Effect of Different Concentrate-roughage Ratios on Rumen Degradability of Cassava Stems and Leaves Total Mixed Ration in Goat

The rumen degradations of TMR were studied in this experiment,in which cassava stems and leaves were used as roughage and formulated with concentrate in different proportions.The purpose of this study was to formulate the available TMR for finishing goat,and provide a theoretical basis for the applications of cassava stems and leaves in goat production.Six Hainan Black goats with permanent rumen fistulas were selected,the rumen degradabilities of DM,CP,NDF and ADF of TMR with 6 different concentrate to forage ratio（2:8,3:7,4:6,5:5,6:4 and 7:3）were tested using nylon bag method.The results showed that,the DM effective degradabilities at the ratio of 4:6,5:5,6:4,7:3 were significantly higher than that of 2:8 and 3:7（P<0.05).CP effective degradabilities at the ratio of 2:8,3:7,4:6 were significantly higher than that of 5:5,6:4 and 7:3（P<0.05).The NDF effective degradation at the ratio of 5:5 was significantly higher than that in the other groups（P<0.05).The ADF degradation at the ratio of 3:7 was significantly higher than that of 4:6,5:5, 6:4 and 7:3（P<0.05).The results indicated that,the nutrient degradation in rumen were higher when the concentrate to forage（cassava stems and leaves）ratio in TMR were 3:7,4:6 and 5:5,and the recommended ratio range were 4:6 to 5:5 in production practice.     

Evaluation of Cold Tolerance in NERICAs Compared with Japanese Standard Rice Varieties at the Reproductive Stage

New Rice for Africa (NERICA) is a general name for interspecific rice varieties derived from a cross between the high‐yielding Asian rice (Oryza sativa L.) between locally adapted African rice (Oryza glaberrima Steud.). Eight NERICAs were evaluated for cold tolerance (CT) at the reproductive stage and compared with their O. sativa parents and three Japanese standard rice varieties over 3 years. Cold tolerance was evaluated based on the filled grain ratio (FGR) after cold water irrigation. The FGR was greatly reduced by cold water irrigation. NERICA 1, 2 and 7 had higher FGR (51.9–57.9 %), while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 had lower FGR (6.2–14.5 %). NERICA 1, 2 and 7 were less affected by cold stress, with a 31 % mean reduction in FGR, while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 were greatly affected, with their FGRs being reduced by more than 80 %. NERICA 3 and 4 were moderately affected by cold stress, with about 45 % reduction rate in FGR. FGR significantly influenced the grain weights of the varieties with strong positive correlations (r = 0.83–0.91; P < 0.001), and thus, similar trends in grain weights were observed. Grain weights were reduced by 61.7–96.4 % under cold stress. NERICA 1, 2 and 7 showed significantly better performance than NERICA 3 and 4, while NERICA 6, 15 and 16 performed poorly under cold water irrigation. The Japanese varieties Koshihikari (very tolerant) and Ozora (moderately tolerant) were more affected by cold water irrigation than NERICA 1, 2 and 7. On the basis of the mean reduction rate (%) in FGR under cold stress, the varieties were classified as follows: NERICA 1, 2 and 7 as tolerant; NERICA 3 and 4 as moderately tolerant; and NERICA 6, 15 and 16 as susceptible to cold stress. However, NERICA 7 grain yields were lower under cold stress due to both greatly reduced number of panicles per plant and number of spikelets per panicle. Therefore, NERICA 1 and 2 are suitable candidates for production in the highland regions of East Africa and should be promoted for production.     

速生林木材液化及其产物应用研究

[目的]为速生桉树木材液化及其产物的应用提供参考。[方法]以硫酸为催化剂,苯酚为液化剂,对速生人工林桉树木材进行液化,并取液化产物与甲醛进行树脂化反应制备液化木基酚醛树脂LWPF,研究液比对液化反应效率、液化产物重均分子量及LWPF树脂胶合性能的影响。[结果]随着液比的提高,液化产物的残渣率及重均分子量均降低,而LWPF树脂制得的胶合板的木破率提高;当液比提高到一定程度后,液化产物的残渣率和重均分子量及LWPF树脂所制胶合板的木破率变化不明显。[结论]对速生桉树木材的液化工艺及其液化产物的树脂化合成工艺进行了优化。     

Abscisic Acid May Alter the Salicylic Acid‐Related Abiotic Stress Response in Maize

The effect of 0, 0.05 or 0.1 mm abscisic acid treatment on chilling tolerance and salicylic acid‐related responses was investigated in young maize seedlings (Zea mays L., hybrid Norma). Although the pre‐treatment of maize seedlings with abscisic acid slightly decreased the chlorophyll content, it also reduced the level of chilling injury caused by 6 days of cold treatment at 5 °C. Under normal growth conditions, increased levels of bound salicylic acid and of bound ortho‐hydroxycinnamic acid were observed in the leaves during abscisic acid treatment. In the roots, abscisic acid did not affect the free and bound salicylic acid levels, but increased the amount of free and bound ortho‐hydroxycinnamic acid. The activity of glutathione‐S‐transferase increased on the 3rd day of abscisic acid treatment, whereas it did not change when followed by cold stress, compared with the control leaves. In the roots, the activities of glutathione reductase, glutathione‐S‐transferase and ascorbate peroxidase increased during the abscisic acid treatment, and those of glutathione‐S‐transferase and ascorbate peroxidase were also stimulated when abscisic acid pre‐treatment was followed by cold stress, compared with the control roots. Our results suggest that an overlap may exist between the abscisic acid‐induced cold acclimation and the salicylic acid‐related stress response.     

