Supplementation of diets for Oreochromis niloticus with essential oil extracts from lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) and effects on growth,intestinal microbiota,antioxidant and immune activities

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) (LEO) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) (GEO) essential oils on growth, immunity, antioxidant responses and disease resistance of Oreochromis niloticus. Fish (3.04 ± 0.003 g) were fed the basal diet (G₁), or the basal diet supplemented with LEO at 200 and 400 mg kg^?1 of the diet (G₂ and G₃), or GEO at 200 and 400 mg kg^?1 of the diet (G₄ and G₅), respectively for 12 weeks. Growth indices and feed utilization were significantly improved with G₂, G₃ and G₅ groups. Also, a significant increase in protein content of the whole body was recorded in all groups. G₂ and G₅ showed a significant rise of both catalase activity and reduced glutathione content with a significant incline in the MDA level. Lysozyme activity and total IgM levels were significantly increased in G₂ and G₅ groups. G₃ and G₅ groups had a significantly lower intestinal total bacteria, Coliforms, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas spp counts. Following challenge with A. hydrophila, all groups had a high survival rate. In conclusion, LEO and GEO could be a candidate dietary supplementation in fish improving growth performance, feed utilization, oxidative status, immune responses and disease resistance.     

Diversity in root traits of sorghum genotypes in response to Striga hermonthica infestation

Striga hermonthica is a major biotic constraint to agriculture in the lowland areas of Ethiopia where sorghum is a major stable crop. A pot and a field experiment were conducted in 2011 during the rainy season using 10 sorghum genotypes. Each experiment had infested and non‐infested conditions as the main plots and the 10 genotypes as subplots. The aim of this study was to examine the response of root traits of the sorghum genotypes to S. hermonthica infested conditions and to investigate relationships among S. hermonthica, root and growth traits of sorghum genotypes. Sorghum genotypes were categorized in to three groups, that is, low, moderate and high S. hermonthica count groups. Each group showed a differential response to root traits. Low S. hermonthica count groups had significantly lower root length, root length density, root to shoot ratio and root dry weight compared with susceptible groups. In contrast to low S. hermonthica count groups, moderate S. hermonthica count groups had higher root length, root length density, root to shoot ratio and root dry weight. Highly significant and strong relations were observed among root traits of sorghum, indicating that any of the root traits can be used as indicators for resistance. The result indicates different reactions in root traits in the upper soil layer may be useful for genetic improvement of S. hermonthica resistance and tolerance breeding in sorghum.