scholarly journals Urban plums and toads: do fleshy fruits affect the post-metamorphic growth of amphibians?

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e6337
Author(s):  
Mikołaj Kaczmarski ◽  
Piotr Tryjanowski ◽  
Anna Maria Kubicka
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Fleshy Fruits ◽  
Prunus Cerasifera ◽  
Green Toad ◽  
Active Feeding ◽  
Fallen Fruit

Background The main aim of the study was to analyse the influence of fleshy fruits (plums) on the post-metamorphic growth and feeding behaviour of the green toad Bufotes viridis. We tested the following two hypotheses: (1) juveniles of the green toad are characterised by faster growth in conditions involving fallen plums Prunus cerasifera due to the associated presence of more varied food such as invertebrates; (2) green toads exhibit more active feeding behaviour in the presence of fleshy fruits. Methods A total of 120 fresh metamorphs of the green toad were randomly assigned to one of four groups: two experimental groups with fleshy plums and two other groups as controls (without fruits). Each group was kept in an enclosure to which wild invertebrates had free access. Each individual toad was measured for snout-vent length (mm) and body mass (g) every other day for 30 days. In order to determine whether fallen plums influence the feeding behaviour of toads, the number of active and hidden (under an artificial shelter) individuals was also noted. Results The results showed that green toads from both enclosures with plums were characterised by more rapid growth than individuals from the control treatments. Simultaneously, in the enclosure with fleshy fruits, greater species richness of wild invertebrates was observed. No differences in active feeding behaviour were noted between control groups and groups with plums. Discussion Fleshy fruits, upon falling, attract many types of invertebrates; thus they may represent good dietary supplements for fresh amphibian metamorphs. Therefore, the presence of fruit trees close to a breeding site might influences the post-metamorphic growth of amphibians, but not their feeding behaviour. The presence of insects associated with fallen fruit seems to favour the occurrence of amphibian populations, which is particularly important, since, due to political and social pressure, numbers of fruit trees are currently being reduced. To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the potential influence of the presence of fruit trees on the growth and behaviour of anurans.

scholarly journals Effects of Rootstock and Budding Height on Bacterial Canker in French Prune

Plant Disease ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 543-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Sayler ◽  
S. M. Southwick ◽  
J. T. Yeager ◽  
K. Glozer ◽  
E. L. Little ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Bacterial Canker ◽  
Prunus Domestica ◽  
Severity Of Disease ◽  
Prunus Cerasifera ◽  
Disease Pressure

Bacterial canker is one of the most economically important diseases of stone fruit trees, including ‘French’ prune (Prunus domestica). Field trials were conducted to evaluate the effect of rootstock selection and budding height on the incidence and severity of bacterial canker in four orchards with low to high disease pressure. Treatments included French prune scions low-grafted on ‘Lovell’ peach (Prunus persica) rootstocks as well as Myrobalan 29C (Prunus cerasifera) plum rootstocks grafted at 15, 50, and 90 cm above the rootstock crown. Another treatment consisted of growing Myrobalan 29C plum rootstocks in the field for one growing season, then field-grafting French prune buds onto rootstock scaffolds. Lovell peach rootstock provided the greatest protection from bacterial canker as measured by disease incidence and tree mortality in all orchards. Field-budded rootstocks and rootstocks grafted at the highest budding height provided moderate levels of resistance to bacterial canker. These treatments reduced the incidence but not the severity of disease.

scholarly journals Pneumococcal pulmonary infection, septicaemia and survival in young zinc–depleted mice

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tor A. Strand ◽  
David E. Briles ◽  
Håkon K. Gjessing ◽  
Amund Maage ◽  
Maharaj K. Bhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Status ◽  
Pneumococcal Infection ◽  
Normal Diet ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Adequate Control ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Observation Period

