The negative side-effects of the usage of synthetic antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) in feeds for animals and humans have been widely understood, although it positively promotes growth and gives better economic returns to the farmers. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Piper betle extract as an herbal product as a feed additive and a natural antibiotic growth promoter (NAGP) toward kelah (Tor sp.) on antimicrobial activity, feed acceptance, and growth performance. In this study, for antimicrobial activity, several concentration levels of Piper betle extract were tested to observe the optimum dosage for bacterial inactivation of Aeromonas hydrophila obtained from the kelah specimen. Then, in evaluating the optimal palatability of Piper betle concentration for kelah, the fish were divided into seven treatment groups, one of which was used as a control and daily fed at 3% of the fish’s body weight. In the growth study, two treatment methods were used, which were once a month (S1) and fortnightly (S2) feedings of a diet treated with 100 ppm Piper betle extract, with a non-treated Piper betle extract diet serving as a control (C). All treatments were conducted in duplicate and the fish were stocked at 10 fish m-2 in 3MT tanks. Fishes were fed ad libitum, twice daily. The results showed the optimal dosage for Piper betle extract was identified at 100 ppm with a significant different (P > 0.05) in the size of the Aeromonas hydrophila bacterial inhibitory zone, with diameters of 18.7± 0.6 mm. However,

there was no significant difference between feed acceptance by kelah on a Piper betle treated diet up to 100 ppm dose and a control diet with a value of 1.32 % body weight per feeding session. While at 182 days of growth study, the results show that the best growth performance of kelah according to body weight gain (BWG) was treatment S2 with 131.9 ± 9.1 %, followed by S1 and control at 104.8 ± 10.2 % and 84.2 ± 9.5 %, with a significant difference (P <0.05). Additionally, a significant better (P <0.05) specific growth rate (SGR) of S1 and S2 treatments was valued at 0.39 ± 0.10 and 0.47 ± 0.02, respectively, compared to the.

Taxus wallichiana is a species of high demand due to its utility in extraction of taxol, which is present in its bark, needles, and seeds. Moreover, Himalayan yew wood is used locally for construction and building purposes. Due to overexploitation and illicit felling of T. wallichiana and the anthropogenic pressure over the plant for earning their livelihood, Himalayan yew is under severe threat and is on verge of extinction in Himalaya. As a slow-growing species, this species has a low regeneration capacity due to low seed production and late germination (1.5–2 years). The objective of the case study was to quantify and report the causes (natural as well as anthropogenic) which are threatening the species. State of Uttarakhand in western Himalaya was selected for the case study of Himalayan yew. A Questionnaire review was supervised with 200 key respondents belonging to the region regarding the potential threats linked with the species. Results revealed that over-exploitation (stripping bark, mowing branches, etc.), and slow growth were major reasons resulting to shrinkage of the species. Other causes for the decline of the species include a variety of pressures exerted by human beings. Examples can be overgrazing, agricultural utility, roof construction, fuel wood, medicinal use, etc. The study indicated an immediate need for the protection of T. wallichiana. There is a need of the hour to organize awareness programs for local community regarding the significance of the species. Moreover large-scale reforestation efforts are required along with participation of native people. In nutshell immediate in-situ and ex-situ supplementedwith biotechnologically tools are required for conservation and management of Himalayan yew in its natural habitat.

The rapeseed mustard crop growing areas are also experiencing this circumstance, which is causing fertility to fall and, as a result, poor productivity. In order to provide nutrients in adequate quantities to mustard crops, it is necessary to optimize the nutrient dose based on crop and soil requirements. Macro and micronutrients are both influenced by varying levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as sulphur, zinc, and boron. The usage of high analysis NPK fertilizers and limited nutrient cycling has resulted in increased sulphur and zinc shortage in recent years. The integrative effect of organic, inorganic, and bio-fertilizers is critical for sustained crop production. Biofertilizers and organic manures are important in maintaining soil health. Nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium as major nutrients and Sulphur, boron among the secondary nutrients play an important role in influencing the yield and quality of mustard. Moreover, balanced fertilization is an important aspect of crop production technology.

Pig is an important meat animal which plays a significant role in socio-economic and nutritional security of rural mass. Scientific management practices improve the economics of piggery through improving growth performance and simultaneously reducing morbidity and mortality. The production system in the villages of Tripura is very traditional, mainly based on indigenous local pigs with feeding systems primarily based on jungle forages and kitchen waste. The surveys were conducted throughout the Khowai district of Tripura covering all the Sub-divisions to understand the prevailing production and management practices followed by the farmers of Tripura. Randomly a total of 120 farmers were selected. Data collection was done from 20 farmers in each sub-division on various feeding and management aspect and analyzing the problems faced by the farmers in each aspect. In conclusion, it has been observed

that the pigs are primarily reared for household consumption without following scientific management practices on low input low output system in Khowai district of Tripura. There is need of strengthening of marketing facilities and extensive dissemination of scientific management practices among farmers to trap the economic potential of pig for meat production and income generation on commercial scale

in the state.

Field pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds have been explored to improve water quality by reducing turbidity, BOD and attached pathogens. The seed components of these plants have high protein content with biocoagulant-flocculants properties which aids in floc formation and settling turbidity. Very few literature reports are available on the water treatment process of these two popular seeds. In this study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the biocoagulant performance capability

of the seeds through the Jar test apparatus. The flocculation process was designed based on different water quality parameters like the seed dose, pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity, sludge volume and coliform count. Simulated water was generated for turbidity reduction studies and coliform count was performed in real water samples. The sludge produced was also much reduced compared to untreated

water. Turbidity reduction achieved after 8 h at pH 6.0 was within 91-92% with significant reduction in BOD and coliform count. Our results highlight the feasibility of the biocoagulant property of both C. pepo and C. arietinum seeds. Further combinatorial treatment of both the seeds could be investigated for their biocoagulant properties as suitable alternatives for chemical coagulants in water purification.

