<div style="text-align: justify;">The study was carried to evaluate the effects of feeding phytogenic feed additive, Artemisia absinthiumon nutrient intake, nutrient digestibility, utilization and performance of sheep. Ten male adult Bakerwal sheep were randomly divided into control group (T0) and treatment group (T1). The complete ration for T1 was fortified with herb Artemisia absinthium@ 4%. Significant (P&lt;0.05) differences were observed in DM intake, OM intake, average daily gainand digestibility coefficients of DM, OM, CP and EE. However, non-significant (P&lt;0.05) differences were recorded in digestibility coefficients of NFE, NDF, ADF and HC. Significant increase in % DCP and % TDN were recorded in T1 group as compared to T0 group. Nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance were comparable between two groups and were positive in both groups. &nbsp;Among haemato-biochemical parameters blood glucose, Hb, PCV and total serum proteins, differed non-significantly (P&pound;0.05) between the groups, both before and after experimental feeding, except the BUN which was found significantly (P&pound;0.05) higher in herb supplemented group.</div>

Effect of Artemisia Absinthium(Titween) on nutrient intake, digestibility, nutrient balance and blood biochemical of sheep

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of concentrate at different levels to sweet sorghum bagasse leaf residue (SSBLR) silage on nutrient utilization in growing lambs in a metabolism trial conducted after 120days of feeding. &nbsp;Sixteen growing Nellore ram lambs (18.3&plusmn;0.8) were randomly allotted to 4 dietary groups (4 in each group) &nbsp;and were inducted into metabolic cages five days prior to collection for acclimatization followed by a seven day collection period. The four dietary groups were SSBLR silage fed ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate mixture (CP 17% and ME 2.53 Mcal/kg DM) at 0.0 (R-I), 0.75 (R-II), 1.0 (R-III) and 1.25 (R-IV) per cent of their live Weight. Significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher total DMI (g/kg w0.75) was noticed in concentrate supplemented groups. The organic matter, crude protein and nitrogen free extract digestibility was significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in lambs fed R-IV ration than those fed R-I ration. No significant difference in the digestibility of dry matter, ether extract and cell wall constituents was observed among the rations. The digestible crude protein (%) (P&lt;0.01) and metabolizable energy (Mcal/kg) values increased (P&gt;0.0) with increase in level of concentrate in the diet. Negative and lower (P&lt;0.01) nitrogen balance (g/d) was noticed in R-I ration. The N balance linearly increased with increase in level of concentrate supplementation. The study indicated feeding of sole SSBLR silage couldn&rsquo;t meet the nutrient requirements and Supplementation of concentrate mixture (0.75-1.25%) to SSBLR silage improved the nutrient &nbsp;digestibility and nitrogen balance in growing lambs.

Effect of supplementation of concentrate to sweet sorghum bagasse with leaf residue silage on nutrient utilization and nitrogen balance in native sheep

<div>Background: Palm kernel cake is a high-fibre and medium-grade protein feed available at a cheaper price. Determining the optimum quantity of palm kernel cake inclusion levels could help in designing sustainable livestock-feeding systems. The studies related to its use in buffaloes are scarce. Considering the indispensable role of buffaloes in enhancing the Indian economy, the current study is aimed at finding the optimum level of palm kernel cake inclusion in rations of buffaloes. 
 
Methods: In a 4&times;4 LSD, four graded Murrah buffalo bulls (4 yrs; 329&plusmn;10.4 kg) were fed maintenance rations comprising Super Napier and concentrate mixture. A concentrate mixture with 20% CP was prepared using conventional feed ingredients and is used as control. De-oiled palm kernel cake (DPKC) is incorporated at 0, 15, 30 and 45 per cent level to study the effect of feeding DPKC on nutrient utilization, mineral (calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen) balance and rumen fluid parameters (TVFA and nitrogen dynamics). 
 
Result: The DPKC diets did not affect nutrient intakes; however, decreased the nutrient digestibility coefficients. The nitrogen outgo was higher and the N retention and per cent absorbed was lower for DPKC-included diets. No effects were observed on the calcium and phosphorus balance of diets. A linearly decreased pattern of TVFA and total nitrogen was observed with increased levels of DPKC. Further, the diets did not affect food and protozoal N and residual N of rumen liquor.</div>

Effect of Feeding Deoiled Palm Kernel Cake on Nutrient Utilization, Mineral Balance and Rumen Nitrogen Dynamics of Murrah Buffalo Bulls

Background: The use of alternate feed resources like tree leaves is key element in addressing the problems derived from climate change and food shortages that demand establishment of sustainable feeding system for ruminants. 
 
