Two-Proton Radioactivity with 2p halo in light mass nuclei A==18−-34

Two-proton radioactivity with 2p halo is reported theoretically in light mass nuclei A $=$ 18-34. We predict $^{19}$Mg, $^{22}$Si, $^{26}$S, $^{30}$Ar and $^{34}$Ca as promising candidates of ground state 2p-radioactivity with S$_{2p}$ $$ 0. Observation of extended tail of spatial charge density distribution, larger charge radius and study of proton single particle states, Fermi energy and the wave functions indicate 2p halo like structure which supports direct 2p emission. The Coulomb and centrifugal barriers in experimentally identified 2p unbound $^{22}$Si show a quasi-bound state that ensures enough life time for such experimental probes. Our predictions are in good accord with experimental and other theoretical data available so far.Comment: 5 Pages, 5 figure

Pasture Establishment and Sustainability in Arid Region of Rajasthan, India: Prospects and Constraints

Rajasthan is the largest state of India and covers nearly 10.4 per cent (342.65 lakh ha) of total geographical area of the country. About 65 per cent of its population is dependent on agriculture. According to livestock census-2007, Rajasthan ranks at the third place (56.663 million) in the country for total livestock population after Uttar Pradesh (60.272 million) and Andhra Pradesh (60.175 million). The large livestock population of the state shows importance of fodder in the state. Western part of Rajasthan state covers the area of the state towards western side of Aravali range of hills, which divides the state almost in two parts viz., eastern and western. The western part of the state is important for animal husbandry and forage management point of view. The reason is that this region is characterized as arid region and at many places in this region annual rainfall is below 250 mm. Many times droughts occur in this region and crop production for grain purpose does not become successful. So, farmers remain more dependent on animals than crops. Important animals in this region are cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and camels

Response of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) to phosphorus and zinc fertilization in a loamy sand soil

The field experiment was conducted with four levels of phosphorus (0, 20, 40, and 60 kg ha-1) and four levels of ZnSO4 (0, 15, 30 and 45 kg ha-1) to study their effects on growth and yield of fennel. Application of P upto 40 kg ha-1 significantly increased days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of branches, number of umbels plant-1, number of umbellets umbel-1, seeds umbel-1, seed and stover yield, net return and B:C ratio. The delay in 50% flowering, plant height, number of branches plant-1, number of umbels plant-1, number of umbellets umbel-1 and seeds per umbel-1, seed and stover yield, net return and B:C ratio increased significantly upto 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1. The combined application of P @ 40 kg ha-1 and Zn @ 30 kg ZnSO4 ha-1 was significantly superior with respect to umbels plant-1, seed and stover yield as compared to other combinations of P and ZnSO4. The economic optimum dose of P and ZnSO4 was computed as 53.85 kg ha-1 with response of 1245.66 kg ha-1 and 39.03 kg ha-1 with the response of 1255.94 kg ha-1, respectively. &nbsp

Effect of sowing dates, crop geometry and host range on powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni) of fenugreek, Trigonella foenum graecum L.

In Rajasthan, fenugreek crop is attacked by a number of diseases. Powdery mildew of fenugreek is an important and serious disease caused by Erysiphe polygoni. Date of sowing and crop geometry greatly influenced the disease intensity of powdery mildew on fenugreek during the two consecutive years 2012-13 and 2013-14. Early sown crop exhibited more disease development as compared to late sown crop. November 30th sown crop recorded minimum per cent disease intensity, whereas 10th October sown crop recorded maximum per cent disease intensity and minimum seed yield. The crop was sown on 30th October registered maximum seed yield (16.48 q/ha) with 61.10 per cent disease intensity. The wider spacing of 15 x 45 cm, 15 x 30 cm and 10 x 45 cm between rows and within rows recorded minimum per cent disease intensity (36.11, 39.66 and 45.39) respectively. However, closer spacing 5 x 15 cm recorded maximum seed yield and per cent disease intensity. Out of fifteen host species powdery mildew symptoms were observed on Pisum sativum, Cuminum cyminum, Coriandrum sativum, Calendula officinalis, Lathyrus odoratus and Foeniculum vulgur under caged conditions

Performance of blackgram (Phaseolus mungo L.) cultivars as influenced by row spacings and molybdenum

