Jack beans and vetiver grass growth on iron ore tailing sediments from the Doce River dam disaster in Brazil: plant growth regulator effects under different edaphic conditions

Journal of Soils and Sediments - After the greatest environmental disaster in the history of Brazil and the deposition of the iron ore tailings in alluvial regions, the process of revegetation for...     

Enhancement of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larval growth by dietary vitamin E in relation to two different levels of essential fatty acids

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) growth and survival, at two different highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) levels. Eighteen days old gilthead seabream larvae were fed four formulated experimental diets combining two different dietary levels of HUFAs (M: medium 2.5 + 1.5, DHA + EPA, H: high 5 + 2.5 DHA + EPA g per 100 g) with two different levels of vitamin E (M: medium 540 mg kg^?1, H: high 2900 mg kg^?1): MM, MH, HM, HH (HUFA/vitamin E). After 2‐week feeding trial, the average survival rate was 52.6% and there were no significant differences found among treatments. Increase in vitamin E up to high level markedly improved larval growth, particularly when dietary HUFA levels were lower, suggesting a higher protection value when these fatty acids are more limiting. At medium dietary HUFA levels, increase in vitamin E from medium to high level enhanced larval growth performance in terms of total length. Moreover, increase in vit E enhanced HUFAs content in the larval polar lipids denoting the anti‐oxidative effect of vitamin E.     

Oxidative status and histological changes in sea bass larvae muscle in response to high dietary content of docosahexaenoic acid DHA

In previous studies, we observed dystrophic alterations in muscle of 48‐day‐old sea bass fed imbalanced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin E diets. To understand the whole pathological process associated with oxidative stress, a histological study was performed by feeding 14‐day‐old sea bass larvae with microdiets containing different ratios of DHA/vitamin E (1/150, 5/150 and 5/300) for a period of 21 days. Larvae fed diet 1/150 showed no lesions in contrast to larvae fed diets 5/150 and 5/300 where the highest incidence of muscle lesions and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was observed. Semithin sections revealed focal lesions consisting of degenerated fibres with hypercontracted myofilaments and extensive sarcoplasm vacuolization affecting both red and white muscle. Ultrathin sections of degenerating muscle fibres showed diffuse dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, disorganized myofilaments and autophagic vacuoles containing myelin figures and dense bodies. Additionally, some macrophages were observed among injured fibres as numerous satellite cells. Results from the study agree with those obtained from previous work, proving the pathological potential of free radicals in sea bass larvae musculature. Moreover, high vitamin E inclusion could not completely protect cell membranes from free radicals action.     

Optimum krill phospholipids content in microdiets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae

The aim of the present study was to determine the optimum dietary levels of krill phospholipids (KPL) for sea bream (Sparus aurata) larvae, and its influence on larval development and digestive enzymes activity. Larvae were fed five formulated microdiets with five different levels of KPL. Complete replacement of live preys with the experimental microdiets for seabream larvae produced high survival and growth rates, particularly in fish fed the highest levels of KPL. In the present study, increase in dietary KPL up to 120 g kg^?1 (100 g kg^?1 total PL) significantly improved larval survival and growth, whereas further increase did not improve those parameters. An increase in alkaline phosphatase, trypsin and lipase activity with the elevation of KPL up to 120 g kg^?1 was also found denoting a better functioning of digestive system. Besides, there was a linear substrate stimulatory effect of dietary KPL on phospholipase A2 activity. Finally, increasing dietary KPL lead to better assimilation of n‐3 HUFA especially eicosapentaenoic acid, reflected in the higher content of these fatty acids in both neutral and polar lipids of the larvae. In summary, KPL were found to be an excellent source of lipids for seabream larvae. Optimum inclusion levels of this ingredient in microdiets to completely substitute live preys at this larval age were found to be 120 g kg^?1 KPL.     

Gastrointestinal nematode infection in beef cattle raised in silvopastoral and conventional systems in São Paulo state,Brazil

The use of silvopastoral systems (SPS) can be a good alternative to reduce the environmental impacts of livestock breeding in Brazil. Despite the advantages offered by public policies, many producers hesitate to use this system. One of the reasons is the lack of information on health and productivity of cattle raised under these conditions. The experiment reported here was designed to compare the behavior of infection by gastrointestinal nematodes and weight gain of beef cattle raised in a SPS and a conventional pasture system. We monitored the number of eggs per gram of feces, the prevalent nematode genus, data on climate, forage availability, weight gain and packed cell volume (PCV) of the animals bred in the two systems. The infection by nematodes was significantly higher in the cattle raised in the SPS (p < 0.05). The coprocultures revealed the presence of nematodes of the genera Haemonchus, Cooperia, Oesophagostomum and Trichostrongylus, in both systems, but the mean infestation rates of Haemonchus and Cooperia were higher in the SPS (p < 0.05). The average of PCV values did not differ between the cattle in the two systems. The individual weight gain and stocking rate in the period did not vary between the systems (p > 0.05). Despite the higher prevalence of nematodes in the SPS, no negative impact was detected on the animals’ weight gain and health. The results of this experiment indicate that under the conditions studied, there is no need to alter the parasite management to assure good productive performance of cattle.     

