Treatment T1 Research Articles

Effect of Light and GA3 on Germination of Purple Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) Seeds

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of light and GA3 on the germination of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis sims) under agro climatic condition of Prayagraj. The perforated polythene bags of 4 x 5 cm size (150 gauges thickness) were used for sowing. The bags were filled with a mixture of farmyard manure (FYM), sand and soil in the ratio of 1:1:1. Pre-sowing-dip method was adopted for seed treatment.The treatments included application of [T0: Shade net(light 20,100), T1: GA3 200 ppm + light 24,500 lux,T2:GA3 200 ppm + light 30,100 lux,T3: GA3 250 ppm + light 24,500 lux,T4:GA3 250 ppm + light 30,100 lux, T5: GA3 300 ppm + light 24,500 lux,T6: GA3 300 ppm + light 30,100 lux,T7:GA3 350 ppm + light 24,500 lux, T8: GA3 350 ppm + light 30,100 lux]. The experiment was laid in randomized block design with nine treatments and was replicated three times. Treatment T8 performed best in term day to 1st germination(20.01), day to 50% germination(26.68), day to complete germination(35.25),germination percentage(89.09), seed vigour index (1400.48),seedling height(10,20,30,40 days) (10.37,11.50,13.69,16.25), number of leaves (10,20,30,40 days) (3.00,4.78,6.22,9.45), shoot length (10,20,30,40 days) (4.68,4.97, 5.05,5.20), root length(10.66), shoot: root(0.62),stem girth(2.70),chlorophyll content (43.37) and survivality percentage(83.65).

Efficacy of Insecticidal Spray Schedules Against Sucking Insect Pests on Chilli

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm, Agricultural Research Station, Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, Ummedganj, Agriculture University, Kota during rabi 2020- 21. Bioefficacy of selected insecticides was evaluated against sucking insect pests viz., aphid (Aphis gossypii Glover), whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius) and mite (Polyphagotarsonemus latus Bank) on chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). This study revealed that, among the treatments tested, the combination of insecticides as per spray schedule, treatment T1 (acetamiprid 20 SP @ 100 g/ ha + ethion 50 EC @ 1500 ml/ ha followed by imidacloprid 17.8 SL @ 125 ml/ ha + propargite 57 EC @ 1500 ml/ ha followed by buprofezin 25 SC @ 300 ml/ ha + fenazaquine 10 EC @ 1250 ml/ ha followed by fipronil 5 SC @ 1000 ml/ ha + spiromesifen 240 SC @ 400 ml/ha followed by chlorantraniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml/ ha) was found significantly most effective against aphid, whitefly and mite population up to 15 days after treatment.

Effect of Organic Manures on Growth and Yield of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) Varieties

A Field experiment was conducted during Zaid 2023 at Crop Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, SHUATS, Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) on Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). The soil of experimental plot was sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon (0.452%), nearly neutral in soil pH (7.1), high nitrogen (178.48 kg/ha), medium phosphorous (23.6 kg/ha), medium potassium (231.4 kg/ha). The experiment laid out in a randomized block design consists of three replications along with three cowpea varieties (viz., Kashi Nidhi, Kashi Unnati, Kashi Kanchan) and three solid organic manures (i.e. Poultry manure 2 t/ha, Goat manure 10.5 t/ha, Pig manure 15 t/ha) which were replicated thrice. The results revealed that maximum plant height (52.73 cm), dry weight (15.03 g/plant), crop growth rate (12.57 g/m2/day), number of pods/plant (11.80), number of seeds/plant (11.50), test weight (81.00g), seed yield (2.40 t/ha), stover yield (4.10 t/ha). Maximum net returns (INR 79,515.00/ha) and benefit cost ratio (2.30) which was significantly superior over other treatment T3 (Kashi Kanchan + Poultry manure 2 t/ha). It can be concluded that Kashi Kanchan variety with application of poultry manure 2 t/ha brought about significant improvement in the production and also proven economically viable in cowpea crop.

