Isolation of coagulase negative Enterococcous sp. strains from non-broiler chicken producing bacteriocin active against Staphylococcus aureus

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from the bile, gizzard, intestine and caecum of the Malaysian domestic non-broiler chicken. Of the 56 isolates grown on MRS agar plates, 7 - namely, B3L3, B4L4, G5L5, B5L6, B10L7, I1L8, and C4L10 - showed inhibition against the methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). These isolates were all Gram positive cocci, non-spore forming, and catalase negative. The purified fraction from the three phase partitioning (TPP) method, employing t-butanol and ammonium sulfate, produced inhibitory zones of 8 to 18 mm in diameter on the indicator organism, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The TPP purified fraction contained heat stable proteins of about 10 kDa in size and was inactivated by trypsin. Based on the partial rDNA sequences (>89% similarity), isolates B4L4 and G5L5 belonged to Enterococcus hirae; isolate B3L3 belonged to Enterococcus faecium; isolates B5L6, B10L7, I1L8 to Enterococcus faecalis; and isolate C4L10 to Enterococcus mundtii. These probiotic strains, exclusively isolated from the Malaysian non-broiler chicken, produced an antimicrobial protein or bacteriocin which was active against a pathogenic strain of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Weed control in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) using integrated soil applied herbicides and seed hydro-priming pretreatment

This study explores the effects of the pre-emergence herbicides alachlor (1680; 2400 g ha-1) and trifluralin (720; 1200 g ha-1), the post-emergence herbicides bentazone (360; 480 g ha-1) and haloxyfop (250; 375 g ha-1) and their combinations, along with the effect of seed hydro-priming on weed control, growth and yield of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.). Hydropriming reduced the interval from planting to seedling establishment, increased the seedling dry weight and the crop grain yield. Based on grain yield, 720 g ha-1 trifluralin followed by 250+720 g ha-1 holoxyfob + trifluralin, 250 +1680 g ha-1 holoxyfob + alachlor, 2400 g ha-1 alachlor, and 1680 g ha-1 alachlor, all combined with priming, were the best treatments. The results showed that proper combination of pre- and post-emergence herbicides along with seed priming could be used to control the weeds in the sesame and obtain seed yield comparable with weed-free conditions

Effect of using green beans processing by-products with and without enzyme supplementation on broilers performance and blood parameters

The present study was performed to evaluate the possible inclusion of the by-products of green beans (GB) into the diet of broiler chickens. A total number of 288 one day old male Ross broiler chicks were randomly distributed into eight experimental groups. The chicks in the first group were fed a basal diet only and this was the negative control group. The second group served as positive control and the chicks were fed on a basal diet supplemented with a commercial enzyme (Benzyme-A). The six remaining groups were fed diets containing GB at three inclusion levels 8%, 16% and 24% in partial replacement of yellow corn. For each inclusion level one group was fed a diet free of enzyme and the other was fed a diet supplemented with enzyme. The results showed that including GB in broilers diet up to 16% did not significantly affect the chickens’ performance. The recorded blood parameters of the chickens were found to be in normal ranges. The results also revealed that enzyme supplementation enhanced the performance of the chickens. The use of GB in the broilers diet was found to be beneficial from the economic point of view by reducing the total cost of the diet and thus increasing the profit.

Yield and quality of maize from spent engine oil contaminated soils amended with compost under screenhouse conditions

The study investigated the effects of poultry manure compost (PMC) on the growth performance and yield of maize (Zea mays L.) when cultivated on spent engine oil (SEO) contaminated soil with a view to assessing its nutritional composition. The experiment consisted of three SEO treatments (0%, 1% and 2% w/w) with six levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 t ha-1) of PMC applications. Each treatment was replicated thrice and arranged in a 3 × 6 × 3 factorial completely randomized design to give a total of 54 pots. At full physiological maturity, maize grains were harvested and threshed manually for analysis. As the bioavailability of metals increased with increasing PMC, their uptake by maize plants was enhanced. The soil amended with 10 t ha-1 and contaminated with 1% SEO recorded the highest uptake rates of 1.761 × 10-2, 2.345 × 10-2 and 4.285 × 10-2 day-1 for Fe, Cu and Pb respectively. Also, the significantly (P<0.05) highest yield of maize (5.8 t ha-1) and the highest nutritional values of crude protein (11.27 g 100 g-1) and crude fibre (2.71 g 100 g-1) were obtained with zero SEO soil contamination at 10 t ha-1 PMC applications. There was evidence of yield and nutritional quality reduction of maize when cultivated on SEO contaminated soils with or without poultry compost fertilization

Coprophagous beetle community (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Geotrupidae, Hydrophilidae) in two cattle pastures in South Bohemia

Simultaneous monitoring of coprophagous beetles was carried out using baited pitfall traps in mountain pastures at Jenín and Pasečná in the southern part of the Czech Republic. In total, 5,787 specimens of 31 species were collected in six one-week sampling trials carried out during 2011-2013. Little difference was found between the pastures in the total abundance of the collected material (8%) and in the diversity (Shannon’s index of diversity, Z = 1.78, P = 0.07). Considerable differences were found in the abundance of several species: Aphodius sphacelatus (Panzer 1798) and Aphodius erraticus (Linnaeus 1758) were more abundant at Jenín (by 85 and 98%, respectively), while Onthophagus fracticornis (Preyssler 1790), Anoplotrupes stercorosus (Hartmann in L. G. Scriba 1791), Geotrupes stercorarius (Linnaeus, 1758), and Aphodius depressus (Kugelann 1792) were more abundant at Pasečná (by 89%, 95% 100% and 100%, respectively). Due to their tunnelling breeding activity in soil beneath animal droppings, O. fracticornis and G. stercorarius may provide valuable ecosystem services in Pasečná pasture, mainly bioturbation and soil fertilisation.

