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The present study reflects the seasonal variation of macrobenthic invertebrates from Aripal and Watalara streams in Kashmir Himalaya. During the study, a significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in the density of Annelida, Mollusca, and Arthropoda on a seasonal scale. Macrobenthic invertebrates were found to be at their highest density during summer and autumn, whereas they were recorded lowest during winter and spring. The total density during summer and autumn was found to be significantly different (p<0.05) when compared to winter and spring seasons. The data also depicted the maximum density of Arthropoda followed by Mollusca and Annelida. The study reveals the seasonal stability of the stream ecosystem within the temperate region and also provides the baseline information for macrobenthic invertebrate community structure.

Kashmir traditionally known as heaven on earth for its beauty is gifted with water resources comprising rivers, lakes, streams and springs. Lakes provide a multitude of uses and are prime regions of human settlement and habitat. One such water body is Khushalsar Lake located in the downtown area of Srinagar city. It is noticed that Khushalsar at present has fallen victim to extensive encroachment, garbage dumping and the release of untreated sewage. Taking the pathetic condition of this lake and dynamic nature of water bodies in general into consideration this study was taken up to analyse the different physicochemical parameters and the rotifer abundance of this water body since rotifers are considered to be important indicators of trophic conditions of any aquatic habitat. The data collected was analysed using standard tools, statistical software’s SPSS (version 20) and PAST3. Nutrient content of this water body was found to be high and only sixteen species of Rotifera were observed. Statistically different physico-chemical parameters were compared at inlet, middle and outlet of the study lake. Only few parameters showed significant differences. Shannon-Wiener index of rotifer signifies the water body to be moderately diverse as the values lies below 5.00 while as values of Simpson diversity index indicate accelerated eutrophication.

The morphometric analysis was carried out in indigenous cyprinid food fish, Schizothorax labiatus (a species of snow trout) collected from Vishav stream, a perennial cold water stream of Kashmir valley, India, wherein various morphometric characters viz., Total Length (TL), Standard Length (SL), Fork Length (FL), Pre-dorsal Length (PDL), Pre-pectoral Length (PPL), Pre-pelvic Length (PPeL), Pre-anal Length (PAL), Anal Fin Length (AL), Head Length (HL), Height of Dorsal Fin (HOD), Snout Length (SnL), Body Depth (BD), Eye Diameter (ED), Inter Orbital Length (IOL), Caudal Fin Length (CL) and Caudal Depth (CD) of 104 fish specimens were measured, correlated and analysed. The morphometric data was calculated in the percentage of total length except SnL, ED and IOL which were calculated in the percentage of HL. The result revealed that the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.770 to 0.995 in proportion to TL and 0.706 to 0.859 in proportion to HL which indicates that all the morphometric characters are highly correlated. All the correlations were significant at the level of p<0.01. During the investigation, the results revealed that in the % of TL, 8 characters were found to be genetically controlled 4 characters as intermediate and none character as environmentally controlled one. In the % of HL, 1 character was found to be included in intermediate character, 2 characters in environmentally controlled characters and none in purely genetically controlled one. As revealed by the regression analysis of different morphometric characters in proportion to TL, the maximum growth was obtained for FL (b = 0.9664) and the minimum growth was obtained for AL (b = 0.0655) and in proportion to HL, the maximum growth was obtained for IOL (b = 0.4689) and the minimum growth was obtained for ED (b = 0.0852).

The present study encompasses studies on the seasonal variation in various biological parameters of snow trout, Schizothorax esocinus collected from River Jhelum. The exponent ‘b’ of the length-weight relationship depicted positive allometric growth type. Condition factor (K) was significantly (P<0.05) highest in autumn while lowest values were observed in spring and winter. Gonadosomatic Index (GSI) in both sexes was significantly (P<0.05) highest during the spring season (spawning phase) while the lowest value was observed during summer season (spent phase). Hepatosomatic Index (HSI) was significantly (P<0.05) highest in both sexes during the autumn season while as the lowest value was observed during winter season. The study provides information on health status and reproductive cycle of S. esocinus that could help in augmenting the production along with development of appropriate conservation and management strategies.

