Maximum Biological Efficiency Research Articles

Optimizing the protection of winter wheat from phytopathogens to obtain a healthy harvest

The article deals with the results of production comparative experiments of fungicides applied in the flowering phase of winter wheat in the Stavropol region in the zone of unstable humidification. It was found that the maximum biological efficiency against fungal diseases within 24 days fungicides containing active substances prochloraz + tebuconazole and diphenoconazole + tebuconazole possess. The highest yield was obtained in the variant where we applied fungicide with active substances prochloraz + tebuconazole with a rate of consumption of 1.2 liters / ha 69.2 kg / ha this is 2.7-7.7 kg / ha more than in other variants. It was found that the mass of a thousand grains is directly correlated with yield, in the variant with the use of fungicide with active substances prochloraz + tebuconazole the mass of a thousand grains was the maximum 45.4 grams. Phytoexpertise of seeds showed that the lowest content of fusarium grains was in the variant with the use of fungicide with active substances prochloraz + tebuconazole. Not high content of fusarium grains 1.7-2.0 % was in the variants where we treated with fungicides containing active substances diphenoconazole + tebuconazole and spiroxamine + prothioconazole.

Evaluation of local substrates as rice straw alternatives for oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) cultivation in resource-constrained Darchula, Nepal

Oyster mushroom cultivation, though cost-effective, faces constraints due to seasonality and substrate availability. An experimental study was conducted in the resource-constrained Darchula district of Nepal from February to May 2022. The aim was to identify and recommend economically sustainable alternatives to rice straw for oyster mushroom production using local substrates in regions with limited resources. Six treatments; rice straw (T1), banana leaves and pseudostem (T2), maize cob (T3), sawdust (T4), grass (Eulaliopsis sp.) (T5), and spent mushroom substrates (T6); were employed in a completely randomized design with four replications. Statistical analysis of growth and yield parameters revealed significant results (P values ranging from P>0.001 to P>0.05) across all parameters. The maize cob treatment exhibited a shorter spawn run period (20.50 days) and the earliest pinhead formation (25 days). The highest total yield (3.14 kg) across three flushes was obtained from paddy straw, followed by T2 and T5, yielding 2.05 kg and 1.43 kg, respectively. Sawdust, despite its larger stalk (1.23 cm) and pileus diameter (7.72 cm), had the lowest production (0.63 kg). Maximum biological efficiency was recorded for T1 (139.63%), followed by T2, T5, and T3, respectively. Economically, T1 resulted in the highest gross margin per 10 kg of substrate (NRs.1845.22) and the highest B:C ratio (2.51), followed by T5 and T2. These findings highlight the promise of locally abundant substrates such as banana leaves, pseudo stems, Eulaliopsis, and maize cobs as economically viable alternatives to rice straw in regions with limited straw availability or unsuitable climates for rice cultivation.

Evaluation of the growth regulator Stimmunol EF<sup>®</sup> influence on resistance of peach tree to the main phytopatogenes and on productivity of culture

The subtropical zone of the Black Sea coast of Russia is favorable for peach growing, but the crop is susceptible to a number of diseases that adversely affect the productivity and quality of fruits. The main method of peach protection is chemical, however, the long-term use of fungicides entails a serious environmental burden on the agrocenosis as a whole and leads to the emergence of resistance of phytopathogens. Thus, the study of the effectiveness of the drugs use that increase the natural plants immunity is an extremely relevant scientific area. In a field experiment, the influence of the growth regulator Stimmunol EF® in different application rates on the peach resistance to the main diseases of fruits and leaves, as well as crop yield, was investigated. The studies were carried out in peach orchards (Red Haven cultivar) of the Federal Research Centre the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia, Sochi) according to standard methods in 2021-2022. The assessment of the Stimmunol EF® immunostimulating effect on peach in relation to leaf curl was carried out against an average infectious background (development of the disease in control 31.2 % in 2021 and 33.4 % in 2022). Standard treatment (Delan®; Skor®) reduced the intensity of leaf curl development by 4 and 5.7 times, in the first and second years of the experiment, respectively. Stimmunol EF® restrained the development of the disease at the level of the standard. The biological effectiveness of Stimmunol EF® against leaf curl reached 70.3-72.4 % at the peak of the maximum development of the disease (in May). The intensity of clusterosporiosis development was at a high level and reached 37.5-49.8 % in July. The use of fungicides in the standard restrained the development of the disease by 4.2 times. With the use of Stimmunol EF® (100 ml/ha), the development of the disease decreased by 3.8 times in 2021 and 2.9 times in 2022. Biological efficiency was 74.2 % and 66.4 % at the maximum rate of application of the drug (100 ml/ha); 67.8% and 48.5% – at the minimum (50 ml/ha), respectively, in the first and second years of research. The biological efficiency of the standard was 76.7-75.2 %. The intensity of fruit rot development in the control ranged from 13.6-17.1 %, in the standard it did not exceed 6.1 %. Stimmunol EF® inhibited the fruit rot development only at the maximum application rate of 100 ml/ha (maximum biological efficiency was 58.4 %). The yield of peach when treated with growth regulator Stimmunol EF® increased by 132.8-176.2% relative to the control.

