The present study was carried out to estimate the growth rate of area, production and yield and to measure the contribution of different components to the growth rate of millets in India during the last six decades i.e. from 1950-51 to 2011-12. Area under sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet and total millets registered positive growth during 1950-51 to 1980-81 and negative growth subsequently. &nbsp;The production of total millets registered significant growth during overall study period due to increase in yield. Increase in production of sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet and total millets were contributed by their yields, whereas area and its interaction with yield have adversely affected the production. Decline in production of small millets was due to area effect and interaction effect. The main source of growth in production of millets has been the growth in yield per hectare during the period from 1950-51 to 2011-12.

Growth pattern of millets in India

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive seasons of rabi 2011-13 at Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Crop Research Centre of G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar to find out the effect of planting pattern and weed management practices on growth, development and yield of field pea and baby corn in field pea (Pant P-13) + baby corn (Surya) intercropping system. The experiment was laid out in split plot design keeping four planting patterns as main plot and four weed management practices as sub plot with three replications. Most of the growth parameters viz. number of branches per plant, dry matter accumulation (g/plant), crop growth rate and relative growth rate of field pea were comparatively higher under sole planting of field pea as compared to intercropping systems. Sole planting of field pea recorded significantly higher grain (2264 and 1434 kg ha-1) and straw yields (3263 and 2540 kg ha-1) during 2011-12 and 2012-2013 than yield obtained as a component crop in paired planting of maize (30/60 cm) + field pea (2:2) and planting &nbsp;of maize + field pea (1:1). Baby corn yield was similar in sole, paired (2:2) and 1:1 planting but significantly higher stover yield of baby corn (3576 kg ha-1 and 3533 kg ha-1, during 2011-12 and 2012-2013 respectively) was obtained from sole crop than other planting methods during both the years. Hand weeding at 30 days after sowing, pre emergence application of pendimethalin 1 kg ha-1 and post emergence application of imazethapyr 50 g ha-1 30 days after sowing improved all the growth and yield parameters of field pea and baby corn than weedy check .&nbsp;

Growth, development and yield as affected by planting pattern and weed management in field pea and baby corn intercropping system

Background: Weed infestation causes serious problem in the corn production and due to limiting land area different planting patterns are required to be adopted to meet the corn demand. A field trail was conducted during spring 2023 and 2024 on agricultural farm of Lovely Professional University, Punjab on &ldquo;The effect of planting patterns and weed control treatments on weed biomass, growth and yield of spring maize (Zea mays L.). 
 
Methods: The study was laid out in split plot design with 3 planting methods i.e. flat planting with single row, flat sowing with paired row and ridge planting as main plots and five weed control treatments that is atrazine + pendimethalin f. b. straw mulching (6t ha-1), pendimethalin + intercropping cowpea f. b. earthing up and straw mulching, inter. dhaincha f. b. earthing up + straw mulching, two hand weeding and unweeded (control) in sub plots with four replications. Variety PMH10 was used is recommended for the spring season under Punjab conditions. 
 
Result: The results indicated that among the planting patterns, the ridge planting produced significantly higher grain yield during both the years as compared to flat sowing with single row and paired row which was due to better growth parameters in ridge sowing. However, the weed biomass was found significantly less in the ridge planting compared to flat planting. Among subplot treatments, the higher grain yield was obtained in treatments that are pendimethalin + intercropping of cowpea f. b. earthing up + straw mulching and intercropping dhaincha f. b. earthing up + straw mulching which were statistically at par with one another during 2023 and 2024 and both treatments were found to be significantly better than all other treatments. The grain yield was significantly less in the unweeded (control) treatment as compared to other treatments. The weed density and biomass was significantly less in the treatments in which mulching was used as compared to two hand weeding and the control treatments.

Effect of Planting Patterns and Weed Control Treatments on Growth and Yield of Spring Maize

<div>Background: Japanese quails have the potentials of being cheap source of animal protein. This study was conducted to determine the growth pattern and physiological response of Japanese quails to administration of aqueous solution of egg lime molasses mixture (ELM).&nbsp; 
 
Methods: ELM was prepared by placing fresh eggs in a bowl after which 1 liter of lime juice and 500 g of molasses were added and left for 10 days at temperature of 27&deg;C and relative humidity of 61%. The entire solution was then blended together. Two hundred day old Japanese quails were assigned to five treatments (4 replicates/treatment) with forty birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). The control (T1) having no administration of ELM, T2 had an inclusion level of 10 ml, T3: 20 ml, T4: 30 ml and T5: 40 ml ELM all into 500 ml of water. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The study was carried out for 49 days. Data were collected on growth, morphometrics and key physiology parameters. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance using SPSS Version 22.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Significant difference (p&lt;0.05) was observed only for feed conversion ratio at the starter phase, however, birds administered 20 ml ELM/500 ml of water had the best FCR. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were observed for live weight and weight gain at the finisher phase. Significant differences (p&lt;0.05) were observed in body morphometrics with birds administered 20 ml/500 ml of water having the highest values. There were significant differences (p&lt;0.05) in rectal temperature and respiratory rate at the starter phase while at the finisher phase, significant difference (p&lt;0.05) was only observed in rectal temperature. It can be concluded from this study that aqueous administration of egg lime molasses solution in the diet of Japanese quails has no detrimental effect on the growth pattern and physiological response.</div>

