Agricultural Research Journal

The population structure and reproductive activity of Bandicota bengalensis were studied at different growth stages of wheat crop. The minimum population size and absence of pregnancy were observed during the initial stages of the crop i.e. during tillering and panicle initiation stage as well as during lean period. The population size (8) and number of pregnant rats (66.66%) were found to be maximum during pre-harvest stage of crop. The weight of ovaries (0.026±0.001g/100g bw) and testes (0.34±0.02 g/100 g bw) and sperm parameters i.e. sperm motility (74.00±1.86%), sperm viability (79.40±1.96%) and sperm count (176.70± 4.55 million/ml) were significantly higher during pre-harvest stage. The histomorphological studies revealed that the diameter of mature ovarian follicles and seminiferous tubules was maximum during later growth stages (dough and pre-harvest) and lean period. Thus, reproductive inactivity of bandicoot rats was observed during tillering/panicle initiation stage and breeding peak was observed during the later growth stages of the wheat crop i.e. dough and pre-harvest.