Effects of weaning age and diets on ontogeny of digestive activities and structures of pikeperch (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis>) larvae

Growth and ontogeny of digestive function were studied in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) larvae weaned on artificial food at different ages. Three weaning treatments initiated respectively on day 9 (W9), day 15 (W15) or day 21 (W21) post-hatching (p.h.) were compared with a control group, fed Artemia nauplii from first feeding until the end of the rearing trial on day 36 p.h. The digestive enzyme activities and the ontogeny of digestive structures were investigated using enzymatic assays and histological methods. Growth of pikeperch larvae was significantly affected by precocious weaning. Pancreatic (trypsin and amylase) and intestinal (leucine-alanine peptidase, leucine aminopeptidase N and alkaline phosphatase) enzyme activities were detected from hatching onwards, increased at the moment of first feeding and then decreased. Pepsin secretion occurred at day 29 p. h. only, concurrently with the stomach development and differentiation of gastric glands. In the early weaning group (W9) the maturation process of intestinal enterocytes seems to be impaired and/or delayed and several signs of malnutrition were recorded. Except for alkaline phosphatase activity, no differences in enzyme activities and development of digestive structures were observed among the control, W21, and W15 groups. Moreover, at the end of the experiment, no differences in proteolytic activities were observed among larvae from the different treatments, indicating that, in surviving individuals, the digestive structures were properly developed and the larvae had acquired an adult mode of digestion. Based on the artificial diet used, our results suggested that pikeperch larvae can be weaned from day 15 p.h. without significant adverse effect on digestive capacities (except for alkaline phosphatase) or development of digestive tract, while earlier weaning impaired the onset of the maturation processes of the digestive system, both in terms of morphological structures and enzymatic activities.     

Biochemical indices (RNA/DNA ratio and protein content) in studying the nutritional status of Ruditapes decussatus (Linnaeus 1758) juveniles

In this work, we investigated the nutritional status of Ruditapes decussatus juveniles under different rearing conditions, using biochemical indices (RNA/DNA ratio and protein content) and the linear instantaneous growth rate (IGR). Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of starvation, addition of substrate (sand) as rearing support and diet composition on somatic growth and biochemical indices. Results show that biochemical indices of fed juveniles were significantly (P<0.05) higher. Highest RNA/DNA values and protein content were recorded in fed juveniles reared with substrate (P<0.05); conversely, lowest values were recorded in starved ones reared without substrate. In the second experiment, the highest RNA/DNA ratio was recorded in juveniles fed with control algal mixture composed of species commonly used in bivalve nurseries [Isochrysis galbana (clone T-Iso), Chaetoceros calcitrans and Tetraselmis suecica] and lowest in those fed with algal species isolated from Tunisian coasts. This confirms the usefulness of the RNA/DNA ratio and protein content in the clam's nutritional status evaluation. This assay is useful to provide information about the nutritional status and health of the clam in field conditions.     

Aspartic Proteinase Members Secreted by the Ruminant Placenta: Specificity of Three Radioimmunoassay Systems for the Measurement of Pregnancy-associated Glycoproteins

Pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins (PAGs) isolated from the placenta of various ruminant species are enzymatically inactive members of the aspartic proteinase family. The measurement of these proteins in the maternal blood can be a good indicator of the presence of a live embryo. As certain aspartic proteinases are present in biological fluids in physiological and pathological conditions at various concentrations, it was necessary to determine the specificity of three radioimmunoassay (RIA) systems currently used for the detection of PAG molecules. Commercially available members of the aspartic proteinase family like pepsinogen, pepsin, chymosin, rennet, cathepsin D and renin were tested in a wide concentration range (10 ng/ml – 1 mg/ml). Pepsinogen cross‐reacted in RIA 1, RIA 2 and RIA 3 over 1 mg/ml, 50 μg/ml and 500 μg/ml concentrations, respectively. In the presence of pepsin, cross‐reaction was observed in RIA 1, RIA 2 and RIA 3 over 1 mg/ml, 500 μg/ml and 1 mg/ml concentrations, respectively. Chymosin and rennet could cross‐react in RIA 2 and RIA 3, while renin and cathepsin D did not decrease the binding of the tracer to antisera more, than that of the minimal detection limit. As the plasma/serum concentrations of the examined aspartic proteinases reported in the literature were outside the concentration range where cross‐reaction was observed, it can be concluded that these RIA systems were specific for the detection of PAGs in biological fluids.     

