The use of iron (III) ferrocyanide soil amendment for removing salt from the soil surface

Accelerated soil salinization is a worldwide concern. Our study was carried out to determine the effects of different rates (0, 5, 10, and 15?mmol kg^?1) of iron (III) ferrocyanide application to remove salts from the soil. Within two weeks of its application, iron (III) ferrocyanide at 5, 10, and 15?mmol?kg^?1 removed 12.2%, 26.5%, and 42.9% of the total salts from the soil, respectively. Results suggested that iron (III) ferrocyanide application at 15?mmol?kg^?1 is one of the most rapid and effective ways to remove substantial amounts of salts from undrained soil (land) where fresh water is scarce.     

Effect of breed on fattening performance, slaughter and meat quality characteristics of Awassi and Morkaraman lambs

The influence of breed on fattening performance, slaughter and meat quality traits was studied in Awassi and Morkaraman male lambs at approximately 8 months of age. All of the groups were fed a diet consisting of concentrate mixture offered ad libitum, and 300 g of grass hay per lamb per day during 60-day fattening period. Initial live weight, final live weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion efficiency (concentrate and hay consumption for 1 kg of live weight gain) were 39.63 kg, 55.08 kg, 0.258 kg and 6.37 for Awassi; 40.54 kg, 55.58 kg, 0.234 kg and 6.77 for Morkaraman, respectively. The effect of breed on fattening performance and slaughter traits except for LD area was not significant. In addition, meat colour parameters (L = lightness, a = redness, b = yellowness, H = hue angle and C = chroma), pH values, drip loss and sensory attributes were not affected by breed in present study. A significant muscle effect was observed for instrumental measurements of some meat quality characteristics as meat colour parameters (L, a and C), collagen, drip loss, pH, moisture and protein content, WBS, and for some sensory attributes (tenderness, juiciness, acceptability and number of chewing). Results of this study indicate that fattening performance, slaughter and meat quality traits were similar between Awassi and Morkaraman male lambs.     

Effects of microbial phytase and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on the absorption of minerals from broiler chicken diets containing different levels of calcium

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various calcium:total phosphorus (Ca:tP) ratios due to addition of microbial phytase and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] on the absorption levels of minerals. In a 42-day experiment repeated three times, 144 day-old male broiler chicks (ISA 220) were divided into six groups of eight chicks each. Diets containing two different (1:1 and 2:1) Ca levels were prepared. Groups 1, 2 and 3 received a diet of 1:1 Ca:tP ratio while Groups 4, 5 and 6 a diet of 1:2 Ca:tP ratio. These diets contained 1,25-(OH)2D3 and phytase in levels of 5 micrograms/kg and 600 FYT/kg, respectively. The faeces was collected to analyse the absorption of minerals. At the end of the study, the absorption levels of Ca, P, Zn, Mn and Cu were increased by the addition of phytase enzyme (p < 0.05). This effect was obvious in the 3rd week. On the other hand, in the 6th week only Ca and P absorption levels were influenced positively by the addition of phytase enzyme. The results proved the positive effect of phytase, an enzyme which is used for increasing the utilisation rate of phytate P, Ca and other minerals in broilers.     

Detection of Campylobacter antibodies in sheep sera by a Dot-ELISA using acid extracts from c. fetus ssp. fetus and c. jejuni strains and comparison with a complement fixation test

In this study, a dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) was evaluated in comparison with a complement fixation test (CFT) for the detection of Campylobacter antibodies in sheep sera. Acid glycine extracts (AGE) of both Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus and Campylobacter jejuni strains that had been isolated from the gall-bladder of slaughtered sheep was used as antigen in both tests. A total of 153 sheep sera from aborted (74) and slaughtered (79) sheep were examined by both Dot-ELISA and CFT. Twenty-two sera showed anti-complementary activity were not suitable for CFT. Of the 22 sera showing anti-complementary activity, two sera were found to be positive in Dot-ELISA. Eighty-eight (67.2%) of the remaining 131 sera were negative by both Dot-ELISA and CFT using AGE of both Campylobacter strains whereas 43 sera (32.8%) gave different reaction patterns in Dot-ELISA and CFT with the extracts of both Campylobacter strains. Twelve sera were positive by both tests using AGE of C. fetus ssp. fetus but CFT failed to detect antibodies in nine of these sera when AGE of C. jejuni was used. Twelve sera were positive by both tests only when AGE of C. fetus ssp. fetus was used. Eleven sera were positive only by CFT. Seven of these reacted only with the AGE of C. fetus ssp. fetus and four sera were positive by using AGE of both Campylobacter strains. The remaining eight sera were found to be positive only by dot-immunobinding assay either with the AGE of both Campylobacter strains or with the AGE of one of the Campylobacter strains. It is concluded that Dot-ELISA using AGE from C. fetus ssp. fetus could be employed for the detection of Campylobacter antibodies in sheep sera and the additional use of AGE from C. jejuni as antigen appeared not to be profitable for this purpose.     

