Treatment T1 Research Articles

Impact of long-term integrated nutrient management on productivity, profitability, soil microbial activity and nutrient content ofrice (Oryza sativa) in Assam

A study was carried out during 2021 to 2022 at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam to study the effect of long-term integrated nutrient management on productivity, profitability, soil microbial activity and nutrient content of rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Assam. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) comprised of 5 nutrient management practices, viz. T1, Absolute control; T2, 100% recommended dose (RD) through chemical fertilizers (CF); T3, 50% RD through CF + liquid biofertilizers; T4, 50% RD through CF + solid biofertilizers; and T5, 50% RD through CF + enriched compost (EC) (@1 t/ha), with 4 replications. The results showed higher grain yield and profitability in treatment T2 (5.23 t/ha and $1472.29/ha) followed by T5 (5.23 t/ha and $1446.29/ha), T3 (4.90 t/ha and $1362.29/ha), T4 (4.87 t/ha and $1346.69/ha), and the lowest in T1 (3.21 t/ha and $897.85/ha). Notably, treatment T5 delivered comparable yield and returns to T2. However, treatment T5 significantly increased the essential nutrients (N, P, K, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe) in grain compared to T2 or T3/T4. In addition, soil microbial activity such as dehydrogenase activity, phospho-monoesterase activity, microbial biomass carbon, fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, and arylsulphatase activity were significantly higher under treatment T5. These findings highlight that treatment T5 i.e. 50% CF + EC (@1 t/ha) not only matches conventional 100% fertilizer application in yield and returns but also enhances soil microbial activity. Study highlights the potential of integrated nutrient management practices with 50% RD through CF + enriched compost (EC) (@1 t/ha) to address micronutrient deficiencies, improve crop productivity, profitability, and promote sustainable agriculture in the region.

Quality of coffee dried on suspended terrace with different layers

Seeking to improve the final quality of coffee, producers began to improve and innovate in all stages of this segment to meet the demanding market. Hence, this study evaluated the physicochemical and sensory quality of dried unripe, cherry and over-ripe coffee cherries on suspended terraces in different layers. The experiment involved drying coffee in all layers of the suspended terraces, consisting of seven treatments and four replications as follows: T1– concrete terrace; T2 – conventional “single-layer” suspended terrace; T3 – first layer “suspended terrace with two layers”; T4 – second layer “suspended terrace with two layers”; T5 – first layer “suspended terrace with three layers”; T6 – second layer “suspended terrace with three layers”; and T7 – third layer “suspended terrace with three layers.” All treatments used identical samples composed of a mixture of coffee cherries in the three different physiological maturation stages (unripe, cherry and over-ripe). Percentage of each stage was evaluated in a one-liter container with coffee. Physicochemical and sensory quality of unripe, cherry and overripe coffees is influenced by the terrace structure. Treatments T5 and T6, represented by the first layer “suspended terrace with three layers” and second layer “suspended terrace with three layers,” presented the best results for the beneficial fermentation caused by the terrace structure, providing a more shaded environment and resulting in desirable sensory attributes.

Chemical Quality Parameters of Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco.) Fruits Influenced by different Organic Sources

A field experiment was carried out during the year 2021-22 and 2022-23 on 12 years old mandarin plants at the Instructional Farm, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Jhalawar. The experiment was consisting of 21 treatments of different organic source of NPK viz., vermicompost, cotton fortified vermicompost, neem cake, cotton cake, mustard cake and bio fertilizers such as PSB and VAM with three levels of recommendation dose of fertilizers. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Among different treatments, treatment T9 (75 % RDF + 10 kg Vermicompost + 7.5 kg Neem cake + 50 g PSB) was found best with regards to maximum pooled TSS (11.74 0B), reducing sugar (6.30%) non-reducing sugar (2.62%), total sugar (8.92%) per cent, sugar/acid ratio (14.40), ascorbic acid (53.08mg/100g) and juice (46.57%). Therefore, based on two years experimentation, use of organic source of nutrients with bio-fertilizers favoured biochemical compounds of Nagpur Mandarin fruits.

