Effects of dietary forage to concentrate ratio and wildrye length on nutrient intake,digestibility, plasma metabolites,ruminal fermentation and fecal microflora of male Chinese Holstein calves

Twenty-eight male, weaned Chinese Holstein calves((156.8±33.4) kg) were used to investigate the effects of dietary forage to concentrate ratio(F:C) and forage length on nutrient digestibility, plasma metabolites, ruminal fermentation, and fecal microflora. Animals were randomly allocated to four treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement: whole-length forage(WL) with low F:C(50:50); WL with high F:C(65:35); short-length forage(SL) with high F:C(65:35); and SL with low F:C(50:50). Chinese wildrye was used as the only forage source in this trial. The grass in the SL treatments was chopped using a chaff cutter to achieve small particle size(~50% particles 19 mm). Dry matter intake(DMI) and organic matter(OM) intake was increased by increasing both F:C(P0.01) and forage length(FL)(P0.05), while acid detergent fiber(ADF) and neutral detergent fiber(NDF) intakes were only increased by increasing the F:C(P0.01). The digestibility of NDF was increased as the FL increased(P0.01), and it was also affected by interaction between F:C and FL(P0.05). Cholesterol(CHO)(P0.01), leptin(LP)(P0.05), and growth hormone(GH)(P0.01) concentrations in plasma were increased as dietary F:C increased. A significant increase in plasma triglyceride(TG)(P0.01), insulin(INS)(P0.05), and GH(P0.01) levels was observed with decreasing dietary FL. Ruminal p H values of calves fed with low F:C diets were significantly lower than those in high F:C treatment(P0.05). Increasing the F:C enhanced ruminal acetic acid(P0.05) and acetic acid/propionic acid(P0.01). Fecal Lactobacillus content was significantly higher, while Escherichia coli and Salmonella contents were significantly lower in WL and high F:C groups(P0.05). Lower fecal scores(higher diarrhea rate) were observed in calves fed with SL hay compared to WL hay(P0.05). Denatured gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) bands and richness index(S) were significantly affected by the interaction between F:C and FL(P0.05), under high F:C, band numbers and richness index from WL group were higher than that from SL group(P0.05), whereas there were no differences between WL andSL groups under low F:C(P0.05). Microflora similarity was 50–73% among the different treatments. It is concluded that the WL with high F:C(65:35) diet is suitable for weaned calves.     

地下LoRa无线传感器网络的传输测试系统研究

【目的】以智能手机为核心,研制成本低、使用简单的面向LoRa地下无线数据传输的测试系统。【方法】该测试系统由安装了测试用的App智能手机和与之匹配的地下测试节点组成。利用该系统进行场景测试,测定影响土壤中LoRa无线数据传输效果的因素并讨论对应的数据传输方法。【结果】测试结果表明,该系统运行可靠、使用方便灵活,LoRa低功耗广域网技术亦可以较为可靠地满足土壤介质中的无线传感器网络数据传输需求。【结论】本系统可为未来地下LoRa无线传感器网络的工程应用提供相应的测试手段。     

Influence of organic and inorganic passivators on Cd and Pb stabilization and microbial biomass in a contaminated paddy soil

Purpose

Soil contamination with heavy metals, such as Cd and Pb, has caused severe health and environmental risks all over the world. Possible eco-friendly solutions for Cd and Pb immobilization were required to reduce its mobility through various cost-effective amendments.

Materials and methods

A laboratory incubation study was conducted to assess the efficiency of biochar (BC), zeolite (ZE), and rock phosphate (RP) as passivators for the stabilization of Cd and Pb in paddy soil as well as soil microbial biomass. Various extraction techniques were carried out: a sequential extraction procedure, the European Community Bureau of Reference (BCR), toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) test, and single extraction with CaCl₂. The impact of passivators on soil pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and microbial biomass (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) was examined in the metal contaminated soil.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the exchangeable portion of Cd in soil was significantly reduced by 34.8, 21.6, and 18.8% with ZE, RP, and BC at a 3% application rate, respectively. A similar tendency of reduction in Pb soluble portion was observed by ZE (9.6%), RP (20%), and BC (21.4%) at a 3% application rate. Moreover, the TCLP leachate of Cd and Pb was apparently reduced by 17 and 30.3% with BC at a 3% application dose, respectively, when compared to the control. Soil pH, nutrients, and microbial biomass C, N, and P were significantly increased with the addition of BC, RP, and ZE passivators.

Conclusions

The results showed that the incorporation of BC, ZE, and RP significantly reduced the Cd and Pb mobility in paddy soil as well as enhanced soil nutrients and microbial biomass. Overall, among all the amendments, rice straw derived-BC performed better for Cd and Pb immobilization in paddy soil.

