A split plot experiment was conducted at research farm of Agronomy Section, ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana during kharif 2018–19 to evaluate various jeevamrutha formulations under the varying nutrient levels in fodder maize (Zea mays L.). In main plot four nutrient levels [Control (0), 50, 75 and 100% RDF] and in sub-plot, five jeevamrutha formulations [Control (without jeevamrutha), water based jeevamrutha @1000 l/ha, water based jeevamrutha @1500 l/ha, whey based jeevamrutha @1000 l/ha and whey based jeevamrutha @1500 l/ha] were taken as treatments and replicated thrice. Better growth attributes, viz. plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth and leaf:stem ratio were observed with increased nutrient levels. Application of 50, 75 and 100% RDF resulted in 35.01, 61.21 and 74.19% higher green fodder yield (GFY) over control. Jeevamrutha (whey/water based) formulations significantly improved growth. Significantly higher dry matter yield (DMY) (11.65 t/ha) was obtained with 100% RDF. Whey based jeevamrutha formulation @1500 l/ha ((52.83 and 11.09 t/ha) closely followed by water based jeevamrutha formulation @1500 l/ha (51.38 and 10.79 t/ha) resulted in higher GFY and DMY, respectively. The highest gross returns and net returns were obtained in 100% RDF with whey based jeevamrutha @1500 l/ha (`94.89 and 70.32 × 103/ha, respectively). Maximum benefit:cost ratio (2.89) was recorded in 100% RDF and water based jeevamrutha formulation @1500 l/ha. Interaction effect between jeevamrutha formulation and nutrient levels suggested that application of jeevamrutha formulation @1500 l/ha in both forms (Whey and water) can save 25%nutrient dose.

The present study was conducted during kharif season of 2017 with objective to study the influence of different intercropping combinations of forage sorghum and legumes (cowpea and guar) on forage productivity and quality. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 7 treatments consisting of three different forage crops, viz. sorghum, cowpea and guar sown in sole treatment as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage sorghum with legume crop components. Results revealed that the highest total green fodder yield (434.61 q/ha) and total dry matter yield (90.65 q/ha) were obtained with sorghum+cowpea (2:1) and sorghum+guar (2:1) intercropping combinations, respectively. Forage sorghum recorded significantly higher CP content (8.92%) in sorghum+guar (1:1) intercropping combination. Significantly higher ether extract of sorghum (2.03%), cowpea (2.60%) and guar (2.61%) were found in their (1:1) intercropping row proportion. The maximum total CP yield and total EE yield (10.35 and 1.93 q/ha), respectively were reported in sorghum+guar (1:1) ratio, while total ash yield (9.18 q/ha) was recorded in sorghum+guar (2:1) intercropping ratio. The sorghum planted under 1:1 intercropping row ratios of sorghum with cowpea/ guar crops recorded significantly lowest value of NDF (61.12-61.14%) and ADF (30.12-30.15%) and ADL (4.24-4.26%) over 2:1 row ratio intercropping of sorghum with cowpea/ guar and its sole stand. The minimum value of NDICP on DM% and ADICP DM% basis and NDICP on CP% and ADICP CP% basis were reported in 1:1 intercropping proportion. Therefore, considering overall results of our study, it can be concluded that to realize higher production and quality of forage sorghum its cultivation in 1:1 and 2:1 row ratio with legumes (Guar/cowpea) can be recommended.

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is an annual herbaceous plant and suffers from different fungal, bacterial andviral diseases of which stem gall caused by Protomyces macrospores is one among them. The disease appears in theform of tumour like swellings of leaf veins, leaf stalks, peduncles, stems and on fruits. The test pathogen was isolatedfrom infected stem and seeds and pure culture of the fungus was obtained on potato dextrose agar enriched with yeastextract medium. The colour of colony was creamy white initially which later turned light brown. Morphologicalcharacters comprising chlamydospores were studied which were yellowish brown, spherical or globose to oval,single-celled, smooth and measured 40-80 μ in diameter. For molecular characterization, genomic DNA was isolatedusing standard procedures and a region of the nuclear rDNA gene containing the internal transcribed spacer regionswas amplified from the genomic DNA. Phylogenetic tree showed that isolated strain A clustered close to Protomycesinouyei with 62% similarity only. Based on morphological characteristics, the isolated fungus was identified asProtomyces macrosporus but on the ITS sequences comparisons, strain A was similar to Protomyces sp. Pathogenicitytests showed that crushed powder of infected seed added to soil was better in disease development over mycelialsuspension and the symptoms of the disease appeared in 42.5 days.