Effect of Media Formulation on Survival and Growth Performance of Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum Burm. f. Andrews) Propagation by Stem Cuttings

Present study investigated “Effect of media formulation on survival and growth performance of star jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum Burm. f. Andrews) propagation by stem cuttings”. during 2023-2024 using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications with eight treatments i.e., T5: soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1). The treatments comprised various combinations of soil, farmyard manure (FYM), cocopeat, sand, rice husk, and vermicompost. The results indicated that the propagation media significantly affected the growth parameters. Notably, Treatment T5 i.e. soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1) demonstrated superior performance, with the shortest sprouting time (9.67 days), highest survival rate (78.67%) and overall enhanced growth attributes, including sprout number, sprout length, plant height, leaf area, and root and shoot weights. The findings suggest that soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1) is an optimal medium for propagating of star Jasmine, warranting further studies to confirm its efficacy across different locations and seasons.

The Influence of Micronutrients on Growth Performance of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) CV. Mahima

The present investigation entitled, “The influence of micronutrients on growth performance of ginger (zingiber officinale) cv. mahima” was conducted at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Spices, Asond Block, Central Experiment Station, Wakawali, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during 2023-24. Experiment was laid out with total nine treatments and three replications each in present study. The experimental findings revealed that the treatment, T1 i.e. RDF + Foliar Spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 % recorded better results in number of tillers per platnt (12.57), plant height (77.65 cm), number of leaves per plant (76.03), leaf length (23.25 cm) and leaf width (3.08 cm). Thus, it was concluded that the treatment T1 (RDF + Foliar Spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 %) was found to be the best for growth performance of ginger (Zingiber officinale rosc.) under Konkan agroclimatic conditions.

Effect of Total Chlorophyll Content and Relative Water Content of Mini Tuber Potato under Aeroponic Condition in Jammu Region, India

The present study determine the effect of Total Chlorophyll Content and Relative Water Content of Mini Tuber Potato under Aeroponic Condition in Jammu Region, India. The adoption of new production technologies, usage of better varieties, quality seed material, good storage facilities, and transportation in recent years have helped to expand area, production, and productivity in India. The present study was conducted in the Division of Plant Physiology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu. The experiment was conducted during winter and spring seasons in 2022-23. Two varieties Kufri Badshah and Kufri Jyoti were taken as experimental material. Potato tubers were sown in net pots containing growing media and seedlings were transplanted at five leaves stage in the aeroponics system. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with two treatments viz, T1 (cocopeat 100%) and T2 (cocopeat +vermiculite+ perlite+ vermicompost) in ratio (2:1:1:2) and after two weeks of transplanting data was recorded at three different stages of crop growth (20 DAT, 45 DAT and 80 DAT). The results clearly indicated that treatment T2 coco peat + perlite + vermiculite + vermicompost in the ratio of 2:1:1:2 was the most promising treatment for improving the, biochemical parameters, physical parameters and quality of both potato varieties when compared to other treatments.

Optimization of Nano-DAP Fertilization for Improvement in Growth and Yield of Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.)

