<div>Background: Scientific research will continue to search for the best methods to control the insect pests and at the same time reduce insecticide concentrations used. Using of nanoinsecticide formulations may be resolving this problem.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In this work two types of formulations were used; nanoformulations and their conventional formulations. Three common insecticides were used against the silver whitefly, Bemisia tabaci; indoxacarb, spirotetramat and thiacloprid in tomato fields. The nanoparticle sizes were ranged between 210 and 290 nm. The loading capacities were 70.6, 71.2 and 69.1% for indoxacarb, spirotetramat and thiacloprid, respectively. The recommended field concentration for each insecticide was used. The concentrations of nanoformulations were one-fifth of conventional one.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The obtained results showed that indoxacarb was the most effective insecticide against the B. tabaci in tomato field with the both formulations (nano and conventional) followed by thiacloprid and spirotetramat. By using of nanoformulations, the percent of reduction after the third application were 97.7, 38.2 and 44.8%, for indoxacarb, spirotetramat and thiacloprid, respectively. While, the corresponding results with the conventional formulation were 97, 39.8 and 49.2%, respectively. The obtained results also, showed that there were no difference between the nano and conventional formulations. The per cent of B. tabaci reduction after the third application were 97.7 and 97.0; and 38.2 and 39.8; and 44.8 and 49.2% for nano and conventional indoxacarb, spirotetramat and thiacloprid, respectively. These results may be throw some light in the advantages of using nanoformulations compared with the conventional formulations.</div>

Role of Some Nanoformulations in Suppression of Silver Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Population in Compared with Their Conventional Formulations in Tomato Fields

<div>Background: India generates about 50 million tons of municipal solid wastes (MSW) every year. Composting MSW is viewed as a low-cost method of diverting organic wastes from landfills in to a valuable product of agricultural importance. Farm Yard Manure (FYM) is an organic matter rich with a small quantity of nitrogen, while rice hull ash is a good source of plant nutrients particularly of potash. Bagasse ash is a waste obtained from sugar industries and is capable of supplying significant amount of plant nutrients.&nbsp;The present investigation aimed to study the effect of organic sources of plant nutrients and industrial waste on yield and quality of radish as a supplementary source of plant nutrients. 
 
Methods: A pot trial investigation was carried out during 2019 at Annamalai University, Chidambaram, Tami Nadu to study the influence of conventional and non-conventional organic sources of plant nutrients and industrial refuse on yield and quality of radish. Under this trial, FYM (12.5 t ha-1), Municipal Solid Waste Compost (25 t ha-1), Rice hull ash (5 t ha-1), Bagasse ash (10 t ha-1) with 100% RDF and 75% RDF were tried. 
 
Result: The present investigation under pot trial showed that the maximum radish root yield, shoot yield and quality were observed due to the application of organic sources of plant nutrients of both conventional and non-conventional organic sources and industrial refuse.</div>

<div>Influence of Conventional and Non-conventional Organic Sources of Plant Nutrients and Industrial Refuse for Yield and Quality Enhancement of Radish</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Rhizobium are beneficial plant partners exhibiting mutual association with crop plants. Conventional carrier based formulation has lesser population and limited shelf life. Present study was aimed to evaluate and to assess the shelf life in new formulation as well as in coated seeds under storage. 
 
Methods: Three experiments are conducted in this study. Population of Rhizobium and AM fungi spore count were assessed in newer seed coat formulation under room temperature storage. Secondly survival of these organisms on the coated seeds of blackgram and greengram were evaluated. In third experiment the coated seeds stored for different duration were evaluated for germination, growth and vigour index. 
 
