K. S. AHLAWAT*, ANITA KUMARI, DALIP KUMAR, KAUTILYA CHAUDHARY, CHHAVI SIROHI, SATPAL, SANJAY KUMAR AND PAWAN KUMAR POONIA
Department of Forestry, Department of Botany & Plant Physiology, Department of Agricultural Economics, Department of Soil Science, Department of G&PB (Forage section)
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, India
Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kaithal, CCS HAU, Hisar
*(e-mail : ahlawat19799@gmail.com)
(Received: 18 April 2025; Accepted: 4 June 2025)

SUMMARY

The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of sorghum intercropped with 3 years and 4 months old willow based agroforestry system at a spacing of 3×3 m. During the study period, the growth observations of willow tree showed considerable increase in height (6.7-7.5 m), dbh (9.9-11.1 cm) and basal diameter (12.9-14.2 cm). The growth, physiological parameters, yield attributes and green fodder yield of sorghum were recorded during the experimentation. The physiological parameters (chlorophyll, photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance) of sorghum with willow plantation and in open varied highly significantly indicating the dense shade effect of trees on agricultural crops as available per cent light intensity was considerably low under willow plantation over control. The chlorophyll content was recorded higher in willow-based agroforestry system as compared to control. The plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, fresh leaf and stem weight, TSS and green fodder yield in sorghum showed highly significant variation in willow and open (control). The fodder yield varied from 8.09 (with willow) to 44.42 (control) t/ha. The per cent yield reduction in willow plantation was 81.79 %, respectively over control. The B: C ratio (0.21) in the above experiment was also negative in willow-based agroforestry system.

Key words: Agroforestry, willow, sorghum, green fodder yield, light intensity

98-103

RABEEN ABDUL GAFOOR*, SHARU S. R., SHALINI PILLAI P., USHA C. THOMAS, GAYATHRI G. AND PRATHEESH P. GOPINATH
College of Agriculture,
Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram-695 522 (Kerala), India *(e-mail: rabeen.gafoor6@gmail.com)
(Received: 30 May 2025; Accepted: 9 June 2025)

SUMMARY

The present investigation entitled ‘Assessment of growth and yield characteristics of fodder bajra (Pennisetum glaucum L.) varieties under varying shade levels in the Southern Laterites of Kerala (AEU 8)’ was conducted during Rabi 2023 and Summer 2024 at Instructional Farm, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to identify suitable fodder bajra variety under open, 25 per cent and 50 per cent shade conditions. The three experiments were laid out in randomized block design with six varieties, viz., BAIF 1 (V₁), TSFB 15-4 (V₂), TSFB 15-8 (V₃), TSFB 17-7 (V₄), CO- 9 (V₅) and CO-10 (V₆) with four replications each. The variety V₁ recorded the highest plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf breadth, green fodder yield and dry fodder yield in both the seasons in all experiments. The variety V₁ exhibited excellent performance under shaded conditions, yielding well and demonstrating that fodder bajra can be successfully cultivated in partially shaded environments such as coconut gardens and other shade-dominant cropping systems. Hence, BAIF 1 can be considered an optimal fodder bajra variety for both Rabi and Summer seasons, as its ability to tolerate shade makes it well-suited for inclusion in existing cropping systems, thereby contributing to the current fodder requirements.

Key words: Fodder bajra, shade levels, varieties, green fodder and dry fodder yield

104-110

SUSHIL KUMARI*, K. S. AHLAWAT, K. K. BHARDWAJ, P. K. POONIA, S. ARYA, KAJAL AND SATPAL
Department of Forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), India.
Department of Soil Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana)
Department of G&PB (Forage section), CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana)
*(e-mail: sushil.punia100@gmail.com)
(Received: 21 April 2025; Accepted: 27 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Performance of fodder crop Sorghum bicolor was investigated with different spacing’s of Prosopis cineraria to evaluate productivity and economics of the silvopastoral agroforestry system at Forestry research farm , CCS HAU, Hisar Haryana during 2021-22.The experiment was laid out by planting fodder sorghum (var, HJ 541) in between 5.9 years old Prosopis cineraria at different spacing’s i.e. 8m x 3 m, 9m x 3m, 10m x 3 m, and a control treatment in randomized block design (RBD) with five replications during the summer seasons (kharif). Growth parameters including plant height, stem diameter, fresh fodder yield, and total soluble solids (T.S.S.) content were assessed, along with an economic analysis based on the benefit-cost (B:C) ratio. Study revealed that the Growth performance of the crop viz. Plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm) and fresh fodder yield t/ha was recorded at the time of harvest. Plant height varied from 256.15cm (10m x 3m) to 261.36cm (8m x 3m) but was found statistically non-significant among different spacing’s of Prosopis cineraria and in open (control) Fresh fodder yield was highest under the 8m x 3m spacing (46.27 t/ha), followed by the 9m x 3 m (45.96 t/ha) and 10m x 3m (45.79 t/ha) spacing’s. The 8m x 3m spacing consistently produced the highest plant height, stem diameter, and fresh fodder yield, although differences were not statistically significant. The B:C ratio was highest under the 8m x 3m spacing, suggesting slight economic benefits. Overall, Prosopis cineraria agroforestry systems demonstrate minimal negative impacts on sorghum performance, with the 8m x 3m spacing’s providing the best balance of growth, yield, and economic returns.

