Exogenous application of gibberellic acid and selenium to endorse quality and yield of fodder maize under rainfed conditions

Good quality and economical availability of fodder could be a substitute for crop production in the farming system of dryland areas. In Pakistan, the increasing demands of fodder crops for animal feed require immediate attention to find viable options for fodder production. Additionally, climate change, land detritions, and imbalanced use of chemicals led to an agro-ecological imbalance which needs to focus on mitigation strategies and practices. Therefore, the experiment was conducted three different rainfed areas of Punjab with aims to increase fodder maize quality by application of Gibberellic acid (GA3) and Selenium (Se) to overcome the forage scarcity issue in rainfed areas. The highest fresh biomass and leaf area were recorded by the application of GA75+Se0.75 followed by GA50+Se0.50 at 60 DAS. Similarly, the data about the silage quality traits indicated that more total dry matter (TDM), TDN, Crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), Crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ash contents (AC) were recorded in Afgoi compared to Sohni Dhart 623. Among the experimental locations, the highest TDM, TDN, NDF, ADF and AC were found for the crop planted at NARC followed by URF, Koont and the least values of these traits were recorded for GRS, Attock. Among the different combinations of growth regulators, the highest TDM, TDN, CF, CP and NDF were recorded for GA75+Se0.75 followed by GA50+Se0.50. The above findings conclude that exogenously application of GA75+Se0.75 plays a promising role in the improvement of fodder growth and quality parameters of silage in Afgoi verity at different water stress agro-ecological zones.

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Sheep Methane Emission on Semiarid Native Pasture—Potential Impacts of Either Zinc Sulfate or Propylene Glycol as Mitigation Strategies

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10030395 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 395

Author(s):

Hélio Costa ◽

Eloisa Saliba ◽

Marco Bomfim ◽

Ângela Maria Lana ◽

Ana Luiza Borges ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Propylene Glycol ◽

Rainy Season ◽

Zinc Sulfate ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Nutrient Digestibility ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Ch4 Emission ◽

Sheep Grazing

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Zinc sulfate and propylene glycol (PG) on methane (CH4) emission, nutrient intake, digestibility, and production in sheep grazing on a native Caatinga (Brazilian semi-arid savannah) pasture during the rainy season (from March to June 2014). Fifteen mixed Santa Inês sheep, all non-castrated males, with initial body weight of 19.8 ± 1.64 kg, and 4 ± 0.35 months of age, were distributed in a complete randomized design into three treatments: control (CT)—concentrate supplemented at 0.7% of body weight; CT + 300 mg of Zn/day; and CT + 2.5 mL of propylene glycol/kg LW0.75/day. Measurements were done in four periods during the rainy season, with 28 days of interval between each measurement. CH4 emission was measured using the SF6 tracer gas technique. CH4 emission per day was greater in PG than in CT and Zn (p < 0.05). However, no additive effect was observed on the intakes of organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), or on CH4 emission expressed as a function of OM and NDF intakes (p > 0.05). Across the months of the trial, OM and NDF intakes were greater in March, while the greatest emission of CH4 (g/day and g by g/OM intake) was observed in May (p < 0.05). Total CH4 emission (kg) from March to June (112 days of evaluation) was greater in PG compared with CT and Zn (p < 0.05). Zinc and PG had no effect on total CH4 emission when it was expressed per unit of body weight gain or carcass production (p > 0.05). The results of this study indicate that Zinc sulfate and propylene glycol have no beneficial effects in mitigating sheep CH4 emission. The CH4 emissions originated from sheep grazing native Caatinga pasture change throughout the rainy season due to fluctuations in availability and quality of pasture biomass. Moreover, the inclusion of zinc sulfate or propylene glycol did not improve animal feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance.

