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Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir
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ThesisItem Open Access Marker Assisted Introgression of Blast resistance genes in the background of Red Rice cultivar “Zag"(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Musharib Gull; Sofi, Najeeb ul Rehman`Pigmented rices are popular across the country and some States possesses a rich cultural heritage of unique quality rice types usually grown in specific ecological niches. Apart from cultivation of important high yielding varieties, considerable area is planted under pigmented landraces under certain pockets of the State. The most prominent among them is Red rice(Zag) which is known for its distinctive flavour, texture, and nutritional value. Zag is a significant Kashmiri landrace that is renowned for having higher than average levels of iron and zinc as well as polyphenols, anthocyanins, and antioxidants. But the area planted with red rice is shrinking because red rice is highly susceptible to Blast disease caused by Magnophorthe oryzae, where losses can go as high as 70% to complete yield loss. Therefore, utilising a three-gene donor line, DHMAS70Q 164-1b, a decision was made to incorporate three important genes, namely Pi54, Pi1, and Pita, into the genetic background of red rice cultivar Zag. The two were crossed and BC1F1, BC1F2 and BC1F3 progenies were generated through marker-assisted backcross breeding. Marker-assisted foreground selection was carried out using molecular markers Pi54 MAS, RM224 and YL 155/87 in order to select for genes Pi54, Pi1 and Pita, respectively. In BC1F1 foreground selection was carried on 15 plants for the genes Pi54, Pi1 and Pita of which two plants K16-32-2 and K16-32-6 were found to be heterozygous for all the three genes. The three-gene BC1F1 plants were selfed to yield 100 BC1F2 plants. The plants, however, were again analyzed in BC1F2 for identification of homozygous plants that were homozygous for three, two or one genes. Among which 10 best plants were selected on the basis of plant and grain type and were subjected to the background analysis using 16 genome wide markers polymorphic between Zag and DHMAS 70Q 164-1b. The pyramided lines were also subjected to SNP Genotyping using 55 SNPs and were evaluated for agronomic traits, grain and cooking quality. Six three-gene pyramids carrying genes Pi54+Pi1+Pita were developed during the current program. The best lines namely K16-32-2-20, K16-32-2-22, K16-32-6-51 and K16-32-6-81 recorded a background genome recovery of 68.75, 86, 84 and 80 percent, respectively. The derived lines expressed resistance to diagnostic isolates under controlled conditions and also showed resistance under natural conditions of Khudwani. The backcross derived lines possesses cooking quality traits similar to parent Zag. The lines may be put to multi-location testing and may be released as improved resistant versions of landrace Zag.ThesisItem Open Access Influence of autumn leaf harvest on growth parameters of established mulberry plantation and juvenile saplings of mulberry during pre and post-transplantation period(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Sakiba Saleem; Baqual, Mohammad FarooqThe present investigation on the Influence of autumn leaf harvest on growth parameters of established mulberry plantation and juvenile saplings of mulberry during pre and post-transplantation period was conducted at College of Temperate Sericulture, Shere Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Mirgund during the years 2013 to 2015. In the present study established mulberry plantation of Goshoerami variety of mulberry was chosen for first experiment. Five different treatments were imposed where mulberry leaf was plucked from the plants in increasing order viz., T1 (25%), T2 (50%), T3 (75%), T4 (100%), T5 (no harvest) and T6 (only lamina harvest) with the objective to ascertain the influence of different levels of leaf cut on succeeding mulberry crop to be used for spring rearing which happens to be the main cropping period in Kashmir valley. Significantly highest sprouting percentage viz 66.19% was recorded in T5 where no leaf harvest was done. Significantly highest value for frost damage was obtained in T4 recording a value of 2.58% which was followed by T3 with a value of 2.33%. Significantly highest number of shoot lets viz., 86, longest shootlet length viz., 44.07 cm, total shoot let length (3534.5 cm), leaf area viz 267.94 cm2, weight of 100 leaves viz., 353.33g and leaf yield/plant (5.00 kg) was also recorded in T5. However, leaf moisture content, moisture content after 6 hours and moisture retention capacity indicated non-significant differences. Significantly highest leaf nitrogen % age viz., 1.92 %, phosphorus content (0.09 %), sulphur content (0.22 %), was recorded in T5. Significantly highest potassium % age viz., 1.70 % was recorded in T6 along with calcium content to the extent of 2.08 %. Significantly highest zinc content viz., 65.22% and 63.57% was also recorded by treatments T5 and T1, the two being at par with each other. However least zinc content of 56.77% was recorded in T4 where 100 % leaf harvest was made. Copper content was also found to be highly significant in treatment T5 recording value of 33.25% followed by T6 and T1 each recording similar values of 31.40% of zinc. However, it was least in T3 with a value of 29.60%. Manganese content was recorded to be at par in treatments T5, T2 and T1 with a value of 91.57%, 89.92%, 89.42% respectively. Iron content was found to be significant in T5, T6, T1 and T2 with values of 193.92%, 190.05%, 192.07% and 190.30% respectively. The least iron content was in T3 recording value of 174.32%. Significantly highest carbohydrate content viz 85.22 g, protein content viz 25.30g was recorded in T5 which was however at par with T1 recording a value of 22.57g. Under polyhouse conditions significantly highest survival % age of saplings was recorded in T5 viz., 59.75 % which was at par with other treatments like T6, T1 and T2 (59.00%, 55.50% and 53.25%). However, the least survival %age was recorded in T4 viz 40.50. Post transplantation growth parameters of saplings indicated significantly highest values in sapling height viz., 20.11cm, fresh sapling weight viz., 11.56 g, dry sapling weight (2.35g), leaf area (136.90 cm2) and fresh leaf weight / sapling (6.20g) were recorded in T5. The saplings which were raised from the cuttings obtained from the plants whose leaf was subjected to different levels of plucking indicated significantly highest fresh root weight / sapling (2.39 g), dry root weight (0.35 g), longest root length (18.36 cm) in T5. Significantly highest number of leaves /sapling (26.58), leaf area (395.25 cm2), fresh leaf weight (65.91 g), dry leaf weight (39.100 g) and longest root length viz., 34.37 cm was also recorded in T5.ThesisItem Open Access Impact of Juvenile Hormone Analogues on Economic and Biochemical Characters of Silkworm Bombyx mori L.(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Rather, Asif Rafiq; Ganie, Nisar AhmadThe investigations on “Impact of Juvenile Hormone Analogues on Economic and Biochemical Characters of Silkworm Bombyx mori L”.were carried out during spring and autumn seasons (2021 & 2022). The present study was undertaken to study the influence of three different juvenile hormone analogues on economic and biochemical characters of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. Among the different treatment combinations tested during the course of the present study, Methoprene 0.1µl/10µl/larvae at 48 hours was found to be the best treatment combination in terms of silkgland weight (21.12 g & 19.63 g), silkgland protease activity (65.0 µmoles & 64.0 µmoles), silkgland aspartate amino transaminase activity (1.11 µmoles & 1.0 µmoles), silkgland alanine amino transaminase activity (4.5 µmoles & 4.2 µmoles) during spring and autumn respectively. Juvenile hormone analogue Methoprene recorded minimum total larval duration of 27.64 days @ 0.01µl at 48 hours of 5th instar during spring season and 27.66 days @ 0.01µl at 12 hours of 5th instar during autumn season. The highest weight of 10 mature larvae of 52.33 grams and 50.20 grams during spring and autumn respectively was also recorded by Methoprene @ 0.01µl at 48 hours. Methoprene at 0.1µl after 48 hours resulted in significant improvement of cocoon and post cocoon parameters and of B. mori L. Methoprene was also found to record maximum fecundity of 600 eggs and 592 eggs during both the seasons. While estimating various biochemical parameters, it was found that methoprene @ 0.1µl at 48 hours of 5th instar recorded the highest values for total free amino acids (4.5 mg and 4.44 mg), haemolymph total carbohydrate (29.3 mg and 28.73 mg), haemolymph trehalose (6.91 mg and 6.63 mg), glycogen content of (20.95 mg and 20.55 mg), glucose level (2.0 mg and 1.88 mg) and haemolymph protein content (56.58 mg and 54.05 mg) during spring and autumn respectively. Methoprene was found to exert a positive impact on economic and biochemical characters of silkworm Bombyx mori L. as compared to Fenoxycarb and Bukchiol.