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ID: 66194
Title: Solar Energy Utilization in Kargil and Ladakh (The twin Success stories in Jammu and Kashmir)
Author: - (RE Success story)
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 42-44, June (2016)
Subject: Solar Energy Utilization in Kargil and Ladakh (The twin Success stories in Jammu and Kashmir)
Keywords: None
Abstract: ETC-based solar water heating system has been found to be very useful in Kargil, especially in winter months when the temperature falls tremendously. Hot water is required for all domestic purposes, such as bathing, washing, cleaning and cooking, etc. ETC-based water heating systems installed in houses in Kargil using solar energy as fuel for heating water can save a significant amount of fuel apart from improving the quality of life of the beneficiary and reducing the environmental pollution. The demand for solar water heating (SWH) system is rising day by day.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66193
Title: Sustainable Rural Electrification (The fascinating stories of Dhenkanal district in Odisha and Kongwang village in Meghalaya
Author: - (RE Case study)
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 34-37, June (2016)
Subject: Sustainable Rural Electrification (The fascinating stories of Dhenkanal district in Odisha and Kongwang village in Meghalaya
Keywords: None
Abstract: In the process of finding solutions for sustainable rural electrification. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) along with a group of research partners, led by De Montfort University, the UK, implemented the Off-grid Access Systems for South Asia' (OASYS South Asia) project, where a systematic analysis was conducted to develop an off-grid delivery model framework and implement it through demonstration projects in un-electrified villages across different corners of India. These projects include mini-grids, microgrids, and picogrids, providing either AC or DC power to households and shops/micro-enterprises. One such project is discussed here; where it is employed in the five un-electrified villages lying within the Kandhara Reserve Forest of Dhenkanal district in Odisha, India.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66192
Title: Generation of green energy from paddy straw
Author: Dr Yogender Singh Yadav
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 30-33, June (2016)
Subject: Generation of green energy from paddy straw
Keywords: None
Abstract: Energy is the basic requirement for all progress and uninterrupted supply of energy from clean sources is essential for sustainable development. Energy is the driving force of all economic, social, and environmental processes that strengthen the global sequences. Sustainable development is a challenging task considering the energy needs of any country. I t is an important component in the modern economy to be evolved and deployed in all aspects of the development process. Developing countries have additional considerations of energy quality for urban population, energy security for industries and agriculture, and energy availability for rural subsistence as well as development. The energy resources around the globe are dispensed unevenly and have a progressive deviation in most of the renewable sources.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66191
Title: Smart village nanogrid Energizing rural hinterland
Author: Dr Ashok Das
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 26-29, June (2016)
Subject: Smart village nanogrid Energizing rural hinterland
Keywords: None
Abstract: A comprehensive definition of an ideal village was proposed by Late Dr APJ Kalam as 'PURA' village for provisioning urban amenities for rural areas. A smart village builds around the vision of PURA. In our view, a smart village addresses the elements of PURA through both 'hard interventions, such as agricultural improvement, energy sufficiency, rural industry and locally relevant livelihood, water and waste management, and improved digital connectivity, as well as 'soft 'interventions, such a good governance, better public health services, sanitation, civic services, education and skill development, along with climate change adaptation. A smart village must also move the villagers up the value chain to improve socio-economic status of the citizens.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66190
Title: Power of Urine (Reimagining the future)
Author: Dr S S Verma
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 24-25, June (2016)
Subject: Power of Urine (Reimagining the future)
Keywords: None