Result: Rhizobial population was maintained at 1011 g-1 and AM spore load was 900-1000 spores g-1 up to one year of storage. AM spore count was also found sufficient up to 9 months of storage in coated seeds of both crops. Growth and vigour index were significantly enhanced in inoculated plants over uninoculated control. From the study, it was evident that these formulations can be stored upto one year at room temperature without any loss in viable count and can be used for seed coating.</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Shelf Life Studies of Seed Coat Formulation of Rhizobium and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (AMF) for Pulses - A New Perspective in Biofertilizer Technology</div>

Study was conducted to formulate the paddy straw based complete feed blocks containing kinnow-mandarin waste (KMW) in a manual densification machine and to evaluate its effect on the nutrient intake and digestibility of goats. Block was formulated utilizing paddy straw, KMW, wheat flour, molasses, wheat bran, urea, mineral mixture, common salt and water. Bulk density of prepared blocks was 0.21 g/cm3 whereas durability was 17.36%. An in vivo feeding trial was conducted for 30 days duration along with a digestibility trial during last week of feeding trial. Twelve local adult male goats were randomly allotted as per randomized block design to two equal groups designated Control and Treatment. All the animals were kept on complete feed feeding regimen with either conventional concentrate mixture with paddy straw in 40:60 proportion or KMW-Paddy straw based feed block on ad libitum basis. Feed intake and nutrient digestibility was similar (P&gt;0.05) in experimental animals, irrespective of the dietary treatment. The cost of feed for treatment group was about 12 per cent lower over the cost of conventional complete feed. It may be concluded that KMW may be utilized as a part of paddy straw based complete feed without affecting nutrient intake and digestibility. However, the binding and durability of blocks achieved in the present study was not satisfactory and this formulation therefore is not recommended to be densified in a manual block making machine.

Formulation of kinnow mandarin (Citrus Nobilis Lour x Citrus Deliciosa Tenora) waste and paddy straw based complete feed blocks and its utilization by goats

Background: The nephroprotective effects of herbal extracts have increasingly gained attention due to the rise in kidney diseases and the limitations of conventional treatments. This study explores the renal protective properties of a polyherbal extract formulation composed of Ziziphus spina-christi, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Nigella sativa (ZTN) in Wistar albino rats. 
 
Methods: Three groups of adult male and female Wistar albino rats consisting of the control group that received only water, another group was administered with 100 mg/kg of the polyherbal (ZTN herbal) formulation, while the last group was administered with 250 mg/kg of the ZTN polyherbal extract formulation. The treatments administered for 14 days and thereafter Kidney weight, uric acid, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)&nbsp;and creatinine levels were assessed to assess renal function. Histological analysis was conducted for tissue integrity evaluation. 
 
Result: The polyherbal extract formulation of ZTN induced a dose-dependent increase in kidney weight in both male and female rats. Uric acid levels decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, with the most substantial reduction at 250 mg/kg. BUN levels also showed a notable decrease, particularly at the higher dose, indicating enhanced renal function. Creatinine levels exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction, with female rats showing higher baseline levels but greater overall reductions. Histological analysis revealed mild histological changes at 100 mg/mL and severe changes at 250 mg/mL. Histological changes include glomerular hypertrophy and tubular necrosis, more pronounced at higher doses. The polyherbal extract formulation of ZTN demonstrated significant nephroprotective effects, reducing uric acid, BUN&nbsp;and creatinine levels in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, an observation of gender-based differences occur in female rats showing higher baseline levels but greater reductions with treatment. These findings support the potential therapeutic use of polyherbal extracts in managing renal health, emphasizing the importance of dose regulation to avoid adverse effects.

A Comprehensive Study on the Renal Protective Effects of Polyherbal Extract Formulation and Their Impact on Kidney Function in Rats

<div>Background: During lactation, mammary epithelial cells exhibit a high metabolic rate and thus produce large amounts of ROS and lipid peroxides in vivo (Jin et al. 2014; Ganguly et al., 2016). A surplus of ROS and the absence of optimal amounts of antioxidants (which neutralize these free radicals or ROS) results in oxidative stress (Lykkesfeldt and Svendsen, 2007). A clinical study was undertaken on Bovine Mastitis in Kashmir valley to study the relation between oxidative stress and clinical mastitis. An attempt was also made to see the effect of supplementation of self-formulated anti-oxidant trace mineral mixture on recovery and prophylaxis of Bovine mastitis through amelioration of oxidative stress. 
 
