Background: In arid regions and areas facing forage scarcity, Prosopis species have long been used in ruminant nutrition, yet their full potential has not been adequately assessed. Domesticated ruminants contribute approximately 15% of global methane emissions. Previously, antibiotics were routinely added to ruminant diets to reduce methane-associated energy losses and improve feed efficiency; however, sustainable alternative strategies are now needed. 
 
Methods: In this study, widely used but nutritionally limited wheat straw and maize silage were supplemented with varying concentrations (2%, 4%, 6%, 8% and 10%) of Prosopis farcta fruit. Using the in vitro gas production technique and cattle rumen fluid, parameters, including total gas production, methane formation, ammonia nitrogen concentration, in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy, were evaluated. Each treatment was conducted in quadruplicate under standard laboratory conditions. 
 
Result: The lowest methane production was observed in the wheat straw treatment group at the control and 8% supplementation levels and in the maize silage at the control, 8% and 100% supplementation groups. The highest methane production occurred in the wheat straw treatment at 2%, 4%, 6%, 10% and 100% supplementation levels and in the maize silage at 6% and 10% supplementation. With respect to wheat straw, 2% and 6% of the straws significantly increased the amount of metabolizable energy, although methane production also increased considerably. Conversely, 8% supplementation did not increase the amount of metabolizable energy but did maintain methane production close to control levels (14.56% vs. 13.87%). In maize silage, 10% of the inclusion maximized the amount of metabolizable energy but caused excessive methane emissions. Inclusion levels of 4-6% in maize silage offer productivity benefits but pose environmental risks, whereas 8% supplementation provides a more sustainable balance. 
&nbsp;

Determination of the Effects of Different Levels of Prosopis farcta Fruit Supplementation to Low-quality Roughages on Organic Matter Digestibility and Methane Formation using the in vitro Digestion Method

<div>Background: Khejri [Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce] belongs to the family Leguminosae and subfamily Mimosoideae. The rural communities encourage the growth of Khejri in their agricultural fields as it improves grain yield and storage biomass production. It is the true multipurpose species and also called as &lsquo;Golden Tree of Desert&rsquo;, &lsquo;Kalpvriksha&rsquo; of the desert, &lsquo;King of desert&rsquo;, &lsquo;Love Tree&rsquo;, and &lsquo;Pride of the Desert&rsquo;. For any tree improvement programme, knowledge of phenology and breeding system is pre-requisite, which also helps in understanding the evolutionary dynamics of a species. The range of genetic variability is controlled by reproductive system, which in turn controls the adaptive change. Pollination mechanisms affect seed set, fertility, gene flow, breeding systems, hybridization and genetic constitutions of tree populations. 
 
Methods: In this investigation during 2014-15, ten trees of [Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce] growing at the research area of Forestry Department of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar were randomly selected and phenological observations were made on the selected trees at different phenophases. Through selfing, breeding behaviour was examined, by covering the inflorescence with muslin cloth bags before opening. Approximately, an equal number of buds were kept open in close vicinity of the covered branch. Reproductive capacity was estimated from the percentage of fruit setting in marked inflorescence. 
 
Result: In present study of Prosopis cineraria, the average fruit set under self-pollination was nil whereas it was 2.03 per cent in open natural pollination. This study confirms previous studies that Prosopis cineraria is a cross-pollinated species.</div>

<div>Studies on Phenology and Reproductive Biology of Khejri [Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce]</div>

Prosopis cineraria is a large perennial, therapeutic and multi-use tree of the family Fabaceae. Locally, it is known as &lsquo;khejri or Kandi.&rsquo; Kandi is also called &ldquo;desert&rsquo;s king&rdquo; with homeopathic worth. The plant is rich in bioactive compounds such as heneicosanoic acid, methyl heptacosanoate, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid and methyl 2-methoxy-5-hydroxycinnamate, methyl 4-hydroxycinnamate and O-Coumaroylglycrol which are accountable for many pharmacological actions. The literature was taken from peer-reviewed scientific publications from the database i.e., google scholar using keywords Kandi, Phyto-chemistry, Prosopis cineraria, etc. This review aims at relating the description, taxonomical organization and phytochemical outlines of Prosopis cineraria. It is concluded that the Thar desert is suitable for several tropical and sub-tropical drought-tolerant plants with numerous health benefits and other uses. It is therefore suggested that proper care and utilization of such drought-prone plants should be focused to combat emerging diseases. It was detected from the research studies that khejri has huge aids due to pharmaceutical and remedial value. It is used to cure many chronic diseases without showing side effects. Different pests attack can damage the tree of which approx. 153 species are examined universally. The pests grow extreme during winter while low in summer.

