Awareness and adoption of farm biosecurity practices in commercial dairy, pig and poultry farms of Uttar Pradesh (India).

India's livestock sector has been facing significant losses due to episodes of disease outbreaks since time immemorial. Hence, biosecurity measures are very important to maintain and improve animal health along with prevention of disease outbreak. Keeping these facts into consideration, the study was proposed with an objective to assess the existing biosecurity practices adopted by the commercial dairy, pig and poultry farms. The current study was undertaken in the state of Uttar Pradesh as it is the leading state in milk and meat production. A total of 120 farmers were selected randomly including 40 each practicing commercial dairy, pig and poultry farming. An ex-post facto research methodology was used with face-to-face interview and observation to collect data. The biosecurity practices were assessed under seven dimensions such as, location and design of farm, restricted access, isolation and quarantine, cleaning and disinfection, management of feed and water, disposal of carcass, manure and waste, and health management. Results elicited that about 50% of the farmers had medium level of adoption who adopted 18-34 practices out of 51 practices. The average overall adoption score was 34.17 out of 51 (67%) which makes an overall adoption gap of 33%. Maximum adoption gap was seen in case of restricted access (43%) whereas minimum gap in adoption was seen in case of management of feed and water (27%). Pig and poultry farmers showed significantly higher biosecurity measures than dairy farmers (p < 0.05). The more significant contributors to the adoption of biosecurity measures were the level of knowledge of the farmers (p < 0.01). Other factors such as education, income, herd/flock size, Information and Communication Technology utilization, number of trainings also had a significant contribution (p < 0.05) in actual implementation of biosecurity. Hence, better understanding of these measures among the farmers must be ensured by hands on training along with proper demonstration of various procedures involved in maintaining farm biosecurity is need of the hour.

Acaricides resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus and expression profile of ABC-transporter genes in the sampled populations.

Currently, livestock owners manage tick infestations using chemicals, but the method is increasingly losing effectiveness as resistant tick populations have established in the field conditions. Thus, to develop effective tick management strategies, monitoring of resistance in most predominant tick species, Rhipicephalus microplus was targeted. The ticks were collected from eleven districts of Madhya Pradesh and one district of Punjab and tested against deltamethrin (DLM), cypermethrin (CYP), coumaphos (CMP), ivermectin (IVM) and fipronil (FIP), through adult immersion and larval packet tests. The field isolates were highly resistant to DLM [Resistance factor (RF) = 3.98-38.84]. Against CYP, resistance was observed in BWN (Barwani; RF = 2.81) and MND (Mandsaur; RF = 3.23) isolates. Surprisingly, most of the isolates were susceptible to CMP (0.34-1.58). Emerging level of resistance against IVM (1.05-4.98) and FIP (0.40-2.18) was also observed in all the isolates. Significantly elevated production of esterases (p < 0.01) was 90% correlated with RF of DLM while no positive correlation between production of monooxygenase and Glutathione S-transferase with RF to DLM was noted. Multiple sequence analysis of S4-5 linker region of the sodium channel gene of all the isolates revealed a point mutation at 190th position (C190A) which is associated with DLM resistance. Treatment of resistant LDH (Ludhiana) isolate with IVM resulted in upregulation of RmABCC2 gene and insignificant upregulation of RmABCC1 and RmABCB10 genes indicating the probability of linking IVM resistance with over-expression of RmABCC2 gene. The possible tick management strategies are discussed.

Economic impact of predominant ticks and tick-borne diseases on Indian dairy production systems.

As per 20th livestock census, India possessing 193.46 million cattle and 109.85 million buffaloes in organized and unorganized sectors. These animals are suffering from tick infestation almost throughout the year causing both direct and indirect losses. Repeated use of chemical acaricides for tick management resulted in the establishment of acaricide resistant tick populations, insecticide residues in livestock products and environmental pollution. In the present study, analysis of the data generated during 1990-2021 revealed pooled prevalence of infestations in cattle and buffaloes was 53% [95% CI = 47-60%] and 38% [95% CI = 28-49%], respectively. Based on peripheral blood smear examination the prevalence of theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis in cattle is estimated as 17% [95% CI = 12-24%], 4% [95% CI = 3-6%] and 5% [95% CI = 3-7%], respectively, while in buffalo the prevalence of infection is estimated as 7% [95% CI = 2-21%], 2% [95% CI = 0-5%] and 8% [95% CI = 2-36%],respectively.To estimate economic impact, both direct (reduction in milk production, cost of treatment, leather depreciation) and indirect (milk loss and treatment cost) losses were taken into consideration. Loss of milk production was predicted as 13.91, 56.91 and 85.34L/cross-bred cow/lactation in low, moderate and high tick infestation conditions, respectively. Whereas, 20.10, 7.01L milk/buffalo/lactation in Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. infestation was estimated. Similarly,the estimated loss of milk production due to clinical theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis was 57.96, 30.96 and 59.22L, respectively. The cumulative (milk loss, treatment cost and leather loss) loss due to tick infestation was calculated as 46199.31 million INR (USD595.07 million) while due to TBDs 14877.15 million INR (USD191.15 million) = 61076.46 million INR (USD787.63 million). The data provided base line information for the policy maker to develop strategies at government level so that the significantly high cumulative loss of 787.63 million USD due to ticks and tick borne diseases (TTBDs) can be minimized.