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on the affinity of natural dyes on mulberry silk produced through different cocoon stifling methods(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Bhat, Aina; Sahaf, Khursheed AhmadSilk has enthralled fashion industry and all categories of consumers across the world with its vast repertoire of motifs, techniques and brilliant hues. In the present study entitled ‘‘Studies on the affinity of natural dyes on mulberry silk produced through different cocoon stifling methods” rearing of bivoltine silkworm, Bombyx mori L. hybrid CSR2 x CSR4 was conducted at College of Temperate sericulture, Mirgund under standard recommended practice during spring 2022 and 2023. After harvesting, cocoons were stifled and dried which is an important step before these are processed for reeling as otherwise moth emergence renders these unfit for reeling as the continuity of the filament is broken in pierced cocoons. In the present study effect of various stifling methods viz., open sun drying method, sun drying with black cloth, Barrel steaming (Steam stifling) and Hot air oven drying method on the quality parameters of silkworm cocoons viz., average filament length, average non- breakable filament length, average denier, raw silk percentage, renditta and reelability percentage was studied. The cocoon dried by hot air-drying method showed significantly higher average filament length (1138.02m) and higher non-breakable filament with a value of 817.34 m as compared to all other treatments. Non- significant difference in overall denier among all the experimental treatments was observed. The best renditta was recorded in hot air drying with a value of 6.64. The raw silk percentage and reelability percentage of cocoons dried under hot air-drying method showed significantly higher percentage of 39.50% and 84.78 % respectively compared to other treatments. Thus, stifling of cocoons with hot air-drying method showed cocoon characteristics significantly better as compared to other stifling methods. Exposure of cocoons to direct sunlight deteriorates the quality of the cocoons. All above parameters were observed inferior in open sun drying method of stifling and drying Textile industry at present uses excessive amount of synthetic dyes to meet the required coloration for global consumption of textiles due to cheaper prices, wider ranges of bright shades, and considerably improved fastness properties in comparison to natural dyes. The application of such dyes causes serious health hazards and influences negatively the eco-balance of nature. As a result, natural dyes are among the promising options for developing a greener textile dyeing process. Natural dyes are non-carcinogenic, produce soothing and exclusive color to the textiles, and have better biodegradability and higher compatibility with the environment. Three natural dyes viz., Henna leaves (15%), Beetroot peel (10%) and cockscomb flowers (10%) and two mordants i.e., ferrous sulphate (3%) and Alum (3%) were used for the present study. The extracted natural dyes were applied on silk obtained through different stifling methods adopting different mordanting methods, including and excluding a mordant. Dyed fibres were assessed for percent absorption, colour coordinates of dyed fibres, colour strength (K/S) and colour fastness to washing, light and rubbing. Percent dye absorption of all natural dyes recorded satisfactory results. Stifling methods and mordanting methods adopted recorded significant variation in percent absorption. Mordanted samples showed better percent dye absorption than the un-mordanted samples. The highest percent dye absorption (78.73±3.43) was recorded in open sun drying with black cloth at post mordanting method in henna dye. In beetroot dye, Barrel steaming recorded highest (87.65±0.46) dye absorption value at simultaneous mordanting method. Cockscomb recorded highest percent absorption (92.42±0.84) in hot air drying at post mordanting method. Post mordanting recorded highest percent absorption in henna and cockscomb dyes and simultaneous mordanting in beetroot dye. The colourimetric values of dyed fibres differ significantly with varying shades and colour tones due to different type of fibres and mordanting methods. Dyed fibres were endowed with very good dye adherence as seen from L*, a*, b*, C*, h0, ∆E and K/S values All the treatments within all the groups of ∆E showed significant difference among each other in all the natural dyes. In henna, the highest ∆E (64.66±3.85) was recorded in barrel steaming at simultaneous mordanting method. In beetroot, the highest ∆E (32.46±1.65) was recorded in open sun drying with black cloth at pre-mordanting method. In cockscomb, the highest ∆E (38.27±1.19) was recorded in open sun drying at post mordanting method. The highest colour strength value (3.76± 0.52) was recorded in simultaneous mordanting method in henna. In beetroot, the highest K/S value (0.44±0.08) was recorded in post mordanting method. In cockscomb, the highest K/S value (1.15±0.20) was recorded in post mordanting method. All the dyes, stifling methods and mordanting methods recorded acceptable fastness grades. Stifling methods and mordanting methods showed significant results of washing fastness, light fastness and rubbing