Allelopathic Effects of Corn Straw and Its Water Extracts on Four Weed Species and Foxtail Millet.

Straw covering is a protective tillage measure in agricultural production, but there is relatively little research on the allelopathic effects of corn straw on weeds and foxtail millet. This experiment studied the allelopathic effects of corn straw on four weeds (Chenopodium album, Setaria viridis, Echinochloa crus-galli and Amaranthus retroflexus) in foxtail millet fields, and also measured the growth indicators of foxtail millet. The study consisted of Petri dish and field experiments. Five treatments were used in the Petri dish experiment: clear water as control (0 g/L, TCK) and four types of corn straw water extracts. They were, respectively, the stock solution (100 g/L, T1), 10 X dilution (10 g/L, T2), 50 X dilution (2 g/L, T3), and 100 X dilution (1 g/L, T4) of corn straw water extracts. Additionally, seven treatments were set up in the field experiment, consisting of three corn straw covering treatments, with covering amounts of 3000 (Z1), 6000 (Z2) and 12,000 kg/ha (Z3), and four control treatments-one treatment with no corn straw cover (CK) and three treatments involving the use of a black film to create the same shading area as the corn straw covered area, with black film coverage areas of 50% (PZ1), 70% (PZ2), and 100% (PZ3), respectively. The results showed that the corn straw water extract reduced the germination rate of the seeds of the four weeds. The T1 treatment resulted in the allelopathic promotion of C. album growth but the inhibition of S. viridis, E. crus-galli, and A. retroflexus growth. Treatments T2, T3, and T4 all induced the allelopathic promotion of the growth of the four weeds. The order of the effects of the corn straw water extracts on the comprehensive allelopathy index of the four weed seeds was as follows: C. album > S. viridis > A. retroflexus > E. crus-galli. With an increase in the corn straw mulching amount, the density and total coverage of the four weeds showed a gradual downward trend, whereas the plant control effect and fresh weight control effect showed a gradual upward trend. All indices showed the best results under 12,000 kg/ha of mulching and returning to the field. Overall, corn straw coverage significantly impacted the net photosynthetic rate and transpiration rate of foxtail millet and increased the yield of foxtail millet. Under coverages of 6000 and 12,000 kg/ha, the growth of foxtail millet is better. Based on our findings, we recommend a corn straw coverage of 12,000 kg/ha for the allelopathic control of weeds in foxtail millet fields.

Solid-state fermentation converts rice bran into a high-protein feed ingredient for Penaeus monodon

Fermented rice bran (FRB) was evaluated as an alternative protein source to soybean meal (SM) in practical diets for juvenile black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon. This feed ingredient was tested in a feeding trial to replace soybean meal in P. monodon diets at 0% (T0), 12.5% (T12.5), 25% (T25), 37.5% (T37.5), and 50% (T50). Five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric experimental diets containing 44% crude protein were fed to groups of juvenile shrimp (0.47 ± 0.002 g) randomly assigned to twenty 60-l rectangular tanks equipped with a recirculating seawater system. Each dietary treatment was run in 4 replicates, and the feeding trial lasted 50 days. Results show significant improvement in weight gain, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio in treatment T12.5 and T25. Treatments with higher levels of SM replacement with FRB exhibited similar growth indices to those of the control group. Polynomial regression analysis indicates that the optimum replacement of soybean meal with FRB for optimum growth is 21.08%. The apparent dry matter and protein digestibility coefficients of FRB are 83.05 ± 0.02% and 87.20 ± 0.30%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the whole-body composition (dry matter, protein, lipid, ash) among treatments of shrimp fed with FRB replacement. The data suggest that FRB replacement of dietary soybean meal is feasible at 50% without affecting the growth performance but may promote growth at 21.08% replacement of P. monodon.