Abstract: With around one-seventh of the population lacking access to basic electricity and dwindling of the global supply of oil and coal, scientists are eager to find solutions to power the world in more renewable and sustainable ways. A electric power has become the lieline in modern times, so has the quest of human beings to find out ways to generate clean power from cheap and environment-friendly resources. We are constantly presented with better ways of doing things, but rarely do we see quick implementation or production of these technologies. These methods use very little input, and in some cases, achieve infinite output. In this context, one resource that is always available-human urine-has recently attracted the attention of energy enthusiasts as a resource to generate energy.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66189
Title: Enabling concentrated solar thermal systems in Desert Areas (The Challenges and innovations)
Author: Dr Laltu Chandra, Dr Ambesh Dixit and Dr V Narayanan
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 22-23, June (2016)
Subject: Enabling concentrated solar thermal systems in Desert Areas (The Challenges and innovations)
Keywords: None
Abstract: Desert areas, such as Rajasthan in India, receive reasonable direct normal irradiation (DNI) on account of being located at the equatorial belt. Concentrated solar thermal (CST) system, for example hellostat based, can be utilized for harnessing solar energy for applications, such as electricity, process heat and cooling. However, it must be emphasized that adaptation of such CST concepts to local conditions, such as the arid desert in Rajasthan, is necessary for long-term reliable operation.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66188
Title: Energy access through off-grid micro hydro projects
Author: Onkar Nath
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 18-21, June (2016)
Subject: Energy access through off-grid micro hydro projects
Keywords: None
Abstract: There are different elements that constitute infrastructure, such as road, water, sanitation, electricity, health, telecommunication, etc. Each one contributes and complements other elements in achieving overall development of a region or a Country. Access to electricity is perceived to be a key requirement for poverty reduction by enabling the creation and improvement of income-generating activities.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66187
Title: The National Solar Mission (India Marching ahead in Solar Energy)
Author: Shri Dilip Nigam
Editor: Dr. Arun K.Tripathi
Year: 2016
Publisher: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Akshay Urja Vol. 9 (6) 11-15, June (2016)
Subject: The National Solar Mission (India Marching ahead in Solar Energy
Keywords: None
Abstract: The National Solar Mission (NSM) launched in January 2010, is a major initiative of the Government of India involving States, R&D institutions, and industries to promote solar energy while addressing security and climate change challenges of the Country. Thus, it will constitute a major contribution by India to the global effort to meet the challenges of climate change. The Mission is one of the several initiatives that are part of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
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ID: 66186
Title: Upgradation of the sperm vertical velocity analyzer and uncovering the correlation between vertical velocity and fertility potential
Author: Arpita Bhoumik, Sudipta Saha, Sandhya Rekha Dungdung, Debashis Paul and Gopal Chandra Majumder
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (5) 505-511 10 March. (2025)
Subject: Upgradation of the sperm vertical velocity analyzer and uncovering the correlation between vertical velocity and fertility potential
Keywords: Fertility, instrument, motility, sperm, velocity, vertical
Abstract: The present study enhances the sperm motility analyzer (SPERMA) computer-based instrumental system, correlating sperm ‘vertical velocity’ with fertility potential. The upgraded SPERMA allows simultaneous analysis of four samples at different heights, a substantial improvement over the previous designs. Two prototypes with diverse actuators, lead screws and gears were developed. Vertical velocity data, using goat sperm model, showed a direct correlation with fertilization parameters. The upgraded SPERMA proves valuable in assessing human and mammalian fertility, applicable in infertility clinics, animal breeding and species conservation. Its versatility enables enhanced fertility evaluation and reproductive research and may extend to other basic sciences.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Hamadaa, A., Estevesb, S. C. and Agarwala, A., Unexplained male infertility: potential causes and management. Hum. Androl., 2011, 1, 2–16. Sullivan, R., Male fertility markers, myth or reality. Anim. Reprod. Sci., 2004, 82–83, 341–347.
