<div>Background: Black gram is one of the important pulse crops of the world and India is the major producer and consumer of pulses in the world. One of the main reason for low productivity of pulses is that they are cultivated mostly in areas with low soil moisture and poor soil fertility. In order to overcome such adverse conditions, low-cost techniques like seed hardening/pelleting are preferred. Seed pelleting provides package of nutrients that influences seed or soil at the seed-soil interface. Since the cost involved is very less, an attempt has been made to study the effect of botanical seed pelleting and foliar spary on growth and yield parameters in black gram cv. CO 6. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the cumulative effect of botanical seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150g kg-1 and foliar spray of prosopis and moringa leaf powders with different concentrations (2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) on morpho physiological, leaf chlorophyll, gas exchange and yield parameters in black gram cv. CO 6 in the study. The observations on morpho physiological, leaf chlorophyll, gas exchange and yield parameters were recorded, statistically analysed and discussed here. 
 
Result: From the results, it was found that among the treatments, seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150 g kg-1 + foliar spray of prosopis leaf powder @ 6% recorded higher morpho physiological parameters viz., plant height (48.73 cm), number of branches plant-1 (8.78), dry matter production (14.83 g plant-1), chlorophyll &lsquo;a&rsquo; (1.03 mg g-1), chlorophyll &lsquo;b&rsquo; (1.11 mg g-1) and total chlorophyll content (2.14 mg g-1), photosynthesis and transpiration rates (27.33 mg CO2 m-2 s-1 and 10.60 mg H2O m-2 s-1), intercellular CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance (274.30 &micro; mol mol-1 and 0.82 mol-2 s-1). This treatment also recorded lower number of days to first flowering (23.23 days), earliness in 50 per cent flowering (30.12 days) and also recorded higher yield parameters such as lengthier pods, more number of pods plant-1, pod yield plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, seed yield &nbsp;plant-1, seed yield ha-1 and hundred seed weight of 5.60 cm, 26.30, 8.20 g, 7.30, 5.30 g, 795.12 kg ha-1 and 5.83 g, respectively as compared to other treatments. To conclude, seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150 g kg-1 + foliar spray of prosopis leaf powder @ 6% proved to be the best in enhancing morpho physiological, growth and yield parameters.</div>

<div>Cumulative Effect of Botanical Seed Pelleting and Foliar Spray on Morpho Physiological, Leaf Chlorophyll, Gas Exchange and Yield Parameters in Black gram</div>

<div>Background: The use of alternative feedstuff like cassava peel and leaf in pig production is of great concern due to reduced nutrient availability caused by high fibre and antinutritional constituent. The current study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of differently processed cassava peel-leaf blend (CPLB) on growth and blood parameters of growing pigs. 
 
Methods: CPLB (Cassava peel: Cassava leaf; 5:1) was included in pigs diet in a feeding trial for 16 wks. The CPLB replaced maize at 100%. 24 pigs of mean weight range (20-22 kg) were assigned on a weight equalization basis to four dietary treatments having six replicates with one pig per replicate. A standard corn soya-based diet (control), Unfermented CPLB (UCPLB), water fermented CPLB (WCPLB) and microbial fermented CPLB (MCPLB) using Aspergillus tamarii as inoculum was formulated. Growth response was measured and serum analysis was carried out at the end of the 8th and 16th week. 
 
Result: There was no significant (p&gt;0.05) effect on growth performance at the end of the 8th and 16th weeks. Dietary inclusion of MCPLB resulted in higher (p&lt;0.05) cholesterol (144.30 mmol/L) in pigs than those fed control diet (97.20 mm/L) at the end of 8th week. Pigs fed diet containing UCPLB had reduced (p&lt;0.05) serum creatinine (0.58 mg/dl) at the end of 16th week. In conclusion, CPLB based diet irrespective of processing method did not significantly affect growth performance and without negative effect on blood serum parameters.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</div>

Influence of Processed Cassava Peel-leaf Blend as Replacement for Maize on Growth Performance and Serum Parameters of Growing Pigs

Background: Tejpatta leaves are well known for their use as spice in food for taste and aromatic purposes. It is mainly used for flavoring food and widely used in pharmaceutical preparation because of its hypoglycemic, stimulant, carminative, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer and antimicrobial properties. Keeping the aforementioned properties in view, the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder on growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters of broilers for boosting poultry industry production.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Two hundred and twenty five day-old chicks were randomly assigned into five dietary treatment groups (T1-T5) using CRD, each consisting of 45 chicks with roughly equal average body weights. Each group of 45 chicks was subdivided into three replicates (R1, R2 and R3) having 15 chicks per replicate. The T1 group fed basal diet only, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups were fed Tejpatta leaf powder @ 0.25%, 0.75%, 1.25% and 1.75%, respectively, along with basal diet. 
 
