Plant and soil fertility characteristics of different winter wheat fields in the Huang-huai-hai plain of China

High-profile nutrient accumulation has caused low nutrient use efficiency and environmental pollution. A total of 140 points in farmers’ wheat fields were investigated and sampled under a typical winter wheat and summer maize rotation system in the Huang-huai-hai Plain of China (HPC). The average wheat yield in the high-yield field is more than 10% relative to the mid-low-yield areas based on historical data. The results showed in the high-yield wheat field the effective spike number was the main yield component, followed by 1000-grain weight. Uptake contents and ratios of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O in the whole wheat plant were also examined. Along the soil depth, organic matter (OM), alkali-hydrolyzable N (AN), available P (AP) and available K (AK) concentration gradually decreased. Soil critical values of AN, AP and AK in the 0–20?cm depth needed to achieve the maximum grain yield were 85.9, 17.7 and 114.2?mg kg^?1 calculated by the significant linear-plus-plateau model between wheat grain yield and soil nutrient concentration at harvest, respectively. These results indicated that the rational application of fertilizer based on the soil nutrient supply capacity and residual nutrients in root zone and optimum planting density are key determinants of grain production in the HPC.     

Effect of Temperature and Alkaline pH on the Physicochemical Properties of the Protein Isolates Extracted from the Whole Ungutted Lanternfish (Benthosema pterotum)

The aim of this study was to evaluate functional properties of the protein extracted from lanternfish (Benthosema pterotum). Extraction of the fish protein was performed in alkaline pHs (10 and 12) followed by precipitation at its isoelectric pH. The effects of different extraction temperatures (0, 4, 11, 25, and 30°C) were also studied. The results showed that the protein recovery yield was higher when extracted at pH 12 compared to pH 10. Furthermore, some functional properties including water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, emulsifying capacity, foaming capacity, and solubility of the protein isolated at pH 12 were higher than that isolated at pH 10 (p < 0.05). The color evaluation (L*, a*, and b*) of the samples showed protein isolated at pH 12 was lighter (higher L*) than protein isolated at pH 10, but redness (a* value) declined in both samples. Evaluation of different extraction temperatures showed that protein recovery yield and functional properties were improved with increasing temperature. Fish protein isolate can be used in the formulation of value-added products because of their distinctive functional properties.     

Foliar application of silicon at different growth stages alters growth and yield of selected wheat cultivars

To evaluate the response of some selected wheat cultivars to silicon application at different growth stages under drought stress, an experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Iran, during 2012 using a completely randomized factorial design with four replications. Experimental treatments included drought stress (100% F.C. as control and 40% F.C. as drought) and foliar application of 6 mM sodium silicate (control, application at mid tillering stage, at anthesis stage, and application at tillering + anthesis stages) and wheat cultivars (Sirvan and Chamran, relatively drought-tolerant, and Shiraz and Marvdasht, drought-sensitive cultivars). Drought stress significantly reduced chlorophyll content, leaf area, relative water content, grains per spike, 1000-grain weight, grain yield and biomass of all wheat cultivars. Furthermore, drought stress increased electrolyte leakage of the flag leaves of all cultivars. In contrast, foliar-applied silicon significantly increased these parameters and reduced electrolyte leakage. Furthermore, highest positive influence of silicon application was observed at combined use of silicon both at the tillering + anthesis stages in wheat plants under both stress and non-stress conditions. Significant differences were found in physiological responses among wheat cultivars. The drought tolerant cultivars (Sirvan and Chamran) had significantly higher growth and yield than those of drought sensitive cvs. Shiraz and Marvdasht under drought stress. In conclusion, foliar application of silicon especially at the tillering + anthesis stages was very effective in promoting resistance in wheat plants to drought conditions by maintaining cellular membrane integrity and relative water content, and increasing chlorophyll content.     

Effect of dietary Moringa oleifera leaves on the performance,ileal microbiota and antioxidative status of broiler chickens

In this study, we investigated the effect of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOL) supplements on the performance, ileal microbiota carcass traits and biochemical and antioxidant parameters of broiler chickens. MOL was added to starter, grower and finisher diets at four levels (0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 5.0%). A total of 320 one-day-old mixed-sex Cobb-500 broiler chicks were divided equally into four treatment groups, with 5 replicates of 16 chicks each until 42 days of age. Compared to the control group, chicks fed 0.5% and 1% MOL exhibited a higher final body weight (FBW), greater weight gain (BWG), and better average daily gain (ADG). Feed intake (FI) gradually decreased as the inclusion rate of MOL in the broilers' diet increased to 5%. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and performance index (PI) were observed in broilers that were fed the MOL diet. The percentage of abdominal fat in broilers decreased significantly in response to dietary supplementation with MOL. The haematological profile in the MOL group revealed a lower WBC count and lymphocyte percentage but higher heterophil and H/L ratio without affecting haemoglobin and RBC count. The inclusion of MOL increased total serum protein, Ca and P levels but decreased glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, AST and ALT concentrations. Moreover, dietary MOL increased the activities of GSH, CAT and SOD, GPx and GST while decreasing the TBARS level. The pH value decreased in the ileum of broilers fed the 1% and 5% MOL diet compared to the other treatments. Decreased ileal counts of E. coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus spp. were observed whereas the total ileal Lactobacillus spp. count increased in broilers fed the MOL diet. In conclusion, the MOL supplement can enhance growth performance and antioxidant status, alter ileal microbiota and protect against enteropathogens with no deleterious effects on the broiler chickens.     

