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Not AvailableProbiotics play an important role in growth increment, immune enhancement and stress mitigation in fish. Increasing temperature is a major concern in present aquaculture practices as it markedly deteriorates the health condition and reduces the growth in fish. In order to explore the possibilities of using probiotics as a counter measure for temperature associated problems, a 30 days feeding trial was conducted to study the hemato-immunological and apoptosis response of Labeo rohita (8.360.4 g) reared at different water temperatures, fed with or without dietary supplementation of a probiotic mixture (PM) consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Lactococcus lactis and Saccharomyces (cerevisiae) (1011 cfu kg21). Three hundred and sixty fish were randomly distributed into eight treatment groups in triplicates, namely, T1(28uC+BF(Basal feed)+PM), T2(31uC+BF+PM), T3(34uC+BF+PM), T4(37uC+BF+PM), T5(28uC+BF), T6(31uC+BF), T7(34uC+BF) and T8(37uC+BF). A significant increase (P,0.01) in weight gain percentage was observed in the probiotic fed fish even when reared at higher water temperature (34–37uC). Respiratory burst assay, blood glucose, erythrocyte count, total serum protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase were significantly higher (P,0.01) in the probiotic fed groups compared to the nonprobiotic fed groups. A significant (P,0.01) effect of rearing temperature and dietary probiotic mixture on serum myeloperoxidase activity, HSP70 level and immunoglobulin production was observed. Degree of apoptosis in different tissues was also significantly reduced in probiotic-supplemented groups. Hence, the present results show that a dietary PM could be beneficial in enhancing the immune status of the fish and also help in combating the stress caused to the organism by higher rearing water temperatureNot Availabl

Analysis of the effects of temperature and probiotic supplementation on apoptosis in Kidney (A–C), Gill (D–F) and Liver (G–I).

<p>The apoptotic cells are represented by red color while blue color represents the juxtaposed cell nucleus. Note: Different cell types i.e. nephrons, interstitial cells of kidney, primary gill lamellae, secondary gill lamellae and apoptotic hepatic cells are respectively marked with ▴, $, #, * and ∧. Bar length- 50 micron. J–L shows the relative apoptotic cell density in the kidney, gill and liver at different temperature. Each value represents Mean ±SE of three biological replicates (n = 3), each replicate prepared from four fish. Briefly, the mean data from 4 fish (from same treatment replicate) were used for calculating the biological average apoptotic cell count. The average data generated from three such biological averages (n = 3) were used for statistical analysis. Significance between the treatments was determined by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) using SPSS (Version 16.0).</p

Effect of temperature, multispecies probiotics mixture (<i>B. subtilis, L. lactis</i> and <i>S. cerevisiae</i>) and their interaction on the blood parameters of <i>L. rohita</i> fingerlings.

<p>Data expressed as Mean ± SE (n = 3). Different superscripts in each column under each sub headings vary significantly (P<0.01).</p><p>T1 (28°C+BF (Basal feed) +PM (Probiotic mixture)), T2 (31°C+BF+PM), T3 (34°C+BF+PM), T4 (37°C+BF+PM), T5 (28°C+BF), T6 (31°C+BF), T7 (34°C+BF) and T8 (37°C+BF).</p

Effect of temperature and probiotic supplementation on percentage body weight gain of <i>Labeo rohita</i> fingerlings at the completion of the experiment.

<p>Significance between the treatments was determined by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) using SPSS (Version 16.0). Similar alphabets (a,b,c,d) denotes no significance at P<0.01. Each value represents Mean ±SE of three biological replicates (n = 3), each replicate prepared from four fish. Briefly, data from four fish of one treatment replicate were averaged and used as one biological replicate. Similarly, three biological replicates (n = 3) were prepared, each from one treatment replicate.</p

Achieving Food and Livelihood Security and Enhancing Profitability through an Integrated Farming System Approach: A Case Study from Western Plains of Uttar Pradesh, India

