Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is one of the highly contagious diseases of domestic animals. Effective control of this disease needs sensitive, specific, and quick diagnostic tools at each tier of control strategy. In this paper we have outlined various diagnostic approaches from old to new generation in a nutshell. Presently FMD diagnosis is being carried out using techniques such as Virus Isolation (VI), Sandwich-ELISA (S-ELISA), Liquid-Phase Blocking ELISA (LPBE), Multiplex-PCR (m-PCR), and indirect ELISA (DIVA), and real time-PCR can be used for detection of antibody against nonstructural proteins. Nucleotide sequencing for serotyping, microarray as well as recombinant antigen-based detection, biosensor, phage display, and nucleic-acid-based diagnostic are on the way for rapid and specific detection of FMDV. Various pen side tests, namely, lateral flow, RT-LAMP, Immunostrip tests, and so forth. are also developed for detection of the virus in field condition.

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Pineapple is a commercially important fruit crop grown in Asian and African countries. Pineapple fruit residue (PFR) accounts for more than 65% of the processed fruits, and its disposal is a major problem due to its high moisture and sugar content predisposing it to fungal growth and spoilage. Silage technique was adopted to address this problem, and the PFR silage was evaluated for its feeding value. It was observed that on 15th day, the pH of PFR silage was 4.2-4.3 and lactic acid content was 6-8% (DM basis). Combination of 4 parts leafy crown and 1 part peels/pomace was found very ideal to achieve moisture content of 65-70% and produced a good quality silage with minimum fungal count (<3-4 colony forming units) on 15th day of ensiling. Nutritive value in terms of energy and minerals was superior to maize green fodder. Feeding trial in two groups of sheep with 10 numbers in each group fed total mixed ration (TMR) comprising 62% PFR/maize silage and 48% concentrate mixture (DM basis) for 75-day period did not show any adverse effects on nutrient utilization (DM, CP, NDF, ADF), serum biochemical (total protein, creatinine, urea nitrogen, SGOT, SGPT), and mineral profile (Ca, P, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn) and supported a daily growth rate of 140 g. The overall performance was similar to those sheep fed TMR with maize green fodder silage. Feeding PFR silage replacing hybrid napier green fodder in two groups of cows with eight in each group showed an improvement in average daily milk yield by 3.0 lit per cow and fat content by 0.6 U fed PFR silage-based TMR as compared to cows fed hybrid napier green fodder-based TMR. In both studies (sheep or cows), there was no evidence of metabolic or health-related disorders indicating that PFR silage was effectively utilized. Pineapple fruit residue that was hitherto wasted was successfully converted to silage and was found to be a valuable alternative to conventional green fodder. Ensiling of PFR not only improved the economics of feeding but also helped in overcoming the disposal problem.

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An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of in ovo administration of different forms of zinc with respect to hatchability and performance of commercial broiler chicken. In trial 1, the fertile eggs on day 18 were divided into six treatment groups: Group I as control without any supplementation of zinc, group II to IV were supplemented with 0.5 mg zinc per egg as zinc sulphate, zinc methionine or nano zinc, respectively, and Group V with nano zinc at 0.25 mg zinc per egg. Sixth group received 0.5 ml citric acid per egg as sham control. The results of the first trial indicated that in ovo administration of nano zinc at both levels and zinc methionine resulted in complete failure of hatchability. A second trial to validate the result of trial 1 consisted of Group I control (no administration). Group II and Group III were supplemented with zinc sulphate and zinc methionine, respectively, at 0.5 mg zinc per egg. Group IV and Group V were supplemented with nano zinc at 0.04 and 0.08 mg per egg. In the second trial, again there was a similar pattern for zinc sulphate and zinc methionine. Administration of Zn by nano form had around 80% hatchability on fertile eggs in comparison with the unadministered control eggs (92%). There was no difference (p > .05) in body weight gain, feed intake and FCR. No difference (p > .05) was observed between treatments for cell-mediated immune response and humoral immune response. Nano Zn-administered group showed a non-significant downregulation of MUC2 gene. It could be concluded that in ovo administration of higher levels of zinc has to be with caution for the developing embryo of commercial broiler chicken.