Key words: Agroforestry, Khejri, spacing’s, sorghum, fodder production, semi-arid ecosystem

111-115

BHUPENDER SINGH*, A. K. GODARA, SATPAL, DALIP KUMAR BISHNOI, SUBE SINGH, PRINCE AND DAVINDER SINGH
Directorate of Extension Education, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India Department of G & PB (Forage Section), College of Agriculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
College of Fisheries Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Horticulture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
Department of Vegetable Science, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: bhupi_hau.ac.in)
(Received : 6 June 2025; Accepted : 24 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) are systematic, long-term educational activities where agricultural scientists showcase new technologies on farmers’ fields, fostering direct interaction and feedback between researchers and farmers. In this context, FLDs were conducted over four consecutive years (2020-21 to 2023-24) to assess the performance of the oat variety HJ 8. The study revealed that demonstrated plots resulted in oat average fodder yield of 543 q per ha, marking a significant increase (34.07%) over the local variety (405 q/ha). The average technological and extension gap were recorded at 138 and 107 q per ha with technological index of 16.46 per cent. Consequently, the average gross returns (Rs. 111275 per ha) and net returns was higher in demonstrated plots than in plots using farmers’ practice recording Rs. 83030 and Rs. 40011 per ha, respectively. Additionally, average B:C ratio was also notably higher (2.45:1) in demonstrated plots than farmers’ practice (1.93:1). These findings underscore the importance of promoting such advanced varieties to enhance farmer income and agricultural productivity.

Key words: Oat, frontline demonstration, technology gap, extension gap, technological index

116-120

ANIL KUMAR*, VIJAYA RANI, SUNDEEP KUMAR ANTIL AND PARVESH ANTIL
COAE&T, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
KVK, Sonipat, CCS HAU, Hisar
*(e-mail: anilsaroha@hau.ac.in)
(Received: 3 May 2025; Accepted: 23 June 2025)

SUMMARY

A newly developed straw combine suitable for paddy and wheat crop was evaluated in HD – 2967 wheat variety for its performance and retrieval of wheat straw. The straw combine was evaluated at three levels of moisture content (5, 10 and 15 %) and three levels of cylinder speed (29.6, 31.4 and 33.2 m s^-1) and forward speed (1.7, 1.9 and 2.1 km h^-1) in terms of field capacity, field efficiency, fuel consumption, straw split and straw size. The response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted for multi response optimization of straw combine parameters. Based on results obtained through RSM, it was found that the optimum combination for harvesting of wheat variety HD – 2967 was found to be moisture content of 5%, forward speed of 1.91 km h^-1 and cylinder speed of 33.20 m s^-1.

Key words: Cylinder speed, field capacity, forward speed, fuel consumption, moisture content

121-130

NANCY SHEORAN*, JYOTSANA, MANJEET SINGH AND EKTA
Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Sciences,
Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail: sheorannancy@gmail.com)
(Received : 20 May 2025; Accepted : 26 June 2025)

SUMMARY

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of synbiotics in broiler production. A day old, 160 commercial Ven Cobb broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five treatments having four replicates with eight birds per replication. The experiment was conducted in the poultry shed of Department of Animal Nutrition, LUVAS, Hisar. A standard soybean- maize based basal diet was formulated and fed to the chicks in three different growth phases i.e. pre- starter (0-7 d), starter (8-21 d) and finisher (22-42 d). Basal ration was formulated as per BIS (2007) to fulfill the metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein requirements of birds. The first treatment group was kept as a negative control (T₁) and was given the basal diet without antibiotic, while second group (T₂) was fed basal diet with antibiotic (Control). Birds in third (T₃), fourth (T₄) and fifth (T₅) groups were fed basal diet of negative control supplemented with synbiotics at the rate of 2.0 g, 2.5 g and 3.0 g synbiotic/ kg of the feed, respectively. At the end of the trial, the birds from the metabolic cages were slaughtered for estimation of carcass traits/immune parameters. Hematological (Hb, TLC, TEC) parameters and mortality were also recorded.

