SUDHAKAR SINGH*, ABHINEET, DEEPAK PANDEY, ANKIT SINGH, VEERENDRA KUMAR, VISHAL SINGH AND RAJVIR SINGH
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, U.P., India
Integral University, Lucknow, U.P., India
KNIPSS, Sultanpur, U.P., India
Invertis University, Bareilly, U.P., India
*(e-mail : sudhakar3382@gmail.com)
(Received : 16 December 2023; Accepted : 30 December 2023)

SUMMARY

The experiment was conducted during 2016-17 at Crop Research Centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.) to evaluate the effect of different forage based cropping sequences on total dry matter yield, crude protein content and protein yield. The field experiment was consisted of six treatments as cropping sequences and they were tested in Randomized Block Design with four replications viz. Sorghum (F)–Berseem- Maize (F)+Cowpea (F), Sorghum (F)+Guar (F)-Oat (F)-Maize (F)-Cowpea (F), Sorghum (F)+Cowpea (F)-Barley (F)-Maize (F)+Cowpea (F), Rice-Wheat-Maize (F)+Cowpea (F), Rice–Berseem-Sorghum (F), Sorghum (F)+Cowpea (F)–Wheat-Sorghum (F)+Cowpea (F). Among six crop sequences tested total dry matter yield was found maximum under Sorghum (F)–Berseem-Maize (F)+Cowpea (F) (420.60 q/ha) which was recorded in treatment T1 and minimum dry matter yield was found in crop sequence Sorghum (F)+Cowpea (F)–Wheat-Sorghum (F)+Cowpea (F) (250.66 q/ha) which was obtained in the treatment T₆. Total protein yield was recorded highest in crop sequence of Sorghum (F)-Berseem- Maize (F)+Cowpea (F) (38.40 q/ha) which was recorded in crop sequence T₁, whereas lowest in Sorghum (F)+Cowpea (F)–Barley (F)-Maize (F)+Cowpea (F) (19.40 q/ha) was recorded in the crop sequence T₃.

Key words: Cropping sequences, protein content, dry matter

346-349

R. A. MIR*, G. M. BHAT, T. A. RATHER AND KHURSHID A. SOFI
Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST Kashmir, Benhama Gandarbal -191201, India
*(e-mail : mirmohammadrafiq@gmail.com)
(Received : 9 December 2023; Accepted : 30 December 2023)

SUMMARY

This experiment constitutes part of a two-year research study, which was undertaken in spring 2020. The aim of this experiment was to study the seasonal & altitudinal variation in chemical composition of the grazable material in Doodhganga rangelands of Pirpanchal forest division N-W Kashmir Himalaya. The effect of altitude chemical composition (crude protein (CP), ash, ether extracts (EE) and crude fiber (CF)) were studied in herbage samples harvested from various quadrates (1m×1m) placed in 3 different altitudes (from 2200 m to 2800 m in two different seasons. Multistage random sampling method was used to collect sample from the whole area. Sample collection was accomplished by cutting aboveground biomass at a height similar to that grazed by small ruminants. Almost all nutritional parameters are strongly affected by altitudinal gradient. All the parameters show strong (p<0.001) correlation with each other. The CP and ash content increases with increase in altitude, almost during the whole experimental period. On the contrary, CF content non significantly decreases in value as altitude increases. In order to better exploit the pastures of this area it is considered wise, towards the end of spring, to move the herds from pastures of lower altitude to those of higher altitude for the summer.