Effect of Mulberry Stalk Biochar on Soil Nutrients Status and Productivity of Mulberry (Morus alba L.)

Biochar as an organic amendment improves soil attributes, with a potentially significant effect on soil fertility. The main objective of this study was to quantify the effect of biochar addition on nutrients status in mulberry cultivated soil. A field experiment was conducted in the mulberry crop to know the effect of soil application of mulberry stalk biochar on nutrients build up in soil at farmer’s field at Sidlaghatta (TQ), Chikkaballapura District during 2020-2021 (rabi2020, summer and kharif-2021). A randomized block design was employed with eight treatments replicated thrice T1: Control (NPK375:140:140 kg ha-1 alone) T2: POP (FYM (25 t ha-1) + NPK 375:140:140 kg ha-1) T3: Soil application of biochar @ 5 t ha-1T4: Soil application of biochar @ 7.5 t ha-1 T5: Soil application of biochar @ 10 t ha-1T6: Soil application of biochar @ 5 t ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1T7: Soil application of biochar @7.5 t ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1T8: Soil application of biochar @ 10 t ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1NPK is common for all the treatments. Combined soil application of biochar @ 10 t ha-1 and FYM @ 10 t ha-1 (T8) increased the leaf yield (13.07 t ha-1) by 21 % over control (10.45 t ha-1 Significantly higher soil primary, secondary and micronutrients were recorded in T8 (soil application of biochar @ 10 t ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1) followed by treatment T7 which received soil application of biochar @ 7.5 t ha-1 + FYM @ 10 t ha-1. The lower soil primary, secondary and micronutrients were recorded in T1 which is devoid of biochar. The findings revealed that utilization of mulberry stalk as a biochar has positive effect on the improvement of nutrient status and it could partly replace chemical fertilizers and promote organic farming in a circular economy concept.

The potential of in ovo-fed amino acids to alleviate the effects of heat stress on broiler chickens: effect on performance, body temperature, and oxidative status during the finisher phase

The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential of in ovo-fed amino acids (AA) to reduce the effects of heat stress on finishing broiler chickens. To achieve this, a total of 1,400 fertile hatching eggs were randomly distributed into 5 groups (n = 280/group) and injected with one of the following in ovo treatments on embryonic day 18: 52 µL of sterile diluent/egg (CTRL), CTRL + 1.0 mg of L-Leucine (T1), CTRL + 0.45 mg of leucine + 1.15 mg of methionine (T2), CTRL + 3.0 mg of methionine + 2.0 mg of cysteine (T3), and CTRL + 0.40 mg of leucine + 1.60 mg of methionine + 1.60 mg of cysteine (T4). After hatch, chicks were allocated according to a complete randomized block design comprising 2 thermal conditions: thermoneutral (24°C, 45% RH) and heat stress (34°C, 55-60% RH) with 5 pens/group/condition. The cyclical heat stress regimen (10 h/d) was then applied from d 29 to d 34. Compared to the CTRL group, T3 and T4 exhibited a higher BW during the starter phase (P < 0.001). T4 also had a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than CTRL during this same phase (P = 0.03). During the grower phase, males of all treatment groups consistently exhibited higher BW compared to the CTRL group, which was not observed among female birds (PSex × TRT = 0.005). During the finisher phase, the in ovo treatment effect on performance was not significant. However, heat-stressed birds from treatment group T3 and T4 exhibited lower facial temperatures (Pday × TRT < 0.001) as well as lower plasma (Pcondition x TRT = 0.039) and liver (Pcondition x TRT < 0.001) malonaldehyde concentrations compared to the CTRL group. In conclusion, in ovo-fed AA have the potential to modulate the effects of heat stress on finishing broiler chickens by limiting its detrimental consequences, including increased body temperature and oxidative damage.