Aim: Optimization of nano-DAP fertilization for improvement in growth, yield and to maximize the production of finger millet. Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD). Place and Duration of Study: This investigation was conducted in Kharif 2021 and 2022, with variety VL-352 at the Research and Extension Centre, Gaja, College of Forestry, Ranichauri (Tehri Garhwal), Uttarakhand, India. Methodology: This experiment comprised of ten treatments viz., T1- NK 100% (Control), T2- NPK 100%, T3- 75%P + 100%N + 100%K, T4- 50%P + 100%N + 100%K, T5- 75%P + 100%N + 100%K + Seed Treatment (ST) + Foliar Spray (FS) (2mL), T6- 75%P + 100%N + 100%K + ST + FS(4mL), T7- 50%P + 100%N + 100%K + ST + FS(2mL), T8- 50%P + 100%N + 100%K + ST + FS (4mL), T9- 50%P + 100%N + 100%K + ST + FS(2mL) + FS(2mL), T10- 50%P + 100%N + 100%K + ST + FS (4mL) + FS(4mL) and was laid out in RBD with three replications. Measurements and calculations of plant growth parameters, yield attributes, and economic considerations were made. Result: The plant growth and yield attributing parameters were recorded significantly higher in the treatment T10- 50%P +100%N + 100%K + ST + FS (4mL) + FS(4mL) while significantly lower yield was recorded in T1- NK 100% (Control). Conclusion: The use of 50% P through DAP and 100% NK along with seed treatment by nano DAP @5mL/kg seed as well as two foliar sprays of nano-DAP @4 mL/L of water, first at 30-35 days after germination and second at 45 days after seed germination gave significantly higher plant growth, seed yield and seed quality of finger millet.

Effect of Supplementation of Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) on Growth Performance of Broiler in Konkan Region, India

The experimental trial of six weeks was conducted on 200 broiler chicks. They were randomly distributed into five experimental treatment groups. Each treatment group was replicated into four with 10 birds per replication. The control (T1) group was fed standard ration and T2, T3, T4 and T5 group were provided same standard ration supplemented with 1.00 g, 2.00 g, 3.00 g and 4.00 g spirulina powder, respectively. The result of experimental trial showed that supplementation of spirulina powder was significantly highest live body weight in treatment T5 (1944.50 g/bird) as well as average live body weight gain (277.79 g/bird). It is concluded that, 4.00 g of spirulina powder significantly improved growth performance of broiler chicks than other treatments groups.

Appraisal of Heavy Metal Risk Hazards of Eisenia fetida-Mediated Steel Slag Vermicompost on Oryza sativa L.: Insights from Agro-Scale Inspection and Machine Learning Analytics

The steel industry drives world economic growth, yet it generates heavy metal-rich steel slag, which jeopardizes the environment. The utilization of vermi-technology is essential for the sustainable transformation of toxic steel waste slag (SW) into organic amendments, although field-scale use of vermiprocessed SW remains unexplored. To bridge the gap, this study evaluated the efficacy of vermiprocessed SW as an organic supplement for rice field cultivation, focusing on heavy metal (HM) bioavailability, human health risk, and yield in comparison to raw slag and NPK fertilizer. The results indicated a considerable decrease in the bioavailable fraction of heavy metals in T4 (1:1 SW vermicompost 50% + 50% fertilizer). In treatments, T9 (100% SW) and T10 (50% SW + 50% fertilizer) (FIAM) free ion activity modeling confirmed grain absorption of HMs, and the FIAM HQ values indicated the health risk for the direct application of steel slag waste on the field. The risk factor evaluation of HMs’ presence in treatments T9 and T10 established the possible cancer risk for living beings. Similarly, machine learning models like SOBOL sensitivity analysis and artificial neural networks revealed potential threats associated with HMs on different treatments, respectively. The correlation coefficient revealed the negative effects of bioavailable HMs on various soil microbial and enzymatic properties. Moreover, the abundant yield of rice was attributed to the combination treatment (1:1 50% + NPK 50%), which paved the way for an alternative agronomic approach based on the utilization of vermicomposted steel waste slag.

Impact of Fertility Levels and Biofertilizers on Chickpea Yield, Soil Fertility and Economic Returns

A field experiment was conducted for two rabi seasons (2019-20 & 2020-21) at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Nandyala, Andhra Pradesh to study biofertilizers of PSB and inorganic fetilizers on growth, yield and quality Chickpea crop for Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. Afetr two years of the study, Significantly highest available soil Nitrogen (188 kg ha-1), Phosphorous (66.9 kg ha-1) and Potassium (484 kg ha-1) were recorded in treatment T8 (100% RDF + PSB in liquid form). Significantly highest chickpea yield of 2156 kg ha-1 was recorded with T8 (100% RDF + PSB (liquid form), the lowest yield was recorded with control (1839 kg ha-1). However, this treatment yielded results comparable to all treatments except the control during the two rabi seasons of 2019-20 and 2020-21. The economic evaluation of biofertilizers and chemical fertilizers application in chickpea crop revealed that maximum net returns (Rs 1,02,675) and higher B: C ratio (3.45) were obtained with application of 50% RDF plus PSB application. The present study was done to study to evaluate the influence of bio fertilizers on growth and yield of chickpea.

Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield Characteristics of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cv. Pant Shubhra under Subtropical Conditions of Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during rabi season (September to January) of 2021 and 2022 at the experimental farm of Integral Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. The objective of the experiment is to find out the most efficient combination of different organic and inorganic sources of nutrients to increase the growth, yield characteristics of cauliflower. Total nine numbers of treatments along with the control treatment were assessed in Randomized Block Design with three numbers of replications. In view of, effect of different organic and inorganic sources of nutrients has observed significant variation. The result revealed that the growth parameters like plant height (5.57, 12.47, 19.77 cm), number of leaves (7.97, 9.53, 13.7), length of leaves (17.30, 24.73, 31.73 cm), width of leaves (7.17, 10.20, 15.10 cm), plant spread (285.50, 806.93, 1212.83 cm) at 20, 40 and 60 days respectively, yield parameters like weight of curd (893.73 g), yield of curd plot-1 (13.40 kg), yield of curd ha-1 (25.30 t) were observed higher in 75% N through RDF+25% N through FYM+Azotobacter @ 5 kg ha-1 (T4). INM treatments showed lesser result on growth and yield of cauliflower in T1 (control). The treatment T4 were the most beneficial treatment which may be followed for commercial cauliflower cultivation on large scale. Thus, farmers are suggested to apply 75% N through RDF+25% N through FYM+Azotobacter @ 5 kg ha-1 to increase growth and yield of cauliflower.

Effect of Organic, Inorganic and Biofertilizers on Soil Characteristics and Potato Tuber Yield (Solanum tuberosum L.)

This study evaluates the impact of organic, inorganic, and biofertilizers on soil characteristics and potato tuber yield in the variety Kufri Ashoka. The experiment was conducted at the Vegetable Research Farm of Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, using treatments involving different combinations of fertilizers, including recommended doses of inorganic nutrients (RDF), farmyard manure (FYM), vermicompost, Azotobacter, and Phosphobacteria. Key findings demonstrated that RDF treatment (150:100:120 kg N:P2O5 ha⁻¹) produced the highest tuber yield (249.2 q ha⁻¹), significantly outperforming all other treatments. However, the organic treatment T4, which included compost, crop residue, biofertilizers, and FYM, also yielded a substantial 237.1 q ha⁻¹, with improvements in soil health attributes like increased organic carbon (3.6 g kg⁻¹) and reduced pH (7.92) and electrical conductivity (0.22 dSm⁻¹). Results indicated that the integration of organic and biofertilizers led to moderate yield gains compared to RDF but significantly enhanced soil properties, contributing to long-term soil health. Organic treatments promoted improved microbial activity and soil structure, essential for sustainable agriculture. This study highlights the effectiveness of integrated nutrient management, where combining organic and biofertilizers with inorganic nutrients can enhance crop yields while maintaining soil fertility and reducing the negative environmental impact associated with exclusive inorganic fertilizer use.

Effect of Different Zn Concentrations on Crop Growth and Root Nodulation in Yard-Long Bean (Vigna unguiculata L.)