Prosopis cineraria (Khejri/Kandi) Fabaceae: Phytochemical Study: A Mini Review

<div style="text-align: justify;">Legumes, in general, are rich in glycosidic isoflavone conjugates, whereby specific b-glucosidases act to release the free aglycones that could serve in plant-microbe interactions and defense. Prosopis cineraria is an important legume tree, bearing medicinally useful and edible pods, generally growing in extreme arid/semi-arid zones of Rajasthan. However, specific phytochemical-cum-metabolic profiles are lacking for the same. Therefore, the present investigation undertook phytochemical and metabolic screening of the pods/seeds of P. cineraria for the presence of putative isoflavonoids viz. &nbsp;genistein and daidzein, their glycosides and b-glucosidase(s) capable of catalyzing the glycoside hydrolysis. &nbsp;Extraction and identification of &nbsp;these &nbsp;two &nbsp;aglycone forms of &nbsp;the above &nbsp;isoflavonoids &nbsp;were &nbsp;performed &nbsp;with &nbsp;solvent &nbsp;partition chromatography &nbsp;and &nbsp;Fluorescent/High &nbsp;Performance Thin Layer Chromatography, respectively. Furthermore, optimization of the isoflavone conjugate-specific b-glucosidase activity with respect to pH optima, temperature and time were carried out. The partially purified enzyme showed a temperature optima of 50&deg;C and pH optima of 4.5. The enzyme also demonstrated activity towards natural substrates daidzin and genistin which are glycosides of isoflavonoids daidzein and genistein respectively. The methanolic extracts of the seeds of P. cineraria indicated the presence of related isoflavonoids which needs to be further validated.</div>

Identification of an isoflavone glycoside hydrolyzing b-glucosidase in the seeds of the desert legume Prosopis cineraria

<div>Background: Prosopis juliflora L. is an evergreen exotic weedy species seriously devastating valuable rangeland resources in arid and semi-arid parts of Ethiopia. Its increasing alarming rate of invasiveness had affecting the livelihood of the pastoral communities in Amibara rangeland of Afar National Regional State. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Prosopis juliflora L. on soil seed bank flora.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;</div>

<div style="text-align:justify">Methods: The total of 20 soil samples were collected from five sites by measuring sample quadrats of (20 m &times; 20 m) area were laid out and the soil samples from each quadrant were taken from 5 sub-quadrats/m2, one from the center and four from the corners, at two depths (0-3 cm and 3-10 cm). The soil samples from the identical layers were mixed in plastic bags to form composite sample. Finally, the composite samples were transported to the Haramaya University to conduct seed germination test in the greenhouse. The soil samples were spread thinly (2 cm thickness) over sterilized soil in shallow trays (20 cm &times; 25 cm) placed on a bench and allowed for seed germination.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The total of 38 herbaceous plant species /m2&nbsp;belongs to 16 families were emerged in the upper and lower layer (0-3 cm and 3-10 cm) of the soil seed bank samples. The highest values of species diversity were (3.17) in Awash-arba, (3.15) in Alaydagi, (3.04) in Kurkura within m2 area at the depth of 0-3 cm. While the least diversity values of 2.75 in Melka-Werer and 2.77 was recorded in Sarkamo. Jaccard&rsquo;s coefficient similarity index was exhibited high species similarity of 55.6% in the upper soil seed bank layers (0-3 cm) in Melka-were and Sarkamo. Whereas, species similarities of 45.2% were obtained in the lower layer (3-10 cm) soil seed banks in Awash-arba and upper layer soil seed bank in Alaydagi respectively. While species similarity was decreases as 31.8% in the lower layer soil seed banks in Sarkamo and Kurkura. Increasing species richness and the diversity was also noticed in under open canopy upper layer soil seed bank samples, while decreasing richness and diversity observed in under closed canopy. This indicates that the Prosopis juliflora L. tree has high growth retarding potential on its under canopy soil seed bank flora and in the lower layer soil seed bank samples also.</div>