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Forage mission for alleviating feed deficit situation of livestock in Nepal

Journal of Agriculture and Environment ◽

10.3126/aej.v17i0.19856 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 24-29

Author(s):

Banshi Sharma

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Animal Feed ◽

High Mountain ◽

Mountain Regions ◽

Mountain Areas ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

Forage Plant ◽

Fodder Crops ◽

Land Improvement ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Nepal is divided in five agro-ecological zones. There is feed deficit in every zones except in high mountain regions. There is 34% deficit in animal feed (Singh, 2002). The forage mission* is carried out in 49 districts of the country with the aim of providing sufficient green and dry matter to improved livestock of the country to yield more milk from cattle and buffalo. Similarly more meat from buffaloes, sheep and goats has been obtained. Pasture land improvement is in high mountain areas. In mid hills, cultivation of forages such as stylo, molasses, mulato, setaria, joint vetch, leucaena, napier , forage peanut, desmodium and climbing legumes such as fodder peas have been promoted. In Terai, intensive cultivation of fodder crops: basically winter forages- oat, berseem and vetch is going to be popular. Feeding the legumes and non-legumes forage plant in suitable ratio helps a great extend in livestock production.

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Cultivation of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and Oats (Avena sativa) Fodder Crops by Using Biofertilizers and Biopesticide: An Experience from Farmers’ Field in Nadia District of West Bengal

International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management ◽

10.23910/1.2021.2308 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 211-215

Author(s):

Asif Mohammad ◽

◽

Anupam Chatterjee ◽

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

West Bengal ◽

Soil Health ◽

Winter Season ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Chemical Fertilizers ◽

Fodder Crop ◽

Fodder Quality ◽

Fodder Production ◽

Fodder Crops

Indiscriminate and unscientific application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, adversely affect the agricultural production system by damaging soil health, contaminating natural water bodies and ground water. As a result of prolonged use of excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the yield of field crops are decreasing due to poor soil health and produced crops also adversely impact human health. For animal husbandry enterprise, fodder production is one of the major activities. Injudicious use of chemicals can reduce fodder production as well as productivity of livestock can also be reduced. Under these circumstances, demonstration of fodder berseem and oats cultivation by using biofertilizers and biopesticides were carried out in farmer’s field at three blocks of Nadia district of West Bengal, India. The study was conducted in the winter season of the year 2020-21; the selected farmers were trained and method demonstrations of fodder crop production were carried out. The demonstration results suggested that average yield of berseem fodder crop was 53.33±2.80 t ha-1 whereas oats fodder crop was 43.07±2.16 t ha-1. The BC ratio of fodder crop cultivation suggested that, by the cultivation of both fodder crops farmers got substantial economic return. Fodder produced by the using biofertilizers and biopesticide contain good amount of dry matter as well as crude protein. From the study it can be concluded that both the fodder crops can be grown in the farmers’ field of the study area by using the biofertilizers and biopesticide without deteriorating the fodder yield and fodder quality.

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Investigating suitability of treated wastewater for agriculture in Hawassa, Sidama region, Ethiopia

International Journal of Agricultural Research Innovation and Technology ◽

10.3329/ijarit.v10i2.51578 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 59-65

Author(s):

Kannan Narayanan ◽

Ayele Getachew

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Wastewater Reuse ◽

Fruit Trees ◽

Sewage Water ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Treated Wastewater ◽

Soil Parameters ◽

Treated Water ◽

Fodder Crops ◽

Continuous Use

This study is based on the quality of wastewater from Hawassa University surroundings, which was assessed to determine its suitability for irrigation purposes during 2019. Grab samples of influent and the treated water were taken for assessing for quality parameters. The study revealed that the treated water could be used for irrigation purpose with some moderate restrictions. Even though Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) permit to irrigate fruit trees and fodder crops, there is a risk of soil degradation due to high value of Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR). Results also indicated that carbonate, potassium and phosphate exceeded the specified limits for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Despite increased nutritive elements, continuous use of treated sewage water for irrigation will make the soil acidic. Analysis of soil parameters indicated that there is an increase in nitrogen, phosphate and potassium nutrient levels considerably to benefit crop production but increase in soil EC is a serious concern. Int. J. Agril. Res. Innov. Tech. 10(2): 59-65, December 2020

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Sowing methods and varying seed rates of cowpea on production potentialof sorghum, sudan grass hybrid and cowpea: A review

Agricultural Reviews ◽

10.18805/ag.v37i4.6459 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gunjan Guleria ◽

Naveen Kumar

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

Crop Residues ◽

Animal Health ◽

Sudan Grass ◽

Fertility Status ◽

Fodder Production ◽

Fodder Crops ◽

Good Nutrition ◽

Forage Yields

Forage requirement of livestock is generally met through low quantity and quality of crop residues often not enough for maintenance of animal health and productivity in India. Cereal-legume intercropping has been recognized as a beneficial crop production system for higher fodder production per unit area per unit time, especially, under rainfed conditions. Sorghum sudan grass hybrid and cowpea are some of the potential fodder crops which can provide good nutrition to livestock with higher forage yields and improve the fertility status of soil when grown in association. This paper reviews all the literature on various aspects of intercropping of cereals and legumes, mainly sorghum and cowpea, for better understanding and future strategies for improved production as well as quality of fodder.