Methods: The oxidative stress was assessed through estimation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO). In addition, blood trace mineral status for copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se) were also assessed in mastitic animals and compared with normal healthy lactating animals. The utility of anti-oxidants in clinical management of mastitis was measured through response to treatment with trace minerals like Cu, Zn, Mn and Se in addition to conventional antibiotic therapy. Two groups of mastitic animals received two therapeutic regimens. Group I animals received antibiotics and self formulated anti-oxidant mixture at therapeutic doses while as Group II animals &nbsp;received only antibiotics (at same dose rate and frequency). Clinical recovery was assessed on the basis of CMT point score, milk somatic cell count and milk biochemistry. For prophylactic study, forty recently parturated lactating animals having susceptibility to occurrence of mastitis were divided into two groups of twenty animals each. One group of animals was supplemented with self-formulated anti-oxidant mixture at prophylactic doses for a period of thirty days so as to see the effect of supplementation on oxidative stress parameters and occurrence of clinical mastitis. 
 
Result: A significant decrease was found in the values of SOD, catalase, GSH and Cu, Zn, Mn and Se but a significant increase was found in the values of MDA and NO in clinical cases of mastitis as compared to healthy control group. Therapeutic regimen I proved efficacious than the therapeutic regimen II in treatment of clinical mastitis with higher recovery rates and lesser number of mean days required for recovery in group I than group II animals. The efficacy of prophylactic treatment was monitored by occurrence of mastitis during the course of therapy and one month after therapy. Group I animals did not suffer from clinical mastitis and showed considerable improvement in oxidative stress parameters, milk SCC and blood trace mineral status as compared to group II.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Amelioration of Oxidative Stress Through Supplementation of Self- formulated Anti-oxidant Mixture for Early Recovery and Prophylaxis of Bovine Mastitis in Kashmir Valley</div>

<div>Background: The Indian dairy industry has progress consistently ever since the White revolution of the 1970s, making India, the world&rsquo;s largest and fastest producer of milk with 17 per cent global share. The Indian dairy market is expected to double within the next 10 years, primarily driven by over 16-20 per cent growth in value added dairy segment. To catch this high growth potential and to meet the rising demand, a sustainable and strong dairy production system will be critical.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A study was conducted between December 2018 and February 2019 at four different dairy farms. The farms were identified based on rearing systems practiced. The farms were divided into two groups where the first one (n=10 dairy cattle) utilized automatic rearing systems (the ARS farms), while the second group (n=10) had conventional rearing systems (the CRS farms). 
 
Result: Based on the results, the effect of different rearing systems on the average lactation yield in the fourth lactation was significantly higher (P&le;0.05) in automatic rearing system. The lactation yield of both the treatment groups was not significant till third lactation. There was no significant difference observed in persistency of milk production in both the rearing systems. Reproductive performance of the ARS houses had better age at first calving and service period as compared to conventional house type with significant difference. By using an ARS it is possible to save time and achieve greater flexibility. The experiment indicates less man power minutes required for routine daily work like feeding, watering and milking in automatic rearing system as compare to conventional rearing system. A significant (P&le;0.01) reduction in working time by comparison with a different feeding, watering and management system however can only be expected in the case of sizeable herds. It appears that not much time can be saved with herds numbering 60 animals, but flexibility for the farm manager becomes significantly greater. In view of the relatively high amount invested in ARS, the profitability of such a system must be decided on a farm by farm basis. In principle an ARS can be a good opportunity for optimizing working time and workload in dairy farming.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Comparative Study of Automation and Conventional System on Production Performance in Dairy Farms</div>

