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 tha-1&nbsp;FYM, Rice residue + 125% NPK + 0 tha-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 tha-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 tha-1&nbsp;FYM while at par to rice residue+ 100% NPK + 25 tha-1&nbsp;FYM and without rice residue + 100% NPK 50 tha-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 tha-1&nbsp;FYM and without rice residue + 100% NPK+ 50 tha-1&nbsp;FYM while significantly higher than other treatment. The application of higher dose of nitrogen @ 12 kgha-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;">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>

​Evaluation of Level of Pesticide Residue in Seminal Fluid of Crossbred Bulls

<div>Due to ever increasing population and limited natural resources use of pesticides as a major input to increase agricultural productivity is indispensible today. However, their inadequate application may produce large quantities of residues in the environment leading to environmental contamination. These residues may leach in the soil, water and even remain in the crop residues and food products. From there they enter in human food chain posing serious health hazards. Various food processing techniques, at industrial and/or domestic level, have been found to reduce the contents of pesticide residues in most food materials. These techniques alone or in combination reduce the levels of pesticides significantly in the food items. In the present review effect of processes like washing, peeling, cooking, drying, milling and industrial techniques like, baking, dairy products, fermentation, malting etc are reviewed. The review of literature suggests there is a need to systematize and optimize these techniques so that these can be used to provide a safer food culture for humans.</div>

<div>Processing of Raw Agricultural Produce and its Effect on Pesticide Residues: A Review</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Agro residues have effectively been utilized as a substrate in mushroom cultivation. The substrates used in cultivating edible mushroom requires varying degree of pre-treatments in order to promote the growth of mushroom mycelium by excluding other competitor microorganisms. Sterilization using hot water, steam or chemical methods is done to disinfect the substrate. However, sterilization is not an ideal disinfection method as it kills both beneficial and harmful organisms in the substrate. Pasteurisation of the substrate seems to be the better alternative which permits re-growth of beneficial organisms during the cooling period. This paper presents an outline on the utilisation of agro residues as substrate in mushroom cultivation. Various methods of chemical, non-chemical sterilization and pasteurisation of substrate have been discussed. It also highlights that more focus is needed to promote mushroom growers to adopt the pasteurization technique than sterilization by developing simple and low cost pasteurization equipments for rural and small scale mushrooms growers.</div>

Agro-residues disinfection methods for mushroom cultivation: A review

<div>Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the important cereal crops of world. Its multiple uses in food industry made it most demanded crop, but the productivity in India is still low. Inclusion of legumes in the cropping system can help in restoring soil fertility in incredible ways hence, enhancing the crop productivity. 
 
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand during summer-kharif seasons of years 2017 and 2018 to examine the impact of legume crop residue and nitrogen levels on maize crop. Experiment comprised of three legume crops grown in summer season viz., green gram, groundnut and cluster bean, two residue management treatments viz., residue removal and incorporation and three nitrogen levels in kharif maize viz., 100%, 75% and 50% recommended dose of nitrogen.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Cluster bean-maize cropping system followed by groundnut-maize cropping system observed for the highest improvement in growth parameters, yield attribute and grain and straw yield. Residue incorporation of summer legumes and full dose of nitrogen in maize was found significant for increasing growth and yield parameters and grain yield of maize. Study indicate that residue incorporation had positive effects on maize growth and yield, however incorporation was not able to reduce the nitrogen requirement through chemical means.</div>

Effect of Inclusion of Legumes in Cropping System and their Residue Incorporation on the Yield of Maize

<div>Background: Pesticide residues harm human health and are associated with hemopoietic disorders and many organ cancers. This study analyzes the pesticide residue content in chili cultivated by farmers in rainy and dry seasons, especially for organophosphates pesticides. The residual difference in chili was affected by planting seasons caused by farmers&rsquo; adoption of crop cultivation technologies, including pesticide application.&nbsp;</div>

<div> 
Methods: The analysis was carried out using gas chromatography on 26 samples from 13 chili cultivation locations in Aceh province, Indonesia. Sixteen samples were harvested during the rainy season and the remaining ten were harvested during the dry season.&nbsp;</div>

<div> 
Result: The results showed that pesticide residues were found in two red chili samples planted in the rainy season, while no residue was found from the dry season. In the rainy season&rsquo;s harvested samples, the Organophosphate pesticide residues were chlorpyrifos 0.52 mg kg-1 and 0.16 mg kg-1&nbsp;at Mutiara Tiga sub-district and Meurebo sub-district, respectively. From Meurebo sub-district profenofos 0.74 mg kg-1&nbsp;was found. All detected pesticide residues samples are still below the maximum residue limit (MRL) set by the Government of Indonesia and CODEX Alimentarius.</div>