Background: Western Siberia has great potential for crop and livestock production; it is limited by degradation of soil fertility due to depletion of biophilic elements, including Mg. Intensification of agricultural production requires monitoring and optimization of magnesium nutrition of field crops. This study aimed at investigating changes in content of magnesium forms Gleyic Chernozems and Luvic Greyzemic Phaeozem in the Western Siberia during their long-term agricultural use. 
 
Methods: Soil samples were taken from the fields of long-term experiments in 1978, 1988 and 2019. Three cores were taken from a soil layer 0-20, 20-40 cm thick and combined into composite samples. Composite samples were kept in the archives of the institute. Chemical analysis of composite soil samples was carried out in 2020. Chemical analyzes of soil and plants were carried out by conventional methods. Magnesium forms were extracted: easily exchangeable with 0.0025 M CaCl2 solution, exchangeable with 1 M CH3COONH4, non-exchangeable with 1 M HNO3 and determined on an atomic absorption spectrometer. 
 
Result: Systematic use of the ammonia form of nitrogen fertilizers (60-120 kg a.m./ha per year) led to a decrease in mobile forms of magnesium in the most root-inhabited soil layer. The removal of magnesium by potatoes was small (8-10 kg/ha, 80 % falls on the tops). Consequently, a significant decrease in the reserves of magnesium available to plants in soils is associated not so much with the alienation of the element with yield, but with leaching processes due to the displacement of magnesium from the soil-absorbing complex by ammonium ions introduced with fertilizers and also, probably, potassium.

Magnesium in Soils of Agricultural Landscapes of Western Siberia

<div>Background: Present study on determining the region of origin of raw materials, the authenticity of organic food products is relevant. The determination of the natural content of stable isotopes are not able to answer these questions. The solution can be obtained by studying the ratios and fractionation of stable isotopes, which provide information on the transformations of chemical elements in biological, ecological and geochemical studies.</div>

<div> 
Methods: During 2020-2021 obtained data on the content of magnesium isotopes in apple fruits of 14 varieties from three growing regions of the Russian Federation. Previously, over 10 years, a database was formed of more than 500 samples on the level of potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and nitrogen cations, depending on the variety and phase of fruit development.&nbsp;</div>

<div> 
Result: Research presents the results of determining the natural content of stable magnesium isotopes in apples, the isotopic composition and their fixation, depending on different regions of the growth of raw materials. The isotopic composition of apples (26Mg/24Mg) varies from 0.1669047 to 0.1782649; the deviation of the magnesium isotopic composition from the conventional standard varies within 25.52-43.52; their chemical fractionation has value: in Central Zone of Russia-185.2-212.3; South of Russia-248.0-311.5; North Caucasus-182.7-214.8.</div>

Isotopic Composition and Fractionation of Stable Magnesium Isotopes in Relation to Fruits Growing in Different Regions of Russia

<div>Lactic acidosis is a metabolic disorder caused by feeding errors. It represents a significant economic loss due to direct as well as indirect effects. In present study a total of twenty four goats were focused in order to observe the efficacy of Magnesium hydroxide against induced lactic acidosis. Goats were divided into two groups viz., A and B. Goats in group A were induced lactic acidosis by offering over feeding of grains, while group B was kept as control and normal diet was provided to the goats. After appearance of clinical signs, goat in group A were treated with Magnesium hydroxide at the dose rate of 1g/Kg body weight on the interval of 24, 48 and 72 hours. Results indicated body temperature, ruminal pH, blood pH, respiration rate and heart rate attained normal level after the treatment with Magnesium hydroxide. Serum biochemical examinations of liver function after induction of lactic acidosis revealed that glucose level (190.14&plusmn;36.49mg/dl), total bilirubin (0.75&plusmn;0.04mg/dl), direct bilirubin (0.27&plusmn;0.03mg/dl), indirect bilirubin (0.40&plusmn;0.03mg/dl), alanine aminotransferase (36.42&plusmn;3.04 U/L) and alkaline phosphatase (420&plusmn;3.65 U/L) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased. Magnesium Hydroxide helped in improving the normal physiological parameters but did not improved the rumen and intestinal motility. The hematological examination after the induction of lactic acidosis revealed hemo-concentration and increased Hb% (15.02&plusmn;1.30) which significantly (P&lt;0.05) became normal within 72hrs after Magnesium hydroxide therapy. Present study concludes that the Magnesium hydroxide is very helpful in minimizing the complications of lactic acidosis in goat, thus may be used as therapy of choice.</div>

<div>Magnesium Hydroxide as Curative Strategy against Lactic Acidosis in Goat</div>

<div>Background: Magnesium deficiency has become a major nutritional disorder in lateritic soils of Kerala. Appropriate magnesium fertilization is the best strategy to combat deficiency issues. Apart from correcting nutritional deficiency, magnesium fertilization has an influence on the growth of beneficial microbes such as nitrogen fixing bacterias and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. The experiment aimed to investigate the effect of magnesium fertilization on crop yield and population rhizosphere micoflora of cowpea in lateritic soils of Kerala. 
 
