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 present study investigated the effect of starvation periods on growth performance, feed cost, and water quality in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Two different starvation methods were implemented, with an average weight of 120.69±3.47g over a 45-day trial. Group D1 was subjected to a 1-day fasting/2-day feeding regimen, whereas Group D2 adopted a 2-day fasting/1-day feeding regimen. The control group (C) was fed twice daily to satiation. At the end of the trial, the average weight of the fish was 200.88±14.62g in the control group, 189.11±21.05g in Group D1, and 130.04±10.49g in Group D2. The specific growth rates were 1.13±0.08% (C), 1.00±0.05% (D1), and 0.17±0.06% (D2), respectively. Feed conversion ratios were 1.81±0.01 (C), 1.32±0.02 (D1), and 4.43±0.05 (D2), respectively. There were significant differences between the control group and Groups D1 and D2 in terms of dissolved oxygen (mg/L) and pH values of the water. Group D2 yielded lower feed costs due to reduced feed usage. The average weight gain analysis showed that the unit feed cost of Group D2 was 3.4-fold higher than that of Group D1 and 2.5-fold higher than that of the control group. The application of starvation periods in feeding common carp had significant effects on the growth, feed utilization, water quality, and feed cost.

It is critical that Bangladesh faces water scarcity during the dry season, affecting lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) yield and some yield components during seedling and flowering stages. Thus, a two-factorial pot experiments (The experiment comprises Factor A: three fertilization levels i.e. F1 = Control [inorganic], F2 = poultry litter-based compost [20 ton/ha], F3 = poultry litter-based compost [30 ton/ha]; Factor B: two irrigation levels such as W1 = 100% field capacity [FC] and W2 = 70% FC) were designed at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, from November 2018 to April 2019. And it was investigated how the poultry litter-based composts affected the morpho-physiology, yield and yield components of the lentil (BARI Masur-4) variety under different irrigation stress levels. Obtained results revealed that the tallest plant (30.7 cm at 75 DAS) and maximum branch number per plant (14.1 at 65 DAS), leaf chlorophyll a (0.30 mg/g), highest RLWC (70.28%), lowest proline content (1.57 µ moles g-1 FW), maximum number of pods per plant (39.4 at 75 DAS) and total grain yield (3.62 kg/m2) were recorded from compost F3 (poultry litter-based compost 30 tons/ha) with W1 (100% FC). Results also showed that the yield contributing attributes and yield of lentils were drastically reduced by water stress conditions with different rates of fertilization. In drought conditions (W2 = 70% FC), F3 (30 ton/ha poultry litter-based compost) fertilization produced the highest plant height (30.20 cm at 75 DAS), number of branches (11.5 at 65 DAS), stem dry weight (0.35 g), lowest proline (3.88 µ moles g-1 FW), highest pod number per plant (33.1), weight of 100-seed (2.36 g), total grain weight (2.77 kg/m2), harvest index (58.84%) compared to other fertilizations (F1 and F2). In summary, F3 (30 tons), a compost made from poultry litter, provides better soil conditions under drought conditions compared to F1 and F2 in the year of 2018-19 at the 0 and 20 tons/ha, respectively under the field conditions.

The study was carried out to the effects of different plant densities and nitrogen levels on okra yield and plant development. Field trials were conducted in two locations, the training fields of the Ege University, Ödemiş Research and Training area, and Ege University Faculty of Agriculture, Menemen Research and Training Farm. The field layout was a split-plot design with 3 replicates, where main plots consisted of nitrogen applications and sub-plots of plant densities. Fertilizer was applied in the form of Triple Superphosphate, Potassium Sulfate, Urea and Ammonium Nitrate. Five different nitrogen levels (F1: 0, F2: 40, F3: 80; F4: 120 and F5: 160 kg N ha-1) and two different rows spacing (PD1: 15 cm×70 cm and PD2: 25 cm×70 cm) have been tested. Yield and yield components, plant height at flowering, height of the first fruits, the number of leaves, the number of branches, the number of days from sowing to first flowering, the number of days from sowing to first harvest, plant height, foliation status, total yield, yield of plant, average fruit weight, fruit length, fruit diameter have been noted in the field experiments. Total yield ranged from 5923.8 to 12888.9 kg ha-1 at the Ödemiş location, while it was 3363.3-5009.2 kg ha-1 at the Menemen location. In conclusion, the highest yield is taken from F2 in both plant densities in Ödemiş. In Menemen, the highest yield is taken from the dose of F3 (80 kg Nha-1) and F4 (120 kg Nha-1).