Literature cited 2: Mandal, M., Saha, S., Ghosh, A. K. and Majumder, G. C., Identification and characterization of a sperm motility promoting glycoprotein from buffalo blood serum. J. Cel. Physiol., 2006, 209, 353–362. Kamidono, S., Hazama, M., Matsumoto, O., Takada, K., Tomioka, O. and Ishigami, J., Study on human spermatozoal motility: preliminary report on newly developed multiple exposure photography method. Andrologia, 1983, 15(2), 111–119

ID: 66185
Title: Foam index as a surrogate measure of protein content: an exploratory and inexpensive laboratory-free tool for students
Author: Rakshitha Madamakki and Subhojit Sen
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (5) 495-504 10 March. (2025)
Subject: Foam index as a surrogate measure of protein content: an exploratory and inexpensive laboratory-free tool for students
Keywords: Froth, grains, home lab, nutrition, protein estimation
Abstract: An easily executable method to track nutritive potential of raw food grains at home is described here. Blanching the soaked grains with the boiled supernatant aided the release of protein into the supernatant which in-turn correlated with the protein content of the grains analysed in this study. When agitated, the supernatant generated stable froth, measured as foam index (FI). When compared with standard protein estimation methodologies (ultra-violet absorption and Folin–Lowry), both the percentage volume of the water absorbed (VA) and FI emerged as potential quantitative parameters. Correlation analyses using multiple grains of varying protein content indicated that VA and FI could serve as laboratory-free surrogate measures of protein content, and therefore a reflection of their nutritional value. To eliminate the possibility of surfactant-mediated foam, an ink-based ‘dye diffusion test’ was developed, wherein the dye was significantly retarded by protein foam. The simplicity of these assays were tested as a part of learning modules, successfully executed even by school students (12–15 years old). Qualitatively, it engaged them in more authentic scientific inquiry in a way that was meaningfully associated with their daily lives. We propose that this technique creates opportunities for participation in citizen science, and can help address questions about cultivar growth in different climatic conditions when analysed temporally in a large networked format.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Eliazer Nelson, A. R. L., Ravichandran, K. and Antony, U., The impact of the green revolution on indigenous crops of India. J. Ethn. Foods, 2019, 6(1), 8; https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-019- 0011-9. Council, N. R., Lost Crops of Africa: Volume I: Grains, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, 1996; https://doi.org/ 10.17226/2305.
Literature cited 2: Wolfe, R. R., Baum, J. I., Starck, C. and Moughan, P. J., Factors contributing to the selection of dietary protein food sources. Clin. Nutr., 2018, 37(1), 130–138; https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.clnu.2017.11.017. Dwivedi, S., Sahrawat, K., Upadhyaya, H. and Ortiz, R., Food, Nutrition and Agrobiodiversity under Global Climate Change. In Advances in Agronomy (ed. Sparks, D. L.), Academic Press, USA, 2013, vol. 120, chap. 1, pp. 1–128; https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0- 12-407686-0.00001-4.

ID: 66184
Title: Unveiling margin of safety and break-even point of open vis-à-vis protected capsicum cultivation in the northwestern Himalayan state
Author: Niyati Thakur , Ravinder Sharma , Pinaki Roy, Shilpa and Ajit Sharma and T. N. Roy
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (5) 479-484 10 March. (2025)
Subject: Unveiling margin of safety and break-even point of open vis-à-vis protected capsicum cultivation in the northwestern Himalayan state
Keywords: Break-even analysis, capsicum, margin of safety, profitability, protected vis-à-vis open cultivation.
Abstract: In the context of mitigating climate change with investment in advanced production technology, the study was conducted in 2022–23 to ascertain the impacts of open versus protected cultivation of capsicum in the northwestern Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. Capsicum is a high-value commercial crop, and it has a lot of scope to augment farm income. Although the initial cost for polyhouses is higher, protected cultivation delivers far better technical and economic results. The yields and net income increased by 200% and 258% respectively, compared to open field conditions. Output–input ratios (3.30 and 2.55) for protected and open are also highly prospective. A higher value of break even point and a larger margin of safety in protected cultivation implies enhanced feasibility of additional financial involvement and resilience against production risks (yield and profitability), which could help mitigate the climatic risks. Since the return part of the technology is ascertained, the policymakers, researchers and practitioners can leverage these insights to promote these sustainable agricultural strategies among the resource-poor cultivators amidst climate uncertainties. Technical and financial support may encourage the adoption of protected cultivation, which can enhance food security and farmers’ income and foster agricultural sustainability in the regions. Future research will explore the scope of diversification of crops to validate the scaling-up of the benefits of protected cultivation at macro level.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Rosenzweig, C., Iglesias, A., Yang, X., Epstein, P. R. and Chivian, E., Climate change and extreme weather events; implications for food production, plant diseases, and pests. Glob. Change Hum. Health, 2001, 2, 90–104. Chhogyel, N. and Kumar, L., Climate change and potential impacts on agriculture in Bhutan: a discussion of pertinent issues. Agric. Food Secur., 2018, 7, 79.