Effect of Genotypes and Plant Maturity on Forage Quality of Certain Forage Legume Species Under Rainfed Conditions

Evaluation of plant species for animal feed requires the quantitative and qualitative comparison of different genotypes. Promising lines of annual legumes comprising seven genotypes of vetche ( Vicia spp.) and chicklings ( Lathyrus spp.) were compared for herbage quality. The content of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in herbage and pods were measured at different stages of plant maturity. The proportion of the leaves to shoots (leafiness) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were also determined. As plants matured IVDMD, CP and leafiness decreased and NDF and ADF increased. For all the genotypes maximum digestible dry matter (DDM) and CP yields were more or less attained at 50–100 % podding. Narbon vetch had the highest DDM. The possible uses of the different genotypes as animal feed are discussed based on the partitioning of the DDM and CP yield as plants matured.     

Agronomic Potential of Three Vetches (Vicia spp.) Under Rainfed Conditions

The major limiting factor to livestock production in West Asia and North Africa is the inadequate feed supply. The introduction of leguminous forage species into fallow lands represents a means of increasing feed supplies for the rapidly growing livestock population.
Twenty five lines each of common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) wooly-pod vetch ( Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa Ten.), and bitter vetch ( Vicia ervilia L.) were tested over three seasons with contrasting rainfalls and winter temperatures. For each species, seedling vigour, winter growth, cold effect, spring growth, leafiness, herbage yield at 100 % flowering, grain yield, harvest index and aspects of herbage quality were recorded. There were considerable variation among entries with the same species, entries of V. ervilia were the earlier in flowering and maturity, and V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa almost the latest by 45 days. V. sativa , was the most affected by frost whilst both V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa and V. ervilia proved to be cold tolerant.
Although V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa produced high herbage yield in springs its grain yield is low resulting in a low harvest index. Both V. ervilia and V. sativa produced high grain yield with high harvest index. Seed yield was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with days to flowering and maturity indicating the need of earlier types.
Quality of the herbage in term of digestibility was far lower (46 % IVDMD) in V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa than the other two species (69 % and 72 %).
The possible niches and utilization of each species as animal feed in the prevailing farming systems are discussed.     

Yield, yield components and plant architecture in the F3 generation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) derived from a cross between the determinate cultivar ‘Prelude’ and an indeterminate landrace

Growth trials were conducted outdoors in the UK to determine the yield, yield components and plant architectural differences between determinate and indeterminate Phaseolus vulgaris bean plants. F3 lines derived from crosses between ‘Prelude’, a determinate cultivar and ‘V8’, an indeterminate landrace, were grown together with the parents and ‘Carioca’, an indeterminate landrace from Brazil. Data were recorded on flowering date, number of nodes on main stem at flowering, plant height at maturity, number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, number of seeds/plant, 100-seed weight, seed mass/plant, percentages of diseased and healthy seeds/plant. Determinate F3 lines had significantly lower (P < 0.05) seed mass/plant, fewer pods/plant, fewer seeds/pod, fewer seeds/plant, lower harvest index, shorter stems, earlier date of flowering, fewer nodes at flowering and fewer healthy seeds/plant than indeterminate F3 lines. However, determinate genotypes had significantly larger (P < 0.05) pods to accommodate their larger seeds compared with indeterminate lines. A similar situation was found when the yield and yield components of ‘V8’, ‘Prelude’ and ‘Carioca’ were evaluated; the highest seed mass/plant was given by ‘V8’ and the lowest by ‘Prelude’. Furthermore, some indeterminate genotypes with Type IV growth habit yielded significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the high-yielding parent, ‘V8’, indicating a positive influence on seed yield by crossing different genotypes.     

Screening techniques and sources of resistance to root diseases in cool season food legumes

Summary Soil-borne fungal diseases are among the most important factors, limiting the yield of grain legumes in many countries worldwide. Root rot, caused by Aphanomyces euteiches, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani and wilt, caused by several formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum are the most destructive soil-borne diseases of pea, chickpea, lentil, fababean and lupin. The most effective control of these diseases is achieved through the use of resistant varieties. In this paper, recent advances in conventional and innovative screening methods for disease resistance are presented. Many grain legume accessions, which are maintained in national and international germplasm collections, have been evaluated for disease resistance and numerous resistant varieties have been released following incorporation of identified resistance genes from these sources. Recent identification of molecular markers tightly linked to resistance genes has greatly enhanced breeding programs by making marker assisted selection (MAS) possible and allowing the development of varieties with multiple disease resistance. Progress in the understanding of the biology of soil-borne fungal pathogens of grain legumes is also reviewed with particular reference to the genetic structure of their populations, diagnosis and host–pathogen interaction.