EFFECTS OF SALINITY STRESS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS WHEAT AND BARLEY CULTIVARS

An experiment with factorial arrangement of treatments on a randomized complete block (RCB) design basis with three replications was conducted in a greenhouse during Spring 2010 to investigate changes in sodium ion (Na⁺), potassium ion (K⁺), Na⁺/K⁺ and to determine proline, protein content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of four wheat and four barley cultivars. Three salt levels {1, control (no salt), 7, and 13 dS m^?1 [2.5 and 5 g salt [sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in 1:1 ratio] per kg of soil, respectively]} were used in this investigation. Salt stress treatments were applied 4 weeks after planting (at 2 leaf stage). Leaf samples were taken four weeks after imposition of salt treatment. The results showed that salinity caused an increased in proline and protein content, and SOD in all wheat and barley cultivars. The highest proline and protein content of barley and wheat cultivars at all salinity levels were observed in ‘Nimrooz’ and ‘Bam’ cultivars, respectively. At all salinity levels, wheat and barley cultivars ‘Kavir’ and ‘Nimrooz’, respectively, had the lowest Na⁺ content. Barley cultivar ‘Kavir’ and wheat cultivar ‘Bam’ had higher K⁺ and K⁺:Na⁺ ratios. This might be related to salt tolerance in these two cultivars. Wheat and barley cultivars showed differences with regard to proline, protein, and SOD content, Na⁺, K⁺, and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, indicating existence of genetic diversity among the cultivars. These findings indicated that higher K⁺, K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, proline, protein, and SOD content could be the key factors, which offer advantage to barley over wheat for superior performance under saline conditions.     

Occurrence of Pesticides in Groundwater and Topsoil of the Gaza Strip

Agricultural activities in the Gaza Strip have been associated with excessive and uncontrolled use of dozens of pesticides. Accordingly, groundwater and soil are potentially contaminated causing severe threat to the crowded population. The present study describes a 3-year program to monitor types and levels of contamination by 52 pesticides in 94 groundwater wells in Gaza. Two analytical techniques (GC/MS and HPLC/MS) were applied to achieve this objective. Water from 63 wells showed no detectable levels of pesticides or levels that were much lower than the allowable limit (0.5 μg/L) of the German and the European Commission (EC) standards for groundwater. Municipal groundwater wells located in residential areas showed better quality than private wells in agricultural regions. Atrazine, atrazine-desisopropyl, propazine, simazine were detected in 18, 15, 8 and 5 wells with average concentrations of 3.5, 1.2, 1.5 and 2.3 μg/L, respectively. A linear correlation was found between the chloride concentrations in groundwater and atrazine for the same private wells. Generally speaking, shallow aquifers in sandy substances in areas of low annual precipitation in the southern areas of Gaza showed detectable concentrations of pesticides. Pesticides were more abundant in clay soils of the northern area. A linear regression analysis showed a correlation coefficient of r = 0.87 between the strawberry greenhouses and the occurrence of propazine, sebutylazine, terbutylazine, 4,4′-DDT, 4,4′-DDE, and 4,4′-DDD in soil. The averages of propazine, sebutylazine and terbutylazine were 19, 13 and 39 μg/kg, respectively. Two soil samples from greenhouses showed maximum contents of 4,4′-DDE and 4,4′-DDT up to 1150 and 823 μg/kg, respectively. Groundwater needs to be assessed for pesticide contamination on a routine basis to protect the health of Gaza's residents. Where levels of pesticides are found to exceed levels that protect health, alternative water resources need to be found for drinking and possibly other household uses.     

Interaction of the herbicides Bromoxynil and Afalon S with Azospirillum and growth of maize

The possible interaction of herbicides Bromoxynil and Afalon S with Azospirillumspp. and growth of maize was investigated in a greenhouse experiment. Neither inoculation nor herbicide application with or without inoculation had significant effect on the major groups of soil microflora (bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi). The highest values of nitrogenase as well as dehydrogenase activity were recorded in treatment received only Azospirillum. Incorporation in soil of either Bromoxynil or Afalon S at the recommended field dose seemed to have no significant effect on the enzymatic activities, while application of these herbicides with Azospirillum had stimulatory effects in some cases. The application of either Bromoxynil or Afalon S significantly increased the dry weight of roots and shoots at 45 days period. The effect of herbicide on plant growth was more pronounced when applied with Azospirillum and the highest stimulatory effect was observed when Afalon S was applied with the N₂-fixing microorganism.     

Age‐related histomorphometric and immunohistochemical changes of the moderator band in Egyptian Baladi cattle

The moderator band (MB) is a common fibromuscular anatomical structure for the right ventricle of most animals. The histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis of the MBs of Egyptian Baladi cattle in relation to age was the aim of this study. Eighteen clinically healthy animals of both sexes were used for this study. The animals were divided into three groups depending on age, group I (N = 4, <1 year), group II (N = 8, 1–2 years) and group III (N = 6, 4–8 years). Cross sections of the MBs from all groups were stained with H&E, Masson's trichrome and anti‐connexin43 (Cx43) antibody for histological and immunohistochemical examinations. Also, measurements for the thickness of the endocardium of the MB as well as, the wall of its muscular artery were conducted. Bundles of Purkinje fibres (PFs) were identified peripherally in the endocardial layer and among the myocardial fibres in the core of each MB. The infiltration of endocardial adipocytes was the characteristic for MBs of old animals. All morphometric data showed a significant increase with the advancement of age. Immunohistochemical findings revealed the localization and distribution of Cx43 in the PFs and intercalated discs of all examined MBs. However, variation of Cx43 immunoreactivity was found among the groups depending on the age. On the basis of this study, this conclusion of different histomorphometry and Cx43 expression of the MBs in relation to age was drawn. These interesting findings provide further insight into age‐related physiological and pathological heart conditions.