Samples of soil, forage and blood serum of cattle in six villages Ganderbal district of kashmir were collected and analysed for different macro and micro mineral contents to establish the mineral correlation among soil, forage and animals. The macro and micro mineral contents in soils of Ganderbal district were higher than their respective critical levels except Mn. Similarly, in forage except for zinc all the mineral values were above critical level. The study also revealed the serum mineral values above the critical levels. The soil and forage (r=0.558) and forage and serum (r=0.463) showed significant positive correlations while, non-significant (P<0.05) positive correlation (r=0.08) between soil and serum for Cu was observed. The correlation for Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iron and manganese observed between soil-forage, Forage-serum as well as soil-serum was non-sgnificant. Based on present study, supplementation of calcium, phosphorous, copper and zinc in the diet of cattle under existing feeding practices in Ganderbal district of Kashmir is imperative for better health and productivity. However, further, studies should elucidate the bioavailability and strategic dietary supplementation of minerals for livestock

Maize (Zea mays L.) after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is successfully grown in tropics and sub-topics where cereals grains contribute in staple food and their by-products as fodder. This study evaluated the carryover response of tillage depth (TD), crop residue (R) and fertilizer nitrogen rates (N) on maize in wheat-maize cropping system during summer 2010 and 2011. On dry matter (DM) basis, 5 tones ha-1 legume residue (LR) of cowpea and cereal residue (CR) from maize vs. no-residue (NR) were incorporated into the soil as main plot treatments. The soil was immediately plowed with moldboard for deep tillage (DT) and with cultivator for shallow tillage (ST) as main plot treatments. Different N-rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1) were applied as subplot treatments. Results showed that DT increased grains yield by 2.27% than ST and ear number by 6%, grain number by 2.79% and thousand grains weight (1.02%). When compared with NR, the grain yield increased by 8.09% with incorporation of LR and 1.37% with CR with higher fractional contributions of ear and grain number than grain weight. Similarly, maize grain yield also increased by 44.91, 42.40, 29.81 and 6.64% by application of 160, 120, 80 and 40 kg N ha-1. Canopy radiation use efficiency (RUE) also increased in similar trend as for grain yield under given treatments. Interaction was significant (p<0.05) for grain yield in 2011 and for two years average. Two years average data also showed markedly higher (p<0.05) grain yield under LR than CR or NR treatments. Similarly, as compared to control and N-rate 40 kg ha-1 , the 80 and 120 kg N ha-1 showed significantly marked changes in yield with highest in LR, followed by CR and lowest by NR. For interaction, the yield difference with treatments was mainly associated with ear number and to some extent in 1000 grain weight. The study suggests that 5 t ha-1 residue (legume > cereals > No residue) with 120 kg N ha-1 when incorporated deeply in soil has long lasting favorably positive response on crop yield and soil fertility in regularly cultivated cereal based rotation.

Thermal unit indices have a strong correlation with the phenology, growth and yield of crops and can be effectively used to select suitable crop cultivars for specific environmental conditions especially temperature. In this study, four mustard varieties (viz., 'BARI Sharisha-14', 'BARI Sharisha-15', 'BARI Sharisha-16' and 'Tori-7') were grown in two consecutive growing to assess the impact of thermal unit indices on crop growth and development, and to select the suitable variety for better yield under optimum sowing condition. Thermal unit indices viz., growing degree-day (GDD), helio-thermal units (HTU), phenothermal index (PTI) and heat use efficiency (HUE) were estimated from daily temperature and sunshine hours. Role of GDD on different growth indicators and seed yield (SY) were estimated through association and dependence of the traits. Significant variations in studied genotypes were observed for different traits. Among the studied varieties, 'BARI Sharisha-16' produced higher dry matter and seed yields (1.82 t ha-1) while accumulated maximum GDD at different growth stages. A strong positive association was obtained between GDD and the studied traits. Thermal unit indices had a strong influence in attaining different phenophases and other growth indicators. Therefore, results suggest that those indices could be used for growth prediction; further 'BARI Sharisha-16' is expected to use heat energy more efficiently for increasing the seed yields which indicated that the crop can perform better under global warming scenarios.

Improving production through better agronomic management is continued to feed ever-increasing population. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of N on maize seeded in line or broadcasted. Treatments included four level of urea nitrogen (N), i.e. 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha -1 and two sowing techniques, i.e. drill sowing (improved) and broad cast (farmer practice). Improved method of sowing had improved yield and yield contributing parameters whereas emergence m -2 and biological yield was higher in broadcast method of sowing. Increasing N application had increased biological yield, number of plants at harvest and grains ear -1 linearly. Cobs per plant, grain yield, 1000 grains weight and harvest index showed sigmoid response to N application and was maximum at 120 kg N ha -1 . Sowing of maize seed in line method and receiving 120 kg N ha -1 had increased grain yield by 45% over broad cast method of sowing receiving the same dose of nitrogen. However, the farmer practices method had increased the forage (straw) when received higher amount of N, i.e. 180 kg N ha -1 . Thus, it is concluded from the experiment that application of 120 kg N ha -1 and seed sown in line had increased the yield and yielding parameters, compared to other treatments and is, therefore, recommended for general cultivation of variety Azam in agro-climatic condition of Peshawar.