Result: Significant (P&lt;0.01) effect on growth characteristics was noticed in broiler chicks due to dietary supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder. Significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher body weight, weekly body weight gain, average daily body weight gain and performance index was noticed in T4 group and lowest was observed in T1 group. Significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher feed intake was observed in T5 group and lowest was in T1 group. Lowest feed conversion ratio was observed in T4 group and highest in T1 group. Non-significant effect on hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood corpuscle count, serum glucose, total protein and cholesterol and creatinine levels was observed in various treatment groups. It was concluded that supplementing broiler diet with Tejpatta leaf powder @ 1.25% could be beneficial for improving broiler chick growth performance and hemato-biochemical parameters while having no adverse effects on broiler chicks.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) Leaf&nbsp; Powder as Feed Additive on Growth Performance and Haemato-biochemical Parameters of Broilers

Background: Leaves are vital plant organs executing major physiological functions of plants. They act as a primary site for carbohydrate synthesis and transpiration. The leaf characteristics also readily affect the flowering. Chlorophyll in the leaves plays major role in photosynthesis. In pot plant industry, the size, shape and colour hold the commercial value. An experiment was carried out on tropical flowering Anthuriums for pot plant production in coastal Bhubaneswar area under AICRP floriculture to study effect of different nutrients and growth regulators/bio-stimulants on pot- Anthuriums leaves. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The treatments include five types of nutrient solution sprayed with varying frequency of weekly once and twice and six types of growth regulators with varying forms and concentrations. Significant variation was observed in different leaf parameters obtained from different treatment combinations. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Among all the nutrient treatments, liquid MS medium resulted better leaf characteristics with once week spray and among different growth regulators, GA3&nbsp;@ 200 ppm resulted better leaf characteristics. Among the treatments, spraying of liquid MS medium once in week resulted in highest leaf breadth (1.93 cm), leaf area (8.20 cm2) and leaf chlorophyll content (0.87 mg/ cm2). Spraying liquid MS medium once in a week along with GA3&nbsp;@ 200ppm sprayed at two months interval resulted in largest leaf area (12.42 cm2). 
&nbsp;

Effect of Foliar Application of Chemical Nutrient Mixture and Growth Regulators on Different Leaf Parameters of Pot-Anthuriums

<div>Background: Chlorophyll is a green molecule found in plant cells that aids photosynthesis. It absorbs sunlight and converts the energy into carbohydrates using CO2 and water as a starting point. Chlorophyll &lsquo;a&rsquo; and chlorophyll &lsquo;b&rsquo; are the two forms of chlorophyll found in plants&nbsp;and each serves as a photoreceptor in photosynthesis, assuming higher electron transport, thus improving photochemical capacity. 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted at Banana Research Station, Kannara, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala during 2017-2018 to elucidate the response of banana Musa (AAB) &lsquo;Nendran&rsquo; in terms of growth, yield and quality to nutrient sources.Variation in leaf parameters, phyllochron and chlorophyll content in leaf tissue of banana raised with different nutrient sources was analysed. The amount of chlorophyll present in the leaves, is an indication of photosynthetic efficiency.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Highest Leaf Area Index (2.34) were recorded in T4 (integrated use of organic manures with biofertilzers practised). Highest amount of chlorophyll &lsquo;a&rsquo; (1.20 mg), chlorophyll &lsquo;b&rsquo; (1.62 mg), total chlorophyll (2.82 mg) and lowest phyllochron (7.33) were obtained in T8 (Fertigation with organic sources FYM @29 kg, lime @0.5 kg and wood ash @4 kg as basal; fertigation once in four days with 14 kg FYM till one month after bunch emergence+ in situ green manuring) which was followed T3 (POP recommendation of KAU with organic manures FYM @15kg&nbsp; + lime @0.5 kg as basal + Poultry manure @ 14 kg/plant + Wood ash @4kg/plant applied in two splits i.e. one as basal and one 3 MAP + in situ green manuring) at 150 days after planting. The results indicated that the manuring Nendran banana with organic manures had advantage over chemical fertilizers in term of chlorophyll production and increase in photosynthetic efficiency.</div>

