<div>Background: Alfalfa has small seeds and is intolerant to deep-sowing. We investigated seed emergence of alfalfa variety &ldquo;Longmu 801&rdquo; from deep-sowing and its quality improvement through different bio-fertilizer treatments.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Seven fertilization treatments were tested: CK: no fertilization (control), A: amino acid fertilizer, B: amino acid fertilizer + selenium-rich yeast fertilizer diluent, C: amino acid fertilizer + selenium-rich yeast fertilizer dilution + microbial agent, D: amino acid fertilizer + algae extract, E: amino acid fertilizer + microbial agent and F: amino acid fertilizer + selenium-rich yeast fertilizer diluent + microbial agent + algae extract. 
 
Result: The bio-fertilizer treatments improved the alfalfa seedling emergence, growth and quality. Treatment E increased the emergence rate, plant height and yield by 10.6%, 41.0% and 68.9%, respectively; decreased the stem-leaf ratio, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber by 41.7%, 3.7% and 3.17%, respectively and increased crude protein, crude fat and relative feeding value by 2.5%, 0.5% and 8.6%, respectively; compared with that of the control. Soaking alfalfa seeds in 0.2% amino acid fertilizer and applying 13.5 g microbial agent was suggested as the most efficient fertilization technique to promote alfalfa emergence, growth and quality and provide profits to farmers due to its low cost.</div>

Effects of Different Bio-fertilizer Treatments on the Growth and Quality of Alfalfa

An experiment was conducted during 2009-2011 at College of Agriculture, Vellayani to evaluate growth, productivity and economics of amaranthus as influenced by the performance of bio-organic composite manure along with microbial consortium. Organic sources used for the preparation of bio organic composite manures were coir pith compost, poultry manure, neem cake, groundnut cake, ash, rock dust and microbial consortium. Composite organic manures analyzing at least 3% N and N: K ratio of 1:0.5 was selected for further study. Five mixtures (OM3, OM5, OM9, OM11, 0M13) satisfying the selection criteria were identified for the investigation. The results of growth characters revealed that T1 (coir pith compost &ndash; 50g, ground nut cake &ndash; 35g and ash &ndash; 15g) recorded the highest number of leaves per plant and highest dry matter production (25.6 plant-1 and 1481.92 kg ha-1 respectively) and highest leaf:stem ratio of 2.47 was registered in T5 (poultry manure- 50g, ground nut cake &ndash; 30g, rock dust- 19g and microbial consortium &ndash; 1g). Among the treatments maximum yield was obtained for the treatment T5 and it was on par with T1 and T2 (poultry manure- 50g, ground nut cake &ndash; 30g, rock dust- 20g). The study on economics shows that T5 registering net returns of Rs 130800/-per ha was the most economical treatment with B:C ratio 2.2.&nbsp;

Comparitive analysis of performance of bio-organic composite manures on growth, productivity and economics of amaranthus

<div>Background: Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are widely used, with detrimental repercussions for soil microbial biodiversity and environmental contamination. The use of microorganisms as bio-fertilizers has been recommended as an alternative agricultural strategy. Due to their potential to safely boost plant development, yeasts can be used to make high-quality bio-fertilizers and biopesticides in a variety of ways. As a result, substantial yeast research could be promising and could provide an environmentally acceptable solution to the increasing agricultural output that would be necessary as the world&rsquo;s population grows. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted to investigate the effect of different yeast concentrations on lettuce crop production and quality. The experiment consisted of four treatments (1%, 3%, 5% and 7% w/v yeast). The measurements included chlorophyll content, plant length (cm) and plant-wet weight for shoot and root (g). The design of the experiment was a complete factorial design with five replicates for each treatment. Three doses of each yeast solution, i.e. 1%-7% w/v, were added to soil after 7, 25 and 40 days from cultivation. The plants were harvested after 52 days. 
 
