The current research was designed to determine single as well as combined effects of zinc and probiotic on biochemical parameters of broilers. A total of 192-day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into six groups: Control, Zn30 (30 mg Zn/kg diet), Zn60 (60 mg Zn/kg diet), Pro (0.1 g/kg Protexin®), Com30 (30 mg Zn/kg diet + 0.1 g/kg Protexin®) and Com60 (60 mg Zn/kg diet + 0.1 g/kg Protexin®). Com60 showed highest catalase activity and lowest malondialdehyde level in comparison to other supplemented groups. A significant increase in serum proteins was observed with all the supplementations in comparison to the control group. Protexin significantly increased serum T3 levels as compared to other supplemented groups. On the other hand, serum T4 concentration was significantly increased with both Zn60 and Com60. Com60 significantly increased urea while both the combinations showed significantly increased uric acid and decreased creatinine concentrations in serum. There was no significant change in serum glucose, ALT and AST concentrations with any supplementation. It can be concluded that protexin and zinc supplementations are beneficial for improving health status of broilers as depicted from the thyroid hormones level and no hepatotoxicity, yet their synergistic effects need to be studied further.
Continuous mineral fertilization has threatened both crop yield and environmental hazards. Increasing crop production on a sustainable basis for ensuring food security in the current climate change scenario is a global challenge. To counteract these challenges, mineral nitrogen in combination with legume or cereal residues are considered to yield improvement technology by reducing nutrient losses, sustaining soil fertility with minimal environmental effects. In present study, different NS either mineral nitrogen (N) in form of urea, legume residue (LR), cereal residue (CR) and integration of LR and CR with N in different ratios between 25 to 75% were compared under both deep (DT) and shallow tillage (ST). Each source alone or in combinations was applied based on N content equivalent to 150 kg ha-1. The equal combination of LR with urea had increased leaf area by 25%, leaf area index by 50%, grains ear-1 by 21%, 1000 grain weight by 14 %, biological and grain yields by 17 and 25 %, respectively over control. Although, the grain yield was increased by 32 and 29% in sole urea and 75% LR with 25% urea, respectively. DT produced larger stems, heavier grains, more grains ear-1, biological and grain yields and SOC due to improved soil tilth and aeration. Conclusively, integration of either LR or CR ranging from 25 to 50 % with 50% to 75% urea equivalent to 150 kg N ha-1 is the best alternative to achieve higher maize productivity with better soil health under deep tillage system compared to mineral fertilization.