fastness properties. Mordanting Methods adopted showed significant difference in fastness properties. The un-mordanted samples showed Fair to Good (3/4) to Excellent (5) grades with different dyes whereas the mordanted samples recorded good (4) to Excellent (5) grades in majority of the combination of stifling methods and mordanting methods. The post mordanting method recorded satisfactory grades with majority of the fibres obtained through different stifling methods followed by simultaneous mordanting and pre mordanting methods. All the selected dyes and mordants can be used as an alternative for synthetic dyes which are carcinogenic and banned in majority of countries of the world. These natural dyes and mordants are recommended as commercial viable sources for the dyeing of silk fibres.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on Soil Carbon, Nitrogen Stocks and Enzyme activities under Saffron Growing Soils of Jammu and Kashmir(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Md Mifta Faizullah; Chesti, Majeed Ul HassanThe study entitled “Studies on Soil Carbon, Nitrogen Stocks and Enzyme activities under Saffron growing soils of Jammu and Kashmir” was undertaken during the year 2022-2023. The soil samples were collected from saffron growing soils of Pulwama and Kishtwar districts from two depths i.e., 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm. The study revealed that the texture of saffron growing soils of Pulwama and Kishtwar varied from loam to silt clay loam. The soils were slightly acidic to slightly alkaline in reaction with normal electrical conductivity. The mean values of calcium carbonate were in surface and sub-surface soils was 4.46 and 4.71 per cent in soils of Pulwama, whereas, in soils if Kishtwar its content was 3.52 and 3.72 per cent, respectively, in surface and subsurface soils. The mean values of available N, P and K in surface and subsurface soils of Pulwama were 338.46 and 318.07 kg ha-1, 21.25 and 18.82 kg ha-1, 258.83 and 232.03 kg ha-1 respectively, whereas the average content of available N, P and K in surface and subsurface soils of Kishtwar was 307.56 and 283.77 kg ha-1, 15.10 and 13.54 kg ha-1, 258.83 and 232.03 kg ha-1, respectively. The results revealed that available N, P and K decreased with increased in soil depth. The readily oxidizable carbon, total organic carbon, permanganate oxidizable carbon, particulate organic carbon, mineralizable carbon, water soluble carbon, microbial biomass carbon and necromass carbon ranged between 4.49-3.65 g kg-1, 7.72-23.48 g kg-1, 195-755 mg kg-1, 1149-1718 mg kg-1, 1.15-2.35 mg g-1, 23-75 mg kg-1, 135-368 gm kg-1 and 2.54-6.88 g kg-1 respectively, in soils of Pulwama, whereas in soils of Kishtwar these carbon fractions varied between 5.05-7.82 g kg-1, 8.69-13.45 g kg-1, 244-585 mg kg-1, 979-1669 mg kg-1, 0.51-1.98 mg g-1, 28.65-63.45 mg kg-1, 136.51-211.14 mg kg-1 and 2.56-3.87 g kg-1 respectively. The total organic carbon stocks varied between 15.18-39.09 Mg ha-1 and 12.65-26.47 Mg ha-1 in saffron growing soils of Pulwama and Kishtwar respectively. In saffron soils of Pulwama, the total organic and inorganic nitrogen ranged between 344.14-547.58 and 32.55-59.1 mg kg-1 whereas in soils of Kishtwar it varied between 293.47-484.81 and 21.87-41.81 mg kg-1 respectively. The enzyme activities of soil urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, aryl sulphatase, dehydrogenase, catalase and β-D Glucosidasevaried between 23.98-39.50 µg NH4+-N g-1 2h-1, 12.87-28.04 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1, 11.40-20.58 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1, 22.83-33.40 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1, 2.25-7.57 µg TPF g-1 soil 24hr-1, 2.62-6.54 ml H2O2 g-1 hr-1 and 19.23-28.60 µg PNP g-1 hr-1 in saffron soils of Pulwama, whereas in Kishtwar district these enzyme activities ranged between 24.68-35.57 µg NH4+-N g-1 2h-1, 11.80-22.04 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1, 10.17-15.53 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1, 18.74-26.58 µg PNP g-1 soil hr-1, 6.08-16.84 µg TPF g-1 soil 24hr-1, 7.06-12.58 ml H2O2 g-1 hr-1 and 14.19-23.10 µg PNP g-1 hr-1. The viable count of different beneficial microbes like Azotobacter, PSB, KSB, ZnSB, Cellulolytic bacteria and Hemicellulolytic bacteria varied between 26.49-54.78 x103 cfu g-1, 10.39-29.46 x102 cfu g-1, 9.23-24.95 x102 cfu g-1, 2.0-6.25 x102 cfu g-1, 15-37.45 x102 cfu g-1 and 11.26-29.55 x102 cfu g-1 in saffron growing soils of Pulwama, whereas in soils of Kishtwar, it ranged between 23.99-49.87 x103 cfu g-1, 7.59-19.84 x102 cfu g-1, 10.35-22.64 x102 cfu g-1, 1.0-7.95 x102 cfu g-1, 10.37-31.65 x102 cfu g-1 and 5.66-18.26 x102 cfu g-1 respectively. The findings of the study revealed that enzyme activities, microbial populations, various carbon