Literature cited 2: Aryal, J. P., Sapkota, T. B., Khurana, R., Khatri-Chhetri, A., Rahut, D. B. and Jat, M. L., Climate change and agriculture in South Asia: adaptation options in smallholder production systems. Environ. Develop. Sustain., 2022, 22, 5045–5075. Prabhakar, I., Vijayaragavan, K., Singh, P., Singh, B., Janakiram, Manjunatha, B. L., Jaggi, S. and Sekar, I., Constraints in adoption and strategies to promote poly house technology among farmers: a multi-stakeholder and multi-dimensional study. Indian J. Agric. Sci., 2017, 87, 485–490.

ID: 66183
Title: Insecticidal activity of leaf proteins isolated from tuberous Ipomoea mauritiana against sweetpotato weevil
Author: B. G. Sangeetha, Athira. J. K. Jayan , T. Makeshkumar , T. Santhoshkumar , G. Ajesh , E. R. Harish and L. S. Rajeshwari
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (5) 472-478 10 March. (2025)
Subject: Insecticidal activity of leaf proteins isolated from tuberous Ipomoea mauritiana against sweetpotato weevil
Keywords: Extraction, Ipomoea sp., protease inhibitory assay, protein, sweetpotato, TCA-acetone.
Abstract: Sweet potato is one of the most important food crops in the world and serves as a rich source of carbohydrates, beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals. Sweet potato weevil is one of the harmful pests infesting the crop and remains a challenge for crop cultivation. From screening of different Ipomoea spp., wild tuberous Ipomoea mauritiana was identified as resistant to sweet potato weevil infestation. Hence, several extractions methods for the isolation of proteins from the leaves of different wild I. mauritiana, Ipomoea palmata, Ipomoea triloba and Ipomoea obscura were standardised. Further, the crude protein extract from I. mauritiana was tested against adult sweet potato weevils using the leaf dip method. The mortality of the weevils was observed for crude extract isolated after 48 h at a concentration of protein ranges from 4 to 5 mg/ml. Further, to study the effects of crude protein of I. mauriatiana, the protein content and various enzymes from sweet potato weevil was estimated after treatment. Significant reduction in the amount of protein was observed after treatment with crude leaf protein, which shows the presence of protease inhibitor activity. Significant difference was observed in the different enzyme activity, viz. superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione s-transferase of sweetpotato weevil, which also reveals the insecticidal activity of crude protein extract. In conclusion, this is one of the first studies regarding the evaluation of insecticidal activity of leaf protein extract from the wild I. mauritiana against sweetpotato weevils, and our studies revealed the presence of insecticidal proteins as well as protease inhibitors from the leaves of I. mauritiana. Further studies will be done to identify and purify novel proteins from I. mauritiana using a proteomics approach to evaluate insecticidal activity against sweet potato weevil
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Yang, J. et al., Haplotype-resolved sweetpotato genome traces back its hexaploidization history. Nat. Plants, 2017, 3, 696–703. Varon, D. and Collins, W., Ipomoein in the major soluble protein of sweetpotato storage roots. Hortscience, 1989, 24(5), 829– 830.
Literature cited 2: Benjamin, B. A. C., Sweetpotato: a review of its past, present, and future role in human nutrition. Adv. Food Nutr. Res., 2007, 52, 1–59. Kyereko, W. T., Hongbo, Z., Amoanimaa-Dede, H., Meiwei, G. and Yeboah, A., The major sweetpotato weevils; management and control: a review. Entomol. Ornithol. Herpetol., 2019, 8, 218; doi: 10.35248/2161-0983.8.218

ID: 66182
Title: Assessment of remote sensing-based environmental features of severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ over the Bay of Bengal in October 2024
Author: Sunil Kumar, Shashi Kant , Amrit Kumar and Satya Prakash
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (5) 465-471 10 March. (2025)
Subject: Assessment of remote sensing-based environmental features of severe cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ over the Bay of Bengal in October 2024
Keywords: Bay of Bengal, dynamic features, satellite imagery, structural analysis, thermodynamic processes, tropical cyclone.