Evaluation of the Digestibility of Diets Containing Soy Okara in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fries Raised in a Controlled Environment in Benin

Aims: To evaluate the digestibility of diets containing soy okara in Clarias gariepinus fries. Study Design: Random complete block design. Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Hydrology and Wetland Research, Faculty of Sciences and technics, University of Abomey-calavi, between June 2019 and July 2019. Methodology: Four diets containing different levels of soy okara (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) respectively noted T0, T1, T2 and T3 were tested. Twelve 40L tanks were randomly distributed into 04 batches with 03 repetitions for each of the 04 diets. The fries with an initial average weight of 10.47 +/- 2g were fed ad libitum three times a day (8 A.M., 12 P.M., 4 P.M.) for 30 days. Survival rate, cannibalism rate, average daily gain, specific growth rate, weight-length relationship, condition factor, consumption index, ingested protein, protein efficiency coefficient and digestive utilization coefficients were measured. Results: The specific growth rates (SGR) ranged between 2.25 +/- 0.165 and 2.58 +/- 0.115 with the best rate for the treatment containing 0% soy okara. The consumption index varied from 1.18 +/- 0.009 to 1.41 +/- 0.132 with the best index for the T3 treatment. Furthermore, the mortality rates were 0% for treatments containing 20% and 30% soy okara. The results indicate that it is possible to incorporate up to 30% soybean okara into the diet of Clarias gariepinus fry without hindering their zootechnical performance. The digestive protein utilization coefficients of the diets were calculated and are 95.12; 88.47; 92.21 and 90.37 for diets containing 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% soy okara respectively. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that among the different diets tested, treatment T2, containing 20% soy okara, proved to be the most favorable in terms of zootechnical performance. These results suggest that T2 treatment can be considered as a promising option for feeding Clarias gariepinus fries.

Impact of Organic and Natural Farming Practices on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Joha Rice

Aims: The aim of the experiment was to study the impact of organic and natural farming practices on the growth, yield attributes and yield of Bokul Joha variety of rice Study Design: The experiment was laid in a randomized block design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: Assam Agricultural University-Assam Rice Research Institute, Titabar, Assam, India, during the kharif season of 2022-2023 Methodology: The number of treatments used were eight in total including control which were T1 [Absolute control], T2 [(Natural farming, Beejamrit as root dip treatment (3%) (100 L ha-1) + Jeevamrit as spray (3%) (100 L ha-1) + Ghanajeevamrit as soil treatment at 100 kg (Jeevamrit and Ghanajeevamrit at 30, 60 and 90 DAT)], T3 [(Enriched compost (5 tha-1) + Biofertilizer (Azospirillum, PSB as seedling root dip) (4 kg ha-1)], T4 [Enriched compost (5 t ha-1)], T5 [Vermicompost (5 t ha-1)], T6 [Enriched compost (2.5 t ha-1) + Vermicompost (2.5 t ha-1)], T7 [Fresh azolla as dual crop (400 kg ha-1) + Biofertilizers (Azospirillum, PSB and KSB mix as seedling root dip) (4 kgha-1)] and T8 [Vermicompost (1 tha-1), mixed inocula of Azospirillum amazonense A-10 and Bacillus megaterium P-5 (4 kg ha-1), rock phosphate (10 kg P2O5 ha-1)]. The experiment was laid in a randomized block design with three replications. Where T= Treatment, PSB = Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria, KSB=Potassium Solubilizing Bacteria, DAT = Days After Transplanting and NF=Natural Farming. Results: Plants that were noticeably taller were observed with treatment T8: application of vermicompost (1 tha-1), mixed inocula of Azospirillum amazonense A-10 and Bacillus megaterium P-5 (4 kg ha-1), rock phosphate (10 kg P2O5) i.e., at 45 DAT (81.78 cm),90 DAT (128.15 cm) and at harvest (145.71 cm). The same treatment recorded the highest no. of tillers 45 DAT (8.31m-2), at 90 DAT (13.79 m-2) and at harvest (10.40 m-2). Also, dry weight was noted to be highest for the same treatment, at 45 DAT (29.34 g plant-1), 90 DAT (79.11 g plant-1) and at harvest (92.29 g plant-1). Additionally, the same treatment resulted in highest grain (34.62 qha-1) and straw (70.30 q ha-1) yield. Conclusion: Combined application of vermicompost (1 t/ha) along with inocula of Azospirillum amazonense A-10 and Bacillus megaterium P-5 (4kg/ha) and rock phosphate (10 kg P2O5) can be used as a suitable treatment for attaining higher growth, yield attributes and yield in Bokul Joha variety of rice.