Substrate dependent growth optimization of Pleurotus florida mushroom on inexpensive substrates

The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) is one of the cultivated edible mushrooms and has certain medicinal properties as well as economic and ecological values. Every year, massive amounts of ligno-cellulosic agricultural crop residues are produced worldwide, and not all of them are properly utilized. There are many ways of managing agricultural waste, one of which is mushroom cultivation. This study was conducted to compare the influence of selected consortiums of agricultural residues on the growth of Pleurotus florida. This species was cultivated on different combinations of substrates, viz., dried bread grass (Brachiaria brizantha), soybean straw, sawdust, rice straw, wheat straw, cotton straw, and sugarcane bagasse. Parameters such as height of stipe, girth of stipe, width of pileus, biological efficiency, and moisture content of fruiting bodies were evaluated. All the experiments were performed in triplicate. The supreme combination of substrates was found to be dried bread grass (8%), soybean straw (15%), saw dust (25%), rice straw (20%), wheat straw (15%), cotton straw (10%), and sugarcane bagasse (7%). This combination has given the best yield in terms of mean fresh weight of fruiting bodies (56.5 g), height of stipe (3.86 cm), girth of stipe (18.33 mm), and width of pileus (5.60 cm). The maximum biological efficiency was obtained 75.55%.

The use of biological products in soybean crops

The results of research on the effect of biopreparations on soybean plants in the Primorsky Territory are presented. The experiment was conducted in 2020, 2021 under the conditions of a plot experiment. The preparations were studied on soybean plants of the Primorskaya 86 variety. The objects of research are microbiological preparation Biocomposite-correct and organomineral fertilizer Biostim Start. The experiment scheme included the following variants: without treatment (control); treatment of seeds with Biocomposite Correct; treatment of seeds and plants spraying with Biocomposite Correct; treatment of seeds with Biocomposite Correct + Biostim Start; treatment of seeds with Biocomposite Correct and Biostim Start + plants spraying with Biocomposite Correct. The use of biopreparations contributed to a decrease in the intensity of septoriosis development relative to the control (29.8%) by 5.2-6.8%. The maximum biological efficiency in the experiment (23.1%) was observed in the variant with treatment of soybean seeds with Biocomposite-correct. Complex treatment with Biocomposite-correct provided a reduction of downy mildew manifestations by 8.2%, the biological effectiveness was 37.8%. The biological products had a positive effect on the plant growth and development. The largest plant growth in the phase of full maturity was noted in the variant with Biocomposite Correct + Biostim Start + plant spraying with Biocomposite Correct (56.6 cm), in the control - 49.3 cm. When using biopreparations, the number of nodules exceeded the control by 17.4-34.1%, the number of leaves by 28.3-39.5%. The thousand-seed weight varied between 180.0-190.6 g in the experimental variants, and 157.5 g in the control. The seed weight per plant in the experimental variants was higher than the control by 41.3-70.6%. The studied preparations provided an increase in the yield in all the variants of the experiment. The biological yield was 3.3-3.7 t/ha with the yield of 2.5 t/ha in the control.

