<div style="text-align: justify;">Zanskar pony is a native breed of high altitude region of Ladakh namely Zanskar valley and Nubra valley. These ponies are commonly used for load carrying by locals and defence personnel due to their adaptability in rugged terrain and rocky track. Therefore, high enduring ponies are in great demand for ride and load carrying at low maintenance cost. So far to the best of our knowledge no studies have made attempt to evaluate different physio-biochemical indices of exercise performance in Zanskar pony, so that selection of elite pony could be made based on these indices. Hence, present study was conducted to evaluate the physiological responses, biochemical, cytokines, hormones, and antioxidant related parameters to performance in Zanskar pony at two geographic areas namely Leh (3500 meter msl) and Nubra valley (3291 meter msl) with different altitude. For this study, total of 6 adult mares ponies were selected for sampling at Leh and 8 adult mare ponies were selected at Partapur. Ponies at different altitude did not exhibit significant difference in physiological responses, and biochemical, cytokines, hormones, and antioxidant related parameters, except aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Though the all the parameters were within the normal ranges towards higher side. These findings indicated that there was no effect of altitude within the entire home tracks of Zanskar pony namely Zanskar Valley and Nubra of Ladakh region. Hence, these parameters may be useful if evaluated during load carrying trials and associated with the performance.&nbsp;</div>

Evaluation of different physio-biochemicals indices of exercise performance in Zanskar ponies

<div>Background: Periparturient mortality in goats have a great economic impact on the livelihood of marginal farmers. Pregnancy toxaemia, a metabolic disease in small ruminants occurs as a result of negative energy balance consequent to enhanced requirement for glucose by the developing fetuses in the last trimester (last 6 to 4 weeks) of gestation. The present study was aimed to identify diagnostic and prognostic indicators of pregnancy toxaemia. 
 
Methods: During the period October 2016 to September 2018, a total of 516 adult non descriptive does were brought to Veterinary University Peripheral Hospital, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai - 51, of which 264 (51.16%) were treated for medical conditions. Among the does treated for various medical conditions, 72 does were in their last six weeks of gestation carrying twins/triplets and presented with the history of off feed. They were subjected to determination of blood &beta;-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) level by means of a portable blood ketone and glucose monitoring system and qualitative urinalysis using urine dip stick. Does with BHBA level &gt; 0.8&nbsp; mmol/L and &lt; 1.6 mmol/L were classified as sub-clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n=12) and BHBA level &gt;1.6 mmol/L were classified as clinical pregnancy toxaemic group (n=12) and subjected to therapy while the remaining 48 does had BHBA levels &lt; 0.8 mmol/L. The control animals were selected from adult Tellicherry does in the age group of 2 to 4 years maintained at Livestock Farm Complex (LFC), Madhavaram Milk Colony, Chennai - 600 051.&nbsp; 
 
Result: All the twelve does of sub-clinical pregnancy toxaemic group recovered completely with a cure rate of 100%, while in the clinical pregnancy toxaemic group the cure rate was only 33%. Reliable diagnostic indicators of pregnancy toxaemia include blood &acirc;-hyroxybutyric acid concentration (&sup3; 0.8 mmol/L) and presence of ketone body, glucose and protein in urine, while hypergly&shy;caemia in advanced pregnancy toxaemic does indicate fetal death.</div>

Diagnostic Indicators and Therapeutic Evaluation of Pregnancy Toxaemia in Goats

<div>Background: Equine colic surgery is an expensive procedure and availability of reliable prognostic indicators aid in decision making process. This study aimed to evaluate clinical, hemato-biochemistry, ultrasonography, surgery and peritoneal cytology / intestinal histology as prognostic indicators (based on strangulating vs non-strangulating lesion) for equine colic surgery.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Fifteen equines {13 females and 2 males; 5 Thoroughbred, 9 Marwari and one mule} operated for intestinal colic were investigated. The feeding history, pre and post-surgery clinical, hematological and biochemical findings were recorded. Pre and post-surgery ultrasonography, peritoneal cytology and intestinal histology were done. Three equine were euthanized intra-operatively and 12 were followed for short and long term outcome.&nbsp; 
 
