Detection and molecular characterisation of Mycoplasma spp. from respiratory tract infections in pigs

Achieving food security involves the maintenance of intensive production systems and large animal populations where infectious diseases are the most important challenge that need to be addressed. Respiratory infections in pigs are a formidable threat to swine farmers worldwide. It is multifactorial and is caused by the interplay between bacterial pathogens, viral agents and environmental factors. The present study aimed to identify mycoplasmal agents causing respiratory infections in pigs. A total of 43 samples, comprising of nasal swabs, and necropsy samples with pneumonic lesions were collected. The DNA extracted from the samples were subjected to Mycoplasma genus-specific, followed by species-specific PCR. Twenty five samples were positive for Mycoplasma spp., but further molecular detection performed through species-specific primers, revealed that 12 samples were positive for M. hyorhinis. None of the samples were positive for M. hyopneumoniae. The identity of the amplicons were confirmed by nucleic acid sequencing and BLAST analysis. The evolutionary relationship between the detected organisms was also studied by phylogenetic analysis. This study hints at the significance of M. hyorhinis in causing respiratory infections in swine and also suggests that M. hyopneumoniae may not be a significant health hazard for swine populations of north Kerala

Influence of Organic, Inorganic, and Foliar Grade Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Groundnut

Optimizing mineral nutrition is crucial to boosting groundnut output since groundnut have a high nutritional requirement and the recently released high yielding varieties further absorb nutrients from the soil. On the other hand, farmers that grow groundnut sometimes employ only one or two nutrient-rich fertilizers, which results in severe mineral deficits. One of the primary reasons for low groundnut productivity is inadequate and imbalanced nutrient usage. At the Oilseeds Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra, India, a field experiment was carried out in the summer to assess the effects of organic, inorganic, and foliar grade fertilizers on the growth and yield of groundnut. The integration of organic, inorganic, and foliar grade fertilizers considerably improves growth and yield qualities, according to experimental data. The findings showed that the application of FYM @ 7.5 t ha-1+100% RDF 25:75:25 NPK kg ha-1 considerably improved plant growth parameters, such as plant height and yield attributes yield. Starter dose (11:36:24 NPK + trace element) + booster dose (8:16:39 NPK + trace elements) applied topically. It was determined that integration of organic (7.5 t ha-1), inorganic fertilizer (100% RDF), and water soluble grade fertilizer recorded, highest dry pods yield and getting maximum economic return from summer groundnut. This treatment was closely followed by treatment FYM @ 7.5 t ha-1+100 % RDNPK, which recorded significant pod yield (27.18 qt ha-1), net monetary return (79464 Rs. ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.77)