Communal farmers’ ecological knowledge and perceptions of grasses in the central Eastern Cape province,South Africa: similarities with field studies and scientific knowledge and their implications

The local ecological knowledge (LEK) and perceptions of grasses were investigated in six semi-arid communal areas in the central Eastern Cape province, South Africa, and compared with field studies and scientific knowledge. Of the total of 21 grasses identified in the field survey, communal farmers had vernacular names only for 11 species. Respondents rated Digitaria eriantha and Pennisetum clandestinum to have the highest (p < 0.05) grazing value. Respondents’ ratings of Eragrostis obtusa and Sporobolus africanus as having similar (moderate) grazing values to Themeda triandra is against the established knowledge. Respondents’ ratings of T. triandra and S. africanus as having higher (p = 0.01) ecological value than the other grasses concur with the scientific knowledge, whereas their nomination of E. obtusa and D. eriantha as providing less ecological benefits than Aristida conjesta disagrees with some ecologists. The study hinted at the complementarity and discrepancies between LEK and scientific knowledge that need ratification. The respondents’ lack of detailed knowledge is suggestive of a gradual eroding of LEK among the local communities that will adversely impact the local people’s ability to implement sustainable rangeland utilisation practice. The current study also recognised farmers’ familiarity as well as training needs that would expound their knowledge and management of grasses.     

Bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep

Objective To study the clinical signs following bluetongue virus serotypes 1 and 3 infection in Poll Dorset sheep.
Design A clinical and pathological study.
Procedure Twenty Poll Dorset sheep were inoculated with bluetongue virus serotypes 1 or 3, each inoculum having a different passage history. The sheep were examined daily and their clinical appearance and rectal temperatures recorded. Heparinised and non-heparinised blood samples were taken at intervals for virological and serological study. Gross pathological findings were recorded for several sheep at necropsy and tissue samples were collected from three sheep for virological studies.
Results All inoculated sheep developed clinical disease. The clinical signs and gross pathological changes varied considerably but were consistent with damage to the vascular endothelial system. There was a decline in the titres of infectious bluetongue virus and of antigen in tissues collected between 7 and 12 days after infection.
Conclusions The severity of disease was related to the speed of onset and duration of pyrexia and not the development or titre of viraemia. Generally, those animals with sensitive mouths, depression, coronitis, recumbency and reluctance to move were the most debilitated. Whole blood was the most reliable source of infectious virus from acutely and chronically infected and convalescent animals. However, tissue samples particularly spleen, collected from dead or killed animals suffering from either peracute or acute forms of disease were most appropriate for the rapid confirmation of a clinical diagnosis.     

Biohybrid artificial pancreas: long-term implantation studies in diabetic, pancreatectomized dogs

Diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and renal and cardiovascular disease continue to pose major health risks for diabetic patients. Consequently, much effort has focused on approaches that could replace conventional insulin therapy and provide more precise regulation of blood glucose levels. The biohybrid perfused artificial pancreas was designed to incorporate islet tissue and a selectively permeable membrane that isolates this tissue from the immune system of the recipient. Biohybrid pancreas devices containing canine islet allografts were implanted in ten pancreatectomized dogs requiring 18 to 32 units of injected insulin daily. These implants resulted in good control of fasting glucose levels in six of these animals without further exogenous insulin for periods of up to 5 months.     

Effect of the route of administration on the mucosal and systemic immune responses to Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine in pigs

In an on‐farm study, 40 weaned piglets aged 3 weeks were vaccinated with Lawsonia intracellularis vaccine orally, IM or IP while a fourth group remained unvaccinated. All vaccinated animals showed increased serum levels of L. intracellularis‐specific IgG antibodies, but significantly elevated concentrations of specific IgG, IgA and cytokines were generated in ileal mucosal secretions from the orally and IP vaccinated pigs when examined at 17 days after vaccination.     

Percentage of Ubiquitinated Spermatozoa does not Correlate with Fertilizing Capacity of Thawed Bovine Semen