Growth Pattern and Physiological Response of Japanese Quails to Administered Aqueous Solution of Egg Lime Molasses Mixture

Background: India&rsquo;s agriculture scenario currently faces several interconnected issues that affect long-term sustainability, agricultural productivity and resource efficiency. Many of these problems can be solved practically by focusing on planting strategies (e.g., bed planting vs. flat sowing) in conjunction with nitrogen level management. An experiment was performed at the agricultural research farm of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India to investigate the influence of planting pattern and nitrogen requirement on growth and yield of wheat during the rabi season of 2023-2024.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The investigation was laid out in a split-split plot design with three replications with the objective to study the role of methods of planting patterns and nitrogen levels on growth and yield of wheat. The main treatments comprised of three planting patterns, viz. M1-Flat sowing (22.5 row to row planting), M2- Bed sowing with two rows per bed of 67.5 cm each (37.5cm bed top + 30 cm furrow), M3- Bed sowing with three rows per bed of 90 cm (60 cm flat top + 30 cm furrow), sub-plot treatments comprised of three nitrogen levels viz. N1- 0 kg N/ha, N2 -50 % of RDN and N3 -100% of recommended dose of fertilizers i.e. 125:60:40 kg/ha and sub-sub plot treatments included foliar application of nitrogen viz. F1- 2% foliar nitrogen application at crown root initiation stage, F2- 2% foliar nitrogen application at tillering stage, F3- 2% foliar nitrogen application at boot stage.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of the investigation revealed that among the main plot treatments, bed sowing with three rows per bed of 90 cm (60 cm flat top + 30 cm furrow) recorded higher grain yield (5.09 t/ha) than other treatments whereas as Bed sowing with two rows per bed of 67.5 cm each (37.5 cm bed top + 30 cm furrow) yielded equivalent results from a statistical standpoint (5 t/ha). Among sub-plots, the application of N3 -100% of Recommended dose of nitrogen has obtained significantly higher grain yield (6.4 t/ha) when compared to other treatments. Among sub-sub plots 2% foliar nitrogen application at boot stage showed higher grain yield (5.2 t/ha) when compared to other treatments whereas 2% foliar nitrogen application at tillering stage where statistically on par (5.1 t/ha) with 2% foliar nitrogen application at boot stage.

Influence of Planting Pattern and Nitrogen Requirement on Growth and Yield of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Background: Maize (Zea mays L.), commonly known as &ldquo;queen of cereals,&rdquo; The present study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab), during the Kharif season of 2024-25. It was titled &ldquo;Assessment of relationships between growth and yield traits in kharif maize (Zea mays L.) under planting patterns, nutrient regimes and organic mulching.&rdquo; This study investigates the correlation of growth and yield parameter of Maize under different planting pattern cum nutrient levels and organic mulching enhanced productivity and sustainability. 
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Methods: The experiment was conducted in a split-plot design (SPD) with three replications. 
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Result: The correlation matrix results show that plant height was significantly correlated with number of leaves, cob length, cob girth, grains/cob, test weight, grain yield and biological yield and Number of leaves was correlated with cob length, cob girth, grains/cob, test weight, grain yield and also biological yield. Tasseling and silking were correlated to each other and had a non-significant effect on growth and yield parameters. Cob length, cob girth and number of grains have a positive correlation with test weight, grain yield and biological yield and this positive effect is a key point for the production and productivity of maize crop. Test weight was also positively correlated with grain yield and biological yield. Grain yield and biological yield is perfectly correlated to each other. The correlogram result showed that earlier flowering, higher plant height, higher cob length and test weight significantly improved maize yield. These results highlight that optimized planting patterns, balanced nutrient management and organic mulching can improve maize production, productivity and sustainability in the Punjab region.

Assessment of Relationships between Growth and Yield Traits in Kharif Maize (Zea mays L.) under Planting Patterns, Nutrient Regimes and Organic Mulching

Background: Weeds pose a significant biotic threat to the production of rice, hindering its growth and yield. An experimental study was carried out at Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India during the 2023 kharif season to investigate the impact of different planting patterns in relation to weed control treatments on weed dynamics and paddy yield of transplanted rice under unpuddled conditions. 
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Methods: The experiment was laid out in Split Plot Design comprising of four planting patterns,&nbsp;viz. transplanting two rows/ridge, transplanting two rows/ridge + one in furrow, flat transplanting (unpuddled), flat transplanting (puddled) in main plots and four weed control treatments,&nbsp;viz. pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha as pre-em. f.b. bispyribac 10 SC at 25 g/ha as post-em., pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha as pre-em. f.b. penoxsulam 240 SC at 24 g/ha as post-em., pendimethalin 0.75 kg/ha as pre-em. f.b. fenoxaprop 6.7 EC at 67 g/ha, post-em., unweeded (control) in sub-plots with four replications. 
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Result: The investigation&rsquo;s outcomes revealed that the highest paddy yield (67.6 q/ha) was achieved by transplanting two rows per ridge and one in the furrow, significantly outperforming other planting patterns. Conversely, the paddy yields from flat unpuddled (60.2 q/ha) and flat puddled (59 q/ha) treatments were statistically at par. Among the weed control treatments, the sequential application of pendimethalin (0.75 kg/ha) as a pre-emergence and bispyribac sodium 10 SC (25 g/ha) as a post-emergence significantly inhibited the growth and biomass accumulation of diverse weed types, such as grasses, sedges and broad-leaved weeds resulting in significantly higher paddy yield (77.9 q/ha) in comparison to all other weed control treatments. 
&nbsp;

