Effects of different fresh-cut forages and their hays on feed intake, digestibility, heat production, and ruminal methane emission by Boer x Spanish goats

Twenty-four yearling Boer × Spanish wethers were used to assess effects of different forages, either fresh (Exp. 1) or as hay (Exp. 2), on feed intake, digestibilities, heat production, and ruminal methane emission. Treatments were: 1) Sericea lespedeza (SER; Lespedeza cuneata), a legume high in condensed tannins (CT; 20% and 15% in fresh forage and hay, respectively), 2) SER supplemented with polyethylene glycol (SER-PEG; 25 g/d), 3) alfalfa (Medicago sativa), a legume low in CT (ALF), and 4) sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor), a grass low in CT (GRASS). Experiments were 22 d, which included 16 d for acclimatization followed by a 6-d period for fecal and urine collection, and gas exchange measurement (last 2 d). Intake of OM was 867, 823, 694, and 691 g/d (SEM = 20.1) with fresh forage, and 806, 887, 681, and 607 g/d with hay for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively (SEM = 46.6). Apparent total tract N digestion was greater for SER-PEG vs. SER (P < 0.001) with fresh forage (46.3%, 66.5%, 81.7%, and 73.2%; SEM = 1.71) and hay (49.7%, 71.4%, 65.4%, and 54.8% for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 1.57). Intake of ME was similar among treatments with fresh forage (8.24, 8.06, 7.42, and 7.70 MJ/d; SEM = 0.434) and with hay was greater for SER-PEG than ALF (P < 0.03) and GRASS (P < 0.001) (8.63, 10.40, 8.15, and 6.74 MJ/d for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 0.655). The number of ciliate protozoa in ruminal fluid was least for SER with fresh forage (P < 0.01) (9.8, 20.1, 21.0, and 33.6 × 10(5)/ml; SEM = 2.76) and hay (P < 0.02) (6.3, 11.4, 13.6, and 12.5 × 10(5)/ml for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 1.43). Methane emission as a percentage of DE intake was lower (P < 0.01) for SER vs. ALF and GRASS with fresh forage (6.6, 8.3, 9.4, and 9.2%; SEM = 0.64) and hay (4.3, 4.9, 6.4, and 6.7% for SER, SER-PEG, ALF, and GRASS, respectively; SEM = 0.38). In summary, methane emission in this short-term experiment was similar between a legume and grass low in CT as fresh forage and hay. The CT in SER markedly decreased N digestibility and elicited a moderate decline in ruminal methane emission. Supplementation with PEG alleviated the effect of CT on N digestibility but not ruminal methane emission, presumably because of different modes of action. In conclusion, potential of using CT-containing forage as a means of decreasing ruminal methane emission requires further study, such as with longer feeding periods.     

The genome of Brucella melitensis

The genome of Brucella melitensis strain 16M was sequenced and contained 3,294,931 bp distributed over two circular chromosomes. Chromosome I was composed of 2,117,144 bp and chromosome II has 1,177,787 bp. A total of 3198 ORFs were predicted. The origins of replication of the chromosomes are similar to each other and to those of other -proteobacteria. Housekeeping genes such as those that encode for DNA replication, protein synthesis, core metabolism, and cell-wall biosynthesis were found on both chromosomes. Genes encoding adhesins, invasins, and hemolysins were also identified.     

The effects of dietary medium-chain fatty acids on ruminal methanogenesis and fermentation in vitro and in vivo: A meta-analysis

The efficacy of methane (CH₄) suppression using medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) remains inconclusive, despite a number of studies on this topic are available. We thus carried out a meta-analysis to integrate the published data on different concentrations and types of MCFA such as lauric acid and myristic acid, which investigated ruminal methanogenesis and fermentation in in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro MCFA sources were classified either as pure MCFA (lauric acid, myristic acid and their combinations) or as natural MCFA-rich oils (canola oil enriched with lauric acids, coconut oil, krabok oil and palm kernel oil). The MCFA sources used in the in vivo studies were coconut oil, lauric acid, myristic acid and the combination of lauric and myristic acids. A total of 41 studies (20 in vitro and 21 in vivo studies) were compiled in our database, which included the data on CH₄ emission, digestibility, ruminal fermentation products and microbial populations. The results showed that the amount of CH₄ production per unit of digested organic matter decreased linearly under in vitro conditions (p < .01) and tended to decrease quadratically under in vivo conditions (p < .07) with increasing doses of MCFA. Populations of protozoa (p < .01) in both in vitro and in vivo responded negatively in a linear manner, whereas Archaea population diminished quadratically (p = .04) only in the in vitro conditions with increasing doses of MCFA. Increasing dietary MCFA concentrations also reduced the fibre digestibility linearly (p < .05) in both in vitro and in vivo conditions. CH₄ production for different sources of MCFA decreased in following order: coconut oil > lauric acid > myristic acid > mixed lauric and myristic acids > palm kernel oil > canola oil enriched with lauric acids > krabok oil. It can be concluded that the effect of MCFA on ruminal methanogenesis depends on the amount and type of MCFA.     