Coronavirus (CoV) belongs to the genus beta coronavirus with its high mutation rate within the family Coronoviridae. The virus is extremely transmittable and its pathogenicity caused infection like SARS-CoV-2. An epidemic of this novel coronavirus was first documented in Wuhan, Hubei province of China in December 2019 and is thus called as COVID-19. A series of pneumonia reports were confirmed and now the cases are escalated throughout the world. Although transmission of this virus from animals to humans is rare, however this new strain most likely came from bats and pangolins. COVID-19 has infected more than 4.5 million people (4,543,060) as of May 15th 2020, 09:50 GMT worldwide and rises continuously, caused the death of 303,707 so far. Till date no vaccine is available to combat this dreadful virus. Though, certain antiviral drugs have being assisted against COVID-19, which results some success. With the fast spread all over the world, fear and panic is gripping people around the globe. It leads to social stigma towards affected people and physiologically hurts by creating more fear. Need of the time is the collective efforts of all developed countries along with WHO to fight against this dreadful virus. The frontline clinicians, public health authorities and epidemiologists must need to come together to stop this infection and save the precious lives. Since the present virus is new to science, therefore in this review, an attempt has been made to establish some facts related to this novel coronavirus from the existing literature.

Length-weight relationships and condition factor of Salmo trutta fario (Brown trout) at Kokernag trout fish farm, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir was estimated for a period of one year. During the present study the fish samples was within the range of 30cm to 45.8cm in length and 250g to 750g in weight were originally used to provide information on the condition of fish and to determine whether somatic growth was isometric or allometric. The relationship was analysed using the formula W = a Lb which was further transformed into Log W = a + b log L. The equation obtained for females was log W= 1.61 + 3.33 logL and for males was log W = 1.81 + 3.22 logL. Females show 'b' value slight more than males. Studies on condition factor revealed that the fluctuations in K values can be attributed to the spawning cycle. The condition factor 'K' was above 1 indicating robustness or well being of the experimental fish.

A Length Weight Relationship (LWR) and condition factor of cultured rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss was studied. A total of 144 specimens were used obtained from National fish farm Laribal, Dachigam during January 2017 to December 2018. The coefficient ‘b’ value of LWR showed negative allometric (b<3) growth throughout the year except in the months of October and December, where the positive allometric growth pattern was reported (b>3). In order to generate more precise information, a trend line graph was draw to compare condition of fish in different months, which indicated declining growth pattern condition. The condition factor showed an overt variation with highest value was reported during the breeding season. The result obtained in this study will be useful for the improvement of production and quality of trout under cultured condition.

Length weight relationship is important in describing several biological aspects of fish species found under cultured and natural condition. Length weight relationship provides information about whether somatic growth was isometric or allometric. While condition factor provide information about the well being fish. In the present study the individuals of Schizothorax plagiostomus were collected from river Jhelum from different locations for the determination of length weight relationship and condition factor during the period of 2014–2016. Length weight relationship was computed using the equation W = aLb, which was further transformed into LogW = Loga + bLog L. Results showed that the value of b in length weight relationship of male S. plagiostomus ranged from 2.316–2.965, while in female fishes the value of b ranged from 2.01–3.66. The results clearly show allometric type of growth in male and isometric type of growth in females. The regression coefficient between males and female did not shows any significant difference, (p > 0.05) whereas significant difference (P < 0.01) could be noticed between males and between females (p < 0.01). However, condition factor (K) of S. plagiostomus fluctuates between 0.82–1.58 in male and between 0.870–1.31 in female, indicating the robustness of the fish inhabiting in river Jhelum.