​Influence of Nutrient Sources on Chlorophyll Content and other Leaf Parameters of Banana Musa (AAB) Nendran

<div>Background: Maize is gaining importance among cereal crops as it is a good source of nutrition and phytochemical compounds. Among various pathogens attacking maize, banded leaf and sheath blight (BLSB) caused by Rhizoctonia solani f.sp sasakii is a very serious impediment for quality maize production. All the plant parts got infected with this disease under severe conditions. When this fungus completes its life cycle, it produces sclerotia on different plant parts which serve as inoculum for disease development in the upcoming season. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: Keeping in view the economic value of the crop, occurrence and losses caused by this disease worldwide, the experiment on disease management was conducted to evaluate different fungicides under field conditions at Regional Research Station Uchani, Karnal of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The effects on yield parameters were also recorded. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Results showed that all five fungicides were effective in controlling this disease and increasing yield as compared to the untreated checks. Azoxystrobin @ 0.1% foliar sprays twice at 30 and 45 DAS was found most effective in reducing the disease upto 73.54 per cent and increasing the grain yield (64.06 q/ha) by 77.30 per cent as compared to untreated control.</div>

Field Evaluation of Fungicides for the Management of Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight of Maize and Their Effect on Yield Parameters

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts supplementation on performance, hemato-biochemical parameters and economics of broiler chickens. 
 
Methods: Different dietary treatments were; basal diet with no supplement (NC- negative control) and basal diet supplemented with antibiotics (PC-positive control), aqueous extract of 1.5% Moringa powder (MOAQE), ether extract of 1.5% Moringa powder (MOEE) and alcoholic extract of 1.5% Moringa powder (MOALE). The effect of these supplements on feed intake, weight gain, growth rate, FCR, hemato-biochemical parameters and on economic return was assessed in a five-week study. 
 
Result: The FCR of Moringa extract supplemented and PC group was significantly better than NC group. Cholesterol and triglyceride value of Moringa extract group was significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower than PC and NC group. Profit and profit index of PC and MOAQE group was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher than other groups. The findings of this study indicated that Moringa extract improved weight gain, feed efficiency and economic returns in broiler chickens and may be used as phytogenic growth promoter in broiler production.

Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Performance, Hemato-biochemical Parameters and Economics of Broiler Production

<div style="text-align: justify;">The structural and quantitative diversity of Kranz anatomy of nineteen Indian varieties of sugarcane was studied in relation to brix content or yield of sugar. The nature and distribution of Kranz tissue and types of vascular bundle in the leaf blade have also been described and discussed. In hand made transverse sections of leaf blade of sugarcane varieties, two different sizes (large and small) of vascular bundles were found. The large vascular bundles were characterized by the presence of metaxylem vessels on the either side of protoxylem. The small vascular bundles entirely consist of metaxylem but lack of protoxylem. Variation of Brix content of the basal, middle and top part of Culm of nineteen varieties was also observed. Statistically, average Brix content was positively correlated with the total area of the photosynthetic cells as well as bundle sheath cells and the linear regression curve followed the straight line. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

Study of anatomical parameters of leaf and brix content of some promising commercial Indian varieties of sugarcane

