India is estimated to have the highest snakebite mortality in the world. World Health Organization (WHO) places the number of bites to be 83,000 per annum with 11,000 deaths. 1 Most of the fatalities are due to the victim not reaching the hospital in time where definite treatment can be administered. In addition, community is also not well informed about the occupational risks and simple measures which can prevent the bite. It continues to adopt harmful first-aid practices, such as tourniquets, cutting, and suction. Studies reveal that primary care doctors do not treat snakebite patients mainly due to lack of confidence. 2 At the secondary and the tertiary care level, multiple protocols are being followed for polyvalent anti-snake venom (ASV) administration, predominantly based on western textbooks.

Twenty three genotypes of moongbean were evaluated in two different environments for variability stability performance. The present investigation was conducted to provide information on the nature and magnitude of genetic variability and divergence among 23 genotypes of mungbean under different environments. It was measured by seed yield/plant under rainfed conditions during kharif 2016 and 2017. Seed yield/plant showed significant correlation with number of seeds/pod and negative correlation with days to maturity. These genotypes were divided into five clusters on the basis of D2 statistics. Maximum inter cluster distance was exhibited by cluster IV and intra-cluster distance by cluster I. Hence, the genotypes of cluster III & IV shall be utilized for the hybridization programme for the development of high yielding varieties (HYVs) of mungbean.

SUMMARYThe present study was conducted to determine the serotype diversity of Salmonella among poultry in northern India. A total of 101 poultry droppings from 30 farms in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory were analyzed. Nineteen isolates of Salmonella were obtained, and these belonged to four serotypes: Salmonella enterica enterica serotype Kentucky (n = 3), Salmonella enterica enterica serotype Infantis (n = 5), Salmonella enterica enterica serotype Agona (n = 4), and Salmonella enterica enterica serotype Typhimurium (n= 7). The study has isolated some Salmonella serotypes that are infrequently reported in India. Some of the isolated serotypes are reported to be endemic for human nontyphoidal salmonellosis cases in the region. Whether this indicates a shift in the serotype pattern in poultry in the region needs to be investigated further. Nevertheless, the study clearly indicates the risk of foodborne salmonellosis associated with consumption of contaminated poultry and poultry products in the region.

A pronounced residual effect of organic and inorganic nutrients, applied in pearl millet crop was observed on yields of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R Br]-gobhi sarson (Brassica napus L. var napus) cropping system. The experiment was conducted (by way of inorganic and organic sources combinations) with 8 treatments of FYM, vermicompost, inorganic N and control. The highest growth, yield and yield parameters of pearl millet crop were recorded with 100% recommended fertilizer dose-RFD and the grain yield (2899 kg/ha) was about 85.2% higher over the control and was followed by statistically similar treatment 75% N inorganic + 25% VC with the grain yield value of 2703 kg/ha. In case of gobhi sarson, the highest grain yield (855 kg/ha) was observed owing to residual effect of 100% N through vermicompost (VC) applied in preceding pearl millet crop, which was about 82.3% higher over the control. The treatments where 50% N was substituted by FYM and VC in pearl millet crop had the statistically similar grain yield values of gobhi sarson. The highest rain water use efficiency (RWUE) and heat-use efficiency (HUE) was recorded in treatment 100% RFD in pearl millet crop and 100% N through VC in gobhi sarson.

Field studies were conducted during rabi season of 2015–16 to 2017–18 at research farm of Advanced Centre for Rainfed Agriculture, SKUAST-Jammu to study the effect of foliar application of nutrients on crop performance, economics, resource use efficiency and soil properties in wheat (Triticum aestivum. L). The experiment comprising seven treatments (viz. control, 0.5% K foliar spray (KNO3), 0.5% K foliar spray (KNO3) + 0.5% N foliar spray (Urea), 0.5% K foliar spray (KCl), 0.5% K foliar spray (KCl) + 0.5% N foliar spray (Urea), 0.5% N foliar spray (Urea), foliar spray of water) was laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Results revealed that all yield attributes, viz. plant height, number of tillers/m row, spike length, 1000 grain weight were significantly higher with foliar application than the other treatments. Highest grain (2198 kg/ha) and straw yield (3430 kg/ha) were obtained with foliar application of 0.5% K (KCl) + 0.5% N (urea) in addition to 100% RDF soil application (T5). Similarly, the maximum build up of soil organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, nutrient uptake, net return (₹ 29008 kg/ha) and B:C ratio (2.45) were recorded in T5 treatment. Significantly higher RWUE (19.49 kg/ha-mm), agronomic use efficiency (21.64 and 65.47) and apparent recovery of nitrogen and potassium (0.74 and 2.22) were observed in T5. The foliar application of 0.5% K (KCl) + 0.5% N (urea) in addition to 100% RDF had pronounced effect on soil properties, resource use efficiency, economics and crop performance of wheat under rainfed conditions.