Nutrient digestibility and feedlot performance of lambs fed diets varying protein and energy contents

Thirty-six Thalli male growing lambs were used in a completely randomized design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to evaluate the effect of varying levels of energy and protein on nutrient intake, digestibility, weight gain, and gain to feed ratio. Four experimental diets, i.e., low energy–low protein (LE-LP), low energy–high protein (LE-HP), high energy–low protein (HE-LP), and high energy–high protein (HE-HP) were formulated. The low- and high-energy diets contained 2.3 and 2.7 MJ/kg dry matter (DM) with 12% and 14% of crude protein. The lambs were fed ad libitum. Dietary energy and protein levels and their interactions influenced the nutrient intake. Maximum dry matter intake was noted in animals fed LE-HP diet followed by LE-LP, HE-HP, and HE-LP diets. Digestibility of DM and N increased (P < 0.01) and that of neutral detergent fiber decreased (P < 0.01) linearly with increasing levels of dietary energy and protein. Digestibility of N was only affected by protein level and interaction between energy and protein levels. Average daily gain was higher (P < 0.01) in lambs fed HE-HP diet followed by LE-HP, LE-LP, and HE-LP diets. Dietary energy and protein levels and their interaction had significant effect (P < 0.01) on gain to feed ratio.     

Molecular characterization and marker based chemotaxonomic studies of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle

Detailed chemical studies and RAPD analysis were done in different populations of Podophyllum hexandrum collected from high altitude regions of North Western Himalayas. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis revealed a high degree of genetic diversity among the 12 collected accessions, attributed to their geographical and climatic conditions. HPLC analysis also revealed variation in the concentration of two major marker compounds which lead to the identification of a chemotype. The study demonstrated that RAPD and chemical markers are very useful tools to compare the genetic relationship and pattern of variation among such prioritized and endangered medicinal plants.     

Lodging-related morphological traits of hybrid rice in a tropical irrigated ecosystem

Hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been proven to be effective in increasing yield potential, but lodging often limits its yield in high-yielding environments. This study was conducted to determine genotypic variation in lodging resistance and lodging-related morphological traits among hybrid and non-hybrid check varieties, and to identify the key morphological traits associated with lodging resistance. Lodging behavior of 16 rice genotypes, including 12 hybrids and four inbreds, was studied at the International Rice Research Institute farm during the 2004 wet season (WS) and 2005 dry season (DS). Grain yield and visual score of lodging were determined at maturity. Lodging-related morphological traits were measured at 30 days after flowering. Large genotypic differences in lodging-related morphological traits were observed. Among these traits, dry weight per unit length, breaking resistance, and lodging index (bending moment/breaking resistance × 100) of lower internodes were significantly correlated with visual score of lodging. Several hybrids demonstrated high lodging resistance although their average plant height was over 120 cm. The lodging-related morphological traits and visual score of lodging in these hybrids were comparable with those of the non-hybrid check varieties with strong lodging resistance. These results suggest that increases in dry weight per unit length and breaking resistance of lower internodes are primary targets for reducing lodging index, thus improving overall lodging resistance of hybrid rice in a breeding program.     

Genetic dissection of grain yield traits in a large collection of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Understanding genetic architecture of a crop germplasm is necessary for designing a successful breeding program. Herein, we evaluated a large collection...     

Evaluating the suitability of maggot meal as a partial substitute of soya bean on the productive traits,digestibility indices and organoleptic properties of broiler meat

This study was conducted to replace soya bean meal with maggot meal at difference percentages. A total of 120 one‐day‐old broiler chicks were divided into four groups. Four diets were formulated with maggot meal to replace soya bean meal at the rate of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% designated as A, B, C and D respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum during the study which lasted for 28 days. Feed intake decreased significantly in treated groups while body weight, Feed conversion ratio and dressing percentage increased significantly in group D. Apparent metabolizable energy increased significantly in the group fed 30% maggot meal; however, no significant difference was found in dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract between the control and treated groups. The result of sensory evaluation revealed that tenderness and juiciness increased significantly in group C and B respectively. The colour and flavour were most accepted in group B and C. The results indicate that replacement of soya bean meal at the rate of 30% in broiler feed produced most favourable results.     

