Influence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nigella sativa</Emphasis> seeds, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rosmarinus officinalis</Emphasis> leaves and their combination on growth performance,immune response and rumen metabolism in Dorper lambs

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of Nigella sativa L. seeds, Rosmarinus officinalis L. leaves and their combination on rumen metabolism, nutrient intake and digestibility, growth performance, immune response and blood metabolites in Dorper lambs. Twenty-four entire male Dorper lambs (18.68?±?0.6 kg, 4–5 months old) were randomly assigned to a concentrate mixture containing on a dry matter basis either, no supplement (control, T1), 1% R. officinalis leaves (T2), 1% N. sativa seeds (T3) or 1% R. officinalis leaves +1% N. sativa seeds (T4). The lambs had ad libitum access to urea-treated rice straw (UTRS) and were raised for 90 days. Supplemented lambs had greater (P?< 0.05) intake of DM and UTRS than the control lambs. The T4 lambs had lower (P?< 0.05) nutrient digestibility than those fed other treatments. Total and daily weight gain was greater (P?< 0.05) in T2 lambs than those fed other diets. The T3 and T4 lambs had greater (P?< 0.05) ruminal pH than the T1 and T2 lambs. Supplemented lambs had lower (P?<?0.05) ruminal total volatile fatty acids, acetate, propionate, NH₃-N and C18:0 than the control lambs. The T4 lambs had lower (P?< 0.05) population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, methanogens and total protozoa compared with those fed other diets. Supplemented lambs had lower (P?< 0.05) neutrophils, basophils and serum urea and greater (P?<?0.05) serum IgA and IgG compared with the control lambs. The current results emphasised the variation in the efficacy of medicinal plants in ruminant nutrition.     

Evaluation the effect of subchronic feeding of transgenic cotton line (CKC1) on the faecal microbiota of albino rabbits

Recent studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the intestinal microbiota and the host health. As such, consumers are increasingly becoming more concerned about the potential effect of certain foods/feeds, particularly of transgenic origin on the gut microbiota. Although the European Food Safety Authority has recommended in their guidelines, to study the effect of transgenic food/feed on host-microbiota, yet, few studies have focused on the evaluation of such effects mainly due to culturing difficulties. Therefore, this study was intended to evaluate the potential adverse effects of transgenic diet consumption on some specific gut microflora (Lactobacillus group, Bifidobacterium genus, Escherichia coli subgroup and Enterococcus genus) of rabbits. A total of forty-eight rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups and fed a diet containing a variable proportion of transgenic cottonseeds at 0, 20, 30 and 40% inclusion level, respectively. Changes in the specific or total faecal bacterial population were monitored at five different experimental stages (i.e. 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days) using both the traditional plate count method (TM) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). No significant differences (p > .05) were observed concerning numbers of specific bacteria or total bacteria between the control and experimental groups, though qPCR showed numerically higher values in terms of 16S rRNA gene copies as compared to the values obtained from TM. However, such numerical differences were biologically insignificant (p > .05). Similarly, no significant variations were noticed in the calculated B/E (log₁₀ copies of Bifidobacterium per g faces/log10 copies of E. coli genome per g faeces) ratios in all the groups. All the ratios were in the range of 1.24 to 1.30 throughout the experiment, indicating a good balance of intestinal microflora and greater resistance to intestinal disorders. It is therefore concluded that feeding transgenic cottonseeds could not adversely affect the gut microflora of rabbits during a long-term study.     

Evaluation of finger weeder safety and efficacy for intra-row weed removal in irrigated field crops

Increased demand for pesticide-free food and the development of herbicide-resistant weed populations have created a need for non-chemical weed-control tools. A candidate mechanical tool for controlling weeds in the seeding line (intra-row zone) is the finger weeder. This study thus aimed to evaluate the safety and weed-control efficacy of the finger weeder in various irrigated field crops. Eight field trials were conducted in processing tomato, sweet corn, sunflower, cotton, and beetroot over 2 years. The finger weeder treatments were applied as the sole weed-control method (single or double treatments) and in combination with herbicides. A mini meta-analysis was used to evaluate the overall effect of the finger weeder treatments on crop stand and yield and on weed control efficacy. Weed density in the control not treated with herbicides nor a finger weeder ranged between 2 and 62 weeds m⁻². The finger weeder treatments resulted in a significant reduction in weed density, which ranged between 40% and 90%. The weed density following the double finger weeder treatment was not significantly different from that for the conventional herbicide-based treatment (p = 0.32) and could therefore be considered as an effective environmentally friendly alternative. Furthermore, a single FW treatment integrated with herbicide application gave better weed control than the conventional herbicide treatment (p = 0.04). This treatment was safe for the crops with no significant stand (p = 0.19) or yield (p = 0.29) reductions compared to commercial treatment. The results of this study demonstrate the promise of the finger weeder as an effective tool within integrated weed management systems for conventional agro-systems. The tool offers a rational weed-control solution for sustainable systems under irrigation.     

Comprehensive transcriptional profiling and functional study of lymphangiogenic growth factor in placentome of early-stage pregnant water buffalo

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and localization of lymphangiogenic factors (VEGF-C and VEGF-D), their receptor (VEGFR3) and lymphatic endothelial marker (LYVE1) in buffalo placenta during early pregnancy [EP], and to investigate the functional role of lymphangiogenic growth factors in placental lymphangiogenesis. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, their receptor VEGFR3 and LYVE1 showed significant expression in EP1 (29–42 days) and EP2 stages (51–82 days) both in caruncle (maternal part) and cotyledon (foetal part) of the buffalo placenta. Immunoreactivity of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and LYVE1 was observed around the endometrial gland, in lymphatics and trophoblast cells, whereas VEGFR3 mainly localized in lymphatics of the caruncle and cotyledons. Cultured trophoblast cells were treated with VEGF-C/VEGF-D (50, 100 and 150 ng/ml) and combined doses of VEGF-C and VEGF-D (150 ng/ml) each for different time durations (24, 48 and 72 h). The mRNA expression of LYVE1 and PCNA was significantly (p < .001) upregulated with VEGF-C and VEGF-D and combined treatment (@150 ng/ml), as well as significantly downregulating Caspase-3 at 48 and 72 h. Thus, the present study provides evidence that lymphangiogenic factors are expressed in buffalo placental compartments and they may play a significant role in the regulation of placental function in water buffaloes.     

