<div>Background: Intercropping is wildly practiced in oil palm plantation in Thailand for a long time. However, there are few studies connected to oil palm intercropping. This study evaluated the effects of perennial intercrops on the agronomic and yield traits of oil palm. 
 
Methods: The observation used a completely randomized design with eight treatments including oil palm monocropping, oil palm intercropped with Intsia palembanica, Hopea odorata, Swietenia macrophylla, Ternstroemia wallichiana, Azardirachta excelsa, Magnolia champaca and Mesua ferrea. The height and stem perimeter of intercrops were recorded as were the plant height and diameter, number of male and female inflorescences and sex ratio of the oil palms. Those parameters were observed in October 2019, February and June 2020. 
 
Result: Oil palm intercropped with A. excelsa produced the highest number of female inflorescences and oil palm intercropped with M. champaca produced the highest sex ratio in October 2019 and February 2020, however, the differences of those parameters were not found in June 2020. There were no significant differences in the diameter, height, the number of male inflorescences throughout the observation. Among the 7 intercrops, M. champaca and A. excelsa produced the highest growth rate of plant height and stem perimeter, respectively. In conclusion, oil palm can be intercropped with perennial plants. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of intercropping in oil palm.</div>

<div>Effects of Perennial Intercrops on Oil Palm Agronomic and Yield Traits</div>

<div>Background: Many years have been devoted to preserve fertility, but the effect of cryopreservation on gene functionality in primary, secondary and tertiary follicular stages; is still unclear. The present study was designed to assess the effect of vitrification on the histological structures and expression of follicular cells related genes.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The buffalo ovarian cortical tissues were vitrified in two-steps. The sliced cortical tissues were incubated with VS1 (8.5% DMSO and 8.5% EG) for 10 min and sequentially incubated and stored in liquid nitrogen in VS2 (16.5% DMSO, 16.5% EG and 0.1M Sucrose). Morphological differences were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, which indicated similar structures in both groups. Further, functionality of these follicles were evaluated by the relative gene expression of folliculogenesis-related genes; FOXO3, NLRP5, WNT4, SF1, VEGFA and HAS2. No significant difference was observed between the vitrified groups as compared to control. Moreover, toxicity in follicular cells during vitrification was rectified by MTT assay which also showed no significant difference.&nbsp; 
 
Conclusion: Present study can be considered as the key work that helps in filling the gaps regarding the growth of follicles after cryopreservation in buffalo species, as this imparts nonsignificant injury on follicular functionality and development.</div>

<div>Effect of Vitrification on Folliculogenesis-Related Genes in Ovarian Follicles of Bubalus bubalis</div>

<div>Background: Redgram is an important food legume which is largely cultivated under rainfed condition. In India rainfed agriculture contributes 80% of the total pulses production and the projected requirement will be 39 million tons by 2050 which necessitates an annual growth rate of 2.2%. The productivity has to be increased from the present level of 834 kg ha-1 to 1200 kg ha-1. With adoption of suitable agronomic management strategies the productivity could be increased to meet our demand and achieve self sufficiency in production. Hence the current study was carried out to increase the productivity of redgram under rainfed condition. 
 
Methods: Field experiment was conducted in farmer&rsquo;s field in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu during North East Monsoon season of 2019 to study the effect of improved agronomic manipulations on growth and yield of redgram under rainfed ecosystem. Agronomic management approaches viz., nipping of primary branches at 45 and 60 days after receipt of soaking rain, high density planting at 30 cm &times; 30 cm in addition to recommended spacing of 60 cm &times; 30 cm and foliar application of 1% PPFM spray were compared with farmer&rsquo;s practice in the redgram variety Co (RG) 7. Pre monsoon sowing has been taken up and the rainfall received during the cropping period was 521.7 mm received in 31 rainy days. 
 