A field experiment was carried out during 2015-16 and 2016-17 in Rabi season at ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Kernel, Haryana in randomized block design (RBD). The aim of this study was to evaluate and optimize the seed rates of berseem (Ber) and ryegrass (RG) as mixed crops for forage yield and quality. The study consisted of 10 treatments viz., T-1 : sole berseem (seed rate @ 25 kg/ha), T-2 : sole ryegrass (seed rate @ 8 kg/ ha), T-3 : mixed crops with 100% seed rate (Ber+RG), T-4 : mixed crops with 50% seed rate (Ber+RG), T-5 : with 100% + 25%, (Ber+RG), T-6 : 75% + 25% (Ber+RG), T-7 : with 50% + 25% (Ber+RG), T-8 : with 100% + 25% (RG+Ber), T-9 : with 75% + 25% (RG+Ber) and T-10 : with 50% + 25% (RG+Ber) with three replications in 30 number of plots. It was observed that seed rate of 25% berseem with 100% ryegrass grown as mixed crop recorded higher green fodder yield (112.58 t/ha) and dry matter yield (17.45 t/ha) over all treatments. Highest benefit: cost ratio was worked out in sole berseem followed by 25% of berseem with 100% ryegrass and 100% berseem with 25% ryegrass. Maximum N uptake was recorded by sole berseem (541.2 kg/ha) followed by mixture of 100% berseem with 25% rye grass (521.9 kg/ha).

The present investigation was conducted at Horticulture Research Centre, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (UP) 250110 during rabi season in 2018-19 and 2019-2020. During the study the analysis of variance for 36 genotypes of tomato in the randomized block design and revealed significant difference for all the 10 characters, this indicated the presence of wide spectrum of variability among the genotypes. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was higher than the respective genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all the traits, a narrow difference between PCV and GCV were recorded for most of the traits except for days to 50% flowering and number of branches. The high GCV(>25%) was recorded for the traits number of fruits per plant (69.33). and The high PCV (>25%) was recorded for the traits number of fruits per plant (69.67). High heritability and genetic advance as per cent of mean were observed for all ten characters. The highest heritability was recorded in number of fruits per plant (99.02) and lowest for number of branches (70.27). Highest genetic advance as per cent of mean was highest for fruit yield per plant (96.73). Variability studies suggest that the characters like days to 50% flowering, days to first fruit set, days to first fruit maturity, plant height (cm), number of fruits per plant (g), fruit weight (g) and fruit yield per plant (g) can be used in hybridization programme for obtaining superior and desired recombinants for particular trait in tomato crop.

Availability of green fodder with improved quality to animals is the key to success for sustainable livestock production. It is difficult to maintain the health and milk production of the livestock without supply of the quality green fodder. Therefore, the study was carried out to evaluate the forage quality of maize and legumes as influenced by varying intercropping combinations. This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments consisting of three different forage crops, viz. maize, cowpea and guar sown in sole as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage cereal with legume crop components in three replications. Experimental results showed that the highest dry matter yield (94.89 q/ha) was obtained in maize+ cowpea (2:1) intercropping combinations. The quality parameters of different forage crops, viz. Organic Matter, Crude Protein, Ether Extract, Ash Content, Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Lignin, NDICP and ADICP were influenced significantly and favourably with inclusion of both legumes. Among intercropping combinations Maize: legume (1:1) was better over Maize: legume (2:1) and sole maize. The CP, EE and Ash yield were influenced significantly and maximum value were observed 10.74, 1.99 and 9.4 q/ha, respectively in forage maize+ cowpea (2:1) ratio. Among the different forage crops, the fiber fractions were observed minimum in (1:1) intercropping ratio of maize with legume components as compares to their sole component as well as (2:1) intercropping combinations. The insoluble crude protein content was found minimum in (1:1) intercropping combination and influenced significantly with their respective (2:1) or sole crop.

