<div>Background: An intensive cropping system involving legume and vegetable crops not only highly productive and profitable but should also be stable over time and maintains soil health in present scenario. So, keeping this point in view the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the productivity, profitability and sustainability of legume entailing different ultra high intensity rice based cropping system models under irrigated sub-tropics.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The field experiment was conducted at Research Farm, SKUAST-Jammu, Main Campus, Chatha for two consecutive years from kharif 2019 to summer season of 2021. The experiment consisting of five legume entailing rice based cropping system models of cropping intensity varying from 300-600% viz. T1: Rice (Basmati-370) - Wheat (HD-3086) - Cowpea (Lobia Super-60) having 300% cropping intensity, T2: Rice (Basmati-564) - Potato (Kufri Badshah) - Wheat (Raj-3765) - Mixed fodder (Maize+Cowpea+Charri in 2:2:1 ratio) having 400% cropping intensity, T3: Rice (SJR-129) - Knol khol (G-40) - Potato (Kufri Sindhuri) - Green gram (IPM 02-3) having 400% cropping intensity, T4: Rice (Pusa-1121) - Radish (CR-45) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - French bean (Anupama) - Okra (Seli special) having 500% cropping intensity in relay cropping from fourth crop onwards and T5: Rice (IET-1410) - Fenugreek (JF-07) - Knol khol (G-40) - Green onion (Nasik Red) - Dry onion (Selection-1) - Black gram (Pant U-19) having 600% cropping intensity in relay cropping from third crop onwards was laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. 
 
Result: The results obtained under two years research study revealed that treatment T4 recorded significantly highest basmati-370 rice equivalent system productivity followed by treatment T5. Further, treatment T4 also recorded highest system cost of cultivation, system gross returns and system net returns. System soil fertility status in terms of available NPK after completion of second crop cycle was significantly affected. Among different cropping systems, significantly higher available nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded in treatment T5 system which was at par with treatment T4.</div>

Performance of Diversified Legume Entailing Ultra High Intensity Rice based Cropping System Models for Higher Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability

The present study was carried out to compare the growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens reared in semi-intensive and conventional systems (Ross 308, n=120). Chickens were raised in a pen on wooden shavings for 21 days. On day 21 of age, chicks were assigned to 2 treatments (indoor treatment and semi-intensive treatment). The experiment was conducted at until 6 weeks of age. Production system has a significant effect on wing (P&lt;0.05) and heart weight (P&lt;0.01), but has no any effect on final body weight, hot or cold carcass weight, thigh, breast, back and neck, gizzard, liver and abdominal fat weights (P&gt;0.05). &nbsp;The final body weight, hot and cold carcass weight, thigh, wings and heart weights were affected by sex of birds (p&lt;0.05) while breast, back, liver, gizzard and abdominal fat were not affected by sex (P&gt;0.05). The nutrient level of carcass parts was not influenced by production system or sex (P&gt;0.05). In our study, breast of birds reared under semi-intensive system had significantly lower &lsquo;L&rsquo; (P&lt;0.05), higher &lsquo;a&rsquo; statistically different (P&lt;0.01); while &lsquo;b&rsquo; value was significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher in skin of semi-intensive reared birds.

Effects of a semi-intensive raising system on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chicks

Background: Cropping system is an essential component of a farming system. Farmers use a variety of cropping systems based on their expertise, scientific validation is essential before recommending a certain cropping system for a specific area. The purpose of the study was to determine the yield and profitability of a diversified intensive cropping system with nutrient management strategies that are more productive and profitable than existing ones for Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s North Western Zone.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: With four replications, the experiment was set up in a strip plot style. Five treatments were used, one of which included intensive diversified cropping systems viz., C1: Groundnut-chillies-greengram, C2: Groundnut + redgram (6:1)-sorghum-blackgram, C3: Maize + fodder cowpea (1:1) - sunflower-greengram, C4: Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato-blackgram, C5: Brinjal + onion (1:2) - cowpea-sunnhemp were taken in main-plots and five nutrient management practices treatments were imposed in sub-plots, including farm yard manure at 12.5 t/ha and vermicompost at 2.5, 5 and 7.5 t/ha, as well as fertilisers at variable levels of 100, 75 and 50 per cent were imposed in sub-plots.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Higher total system groundnut equivalent yield was recorded in Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato - blackgram cropping system with respect to nutrient management it was recorded higher in farmyard manure @ 12.5 t/ha along with application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer. Higher B:C ratio and net return was recorded in Bhendi + coriander (1:1) - tomato - blackgram cropping system in terms of nutrient management it was recorded higher in farmyard manure @ 12.5 t/ha along with application of 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer.

