Over the years, the growing concerns about the negative impact of anti-microbial growth promoters has triggered researches into the use of phytogenic feed additives in poultry production in order to ascertain better performance of birds as well as safety in the food chain. Phytogenic feed additives are compound derived from varieties of plants, its parts, extracts and essential oils which possess active substances that are of significant importance. Some of its functions include anti-microbial and anti-oxidative effects on the poultry feeds and carcass as well as enhancement of flavour of feeds. Despite the beneficial influences of PFAs, numerous controversial issues have emerged on the appropriate dosage to be used in poultry production. This may be due to the differences in edaphic and climatic actions on plants available in various part of the world and stage of harvesting of plants which makes standardizing inclusion levels of phytogenic feed additives in poultry diet seemingly difficult. However, it is crystal clear that phytogenic feed additives qualify as a better substitute to anti-microbial growth promoters as it is safe and ecologically friendly.

This research was conducted to determine forage yield, chemical composition, milk yield and milk composition in dairy cattle grazing on pasture established with species and mixtures of Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Bastion,PR), Orchardgrass(Dactylis glometata, Pizza,OG) and White clover(Trifolium repens, Huia,WC). In this research conducted for two years, the grazing experiment was carried out according to a change over trial design. For this purpose, a total of 6 Holstein Friesian cows (at the 2nd lactation and with an average of 520 ± 26 kg live weight) were used for two periods, each of which consisted of 30 days (8 days of adaptation and 22 days of the basis period). The milk nutritional composition of the animals (dry matter, fat and protein content) was determined in the last three days in the last five consecutive days of each lactation period. The acid detergent fiber (ADF) content of pasture obtained from Perennial ryegrass + White clover mixture (PRWC) was found to be lower than that obtained from the other two (PR and OG) pasture and Net Energy Lactation (NEL) content was found higher in the first grazing period in the first year. However, the effect of the investigated pastures on milk yield was not significant, but it was found that the effects on milk protein yield in the first year and dry matter of milk in the second year were significant. In the first year of grazing period, milk yield, milk fat yield and protein yield were found to be significant. The results of this study showed that under these operating conditions, the botanical composition of the pasture had no effect on the amount and composition of the milk, but the milk yield decreased as the vegetation period advanced.

β-thalassemia major is severe hemolytic anemia which requires repeated blood transfusion and for survival, which leading to iron overload. Serious complications due to iron over load are recognized in the thalassemia patients. objectives Vitamin D and calcium are important factors for homeostasis of calcium in this study. This study was conducted for a period of two year including from patients with β- thalassemia major from Duhok Thalassemia Centre between 2014 -2015. Thirty eighth β- thalassemia major patients and thirty eighth persons with age- matched as control group were enrolled in the study. Serum concentration of 25- hydroxy vitamin D and calcium were estimated by enzyme linked fluorescent assay and colorimetric method, respectively. In patients, the level of serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D was significantly lower 11.11±4.36 ng/mL compared with control group (14.03±5.96ng/mL). Vitamin D deficiency is observed about 94.73% in patients. The mean level of serum calcium in patients group is 7.9±0.47mg/dL and 8.98±0.77 mg/dL in control group. There was a statistically significant difference in serum calcium value between patients and control group. 44.73% of patients have hypocalcaemia. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and low total serum calcium levels in thalassemia patients with a significantly lower than healthy group. Hypocalcemia and vitamin D deficiency may be results from the negative effect of the repeated blood transfusion and malnourishment.

Plant clinics in Nepal has been started in 2008 and has coverage in more than 40 districts of Nepal. A study has been conducted in Chitwan district of Nepal to assess the changes on farmer’s knowledge attitude and practice due to implementation of plant clinics. Total of 175 clinic attendants and 175 non-attendants were selected by simple random sampling method and interviewed by using semi-structured questionnaire. By and large, this study found wider positive changes among clinic attendants than non-attendants especially on their knowledge and skills to identity pests and diseases with their causes and practice appropriate remedial measures against those problems. The study revealed positive impact to by increasing knowledge and skillset among attending farmers to assess the season of disease and pest occurrence, estimate economic threshold level as well as preventive and curative measures against the plant health problems. Plant clinic has made impressive positive changes on adoption of recommended dose of pesticides and organic control methods among attendants than non-attendants. The level of awareness and adoption of waiting period after pesticide use was found higher among attendants than non-attendants.

In this study, socio economic structure of beekeeping enterprises in Çanakkale province was revealed and beekeeping activities were evaluated. The data were obtained from total of 87 beekeeping enterprises. The average age, education period, experience period in beekeeping activities, family size and family labor of the producers were found as 54.71, 9.28 years, 19.37 years, 3 persons and 2.21, respectively. The number of the places which the producers visited for migratory beekeeping, average number of the frames, age of the queen, average honey amount per colony and honeycomb changing frequency were found as 2.83, 10.62, 2.23, 12.65 kg and 2.68 years, respectively. When the honey products production was examined, it was determined that 1895.14 kg honey, 64.07 kg pollen, 0.10 kg royal jelly, 2.14 kg propolis and 46.03 kg beeswax were produced according to the average of the enterprises. The first five problems which the producers encountered in beekeeping activities were determined to be respectively as marketing of the crops, struggle with the illnesses, accommodation place, shipping and organizing. According to the factor analysis results, the first factor which included the external factors such as environment pollution, technical equipment level, robbery, climate and natural conditions was named as “External Factors”, the second factor which included the variables such as getting credit, variation in honey prices and input costs was named as “Financial Factors” and the third factor which included the variables such as illness and wintering losses, struggle deficiency and nutrition deficiency was named as “Inefficient Application”. According to the cluster analysis results, it was determined that “Inefficient Application” factor was emphasized in the first cluster and “External Factors” and “Financial Factors” were emphasized in the second cluster.