The integrated farming system (IFS) is a comprehensive farm practice to improve small and marginal farmers&rsquo; livelihoods. The IFS enhances nutrient recycling and food security and promotes greater efficiency of fertilizers and natural resources. To improve livelihood, profits, and employment generation holistically through an IFS method, a study was conducted over four years, from 2016 to 2019, to define the farming condition in 1036 households in the Muzzafarnagar district of Western Uttar Pradesh. Crop + dairy was the most frequent farming method (68%) followed by crop + dairy + horticulture + goatary. Compared to older cultivars, improved rice, maize, wheat, and barley cultivars enhanced crop yield by 17 to 42%. Transplanting sugarcane and intercropping of mustard increased system yield from 58.89% to 86.17% compared to the sole sugarcane crop. Nutritional kitchen gardening resulted in an average saving of $20 to$25 during the Kharif season and $20 to$27 during Rabi season. Exotic vegetables such as broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cherry tomato, kale, parsley, and lettuce were introduced, which increased regular income. With the adoption of a multi-tier-based system, the net returns from the system improved from 0.6 lakh to 2.20 lakhs per ha. Enhancing the fodder availability resulted in a 27.5% milk yield improvement. The study&rsquo;s outcomes demonstrated that a five-member family&rsquo;s annual protein (110&ndash;125 kg) and carbohydrate (550 to 575 kg) requirements can be easily met using the IFS technique. According to the study, IFS approaches combined with better technical interventions can ensure the long-term viability of farming systems and improve livelihoods

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Not AvailableImproving the farming systems to attain the household level self-sufficiency, land utilization efficiency and sustainable livelihood security depends on the better socio-economic and ecological aspects of the systems practiced by the small farmers in the semi-arid regions. The higher sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) in integrated crops-livestock system helps to restore economical and ecological sustainability. The aim of this study was to analyze how various modules of farming in different combinations have interacted with the diversification of existing systems on ecological security index (ESI), economic efficiency index (EEI), and social equity index (SEI) for providing SLSI of improved integrated farming system (IFS) compared with benchmark farming under semi-arid regions. In this study, different existing IFS comprising of seven modules (field crops, dairy, goatery, poultry, horticulture, fishery and apiary) in different combinations were studied. Results revealed that 72.5% farmers preferred to integrate two modules, where 95% of farmers adopted field crops + dairy (FC + D) than other modules. The sustainability indicators like ESI ( + 43.3%), EEI ( + 16.0%), SEI ( + 11.6%), and SLSI ( + 6.0%) were improved in FC + D farming system than other IFS module combinations. Similarly, improved IFS interventions also increased sustainability indicators over benchmark farming. Based on large scale household studies over five years, our findings suggest that the improved IFS succeeded in providing a wider array of livelihood security than existing practices. Hence, the paradigm shift from component approach to an IFS based resilient system that is economically viable, environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable are needed for development of semi-arid regions.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableClimate change impacts agricultural productivity and farmers’ income, integrated farming systems (IFS) provide a mechanism to cope with such impacts. The nature and extent of climatic aberrations, perceived impact, and adaptation strategies by the farmers reduce the adverse effects of climatechangeonagriculture. Therefore,astudywasconductedtoinvestigate2160IFSfarmersabout theirperceptionsofclimatechange,barriers,andthelikelihoodofadaptingtothenegativeimpactsof climate change. The study observed an increasing rainfall trend for humid (4.18 mm/year) and semiarid (0.35 mm/year) regions, while a decreasing trend was observed in sub-humid (−2.02 mm/year) and arid (−0.20 mm/year) regions over the last 38 years. The annual rise in temperature trends observed in different ACZs varied between 0.011–0.014◦C. Nearly 79% of IFS farmers perceived an increaseintemperature,decreasingrainfall,variabilityintheonsetofmonsoon,heavyterminalrains, mid-season dry spells, and frequent floods due to climate change. The arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, and humid farmers’ adapted several measures in different components with an adaption index of 50.2%, 66.6%, 83.3%, and 91.6%, respectively. The majority of the IFS farmers perceived constraints in adopting measures to climate change, such as meta barriers, capacity barriers, and water barriers. Therefore, we infer that educated farmers involved in diversified and profitable farms with small to medium landholdings are concerned more about climate change in undertaking adaptive strategies to reduce the environmental impact of climate change.Not Availabl

