Nutritive value of sorghum silage for sheep

This study compared ensiled sorghum (ES) from two varieties (first and second cuts) with corn silage (CS) for chemical analysis, total-tract nutrient digestibility, ruminal variables and blood biochemistry metabolites in sheep. Five experimental silages representing first cut ES var. Pegah (PS1), second cut ES var. Pegah (PS2), first cut ES var. Speedfeed (SS1), second cut ES var. Speedfeed (SS2) and CS were assessed for chemical analysis, silage fermentation and anti-quality compounds. Diets consisted of lucerne hay, silage and a premix (at the ratio of 53.5:46:0.5 on a dry matter [DM] basis). Feed consumption, total-tract nutrient digestibility, microbial nitrogen supply (MNS), ruminal variables and blood biochemistry metabolites were determined in a Latin square design of five periods with five male sheep. Compared to sorghum, CS had lower (p < 0.01) concentrations of ash, water-soluble carbohydrates and crude protein, but higher starch, lignin (sa), non-structural carbohydrates and apparent nutrient digestibility. The measurements of pH, lactic acid, NH₃-N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) confirmed that all silages were well-preserved. The anti-quality compound levels in the silages were below the safe limits for ruminants. No differences were observed in feed consumption (p > 0.05) and total-tract digestibility of DM and nutrients (p > 0.05). Rumen pH, NH₃-N, VFA concentrations and acetate to propionate ratio showed no difference among treatments (p > 0.05). Sheep fed on sorghum silage showed a decrease (p < 0.01) in total protozoa, and particularly in the Entodiniae population. There were no differences in cellulolytic bacteria counts (p > 0.05) among treatments. Urinary N, MNS and blood biochemistry metabolites showed no difference among treatments (p > 0.05). Silages from both cuts of sorghum had comparable total-tract nutrient digestibility to CS, therefore, these varieties could be used as a more drought resilient silage source in the feeding of sheep.     

Heavy Metal Immobilization in Contaminated Soils using Phosphogypsum and Rice Straw Compost

The application of soil amendments to immobilize heavy metals is a promising technology to meet the requirements for environmentally sound and cost‐effective remediation. The present study was carried out to evaluate the result of phosphogypsum (PG) used alone and in combination with compost (CP) at a mix ratio of 1:1 wet weight ratio (PG + CP) at 10 and 20 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil, on heavy metal immobilization in contaminated soil and on canola growth. The results revealed that the Pb, Cd and Zn uptake of canola plants was reduced by the application of PG alone and when it was mixed with CP as compared with untreated soil. At an application rate of 10 g dry weight kg⁻¹ dry soil of (PG + CP) the dry weight of canola plants increased by 66·8% was increased in comparison with its weight in the untreated soil. The addition of PG alone resulted in more pronounced immobilization of heavy metal as compared with PG mixed with CP. Plant growth was improved with CP addition, but heavy metals immobilization was the greatest in PG alone treatments. Results suggest that PG may be useful for the immobilization of heavy metals in contaminated soils. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Eosinophilic leukaemia in a cat

A 14-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was presented to Tehran University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for a persistent fever, anorexia, intermittent vomiting, weight loss and weakness. The main clinical signs were pale mucous membranes, dehydration and splenomegaly. The complete blood count and serum biochemistry tests revealed non-regenerative anaemia, thrombocytopenia and increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test for feline leukaemia virus was negative. Blood film and bone marrow examination revealed a large number of immature eosinophils with variable sizes and numbers of faintly azurophilic granules. Cytochemical staining of blood film demonstrated 70% positive cells for ALP activity. Four percent CD34 positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. As eosinophilic leukaemia is difficult to identify by light microscopy, well-defined diagnostic criteria and the use of flow cytometry and cytochemical staining can improve the ability to correctly diagnose this type of leukaemia in cats.     

Optimising cutting method and timing for the control of Abutilon theophrasti seed production

Abutilon theophrasti (velvetleaf) is a widespread and problematic annual weed. Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different cutting methods on the viability of A. theophrasti seeds. Three cutting methods were assessed: (1) Entire plant cut and dried (EPD)—plants were cut at soil level and dried with capsules attached on the greenhouse bench or soil surface for 4 weeks; (2) capsules detached and dried (CD)—capsules were removed from plants and dried for 4 weeks; and (3) capsules detached and tested while fresh (CF)—a control treatment. Before drying, the developmental stage (stage one, dark green; stage two, light green; stage three, yellowish-green; or stage four, black with the slightly open capsule) and age (days after flowering, DAF) of each capsule was recorded. Seed viability was measured immediately in the CF treatment and after the 4-week drying period in the EPD and CD treatments. No seeds in the EPD and CD treatments were viable when harvested at the first developmental stage (1–8 DAF) in either experiment, but 100% of seeds in the CF treatment in the field were viable when harvested at 8 DAF. In both greenhouse and field experiments, seeds attained full viability at earlier harvest ages in CF than in EPD or CD treatments, suggesting that seeds might become viable relatively early in development but lose viability if allowed to dry. These findings could be applied to optimise late-season mechanical control of A. theophrasti.     

