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Volume(7) / Issue(6)

Role of Bypass Nutrients in Dairy Animals

Anupam Soni and Harsimar Preet Kour

Bypass nutrients have emerged as an important nutritional strategy for improving the productivity, health and reproductive efficiency of dairy animals. In high-yielding dairy cows and buffaloes, conventional feeding practices often fail to supply sufficient nutrients because a large proportion of dietary protein and energy is degraded in the rumen before absorption. Bypass nutrients are specially protected feed components that escape ruminal degradation and become available for digestion in the intestine, thereby improving nutrient utilization efficiency. The major bypass nutrients include bypass protein, bypass fat and protected amino acids such as methionine and lysine. Supplementation of bypass protein enhances amino acid availability for milk synthesis, growth and reproductive functions, while bypass fat provides concentrated energy during periods of high metabolic demand, particularly in early lactation. Protected amino acids support milk protein synthesis, liver function and immune response. Feeding bypass nutrients helps reduce negative energy balance, ketosis and other metabolic disorders commonly observed during the transition period. In addition, these nutrients improve milk yield, milk fat percentage, body condition score, conception rate and overall animal performance. Bypass feeding is also beneficial under tropical conditions where poor-quality roughages are widely used. Improved nutrient utilization through bypass supplementation contributes to sustainable dairy farming by reducing nutrient wastage and enhancing feed conversion efficiency. Despite their advantages, factors such as cost, quality control and balanced ration formulation must be considered for effective utilization. Recent advancements in feed processing technologies and rumenprotection techniques are expanding the scope of bypass nutrition in modern dairy production systems. Overall, bypass nutrients represent an effective approach for maximizing production efficiency, improving animal welfare and increasing profitability in the dairy sector.

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Bait Fish Culture

Kaviyarasi, I. et al.

Bait fish culture is a specialized branch of aquaculture focused on the production of small fish species used as live or dead bait in commercial and recreational fisheries. It plays a significant role in supporting capture fisheries, ornamental fish culture, and the farming of carnivorous fish. Cultured baitfish reduce pressure on wild fish stocks and provide an additional livelihood option for small-scale farmers. Commonly cultured species include minnows, barbs, tilapia fry, mosquito fish, and climbing perch. Successful baitfish culture depends on appropriate pond management, balanced stocking, proper feeding, maintaining water quality, preventing disease, and careful harvesting. The culture of baitfish under controlled conditions ensures sustainable production, improved fish quality, and enhanced diversification of aquaculture.

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Tips to Reduce LPG and Cooking Oil Consumption

L. C. De and Tulipa De

Due to West Asia war the LPG price hike and unavailability affected several sectors, particularly the food and beverage (F&B) industry, forcing many caterers to shut down. The Solvent Extractors? Association of India highlighted those geopolitical tensions, freight costs, and weather risks like El Ni?o make the country vulnerable to price shocks. Reducing consumption of edible oil is an effective way to cut forex outflow and enhance economic stability. The government has been urging consumers to shift to Piped Natural Gas (PNG) as a more stable alternative. There are number of tips are available to be taken up at home to reduce LPG consumptions and to cut down excessive oil consumptions.

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Aeroponic Technology: Prospects for Quality Seed and Planting Material Production in Vegetables

Priyanka Kumari et al.

Aeroponics is an advanced soilless cultivation technique that enables efficient and diseasefree vegetable seed production. By suspending plant roots in air and supplying nutrients through fine misting, aeroponics ensures optimal oxygenation, uniform growth and high genetic purity. It offers major advantages over soil-based systems including higher multiplication rates, resource efficiency and year-round production. Studies on crops such as potato, tomato, cucumber, and pepper demonstrate significant improvements in yield, seed quality, and economic returns. Integration with automation and IoT technologies further enhances control and sustainability, positioning aeroponics as a key innovation in modern seed production systems. In India, aeroponics shows strong potential for early-generation seed multiplication and production of disease-free planting material within organized seed production programmes. The technology can support sustainable intensification by improving input-use efficiency and ensuring consistent supply of high-quality vegetable seeds under controlled environments.

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Carbon Nanomaterials in Agriculture: Tiny Particles, Big Change for Farming

Rachitha, P. J. et al.

Agriculture today faces major challenges such as nutrient deficiency, soil degradation, low fertilizer efficiency, and environmental pollution. Scientists are now exploring advanced technologies to improve crop productivity sustainably. One such innovation is carbon nanomaterials - extremely tiny carbon-based particles with unique properties that can improve nutrient delivery, plant growth, and soil health. Materials like carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon nanofibers are being studied for use in nano-fertilizers, stress management, and precision agriculture. These materials help plants absorb nutrients more efficiently while reducing fertilizer losses and environmental damage. This article explores how carbon nanomaterials are entering agriculture and how they may shape the future of farming.

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Silicon: A Hidden Helper of Rice Growth

Anisha Sahoo et al.

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element in plant. It also known as the "hidden helper" of rice growth. It is essential for growing healthy and high-yielding rice. This article shows how silicon helps rice plants to become strong and productive. Silicon act as a protective barrier by strengthening the plant?s stems so they don?t fall over even when planted closely together or given less nitrogen. It also act as a biostimulant by helping the plant?s metabolism to stay balanced, helping it to survive under tough conditions like drought or salt stress by keeping its water levels constant. It also enhances the photosynthesis and helps the plant to grow more heavier grains. With the reduction of indigenous silicon reserves due to intensive agricultural practices, silicon supplementation has emerged as a crucial management strategy. It helps the producers to optimize yields and minimize chemical dependency in between the challenges of a changing climate.

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The Unsung Pollinators: Why Wild Bees are Critical for Food Security and Biodiversity

Sandeep and Nitish Kumar

Bees are widely recognized for honey production, but their greater contribution lies in pollination, a process essential for global food production. While managed honeybees receive most attention, wild bees comprising over 20,000 species, play a critical and often underappreciated role in sustaining agricultural systems. These species exhibit diverse foraging behaviors and plant associations, making them highly efficient pollinators for many crops. However, wild bee populations are declining due to multiple interacting pressures, including pesticide exposure, habitat loss, climate change, and emerging threats such as microplastics and artificial light. This article highlights the ecological and economic importance of wild bees, outlines the major drivers of their decline, and discusses practical conservation strategies. Protecting wild bees is not only a biodiversity concern but also essential for maintaining food security and nutritional quality worldwide.

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Artificial Insemination in Mithun: Techniques for Estrus Detection and Artificial Insemination

Abuno Thepa et al.

Mithun (Bos frontalis), an indigenous bovine species of Northeast India, holds immense socio-economic and cultural importance among tribal communities. In recent years, scientific reproductive management practices such as Artificial Insemination (AI) have gained attention for improving the reproductive efficiency and genetic potential of Mithun populations. However, successful implementation of AI in Mithun is often constrained by the occurrence of silent estrus, where behavioural signs of heat are weak and difficult to identify. This article highlights the major techniques used for estrus detection and artificial insemination in Mithun. Important estrus indicators including mounting behaviour, standing heat, vulval swelling, mucous discharge and uterine tone are discussed in detail. The article also describes various estrus detection methods such as visual observation, use of teaser bulls, fern pattern examination of vaginal mucus and rectal palpation. In addition, the principles, advantages, ideal timing and procedure of artificial insemination in Mithun are elaborated. This review emphasizes the importance of proper estrus detection and AI practices for the genetic improvement and conservation of Mithun in Northeast India.

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