Production and Profitability of Diversified Intensive Cropping System Suitable for North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu

<div>Background: White Pekin ducks can be reared under intensive rearing system for meat and egg production. Depending upon the availability, duck farmers use different types of cereals for feeding their ducks. Therefore, a study was conducted to find out the performance of White Pekin ducks during mid phase of layingfed on wheat and/or broken rice based diets under intensive rearing system.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: White Pekin laying ducks (45; 41 weeks old) were divided into three groups. Three types of diets without (BR-0) and with broken rice (BR), replacing 50 (BR-50) and 100 (BR-100) per cent of wheat were prepared and offered randomly to the above three groups till the ducks attained 52 weeks of age under standard feeding and management practices.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The total egg production (dozen) and duck day egg production (DDEP) % were higher in BR-50 group (4.51 and 64.44) than the BR-100 group (3.85 and 55.00); however, both were similar to BR-0 group (4.09 and 58.49). The total feed intake (12.55-13.80, kg) and feed conversion ratio (feed consumed in kg per dozen eggs produced) (2.93-3.31) were similar among the groups. The cost (Rs.) per egg was lower in BR-50 group (7.79) than the BR-0 group (8.32) and BR-100 group (8.71). The egg weight in BR-50 group (76.61 g) was higher than the BR-0 group (75.42 g); however, both were similar with BR-100 group (76.19 g). There was no significant difference in the egg shape index (68.22-69.69), albumen index (0.13-0.14) and yolk index (0.42-0.44) among the groups. The However, the Haugh unit in BR-100 groups (87.32) was lower than BR-0 group (89.90); but both were similar with BR-50 group (89.56). There were no significant differences in the percentage of albumen (55.09-55.71), yolk (31.75-32.38) and shell (12.45-12.63) among the groups. Similarly, the shell thickness with membrane (0.50-0.52, mm) and without membrane (0.43-0.44, mm) were also similar among the groups. It can be concluded that White Pekin ducks can be raised on wheat and/or broken rice-based diets during mid phase of laying under intensive rearing system; however, mixture of wheat and broken rice in equal ratio increased the performance and was economical.</div>

Performance of White Pekin Ducks Fed Wheat or Broken Rice based Diets during Mid Phase of Laying under Intensive Rearing System

Background: Developing and propagating location-specific rural chicken varieties appropriate for the current circumstances in various regions of the nation is the goal of the AICRP on Poultry Breeding. In regards to this, the current study evaluated the production performance of Native &times; PB2 cross chicken, Dahlem Red and their crosses under an intensive management system in the Chhattisgarh region, with the goal of developing a new location-specific dual purpose breed. 
 
Methods: At the Poultry Demonstration and Experimental Unit, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, DSVCKVV, Durg, 240 day-old chicks from each group were raised under intensive management system. They were assessed for body weight (g) at day old, 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks of age; shank length and keel bone length at 20, 32 and 40 weeks of age; age at sexual maturity (ASM); hen housed egg production (HHEP), hen day egg production (HDEP) at 28, 32 and 40 weeks of age; and egg weight at 28, 32, 36 and 40 weeks of age. 
 