Result: On surgery, three equine were diagnosed for strangulating (right dorsal displacement of large colon, large colon volvulus and small colon strangulation) and 12 for non-strangulating colic {impaction (3), fecalith (5), sand colic (2), foreign body (1) and small intestine ileus (1)}. Detection of polymorphonuclear cells alone or with lymphocytes on peritoneal fluid cytology was indicator of good prognosis. Feeding of wheat straw is major predisposing factor for non-strangulating colic in Marwari breed but had favorable surgical prognosis (7/9=77.78%). While Thoroughbreds, not on wheat straw, are susceptible to strangulating colic that require early referral for favorable surgical outcome. Prolonged capillary refill time, injected mucous membranes, absent borborygymi, high serum creatine kinase and glucose are poor prognostic indicators for colic surgery. Thoroughbred equine with severe pain, elevated levels of Hb, neutrophils, packed cell volume (PCV), serum glucose and low peritoneal total protein are indicators of strangulating lesion. The equine colic surgery bears a very good short term (10/12=83.33%) and excellent (10/10=100%) long term outcome.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Evaluation of Clinical, Laboratory and Ultrasonography Variables as Prognostic Indicators in Equine Colic Surgery</div>

Background: Sheep resistant to gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) is preliminary selected based on faecal egg count (FEC) and in the present study some important phenotypic markers including FEC were evaluated in Garole sheep. 
 
Methods: FEC, FAMACHA score and body condition score (BCS) of sixty Garole sheep of Sundarban delta were evaluated at monthly interval for one year. Some haemato-biochemical parameters (Hb, PCV, eosinophil count, total protein) were also measured and compared between the preliminary resistant and susceptible sheep. 
 
Result: Twenty Garole sheep showing persistently low FEC were considered as preliminary resistant sheep and forty sheep showing variable EPG were considered as preliminary susceptible sheep. FAMACHA score and BCS were (P&lt;0.05) higher in resistant sheep. All the haemato-biochemical parameters were also (P&lt;0.05) higher in resistant sheep. One resistant Garole sheep did not have higher value of other phenotypic markers except low FEC. Whereas, three susceptible sheep showed higher values of other phenotypic markers instead of high EPG. Hence other phenotypic indicators should also be considered along with FEC while selecting GIN resistant and susceptible sheep.

Evaluation of Some Phenotypic Indicators of Gastrointestinal Nematode Resistance in Garole Sheep

Background: Drought stress is a major abiotic constraint affecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Vietnam, highlighting the need to identify drought-tolerant genotypes for sustainable cultivation. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: This study assessed drought tolerance in 11 imported genotypes using morphological indices and SSR markers. Plants were grown under control (100% field capacity) and drought stress (30% field capacity) conditions, with tolerance evaluated based on the drought susceptibility index (DSI), drought tolerance efficiency (DTE) and grain weight (GW). Molecular analysis using 20 SSR markers. 
&nbsp; 
Result: DR1, DR2 and DR6 demonstrated the highest drought tolerance (DSI&lt;1, DTE&gt;54%), whereas DR9, DR11 and DR12 (CVR VN2) were drought-sensitive. Molecular analysis using 20 SSR markers identified 81 alleles (4.05 alleles per locus), indicating moderate genetic diversity (PIC= 0.50, Jaccard&rsquo;s index= 0.56). Cluster analysis (UPGMA) grouped the genotypes into two main clusters, with drought-tolerant genotypes forming a distinct sub-cluster. These results reveal a strong correlation between morphological drought tolerance and genetic diversity, emphasizing the potential of DR1, DR2 and DR6 for cultivation in drought-prone regions. Further marker-assisted selection (MAS) and hybridization strategies are recommended to develop high-yielding, drought-tolerant common bean varieties, ensuring climate-resilient production in Vietnam.

