BAIF Development Research Foundation

Background: The shortage of green and dry fodder remains a significant challenge for the livestock and dairy sectors. Currently, the country is facing a deficit in both green fodder and dry fodder. This is primarily due to the limited area under fodder cultivation, which directly impacts overall fodder availability. To address this issue, there is a pressing need either to expand the area under fodder crops or to adopt advanced production technologies that maximize yield per unit area. Among various fodder crops, berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) stands out as a crucial legume cultivated during the winter season globally. Fertilizers, particularly phosphorus, play a key role in optimizing crop productivity. Phosphorus is essential for energy transfer in root nodules and also contributes significantly to root development, nutrient uptake, and overall plant growth. Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of different promising berseem genotypes under varied phosphorus application levels for growth, yield and quality parameters. Study Design: The field research experiment was undertaken in the Split-Plot Design. Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted during rabi season of 2023-24 under the AICRP on Forage Crops at BAIF’s Central Research Station, Urulikanchan, Pune, MS. Methodology: The experiment was undertaken with four promising genotypes of berseem along 2 checks as main treatment and three phosphorus levels as sub main treatments. A flat bed of size 4x3 m was prepared and seeds of each genotype were sown at 30 cm spacing. A full dose of phosphorus (as per treatments) supplemented with 20kgha-1 urea were applied to each treatment before sowing. Irrigation was given as per the crop requirement and other agronomic package of practices were kept similar to all the treatments. Result: Among the genotypes evaluated, JB-08-17 recorded the tallest plants with 66.10 cm, while PC-114 exhibited the highest leaf stem ratio of 0.772. In terms of green fodder yield, JHB-20-2 recorded the highest yield of 967.36 q/ha, followed by PC-114 with 966.72 q/ha. PC-114 also produced the significantly highest dry fodder yield (134.19 q/ha) and crude protein yield (28.79 q/ha). Application of 100 kg P₂O₅ per hectare resulted in the maximum average plant height of 63.08 cm, whereas the highest leaf stem ratio (0.69) was observed with 80 kg P₂O₅ per hectare. Phosphorus application at 100 kg/ha led to the maximum yield of green fodder (959.29 q/ha), dry matter (114.38 q/ha), and crude protein (23.68 q/ha). These results highlight the potential of specific berseem genotypes and optimal phosphorus application levels to enhance fodder productivity and contribute to addressing the ongoing deficit in green and dry fodder availability.

Soil testing is essential for determining the availability of nutrients within the soil, which indicates fertilizer recommendations aimed at optimizing crop yields. Soil test summaries are indispensable reference tools for the scientific management of soil. A total of 113 surface soil samples were randomly collected from farmers field across nine villages in the Chikkanayakanahalli block to assess the fertility status of the soil. From the above study observed that the soils in the Chikkanayakanahalli block of Tumkur district in Karnataka State exhibit a range from moderately acidic to Slightly alkaline (5.24 to 8.02) pH levels, characterized by normal electrical conductivity (0.08 to 0.23 dSm-1) and low organic carbon content (0.11 to 0.54%) with a few exceptions. The assessment of available macronutrients indicated a low to medium in nitrogen (104.7 to 340.5 kg ha-1), whereas phosphorus (12 to 68 kg ha-1) and potassium (53.5 to 407.5 kg ha-1) levels varying from low to high. Additionally, the evaluation of available micronutrients revealed that all soil samples were either deficient to sufficient in iron (0.98 to 2.81 mg kg-1) and manganese (0.23 to 3.94 mg kg-1), whereas recorded sufficient to excessive levels of zinc (0.86 to 9.72 mg kg-1) and copper (1.55 to 17.58 mg kg-1). The findings of this research highlight the urgent need for intensive soil nutrient management due to the overexploitation of soil resources. The declining levels of critical parameters such as organic carbon suggested that the necessitating prompt action for the sustainable management of soil resources.

N-acyl tetrahydrothienopyridine derivatives serve as important structural motifs in bioorganic chemistry. Restricted rotation of C-N bond in such molecules gives rise to two distinct chemical environments. Thienopyridine derivatives 4a-4i were synthesized and characterised by <sup>1</sup>H and <sup>13</sup>C NMR spectroscopy. The NMR spectra reveal a doubling of signals, which suggests the presence of two rotamers in the solution. Variable temperature (VT) <sup>1</sup>H-NMR studies supported this hypothesis. The NOESY analysis confirmed that Zrotamer is present in major form as compared to E-rotamer. The results were further corroborated through density functional theoretic calculations.

