Background: The global trend at present is to utilise organic fertilisers of various types and sources to minimise the adverse effects of chemical fertilisers as much as possible. Bio-fertilization is a biotechnology-based fertilization method that helps plants to receive even more nutrients, the method is important in enhancing the efficiency of photosynthesis by fixing nitrogen in the atmosphere and producing growth-stimulating compounds. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted in the lath house of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Design, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad-Iraq, during the 2024-2025 growing season. The soil of Canna indica L. plants were inoculated with three levels of Azospirillum bacteria (0, 50 and 100 g pot-1) and three levels of Date Palm residues (0, 4 and 8 g pot-1) to determine their effects on vegetative and floral growth. 
 
Result: The addition of Azospirillum bacteria at 100 g pot-1&nbsp;resulted in a significant increase in most vegetative and floral growth characteristics and in the number of rhizomes. This treatment increased plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, main stem diameter, number of shoots, fresh weight, number of flowers, flower diameter, flowering period and number of rhizomes. The application of date palm residues at 8 g pot-1&nbsp;also significantly increased most vegetative and floral growth traits and the number of rhizomes, including plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem diameter, number of shoots, fresh weight, number of flowers, flower diameter, flower stalk length, flowering period and number of rhizomes.

Response of Canna indica L. to Azospirillum Bio-fertilizer, Date Palm Residues and Their Effect on Vegetative and Floral Growth

Background: One of the main reasons for India&rsquo;s decreased food production is the depletion of soil fertility. The primary causes of soil deterioration are lack of awareness among farmers and lack of land use regulations. By limiting the erosion and enhancing the nutrients available to the crops, conservation agriculture increases the organic matter content of the soil and contributes to the improvement of field conditions. But compared to conventional agriculture, the practise of conservation agriculture is less advanced. And also there is a dearth of research on the use of crop residues for the management of soil fertility. So this study was undertaken in order to examine the impacts of crop residue, inorganic fertilizers and cropping system as a component of an integrated crop residues and fertility management system on nutrient uptake and net returns of greengram. 
 
Methods: The experiment consists of strip plot design and was carried out during 2020-21 and 2021-22 under zero till conditions at college farm, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU to study the effect of previous crop residues and fertility levels on succeeding greengram.&nbsp; 
 
Result: According to the data, greengram absorbed more nutrients at various growing stages. The residual effect of incorporation of residues treated with microbial consortia composed of Trichoderma viridae, Aspergillus awamori and Phanerocheate spp. along with 300:100:100 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O (125% RDF) and phosphorous supplied in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) resulted in significantly higher financial returns. In greengram, residue incorporated plots outperformed residue burning, removal and retention plots with 125% RDF in terms of nutrient uptake, as well as monetary returns like gross returns, net returns and B:C ratio. In a similar vein, yield in residue-incorporated plots was higher than it was in residue-removal and in-situ burning plots during summer, 2021 and 2022.

Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Summer Greengram as Influenced by Residual Effect of Paddy Residues and Fertility Levels

Background: Farmers&rsquo; conventional tillage and residue removal practices in rice-maize-greengram systems in India are input-intensive, costly and soil degradative. A number of soil quality issues have emerged due to continuous cropping and burning of residues threatening the sustainability of rice based cropping systems for the last more than four decades. Nevertheless, the in-situ or in-field decomposition of crop residue using microbial inoculum is rarely studied. This necessitated the use of microbial consortia developed by a combination of potent strains of fungi which can perform harmoniously for rapid decomposition of crop residues. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during 2020-21 and 2021-22 with eight residue-management treatments and three fertility levels to zero till maize at college farm, Rajendranagar, PJTSAU using strip plot design and the residual effect on the succeeding greengram was studied. 
 
Result: Greengram growth and yield were significantly higher under residual effect of incorporation of residues treated with microbial consortia consisting of Trichoderma viridae, Aspergillus awamori and Phanerocheate spp. along with 300:100:100 kg ha-1 of N, P2O5 and K2O (125% RDF) and P supplied in the form of single super phosphate (SSP) under zero tillage during summer, 2021 and 2022. Growth parameters like plant height, leaf area index, dry matter production and yield attributes like number of pods plant-1, pod length and number of seeds pod-1 in greengram were higher under residue incorporated plots compared to residue burning, removal and retention plots with 125% RDF.