Methods: A pot culture experiment was conducted with a gradient of magnesium additions ranging from 5 mg kg-1 to 80 mg kg-1 of soil along with recommended dose of fertilizers. Population of rhizobium, free living nitrogen fixing bacteria, spore count of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and per cent root colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were studied during flowering. The available magnesium and magnesium uptake were also worked out during harvest. Yield and yield contributing characteristics of cowpea were measured during harvest stage. 
 
Result: Magnesium addition produced significant variations in population of rhizobium and free- living nitrogen fixing bacteria whereas spore count of AMF and per cent root colonization of AMF did not vary according to the added doses of magnesium. A higher population of rhizobium, free living nitrogen fixers, root nodules, magnesium uptake, plant height and yield were obtained in the treatment where magnesium was applied @ 10 mg kg-1 soil.</div>

<div>Yield and Rhizosphere - microflora of Cowpea in Response to Magnesium Fertilization in Lateritic Soils of Kerala</div>

<div>Background: Ultisols are characterized by low pH, low cation exchange capacity and low base saturation due to dominance of kaolinite and oxides and hydrous oxides of iron and aluminium. Among the basic cations, magnesium has smaller ionic size and larger hydrated radius which limits binding of Mg to soil exchange sites. As a result the deficiency of magnesium is a common nutritional disorder in these soils due to leaching of bases under humid tropical conditions. The determination of critical level of magnesium in soil and plant helps to manage the nutrient deficiency and will help to avoid crop loss. 
 
Methods: A pot culture experiment was conducted to determine the critical level of magnesium for cowpea in Ultisols of Kerala during January 2019. Graded doses of magnesium were applied @ 5 mg kg-1 to 80 mg kg-1 of soil as magnesium carbonate along with recommended dose of fertilizers to evaluate the effect of applied magnesium on soil pH, available magnesium in soil, magnesium content in plant, crop uptake and yield. 
 
Result: Soil pH and available magnesium in soil recorded at flowering and harvest was highest where magnesium was applied @ 80 mg kg-1 of soil. Magnesium content in stem and leaves was found to increase with the levels of magnesium added. No significant variation in the content of magnesium in pods was recorded. Crop uptake (66.62 mg g-1) of magnesium and yield per plant (79.33 g plant-1) was highest in the treatment (T5) where magnesium was applied @ 10 mg kg-1 of soil. The critical level of magnesium determined by Cate and Nelson graphical method was found to be 75 mg kg-1 of available magnesium in soil and 0.38% in leaves of cowpea during flowering.</div>

<div>Critical Level of Magnesium for Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Ultisols of Kerala</div>

A set of genotypes comprising 81 local land races, four wild forms and four improved varieties of mungbean were grouped into 15 genetic clusters. The genotypes revealed wide variation in stable morphological characters as well as agronomic traits which provided the necessary base for genetic divergence. The wild forms TCR 192, TCR 213 and TCR 243 were viny with late maturity and had distinctly different leaflet, inflorescence and pod characteristics. Whereas, a wild accession TCR 20 was erect with sturdy stem, vigorous growth, broad ovate leaflets, long pods, profuse poding with high yield potential and resistance to biotic (bruchids, CLS, PM and YMV) and abiotic(drought) stresses. Clustering pattern confirmed more proximity of TCR 20 with cultivated forms and therefore, it may be amenable for hybridization with cultivated land races and improved varieties for transfer of its desirable traits. Balarampur Keonjhar local was quite distinct from other land races owing to its vigorous growth, broad leaves and long pods with very bold seeds, but worst affected by YMV. In contrast, TARM 1 had high field resistance to diseases including YMV. Nipania munga -an elite land race of Kalahandi district of Odisha was highly drought tolerant with dwarf plant type and good initial vigour. These above genotypes being morphologically unique and having unique desirable agro-economic traits, formed small divergent clusters and hence, may serve as valuable material for genetic improvement in mungbean through hybridization.

Morphological diversity of local land races and wild forms of mungbean

<div style="text-align: justify;">The aim of the present study was to evaluate the anticoccidial efficacy of three different forms of Aloe vera including powder form, aqueous and methanol extracts. Although powdered and aqueous forms of Aloe vera also exhibited anticoccidial activity but its methanol extracts at higher concentration (4g) showed better weight gain and less oocyst per gram count in comparison of Amprolium (anticoccidial drug). We concluded that due to its anticoccidial activity Aloe vera can contribute to minimize the use of growth promoter antibiotics in poultry feed.</div>

Anticoccidial activity of different forms of Aloe vera

The Kole lands a unique wetland ecosystem of Kerala, is located 0.5-1.0m below mean sea level. An experiment was conducted in College of Horticulture, Vellanikkara, Kerala to study the influence of secondary and micronutrients viz. calcium, magnesium and boron on nutrient uptake and yield of rice in Kole lands. Six treatments including the soil test based nutrient application, package of practices recommendation (POPR) of Kerala Agricultural University for rice, combinations of the POPR with magnesium, calcium silicate, boron and absolute control were applied in the crop in a randomized block design with three replications. Higher uptake of nutrients especially primary and micronutrients were noticed by boron and calcium silicate application and lower uptake of Fe and Mn, thereby resulted in higher grain yields of 7.67 t/ha and 7.18 t/ha respectively and straw yield was higher by application of magnesium. Correlation analysis revealed that total uptake of boron, calcium and magnesium had positive and significant correlation with yield whereas negative correlation existed between Fe uptake and yield.

