Effects of shade on guinea grass genotypes Megathyrsus maximus (Poales: Poaceae)

Introduction: Light stress is an important factor limiting the biomass yield while combining forage production with crops or forestry. Guinea grass is a widely adapted perennial fodder grass. The species exhibits high degree of variation for morphology, adaptation and biomass yield. Objective: Since there is a need in identifying shade adapted forage grasses for the expanding area under agroforestry/silvipastures, the present investigation took the task of understanding how the morphologically distinct genotypes of guinea grass respond under different shaded intensities. Methods: In the present study, forty-four genotypes related with the shade response were studied in varying shading conditions (pure sunlight, 25, 50 and 75 % shade) created artificially. Results: Based on green and dry matter yields ranking, the genotype IG 01-98 performed the best followed by genotypes IG 01-92, IG 97-5, IG 97-6 and IG 01-89 in decreasing order. Particularly, IG 01-93 was identified as the best performing under 50 % shading conditions. On the other hand, most of the top ranking genotypes performed well both under open and up to 50 % of shade. Morphologically, these genotypes were taller and possessed longer and broader leaves. Under shaded conditions (over 50 %), leaf length and width showed an increasing trend compared to open conditions. Also, chlorophyll content increased with shading intensity. Conclusions: Most of the genotypes collected from the southern Indian humid tropical environment with early flowering nature were tolerant to shade. Differential genotypic response was observed for biomass yield and yield attributes under shade. The study established appreciable variability for shade tolerance among genotypes.

Introducción: El estrés leve es un factor importante que limita el rendimiento de la biomasa al tiempo que combina laproducción forrajera con los cultivos o la silvicultura. El zacate guinea es una planta de forraje perenne ampliamente adaptada. La especie presenta un alto grado de variación en su morfología, adaptación y rendimiento de biomasa. Objetivo: Como existe la necesidad de la identificación de pastos forrajeros adaptados a la sombra para el área de expansión bajo agroforestería /silvicultura, la presente investigación se realizó para entender cómo los genotipos morfológicamente distintos al zacate guinea responden a diferentes intensidades de sombra. Métodos: Se estudiaron 44 genotipos y su respuesta a los niveles de sombra: luz solar pura y 25, 50 y 75 % de sombra (creados artificialmente). Resultados: Basado en la clasificación de rendimientos demateria verde y seca, el genotipo IG 01-98 fue el mejor, seguido de los genotipos IG 01-92, IG 97-5, IG 97-6 e IG 01-89 en orden decreciente. Por su parte, el IG 01-93 fue identificado como el de mayor rendimiento bajo el 50 % de condición de sombra. La mayoría de los genotipos de primer nivel tuvieron un buen desempeño, tanto bajo sombra abierta como al 50 %. Morfológicamente, estos genotipos fueron más altos y poseían hojas más largas y más anchas. En condiciones de sombra, de más del 50 %, la longitud y ancho de la hoja mostraron una tendencia creciente en comparación con la condición abierta. El contenido de clorofila aumentó con la intensidad de la sombra. Conclusiones: La mayoría de los genotipos recolectados al sur de la India en un ambiente tropical húmedo y tienen una floración temprana, fueron tolerantes a la sombra. Se observó una respuesta genotípica diferencial para los atributos de rendimiento y rendimiento de biomasa bajo sombra. El estudio mostró la existencia de una variabilidad apreciable para la tolerancia a la sombra entre los genotipos.

Evaluation of home based postnatal care provided by accredited social health activist worker in a rural community of Haryana: a cross-sectional study

Background: The post-natal period is the most critical time for the mother and the newborn. Most of the maternal deaths occur in first month of life. Based on these facts Government of India took an initiative, home based postnatal care (HBPNC), to follow up postnatal mothers and newborns for first six weeks. The present study assessed the quality of HBPNC provided by accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers and various factors associated with it.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted under Community Health Center, Dubaldhan in block Beri of Haryana. A total of 60 ASHA workers were visited and all the postnatal mothers under the supervision of each ASHA worker were included in the study. In this way 264 postnatal mothers were contacted. A scoring system was used to assess the quality of HBPNC given by ASHA worker.Results: Majority of ASHA workers were not able to record temperature and weight of the baby correctly. Regarding care of cord and danger signs in newborn only half (50%) of the mothers were counselled, whereas, only 48% mothers were counseled regarding care of eyes. Statistically significant association of quality of newborn care with education and training attended by ASHA workers was seen.Conclusions: Our study confirmed that most of the new born babies were not getting good quality of home based newborn care. Recent training attended by ASHA worker is highly associated with providing good quality newborn care to babies by ASHA workers.