Residual Effects of Microbial Treated Paddy Residues Applied to Zero Till Maize on Growth and Yield of Summer Greengram

Background: To work out the residual effect of rice residue, FYM and fertilizers on summer moong (Vigna radiate L.) in Rice-potato-summer moong cropping system. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The present study was carried out at Research Farm, Department of Agronomy, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with two factors. Factor A contains&nbsp; five nutrient management treatments in potato (Rice residue+ 125 % NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM, Rice residue + 100%&nbsp; NPK + 25 tha-1&nbsp;FYM, Rice residue+ 75 % NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM, Rice residue + 125% NPK + 0 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM and Without rice residue + 100% NPK+ 50 tha-1&nbsp;FYM) and factor B contains three&nbsp; nitrogen levels in&nbsp; summer moong&nbsp; (0 kg ha-1&nbsp;N, 6.25 kg ha-1&nbsp;N and 12.5 kg ha-1&nbsp;N ). 
&nbsp; 
Result: The plant height, branches, dry matter accumulation, LAI and chlorophyll content index were significantly affected with the treatments applied to preceding potato crop. The application of rice residue+ 125% NPK + 25 tha-1&nbsp;FYM to potato crop resulted significantly higher plant height, branches, dry matter accumulation, LAI and chlorophyll content index of moong crop as compared to rice residue+ 75% NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM and rice residue+ 125% NPK + 0 tha-1&nbsp;FYM while at par to rice residue+ 100% NPK + 25 tha-1&nbsp;FYM and without rice residue + 100 % NPK+ 50 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM. The significantly higher biometric parameters were observed with 12.5 kg ha-1&nbsp;N which was significantly higher than the 0 and 6.25 5 kg ha-1 N. The application of rice residue+ 125% NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM to potato crop resulted significantly higher yield and yield attributing characters as compared to rice residue+ 75% NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM and rice residue+ 125% NPK + 0 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM while at par to rice residue+ 100% NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM and without rice residue + 100% NPK 50 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM. The application of higher dose of nitrogen @ 12 kg ha-1&nbsp;also significantly increased the yield and yield attributing characters as compared to lower doses of summer moong. The nutrients uptake ( N,P and K) was also maximum with rice residue+ 125% NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM which was at par to rice residue+ 100% NPK + 25 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM and without rice residue + 100% NPK+ 50 t ha-1&nbsp;FYM while significantly higher than other treatment. The application of higher dose of nitrogen @ 12 kg ha-1&nbsp;in summer moong also significantly increased the nutrient uptake and protein content as compared to lower doses.

Residual Effect of Rice Residue, Fym and Fertilizers on Growth, Yield and Quality of Summer Moong (Vigna radiata L.) in Rice-Potato-Summer Moong Cropping System

<div style="text-align: justify;">Dairy cattle and buffaloes (n=101) suffering from chronic diarrhea (&gt;3 weeks) with complete history of duration of diarrhea, systemic effects, body condition and faecal abnormalities were included in this study. Faecal samples, whole blood and rectal biopsies from selected animals were collected for the detection of Mycobacterium avium-subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP). Faecal smears were prepared and examined for the load of acid fast bacilli (AFB). Acid fast clumps were recorded in 40.6 per cent (41/101) of diarrheic animals and PCR confirmation was made byIS900 primers. MAP was detected in blood samples of four animals (4/41), while faecal samples were positive only in two of these 4 animals. All the four animals had persistent watery diarrhea and progressive loss in body weights and productivity. Rectal biopsies of two animals were positive by PCR. Remission of clinical signs was observed in these animals within 2-months. Biotyping of MAP-DNA from blood samples by IS1311 PCR-REA revealed restriction pattern of 67, 218 and 325 bp suggesting that MAP DNA belonged to &lsquo;Bison type&rsquo;, which is a major biotype infecting domestic livestock in India.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Bio-incidence and Bio-type of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in diarrheic dairy cattle and buffaloes of Punjab area in India</div>