     

Effect of body weight on the chemical composition and collagen content of snakehead fish <Emphasis Type="Italic">Channa striata</Emphasis> skin

Snakehead fish (Channa striata) skin is a fishery by-product that has the potential for further processing because it contains a high amount of organic matter. This study investigates the effect of body weight on the chemical composition and collagen content of snakehead fish skin. This study used fresh snakehead fish of either gender. Their body weights were divided into three groups: small, medium, and large size. The characteristics of snakehead fish skin included proximate composition, amino acid content, collagen content, microstructure, and minerals. Snakehead fish skin from fish of different body weights indicated that the moisture content and ash tended to decrease, the protein content was relatively stable, and the lipid content tended to increase with increasing body weight. Glycine and proline comprised the highest percentages of amino acids at all levels of body weight, and the presence of hydroxyproline showed that snakehead fish skin was the source of collagen. There was no significant difference in body weight observed on collagen protein content of the skin. This study on the microstructure and mineral content of snakehead fish skin can be used as supporting information to promote the potential utility and economic value of the skin.     

Determination of the role of salicylic acid and Benzothiadiazole on physico-chemical alterations caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumber mosaic virus</Emphasis> in tomato

Shoe-string disease caused by Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) is one of the major threats to tomato production worldwide. The alteration in some biochemical parameters in leaves of the susceptible tomato genotype (Nagina) associated with CMV infection and the effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) and benzothiadiazole (BTH) were studied in this paper. Results showed that exogenous treatment with SA and BTH not only led to plants which gave significantly more yield than diseased controls (DC), but also delayed symptom expression and reduced disease severity. Analysis of biochemical parameters indicated that exogenous application of elicitors and viral infection, significantly affected the activity of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Compared to the DC plants, minimum disease severity and maximum number of fruit were recorded after a single dose of SA + BTH. Maximum plant height was recorded after weekly application of SA and maximum fruit yield per plant was gained with single dose of SA. Moreover, the activity of POD was significantly elicited many-fold after weekly application of SA + BTH, while higher amount of SOD was recorded with single dose of SA. The activity of CAT was also significantly accelerated after weekly application of SA + BTH while increased level of APX was noticed with single dose of BTH. In conclusion, the combined application of SA and BTH played an important role in induction of defense mechanism against CMV infection and can be useful in tomato disease management programs.     

Presence of less-preferred hosts of the aphid parasitoids <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aphidius ervi</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Praon volucre</Emphasis> reduces parasitism efficiency

Parasitoids are characterized by a defined range of hosts, either more specialist or generalist. Under natural conditions, females may encounter different host species on the same plant or in the same location. In this case, their preference for one host could influence their choice. However, the presence of less suitable hosts may also affect their choice and, in some cases, may reduce their interest in a patch where both preferred and less preferred hosts are available. The aim of the present study was to test the consequences of the simultaneous presence of three cereal aphids (Sitobion avenae Fabricius, Metopolophium dirhodum Walker, and Rhopalosiphum padi Linnaeus) on the parasitism by two of their parasitoids, Aphidius ervi Haliday and Praon volucre Haliday. Firstly, in the no-choice experiment, A. ervi parasitized on S. avenae at a significantly higher rate as compared to M. dirhodum, whereas no parasitism on R. padi was observed. P. volucre parasitized the three species of cereal aphids with a significant preference for S. avenae. Interestingly, when two or three host species were offered simultaneously in the same quantity to pairs of parasitoids, the level of parasitism was less than that observed for one host species alone. This observation exhibits a distractive effect on non-host species, from the defense mechanism of a non-suitable host or from the perception of bad quality patches. These results raise the question of the practical application of inundative release of parasitoids for biocontrol when several hosts are available simultaneously.     

Artificial diet based investigation on the impact of purified Cry1Ac,Cry1Fa and Cry2Ab on the survival and reproductive performance of adult green lacewing, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chrysopa pallens</Emphasis> (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