USE OF PEANUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA) SHELLS WASTE ALONG WITH DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR THE CULTIVATION OF PLEUROTUS PULMONARIUS

The renovation of agro-industrial waste to valuable form such as protein containing food is dire need of world to decrease the agricultural and industrial waste material. Pleurotus pulmonariusis a type of oyster mushroom used generally as protein rich food. Oyster mushroom is commonly used as commercial level for the protein consumption. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) shells are not easily degradable in the natural environment so mushroom cultivation can easily convert the cellulosic material into protein with less effort and time. Research was conducted on the Pleurotus pulmonaris cultivation by utilizing chiefly peanut shell along with other agricultural wastes such as wheat straw, cotton straw and Paper waste. Cultivation of oyster mushroom was observed on peanut shell substrate by mixing it with cotton waste, wheat straw and paper waste. It was found that the best yield 337.68 g of mushroom was observed when peanut shell was mixed with cotton waste with maximum biological efficiency 33.38%. While the minimum yield 156.58 g was observed when peanut shell alone was used as substrate with minimum biological efficiency 18.21%.

USE OF PEANUT (ARACHIS HYPOGAEA) SHELLS WASTE ALONG WITH DIFFERENT AGRICULTURAL WASTES FOR THE CULTIVATION OF PLEUROTUS PULMONARIUS

The renovation of agro-industrial waste to valuable form such as protein containing food is dire need of world to decrease the agricultural and industrial waste material. Pleurotus pulmonariusis a type of oyster mushroom used generally as protein rich food. Oyster mushroom is commonly used as commercial level for the protein consumption. Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) shells are not easily degradable in the natural environment so mushroom cultivation can easily convert the cellulosic material into protein with less effort and time. Research was conducted on the Pleurotus pulmonaris cultivation by utilizing chiefly peanut shell along with other agricultural wastes such as wheat straw, cotton straw and Paper waste. Cultivation of oyster mushroom was observed on peanut shell substrate by mixing it with cotton waste, wheat straw and paper waste. It was found that the best yield 337.68 g of mushroom was observed when peanut shell was mixed with cotton waste with maximum biological efficiency 33.38%. While the minimum yield 156.58 g was observed when peanut shell alone was used as substrate with minimum biological efficiency 18.21%.

Impact of Inorganic Chemicals on Growth and Yield Potential of Pleurotus sajor-caju

The experiments on Impact of Inorganic Chemicals on Growth and Yield Potential of Pleurotus sajor-caju were conducted during October–November 2018–2019 and 2019–2020 in Completely Randomized Design at Mushroom Research and Development Centre, Department of Plant Pathology, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. Among all the treatments, minimum 11 days required for spawn running in the combination of Wheat straw+NPK 5 mg+CaCO3 6 mg. Similarly, the minimum number of days required for pin head formation and harvesting days were also noticed in T5 treatment (wheat straw+5 g NPK+6 g CaCO3), representing 15 and 20 days respectively. The treatment T5 produced maximum number of fruiting bodies where combinations were given as wheat straw+5 g NPK+6 g CaCO3.The maximum stipe length and width of pileus were also recorded maximum in treatment T5, showing 7.9 cm and 13.5 cm against 2.8 cm and 6.6 cm respectively in case of control. Yield potential, total yield and biological efficiency of Pleurotus sajor-caju were also found maximum in treatment T5, representing the values 500, 450, 370, 300 and 250 g yield bag-1 at 1st , 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th flushing stages, respectively. On the other hand, the maximum biological efficiency was recorded in T5 (wheat straw+5 g NPK+6 g CaCO3) treatment, showing 37.40% against 25.68% in case of treatment T1 (Control). Result showing that treatment T5 (wheat straw+5 g NPK+6 g CaCO3) performed better than all treatments.