<div>Background: Paddy straw is a good source of plant nutrients. In-situ incorporation of paddy straw affects the growth and development of succeeding rice crop by immobilization of soil available nutrients. To overcome this, paddy straw incorporated with additives and its effect on rice growth and development was studied. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Killikulam during October 2014 to February 2015, to study the residue management options in combine harvested rice and its effect on yield and economic benefits of rice crop. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design and replicated thrice. The treatments comprised rice residue without and with additives (25 kg additional N ha-1 as basal, bio-mineralizer (2 kg t-1&nbsp;rice residue), cow dung slurry (5%). The additives applied individually, combination of two and combination of all additives.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Different rice residue management practices exerted significant influence on succeeding rice crop. Increased number of productive tillers (409), number of grains per panicle (162), panicle length (23.8 cm), number of filled grains per panicle (132) and spikelet filled percentage (87) was recorded by T8, where straw incorporated with application of 25 kg additional N ha-1 as &nbsp;basal + bio-mineralizer (2 kg t-1 of rice residue) + cow dung slurry (5%). The same treatment recorded highest grain yield of 7395 kg ha-1 and straw yield of 8440 kg ha-1 and it reflected as maximum value of ₹ 1,13,646 ha-1 , 69,079 ha-1 and 2.55 of gross return, net return and B:C ratio, respectively.</div>

<div>Study on Residue Management Options in Combine Harvested Rice Field in Relation to Yield and Economic Benefits of Succeeding Rice Crop</div>

<div>Background: Bio-recycling of crop residues is contemplated as an environment friendly soil enrichment and conservation practice that sustains agricultural productivity in the long run. Legume residues are privileged by the unique nitrogen fixing capacity and rhizospheric properties that enhance soil fertility, thereby reducing the need for chemical nutrient inputs. The present study was conducted to evaluate the residual effect of red gram on fodder maize cultivated as succeeding crop in the southern laterites of Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala, India. 
 
Methods: The field experiment to assess the effect of red gram residue incorporation on the growth and yield of fodder maize was carried out in the Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Kerala during June - August 2019. Fodder maize (African tall) was sown in the plots after incorporation of crop residues of red gram varieties (APK 1 and Vamban (Rg) 3) grown under different planting geometry (40 cm x 20 cm and 60 cm x 30 cm) and NPK doses (40:80:40, 30:60:30 and 20:40:20 kg NPK ha-1) and compared with the package of practices recommendation and in randomized block design (RBD) replicated thrice.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Significantly higher quantities of red gram residues were realised and incorporated in the treatments involving a planting geometry of 40 cm x 20 cm and an NPK dose of 40:80:40 kg NPK ha-1 in both varieties used, Vamban (Rg) 3 and APK 1 (T7 and T1).&nbsp; Nutrient contents in the residues and decomposition in T1 and T7 resulted in the maximum additions in soil, available N, P and K status and dehydrogenase activity. Evaluation of the residual effects of the legume on fodder maize revealed the significantly highest growth and yields in maize raised with chemical fertilizers as per package recommendation and, among the residue incorporated treatments, maximum plant height and fodder yields were recorded in the treatment in which residues of Vamban (Rg) 3 raised at 40 cm x 20 cm spacing and fertilised with 40:80:40 kg NPK ha-1&nbsp; were incorporated, on par with variety APK 1 raised under same management practice. The green fodder yield with residue incorporation was 80-90 per cent that under chemical fertilizer managed treatment. Among the quality parameters, crude protein (9.30%) was the highest with chemical fertilizer application while carbohydrate content (66.23%) was the lowest.</div>

Residual Effects of Red Gram [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] on Growth, Yield and Quality of Fodder Maize (Zea mays L.)

<div style="text-align: justify;">An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of dietary supplementation of ghee residue on growth performance of Japanese quails. Ghee residue (GR) was included in the diet at 0 (T1), 5 (T2), 10 (T3) and 15 (T4) percent levels and fed to 500 Japanese quails, randomly divided into four treatment groups with five replicates each with twenty birds. The experimental diet was isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The estimated TME, CP and EE of GR were 4800kcal/kg, 24.46% and 40.78%, respectively. The highest body weight (213.55g) with best FE (2.62) was observed at 5% GR fed group (T2). Feed consumption and mortality did not differ significantly among various treatments. Slaughter yield was highest at 5% GR fed group. However, the body weight, FE and carcass yield at 5 and 10% GR fed groups remained statistically similar to that of control. Organoleptic study revealed that the meat of 10% GR fed group (T3) was more acceptable compared to others. Breast muscle cholesterol level was highest in GR fed groups (T2 to T4) compared to control (T1). GR Supplementation at all levels resulted in reduction of feed cost with highest reduction at 15% level (Rs.1.46/kg) but reduction in performance was observed at the same level. It was concluded that ghee residue could be included in the broiler quail diet as an energy, protein and fat source up to 10% level.</div>