Haematology and Serum Biochemistry of Chital (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Axis axis</Emphasis>) and Barking Deer (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Muntiacus muntjak</Emphasis>) Reared in Semi-Captivity

Haematological and serum biochemical values of clinical significance that could serve as reference data for deer kept in captivity were measured for chital (Axis axis) and barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak). The venous blood from four each of chital and barking deer (n = 8) reared in semi-captivity was collected after proper restraint of the animals. The mean blood haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count and total leukocyte count of all the eight deer of the two species were 15.90 ± 0.44,g/dl, 51.44 ± 0.60%, 20.83 ± 0.57 × 10⁶μl and 2.37 ± 0.20 × 10³μl. Serum total protein, albumin, bilirubin, cholesterol and blood urea nitrogen irrespective of species were 6.83 ± 0.19,g/dl, 3.90 ± 0.11,g/dl, 0.33 ± 0.08,mg/dl, 106.81 ± 3.59,mg/dl and 24.79 ± 2.11,mg/dl, respectively. Serum enzyme activities indicative of liver function such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were 30.38 ± 4.67,units/ml and 42.88 ± 5.97,units/ml, respectively. The serum calcium and phosphorus levels of all the eight deer were 10.27 ± 0.36,mg/dl and 8.31 ± 0.68,mg/dl, respectively. This is the first report on baseline values in barking deer. The distribution of haematological and serum biochemical values was fairly normal, suggesting that the mean values could be representative of normal values for two different deer species.     

Molecular mapping of Aegilops speltoides derived leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 in wheat

In a segregating homozygous F₂ population of bread wheat involving a leaf rust resistance gene Lr28 derived from Aegilops speltoides, six randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers, three each in coupling and repulsion phase were identified as linked to Lr28, mapped to a region spanning 32 cM including the locus. The F₂ and F₃ populations were studied in the phytotron challenged with the most virulent pathotype 77-5 of leaf rust. A coupling phase linked RAPD marker S464₇₂₁ and a repulsion phase linked RAPD marker S326₅₅₀ flanked the gene Lr28 by a distance of 2.4± 0.016 cM on either side. The flanking markers genetically worked as co-dominant markers when analyzed together after separate amplification in the F₂ population by distinguishing the homozygotes from the heterozygotes and increased the efficiency of marker assisted selection by reducing the false positives and negatives. One of the three RAPD markers, S421₆₄₀ was converted to locus specific SCAR marker SCS421₆₄₀ which was further truncated by designing primers internal from both ends of the original RAPD amplicon to eliminate a non-specific amplification of nearly same size. The truncated polymorphic sequence characterized amplified region marker (TPSCAR) SCS421₅₇₀ was 70 bp smaller, but resulted in a single band polymorphism specific to Lr28 resistance. The TPSCAR marker was validated for its specificity to the gene Lr28 in nine different genetic backgrounds and on 43 of the 50 Lr genes of both native and alien origin, suggesting the utility of the SCAR markers in pyramiding leaf rust resistance genes in wheat.     

Salt-tolerance in Brassica juncea L. I. In vitro selection,agronomic evaluation and genetic stability

Summary In vitro selection of salt tolerant plants of Brassica juncea L. (Indian mustard) cv. Prakash has been accomplished by screening highly morphogenic cotyledon explant cultures on high NaCl media. Out of a total of 2,620 cotyledons cultured on high salt medium, 3 survived, showed sustained growth and regenerated shoots. They were multiplied by axillary bud culture on NaCl free medium. The salt-selected shoots retained salt tolerance following 3 month of growth and multiplication on control medium. While two of these somaclones flowered and set seeds, third one grew slowly, had abnormal leaf morphology and was sterile. The seed of the two fertile plants were sown in the field to raise R₁ segregating generation. Data were recorded for field, other agronomic components and oil content. The somaclonal lines, both selected salt-tolerant and non-selected, showed tremendous amount of variation for all the characters studied. One of the two tolerant somaclones invariably showed reduced height, longer reproductive phase and higher 1000 seed weight. Based on the agronomic performance of R₁ plants of these somaclones, some plants were selected and their progeny were evaluated for agronomic performance under standard field conditions and salt-tolerance in the greenhouse using sand pot culture method. Most of the lines bred true for their specific characteristics. In the greenhouse, selected salt-tolerant somaclones (SR-2 and SR-3) performed better for plant growth, yield and other agronomic traits at higher salt treatments, indicating thereby that salt-tolerance trait selected in vitro was expressed in the whole plants and is genetically stable and transmitted onto the progeny. The two tolerant lines, however, differed in their salt-tolerance during vegetative and reproductive phases as indicated by their salt-tolerance and stress susceptibility indices. The mechanism of salt-tolerance is not clear and needs to be further investigated.     