Comparative susceptibility of Rhipicephalus microplus collected from the northern state of India to coumaphos, malathion, deltamethrin, ivermectin, and fipronil.

The chemical-based tick management method is gradually losing its clutch due to the establishment of resistant ticks. For development of region-specific tick management strategies, the present study was aimed to evaluate the comparative resistance profile of Rhipicephalus microplus isolates collected from seven districts of Uttar Pradesh, a northern state of India. Comparative analysis of the dose-response data using adult immersion test (AIT) against coumaphos, malathion, deltamethrin, ivermectin, and fipronil revealed that all the isolates were resistant to discriminating concentration of deltamethrin having LC50 of 295.12-436.52 ppm with a resistance ratio of 22.02-32.58. An emerging low level of ivermectin resistance (resistance ratio, RR50 = 1.03-2.26) with LC50 in the range of 22.39-48.98 ppm was found across the isolates. The coumaphos was highly effective against all except Amethi (AMT) isolate. Similarly, malathion was efficacious against most of the isolates except Pratapgarh (PRT) and Sultanpur (SUL) isolates showing LC50 of 5128.61 and 5623.41 ppm, respectively. All the isolates were responsive to fipronil. Comparative detoxifying enzymes profiles revealed a significant correlation between the increased activity of esterase and deltamethrin resistance. The GST activity was 51.2% correlated with RR50 of malathion while esterase activity was significantly correlated (68.9%) with RR50 of coumaphos. No correlation between the ivermectin resistance and enzyme activity was established. Multiple sequence analysis of S4-5 linker region of the sodium channel gene of all the isolates revealed a point mutation at 190th position (C190A) which is associated with deltamethrin resistance. The possible tick management strategies in this part of the country are discussed.

Interactive effect of tillage and crop residue management on weed dynamics, root characteristics, crop productivity, profitability and nutrient uptake in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Vertisol of Central India.

Tillage and crop residue management play an imperative role in soil physico-chemical properties that eventually affects crop productivity. The objective of the study to find out a compatible combination of tillage and crop residue management for achieving sustainable food production by improving soil properties, providing favorable environment to crop plants. Secondly, managing crop residues effectively to reduce environmental pollution arising due to crop residue burning. With this aim, a field experiment was conducted on six years continued running experiment under conservation agricultural practices during rabi season of 2019-20 on chickpea. The experiment was comprised of five tillage operations with or without crop residue in main plot and three levels of nutrients in sub plots laid out in split plot design with three replications. Reduced Tillage with 60cm residue height (RT60) was recorded higher growth and yield attributes over conventional tillage practice that attributed to economic yield enhancement. The percent yield increment under NT and RT with 30 and 60cm height residue retention varied from 6.91% to 9.67% over conventional tillage. Maximum grain (2380 kg ha-1) and biological output (5762 kg ha-1) was recorded under RT60 (T4), which ascribed to higher net return (Rs 60551 ha-1) and benefit-cost ratio (2.97). The augmentation in net monetary benefit among tillage systems was lies between 24.32% to 37.78% over conventional tillage. The seed protein content ranged between 20.38 to 21.69% among the treatments. Moreover, total N uptake was maximum under RT60, while total P and K uptake was higher in No Tillage with 30cm residue height (T1). No-Tillage with 60cm residue height (NT60) recorded relatively higher soil moisture content (SMC) (22.71 and 15.40%). Treatment NT30 accrued relatively higher value of soil bulk density (1.42 Mg m-3) followed by NT60 and RT60 in comparison to conventional tillage (1.34 Mg m-3). In conclusion, NT and RT with 60cm residue height along with STCR (N3) nutrient dose was found effective for sustainable food production.

Synergistic property of piperonyl butoxide, diethyl maleate, triphenyl phosphate and verapamil hydrochloride with deltamethrin and ivermectin against Rhipicephalus microplus ticks.

The present study was taken up to evaluate the synergistic properties of piperonyl butoxide (PBO), diethyl maleate (DEM), triphenyl phosphate (TPP) and verapamil (VER) with deltamethrin (DLM) and ivermectin (IVM) against DLM and IVM resistant tick populations collected from Madhya Pradesh and Punjab states of India. The collected field tick populations were resistant to DLM (Resistance Factor [RF] in the range of 21.71-32.98) and IVM (RF in the range of 1.89-4.98). A strong synergism between DLM and, IVM with PBO and IVM with VER was noticed. The synergistic efficacy of PBO and VER with IVM in reducing the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) value (1.69-5.72 times for PBO and 3.00-10.62 times for VER) of IVM in resistant ticks suggest that a combination of these synergists with IVM can significantly enhance the effectiveness of IVM against IVM-resistant Rhipicephlaus microplus populations gradually establishing in the different parts of the country. The synergistic efficiency of PBO with DLM in reducing the LC50 value was 2.65 and 18.01 times, respectively, against DLM- resistant two R. microplus populations (KTN and LDH). The study revealed the gradual establishment of DLM and IVM resistant populations in the surveyed states suggesting the need to adopt required resistance management strategies. The use of synergists with DLM and IVM has emerged as an effective approach for controlling the acaricide-resistant ticks.