This investigation was conducted to evaluate the outcome of rice husk biochar on growth performance of moringa. The study was carried-out in a greenhouse for 52 days. Different rates of rice husk biochar (150 to 350 g) was mixed with 500 g of soil. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 treatments (each of which was replicated 3 times) was used, giving a total of 12 experimental units. Plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves were assessed for each treatment. Results indicate that rice husk biochar (150 g, 250 g and 350 g) significantly increased the stem diameter of moringa as compared to that of the control 52 days after in the greenhouse. An increase in the number of leaves were observed at 150 g rice husk biochar after 40 days compared to the control. There were significant differences between treatments effects on all the parameters. Different rates of biochar certainly could constitute vital use of fertilizer to improve growth moringa in the nursery.

Main goals of the present study were (1) to initially investigate the nutrient contents and bioactive compounds in the bulb and cloves of garlic, and (2) to study the growth parameter after planting. Garlic bulbs were firstly separated into three categories as pickled, big and small, while the big garlic cloves were also classified into three categories as big, small and central. Secondly, the garlic samples were analyzed before planting for their element profile, proline, soluble protein, free amino acid, β-carotene, lycopene, total phenolic, soluble sugars, SOD and α-amylase activities. Finally, the growth parameters were measured using the cultivated cloves and the pickled bulbs. According to the result, the highest soluble protein, N, phenolic, lycopene and α amylase activity (97.06 mg, 2.58%, 971 mg, 0.368 mg and 38.13 EU, respectively) were recorded in the biggest cloves. The highest proline, amino acid, glucose content (93.84 µmol, 23.54 mg, 230.89 mg, respectively) and K, P, S, Mg, Mn, Fe and Zn (21940 ppm, 7577 ppm, 12200 ppm, 504 ppm, 38.1ppm, 377,7ppm and 44.5 ppm, respectively) were found in the pickled bulb. The maximum level of β-carotene (0.282 mg), Ca, Cl and Sr (11260ppm, 818.7ppm and 47.9 ppm) were determined in the small bulbs. Based on the growth parameters of seedlings, the highest value of shoot and root length (39.12 cm and 24.11 cm respectively), the fresh weight of shoot and root (5.29 g and 4.54 g respectively) and dry weight of shoot and root (1.70 g and 1.24 g respectively) were noted with the big cloves. The results of the current study have indicated that the pickled cloves have higher macro and micro nutrients, proline, amino acid and glucose, while the big cloves of garlic have higher proline, phenolic, N%, lycopene and amylase activity. It can be said that the big cloves showed good value for the five bioactive compounds, but the pickled exhibited good value for the macro and micro element and glucose.

The present study investigated the effects of the prebiotic inulin on the growth parameters, digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant status of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). After acclimation, fish (34±0.22 g; n = 135) were assigned into 9 tanks (15 fish per tank) and triplicate groups were fed a control diet (G-0) or diets containing 1% (G-1) or 2% (G-2) inulin. At the end of the trial (8 weeks), growth factors (final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), Economic conversion ratio (ECR), digestive enzyme activities (pepsin, trypsin, amylase and lipase) and antioxidant status superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level of liver tissue were assessed. At the end of the study highest survival rate was observed in the fish fed with 1% G-1 inulin group. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities were significantly higher dietary G-1 group. Subsequently, elevated growth performance (final weight, SGR and FCR) was observed in trout fed with 1% compared to the control group. The effect of the dietary inulin on digestion was partly observed by assaying the activity of pepsin, intestinal amylase, trypsin and lipase. Apart from pepsin activity, results indicated that dietary supplementation of inulin is beneficial and may also have differential effects upon digestive enzyme activities. Antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD and CAT in liver tissue was generally higher in the supplemented inulin diets than in the control and significantly higher in the 1% inulin group. A significant decrease in MDA level of tissue was observed in all inulin supplemented groups when compared to the control group. These results indicate that inulin be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for growth performance, digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant status of rainbow trout.