Thermostable xylanase derived from Trichoderma citrinoviride increases growth performance and non-starch polysaccharide degradation in broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

1. The aim of this trial was to determine the optimal supplementation level of a xylanase enzyme from Trichoderma citrinoviride on growth performance, apparent ileal and total tract nutrient retention, intestinal morphology, and intestinal concentration of volatile fatty acids in broiler chickens.

2. A total of 600 broiler chickens (Ross 308) of mixed sex were randomly allotted to four treatments, on the basis of similar body weight. The dietary treatments were made from a corn-wheat-soy based diet supplemented with either 0, 3750, 7500, or 11 250 XU/kg xylanase and were fed to 32 d of age.

3. A linear response to increasing dietary xylanase was demonstrated for overall weight gain (P < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05). The apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter and gross energy, and the coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CIAD) of N and soluble non-starch polysaccharides were linearly improved when xylanase was added to the diet (P < 0.05). Moreover, a linear increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the CIAD of Arg, Lys, and Try with increasing dietary levels of xylanase.

4. The viscosity of digesta in ileum was linearly decreased when dietary xylanase level increased (P < 0.05).

5. An increase in villus height of the duodenum and jejunum were observed with increasing dietary levels of xylanase (linear, P < 0.05).

6. Overall, the results showed that the effects of dietary xylanase supplementation on broiler performance was determined through effects on nutrient availability and intestinal morphology.     

A note on distribution and potential of Japanese wild adzuki bean [Vigna angularis var. nipponensis (Ohwi) Ohwi and H. Ohashi] in India

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - The present paper deals with the report on the potential of Vigna angularis var. nipponensis (Ohwi) Ohwi and H. Ohashi assembled from Northeastern hill region...     

Differential effect of various endomycorrhizal fungi on nodulating ability of green gram by Bradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna) strain S24

Bradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna) strain S24 interacted differentially with eight vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and caused significant variations in nodulation and growth parameters of green gram. Coinoculation with Scutellospora calospora resulted in the highest nitrogenase activity and dry biomass. The nodulation competitiveness of strain S24 was significantly higher (60–63%) in the presence of Glomus mosseae, G. fasciculatum and Scutellospora calospora when compared to treatment with single inoculation of S24 (51%). Percentage VAM colonization was higher in treatments having higher nocule occupancy of introduced strain (S24). Received: 26 June 1995     

Azoospermia associated with bilateral segmental aplasia of the ductus deferens in a stallion

A 3-year-old Quarter Horse halter stallion was referred for routine semen evaluation. Physically, the stallion's reproductive organs appeared normal. Repeated semen evaluations did not reveal any spermatozoa. Because high activities of alkaline phosphatase are detected in the epididymal fluid and indicative of complete ejaculation, alkaline phosphatase activities were analyzed in several samples, which yielded activities far less than reference values and suggested a blockage of the reproductive tract. Endoscopic evaluation of the urethra and the bulbourethral, prostate, and urethral gland ducts did not reveal abnormalities. The left ductus deferens was exposed surgically, and attempts to pass a catheter through it in a normograde direction met resistance after 20 cm. Laparoscopic abdominal surgery revealed the ductus deferens tapered to a thin structure just cranial to the entrance in the urogenital fold, cranial and lateral to the bladder. Both ductus deferentia were similarly affected. The symmetry and bilateral nature of the abnormalities were strong indications of a possible congenital defect.     

Inland saline aquaculture increased carbon accumulation rate and stability in pond sediments under semi-arid climate

Purpose

Similar to fresh- and brackish water aquaculture ponds, commercial shrimp farming in degraded saline areas holds the potential to bury carbon (C) in the sediments. However, studies on the mechanisms of sediment C dynamics and C-flux in response to inland saline aquaculture management practices are still scarce. Therefore, the objectives of the present study are to quantify the C burial rate in inland saline aquaculture ponds and assess the impact of inland saline aquaculture on sensitive C fractions in the bottom sediment of the ponds.

Materials and methods

The sediment samples (n?=?12 from each pond) were collected from six shrimp farming ponds (1000 m² area of each pond) of different ages. The sediment depth, sediment accumulation rate and the levels of total carbon (TC), total organic carbon (TOC) and sediment oxidizable organic carbon (SOC) and its different fractions were determined using standard procedures. The data were analysed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Duncan's multiple range test for comparing the means, and the Pearson correlation test was used to assess the relationship between the different pond sediment parameters and SOC content.

Results and discussion

The results revealed that the annual C accumulation rates varied from 902 to 1346 kg C ha^?1 year^?1 in 7-year-old earthen ponds (EPs) and bottom cemented ponds (BCPs), respectively. The sediment C fractions, including TC, TOC, SOC and its fractions (very labile, VLc; labile, Lc; less labile, LLc), and non-labile carbon (NLc)) were progressively increased over the pond age. The inland saline aquaculture practices over the years increased both active (AC) and passive carbon (PC) pools in the pond sediments, helped in the restoration and improvement of sediment quality and enhanced C sequestration potential of the sediments. Furthermore, a significant increase in the level of particulate organic carbon (POC) in BCPs justified that the non-ploughing practices at BCPs facilitated the formation of macro- and micro-aggregates, thereby increasing the C retention and stability of the pond sediments.

