<div>Background: Pulses have been very curial in many aspects like; rich source of protein, economy aspect and contribute to agricultural and environmental sustainability. In this investigation an attempt has been made to evaluate the dynamics of area substitution between pulses and other crops, extent of spatial shift among pulses producing states and some policy measures have been suggested to stabilize the area under pulses across states.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Secondary data on area of principal crops for the period 1966-2016 was used in this article. By computing quartile values, all states and groups of states were clubbed into four different quartiles for each decade. Area substitution among principal field crops including pulses has been analyzed using first order Markov transition probability matrix (TPM). 
 
Result: This TPM was further used to evaluate the mobility of membership status of states under pulses production. It was found that period 1986-2006 happened to be the golden period for area under pulses in India. Mean area under pulses had increased for first three decades and in the subsequent two decades mean area (quartile values) had declined substantially.&nbsp;</div>

Dynamics of Area Substitution of Pulses in India

Background: Poonch is the remotest district of Jammu, India located near to line of control with Pakistan. Poonchi chicken is the first native poultry breed of Jammu region which is being characterized and registered with National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. Present study is the first study on genetic bottleneck assessment in Poonchi chicken population using recommended microsatellite markers. This study in Poonchi chicken would be of immense use in tracing evolutionary origin and formulating effective conservation strategies for genetic diversity within breeds.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Blood samples were collected randomly from Poonch and Rajouri districts of Jammu for DNA extraction and analysis. Microsatellite markers selected for the analysis were ADL0268, MCW0206, MCW0081, ADL0278, MCW0069, MCW0248, MCW0111, MCW0222, MCW0016 and LEI0094. To evaluate the Poonchi chicken for mutation drift equilibrium, Bottleneck software was used. Infinite allele model (IAM), two phase model of mutation (TPM) and stepwise mutation model (SMM) tests were done. Mode shift test was also used as another method of qualitative test for allele frequency. 
 
Result: Total number of alleles observed were 72, with the total number alleles ranged from 6 to 9. The results of all three models (IAM, TPM, SMM) in Sign test depicted the heterozygosity was more in the expected number of loci in Poonchi chicken as 5.97 (P&lt;0.05), 5.93 (P&lt;0.05), 5.90 (P&lt;0.05) respectively. Whereas for Wilcoxon rank test the IAM, TPM and SMM revealed significant values of (P&lt;0.05) deviation indicating that all the loci deviate from mutation-drift equilibrium. Mode shift test graph obtained depicted a slight shift from normal L-shaped curve indicating recent bottleneck effect in Poonchi chicken. This might have resulted in the loss of number of effective alleles which suggests a need of planning and implementing an effective breeding policy in order to preserve and promote this native breed.

Bottleneck Effect Analysis in Indigenous Poonchi Chicken Located Near International Border of India and Pakistan

Background: Bundelkhand region of India consist of 14 districts, evenly divided between southern Uttar Pradesh and northern Madhya Pradesh states representing 2.42% of India&rsquo;s total geographical area with a high percentage of barren and uncultivable land. The region is highly vulnerable and susceptible to climatic hazards. Wheat, chickpea sorghum, paddy, maize, barley, lentils, sesame, mustard, groundnut, soybean, peas and beans are the major crops grown in the region. In the context of climate change, noticeable shifts in cropping patterns have been observed. This study aims to analyse these patterns and assess the extent of change over time. 
 
Methods: The dynamics of cropping patterns in the Bundelkhand region of India were analysed using secondary data collected from published reports of the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), Government of India from a period to 2002-03 to 2021-22 (i.e. 20 years). The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was employed to capture long-term growth trends. Furthermore, seasonal temporal changes in the cropping pattern of the region were captured by a Transition Probability Matrix (TPM). 
 
Result: Results of the analysis indicated a significant change in the cropping pattern over the period, with kharif crops experiencing a strong growth at CAGR of 5.54%, rabi crops at CAGR 2.02% and substantial growth in pulse area at CAGR of 1.96%. Significant temporal shifts in cropping patterns during the kharif season were observed in the Bundelkhand region. Among the kharif crops, urdbean crop registered highest and significant CAGR of 10.90%. Similarly, area expansion under mungbean, pigeon pea, paddy, sesame, groundnut and soybean registered substantial area expansion, while the area under maize remained almost stagnant at 38 thousand ha over the period of time. Traditionally grown coarse cereals such as sorghum and small millets have witnessed a drastic reduction in area coverage in the region. The TPM analysis revealed the higher probability of area retention among cereal crops (wheat (0.89) and paddy (0.54) and pulse crops (urdbean (0.67), lentil (0.71), mungbean (0.55), chickpea (0.87) and field pea (0.70), while millets had a higher probability of losing their area. The government needs to promote climate-suitable crops to reduce water scarcity and related risks, which can ultimately lead to India&rsquo;s self-sufficiency in pulses in Bundelkhand region.

Dynamics of Area Substitution of Pulses in India

Bottleneck Effect Analysis in Indigenous Poonchi Chicken Located Near International Border of India and Pakistan

Transition in Cropping Patterns: Evidence from Bundelkhand Region of India