The effectiveness of old and new strategies for the long‐term control of Pteridium aquilinum,an 8‐year test

There is a need for management strategies to control dominant perennial weeds and restore seminatural communities. We compared the effects of five weed control treatments on dense Pteridium aquilinum relative to an untreated experimental control over an 8‐year period with the aim of restoring acid grassland. The weed control treatments tested were as follows: cutting and bruising, both twice and thrice annually, and herbicide treatment (asulam in year 1 followed by annual spot retreatment of all emergent fronds). Pteridium aquilinum performance and plant species composition were monitored. Data were analysed using Bayesian mixed‐effect models and multivariate techniques. Cutting twice and thrice yearly and the asulam treatment all reduced frond density to zero; both bruising treatments were ineffective. The plant communities in the cut and asulam‐treated plots showed differences from the untreated and bruised plots; the asulam‐treated plots contained more ruderal species and the cut plots were more typical of acid grassland. Acid grassland recovery was fastest in the asulam‐treated plots, but the cut plots caught up after approximately 5 years. There were two important conclusions. First, an intractable weed like P. aquilinum can be eradicated and a vegetation more suited for grazing can be achieved by the continuous application of some treatments over many years. Here, success was achieved by cutting twice/thrice annually, or by a single asulam application followed by annual spot spraying of all emergent fronds for 8 years. Second, bruising, a treatment favoured by some conservation organisations, did not work and cannot be recommended. The use of long‐term, continuously applied treatments might be considered for all perennial weeds with large underground root/rhizome systems.     

Comparison between phenetic characterisation using RAPD and ISSR markers and phenotypic data of cultivated chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.)

Patterns of phenotypic and phenetic variability in sixPortuguese cultivars of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) are evaluated. Morphological characterisationwas based on the quantification of seventeen traits. Varianceanalysis showed significant differences among cultivars, and cultivar× year for all the traits studied, and trees within cultivarsshowed also some significant differences for some of themorphological variables. A significant correlation was obtainedbetween length of the leaf blade and the percentage of unisexual andandrogynic inflorescence with the effective thermal index,accumulated rainfall from April to October and from July to October,or the accumulated temperature below seven during the dormant period.Principal Component and cluster analysis were performed to group thecultivars, according to their similarity coefficients. For molecularcharacterisation, 125 RAPD and 157 ISSR polymorphic markers wereamplified using 28 and 7 primers respectively. High level ofcongruence among the two marker systems (r =90.5%) was obtained from comparison of pheneticsimilarities based on the percentage of shared fragments. ISSRmarkers revealed important advantages over RAPDs, due to a higheffective multiplex ratio (12.5 for ISSR compared with 2.2 forRAPD analysis) and reproducibility. Although morphological andmolecular results are comparable, slight differences are showed incluster analysis UPGMA dendrograms. Molecular analysis explainedhomonym situations among 'Martainha' and'Longal' cultivars in Portugal.     

Effects of vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia on the intake,performance, feeding behavior,blood parameters,and immune responses of dairy heifers calves

The aim of this study was to identify possible effects of different vaccination strategies (concomitantly or not) against brucellosis and clostridia on intake, performance, feeding behavior, blood parameters, and immune responses of dairy heifers calves. Fifty heifers calves were enrolled [38 Gyr (Zebu, Bos taurus indicus) and 12 5/8 Holstein Gyr]. At 120 d of age, animals were randomly distributed among 3 groups: B (n = 18), vaccinated against brucellosis; C (n = 14), vaccinated against clostridia and CB (n = 18), vaccinated concomitantly for both. Rectal and thermographic temperatures were evaluated on days 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7,10, 14, and 28 relatives to the vaccination day. Feed and water intake, body weight (BW), and feeding behavior were monitored daily by an electronic feeding system. Blood was sampled on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, relative to the vaccination day for determination of glucose and -hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) concentrations. Blood sampled on day 0 (prevaccination) and on days 28 and 42 were used to evaluate the immune response against Brucella abortus and clostridia. There was an increase in rectal temperature between the first and the third day postvaccination in the 3 groups. The thermography revealed an increase of local temperature for 7 d on groups B and CB. Group C had increased local temperature for a longer period, lasting for up to 14 d. Dry mater intake was reduced for groups B and CB, but no alteration was observed for group C. No alterations regarding initial BW, final BW, average daily weight gain, and feed efficiency were observed. No differences were observed for the 3 vaccination groups for blood parameters throughout the evaluation period. The concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia led to lower neutralizing antibody titers against epsilon toxin of Clostridium perfringens and botulinum toxin type C of C. botulinum (C > CB > B). When cellular proliferation assay and serological tests to B. abortus were evaluated, no differences were observed between groups B and CB. The present results indicate that the concomitant vaccination against brucellosis and clostridia has no relevant impact on the intake, performance, and feeding behavior of dairy calves. However, the concomitant vaccination of vaccines against these 2 pathogens impacts animal immunity against clostridial infections.