Characterization of deltamethrin, cypermethrin, coumaphos and ivermectin resistance in populations of Rhipicephalus microplus in India and efficacy of an antitick natural formulation prepared from Ageratum conyzoides.

Rhipicephalus microplus is posing a serious threat to productive animal husbandry. Excessive use of synthetic chemicals in tick management has led to the development of resistant tick populations. Characterization of resistance to deltamethrin, cypermethrin, coumaphos and ivermectin in ticks is necessary to develop a suitable and sustainable control strategy. Based on adult immersion test and larval packet test, the resistance ratios (RR50) for adults and larvae of R. microplus populations from two Indian states ranged from 3.8 to 19.4 and 1.35-25.0 against deltamethrin, 0.061-26.3 and 0.22-19.2 against cypermethrin, and 0.2-9.5 and 0.01-3.1 against coumaphos, respectively, were recorded. Moreover, the RR50 for adults ranged from 0.212 to 3.87 against ivermectin. The RR50 for different acaricides was significantly (p<0.01) correlated with esterases, Glutathione S-transferase and monooxygenase activity. A point mutation at the 190th position of the domain II S4-5 linker region of the sodium channel gene in synthetic pyrethroids (SP) resistant populations was also detected. An antitick natural formulation prepared from the plant Azeratum conyzoides and containing two major compounds, Precocene-I (7­methoxy-2, 2-dimethyl 2H-chromene) and Precocene II (6, 7-dimethoxy-2, 2-dimethyl- 3-chromene), was developed and tested against the resistant ticks. The LC50 values of the natural formulation against the resistant populations were in the range of 4.31-5.33% irrespective of their RR50 values. Multi-acaricide resistant populations of R. microplus are established in India and the A. conyzoides based natural formulation can be used for its management.

Effect of fractionation and pyrolysis on fuel properties of poultry litter.

Raw poultry litter has certain drawbacks for energy production such as high ash and moisture content, a corrosive nature, and low heating values. A combined solution to utilization of raw poultry litter may involve fractionation and pyrolysis. Fractionation divides poultry litter into a fine, nutrient-rich fraction and a coarse, carbon-dense fraction. Pyrolysis of the coarse fraction would remove the corrosive volatiles as bio-oil, leaving clean char. This paper presents the effect of fractionation and pyrolysis process parameters on the calorific value of char and on the characterization of bio-oil. Poultry litter samples collected from three commercial poultry farms were divided into 10 treatments that included 2 controls (raw poultry litter and its coarse fraction having particle size greater than 0.85 mm) and 8 other treatments that were combinations of three factors: type (raw poultry litter or its coarse fraction), heating rate (30 or 10 degrees C/min), and pyrolysis temperature (300 or 500 degrees C). After the screening process, the poultry litter samples were dried and pyrolyzed in a batch reactor under nitrogen atmosphere and char and condensate yields were recorded. The condensate was separated into three fractions on the basis of their density: heavy, medium, and light phase. Calorific value and proximate and nutrient analysis were performed for char, condensate, and feedstock. Results show that the char with the highest calorific value (17.39 +/- 1.37 MJ/kg) was made from the coarse fraction at 300 degrees C, which captured 68.71 +/- 9.37% of the feedstock energy. The char produced at 300 degrees C had 42 +/- 11 mg/kg arsenic content but no mercury. Almost all of the Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, and P remained in the char. The pyrolysis process reduced ammoniacal-nitrogen (NH4-N) in char by 99.14 +/- 0.47% and nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) by 95.79 +/- 5.45% at 500 degrees C.

Molecular prevalence, risk factors assessment and haemato-biochemical alterations in hepatozoonosis in dogs from Punjab, India.

Hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is an important tick-borne disease of dogs in tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world. In the present study evaluation of blood samples collected from 225 dogs presented at Small Animal Clinics, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab (India) was done for the presence of H. canis by PCR based assay targeting a portion of 18S rRNA gene. Of the total samples subjected to PCR, an amplicon of 666bp was detected in 13.78% samples whereas, routine blood smear examination revealed gamonts in 5.78% samples. Furthermore, prevalence of H. canis infection was found to be significantly associated with season, being highest in summer and lowest in winter while other risk factors e.g. age, sex and breed showed non-significant association. In terms of various clinico-pathological parameters, significant drop in haemoglobin, total red blood cell count, packed cell volume and lymphocytes were recorded in positive cases whereas the total white blood cell count was non-significantly increased. The haematological alterations in the positive cases were lymphopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, relative neutrophilia, neutrophilic leucocytosis, eosinophilia, monocytosis and lymphocytosis while the biochemical profile revealed hypoproteinemia and increased levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (in positive cases) pointing towards renal failure.