Functional changes in digestive enzyme activities of meagre (Argyrosomus regius; Asso, 1801) during early ontogeny

The ontogenesis of main pancreatic and intestinal enzymes was investigated in the recent promising Mediterranean candidate species of meagre, Argyrosomus regius, during larval development until 40 days after hatching (DAH). The green-water technique was carried out for larval rearing. Whole-body homogenates were used for enzymatic analysis in larvae younger than 15 DAH; after this date, older larvae were dissected into two segments as pancreatic and intestinal segment. Trypsin was detected as early as hatching and sharply increased concurrently with age and exogenous feeding 15 DAH, but constant decline was observed until the end of experiment. Amylase was determined at 2 DAH and sharply increased 10 DAH. Then, slight decreases were found between 10 and 15 DAH, and then slow alterations were continued until the end of the experiment. Lipase was firstly measured on day 3; then, sudden decline was observed between 20 and 25 DAH. After this date, slow fluctuations were maintained until the end of the experiment. Pepsin was firstly assayed 15 DAH related to gastric gland secretion and sharply increased 30 DAH. Then, it slowly varied until end of the experiment. Enzymes of brush border membranes, alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidase N showed similar pattern on specific activities during the first 10 days. Thereafter, while specific activity of alkaline phosphatase slightly decreased 15 and fluctuated until 20 DAH, aminopeptidase N activity slowly increased 20 DAH. Then, activity of alkaline phosphatase and aminopeptidase N constantly increased 30 DAH, indicating maturation of the intestinal digestive process, and also, these activities continued to slowly increase until the end of the experiment. The specific activity of cytosolic peptidase, leucine–alanine peptidase, smoothly increased on day 8, then fluctuated until 15 DAH. After this date, in contrast to enzymes of brush border membranes, it sharply decreased 25 DAH and continued to gradually decline until the end of the experiment. These converse expressions were indicative of a maturation of enterocytes and the transition of an adult mode of digestion.     

Preservation of Stuffed Mussels at 4°C in Modified Atmosphere Packaging

The stuffed mussel is a traditional, ready-to-eat food in Turkey which is produced by cooking rice and various spices filled inside the mussel. This article examines the effect on sensory, chemical, and microbiological parameters of stuffed mussels of two gas mixtures—MAP1 50% N₂/50% CO₂ and MAP2 100% CO₂—used as modified atmospheres for cold storage at +4°C. Air packaged samples were chosen as the control group. Based primarily on sensory characteristics, MAP1 gas mixture was the most effective for stuffed mussel. According to sensory results, it has been determined that the control samples kept until the 11th day, while the MAP1 and the MAP2 groups kept until the 13th day. Of the chemical indices determined, the TVB-N values of MAP1 and MAP2 remained lower than the proposed acceptability limits of 20 mg N/100 g, up to 13 days of storage. Microbiological analysis results did not find any differences between the groups. It was found that the shelf life of air and MAP1-MAP2 packaged samples were 7 and 11 days, respectively.     

Evaluation of feed utilization and growth performance of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fed diets with varying inclusion levels of corn gluten meal

A nutrition trial with striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) juveniles was undertaken to evaluate the effect of replacing dietary fishmeal (FM) protein with corn gluten meal (CGM). A diet with FM as the main protein source was used as the control diet (FM). Five experimental diets (approximately 320 g kg^?1 crude protein) were formulated to progressively replace 20% (CGM20), 40% (CGM40), 60% (CGM60), 80% (CGM80) and 100% (CGM100) of FM protein. Fifteen fish per tank (initial weight 11.2 ± 0.6 g) were randomly distributed into 18 80‐litre fibreglass tanks connected to a closed recirculation system (temperature 30.3 ± 1.0 °C). The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. The final weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diets CGM20, CGM40 and CGM60 were not significantly different compared to fish fed the FM diet. Feed intake (FI) tended to decrease with increasing dietary CGM level. Striped catfish fed FM, CGM20 and CGM40 had significantly lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with fish fed CGM80 and CGM100 (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets was significantly lower than those of all other treatments (P < 0.05). Total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) excretion increased with elevated dietary CGM inclusion. The viscerosomatic index (VSI) of fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of fish fed the other treatments. The crude lipid content in the final body composition of the striped catfish was elevated significantly with increasing dietary CGM levels. Fish fed the CGM80 and CGM100 diets displayed haematocrit levels significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those fed the other diets. The haemoglobin content in fish was significantly higher in fish fed CGM20 and lower at CGM100 compared to fish fed the FM diet. The results of the present trial indicated that the optimum level of FM protein replacement with CGM determined by quadratic regression analysis was 25.1% on the basis of maximum SGR.     