Result: There were significant (P&le;0.05) differences among all 3 genetic groups for body weights, shank and keel length, sexual maturity, egg production and egg weight. Body weights at different age differed significantly between three groups; irrespective of age Native X PB2 (1607.38&plusmn;9.24 g) crossbred recorded higher body weight compared to Dahlem Red (1185.17&plusmn;7.80 g) and Dahlem Red X ( Native X PB2) (1480.35&plusmn;12.16 g) crosses at 20 weeks of age. The age at sexual maturity differed significantly and lowest age of sexual maturity was recorded for Native X PB2 (166.25&plusmn;1.49 days) crossbred. Egg weight at 40 weeks of age differed significantly and recorded higher for Dahlem Red (61.73&plusmn;0.85g) followed by Dahlem Red X ( Native X PB2)&nbsp; (52.36&plusmn;0.88 g) than Native X PB2 (50.57&plusmn;0.10 g) crossbred. The hen day egg production up to 40 weeks of age was higher for Dahlem Red (54.63&plusmn;0.66) followed by Dahlem Red X (Native X PB2) (50.11&plusmn;0.76) crosses than Native X PB2 (31.69&plusmn;0.90) cross. The study concluded that Native X PB2 crosses may be useful for coloured meat birds and Dahlem Red X (Native X PB2) may be useful for dual purpose bird and Dahlem Red may be useful for layer type bird under same management and rearing conditions. 
&nbsp;

Evaluation of Comparative Performance of Native X PB2, Dahlem Red Chicken and Their Crosses under Intensive Management System in Chhattisgarh

Background: Abortion is a major health problem of animals including goats, which results in significant financial losses for the farmers. The aim of the current study was to determine the occurrence of abortion in different breeds of goats reared under semi-intensive farming system at the organized farms in the semi-arid region of India, and to determine the relationship between the parity, season, and pregnancy stage of the aborted goats with the incidence of abortions.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The data on the caprine abortions was collected and analyzed. The caprine abortions that occurred at the organized farms under a semi-intensive management system were categorized according to the season at the time of abortion, parity and pregnancy stage of the aborted goats. The Chi-Square test and ANOVA methods were used for the statistical analysis of the abortion data. 
 
Result: The occurrence of abortion in goats (combined farm) had a significant association with seasons and stages of pregnancy, whereas it was not associated with parities. Barbari, Jakharana&nbsp;and Jamunapari goats individually showed significant differences in abortion rates across various seasons, but did not exhibit significant variation in abortion rates with respect to different stages of pregnancy or parities. In the study, the majority of abortions were found in the winter season, followed by the rainy and summer seasons; similarly, most of the abortions were noticed in the later stage of pregnancy, followed by the mid- and early stages. There was the highest abortion rate in the goats with parity 3 and above, followed by the first and second parities. Further investigation is required to validate the current findings. In conclusion, the study revealed that abortion rates in goats are significantly influenced by seasonal changes and the stages of pregnancy.

Occurrence of Abortion in Different Breeds of Goats Reared under Semi-intensive Farming System at Organized Farms in Semi-arid Region of India

Background: There is little information on the effect of interaction between grazing intensity and nitrogen fertilization on the productive characteristics of ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam). The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of grazing intensity and nitrogen fertilization on the productive characteristics of ryegrass pasture in a crop-livestock integration system.&nbsp; 
 
Methods:&nbsp;A randomized complete block experimental design with a 2 &times; 2 &times; 5 factorial arrangement was used, with three replications. The study factors were two management grass heights, low height (LH = 10 cm) and high height (HH = 25 cm), two different nitrogen fertilization times (NP = nitrogen applied to pasture and NG = nitrogen applied to grains crop) and five evaluation periods.&nbsp; 
 
Result:&nbsp;The forage mass was higher at higher handling heights and with lower stocking rate (HH = 3995 kg DM ha-1). The forage density tended to be higher in the plots with lower grass height and nitrogen fertilization (LH = 193.5 and NP = 184.7 kg DM ha-1 cm-1). The highest accumulation rate (AR) and forage production (FP) was observed in managed pastures with HHNP (AR = 120.4 kg DM ha-1 day-1; FP = 18471 kg DM ha-1). The management of grass with HHNP provided higher forage mass, higher accumulation rate and higher dry matter production in ryegrass pasture, due to an adequate stocking rate.

