<div>Background: Black Bengal goat is one of the important goat breeds of India. Cryopreservation of semen and artificial insemination are effective techniques for improving goat breeding programs. Various biochemical and functional changes that occur during freezing-thawing process results in poor post thaw sperm recovery. Supplementation of antioxidants to the extender has been reported to have positive effects on semen cryopreservation in various species. The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of antioxidants butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT), &alpha; tocopherol on post thaw in vitro sperm characters, lipid peroxide level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity during cryo&shy;preservation of Black Bengal buck semen.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Semen was collected from bucks by artificial vagina, antioxidant BHT was added to the Tris egg yolk extender @ 0, 1 and 2 mM/ml in control group (BHTC), treatment group 1 (BHTT1) and treatment group 2 (BHTT2), respectively. Similarly, tocopherol was added @ 0, 1 and 2 mg/ml in control group (TFC), in treatment group 1 (TFT1) and treatment group 2 (TFT2), respectively. Each antioxidant was tested with 20 semen ejaculates. Semen samples were frozen in liquid nitrogen and post freeze-thaw in vitro sperm characters, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and SOD activity were measured.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Post thaw sperm motility, functional membrane integrity and viable count were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in the BHT and &alpha; tocopherol supplemented groups than control groups. Significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher acrosome intact cells were recovered in BHTT1, BHTT2 and TFT2 groups than the control and TFT1 groups. Further, BHT supplemented groups had significantly lower level of MDA than the control, while the supplementation of &alpha; tocopherol could not control the generation of MDA. Post thaw SOD activity was found significantly lower in the antioxidant treated groups than their respective controls. It is concluded that supplementation of BHT and &alpha; tocopherol were found to be more promising in conserving in vitro sperm characters from cryo-damages during freezing of Black Bengal bucks semen.</div>

<div>Effect of Butylated Hydroxytoluene and Tocopherol Supplementation on In vitro Sperm Characters during Cryopreservation of Black Bengal Buck Semen</div>

Background: Weeds compete with plants for resources during cultivation and the control of weeds during the critical period of crop-weed competition is crucial to avoid yield loss ranging from 50%-90% in black gram. The first 4-5 weeks are critical for black gram crop-weed competition. The composition of weed flora, the duration of crop-weed competition and its intensity significantly impact yield losses in black gram cultivation. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate weed management practices in rabi black gram, with a focus on identifying herbicides that enhance weed control, increase productivity and profitability. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted during the rabi season of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 consecutively at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar. The field experiment comprised of eight treatments on different herbicide applications as T1- Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl @ 65 g a.i. ha-1, T2- Quizalofop-p-ethyl @ 50 g a.i. ha-1, T3-Cyhalofop-butyl @ 75 g a.i. ha-1, T4-Pendimethalin @ 750 g a.i. ha-1, T5- Oxyflourfen @ 50 g a.i. ha-1, T6- Tembotrione @ 120 g a.i. ha-1, T7- Weed check (control) and T8- Weed free, which was laid under randomised block design. Collected samples were analyzed in the field and laboratory for crop-weed competition, herbicide phytotoxicity and yield attributes. 
 
Result: The results revealed that weed-free treatment recorded the lowest weed population (5.27-5.45), weed dry weight (1.35g-2.20 g) and lowest weed index (0.00%) at all growth stages followed by pendimethalin (PE) application. Among yield attributes, weed-free treatment recorded the highest plant height (cm) which was at par with pendimethalin (PE) followed by cyhalofop-butyl (PoE) application. The magnitude of seed yield was increased under weed-free (1035.46 kg ha-1) and pendimethalin (PE) and cyhalofop-butyl (PoE) applications by 53.62% and 48.40%, respectively over the weedy check. Application of tembotrione recorded the highest herbicide phytotoxicity (5.3-7.6) over the rest of the treatments. It can be concluded that the application of pendimethalin 30 EC 750 g ha-1 as PE at 2 DAS followed by cyhalofop-butyl 10 EC 75 g ha-1 can be advisable for better weed control, lower herbicide phytotoxicity and higher yield.