Evaluating Drought Tolerance in Common Beans using Drought Indices and Molecular Markers

Background: Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) is the fifth most significant grain legume globally and ranks second in importance in India, following chickpea. Pigeonpea is an ideal base crop for intercropping with various cereal and pulse crops to enhance system productivity and soil health. This study aims to assess the performance of different pigeonpea based intercropping systems by computing PEY and various intercropping indices.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted on organically certified field at organic farming research and training centre (OFRTC), MPKV, Rahuri, Ahilyanagar, (M.S.) during two consecutive kharif season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 to study the performance of different crops in pigeonpea based intercropping system in RBD design with 13 treatments replicated thricely. Intercropping indices of different systems were evaluated by using standard formulae. 
 
Result: The pooled data over two years of research revealed that among the various intercropping systems, Pigeonpea + Soybean (1:5) intercropping system was identified as the most effective system and was found significantly highest in respect to pigeonpea equivalent yield. It was at par with Pigeonpea + Greengram (1:5). Similarly, Pigeonpea + Soybean (1:5) intercropping system recorded higher values of different intercropping indices viz., land equivalent ratio, area time equivalent ratio, relative crowding coefficient, system productivity, production efficiency, price equivalent ratio, relative value total when compared to Sole Pigeonpea and other intercropping systems. However, Pigeonpea + Greengram (1:5) intercropping system was found comparable with Pigeonpea + Soybean (1:5) in terms of these intercropping indices on two years mean basis.

Evaluation of Pigeonpea Equivalent Yield and Intercropping Indices of Organically Cultivated Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) based Intercropping System

Background: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of different stocking density on growth performance, survival, water quality and body indices of E.suratensis fingerlings for 90 days at PRFF, Pazhaverkadu. 
 
Methods: Three different stocking densities are 100, 200, 300 no of fishes/m3. The fingerlings of pearlspot, E.suratensis with an average body weight of 5.05&plusmn;0.03 g were stocked at a rate of SD-1 (100/m3), SD-2 (200/m3) and SD-3 (300/m3) culture for a period of 90 days. 
 
Result: The growth parameters were found to significantly decrease with increasing stocking density in the biofloc rearing system. Result of Nitrite and nitrate concentrations were significantly lower in the BFT treatment with lower stocking density than in higher stocking density (P&lt;0.05). The highest mean body weight gain recorded in SD1 (42.37&plusmn;0.04 g) followed by SD2 (29.98&plusmn;0.08 g) and SD3 (20.85&plusmn;0.06 g). BFT significantly increased fish specific growth rate and net yield. There was no significant difference in hematology analysis (in terms of white blood cell and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels), total superoxide dismutase activity of fish between different stocking density (P&gt;0.05). Second-order polynomial regression analysis of weight gain against pearlspot culture under lower stocking&nbsp; stocking density (100/m3) indicate that biofloc technology culture with lower stocking density can improve the growth performance and immune response and also the maintenance of good water quality and improvement of feed utilization of pearlspot.

Evaluation of Effect of the Different Stocking Densities on Growth Performance, Survival, Water Quality and Body Indices of&nbsp;Pearlspot (Etroplus suratensis) Fingerlings in Biofloc Technology

Background: In recent years, there is growing demand for pulses in Tamil Nadu and the government has implemented various schemes and programmes to promote cultivation. However, the evaluation and categorization of soils for pulse production is crucial in determining the suitability of land for pulse cultivation and offer improvement through the adoption of improved crop management practices.

Methods: A systematic soil quality assessment survey was taken up during 2020-2022 in the major pulse growing blocks of Virudhunagar district viz., Sattur, Aruppukottai and Thiruchuli based on past ten years yield data and it was classified into three categories viz., low yielding (&lt; 400 kg ha-1), medium (400 to 700 kg ha-1) and high yielding (&gt;700 kg ha-1) categories. Three hundred samples were collected from these zones.

