Background: Understanding floral and pollen biology is essential for efficient artificial hybridization in hybrid seed production. This knowledge helps ensure proper fertilization of the ovary and optimal fruit and seed set. Selecting suitable pollen parents and preserving pollen for future use allows for better control and optimization of hybridization practices in brinjal breeding programs. To achieve this, a robust protocol for pollen collection and viability testing is necessary to monitor pollen quality in the field and during storage. This information is crucial for maintaining desired characteristics and genetic traits in the resulting hybrid seeds. 
 
Methods: This study; aimed at optimizing the pollen germination assessment protocol for brinjal. The step wise modification standard medium composition was done, the optimal growth condition was tested and in vivo predictions were made. So, the study aimed to standardization of media for in vitro pollen germination evaluate and viability in brinjal in ambient as well as cold storage conditions. The pollen germination was tested in vitro as well in vivo, by incubating the pollen grains for 3 hours at 25&deg;C in different concentrations of sucrose, boron and agar media and distilled water at interval of 12 hours.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The most favorable germination of fresh pollen was achieved with a treatment consisting of 1% Agar, 12% Sucrose and 300 ppm Boron. Comparing the two storage conditions, pollen stored in the refrigerator exhibited higher in vitro germination percentages compared to ambient storage conditions. The highest in vitro pollen germination and viability percentages were observed in fresh pollen collected within 12 hours (95.00%). As the duration of pollen storage increased in both storage conditions, the in vitro pollen germination decreased. This decline in in vitro pollen germination was reflected in the in vivo fertilization fruit set percentage. The highest fruit set percentage was observed when pollen was stored in the refrigerator (64.52%) and when female flowers were pollinated with pollen stored for less than 12 hours (84.66%).

Optimized Protocol for in vitro Pollen Germination in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

<div>Bambusa vulgaris Schrad., known for its rich cellulose content, serves as an important resource for biofuel production and is widely utilized across diverse industries. It promotes the circular economy and provides a sustainable substitute for fossil fuels. The species has a very high demand in the present scenario and needs to be propagated at a very large scale. The conventional and vegetative propagation methods of the species are inadequate, labour-intensive and slow, resulting in a limited supply of plant material that can&rsquo;t meet the rising demand. This study aims to develop and optimize a standard in vitro micropropagation protocol of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. to meet the rising global demand for the species in a short period. Nodal segments of Bambusa vulgaris were aseptically cultured on agar solidified MS medium supplemented with various combinations of auxins (NAA, IAA) and cytokinins (BAP) at various concentrations at 25&plusmn;2oC. Effective antifungal agents were selected through disc diffusion assay and used to pre-treat explants. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel, with results expressed as mean &plusmn; SD. MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg L-1&nbsp;BAP + 0.2 mg L-1&nbsp;IAA showed the best results, with 100% response and an average of 4.18&plusmn;1.67 shoots per explant within 20 days. This protocol significantly reduces contamination and promotes rapid, large-scale production of the bamboo species, addressing the limitations of conventional propagation methods.</div>

Optimization of in vitro Micropropagation Protocol for Bambusa vulgaris Schrad.: Overcoming Contamination and Enhancing Shoot Regeneration

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Cassava is a vital food security crop for millions of people, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the crop produces a reasonable yield on marginal soils, it could help alleviate world hunger. Consequently, the increase in cassava production and its quality characteristics are significant. However, the low multiplication rate of this main crop has delayed the spread of improved varieties among farmers. As a result, tissue culture techniques can be a viable solution to overcome these challenges. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The study used a nodal segment as an explant to evaluate different concentrations of BAP and NAA for an efficient, cost-effective in vitro mass multiplication of the AWC-1 cassava variety. CuSO4, commercial bleach and ethanol had used to sterilize nodal explants taken from greenhouse-grown plants at various time intervals. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The best medium for micro shoots induction had found to be medium without growth regulators. Among different treatments used for shoot multiplication purposes, the maximum shoot number has been recorded on M.S. medium supplemented with 0.75 mg/l BAP and 0.2 mg/l NAA. Medium with 0.5 mg/l NAA concentration was the best for rooting induction. A survival rate of 86% has obtained in the greenhouse and the plantlets appeared to be morphologically normal.</div>