The use of plant growth regulator Biosil in peach orchards in order to increase resistance to diseases in the humid subtropics of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus

The article analyzes the results of using the plant growth regulator Biosil® to increase the resistance of peach to the main leaf diseases (peach leaf curl (caused by Taphrina deformans (Berk.) Tul.) and shot-hole disease (caused by Stigmina carpophila (Lév.) M.B. Ellis)). The studies were carried out for four years (2018-2021) in peach orchards in the zone of humid subtropics of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus (Sochi, Russia). The degree of development of peach leaf curl in the control variant was 10.2-25.0%. The degree of development of shot-hole disease in the control variant was 9.2-29.8%. The use of Biosil in combination with fungicides in half doses and in pure form makes it possible to increase the resistance of the crop to the studied diseases. The maximum biological efficiency (up to 70%) in relation to leaf curl and up to 60% in relation to shot-hole disease was observed when Biosil was used in a tank mixture with fungicides. The use of the plant growth regulator Biosil makes it possible to reduce the dose of fungicides in peach agrocenoses while protecting against peach leaf curl and shot-hole disease by half. The use of the studied growth regulator for four years did not lead to a decrease in its biological efficiency.

Utilization of Agro-Industrial Wastes for the Production of Quality Oyster Mushrooms

The objective of this study was to utilize agro-lignocellulosic wastes for growing oyster mushroom which become problematic for disposal. Pleurotus ostreatus was cultivated on five agro-industrial wastes: rice straw (RS), wheat straw (WS), corncobs (CC), saw dust and rice husk @ 3:1 (SR) and sugarcane bagasse (SB). Approximately 500 g sized polypropylene bags (20.32 × 30.48 cm) were used for each substrate. The SR significantly improved the number of fruiting body (27.80), size of the fruiting body (5.39 g), yield (115.13 g/packet), ash and shortened the days for stimulation to primordial initiation and harvest (9.2 days). The maximum percentage of visual mycelium growth with the least time (15.0 days) to complete the mycelium running was found in SB, whereas the highest biological efficiency value (56.5) was calculated in SR. The topmost value of total sugar (33.20%) and ash (10.87 g/100 g) were recorded in WS, whereas the utmost amount of protein (6.87 mg/100 g) and total polyphenolics (196.88 mg GAE/100 g) were detected from SB and SR, respectively. Overall SR gave the highest amount of the fruiting body with the topmost polyphenols and ash, moderate protein and total sugar, and secured maximum biological efficiency too. The results demonstrate that saw dust with rice husk could be used as an easy alternative substrate for oyster mushroom cultivation.

Evaluation of spawn quality and doses on yield and biological efficiency of Blue Oyster Mushroom [Hypsizygus ulmarius (Bull.: Fr.) Redhead

Mushroom cultivation is a cost effective biotechnological approach for converting lignocellulosic wastes into edible proteins. Blue Oyster mushroom is a novel species which has a wide use due to its unique taste, flavor, nutritive and medicinal values. Since, spawn quality is the most important factor of edible mushroom production hence, the study was undertaken to determine the influence of spawn substrate and doses on the yield and biological efficiency of H. ulmarius on different agri/industrial wastes. Out of seven different grain substrates evaluated, bajra grains were found as an excellent substrate for spawn production. Growth rate, yield and biological efficiency was also recorded more on bajra grain spawn. Spawning with bajra grain spawn resulted in faster spawn run (13.67 days), first flush (20.33 days), maximum number of sporocarps (38.33), longest stipe length (5.37 cm) and maximum cap diameter (8.57 cm) on wheat straw substrate. Further it can be concluded that 5.0 per cent spawn dose on wheat straw substrate resulted in minimum spawn run period (12.66 days), maximum number of fruit bodies (42.33) and highest yield (661.67 g/0.5 Kg substrate) and maximum biological efficiency (132.33 %) followed by 4.0, 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0 per cent spawn dose respectively spawned with bajra grain spawn. These studies will help in effectively utilization of agri/industrial wastes for production of high quality proteins and crucial to help alleviate the perils of hunger as well as a step forward towards the sustainable environmental conservation.