Abstract: The present study investigates the structural, dynamic and thermodynamic characteristics of severe cyclonic storm, ‘Dana’, the first post-monsoon tropical cyclone over the North Indian Ocean in 2024. Using synoptic data and satellite imageries, we have analysed the evolution of storm, intensity changes and atmospheric interactions. The structural analysis reveals that ‘Dana’ predominantly exhibited an irregular central dense overcast pattern with a mean diameter of 173 km throughout its lifecycle. Dynamically, the development and movement of the cyclone were influenced by wind profiles, sea-surface temperature (SST), upper-level divergence, lower-level convergence and atmospheric pressure patterns. The average vertical wind shear was 16 knots, increasing to 20 knots during cyclone strengthening. Regarding thermodynamics, SST ranged from 29°C to 30°C over the central and northern Bay of Bengal and the north Andaman Sea, with tropical cyclone heat potential between 100 and 112 kJ/cm2 . This study integrates satellite-based observations with traditional meteorological data, providing valuable insights into the internal dynamics of the cyclone and contributing to improved forecasting and understanding of factors influencing tropical cyclone intensity and track in the region.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Vigh, J. L., Knaff. J. A. and Schubert W. H. A., Climatology of hurricane eye formation. Mon. Weather Rev., 2012, 140, 1405– 1456; https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-11-00108.1. Knapp, K. R., Velden, C. S. and Wimmers, A. J., A global climatology of tropical cyclone eyes. Mon. Weather Rev., 2018, 146(7), 2089–2101; https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-17-0343.1.
Literature cited 2: Mohapatra, M., Sharma, M., Devi, S. S., Kumar, S. V. J. and Sabade, B. S., Frequency of genesis and landfall of different categories of tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean. Mausam, 2021, 72, 1–26. Gray, W. M., Global view of the origin of tropical disturbances and storms. Mon. Weather Rev., 1968, 96(10), 669–700; https://doi.org/ 10.1175/1520.

ID: 66181
Title: Two-decade long spatial–temporal study of vegetation dynamics over the Narmada river basin, India
Author: Heli S. Oza, Dhruva R. Jani , Nikhil Lele , Sandip R. Oza , Bimal Kumar Bhattacharya and Hitesh A. Solanki
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (5) 457-464 10 March. (2025)
Subject: Two-decade long spatial–temporal study of vegetation dynamics over the Narmada river basin, India
Keywords: HydroSHED, MODIS NDVI, Narmada basin, vegetation dynamics, vegetation fraction.
Abstract: India is an agriculture dominated country, which requires well managed irrigation system across the river basins to benefit farmers. Narmada basin is one of the largest basins in India, having a large-scale implementation of irrigation network in the last few decades. A study of vegetation dynamics, along with associated environmental and surface parameters, is required for the sustainable development. However, only a few studies focused on the basin level and sub-basin level vegetation dynamics. The present study is focused on dynamically varying vegetation over spatial and temporal scales for Narmada basin and its sub-basins using MODIS normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) data (2000–2021). Changes were observed in the fractional vegetation cover using MODIS vegetation continuing field (VCF) data, surface soil moisture using microwave remote sensing based derived soil moisture data and MODIS aqua day and night land surface temperature data. Time-series analysis revealed the increasing trend of NDVI at basin level and majority of subbasins. An increase in fractional vegetation cover associated with improved vegetation condition was observed during the last two decades (2000–2020). Change in cropping pattern was observed over wide area across the basin, showing increase in the number of months with vegetation cover along with associated increase in yearly cumulative soil moisture and decrease in day and night temperature difference. The present study fills the gap area in the existing literature describing changes observed in the vegetation dynamic pattern over Narmada basin after the implementation of large-scale irrigation network during last two-decade
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Thakur, T. K. et al., Assessment of decadal land use dynamics of upper catchment area of Narmada River, the lifeline of central India. J. King Saud Univ. - Sci., 2021, 33(2), 101322; doi:10.1016/ j.jksus.2020.101322 Zhang, W., Wang, L., Xaing, F., Qin, W. and Jiang, W., Vegetation dynamics and the relations with climate change at multiple time scales in the Yangtze River and Yellow River basin, China. Ecol. Indic., 2020, 110; doi:j.ecolind.2019.105892
Literature cited 2: Bhatt, D., Kundu, A., Mall, R. K. and Raju, K. N. P., Dynamics of vegetation response to seasonal rainfall in the Gomati river basin (India) using earth observation data sets. J. Sci. Res., 2020, 64, 20–31. Liu, F., Qin, T., Girma, A. and Wang, H., Dynamics of land-use and vegetation change using NDVI and transfer matrix: a case study of the Huaihe River Basin. Pol. J. Environ. Stud., 2018, 28, 213–223.