Protocol Optimization for Rapid Multiplication of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) using the Nodal Segment

<div style="text-align:justify">Rajmash is a cool season legume crop grown during rabi season in northern India. This crop is highly sensitive to low temperature stress during seed germination and seedling establishment stage. Therefore, identification of cold tolerant genotypes is essential in rajmash breeding programme. In the present study, 37 rajmash genotypes were subjected to germination at optimal (20oC) and sub optimal (10 and 15oC) temperatures in an incubator to understand the level of variation in germination and related at low temperature. At 20oC, the 37 genotypes recorded an average value of 98.47% with a minimum value of 91.35 %; while, at 15oC an average value of 96.02% and a minimum value of 86.10% and 10oC recorded an average value of 77.13% and a minimum value of 0%. This indicated that the genotypes could tolerate cold was recorded stress upto 15oC to a considerable level while, germination was hampered greatly at 10oC. Genotypes, EC150250, EC14920 and EC14351 showed the least reduction in germination and related parameters at sub optimal temperatures, hence these were identified to be cold tolerant at seed germination stage, which however, need to be validated under field condition.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Seed germination response of commonbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes to optimal and sub-optimal temperatures</div>

<div>Background: Urdbean leaf crinkle is one of the serious diseases of urdbean (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) which is caused by an ungrouped virus called Urdbean leaf crinkle virus (ULCV). The disease is highly seed transmissible under natural conditions and in experimental conditions it is mechanically transmitted through sap inoculation.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The aim of this study was to standardize the protocol for sap inoculation by sprout seed abrasive method by comparing the effects of different inoculation methods, such as pin prick and without pin prick, with 0.05M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) supplemented with additives and abrasives and to further validate the standardized protocol upon different urdbean genotypes.&nbsp; 
 
Result: This is the first effort on the optimization of protocol in which, pin pricking as inoculation method with potassium phosphate buffer (0.05M, pH 7.0) supplemented with 0.15% sodium sulfite+0.01M 2-Mercaptoethanol and 1% celite+2% carborundum showed 100% transmissibility foremost at 2nd trifoliate stage and further validation with various urdbean genotype resulted in percent transmission ranging from 92 to 100% which evinces the efficacy and repeatability of the methodology.</div>

Optimization of Sprout Seed Abrasion Method for Efficient Inoculation of Leaf Crinkle Disease in Urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Scraped surface heat exchanger (SSHE) was integrated with conical process vat (CPV) for in-line production of rabri. Response surface methodology was applied to optimize the process parameters on the basis of sensory score, chromatic and textural attributes. The four factors considered for optimization were initial concentration of milk in SSHE, final concentration of milk in CPV, ratio of clotted cream layer (CCL) to sweetened concentrated milk (SCM) and steam pressure of CPV during removal of CCL. Optimum parameters predicted for rabri production were initial concentration of milk to 30% total solids (TS) in SSHE, final concentration of milk to 40% TS in CPV before sugar addition, 0.167 CCL/SCM ratio and 0.8 kg/cm2 steam pressure of CPV during removal of CCL. The observed values for flavour, body and texture, colour and appearance, overall acceptability, firmness, L*, a* and b* were 7.97, 7.93, 8.23, 8.067, 0.3540, 75.907, 01.14 and 16.3197 respectively.&nbsp;

Process optimization for in-line production of Rabri

<div>Background: Success of any estrous synchronization protocol to optimize production and reproduction in goats requires deeper insight of dynamic regulation of hormones progesterone and estradiol-17&beta;. Surti goats reared mostly by marginal livestock owners are native to Gujarat. Present study was conducted to study rhythmic changes in serum progesterone and estradiol-17&beta; in Surti goats under different synchronization protocols. 
 