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and GDF9 gene on the reproductive performance of Katahdin sheep

Objective. To determine the influence of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) application and the presence of exon 2 of the GDF9 gene on reproductive variables in Katahdin sheep in the transition period. Materials and methods. 63 sheep with average age and weight of 2.83 ± 0.89 years and 45.32 ± 5.44 kg, respectively, were used. A 2x2 factorial arrangement under a completely randomized design was used, where the factors and levels were: the absence or presence of exon 2 of the GDF9 gene and the application or not of the eCG hormone in the synchronization protocol. Results. The application of eCG showed a significant favorable effect on the reproductive behavior of sheep, but not for the presence of exon 2 of the GDF9 gene. Treatments T2 and T4 were superior in the variables % of gestation, % of lambing, fertility and prolificacy with respect to T1 and T3. The best reproductive response was obtained with the application of eCG regardless of the presence or absence of the gene. Conclusions. This study shows evidence of the null interaction of exon 2 of the GDF9 gene and eCG to improve the reproductive performance of sheep. The application of eCG is recommended in estrus synchronization protocols for Kathadin sheep in the transition period. Faced with the few genomic reports on Katahdin ewes, evidence is shown of the need to carry out other research on genetic variants and their relationship with reproduction in sheep.

Performance of Enriched Organic Manures on Head Quality, Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Sprouting Broccoli (Brassica oleracea Var. italica)

The present field experiment was carried out to study the performance of enriched organic manures containing farmyard manure, vermicompost and poultry manure on head quality, nutrient uptake and economics of sprouting broccoli during 2018-19 and 2019-20 at UBKV, West Bengal, India, which comprised of 8 treatment combinations in randomized block design with 3 replications. The results of the field experiment showed that the use of Azophos biofertilizer enriched vermicompost @ 2.5 t/ha along with Azophos biofertilizer enriched poultry manure @ 2.5 t/ha as basal + top dressing of Azophos biofertilizer enriched vermicompost @ 0.5 t/ha along with Azophos biofertilizer enriched poultry manure @ 0.5 t/ha each (T7) significantly improved the head yield (20.47 t/ha) and superior head quality in terms of the maximum TSS (8.14°Brix), vitamin A (288.97 IU/100 g) and vitamin C (90.00 mg/100 g) of organic broccoli. The greatest benefit to cost ratio (1.93) was also obtained from the treatment T7. Hence, the treatment T7 can be recommended for sustainable production of organic sprouting broccoli under terai region of West Bengal.

Effect of Different Quantities of Bio Stimulant on Chilli Growth, Quality and Yield

A present investigation was carried out with title “Effect of different quantities of bio stimulant on chilli growth, quality and yield” at the central research farm, Department of Horticulture, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh during kharif, 2023-24 with a view to identify the effects of different doses of bio stimulant and its role in growth, yield and quality of Chilli variety NS-1701. The experiment was laid in the randomized block design with 9 treatments and 3 replications with different combination of different quantities of bio stimulant. The treatment T7 (3.0 L/hac. Amalgerol essence) performed best in terms of plant height (79.68), number of branches (8.53), days to first flower initiation (79.30), number of fruits per plant (122.36), fruit length (7.81), individual fruit weight (2.90gm), fruit yield per plant (258.13gm). The highest benefit cost ratio was found at 3.69 in the same treatment.

