Influence of pre‐press solvent‐extracted cottonseed meal supplemented with exogenous enzyme and digestible lysine on performance,digestibility, carcass and immunity responses of broiler chickens

The response of broiler chickens to two levels of endo‐1,4‐β xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) and endo‐1,3‐β glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) combination (with and without), three levels of digestible lysine (0.8%, 0.9% and 1.0% with the applicability of ideal protein concept) and two levels of cottonseed meal (CSM; 20% and 30%) were evaluated in 2 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. A total of 2448 male Hubbard broiler chicks were fed on practical vegetable‐based mash diets having 2750 kcal metabolizable energy (ME) per kg and 18.5% crude protein (CP) from the age of day 1 to 42. The supplemental enzyme had minimum 1100 units of endo‐1,4‐β xylanase and 100 units of endo‐1,3‐β glucanase/kg of finished diet. The addition of CSM at 30% resulted in increasing arginine to lysine ratio. A decrease in dressing and breast percentages were observed by the addition of 30% CSM. The digestible lysine at 1.0% decreased the body weight (BW) gain and lowered the mortality during day 1 to 21 whereas the BW gain and feed:gain ratio were unaffected among the three digestible lysine levels during day 1 to 42. The antibody titres against Newcastle and infectious bursal disease viruses were improved with the increasing levels of digestible lysine. The enzyme supplementation improved the apparent ME and digestibility coefficient of nitrogen when it was used with 30% CSM. No effect of enzyme, lysine, CSM or their interactions was observed on serum iron, gizzard and liver weights or abdominal fat percentage. The results showed that increasing digestible lysine improved the antibody titre but did not improve the growth performance and carcass characteristics; supplemental enzyme failed to show any improvement in performance of birds fed on CSM‐based diets.     

Effect of wastewater irrigation on mineral com‐position of corn and sorghum plants in a pot experiment

Effect of wastewater irrigation was investigated on mineral composition of corn and sorghum plants in a pot experiment. The ranges for the concentration of different minerals in corn plants were 0.67–0.89% calcium (Ca), 0.38–0.58% magnesium (Mg), 0.09–1.29% sodium (Na), 0.81–1.87% nitrogen (N), 1.81–2.27% potassium (K), 0.12–0.16% phosphorus (P), 190–257 mg/kg iron (Fe), 3.5–5.6 mg/kg copper (Cu), 37.1–44.5 mg/kg manganese (Mn), 21.6–33.6 mg/kg zinc (Zn), 1.40–1.84 mg/kg molydbenum (Mo), 11.0–45.7 mg/kg lead (Pb), and 2.5–10.8 mg/kg nickel (Ni). Whereas for sorghum plants, the ranges were: 0.56–0.68% Ca, 0.19–0.32% Mg, 0.02–0.27% Na, 0.69–1.53% N, 1.40–1.89% K, 0.10–0.14% P, 190–320 mg/kg Fe, 3.8–6.0 mg/kg Cu, 29.2–37.6 mg/kg Mn, 21.1–29.9 mg/kg Zn, 2.2–3.7 mg/kg Mo, 12.3–59.0 mg/kg Pb, and 2.5–15.2 mg/kg Ni. Heavy metals such as cobalt (Co) and cadmium (Cd) were below detection limits at mg/kg levels. The concentrations of Ca, N, K, P, Cu, and Mn in corn plants were in the deficient range except for Mg, Fe, Zn, and Al. The concentrations of Ca, N, P, K, Cu, Mn, Mg, and Zn in sorghum plants were in the deficient range except for Fe and aluminum (Al). The analysis of regression indicated a strong interaction between Pb, Ni, Ca, and Fe in corn and sorghum plants. In conclusion, waste water irrigation did not increase mineral concentrations of either macro‐ and micro‐elements or heavy trace metals in corn and sorghum plants to hazardous limits according to the established standards and could be used safely for crop irrigation.     

ALLEVIATION OF CADMIUM TOXICITY IN SOYBEAN BY POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTATION

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of potassium (K) on alleviating cadmium (Cd) toxicity in soybean. Two genotypes of soybean, namely ‘Liao 1’ and ‘Zhechun 3’ were used in hydroponics experiment with the following treatments: control without Cd addition; 1μM Cd addition; K supplementation at a rate of 380 mg L^?1; and both Cd addition and K supplementation. Plant growth, chlorophyll content, and fluorescence, rate of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance reduced significantly in Cd-stressed plants. Meanwhile, Cd treatment increased malondialdehyde content, and activities of superoxide dismutase and peroxidase enzymes. Concentration of K, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) in shoot and root tissues also reduced in Cd treatment. ‘Liao 1’ had higher, antioxidant enzyme activity than ‘Zhechun 3’. Potassium supplementation alleviated the reduction of growth, photosynthesis and nutrients uptake in Cd-treated plants. It was concluded that Cd toxicity could be alleviated through enhanced K nutrition in soybean.     