Methods: 18 Surti goats were divided equally (n=6) in 3 groups viz. G1, G2 and G3 (control). G1 and G2 groups were injected with GnRH analogue (day 0 and 11) and PGF2&alpha; analogue (day 9). Progestogen sponge was kept intravaginal in G1 group (day 0) and removed (day 11) before GnRH analogue injection. G3 group (control) received placebo of 2 ml normal saline simultaneous to treatment groups. 
 
Result: Levels were higher at estrus and lower at day 30 for Estradiol-17&beta; and vice versa for progesterone. Coefficient of variation for estradiol-17&beta; at estrus and for progesterone at day 30 was lower for G1 and higher in control. It was concluded that GPG synchronization protocol with intravaginal progestogen was better to synchronize estrus and establish reproductive cyclicity in Surti goats as it effectively minimized variability of progesterone during pregnancy and estradiol-17&beta; at estrus.</div>

<div>Rhythmic Changes in Serum Progesterone and Estradiol-17&beta; in Surti Goats under Different Synchronization Protocols</div>

<div>Background: Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr. is an important medicinal and a fruit tree belongs to the family Rutaceae possessing numerous valuable secondary metabolites. The growing commercial importance for secondary metabolites has led to a great demand in the pharmaceutical industry in recent years. Therefore, an efficient callus production protocol was developed as a tool for extracting valuable secondary metabolites from Aegle marmelos. 
 
Methods: For seeds, callus induction was observed under three conditions as with seed coat, after removing seed coat and split into two halves after removing seed coat. For callus multiplication, 1cm2 pieces of initiated calli were used. These explants were established in MS medium supplemented with combinations of 2, 4 D either with BAP or Kinetin. All experiments were arranged according to the completely randomized design (CRD) with 20 replicates at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, for a period of 1 year. Percentage of fungal and bacterial contaminations and percentage of bleached explants were observed to select the best explant/s. Percentage of responded explants were observed to select the best condition for callus induction and quality of callus. Growth of callus was observed visually by giving a score. Best hormonal combination for callus multiplication was observed as fresh weight and dry weight of callus produced under each treatment. 
 
Result: High quality callus with higher growth was observed in all combinations of BAP and 2, 4 D tested: ranging from 0.5 mgL-1 to 1.5 mgL-1 BAP and 1.0 mgL-1 to 2.0 mgL-1 2,4 D in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. Initiated calli were further multiplied in MS medium supplemented with 2,4 D combined with either BAP or Kinetin. Highest amount of callus biomass was recorded in the MS medium with 0.5 mgL-1 2, 4 D and 1.0 mgL-1 Kinetin (132.58 gL-1 fresh weight). The optimized protocol could be used to produce higher amount of callus in order to extract secondary metabolites from Aegle marmelos (L).</div>

<div>Callus Production Protocol for Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.: As a Tool for Extraction of Secondary Metabolites</div>

<div>Background: Cystic ovarian degeneration (COD) with prevalence of 10-13% is a common and economically important condition in dairy cattle affecting fertility. Predisposing factors and aetiology of ovarian cysts are multifaceted. The most widely accepted cause is either absent, insufficient or wrong time occurrence of pre-ovulatory LH-surge. The accuracy of differential diagnosis of cyst per rectum can be increased by simultaneous use of USG and/or plasma progesterone assay and therapeutic success depends on type and duration of cystic condition. The literature on these aspects in crossbred cows is meagre, hence was planned to differentially diagnose the ovarian follicular and luteal cysts based on clinical, sonographic and endocrine findings and to study the estrus response and conception rates following different treatment modalities of COD in crossbred cattle. 
 