Key words: Variations, forage, doodhganga range, pirpanchal forest and nutritional composition

350-358

DALIP KUMAR, BAJRANG LAL SHARMA, DEEPIKA KALKAL, NARESH KUMAR, VIVEK KUMAR SAINI, RAHUL SAINI AND RAJ KUMAR
Department of Agronomy, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section)
Department of Soil Science, Department of Mathematics & Statistics
CCS Haryana Agricultural university, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : anilgangwa134@gmail.com)
(Received : 18 November 2023; Accepted : 16 December 2023)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was carried out to assess the effect of foliar application of nitrogen based formulations on quality and yield of fodder sorghum during summer season, 2022 at the Forage Section Research Farm, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with fourteen treatments and replicated thrice. Among all the treatments, at harvest, the significantly higher plant height, dry matter accumulation, LAI (leaf area index), leaf to stem ratio, green fodder yield and dry matter yield of 209.33 cm, 132.85g, 6.85, 0.38 , 44.54 t/ha and 12.82 t/ha, respectively, were recorded with foliar application of nano-urea @ 0.6% at 35 DAS (days after sowing) and 50 DAS, which was on a par with one nano-urea spray @ 0.4% at 35 DAS, two nano-urea spray @ 0.4% at 35 and 50 DAS and one nano-urea spray @ 0.6% at 35 DAS when RDF (recommended dose of fertilizer) was also applied in all these treatments. The maximum and same B:C (1.99) was fetched with the foliar application of nano-urea @ 0.4% at 35 DAS and 50 DAS or only at 35 DAS and one nano-urea spray @ 0.6% at 35 DAS when RDF was also applied in all these three treatments. Application of RDF along with foliar application of nano-urea @ 0.4% at 35-40 DAS could yield 25 per cent more green fodder than sole application of RDF (75 kg nitrogen + 30 kg P₂O₅ + 30 kg K₂O per ha) under summer season.

Key words: Sorghum, fodder yield, foliar spray, nano-urea, net returns and benefit: cost

359-363

SUSHIL KUMAR* AND VIVEK SAHARAN
Department of Animal Nutrition
Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India *(e-mail : chahar53@gmail.com)
(Received : 10 December 2023; Accepted : 26 December 2023)

SUMMARY

An experiment was conducted to assess the feeding value of wheat straw and rice straw in the growing Murrah buffalo calves. Eighteen weaned calves of age 14.50±0.86 months and average live body weight of 142.67±5.01 kg were divided into three groups viz. T₁ (control), T₂ & T₃ of six animals each. Calves were fed experimental rations for a period of four months as per ICAR (2013) feeding standard. Group T₁ was fed wheat straw-based control ration while T₂ and T₃ calves were fed non-basmati rice straw and urea-molasses treated non-basmati rice straw-based ration, respectively. Oats and berseem mix was used as green fodder while concentrate mixture comprised of maize (37.0 parts), wheat (6.0), barley (12.0 parts), GNC (18.0 parts), mustard cake (18.0 parts), soybean meal (6.0 parts) mineral mixture (2 parts) and common salt (1 part). Average daily gain (ADG) was significantly higher in urea-molasses treat non-basmati rice straw fed calves (556.94g) as compared to wheat (455.56g) or untreated rice straw fed calves (413.88g). Relative increase in body height of the T₃ calves was higher than T₁ (p>0.05) and T₂ (p<0.05). Average feed intake of the overall experimental period (Table 3) was significantly (p<0.05) higher (7.93%) in T₃ than T₁. While, average feed intake of group T₂ was significantly (p<0.05) lower (3.26%) as compared to T₁. DMI as percent of BW was similar among all the treatment groups and varied from 2.53% in T₂ to 2.64% in T₃. DCPI and TDNI was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T₃ group as compared to T₁ and T₂. Urea-molasses treatment of non-basmati rice straw improved the digestibility of nutrient viz. DM, CP, CF, OM, NDF and ADF, significantly (p<0.05). Serum biochemical parameters remained similar among groups. Net saving per kg gain was highest in T₃. It was concluded that untreated non-basmati rice straw is poorly utilized in comparison to wheat straw, but urea-molasses treatment of non-basmati rice straw improves its feeding value significantly for the growing buffalo calves.