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Micro and Macro-level Analysis of Crop Diversification: Evidence from an Agrarian State West Bengal

Indian Journal of Economics and Development ◽

10.35716/ijed/20037 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 489-499

Keyword(s):

Crop Production ◽

West Bengal ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Field Studies ◽

Farming System ◽

Structure Questionnaire ◽

Crop Diversification ◽

The Status ◽

Block Level ◽

Diversified Farming Systems

The farming system in West Bengal is being shifted by integration between the set of cash crops and the main food harvest process. This change in diversified farming systems, where smallholders have a production base in rice can complement production; affect technical efficiency and farm performance. The goal of this study was to investigate the status of crop diversification on smallholders in West Bengal. First, crop diversification regions were developed in West Bengal based on the Herfindahl index, which were categorized into three regions. Three sample districts were studied separately at the block level, and 915 small farmers from 41 sample villages of 9 sample blocks were interviewed through a good structure questionnaire for field studies from the sample districts. West Bengal was gradually moving towards multiple crop production. Furthermore, increasing rice production reduced the marginal use of inputs for the production of other crops. Farming and other vital factors such as HYVs area to GCA, average holding size and per capita income in some districts of West Bengal can be identified as determinants of crop diversification.

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Improving Drought Tolerance in Mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek): Morpho-Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Perspectives

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11081534 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1534

Author(s):

Chandra Mohan Singh ◽

Poornima Singh ◽

Chandrakant Tiwari ◽

Shalini Purwar ◽

Mukul Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Drought Tolerance ◽

Crop Production ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Theoretical Research ◽

Whole Genome Sequence ◽

Complex Nature ◽

Drought Tolerant ◽

Breeding Programmes ◽

The Impact

Drought stress is considered a severe threat to crop production. It adversely affects the morpho-physiological, biochemical and molecular functions of the plants, especially in short duration crops like mungbean. In the past few decades, significant progress has been made towards enhancing climate resilience in legumes through classical and next-generation breeding coupled with omics approaches. Various defence mechanisms have been reported as key players in crop adaptation to drought stress. Many researchers have identified potential donors, QTLs/genes and candidate genes associated to drought tolerance-related traits. However, cloning and exploitation of these loci/gene(s) in breeding programmes are still limited. To bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical breeding, we need to reveal the omics-assisted genetic variations associated with drought tolerance in mungbean to tackle this stress. Furthermore, the use of wild relatives in breeding programmes for drought tolerance is also limited and needs to be focused. Even after six years of decoding the whole genome sequence of mungbean, the genome-wide characterization and expression of various gene families and transcriptional factors are still lacking. Due to the complex nature of drought tolerance, it also requires integrating high throughput multi-omics approaches to increase breeding efficiency and genomic selection for rapid genetic gains to develop drought-tolerant mungbean cultivars. This review highlights the impact of drought stress on mungbean and mitigation strategies for breeding high-yielding drought-tolerant mungbean varieties through classical and modern omics technologies.

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Towards Understanding Variability in Droughts in Response to Extreme Climate Conditions over the Different Agro-Ecological Zones of Pakistan

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13126910 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 6910

Author(s):

Adil Dilawar ◽

Baozhang Chen ◽

Arfan Arshad ◽

Lifeng Guo ◽

Muhammad Irfan Ehsan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pearson Correlation ◽

Principal Component ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Precipitation Extremes ◽