Lucerne (<italic>Medicago sativa</italic> L.) is the world's most important and ancient legume forage crop. It is moderately tolerant to salinity, but crop productivity is hampered. Salinity affects plant development, starting from seed germination to the reproductive stage. ISSR markers were employed to assess the genetic diversity among India's ten most common lucerne genotypes; the nine ISSR primers showed 83.50% polymorphism. The dendrogram revealed lower bootstrap support for group I; genotypes from group II were genetically distinct. Seed germination performance among the genotypes was studied at 0 (control), 85.55, 171, 256, and 342 mM NaCl concentrations. Higher germination was observed under control conditions. At a salt concentration of 85.55 mM NaCl, the genotypes under study showed less variation for germination and seedling characters. All germination indices and seedling parameters decrease with an increase in salt concentrations. Among the ten genotypes, Alamdar-51 showed high germination indices and seedling parameters under a high salinity level of 256 mM NaCl, indicating its ability for germination and initial growth under high saline conditions. At salinity concentrations of 342 mM NaCl, seed germination of all genotypes was severely affected. RL-88 and Kutchi selection showed the highest recovery of seed germination when seeds were transferred from a saline concentration to distilled water. These two genotypes demonstrated resistance to prolonged exposure to unfavorable salinized environments. This evaluation approach was found to be effective in identifying genotypes based on seed germination and early seedling growth stage under salinity stress.

In the present study we have selected antioxidants agents like Pioglitazone and Ascorbic acid were subjected for anti-cataract activity by in vitro glucose induced cataract model. Cataract is an opacity within the clear natural crystalline lens of the eye that causes eyesight impairment over time. Ageing, free radical production, diabetes, and oxidative stress-induced protein denaturation are all factors that contribute to cataract formation. Antioxidants protect the eyes by minimizing the effects of free radicals. Using goat lenses, researchers tested the anti-cataract efficacy of -lipoic acid in vitro against glucose-induced caractogenesis. Clear isolated goat lenses are separated into nine experimental groups and cultured in produced aqueous humor. For a period of 24hours, 15μg/ml, 30μg/ml, and 60μg/ml of -lipoic acid are incubated simultaneously with glucose (55mM) and glucose (5.5mM). The typical medication is ascorbic acid (40μg/ml). The opacity of the lens is measured at the end of the incubation period.

Genetic testing and counselling are critical in assessing breast cancer risk and tailoring treatment strategies. However, several barriers hinder patients from opting for genetic testing/counselling, leading to fewer than one-third of patients undergoing testing and even fewer being offered counselling. A granular understanding of these barriers is essential in overcoming them. A multinational survey developed by patient authors was conducted in 9 countries, to identify the specific local/regional barriers. The survey question pathway was individualized, based on responses to prior questions. Percentage responses to a response option were calculated based on the total number of respondents to that question. Chi-square tests were used to assess the significance of the results, if applicable. The final analysis set (FAS) included 1,176 respondents, with a subset of this responding to all questions. In the FAS, 63% of respondents had undergone testing. Among those who got tested, 70% were offered testing. Among untested respondents, only 40% were offered the test but eventually did not get tested. In the tested population, 44% received counselling, which was significantly higher than 7% (p<0.00001) in the untested group. Among those reporting on awareness, 71% reported awareness level between 'very low' and 'moderate' prior to cancer diagnosis. Most respondents (71%) agreed that all breast cancer patients should undergo testing before treatment initiation. However, Asian patients were less likely to endorse this view compared to respondents from other regions (25% vs ≥50%; p<0.00001). A higher proportion of tested respondents were 'very willing' to get their family members tested (44%) versus untested respondents (11%), with relatively higher willingness among Australian (77%) and Russian respondents (56%), the regional variation being statistically significant (p<0.00001). Critical gaps remain in the access, awareness and perceived value of genetic testing and counselling, with regional variance or difference between the tested and untested groups. Most patients are not offered counselling, which may be associated with the low uptake of testing. Strategic action is needed to drive policy-shaping and improve access to testing and counselling, including raising patient awareness and improving patient experience for better treatment outcomes.