<div>Background: Groundnut were mainly cultivated under rain fed condition, lack of initial seedling quality due to lower moisture conditions, it causes reduced crop yield and in sometimes it leads to crop failure. In order to overcome this problems, effective seed enhancement techniques as seed coating plays major role in maintaining the seed quality.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The controlled release of bioactive molecules namely hormones gibberellic acid (GA3) as a smart delivery system can be achieved through seed coating in groundnut by exploiting advanced nanotechnology. Infusion of active ingredients as hormones (GA3) through the seed coating formulation by nano formulation methods. At nano level it influences the effects at higher level and gives best results through controlled release of hormones without any loss.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Due to nano formulation coating in groundnut, seeds had an effective results in all the parameters viz., imbibition rate (48%), speed of germination (5.5), germination percentage (87%), seedling length (24.7 cm), vigour index (2142), hydrolysing enzymes (&alpha;-amylase14.83 and lipase 1.481), which significantly differs from untreated seeds. Hence, it was concluded that the GA3 infused nano formulation coating at 15 ml per kilogram of seed can be used for seed quality improvement in groundnut for better seedling establishment.</div>

<div>Influence of Nano Formulation on Augmenting the Seed Quality in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)</div>

Background: The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is damaged by various insect pests of which cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora) causes heavy damage to the tender leaves of the plant and reduces its yield. Two plant based formulation (prepared in the Chemistry Laboratory) viz. Polygonum hydropiper floral parts and Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) leaf, were used for safe management. 
 
Methods: The studies were done during 2019-2020 in BCKV, Kalyani, West Bengal, India for controlling of cowpea aphid by using plant based formulation. For preparing wettable powder formulation from Polygonum hydropiper floral parts and tobacco leaf the different ingredients are required viz. china clay, silica gel, wetting agent, dispersing agent etc. Physico-chemical analysis was done for preparation of accurate Wettable Powder formulation. 
 
Result: Cowpea aphid causes damage the tender leaves of the plant. It was revealed that imidacloprid (Confidor 17.8 SL) @ 1.0 ml/3L was found the most effective treatment against aphids giving more than 80% control followed by tobacco leaf (50 WP) @ 8 g/L of water (more than 70% control), fipronil (Regent 5% SC) @ 2.5 ml/L of water and Polygonum floral parts (50 WP) @ 8 g/L of water (more than 65% control both). The quality parameters of WP (50%) formulation was satisfactory as per the FAO specifications in terms of wet sieved test, wettability, foaming and suspensibility performed on the 0-day and also after 15th day at room temperature, at 65&deg;C and at freezing temperature conditions.

Bio-efficacy of Plants based Formulations for the Management of Cowpea Aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch.)

<div>Background: Gastrointestinal nematodosis is a major constraint in economic livestock production. Mostly synthetic anthelmintics are being used to overcome this problem. Besides synthetic anthelmintics, some plants have shown variable anthelmintic properties.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Sixty goats infected with GI nematodes having 1500 EPG were selected and animals were divided into four groups T1 to T4 of 15 animals in each group. Group T1 was given two doses of fenbendazole @ 10 mg/kg BW per os at 15 days interval. In group T2, T3 and T4 herbal formulation &ldquo;Worm-X&rdquo; was given @ 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg BW orally respectively, at 15 days interval. Efficacy was assessed on the basis of percentage reduction in EPG count and the FECRT was conducted as per guidelines of WAAVP.&nbsp; 
 
Result: When FECR was compared 15 days post treatment, maximum reduction (77.25%) was observed in group T1 followed by group T2 (47.27%), T3 (70.19%), and T4 (72.01%). The reduction in FEC in groupT3 (70.19%)&nbsp;and T4 (72.01%) at 15 days post treatment and at 30 days post treatment were 87.75 and 89.32%, respectively were almost equal. Considering the cost effectiveness and WAAVP recommendations, it will be optimum to administer the drug at the rate of 1.0 ml/kg body weight in two dosages at 15-day interval. However, it is well known that now a day&rsquo;s modern anthelmintic drug efficacy has been reduced in many cases due to the development of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, complementary or alternative solutions to the conventional chemical treatments have been implied offering novel approaches to the sustainable control of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats.</div>

<div>Efficacy of &ldquo;Worm-X&rdquo; Herbal Formulation against Naturally Infected Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Goats of Banaskantha District, Gujarat</div>