This study was conducted in Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal in 2023 to investigate the effects of different pinching types and okra varieties on various growth and yield parameters. Treatments were arranged under a two-factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments includes two okra varieties (Arka Anamika and Parbati) and 4 pinching types (apical bud pinching (P1), ABP along with 1 leaf pinching (P2), and ABP along with 2 leaf pinching (P3) and control (P4)). Parbati has exhibited a higher plant height (80.78 cm) than Arka Anamika (72.35 cm). Similarly, the P4 pinching type resulted in the tallest plant (85.91 cm). The P1 pinching type demonstrated the highest number of primary branches (4.87), while the control plots had the lowest (3.00). Arka Anamika showed a higher leaf count (40.77) than Parbati (37.19). Notably, the P1 recorded the highest leaf count (43.41), followed by P2 (37.19), with the control plots showing the lowest leaf count (32.76). The findings reveal the significant impact of pinching treatments on yield. Pinching type P1 produced the highest yield of 15.45 mt/ha, whereas the control group yielded the lowest at 9.31 mt/ha, which was comparable to the yield observed for pinching type P3 at 10.83 mt ha-1. P1 also exhibited the highest number of pods per plant (15.90). Varieties and pinching methods exhibited notable interactions in average pod weight, diameter, and length. P1 displayed the widest pods (5.97 cm), whereas P2 had the longest (13.18 cm). Additionally, it can be noted that P3 yielded the heaviest pods at 16.16g when compared to P2, which yielded 14.09 g. Pinching treatments significantly influenced number of days to flowering, with P3 demonstrating the longest duration. Economic analysis was performed for evaluating technical efficiency, facilitating informed and sustainable decisions. Economically, P1 demonstrated superior performance, yielding a higher gross return of NPR 540,808.3, a net return of NPR 418,708.3, and a benefit-cost ratio of 4.43.

Growth retardation and decreased vivid coloration are significant issues in the ornamental fish market, particularly among cichlids. This study investigates the effects of Schizochytrium sp. microalgae supplementation on the growth and skin coloration of the Jack Dempsey cichlid (Rocio octofasciata). Three experimental groups were established: a control group (C) with no supplementation, and two microalgae-supplemented groups with 0.5% (S05) and 1% (S10). The control group was fed a commercial diet, while the S05 and S10 groups received the microalgae mixed with the commercial feed via spraying. A total of 135 Jack Dempsey fish (mean initial weight: 1.17 ± 0.14 g) were stocked into nine glass tanks (100 L each), with three replicates per group. After a 60-day feeding trial, growth indices revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between the control and algae-supplemented groups. The S10 group exhibited the highest final weight (FW) and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR). Additionally, the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) values for the S10 group were significantly higher than those of both the control and S05 groups (p<0.05). However, skin color parameters, including L* (brightness), a* (+red/-green axis), b* (+yellow/-blue axis), chroma (Ch), and hue angle (Hue), showed no statistical differences among the groups. This study demonstrates that a diet supplemented with 1% Schizochytrium sp. can enhance growth parameters and serve as a beneficial feed additive for Jack Dempsey cichlids.

In this study, the effectiveness of commercial essential oil mixture application in preventing calf losses due to diarrhea and on the growth, development and health parameters of calves was investigated. For this purpose, 24 newborn Simmental calves were used. Following birth, 20 ml of essential oil mixture was given orally via syringe to the calves in the treatment group after drinking milk in the morning for 5 days. The average birth weight of calves was 39.0 ± 0.72 kg. Birth weight of male and female calves were 42.3 ± 1.01 and 38.6 ± 0.96 kg respectively, the difference between groups were found significant. First month weight was 45.7 ± 1.67, 42.4 ± 1.65 kg in the control and treatment groups, respectively. There was no difference between the control and treatment groups in terms of body measurements taken at birth, but a significant difference was observed in chest circumference in favor of the control group in terms of measurements obtained at the 1st month. There was no difference between the treatment and control groups in terms of hematological parameters detected in the blood taken on the 10th day and in the 1-month period. No differences were observed between groups in terms of immunoglobulin levels (IgM and IgG). There was no effect of the commercial essential oil mixture on the fecal score of the calves included in the trial. It was revealed that the essential oil mixture does not make any difference in the growth, development and health of Simmental calves in a one-month period. In future studies on the subject, it is recommended that higher doses of the essential oil mixture be investigated.

An experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh during the rabi season (December to May), 2012-13 to study the effect of different organic and inorganic fertilizers on growth and development of hybrid maize (Denali). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete block Design with three replications with 30 plots. Ten fertilizer treatments (T1= Compost, T2= Cow dung, T3= Poultry manure, T4= Recommended fertilizer dose, T5= Compost + Half recommended fertilizer dose, T6= Compost + Full recommended fertilizer dose, T7= Cow dung + Half recommended fertilizer dose, T8= Cow dung + Full recommended fertilizer dose, T9= Poultry manure + Half recommended fertilizer dose, T10= Poultry manure + Full recommended fertilizer dose. The recommended fertilizer dose was 500 Kg ha-1 urea + 250 Kg ha-1 TSP + 200 Kg ha-1 MP + 15 Kg ha-1 ZnSO4 + 6 Kg ha-1 Boric Acid. And the rate of Compost, Cow dung and Poultry manure was 10t/ha. The effect of different manure and fertilizer doses on the yield and yield attributes were significant. The plant height, number of leaves per plant, weight of stem per plant, weight of leaves per plant, length of cob, grain weight per cob, diameter of cob, no. of grains per row, no. of total grains per cob, 1000-grain weight, yield plant-1, yield ha-1 were significantly affected by different manures and fertilizer uses with different doses. The treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9 and T10 gave grain yield 10.16, 9.09, 8.49, 14.34, 13.35, 18.12, 11.99, 17.09, 11.40 and 15.98 t ha-1, respectively. The T6 Treatment gave higher grain yield (18.12) t ha-1 and the T3 treatment performed lowest grain yield (8.49 t ha-1). The application of compost and full dose fertilizer is higher yielding. Balance nutrition with enough organic matter enrichment of the soil is the cause of this result.

The aims of this study were i) to evaluate the seasonal changes in births of Anatolian buffaloes, ii) to examine the changes of some milk [lactation milk yield (LMY) and lactation length (LL)] and fertility [first calving age (FCA) and calving interval (CI)] according to seasons and iii) to investigate the effects of seasons on the growth traits of calves [birth weight (BW0), live weight at 6 mo (LW6) and live weight at 12 mo (LW12)]. A total of 8614 to 15605 yield records were evaluated including milk yield and fertility traits of buffalo cows and growth traits of calves between 2012 and 2023. The mean temperature, relative humidity, the duration of sunshine, and temperature humidity index (THI) values were calculated for these years. While the highest birth rate was observed in the summer season (34.27%), the lowest birth rate was determined in the winter season (11.99%). The BW0, LW6 and LW12, LMY, LL, FCA, and CI values of the calves were determined as 30.8±0.04 kg, 107.6±0.23 kg, 172.6±0.27 kg, 994.7±2.05 kg, 262.6±0.22 d 1175.5±3.46 d and 561.7±1.84 d, respectively. Except for CI, all characteristics were significantly affected by seasonal changes (P<0.001). The growth traits of the calves born in autumn were higher than the other seasons. The LMY values in spring and winter were higher than those determined in the different seasons. Also, the highest FCA was obtained in heifers born in the winter. It was concluded that the season could affect both some fertility and milk yield characteristics of buffalo cows and the growth performance of calves.

Mulching, a widely employed agricultural practice, has been recognized for its influence on soil moisture retention, temperature regulation, and weed suppression, thereby improving growth and yield of crops. An experiment was conducted to study the effect of mulching materials on growth and yield attributes of summer squash under water constraint condition during March to May 2023 in Chitwan, Nepal. The experiment was laid in single factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four different mulches (rice straw, wheat straw, rice husk and silver on black plastic mulch 30 microns) and control replicated 4 times. All the Plant growth parameters, including plant height, number of leaves per plant and plant spread, were highest in silver plastic mulch and the poorest in the un-mulched plots. Mulching also significantly influenced floral characters, with plastic mulch demonstrating superiority in traits such as days to flowering, number of flowers per plant, and sex ratio compared to organic mulches and the control. Fruit length, diameter, and weight exhibited the highest values under plastic mulch and the lowest values under the control, while all organic mulches showed similar results. The highest yield of 41.44 Mt ha-1 was achieved with silver plastic mulch, highlighting its effectiveness in enhancing crop productivity, while the lowest yield of 11.77 Mt ha-1 was recorded in the control plots. Despite its higher cost, silver pastic mulch exhibited highest net return and benefit-cost ratio. Rice husk mulch, with the second highest benefit-cost ratio and relatively low cost of production, emerged as promising alternative. Although mulching did not notably affect the soil pH, the varying soil organic matter percentages were observed, with the highest on rice straw mulch and the lowest on silver plastic mulch. The study suggests that while plastic mulch can significantly boost productivity during water scarcity, rice husk mulch offers a cost-effective alternative with substantial economic benefit.

