Performance of Promising Forage in Eastern India and Their Nutritive Value

Eastern region of India possesses large number of ruminant population (162 million) that depend on available feed resources (GOI, 2014). But, at the same time, an acute shortage of green fodder prevails in the eastern part of India that varies from 82 to 89 per cent. The main reason behind this gap is low land holding and negligible area under fodder production. Shortage of quality feed and fodder resources and neglect of forage crops led to decline in the productivity of Indian livestock. However, as a whole, country having 8.30 million ha area under fodder production (Anon, 2013) and out of this 4.90 million ha covered during Kharif season and 3.01 million ha utilized for fodder production during Rabi season. Therefore, considering the above problem, a study was conducted on fodder cum grain production to mitigate fodder scarcity problem in the eastern part of Indi

Compatibility of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana with the insecticides fipronil, pyriproxyfen and hexaflumuron

The compatibility of Beauveria bassiana isolate DEBI 002 (Atashgah) with fipronil, pyriproxyfenand hexaflumuron insecticides was assayed. To determine the impact of the insecticides on thegermination of the fungal spore, different concentrations of the compounds were added to the culturemedium (malt agar). In order to calculate the mycelial growth in different treatments, each colonydiameter was measured and the spores were counted in the surface area to assess its sporulation. Theresults showed that pyriproxyfen at 1500 ppm and hexaflumuron at 80 ppm completely inhibited mycelialgrowth, while the inhibitory effect of fipronil at 1600 ppm remained at 76.6%. The inhibitory effect oflower concentrations of all three insecticides was between 10 and 20%. All tested insecticides inhibitedthe spore production between 80 to 100% at the highest concentrations without any significantdifferences. Pyriproxyfen at 400 ppm and hexaflumuron at all concentrations completely inhibited sporegermination, with significant difference, comparing with the rest of treatments. The results indicate thathexaflumuron has the highest inhibitory effect on the spore germination and is not recommended to beused simultaneously with B. bassiana against the insect pests

Characteristics and performance of Bachaur cattle in the Gangetic plains of North Bihar

A field study was undertaken in 53 villages belonging to 5 blocks of Sitamarhi district of Bihar to study the morphometric and performance traits of Bachaur cattle in its breeding tract. Animals (752) of both sexes belonging to different age groups were studied. The study revealed that in Bachaur cattle, a small size breed, the height at withers, body length and chest girth were 119.23±0.47 cm, 116.99±0.48 cm and 150.88±0.55 cm in adult males and 112.53±0.25 cm, 109.71±0.25 cm and 140.46±0.32 cm in adult females, respectively. The estimated body weights of Bachaur cattle were 246.76±2.42 kg in adult males and 200.55±1.32 kg in adult females. Among the draught breeds of India, the Bachaur cows were reasonably good milkers with an average lactation yield of 752.10±5.82 kg and peak yield of 4.70±0.07 kg/ day. The breed is reported to be regular in reproduction cycle with the age at first calving and calving interval of 31.55±0.35 months and 14.44±0.22 months, respectively in its breeding tract. Bachaur cattle fulfilled the livelihood requirement of cattle farmers in the breeding tract by its draught power to a greater extent and by milk and dung to a smaller extent. The strategies for improving the performance of the cattle are discussed

Effect of shade materials on rectal temperature, respiration rate and body surface temperature of crossbred calves during rainy season

An attempt was made to study the effect of different shade materials on body surface temperature, rectal and respiration rate in Vrindavani calves during the rainy season. Crossbred calves (18) were divided into 3 group, viz. thatch shading roof with plastic covering (T1), agro-net shading roof- 60% light diffusion (T2), and asbestos with canvas shading roof (T3). The recording of macro and microclimate as well as the entire physiological parameters, viz. rectal temperature, respiration rate and body surface temperature were recorded at 9:00 and 2:00 PM for 2 consecutive days at every fortnight interval. The microclimate, viz. maximum and minimum, RH, THI and surface temperature of roof was lower in T2 group. The physiological parameters values were significantly lower in T2 group. It can be concluded that in rainy season agro-net helped to protect calves from the hot and humid condition

Experimental determination of the permeability of engineering textiles: Benchmark II

In this second international permeability benchmark, the in-plane permeability values of a carbon fabric were studied by twelve research groups worldwide. One participant also investigated the deformation of the tested carbon fabric. The aim of this work was to obtain comparable results in order to make a step toward standardization of permeability measurements. Unidirectional injections were thus conducted to determine the unsaturated in-plane permeability tensor of the fabric. Procedures used by participants were specified in the guidelines defined for this benchmark. Participants were asked to use the same values for parameters such as fiber volume fraction, injection pressure and fluid viscosity to minimize sources of scatter. The comparison of the results from each participant was encouraging. The scatter between data obtained while respecting the guidelines was below 25%. However, a higher dispersion was observed when some parameters differed from the recommendations of this exercise.The authors are grateful to J.M. Beraud from Hexcel Fabrics for his support that made possible this exercise. The contributions of J.B. Alms, N.C. Correia, S. Advani, E. Ruiz and P.C.T. Goncalves to the preparation of the guidelines document and templates are acknowledged by the participants of this benchmark.Vernet, N.; Ruiz, E.; Advani, S.; Alms, JB.; Aubert, M.; Barburski, M.; Barari, B.... (2014). Experimental determination of the permeability of engineering textiles: Benchmark II. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. 61:172-184. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2014.02.010S1721846