The Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (acronym IINRG), formerly known as the Indian Lac Research Institute, is an autonomous institute, established under the umbrella of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India for advanced research on lac and other natural resins and gums. The Institute is located at Namkum, Ranchi in Jharkhand, India.
Indigenous chickens serve as a source of food security, nutrition, and income for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, accounting for more than 78
A feeding trial of 180 days duration conducted on river buffalo calves following strategic feeding of phyto-feed additives (PFAs) to assess their ability to reduce enteric methane production. Twenty male buffalo calves (average body weight, 165 +/- 4 kg) divided into four groups using completely randomized design, were subjected to four treatments viz.; basal diet (T0, control), basal diet with PFAI (Allium sativum bulb, Trachyspermum ammi seeds, Terminalia chebula seed pulp and Sapindus mukorossi nut pulp, mixed in equal proportion) at the rate of 1% of dry matter intake (T1), basal diet with PFAII (T. ammi oil ) at the rate of 1ml per kg DMI (T2) and basal diet with PFAs where PFAI was offered for 15 days thereafter PFAII for the next 15 days and the switching of the two PFAs continued throughout the experiment (T3). The treatments were formulated to compare the effects of different PFAs on growth, nutrient utilization and methane mitigation in buffalo calves. T3 was designed to examine the possible synergistic effect and reduction in microbial adaptation through alternate use of both additives. All the calves fed on a diet consisting of wheat straw and concentrate mixture in 50:50 ratios. Feeding of PFAI and II did not affect DMI, nutrients digestibility and growth performance of the animals. The methane production was reduced (P<0.05) by 20.2, 19.1 and 25.9 (l/kg DMI) and 24.5, 19.6 and 29.5% (l/kg digestible DMI) in T1, T2 and T3 group respectively, as compared to control. The methane energy loss as percent of gross energy intake was lesser (P<0.07) in PFA supplemented groups as compared to control group. All the animals were in positive nitrogen balance with no difference among the groups. The blood haematology and biochemicals were similar in all the groups. Interestingly, the anti-methanogenic characteristic of both the PFAs persisted up to six months of feeding but the alternate feeding of the PFAs did not have any additional advantage on the enteric methane reduction in buffaloes.
Soil acidity is considered one of the most pressing problems for crop production in Ethiopia. Yet, estimates of the total area of acidic soils, defined here as soils with a pH value below 5.5, and of the proportion of acidic soils affected by aluminium toxicity are inconsistent. The aims of this review are: (1) to highlight the main challenges of soil acidity for crop production, (2) to review the evidence of crop responses to lime and phosphorus (P) on acidic soils from field and pot trials from Ethiopia, (3) to review policy documents on acidic soils and extent of soil acidity in Ethiopia and (4) to propose an agenda for future research. Soils can be acidified either by natural weathering processes or suboptimal management during crop production. Soil acidity affects crops through its effects on nutrient availability (mainly P availability and basic cations) and toxicities of aluminium and manganese. A review of studies of crop response to lime and P on acidic soils showed that in most studies, lime alone did not improve crop productivity. In contrast, application of P or combinations of lime and P together improved crop productivity. Re-interpretation of old documents, soil maps and recent digital soil maps revealed that about 4 % of the total Ethiopian land mass suffers from aluminium toxicity. Ethiopia's policy on acidic soil aims to improve the agricultural lime supply and increase the use of lime on acidic soils for increased productivity and fertilizer use efficiency. However, after reviewing studies on acidic soil management that reported crop response and the limited coverage of acidic soils with aluminium toxicity, the available evidence suggests that most acidic soils in Ethiopia can be effectively managed by supplying additional nutrients. This suggests that the focus of research for development should be broadened to integrated soil fertility management, tailored to local conditions, where lime use is targeted to aluminium toxic, acidic soils.
This study examined the bio-ecology and seasonal incidence of Eublemma amabilis infesting Kerria lacca and K. chinensis during 2019-2021 at Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat. The pre-oviposition period of E. amabilis was shorter in summer (4.74 ± 1.42 days) than in winter (6.80 ± 1.22 days). Fecundity was higher in summer, with females laying 70.4 ± 8.52 eggs compared to 38.4 ± 8.52 eggs in winter, with hatching success of 83.66 ± 10.32% and 67.81 ± 7.62%, respectively. Incubation periods were 5.90 ± 0.70 days (summer) and 8.80 ± 0.45 days (winter). Larval development lasted 24.80 ± 3.56 days in summer and 32.40 ± 4.39 days in winter. Pupation required 6-8 days in summer and 8-11 days in winter. The hypognathous head bore green compound eyes. Antennae measured 2.89 ± 0.11 mm with 36-40 segments. Forewings measured 5.14 ± 2.30 mm (male) and 7.22 ± 0.57 mm (female), while hindwings measured 4.45 ± 0.09 mm (male) and 6.94 ± 0.15 mm (female). Peak predator activity occurred during July-August (summer) and January-February (winter). Population incidence showed a positive association with temperature and relative humidity, with an increase in larval abundance under warm and humid conditions. These findings provide baseline information and could contribute to the development of weather-based forecasting models to support timely management of E. amabilis and strengthen lac insect conservation.
