Estimation of heterotic components for lactation traits and reproductive performance in three crossbreeding trials of Holstein cattle with German Friesian raised under hot climatic conditions

Lactation traits and reproductive performance of three trials of crossing Holstein cattle (H) and German Friesians (F) raised in a hot climatic were evaluated. The first 90-day (M90), 305-day (M305) and total milk yield (TMY), 305-day milk yield per day of calving interval (MCI1), total milk yield per day of calving interval (MCI2) along with length of lactation period (LP), age at first calving (AC1) and calving interval (CI) were used. For these traits, a genetic model was applied for each trial separately to obtain estimates of individual (G^I) and maternal (G^M) additive effects, individual (H^I) and maternal (H^M) heterosis and individual recombination effect (R^I). Data of 8045 normal lactations from the three trials were analysed. Among the crossbreds obtained in the three trials, cows of ¾H¼F ranked first in their lactational performance. Estimates of G^I and G^M were generally large and in favour of H cows (daughters) and dams for most milk-yield traits, CI and AC1 in the three trials. Estimates of H^I in crossbred cows for milk traits, CI and AC1 were mostly negative and reveal that crossing F with H was associated with a reduction in milk-yield traits, shorter CI and earlier AC1 along with longer LP in the three trials. Estimates of H^M for milk yields, LP, AC1 and CI in daughters of crossbred dams were mostly negative. Recombination losses in crossbred cows were negative for milk-yield traits, AC1 and CI in most cases.     

In vitro cytochrome P450-mediated hepatic activities for five substrates in specific pathogen free chickens

Total hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (CYP) content as well as in vitro CYP mediated activities for five substrates [bufuralol 1-hydroxylation, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation, testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation, and tolbutamide hydroxylation] were measured in specific pathogen free male Japanese leghorn chickens and male beagle dogs. The Vmax, Km and intrinsic clearance (Vmax/Km) for these substrates were calculated and compared between animal species in order to evaluate the drug catalytic activity in chicken liver. The total CYP content in chicken (0.296 +/- 0.04 nmol/mg microsomal protein) was close to levels reported for other species including humans, cats, pigs and some nonmammalian vertebrates (e.g. snakes, frogs and trout fish), but was lower than levels measured in dogs (1.11 +/- 0.22) or recorded in guinea-pigs, hamsters, monkeys, mice, rabbits, rats, horse and ruminants. Bufuralol 1-hydroxylation, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation, S-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation, and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylation were lower in chickens than in dogs based on intrinsic clearance. On the other hand, tolbutamide hydroxylation was markedly higher in chickens than in dogs.     

A survey on draught animal technology (DAT) in EN-Nhoud area,North Kordofan State,Sudan

Draught animal technology (DAT) can potentially play a central role in agriculture transformation for traditional farmers. This study surveyed the state of DAT in En-Nhoud area, North Kordofan State, Sudan in an attempt to have a clear view of the changes brought about by introducing the technology. The study followed the cross-sectional survey design. Farmers were selected from ten clusters (villages) and data were collected using questionnaires and face to face interviews with farmers in addition to group discussions with them and the different actors in the field. The results showed that farmers appreciate the role played by DAT, but they highlighted the need for further capacity building and technical backup. Harnessing issues are not well understood and applied by the farmers. The different actors involved in DAT in the area lack networking and coordination, and this reflected on the many problems and constraints faced by the farmers.     

Thermal,spectroscopic, and flexural properties of anhydride modified cultivated <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia</Emphasis> spp.

The effects of chemical modification on the thermal stability of cultivated Acacia mangium and Acacia hybrid wood species were investigated. Evidence of modification was indicated by increase of weight and was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared analysis (FT-IR). The thermal stability measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) increased after esterification with propionic and succinic anhydrides. Thermal stability of succinylated samples was found to be highest based on the values of on-set degradation temperatures, the temperatures at which 30, 50, and 70% degradation occurred. The observed higher thermal stability of the succinylated and propionylated Acacia wood samples when compared with unmodified wood was attributed to the reduction in hydrophilic nature of the wood due to esterification reaction.     

The effects of Artemisia annua L. and Achillea millefolium L. crude leaf extracts on the toxicity, development, feeding efficiency and chemical activities of small cabbage Pieris rapae L. (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

The biological effects of two important medicinal plants, Artemisia annua L. and Achillea millefolium (L.) (viz, mortality, growth, and feeding indices as well as enzyme and non-enzymatic activities) were studied on small white Pieris rapae L a deleterious pest of cruciferous plants under controlled conditions (16:8 h L:D at 25 ± 1 °C and 65 ± 5% RH). The LC₅₀ and LC₂₅ values were 9.387% and 3.645% for A. annua L. and 4.19% and 1.69% for A. millefolium (L.), respectively. At the lowest concentration (0.625%), the deterrency was 29.826% and 44.185% for A. annua L. and A. millefolium (L.), respectively. Feeding indices were variously affected with changes in a number of parameters and an increase in larval and pupal duration. The activity level of alkaline phosphatase increased sharply while alanin and aspartate aminotransferases showed a sharp decrease. For non-enzymatic compounds, the amount of glucose and uric acid increased, but total protein and cholesterol decreased. These results indicate that these two medicinal plants might possess potential secondary metabolites that may be useful for controlling potential insect pests.     

