereas As-3 showed lipase and chitinase enzyme and among standard strain ASA-1 showed lipase, protease and chitinase activity. Isolate As-1 showed inhibition of Aspergillus and Fusarium and As-2 showed inhibition of all tested plant pathogenic fungi and isolate As-3 inhibited M. phaseolina and standard strain ASA-1 showed inhibition of Fusarium and M. phaseolina. All isolates showed varied results for PGPR activity. Isolate As-1 showed 69% PGPR activity, As-2 has 77% and As-3 has 54% and standard strain ASA-1 has 77 % activity. Cyst based formulation of Azospirillum isolates fortified with micronutrients at desired concentrations showed self-life up to 12 months of storage with 10 to power 8 cell cfu/ml. In laboratory assay on tomato, all native Azospirillum isolates and standard checks showed better growth over un-inoculated control. In pot experiment isolate As-2 along with micronutrient + 75 % RDF was found better to promote different growth parameters of tomato by seed and soil application methods during Kharif 2011 and 2012. Among the application methods, seed application showed better performance. In nursery experiment, also the isolate As-2 along with micronutrient + 75% RDF was found better to promote different growth parameters of tomato during Kharif 2011 and 2012. Micronutrient analysis of plant showed that, mobilization of micronutrient occurred in tomato seedlings when treated with Azospirillum + micronutrients and also showed 25 % possible saving of 'N' fertilizer. Entire consequence of experimentations signifies that, Azospirillum isolate As-2 possesses multiple plant growth promotion traits with best potency on tomato pots and nursery and also found to mobilize micronutrients in tomato seedlings.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    STUDIES ON CLINICO-PATHOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS OF COW URINE AND ITS SYNERGISTIC ACTION WITH AQUEOUS POLY HERBAL EXTRACT IN COMMERCIAL LAYER CHICKS
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) JIVANI, BHAVISHA M.; JOSHI, B. P.
    The present investigation was undertaken to study on clinico-pathological and immunomodulatory effects of cow urine distillate and its synergistic action with aqueous poly herbal extract containing Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in commercial layer chicks. A total of 270, one day old BV-300 layer chicks were randomly divided into nine groups comprising 30 chicks in each group. Group I served as negative control without administration of any treatment except plain water at ad libitum. Groups II and III were served as positive treatment control groups and administered with IBD intermediate vaccine and cyclophosphamide as immunosuppressive agents respectively. The remaining treatment groups IV to IX were given either cow urine distillate alone or its combination with aqueous poly herbal extract along with intermediate IBD vaccine and cyclophosphamide. All the birds of different experimental groups were observed for different parameters. Six birds from each experimental group were sacrificed on day 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 for collection of material for haematological, biochemical, histopathological and lymphoblastogenesis study. Clinical signs like tendency to remain standing at one place with apathy, unthriftiness with ruffled feathers, dullness and drooping of the wings were observed in some of the birds belonged to group II (IBD vaccinated) and III (cyclophosphamide) after two to three days of administration of immunosuppressive agents. Except mild depression and dullness in occasional birds from treatment groups VI, VII, VIII & IX, no other clinical signs were observed in other treatment groups throughout the study period. There was significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight in groups IV and V as compared to group I as well as in groups VI and VII as compared to group II and in group VIII and group IX as compare to group III on 30th and 45th days of experiment. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in bursa body weight ratio and thymus body weight ratio in groups IV (cow urine distillate ) and V (cow urine distillate + aqueous poly herbal extract) on 15th and 30th days as compared to control group I. There was significant decrease (P<0.05) in bursa body weight ratio and thymus body weight ratio in groups II and III as compared to control group I on 30th day of experiment. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in both these ratios in groups VI and VII as compared to group II and in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III on 30th day of experiment. Different haematological parameters revealed significant decrease (P<0.05) in haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume and TEC count in group III on 15th and 30th days of experiment as compared to control group I. Among different treatment groups, only groups VIII and IX showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in Hb, PCV and TEC values in comparison to group I and significant increase as compared to group III on 15th day of experiment. There was significant decrease (P<0.05) in the TLC in groups III, VIII and IX as compared to group I whereas significant increase (P<0.05) in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III on 15th day of experiment. There was also significant decrease in heterophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts in group III on 15th and 30th days as well as in groups VIII and IX on 15th day as compared to group I where as the values of heterophil and lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III. All these findings indicated that cow urine and its combination with poly herbal extract have ability to counteract the effect of cyclophosphamide in layer chicks. Among different biochemical parameters studied, ALT and AST values revealed significant increase in group III as compared to group I while significant decrease was observed in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III on 15th and 30th days of experiment. There was significant increase in BUN and creatinine in group III on 15th and 30th days as well as in groups VII and IX on 15 day as compared to group I where as significant decrease in groups VIII and EX as compared to group III on 15 and 30th days of experiment. There was significant decrease (P<0.05) in NDHI antibody titre in group II (IBD vaccinated) on 30th, 45th and 60th days of experiment as well as in group III (cyclophosphamide) on 30th day of experiment as compared to control group I. There was significant increase (P<0.05) in antibody titre in groups IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IX as compared to their respective control groups on 30th , 45th and 60th days of experiment. Mean values of skin thickness revealed significant increase in groups IV, V, VI, VII, VIII & IX as compared to group I, in groups VI and VII as compared to group II and in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III at 24 hrs after DNCB application. Lymphoblastogenesis assay revealed significant decrease (P<0.05) in T-cell blastogenesis in group III and B-cell blastogenesis in groups II and III as compared to group I on 30th and 45th days of experiment. There was significant (P<0.05) increase (P<0.05) in T-cell and B-cell blastogenesis in groups IV and V as compared to group I, in groups VI and VII as compared to group II and in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III on 30th , 45th and 60th days of experiment. These results suggested the potent humoral and cell mediated immune response of cow urine distillate and its combination with poly herbal extract. There was marked gross enlargement of bursa of Fabricius and thymic lobes in all the treatment groups IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and DC on 30th and 40th days of sacrifice when compared to their respective control groups. There were no appreciable gross lesions in other internal organs. Variable lesions like erythema, indurations, haemorrhage and necrosis were seen in groups IV to IX at 24 his post challenge of DNCB application. Microscopic lesions in bursa of Fabricius revealed enlarged bursal follicles with lymphoid hyperplasia in groups IV and V as compared to group I on 30th and 45th days of sacrifice. There was mild to moderate atrophy of lymphoid follicles in groups II and III while in comparison to both these groups, the bursal follicles of birds belonging to groups VI, VII, VIII and IX showed mild to moderate regeneration in the form of lymphoid cell proliferation on 30th and 45th days of sacrifice. Lesions in the thymus revealed slightly enlarged lymphoid follicles with lymphoid hypeiplasia in groups IV and V on 30 and 45th days of sacrifice. Thymic lesions in group III treated with cyclophosphamide mainly consisted mild to moderate atrophy with depletion of lymphocytes while moderate enlargement of thymic follicles with regenerative proliferation of lymphocytes was observed in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III on 30th and 45th days of experiment. Sections of spleen revealed mild depletion of lymphocytes in group III on 30th and 45th days of sacrifice while there was regenerative RE cell hyperplasia in groups VIII and IX on 30 day of experiment. Section of kidney showed lesions only in group III. The kidney lesions were characterized by mild congestion, widespread degeneration and necrosis of tubular epithelium. The severity of renal lesions was markedly reduced in groups VIII and IX as compared to group III on 30th day of sacrifice. The histopathological lesions in the skin after 24 lirs of DNCB application revealed lesions like varying degrees of mononuclear cell infiltrations accompanied with necrosis, edema and congestion in superficial and deep layers of dermis in various groups treated with cow urine alone or its combination with poly herbal extract. It could be concluded from the present findings that cow urine distillate alone or its mixture with poly herbal aqueous extract was found to modulate the immunity in a positive maimer and can be used as an inamunomodulatory agents in commercial layer chicks.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    PATHOMORPHOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON SPONTANEOUS NEOPLASTIC LESIONS IN WISTAR RATS
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) PATEL, PRAFULKUMAR PARSOTAMBHAI; PRAJAPATI, K. S.
