Background: Ultrasonography is a second most commonly used diagnostic imaging technique in veterinary practice after radiography. The ultrasonographic examination of clinically healthy animals provides relevant information about anatomical location, echo texture, size and shape of organs. In the present study, the echo-structural pattern of urinary system of adult female goats were evaluated to find the normal structural pattern of various constituents of urinary system.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: B-mode ultrasonographic study of urinary system was performed in 20 healthy adult female Jamunapari goats. Mean&plusmn;S.E. values of body weight and age of selected animals were 27.49&plusmn;0.79 kg and 2.77&plusmn;0.10 years, respectively. All twenty animals were subjected to sonographic examination after clipping the hairs from desired sites to scan the various organs of urinary system in standing position under physical restraint without using any anesthetic agent. The values of various clinico-physiological parameters including rectal temperature, heart rate, respiration rate, colour of mucous membranes were recorded to examine the health status prior to sonography. The left and right kidneys were scanned from right dorsal flank by paravertebral approach using a transcutaneous micro-convex probe at 5 MHz and a convex probe at 2.8-6 MHz frequency. A dual frequency (5-9 MHz) micro-curved array cavity probe was used to scan bladder and urethra per rectally. The renal parenchyma in healthy goats was distinctly divided into hypoechoic outer cortex and anechoic inner medulla. The hyperechoic renal sinus complex was present in center of the kidney and renal pelvis was anechoic. The renal capsule was seen as hyperechoic fine line surrounding the renal parenchyma. Pulsed wave renal color doppler ultrasound was performed in 3 healthy goats with the aim to generate reference images of renal vasculature.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The Mean&plusmn;SE values of renal length, renal height, horizontal diameter of renal sinus, vertical diameter of renal sinus and diameter of renal pelvis for right kidney were 6.11&plusmn;0.09, 3.26&plusmn;0.08, 3.01&plusmn;0.11, 1.32&plusmn;0.03, 1.05&plusmn;0.03, respectively while for left kidney these values were 6.02&plusmn;0.09 and 3.35&plusmn;0.07, 2.67&plusmn;0.12, 1.14&plusmn;0.06, 1.10&plusmn;0.07 cm. The ureters could not be visualized in any of the goats. The distended bladder was seen as anechoic circular structure surrounded by a smooth echogenic wall with a mean thickness of 1.65&plusmn;0.06 mm. No significant difference was observed in the measurements of both kidneys except in dimensions of renal sinus. Positive correlation was found between renal size and body weight of goats. It was concluded that ultrasound is an easy, rapid and non-invasive method to evaluate echotexture and morphometry of structures of urinary system.

Studies on Echostructural Pattern of Urinary System in Adult Female Goats

<div>Background: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the latest challenges facing the scientific community. Raising the drug resistance is caused mainly by indiscriminate usage of antibiotics in human and animal subjects and the spread of antibiotic resistance between the two has an emerging global threat. Hence, current study aimed to study the antimicrobial resistance pattern and molecular detection of antibiotic resistance genes in Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli isolated from mastitis affected cows.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Milk samples from mastitis affected cows were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity test and screened for presence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using differential growth media. Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was done with the help of PCR by amplification of &lsquo;nuc&rsquo; and &lsquo;uspA&rsquo; gene respectively. MICs of Penicillin and Tetracycline were determined using microdilution method.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Antibiotic sensitivity pattern for Penicillin G, Ampicillin, Amoxycillin, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Oxytetracycline, Tetracycline and Vancomycin were 74.19%, 100%, 93.50%, 61.29%, 29%, 35.48%, 9.70%, 9.70%, 70.96% and 70.96% &nbsp;respectively. More than 87.90% of the S. aureus and 50% of the E. coli isolated were resistant to &acirc;-lactam antibiotics while 75% of the E.coli and 65.70% of the S. aureus isolated were resistant to Tetracycline antibiotics. The MICs of Penicillin for S.aureus and E.coli are 26.88 &micro;g/ml and 13.54 &micro;g/ml respectively and the MICs of Tetracycline for S. aureus and E. coli are 243.75 &micro;g/ml and 960.93 &micro;g/ml respectively which is 8-9 folds higher than the standard MICs. From the present study, it can be inferred that bovine mastitis cases are highly resistant to antimicrobial drugs. Results further indicate that Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli are both resistant to Penicillin and Tetracycline with very high MIC. &nbsp;</div>

<div>Molecular Characterization of Antibiotic Resistance Gene Pattern of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in Mastitis Affected Dairy Cows</div>

This study was conducted to evaluate the concentration of micro minerals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Co and Cu) of feeds and their distribution in fiber fractions (Neutral Detergent Fiber/NDF and Acid Detergent Fiber/ADF). Three species of common feeds namely ground nut cake (Arachis hypogaea), mustard cake (Brassica juncea), soybean meal (Glycine max), were collected. Micro minerals concentration in the feed samples and fiber fractions were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma Optical Emission Spectrophotometer (ICP-OES) Icap 6000 Series. The results showed that micro minerals concentration of feed and their distribution in fiber fraction varied among species. The concentration of all the minerals in feed was above the critical level. Distribution of micro minerals in NDF and ADF were also estimated. Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc(Zn), in feeds were the highest elements associated in NDF and ADF, while the lowest was found in cobalt (Co) and manganese(Mn).