Marketing mix for the promotion of biological control among small-scale paddy farmers

Understanding farmers’ decision process on the adoption of biological control (BC) may help in promoting adoption. This study explored for the first time the impact of marketing mix elements (product, price, promotion, and place) on bolstering BC for the management of rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis Walker) among rice farmers in Fuman County in northern Iran. Farmers using BC were familiar with this method primarily via village councils and rural municipality organizations (Dehyaris) and then via distributors of trichocards. Almost half of the farmers (48.3%) had weak to moderate level of contact with distributors of trichocards. All four elements (4Ps) of marketing mix (product, place, price, and promotion) were effective on the marketing of BC agents. Place (distribution) mix, followed by price mix, were the most important factors in marketing trichocards in farmers’ views. According to the sensitivity to 4Ps of marketing mix, most farmers were grouped as semi-sensitive (45.6%) and sensitive (39.4%). Overall, the availability of biological agent products in the market, the affordable price of the products, and the strong relationship of rural people with village councils and rural municipality organizations (Dehyaris) are crucial factors for BC promotion in paddy fields of Fuman.     

Dietary simultaneous replacement of fish meal and fish oil with blends of plant proteins and vegetable oils in yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) fry: Growth,digestive enzymes,antioxidant status and skin mucosal immunity

A 56‐day nutritional research was performed to examine the influence of alternative vegetal protein and lipid sources on performance of yellowfin seabream fry (Acanthopagrus latus) (0.5 ± 0.0 g). In this regard, five isoproteic (Ca. 500 g/kg) and isolipidic (Ca. 150 g/kg) diets were formulated in which fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO) were simultaneously replaced with blends of plant proteins (PP, soybean meal and corn gluten) and vegetal oils (VO, canola and soybean oils) at 20% (SR20), 40% (SR40), 60% (SR40) and 80% (SR80) levels, respectively; meanwhile, a control diet (SR0) was formulated based on FM and FO. Growth and feed utilization were not influenced by experimental diets. The fatty acid profile of fillet drastically altered by dietary treatments. Fish fed with the SR60 and SR80 feeds had higher total protease, trypsin and α‐amylase activities than other treatments. The antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione content in liver were enhanced in fish fed with the SR40, SR60 and SR80 diets. Skin mucosal immune parameters including total protein content, alkaline phosphatase and alternative complement pathway activities in the control group were relatively lower than the vegetal treatments. According to these results, it is recommended that 410 g/kg of FM and 45 g of FO/kg can be replaced with alternative vegetal sources in diet for A. latus fry.     

Fruit and seed diversity of domesticated carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) in Morocco

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is an important economic resource for Morocco's rural populations. This species is used in reforestation actions and its cultivation in modern orchards is being undertaken to valorize marginal lands and substitute for drought sensitive species. However, little data is available on its intra-specific variability and its adaptability. Morphological characters of pods and seeds from 13 ecoregions of private-domesticated carob were used to assess phenotypic variation of this species. These stands extend from south-west to north-east and cover a wide range of Morocco's ecoregions. Pods length, width, thickness, seeds number, pulp weight, seeds yield and seeds length, width, thickness and weight were measured for 390 trees (30 trees per ecoregion). Statistically significant differences were found between ecoregions for all characters which were examined, what indicates a high phenotypic diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster of all ecoregions lead to identify two major and opposite groups (the northern ecoregions; and the central and south-western ecoregions). Ecoregions of the north of Morocco exhibited the largest and the thickest pods with the highest pulp weight while other ecoregions have relatively short pods but largest proportion of seed yield. Similarly, the northern ecoregions are characterized by the heaviest seeds. A correlation matrix between morphological characters, geographic parameters and precipitation exhibits a positive and a negative correlation of pods thickness and pulp weight with the latitude and the altitude, respectively. Seed yield and weight are negatively and positively correlated to pod width, pod thickness and pulp weight, respectively. In addition, seed weight is positively correlated with the latitude. The geographic pattern of the carob tree and its variability are discussed in this paper.     