Result: In the current study, it was found that the highest chlorophyll content with a value of 44.6 was obtained at 3% w/v of yeast concentration followed by 1% w/v (39.7), 5% w/v (44.3) and 7% w/v (41), respectively. The average maximum length of plants after 52 days was 26.6 cm at 3% w/v and 26.13 cm at 5% (w/v) of yeast concentrations. The other treatments gave lower values, i.e. 24.4 cm, 22.2 cm and 19.1 cm for 1% w/v, 7% w/v and control, respectively,. The values have the same trend during the experiment time at the three stages (7, 25 and 40) days from cultivation. The optimum plant wet weight for shoot and root with 3% w/v yeast concentration were 212.2 and 33.9 g, respectively. At 5% w/v of yeast concentration, the wet weight for shoot and root were 200.1 g and 30.7 g followed by 7% w/v (196.2 g and 25.6 g) and 1% w/v (171.2 g and 26.4 g).&nbsp;</div>

Effect of Yeast Bio-fertilizer on Lettuce Growth and Productivity

<div>Background: Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] is one of the most important cultivated legume crops with high nutritive value and agricultural importance. The productivity of blackgram is not adequate to meet the domestic demand of the growing Indian population. Consequently, there is an urgent need for enhancement of productivity through proper agronomic practices. With this background, a research was conducted to investigate the effect of liquid rhizobium with organic bio-stimulants on growth, yield attributes, yield and economics of irrigated blackgram.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A field experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications during 2021 (Kharif and Rabi) season. The treatments include 100% RDF foliar application of Dasagavya, liquid rhizobium, fish amino acid, panchagavya, pink pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) and sea weed extract with different concentration (1% and 3%, respectively) in addition to control.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The experiment results revealed that the application of 100% RDF + liquid rhizobium @ 1% recorded higher growth characters viz., plant height (cm), number of branches plant-1, dry matter production (kg ha-1), leaf area index, yield attributes, grain and haulm yield (kg ha-1). Correlation and regression analysis also indicated that the yield attributes had a positive impact on the grain yield.&nbsp;</div>

​Effect of Liquid Rhizobium with Organic Bio-stimulants on Growth, Yield Attributes and Yield of Leguminous Blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]

Background Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a staple pulse crop with significant nutritional, economic and agricultural importance, is known for its diverse uses and contributions to both human diet and livestock feed. To enhance its productivity and resilience, particularly in the face of abiotic and biotic stresses, innovative seed enhancement techniques such as bio-priming with plant endophytes have emerged as a promising approach to improve seed quality and overall crop performance. 
 
Methods: In this laboratory investigation during 2022, chickpea seeds were surface sterilized with sodium hypochlorite (1%) for five minutes and then washed thrice with sterile water. Later the seeds were bio-primed with different bioagents with the seed to solution ratio of 1:3 for different duration hours. Blotter method was used to observe seed germination. Primed seeds were dried back to original moisture content (24 hrs) and then used to assess the seed quality parameters. 
 
Result: The results showed that, priming chickpea seeds with Paenibacillus polymyxa for 6 hours resulted in significantly enhanced seedling growth and quality compared to all other treatments and control indicating its effectiveness in improving seed quality and growth. 
&nbsp;

Influence of Seed Bio-priming with Microbial Inoculants on Germination, Seedling Growth, Vigour and Enzyme Activity in Chickpea

