First data on growth of cultured brown meagre Sciaena umbra using diets with different protein and fat contents

ABSTRACT:   Brown meagre Sciaena umbra Linnaeus 1758 is a demersal species living at depths of 0–200 m with a wide distribution in the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean. It exhibits nocturnal behavior and occupies bottom caves and seabeds covered with vegetation. This study presents the first data on brown meagre growth under culture conditions and contributes some basic information on its dietary protein requirement by feeding isoenergetic diets with different protein–lipid ratios by means of self-feeders. Fish with 78.8 ± 15.8 g (mean ± standard deviation) body weight were divided into four groups and subjected to four different feeding regimes with three replications for 77 days. In the first group, fish were supplied with a high protein and low fat diet (HPLF, 52 : 8 w/w fat–protein ratio), the second one a medium protein and medium fat diet (MPMF, 42 : 14), the third with a low protein and high fat diet (LPHF, 31 : 23). In the fourth group, fish had access to both HPLF and LPHF diets. Fish fed on HPLF and MPMF diets showed significantly better growth and feed conversion ratios than fish fed on the LPHF diet. Fish with access to HPLF and LPHF diets exhibited comparable growth to the HPLF group but their feed conversion ratio was significantly higher. The condition factor and hepatosomatic index revealed no significant differences between dietary regimes. The liver of brown meagre may serve as a depository organ for energy, judging from its relatively high lipid content (39–43%).     

Growth,Nitrate Accumulation,and Macronutrient Concentration of Pakchoi as Affected By External Nitrate-N: Amino Acid-N Ratio

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out to determine the influence of nitrogen (N) sources on the growth, nitrate (NO₃ ^?) accumulation, and macronutrient concentrations of pakchoi (Brassica chinensis L.) in hydroponics. Plants were supplied with NO₃ ^? and two amino acids (AA), glutamic acid (Glu), and glutamine (Gln), at six NO₃ ^?-N/AA-N molar ratios: (1) 100:0, (2) 80:20, (3) 60:40, (4) 40:60, (5) 20:80, (6) 0:100. The total N concentration was 12.5 mmol/L for all treatments in nutrient solutions. Both AAs reduced plant growth with decreasing NO₃ ^?-N/AA-N ratios, but the reduction was for Gln than for Glu. At 80:20 NO₃ ^?-N: Gln-N ratio, the Gln had no significant effect on pakchoi fresh weights. Decreasing NO₃ ^?-N/AA-N ratios reduced NO₃ ^? concentrations in the plant, regardless of AA sources. Adding an appropriate portion of AA-N to nutrient solutions for hydroponic culture increased concentrations of N, phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in pakchoi shoots. Substituting 20% or less of NO₃ ^?-N with Gln-N in hydroponic culture will increase the pakchoi quality by reducing NO₃ ^? concentration and increasing mineral nutrient concentrations in shoots without significant reduction of crop yields.     

Broiler Litter as a Sole Nutrient Source for Cotton: Nitrogen,Phosphorus, Potassium,Calcium, and Magnesium Concentrations in Plant Parts

Abstract

The ability of poultry litter to support plant growth by supplying essential plant nutrients in the absence of other sources of the nutrients has not been studied thoroughly. The objectives of this research were to (1) determine the ability of poultry litter, as the sole nutrient source, to provide macronutrients and support growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) (2) evaluate the distribution of these nutrients within the different plant parts, and (3) estimate the efficiency with which these nutrients are extracted by cotton. The research was conducted in plastic containers filled with a 2:1 (v/v) sand:vermiculite growing mix under greenhouse conditions. The treatments included broiler litter rates of 0, 30, 60, 90, or 120 g pot^?1 with or without supplemental Hoagland's nutrient solution. Broiler litter supplied adequate amounts of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) and supported normal growth of cotton. Tissue nutrient analysis showed that the concentration of N, P, K, and Mg in the upper mainstem leaves was within published sufficiency ranges for cotton growth. Evaluation of the N distribution indicated that the cotton plant partitions N to reproductive parts when faced with deficiency of this nutrient and favors allocating N to new leaf growth once the requirement for reproductive growth is met. The partitioning of P was similar to that of N but less distinct. Cotton extracted Mg and K with greater efficiency (up to 58%) than the other nutrients and stored these nutrients in older leaves. The extraction efficiency of N ranged between 21% at 120 g pot^?1 litter and 27% at 30 g pot^?1 litter. Phosphorus was the most poorly extracted nutrient, with only 16% of the total applied P extracted when 30 g pot^?1 litter was applied and only 6% extracted at the higher litter rates. This suggests that the same problem of P buildup that has been reported in soils under pasture may also occur when poultry litter is repeatedly applied to the same soil planted to cotton. These results show that broiler litter not only supplied enough N but also supplied the four other macronutrients (P, K, Ca, and Mg) in amounts sufficient to support normal cotton growth. This research implies that poultry litter can effectively substitute for several fertilizers to meet crop macronutrient (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) needs in soils deficient in any or all of these nutrients.     