Micro mineral distribution on fiber fraction of feeds

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field experiment was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad during rainy season of 2015 and 2016 to study the effect of planting pattern and phosphorus management on production and profitability of intercropping system of mungbean and pigeonpea. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications and eight treatments. Among them, four planting patterns [sole pigeonpea, mungbean + pigeonpea 1:3 (120 cm x 20 cm), mungbean + pigeonpea 1:2 (90 cm x 20 cm) and mungbean + pigeonpea 2:2 (90 cm x 20 cm)] were main plot treatments and two phosphorus levels (P2O5 @ 50 kg ha-1 and P2O5 @ 75 kg ha-1) were sub plot treatments. Based on pooled data the results revealed that, the significantly higher mungbean seed yield (424 kg ha-1) was recorded with application of 75 kg P2O5 as compared to 50 kg P2O5 ha-1. Whereas, in planting pattern, sole mungbean recorded significantly higher seed yield (757 kg ha-1) as compared to all other intercropping systems. Yield advantage indices and net returns were significantly higher in pigeonpea + mungbean (1:3) with 75 kg P2O5 ha-1 as compared to other treatments. This study indicated the need of fifty per cent higher dose of P2O5 for the pigeonpea and mungbean intercropping system (1:3) in northern transition zone of Karnataka.</div>

Planting pattern and phosphorus management in pigeonpea and mungbean intercropping system

Pet animals mostly suffer from dermatophytic infections and these animals can easily transmit the infection to their handlers or pet owners. Study of 362 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytic infections collected mainly from dogs (n=123), cats (n=202) and few pet owners (n=37) in and around Kolkata, was conducted to detect a total of 285 (78.7%) samples to be positive for significant dermatophytic fungal infections, with cats to be the highest in prevalence (55.4%) followed by dogs (37.9%) and human beings (6.7%) respectively. Microsporum canis (60.0%) was the most prevalent pathogen in comparison to M. gypseum (22.5%), Trychophyton mentagrophytes (15.8%) and T. rubrum (1.7%) affecting dogs, cats and human beings. T. rubrum was detected only from human cases in this study. Male dogs (58.3%), cats (51.3%) and human patients (78.9%) were mostly infected than the female ones. The anti-fungal susceptibility pattern of these isolates revealed lower MIC50 values of 0.06-0.125&micro;g/ml for Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Miconazole, and Amphotericin-B but not for Fluconazole (8-16&micro;g/ml). The MIC90 values of these antifungal agents were as low as 0.03&micro;g/ml for all drugs except Fluconazole (32&micro;g/ml).&nbsp;

Characterization and anti-fungal susceptibility pattern of dermatophytes isolated from dogs, cats and pet owners in and around Kolkata, India 
&nbsp;

<div>Background: A properly designed drip irrigation system increases the efficiency of irrigation water and its design is based on the soil wetting pattern. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: In this study, a numerical model has been developed using one-dimensional Richard&rsquo;s Equation to simulate soil wetting pattern under drip irrigation. A fully implicit finite-difference scheme has been used to solve the governing equations with suitable initial and boundary conditions. An experiment was also conducted to analyse the wetting pattern in sandy loam soil. Wetting front computed by numerical model has been compared with the experimental wetting front at different time interval of drip irrigation system. The present model is also validated with the results available in the literature. 
 
Result:&nbsp;Statistical indices - root mean square error, percentage bias and coefficient of determination have been used to evaluate the model&rsquo;s performance. The computed results are closely matched with the and experimental results with RMSE is less than 3, PBIAS less than 6% and R2 greater than 0.96 and also with the earlier models with RMSE is less than 0.01, PBIAS less than 4% and R2 greater than 0.98, It shows that the present model can simulate soil wetting pattern in the drip irrigation system.</div>

Numerical Model to Simulate Soil Wetting Pattern under Drip Irrigation System

Micro-irrigation technologies have been an integral part of modern agriculture. Ranging from &lsquo;increased crop yield&rsquo; to &lsquo;improved economic benefit,&rsquo; such systems have much to offer. However, costly installation procedures and high socioeconomic barriers restrict their diffusion with relatively cheap alternatives. Appropriate policies and innovative approaches enable crossing these barriers only if carefully crafted to meet economic, technological and socio-economic challenges. This review offers an overview of significant strategic policies and new-generation micro-irrigation technologies that would help tap their full potential. Based on previous studies and individual experiences from India, an assessment of the transformative impacts of micro-irrigation has been done. These micro-irrigation technologies are proving highly beneficial for Maharashtra. The main gains that accrued to farmers from the process include reduced costs of cultivation, lesser dependence on chemicals and pesticides, conservation of water resourcesand less expenditure on labor. The above results manifest the contribution or role of micro-irrigation to accelerate sustainable agriculture, which induces a second green revolution imbued with higher productivity, efficiency in resource mobilization and economic prosperity.