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of Zinc (Zn) as a micronutrient on growth and nodulation in Vigna unguiculata L. The experiment was carried out as a pot experiment in the Crop Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Palachcholai, Eastern University, Sri Lanka from August to November 2023. The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomized Design with six treatments and four replicates. The treatments are T1 (Control), T2 (50 mg ZnSO4/kg soil), T3 (100 mg ZnSO4/kg soil), T4 (150 mg ZnSO4/kg soil), T5 (200 mg ZnSO4/kg soil) & T6 (250 mg ZnSO4/kg soil). The experiment used source of Zinc in the form of Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO4,5H2O) which yard-long bean plants can grow. The experiment results showed that, T2 treatment, the soil treated with 50 mg ZnSO4/kg soil significantly increase the Plant height, Chlorophyll content, Leaf area, Fresh weight of shoot & root, Dry weight of shoot & root, Number of nodules, Effective nodule percentage, as well as Soil respiration compared to the other treatments. However, beyond the level of 200 mg ZnSO4/kg soil, reduces the growth & nodulation of Vigna unguiculata L. and this shows that the level 200 mg ZnSO4/kg soil and beyond that level were the toxic level to the Vigna unguiculata L. Accordingly, the treatment T2 (50 mg ZnSO4/kg soil) was at the micronutrient level of Zn concentration which involved in many key cellular functions and show the best positive effect on growth and nodulation in Vigna unguiculata L. The results clearly indicate that, Zn can be use as a micronutrient up to a trace level in inducing plant growth and nodulation. However, at higher levels of Zn may act as heavy metal and cause phyto-toxicity in plants.

Enhancement of Tomato Fruit Quality Through Moderate Water Deficit

In arid areas, water shortage has become a major bottleneck limiting the sustainable development of agriculture, necessitating improved water use efficiency and the full development of innovative water-saving irrigation management technologies to improve quality. In the present study, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro Tom) fruits were used as materials, and different irrigation frequencies were set during the fruit expansion stage. The normal treatment (CK) was irrigated every three days, while the water deficit treatments were irrigated at varying frequencies: once every 4 days (T1), 5 days (T2), 6 days (T3), 7 days (T4), and 8 days (T5). These corresponded to 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, and 40% of the maximum field moisture capacity (FMC), respectively, with CK maintaining full irrigation at 90% of the maximum FMC. The water deficit treatment T3, with less stress damage to plants and the most significant effect on fruit quality improvement, was selected based on plant growth indices, photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and fruit quality indices, and its effects on carotenoids, glycolic acid fractions, and volatile compounds during tomato fruit ripening were further investigated. The outcome indicated that moderate water deficit significantly increased the carotenoid components of the tomato fruits, and their lycopene, lutein, α-carotene, and β-carotene contents increased by 11.85%, 12.28%, 20.87%, and 63.89%, respectively, compared with the control fruits at the ripening stage. The contents of glucose and fructose increased with the development and ripening of the tomato fruits, and reached their maximum at the ripening stage. Compared to the control treatment, the moderate water deficit treatment significantly increased the glucose and fructose levels during ripening by 86.70% and 19.83%, respectively. Compared to the control conditions, water deficit conditions reduced the sucrose content in the tomato fruits by 27.14%, 18.03%, and 18.42% at the mature green, turning, and ripening stages, respectively. The moderate water deficit treatment significantly increased the contents of tartaric acid, malic acid, shikimic acid, alpha ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, and ascorbic acid, and decreased the contents of oxalic acid and citric acid compared to the control. The contents of total soluble sugar and total organic acid and the sugar–acid ratio were significantly increased by 48.69%, 3.71%, and 43.09%, respectively, compared with the control at the ripening stage. The moderate water deficit treatment increased the fruit response values to each sensor of the electronic nose, especially W5S, which was increased by 28.40% compared to the control at the ripening stage. In conclusion, during the ripening process of tomato fruit, its nutritional quality and flavor quality contents can be significantly improved under moderate (MD) deficit irrigation treatment. The results of this experiment can lay the foundation for the research on the mechanism of water deficit aiming to promote the quality of tomato fruit, and, at the same time, provide a theoretical basis and reference for tomato water conservation and high-quality cultivation.