Conclusion

This study suggested that the shrimp farming ponds in semi-arid saline soils represented considerable C burial hotspots, enhanced the stable passive C pools and improved the sediment quality.

     

RESPONSE OF WHEAT TO INOCULATION WITH MYCORRHIZAE ALONE AND COMBINED WITH SELECTED RHIZOBACTERIA INCLUDING FLAVOBACTERIUM SP. AS A POTENTIAL BIOINOCULANT

A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate different arbuscular mycorrhiza sps. (AM) for their effect on plant growth, yield and nutrient uptake by wheat. All the AM fungal sps. significantly enhanced all the plant parameters and nutrient uptake by the plant. A positive correlation was observed between percent root colonization by AM fungi and most of the plant parameters studied. Glomus macrocarpum giving best results was selected for studying interactive effect with Azotobacter, Azospirillum (well-known PGPRs), and Flavobacterium and Proteus vulgaris (less studied PGPRs). All the PGPRs significantly increased most of the plant parameters studied and their combination with AMF had a synergistic effect. Amongst PGPRs, Flavobacterium gave best response both singly and in combination with AMF and thus, is a potential new bioinoculant for wheat. Application of 120 kg nitrogen (N) ha^?1was the best treatment. Inoculation with most of the PGPRs gave better response than 60 kg N ha^?1.     

Preliminary study of fresh juice of Benincasa hispida on morphine addiction in mice

The juice of Benincasa hispida (BH) showed significant activity against symptoms of morphine withdrawal, such as jumping response and diarrhoea, in mice. These results seem to indicate that BH may prevent the development of morphine addiction and also suppress symptoms of opioid withdrawal in animals.     

Influence of exogenous acid protease in broiler chickens fed corn–soybean meal-based diets

This study was conducted to determine the influence of exogenous acid protease (EAP) on growth performance, blood profiles, excreta noxious gas emissions, ileum digesta viscosity and apparent ileal digestibility in broilers. A total of 600 1-d-old broilers with average initial body weight of 47.0 ± 0.2 g were used in a 5-week feeding trial. The broilers were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 treatments with 10 replicate pens per treatment and 15 birds per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of: CON, basal diets; EAP1, CON + 2,700 exogenous acid protease unite (APU)/kg; EAP2, CON + 5,400 APU/kg; EAP3, CON + 8,100 APU/kg. The body weight gain (BWG) had a linear improvement when chicks fed 8,100 AP/kg diets from d 18 to 35 and overall (p < .05). Lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) was obtained in broilers fed 5,400 APU/kg and 8,100 APU/kg as compared with the CON during overall (p < .05). Birds fed diets supplemented with EAP diet led to a linear increase in the ileal digestibility of crude protein, energy and amino acids (lysine, methionine, cystine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine and tryptophan) compared with CON group (p < .05). In conclusion, based on our results, we suggest that supplementation with EAP diet was effective in improving growth performance through increasing ileal digestibility of some nutrients (crude protein, energy and amino acids) in broilers.     

Dry Matter Production and Productivity as Influenced by Staggered Sowing of Mustard Intercropped at Different Row Ratios with Chickpea

In a 2‐year experiment on Typic Ustochrept soils of the North Plain Zone of India, the effect of different row ratios (3 : 1, 6 : 2, 4 : 1 and 8 : 2) and staggered sowing of mustard (simultaneous and 15 days later) was studied in intercropping of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and mustard (Brassica juncea L.). Nodule number, dry weight, grain yield, protein content and yield were higher in monocrop chickpea compared with intercropping. Among row ratios, except for protein content in grain, all the above parameters were significantly higher in the 4 : 1 intercropping of chickpea + mustard. Similarly, delayed sowing of mustard by 15 days also gave higher plant dry weight (1.80–2.36 g plant^?1), nodule number (0.41–1.56 and 0.5–3.0 at 55‐ and 70‐day stages, respectively), protein yield (63 kg ha^?1), grain yield (290 kg ha^?1) and biological yield (1104 kg ha^?1) than sowing with chickpea. Widening the row ratio and pairing of the rows of mustard were also found to be beneficial in increasing chickpea growth and yield. Like chickpea, sowing of mustard as a monocrop gave higher growth and yield. Delayed sowing by 15 days reduced the growth and yield of mustard drastically. Productivity, measured in terms of land equivalent ratio, was higher for intercropping of chickpea and mustard in the 4 : 1 row ratio than for sowing of chickpea and mustard in sole stands. Interestingly, the land equivalent ratio was also higher in the simultaneously sown crop than for staggered sowing.