The development of information and communication technology has paved the way to the development of electronic devices and has changed the traditional libraries to digital libraries. In which digitization of library collection has become a common activity. Digitization has opened up new audiences and services for libraries, that needs to be integrated into the plans and policies of any institution to maximize its effectiveness. With the help of digital technology institutions can share their research output globally by access and disseminate research information. This paper aims to explore and identify the role of digitized collection of the top 20 universities in the world according to the “Times Higher Education” World Rankings 2015-16

In this paper we extend the theorem of Walsh and some results proved by R. Bakic to a half plane and complement of an open disk.

The study was conducted to assess the growth and survival of Macrobrachium rosenbergii in earthen culture ponds in order to know about the growth potential of M. rosenbergii in mono as well as polyculture conditions in Jammu. Polyculture experiments of prawn with some selected carps Indian Major Carps (Cirrhinus mrigala and Labeo rohita) and Exotic Carps (Cyprinus carpio) were undertaken in 3 freshwater ponds for duration of 4 months. Under the monoculture conditions, prawns attained an average size of 10.40 ± 0.17 cm weighing 23.84 ± 0.32 g in 4 months and the survival rate was found to be more than 75%. The growth rate of prawns was found to increase steadily during the first half (upto mid-October) after which a decline in the growth rate was evident as the mean temperature reached below 18°C. In the polyculture ponds the prawns attained an average size of 10.10 ± 0.03 cm weighing 18.39 ± 0.89g (without C. carpio) and 8.4 ± 0.36 cm weighing 15.23 ± 0.36 g (with C. carpio) in 4 months and their survival rate was less than 70%. Prawns being benthic feeders utilized the leftover food (of the fishes) that settled at the bottom, therefore, saving the feed cost. It was observed that mean size of the fish attained in the polyculture practice was almost similar to that obtained in the monoculture. The ideal prawn polyculture should be practiced with fast growing compatible carps such as Rohu and grass carp. Bottom feeder carps such as Mrigal (C. mrigala) should be avoided in prawn polyculture practice as they compete with prawns in feeding.

The study explores the relationship between technology and the competitive performance of SME’s involved in the agro-food processing business in developing countries like India. The study focuses on describing firm level competitiveness through the technology of selected agro-food processing firms of agriculture and horticulture rich state of India i.e. Jammu and Kashmir. The study is exploratory in nature. The study is largely based upon the primary data collected through a well-structured questionnaire. The results indicate a positive relationship between technology competence & total competitive performance and supports the importance of the technology in improving firm level competitiveness. The results of the present study will be helpful to the SME’s in shaping their present and future competitive position as well as improving the competitiveness. The results can also be beneficial to the policymakers in formulating competitiveness related policies and strategic development of the SME’s.

The study explores the relationship between technology and the competitive performance of SME’s involved in the agro-food processing business in developing countries like India. The study focuses on describing firm level competitiveness through the technology of selected agro-food processing firms of agriculture and horticulture rich state of India i.e. Jammu and Kashmir. The study is exploratory in nature. The study is largely based upon the primary data collected through a well-structured questionnaire. The results indicate a positive relationship between technology competence & total competitive performance and supports the importance of the technology in improving firm level competitiveness. The results of the present study will be helpful to the SME’s in shaping their present and future competitive position as well as improving the competitiveness. The results can also be beneficial to the policymakers in formulating competitiveness related policies and strategic development of the SME’s.

The study explores the relationship between technology and the competitive performance of SME’s involved in the agro-food processing business in developing countries like India. The study focuses on describing firm level competitiveness through the technology of selected agro-food processing firms of agriculture and horticulture rich state of India i.e. Jammu and Kashmir. The study is exploratory in nature. The study is largely based upon the primary data collected through a well-structured questionnaire. The results indicate a positive relationship between technology competence & total competitive performance and supports the importance of the technology in improving firm level competitiveness. The results of the present study will be helpful to the SME’s in shaping their present and future competitive position as well as improving the competitiveness. The results can also be beneficial to the policymakers in formulating competitiveness related policies and strategic development of the SME’s.