and nitrogen fractions were moderately supplied in both Pulwama and Kishtwar districts. To enhance the Carbon Management Index (CMI) of saffron growing soils of Pulwama and Kishtwar districts, it is advisable to incorporate improved carbon management practices which can, in turn, positively impact productivity of saffron.ThesisItem Open Access Entrepreneurial Behaviour of Fruit Nursery Growers of Kashmir Valley(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Farah Farooq; Syed, Shafat KubreviThe research entitled “Entrepreneurial Behaviour of Fruit Nursery Growers of Kashmir Valley” was conducted for the study purpose. The research design followed in the present study was ex-post facto design. The study was carried out purposively in South Kashmir on the basis of having maximum number of fruit nursery growers and all the 4 districts of South Kashmir were taken for the study. A list of registered fruit nursery growers was obtained from Nursery Registration Office, Directorate of Horticulture and a list of unregistered fruit nursery growers was obtained from concerned heads (sarpanchs and panchs) of all the villages of 4 districts and hence a total of 326 fruit nursery growers were taken for the study. The results revealed that majority (55.21%) of fruit nursery growers were in middle age group (36-60 years), 23.92 per cent of fruit nursery growers had 10+2 level of education, 69.94 per cent of the growers had medium family size. Majority (72.70%) of respondents had medium land holding, majority (81.90%) of the fruit nursery growers had medium area under nursery cultivation, 67.79 per cent had medium experience (7-24 years). Majority (77.91%) had an annual income of group II category, majority (74.54%) of the fruit nursery growers had medium level of sources of information, majority (66.57%) of the fruit nursery growers had medium entrepreneurial behavior. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that land holding and sources of information had significant and highly positive correlation with entrepreneurial behavior and experience were having significant and positive correlation with entrepreneurial behaviour. Majority (57.66%) of the fruit nursery growers had medium knowledge of the recommended practices of fruit nursery saplings. The major marketing channel identified was Producer-Consumer. It was evident that, the lack of training facilities ranked first followed by instability in pricing policies on seedling production as second, price fluctuation as third. Majority (55.82%) of the fruit nursery growers faced low constraints regarding production of fruit saplings and majority of the fruit nursery growers (46.93%) had medium constraints regarding marketing of fruit saplings.ThesisItem Open Access Studies on fishery and physico- chemical characteristics of Anchar lake in Kashmir(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Zarka Yousuf; Shah,Tasaduq HussainThe present study was conducted on fishery and physico-chemical characteristics of Anchar lake in Kashmir for a period of one year from March 2021 to February, 2022. The study identified four commercially important fish species in the lake which included Cyprinus carpio var. communis (Punjaeb Gad), Carassius carassius (Gang Gad), Schizopyge niger (Ale gad) and Schizothorax esocinus (Churru). There was an overall dominance of crucian and common carp at all sites of the lake. Carrasius carrasius contributed as high as 75% by biomass to the total catch at Site 1 (Sindh Site) in the month of May. The highest catch by biomass (1.501 kg) was recorded in the month of January at Site 3 and the highest number of fish (55) was also recorded from this site, in the same month. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) for lift net was estimated from 27.75 g/man-hour to 375.25 g/man-hour with a mean CPUE for the entire lake as 83.48 g/man-hour. The highest CPUE of 375.25g/man-hr was recorded in the month of January at Site 3 (Central site) whereas the lowest CPUE of 27.75 g/man-hr was recorded in the month of September at Site 5 (Sangam site). In the present study, only traditional/conventional gears were found to be operated by the fishers in Anchar lake. These gears were lift net, multiple head spear and double pronged spear while as the craft used was a wooden plank built craft locally known as Naav. Lift net, locally called as Khurizal, with two wooden semicircular poles fixed with each other having one long central bisecting pole locally called as Karr in the centre operated in Anchar lake. The webbing used was made of PA multifilament of 210D×3×3 specification mostly white or offwhite in colour. Two types of spears were reported in Anchar lake, namely, multiple head spear (Panzri) and double pronged spear (Narchoo). The length of the pole of multiple head spear ranged from 3.31 to 3.36m with