    Untreated CRL Wistar rats (40 males and 77. females) used to study the incidences of spontaneous neoplastic lesions during their life span of 2 years. Animals were kept in an environmentally controlled room with 22 ± 3°C temperature and 30- 70% humidity. Light/dark cycle of 12/12 hours with 300-400 lux was provided throughout the study period. Various parameters like survival, terminal body weight, hematology and biochemistry alterations and incidence of major spontaneous neoplastic lesions have been analyzed and compared with other surveys. The special staining procedure of Masson's Trichrome and Periodic Schiff stain (PAS) as well as iramunohistochemistry with S100 and Vimentin stain were performed for differential diagnosis of various tumors. The results of study showed, mean survival rate of 97.5 % for males and 98.7 % for females at 12 months age. Mean survival rate at the end of 24 months decreased markedly with 57.5 % in males and 68.8 % in females indicating that female rats had lower mortality than male rats. The body weights of experimental animals were taken at initiation, at 12 months and at 24 months of study. The terminal body weight (TBW) revealed a mean value of 669.5 g (range 561 to 778 g) in males and 516.8 g (range 358 to 649 g) in females. The TBW of current study animals was found to be quite stable over the time and homogeneous.The body weight , hematology and biochemical parameters of the single, multiple and major tumor (type of tumor having incidences >10 %) comprising animals were compared with the normal animals (animals without tumors) in both sexes. The increase (P<0.05) in body weight of female animals comprising the mammary gland fibroadenoma was noticed during interim body weight comparation. However, decrease in the terminal body weight of female animals comprising multiple tumors noticed during multiple comparison of body weights at different time periods. In male the body weight was comparable with the normal animals or animals not having any tumor. There were no significant changes between male and female noticed in haematological and biochemical parameters studied in relation to tumor development during terminal analysis. An increase in triglyceride (P<0.01) levels (mg/dl) (Male 136.51±10.62 vs Female 267.26 ±43.68) was noticed in female animals. Multiple comparision of biochemical parameters for single, multiple and major tumor comprising animals did not reveal any significant changes except a decrease in glucose levels noticed in female comprising single tumor. In current study analysis of 117 CRL Wistar Rats (40 males and 77 females) revealed that 47.5% of males and 67.5 % of females had one or several tumors. Total percentage of benign neoplasm were 78.9 % in male and 76.9 % in female while malignant neoplasm were noticed in 21.1 % and 23.1 % in male and female respectively. Benign tumors were more numerous than malignant tumors in both sexes. The major neoplastic lesions were found in the endocrine, integumentary and reproductive systems. Pituitary adenoma was the most frequent neoplasm which occurred in 23.7% of the males and 26.4 % of the female rats. The other most frequent tumors in males were Leydig cell tumor (10.5 %), benign pheochromocytoma (5.3%), thyroid C-cell adenoma (5.3 %), pancreatic islet cell adenoma (2.6 %), subcutaneous fibrosarcoma (5.3 %), subcutaneous fibroma (5.3%), and cutaneous keratoacanthoma (2.6%). In females, the other highest incidences were mammary fibroadenoma (24.8 %), uterine endometrial stromal polyp (16.0 %), endometrial adenoma (4.0 %), mammary adenoma with atypia (4.0 %), mammary adenocarcinoma (2.4 %), benign thymoma (2.4 %), subcutaneous fibrosarcoma (1.6%) and thyroid C-cell adenoma (0.8 %). All these data were compared to previously published historical control data. This retrospective analysis was undertaken in order to create historical data base and to study and diagnosed the various neoplastic findings.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    COMPARISON OF NUTRITIONAL QUALITY OF WHEAT GROWN BY CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS AND ORGANIC MANURES
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) LITORIYA, NITESH SITARAM; TALATI, J. G.