ID: 66180
Title: Season-dependent reproductive performance in a non-seasonally breeding diurnal species, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
Author: Nidhi Yadav, Mayank Kumar, Vatsala Tripathi and Sanjay Kumar Bhardwaj
Editor: S.K.Satheesh
Year: 2025
Publisher: Current Science Association and Indian Academy of Sciences.
Source: ENVIS, CES & EWRG, CES
Reference: Current Science Vol. 128 (5) 452-456 10 March. (2025)
Subject: Season-dependent reproductive performance in a non-seasonally breeding diurnal species, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
Keywords: Clutch size, nest building, reproduction, seasons, zebra finch.
Abstract: The reproduction and its associated behaviour in a non-seasonal species are considered totally independent of seasons. To assess this, we examined seasonal differences in the nest building and reproductive performance in diurnal zebra finches that were hatched and raised in outdoor aviaries. Adult male and female birds were separately housed in cages equipped with two perches stacked in a large aviary, receiving the natural day length (NDL) and temperature conditions. Cages housing male birds were also fixed with a nest box. After two weeks of acclimation, the males and females were paired randomly, and the parameters of nest building and reproductive performance, such as the onset of egg laying, clutch size and hatchlings and fledglings per pair, were recorded in the winter (second week of November 2022 to the first week of February 2023), and subsequently similarly in the summer (third week of April 2023 to the first week of July 2023) seasons. The pairs took more time to initiate (mean ± SE – winter: 2.92 ± 0.58; summer: 2.33 ± 0.45) and complete (mean ± SE – winter: 6.75 ± 0.52; summer: 4.50 ± 0.27) the nest in winter, as compared to that in summer. Per pair, the clutch size was significantly smaller in winter (mean ± SE: 2.2 ± 0.36) than in summer (mean ± SE: 3.6 ± 0.34), but the hatchlings (P = 0.2123) and fledglings (P = 0.5302) were not significantly different between the two seasons, perhaps due to higher temperature and dryness in summer. These results indicated an underlying seasonality in zebra finches, which could be economically useful to those engaged in breeding and raising of pet species.
Location: T E 15 New Biology building
Literature cited 1: Lack, D., Ecological Adaptations for Breeding in Birds, Methuen, London, 1968, vol. 33, p. 402. Murton, R. K. and Westwood, N. J., Avian Breeding Cycles, Clarendon Press, Oxford
Literature cited 2: Bentley, G. E., Spar, B. D., MacDougall-Shackelton, S. A., Hahn, T. P. and Ball, G. F., Photoperiodic regulation of the reproductive axis in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Gen. Comp. Endocrinol., 2000, 117, 449–455; https://doi.org/10.1006/gcen.1999 .7430 Visser, M. E., Holleman, L. J. and Caro, S. P., Temperature has a causal effect on avian timing of reproduction. Proc. R. Soc. B: Biol. Sci., 2009, 276, 2323–2331; https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2009.0213.