Result: The field experimental results revealed that adoption of agronomic manipulation at the appropriate stage of the crop has increased the productivity of redgram. Nipping of primary branches at 45th day of the crop significantly increased the total number of productive branches, number of pods plant-1 and recorded the maximum seed yield of 1512 kg ha-1 (72 per cent increase over farmer&rsquo;s practice) under rainfed condition.</div>

<div>Effect of Improved Agronomic Approaches on Growth and Yield of Redgram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under Rainfed Ecosystem</div>

<div>Background: The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of negative pressure applied before storage on the gene expression of motility related proteins in boar spermatozoa. 
 
Methods: Boar semen samples were collected and pooled and diluted with Modena solution containing 0.4% (w/v) of bovine serum albumin. Negative pressure was applied for 2-5 min using a vacuum pump with a barometer. The pressure applied was 0 (Control), -0.02 MPa (P2), -0.04 MPa (P4) and -0.08 MPa (P8). The expression of AQN-1, AQN-3, AWN, PSP-I, PSP-II gene in boar spermatozoa was evaluated. 
 
Result: Application of -0.04 MPa improved the sperm motility compared with the other groups. In conclusion, our results confirmed thatnegative pressure preservation at 17oC had an effect on the expression of boar sperm adhesion protein gene. The relative expression of AWN0PSP-I and PSP-II genes in boar sperm were lower under -0.04 MPa and -0.08 MPa pressure, which was beneficial to protect spermatozoa motility.</div>

<div>The Effects of Negative Pressure on the Gene Expression of Motility Related Proteins in Boar Spermatozoa during Liquid Storage at 17oC</div>

Background: Identifying biomass-related genes to meet the increasing demand for food supply is important approach for agricultural and scientific efforts. In this study, we employed the Full-length cDNA Over-eXpressing gene hunting system (FOX hunting system) to identify biomass-related genes through ectopic expression of Arabidopsis thaliana full-length cDNA in bird&rsquo;s-foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus). 
 
Methods: A total of 66 FOX superroot lines (FSLs) from Lotus corniculatus cv. Viking were transferred in vermiculite after two weeks in half-strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium. These FSLs were then grown in a growth chamber for four weeks, during which their plant length and root length were measured. High biomass lines were selected from this group. FSL #83 and #121 were then grown for an additional four months in a greenhouse until they reached maturity, at which point they were evaluated for their agronomic traits.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Out of the 66 analyzed FSLs, 15 displayed superior growth characteristics in plant length and total root length. Arabidopsis cDNA, categorized into genes related to various functions such as membrane transport, photosystems, phytohormone synthesis, amino acid synthesis and unknown genes, was introduced into these lines. Two lines were grown to maturity in the greenhouse and their agronomic traits were analyzed in detail. FSL #83 expressed brassinosteroid biosynthetic pathway gene (CPD) led to significant differences in internode length, number of stems, number of flowers and above-ground dry matter weight compared to non-transgenic Super-growing roots (SR). On the other hand, FSL #121 expressed Asparaginyl-tRNA synthetase (SYNC1) gene exhibited increases in plant length and the number of stem nodes.

Exploration of Biomass-related Genes in the FOX-superroot Lines of Lotus corniculatus and its Impact on Agronomic Traits

<div>Background: In Tunisia, faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is the first major food legume. The development of faba bean production is facing several biotic constraints. Faba bean Ascochyta blight caused by Ascochyta fabae is one of the most destructive diseases of faba bean and can cause significant yield loss under favorable conditions. As only incomplete resistance ABL varieties are available, some agronomic practices should be applied to control and reduce Ascochyta blight incidence wherever possible. Therefore, this work was undertaken to evaluate the effect of spacing row and seed rate on ABL severity, growth and yield of faba bean.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A split-plot design with three replications was adopted to carry out this study during 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. &lsquo;Bachaar&rsquo; faba bean variety was sown at 40 and 60 cm row spacing and at three seed rates (100, 140 and 200 kg ha-1). ABL severity was assessed visually on a 0-9 scale and agro-morphological traits were measured. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Correlations between agronomic traits, row spacing, seed rate and ABL severity were investigated. 
 