Metal concentrations,growth, and yield of potato produced from In Vitro plantlets or microtubers and grown in municipal solid‐waste‐amended substrates

In vitro plantlets or microtubers (in vitro produced tubers) of ‘Spunta’ potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) were planted in a 3 soil: 2 peat moss: 1 sand substrate (by volume) amended with municipal solid waste (MS W) compost at 0, 10, 20, or 30 g 4^‐1 L pot. Three months later, plant growth and tuber yield were evaluated and concentrations of shoot and tuber tin (Sn), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), cadmium (Cd), and iron (Fe) were determined. Amending with MSW resulted in significant increases in concentrations of all tested metals in the substrate. Number of proliferated shoots of plants started from rooted plantlets was greatest at 10 g pot^‐1 MSW, whereas shoot weight of plants started from microtubers was greatest at 10 and 20 g pot^‐1 MSW. Tuber yield of plants started from rooted plantlets or microtubers was greatest at 10 or 30 g pot^‐1 MSW, respectively. In all instances, amending with MSW at 30 g pot^‐1 resulted in significant increases in concentrations of all tested metals in shoots and tubers. Concentrations of shoot Ni and tuber Zn and Fe for plants started from rooted plantlets and concentrations of shoot Fe and tuber As, Cu and Pb for plants started from microtubers increased consistently with increasing MSW percentage of the substrate. Plants started from rooted plantlets produced shoots with sufficient Zn, Mn, and Ni concentrations regardless of the substrate but with toxic Cu content at 30 g pot^‐1 MSW. Plants started from microtubers produced shoots with sufficient Mn and Ni concentrations regardless of the substrate but with low Zn and deficient Cu in unamended substrates. All plants had shoot Fe content higher than the sufficiency range. Although there were significant differences in concentrations of some nutrients among MSW treatments, no symptoms of nutrient toxicity or deficiency were observed. In all instances, tested elements did not accumulate in tubers to levels hazardous to human health. Concentrations of Cd, the most hazardous element, in potato tubers was not high enough to pose a threat to human. Our results indicate that there is a potential use of MSW in satisfying the needs of potato growth with negligible increases in heavy metal concentrations in tubers.     

COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF UREA FERTILIZATION VIA SUPERGRANULES VERSUS PRILLS ON NITROGEN DISTRIBUTION,YIELD RESPONSE AND NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY OF SPRING WHEAT

The impact of urea prills (1–2 mm) versus urea supergranules (USGs, ～10 mm), placed at different depths, on the growth and nitrogen (N) use efficiency of spring wheat was investigated under greenhouse conditions. The amount of fertilizer ¹⁵N derived from either form was 50% greater in the top soil than at lower depths. The comparatively slower release and distribution of USG-N resulted in enhanced dry matter production and fertilizer-N uptake during the later growth stages that were also associated with a higher translocation of fertilizer-¹⁵N into the grain (34.9% versus 28.7% for the prills). Deeper placements of USGs (5.0–7.5 cm) resulted in greater fertilizer-N recovery in the crop (70.5–78.0%) compared to the use of prills (56.6%). Our results strongly suggest that the proper application of USGs can increase yields and fertilizer-N utilization of wheat and simultaneously decrease N losses compared to equivalent use of prills, and therefore presents important agronomic advantages.     

Quantification of In Situ Denitrification Rates in Groundwater Below an Arable and a Grassland System

Growing season rain and cloud events were sampled between 1984–2010 at Lakes of the Clouds (LOC) (1,540 m above sea level (ASL)) which is 1.6 km SW of the summit of Mount Washington, NH (1,914 m ASL). Mount Washington's summit is in the clouds ca. 51 % of the time. All samples were measured for pH, while cations and anions were measured consistently from 1996 to 2010. Annual mean cloud and rain water hydrogen ion concentrations declined significantly from 1984–2010. Nighttime cloud and rain hydrogen, sulfate, ammonium, and nitrate ion concentrations were significantly greater compared to daytime. Ion mean concentrations declined over the 1996–2010 timeframe and more rapidly since 2005. Co-located filter-based aerosol measurement (PM_2.5) at LOC had higher ratios of ammonium to sulfate in summer daytime samples post (1995–2010) full implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. This suggests a shift towards more neutralized sulfate aerosol dissolution into clouds with relatively more ammonium and declines in acidity. The origin of cloud water sampled, which ranges from regional fronts to orographic lower elevation air mass uplift, along with the diurnally shifting nocturnal boundary layer that often puts the LOC site in and out of the mixed layer, likely contributes to the diurnal and inter-annual variability observed.     

Husbandry, working practices and field performance when using draught oxen in land preparation in Shambat, Nile Valley, Sudan

Little quantitative information is available on animal power in the Nile Valley in Sudan, despite that it is being used in the area for centuries and playing an important role in agriculture in the present day. A survey was conducted to assess draught oxen management and its association with field capacity and efficiency at the farm level and to identify potential areas for intervention. A sample of 50 farmers was selected for this purpose using the systematic random sampling technique. The main management parameters discussed were animal health, feeding, housing, work strategy and care for yoke and plough. The results showed that most of the farmers poorly manage their animals, and this was reflected in low working speeds and field efficiencies. The main dimensions of poor management were in veterinary care (78 % did not take their animals to the veterinary centre), feeding (66 % feed their animals shortly before work) and care for yoke (80 % did not follow daily care measures for their yokes) and plough (74 % did not follow plough care measure before and after work). Low working speeds (0.90–2.0 km/h) were recorded by the majority of the farmers (64 %). The majority of the farmers (70 %) recorded field capacities between 0.06 and 0.10 ha/h, while all of them worked at high field efficiencies of >86 %. The only parameter that significantly affected field capacity was the yoke-related wounds (p?=?0.019). Extension advice and capacity building in husbandry and working practices were identified as principal entry points for intervention.