1. Rice bran lysolecithin (RBL) was evaluated in broiler chicken diets. In the first experiment, RBL was included in diet at 0, 0·5, 2, 8 and 32 g/kg and fed to 250 broiler chickens from 0 to 42 d of age. In the second experiment, RBL was fed at 0, 25 and 50 g/kg diet to 405 day-old broiler chickens until 21 d of age, while during the finisher phase (22-35 d of age) chickens receiving each concentration of RBL were given all three concentrations of RBL in a 3 × 3 factorial manner. The diets were isocaloric. 2. Body weight, food consumption and food conversion efficiency were unaffected by feeding RBL, while the weight of pancreas increased at ≥2 g/kg of RBL in diet (experiment 1). In experiment 2, body weight was greater in the chickens receiving RBL at either 25 or 50 g/kg (21 d) and 50 g/kg (35 d of age). At 21 d of age, food consumption was greater at 25 or 50 g RBL/kg diet, while food conversion efficiency improved with 50 g RBL/kg diet. 3. Fat digestibility increased with RBL at 32 g/kg (experiment 1) and ≤25 g/kg (experiment 2). Rice bran lysolecithin increased ready to cook weight at 50 g/kg during starter phase and decreased abdominal fat at 25 and 50 g/kg during finisher phase (experiment 2). Liver and meat fat content were not affected. 4. It is concluded that lysolecithin from rice bran oil could be used as energy supplement in broiler chicken diet.

The possibility of using lysolecithin from rice bran oil (LL) in the diet of broiler chickens was explored. Lysolecithin was included in diet at graded levels (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 % in diet) and fed to a total of 640 broiler chickens from 0 to 35 d of age. The diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Body weight was higher in the group fed the highest level (3.2 %) of LL. Feed intake was significantly (p less than 0.01) lower in the groups fed 1.6 and 3.2 % LL in comparison to control, whereas feed conversion efficiency was significantly (p less than 0.01) improved at the highest level of LL (3.2 %). Serum concentration of protein, total cholesterol and triglycerides as well as slaughter parameters, organ weights, fat deposition in liver and muscle, and SRBC response were not affected. The fat digestibility was significantly (p less than 0.05) improved at the higher levels (1.6 and 3.2 %) of LL in diet. It is concluded that rice bran oil LL could be safely used in broiler chicken diet and at dietary levels of > 1.6 % the LL improved the body weight, feed conversion efficiency and fat digestibility in broiler chickens.

The productivity of sesame is mainly dependant on proper agronomic management practices including nutrient management. In oilseeds, sulphur plays a prominent role in the synthesis of essential oils, chlorophyll formation and gives pungency in oil. It is also increasing drought and cold resistance of oilseed crops. Hence, field studies were conducted for two consecutive years to study the effect of various sources of sulphur (Gypsum and Sulphur Bentonite) and their different levels (15, 30 and 45 kg S ha-1) on growth, yield and economics of sesame. Studies revealed that, irrespective of sources of sulphur seed yield increased progressively with increase in sulphur dose from 15 to 45 kg ha-1 and the increase was significant at 45 kg ha-1 over 15 kg ha-1and control. Application of sulphur at 45 kg/ha through gypsum produced significantly higher plant height (97.1 cm), branches/plant (4.98), capsules/ plant (95.9) and seed yield (586.5 kg/ha) than at 15 kg S/ha through gypsum, Sulphur bentonite and recommended NPK and remaining at par with application of Sulphur at 30 kg/ha. Sulphur application at 45 and 30 kg ha-1 through gypsum recorded significantly higher net returns (Rs. 33365 and 31963 ha-1 respectively) and B: C ratio (2.47 and 2.38 respectively) than Sulphur Bentonite and recommended NPK during both the years.

The possibility of using lysolecithin from rice bran oil (LL) as a lipotropic agent was explored in the diet of broiler chickens. The LL was evaluated at 0.1 and 0.5% levels in diet vis-à-vis choline chloride, betaine or a commercial LL (0.1% of any) in broiler chickens (270) from 0 to 35 d of age. The diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. Body weight at 35 d was significantly higher in the group fed betaine, while LL showed no effect on growth, feed consumption, serum cholesterol concentration, slaughter variables and liver protein, and fat contents in comparison to control. The serum concentration of triglycerides at 35 d of age, however, decreased significantly with betaine, commercial LL and rice bran oil LL at both the levels. It is concluded that rice bran oil LL at dietary levels upto 0.5% showed no adverse effect on performance and reduced serum triglycerides content in broiler chickens, while betaine improved body weight.

A field experiment was conducted at the Agricultural College Farm, Bapatla, Andra Pradesh during kharif 2012 to study the effect of organic sources of nutrients viz., poultry manure, FYM, neemcake, vermicompost and recommended NPK fertilisers on growth, yield attributes and yield of rice. Application of recommended dose of fertilizer (120:60:40 kg N, P2O5 , K2O ha-1 ) was found to be superior in giving maximum growth, yield attributes and yield of rice, which was on a par with 50% RDN as basal+50% at 10 days before PI stage through poultry manure.