Effect of dietary supplementation of ghee residue on the performance of Japanese quails

<div style="text-align: justify;">An experiment was conducted to analyse the chemical composition and nutritive value of ghee residue collected from various regions of Tamil Nadu. The per cent dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, total ash and Nitrogen Free Extract in ghee residue was 90.61, 24.32, 0.26, 40.69, 4.71 and 30.02, respectively. The calcium, phosphorus and magnesium of ghee residue were 0.58, 0.58 and 0.58 per cent, respectively. The copper, manganese and iron levels in ghee residue were 7.06, 350.57 and 413.62 ppm, respectively. Essential amino acids like lysine and methionine were at lower levels in ghee residue. Fatty acid profile in ghee residue including myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, ecosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and other fatty acids were 12.76, 38.13, 1.73, 12.45, 28.20, 3.81, 0.83, 0.16, 0.63, 0.50, 0.18, and 0.56 per cent, respectively. Oleic acid levels were observed to be higher in ghee residue. Thus, it could be concluded that ghee residue is a rich source of fat and protein and also a rich source of unsaturated fatty acid and oleic acid. Further in vivo trials are needed to find the digestibility and inclusion levels in mongastrics.&nbsp;</div>

Estimation of nutritive value of ghee residue procured from western districts of Tamil Nadu, India

<div>Background: Pesticides act as endocrine disruptors and cause enormous disturbances in steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and sexual behavioural display. These toxicants modulate and/or disrupt the reproductive and hormonal environment by acting on hypothalamus, pituitary and reproductive organs. Few studies have been carried out to assess the levels of pesticides in dairy cattle / buffaloes. The information on pesticide residues in body fluids especially blood and semen in breeding bulls is lacking.&nbsp; 
 
Method: In the light of above background nineteen fresh semen ejaculates were collected from Milkfed, Khanna and PLDB (Punjab Livestock Development Board), Nabha, Punjab and stored at -80◦C. Immediately after collection, the semen was centrifuged at 4500 &times; g for 20 min at 4◦C. The supernatant (seminal plasma) was stored at -20◦C until processing for the assessment of pesticide residues using gas chromatography (GC). In the present study on crossbred breeding bulls, the semen samples were analyzed for organochlorines, organophosphates and synthetic pyrethroid pesticide residues. Seven OCP were screened namely Heptachlor epoxide, Chlordane, Fipronil, Lindane, Methoxychlor, op-DDT, Endrin. Eleven OPP were screened namely Chorpyrifos, Dichlorovos, Ethion, Monocrotophos, Malathion, Parathion-methyl, Profenphos, Phorate, Triazophos, Quinalphos and Phosalone and four SP&rsquo;s namely Cypermethrin, Permethrin, Deltamethrin, Cyalothrin were screened in the semen samples. Semen samples were also assessed for viability, HOST (%) and abnormality (%) for both fresh as well as post thaw samples. 
 
Result: None of the semen samples were found positive for any of the above pesticide residues. This may be attributed to the feeding of fodder cultivated at the stations without using any pesticides, hence no pesticide residue found in the semen samples of the crossbred breeding bulls of these semen stations In present study, viability (%) of sperms were found to be significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) in fresh (75.57 &plusmn; 5.31) as compared to post thaw (70.17 &plusmn; 4.64) semen of bulls. The abnormality (%) of sperms was found to be significantly lower (p&lt;0.05) in fresh (13.61 &plusmn; 3.71) than post thaw (18.22 &plusmn; 3.59) semen bulls. Also in present study the host (%) was found 67.23&plusmn;4.76 in fresh semen which decreased to 46.82&plusmn;3.55 in post thaw semen.</div>