Methods: A study was conducted on 36 Nellore cross ram lambs (6-7 months; 18.48&plusmn;0.29 kg BW) randomly allotted to six dietary treatments to evaluate the effect of 20% dietary inclusion of moringa (MOR) subabul (SBL) and guava (GVL) leaves either sole or in combination (MS and MG mixture incorporated at 60:40 and 40:60, respectively) in concentrate mixture on nutrient utilization, plane of nutrition and nitrogen balance. The control group concentrate mixture contained maize, de-oiled rice bran, cotton seed cake and soybean meal as major ingredients and in the 5 experimental concentrate mixtures, de-oiled rice bran and soybean meal were partially replaced with moringa (MOR20), subabul (SBL20), guava (GVL20), moringa and subabul mixture (MS20) and moringa and guava mixture (MG20), by including them at 20%. Animals were fed with respective concentrate mixtures to meet about 80% of protein requirements and sorghum stover was offered ad libitum to meet the nutrient requirements of lambs for maintenance and growth as per <a href="#icar_2013">ICAR (2013)</a>.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Dietary inclusion of tree leaves had no effect on the intake of various nutrients viz. DM, OM, CP, EE, CF, NFE, NDF,ADF, Hemicellulose and cellulose and&nbsp; were comparable (P&gt;0.05) among the six dietary groups. The crude protein and crude fibre digestibility improved (P&lt;0.01) in tree leaves included diets compared to control, while ether extract (EE) digestibility was lower (P&lt;0.01) in tree leaves included diets compared to CON. The DCP, TDN (%) and ME content was higher (P&lt;0.05) in MS20, MG20 and&nbsp; MOR20 groups compared to CON. The N intake (g/d), excretion through faeces and urine (g/d), total N excretion and total N balance (g/d) was comparable among the different dietary groups.

Effect of Moringa, Subabul and Guava Leaves Either Sole or in Combination on Nutrient Utilization, Nitrogen Balance of Ram Lambs

<div>Background: Barnyard millet is one of the significant small millets cultivated in India. It has provided a good source of nutrients. Its production is low in low fertile soil. For that study undertaken into supplying balanced nutrition to achieve maximum yield by following soil test crop response-based fertilizer prescription equation.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The Inductive methodology adopted in the field experiment for developing a scientific basis of fertilizer prescription for barnyard millet was performed on Periyanaickenpalayam soil series of Inceptisol soil order of Tamil Nadu during 2019-2020. The initial soil available nutrient status, grain yield, total nutrient uptake by barnyard millet and fertilizer N, P2O5 and K2O and FYM applied were taken into account for calculating four basic parameters for developing fertilizer prescription equation viz., Nutrient Requirement (NR) to produce 100 kg of barnyard millet grains, the contribution of nutrients from soil (Cs), fertilizer (Cf) and FYM (Cfym).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The fertilizer prescription equations and ready reckoner were developed to prescribe fertilizer dosage for a range of soil test values for specific yield target of barnyard millet on Inceptisol. It can be adopted on the Periyanaickenpalayam soil series of Tamil Nadu and also in regions with allied soil types.</div>

Targeted Yield Model-based Balanced Nutrient Recommendation for Barnyard Millet on Inceptisol of Tamil Nadu

<div>Background:&nbsp;Increasing cost of fertilizers warrants the necessity of finding methods for increasing the use efficiency of nitrogen in a cropping system. Data from on-farm research on evaluation of use efficiency of applied nutrients using check plot or omission plot technique has been lacking. 
 
Methods:&nbsp;A researcher designed and farmer managed experiment was conducted in Angul district under Mid Central Table Land Zone of Odisha to study the on-farm crop response to plant nutrients by involving 12 farmers during 2015-16 and another 12 farmers during 2016-17 in rice (Oryza sativa L.)- groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cropping system with seven treatments,&nbsp;viz. control (no fertilizer application), recommended N alone (N-0-0-0), NP (N-P-0-0), NK (N-0-K-0), NPK (N-P-K-0), NPK+ZnSO4/CaSO4 (N-P-K- ZnSO4 in rice and N-P-K- CaSO4 in groundnut) and farmers&rsquo; practice (FP). 
 
