Abundance and richness of invertebrates in shade-grown versus sun-exposed coffee home gardens in Indonesia

Agroforestry Systems - Complex agroforestry systems are suggested as a possible solution to reduce the effects of deforestation in the tropics while enhancing the livelihoods of local human...     

Application of Biofloc Technology for the culture of Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch) in Bangladesh: stocking density,floc volume,growth performance,and profitability

Though Biofloc Technology is a new concept in Bangladesh, it provides advantages for improving aquaculture production in many countries, leading to achieve sustainable development goals. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of stocking densities on the growth performance of stinging catfish (Heteropneustes fossilis) under Biofloc Technology and assess the economic prospects and business feasibilities. Fingerlings were stocked in unique 5000-L tanks with three stocking densities, i.e., 3500 fish/tank (Treatment-I), 4000 fish/tank (Treatment-II), 4500 fish/tank (Treatment-III). The treatments showed significant differences (P?<?0.05) considering the species-specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Treatment-I had significantly ((P?<?0.05) higher final biomass (29.51 ± 0.04 kg/m³) than the other treatments. The present findings revealed that using a lower stocking density, the Biofloc Technology reduced ammonia (NH₃), nitrite (NO₂), nitrate (NO₃), TDS, and floc volume but significantly increased the dissolved oxygen. As a result, Treatment-I had generated significantly higher net income (BANGLADESHI TAKA—BDT 86,278.90) over the other treatments. Moreover, the NPV, net BCR, and RoR with 4% and 9% opportunity cost were also significantly higher in Treatment-I than other treatments. The internal rate of return (IRR) and SWOT analysis index indicates that investing in Biofloc Technology is far superior, and a stocking density of 3500 fish/tank (Treatment-I) resulted in a faster investment return.

     

Effects of steam-treated rice straw feeding on growth,digestibility, and plasma volatile fatty acids of goats under different housing systems

In order to use rice straw as forage in livestock feeding, the effects of steam-treated rice straw (at 15.5 kgf/cm² for 120 s) feeding on growth performance, plasma volatile fatty acid profile, and nutrient digestibility of goats were determined. Twenty male goats (18.69?±?0.34 kg) were used in an 84-day trial. The goats were divided into four groups of five goats each to receive steam-treated (STRS) or untreated (UTRS) rice straw diet under closed house (CH) and open house (OH) systems. The results revealed that the goats fed with STRS had significantly higher dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility; similarly, the average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio were higher for STRS groups under both CH and OH systems than those for UTRS. The plasma protein and insulin in STRS and cholesterol in UTRS groups was higher (P?P?>?0.05) at 30 days. The plasma amylase, lipase, T₃, T₄ and glucagon at 30 and 60 days were not different (P?>?0.05) among the groups. The plasma acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acid were higher (P?P?>?0.05) on these parameters. It could be concluded that steam treatment of rice straw at 15.5 kgf/cm² for 120 s increased apparent nutrient digestibility, hence increased the growth and feed efficiency of growing goats.     

Substrate concentration affects the in vitro metabolism of 17-hydroxyprogesterone by ovaries of the carp,Cyprinus carpio

Carp ovarian tissue was incubated with ³H-17-hydroxyprogesterone in the presence of 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg ml⁻¹ unlabeled 17-hydroxyprogesterone. The pattern of metabolites formed showed a marked variation with substrate concentration. Formation of glucuronide and sulphate conjugates was important only at low substrate concentration. At high substrate concentration (10 and 100 μg ml⁻¹) 17,20α-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one was the major metabolite, but at intermediate concentrations polar 7α-hydroxypregnanetetrols predominated. The results support the hypothesis that at low substrate concentrations conjugating, 5α-reducing and 7α-hydroxylating enzymes, of high activity but low capacity, act as scavengers to deactivate any steroids formed during the relatively low pituitary gonadotrophin secretions which are necessary for oocyte development, but that during the prespawning gonadotrophin surge when high levels of substrate are present these enzymes are saturated and 17,20α-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20αP) becomes the major ovarian steroid. The possible role of 17,20αP during oocyte final maturation requires further examination.     