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles and its impacts on striped dwarf catfish (Mystus vittatus) as feed additives

The study evaluated the impacts of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on striped dwarf catfish’s (Mystus vittatus) growth, survival, and hematological parameters. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized using lemon (Citrus limon) extract, and four experimental diets incorporating 0, 10, 30, and 50 mg of AuNPs per Kg of fish feed were prepared as treatments T0 (control), T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Forty-five days old (0.7±0.00 g) 60 fingerlings were stocked in each glass aquarium and the diets were administered daily for 75 days. The treatment T2 resulted in a significant (P<0.05) increase in growth performances, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and survival rate. Besides, significant (P<0.05) differences were found in hematological parameters such as red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, and white blood cell count in the T2 treatment. However, a significant decrease in the white blood cell counts was observed in T3 treatment. Improved histological condition of hepatocytes was noticed in all treatments compared to the control. Hence, the results from this study suggest that the incorporation of 30 mg/Kg of biosynthesized AuNPs in the diet could be a promising strategy for enhancing the growth, survivability, and hematological parameters of M. vittatus.

Process Optimization for Development of Edible Plates Using By-products of Rice and Dhal Processing Industries

Edible plates can be used as utensils to serve solids, semi-solids and highly viscous liquid food products whichare made out of food grains and are filled with various nutrients without any added preservatives.Edible plates from the rice bran flour (RBF), pigeonpeabrokens flour (PBF)and wheat flour (WF) were prepared by mixing in different proportions viz., 10, 15 and 20% of RBF, 20, 25 and 30% of PBF and the remaining proportion WF as the base material. Objective of this work is to evaluate the quality characteristics of developed edible plates. The optimized treatment was obtained with 20% of RBF, 30% of PBF and WF of 50%. The hardness and fracturability of the was found to be maximum (25.46 and 12.79 N) in T9. The tensile strength and elongation at break was also more in treatment T9 of 3.36 MPa and 2.13%. The tensile strength and elongation at break increased with the increase in supplementation level of by-products.

Effect of Feeding Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Powder on Body Weight of Konkan Kanyal Kids

An experimental trial was carried out to assess the impact of feeding ginger (Zingiber officinale) powder on the body weight of Konkan Kanyal kids. Twenty kids were selected and divided into five treatment groups using a Randomized Block Design (RBD), with each treatment further subdivided into four replications. All animals received a complete feed consisting of mulato grass, jowar kadabi, and a concentrate mixture. Treatment T1 served as the control with no ginger powder supplementation, while treatments T2, T3, T4, and T5 were supplemented with 3.0 g, 6.0 g, 9.0 g, and 12.0 g of ginger powder, respectively. The trial lasted for 90 days. There was significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in body weight in treatment T5 which was supplemented with 12 g ginger powder than T4 T3, T2 and T1, after 90 days of ginger powder feeding. From present study it showed that feeding of ginger powder @ 12 gm improved about 18% body weight of Konkan Kanyal kids than control.

Effect of Application of Chitosan Soil Drenching on Growth and Vigour of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) Grafts Cv. Alphonso

An experiment on effect of application of chitosan on growth and vigour of mango grafts cv. Alphonso was conducted at Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Dapoli, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during the year 2023-24. Seven treatments and 4 replications in Randomized Block Design viz., Tl Control – Soil + FYM (3:1), T2 (Chitosan 0.5 %), T3 (Chitosan 1.0 %), T4 (Chitosan 1.5 %), T5 (Chitosan 2.0 %), T6 (Chitosan 2.5 %), T7 (Chitosan 3.0 %) with the aim to investigate effect of chitosan drenching on growth, vigour and survival of mango grafts cv. Alphonso. The highest survival percentage (99.13 %), height of the grafts (38.10 cm), number of shoots per graft (2.06 nos.), number of leaves per graft (32.13 nos.) leaf area (694.31 cm 2) were recorded in treatment T5 i.e. Chitosan 2.0 %. The maximum stem girth (10.24 mm) found in treatment T7 i.e Chitosan 3.0 %.