    Investigations were carried out at the Department of Biochemistry, Agriculture Biotechnology, Pesticide residue laboratory and Micronutrient project (ICAR), AA.U., Anand. The organic fertilizer systems increased the quality of durum wheat grain in terms of nutritional components viz., protein content and quality in terms of their fractions, gluten content, micronutrients, carotenoids content and antioxidant activity and decreased the antinutritional factor viz., heavy metals (Co, Cr and Ni) and phytic acid content. Electrophoretic studies of total protein and their fractions gave some idea about the identification of the effect of fertilizer system, but not up to the satisfactory level; so they cannot be considered as parameters to differentiate inorganically and organically grown wheat. However, 2-D gel electrophoresis gave five specific spots present only in organic fertilizer systems, which might be useful for identification of organic wheat. Application of organic fertilizers significantly increased the content of vitamin B complex viz., thiamine, pantothenic acid, niacin and folic acid as well as the phenolic and antioxidant compounds viz., ferulic acids, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, vanillic acid and sinapic acid as compared to inorganic. The influence of organic fertilization system on protein quality in terms of amino acids composition resulted in significant increase (18 to 50%) of all amino acids content in wheat grains over inorganic fertilizers. Essential amino acids, important for human health and growth were significantly increased up to 21 to 50% in organic fertilizer system fortified with biofertilizer over inorganic fertilizer. Application of organic fertilizers also increased the organic acid content viz., fumaric acid, succinic acid and benzoic acid over inorganically grown wheat. The residual effect of organic fertilizer system after harvest of wheat crop significantly increased the soil organic carbon content as well as nitrogen fractions (available, ammoniacal and nitrate nitrogen) as compared to inorganic treatment. Application of organic fertilizers significantly increased Fe, Mn and Zn content of soil but did not affect Cu content as compared to inorganic treatment. However, application of organic fertilizer retained the residual heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Ni and Pb) content, which is vital in improving the soil health for plant growth. Application of organic fertilizer did not show any clear effect on chlorophyll content and different enzyme activities (urease, nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase) at both the stages viz., 7 and 14 DAG. The fertilizer systems gave fluctuation in enzyme activities according to their biological properties, so it could not be useful for comparison of effect of different fertilizers. However, organic fertilizer system reduced the nitrate content at both stages of wheat seedlings over inorganic. Ultimately, these data showed that the organic fertilizer systems might be useful for improvement of nutritional quality of wheat grains regarding their nutritional components viz., gluten content, protein content and its quality in terms of amino acids composition specially essential amino acids and fractions, water soluble B group vitamins, organic acids, micronutrients, carotenoids, antioxidant activity, phenolic acids and reduction of anti-nutritional factors i. e. phytic acid and heavy metals in wheat grain as well as the soil quality for plant growth by retaining the residual heavy metals and improvement in the organic carbon, nitiogen fractions, micronutiients and reduction in nitiate content of wheat seedlings.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    SIMULATION MODELING OF WHEAT YIELD USING WOFOST MODEL UNDER MIDDLE GUJARAT AGRO CLIMATIC REGION
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) MISHRA, SUDHIR KUMAR; Shekh, A. M.
    Crop growth simulation models are useful tools for considering and exploring the complex interactions between a range of factors that affecting crop performance, including weather, soil properties and management. To sustain crop production and to reduce the detrimental effects of varied environmental conditions on crop production, the understanding of crop growth in relation to varying resource input and agro-environments is required for management options. Improved production technology at the farm level is the most crucial starting point for future improvement of productivity of wheat by employing and adapting suitable crop growth simulation models. In addition to this, the use of crop growth simulation models comes handy to the government agencies, trade and industry and 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. Crop