A review of the iron requirements and its determination in commercial poultry.

Comparative efficacy of hydroxychloride (HC) and organic (OR) sources of Zn, Cu and Mn on performance of broiler breeders (BB) between 42 and 63 weeks of age (WOA) was investigated. A total of 408 ♀ Ross 708 and 48 ♂ Yield Plus cockerels were placed in pens (17 ♀ and 2 ♂) housed in 2 rooms (12 pens/room) and allocated to one of 2 diets in a completely randomized block design (n=12). The diets had similar nutrient specifications but differed in Zn, Cu, and Mn sources: 1) HO, a blend of 80% HC and 20% OR sources, and 2) OR, 100% OR sources. Birds were fed and managed according to breeder guidelines. The egg count was recorded daily and categorized as normal or abnormal. Egg yolk color, albumen height, Haugh unit, eggshell thickness, and eggshell breaking strength were assessed every 4 wk. Individual hen body weight (BW) was recorded at 5-wk intervals to determine BW uniformity. At 52 and 63 WOA, the eggs and excreta samples were collected. At the end of the trial, 4 hens per pen were bled for plasma concentration of trace minerals and organs (liver, gizzard, spleen, kidney, and thymus) weight. There were no interactions between source and age on any parameters (P > 0.05). There were no main effects of source on egg production, eggshell quality, BW, and organs weight (P > 0.05). Hens fed HO diets had darker yolk compared to those fed OR diets (P = 0.014). The concentration of Zn in the eggs of OR BB was higher (P = 0.022) than for HO birds. However, there were no dietary effects on the concentration of trace minerals in the egg, plasma, and excreta (P > 0.05). The results indicated that a mixture of HC and O as sources for Zn, Cu, and Mn was as effective as OR sources in supporting egg production, egg quality, and trace mineral utilization in broiler breeders.

Meeting global demand of safe and healthy food for the ever-increasing population now and into the future is currently a crucial challenge. Increasing crop production by preserving environment and mitigating climate change should thus be the main goal of today’s agriculture. Conventional farming is characterized by use of high-yielding varieties, irrigation water, chemical fertilizers and synthetic pesticides to increase yields. However, due to either over- or misuse of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in many agro-ecosystems, such farming is often blamed for land degradation and environmental pollution and for adversely affecting the health of humans, plants, animals and aquatic ecosystems. Of all inputs required for increased agricultural production, nutrients are considered to be the most important ones. Organic farming, with use of organic sources of nutrients, is proposed as a sustainable strategy for producing safe, healthy and cheaper food and for restoring soil fertility and mitigating climate change. However, there are several myths and controversies surrounding the use of organic versus inorganic sources of nutrients. The objectives of this paper are: (i) to clarify some of the myths or misconceptions about organic versus inorganic sources of nutrients and (ii) to propose alternative solutions to increase on-farm biomass production for use as organic inputs for improving soil fertility and increasing crop yields. Common myths identified by this review include that organic materials/fertilizers can: (i) supply all required macro- and micro-nutrients for plants; (ii) improve physical, chemical and microbiological properties of soils; (iii) be applied universally on all soils; (iv) always produce quality products; (v) be cheaper and affordable; and (vi) build-up of large amount of soil organic matter. Other related myths are: “legumes can use entire amount of N2 fixed from atmosphere” and “bio-fertilizers increase nutrient content of soil.” Common myths regarding chemical fertilizers are that they: (i) are not easily available and affordable, (ii) degrade land, (iii) pollute environment and (iv) adversely affect health of humans, animals and agro-ecosystems. The review reveals that, except in some cases where higher yields (and higher profits) can be found from organic farming, their yields are generally 20–50% lower than that from conventional farming. The paper demonstrates that considering the current organic sources of nutrients in the developing countries, organic nutrients alone are not enough to increase crop yields to meet global food demand and that nutrients from inorganic and organic sources should preferably be applied at 75:25 ratio. The review identifies a new and alternative concept of Evergreen Agriculture (an extension of Agroforestry System), which has potential to supply organic nutrients in much higher amounts, improve on-farm soil fertility and meet nutrient demand of high-yielding crops, sequester carbon and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, provide fodder for livestock and fuelwood for farmers and has potential to meet global food demand. Evergreen Agriculture has been widely adapted by tens of millions of farmers in several African countries and the review proposes for evaluation and scaling-up of such technology in Asian and Latin American countries too.

The decline in the yields of most of the crops grown in the hill Inceptisol soils of Jammu region of India , is largely attributed to the gradual decrease in soil quality, owing to the poor soil-nutrient management practices. The indicators and the overall indices of the soil quality can be improved to a greater extent through the conjunctive use of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients, instead solely depending upon the inorganic sources. Therefore, a long-term study was conducted with the prime objective to assess the long-term effect of different conjunctive nutrient management practices on soil quality indicators and indices in hill Inceptisol soils of Jammu region of India. The results of the study revealed that after 11 years the order of superiority of the treatments in terms of maize grain yield was 100% NPK (60:40:20 kg ha−1) (T2) (2186 kg ha−1) > 50% NPK + 50% N (FYM) (1961 kg ha−1) (T7) > 50% NPK + 50% N (crop residue) (1789 kg ha−1) (T6) > 50% N (FYM) (1510 kg ha−1) (T5) > 50% NPK (1436 kg ha−1) (T3) > 50% N (crop residue) (1426 kg ha−1) (T4) > control (1183 kg ha−1) (T1). In case of mustard crop, the order of superiority was T7 (1157 kg ha−1) > T5 (960 kg ha−1) > T6 (903 kg ha−1) > T2 (874 kg ha−1) > T3 (783 kg ha−1 > T4 (710 kg ha−1) > T1 (541 kg ha−1). The percent contribution of key indicators toward soil quality index was in the order of available sulfur (S) (31.9%) > microbial biomass carbon (MBC) (31.8) > dehydrogenase assay (DHA) (8.36%) > pH (8.05%) > electrical conductivity (EC) (6.01%) > organic carbon (OC) (4.87%) > available zinc (Zn) (4.56%) > available phosphorus (P) (4.45%). The relative order of performance of treatments in terms of soil quality indices was T5 (1.52) ≥ T7 (1.52) > T6 (1.46) > T2 (1.38) > T3 (1.33) > T4 (1.25) > T1 (control) (0.97). Our study has clearly indicated that after 11 years, the conjunctive use of organic sources of N such as FYM and crop residues in combination with inorganic sources (@ 50:50 on the basis of N equivalents) proved very effective in improving the soil quality indicators and indices under maize (Zea mays) - mustard (Brassica campestris var. Sarson) crop rotation in rainfed hill Inceptisol soils.