Organoleptic parameters of meat from cows of two age categories depending on marbling

The aim of the experiment was to compare the sensory characteristics of meat from cows of two age categories and depending on to the degree of marbling. Slaughter cows were divided into two age categories: up to 4 years of age and over 4 years of age. Meat samples from m. longissimus dorsi for tasting were taken from the right carcass halves between rib 9 to 11. The marbling degree was evaluated according to a 10 point scale (1 - very strong marbling, 10 - virtually no marbling or only traces). A sensory evaluation of the meat was carried out on day 7 after the slaughter of the animals. Meat samples were stored for 7 days and then they were grilled to evaluate their flavour, taste, tenderness and juiciness (degree 1 - without flavour, taste, tenderness, juiciness, degree 5 - very high flavour, tenderness, taste, and juiciness). We also set a score for the shear force of the grilled meat in our device Texture Analyser. There are no significant differences in sensory evaluation between the categories in relation to meat marbling, which would indicate better or worse sensory evaluation of meat. With the characteristic shear force of the grilled meat there were more favourable results at all levels of marbling in category up to 4 years of age.

Behavioural manifestations of dairy cattle in the pasture-based system

A pasture-based system for dairy cattle is not common due to the need for milking, despite the fact that this system provides the possibility of natural animal behaviour. Six behavioural observations were carried out during the grazing season in dairy herds bred in a mountainous area (700 m a. s. l.) The basic herd was comprised of 53 cows, mainly of the Holstein breed. From April to November the herd was located on pastures near the stables and milked twice a day in a tandem milking parlour. Feed ration was composed of pasture and concentrated feed in the stable. During the grazing season, there was a slight variation with a tendency to extend the grazing period to the autumn months. The cattle grazed the shortest time in May - 35.0% of the day or 8.4 hours. In the autumn months the grazing time increased by 2.2 and 2.6 hours respectively. Cows were resting the longest time period in May and June (8.9 and 9.1 h respectively). On the other hand, cows were resting for the shortest time in October (6.8 hours). During the grazing period the milk yield decreased from 20.4 kg in April to 14.4 kg in November.

Conservation status and sustainable local use of crop and crop wild relative species in the Bistoon protected area / West of Iran

Collecting information about crop wild relatives (CWRs) as vital genetic resources for food security is the first stage of monitoring them. In this study, which was conducted in a protected area, we surveyed the conservation status of CWR sand, and the interaction between the condition of these plants and their local use. From 338 plant species in the area, 179 crop wild relatives in 38 families were identified. None of them is threatened, but some endemic rare or vulnerable plants such as Alkanna frigida Boiss. could cause some anxiety. Among these species 19 species of CWRs have edible usage in this area. Harvesting the crop wild relatives from nature by the local people is seen as a conservative factor although this is not usually true of other species.

Using putrescine to increase the rooting ability of hardwood cuttings of the peach × almond hybrid GF677

GF677 is an interspecific hybrid which has important value in terms of economic and horticultural characteristics. The use of this rootstock for some stone fruit trees including almond and peach has been increased dramatically in recent years. It has some useful characteristics i.e. high tolerance to calcareous soil, a strong root system and suitability for poor soils, but its propagation is difficult. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of putrescine (PUT) on the rooting of GF677 cuttings under mist conditions. Treatments used include PUT concentrations (2 and 4 mM for 5 minutes), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) using the quickdip method (1500 and 3000 mg l-1 for five seconds), and a commercial rooting powder and control (without any rooting substances). Treatments were applied at the end of the dormant season. Growth data were obtained 120 days after the treatments. The results showed that application of 1500 mg l-1 of IBA and commercial rooting powder improved GF677 rooting, but 3000 mg l-1 of IBA resulted in toxic effects on rooting and foliage of the cuttings. Cuttings treated with PUT solutions showed the best roots and shoots in terms of the number and quality. In conclusion, IBA may be replaced by PUT in the rooting process of GF677 cuttings.

Assessment of different methods of soil suitability classification for wheat cultivation

This study investigated the impact of soil temperature and soil moisture on the virulence To protect soil resources and also to achieve optimal crop production, it is essential to dedicate the most suitable land to a specific land use. Achieving this goal is possible through land use planning in conjunction with land evaluation. In this study a land suitability evaluation was carried out for wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivation, and was performed in the Bastam region located in the north east of Iran. 104 soil profiles were sampled and 11 land units were separated. In order to find out the most correct method of physical land suitability evaluation, three methods of combining soil criteria for soil index calculation for wheat production were tested. These methods are based on parametric and maximum limitation approaches, and the results of each method were compared with the observed yield. Ultimately, the maximum limitation method was found to be the best method and was used for classification of the suitability of the study area lands for wheat cultivation. The varying results of applying different ways of evaluation in this study indicate that the accuracy of the method of land evaluation adopted should be checked before using the results for any purposes.