Result:&nbsp;The highest system rice equivalent yield (REY) (12.63 t/ha) was recorded with the recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K @ 80, 17.5 and 33 kg/ha)+25 kg ZnSO4/ha to rice and recommended doses of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N-P-K @ 40, 17.5 and 33 kg/ha)+250 kg CaSO4/ha to groundnut followed by recommended NPK alone&nbsp;to both the crops without ZnSO4/CaSO4 (12.18 t/ha). Partial factor productivity (PFP) of N in rice-groundnut system can be increased to 42% over sole N application through application of recommended quantity of NPK. The agronomic efficiency (AE) of N increased by 122, 87 and 186% in rice groundnut cropping system by applying recommended doses of N with P, K and PK over N alone, respectively. Application of recommended quantity of NPK+ZnSO4 to rice and NPK+CaSO4 to succeeding groundnut crop recorded highest system net return of Rs. 92690/ha followed by application of recommended NPK only to both the crops (Rs.89950/ha). Application of balanced fertilizer improved the status of organic carbon and available N, P and K at the end of the cropping season in both the years compared to control.</div>

On-farm Evaluation of Balanced Fertilization in Rice-groundnut Cropping System for Productivity, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Profitability

Background: Considering the high cost of fertilizers and adverse effect of its overuse on environment and soil health, proper organic manure-fertilizer recommendations on the basis of soil test values, residual effect and yield targets of chilli becomes vital. 
 
Methods: Field experiment was carried out on Periyanaickenpalayam soil series of Inceptisol soil order at farmers holding, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu during 2021-2022 after establishment of marked fertility gradient with respect to soil available N, P and K by gradient experiment with fodder sorghum. The test crop experiment with chilli&nbsp; was laid out in a fractional factorial design comprising of 24 treatments with 4 levels of N (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1), 4 levels for both phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and potassium dioxide (K2O). Farmyard manure (FYM) levels were 0, 6.25 and 12.5 kg ha-1.From the field experiment data, the fundamental parameters- nutrient requirement (NR) and nutrients contributions from soil (Cs), fertiliser (Cf) and farmyard manure (Co)-were determined. 
 
Result: The percentage of nutrients estimated from fertiliser (%Cf) that contributed towards the total amount of nutrients taken up by dry chilli was calculated to be 44.09, 39.29 and 76.91 per cent of N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively. K2O&gt;N&gt;P2O5 was seen as the order of the fertiliser nutrient per cent contributions to total nutrient uptake. Incase of nutrient contribution form soil (% Cs) the order is P2O5&gt;N&gt; K2O. FYM contributed (% Co) 29.42, 14.40 and 38.73 per cent of N, P2O5 and K2O. One quintal of dry chilli production was estimated to require (NR) 4.24 kg of nitrogen, 1.91 kg of phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and 4.80 kg of potassium oxide (K2O) as nutrients. Fertiliser prescription equations (FPEs) for dry chilli and ready reckoners for the operating range of soil test values for the intended yield target experiment under NPK alone and IPNS were built using basic data.

Balanced Nutrient Recommendations for Dry Chilli in an Inceptisol of Tamil Nadu based on a Targeted Yield Model

<div>Background: A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive Rabi (winter) seasons of 2016-17 and 2017-18 at Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar, Gujarat, India to assess the impact of wheat varieties and integrated nutrient management practices on nutrient content and uptake and soil nutrient status. The soil of the experimental plot was loamy sand in texture, low in organic carbon (0.24%), available nitrogen (159 kg/ha) and Zn (0.41 mg/kg), medium in available phosphorus (38.90 kg/ha) and high in available potash (287 kg/ha). 
 
Methods: Experiment was laid out in a Factorial RBD with three replications, consist of four wheat varieties viz. GW 273, GW 322, GW 451 and GW 496 and six integrated nutrient management (INM) practices viz. control, 100% RDF, 100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB, 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB, 75% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB + ZnSO4 and 50% RDF + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter + PSB + ZnSO4.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The pooled results indicated that uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium by grain and straw, grain yield and straw yield were found higher with wheat variety GW 451 as compared to other wheat varieties. Nutrient content in grain and straw was not significantly affected by different wheat varieties. Among nutrient management practices, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content, uptake, grain yield and straw of wheat were significantly higher under application of 100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB. Further, result revealed that different wheat varieties did not bring any significant variation in available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc and organic carbon content in soil. Moreover, highest available nitrogen and phosphorus in soil was recorded with the application of 100% RDF + Azotobacter + PSB. However, significantly higher organic carbon and zinc content in soil was observed under 50% RDF + 25% N through FYM + Azotobacter + PSB +ZnSO4.</div>

Effect of Wheat Varieties and Integrated Nutrient Management Practices on Nutrient Content, Uptake and Soil Nutrient Status

<div>Background: Supplementation of urea molasses mineral block (UMMB) showed promising results in improving the nutrient utilization and the productivity of animals. This offers several advantages such as easy transport, storage and handling and reduced risks of poisoning as compared with other approaches, such as giving a small amount of urea in drinking water, sprinkling of urea solution on fibrous feeds before feeding, or urea-ammonization of crop residues. These advantages of solid multi-nutrient blocks (SMB) opened up new vista to enhance productivity in terms of increased milk and meat production and higher reproductive efficiency in ruminant animal species. Keeping the above facts in view, this study was undertaken to determine the effect of feeding solid multinutrient blocks on feed intake, nutrient utilization and haemato-biochemical profile of crossbred calves 
 