Identification of genomic regions at seedling related traits in response to aluminium toxicity using a new high-density genetic map in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Aluminium toxicity is adversely affecting the rice growth and production in acidic soils of developing countries. Rice is popular and stable crop which meets...     

Natural occurrence, identification and transmission of the phytoplasma associated with flax phyllody and stem fasciation in Pakistan

Flax plants (Linum usitatissimum) of the white (album) flower variety exhibiting typical phytoplasma-like symptoms were found for the first time in Pakistan during 2011. The symptoms included floral virescence, phyllody, little leaf, stunting and stem fasciation. Light microscopy of hand-cut stem sections treated with Dienes’ stain showed blue areas in the phloem region of symptomatic plants. To confirm phytoplasma infection, total DNA was extracted separately from five plants showing virescence/phyllody and from five others showing fasciation, and was amplified by nested PCR using universal 16S rDNA phytoplasma primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. All samples from plants with virescence/phyllody and fasciation yielded a 1,250 bp PCR product, and identical RFLP profiles using the enzymes AluI and HpaII. Direct sequencing of the 16S rDNA of one representative PCR amplicon (GenBank Accession No. JX567504 for phyllody and Accession No. JX567505 for fasciation) showed highest sequence identity (99%) with 16SrII ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia’ phytoplasmas, and phylogenetic analysis placed the phytoplasma in subgroup 16SrII-D. Disease was successfully transmitted by grafting and by the leafhopper Orosius albicinctus. To our knowledge, flax is a new natural host for 16SrII-D phytoplasmas in Pakistan.     

Influence of altering dietary cation anion difference on milk yield and its composition by early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes in summer

Influence of − 11, + 11, + 22 and + 33 mEq/100 g dry matter (DM) of dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) on dry matter intake (DMI), serum concentration of minerals and milk yield and its composition by early lactating Nili Ravi buffaloes was examined in a randomized complete block design during summer. Four iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous DCAD diets were randomly allotted to four groups, five buffaloes in each group. A linear increase in DMI and water intakes was recorded with increasing the DCAD concentration. Greater nitrogen balance was noticed in buffaloes fed diets containing + 22 and + 33 mEq/100 g DM DCAD than those fed − 11 and + 11 mEq/100 g DM DCAD concentrations. Blood pH and HCO₃ concentration increased linearly with increasing DCAD concentrations. Serum chloride concentration was greater with − 11 mEq/100 g DM DCAD concentration, while serum cation anion difference increased linearly with increasing the DCAD concentration. Serum calcium concentration increased significantly with decreasing the DCAD concentration while serum magnesium and phosphorus concentrations remained unaffected. Buffaloes fed − 11 DCAD had higher calcium and chloride balance than those fed + 11, + 22 and + 33 DCAD. Phosphorus, sodium and potassium balance increased in buffaloes fed high (+ 22 and + 33) DCAD. Urine pH was increased significantly with increasing DCAD concentration. Milk yield and milk fat percentage increased linearly with DCAD concentration, whereas milk protein and lactose content were not affected. Increasing DCAD from − 11 to + 33 mEq/100 g DM increased DMI, water intake, milk yield and milk fat content in early lactating buffaloes during summer.     

Influence of varying dietary cation anion difference on serum minerals, mineral balance and hypocalcemia in Nili Ravi buffaloes

The study was conducted to examine the influence of diets containing − 110, + 110, + 220 and + 330 mEq/kg dry matter (DM) of dietary cation anion difference (DCAD) on serum minerals, minerals balance (Na, K, Cl, S, Ca, Mg and P) and hypocalcemia in prepartum Nili Ravi buffaloes in a randomized complete block design during summer. Four DCAD diets were randomly allotted to four groups, five buffaloes in each group. A linear increase in nutrients intake was recorded with increasing the DCAD level. Buffaloes fed − 110 DCAD diet had higher nutrients digestibilities than those fed + 110, + 220 and + 330 DCAD. Blood pH and serum HCO₃ also increased linearly with increasing DCAD level. Serum Cl was high in buffaloes fed the − 110 DCAD diet, while serum cation anion difference increased linearly with increasing the DCAD level. Serum Ca increased with decreasing the DCAD level while serum Mg, P and S remained unaffected. Urine pH increased with increasing DCAD level. A constant increase in urinary excretion of Ca, Mg, P and Cl was observed with decreasing the DCAD level. Buffaloes fed − 110 DCAD diet had increased Ca and Cl balance while Mg, P and S balance remained unaltered due to DCAD alteration. Not a single case of hypocalcemia was observed in buffaloes fed − 110 and + 110 DCAD diets. However, one buffalo from each group fed + 220 and + 330 DCAD diets had hypocalcemia. This study indicated that − 110 and + 110 DCAD diets not only increased calcium balance but also prevented hypocalcemia in Nili ravi buffaloes.     