Background: Etroplus suratensis is omnivorous feeder, but mainly feeds on filamentous algae especially Spirogyra. The preference of pearlspot towards Spirogyra as an important food item, made us utilize the Spirogyra as an ingredient in the feed of pearlspot at different levels to evaluate its impact on growth and other parameters. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Spirogyra on bio growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and haematology of E. suratensis. The experiment was performed with different levels of Spirogyra incorporated diet - S0, 10, 12.5, 15, 17.5, 20, 22.5 and 25%. The pearlspot fingerlings of initial weight of 14.91&plusmn;0.11 was stocked in the 300 litre FRP tank for 60 days. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The highest growth performance of pearlspot was found in 22.5% Spirogyra incorporated diet. The average weight gain was highest in 22.5% SP (26.55&plusmn;0.22 g), followed by 20% SP (26.11&plusmn;0.25 g), control (25.83&plusmn;0.47 g), 25% SP (24.78&plusmn;0.15 g), 17.5% SP (24.46&plusmn;0.16 g), 15% SP (23.03&plusmn; 0.16 g), 12.5% SP (22.21&plusmn;0.34 g), 10% SP (22.16&plusmn;0.80 g). The digestive enzyme activity of amylase (0.026&plusmn;0.001 U mg protein-1 min-1), protease (0.164&plusmn;0.02 U mg protein-1 min-1) and lipase (0.486&plusmn;0.01 U mg protein-1 min-1) were found to be highest in 22.5%SP treatment, followed by other treatments. The haematology parameters RBC and WBC count increased with increase in the incorporation of Spirogyra in diet. The study concluded that the incorporation of Spirogyra at 22.5% improved the growth performance and feed utilization of pearlspot. 
&nbsp;

Effect of Different Levels of Spirogyra Incorporated Diet on Bio Growth Performance, Digestive Enzyme Activity and Haematology of Etroplus suratensis&nbsp;

Background: Field experiments were conducted at Annamalai University Farm during kharif seasons of three consecutive years from 2020-2022 to find out the effect of potassium and bio stimulants on growth and yield of dolichos bean.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experiments were conducted in RBD and replicated thrice. The treatments viz.,&nbsp; T1- Control (without foliar nutrition), T2- Foliar application of KNO3 @ 1%+panchagavya @ 3%, T3- Foliar application of KNO3 @ 1% + panchagavya @ 6%, T4- Foliar application of KNO3 @ 1% + seaweed extract @ 2%, T5- Foliar application of KNO3 @ 1% + seaweed extract @ 4%, T6- Foliar application of potassium humate @ 1% + panchagavya @ 3%, T7- Foliar application of potassium humate @ 1% + panchagavya @ 6%, T8- Foliar application of potassium humate @ 1% + seaweed extract @ 2% and T9- Foliar application of potassium humate @ 1% + seaweed extract @ 4%. The dolichos bean variety Arka Jay was used for this study.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The result of present investigation indicated that the growth and yield parameters viz., plant height, branches plant-1, pods plant-1, pod length and single pod weight were found to be superior in treatment T5 as compared to control. The higher yield (15.16 t ha-1) of dolichos bean was significantly improved due to application 1% KNO3 + seaweed extract @ 4% (T5) followed by T4 and T1 over the control. The same treatment fetched the highest net return of Rs. 81626 ha-1 with a benefit cost ratio of Rs.1.79.

Synergistic Effect of Potassium and Bio Stimulants on Growth and Yield of Dolichos bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet]

<div style="text-align: justify;">A field experiment was carried out on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) variety Kashi Kanchan during summer season at the experimental farm, department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Central Agricultural University, Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh. The experiment was laid out in factorial complete randomized block design with 12 treatments i.e. three levels of phosphorus [control 0 kg(P0), 20 kg (P1) and 40 kg (P2) /ha] and four levels of bio-fertilizer [control (B0), Rhizobium10 ml/kg seed(B1), PSB 10 ml/kg seed (B2) and Rhizobium + PSB both 10 ml/kg seed (B3)] with three replications. The uniform dose of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) @ 20 kg/ha along with 10 t/ha FYM (Farm Yard Manure) were applied to all the treatments. Result indicated that the application of P2 (40 kg P/ha) significantly increased the plant &nbsp;height, leaf area index, stem girth, number of nodules per plant, number of branches per plant , total dry matter, pod yield, available soil nutrient status viz., pH, N, P, K, organic carbon and NPK content in plant after harvesting. Similarly, seed inoculation with B3 (Rhizobium + PSB) significantly enhanced the growth, yield, soil nutrient status and nutrient content in plant over single inoculation of Rhizobium and PSB. Combined inoculation of seed with Rhizobium + PSB (B3) along with 40 kg P/ha (P2) significantly increased the stem girth (1.84 cm), total dry matter (13.91g/plant), green pod yield (196.37g/plant and 120.90q/ha), soil nutrient status viz., pH(6.20), available N (370.89 kg/ha), available P (38.57 kg/ha), available K (168.77 kg/ha), organic carbon (2.80%) and N, P and K (0.17%, 0.16% and 0.39%) content over rest of treatment combination.</div>