Flower yield performance and stability of various Rosa damascena Mill. landraces under different ecological conditions

The flower yield stability of Damask rose as an important medicinal and aromatic plant at different environments has not been well documented. In order to evaluate flower yield and stability, 35 landraces of Damask rose were studied at 8 locations in Iran during 2007–2008. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) among landraces (G), environments (E), locations (L) and for landrace × environment (GE) and landrace × location (GL) interactions. Both GE and GL interactions were mainly crossover, a large portion of which was accounted for by non-linear (unpredictable) component. The landraces of IS9, YZ2, WA1, IS7 and IS1 with 3120.63, 2941.63, 2894.62, 2769.15 and 2716.92 kg/ha respectively produced the highest flower yield among studied landraces. Kerman with average flower yield of 3635.46 kg/ha produced the highest yield among studied locations. According to the results, most of landraces that originated from temperate, warm temperate and arid regions produced higher flower yield than those from cool, cool temperate, semi-arid and humid regions. The landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1_, IS3 and BA1 were stable and YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4, KZ1, AR1 IS6, IS3, BA1, IS10 and YZ1 were adaptable landraces for flower yield according to Eberhart and Russell (1966) model. The presence of some high flower yield and stable landraces such as YZ2 and IS5 suggests that a genotype can demonstrate high flower yield and stability for yield simultaneously. Thus, simultaneous selection for flower yield and stability using nonparametric methods could be possible. In addition, taking into consideration flower yield and stability potential, the landraces of YZ2, IS5, IS8, IS4 and KZ1 as general stable, adaptable, and high flower yield are recommended. Furthermore, the landraces of IS9 and WA1 as high flower yield and specific adaptable landraces can be recommended for temperate and arid areas and the landraces of IS7 and IS1 for semitemperate and cool areas.     

镉胁迫对不同水稻基因型植株生长和抗氧化酶系统的影响

 以籽粒镉积累水平不同的两种品种（丙97252，低积累型；秀水63，高积累型）为材料，研究了镉胁迫对水稻植株生长和抗氧化酶系统的影响。采用水培试验，镉处理设0.0、0.1、1.0和5.0 μmol/L 4个水平。结果表明，镉胁迫抑制植株生长和叶绿素合成，改变植株丙二醛（MDA）含量和超氧物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）、过氧化物酶（POD）活性。在抗氧化酶活性上，根和地上部对镉胁迫的反应存在着差异。总体上，SOD、CAT和POD活性随镉水平的提高而减少，而MDA含量则表现相反。根和地上部MDA含量随着培养液中镉浓度提高而增加，且增加幅度秀水63明显大于丙97252。与对照相比，生长在5.0 μmol/L Cd处理下的植株， SOD活性在孕穗期下降46%~52%，在分蘖期仅下降13%~19%。高浓度镉胁迫下，两品种在MDA含量的增加幅度和叶绿素含量的降低幅度上表现不同，显示出它们对镉的耐性存在着差异。     

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria Consortia Associated with Phospho-Compost on Phosphorus Solubilization and Growth of Tomato Seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

ABSTRACT

The exploitation of phosphate mines generates an important quantity of phosphate sludge that remains accumulated and not valorized. In this context, composting with organic matter and rhizospheric microorganisms offers an interesting alternative and that is more sustainable for agriculture. This work aims to investigate the synergetic effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and phospho-compost (PC), produced from phosphate-laundered sludge and organic wastes, and their combination on plant growth, phosphorus solubilization and phosphatase activities (alkaline and acid). Inoculated mycorrhizae and bacteria strains used in this study were selected from plant rhizosphere grown on phosphate-laundered sludge. Significant (p < .05) increases in plant growth was observed when inoculated with both consortia and PC (PC+ PSB+ AMF) similar to those recorded in plants amended with chemical fertilizer. Tripartite inoculated tomato had a significantly (p < .05) higher shoot height; shoot and root dry weight, root colonization and available P content, than the control. Co-inoculation with PC and AMF greatly increased alkaline phosphatase activity and the rate of mycorrhizal intensity. We conclude that PC and endophytic AMF and PSB consortia contribute to a tripartite inoculation in tomato seedlings and are coordinately involved in plant growth and phosphorus solubilization. These results open up promising prospects for using formulate phospho-compost enriched with phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) in crop cultivation as biofertilizers to solve problems of phosphate-laundered sludge accumulation.