Long term fertilization effects on ‘Rio Red’ grapefruit yield and shape on a heavy textured calcareous soil

Fertilizer recommendations for citrus production on heavier textured, calcareous soils increase with the age of the tree up to 168 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ from a soluble source in one or two applications. Such practices may be inefficient and could cause detrimental effects on fruit quality. A variety of fertilization practices are used in South Texas, and additional evaluation is needed. Rates and sources of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and a commercial program consisting of both a soil component containing organic acids and a foliar component were evaluated on grapefruit production for 6 years. Increasing rate of N application increased leaf nutrient concentration, grapefruit yield, and affected fruit shape as indicated by a decrease in the equatorial:polar diameter (E:P) ratio. Since the response to increasing N application by the E:P ratio was linear while grapefruit yield was quadratic, high N application has a negative effect on fruit shape beyond the level of increasing total yield. Phosphorus application had no effect on any parameter measured, even though soil testing indicated soil P levels were below those at which a P response would be expected. Comparisons between granular 21-0-0 applied broadcast and liquid N-32 injected in a band in the soil at the drip line showed an increase in the number of fruit per tree, but no differences in yield. The ‘Actagro’ program greatly improved available soil P levels and increased the juice brix:acidity ratio, but did not affect grapefruit yield. Phosphorus availability may therefore be a factor in improving grapefruit juice quality. The soil profile within the citrus root zone was found to contain large amounts of inorganic N, but availability of this residual N was limited since yield responses occurred at the N application rates applied in this study. The amount of N contained in the fruit harvested was a small fraction, roughly 5–10%, of the residual amount in the soil. While N uptake in the fruit increased with N fertilizer application, the increase in N taken up relative to the amount applied averaged 42%.     

Mites associated with budgerigars Melopsittacus undulatus (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae) and the first report of Ornithonyssus bursa (Mesostigmata: Macronyssidae) in Mexico

Background:Hematophagous mites affect numerous bird species, causing severe injuries to the budgerigars. Some species can cause dermatitis in humans.Aims:The purpose was to morphologically identify the mites related to budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and their nests in Yucatan, Mexico.Methods:In May 2022, a private budgerigar hatchery was visited and mites were collected from the bodies of the birds and their nests. The morphological traits of the mites were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy.Results:Four of 30 birds showed severe clinical signs of mite infestation. The Budgerigars revealed lesions in the cere, nostrils, eyelids, beak, and paws. The bird’s skin showed signs of dryness and beige coloring. The birds with severe damage also presented anorexia and had deformed paws and beaks. The parasitosis was caused by the “burrowing mites,” Knemidocoptes pilae. The burrowing mites and the Grallacheles bakeri were recovered and identified from paw scabs. To eliminate mites, a topical application of Ivermectin was administered to the necks of the birds. The dose was a single, which has a residuality of 21 days. Two drops (0.115 mg/ml) of ivermectin were applied to each bird. A gradual reduction in crusted lesions due to mite mortality was noted. The “tropical fowl mite” Ornithonyssus bursa was identified in the nests, which represents the first record in Mexico.Conclusions:Three species of mites were discovered in a single budgerigar hatchery. This emphasizes the importance of deworming birds and keeping a clean environment in their cages to reduce the potential for parasitic mite infestation.     

Sectional notes

American Journal of Potato Research -     

Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing KLH binding natural antibodies and specific antibody response to Newcastle disease in Kenyan chicken populations

This study aimed at investigating the influence of genetic and non-genetic factors on immune traits to inform on possibilities of genetic improvement of disease resistance traits in local chicken of Kenya. Immune traits such as natural and specific antibodies are considered suitable indicators of an individual's health status and consequently, used as indicator traits of disease resistance. In this study, natural antibodies binding to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH-NAbs) was used to measure general disease resistance. Specific antibodies binding to Newcastle disease virus (NDV-IgG) post vaccination was used to measure specific disease resistance. Titers of KLH-NAbs isotypes (KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG and KLH-IgA) and NDV-IgG were measured in 1,540 chickens of different ages ranging from 12 to 56 weeks. A general linear model was fitted to determine the effect of sex, generation, population type, phylogenetic cluster, line, genotype and age on the antibody traits. A multivariate animal mixed model was fitted to estimate heritability and genetic correlations among the antibody traits. The model constituted of non-genetic factors found to have a significant influence on the antibody traits as fixed effects, and animal and residual effects as random variables. Overall mean (±SE) concentration levels for KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG, KLH-IgA and NDV-IgG were 10.33 ± 0.04, 9.08 ± 0.02, 6.00 ± 0.02 and 10.12 ± 0.03, respectively. Sex, generation and age (linear covariate) significantly (p < 0.05) influenced variation across all the antibody traits. Genotype effects (p < 0.05) were present in all antibody traits, apart from KLH-IgA. Interaction between generation and line was significant (p < 0.05) in KLH-IgM and NDV-IgG while nesting phylogenetic cluster within population significantly (p < 0.05) influenced all antibody traits, apart from KLH-IgA. Heritability estimates for KLH-IgM, KLH-IgG, KLH-IgA and NDV-IgG were 0.28 ± 0.08, 0.14 ± 0.06, 0.07 ± 0.04 and 0.31 ± 0.06, respectively. There were positive genetic correlations (0.40–0.61) among the KLH-NAbs while negative genetic correlations (−0.26 to −0.98) were observed between the KLH-NAbs and NDV-IgG. Results from this study indicate that non-genetic effects due to biological and environmental factors influence natural and specific antibodies and should be accounted for to reduce bias and improve accuracy when evaluating the traits. Subsequently, the moderate heritability estimates in KLH-IgM and NDV-IgG suggest selection possibilities for genetic improvement of general and specific immunity, respectively, and consequently disease resistance. However, the negative correlations between KLH-NAbs and NDV-IgG indicate the need to consider a suitable approach that can optimally combine both traits in a multiple trait selection strategies.     

仔猪饲料中的植物蛋白因加工而产生的变化

温度不是饲料加工过程中需要考虑的唯一因素,湿度、加工时间和颗粒大小都会有变化,并最终都会影响饲料的营养价值。随着更多的植物蛋白添加到猪日粮中,这一问题越发严重,准确地说,在大豆的应用中就有此问题。