Methods: This study was conducted on &gt;90 days postpartum HF crossbred cows with cystic ovaries (n=58) confirmed by per rectal palpation and ultrasonography. The animals with follicular cysts were randomly treated with either conventional Ovsynch or Ovsynch + CIDR protocol (n=10 each) and those with luteal cysts with either Double PG injections 11 days apart or modified Ovsynch protocol (n=16 each) with fixed time AI. A group of six cystic cows was kept as untreated control. Blood samples were collected in heparinized vacutainers, together with trans-rectal ultrasonography, on day 0 (just before initiation of treatment), on day of last PGF2&aacute; injection, on day of induced estrus/FTAI and on day 12 post-AI for determination of plasma progesterone and estradiol-17&acirc; by RIA technique.&nbsp; 
 
Results: The mean diameters and wall thickness of ovarian cysts regressed significantly (p&lt;0.01) among responded cows of all four protocols. The estrus induction response within 48-96 hrs of last PG injection with Ovsynch, Ovsynch + CIDR, Modified Ovsynch and Double PG protocols was 90.00, 100.00, 87.50 and 81.25 %, respectively. The conception rates at induced estrus with FTAI for these protocols were 50.00, 40.00, 50.00 and 43.75 %, respectively and the corresponding overall conception rates for 3 cycles&rsquo; post-treatment were 60.00, 70.00, 68.75 and 56.25 %, respectively, compared to zero result of control group. The mean plasma progesterone concentration varied highly significantly (p&lt;0.01) between periods of treatment in all protocols, the values were lower (p&lt;0.01) on day 0 and on day of FTAI than on the day of last PG injection and on day 12 post-AI. The values on day 12 post-AI were significantly higher in conceived than non-conceived cows. The trend of estradiol-17&acirc; profile on day of last PG injection was reversed than on day 0. The higher levels of estradiol-17&acirc; on day of FTAI were associated with regression of cystic structures and development of new dominant follicles with estrogenic activity concomitant to induced estrus and ovulatory LH surge in most of the animals as evident from USG monitoring, behavioural signs and conception rates.</div>

<div>Ovarian Dynamics, Plasma Endocrine Profile and Fertility Response Following Synchronization Protocols in Crossbred Cows with Cystic Ovaries</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">This study is on development of programming problems for optimal allocation of agricultural land to different crops with special reference to Andhra Pradesh State. The prime objective of this study is to provide the management planning to farm people for optimal utilization of agricultural land resources with the objective of maximizing the revenue. &nbsp;Three programming problems were formulated for the objectives of optimal crop area scheduling with (i) simple LPP, (ii) single goal programming and (iii) multiple goals programming with crop wise goals. Data from the agricultural farmers of AP were collected for ten crops cultivated with nine different methods of farming. While formulating the models, we have considered the issues of &nbsp;revenue per kg, total yield of the crop, minimum support price per kg, market competitive price per kg, break even revenue, break even cost ( in thousand rupees), minimum investment, &nbsp;maximum investment, available area for each crop, crop wise arbitrary target value and cost in rupees, etc. Investment for different types of expenditures like ploughing, seeds per kg, plantation, labour, fertilizers, water, rent, picking charges, storage per quintal, etc are considered. The activity ended with exploring the decision variables of finding the optimal land allocation for each crop.&nbsp;</div>

Optimized Protocol for in vitro Pollen Germination in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Optimization of in vitro Micropropagation Protocol for Bambusa vulgaris Schrad.: Overcoming Contamination and Enhancing Shoot Regeneration

Protocol Optimization for Rapid Multiplication of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) using the Nodal Segment

Seed germination response of commonbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes to optimal and sub-optimal temperatures

Optimization of Sprout Seed Abrasion Method for Efficient Inoculation of Leaf Crinkle Disease in Urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Process optimization for in-line production of Rabri

Rhythmic Changes in Serum Progesterone and Estradiol-17β in Surti Goats under Different Synchronization Protocols

Callus Production Protocol for Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr.: As a Tool for Extraction of Secondary Metabolites

Ovarian Dynamics, Plasma Endocrine Profile and Fertility Response Following Synchronization Protocols in Crossbred Cows with Cystic Ovaries

Optimal Land Allocation Programming Problems for Agricultural Revenue Maximization in Andhra Pradesh