an average of 3.32m and that of double pronged spear ranged from 2.30 to 2.54m with an average of 2.51m with a diameter of 25mm in both. In the current study, all the craft sampled were made of wooden planks obtained from Cedrus deodara also called as Divdhor. The length of fishing craft varied from 5.20m to 8.0m and breadth from 0.82 to 1.20m. The water quality parameters of Anchar Lake in the selected sites, were studied on monthly basis. Temperature, Depth, Secchi Disc Transparency, Dissolved Oxygen, Free Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, pH, Ammonical-Nitrogen, Nitrate- Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus were determined in the AEM laboratory. The annual mean air temperature of Anchar lake during the study period was 19.31±3.71ºC with a non-significant variation (p˃0.05) between the sites. The annual mean water temperature was 14.67±0.13 ºC with a non-significant variation (p˃0.05) between the sites. Average depth was found to be 1.08 ±0.16m while mean Transparency of lake was recorded at 0.60±0.07m. The annual mean Dissolved oxygen, Free CO2, pH, Chloride, Nitrate-nitrogen, Ammonical nitrogen and Total Phosphorus were recorded as 5.04±0.32 mg/l, 17.04±0.30 mg/l, 7.0±0.06, 25.41±2.68 mg/l, 403.75±35.28 µg/l, 305.38±29.61 µg/l and349.47±36.55 µg/l respectively. Depth, Secchi Disc Transparency, Dissolved Oxygen, Free Carbon Dioxide, Chloride, pH, Ammonical-Nitrogen, Nitrate- Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus showed a significant variation (p<0.05) between the sites.ThesisItem Open Access Ichthyofaunal Assessment in the Wainganga River, a Tributary of Godavari at Bhandara District, Maharashtra(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Nemichand, Wanjari Rinkesh; Shah, Tasaduq HussainThe present study was conducted to assess the ichthyofaunal diversity, catch composition, catch per unit effort (CPUE) and spatial and temporal distribution of fish species of Wainganga River besides establishing an Ecopath mass-balance model for Gosikhurd Dam present on the Wainganga River. Monthly samples were collected from five sites representing diverse habitats along the river in Bhandara District of Maharashtra state. The findings revealed a rich diversity of fish belonging to 47 species, 32 genera, 17 families, and 10 orders. Among the orders, Cypriniformes exhibited the highest prevalence, comprising 42.55% of the total species, followed by Siluriformes (21.27%) and Anabantiformes (12.76%). Family Cyprinidae was the most dominant in terms of number of species accounting for 40.42% of all the species observed in the study, followed by Bagridae and Channidae each with 8.51%. According to the IUCN Red List, 37 species were classified as Least Concern, 4 species as Vulnerable, 3 species as Near Threatened, 2 species as Endangered, and 1 species as Data Deficient. Cluster analysis indicated significant variation in fish communities among the five stations, with maximum similarity observed in certain months. The K-dominance curve illustrated spatial and temporal variations in cumulative abundance, with Site-5 having the highest abundance of species. The overall mean CPUE for the entire period of study was estimated at 646.83±109.51 g/man-hour. Based on the relative abundance, Salmastoma bacaila exhibited the highest abundance (11.37%), while Cyprinus carpio var. specularis and Clarias magur had the lowest abundance (0.04% each). Diversity indices revealed that the Shannon- Weinner index (H'), Simpson diversity index (1-D), Margalef's species richness index (Dmg), Menhinick’s index (Dmn), and Pielou’s evenness index (J) varied across sites, seasons, and months. Site-5 exhibited the highest species richness, with seasonal and temporal variations influencing diversity metrics, highlighting key patterns and providing valuable insights for river ecosystem management. Using Ecopath with Ecosim software, a trophic mass balancing model was constructed with 16 functional groups in the Gosikhurd Dam, revealing their interactions and categorizing them into trophic levels ranging from 1 to 3.67. The study focused on performance indicators to assess ecosystem maturity and complexity. Ecopath modeling highlighted the trophic interactions and relative impacts of various functional groups in the ecosystem. Zooplankton, zoobenthos, and tilapia were identified as keystone species in the Gosikhurd Dam ecosystem. Omnivory indices highlighted nandids and gobids as the most omnivorous. Annual material flows from primary producers and detritus to higher trophic levels were documented at 2666 t km−2 year−1 and 868.2 t km−2 year−1, respectively. Transfer efficiencies from detritus and primary producers were calculated at 10.1% and 9.8%, resulting in an average overall transfer efficiency of 10%. The total system throughput was estimated at 34,975.93 