The experiment was conducted to evaluate the nutritional composition of Azolla pinnata and its growth during winter stress as a livestock feed along with its propagation. The study was conducted at National dairy research institute Karnal on Azolla cultivation pits covered with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets during winter season and the mean level of Temperature humidity index was below 72 in the range of (68-70). After its full growth, Azolla pinnata was harvested, washed properly to remove smell and dried in sun. The sun dried Azolla was further used for proximate estimation and mineral analysis. The average percentage of DM content, organic matter %, crude protein, ether extract, ADF and NDF calculated during trial was 9. 90, 79.7, 26.5, 3.9, 39.4, and 44.28 (% DM Basis) .The total ash content on DM % basis recorded was 20.3 %. The proximate analysis proved that Azolla is a rich source of protein and mineral profiling of Azolla pinnata in terms of calcium, phosphorous, potassium was 1.67%, 0.31% and 2.68% respectively (on percent DMB). From this study, it may be concluded that Azolla pinnata had high crude protein content and better mineral profiling so it can act as a potential protein supplement in the feed of livestock.

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Article InfoThe present investigation entitled "Foliar Response of Chemicals on Yield and Yield Attributing Characters of rice (Oryza sativa L.) Under Rain fed Condition" was conducted during the Kharif season in 2016 at the Student Instructional Farm of Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad-224 229 (U.P.). Experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications and nine treatments on rice variety (Sahbhagidhan) under rainfed condition. Chemicals viz., foliar spray of 0.5 and 1.0%KCl, 1.0 and 2.0% MgSO 4 , 0.3 and 0.6% Boric acid and 0.25 and 0.5% Salicylic acid at two growth stages(15 DAT and milky stage) along with untreated control (distilled water spray). Yield and yield attributing characters viz., Number of panicle bearing tiller plant -1 , Number of grains panicle -1 , Number of sterile grains panicle -1 , Grain yield (kg ha -1 ), Straw yield (kg ha -1 ) and Test weight (g)were improved by different chemical concentrations. On the basis of results obtained foliar application of various chemicals enhanced yield as compare to control under rain fed condition. The effects of 1.0 % MgSO 4 were more pronounced fallowed by salicylic acid 0.25 and 0.5% as well as 1% KCl over other treatments.

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Rice has the evolutionary particularity of being semi-aquatic. The conventional system for irrigating rice is to flood, which provides water and nutrient supply under anaerobic conditions and uses large amounts of water.