Bio-extraction of Potassium from Glauconite Nano-particle in an Alfisols of Southern India

ABSTRACT

Glauconite is a potassium (K) bearing mineral, which generally contains 6–10% K₂O and mostly available in various natural deposits in India. Glauconite mineral was converted to nano-particle form by grinding in a high-energy ball mill. The release of K from glauconite nano-particle in soil was studied in a pot culture experiment. Five different treatments viz., 0 mg K₂O kg^?1, 100 mg K₂O kg^?1, 150 mg K₂O kg^?1, 200 mg K₂O kg^?1 used glauconite nano-particle (GNP) as a K source and 100 mg K₂O kg^?1 from muriate of potash (MOP), were applied in soil to grow maize (Zea mays L.) plant. The highest K⁺ concentration was observed in shoot at the application of 200 mg K₂O kg^?1 through GNP and recorded 2 times more K⁺ concentration in shoots as compared to 0 mg K₂O kg^?1 treatment whereas 1.1 times more than the MOP treated soil at 5^th harvesting stage. Selected plant physiological parameters namely electrical conductivity of plant cell, height, leaf area and nitrate reductase activity were also recorded maximum at 200 mg K₂O kg^?1 GNP treated soil. Overall, glauconite nano-particle could supply K throughout the growth period and enhanced biomass yield of maize plant without showing any K deficiency symptom.     

Uptake and apoplastic retention of EDTA‐ and phytosiderophore‐chelated chromium(III) in maize

Increasing the mobilization and root uptake of chromium (Cr) by synthetic and plant‐borne chelators might be relevant for the design of phytoremediation strategies on Cr‐contaminated sites. Short‐term uptake studies in maize roots supplied with ⁵¹CrCl₃ or ⁵¹Cr(III)‐EDTA led to higher apoplastic Cr contents in plant roots supplied with ⁵¹CrCl₃ and in Fe‐sufficient plants relative to Fe‐deficient plants, indicating that Fe stimulated co‐precipitation of Cr. Concentration‐dependent retention of Cr in a methanol:chloroform‐treated cell‐wall fraction was still saturable and in agreement with the predicted tendency of Cr(III) to precipitate as Cr(OH)₃. To investigate a possible stimulation of Cr(III) uptake by phytosiderophores, Fe‐deficient maize roots were exposed for 6 d to Cr(III)‐EDTA or Cr(III)‐DMA (2'‐deoxymugineic acid). Relative to plants without Cr supply, the supply of both chelated Cr species in a subtoxic concentration of 1 µM resulted in alleviation of Fe deficiency–induced chlorosis and higher Cr accumulation. Long‐term Cr accumulation from Cr(III)‐DMA was similar to that from Cr(III)‐EDTA, and Cr uptake from both chelates was not altered in the maize mutant ys1, which is defective in metal‐phytosiderophore uptake. We therefore conclude that phytosiderophores increase Cr solubility similar to synthetic chelators like EDTA, but do not additionally contribute to Cr(III) uptake from Cr‐contaminated sites.     

Effect of Drip Fertigation on Yield,Water Use Efficiency,and Nutrients Availability in Banana in West Bengal,India

Field studies were conducted during 2008–2009 and 2009–2010 at the Gangetic alluvial plains of West Bengal, India, to assess the different levels of drip fertigation at variable evaporation replenishment compared to surface irrigation and conventional soil fertilization on yield, water use efficiency, and nutrients availability in plant and ratoon crop of banana. The experiment was laid in an Augmented Factorial Complete Block Design with three replications having three drip irrigation schedules at 50%, 60%, and 70% of cumulative pan evaporation (CPE) and three drip fertigation schedules at 50%, 60%, and 80% of recommended nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizers with inclusion of conventional surface irrigation at 100% of IW/CPE. The results showed that fruit yield of plant and ratoon crop increased progressively with increasing levels of irrigation water (up to 60% CPE) and NPK fertigation through the drip system. However, maximum fruit yield and water use efficiency of crops was obtained with drip irrigation at 60% CPE with NPK fertigation at 80% of recommended dose. Drip irrigation, as a whole, registered higher fruit yields and water use efficiency with savings of 38.3–41.5% of water compared to surface irrigation. Availability of N, P, and K in soil at vegetative, shooting, and harvesting stages for plant and ratoon crop consistently increased with increasing rate of irrigation water and NPK fertigation through the drip system. Higher availability of macronutrients in soil was recorded with drip irrigation at 70% CPE with 80% of recommended drip NPK fertigation. Overall drip fertigation system improved the available plant nutrients in the soil as compared with traditional surface irrigation.