Spirulina as a natural carotenoid source on growth, pigmentation and reproductive performance of yellow tail cichlid Pseudotropheus acei

A feeding trial on yellow tail cichlid Pseudotropheus acei (Regan 1922) was undertaken to asses the effect of dietary Spirulina meal as a natural carotenoid source. Four experimental diets were formulated to progressively replace 0% (C), 2.5% (SP2.5), 5% (SP5) and 10% (SP10) of fish meal weight. Ten fish per tank (initial weight 3.75?±?0.02?g) were randomly distributed into twelve 80?l fiberglass tanks connected to a closed recirculation system (temperature 26.7?±?0.06°C). The diets were tested in triplicate for 12?weeks. The specific growth rate of fish fed all Spirulina diets were significantly higher compared to diet C. Feed intake (FI) tended to increase with dietary Spirulina level, and fish fed diet SP10 had significantly higher FI values compared to diet C. No significant differences in feed conversion ratio were observed among these groups. Although the protein efficiency ratio of fish fed diet C was lower than that of all Spirulina diets, no significant differences were observed among these groups (P?>?0.05). The total egg production and hatching rate (%) of eggs derived from all fish fed with Spirulina diets was significantly higher compared those from fish fed diet C. The yellow and blue coloration of yellow tail cichlid fed the diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced and inclusion of dietary Spirulina meal was elevated carotenoids in skin. Results of the present study indicated that Spirulina meal has the potential to enhance the growth, reproductive performance and coloration on yellow tail cichlid.     

Yield promotion and phosphorus solubilization by plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria in extensive wheat production in Turkey

Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been reported to stimulate the growth and yield of grain crops, particularly when nutrient supply is poor. However, the mechanisms underlying stimulation of plant growth may vary depending not only on growth conditions and crop management but also on plant and bacterial species. The present study assessed the effect of an inoculation with single or multiple PGPR strains on phosphorus (P)‐solubilization processes in the soil and on grain yield in wheat. Single inoculation with Bacillus subtilis OSU‐142, Bacillus megaterium M3, or Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 increased grain yield by 24%, 19%, and 19%, respectively, while a mixed inoculation with OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 increased grain yield by 33% relative to noninoculated plants. Single inoculations with Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05 or Bacillus megaterium RC07 were less effective. Single or mixed treatments with OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 increased the concentrations of the labile and moderately labile P fractions in rhizosphere soil. The growth‐stimulating effect of OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 was also reflected by higher P concentrations in most plant organs. Among all inocula tested, the highest plant P acquisition was obtained in the presence of M3 and accompanied by the highest microbial P levels and the highest phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere soil. In conclusion, seed inoculation with mixed PGPR strains may effectively substitute for a part of P‐fertilizer application in extensive wheat production, and in particular M3 appears to improve the solubilization of inorganic soil P.     

Genotype X environment interactions in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)

Genotype X environment interactions were estimated for several traits in potato from a combined analysis of 11 genotypes grown at 3 locations for 2 years. Genotype X location X year and Genotype X location interactions were significant for the majority of the traits studied. Yield, reducing sugar content, dry matter content, leaf area, plant height and starch content should be tested over multiple locations and years in order to separate the genotype × environment interaction components from the total genotypic variance.     