Effect of different levels of nitrogen in combination with nano urea on growth and yield of crossandra (crossandra infundibuliformis l.) cv. lakshmi

An experiment was carried out during the year 2022-2024 in the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University Tamil Nadu to find out the suitable level of nitrogen to be used in combination with nano urea to increase the growth and yield of crossandra (Crossandra infundibuliformis L.) cv. Lakshmi. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design with 14 treatments and 3 replications. Among the different treatments, the treatment T5 (100% PK + 75% N through urea + 0.4% Nano urea (3 sprays)) resulted in increased growth attributes such as plant height (85.21 cm), stem girth (7.95 cm), number of branches plant-1 (24.51), number of leaves plant-1 (99.29), plant spread in North-South and East-West direction (53.52 cm and 62.43 cm respectively), leaf area (95.41cm2 ), chlorophyll content (0.840 mg g-1 ) and dry matter production (91.53 g plant-1 ). But, the treatment T8 (100% PK + 50% N through urea + 0.4% Nano urea (3 sprays)) resulted in increased yield attributes like maximum number of spikes plant-1 (36.27),number of flowers spike-1 (39.21), flower yield plant -1 (51.03 g),flower yield plot-1 (974.76 g plot-1 ), estimated flower yield hectare-1 (32.49 q ha-1 ) The treatment control (T1) had the lowest value for all the growth and yield attributing characters. Overall, it is concluded that the application of 100% PK + 50% N through urea + 0.4% Nano urea (3 sprays) (T8) was found to be the best combination for improving the growth and yield of crossandra.

Influence of Storage Period on Biochemical Parameters of Aonla Based Fortified Squash

Aonla is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, aonla has got enormous pharmaceutical values. Consumption of fresh aonla fruits has immense benefits, but due to high acidic and astringent content in the fruits, it has very limited table value. Preparation of various value added products specially blended beverages such as RTS, nectar and squash from aonla fruit helps to overcome astringent taste and poor color and flavor. The present investigation “Influence of storage period on biochemical parameters of aonla based fortified squash” was conducted at the Horticulture Processing Laboratory, Department of Fruit Science, IGKV, Raipur (CG) during the experimental year 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. Analysis of bio-chemical parameters under 13 treatments of fortified aonla squash unveiled that the treatment T10 (25% Aonla + 73% Pomegranate + 2% Ginger) documented maximum total soluble solids content and TSS: acid ratio among all the other treatments. Further, the treatment T4 (25% Aonla + 75% Pomegranate) reported maximum pH value and minimum acidity and ascorbic acid content. However, the treatment T13 (100% Aonla) recorded maximum acidity and ascorbic acid content as well as minimum total soluble solids content, pH and TSS: acid ratio.

Effect of drying parameters on the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.)

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) has been recognized for multiple health benefits due to bioactive compounds. Dehydration is usually the most widely used method to preserve and concentrate these elements. However, it can also affect and totally or partially degrade the quality of the product under incorrect processing conditions. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of drying parameters on Melissa’s physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory properties. In total, four treatments were analyzed according to the experimental design (T1: 25 °C and 1.5 m s-1, T2: 25 °C and 3.0 m s-1, T3: 45 °C and 1.5 m s-1, and T4: 45 °C and 3.0 m s-1). Drying kinetics were determined using a vertical airflow dryer and a continuous weighing system. The results were compared with fresh leaves. The findings obtained show that increasing temperature and varying drying speed reduces moisture content and aw but increases enzymatic activity and essential oil content. In the drying process, temperature has a greater effect in the initial stages of the process, while drying speed on the internal structure of the raw material. By optimizing the drying conditions, it is possible to reduce the drying time by 44%. Page’s model showed excellent ability to predict drying kinetics under various drying conditions (RMSE &lt;0.04 and R2&gt;0.98). In terms of color, lightness decreased because of temperature, while a* and b* values were affected by non-enzymatic browning. Treatment T4 was the product with the highest acceptability. The findings obtained provide a theoretical basis to optimize the lemon balm drying process. Drying Melissa at 45 °C and 3.0 m s-1 can improve the quality and composition of the final product.