Integrated Farming Systems as an Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change: Case Studies from Diverse Agro-Climatic Zones of India

Climate change impacts agricultural productivity and farmers’ income, integrated farming systems (IFS) provide a mechanism to cope with such impacts. The nature and extent of climatic aberrations, perceived impact, and adaptation strategies by the farmers reduce the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture. Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate 2160 IFS farmers about their perceptions of climate change, barriers, and the likelihood of adapting to the negative impacts of climate change. The study observed an increasing rainfall trend for humid (4.18 mm/year) and semi-arid (0.35 mm/year) regions, while a decreasing trend was observed in sub-humid (−2.02 mm/year) and arid (−0.20 mm/year) regions over the last 38 years. The annual rise in temperature trends observed in different ACZs varied between 0.011–0.014 °C. Nearly 79% of IFS farmers perceived an increase in temperature, decreasing rainfall, variability in the onset of monsoon, heavy terminal rains, mid-season dry spells, and frequent floods due to climate change. The arid, semi-arid, sub-humid, and humid farmers’ adapted several measures in different components with an adaption index of 50.2%, 66.6%, 83.3%, and 91.6%, respectively. The majority of the IFS farmers perceived constraints in adopting measures to climate change, such as meta barriers, capacity barriers, and water barriers. Therefore, we infer that educated farmers involved in diversified and profitable farms with small to medium landholdings are concerned more about climate change in undertaking adaptive strategies to reduce the environmental impact of climate change

Enhancement in Productivity, Nutrients Use Efficiency, and Economics of Rice-Wheat Cropping Systems in India through Farmer’s Participatory Approach

Not AvailableRice-wheat cropping system (RWCS), a lifeline for the majority of the population in South Asia is under stress, due to the imbalanced and indiscriminate use of fertilizers. Therefore, we conducted an on-farm study at eight locations (Amritsar, Katni, Nainital, Samba, Pakur, Kanpur, Ambedkarnagar, and Dindori) covering five agro climatic zones of six Indian states (Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand) to (i) calculate the partial factor productivity (PFP) and agronomic use efficiency (AUE) to judge the response of NPK and Zn on grain yield of rice and wheat in RWCS and (ii) to work out the economic feasibility of different combinations of NPK in rice and wheat. Seven fertilizer treatments: Control (0-0-0), N alone (N-0-0), NP (N-P-0), NK (N-0-K), NPK (N-P-K), NPK+Zn (N-P-K-Zn), and FFMP (Farmers Fertilizer Management Practice) were assigned to all the locations. The levels of applied nutrients were used as per the standard recommendation of the location. The average of all the locations showed that the use of NP enhances the grain yield of rice and wheat by 105% and 97% over control, respectively. System productivity of RWCS was expressed in terms of rice grain equivalent yield (RGEY), Mg ha1. Among the locations, Samba recorded the lowest productivity of RWCS with fertilizer treatments. In contrast, the highest productivity of RWCS with fertilizer treatments was recorded at Amritsar, except with NPK and NPK+Zn fertilization, where Katni superseded the Amritsar. An approximately 3-fold productivity gain in RWCS was recorded with the conjoint use of NP over control across the locations. Overall, the results of our study showed that the balance application of NPK increased the productivity of RWCS 245% over control. Partial factor productivity of Nitrogen (PFPn) N alone in rice varied across locations and ranged from 19 kg grain kg1 N at Pakur to 41 kg grain kg1 N at Amritsar. PFPn of N alone in wheat also ranged from 15.5 kg grain kg1 of N at Ambedkarnagar to 28 kg grain kg1 N at Amritsar. However, across locations the mean value of PFPn of N alone was 29 kg grain kg1 N in rice and 21 kg grain kg1 N in wheat. PFPn increased when combined application of N and P sorted in both rice and wheat across the locations. Similarly, combined application of NPK increased partial factor productivity of applied phosphorus (PFPp) in both the crops at all the locations. The combined application of NPK increased the PFPk for applied K at all the location. The response of K application with N and P when averaged over the location was 114% in rice and 93% in wheat over the combined use of N and K. In our study, irrespective of fertilizer treatments, the agronomic use efficiency of applied N (AUEn) and agronomic use efficiency of applied P (AUEp) were greater in rice than in wheat across the location. With regards to the economics, the mean net monetary returns among the fertilizers treatments was minimum (INR 29.5 103 ha1) for the application of N alone and maximum (INR 8.65 103 ha1) for application of NPK+Zn. The mean marginal returns across the locations was in order of N alone > NK > FFM > NPK > NP > NPK+Zn.Not Availabl