Climate Mitigation ◽

Mean Annual Temperature ◽

Climate Extreme ◽

Ecological Zones ◽

The Mean ◽

Agro Ecological Zones

Here, we provided a comprehensive analysis of long-term drought and climate extreme patterns in the agro ecological zones (AEZs) of Pakistan during 1980–2019. Drought trends were investigated using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI) at various timescales (SPEI-1, SPEI-3, SPEI-6, and SPEI-12). The results showed that droughts (seasonal and annual) were more persistent and severe in the southern, southwestern, southeastern, and central parts of the region. Drought exacerbated with slopes of −0.02, −0.07, −0.08, −0.01, and −0.02 per year. Drought prevailed in all AEZs in the spring season. The majority of AEZs in Pakistan’s southern, middle, and southwestern regions had experienced substantial warming. The mean annual temperature minimum (Tmin) increased faster than the mean annual temperature maximum (Tmax) in all zones. Precipitation decreased in the southern, northern, central, and southwestern parts of the region. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a robust increase in temperature extremes with a variance of 76% and a decrease in precipitation extremes with a variance of 91% in the region. Temperature and precipitation extremes indices had a strong Pearson correlation with drought events. Higher temperatures resulted in extreme drought (dry conditions), while higher precipitation levels resulted in wetting conditions (no drought) in different AEZs. In most AEZs, drought occurrences were more responsive to precipitation. The current findings are helpful for climate mitigation strategies and specific zonal efforts are needed to alleviate the environmental and societal impacts of drought.

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Salinity Stress in Potato: Understanding Physiological, Biochemical and Molecular Responses

Life ◽

10.3390/life11060545 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 545

Author(s):

Kumar Nishant Chourasia ◽

Milan Kumar Lal ◽

Rahul Kumar Tiwari ◽

Devanshu Dev ◽

Hemant Balasaheb Kardile ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Salt Stress ◽

Osmotic Stress ◽

Salinity Stress ◽

Crop Production ◽

Antioxidant Activities ◽

Water Status ◽

Membrane Damage ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Ammonium Compound ◽

Molecular Responses

Among abiotic stresses, salinity is a major global threat to agriculture, causing severe damage to crop production and productivity. Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is regarded as a future food crop by FAO to ensure food security, which is severely affected by salinity. The growth of the potato plant is inhibited under salt stress due to osmotic stress-induced ion toxicity. Salinity-mediated osmotic stress leads to physiological changes in the plant, including nutrient imbalance, impairment in detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS), membrane damage, and reduced photosynthetic activities. Several physiological and biochemical phenomena, such as the maintenance of plant water status, transpiration, respiration, water use efficiency, hormonal balance, leaf area, germination, and antioxidants production are adversely affected. The ROS under salinity stress leads to the increased plasma membrane permeability and extravasations of substances, which causes water imbalance and plasmolysis. However, potato plants cope with salinity mediated oxidative stress conditions by enhancing both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities. The osmoprotectants, such as proline, polyols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, and maltitol), and quaternary ammonium compound (glycine betaine) are synthesized to overcome the adverse effect of salinity. The salinity response and tolerance include complex and multifaceted mechanisms that are controlled by multiple proteins and their interactions. This review aims to redraw the attention of researchers to explore the current physiological, biochemical and molecular responses and subsequently develop potential mitigation strategies against salt stress in potatoes.

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Effect of Fertilisation on the Quality of Dried Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) and Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11050386 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 386

Author(s):

Natalia Matłok ◽

Józef Gorzelany ◽

Adam Figiel ◽

Maciej Balawejder

Keyword(s):

Bioactive Compounds ◽

Crop Production ◽

Solid Phase ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Raw Material ◽

Vacuum Microwave ◽

Dpph Method ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Total Antioxidant Potential

The study presents the effects of fertilisation on selected quality parameters of the dried material obtained from plants of lovage and coriander. During the crop production process, the plants were treated with two fertilisers containing substances potentially acting as elicitors. The dried material was obtained in course of a drying process carried out in optimum conditions and based on the CD-VMFD method which combines convective pre-drying (CD) at a low temperature (40 °C) with vacuum-microwave finish drying with the use of 240 W microwaves (VMFD). The quality of the dried material was evaluated through measurement of the total contents of polyphenols, total antioxidant potential (ABTS and DPPH method), and the profile of volatile compounds (headspace-solid phase microextractio-HS-SPME) as well as assessment of the colour. It was found that by applying first fertilisation (with organic components) it is possible to significantly increase the contents of both bioactive compounds and volatile substances responsible for the aroma. It was determined that the higher content of bioactive compounds was related to the composition of the first fertiliser, presumably the extract from common nettle. The study showed that the application of the first fertiliser contributed to enhanced quality parameters of the raw material obtained.

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