Himachal Journal of Agricultural Research

D. Wadhwa ¹, V. K. Sharma ¹, Arun Sharma ¹, Vinod Sharma ¹, S. Katoch ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Animal Nutrition, DGCN College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

Changes in life style of people have led to increase in incidence of diseases such as heart failure, hypertension and diabetes. As a result, today's consumer is becoming aware of usefulness of functional foods. Eggs are considered to be complete food, but clinicians and dieticians are concerned about their cholesterol content. Hence, a large population of the world is unable to have the benefits of eggs. This paper reviews the feeding strategies by which egg can be converted into healthy product for heart. Fatty acid composition of egg yolk can be altered, by feeding chromium, marine algae, rapeseed and flax seed or their corresponding oils. While altering polyunsaturated fatty acids of yolk, antioxidants such as vitamin E are also supplemented. This not only adds to the nutritional value of eggs, but also improves the shelf-life of eggs and egg products. Chromium can be used for production of low cholesterol eggs and using such eggs can also avoid/delay/decrease the severity of diabetes. Low cholesterol eggs and conjugated linoleic acid rich eggs have also been patented by scientists. Most of the polyunsaturated fatty acid modifiers (except some herbs) reduce the sensory acceptability of eggs and performance of hens. So, more research is required to be done to establish the use as polyunsaturated fatty acid modifiers. The use of marine algae for producing docosahexaenoic acid rich eggs is promising, but it is also required to be thoroughly researched because some algal species accumulate certain heavy metals in higher concentration than surroundings. Although low cholesterol, high vitamin and high docosahexaenoic acid eggs are available in some metro cities of India, at relatively very high cost, the producers of these eggs have their 'trade secrets'. These eggs are not available to the average population of the country. Therefore, more research should be conducted on the use of locally available materials, combined with robust technology so that the poultry farmers can adopt the method of producing designer eggs so that these eggs are available to common man at reasonable cost. This would also improve economic status of poultry farmers.

Keywords

Cholesterol Manipulation, Heart-Healthy Eggs, Dietary Manipulation, PUFA Modification.

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Gayatri Verma ¹, V. K. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Soil Science, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

Surface soil samples (015 cm) from six cultivated soil series viz., Patti, Majhenu, Tikkar, Sun, Daramman and Kotlu of Mandh watershed were analyzed for available N, P, K and micronutrient cations. At subgroup level, these soils belong to Typic Udorthents, Typic Dystrudepts, Typic Paleudalfs and Typic Hapludalfs. The soil texture, pH, organic carbon, CEC and base saturation of these soils varied from loamy skeletal to fine silty, 5.2 to 6.4, 0.52 to 1.48%, 7.6 to 12.2 cmol (p+) kg^-1 and 48 to 62%, respectively. Available N, P and K status was low to high, low to medium and low to high, respectively. DTPA extractable Fe, Mn and Cu were sufficient in all soil series, available zinc, however, was found to be deficient to extent of 20 to 75 per cent in Kotlu and Sun series. The data on vertical distribution of nutrients revealed that surface soils registered higher available N and P contents compared to subsurface soils whereas, reverse trend was obtained with available K. To balance available contents, doses of N and P should be lowered by 25% of the recommended dose and for K it should be increased by 25 per cent. There was an irregular trend of distribution of micronutrient cations with depth. Zn deficiency was noticed in three soil series viz, Kotlu, Daramman and Sun to the extent of 20, 50, and 75 per cent, respectively. Therefore, to correct Zn deficiency in the study area, application of Zn@25kg/ha is suggested. Thus, it is inferred that the fertilizer recommendations should be based on soil test values, fertilizer schedule should be based on whole crop sequence instead of single crop, balanced fertilization and micronutrient deficiencies should be corrected as and when required.

Keywords

Soil Fertility Status, Soil Series, Macronutrients, Micronutrients.

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A. K. Sarial ¹, K. D. Sharma ², Virender Kumar ², J. C. Rana ³, V. K. Sharma ³, V. Nath ³

Affiliations
1 CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN
2 Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension Education & Rural Sociology, CSKHPKV, Palampur, IN
3 HP CDP, JICA, Hamirpur, IN

Abstract

A Crop Diversification Promotion Project (CDP) was implemented in Himachal Pradesh (HP) with the collaboration of the Japan International Cooperation Agency-Official Development Assistance (JICA-ODA) in 2012. It lasted for 7 years with the objective to improve the socio-economic status of farm families. The operational area had 210 sub project sites spread over five districts viz., Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi and Una of the state. The project was implemented following a comprehensive package of multi-pronged strategy encompassing infrastructure development (such as irrigation, farm access roads, markets, etc.), inputs supply (seeds, fertilizers, farm machinery, etc.) supported by technical and capacity building programmes and strengthening of extension services and organized marketing. The impact study on socioeconomic status of farm families was carried out based upon the extensive review of information collected from the status reports and evaluation studies conducted by different agencies in the operational area. Study revealed that CDP project has been quite successful in improving the socio-economic status of farm families across project sites. There has been increase in the irrigated area and the area under vegetable crops. Cropping pattern changed resulting into 35-50 per cent of the farms being highly diversified with 50 per cent of the area under vegetable crops. In general, the extent of diversification was 9.69 per cent for vegetables crops in Mid and Low Hills under HPCDP-JICA project. Farm productivity and income increased by more than 3.5 times over the baseline income. In some cases increase in income was 5-6 times. The increase in income was attributed to several contributing factors and interventions carried out under HPCDP initiatives. Major contributors were found to be assured irrigation, capacity building programmes, introduction of improved varieties/ cultivation practices and proper/ balanced use of nutrients. Operational farm efficiency also registered improvement due to use of improved tools and machinery provided under the project. Overall, the project enhanced the cropping intensity, productivity, production and marketed surplus. Keeping in view, the impact on raising income and food security of farm families, it is advocated to expand the HPCDP domain to cover farm families in all districts of Himachal Pradesh.

Keywords

Crop Diversification, HPCDP Sub Project, Production of Vegetable Crops, Growth Rates, Gross Income, Impact Factors, Input-Output Ratio.

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Abdullah Saqib ¹, V. K. Sharma ¹, P. Pathania ¹, Sanjay K. Sharma ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, IN

Abstract

A field experiment on “Performance of soybean varieties under different sowing times and seed rates” was conducted at Research Farm of Department of Agronomy, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur during the Kharif 2020. Crop sown in the 2^nd week of June recorded significantly more number of pods per plant, grains per pod, 1000-grain weight, grain (1982.61 kg/ha) and straw yield (3214.78 kg/ha) than other dates of sowing. Amongst the varieties, Himso1685 was significantly superior over other varieties in respect of pods per plant, grains per pod, 1000-grain weight, grain yield (1955.56 kg/ha) and straw yield (3191.0 kg/ha). Use of 100 kg seed/ha recorded significantly higher number of pods per plant, grains per pod, 1000-grain weight, grain yield (1832.52 kg/ha) and straw yield (3123.59 kg/ha).

Keywords

Variety, Date of Sowing, Seed Rate, Yield Attributes, Grain Yield.

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