A field trial was conducted to assess the performance of blackgram cultivars to row spacings and molybdenum doses at the Instructional-cum-Research Farm, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalya, Raipur (Chhattisgarh), under rainfed conditions during kharif season of 2011. The treatments comprised of three varieties viz., Indra urd-1, RU-03-16 and RU-03-52; two row spacings viz., 30x10 cm and 45 x 10 cm and three treatments of molybdenum viz., control, 4 g/kg seed and 4 g/kg seed + two spray of  urea @ 2%. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design (FRBD) with three replications. Results revealed that all the growth and yield attibutes such as number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, seeds/plant, seed yield (781 kg/ha), biological yield (2736 kg/ha) and harvest index (29.71%) noticed significantly higher under cultivar Indra urd-1. Similarly, maximum production efficiency (9.52 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rs. 218.82/ha/day) and gross returns (Rs. 32,335/ha) were also recorded in Indra urd-1 as compared to rest of the cultivars. Further results showed that all the growth and yield attributes viz., number of  branches/plant, number of leaves/plant, seeds/plant, seed yield (778 kg/ha), biological yield (2653 kg/ha) and harvest index (29.10%) recorded significantly higher in row spacing of 30 x 10 cm as compared to 45 x 10 cm. Maximum production efficiency (9.49 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rs. 216.44/ha/day) and gross returns (Rs. 32,107/ha) were also recorded in 30 x 10 cm. Application of molybdenum @ 4 g/kg seed along with 2% urea spray twice gave highest seed yield (810 kg/ha), biological yield (2698 kg/ha) and harvest index (29.25%) over control and seed treatment with molybdenum @ 4 g/kg. Similarly, application of molybdenum + 2% urea spray twice gave maximum production efficiency (9.88 kg/ha/day), economic efficiency (Rs. 226.49/ha/day) and gross returns (Rs. 33,293/ha)

Influence of dietary supplementation of probiotics on intestinal histo-morphometry, blood chemistry and gut health status of broiler chickens

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, on histo-morphologic measurements of the small intestine and on the gut health status of broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments for six weeks. The dietary treatments were basal diet (T1); basal diet + bacitracin methyl di-salicylate (BMD) at 20 mg/kg diet (T2); basal diet + L. acidophilus (106 and 107 cfu/gm diet) (T3 and T4); and basal diet + B. bifidum (106 and 107 cfu/gm diet) (T5 and T6), respectively. The villus height (VH), width (VW), crypt depth (CD) and the ratio between villus height and crypt depth (VH: CD) were significantly increased at 21 days and 42 days in L. acidophilus-supplemented groups (T3 or T4). No significant differences were observed in protein, albumin and serum mineral (Ca and P) concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in any of the dietary probiotic treatment groups. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine concentrations were increased, whereas alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in probiotic-supplemented groups. Coliforms and total anaerobes counts were significantly reduced at 21 and 42 days at the ileum and caecal in T4, whereas the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) Lactobacilli count was significantly increased in all the probiotic-supplemented groups. The results of the present study indicate that L. acidophilus at 106 cfu/g feed inclusion in basal diet may improve blood biochemical parameters and histo-morphometry in the intestine and gut health in broiler chickens, resulting in a valid feed additive to replace antibiotic growth promoters.Keywords: Feed additives, lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum gut health, histo-morphology, antibioti

Integrated nutrition management in pigeon pea intercropping systems for enhancing production and productivity in sustainable manner– A review

India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world accounting for about 29 per cent of the world area and 19 per cent of the world’s production. In order to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses, the projected requirement by the year 2025 is estimated at 27.5 MT. To meet this requirement, the productivity needs to be enhanced to 1000 kg/ha, and an additional area of about 3-4 Mha has to be brought under pulses besides reducing post-harvest losses. This uphill task has to be accomplished under more severe production constraints, especially abiotic stresses, abrupt climatic changes, emergence of new species/ strains of insect-pests and diseases, and in-creasing deficiency of secondary and micronutrients in the soil. This requires a two-pronged proactive strategy, i.e. improving per unit productivity and reducing cost of production. The yield levels of pulses have remained low and stagnant, also area and total production. Among the pulses pigeon pea is second most important grain-legumes and major constraints in pigeon pea production is mostly grown in grown on marginal lands under rainfed agriculture and without nutrient management, hence are prone to abiotic stresses. Therefore, it is essential for higher production and productivity of pigeon pea, use of high yielding varieties which suitable for intercrop as well as sole cropping system with best nutrient management practices