The aim of the present study was to explore whether mice fed a diet low in Zn (2·0 mg Zn/kg diet) for a relatively short period of time were more prone to severeStreptococcus pneumoniaeinfection than mice fed a normal diet (25 mg elemental Zn/kg). The Zn-deficient mice were compared with mice in two Zn-adequate control groups; one pair-fed and another with free access to the diet. After 2 weeks feeding, the mice were infected intranasally under anaesthesia with a suspension containing about 107pneumococci. Clinical status was observed every day and blood samples were examined forS. pneumoniaeevery second day for a week. All infected mice examined carried the infecting strain intranasally. The survival time and time before positive blood culture were significantly shorter in the Zn-depleted group than in the pair-fed Zn-adequate group (hazard ratios 15·6 and 3·2, P<0·0001 and P=0·045 respectively). At the end of the observation period, ten of the twelve mice in the Zn-deficient group were dead while one of twelve and two of twelve were dead in the two Zn-adequate control groups. This study shows that even acutely-induced Zn deficiency dramatically increases the risk of serious pneumococcal infection in mice.

A test of a free-access two-level pen for fattening pigs

1986 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Fraser ◽  
P. A. Phillips ◽  
B. K. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Tiered System ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
Average Weight Gain ◽  
Fattening Pigs ◽  
Better Than

ABSTRACTTwo prototype two-tiered pens were constructed for fattening pigs. The pens consisted of a solid or porous upper floor located 0-8 m above a slatted lower floor, with a short ramp joining the two levels. Food was available only on the upper level and water only on the lower. Eleven groups, each of 15 to 18 pigs were housed in the two-tiered pens for 8 weeks, starting at 10 weeks of age, while matched control groups were housed in a conventional pen offering the same amount of total floor space. During the 1st week, some pigs were slow to adapt to the two-tiered system and average weight gain was lower than in the control pen. Over the 8 weeks, however, weight gain and food conversion ratios were very similar in the two pen types. The animals made effective use of the two levels, and kept the upper level free from dung. Physical condition of pigs in the two-tiered pen was as good as, or better than, that of the controls. The two-tiered design offers several potential advantages in terms of animal production and behavioural problems.

scholarly journals Plum Research and Growing in Latvia

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-206
Author(s):  
Edīte Kaufmane ◽  
Ilze Grāvīte ◽  
Laila Ikase
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Fruit Size ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Winter Hardiness ◽  
Prunus Cerasifera ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
Early Ripening ◽  
Good Flavour ◽  
New Cultivars

Abstract Plums have been commercially grown in Latvia since the 19th century. Plantations expanded especially in the 1920s–1930s. At that time, many cultivars were introduced, mostly from Western Europe. After the severe winters of 1939/40, 1941/42, 1955/56, and 1978/79, the plum orchard area significantly decreased because of a lack of winter-hardy cultivars. For this reason, cultivars from Russia, Belarus, and Estonia were introduced. Among the old landraces, highly winter-hardy ‘Latvijas Dzeltenā Olplūme’ is still important. Previously it used to be productive and had good fruit quality. Unfortunately, nurseries often propagated the hardiest clones, which lacked productivity. As Latvian consumers love yellow plums, at present breeding and propagation of productive clones from old orchards is ongoing. In the mid-20th century, active plum breeding started in Latvia, crossing hardy genotypes with high quality donors. From this period ‘Lāse’ and ‘Minjona’ are still grown. Since the 1980s, plum breeding has been undedrtaken at the Institute of Horticulture. The crossing work in plums concentrated on the hexaploid group, aiming to combine large fruit size with good flavour, different time of ripening (in particular, early to medium late) and and good winter-hardiness. New cultivars include ‘Sonora’, ‘Ance’, and ‘Adelyn’, which have good quality, and productivity 20–30 kg per tree, and in some years up to 70 kg per tree. The most widely used rootstocks are seedlings of Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. ssp. divaricata C.K. Schneid., which is more hardy that the common myrobalan plum. These rootstocks have good compatibility with most cultivars except gages, and are adapted to different soil types and are disease tolerant. Their drawback is a long growth season which reduces winter-hardiness of grafted cultivars. Also, they tend to form suckers around the stem. A hardy seedling PU-20651 (P. salicina ssp. ussuriensis × P. cerasifera) was bred at the Institute, which was shown to slightly reduce tree vigour. Testing of several Western European and Russian rootstocks did not result in their introduction into production. Trials are presently being carried out with size-reducing root-stocks originated from cultivar Wangenheim VVA-1, Weiwa, S766, and M633. Commercial production of plums in Latvia is relatively small, as the area of orchards is the smallest among fruit trees. Plums are grown mostly for fresh consumption, with a small part for jams, yoghurt, and ice-cream additives. Fruits are sold mostly in small shops, markets and at farms. The main reason is the climate, which allows growing of a limited range of cultivars that tolerate the –30 °C winter temperatures in some years (about every five years). About 20 cultivars are grown commercially; the share of the six most popular plum cultivars is 69% of the total plum production. In recent years, plantations of new cultivars developed at our Institute have expanded, especially regarding the early ripening cultivar ‘Ance’.