simulation models are recent tools that have facilitated identification of production constraints and for assisting in agro-technology transfer. In the present investigation, WOFOST (WOrld FOod STudy) v.7.1 model was used to develop genetic coefficients and validate it under Anand conditions by conducting a field experiment on Sandy loam soil during two consecutive Rabi seasons of 2009- 2010 and 2010-2011. The study was carried out for simulation of phenology. growth and yield of four different wheat cultivars (cv. GW 322, GW 496, GW 366 and GW 1139), vahdation of four dates of sowing viz., D1 (1st November), D2 (15th November), D3 30th November and D4 (15th December), cahbration of genetic coefficients of all four different cultivars, carry out the sensitivity analysis of WOFOST model with respect to middle Gujarat agro-climatic region. The cultivar GW 322 performed best during 2009-2010, 2010-2011 and in pooled analysis in producing the grain yield by 3611 kg/ha, 4384 kg/ha and 3998 kg/ha. Among all cultivars, GW 322 performed best (3611 kg/ha in 2009-2010 and 4384 kg/ha in 2010-2011) followed by cultivar GW 496, GW 366 and GW 1139. Although the durum type wheat cultivar GW 1139 yielded least among all cultivars. The yield reduction is more under delayed sowing. Although this cultivar (GW 1139) is cultivated under rainfed conditions in Bhal zone but, under irrigated conditions in Anand its performance was better in terms of duration as well as in yield. The mean maximum temperature of wheat growing season during first year ranged between 30.4 to 31.4 °C while, during second year it was between 28.9 to 31.3 °C under different dates of sowing. Higher maximum temperature caused the reduction in wheat yield. With an increase of 1°C in maximum temperature the wheat yield reduced by 412 kg/ha. Among different stages, the flowering stage was most vulnerable with increase temperature. At this stage, every 1°C increase in the maximum, minimum and mean temperatures respective reduction in yield was 213 kg/ha, 177 kg/ha and 231 kg/ha. Minimum temperature less than 11.5 °C at flowering stage was found more favourable for wheat production. This lower minimum temperature corresponds with the wheat sown on the normal dates (15th November) hence, it is recommended. The association between simulated and observed grain yields of GW 496, GW 366 and GW 1139 cultivars were found satisfactory. Consistently higher grain yields were realized in case of the second date of sowing (15th November) during both the years and the yields were statistically significant for the pooled data over the years. Average minimum temperature in D2 sowing around 11.5°C around 70 DAS and 8.4°C at 60 DAS in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, respectively seemed to have contributed to yields under D2 being higher than those under D1, D3 and D4. The average minimum temperature in D2 sowing was found the lowest and prevalence of lower mean temperature during flowering and milking stage during both the years were found favourable for higher grain yield. The WOFOST model was superior to InfoCrop and DSSAT crop simulation models in simulation of days to anthesis and maturity of wheat crop. Various test criteria were applied to validate the performance of the model. The simulation performance of grain yield was found better in 2009- 2010 than in 2010-2011. The calibrated WOFOST model performed well for simulating phenological stages (viz., anthesis and physiological maturity) with error percent less than 4.03%. Similarly, the error percent was less than 8.48 for simulation of grain and biomass production. Hence, this model can be used for simulating the phenology and yield of wheat cultivars. Highest error 9.34% was noticed in simulation of leaf area index by InfoCrop and 9.21% by DSSAT model. The comparison of WOFOST with DSSAT and InfoCrop models suggested the superiority of WOFOST over others as it was evident from least percent error in simulating phenology, yield and yield attributes of wheat. The DSSAT models also simulated the phenology, yield and yield attributes of wheat close to the observed. This model estimated the yield, biomass and harvest index with percent error less than 7.83, -5.5 and 11.47, respectively. Index of agreement from all three models was more than 0.95 in simulations of various growth and yield components of wheat cultivars under varied environmental conditions reveal the accuracy of models.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    TRANSCRIPTOME ANALYSIS AND IDENTIFICATION OF DEFENCE RELATED GENES IN RESPONSE TO DOWNY MILDEW (Peronospora plantaginis) INFECTION IN ISABGOL (Plantago ovata Forsk)
    (AAU, Anand, 2013) KUMAR, VINAY; Shukla, Y. M.