Influence of phosphorus and bio-fertilizers on growth and yield of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in acidic soil of NEH region of India

<div>Background: The influence of inorganic fertilizer has posed considerable challenges on increasing food production worldwide. A careful plan is required to increase the yield and quality of crops. A profound knowledge on the use of organic manure involvement in plant growth and development could be beneficial for food production. The use of acceptable inorganic and different concentrations of vermicompost has been used in an attempt to enhance crop growth and development with the aim of increasing food production.&nbsp;The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of vermicompost tea concentrate extracted from cow manure and grass cutting on physiological responses of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum).Vegetative growth and yield of tomato was stimulated by mineralization of organic waste coupled with the mesophilic action of earthworm. Vermicompost is a by-product of earthworm tissues. It is a nutrient source rich in essential components for plant growth and development. 
 
Methods: An investigation was conducted in pot media under exposed natural conditions from August 2020 to November 2020 at Mangosuthu University of Technology. In this experiment, the growth of tomato plants were subjected to different vermicompost concentrations and amended with NPK fertilizer were studied. Sandy loam soil of about 5 kg were weighted into pot media (2.0mheight, 2.3m diameter). The experiment was set up in a completely randomized block design consisting of five treatments with five replicates per treatment. Treatments included: Positive control (PC), 5%VCL+NPK, 10% VCL+NPK, 20%VCL+NPK and the inorganic (NPK).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Results revealed that there were significant differences at (P&lt;0.01) among the treatments with respect to plant height and number of leaves from week three to week eight. Similar trends were found with 5% VCL+NPK, 10% VCL+NPK, 20% VCL+NPK and the NPK treatments. This may be due to phytohormone release from earthworm tissue. Tomato flower inflorescence was significant at (P&lt;0.01).&nbsp; Tomato fruit, different components at harvest which were, weight wet and dry weight were higher with NPK treated at (P&lt;0.01) than the 5% VCL+NPK, 10% VCL+NPK. Root length in 20% concentration was considerably higher than the other treatments. The results showed that minimum supplementation with inorganic fertiliser may be necessary with vermicompost leachate in order to successfully grow crops in nutrient deficient soil.</div>

Vermicompost Leachate a Viable Bio-stimulant for Tomato Growth and Yield (Solanum lycopersicum)

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Fish health and disease management is the key factor in modern aquaculture where intensification manifolds the infestation chances of parasites. Irrespective of antibiotics, the use of dietary additives gaining attention in development of aqua feed. Vitamin D is an important dietary additive for fish in terms it can boost up the immune system of fish and unluckily fish cannot synthesize vitamin D itself.&nbsp; Methods: The present study was planned to determine the effect of vitamin D as feed additive on the immunity, hematology and body composition of Labeo rohita. Four diets (T1, T2, T3, T4) containing different concentration of vitamin. D (250mg, 500mg, 1.0g and 1.5g) in food and a control diet were administrated for 90 days trial.&nbsp; Result: At the termination of experiment there were significant differences in growth and hematological parameters between control and test diets. T3 (1.0g of vitamin D) showed the maximum weight gain with lowest FCR value (1.43&plusmn;0.33) however, the RBC count of T4 group was highest (1.85&plusmn;0.07) than the control, T1, T2 and T3 groups. &nbsp;The body composition of Labeo rohita growth factor and survival rate were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) in fish fed on diets containing vitamin D at 1.00g/Kg concentration.</div>