Bio-Efficacy of Pre-and Post-Emergence Herbicides on Growth, Productivity, Nodulation of Black Gram (Vigna mungo L.) under Coastal Plain of Odisha

Background: A field trial was carried out during the Navarai season (Jan - Apr) of 2025 at the wetland Farm of SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, located in Baburayanpettai, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India to assess the effect of integrated weed management strategies in drum-seeded rice. 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of ten treatments with three replications. The treatments comprised combinations of Bensulfuron methyl + Pretilachlor (PE), Trifamone + Ethoxysulfuron (EPoE), Florpyrauxifen-benzyl + Cyhalofop-butyl (POE), in combination of hand weeding and power weeding. 
 
Result: Findings indicated that applying PE Bensulfuron methyl + Pretilachlor (660 g/ha) followed by POE Florpyrauxifen-benzyl + Cyhalofop-butyl (150 g/ha) significantly reduced weed density, enhancing weed control efficiency and growth parameters like plant height, tiller count and panicle characteristics and also resulted in the highest straw yield (7215 kg/ha) and grain yield (5,550 kg/ha). The research concludes that employing combination of pre and post emergence herbicides represents a viable approach for effective weed control and enhanced productivity in drum-seeded rice. 
&nbsp;

Assessment of Weed Dynamics and Crop Response Through Integrated Weed Management Strategies in Drum Seeded Rice

Background: The performance of rice fallow black gram is strongly influenced by prevailing soil conditions and the residual effects of weed management practices adopted in the preceding rice crop. Herbicide residues and changes in soil properties resulting from different rice establishment methods can influence the germination, growth and yield of the succeeding black gram crop. The impacts of weed management techniques and rice crop establishment techniques on crop performance and weed control effectiveness on the subsequent black gram were assessed in this study. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai (11&deg;01&rsquo;N, 79&deg;48E, 19.5 MSL.), Tamil Nadu, India. Three techniques for rice establishment were used in the split-plot design of the field trial, viz, dry direct-seeded rice, drum seeding and non-puddled transplanted rice (NPTR) - as main plots and seven weed management practices as subplots. In addition to the growth and yield characteristics of the subsequent black gram, weed dry weight and weed control efficiency (WCE) were measured at 60 DAS. Each treatment&rsquo;s crop was collected and threshed independently and the yield for each plot was measured. 
 
Result: The results showed that weed dry weight and WCE were significantly affected by rice establishment techniques and weed control strategies. Among establishment methods, NPTR recorded lower weed dry weight and higher WCE compared to dry direct seeding. The maximum black gram seed yield was attained under pendimethalin followed by Florpyrauxifen-benzyl + cyhalofop-butyl, indicating the absence of adverse residual effects of herbicides, whereas the weedy check resulted in poor growth and yield. The study concluded that non-puddled transplanted rice (NPTR) combined with integrated herbicide-based weed management is an efficient and sustainable option for effective weed control in rice and enhanced productivity of rice fallow black gram.

Yield of Blackgram as Influenced by Residual Effects of Crop Establishment Methods and Weed Management Practices in Rice

Background: Effective weed management is critical for improving rice productivity in transplanted rice. This study evaluated the effect of different adjuvants on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based herbicide application for weed management in transplanted rice during the Navarai season (January-May) of 2025-26. 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted in a Randomized Block Design with seven treatments replicated thrice. Florpyrauxifen-benzyl + Cyhalofop-butyl @ 150 g ha-1&nbsp;was applied at 20 days after transplanting (DAT) using UAV with three different adjuvants [silicon-based adjuvant (T1), all-purpose spray adjuvant (T2) and methylated seed oil adjuvant (T3)], compared with UAV application without adjuvant (T4), knapsack sprayer application (T5), weed-free check (T6) and weedy check (T7). 
 