Key words: Buffalo calves, murrah, non-basmati rice straw, wheat straw

364-368 (Sushil Kumar)

DALIP KUMAR, BAJRANG LAL SHARMA, DEEPIKA KALKAL, NARESH KUMAR, VIVEK KUMAR SAINI, RAHUL SAINI AND RAJ KUMAR
Department of Entomology, CCS Haryana Agricultural university, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Agricultural Meteorology, CCS Haryana Agricultural university, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India Department of Zoology, Government College, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : dilipshroff@rediffmail.com)
(Received : 02 December 2023; Accepted : 27 December 2023)

SUMMARY

To understand the merit of timely control measure tactic and feeding behaviour of earhead bugs, present investigations carried out at the Research Farm, Forage Section, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, CCS HAU, Hisar during Kharif, 2020-21 and 2021-22. Four sorghum varieties; selected on the basis of maturity, panicle type and susceptibility namely SSG 59-3 (loose), HJ 513 (semi compact), HC 136 and HC 308 (compact) for the experimentation and seeded in the month of July with 45 cm x 45 cm spacing. Yield losses to the tune of 36.3, 27.4, 30.9 and 7.1 per cent in Kharif, 2020 and 26.6, 26.5, 29.1 and 10.1 per cent in Kharif, 2021 avoided in varieties, HC 308, HJ 513, HC 136 and SSG 59-3, respectively can be avoided by adapting timely and proper control measures. Irrespective of varieties, 25.4 and 23.1 per cent of losses were averted during Kharif, 2020 and Kharif, 2021. Earhead bugs were first observed 64 to 68 days after sowing of sorghumvarieties. At this stage, panicles just started emerging from boot leaves. During anthesis period, only adults were observed in panicles and nymphs, if present, were scanty that confirms for anthesis period to be considered as preferred time for oviposition by earhead bugs. Number of earhead bugs i.e., adults and nymph were maximum at milky stage of panicle indicating a preference for milk stage of panicle. During initial stage of panicle, the apex part of panicle was most preferred for oviposition by numbers of adult females of earhead bugs and then they moved towards lower end of panicle as flowering portion progressed to bottom is very much crucial for population build-up of earhead bugs.

Key words: Earhead bugs, feeding behaviour, nature of damage, sorghum, yield losses

369-373

R. S. DHILLON*, KANTA SABHARWAL, K. K. BHARDWAJ, SATPAL AND SONIADEVI
Department of Forestry, Krishi Vigyan Kender, Mandkola, Department of Soil Science
Department of G&PB (Forage Section), 5Krishi Vigyan Kender, Jhajjar
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : rsdhillon67@gmail.com)
(Received : 11 December 2023; Accepted : 28 December 2023)

SUMMARY

Livestock production in developing countries faces several difficulties such as a general shortage of feed resources, regional availability, and quality. Climate change further exacerbates these problems, leading to a massive reduction in ruminant productivity. Therefore, there is a need for the use of adaptable and resilient forage plants that can also contribute to reducing greenhouse gases. Over the last few years, underutilized crops and trees have captured the attention of plant scientists, nutritionists, and growers. Moringa oleifera (moringa) is one of those plants that has been neglected for several years but now is being investigated for its fast growth, higher nutritional attributes, and utilization as a livestock fodder crop. It can be grown as a crop on marginal lands with high temperatures and low water availability, where it is difficult to cultivate other agricultural crops. Moringa tree is well known as an agroforestry tree and has adapted to growing in harsh conditions. It produces a high amount of biomass in a short period and contains high levels of nutrients and biologically active components. All parts of this versatile tree are valuable and have multiple benefits and applications. Therefore, this tree species has great potential and can be used as a forage crop, storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and improving livestock performance and the livelihoods of farmers in the tropics. This review article is aimed to highlight the use of moringa in livestock as well as suitable growing conditions, cultural practices and its contribution to climate change mitigation.

Key words: Moringa, livestock, fodder, methane, climate change and mitigation

257-264