Methods: In this study twenty four crossbred male calves of about 14-17 months of age were divided into four groups of six animals in each group. All animals were supplied wheat straw ad lib. In addition, animals in all groups were fed a concentrate mixture to meet out their nutrient requirement. Additionally, 30 % of concentrate mixture (on CP basis) was replaced by solid multi-nutrient blocks (SMB-I), SMB-II and SMB-III in groups T1, T2 and T3, respectively. After 60 days of feeding a metabolism trial of 6 days was conducted to assess the nutrient utilization of animals. Blood samples were collected at 0, 75, 150 day of experimental feeding to determine hematological parameters, enzymes, biochemical parameters and serum mineral concentration. 
 
Result: The intake and digestibility of DM, OM, EE, NDF and ADF were comparable among 4 groups. The CP intake was significantly higher in SMB supplemented groups as compared to control but there was no significant difference in CP digestibility among 4 groups. All the animals in four groups were on positive nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance. Haematobiochemical parameters like Hb, PCV, glucose, total protein, globulin, A:G, SGOT and SGPT showed non-significant differences (p&gt;0.05) among the groups, however, periodical serum concentrations of albumin, urea and creatinine was higher in crossbred calves at 75 and 150 days of experiment in comparison to 0 day. On basis of present results, it may be concluded that supplementation of SMB can replace 30% crude protein of concentrate mixture without any adverse effect on feed intake, digestibility, nutrient utilization and blood biochemical profile of crossbred calves.</div>

Effect of Feeding Solid Multi-Nutrient Blocks on Feed Intake, Nutrient Utilization and Haemato-Biochemical Profile of Crossbred Calves

The present investigation reports diversity in contents of &nbsp;cell wall components, nutrients and anti-nutrients in flours of lupin genotypes belonging to 3 species viz. Lupinus albus, Lupinus luteus and Lupinus angustifolius. Lupin genotypes exhibited 96.17&plusmn;0.24-98.36&plusmn;0.16% dry matter, 8.33&plusmn;0.18-30.94&plusmn;1.8 g hundred seed weight, 27&plusmn;1.41-36&plusmn;1.0% neutral detergent fibre, 22.25&plusmn;0.92-29.65&plusmn;1.48% acid detergent fibre, 0.85&plusmn;0.21-3.4&plusmn;0.71% lignins, 21.05&plusmn;2.33-26.90&plusmn;0.85% cellulose, 4.15&plusmn;1.2-10.75&plusmn;0.49% hemi-cellulose, 7.0&plusmn;0.1-10.1&plusmn;0.42% oil, 15.87&plusmn;0.88-30.1&plusmn;2.52% proteins, 9.02&plusmn;0.24-21.69&plusmn;1.33 mg/g sucrose and 29.70&plusmn;1.43-55.49&plusmn;2.25 mg/g starch. The contents of different anti-nutrients were in the range of 0.29&plusmn;0.04-0.52&plusmn;0.07 mg/g phytic acid, 0.85&plusmn;0.17-2.75&plusmn;0.06 mg/g saponins, 0.61&plusmn;0.10-1.34&plusmn;0.05 mg/g tannins, 1.80&plusmn;0.07-3.64&plusmn;0.13 mg/g total phenols and 85.63&plusmn;2.06-182.9&plusmn;17.6 mg/g amylase inhibitor activity. Lectins were absent in all lupin genotypes as well as in chickpea check &lsquo;GPF-2&rsquo;. Carotenoids isochromic red and yellow fractions in lupin genotypes were 0.21&plusmn;0.06-2.22&plusmn;0.31 and 0.71&plusmn;0.15-9.35&plusmn;1.98 mg/g, respectively. The activities of lipoxygenases (LOX) varied from 3.6&plusmn;0.85-10.95&plusmn;1.63 units/g for LOX-I and 3.1&plusmn;0.71-9.8&plusmn;0.1 units/g for LOX-II isozymes. All the lupin genotypes exhibited higher dry matter, acid detergent fibre, cellulose, oil, sucrose, phytic acid content and lower LOX-I and II activities as compared to chickpea check variety &lsquo;GPF-2&rsquo; at 5% level of significance. White lupins, Kiev Mutant and Andromeda were found to be better in nutritional quality as compared to chickpea check and other lupin genotypes studied. 
&nbsp;