Result: Results showed that seed rate has a larger effect on yield than row spacing. In both cropping seasons, the highest grain yield was recorded in 60 cm row spacing and 140 kg ha-1 seed rate treatment. So, this treatment is recommended for obtaining high yield of faba bean. Most of the variation in disease severity was associated with seed rate (r=0.62). The highest ABL score severity was noted at 200 kg ha-1 rate. Over both years, wide row spacing and low seed rate reduced ABL severity. In this study, the small amounts of ABL disease (which reached a score of 5.3 and 4.7 in 2018 and 2019, respectively) had little or no effect on yield.</div>

Effect of Some Agronomic Practices on Ascochyta Blight Severity and Yield of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) in Tunisia

<div>Background: Among the constraints for low yield of mungbean, drought stress and heat stress are prominent. Water deficits and high temperature occur together in many environments and both stresses can interact to reduce yields. Thus, combination of water use efficiency and high temperature tolerance traits are relevant rather than a single trait used as selection criteria for screening appropriate plant ideotype. The present study is contemplated to identify superior parents for yield, yield attributes, water use efficiency and thermo tolerance related traits through combining ability analysis. 
 
Methods: Twenty one F1 crosses were generated by crossing seven diverse mungbean genotypes viz., ML 267, LGG 528, MGG 390, WGG 42, AKM 9904, LM 95 and EC 362096 in a 7 x&nbsp;7 diallel fashion without reciprocals. Further, 21 F1 crosses along with seven parents were evaluated to study the the mean performance of the seven parents and their 21 F1 crosses and combining ability of the parents and crosses and gene action for yield, yield components and water use efficiency related traits. 
 
Result: The present investigations confirmed that some of the parents with significant positive gca effects for seed yield per plant and showed significant positive gca effects for one or more yield, WUE and heat stress tolerance contributing traits. Combination of mean performance and gca effects would result in the selection of potential parents with good reservoir of superior genes. The parents which exhibited high per se performance also displayed good general combining ability effects. Hence, per se performance may be used effectively for the selection of parents. In the present study, MGG 390, ML 267 and EC 362096 were adjudged as the best parents based on both mean and gca effects.&nbsp;</div>

Identification of Best Parents based on per se Performance and gca Effects for Yield and Water use Efficiency Related Traits in Mungbean

<div>Background: Indian economy is largely based on agriculture. Major share of agricultural investments goes into chemical fertilizers. Nitrogen (N) fertilizers are used in fields to enhance the crop yield. Most of the reports are based on growth related data, morphological and yield related data but very few reports reveal the facts about genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of these fertilizers. Therefore, the present communication is an attempt in the aforesaid direction. 
 
Methods: In a pot experiment, mineral N content of soil in the form of ammonium-N (NH4+-N) and nitrate-N (NO3--N) were analysed at regular interval of 5 days till 30 days after treatment (DAT). On the corresponding days root tip assay was done for cytotoxic analyses and also the temporal changes in NH4+-N and NO3--N contents were observed. 
 
Result: In the Ammonium nitrate treatments, higher mitotic index (MI%) percentages were obtained. While for the Urea, NH4+-N content and MI were found to have a positive correlation. Also, it was found that there is an optimum ratio of NH4+-N and NO3--N in each treatment at which the MI% was the maximum. The study gives an interesting insight for the possible cytotoxic effects of the N fertilizers.</div>

Temporal Monitoring and Assessment of Inorganic Nitrogen Content of Soil due to Nitrogen Fertilizers and their Related Cytotoxic Effects