Effect of calcium, magnesium and boron on nutrient uptake and&nbsp;yield of rice in Kole lands of Kerala

<div>Background: Copper (Cu) is an essential trace mineral for growth, production and health of poultry. Due to its poor absorption from inorganic source which is common supplemental form, large amount of Cu is excreted in the excreta. This experiment was conducted to assess the bioavailability of Cu from organic and nano sources at lower level of supplementation to reduce the excretion level without compromising the growth performance of chicken. 
 
Methods: A total of 420-day-old Giriraja chicks were randomly assigned to 7 treatment groups having 4 replicates each (15 chicks per replicate). The basal diets of both chick (0-6 weeks) and grower phases (7-10 weeks) were supplemented with 20 and 30 ppm of Cu from inorganic source as control (T1), the groups T2, T3 and T4 supplemented with 100, 75 and 50% of control from organic Cu, T5, T6 and T7 treatment diets supplemented with 75, 50 and 25% of control from Cu nanoparticles, respectively. 
 
Result: The grower phase and cumulative body weight gain was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in T2 compared to T1, T6 and T7 groups, while the feed intake in chick phase was lower in T2, T5 and T7 groups as compared to T1, T3, T4 and T6. The chick phase feed conversion ratio was significantly (p&lt;0.05) better in T2 and T5 groups compared to T1, T3, T4, T6 and T7, whereas the cumulative FCR was better in T2 and T5 compared to T6 and T7 groups, while it was not affected during grower phase. The dry matter and crude protein metabolizability were significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in T2 and T5, the organic matter and ether extract metabolizability was higher only in T5. The crude fiber and nitrogen free extract was not affected by the treatment diets. Nitrogen excretion was significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower and its retention was higher in T2 and T5 treatment groups but was comparable with control. The Cu excretion through excreta was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher and its retention was lower in control as compared to all dietary treatments. Hence, it was concluded that the Cu supplementation from organic or nanoparticles form can be reduced by 50 and 75% of standard, respectively without compromising the growth performance of birds and nutrient digestibility of diets.</div>

Effect of Reduced Dietary Copper Levels Sourced from Organic and Nanoparticles Forms on Performance and Nutrient Utilization in Giriraja Birds

<div>Background: Aloe vera (AV) bears antioxidant properties and may improve quail performance during summer. But its action depends upon route of supplementation and dosage. This study thus assesses different AV supplementation forms (Powder and gel) on performance of quail during summer. 
 
Methods: Three hundred day old quail chicks were randomly distributed into 5 groups having 4 replicates of 15 birds. Dietary treatments were: C (Basal diet; BD), T1 (BD + 0.4% AV powder as dietary additive), T2 (BD + 0.6% AV powder), T3 (BD + 0.4% AV gel via drinking water) and T4 (Basal diet + 0.6% AV gel via drinking water). Dry-wet bulb temperature was recorded at 7:30 am and 2:30 pm throughout the 6 weeks trial to calculate Temperature humidity index (THI). Growth traits were observed during trial, but carcass traits and blood biochemical parameters were analysed at sixth week of age. 
 
Result: THI results revealed that quail birds were in moderate, severe and very severe heat stress during morning, but they experienced very severe heat stress at day time. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly better (p&lt;0.05) in T4 than control and T1, but intermediate values were observed in T2 and T3. Cholesterol was significantly reduced in T4 than C, although intermediate values were seen in T1, T2 and T3. Carcass characteristics (as % live weight) showed no difference. It was concluded that 0.6% AV gel supplementation improved FCR during summer months.</div>

Magnesium in Soils of Agricultural Landscapes of Western Siberia

Isotopic Composition and Fractionation of Stable Magnesium Isotopes in Relation to Fruits Growing in Different Regions of Russia

Magnesium Hydroxide as Curative Strategy against Lactic Acidosis in Goat

Yield and Rhizosphere - microflora of Cowpea in Response to Magnesium Fertilization in Lateritic Soils of Kerala

Critical Level of Magnesium for Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in Ultisols of Kerala

Morphological diversity of local land races and wild forms of mungbean

Anticoccidial activity of different forms of Aloe vera

Effect of calcium, magnesium and boron on nutrient uptake and yield of rice in Kole lands of Kerala

Effect of Reduced Dietary Copper Levels Sourced from Organic and Nanoparticles Forms on Performance and Nutrient Utilization in Giriraja Birds

Comparative Evaluation of Different Aloe vera Forms Over Quail Performance during Summer