Increasing stocking density causes inhibition of metabolic–antioxidant enzymes and elevates mRNA levels of heat shock protein 70 in rainbow trout

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of stocking density on the activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes in liver, muscle, gill and kidney tissues of rainbow trout. Fish were reared at different stocking densities (15 kg/m³, 20 kg/m³, 25 kg/m³ and 30 kg/m³). After adaptation period of 30 days, the experiment was carried out for two months. Stocking density of the control group was 15 kg/m³. Increasing stocking density caused inhibition in the activities of the enzymes except for kidney G6PD and 6PGD. Activity of both pentose phosphate pathway enzymes unexpectedly increased only in kidney whereas inhibition was observed in other tissues. Since the most powerful and gradual attenuation was observed in muscle tissue for all enzymes, we performed quantitative Real Time PCR to examine the expression of heat shock protein (Hsp70) gene in muscle in order to understand whether the decrease in enzyme activities is associated with stress. The mRNA expression data showed that Hsp70 expression levels significantly elevated at 25 kg/m³ and 30 kg/m³ stocking densities. Overall results indicate that increasing stocking density blocks the activity of metabolic and antioxidant enzymes and causes considerable stress in rainbow trout. The most susceptible tissue to increasing stocking density was observed to be the muscle.     

Effects of Vermicompost Application on Soil Aggregation and Certain Physical Properties

Application of organic waste on agricultural land as a soil conditioner and fertilizing material has lately gained much attention. This study was conducted to determine the effects of vermicompost applications (0·5%, 1%, 2% and 4% w/w) on physical characteristics of soils with different textures (sandy loam, loam and clay), under laboratory conditions. The results indicated that in the higher soil aggregate fraction (>12·7 mm) aggregate fraction was limited at the three soils. Vermicompost applications in all three soils significantly increased organic matter content. When compared with control, the increasing rates in organic matter content were 14·0%, 23·8%, 42·0% and 90·2% for 0·5%, 1%, 2% and 4% vermicompost application doses, respectively. Vermicompost applications increased the wet aggregate stability and decreased the dispersion ratio of all the experimental soils in all aggregate size fractions. Overall, wet aggregate stability increased from 26·9% to 52·2% with the application rate of 4%. Correlation coefficient between organic matter content and wet aggregate stability was found as 0·918^**. The lowest mean bulk density and the highest mean total porosity occurred when the most vermicompost was added. In all the soils studied, the highest permeability coefficients were gained with the application dose of 2%. As a result of increase in wet aggregate stability and decrease in bulk density, air permeability increased, and penetration resistance decreased significantly. The results obtained in this study have clearly indicated that the vermicompost application is an effective way to improve soil physical characteristics. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of PCR assay and bacteriological culture method for the detection of Brucella melitensis in stomach content samples of aborted sheep fetuses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for detection of Brucella melitensis in stomach content samples of aborted sheep fetuses and to compare its performance with bacteriological culture method. It was also aimed to determine the agreement between PCR and Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT). Materials were collected from aborted sheep from 109 different sheep flocks in the region of Van during the lambing seasons of 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. Stomach contents from 135 aborted sheep fetuses were examined by bacteriological culture and PCR, and 135 sera from these aborting ewes were tested by RBPT. Identification and typing of Brucella strains were performed using standard classification test. B. melitensis biovar 3 was isolated from 26 (19.2%) of foetal stomach contents. B. melitensis was detected by PCR in 29 (21.4%) stomach content samples. Twenty five sera (18.5%) from aborting ewes tested positive by RBPT. The detection limit of B. melitensis 16 M strain by PCR was 1.7 x 10(3) cfu (colony forming units) /ml in spiked stomach contents. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the PCR were detected as 100% and 97.2%, respectively. The agreement between PCR and RBPT was found to be 97%. In conclusion, PCR assay would have an advantage over conventional bacteriological culture method, but in particular for its ability to meet the specificity requirements for the detection of B. melitensis in stomach content samples of aborted sheep fetuses.     