Results: The positive effects of soil physical, chemical, and biological qualities on the yield of pulse crops were justified through the yield data of the high yielding zone which ranged from 769 to 989 kg ha-1 with an average pulse yield of 880 kg ha-1. This may be attributed to more favourable soil physical environment in terms of soil texture (sandy clay loam), higher mean percentage of water stable aggregates (51%) and a favourable pH of 7.52. These parameters coupled with lower bulk density (1.23 Mgm-3), optimum infiltration rate (1.76 cm hr-1) and maximum mean organic carbon status (1.38 mg kg-1) contributed to higher range of soil cation exchange capacity (28.7 to 47.2 cmol p+ kg-1). In addition, the presence of avilable nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and availability of mean micronutrient contents viz., DTPA iron and DTPA zinc resulted in better quality of these soils contributing to maximum pulse productivity in this zone. Soil respiration rate with mean respiration rate of 4.48 mg CO2 kg-1 d-1 in high yield category compared to that of 2.34 mg CO2 kg-1 d-1 in low yield category, which is well correlated with better soil organic matter content in the former than the latter group of soil. Therefore, this study formulates a clear understanding of the variations in soil quality parameters for adopting efficient nutrient management practices towards obtaining maximum productivity of pulse crops.&nbsp;

Evaluating the Soil Quality Indicators in Various Yield Zones of Pulses in Tamil Nadu, India

<div>Background: Colic is one of the most common and challenging problem encountered by equine practitioners. In practise majority of horses suffering from colic can be treated with medical management but around 10% of horses with colic require surgical intervention in an effort to save the life of animal. In India, equine abdominal surgery is not popular because there is lack of infrastructure, manpower and expertise therefore, there is a need to conduct clinical studies to document outcome of equine colic cases managed surgically. The present report describes diagnostic, prognostic indicators and post-operative outcome of exploratory celiotomy performed to manage various cases of colic surgical outcome of colic surgery in Indian horse breeds. 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted on 20 horses having intestinal colic (n=20). The affected patients were selected for exploratory celiotomy on an emergency basis having moderate to severe persistent abdominal pain, lack of response to medicinal treatment with absence of intestinal borborygmi. Preoperative physical assessment, biochemical analysis and peritoneal fluid analysis were done in all the clinical cases. The preoperative physical assessment and various blood parameter estimation helped in decision making. 
 
Conclusion: The result of intestinal colic cases showed that mean heart rate and respiration rate (mean&plusmn;SE) were significantly higher in non-survivors&nbsp;as compared to survivors. Blood lactate level was significantly higher in non survivors than survivors. Large colon affectation (n=8) were the primary cause of the colic, followed by small colon (n=6), cecum (n=3) and small intestine (n=3). Postoperative complications were peritonitis and ileus (n=6), subcutaneous seroma (n=7), pyrexia (n=4), diarrhoea (n=6). Short term survivability in intestinal colic patients was 55% and long term survivability was 50%.</div>

<div>Evaluation of Diagnostic, Prognostic Indicators and Surgical Outcome in 20 Cases Treated for Equine Intestinal Colic</div>

Background: Chickpea is a globally important commercial crop and a key source of protein for vegetarian populations. Though chickpea was domesticated at least 3000 years ago, research into abiotic stress tolerance has been limited compared to cereals.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: An experiment was conducted with a set of seventy-one genotypes of Desi chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) to isolate high temperature tolerant genotypes using randomized block design (RBD) under two different sowing conditions (normal and late/terminal heat stress) and two growing seasons (rabi-2017-18 and 2018-19) at the Pulses Research Station of Junagadh Agricultural University. The screening of heat tolerant genotypes was done based on nine morpho-phenological traits, stress tolerance indices and correlation amongst them.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The heat tolerant genotypes of chickpea had less percentage of reduction in numbers of pods, seed yield per plant and 100-seeds weight. Five genotypes viz., ICC 4958, ICC 14595, ICC 8318, GG 4 and ICCV 92944 were identified as highly heat tolerant on the basis of HSI and YSR. These tolerant genotypes and screening criteria&rsquo;s can be of great importance to identify donor parents to develop new cultivars for the farmers growing chickpea in the heat prone regions.

Evaluation of Desi Chickpea (Cicer arientinum L.) Landraces for Heat Tolerance using Morpho-phenological Traits and Stress Tolerance Indices (STI)