    Isabgol (Plantago ovata Forsk), a member of Plantaginaceae family is a crucial medicinal emd industrial crop cultivated in India, having a good foreign exchange in world market. In spite of its immense important, it faces constraints in productivity due to the prevalence of numerous biotic and abiotic stresses, downy mildew disease caused by an obligate fvmgal pathogen, Peronospora plantaginis being a major one causing an estimated yield loss of up to 73 per cent. In order to identify the defence response involved in isabgol-downy mildew interaction, transcriptome analysis of downy mildew resistant (EC 124345) and susceptible (Niharika) genotypes under downy mildew stress as well as control conditions was executed through 454 GS FLX Titanium Pyrosequencing, yielding 600.81 Mb data with an average read length of 434 bp. De novo transcriptome assembly of four samples viz. resistant inoculated; control and susceptible inoculated; control was performed using CLC Genomics Workbench producing 7246, 7650, 7390 and 9278 unigenes respectively. The Guanine: cytosine (GC) content in isabgol transcriptome varied from 51-52%. The unigenes were annotated to identify putative gene fimctions with the different databases like non redundant protein database. KEGG and IntreProscan and the highest GO terms were obtained from UniprotKB databases. The homology of isabgol tmigenes with the model plant species revealed the highest hits with Vitis vinifera followed by Glycine max, Populus trichocarpa, Medicago truncatula and Arabidopsis thaliana. Gene Ontology enrichment analyses revealed the over and under representation of GO terms by the up and down regulation of associated genes respectively. The genes encoding various types of enzymes and/or protein associated with the defence or stress related responses included pathogenesis related (PR) proteins, such as (PR-9) peroxidase, (PR-5) thaumatin like proteins, (PR-3, 4, 8, 11) a group of chitinases or endochitinases, (PR-2), P- 1, 3-glucanases, (PR-10) ribonuclease, (PR-13) thiordne, (PR-6) proteinase inhibitors and (PR-12), resistance genes NBS-LRR, CC-NBS-LRR, ser/threonine receptors kinase, LRR repeat type, MLO and Cf9 types of R genes were also foxmd. Transcription factors families viz. WRKY, zinc finger, leucine zipper, chitin-inducible gibberellin-responsive protein 1-like, dna binding, g-boxbinding factor 4, homeobox leucine zipper protein, myb family, nac domain containing, ERF were identified from the isabgol downy mildew interaction. The pathogenesis and defence related genes identified in isabgoldowny mildew interaction were validated through Real time quantitative PCR. In order to identify the most stable reference genes during downy mildew pathogen infection, the expression stabilities of the reference genes viz. elongation factor a, actin, tubulin, glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase and 60S ribosomal protein were examined by the five algorithms and EF1a and ACT 7 were found to be the most stable reference genes. A total of 18 PR proteins, defence related enzymes/genes were used for validation through Real time-qPCR. The expression of peroxidase, spermine synthase, chitinases, ADP ribosylation factors, mitogen activated protein kinase kinase, 4-coumarate ligase and resistance gene CC-NBS-LRR were prominentiy enhanced in resistant inoculated samples suggesting that the defence related genes were induced during isabgol downy mildew interaction. Photosynthesis related genes like chlorophyll a-b binding protein, 14-3-3 were down regulated during downy mildew disease. The transcriptome data was mined for EST-SSR and identified the first set of genie SSRs markers. A total of 1440, and 1824 microsatellite repeats were identified from the EC 124345 and Niharika genotypes, respectively. The most frequently occurring di-nucleotide motifs were AG/CT followed by GA/TC and CA/TG and among the tri- nucleotide motifs, AGC/CTG was abundantiy present closely followed by AAG/CTT. The tri-nucleotide motifs coding for serine was highest (12%) followed by leucine (9%), while the methionine were least present (1%). A set of 34 EST-SSR was selected for validation on Plantago ovata genotypes. Out of the 34 primers, 28 primers (82%) produced their specific amplicon and four primers viz. ECSSR 4, ECSSR 9, ECSSR 14, ECSSR 31 were polymorphic within P. ovata genotypes. For cross species transferability, 24 primers out of 28 (85%) produced amplification in any of the six species tested viz. Plantago coronopus, P. lanceolata, P. indica, P. arenaria, P. syllium and P. serrena. The transcriptome data would serve as a resource for genomic studies such as identification and isolation of genes of economically important traits and disease resistance in isabgol. The newly developed first set of EST-SSR markers could be useful in identification of gene based or trait linked SSR markers for improvement of isabgol though conventional or molecular breeding approaches like marker- aided selection (MAS). This study generated for the very first time genomic resources for a highly valued medicinal plant using high throughput next generation sequencing approach and is expected to accelerate the field of functional genomics of isabgol