Public health around the globe is still under the major threats and of some serious infectious diseases though a marvelous progress carried out in the field of human medicines. Therefore, use of products from natural sources as medicinal agent probably antecede in human history. The advancement and knowledge of various useful plants and their properties, functions and its use over synthetic drugs has increased in recent years. Bauhinia variegata L. (Kachnar) is an ornamental flowering plant within the Leguminosae family. Hairy branches of the plant are widely used in various traditional remedies to cure vast range of disease infections. Several plant portions, like roots, stem and stem bark, leaves, buds and flowers, are not only popular in different disease treatment but also useful in the manufacture of fibers, gum and to conserve the nature. The phytochemical screening exposed that B. variegata consist of various important secondary metabolites like flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and steroids, saponins and tannins compounds that are appropriate to be used in the treatment of various biological activities, such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, antitumor, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcer, anticarcinogenic effects, anti-inflammatory, nephro and hepatoprotective effects and wound healing effect. The current review is to demonstrate the medicinal, nutritional and biological importance of B. variegata as multidimensional effects on various diseases.

Pothohar region of the Punjab, Pakistan is rain-fed with undulating topography. Soils of the area are predominantly loose with low water retention capacity and are vulnerable to erosion. Erratic and high intensity rainfall causes land erosion in the area producing gullies and gorges. Therefore, agriculture in the area faces twin menace of soil erosion and moisture stress. On-farm water control structures are among the important measures to control soil erosion and conserve moisture to enhance agriculture productivity. Present study was designed to evaluate the impact of these structures on soil moisture conservation and physio-chemical characteristics of soil in wheat growing fields. Wheat was sown in the fields, with and without structures during 2009 to 2013. It has been found that construction cost of such structures is about one-fourth that of conventionally used structures in the area whereas reduction in soil erosion has been observed up to 10% with 21% soil moisture conservation as compared to control. Soil fertility level improved significantly as a result of reduced run off and nutrient loss. A substantial improvement in wheat yield up to 15% due to increased fertility and moisture content was also recorded. These structures facilitated a safe disposal of surplus rain water which minimized the gully development, improved the soil structure, checked fertility loss and improved soil moisture retention.

Bu araştırmada amaç, Giresun İli Bulancak İlçesi fındık üreticilerinin tarım sigortası yaptırma durumları ve fındıkta sigorta yaptırmayı etkileyen bazı faktörlerin belirlenmesidir. 138 üretici ile çalışılmıştır. Bölgede fındık üretim alanlarında don, dolu ve rüzgârdan dolayı sık sık ürün kayıplarıyla karşılaşılmaktadır. Araştırmaya dâhil olan fındık üreticilerinin %97,83’ü doğal afetle karşılaşmış ve kayba uğramıştır. Üreticilerinin %84,78’i tarım sigortası hakkında bilgi sahibidir. Ancak çoğu (%60,87) tarım sigortası yaptırmamaktadır. Bu araştırmada tarım sigortası yaptırmada etkili olan faktörler Binary Logit analizi ile test edilmiştir. Üreticilerin sigorta yaptırmada istatistiki olarak olası etkili olan faktörler ise; üreticilerin sahip oldukları arazi büyüklüğü, yıllık tarımsal gelirleri, sürekli afet riski ve maliyetlerin yüksek olma durumu olarak belirlenmiştir.

Seed viability and vigor have been influenced by several factors including soil and climatic conditions, plant nutrition, fertilization, irrigation, plant population and post-harvest storages. The study was conducted to determine the appropriate plant density for vigorous seed production in safflower. The effects of row spacing (14 and 28 cm) and seeding rate (40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 seeds m-2) on yield, yield components and seed quality of safflower were detected in the study. The results showed that increased seeding rates resulted in enhanced seed yield and the highest seed yield was obtained from 14 cm and 200 seed m-2 with 3320 kg ha-1. The row spacing and seeding rate did not cause a significant difference in oil and protein contents. Laboratory emergence, germination after accelerated ageing (AA) and electrical conductivity tests were suitable for determining seed quality among the seed lots, while standard germination, cool and cold tests were not appropriate. The highest laboratory emergence percentage and germination after AA were determined in 80 seed m-2 but field emergence percentage in 120 seed m-2. It was concluded that the 14 cm row spacing and seeding rate of 120 seed m-2 should be advised for high yielding seed production regardless of seed vigor in safflower.