典型黑土区坡耕地退化程度诊断与评价

为了对黑土区坡耕地退化程度进行全面、综合、客观的诊断与评价,通过文献计量法和频度分析法对国内外耕地退化评价文献内的高频指标进行了统计分析,建立了适用于东北典型黑土区坡耕地退化程度诊断与评价的指标体系(TIS)。同时以拜泉县为研究区域,通过聚类分析建立了土壤退化程度诊断与评价最小指标集(MIS)。结果表明:(1)TIS共包括物理、化学、生物和侵蚀特征因子4类共11项指标:腐殖质层厚度、黏粒含量、有机质含量、pH值、坡度、垄坡角、沟壑密度、容重、水稳性大团聚体含量、土壤阳离子交换量和作物产量,其中前6项指标组成了MIS。(2)研究区未退化土壤占12%,轻度退化土壤占12%,中度及以上退化土壤占76%。坡度可能是影响研究区土壤退化的主要因素之一,坡度与垄坡角之间存在协同关系。此外,施用农药、化肥以及连作导致土壤酸化问题突出。     

Effect of salinity on nitrogen metabolism in wheat

Objectives of our studies were to quantify effects of salinity on growth and nitrogen metabolism of wheat and to measure variation in response of different cultivars, hybrids, and classes. Methods and criteria for identifying resistance to salinity in wheat, particularly effects on nitrogen metabolism also were tested. Variation in response to salinity was measured by subjecting seedlings of six wheats to one control treatment (‐0.1 bars) and two stress treatments (‐3.5 and ‐10.4 bars) from NaCl, MgSO₄, and MgCl₂ in hydroponic solutions. Both stress treatments retarded growth; wheats significantly varied at ‐3.5 bars but not at ‐10.4 bars. Stress decreased root and shoot nitrate N and total N contents. Studies with one wheat cultivar showed that salinity decreased activity of nitrate reductase enzyme and stimulated accumulation of proline. Salinity more adversely affected vegetative stages than reproductive stages of plants grown to maturity. We concluded that salinity affected wheat by both osmotic effects and antagonism of nitrate metabolism from chloride. Absolute growth and relative growth at different stress levels were superior to differences in nitrogen metabolism as selection criteria for salinity tolerance.     

Irrigation and Zn fertilizer management improves Zn phyto‐availability in various rice production systems

Zinc (Zn) is an important micronutrient for rice (Oryza sativa L.) production and its deficiency has been observed in various production systems. High grain Zn concentration is equally important for high rice yield and human health. In this work, the effects of Zn fertilization on seedling growth, grain yield, grain Zn concentration, and their association with root traits were studied under alternate wetting and drying (AWD), aerobic rice (AR), system of rice intensification (SRI), and continuous flooding (CF). Zinc fertilization (15 kg ha^?1) improved nursery seedlings chlorophyll and Zn concentrations, root length, and number of roots with highest values observed in CF. At harvesting, maximum plant height, panicle length, total and panicle bearing tillers, and kernel yield were found with Zn addition in AWD and CF rice systems. Mid season drainage provided at maximum tillering and Zn fertilization increased its concentration in leaves, culms, panicles, and grains under CF and AR at physiological maturity. Most of Zn applied was allocated into culms and panicles, nevertheless, a significant increase in grain Zn concentration was also observed in all production systems. Association of leaf Zn with grain Zn concentration was stronger than with culm and panicle Zn. The results indicate that Zn application after rice nursery transplanting is more important for grain Zn enrichment in all rice systems than for increase in grain yield in all systems except AWD where grain yield was also increased. More grain yield in CF and AWD as compared to SRI and AR can also be attributed to decreased spikelet sterility and to better Zn phyto‐availability in these rice systems at physiological maturity.     

Effects of Dietary Vitamin C on Blood Chemistry and Nonspecific Immune Response of Juvenile Red Sea Bream,Pagrus major

A trial was conducted to determine the effect of ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate Na/Ca (AMP‐Na/Ca) on blood chemistry and nonspecific immune response of red sea bream juveniles. Test diets with three levels of AsA (free, 107, and 325 mg/kg diet) were fed to juvenile red sea bream (36.0 ± 1.3 g) two times a day for 3 wk. There were no significant differences in hematocrit, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen. Total cholesterol and triglyceride in plasma of fish fed AsA‐free diet was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of fish fed two other diets. There were no significant differences in serum albumin, total bilirubin, and total serum protein. Glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase in serum of fish fed diets containing 107 and 325 mg of AsA were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of fish fed AsA‐free diet. Serum lysozyme activity (LA) of fish fed diets containing 107 and 325 mg of AsA were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of fish fed AsA‐free diet. There was no significant difference in mucus LA. The results mentioned above demonstrated that AMP‐Na/Ca is a bioavailable AsA source for red sea bream juveniles. Supplement of more than 107 mg AsA/kg in diets improved blood chemistry and nonspecific immune function of red sea bream juveniles.     

Metabolic Status during Germination of Nano Silica Primed Zea mays Seeds under Salinity Stress

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Priming is a safe, easy, and effective way to increase plant tolerance against stress. This research aims to study the metabolic status of the...