Cultivation of Kabul Dhingri (Pleurotus eryngii) mushroom by standardizing protocols in subtropical zones of world

The study is of great relevance with present day pandemic era where mushrooms have immunity enhancing properties and they convert agro-wastes into protein rich food. India is having a youth population of about 750 million and mushroom cultivation has good potential to contribute in national income as well as enhanced immunity. The key aspects undertaken during research were the spawn production, cultivation methodology, and the suitability of various factors affecting the production and yield attributes of Pleurotus eryngii under ambient conditions in subtropical areas. Study includes yield enhancing substrate, sterilization method, spawn and substrate quantity in the growing of King Oyster i.e. Pleurotus eryngii in subtropical zones. Paddy straw was found to be the best substrate giving the highest biological efficiency and producing maximum number of fruiting bodies which is otherwise burnt by farmers in India and it is a major cause of air pollution. Whereas, maize straw showed fastest spawn run and pin head emergence out of six tested substrates and supplements. But, due to the unavailability of paddy straw in this region, the other straws resulting in optimum yields are to be recommended. Chemical steeping of substrate with chlorine water at 0.4% + carbendazim at 2% + dichlorovos at 0.1% of water used for soaking showed best results in terms of biological efficiency whereas, water and aerated steam treatment of substrate at 85 °C-90°C for about 60–90 min supported the results in leaching of nutrients and thus, biological efficiency gets lower. Out of four spawn rates used, spawn rate of 5% was found significantly best resulting in maximum biological efficiency, fastest mycelial run, primordial initiation and highest average fruit body weight. All the experiments were found statistically significant except the experiment that was performed for evaluating the optimum quantity of substrate for bag preparation. There was not much difference in the obtained yields with respect to increase in the amounts of substrate. So, growing this mushroom from the obtained best results will result in better production with higher income even for the marginal farmers in subtropical zones of world.

Effects of Nitrogen Supplementation With Wheat Straw on Productivity of Pleurotus Djamor (Rumph. Ex FR.) Boedijn

The present experiment was conducted in order to prepare a suitable substrate composition using wheat straw and also to ascertain the effect of various levels of nitrogen supplementation on the yield and biological efficiency of Pleurotus mushroom. The strain DMRP-205 of Pleurotus djamor was used in the study. Among different treatment combinations, maximum biological efficiency of 75.11% was recorded in T2 with 0.5% of urea supplementation. It was also observed that, though the higher nitrogen supplementation does not increase the yield proportionately, it has significant effect on the spawn run period, cropping duration and colour intensity of the basidiocarp. The study necessitates the nitrogen supplementation at optimum levels (0.5%) to realize the maximum yield in P. djamor cultivation.
 Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(2): 227-233, 2021 (June)

Effect of plant growth regulators on the induction of peach resistance to leaf curl

The article presents data from studies of the effect of growth regulators when applied for three years in peach plantations in the humid subtropical zone of the Black Sea coast of Russia. The influence of drugs (Zerebra® Agro (colloidal silver + polyhexamethylenebiguanide hydrochloride), Epin-Extra® (24-epibrassinolide) and Biosil® (triterpene acids)) on the degree of development of peach leaf curl (pathogen – Taphrina deformans (Berk) Tul.) was analyzed. The preparations were used in pure form and in combination with fungicides, the dosage of which was two times lower than in the standard. Already in the first year of the experiment, an increase in the resistance of the peach to leaf curl was noted. The maximum biological efficiency (up to 80.3%) in relation to leaf curl was observed when using Zerebra Agro in a tank mixture with fungicides. An inverse correlation was established between the degree of development of leaf curl and the level of antioxidant system enzymes activity (catalase and guaiacol peroxidase), which confirms the immunity-inducing effect of the growth regulators use.

Biological effectiveness of the range of disinfectants winter wheat seeds used in Krasnodar Territory

In the conditions of the Krasnodar Territory, the pre-sowing treatment of seeds with drugs against diseases has firmly entered the system of protection of winter wheat. The use of seed dressing agents minimizes the risk of reducing field germination, ensures good overwintering of the crop, while being one of the most environmentally friendly plant protection methods. The idea of the biological efficiency of the seed disinfectants applied in the conditions of the region will allow not only to purposefully select a disinfectant, but also to prevent the resistance of pathogens causing diseases of seeds. An analysis of the range of fungicidal disinfectants used in the Krasnodar Territory in 2019 showed that the range was based on combined disinfectants based on several active substances with a different mechanism and spectrum of action, as well as that the shares of one-component and four-component drugs in it were - 10%, two-component - 20%. Combined dressers based on three active ingredients were the basis of the range used, the share of such preparations was 60%. Analysis of the data obtained allows to conclude that the modern range of dressing agents used in the farms of the Krasnodar Territory is capable of almost completely restraining the development of the pathogenic complex on winter wheat seeds. The maximum biological efficiency at the level of 100% was shown by the preparations in protection against dust and kernel smut, while it was at the level of 96.5% in protection against fusarium root rot.