In the spermatozoa of some species, the ubiquitin–proteasome system detects altered proteins and tags them for elimination by the proteasome. In some species' ejaculates, a high proportion of ubiquitinated spermatozoa (i.e. those having ubiquitin bound to the altered or damaged membrane proteins) has been related to infertility. The aim of this study was to assess whether the percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa relates to fertility of dairy bulls and whether ubiquitination increases during protein remodelling that occurs during in vitro spermatic capacitation. Thirty‐two frozen semen straws from four high‐fertility (ReproMax^®) and four normal‐fertility (Normal) Holstein‐Friesian sires were evaluated. Ubiquitinated and capacitated spermatozoa were quantified by sperm ubiquitin tag immunoassay and chlortetracycline stain, respectively. Fertilizing capacity of sires was assessed by in vitro fertilization. No differences were found between Normal and ReproMax^® sires with regard to the observed percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa (42.97 ± 3.69% and 49.68 ± 9.27%, respectively; p > 0.05). Additionally, no differences were found in the percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa as a consequence of spermatic capacitation in either Normal (42.97 ± 3.69% before capacitation vs 44.67 ± 7.5% after; p > 0.05) or ReproMax^® sires (49.68 ± 9.27% before vs 45.05 ± 7.51% after; p > 0.05). The percentage of ubiquitinated spermatozoa in a thawed sperm samples did not correlate with its in vitro fertilizing capacity; thus, this assay does not prove useful to detect in vivo fertility differences between sires. Additionally, protein degradation occurring during remodelling of the spermatozoon plasma membrane during the capacitation process does not seem to involve the ubiquitin–proteasome system.     

Use of a percutaneous atrial septal occluder device for complete acute occlusion of an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in a dog

A 3-month-old sexually intact male German Shepherd Dog was evaluated because of signs of depression, ataxia, and collapse. Clinicopathologic abnormalities included low serum BUN and albumin concentrations and high serum liver enzyme activities and plasma ammonia and serum bile acids concentrations. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PSS). The dog was anesthetized; via a transjugular approach, guidewires and catheters were directed with fluoroscopic guidance to locate the shunt and determine its anatomic features. Minimal changes in portal vein pressure during temporary shunt balloon occlusion enabled complete shunt attenuation, which was performed by use of a self-expanding septal occlusion device that is typically used for treatment of atrial septal defects in humans. Following initial misplacement of the device, the procedure was repeated successfully 2 months later and resulted in complete shunt occlusion. One year after this second procedure, the dog was clinically normal and serum bile acids concentration was within reference limits. In certain dogs with intrahepatic PSSs, treatment with minimally invasive interventional techniques involving fluoroscopy may reduce the morbidity and mortality rates associated with more invasive surgical procedures.     

Long-term electricity production from soil electrogenic bacteria and high-content screening of biofilm formation on the electrodes

Purpose

This study was conducted to determine the existence of soil bacteria in soil by soil microbial fuel cell (SMFC). The main objectives were (1) to differentiate the type of soil which will influence the electricity production, (2) to demonstrate the impact of different volume of soil in the MFC and feeding MFC for long-term electricity production, and (3) to conclude that electricity production is directly proportional to the biofilm formation on the anode surface.

Materials and methods

MudWatt kits were purchased from Keego Technologies USA, and 22 identical SMFCs were designed to study the electricity production from agricultural soil (S1) and vermicompost soil (S2). Ten milliliters of bioslurry is fed in SMFC to study the stability of electricity production at different stages. Microbes were isolated and characterized from the surface of the electrode. Biofilm analyses were done by high-content screening (HCS) system using 10 μl of acridine orange (100 μg/ml) at different stages of biofilm, and scanning electron microscopy is applied to confirm the matured biofilm on the surface of the anode.

Results and discussion

Application of bioslurry at different stages of electricity production conquers the normal energy recovery of the SMFCs and S2 soil with bioslurry sample produced the highest open circuit voltage (OCV) of 2.8 V (460 days) and S1 soil sample with bioslurry produced 1.7 V (364 days). The difference between SMFCs and MudWatt kits significantly confirms that increasing the volume of soil in the anode part increases the electricity production. The maximum OCV of S1 and S2 in MudWatt kits were 1.5 V (90 days) and 1.8 V (190 days), respectively. Increased volume of soil in our SMFCs produce maximum OCV of 1.8 V (S1 for 173 days) and 2.2 V (S2 for 240 days), and HCS analysis of biofilm at different stages reveals that electricity production is directly proportional to the biofilm formation.

Conclusions

Thus, it was concluded that the nature of soil and soil bacterium is important for the electricity production, and S2 soil sample produces maximum electricity than the S1 soil sample. Feeding of SMFCs with bioslurry aids the long-term and stabilized electricity production in both the soil samples.

