The impacts of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) in conservation agriculture need short-term evaluation before continuation of its long-term practice. A split-split plot experiment with tillage (minimum tillage, MT vs. conventional tillage, CT) as the main plot, residue (20% residue, R vs. no residue as a control, NR) as the sub-plot, and compost (Trichocompost, LC; bio-slurry, BS; and recommended fertilization, RD) as the sub-sub plot treatment was conducted for two consecutive years. Composite soils were collected after harvesting the sixth crop of an annual mustard-rice-rice rotation to analyze for nutrient distribution and soil structural stability. The LC increased rice equivalent yield by 2% over RD and 4% over BS, and nitrogen (N) uptake by 11% over RD and 10% over BS. Likewise, LC had higher soil organic carbon (SOC), N, and available sulphur (S) than BS and RD. Conversion of CT to MT reduced rice equivalent yield by 11%, N uptake by 26%, and N-use efficiency by 28%. Conversely, soil structural stability and elemental quality was greater in MT than in CT, indicating the potential of MT to sequester C, N, P, and S in soil aggregates. Residue management increased rice yield in the second year by 4% and corresponding N uptake by 8%. While MT reduced the yield, our results suggest that ISFM with Trichocompost and residue retention under MT improves soil fertility and physical stability to sustain crop productivity.

This study aimed to determine the effect of L-carnitine on the growth and subsequent nuclear maturation of buffalo small growing oocytes (92–108 µm in diameter) in vitro. Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) were dissected from early antral follicles of slaughtered buffaloes and cultured in in vitro growth (IVG) medium with the supplementation of different concentrations (0, 1.25, 1.875 or 2.5 mM) of L-carnitine for 6 days. The results revealed that L-carnitine increased the diameter of buffalo oocytes in vitro. The degeneration rate was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in 2.5 mM of L-carnitine-treated oocytes (10%) than others (55%, 45% and 32.5% in 0, 1.25 and 1.875 mM of L-carnitine-supplemented groups, respectively). The OGCs showed antrum-like structures significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the 2.5 mM of L-carnitine group (74.0%) than the 0- and 1.25-mM groups (34.6% and 38.1%, respectively). Furthermore, in vitro grown oocytes were placed in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium for 24 h to examine meiotic competence of in vitro grown oocytes with L-carnitine. The L-carnitine (1.875 and 2.5 mM) treated oocytes showed a higher rate of nuclear maturation up to the metaphase II (MII) stage and a lower rate of degeneration. In conclusion, L-carnitine enhances the growth, prevents degeneration, promotes the formation of antrum-like structures and supports nuclear maturation of buffalo oocytes in vitro.

People of the world are now hungry for good farming practices based on agro-ecological approaches not only for growing demand of organic food products but also for conservation of nature and biodiversity. Organic animal husbandry fulfils an important role in securing certain public goods. The understanding began to emerge in the early 1990s, when organic farming was legally defined and since then the tendency of practicising organic animal husbandry system in livestock and poultry production and to meet the consumers’ demand for high quality food products is of particular interest to farmers, consumers, business people, researchers and policy makers. This chapter outlines an overview of the organic animal husbandry which emphasizes on the concepts of animal welfare and health, the principles, standards, and management of animals in organic farming. The sets of requirements and certification that should be considered in production and marketing of organic animal and animal products, the role of livestock in organic agriculture and, the importance of organic animal husbandry in the utilization of natural farm resources, reduction of environmental pollution as well as amplification of human health.

A field experiment was conducted following complete randomized design in 3 × 2 m² plot at the spacing of 50 cm × 15 cm (row-row × plant-plant). The nutritional quality and in vitro gas production of 35 days old dhaincha (Sesbania spp.) samples were estimated. In both seedling and mature stages, significant (P41%) was found in Khulna and Gaibandha regions. The total gas production (V₀₈ +V₂₄) was highest in plants from Khulna region and lowest in Gaibandha region. Organic matter digestibility and metabolizable energy values were greater (P<0.05) in Sirajganj region and lower in Rangpur region. The nutritional quality of dhaincha accessions from Khulna region was better than that of other regions which could be used as very good source of fodder in animal diet.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary sal (Shorea robusta) seed meal (SSM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and economic feasibility in broilers. Two hundred day-old, straight-run (Cobb-500) broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments for 42 days feeding trial (40 birds each). Dietary treatments were designed according to SSM supplementation levels, namely control diet (0% SSM), diets containing 10 and 15% of un-boiled SSM (USSM), and diets containing 15 and 20% of boiled SSM (BSSM). At the end of feeding trial, 20 birds (2birds per replication) were subjected for determining the meat yield parameters. Overall weight gain of control and 0% BSSM 2group was higher (p<0.001) than that of other groups. Feed consumption was higher in control and 20% BSSM group where as 15% USSM group exerted the lowest. Poorest FCR and performance index were showed in the birds of 15% USSM supplemented group. There were no differences in meat yield parameters among treatments. Total profit per kg live broiler was significantly (p<0.001) higher on diet with 20% BSSM. The boiling of SSM was effective to reduce the tannin-related depression on the performance of broilers. In conclusion, broilers received diets containing BSSM up to 20% showed better growth performance along with profitability, and this boiled SSM could be used as an alternative energy source ingredient in broilers having no detrimental effects on performance. Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (1): 10-16

Black/purple rice are rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants, vitamins, and fibres, which possess various health benefits including the prevention of cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases. An experiment was conducted to enhance (or modify) the nutrient composition of a Bangladeshi native Purple rice cultivar by potassic (K) fertilizer management. Four fertilizer doses viz., Control (Urea-Triple Superphosphate-Muriate of Potash(MoP)-Gypsum @ 150-52.2-82.5-60 kg/ha, respectively), 20% less urea than the control, 20% additional urea+25% additional MoP than the control, and 25% additional MoP than the control, were used as experimental treatments. Four rice cultivars, viz. BRRI dhan71, Purple dhan, Binadhan-7 and Pahari dhan were used as experimental materials. Brown rice (or hulled rice) of the Purple rice cultivar is rich in protein and minerals compared to test cultivars. The grain yield and mineral content of Purple dhan did not improve significantly by K fertilizer, alone or with additional N, except Fe and Zn. The highest amount of Fe and Zn (105.83 and 47.75 ppm, respectively) was obtained with 25% additional K indicating the scope of bio-fortification through cultural practices. Purple dhan could be used as a potential parental source or donor for further micronutrient enriched rice breeding programmes,which might be used as a weapon for combating micronutrient deficiency in Bangladesh and the world.