Cereal–legume mixture may be a viable option to improve forage yield and quality. Furthermore, nitrogen requirement may also varying according to proportion of legume component. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different intercropping ratios and nitrogen levels on productivity and nutritional quality of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.). The experiment was laid out in split plot arrangement with three intercropping row ratios of maize: cowpea (1:1, 2:1 and 1:2, respectively) in main plot and five nitrogen levels (0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 kg N/ha) in sub plot. Highest total green fodder, protein and ash yield in 2:1 ratio whereas maximum ether yield was reported in 1:2 intercropping ratio of maize and cowpea. However, the maximum crude protein, ether extract, ash content and lowest NDF, ADF and ADL of maize and cowpea, respectively were obtained under 1:2 intercropping ratio of maize and cowpea. Among N levels, highest total green fodder, crude protein, ether and ash yield and as well as their content in green forage of maize and cowpea were recorded with the use of 120 kg N/ha. However, cowpea responded significantly upto 60 kg N/ha only. The lowest NDF, ADF and ADL of maize and cowpea were found when these crops fertilized with 120 Kg N/ha. A significant interaction between intercropping ratios and N levels was reported in terms of yield. Thus, it can be concluded that nitrogen rates 90, 120 and 60 kg/ha found suitable to achieve maximum fodder yield in 1:1, 2:1 and 1:2 (maize: cowpea) ratios, respectively.

An experiment was conducted at Karnal, Haryana to evaluate the effect of tillage practices and nitrogen management on yield and quality of baby corn fodder. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications having a combination of three contrasting tillage practices as main plots and six nitrogen management practices as sub plot treatments. Among tillage practices, significantly higher green fodder and dry matter (DM) yield was observed in raised bed (RB) over zero tillage (ZT) and conventional tillage (CT). Significantly higher cell content and lower neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content was observed in ZT over CT and RB, while significantly higher DM% and lower amount of neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP) and acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP) were observed in RB and ZT over CT. Among nitrogen management options, significantly higher fodder and DM yield, DM%, total ash, CP, NDICP and ADICP was recorded in 125% N over 0, 75, 75 + Azotobacter and 100% N alone. However, 125% N was statistically at par with 100% N + Azotobacter. Significantly higher ether extract (EE) and lower NDF and cellulose content were observed in 100% N + Azotobacter and 125% N. The significant interaction effect was observed in green fodder and dry matter yield and RB with 125% N and 100% N + Azotobacter were superior over rest of the treatments. Among fodder quality parameters, significantly lower NDICP was observed in ZT with 125% N and 100% N + Azotobacter over rest of the treatments. Baby corn grown in RB/ZT with 100% N and seed inoculation with Azotobacter was a better strategy for higher yield and better fodder quality.

An experiment was conducted at Horticultural Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology-Meerut, to study the effect of time and techniques of propagation on bud/graft success and quality parameters in guava (Psidium guajava L.). Maximum survival percent (82.30) was recorded with patch budding performed in March under shade condition. Wedge grafting recorded minimum number of days to bud sprout (13.86 days) under shade conditions whereas, patch budding had recorded maximum number of days to bud sprout (36.86 days) under open conditions. The sprouting percentage of budded or grafted plant was higher under shade condition than open condition. Based on results obtained in the present study, it may be concluded that, patch budding was found to be better over wedge grafting in respect of survival, sprouting, plant and growth traits.

Relationship between zinc deficiencies in soil that inturn in crop plants, animal and ultimately in human nutrition is reported in several studies. Agronomic fortification through soil and foliar application of zinc could be viable option to improve the productivity and quality of fodder maize, which ultimately helps in alleviate zinc deficiency in animals. Therefore, we attempted to evaluate the performance of fodder maize (Zea mays L.) in two consecutive kharif seasons, i.e. 2014 and 2015. The experiment was laid out in split plot arrangement with two main-plot treatments consisting of varieties (African tall and J-1006) and six sub-plot treatments of zinc fertilization (Zn0-No zinc sulphate; Zn1-10 kg/ha ZnSO04 as basal dose ; Zn2 -20 kg/ha ZnSO04 as basal dose ; Zn3 -0.5% one foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 30 DAS ; Zn4 -0.5% two foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 30 and 45 DAS and Zn5 -10 kg/ha ZnSO4 as basal dose +0.5% one foliar spray at 30 DAS). Results shows that both the verieties tested were found statistically at par for all the tested parameters except crude protein (CP) content, in which J-1006 accumulated higher CP over African tall. The highest green and dry fodder yield were recorded with Zn2(60.16 and 14.15 tonnes/ha) which was on par to Zn5 and Zn4 while lowest with Zn0 (46.69 and 10.25 tonnes/ha). Likewise CP, ether extract (EE) and ash content and their yields found maximum with treatment soil application @ 20 kg ZnSO4 followed by combined fertilization soil application @ 10kg ZnSO4 + one foliar spray of 0.5% Zn sulphate and two foliar spray of 0.5% of Zn sulphate. However, in contrast to these the maximum values of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) reported with Zn0 (66.87, 43.43 and 5.44% DM) while lowest with Zn4 (64.30, 41.56 and 5.20% DM). The zinc fertilization of maize with 20 kg/ha ZnSO4 hepta hydrate as basal dose resulted in 31.3 and 50.9% higher zinc content and uptake, respectively over control. Overall, our study suggest that zinc fertilization of maize through soil and/or foliar spray can enhance not only fodder productivity and quality but also improve, nutrient uptake of fodder maize in north-western region of India and elsewhere under similar agro-climatic conditions.