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Rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS), a lifeline for the majority of the population in South Asia is under stress, due to the imbalanced and indiscriminate use of fertilizers. Therefore, we conducted an on-farm study at eight locations (Amritsar, Katni, Nainital, Samba, Pakur, Kanpur, Ambedkarnagar, and Dindori) covering five agro climatic zones of six Indian states (Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand) to (i) calculate the partial factor productivity (PFP) and agronomic use efficiency (AUE) to judge the response of NPK and Zn on grain yield of rice and wheat in RWCS and (ii) to work out the economic feasibility of different combinations of NPK in rice and wheat. Seven fertilizer treatments: Control (0-0-0), N alone (N-0-0), NP (N-P-0), NK (N-0-K), NPK (N-P-K), NPK+Zn (N-P-K-Zn), and FFMP (Farmers Fertilizer Management Practice) were assigned to all the locations. The levels of applied nutrients were used as per the standard recommendation of the location. The average of all the locations showed that the use of NP enhances the grain yield of rice and wheat by 105% and 97% over control, respectively. System productivity of RWCS was expressed in terms of rice grain equivalent yield (RGEY), Mg ha1. Among the locations, Samba recorded the lowest productivity of RWCS with fertilizer treatments. In contrast, the highest productivity of RWCS with fertilizer treatments was recorded at Amritsar, except with NPK and NPK+Zn fertilization, where Katni superseded the Amritsar. An approximately 3-fold productivity gain in RWCS was recorded with the conjoint use of NP over control across the locations. Overall, the results of our study showed that the balance application of NPK increased the productivity of RWCS 245% over control. Partial factor productivity of Nitrogen (PFPn) N alone in rice varied across locations and ranged from 19 kg grain kg1 N at Pakur to 41 kg grain kg1 N at Amritsar. PFPn of N alone in wheat also ranged from 15.5 kg grain kg1 of N at Ambedkarnagar to 28 kg grain kg1 N at Amritsar. However, across locations the mean value of PFPn of N alone was 29 kg grain kg1 N in rice and 21 kg grain kg1 N in wheat. PFPn increased when combined application of N and P sorted in both rice and wheat across the locations. Similarly, combined application of NPK increased partial factor productivity of applied phosphorus (PFPp) in both the crops at all the locations. The combined application of NPK increased the PFPk for applied K at all the location. The response of K application with N and P when averaged over the location was 114% in rice and 93% in wheat over the combined use of N and K. In our study, irrespective of fertilizer treatments, the agronomic use efficiency of applied N (AUEn) and agronomic use efficiency of applied P (AUEp) were greater in rice than in wheat across the location. With regards to the economics, the mean net monetary returns among the fertilizers treatments was minimum (INR 29.5 103 ha1) for the application of N alone and maximum (INR 8.65 103 ha1) for application of NPK+Zn. The mean marginal returns across the locations was in order of N alone > NK > FFM > NPK > NP > NPK+Zn.Not Availabl