Effect of γ (Gamma)-radiation on the physico-mechanical properties of grafted jute fabric reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites

The bleached jute fabric (BJF) reinforced polypropylene (PP) composites with various contents of acrylic acid (AA)-treated BJF and un-AA-treated BJF were fabricated by compression moulding method at 190 °C. The AA-grafted BJF reinforced PP composites were then irradiated by γ-ray at various doses. The mechanical properties of neat PP (N-P), ungrafted-BJF and PP composites (UG-BJFPC), AA-grafted-BJF and PP composites (AA-BJFPC) and γ-ray cum AA-grafted-BJF and PP composites (γAA-BJFPC) show maximum tensile strength (TS) of 30, 46, 47 and 51 MPa, maximum flexural strength (FS) of 34, 49, 50 and 54 MPa and maximum Young’s modulus (E) of 280, 428, 436, and 680 MPa, respectively. The increase of TS, FS and E from UG-BJFPC are 2 %, 2 %, and 2 % for AA-BJFPC and 11 %, 10 % and 59 % for γAA-BJFPC. The TS, FS and E are found to increase with radiation dose up to 500Krad and then decrease. The water absorption (WA) for UG-BJFPC, AA-BJFPC and γAA-BJFPC is respectively about 14, 10 and 9 %, indicating a gradual development of hydrophobic character of the composites first by AA-treatment and then by γ-ray-treatment. AA treatment on jute fabric and gamma irradiation on composite result in significant change of morphology of the jute fabric composites surface and better mechanical bonding between fabric and polymer matrix, as a result improved mechanical properties are found.     

Comparison of steady- and unsteady-state drainage equations for determination of subsurface drain spacing in paddy fields: a case study in Northern Iran

In Northern Iran paddy fields, waterlogging is a serious problem. Provision of subsurface drainage seems to be a prerequisite for optimal crop production. Considering specific characteristics of the paddies, application of a suitable equation for planning of subsurface drainage systems is of great importance. In this study, five steady-state equations including Hooghoudt, Kirkham, Dagan, Ernst, and Ernst–Hooghoudt; and three unsteady-state equations including Glover–Dumm, Van-Shilfgard, and De-zeeuw–Hellinga were implemented to compute drain spacing. Required field data were obtained from 52 ha of paddy fields of “Haraz Human-Agriculture Resources Development Center,” located in Mazandaran province of Iran. The computed drain spacings were evaluated using dynamic equilibrium concept and DRAINMOD model. The minimum and maximum drain spacings were found to be 26 and 63 m corresponding to Glover–Dumm and Ernst equations, respectively. Based on the dynamic equilibrium concept, the averages of the computed water table depths for the drain spacings obtained by the unsteady-state equations were 0.5–0.63 m as compared with those obtained by the steady-state methods which were in the range of 0–0.43 m. According to the DRAINMOD model simulations, the maximum relative yield was 80.2 % which was obtained when the drain spacing was 26 m and it reduced to 73.5 % when the drain spacing was increased to 63 m. The computed drain spacings suggested by the unsteady-state equations were found to be more suitable than those obtained from the steady-state equations for the study area.     

Rhizosphere microbiomes can regulate plant drought tolerance

Beneficial root-associated rhizospheric microbes play a key role in maintaining host plant growth and can potentially allow drought-resilient crop production. The complex interaction of root-associated microbes mainly depends on soil type, plant genotype, and soil moisture. However, drought is the most devastating environmental stress that strongly reduces soil biota and can restrict plant growth and yield. In this review, we discussed our mechanistic understanding of drought and microbial response traits. Additionally, we highlighted the role of beneficial microbes and plant-derived metabolites in alleviating drought stress and improving crop growth. We proposed that future research might focus on evaluating the dynamics of root-beneficial microbes under field drought conditions. The integrative use of ecology, microbial, and molecular approaches may serve as a promising strategy to produce more drought-resilient and sustainable crops.     