<div style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;A field experiment on soybean was conducted at the regional research farm of the Punjab Agricultural University, Naraingarh (Distt. Fateh Garh Sahib) for three years under irrigated conditions for productivity enhancement through integrated nutrient and other agronomic interventions. There were twelve treatments comprising different levels of N, P, K, FYM and agronomic management practices. The results revealed that soybean significantly responded to the application of N, P, K and FYM. &nbsp;Maximum yield was recorded in the treatment where FYM was applied with NPK and resulted in an increase of 10.8 per cent over NPK alone. Application of additional 30 kg N ha-1 at pre-flowering or at pod initiation did not significantly enhance the yield over the basal dose of NP applied at sowing. &nbsp;Application of 4 tonnes wheat straw mulch + 30 kg N +60 kg P2O5 and 30 kg N + 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 &nbsp;showed similar effect on seed yield of soybean. No statistical difference in soybean yield was observed in the conventional flat and bed sowing treatments. Pre-emergence application of pendimethaline @ 1.5 l ha-1 along with one hand weeding at 40 days after sowing (DAS) and two hand weeding at 20 and 40 DAS were equally effective for weed control and in influencing the soybean yield. The application of N, P, K and FYM, in different treatments, treatment with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and sowing on beds all significantly improved the N, P and K uptake by soybean over control. &nbsp; Application of FYM to soybean resulted in maximum nutrient uptake by soybean. &nbsp;After three years a significant improvement in soil organic carbon, available N, P and K was observed in all treatments over control.&nbsp;</div>

Effect of integrated nutrient and agronomic management on growth, productivity, nutrient uptake and soil residual fertility status of soybean&nbsp;

<div style="text-align: justify;">This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of certain long-chain fatty acid combinations on ruminal microbial community in vitro. Three cows fitted with permanent ruminal cannulas were used to provide rumen liquor for the in vitro trail. The treatments were fatty acid combinations of stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid, which respectively were group A (calcium palmitate, control), B (1.5%, 1.0%, 0.5% and 1.5%, acetic type fermentation), C (1.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 1.0%, propionic acid type fermentation), D (1.0%, 1.5%, 1.5% and 0.5%, butyric acid type fermentation). Three goats fitted with rumen cannula were used to provide the culture medium was collected for the measurement of the rumen microorganism in vitro culture. Culture medium was collected at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 h. The results demonstrated that, except for Ruminococcus albus, all the other bacterial genus had significant differences between groups (P &lt; 0.05). The Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcusflavefaciens, Clostridium proteoclasticum and Ruminobacter amylophilus were higher in group B; Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Megasphaera elsdenii and Ruminococcus bromii were higher in group C; while Pseudobutyrivibrio ruminis was higher in group D. Different higher species in different treatments described above related to their fermentation type. It was also observed that, bacteria were the dominant flora in rumen and Megasphaera elsdeniiwere the dominant species in bacterial fraction no matter what the treatment is. It was therefore concluded that, certain fatty acid combinations have remarkable effects on the amount of ruminal specific bacteria species,mainly related to their fermentation type.</div>

Effects of Perennial Intercrops on Oil Palm Agronomic and Yield Traits

Effect of Vitrification on Folliculogenesis-Related Genes in Ovarian Follicles of Bubalus bubalis

Effect of Improved Agronomic Approaches on Growth and Yield of Redgram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] under Rainfed Ecosystem

The Effects of Negative Pressure on the Gene Expression of Motility Related Proteins in Boar Spermatozoa during Liquid Storage at 17^oC

Exploration of Biomass-related Genes in the FOX-superroot Lines of Lotus corniculatus and its Impact on Agronomic Traits

Effect of Some Agronomic Practices on Ascochyta Blight Severity and Yield of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) in Tunisia

Identification of Best Parents based on per se Performance and gca Effects for Yield and Water use Efficiency Related Traits in Mungbean

Temporal Monitoring and Assessment of Inorganic Nitrogen Content of Soil due to Nitrogen Fertilizers and their Related Cytotoxic Effects

Effect of integrated nutrient and agronomic management on growth, productivity, nutrient uptake and soil residual fertility status of soybean

Effects of certain long-chain fatty acid combinations on the ruminal microbe species relating to fermentation type in vitro