Feeding a reduced protein diet with a near ideal amino acid profile improves amino acid efficiency and nitrogen utilization for milk production in sows1,2.

Fifty-four lactating multiparous Yorkshire sows were used to test the hypothesis that feeding a reduced protein diet with a near ideal AA (NIAA) profile increases the biological utilization efficiency of N and essential AA (EAA) for milk production in part as a result of reduced dietary Leu concentration. Sows were fed 1 of 3 isocaloric diets containing the following concentration of CP (% as-fed, analyzed): 18.74 (Control: CON), 13.78 (Optimal: OPT), and 14.25 (Optimal + Leu: OPTLEU). The OPT and OPTLEU diets contained the same concentration of crystalline AA (CAA) to meet requirements of the limiting AA. Crystalline Leu was added to OPTLEU to contain the same SID Leu concentration as that of CON. Sows were weighed on days 1 and 21 of lactation and piglets on days 1, 4, 8, 14, 18, and 21 of lactation. Nitrogen retention was measured for 48 or 72 h between days 4 and 8 (early) and days 14 and 18 (peak) of lactation. Sow BW change and ADFI did not differ between diets. Litter growth rate (LGR) during early lactation did not differ between diets. At peak lactation, LGR was higher in sows fed OPT compared with CON (P < 0.05) and lower in sows fed OPTLEU compared with OPT (P < 0.05). In early and peak lactation, total N retention, and milk N output efficiency were greater in OPT (P < 0.01) and OPTLEU (P < 0.05) than CON. Compared with CON, overall biological efficiency of N, Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Phe, and Trp were greater (P < 0.05), whereas those of Lys, Met, Thr, and Val did not differ in sows fed OPT and OPTLEU, except for Leu which did not differ between OPTLEU and CON. Compared with OPT, only Leu and Met efficiency were lower (P < 0.01) and tended to be lower (P = 0.10), respectively, in sows fed OPTLEU. Reducing CP with a NIAA profile to attain the minimum Leu requirement maintained overall lactation performance, improved utilization efficiency of N, Arg, His, Ile, Leu, Phe + Tyr, and Trp for milk production, and maximized efficiency of Ile, Leu, Lys, Met + Cys, Phe + Tyr, Thr, Trp, and Val. Addition of Leu did not reduce N and EAA utilization efficiency. This study provides revised and novel maximum biological efficiency value (MBEV) for Ile (65.4), Leu (75.1), Lys (63.2), Met + Cys (78.2), Phe + Tyr (69.5), Thr (71.0), Trp (70.1), and Val (57.0). These MBEV can be used to more accurately predict the requirement for those AA during lactation.

Dietary protein reduction improves the energetic and amino acid efficiency in lactating sows

Strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of swine production are essential to contribute to the sustainability of the swine industry. Our work has focussed on the area of dietary crude-protein (CP) reduction with crystalline amino acid (CAA) supplementation to create diets containing a near ‘ideal’ amino acid (AA) balance, and to assess the environmental impact of feeding these diets to lactating sows. Additionally, with an increasing availability of CAA at competitive costs relative to feed-ingredient proteins, precise prediction of requirements of the less traditionally limiting AA such as histidine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and valine are ever more relevant. Prediction of AA requirements using modelling approaches is dependent on accurate estimates of AA efficiency of utilisation for milk-protein production. Aggressive reduction in dietary CP and CAA supplementation to improve dietary AA balance minimises urea-nitrogen (N) synthesis, N excretion and ammonia emission, without compromising lactation performance. Improving dietary AA balance increases energy, global N and AA efficiency of utilisation for milk production, and, in some cases, increases true milk protein and casein yield in peak lactation. The mechanisms by which enhanced AA balance improves nutrient efficiency include potentially increased extraction rate of AA by the mammary gland and reduced heat production. Individual AA efficiencies are dynamic, and, thus, estimating their maximum biological efficiency value (MBEV) is of critical importance for accurate prediction of AA requirements. We have estimated MBEV for each individual AA. Future dietary formulations using reduced CP diets to minimise N excretion and ammonia emission will require AA requirements based on MBEV estimates.