Background: Groundnut (Arachis hypogea L.) is one of the most important oilseed crops in India, playing a crucial role in the country&rsquo;s economy. This crop is vulnerable to various insect pests starting from vegetative to maturity phase, of which, the leaf miner Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) cause substantial yield loss especially in rainfed groundnut cultivation. Most of the farmers were reluctant to adopt integrated management strategies and prefer to take up only chemical pesticides. Biological control is one of the effective management options since the groundnut ecosystem harbours several biological agents. Natural biocontrol agents including hymenopteran parasitoids like Bracon gelechiae, Goniozus sp., Apanteles sp., Stenomesius japonicus etc. plays a vital role in managing the pest under irrigated ecosystem. Only limited studies were available on the effectiveness of these natural bio-control agents in rainfed ecosystem and hence, present study was focused on the natural parasitization of A. modicella in rainfed groundnut ecosystem. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The field survey was conducted during Summer and Kharif, 2023 in Nambiyur block, Erode District, Tamil Nadu, India to record the natural parasitization percentage on 10 randomly selected plants at weekly interval. The parasitized larva and pupa of A. modicella were collected and reared under laboratory conditions to record the emergence of parasitoids The natural parasitization was correlated with the weather parameters prevailed during the cropping season. 
&nbsp; 
Result: Bracon sp. has been identified as the major natural enemy of A. modicella under rainfed ecosystem. During Summer 2023, minimum parasitization level of 8.0 per cent was observed in the 12th&nbsp;Standard Mean Week (SMW) i.e., second fortnight of March. Subsequently, the parasitization levels were increased during Kharif, 2023 with the moderate (18.00%) during 23rd to 30th SMW i.e., June-July and peaked (26.00 %) during 31st&nbsp;to 33rd&nbsp;SMW i.e., July-August months. The correlation analysis results revealed that the maximum temperature (0.768), minimum temperature (0.533), rainfall (0.015) and Sunshine hours (0.483) were positively correlated and Relative humidity (-0.146) was negatively correlated with the per cent parasitization.&nbsp;

Natural Field Parasitization of Groundnut Leaf Miner, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) and Influence by Weather Parameters in Rainfed Groundnut Ecosystem

Background: The integration of drip irrigation and nitrogen fertilization presents a synergistic approach to optimize okra production. Drip irrigation not only ensures efficient water use but also facilitates the precise application of fertilizers, thereby enhancing nutrient availability and nutrient uptake. This targeted approach helps in minimizing nutrient losses through leaching and volatilization, issues commonly associated with conventional fertilization application. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Water Technology Centre, College of Agriculture, PJTSAU, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad during summer, 2021 on &ldquo;Optimization of irrigation and nitrogen levels under drip fertigation in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot with three replications Bhendi crop (Radhika hybrid) was sown at a spacing of 40 cm x 45 cm. The treatments comprised of three irrigation levels scheduled through drip scheduledat 0.75 Epan, 1.0 Epan and 1.25 Epanin main-plots and four nitrogen levels viz., 75% RDN (112.5 kg N ha-1), 100% RDN (150 kg N ha-1), 125% RDN (187.5 kg N ha-1) and 150% RDN (225 kg N ha-1) in sub-plots. Experimental soil was sandy clay in texture, alkaline in reaction, medium in organic carbon content, low in available nitrogen, high in available phosphorous and available potassium, respectively.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results indicated that, the highest leaf area index, root biomass, pod chlorophyll content and crude fibre content were highest under drip irrigation scheduled at 1.0 Epan treatment. Among the nitrogen levels the highest leaf area index, root biomass, pod chlorophyll content and crude fibre content were recorded with 100% RDN (N2) treat. Among the interaction of treatment combinations, the crop irrigation scheduled at 1.0 Epan in conjunction with 100% RDN (I2N2) recorded maximum leaf area index, root biomass, pod chlorophyll content and crude fibre content.

Cumulative Effect of Botanical Seed Pelleting and Foliar Spray on Morpho Physiological, Leaf Chlorophyll, Gas Exchange and Yield Parameters in Black gram

Influence of Processed Cassava Peel-leaf Blend as Replacement for Maize on Growth Performance and Serum Parameters of Growing Pigs

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) Leaf Powder as Feed Additive on Growth Performance and Haemato-biochemical Parameters of Broilers

Effect of Foliar Application of Chemical Nutrient Mixture and Growth Regulators on Different Leaf Parameters of Pot-Anthuriums

Influence of Nutrient Sources on Chlorophyll Content and other Leaf Parameters of Banana Musa (AAB) Nendran

Field Evaluation of Fungicides for the Management of Banded Leaf and Sheath Blight of Maize and Their Effect on Yield Parameters

Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on Performance, Hemato-biochemical Parameters and Economics of Broiler Production

Study of anatomical parameters of leaf and brix content of some promising commercial Indian varieties of sugarcane

Natural Field Parasitization of Groundnut Leaf Miner, Aproaerema modicella (Deventer) and Influence by Weather Parameters in Rainfed Groundnut Ecosystem

Impact of Drip Fertigation on Leaf Area Index, Root Biomass and Quality Parameters of Lady’s Finger (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)