Effects of testosterone on lipid peroxidation, lipid profiles and some coagulation parameters in rabbits

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of testosterone on some risk factors of atherosclerosis. Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of eight. The first group was used as control. Second group was injected with 10 mg of testosterone propionate. Third group was castrated bilaterally. At the end of 6 weeks, lipid peroxidation (LPO), lipid profile, fibrinogen (FBN) level and coagulation parameters were evaluated. Testosterone administration decreased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), while castration increased this level (P < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels in the castration group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the testosterone group. The ratio of HDL-C:low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased, while TC:HDL-C ratio increased (P < 0.05) in the testosterone group. No significant differences were found in the LDL-C and FBN levels among groups. However, there was a tendency for higher FBN level in the testosterone group. Testosterone administration resulted in an increase in the level of LPO (P < 0.05). Clotting time and prothrombin time prolonged in the castration group compared with testosterone group (P < 0.05). As a result, testosterone has exacerbating effect on atherosclerosis risk factors including lipid profile, LPO, FBN and coagulation system.     

A study on possibility of Rosa canina seed use as feed ?ngredient in diets of Morkaraman male lambs

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the ground Rosa canina seed at various levels (0%, 5%, and 15%) in barley-soybean-based concentrates offered to Morkaraman male lambs at approximately 8?months of age, on fattening performance, carcass, and meat quality characteristics. The lambs were divided into three treatment groups including R1 (concentrate without R. canina seed; n?=?12), R2 (concentrate with 5% R. canina seed; n?=?12), and R3 (concentrate with 15% R. canina seed; n?=?12) at the beginning of fattening period. The soybean meal was used as main protein source in treatment groups. All of the groups were fed a diet consisting of concentrate offered ad libitum and 300?g of grass hay per lamb per day during 60-day fattening period. The effect of diet on daily weight gain was found statistically significant. The control group had higher daily weight gain than R3 groups with 15% of ground R. canina seed. The hot carcass and cold carcass weights and dressing percentage values were affected by diets, and R3 group fed concentrate with 15% R. canina seed had higher carcass weights and dressing percentages than R1 and R2 groups. Differences among the groups in terms of leg, rib, and hindshank weights were found highly significant. While R1 and R2 groups were not significantly different, R3 group was significantly higher to R1 and R2 groups in leg, rib, and hindshank weights. In addition, meat color parameters and pH values were not affected by diets in present study.     

The effect of temperature and water on the mechanical properties of wool fibres investigated with different experimental methods

The tensile and durability properties of single wool fibres were investigated with tensile testing method and lever equipment giving the results examined by Zhurkov’s kinetic equation under the effects of temperatures and water. Moreover, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) method was applied to determine denaturation and degradation peaks and corresponding enthalpies of wool fibre. It was shown that with increasing temperature, tensile properties and durability of the wool fibres decreased considerably. A great decrease on tensile properties was seen at temperatures higher than ∼200 °C after which a denaturation doublet of α-keratin and a wide thermal degradation peak were observed in DSC diagrams. Moreover, the wet fibres obtained lower tensile characteristics except breaking extension which increased by 9 % and 20 % for the fibres kept in water for one h and one month, respectively. However, the breaking extension of the fibre tested in water increased greatly by 73 % which indicates the important role of water molecules on the intermolecular interactions during stretching. The weakening effect of water molecules on the structure was also shown by DSC result of wet wool fibres at which the thermal degradation enthalpy of α-keratin and other histological components decreased by 22 %. The changes of the tensile and durability characteristics of wool fibres were compared and discussed in detail based on Zhurkov’s equation and intermolecular interactions.