In this article, a detailed systematic methodology to fabricate and characterize the diverse properties of soy protein and sisal fiber reinforced green composites has been presented. After fabrication by hand lay-up and solution casting method, these composites with varying sisal fiber weight percentages (0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10) were put to various characterization tests. The surfaces of sisal fiber were treated with sodium hydroxide to enhance its interfacial bonding properties. The fabricated samples were examined on the basis of microstructural tests that included the scanning electron microscopy; followed by the mechanical (tensile) and physical (water absorption) tests. Finally, the thermal tests were performed that involved the thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis tests. The phytagel modified soy protein-based composite with 5 wt.% of sisal fiber content was confirmed to be the best of all compositions under this scrutiny, which was authenticated by the micro-structural and mechanical tests. To further enhance the mechanical, physical and thermal properties of fabricated composites, chitosan coating was applied on them.

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The present research was conducted to study the growth performance of 906 Pantja kids of 514 goats sired by 26 bucks maintained by registered farmers under All India Co-ordinated Research Project on goats (Pantja field Unit) running in College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) during 2015-16. The overall least-square means for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age were found to be 1.89±0.02, 9.49±0.20, 13.09±0.18, 16.38±0.19 and 18.84±0.22 kg, respectively. The random effect of sire was highly significant (P<0.01) on body weight at birth, 3, 6 and 9 months of age whereas, this effect was found to be significant (P<0.05) on 12 months body weight. The cluster had a highly significant (P< 0.01) effect on birth, 3, 6 and 12 months body weights.Type of birth and sex of kid was found to be highly significant on birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months body weights. The heritability estimates were 0.25±0.09, 0.38±0.12, 0.30±0.11, 0.29±0.08 and 0.43±0.13 for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of age, respectively. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of body weight to body weight at subsequent ages were observed to be high and positive.Key words: Body weight, Cluster, Heritability, Pantja goats, Sire. INTRODUCTIONIndia possess 26 recognized breeds of goats, which constitute 20-25 per cent of the total goat population and remaining are non-descript with mixed features. Pantja is a newly registered goat breed of Tarai region of Uttarakhand, which is mainly reared for meat purpose by the farmers of this region. These goats are recognized for similarity with deer in their morphological characteristicsand are commonly found in hot and humid climate (Tarai region) of Uttarakhand and adjoining district of Uttar Pradesh. Growth is an early expressed trait and has a direct bearing on the age of maturity, which in turn is stated to be highly genetically and nongenetically correlated with lifetime production and reproduction. Based on their growth, meat animal can be evaluated at an early age, which can significantly enhance/ promote push up the economics of goat industry. More over growthis an indication of health and adaptability of the animal. It can be used as a useful check of the systems of feeding and management.Genetic studies on growth performance in Indian goats, in general and particular in Pantja are lacking. Therefore, the study was undertaken to evaluate the growth performance and the effect of genetic and non-genetic factors affecting the growth traits that can create a good foundation for genetic evaluation and formulation of breeding plans for further genetic improvement of the breed.

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