Impacts of Prosopis juliflora L. on Soil Seed Bank Flora in Amibara Rangeland of Afar Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of leaves of two shrubs on digestion and nitrogen retention by sheep. Twelve rumen-fistulated castrated male sheep (Pelibuey x Rambouillet) of 42.2&plusmn;1.3 kg live weight were randomly assigned to three diets (four sheep/diet): diet 1 containing 77% of Cynodon plectostachyus straw and 23% Medicago sativa hay, diet 2 containing 70.7% C. plectostachyus straw and 26.3% Senegalia greggii leaves, and diet 3 containing 76.3% C. plectostachyus straw and 14.3% Prosopis juliflora leaves. Medicago sativa hay was used as control feed of good nutritional quality. The intakes of dry matter and the fiber components of sheep were not significantly different between sheep fed the diets containing the M. sativa hay or S. greggii leaves, but both were significantly higher than sheep fed the P. juliflora leaves. The in vivo digestibility coefficients of dry matter and the fiber components were not different (P&gt;0.05) between sheep fed the all diets; however, the digestibility of CP was higher (P&lt;0.05) for sheep fed the M. sativa diet compared with sheep on other diets. The N intake was similar (P&gt;0.05) between sheep fed diets containing M. sativa hay or S. greggii leaves, but both were higher than sheep containing P. juliflora leaves. A similar pattern as N intake was registered in fecal and urine N excretions. The N balance was higher (P&lt;0.05) and positive in sheep fed the M. sativa hay diet followed by S. greggii and sheep on P. juliflora were lowest and negative. Senegalia greggii leaves may have potential as an economical supplementary feed for sheep fed diets based on roughages.&nbsp;

Nutritional evaluation of Senegalia greggii and Prosopis juliflora as browse supplements for sheep&nbsp;

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is a large genus comprising of more than 44 species and found distributed throughout the arid and semiarid region of world. Differences on growth parameters of 20 different seeds sources of P. cineraria were assessed in polyethylene bags under nursery conditions at Hisar. These sources were inoculated with three Rhizobium strain viz., VRF-76, Ca-181 and Mf-23a. &nbsp;The seeds of P. cinerearia collected from different seed sources had considerable variation for different growth parameters. All the tested Rhizobium strains responded for different parameters but strains Ca-181 was found significantly superior for majority of parameters. It was followed by Rhizobium Mf-=23a. However the VRF-76 strain was least effective. The significantly highest collar diameter was recorded in seed source RWC inoculated with strain Ca-181. Maximum root length (47.3 cm) was recorded in strains Ca-181 inoculated seed source (NNV-3) whereas a significant reduced root length was recorded in VRf-76 inoculated seed sources. Seed sources NNV-2, MV-3 NNV-3 and RTG were found having higher mean root length. Inoculations with either of Rhizobium strains significantly increase the shoot length in comparison to control. Maximum shoot length was recorded in the seed source MV-3 inoculated with Rhizobium strain Ca-181. Seed sources NNV-2, MV-3, NNV-3CAZRI and RTG had higher mean shoot length. &nbsp;These seed sources had good compatibility with Rhizobium strain Ca-181 and Mf-23a.&nbsp;

Effect of rhizobium inoculation on juvenile growth of&nbsp;Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce at &nbsp;nursery stage

<div>Seed pelleting with leaf powders of two botanicals viz., pungam (Pongamia glabra) &nbsp;and prosopis (Prosopis juliflora) was done to study the effect of botanical seed pelleting on seedling quality, gas exchange, growth, yield and resultant seed quality parameters of black gram in the laboratory and field. From the results, it was found that, seeds pelleted with pungam leaf powder @ 150 g kg-1 recorded higher germination percentage (93.00), root length (18.35 cm), shoot length (19.34 cm), dry matter production (0.48 mg seedling-10) and vigour index (3505.10). The yield parameters such as pod length, number of pods plant-1, pod yield plant-1, number of seeds pod-1 and 100 seed weight were also found higher in pungam leaf powder pelleting treatment @ 150 g kg-1. The control recorded the least values in all these growth and yield parameters of black gram.</div>

<div>Effect of organic seed pelleting on seedling quality, gas exchange, growth, yield and resultant seed quality parameters of black gram</div>

Experiment was conducted in the Seed Testing Laboratory during 2013 and 2014 at RARS, UAS Campus, Vijayapur, Karnataka State. The seeds were primed by soaking in different &nbsp; leaf extracts and chemical solution for one hour and then decanted the extracts and seeds were air dried under the shade to bring back to their original moisture content and used for seed quality studies. Seed germination was significantly influenced by age of the seeds and its interaction with botanicals and chemicals. Among the treatments, botanicals viz., Prosopis leaf extracts @ 2per cent recorded higher seed germination followed by Pongamia leaf extract @ 2per cent. Whereas, in chemicals higher germination was seen in KNO3@ 0.5 per cent but at par with CaCl2 .2H2O @ 2 per cent. Lower seed germination was obtained with water soaked and control. The present investigation &nbsp;indicate &nbsp;that, seed &nbsp;priming with &nbsp;2.0 per cent Prosopis leaf extract for one &nbsp;hours soaking enhanced the seed and seedling quality characters, and hence it could be adopted as a pre-sowing seed priming treatment in pigeon pea.