No Abstract.

The present study was conducted with an aim of evaluating the effects of sodium-heparin (20 I.U/ml) and di-potassium EDTA (1.0mg/ml) on the haematological parameters and blood cell morphology of freshwater fish Schizothorax labiatus. For blood sampling, fifteen fishes of uniform weight (250 ± 18.5 g) and length (25 ± 2.1 cm) were selected. All the haematological analysis were carried out immediately after sampling. An increase in the haematocrit level was observed in the samples collected with K2EDTA. Red blood cell counts were lower in K2EDTA collected samples as compared to heparinized samples. The WBC counts and haemoglobin concentrations did not differ significantly (p>0.05). Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) increased in K2EDTA sample, while a significant decrease (p2EDTA as compared to heparinized sample. There was however, no significant difference (p>0.05) observed in WBC and thrombocyte area of K2EDTA and heparinized sample. The present study suggests the use of Na-heparin as a preferred anticoagulant for routine haematological analysis of fish blood.

The effect of sublethal concentrations 0.85, 1.20 and 1.53 mg/L of the organophosphate pesticide Dimethoate (Rogor) on the gonadosomatic index of the fish, Cyprinus carpio communis was studied. The Ganado somatic index increased in all control and pesticide treated groups in the investigation but reduction in Gonad somatic index was observed on exposure to the test substance, Dimethoate as compared to control groups. It may be also noted that the reduction in GSI values was maximum at highest concentrations of the organophosphate pesticide in ovaries of the Dimethoate treated fish showed histomorphological disorders. Furthermore, the reduced GSI was found directly proportional to the pesticide concentration and the duration of the exposure.

Typically, growth can be defined as the change in size (length, weight) over time. The length- weight relationship (LWR) and annual condition factor of an economically important snow trout, Schizothorax niger, from Dal lake of Kashmir was studied and reported in this communication. A total of 120 specimens were collected with the help of traditional fishing gear during 2012-2013. The coefficient ‘b’ value of the LWR suggested allometric growth throughout the year except in April, July and September where the growth was isometric (b=3). A trend line graph was applied to compare condition of fish in different months as per the relationship, which indicated declining growth condition. The condition factor showed an overt variation with highest value during the breeding season. The result obtained in this study will be useful for fishery managers to impose adequate regulations for fishery and sustainable management.

The present study was carried out to study the feeding habits of Labeo rohita from culture ponds of Gho-Manhasa fish farm, Jammu. Monthly samples were collected from the ponds to study the gut contents. In case of L. rohita in LrfI (lowest size group) and LrfII, LrfIII 40 guts/group, LrfIV 50 guts (due to non-availability of the size categorized) and 120 guts each in case of LrfV and LrfVI (largest size group) were analysed. For every group 10 guts/month were analysed to study feeding ecology in case of L. rohita. Individual stomach fullness scale was estimated to a subjective scale, ranging from 0 (empty) to 5 (full). The results so obtained were used to compute percentage volume of food items in the gut (%V), percentage of ocurrence of guts having particular food item (%0) and Index of preponderance (IOP). The food of Labeo rohita consisted of plant (algae and macrophytes) and animal matter (protozoa, rotifers, cladocerans, copepods, molluscs, annelids and insects) besides unidentified matter (UM), sand/mud and detritus. Of the total 420 specimens analyzed, only 84 (20%) were found with empty guts and 336 (80%) were found with food components. Index of Preponderance (IOP) revealed that algae, along with protozoans, rotifers and cladocerans were the most preferred food items in the smaller size groups and marked a decline as the size of the fish increased. In the advanced stages, macrophytes, detritus and sand/mud were Found to form a major share of food. Subsequently rohu has been categorized as omnivore-planktophage in early stages of life and herbi-omnivore in adult stages.