Supplementary phosphorus can alleviate boron toxicity in tomato

The effect of supplementary phosphorus on growth and yield of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Target F1) plants grown at high boron was investigated. The results showed that high B reduced dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll content. High B plus 0.5 or 1 mM P increased plant dry matter, fruit yield and chlorophyll concentrations as compared to high B treatments only. Membrane permeability was not increased significantly due to high B application. In the leaves of plants grown at high boron treatments, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) levels were increased. However, supplementary P to nutrient solution containing high B reduced the activities of the earlier mentioned enzymes in leaves but their levels were still higher than those at the control treatments. The study revealed that B status affects the activities of some antioxidant enzymes examined. Boron (B) concentrations increased in leaves and roots in the highest external B treatment as compared to the control treatment. Concentrations of Ca, P and K were significantly lower in the leaves of plants grown at high B than those in the control plants. Supplemented nutrient solution containing high B with 0.5 or 1 mM P increased the tissue concentrations of nutrients. These results indicate that supplementary P can mitigate the adverse effects of high B on fruit yield and growth in tomato plants.     

污灌土壤中氟及硫的形态分布特征

以乌鲁木齐雅马里克山的石灰性土壤为研究对象,采用连续提取法和分步提取法对土壤氟和硫的化学形态进行了测定,研究了不同水质及外源对土壤氟和硫各形态的含量及其分布的影响.结果表明土壤氟主要以残渣态为主,占全氟含量99.5%以上.各形态氟呈残余态氟>有机束缚态氟>水溶态氟>可交换态氟>铁锰结合态氟的趋势.不同水质浇灌后,土壤硫主要以有机硫为主,占71.5%～81.2%.并且呈现有机硫>盐酸可溶性硫>水溶性硫>吸附性硫的趋势.外源物质对土壤理化性质及对土壤中氟和硫各形态有不同程度的影响.土壤氟和硫各形态之间以及各形态与土壤理化性质之间的相关性分析表明,全氟与残余态氟极显著相关.土壤全硫与有机硫之间具有十分密切的相关性.土壤pH值、有机质和CaCO₃含量是影响土壤中氟及硫赋存形态的主要土壤因子.     

Lumpy skin disease of cattle: an emerging problem in the Sultanate of Oman

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a highly infectious disease of cattle caused by a virus belonging to the Capripoxvirus genus of the family Poxviridae. The purpose of this study is to place on record the first confirmation of LSD in the Sultanate. The disease was diagnosed and confirmed using polymerase chain reaction, histopathology, transmission electron microscopy and serum neutralization testing. The epizootic occurred in 2009 involving a large number of animals and covering a wide area including Nezwa, Alqabel, Sohar, Saham and Burimi. Morbidity and mortality rates of 29.7 and 26.3 %, and 13.6 and 15.4 % were observed at Nezwa and Sohar, respectively. The clinical signs were much more severe in Holstein–Friesian cattle compared to indigenous breeds and were characterized by multiple skin nodules covering the neck, back, perineum, tail, limbs and genital organs. Affected animals also exhibited lameness, emaciation and cessation of milk production. Oedema of limbs and brisket, and superficial lymph node enlargement were highly prominent. It is not known from where the virus originated, or how it spread to the Sultanate. The disease has become endemic in the country and is liable to extend to other Gulf Cooperation Council Countries and cause a pandemic. It is of major concern to the Omani dairy industry. Due to the widespread presence of screw worm, serious economic losses can follow outbreaks.     

Drainable surplus assessment in irrigated agriculture: field application of the groundwater approach

To assess the drainable surplus of an irrigated area, a methodologybased on a groundwater-balance approach was developed and appliedin Schedule I-B of the Fourth Drainage Project near Faisalabad inPakistan. To determine the seasonal net recharge in this area, anumerical groundwater model was run in inverse mode. The data inputfor the model consisted of the geometry of the aquifer system, theaquifer parameters, and historical watertable elevations. The seasonalnet recharge values, calculated from the individual recharge anddischarge components, were tuned with the results of the inversemodelling. The advantage of such an integrated approach is that allthese components are linked. The design net recharge was estimatedfrom the historical net recharge of the wettest monsoon in the studyperiod. Its rainfall recharge values were then substituted for those of adesign monsoon. In this substitution procedure, the rainfall rechargemethodology and parameters were adopted from the tuning procedure.From this design net recharge, estimates could be made of the requireddrainable surplus, with and without drainage simulation.