Use of Lactation Curve Models for Prediction of Milk Yield in Sahiwal Cattle

A study was carried out on of 25499 weekly test day milk yield records of first lactation pertaining to 593 Sahiwal cows spread over 49 years located at National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India. The relative efficiency of three lactation curve models via. quadratic model, gamma type function and mixed log function were compared. Mixed log function described the best fit with highest coefficient of determination (97.9%) with root mean squares error (RMSE) of 0.025 kg which is followed by gamma type function. Least coefficient of determination (77.8%) was observed in quadratic model with maximum (0.081) RMSE. The peak yield of 8.08 kg in 8th week of lactation was observed by mixed log function. The predicted first lactation 305 day milk yields by quadratic model, gamma type function and mixed log function were 1993.23± 42.09, 1991.51± 40.38 and 1993.23± 42.10 kg, respectively

Natural polymer based composite membranes for water purification: a review

The ever-growing population, environmental pollution and ecological degradation cause suffering to human race due to chemicals and other water contaminants such as chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides and insecticides. Hence, attempts are made to purify water by advanced technologies employing smart materials. The advanced nanotechnology aids to control structural and chemical functionality in the composite materials which potentially escort novel membrane module for water purification. This review focuses on the existing membrane technology involved in water purification and portrays molecular-level rationally designed approaches for engineering biopolymer based selective membranes. - 2019, - 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Scopu

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Not AvailableGlobal climate change is anticipated to have a tremendous influence on crop productivity and nutrient cycling in legume-based cropping systems. The effect of long-term application of manure and fertilizers on the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) pools and soil physical properties was studied in a soybean (Glycine max Merr. L)–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) system. The temperature sensitivity of C pools and the alterations in microbial composition were determined at 25, 35, and 45 ◦C. Higher levels of microbial biomass C (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN), water soluble carbon (WSC), acid hydrolysable carbohydrates (AHC), particulate organic matter carbon (POMC) and nitrogen (POMN) were observed in the NPK + FYM at a depth of 0–15 cm. Irrespective of the treatment, micro aggregates (53–250 m) were a major aggregate size class, comprising 45–57% of the total soil aggregates, followed by macro aggregates (250–2000 m at 37.8–45%). Microbial respiration rate increased by 13.9% in most recalcitrant pools (<53 m) at 45 ◦C than at 25 ◦C. Furthermore, data on labile C (A0) revealed a 4.9–55.4% increase in the substrate pools and a 10.5–32.5% increase in mineralization rate (k) with these treatments at 25–45 ◦C in 250–2000 m aggregates. AHC and POMC content decreased by 23–37% and 12–23% of SOC, respectively, when the temperature was raised from 25 to 45 ◦C. It is concluded the gradual depletion of nutrients, structural degradation and changes in microbial composition might have collectively contributed to the decline in crop yields. It was suggested that temperature has a strong effect on C mineralization, depending on the types and extents of substrate utilization. Seasonal rainfall, maximum and minimum temperature and SOC had jointly explained 12–41% of variation in soybean production in NP, NPK and NPK + FYM treatments. However, balanced use of NPK plus FYM is an important management option to arrest the decline of crop yield.Not Availabl