Increased plant nitrogen loss with increasing nitrogen applied in winter wheat observed with 15nitrogen

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is generally the most costly input for winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production. Therefore, it was important to maximize fertilizer use efficiency and minimize N losses to the environment. One of the mechanisms responsible for decreased N use efficiency (NUE) was plant N loss. The objectives of this experiment were to determine fertilizer N recovery in winter wheat when produced for forage and grain, and to quantify potential plant N losses from flowering to maturity in winter wheat. Two long‐term (>25 years) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) N rate fertility experiments (Experiment 222 and Experiment 502) were selected to evaluate ¹⁵N fertilizer recovery. Percent ¹⁵N recovery was determined from all microplots in plant tissue at flowering, in the grain, and straw at harvest and in the soil. Fertilizer N(¹⁵NH₄ ¹⁵NO₃) was applied atratesof 0, 45, 90, and 135kg N ha^‐1 in Experiment 222, and 0, 22, 45, 67, 90, and 112 kg N ha^‐1 in Experiment 502. The ratio ofNO₃ ^‐to NH₄ ⁺ in wheat forage at flowering was positively correlated with estimated plant N loss. Estimated plant N loss (total N uptake in wheat at flowering minus N uptake in the grain and straw at maturity) ranged from a net gain of 12 kg N ha^‐1 to a loss of 42 kg N ha^‐1, and losses increased with increasing N applied.     

婴幼儿配方乳粉的设计及其体外消化

根据母乳中各宏量营养素的特点,通过调节配方乳粉中蛋白质、脂肪和碳水化合物的含量,设计了适合我国婴幼儿食用的配方乳粉,并对该配方乳粉进行了体外消化实验,以考察该配方乳粉配方设计的合理性.结果表明:配方乳粉中各宏量营养素含量均符合国内外标准要求,能满足婴幼儿对宏量营养素的需求.该配方乳粉总消化率在88％左右,优于市售配方乳粉和羊乳粉,且在酶含量提高的情况下,该配方乳粉蛋白质消化率可达95％,表明该配方乳粉配比合理,利于婴幼儿消化吸收.     

Effect of top-dressed potassium fertilization on the yield and quality of cucumber

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of top-dressed potassium (K) application on the production of hybrid cucumber “Sapphire.” The experimental design was a randomized complete block, with five blocks of 0.80 × 0.40 m² each and eight replicate plants per block. The five fertilization rates of K used were 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg K₂O ha^?1. Data collection consisted of the estimation of fruit diameter, fruits length, fruit fresh and dry weights, the number of fruits per plant, and the weight of fruits per plant. The number of fruits per hectare and the fruit fresh weight per hectare were calculated. Fruit tissue was analyzed for determination of macronutrient concentrations, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, sugar contents, and protein content. The data were statistically analyzed using regression analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). There was a significant effect of the fertilization rate of K on fruit diameter, fruit fresh and dry weights, macronutrients concentrations in fruits, titratable acidity, soluble solids, and reducing sugars. A quadratic equation was adjusted for the number of fruits per plant and per hectare; fruit yield per plant and per hectare, with maximum top-dressing doses, was estimated to be between 60 and 95 kg K₂O ha^?1. A linear increase was obtained in the pH. An increase in the K fertilization rate caused a linear decrease in the fruit length.     