Response of Digestive Tract Size In Indonesian Native Chickens Fed Indigofera sp.

The development of Balitbangtan native chicken through tractic feed is continually being advocated by the Indonesian government to enhance poultry protein consumption. Indigofera sp. is known for its flavonoid, tannin, and saponin content, which act as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agents for chicken digestive tract. The study aimed to investigate the response of Balitbangtan chicken’s digestive tract size substituted with Indigofera sp. A total of 40 chickens were used in four treatments with five replications. The four treatments were T0 (25% concentrate + 35% rice bran + 40% maize); T1 (T0 with substitution of concentrate with 10% Indigofera sp. meal); T2 (T1 + 2cc/l Bio-B); and T3 (22% concentrate + 31.5% rice bran + 10% Indigofera sp. meal + 36.5% maize). The collection of digestive tracts was measured by unit/100g. Data were analyzed using ANOVA by SPSS 26. Overall, the treatments did not differ significouldtly in digestive tract size (p>0.05). Treatment T1 showed great size of crop, proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, cecum, colon, and pancreas sizes compared to T0, T2, and T3. In conclusion, the substitution of 10% Indigofera sp. meal in T1 resulted the best response in Balitbangtan chicken’s digestive tract size.

Mitigating Fruit Cracking and Premature Dropping in Bael (Aegle marmelos) cv. NB-9 under Subtropical Conditions: Evaluating the Effects of Bio-formulations and Boric Acid

The present investigation entitled “Mitigating Fruit Cracking and Premature Dropping in Bael (Aegle marmelos) cv. NB-9 under Subtropical Conditions: Evaluating the Effects of Bio-formulations and Boric Acid” was carried out during the year 2022-2023 at Main Experimental Station, Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture &amp; Forestry, A.N.D.U.A.&amp;T., Narendra Nagar (Kumarganj), Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India (Lat 26.540849° Long 81.830421°). Application of various bio-formulations and boric acid with eco-friendly materials to study the various vegetative properties, cracking, fruit drop and effect on the vegetative growth of fruit. The experiment was laid down in randomized block design (RBD) with (12) treatments and (03) replications. The experiment consists of 12 treatments including control, T1 (Control), T2 (FYM 50 Kg), T3 (FYM 100 Kg), T4 (Boric acid 200g), T5 (Boric acid 400g), T6 (Biofertilizer 250g/plant [100g Azotobacter + 100g Biovita + 50g PSB]), T7 (FYM 50Kg + Boric acid 200g), T8 (FYM 50Kg + Boric acid 400g), T9 (FYM 50Kg +Biofertilizer 250g/plant [100g Azotobacter + 100g Biovita + 50g PSB]), T10 (FYM 100Kg + Boric acid 200g), T11 (FYM 100 Kg + Boric acid 400g) and T12 (FYM 100Kg +Biofertilizer 250g/plant [100g Azotobacter + 100g Biovita + 50g PSB]) was used for this study. The results revealed that treatment T7 outperformed the rest with minimum fruit cracking (1.53%), fruit drop (76.20%), the maximum number of flowers per plant (171.19), day-to-flowering (31.38) and yield (181.69 q/ha) was most effective in a vegetative quality and yield point of view. Thus, the treatment combination T7 is therefore recommended for application to Bael trees in subtropical conditions to obtain high yields with better quality fruits.