scholarly journals Nutrition al manipulation of feeding behaviour of birds

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
E. J. Ubah ◽  
F. O. Abeke ◽  
I. I. Madziga
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Laying Hens ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Low Energy ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Passage Rate ◽  
Eating Time ◽  
Rate Experiment

 A research to manipulate the feeding behaviour of laying hens from nutritional perspective was conducted with 504 ISA Brown. Seventeen (17) week old ISA brown with weights ranging between 1590 and 1812 g were allocated to six dietary treatments. There were seven replicates per treatment with 12 birds each making a total of 42 pens in all. Experimental diets differed in the levels of energy, levels insoluble Non Starch Polysaccharide (NSP) and the particle sizes of the NSP. Birds had free access to water and feed during which feeding observations with video cameras were made to observe and record the feeding behaviour of birds at 17, 21, 25, 29, 33 and 35 weeks of age. A computer software programme called Observer 5.0 was used to analyze the observations by one person for 30 minutes per cage. In order to gain more insight in the feeding behaviour of laying hens, 60 laying hens were used for a passage rate experiment using titanium dioxide as an inert marker: Five birds were used for each dietary treatment, and replicated twice. At t=0, three titanium capsules were offered to each bird. After five different time points (30, 90, 180, 270 and 360 minutes), these birds were sacrificed and dissected. The gut (titanium) contents from different segments of the GIT (crop, gizzard, ileum, colon and caeca) of each bird were analysed using spectrophotometer at an absorbance of 408 nm. Results from the study indicate that the feeding behaviour of laying hen can be manipulated nutritionally. Bulky diets (10.6 MJ/kg) significantly (P<0.05) increased the eating time of laying hens by 15% compared with normal energy content (11.8 MJ/kg) and this led to consumption of more feed (average 2355g) than those of normal energy diets (2175g). Similarly, the separate effect of NSP, NSP coarseness and interaction between low energy; NSP and NSP coarseness influenced the eating behaviour. Feeding layers with low density diet containing a combination of low energy high NSP coarse NSP increased the amount of time birds spent feeding by 32% and consequently increased the feed intake by 11% (average feed intake of 135g ) above normal energy low NSP mixture diet (average feed intake of 120g). The passage rate experiment showed that Low energy High non starch polysaccharide coarse (LeHnspcoarse) diet reduces the gut transit time, thus birds quickly feel hungrier after a period of satiety, possibly resulting in a short inter-meal interval. Conclusively, the interaction between low energy, high NSP and NSP coarseness influence birds' feeding behaviour necessitating increase in eating time and faster passage rate via the GIT  

scholarly journals Contribution to the floras of Lipetsk and Voronezh Regions (new vascular plant records from Usmansky pine forest)

Turczaninowia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-84
Author(s):  
Elena A. Starodubtseva
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Vascular Plant ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
European Part ◽  
Modern Problem ◽  
Prunus Cerasifera ◽  
Voronezh Region ◽  
European Part Of Russia ◽  
Trees And Shrubs