Combined effect of weaning time and co‐feeding duration on growth and survival of peled Coregonus peled (Gmelin) larvae

The study investigated the combined effect of weaning from live feed to a commercial dry pellet at 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 days posthatching (dph) and co‐feeding for 1, 3 or 6 days on survival and growth of Coregonus peled larvae. Additional groups fed only live Artemia sp. nauplii (ART), and only Biomar LARVIVA ProWean 100 (DRY) were included. A final survival rate of 66.4%–85.5% was observed in groups weaned after 20 dph. Final body weight (BW) and total length (TL) were significantly lower in groups weaned at 10 and 15 dph, regardless of the duration of co‐feeding. Larvae reached 29–37 mg BW and TL of 17.7–19.0 mm in groups weaned at 20, 25 and 30 dph. The recommended minimum duration of feeding with live food, based on these results, is 20 days. Based on the significantly higher yield of larvae weaned after 20 dph irrespective of co‐feeding duration, it can be concluded that abrupt weaning to dry food after 20 days of feeding with live prey can provide adequate production while reducing the effort and costs associated with live feed.     

不同林龄杉木针叶大量元素转移特征

为探究不同林龄杉木成熟叶与衰老叶之间大量元素的转移规律,选择中国亚热带地区8、14、21、46年生杉木,测定其成熟叶和衰老叶中N、P、K、Ca、Mg含量。结果表明:不同林龄杉木成熟叶中养分含量差异显著(Mg除外),但未表现出有规律的变化,衰老叶中N、K、Mg含量不受林龄的影响。不同林龄杉木针叶大量元素平均转移率表现为REK>REP>REN>REMg>RECa,其中,Ca表现为负转移,不同林龄杉木针叶N、K、Mg转移率无显著差异。在杉木成熟叶中,P、K、Ca、Mg含量与其转移率存在极显著的线性正相关,杉木衰老叶片中营养元素均与其转移率存在负相关。研究表明:杉木通过将大量元素从衰老叶片转移到成熟叶片,从而减少养分损失,这种机制不随林龄增加而衰退。     

Macronutrient Balance of Nickel-Stressed Lettuce Plants Grown under Different Sulfur Levels

This study investigated whether intensive nutrition with sulfur–sulfate (S-SO₄) (2, 6, or 9 mM S) of nickel-stressed (0, 0.0004, 0.04, or 0.08 mM Ni) butterhead lettuce cv. Justyna may improve macronutrient balance and reduce Ni bioaccumulation. Nickel exposure resulted in various unfavorable changes in the macronutrient content together with increase of Ni accumulation in the biomass. Intensive S nutrition of Ni-treated lettuce seems to have no beneficial effect on macronutrient balance. In general, it significantly reduced the root and foliar phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and S content and simultaneously did not affect the magnesium (Mg) content in the biomass. At the same time, the nitrogen (N) content was reduced in roots and elevated in shoots. Supplementation of Ni-exposed lettuce with high S doses raised in roots and reduced foliar Ni accumulation; however, Ni content in useable parts exceeded the acceptable limits established for consumption.     

Growth response,body composition,plasma metabolites,digestive and antioxidant enzymes activities of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii,Brandt, 1869) fed different dietary protein and carbohydrate: lipid ratio

Knowing the effect of dietary nutrients on physiological parameters, especially oxidative stress, during fish rearing can be useful to improve fish health and optimize production in aquaculture. In this study, four iso‐energetic (2 × 2 factorial design) diets differing in nutrient composition were submitted to the Siberian sturgeon juveniles, to analyse biochemical and physiological responses. The juveniles were fed for as long as 10 weeks with the following diets: low protein–high carbohydrate (CHO): lipid ratio (LP‐St), high protein–high CHO: Lipid ratio (HP‐St), low protein‐low CHO: Lipid ratio (LP‐L) and high protein‐low CHO: Lipid ratio (HP‐L). It was shown that HP‐L diet significantly induced higher growth performance in the juveniles than LP‐L; however, there was not a significant difference between them with other treatments. HSI was increased by higher dietary CHO: L ratio. The result obviously showed the higher dietary fat led to an increase in sturgeon body fat content. In addition, dietary protein and CHO: lipid ratio significantly affected plasma metabolites (glucose, cortisol, cholesterol and triglyceride) but did not affect IGF‐1 and insulin levels. Based on enzyme activities results, incorporation of high protein (44%) in the diet induced lower amylase activity and carbohydrate digestion in the sturgeon juveniles. Moreover, antioxidant enzyme activities in this species were more influenced by lipid than other nutrients. In conclusion, using appropriate carbohydrates (~30%) in the sturgeon diet helps to spare protein. Furthermore, it is suggested to decrease the amount of lipid in high protein diet, to improve higher sturgeon fillet quality and less oxidative damage in liver.