Vegetables are important sources of minerals and vitamins. They are attacked by several fungal pathogens and these fungi cause severe losses to these vegetables. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of biocontrol agents such as Trichoderma viride, T. harzianum, Glomus mossae and G. fasciculatium for the control of wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopercici on tomato. There was a significant reduction in wilt severity and improvement in the plant growth parameters and chlorophyll content as a result of application of different doses of biocontrol agents. The growth characteristics also increased with the increase in the dose of biocontrol agents. Highest growth and chlorophyll content was found at higher doses per pot followed by lower doses of treatments as compared to untreated control which showed lowest plant growth.

Nine species of hymenopterous ectoparasitoids were found parasitizing the shot-hole borer, Scolytus nitidus Schedl. (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) on apple trees in Kashmir. The parasitoids with average coefficient of dominance were: Macromesus harithus Narendran (Pteromalidae) (72,70%), Enrytoma morio Boheman (Eurytomidae) (9.73%), Spathius sp. Nees (Braconidae) (8.74%), Rhaphiteluis macnlatus Walker (Pteromalidae) (6.67%) and Cheiropachus quadrant Fabricius (Pteromalidae) (2.15%). Heydenia indica Buhroo (Pteromalidae), Eupelmus vindex Erdos (Eupelmidae), E. kashmiricus Buhroo (Eupelmidae) and E. valsus Narendran (Eupelmidae) were occasional and arrived late in the development of their beetle host. The parasitization by M. harithuss was the highest (52.88%) while the parasitization by other common parasitoids ranged from 1.75 to 7.08. The parasitoid maximum population was observed during April - May and August - September. Field releases of M. harithuss, Spathins sp., E. morio and C. quadrum made at Bandipora for the management of S. nitidus increased the parasitism from 14.8 to 45.3 per cent, while at Naseem Bagh the increase in parasitism ranged from 15.4 to 41.5 per cent indicating the establishment of parasitoids on shot-hole borer.

Conductance and viscosity measurements on cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in water and in presence of KCl were carried out as functions of concentration and temperature. From the conductivity data the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and degree of dissociation, a, of chloride counterions at various temperatures were obtained which were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions of micellization. The counterion dissociation was found to increase with temperature resulting in much greater contribution of enthalpy to micelle formation than is generally accepted. The binding of counterions to micelles increased with increase in concentration of counterions on addition of KCl and its temperature dependence also became less resulting in a decrease in the enthalpy contribution and corresponding increase in entropy of micellization. Intrinsic viscosity, [ηm], of the micellar surfactant solution obtained from the viscosity data were used to calculate the hydration of micelles. [ηm] was found to decrease both with increase of temperature and addition of electrolyte. The degree of hydration showed a similar trend.

Conductance and viscosity measurements on cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) in water and in presence of KCl were carried out as functions of concentration and temperature. From the conductivity data the critical micelle concentration (CMC) and degree of dissociation, a, of chloride counterions at various temperatures were obtained which were used to calculate the thermodynamic functions of micellization. The counterion dissociation was found to increase with temperature resulting in much greater contribution of enthalpy to micelle formation than is generally accepted. The binding of counterions to micelles increased with increase in concentration of counterions on addition of KCl and its temperature dependence also became less resulting in a decrease in the enthalpy contribution and corresponding increase in entropy of micellization. Intrinsic viscosity, [ηm], of the micellar surfactant solution obtained from the viscosity data were used to calculate the hydration of micelles. [ηm] was found to decrease both with increase of temperature and addition of electrolyte. The degree of hydration showed a similar trend.

Of the primary aphidiid parasites of aphids of Rosa spp. encountered in Kashmir Valley. Proan volucre (Haliday) was dominating with wide occurrence and Aphidius avenae Haliday was relatively scarce. Host range, seasonal occurrence and population density of the hyperparasites: Alloxysta sp., Asaphes suspensus(Nees), Coruna spp. and Prionomitus sp. have been studied. The population of A. suspensus was high and of Prionomitus sp. low in various habitats surveyed.