The materials presented in the article supplement the information of “Flora of the middle zone of the European part of Russia” (Maevskiy, 2014) for the floras of Voronezh and Lipetsk Regions. The materials were collected in the period 2007–2020 on the protected areas of Usmansky Bor: in the Voronezhsky State Reserve, its protected zone and in the Federal Preserve “Voronezhsky”. The flora of the Lipetsk Region is supplemented by 9 species: Alchemilla argutiserrata, Aronia mitschurinii, Carex remota, C. tomentosa, Centaurea majorovii, Cotoneaster lucidus, Hieracium sylvularum, Scirpoides holoschoenus, Symphoricarpos albus. The data on 11 new taxa are given for the Voronezh Region flora: Cotoneaster lucidus, Crataegus ucrainica, Hieracium sylvularum, Nymphaea × marliacea, Phytolacca acinosa, Philadelphus latifolius, P. serotina, Spiraea chamaedryfolia, Thuja occidentalis, Veronica polita, Wolffia globosa. The article reports on new finds of Carex bohemica and Prunus cerasifera, species that were previously noted in the region, but not included in “Flora ...” (Maevskiy, 2014). Among the 20 marked species, 11 taxa are alien ornamental plants and fruit trees and shrubs noted outside of cultivation areas. Leaving the places of cultivation by alien plants and naturalization in natural communities is a modern problem of protected areas in the European part of Russia.

THE INFLUENCE OF ALTERED WEANING MANAGEMENT ON PIGLET GROWTH AND SOW REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. GILBERTSON ◽  
P. A. THACKER ◽  
R. N. KIRKWOOD
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Treatment Effect ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Pulse Frequency ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Piglet Growth ◽  
And Control

An experiment was undertaken to investigate the influence of split-weaning of litters 7 d before full weaning on the growth of piglets and the reproductive performance of sows. The litters of 27 Yorkshire × Landrace sows were assigned to be either split-weaned (heaviest piglets removed at 21 d of lactation; n = 13) or to act as controls (all piglets weaned at 28 d of lactation; n = 14). The influence on sow and litter performance was monitored. During lactation, mean sow feed intakes in the split-weaned and control groups were 6.9 ± 0.1 and 6.7 ± 0.2 kg d−1, respectively. The diet was formulated to provide 12.3 MJ DE kg−1 and 15.7% crude protein. Nursing piglets were allowed free access to a 20% crude protein creep feed from 7 d of age. Weaned piglets were fed ad libitum a commercial starter diet containing 18% crude protein. Split-weaning had no effect on either the weaning to estrus interval or subsequent litter size (4.5 ± 0.1 vs. 4.3 ± 0.4 d and 12.7 ± 0.9 vs. 13.0 ± 0.9 pigs, for split-weaned and control sows, respectively). However, while control sows lost weight between 21 and 28 d of lactation, the split-weaned sows gained weight (P < 0.02). There was no treatment effect on body weights of nursing piglets but weaning of the heavy piglets at 21 d resulted in a lower (P < 0.05) body weight at 28 d. On days 21 and 28, four sows from each group were blood sampled via indwelling vena caval cannulae at hourly intervals for 10 h. Also, samples were taken every 15 min for 4 h on these days. No treatment effect was noted for mean serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Similarly, there was no effect on LH pulse frequency or amplitude. It is concluded that, in the absence of excessive sow weight loss or prolonged weaning to estrus intervals, the introduction of a split-weaning regime will not enhance sow or litter performance. Key words: Split-weaning, piglet growth, sow performance

Behavioural responses of pigs to atmospheric ammonia in a chronic choice test

1996 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 437-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Jones ◽  
L. R. Burgess ◽  
A. J. F. Webster ◽  
C. M. Wathes
Keyword(s):  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Choice Test ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Cross Contamination ◽  
Bedding Material ◽  
Ammonia Gas ◽  
Atmospheric Contamination ◽  
Atmospheric Ammonia ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Polluted Atmosphere