Effects of dietary lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio on growth and carbohydrate metabolism in juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio on growth and carbohydrate metabolism in juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum). Six isonitrogenous diets were prepared to vary in lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio (g/g) as follows: D1, 2.26; D2, 1.31; D3, 0.78; D4, 0.47; D5, 0.34; and D6, 0.23. Cobias were fed to satiety for 8 weeks. The weight gain and protein efficiency ratio in D1 group were significantly lower than those in other groups (P < 0.05), accompanied by a lower level of feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). Protein retention efficiency in D4 and D6 and whole body protein in D4 and D5 were significantly higher than those in D1 group (P < 0.05). Survival rate in D4 group was the highest among all groups and was significantly higher than that in D1, D2 and D5 (P < 0.05). In terms of serum triglyceride, D1 and D2 were significantly higher than D6 (P < 0.05). Hepatosomatic index in D3 and D4 was significantly lower than that in D1 (P < 0.05). Fructose-1,6-diphosphatase in D4 was significantly higher than that in D1 and D3 (P < 0.05). Phosphofructokinase in D3 and D4 and malic enzyme in D4 and D5 were significantly higher than those in other groups (P < 0.05). Results indicate that cobia utilizes carbohydrates as energy source more efficiently than it utilizes lipids. The optimal lipid-to-carbohydrate ratio in juvenile cobia diets is 0.47.     

Heme oxygenase-1 alleviates alcoholic liver steatosis: histopathological study

Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the most important causes of hepatic steatosis, which involves oxidative stress. In particular, increased oxidative stress has been strongly linked to stimulation of the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). This study aimed to investigate whether HO-1 could alleviates alcoholic steatosis in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) the control group, 2) the EtOH group, 3) the EtOH + ZnPP-IX group and 4) the EtOH + Hemin group. Liver histopathology was investigated in weeks 1 and 4 after the start of the treatment period. Alcohol treatment significantly increased the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, an oxidative stress marker. In addition, it increased the triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in both weeks. Gross examination demonstrated a yellowish and slightly enlarged liver in the alcohol-treated rats. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Oil Red O staining indicated hepatic steatosis, which was characterized by diffuse, extensive fatty accumulation and discrete lipid droplets of variable size in hepatocytes of the alcohol-treated rats. Administration of the HO-1 inducer hemin resulted in upregulation of hepatic HO-1 gene expression, reduced the MDA, triglyceride, ALT and AST levels and alleviated alcoholic hepatic steatosis, whereas administration of the HO-1 inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP-IX) resulted in downregulation of hepatic HO-1 gene expression and could not alleviate alcoholic hepatic steatosis either week. In conclusion, HO-1 could alleviate alcoholic hepatic steatosis in male Wistar rats and may be useful in development of a new therapeutic approach.     

Physiological processes associated with salinity tolerance in an alfalfa half‐sib family

We previously reported an alfalfa half‐sib family, HS‐B, with improved salt tolerance, compared to parental plants, P‐B. In this study, we conducted additional experiments to address potential physiological mechanisms that may contribute to salt tolerance in HS‐B. Vegetatively propagated HS‐B and P‐B plants were treated with a nutrient solution (control) or a nutrient solution containing NaCl (EC = 12 dS/m). Shoots and roots were harvested at various time points after treatment for quantification of proline, soluble sugar, and H₂O₂ using spectrophotometers. Subcellular localization and quantification of Na in roots were conducted using a Na⁺‐specific dye under a confocal microscope. HS‐B produced 86 and 89% greater shoot and root dry biomass, respectively, compared to parental plants, P‐B, under salinity in the greenhouse. Under saline conditions the HS‐B shoots accumulated 115% and roots 55% more soluble sugars than P‐B counterparts. The non‐saline HS‐B shoots, however, showed 72% less soluble sugars than the non‐saline P‐B plants. Under saline conditions HS‐B accumulated 39% less proline in shoots, while roots accumulated 56% more proline, compared to their P‐B parents. HS‐B plants also showed a greater reduction of stomatal conductance under mild saline stress. HS‐B shoots and roots contained 3–4 times less reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂) after salt treatment compared to P‐B plants. Sodium localization and distribution analysis using Na⁺‐specific dye revealed HS‐B plants accumulated 88% and 48% less Na⁺ in stele and xylem vessels compared to P‐B. The study provides insights into the potential mechanisms that may contribute to salt tolerance in HS‐B: maintaining RWC by accumulating soluble sugars while reducing transpiration, maintaining healthy status by reducing oxidative stresses, and preventing salt toxicity by reducing accumulation of Na⁺ inside root cells and xylem.     

Effects of Adding Mannan Oligosaccharides to Diets with Different Concentrate to Forage Ratios on Ruminal Fermentation of Sheep in vitro

The test was aimed at determining the effects of adding MOS to diets with different concentrate to forage ratios on ruminal fermentation of sheep in vitro.The 4×6 two-factor experimental design was chosen.There were 4 diets with different concentrate to forage ratios(20:80, 30:70, 40:60 and 50:50) and added to 6 dosages MOS(0, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2%, 1.6% and 2.0%), respectively.The method of gas production in vitro was used to measure the total gas and CH₄ production, IVDMD, IVCPD and IVOMD after cultured for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 h.The results showed that the gas(except 12 and 24 h) and CH₄ production(except 9 h) were not impacted by the two factors(P>0.05).The IVDMD, IVCPD and IVOMD were significantly affected by concentrate to forage ratios(P<0.05), while the IVCPD at 24 h was significantly affected by MOS(P<0.05).Meanwhile, all the indexes were not influenced by the interaction of two factors(P>0.05).The IVDMD and IVOMD increased with the rising of concentrate approximately, while the IVCPD decreased with the rising of MOS roughly.The biggest associative effect was gained in 30:70 concentrate to forage diet when adding 1.2% MOS.