Germinación in vitro de semillas y desarrollo de protocormos de Epidendrum catillus Rchb. F &amp; Warsz. (Orchideaceae), en diferentes medios de cultivo

La aplicación de técnicas es importante para la propagación masiva y eficiente de orquídeas, sin afectar el entorno natural y su conservación. El objetivo fue establecer un protocolo para la germinación in vitro de semillas y formación de protocormos de la orquídea E. catillus, donde se probaron seis medios de cultivo, t1, Knudson; t2, MS 75% + ANA (1,0 mgL-1) + AG3 (3,0 mg L-1); t3, MS 75% + 100 mL L-1 de agua de coco; t4, MS 100% + AG3 (3,0 mg L-1); t5, MS 100% + ANA (1,0 mg L-1) + AG3 (5,0 mg L-1); t6, MS 100% + 100 mL L-1 de agua de coco. Las semillas fueron obtenidas de una cápsula en estado de madurez fisiológica, del sector Grapanazú, Huancabamba, provincia de Oxapampa-Pasco, Perú. Se utilizó el diseño en bloques completos al azar (DBCA). Se encontró que, a los 64 y 71 dds los tratamientos t1, t3, t4 y t6 igualaron en la germinación de semillas y desarrollo de protocormos in vitro y todos ellos fueron superiores a t2 y t5. Se concluye que los medios Knudson, MS al 75 y 100% + 100 mL L-1 de agua de coco y MS 100% + AG3 (3,0 mg L-1), favorecieron la geminación in vitro.

Effect of DHA and two plant extracts on the production of fattening pigs infected with PRRS

Pig Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS) is a disease with economic repercussions for pig farmers worldwide as it causes low feed efficiency and, therefore, less weight gain in the fattening stage. The effect of dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), turmeric oleoresin and capsicum (EP, plant extracts) on the productive performance of fattening pigs and on the health of a herd affected by PRRS was evaluated. Nine-hundred and sixty fattening pigs with an initial average weight of 5.21 ± 0.065 kg was randomly assigned to one of four treatments, T1, control; T2, DHA; T3, EP; T4, DHA+EP. The variables analyzed were weight at day 70 of life (P70), weight at market (PM), daily weight gain at day 70 of life (GDP70), daily weight gain to market (GDPM), feed conversion at day 70 of life (CA70) and feed conversion at market (CAM). T2 and T4 diets exceeded the control and T3 in P70 and GDP (P &lt; 0.05), T2 and T4 did better than the control and T3 in CA70 (P &lt; 0.05). T2, T3, and T4 surpasssed the control in PM (P &lt; 0.05). All pigs had antibodies against PRRS throughout the study, although pigs in the second fattening cycle showed higher IgG values for T2 and T4. The cost of production for T2, T3 and T4 was lower for GDPM, CAM and PM. In conclusion, the treatments T2, T3, and T4 were superior to the control in PM and therefore, the use of DHA and phylogens wasp cost-effective.

ASSESSING GENE ACTION AND COMBINING ABILITY IN Brassica napus L. UNDER DROUGHT STRESS CONDITIONS, AN EFFORT TOWARDS BREEDING RESILIENT VARIETIES

Drought stress is the limiting factor in productivity as well as quality of any crop. Drought stress effects are crucial in Brassica napus but severity depends on the duration, intensity and developmental stages. İn the present study, eight drought tolerant lines and three drought sensitive testers were crossed in the line × tester fashion. Developed germplasm accesions with their parents were evaluated under standard and drought stress conditions in RCBD having split plot arrangements. Various qualitative and quantitative parameters were recorded. Among the parents, ZMR-2, Dunkled, and Garchi exhibited potential based on their general combining ability (GCA) under both control and drought stress conditions.. The best cross combinations, identified through significant positive values for specific combining ability (SCA), included ZMR-2 × ZMR-18, Winner × ZMM-12 and Garchi × ZMR-18 under control and drought stress treatment T1. Similarly, G-51 × ZMR-18, Dunkled × ZMR-18, and DGL × ZMR-18 performed well under drought stress treatment T2. GCA variance surpassed the SCA varinace, depicting the presence of additive gene action in studied material. So, these crosses could be selected readily without moving towards segregating generations in the future drought breeding programes.