Sulfur supply reduces barium toxicity in Tanzania guinea grass (Panicum maximum) by inducing antioxidant enzymes and proline metabolism

Sixty goats (20 Alpine, 18 Anglo-Nubian, and 22 crossbred Boer), with average body weight 49.33 ± 1.41 kg, were raised on Panicum maximum cv. Tobiatã pasture with two different levels of concentrate supplementation, 300 (SL30) and 600 g kg-1 (SL60) of the daily requirements, and evaluated from the pre-mating season until an average of 110 days of lactation. Milk controls were performed every 14 days. The following milk production curve parameters were estimated: time to reach peak milk production (TP), peak milk production (PP) and milk production during the first 110 days of lactation (MP). The following milk components were determined: fat, protein, lactose, total solids (TS), defatted dry extract (DDE), urea nitrogen (UN) concentrations, and somatic cell count (SCC). Goat prolificacy and birth weight of the kids were also determined. Breed affected the lactation curve, with Alpine and Anglo- Nubian goats presenting higher TP, PP, and MP. Protein, TS, and DDE concentrations were also affected by breed, being higher for crossbred Boer goats. Milk fat, lactose concentrations, and the log of SCC were affected by the concentrate supplementation level, being higher for SL30, as well as by the breed, with crossbred Boer goats presenting higher fat concentrations and log of SCC, and crossbred Boer and Alpine goats presenting higher lactose concentrations. UN was affected by the stage of lactation. Prolificacy and birth weight were affected by breed and concentrate supplementation level, being higher for Anglo-Nubian and crossbred Boer goats with SL60. Kids from single births presented higher birth weights. The Anglo-Nubian breed presented good milk production and the best body condition, which might indicate the effectiveness of this production system, SL60 supplementation resulted in higher birth weight and prolificacy.

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Effect of host plant on moulting in the African armyworm Spodoptera exempta (Walk.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at constant temperature and humidity conditions

Insect Science and Its Application ◽

10.1017/s1742758400006585 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 171-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jacob G. Yarro

Keyword(s):

Normal Development ◽

Cynodon Dactylon ◽

Head Capsule ◽

Spodoptera Exempta ◽

Panicum Maximum ◽

Threshold Size ◽

Guinea Grass ◽

Kikuyu Grass ◽

Species Specific ◽

Lepidoptera Noctuidae

AbstractThere are five caterpillar instars in the life cycle of Spodoptera exempta (Walk.) when they feed upon star grass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., maize, Zea mais L. and Kikuyu grass, Pennisetum clandestinum Chiov. at 25–30°C. When the temperature is 18°C, however, there was an additional instar in the cycle. Similarly extra instars are formed on Guinea grass, Panicum maximum Jacq., Setaria plicatilis (Hochst.) Hack, and a sedge, Cyperus maranguensis K. Schm. even when the temperature appears to be sufficiently high for normal development. Occasionally the additional sixth instar is also too small to pupate, in which case a seventh instar is formed. It appears that caterpillars on nutritionally inadequate host plants or those at low temperatures are being partially starved and must continue moulting until the appropriate size is attained or exceeded. Measurements of the head capsule widths or distances between the frontal clypeal setae suggest that only individuals reaching or exceeding a species specific threshold size pupate. Extra moults appear to be an adaptation to environmental fluctuations obtaining within the range of occurrence of S. exempta.

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