Impacts of Micro-irrigation Technologies in Maharashtra: A Review

<div>Background: Induced mutagenesis was employed in horse gram cv. CRIDA 1-18R with an objective of evolving mutants with increased yield potential.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Based on preliminary study, the variety has been irradiated with desirable doses of gamma rays (200 Gy and 300 Gy), electron beam (100 Gy and 200 Gy) and its combination (100 Gy) and the material were forwarded to M2 generation following parent-progeny row basis. The genotypes exhibiting superior yield than control were further forwarded to M3 generation. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the induction of micro-mutants for 11 quantitative traits. 
 
Result: The reduction in mean value over control was observed for most of the yield component traits at M2 generation. Among the mutagenic treatments, combination of gamma rays with electron beam registered high mean values for pod length (5.05 cm), number of pods per plant (54.42) and single plant yield (25.68 g) at M3 generation. Non-significant skewness and / or kurtosis at M3 population denoted the absence of epistatic interactions for plant yield. An increase in variability pattern, H2 and GAM at M3 generation indicated the scope for trait (plant height, number of seeds per pod, number of clusters per plant, number of pods per plant, biological yield and single plant yield) improvement through selection.</div>

<div>Generation of Micro-mutants for Yield and Component Traits in Horse Gram [Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc.]</div>

<div>Background: Bangladesh is one of the densely populated countries in the world. To meet up the increasing food demand there&rsquo;s no alternative to increase the cropping intensity through high yielding and short duration crop varieties. Currently, cropping system of Bangladesh is mostly rice based which is also the staple food. Therefore, farmers which follow rice-rice based cropping patterns are gaining less profit day by day. Contrary, intensive rice culture is depleting soil properties gradually. Thus, to preserve soil health and increase profit pulse and oil seed based cropping patterns are crucial for sustaining a cropping pattern. This study was undertaken to find out a cropping pattern with higher yield and profit in the context of Magura district. 
 
Methods: Five cropping patterns, CP1 = Transplanted Aman rice (cv. Binadhan-7)- Mustard (cv. Binasarisha-9)- Boro rice (cv. Binadhan-14); CP2 = T.Aman (cv. Binadhan-16)-Mustard (cv. Binasarisha-10)- Boro (cv. Binadhan-14); CP3 = T.Aman (cv. Binadhan-17) -Mustard (cv. Binasarisha-10)- Boro (cv. Binadhan-14); CP4 = T.Aman (cv. Binadhan-17)-&nbsp;Lentil (cv. Binamasur-8)- Sesame (cv. Binatil-3) and &nbsp;CP5 (Control) -&nbsp;Aman (cv. Shorna) &ndash; Boro (cv. Heera) - fallow were assessed to identify the most suitable and profitable pattern as well as to enhance the cropping intensity by adding a pulse or oil seed crop between two rice crops. The investigation was conducted at farmer&rsquo;s field of Magura during 2018-19. Block farming method was followed for experiment set up.&nbsp; 
 
Result: It was revealed that, maximum rice equivalent yield (REY) was obtained from CP1 (14.46 t/ha) followed by CP4 (13.52 t/ha), CP3 (13.35 t/ha), CP2 (13.09 t/ha) and CP5 (11.33 t/ha) during one year crop cycle. Highest gross margin (Tk. 1,90,189) and MBCR (1.83) was obtained from the cropping pattern CP4 and the lowest gross margin (Tk. 69,271) and MBCR (1.24) was found with the pattern CP5. Based on the above results it can be suggested that, Aman rice-Lentil-Sesame pattern i.e. CP4 may be a best choice for the farmers of Magura region for the maximum utilization of their land and gaining more profit compared to the other studied cropping patterns.</div>

<div>Yield and Profitability Analysis of Pulse and Oil Seed Based Cropping Patterns against Aman- Boro- Fallow Cropping Systems in Magura</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Semi-arid regions have a large livestock population that grazes on nutrient-depleted natural grasses and crop leftovers, resulting in mineral shortages. The goal of this study was to determine the amounts of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in soil, pasture and sheep serum in semi-arid areas with low rainfall (498-522 mm) in order to construct a soil-plant-animal continuum and recommend solutions to increase trace element availability. 
 
Methods: Samples were collected from different parts of the continuum [Soil (n=50), pasture (n=50) and blood samples from sheep (n=50)] from the selected study area and the trace elements were analyzed after digestion using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Descriptive, correlation and t-test analyses were carried out to categorize the deficiency, their significance and soil-plant-animal continuum.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Although most soil samples were found to be below threshold levels, most straws and stovers in the field had marginal levels of these micro-minerals. Most sheep serum samples had levels of different micro-minerals that were below the threshold level, implying that many indigenous sheep are deficient in micro-minerals. Although there was a substantial association between feed, fodder and sheep serum, there was no such correlation between trace mineral levels in sheep serum and soil. A higher percentage of these micro-minerals in sheep faeces implies that these nutrients are truly recycled through faeces and urine in semi-arid rural areas. To address the sub-clinical micro-mineral insufficiency in semi-arid regions, micro-mineral supplementation, particularly Zn, Cu and Mn, is required.</div>