Seed quality enhancement through seed priming in&nbsp;pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

<div>Background: Black gram is one of the important pulse crops of the world and India is the major producer and consumer of pulses in the world. One of the main reason for low productivity of pulses is that they are cultivated mostly in areas with low soil moisture and poor soil fertility. In order to overcome such adverse conditions, low-cost techniques like seed hardening/pelleting are preferred. Seed pelleting provides package of nutrients that influences seed or soil at the seed-soil interface. Since the cost involved is very less, an attempt has been made to study the effect of botanical seed pelleting and foliar spary on growth and yield parameters in black gram cv. CO 6. &nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the cumulative effect of botanical seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150g kg-1 and foliar spray of prosopis and moringa leaf powders with different concentrations (2%, 4%, 6% and 8%) on morpho physiological, leaf chlorophyll, gas exchange and yield parameters in black gram cv. CO 6 in the study. The observations on morpho physiological, leaf chlorophyll, gas exchange and yield parameters were recorded, statistically analysed and discussed here. 
 
Result: From the results, it was found that among the treatments, seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150 g kg-1 + foliar spray of prosopis leaf powder @ 6% recorded higher morpho physiological parameters viz., plant height (48.73 cm), number of branches plant-1 (8.78), dry matter production (14.83 g plant-1), chlorophyll &lsquo;a&rsquo; (1.03 mg g-1), chlorophyll &lsquo;b&rsquo; (1.11 mg g-1) and total chlorophyll content (2.14 mg g-1), photosynthesis and transpiration rates (27.33 mg CO2 m-2 s-1 and 10.60 mg H2O m-2 s-1), intercellular CO2 concentration and stomatal conductance (274.30 &micro; mol mol-1 and 0.82 mol-2 s-1). This treatment also recorded lower number of days to first flowering (23.23 days), earliness in 50 per cent flowering (30.12 days) and also recorded higher yield parameters such as lengthier pods, more number of pods plant-1, pod yield plant-1, number of seeds pod-1, seed yield &nbsp;plant-1, seed yield ha-1 and hundred seed weight of 5.60 cm, 26.30, 8.20 g, 7.30, 5.30 g, 795.12 kg ha-1 and 5.83 g, respectively as compared to other treatments. To conclude, seed pelleting with pungam leaf powder @ 150 g kg-1 + foliar spray of prosopis leaf powder @ 6% proved to be the best in enhancing morpho physiological, growth and yield parameters.</div>

<div>Cumulative Effect of Botanical Seed Pelleting and Foliar Spray on Morpho Physiological, Leaf Chlorophyll, Gas Exchange and Yield Parameters in Black gram</div>

Determination of the Effects of Different Levels of Prosopis farcta Fruit Supplementation to Low-quality Roughages on Organic Matter Digestibility and Methane Formation using the in vitro Digestion Method

Studies on Phenology and Reproductive Biology of Khejri [Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce]

Prosopis cineraria (Khejri/Kandi) Fabaceae: Phytochemical Study: A Mini Review

Identification of an isoflavone glycoside hydrolyzing b-glucosidase in the seeds of the desert legume Prosopis cineraria

Impacts of Prosopis juliflora L. on Soil Seed Bank Flora in Amibara Rangeland of Afar Regional State, Ethiopia

Nutritional evaluation of Senegalia greggii and Prosopis juliflora as browse supplements for sheep

Effect of rhizobium inoculation on juvenile growth of Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce at nursery stage

Effect of organic seed pelleting on seedling quality, gas exchange, growth, yield and resultant seed quality parameters of black gram

Seed quality enhancement through seed priming in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]

Cumulative Effect of Botanical Seed Pelleting and Foliar Spray on Morpho Physiological, Leaf Chlorophyll, Gas Exchange and Yield Parameters in Black gram