Effect of Feed Supplementation of Shatavari Root Powder (Asparagus racemosus) on Growth Performance of Broiler in Konkan Region

The present study aimed to highlights the effect of feed supplementation of Shatavari root powder (Asparagus racemosus) on growth performance of broiler in Konkan region. A substantial portion of the production expenses is attributed to the cost of feed and in a developing country like India, the supply of quality and affordable feed has been inconsistent. To enhance the overall productivity of poultry birds, it is imperative to maintain a reliable source of low-cost feed. The experimental trial of six weeks was undertaken for total 200-day old broiler chicks. They were randomly distributed into five experimental diets. Each treatment group was replicated into four with 10 birds per replicate. The control (T0) group was fed standard ration and T1, T2, T3, and T4 group were provided same standard ration supplemented with 5.00, 10.00 , 15.00 and 20.00 g /kg Shatavari root powder, respectively. Result of experiment showed that supplementation of Shatavari root powder was significantly highest live body weight in treatment T2 (1852.50 g/bird) as well as average live weight gain (264.64 g/bird). It is concluded that, 10.00 g of Shatavari root powder significantly improved growth performance than other treatments groups.

The addition of humic acid into soil contaminated with microplastics enhanced the growth of black gram (Vigna mungo L. Hepper) and modified the rhizosphere microbial community.

Microplastics have polluted agricultural soils, posing a substantial risk to crop productivity. Moreover, the presence of microplastic pollution has caused a disturbance in the composition of the microbial community in the soil surrounding plant roots, therefore impacting the growth of beneficial bacteria. A study was conducted to examine if humic acid (HA) can counteract the harmful effects of microplastics (MPs) on the growth of black gram crops and the composition of the rhizosphere soil microbial community, to reduce the negative impacts of microplastics on these microorganisms and crops. The research was carried out using mud pots and the plastic utilized for the experiment consisted of 60% high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and 40% polypropylene (PP). The soil was enriched with lignite-based potassium humate, which had a pH range of 8.0-9.5 and with 65% humic acid. The experiment consisted of six treatments: T1, which served as the control without HA and MP; T2, which involved the use of HA at a concentration of 0.15% w/w; T3, which involved the use of MP at a concentration of 0.2% w/w; T4, which involved the use of MP at a concentration of 0.4% w/w; T5, which involved the combination of HA at a concentration of 0.15% w/w and MP at a concentration of 0.2% w/w; and T6, which involved the combination of HA at a concentration of 0.15% w/w and MP at a concentration of 0.4% w/w. The plant growth characteristics, including germination percentage, nodule number, and chlorophyll content, were measured. In addition, the DNA obtained from the rhizosphere soil was analyzed using metagenomics techniques to investigate the organization of the microbial population. Seedlings in soil polluted with MP exhibited delayed germination compared to seedlings in uncontaminated soil. Following 60days of growth, the soil samples treated with T5 (0.2% MP and 0.15% HA w/w) had the highest population of bacteria and rhizobium, with counts 5.58 ± 0.02 and 4.90 ± 0.02CFUg-1 soil. The plants cultivated in T5 had the most elevated chlorophyll-a concentration (1.340 ± 0.06mgg-1), and chlorophyll-b concentration (0.62 ± 0.02mgg-1) while those cultivated in T3 displayed the lowest concentration of chlorophyll-a (0.59 ± 0.02mgg-1) and chlorophyll-b (0.21 ± 0.04mgg-1). Within the phylum, Proteobacteria had the highest prevalence in all treatments. However, when the soil was polluted with MPs, its relative abundance was reduced by 8.4% compared to the control treatment (T1). Conversely, treatment T5 had a 3.76% rise in relative abundance when compared to treatment T3. The predominant taxa found in soil polluted with MP were Sphingomonas and Bacillus, accounting for 19.3% of the total. Sphingomonas was the predominant genus (21.2%) in soil polluted with MP and supplemented with humic acid. Humic acid can be used as a soil amendment to mitigate the negative effects of MPs and enhance their positive advantages. Research has demonstrated that incorporating humic acid into soil is a viable method for maintaining the long-term integrity of soil's physical, chemical, and biological characteristics.