Build up of patches caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Rhizoctonia solani is a complex species that is composed of different anastomosis groups (AG). Although these different AGs show differences in their host ranges, generally R. solani is a phytopathogenic species with a wide spectrum of hosts. It has the ability to grow as a saprotroph, which further complicates its behaviour as a parasite. The losses caused by R. solani are very important and need a sustainable management strategy. The patchy appearance of the disease caused by this pathogen is well-known. The patches show within and between season dynamics. The factors which affect the spread of the disease can be grouped into three main categories: host plant, pathogen and environment. However, each of the categories in its detail may depend on or react with the other categories. There are a number of factors that may be involved in dynamics of patches. These potential mechanisms are discussed. It is essential to know about the mechanisms involved to develop an effective control strategy. Although more work is needed to investigate different mechanisms of parasitism deployed by different AGs in different hosts, it seems that many mechanisms external to the host are operating at the same time which necessitates an integrative research approach to study and control the diseases caused by R. solani.     

A Preliminary Comparison of Plasma Fibrinogen Concentrations,Leukocyte Numbers and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate as Non-Specific Indicators of Inflammatory Conditions in Buffalo (Bubalis Bubalis)

Zargham Khan, M., Muhammad, G., Umar, A. and Ali Khan, S., 1997. A preliminary comparison of plasma fibrinogen concentrations, leukocyte numbers and erythrocyte sedimentation rate as non-specific indicators of inflammatory conditions in buffalo (Bubalis bubalis). Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (4), 265-271The plasma fibrinogen concentration (Fib), total leukocyte count (TLC), neutrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte numbers, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined in 153 buffaloes suffering from different clinical conditions. Fib increased significantly (p < 0.05) in chronic mastitis, pyrexia, pyometra, cutaneous abscesses, tail gangrene and acute indigestion, whereas in most of the other conditions studied it varied non-significantly. TLC increased significantly in chronic mastitis, pyrexia, endometritis, cutaneous abscesses and infected skin wounds. An increase in neutrophils was associated with an increased TLC. Numbers of lymphocytes varied non-significantly in most of the conditions. Monocytes decreased significantly in most of the acute conditions. ESR was significantly elevated in all clinical conditions. Significantly increased mean Fib values in the different conditions varied from 703 ± 119 to 725 ± 140 mg/dl, while the maximum individual value was 1510 mg/dl in a case of cutaneous myiasis. The significantly increased mean TLC ranged from 9.48 ± 2.91 to 11.1 ± 3.5 × 103/µl, while it was 21.7 × 103/µl in a case of meningitis. ESR values in sick buffaloes varied from 57 to 111 mm in the first hour.     

高粗料日粮中添加脂肪对奶年血液代谢产物瘤胃发酵和干物质消化率影响的研究

对50头泌乳中期的奶牛进行为期6周的饲养试验，研究高粗料高脂肪日粮对奶牛血液代谢产物、瘤胃发酵和干物质消化率的影响。试验设有10个重复，每个重复5头奶牛，每头奶牛给定一种日粮。试验用日粮为：对照日粮（日粮1）和试验日粮（高粗料75％高脂肪7．5％，日粮2；高粗料，中等水平脂肪5．0％，日粮3；中等水平粗料65％，高水平脂肪，日粮4；中等水平粗料和脂肪，日粮5；或者对照日粮中含有50％粗料和2．0％脂肪）。这些日粮含氮量相同（CP17．7％）。粗饲料由20苜蓿干草、40％苜蓿半干青贮和40％青贮玉米组成。所用脂肪由80％瘤胃 保护脂肪和20％黄色油脂组成。试验结果表明：试验组和对照组的血糖浓度差异不显著；试验组的血浆非酯化脂肪酸（NEFA）高于对照组。而奶牛采食日粮的粗饲料和脂肪水平不同，其NEFA差异不显著；对照组、试验组与粗饲料和脂肪水平不同的日粮的瘤胃PH、瘤胃VFA浓度和干物质消化率差异不显著。