Role of Planting Patterns and Weed Control Treatments on Growth and Yield of Unpuddled Transplanted Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

<div>Background: The Indian kennel club has determined the weight and height characteristics of adult Indian free-ranging dogs but not for the puppies despite the dogs existing in India for centuries. The formation of a growth chart for these dogs may help veterinarians to be better able to determine the age and health status of the rescued puppies. 
 
Methods: In this study, the weekly weight gains and monthly total length increases of a female Indian free-ranging puppy were observed from 5th-22nd week of the puppy&rsquo;s life in order to form a growth chart. The puppy&rsquo;s life during observation was divided into three phases-pre-weaned, weaned and scavenge by itself. The mother&rsquo;s monthly weight gain was measured. 
 
Result: The puppy showed 0.71&plusmn;0.30 kg in the first, 0.45&plusmn;0.48 kg in the second and 0.38&plusmn;0.40 kg increase in the third phase of the observation period. No significant difference in weight gain was observed in the three phases. The monthly weight gain and length increase were 1.95&plusmn;0.587 kg and 21.25&plusmn;19.05 cm respectively. No correlation was observed between them. No correlation between months after birth and mother&rsquo;s weight gain were observed.</div>

A Case Study on the Growth Pattern of Indian Free-ranging Dog in Natural Environment

Background: A study was done during the Rabi 2022-23 on the farm of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara (Punjab) on &ldquo;Effect of planting patterns, weed competition on growth, yield and quality of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).&rdquo; PBW-824 variety was used for the experiment which is suitable under irrigated conditions of Punjab.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The experiment was conducted in split plot design (SPD) with 4 planting techniques viz. two rows per bed, three rows/bed, bidirectional sowing, flat/line sowing in main/major plots and four weed competition treatments viz. competition by Phalaris minor only, competition by broad leaf weeds only, competition by both (weedy check) and no competition (weed free) in minor/sub plots. 
 
Result: The findings concluded that among main plots, crucially more grain yield (51.93 q/ha) and (51.29 q/ha) was obtained in cross sowing and three rows/bed, than two rows/bed and flat/line sowing pattern. Also increased seed/kernel yield in cross sowing, three rows/bed and two rows/bed was (14.43%, 13.02% and 5.39%) respectively than flat sowing. The growth and yield attributes were also seriously more in cross sowing, three rows per bed than flat sowing. Among weed competition treatments grain yield was significantly higher in no competition by both Phalaris minor and broad leaf weeds than other weed competition treatments. There were 41.85%, 25.55% and 14.75% increased grain yield in no competition treatment, competition by broad leaf weeds only and competition by Phalaris minor only as compared to control (unweeded) treatment. Among sub plots, all yield attributes were significantly higher in weed free treatment as contrast to all other weed competition treatments.

Effect of Planting Patterns and Weed Competition on Growth, Yield and Quality of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Background: The field experiment was conducted at the Research Farm of Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India during Rabi season 2023-24 to find out the role of planting patterns and weed control methods on growth and development of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.). 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. In main plots, four planting patterns i.e. two rows per bed (90 cm), ridge sowing (45 cm), flat sowing (45 cm) f.b. earthing up, flat sowing (45 cm) and in sub plots, four weed control treatments, i.e. black plastic mulch, white plastic mulch, hand weeding f.b. straw mulch (5 t ha-1) and unweeded (control) were kept. 
 
Result: The results of the study revealed that weed count and weed dry matter in flat sowing (45 cm) f.b. earthing up was significantly less than flat sowing (45 cm) and among weed control treatments, black plastic mulch recorded significantly less weed count and weed dry matter than other treatments. Plant height, dry matter per plant, seed yield and biological yield were found significantly higher in flat sowing (45 cm) f.b. earthing up as compared to flat sowing (45 cm). Black plastic mulch and white plastic mulch recorded significantly higher growth and yield parameters than unweeded (control). The seed yield in flat sowing (45 cm) f.b. earthing up was 33.5% higher than flat sowing (45 cm). Black plastic mulch recorded 85.28% higher seed yield over control, which was significantly more as compared to all other treatments. It was concluded that the combination of flat sowing (45 cm) f.b. earthing up and black plastic mulch gave better results as compared to all other treatments. 
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