The present investigation "Growth and Yield of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) cv. Azad P-1 as Influenced by NADEP Composts'' comprised of eleven treatments consisting the different levels of NPK, and different type NADEP compost prepared by different raw materials. During the experimentation, growth character and yield characters were recorded. The germination of pea cv. Azad P-1, Seeds became faster with T6 [20:40:50 kg/ha of NPK + 10 t NADEP (1)] treatment and there after the flowering, fruiting also increased progressively in the same treatment. The T1 [(10:20:25 kg/ha of NPK + 10 t NADEP (1)] treatment exhibited the maximum yield/ha followed by T6. A comparative study of the present findings led to the conclusion that sowing of pea with the application of NADEP (1) compost @ 10 t/ha and NPK @ 10:25:25kg/ha was found most effective to best growth of pea crop under western plain zone of UP.

Productivity and quality traits of forage crops are largely affected by agronomic management at field conditions in different climatic strata. Therefore, the present field investigation was carried out during kharif season of 2014 and 2015 at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal to evaluate the effect of different planting densities and fertility levels on nutritive yields and quality of fodder maize (Zea mays L.). An experiment was laid out in split plot arrangement with three treatments in main-plot of planting densities of 60, 75 and 90 kg seed/ha and six treatments in subplot of nutrient levels, i.e. 0, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), i. e. 120 kg N/ha and 60 kg P2O5/ha. All the seed rates were found statistically at par for all the parameters except fiber fractions, i. e. neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content, in which 60 kg/ha seed rate accumulated significantly lower fiber contents. However, numerically higher values of fodder yields and quality parameters were observed at lower planting density. Nutrient levels showed significant increase in fodder yields with increase in dose of fertility up to 125% RDF. The combined use of 60 kg/ha seed rate and 125% RDF obtained significant maximum green (61.7 t/ha) and dry fodder yield (14.1 t/ha). The results showed that use of 150% RDF improved CP content by 20.2%, ether extract by 20.1% and ash content by 23.3% over control. Further, the maize fodder supplied with 150% RDF attributed minimum level of fiber fractions and magnitude of reduction in NDF was 3.49%, ADF was 3.54% and that of ADL was 7.65% in comparison to 0% RDF. The combination of 60 kg/ha seed rate and 125% RDF obtained significant maximum CP (1542.1 kg/ha), EE (367.4 kg/ha) and ash yield (1280.0 kg/ha). The use of 150% RDF also resulted into improvement in the nutrient content to the tune of 20.2% in N and 12.5% in P and enhanced nutrient uptake by 50.5% of N and 41.9% that of P over control. It can be concluded that to realize higher productivity with enhanced quality of fodder maize with optimum density (60 kg/ha) and use of 125% of RDF are quite helpful, which will further strengthen and sustain the performance of livestock in terms of health and milk production.

A field experiment was conducted during the season kharif 2008 and 2009 to find out response of cluster bean varieties to growth regulators. RGC-936 recorded in significantly higher amount of total nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) uptake and protein content during both the years over RGC-1017, RGC-1003 and RGC-1002. Seed + foliar application with thiourea @ 500 ppm recorded maximum total N and P uptake. Quality parameters viz. gum and protein in seed, were found highest in cultivar RGC 1017 which was at par with RGC-1002 and RGC-1003 and all these three varieties were significantly superior over RGC 936. Variety RGC-1017 recorded 15.3% higher gum content over RGC-936. Among the growth regulators. maximum gum content in seed were recorded with the seed + foliar application of thiourea @ 500 ppm. However, it was found statistically at par with the seed + foliar application of TGA @ 100 ppm and significantly superior to rest of the treatments in current study.

