The present study aimed to phenotypically characterize the indigenous geese of Assam, in North East India. These geese were observed to have two types of plumage colour (white and cinnamon) and plumage pattern (solid and bordered); and three different bill colours (black, orange, yellow). The shank and feet colour was found to be mostly orange and sometimes yellow. The eye colour was found to be black, brown and sometimes grey and skin colour as white. The least squares means for body weight at hatching, 4, 6-8 and 12 months and above age were 0.087±0.001, 3.030±0.022, 3.480±0.055 and 3.970±0.025 kg, respectively. The average age at first egg, annual egg production, clutch size and clutch interval were 320.196±2.882 days, 19.886±0.306, 9.897±0.143 and 59.206±0.531 days. Average fertility and hatchability percentage under natural condition were found to be 87.11% and 80.53%, respectively. The study revealed that the indigenous geese of Assam are heavier birds with high potential for meat production with two colour variants, viz. White and Cinnamon in the study area covering four districts. The study generated baseline information on physical characteristics, productive and reproductive performances of indigenous geese of Assam under native field condition which would be of great help in documentation and development of breed descriptors for registration, improvement and conservation.

Fecundity gene such as FecX, govern fertility and litter size in sheep. Selection of animals with the help of molecular markers through identification of polymorphism of fecundity genes is an impactful method of genetic improvement. The present study was carried out to identify the polymorphism of FecX gene in indigenous sheep of Meghalaya. Blood samples were collected from 50 randomly selected ewes from 2 districts of Meghalaya namely, East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples and PCR amplification of FecX gene with specific primer set was done. PCR product size of 141 bp was obtained. Further, digestion of the PCR product with restriction enzyme HinfI through PCR-RFLP technique was conducted to identify the variants in FecX gene. Upon digestion, 2 types of fragment pattern identified, arbitrarily designated as AA and AB genotype, where AA genotype yielded one fragment (141 bp) and AB genotype yielded 2 fragments (100 and 41 bp). Presence of polymorphism can be an important indicator for selection with the help of molecular markers.

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Binjharpuri, a dual purpose indigenous breed of Odisha is commonly reared for its various advantages, viz. optimum milk production in low input management system, excellent draft ability in hot humid climate condition and heat resistance ability. In the present study, attempt was made to evaluate production performance along with influence of non- genetic effects such as location, lactation order and season of calving on production traits of binjharpuri cattle. The overall average least square means along with standard error for lactation milk yield, average daily milk yield, peak yield, lactation length and dry period were found to be 974.490±6.788 kg, 3.557±0.023 kg, 4.633±0.021 kg, 274.444±1.249 days and 121.913±0.611 days, respectively. Location had highly significant effect on lactation milk yield, average daily milk yield, lactation length and dry period, whereas non-significant effect on peak yield. Lactation order too had highly significant effect on the traits considered under study. Season of calving had highly significant effect on lactation milk yield, average daily milk yield; significant effect on lactation length whereas non-significant effect on peak yield and dry period. Significant influence of non-genetic factors and significant variations in traits under study is suggestive that remarkable improvement in the Binjharpuri cattle populace can be targeted through better management and by nurturing effective breeding strategies.