Key words: Synbiotics, broiler, antibiotics, hematology, carcass traits/immune parameters

131-137

SATPAL*, P. G. SONI, N. KHAROR, R. PANCHTA, NEELAM, S. DEVI AND K. K. BHARDWAJ
Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding (Forage Section),
Department of Agronomy 3Department of Botany & Plant Physiology,
Department of Soil Sciences
CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004 (Haryana), India
*(e-mail : satpal.fpj@gmail.com)
(Received: 10 May 2025; Accepted: 26 June 2025)

SUMMARY

A field experiment was conducted at Forage Research Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (India) during winter season (Rabi) of 2022-23 to study the response of different phosphorus levels on the fodder yield, quality and economics of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) genotypes. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with six promising berseem genotypes (JB-08-17, JHB-20-1, JHB-20-2, PC-114, BB-2 and Wardan) in main plot and three phosphorus levels in sub plot (60, 80 and 100 kg P₂O₅/ha) and replicated thrice. Among genotypes, highest total green fodder and dry matter yield (799.3 and 114.3 q/ha, respectively) were recorded with the genotype JHB-20-2, which were at par with JHB-20-1 and BB-2. Maximum gross returns (Rs. 1,59,865/ha), net returns (Rs. 86,072/ha) and B:C (2.16) were fetched with JHB-20-2. Maximum mean crude protein content (21.34%) was estimated in BB-2 which was at par with JHB-20-1 and JHB-20-2. Among different P levels, highest green fodder and dry matter yield (776.6 and 109.3 q/ha, respectively) were recorded with the application of 100 kg P₂O₅/ha which were significantly superior over 80 and 60 kg P₂O₅/ha. Highest mean crude protein content (21.96%) was estimated with the application of 100 kg P₂O₅/ha which was significantly superior over the lower levels of phosphorus. Similar trend was also observed in crude protein yield. Maximum BC ratio (2.08) fetched with the application of 100 kg P₂O₅/ha but it was on a par with 80 kg P₂O₅/ha (2.03).

Key words: Berseem, green fodder yield, dry matter, phosphorus level, crude protein content

138-143

SRAVANTHI G., DHEERAVATHU S. N., LATHA P., AVINASH S., JACOB J. AND VIJAYAKUMAR G.
Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad-500 030, (Telangana), India
Department of Crop Physiology, Agricultural College, Bapatla (ANGRAU) (Andhra Pradesh), India
Department of Crop Physiology, RARS, Tirupati, (Andhra Pradesh), India
*(e-mail: sevanayak2005@gmail.com)
(Received: 5 June 2025; Accepted: 27 June 2025)

SUMMARY

Heat stress is a significant abiotic factor that negatively impacts morphological, physiological, and growth-related yield traits in plants. seedling shoot length (SSL), root length (SRL), and root-to-shoot ratio (RSR) across 42 sorghum genotypes, consistent with established thermos-inhibition responses. Notable genotypic variation emerged, with hybrids CSH 16 and CSH 45, kharif variety CSV 27, and rabi varieties CSV 22 and M35-1 exhibiting superior shoot and root growth. Genotypes CSH 45, CSV 49, and AKMS 14A showed the highest RSR (1.04–1.12), suggesting adaptive root allocation under stress. Biomass analysis revealed CSH 41, AKR 150, and AKMS 14B as top performers in fresh weight (4.82 g), while CSV 17 and NR 10-15 led in dry weight (1.32 g). Strong correlations were observed between root and shoot traits (r = 0.68–0.91, p < 0.001), highlighting growth interdependence. Water content analysis identified CSH 48, CSV 27, and AKMS 14B maintaining high shoot (84.85%) and root (85.45%) water content, critical for moisture-scarce environments. Significant correlations between water content and biomass (r = 0.43–0.76) underscore the role of hydraulic efficiency in stress adaptation.

Key words: High-temperature stress, root toshoot ratio, total shoot water content, total root water content

144-149