A field experiment was conducted during the kharif season 2008 and 2009 to find out response of clusterbean to various growth regulators. The experiment was laid out under spit plot design where four varieties (RGC-936, RGC-1002, RGC-1003 AND RGC- 1017 are taken as main plot treatment and seven growth substance (control, seed treatment with thiourea 500 ppm, foliar application of thiourea 500 ppm, seed+foliar application of thiourea 500 ppm, seed treatment with TGA 100ppm, foliar application of TGA 100 ppm and seed+foliar application of TGA 100ppm) as sub plot treatment and with three replications. Application of seed + foliar application with thiourea 500ppm on yield attributes viz., pods plant-1, seeds pod-1 , weight of seeds pod-1, test weight, seed yield plant-1 showed significant increase i.e. 24.88g, 6.97g, 0.187g, 26.82g, 5.04g on pooled basis. The results revealed that the variety RGC-936 gave significantly higher number of pods per plant (24.85.00), seeds per pod (6.67), weight of seed per pod (0.179 g), test weight (26.09 g), and seed yield per plant (4.67 g). Seed+foliar application of thiourea 500ppm recorded significant improvement in yield and yield attributes on the pooled basis. The maximum net returns (Rs.2873/-) and B:C ratio (3.82) were recorded with the variety RGC-936.

A field experiment was conducted at Forage Research and Management Centre, NDRI, Karnal during Kharif season of 2014 and 2015 to study the effect of zinc application on productivity and quality of fodder maize. The treatment consists of two fodder maize cultivars African tall and J-1006 in main plot and six zinc sulphate treatments viz. No zinc sulphate, 10 kg/ha ZnSO4 as basal dose, 20 kg/ha ZnSO4 as basal dose, 0.5% one foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 30 DAS, 0.5% two foliar spray of ZnSO4 at 30 and 45 DAS and 10 kg/ha ZnSO4 as basal dose+0.5% one foliar spray at 30 DAS in subplots of split plot design. Soil and foliar applied zinc sulphate had significantly improved green fodder, dry matter yield and quality parameters viz leaf length, leaf width, leaf stem ratio of both the cultivars tested. From the results of two year study, it can be concluded that maize fodder productivity and quality can be enhanced with Zinc fertilization.

Butryric acid is mainly responsible for the rancid flavour in Butter. Lauric acid was present upto 60 per cent of the total fatty acid. There was not much chcmge in palmitic acid where the preserving effect was noticed. Enzyme lipase, which mainly acted upon the palmitic acid thus giving rise to lower chain fatty acids as weD as lauric acid. Specific yeasts can be used to increase the shelf life of butter without producing off flavour.

An experiment consisting of four phosphorus levels (0, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2O5/ha) and five zinc levels (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg/ha ZnSO4) was laid out in factorial RBD to find out the economics of fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.)Walp) production. Application of 60 kg/ha phosphorus recorded maximum net income (Rs. 28187.33) and B: C ratio (2.12) were recorded with application of 60 kg P2O5/ha. Highest net income (Rs. 26333.75) was recorded with 30 kg ZnSO4/ha and B: C ratio (2.06) were recorded with application of with 20 kg ZnSO4/ha. At mean physical (78.20 kg P2O5/ha) and economic (69.78 kg P2O5/ha) optimum dose of phosphorus the responses were 282.65 and 280.84 q/ha green fodder, respectively. At mean physical (30.20 kg ZnSO4/ha) and economic (28.06 kg ZnSO4/ha) optimum dose of ZnSO4 the responses were 272.01 and 264.55 q/ha green fodder, respectively.

Phosphorus is a key nutrient for increasing productivity of legumes. It is required for plant growth and root development. Phosphorus deficiency in soil is widespread and crops grown under deficient situation show significant response to fertilizer phosphorus. At several places normal yield of crops could not be achieved despite judicious use of NPK fertilizers due to deficiency of micronutrients in soil, in general, that of Zn in particular. The knowledge regarding the use of optimum dose of nutrients especially Phosphorus and Zinc is of serious concern. The literature about the performance of fodder cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in relation to phosphorus and zinc nutrition is reviewed in this paper.