This study examined the allelopathic effect of different concentration of aqueous extracts of Parkia biglobosa stem bark on the germination and growth of weed seeds species. Seeds of Eragorastis tenella, Eragorastis atrovirens, Pannicum pedicellata, Pennisetum sub albidum, Hypharrhenia rufa and Brcichiaria brizantha were tested for plumule germination and radicle growth with three different concentrations of 1%, 5%, 10% plant extract while ordinary water was used as control. Growth parameters including germinated weeds population were measured; the highest germinated weeds population was at the control (8.06±3.97) and the least was obtained from the 10% concentration with the mean of (4.42±2.59). Weeds population decreased as the concentration increased. The highest mean of weeds height was recorded from 1% concentration (11.46±7.08) which is statistically significant while the least mean was recorded from 10% concentration (7.69±6.70) statistically not significant. The family emergence by concentration indicated that, the experiment under control had (4 families) for 1% (2 families), 5% (2 families) and 10% (4 families) emerged. The germination, radicle and plumule length were inhibited when compare with control and the inhibition was statistically not significant at.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 10 mM silicon (Si) application on salt stress (50, 100, and 200 mM NaCl) tolerance in Hungarian vetch seedlings (Ege Beyazi-79) based on growth parameters (shoot length and fresh weight, organic dry matter, and moisture), bioactive compounds as chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, protein, nitrate, and nutrient status. Silicon was applied to the seedlings from the leaves and NaCl from the salt soil, both of which were dissolved in Hoagland solution. The results revealed that the highest shoot length Si+100 mM NaCl was recorded and the highest fresh and dry weight was recorded with length Si+50 mM NaCl. The highest dry matter was obtained from Si and 200 mM NaCl. The highest chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, protein, and nitrate were obtained from 100 mM NaCl+Si, while the lowest chlorophyll, carotenoid, and nitrate were obtained from 200 mm NaCl and the lowest proline and protein from 100 mM NaCl, respectively. The amount of K, Mg, and S were low in NaCl doses but high in Si and Si + NaCl doses, and P was higher in all groups compared to the control. The content of Na, Co, and Se were high in all groups except Cl 50 NaCl, while Mn, Zn, and Ni were higher in Si and Si + NaCl doses. Silicon content of samples was high at higher NaCl + Si doses. The results provided by this investigating indicated that silicate concentrations positively affected the parameters examined in Hungarian seedlings, and increased the tolerance of seedlings to salt stress.

In this study, the age, growth, and gonado-somatic index (GSI) of the Red mullet (Mullus barbatus ponticus Essipov, 1927) from the Eastern Black Sea coast of Turkey were examined. A total of 1466 M. barbatus ponticus were sampled between September 2010 and August 2011 from trammel net landings in Rize. The total length of Red mullet ranged from 7.42 cm to 17.80 cm and weight ranged from 9.59 g to 50.93 g, regardless of the sex. The sex ratio (♂/♀) was 0.46, with almost twice more females than males. The growth performance of M. barbatus ponticus in the study area is similar to that of the western populations of the same sub-species. A closed season of at least three months (from May to July) banning the use of even the stationary fishing gear will be beneficial for the sustainable stock of management of M. barbatus ponticus in the Black Sea.

This study was carried out to determine the effect of non-genetic factors on growth and reproductive traits in Saanen goats. For this aim, total of 274 Saanen goats and kids were investigated for growth and reproductive traits in South Marmara Region of Turkey. Fertility parameters were evaluated during two reproductive years. Saanen kids were measured from birth to 6 months of life. The average live weights at birth, weaning, 60th, 90th, 120th and 180th days of age were calculated and determined as 3.05±0.04kg, 11.80±0.27kg, 12.26±0.08kg, 14.20±0.32kg, 17.41±0.45kg, 25.01±0.65kg, respectively. The effects of sex and birth type on live weights until 90th days of age; maternal age only on birth weight; month at birth on all of investigated days were found significant statistically. The pregnancy, birth rate per pregnancy (BRP), birth rate per mating (BRM), infertility, abortion, kidding rate (single, twin or triplet), survival rate (until weaning), number of kids per parturition (NKP), number of kids per mating (NKM) were found; 92.98%, 85.07%, 91.25%, 7.02%, 8.75%, 36.12%, 49.00%, 14.88%, 89.13% and 1.74±0.06, 1.42±0.07 respectively. The effects of maternal age on all rates (out of BRM and abortion rate); the year on birth, abortion, single kidding rate, survival rate and NKM were found significant for reproductive traits. The advanced reproductive performance and rapid growth rates were observed in Saanen goats. Environmental factors such as age, year, sex, birth type and month at birth were found significant on some growth and reproductive traits in Saanen. So consideration of these factors could be useful as a selection criteria in dairy goat breeding.