Cauliflower powder was developed using the PSBK-1 cultivar, which was dried in a mechanical cabinet air dryer and a solar tunnel dryer. Moisture, protein, carbohydrate, fibre, ash, fat, total polyphenolics, total carotenoids, and antioxidant activity were 7.52 per cent, 16.60 per cent, 46.43 per cent, 14.28 per cent, 4.08 per cent, 1.87 per cent, 122.35 mg GAE/ 100 g, 13.86 mg/ 100 g, 46.45 per cent, respectively, in cabinet air dried powder, while solar tunnel dried powder had 8.57 per cent, 15.87 per cent, 43.20 per

cent, 13.44 per cent The cabinet air dryer and solar dryer took 11.75 and 22.99 hours to dry, respectively. Based on our findings, we discovered that cabinet air drying produced the best results. Further the dried powder analysed for minerals including Na, Ca, K, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Mg were also found in the dried powder, with levels of 0.43 per cent, 0.28 per cent, 0.38 per cent, 29.10 mg/ 100 g, 27 mg/ 100 g, 47 mg/ 100\ g, 34.00 mg/ 100 g, and 0.71 per cent, respectively. Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb levels per 100 g powder were

0.11 mg, 0.02 mg, 1.23 mg, nil, and 16.61 mg, respectively, according to inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. At 1200, 2000, and 3000 magnifications at 15 working distance, the morphology of the powder was examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), which revealed particles with broken glass structure and rough surfaces. Overall, the cabinet dried powder was more visible in shape and size than solar dried powder. Moisture, fibre, ash, total polyphenolics, total carotenoids, and antioxidant activity

of cabinet dried powde  stored in polyethylene pouches for up to 6 months at refrigerated (4°C) and ambient temperature were 7.52 per cent, 14.28 per cent, 4.08 percent, 122.35 mg GAE/ 100 g, 13.86 mg/ 100 g, and 57.00 per cent, respectively, with non-significant differences in most of the attributes after 6 months except moisture, total polyphenolics Overall, the powder quality was better when kept refrigerated (4°C) than when kept at room temperature (18-38 °C).

The research was conducted to assess the effect of Andrographis paniculata (Nilavembu) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) powder supplementation on growth performance and immune response, serum biochemistry and carcass characteristics of commercial broiler chicken. Five hundred and sixty-day-old (Ven Cobb 400) broiler chicks were randomly allotted into seven treatment groups with four replicates of twenty chicks each. The control group T1 was fed a basal diet formulated as per BIS (2007) while in treatment groups T2,T3,T4,T5,T6,T7 fed basal diet with A. paniculata powder1.0g/kg (T2), basal diet with C. longa powder 1.0 g/kg (T3), basal diet with A. paniculata 2.0 g/kg (T4), basal diet with C. longa 2.0 g/kg (T5), basal diet with combination of A. paniculata powder 1.0g/kg and C. longa powder 1.0 g/kg (T6) and basal diet with combination of A. paniculata powder 2.0g/kg and C. longa powder 2.0 g/kg (T7) for 42 days period. A. paniculata and C. longa supplementary feed compared to the control feed significantly (P<0.05) increased the average weight gain and average feed intake of broilers. A numerical difference was observed in carcass characteristics. Serum biochemical parameters (serum total protein, serum albumin) did not differ significantly among the treatment groups. The serum cholesterol significantly reduced in treatment groups compared to control. The immune response (HI titre) to Newcastle disease non-significant in treatment groups. But numerical improvement observed in all treatment groups compared to control. The results of this study show that the application of A. paniculata and C. longa powder at the level of 2g/kg in broilers showed better growth rate and feed conversion ratio compared to other treatment groups and their combination

can to be used effectively as a growth promoter in broiler 

Biotechnology is now an important means of tackling some of humanity’s problems. They are proving their worth in areas such as agriculture, by improving productivity and crop yields, and health, by combating certain diseases. In Burkina Faso, conventional means of combating malaria have shown their limitations, so researchers have turned their attention to the biotechnology of genetically modified mosquitoes as a potential means of eradicating this disease, which is still endemic in the country. The aim of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of how the people of Souroukoudingan perceive the genetically modified mosquito as a means of combating malaria. The methodological approach used was qualitative. We collected data through a review of grey literature, individual semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Data was collected from forty people individually and in two focus groups. The results

show that the people interviewed have different perceptions of genetically modified mosquitoes. These representations are motivated by the experiences and expectations of the populations with regard to the project which aims to introduce the genetically modified mosquito into the basket of malaria control tools. They are also determined by people’s perceptions of malaria itself.

Syneresis is of great influence in affecting curd yield and its quality. This research aimed evaluate the effect of different lactic starter culture and temperature of curd incubation on the Syneresis of cow milk curd. Different lactic cultures procured from National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal and the effect of different lactic starter cultures on cow milk curd Syneresis prepared under different incubation temperature of cow milk curd fermentation were studied. Lower syneresis values were observed in the cow milk curd samples prepared using Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris and Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis biovar diacetylactis combined cultures. Cow milk curd prepared under incubation temperature of 37ºC exhibited lesser syneresis.