Result: The experimental findings indicated that UAV-based herbicide application with silicon-based adjuvant (T1) recorded the lowest weed density and dry weight at 40 and 60 DAT, achieving 76.65% and 74.99% weed control efficiency, respectively. Silicon-based adjuvant treatment also resulted in the highest grain yield of 4,335.6 kg ha-1, which was comparable to the weed-free check (4,464.2 kg ha-1) and significantly superior to other treatments. The results demonstrated that adjuvants play a crucial role in enhancing herbicide efficacy of UAV spray, with silicon-based adjuvants providing superior spray characteristics and herbicide performance compared to oil-based or multipurpose adjuvants. The study conclusively showed that UAV-based herbicide application combined with appropriate adjuvants offers an effective, sustainable and economically viable strategy for weed management in transplanted rice. 
&nbsp;

Influence of UAV-based Herbicide Application with Adjuvants on Weed Dynamics and Productivity of Transplanted Rice

Background: Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Aduthurai during 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 to find out suitable bio inoculant, weed management practice and foliar nutrition for Rice fallow blackgram. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experiments were carried out by using RCBD (Factorial) with three replications. The treatments viz., Seed inoculation [A1- Control (no seed inoculation), A2- Rhizobium + PSB (local), A3- LSMR 1 + RB 3 microbial consortia], Weed management [B1- Weedy check, B2- Propaquizafop 2.50 % + imazethapyr 3.75 % ME @ 125 g ha-1&nbsp;at 15-20 DAS, B3- Fomesafen @ 220 g ha-1&nbsp;+ fluzifop-p-butyl @ 220 g ha-1&nbsp;at 15-20 DAS] and Foliar nutrition [C1- Water spray at flower initiation and pod initiation stage, C2- Nano urea spray @ 0.25 % at flower initiation and pod initiation stage, C3- 19:19:19 NPK @ 2% at flower initiation and pod initiation stage].&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Result: The lower weed density, weed dry weight and higher weed control efficiency was recorded with application of early post emergence herbicide fomesafen + fluzifop-b-butyl @ 220 g ha-1&nbsp;at 15-20 DAS.&nbsp; Seed inoculation with LSMR1 + RB3 microbial consortia, application of fomesafen + fluzifop-b-butyl @ 220 g ha-1&nbsp;at 15-20 DAS and foliar nutrition with 19:19:19 NPK @ 2 % at flower initiation and pod initiation stage had taller plants, higher pods plant-1, more seeds pod-1&nbsp;and test weight which led to higher grain yield. Due to increase in blackgram yield, the same treatment achieved higher gross return, net return and benefit cost ratio. 
&nbsp;

Effect of Seed Inoculation, Weed Management and Foliar Nutrition in Rice Fallow Blackgram for Higher Productivity in Cauvery Delta Zone of Tamil Nadu

Background: Invasive golden dodder incidence poses a serious threat to rice-fallow pulse agro-ecosystems of Tamil Nadu, reducing crop growth, yield and profitability. Effective chemical weed management strategies are essential to suppress this parasitic weed and sustain pulse productivity in rice fallow systems. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;Field experiments were conducted during the rice fallow summer seasons of 2024 and 2025 (January-March) at ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. The experimental field was observed with notable invasion of dicot weed flora golden dodder (Cuscuta chinensis) for the past three years prior to that there was no such incidence. The treatments consisted T1- Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @ 1.0 kg ha-1; T2- EPoE application of fluazifop&ndash;p-butyl 11.1% + fomesafen 11.1% @ 250 g ha-1; T3- EPoE application of propaquizafop 2.5% + imazethapyr 3.75% @ 125 g ha-1; T4- EPoE application of clodinafop propargyl 8% + acifluorfen sodium 16.5% @ 185 g ha-1; T5- Weed free and T6- Unweeded control. The green gram cultivar ADT 3 was taken up in the experiment for study. 
 
Result: The EPoE application of fluazifop&ndash;p-butyl 11.1% + fomesafen 11.1% @ 250 g ha-1&nbsp;on 25 DAS resulted in less dry matter production of dodder on 30 DAS (1.86 g m-2) and the same treatment restricted the further growth, establishment and dry matter production of dodder to nil (0.0 g m-2) at 60 DAS. Similarly the same treatment also recorded higher grain yield (710.5 kg ha-1), gross return (49104 ₹ ha-1) and B:C ratio (2.45). Hence, it is recommended that EPoE application of fluazifop&ndash;p-butyl 11.1% + fomesafen 11.1% @ 250 g ha-1&nbsp;on 25 DAS in rice fallow pulse (green gram) for effective golden dodder management and sustaining the productivity and profitability of the agro-ecosystem.