The green lacewing Chrysopa pallens (Rambur) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) is a common and abundant predator in many cropping systems in palearctic realm and it’s conservation is helpful in sustainable pest management in agro-ecosystem. Prior to commercialization of Bt crops in any agro- ecosystem, it is necessary to evaluate the impact of Cry proteins upon non-target organisms especially biological control agents (BCA). In present study an artificial diet consisting of shrimp, beef, beef liver and egg yolk was developed to mass-rear C. pallens for its use as biological control agents in sustainable pest management. Moreover, an artificial diet based risk assessment protocol was developed to investigate the impact of Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa and Cry2Ab on the survival and reproductive performance of C. pallens adults. C. pallens was fed on diets incorporated with Cry proteins and without addition of Cry proteins (control). The same diet containing boric acid was served as a positive control. Temporal stability, bioactivity and intake of Cry proteins by C. pallens were confirmed using double-antibody sandwich, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and bioactivity verification bioassays. Survival and reproductive performance of C. pallens, e.g., pre-oviposition period, daily fecundity, total fecundity and 30-day old adults dry weights, exhibited non-significant differences (p?>?0.05) for the diets containing Cry1Ac, Cry1Fa and Cry2Ab (50 μg/g) against Control. However, significant reduction in survival and reproductive performance (p?<?0.05) was observed in positive control. Our findings reveal that artificial diet is a good source of nutritional requirement with enhanced survival and reproductive performance of C. pallens and can be used for mass rearing of predator in case of natural diet scarcity and Cry proteins are safe for adult C. pallens and Bt crops cultivation help in predators conservation in sustainable agriculture.     

Increasing Farm Productivity and Soil Fertility on Sustainable Basis Through “Summer Gap” Utilization with Biochar and Legumes

To reduce reliance on scientific fertilizer due to rapid increase of fertilizer prices and environmental constraint, it necessary to improve crop productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses. Utilization of “summer gap” through biochar and legumes have pleasant effects on improving crop productivity and soil fertility on long term basses. Two years’ field experiments were conducted on wheat and maize crops with “summer gap” utilization with legumes and biochar at research farm of agronomy, the University of Agriculture Peshawar during 2011–2013. Wheat-maize-wheat cropping system was followed with the adjustment of legumes in “summer gap” (land available after wheat harvest till maize sowing). Legumes i.?e. mung bean, cowpea and Sesbania with a fallow were adjusted in the “summer gap” with and without biochar application. Biochar was included at the rate of 0 and 50?t?ha^-1 with four N levels of 0, 90, 120, 150 and 0, 60, 90, 120?kg?ha^-1 to subsequent maize and wheat crops, respectively. In legumes’ experiment, biochar increased fresh and dry fodder yield in cowpea and Sesbania, grain and biological yields in mung bean. In maize experiments, biochar improved grain yield. Nitrogen application increased grain and biological yields. In wheat experiments with increasing nitrogen level enhanced biological and grain yields. It is concluded that use of biochar and legumes in “summer gap” improve overall farm productivity and soil fertility on sustainable basses.     

Suitability of common models to estimate hydrology and diffuse water pollution in North-eastern German lowland catchments with intensive agricultural land use

Various process-based models are extensively being used to analyze and forecast catchment hydrology and water quality. However, it is always important to select the appropriate hydrological and water quality modeling tools to predict and analyze the watershed and also consider their strengths and weaknesses. Different factors such as data availability, hydrological, hydraulic, and water quality processes and their desired level of complexity are crucial for selecting a plausible modeling tool. This review is focused on suitable model selection with a focus on desired hydrological, hydraulic and water quality processes (nitrogen fate and transport in surface, subsurface and groundwater bodies) by keeping in view the typical lowland catchments with intensive agricultural land use, higher groundwater tables, and decreased retention times due to the provision of artificial drainage. In this study, four different physically based, partially and fully distributed integrated water modeling tools, SWAT (soil and water assessment tool), SWIM (soil and water integrated model), HSPF (hydrological simulation program– FORTRAN) and a combination of tools from DHI (MIKE SHE coupled with MIKE 11 and ECO Lab), have been reviewed particularly for the Tollense River catchment located in North-eastern Germany. DHI combined tools and SWAT were more suitable for simulating the desired hydrological processes, but in the case of river hydraulics and water quality, the DHI family of tools has an edge due to their integrated coupling between MIKE SHE, MIKE 11 and ECO Lab. In case of SWAT, it needs to be coupled with another tool to model the hydraulics in the Tollense River as SWAT does not include backwater effects and provision of control structures. However, both SWAT and DHI tools are more data demanding in comparison to SWIM and HSPF. For studying nitrogen fate and transport in unsaturated, saturated, and river zone, HSPF was a better model to simulate the desired nitrogen transformation and transport processes. However, for nitrogen dynamics and transformations in shallow streams, ECO Lab had an edge due its flexibility for inclusion of user-desired water quality parameters and processes. In the case of SWIM, most of the input data and governing equations are similar to SWAT but it does not include water bodies (ponds and lakes), wetlands and drainage systems. In this review, only the processes that were needed to simulate the Tollense River catchment were considered, however the resulted model selection criteria can be generalized to other lowland catchments in Australia, North-western Europe and North America with similar complexity.