t km−2 year−1, with significant contributions from consumption, respiratory processes, backflows to detritus, and exports. Key ratios, including TPP/TR (11.83), TPP/TB (111.53), and TB/TST (0.004), were estimated in the study. Finn’s cycling index was recorded at 1.81 and FML at 2.20. Ascendency (41.58%) suggested underutilization, while overhead (58.42%) implied stability. The findings indicate an immature and relatively low-complexity system and provides valuable insights into the present state of Gosikhurd Dam, for guiding future management and conservation efforts. This study contributes significantly to understanding the present status of fish diversity in the Wainganga River, establishing a baseline for future studies, and facilitating the development of effective management and conservation plans. Addressing key issues and advancing research in this previously understudied area are vital steps towards sustaining fisheries diversity and maintaining the overall health of the ecosystem.ThesisItem Open Access Effects of environmental tress on morphological and histological changes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio)”:A comparative study between Anchar Lake and Nilnag Lake(SKUAST Kashmir, 2024) Shazia Tariq; Shah, Tasaduq HussainThis study was carried out to assess effect of environmental stress on morphology and gill histology in two populations (Anchar Lake and Nilnag Lake) of Cyprinus carpio var. communis using classical morphometric measurements, truss analysis, gill histology, and water quality assessment. The study was conducted for a period of one year from September 2021 to August 2022. A total of 240 fish samples were collected, 120 from Anchar Lake and 120 from Nilnag lake. Twenty conventional morphometric characters and 31 truss distances were selected for morpholoical assessment. For histological assessment, 50 fish specimens, 25 each from Anchar Lake and Nilnag Lake were obtained randomly. For water quality and trophic state index, eight stations, four from each lake were selected. The morphometric assessment revealed that the fish inhabiting the two lakes were morphologically different. In case of conventional morphometry, out of 20 morphometric characters studied, 9 characters (pre dorsal length, caudual peduncle length, body depth, dorsal fin length, anal fin length, pectoral fin length, ventral fin base, post orbital length and eye diameter) showed high significant difference at (p<0.01); 3 characters (pre pelvic length, caudal fin length, pre orbital length) displayed significant difference at (p<0.05), while the remaining 8 characters (total length, fork length, standard length, pre anal length, pelvic fin length, dorsal fin height, head length and snout length) showed non-significant variation between the two populations. In case of truss analysis, truss network comprising of 14 landmarks and 31 truss distances was constructed. Principle Component Analysis of 31 truss distances extracted from four factors with eigen value >1 showed cumulative variance of 83.67%. The component loadings were high on head region, body (anterior, middle and posterior) and caudal peduncle region. The bivariate plots from PC1 vs PC2 and PC1 vs PC2 extracted from PCA of C. carpio var. communis from Anchar Lake and Nilnag Lake indicated separate stocks with morphological variations between the two populations. The histological studies of gills revealed more and severe abnormal changes in fish from Anchar Lake than from Nilnag Lake. In case of fish from Anchar Lake, the abnormalities included as hypertropy, hyperplasia, congestion, aneurysm, partial and complete fusion of gill lamellae and shortening of lamellae while as, in the fish obtained from Nilnag Lake only hypertrophy and congestion were recorded. The research investigated water quality parameters and trophic status across four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, and summer) in the two lakes. Monthly water samples were collected from four different sites in each lake. Out of the eleven water quality parameters studied, significant differences were found in two parameters namely, depth and transparency at p<0.01 and in nine parameters namely, water temperature, air temperature, dissolved oxygen, free carbon dioxide, nitrate, nitrite, total phosphorus and chlorophyll a at p<0.05 between the two lakes. To assess the Trophic State Index (TSI), parameters of secchi depth, chlorophyll a, and total phosphorus were only considered. The mean values of transparency, chlorophyll a and total phosphorus were recorded at 0.22±0.04, 20.32±6.88 and 320.18±125.94 for Anchar Lake and 1.34±0.17, 5.04±0.82 and 79.45±31.44 for Nilnag Lake, respectively. The Trophic State Index indicated that Anchar Lake is in the eutrophic range (68.77), while Nilnag Lake falls within the mesotrophic range (48.97).