Use of chemical treatments to reduce antinutritional effects of tannins in salseed meal: Effect on performance and digestive enzymes of broilers

This study investigated the effects of chemical treatments of salseed (Shorea robusta) meal (SSM), on intake, growth performance, feed efficiency, and activities of digestive enzymes in broilers. Five experimental iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets, one without SSM (control) and four SSM based, were formulated. The four SSM diets differed in the treatment given to the SSM. The USSM diet contained untreated SSM and the three other diets were contained SSM incubated with (820 ml/ kg of SSM DM) distilled water (pH 5.3), 0.67 M acetic acid (pH 2.4), or 0.67 M sodium hydrogen carbonate (pH 8.2) for 12 h at 37 °C. Inclusion of untreated SSM in the diets markedly depressed the feed intake, growth rate and, feed efficiency in broilers. Treatment of SSM with chemicals partly alleviated these negative effects on the performance of broilers. Growth rate of broilers was significantly higher on alkali and water treated SSM diets than on USSM diet. The broilers on alkali treated SSM diet consumed more feed than those on water or acid-treated SSM diets. Alkali and water treatments of SSM significantly improved the feed efficiency in broilers fed SSM diets however; the effect due to acid treatment was negligible. Inclusion of untreated SSM in diets caused the pancreatic hypertrophy and subsequent depression in the activity of chymotrypsin and α-amylase in pancreatic tissue. Treatment of SSM with alkali and water substantially increased the activity of chymotrypsin in the pancreas. The activities of trypsin, chymotrypsin and α-amylase in the jejunum were depressed with USSM diet. This depression in broilers was partly alleviated with alkali and water treatments to SSM. The activities of dipeptidase, sucrase, and maltase in the jejunal and duodenal mucosa were also depressed with USSM diet. Activity of dipeptidase in the duodenal and jejunal mucosa of the broilers fed treated SSM was improved with alkali treatment. It can be concluded that inclusion of SSM in the diets of broilers markedly depressed the activities of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes, feed consumption, and growth rate. Treatment of SSM with water or alkali improved the digestive enzymatic activity, intake, growth, and subsequently feed efficiency in broilers.     

Comparative effects of compost and NPK fertilizer on vegetative growth,protein, and carbohydrate of Moringa oleifera lam hybrid PKM-1

A field study evaluated the effects of NPK (21:17:17) and compost on vegetative growth, proteins, and carbohydrates of Moringa oleifera. The experimental design was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six treatments replicated three times. Compost and NPK fertilizers were applied together which include control (without fertilizer) 5 t ha^?1 (Compost), 120 kg ha^?1 (NPK), 50 + 50% ha^?1 (NPK + Compost), 10 + 50% ha^?1 (NPK + Compost), and 50 + 10% ha^?1 (NPK + Compost) per plot. For NPK fertilizer, the rate was 10 and 50% of 120 kg ha^?1 and for compost it was 10 and 50% of 5 t ha^?1. The measured growth parameters were plant height (cm), stem girth (mm), number of leaves, and number of branches per plant. Results showed that 120 kg ha^?1 (NPK) treatment produced plants of more height, stem girth, more number of leaves, maximum number of branches as compared to other treatments at week 8 with higher protein. Carbohydrate content was high in 50 + 50% (NPK + Compost) compared to others.     

Effects of Convolvulus arvensis Water Extract on Germination of Okra Under Different Seed Sizes

Convolvulus arvensis is a toxic allelopathic weed that suppresses germination and growth of crops.The prime object of present study was to investigate effect of Convolvulus arvensis water extract on germination and performance of okra with different seed sizes.The seeds of okra variety pusa green were separated into three different sizes,viz large size(4.00-5.00 mm),medium size(3.00-3.50 mm)and small size(2.00-3.50 mm),and then soaked in allelopathic plant bindweed water extract and kept in patrisdishes for germination into the germinator at 15℃.The experiment was laid out using Complete Randomized Design(CRD)with three replications.The results showed that after sowing of 12 days the highest germination was observed in non-treated seeds as compared to seeds treated in Convolvulus arvensis water extract for 1 h,further non-treated large seeds produced maximum plants as compared to treated small seeds after sowing of 24 days.Meanwhile,root length,shoot length,root fresh and dry weight,shoot fresh and dry weight were recorded higher in non-treated large seeds as compared to small seeds soaked for 1 h in Convolvulus arvensis allelopthic water extract.It could be found that Convolvulus arvensis affected germination,seed growth and overall performance of okra,further presence Convolvulus arvensis in crops could cause negative impact on germination and integrity of okra crops.