Identification and pathogenicity of Alternaria alternata causing leaf spot disease on sweet cherry in Province of Turkey

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Sweet cherry leaf spot, caused by Alternaria spp., causes significant yield losses to sweet cherry production globally. This study was aimed at...     

Determination of the relationship between serum anti‐Müllerian hormone level and superovulatory response in Simmental cows

The most significant focal points of the embryo transfer technology are as follows: the selection of donors, the response of the selected donor to the superovulation protocol and the obtained number of the transferable embryos. For this purpose, it is suggested that donor selection can be done by anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, and embryo production is evaluated. AMH is secreted by the granulosa cells of primordial, pre‐antral and antral follicles below 4 mm in the ovary, independent of FSH. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum AMH levels and the number of corpus luteum (CL), total embryos and transferable embryos that were shaped after a uniform superovulation protocol. For this reason, 48 Simmental cows, which were located at General Directory of Agricultural Enterprises (region, province, etc. instead of the general directorate), were used as donors for the embryo transfer. Blood samples were taken at random, regardless of the stage of animal's sexual cycle. AMH levels were measured by enzyme‐linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) method of the miniVIDAS^® (bioMérieux SA) using AMH Bovine Test Kit. According to the statistical analyses of the obtained data, AMH levels were positively correlated with CL and total embryos (p < .05). No significant correlations between AMH and transferable embryos were approved (p > .05). It was also determined that each 200 pg/ml increase in serum AMH level resulted in one increase in CL number. Overall, considering the positive correlation between AMH level and the obtained number of CL and total embryos after a superovulation treatment, it was concluded that measuring blood AMH level prior to any further costly implementation may be an effective method in donor selection.     

EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA STRAIN ON FREEZING INJURY AND ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITY OF WHEAT AND BARLEY

In 2009 a greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the effects of boron (B) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on wheat (Triticum aestivum spp. vulgare cv ‘Bezostiya’) and barley (Hordeum vulgare cv ‘Tokak’) on plant growth, freezing injury, and antioxidant enzyme capacity. Results showed that boron (0, 1, 3, 6, 9 kg B ha^?1) and PGPR application (Bacillus megaterium M3, Bacillus subtilis OSU142, Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 and Raoultella terrigena) at which 50% of leaves were injured (LT₅₀) values and ice nucleation activities in both plants were found statistically significant. Boron application with all PGPR strains decreased LT₅₀ values in wheat and barley plants under noncold stress (NCS) and cold stress conditions (CS). There were statistically significant differences between bacterial inoculation and B fertilizer in terms of root and shoot dry weight under NCS and CS conditions. Reactive oxidative oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, CAT) were negatively affected CS conditions and decreased with reduced temperatures of media, but B and PGPR applications alleviated the low-temperature deleterious effects in both plants species tested. The lowest ROS and antioxidant enzyme (SOD, POD, CAT) of wheat and barley were observed with 6 kg B ha^?1 with R. terrigena.     

Development of 8-armed airflow olfactometers for measuring olfactory responses of insect predators

In the present study two types of 8-armed airflow olfactometers are developed, one is for individual test, called the individual olfactometer, another is for population test, called the population olfactometer. Both of them consist of an exposure chamber, 8 odour arms, 8 odour chambers and a sample plate or a sample chamber. In the former, the odour chamber is movable for regulating the distance between an odour source and the exposure chamber. In the latter, the sample chamber can be driven up and down to control the predator population under test to be exposed to the exposure chamber at the same time, and the odour chambers are designed for two functions viz., for placing odour sources and for catching the predator reaching them. By means of the NH₄CL smoke tests, it is clear that the odour airflows in both apparatus are separated in the outward area of the exposure chamber and gradually unified around the center to form the combination of the odour fields, from which the predator under test begins searching the odours. The control tests for random distribution in both apparatus have been conducted to provide the evidence that the same odour source in all odour chambers causes the random selection by the predator. The one-odour tests have been executed to prove the sensitivity of both apparatus for testing insect kairomone responses.