Management of Invasive Golden Dodder (Cuscuta chinensis) in Rice-fallow Pulse Agro-ecosystem of Tamil Nadu Through Chemical Weed Control Practices

<div>Background: In edible oil processing industry the main reason of lipid deterioration is oxidation. The inclusion of antioxidants is required to preserve colour, flavour and to prevent vitamin destruction. In recent years the discovery of safe antioxidants of plant origin have increased conspicuously and they have been considered as better alternative than synthetic antioxidants such as tert-butyl hydroquinone, butylated hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate etc. This study is an attempt to investigate pod coats of cowpea as potential source of natural antioxidants and to appraise their efficacy for stabilizing soybean oil. 
 
Methods: In the laboratory investigation during 2015-2018 the efficacy of cowpea pod coat extracts in stabilizing soybean oil during accelerated storage has been studied. Pod coats of cowpea were extracted with three solvents (acetone, ethyl acetate and chloroform). Soybean oil samples were stabilised by adding different pod coat extracts at 1000 and 2000 ppm concentration. 
 
Result: Our investigation allowed us to conclude that rate of oxidative degradation of soybean oil was the lowest in the sample treated with acetone extract (2000 ppm).</div>

Stabilisation of Soybean Oil with Pod Coat Extracts of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata)

<div>Background: Greengram crop is grown round the year as a catch crop in different cropping systems of the uplands of the Krishna Zone of Andhra Pradesh. The practice of application of pre emergence herbicide like pendimethalin is very popular with the farmers for the control of weeds in the uplands, both in kharif and rabi seasons. Further spraying of a selective post emergence herbicide is also practiced by farmers. However, some of the weeds of kharif viz., Phyllanthus maderaspatensis and rabi viz., Chrozophora rottleri could not be controlled with these herbicides due to their late emergence or due to development of partial resistance to these herbicides. Certain new pre (PE) and post emergence (PoE) herbicides viz., pendimethalin 30% + imazethapyr 2%, acifluorfen sodium 16.5% + clodinafop propargyl 8%, fomesafen 11.1% + fluazifop -p-butyl 11.1%, are recommended in crops like soybean and groundnut.&nbsp; However, there is need to test these herbicides available in market for their suitability to control the weeds in greengram.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, with an objective to evaluate selected PE and PoE herbicide mixtures in greengram managing the major weeds of greengram grown in vertisols of Krishna Zone of Andhra Pradesh during Kharif and rabi seasons of 2018 under upland conditions. 
 
Result: Among the two PE herbicides tested on greengram, pendimethalin 30% + imazethapyr 2% @ 0.75 + 0.05 kg/ha was found to be more effective in reducing the weed density and dry matter compared with pendimethalin 30% @ 0.75 kg/ha. The PoE herbicide mixtures tested viz., fomesafen 11.1% + fluazifop -p-butyl 11.1% @111g/ha, propaquizafop 2.5% + imazethapyr 3.75% @ 50+75 g/ha&nbsp; &nbsp;were on par with imazethapyr 10% @ 50g/ha in controlling the weed population without having any adverse affect on the growth and yield of greengram during kharif and rabi.</div>

Evaluation of Pre and Post Emergence Herbicides in Greengram (Vigna radiata L.) during Kharif and Rabi Seasons in the Uplands of Krishna Zone of Andhra Pradesh

<div style="text-align: justify;">The phenolic compounds and radical scavenging activity of ethanolic extracts of five adzuki beans were evaluate according to cultivar. The predominant phenolic acids in five cultivars of adzuki bean were (+)-catechin and gallic acid. Antioxidant capacities were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) diammonium salt, and reducing power was positively enhanced according to the total polyphenolic content. In a cell-based assay, adzuki beans showed cytoprotective effects against oxidative stress induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide and inhibitory effects on the production of reactive oxygen species, except for the cultivar Vigna angularis var. nipponensis cv. Whinnarae. In conclusion, (+)-catechin was the predominant phenolic compound found in adzuki beans, but there were differences according to the cultivar. Overall, the adzuki bean cultivars showed different antioxidant activities and cytoprotective effects according to the concentration and composition of phenolic compounds.</div>