     

Community‐based breeding programmes are a viable solution for Ethiopian small ruminant genetic improvement but require public and private investments

Ethiopia has a large and diverse population of small ruminants, which contribute substantially to the livelihood and income of the rural poor and the country at large. However, the sector faces a number of challenges. Productivity per animal and flock offtake are both very low. Reasons attributed for the apparent low productivity are as follows: absence of appropriate breeding programmes, lack of technical capacity, inadequate and poor‐quality feeds, diseases leading to high lamb mortality, and underdeveloped markets in terms of infrastructure and information. Historically, sheep and goats have received little policy or investment attention. Genetic improvement of small ruminants could contribute to bridging the productivity gap. In the past, the government of Ethiopia has placed much emphasis on importing exotic genetics and cross‐breeding with local stock as a strategy for genetic improvement. However, this has not led to a significant productivity improvement and the programmes have generally been unsustainable. Currently, there is a change in approach and a recognition of the need to focus genetic improvement efforts on the local genetic resources that are well adapted to the diverse agro‐ecologies and production environments in the country. Community‐based breeding programmes (CBBPs), which focus on indigenous stock and consider farmers’ needs, views, decisions and active participation, from inception through to implementation, have been identified as programmes of choice. The Ethiopian government and the private sector need to invest in strategic areas around CBBPs to make the programme work for the poor and be sustainable in low‐input systems.     

Effect of dried Sesbania sesban leaves supplementation on milk yield,feed intake,and digestibility of Holstein Friesian X Zebu (Arado) crossbred dairy cows

This experiment was conducted to investigate effect of dried Sesbania sesban leaves supplementation on milk yield, feed intake and digestibility of Holstein Frisian X Zebu (Arado) crossbred dairy cows. Twelve cows at midlactation (155.83?±?4.49 days of lactation), second parity, and 442.21?±?3.40 kg average live body weight were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments according to a randomized complete block design. Cows were blocked according to their daily milk yield into three blocks of four animals each. Cows were fed a basal diet (control) or a basal diet supplemented with 1.25 kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves, 2 kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves and 2.75 kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves on a dry matter basis for 8 weeks. Total dry matter intake, nutrient intake, milk yield, dry matter digestibility, and nutrient digestibility showed significant variation among treatments. Cows supplemented with the highest level of Sesbania sesban (2.75 kg/day) had higher total dry matter and nutrient intake. Similarly, cows supplemented with 2 and 2.75 kg/day had higher milk yield than the nonsupplemented cows (up to 11.3 and 16.2%, respectively). Digestibility was lower for the nonsupplemented cows compared to cows supplemented with 2 and 2.75 kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves but statistically similar to the cows supplemented with 1.25 kg/day dried Sesbania sesban leaves. Supplementation with 2.75 kg/day Sesbania sesban resulted in higher organic matter digestibility (OMD) compared to the control. Crude protein digestibility (CPD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), and acid detergent fiber digestibility (ADFD) were significantly affected by Sesbania sesban supplementation. The nonsupplemented cows had lower CPD, NDFD, and ADFD. These results indicate that dried Sesbania sesban leaves supplementation to dairy increases total DM intake, digestibility, and milk yield.

     

Collection and ethnobotanical investigation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corchorus</Emphasis> species in Ethiopia: potential leafy vegetables for dry regions

Little information is available regarding the biodiversity and potential use of jute (Corchorus species) in Ethiopian agriculture. The present study summarizes species’ occurrence, use, geographical distribution, ecology, and ethnobotany of Corchorus species in Ethiopia. An ecogeographical study, conducted in the Amhara, Oromia and Gambella Regional States in 2005 and 2008 resulted in the collection of seven different species with more than 100 accessions. The study revealed low similarity in species composition between the Regional States, indicating that each region has its own unique set of species. Species numbers are higher in the north-eastern and south-western than the central part of the country. C. aestuans L. and C. tridens L. are restricted to humid lowlands of south-western part of Ethiopia, growing at elevations up to 490 m, whereas, C. urticifolius Wight et Arn., C. trilocularis L. and C. schimperi Cufod. were collected only in the north-eastern part of the country with elevation ranges of 1,380–2,130 m. The only species collected at a higher elevation (>2,100 m) was C. schimperi Cufod. Farmers’ perception, indigenous knowledge and folk taxonomy of jute species are better in Gambella than the other studied regions. Although several Corchorus species are reported from Ethiopia, these species are neither cultivated nor popularly used as leafy vegetables. This is mainly due to lack of awareness or knowledge about the species use, and abundant distribution of the species that allows gathering of edible leaves with little expenditure of time, labour and other resources. Our results revealed that some species are threatened, which necessitates highest priority for jute germplasm conservation in the country. In addition, creating public awareness about the use of jute species as a cheap source of leafy vegetable will play an important role to diversify food sources, reduce malnutrition, and contribute to household income generation of the farming community.