Biochemical Alterations of Weeds in Response to Stress Caused by Herbicides and Total Plant Submersion

ABSTRACT: The maximum biological efficiency of a herbicide is performed when the plants are in favorable condition to absorb and metabolize it. Stress situations, such as total submersion, cause stress in plants, reducing weed control efficiency and crop yield. The objective of this study was to verify whether different soil water content and herbicide treatments alter the components of the secondary metabolism and cause cellular damage in weed species Two experiments were conducted (I and II) in a completely randomized experimental design with a factorial scheme (2 x 2 x 4 and 2 x 5, respectively) and three replicates. The first experiment was conducted with two species (Leersia hexandra and Luziola peruviana), which were submitted to four herbicide treatments and soil moisture levels (field capacity and total submersion). Experiment II was performed with cockspur grass plants submitted to five herbicide treatments and the same soil moisture levels from experiment I. Leaf samples were collected for laboratory analyses seven days after establishing the soil moisture levels. Assessmentes were made for the levels of chlorophyll and carotenoids, activity of antioxidant enzymes, as well as levels of hydrogen peroxide and cellular damage. The results showed that all plant species studied showed higher oxidative stress under field capacity than under submersion. L.hexandra shows greater oxidative stress than L. peruviana regardless of the treatment applied: water regime or herbicide. Furthermore, the associations of glyphosate + clomazone and glyphosate + mixture of imazapyr + imazapic caused greater oxidative stress in L.hexandra and L.peruviana than glyphosate alone. All herbicides caused lipid peroxidation, reduced enzyme activity decreased concentrations of total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and carotenoids on cockspur grass.

Yield performance and nutritional value of pleurotus ostreatus f. florida on different forest wastes

The objective of this work was to evaluate the yield performance and nutritional content of Pleurotus ostreatus f. florida when grown on the fallen leaves/needles of forest trees. It was observed that the time period required for complete spawn run on these substrates varied from 12 to 20 days and minimum period was recorded on the fallen leaves of Dendrocalamus strictus. Maximum biological efficiency (54.4%) was also achieved on the leaves ofDendrocalamus strictus and minimum on Sterculia alata (20.1%). Assessment of nutritional value of P. ostreatus f. florida showed maximum moisture content (93.4%) in sporophores grown on Morus alba, ash content (8.1%) on Dalbergia sissoo, fat content (3.0%) on Eucalyptus globulus, crude fiber content (21.2%) on Pinus roxburghii and protein content (23.8%) on Ficus religiosa. Forest wastes can be effectively utilized for production of oyster mushroom as food supplements as well as for income generation. The use of forest wastes (leaf litter) in oyster mushroom production provides an alternative cellulose source for commercial mushroom production.

Effect of different substrates and casing materials on growth and yield of Calocybe indica (P&amp;C) in North Bengal, India

Cultivation of Calocybe indica was undertaken with locally available substrates viz. paddy straw, maize stalk waste, bamboo leaves and young coconut fibre alone and various combinations with paddy straw + maize stalk (1:1 v/v), paddy straw+ saw dust (1:1 v/v), and paddy straw+ saw dust (1:2 v/v)and different casing materials suchas vermicompost, soil+ sand (1:1v/v), dried saw dust, hard paper (wet condition) and combination of tea waste+soil+ sand, saw dust +sand (1:1 v/v), tea waste+ sand (1:1 v/v) in paddy straw cultivating condition. Among the substrates, paddy straw was the best with 196.12 % biological efficiency (BE) followed by different substrate combinations but the bamboo leaves alone was recorded as substrate with lowest potential (84%) for cultivation. As casing material the spent mushroom compost (SMC) of Agaricus bisporus resulted in the highest biological efficiency (207%) followed by soil+ sand (196%), sand +saw dust (163%) but combination of tea waste+ soil + sand was inferior (151%). Saw dust gave the lowest (96.8%) biological efficiency. In conclusion the maximum biological efficiency of C. indica can be obtained by using paddy straw as a substrate encased with spent compost of button mushroom.