AbstractThe behaviour of two groups offour pigs in concentrations of ammonia gas that are frequently recorded in piggeries (0, 10, 20 and 40 p.p.m.), was continuously observed for 14 days each in a choice test. An octagonally shaped (annular), eight compartment preference chamber was built to house the pigs. Each compartment supplied the pigs with ample food, water and bedding material but differed in the level of atmospheric contamination. Adjacent compartments were separated by plastic curtains, allowing the pigs free access to neighbouring compartments while reducing cross-contamination of the pollutant. The position of the contamination was changed weekly to eliminate positional preferences. The location of the pigs was scan sampled every 15 min and their behaviour at this time was instantaneously recorded. A significantly greater proportion of their time was spent in the unpolluted compartments (53·4%) than in the 10 p.p.m. (26·9%), 20 p.p.m. (7·1%) or 40 p.p.m. (5·1%) compartments (P < 0·001). This avoidance was maintained for the 14 days that each group inhabited the chamber (P > 0·05). The occupancy pattern was resumed following the rotation of the ammonia concentrations and/or following cleaning (P > 0·05). Higher concentrations of ammonia were visited less often (P = 0·005) and once there, the pigs stayed for a comparatively shorter time (P = 0·003) for approximately 35 min. As the aversion was not immediate, it is suggested that aversion was not due to the odour of ammonia initially experienced on entry. Instead the insidious aversion may be due to a sense of malaise that may develop while a pig is in a polluted atmosphere. The pigs chose to rest (P = 0·002), sit (P = 0·007), feed (P = 0·007) and forage (P = 0·013) more in the unpolluted compartments. Overall more feeding behaviour was observed in the fresh air and more food was consumed in these compartments of the chamber (P = 0·002).

scholarly journals Effect of early nutritional experience on the feeding behaviour of adult female rats

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (No. 10 - 11) ◽  
pp. 315-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Šefčíková ◽  
Š. Mozeš
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Adult Female ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Food Restriction ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Feeding Regime ◽  
Ad Libitum

In the present paper the effect of postnatal undernutrition on feeding behaviour has been evaluated in mature female Wistar rats subjected to food restriction a) during the suckling period, i. e. up to day 15 (SR), b) during the weaning period from day 15 to 30 (WR), c) throughout 30 days post partum (SWR) and d) during adulthood, i.e. from day 60&ndash;75 of life (AR). In comparison with the ad libitum fed controls (C), the lactating mothers and the pups of the food-restricted groups were allowed free access to food for only two hours daily. In experimental groups this restriction was then changed to an ad libitum regime. On day 90 food intake was evalu-ated daily in five 20 min lasting sessions after 23 h of fasting in group-housed and single-housed rats exposed to their home as well as to their experimental environment. The significantly decreased body weight found on day 30 and 90 in females coming from litters of restrictedly fed mothers, as compared with those fed ad libitum, showed that these animals were considerably undernourished. Appetitive motivation increased in those groups of females that had been exposed to a restricted feeding regime during their infant period but remained unaffected in females restrictedly fed during their adult age. In comparison with the ad libitum fed controls and AR groups, significantly increased mean food intake was observed in all postnatally underfed groups (P &lt; 0.001). The greatest inclination to hyperphagia and qualitative changes in feeding behaviour were observed in SWR females whose feeding regime was restricted for the longest time, i. e. during the suckling and the weaning period, as compared to groups with shorter food restriction. These animals showed hyperphagia even in the new environment regardless whether the whole group or only one female was tested. Our results reveal a) a determinant influence of the feeding regime of the animals at early age (41%) while environmental and social factors represent only about 17% and 4%, respectively and that b) changes in feeding habits in adult female rats may significantly depend on the length of postnatal undernutrition.

scholarly journals Identification and description of Fruit fly species associated with different hosts in some Tripoli Fruit Orchards

2019 ◽  
pp. 338-353
Author(s):  
Eman A. Zentani
Keyword(s):  
Ceratitis Capitata ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Punica Granatum ◽  
Fruit Trees ◽  
Psidium Guajava ◽  
Peach Fruit ◽  
Prunus Cerasifera ◽  
Fruit Orchards ◽  
First Time

The present field study was carried out to identify fruit fly species in Tripoli fruit orchards during 2016 – 2017 seasons by using fruit rearing method. Five hosts were examined in this study namely Guava Psidium guajava L. , Pear Pyrus communis، , Plum Prunus cerasifera, pomegranate Punica granatum and Peach Prunus persica The results revealed that three species of fruit flies that belong to family Tephritidae were identified; the Peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zontana (Saunders) and the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemaan), which were found in all fruit trees examined, and Bactrocera sp.that was recorded for the first time on Guava in the area. The fourth fruit fly species recorded was the African fig fly, Zaprionus indianus (Gupta) in pomegranate and Guava fruits.

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