Production Characteristics of Ryegrass Pasture under Different Intensities of Grazing and Nitrogen Fertilization in Integrated Crop-livestock Systems

<div>Background: Growth ability and meat performance are of great economic importance in beef cattle. Therefore, breed comparison experiments are needed to provide valuable information on the suitability of different beef breeds for different production conditions. The aim of the present study was to compare the growth performance and meat quality of young Red Angus, Salers and Limousin bulls. 
 
Methods: The material comprised 30 bulls of Red Angus (RA), Salers (SL) and Limousin (LM) breeds. The parameters studied were 210-d bodyweight and daily gains from birth to weaning and to finishing, as well as from weaning to finishing. The finished bulls were slaughtered after 12-hour fasting and post-slaughter evaluation was carried out. The compositions of the samples of meat from the longest dorsal muscle (m. longissimus dorsi) were subjected to basic chemical analysis and sensory analysis. 
 
Result: The best results in the period of maternal nursing were obtained by the SL bulls and during intensive fattening, by the LM bulls. The differences existed in the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of meat from the bulls of the studied breeds. The RA breed demonstrated the highest content of intramuscular fat in the longissimus dorsi muscle and received higher scores for sensory characteristics.</div>

<div>Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Purebred Bulls Reared under Intensive Production Systems</div>

In aquaculture system, 40-60% cost comes from the production of fish regarding feed. Hence, there is a need in future to further reduce the cost of the feed and its utilization in aquaculture with low input for growth and high survival of fish. Concerning the former the most obvious approach to reducing the cost of feed is to decrease the amount of the most expensive ingredient in the feed i.e. fishmeal, through substitution with a suitable low-cost alternative ingredients, while ensuring that such substitution will not compromise the growth and quality of the cultured stock. Previously, few attempts have been made on the mixed feeding schedule in carps and other species in aquaculture. There is a need to undertake the effect of mixed feeding schedule with suitable feeding strategies i.e. alternate feeding strategies with the different combination of protein variation in the diet. This study will throw light in the low cost feed formulation, feeding strategies, reduction in pollution load in pond and minimize the cost of fish production in aquaculture of Indian major carps and other cultured species in the country and it will improve the economic status and benefits of farmers in the generation of income and employment opportunities.

Alternate feeding strategies for optimum nutrient utilization and reducing feed cost for semi-intensive practices in aquaculture system-A review

<div>Background: A suitable cropping system seem to be the possible solution to meet the continuous increase in demand for food, stability of income and diverse requirement of food grains. Selection of suitable cropping system for conservation of resources has prime importance now a day. The cropping systems selected in study have higher potential of production along with incorporable residues during winter. The residues of cotton, castor and mustard crops (Crops in selected cropping systems) have more potential to feed nutrients to soil as compared to burning. So incorporation of such crop residues in to soil helps to recycle the nutrients to correct their deficiencies. Farmyard manure is being used as major source of organic manure in field crops. Thus to maintain the soil health, integrated nutrient management approaches involving FYM and mineral source need to be standardized. So there is need to find out agronomically efficient and economically viable cropping system which can perform better for increasing productivity and profitability with association of conservation of natural resources. 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Sixteen treatment combinations comprising of four cropping system treatments viz, C1 : Cotton- Summer Pearlmillet, C2 : Greengram + Kharif &nbsp;Castor (Relay), C3 : Greengram - Mustard - Summer Pearlmillet and C4 : Greengram - Rabi Castor and two residue incorporation treatments viz, R0 : No residue incorporation and R1 : Residue incorporation as well as two fertilizer doses viz, F1 : 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer and F2 : 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM were evaluated in the study. 
 
Result: Cotton - summer pearlmillet cropping system found significantly superior by recording higher pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability while, total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight were found the lowest under greengram- kharif castor (relay) cropping system. Residue incorporation secured top position by recording significantly the highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability as well as lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. Application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM recorded significantly highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability. In case of weed count and weed dry weight, 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer found significantly superior by recording lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. &nbsp;</div>