Wheat is rich in carbohydrates, Protein and essential Vitamins and Minerals such Vitamins B and E, Calcium and Iron, as well as fiber. Wheat is an important cereal crop in achieving global Food security. It is cultivated worldwide and is second highest in production. Wheat production is affected mainly by biotic and abiotic stresses all over the world. Maximum yield of wheat can be attained over balanced consumption of all plant nutrient resources. In recent past due to increased cost of chemical fertilizer and with moto of tumbling environmental pollution, creation of amplified awareness on the use of organic sources with bio-fertilizers which are the sources of macro, micro and secondary nutrients to endure both the soil fertility and productivity. The combined nutrient supply contemplates to collective use of inorganic and organic sources of plant nutrient and bio-fertilizers for crop productivity apart from keeping up inspiring soil health. Since past few years, bio-fertilizers like Azotobacter, PSB, (Phosphate solubilizing bacteria). Azospirillum and liquid bio-fertilizers have shown fabulous potential to improve yield of wheat as these are eco-friendly and low-cost agriculture inputs. Managing Nitrogen inputs in wheat production systems is a significant issue in order to attain maximum profitable production, and minimum negative environmental influence. Wheat production can be enhanced to two to three fold by implementing the cyanobacteria based bio fertilizer. Current study indicates a boost in crop growth, height, thickness of stem, increase in number of grain pods and quantity.

Impact of phytase supplementation on performance and egg quality traits in broiler breeders: A meta-analysis

An accurate feed formulation is essential for optimizing feed efficiency and minimizing feed cost for swine and poultry production. Because energy and amino acid (AA) account for the major cost of swine and poultry diets, a precise determination of the availability of energy and AA in feedstuffs is essential for accurate diet formulations. Therefore, the methodology for determining the availability of energy and AA should be carefully selected. The total collection and index methods are 2 major procedures for estimating the availability of energy and AA in feedstuffs for swine and poultry diets. The total collection method is based on the laborious production of quantitative records of feed intake and output, whereas the index method can avoid the laborious work, but greatly relies on accurate chemical analysis of index compound. The direct method, in which the test feedstuff in a diet is the sole source of the component of interest, is widely used to determine the digestibility of nutritional components in feedstuffs. In some cases, however, it may be necessary to formulate a basal diet and a test diet in which a portion of the basal diet is replaced by the feed ingredient to be tested because of poor palatability and low level of the interested component in the test ingredients. For the digestibility of AA, due to the confounding effect on AA composition of protein in feces by microorganisms in the hind gut, ileal digestibility rather than fecal digestibility has been preferred as the reliable method for estimating AA digestibility. Depending on the contribution of ileal endogenous AA losses in the ileal digestibility calculation, ileal digestibility estimates can be expressed as apparent, standardized, and true ileal digestibility, and are usually determined using the ileal cannulation method for pigs and the slaughter method for poultry. Among these digestibility estimates, the standardized ileal AA digestibility that corrects apparent ileal digestibility for basal endogenous AA losses, provides appropriate information for the formulation of swine and poultry diets. The total quantity of energy in feedstuffs can be partitioned into different components including gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), and net energy based on the consideration of sequential energy losses during digestion and metabolism from GE in feeds. For swine, the total collection method is suggested for determining DE and ME in feedstuffs whereas for poultry the classical ME assay and the precision-fed method are applicable. Further investigation for the utilization of ME may be conducted by measuring either heat production or energy retention using indirect calorimetry or comparative slaughter method, respectively. This review provides information on the methodology used to determine accurate estimates of AA and energy availability for formulating swine and poultry diets.

Brassica oleraceae var. Acephala D.C. (kale, sukuma wiki) is the most important vegetable in Kenya but its production is hampered by low soil fertility particularly Nitrogen and Phosphorus. Most small holder farmers do not utilize inorganic fertilizers and the use of organic sources alone may have higher labour requirements for its application. The use of two organic sources Tithonia diversifolia (Tithonia) leaves and farmyard manure and two inorganic fertilizers Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) for improved soil fertility and kale yields was investigated on nitrogen limiting soil in Western Kenya, Maseno University. An experiment was carried out twice between January 1999 and April 2000 to evaluate the effect of Tithonia diversifolia, farmyard manure and inorganic sources of fertilizer on growth and leaf yield of kale. The treatments included: T1 - control, T2 - Tithonia leaf biomass incorporated 5 tons per hectare (dry matter), T3 - tithonia leaf biomass incorporated (4.5 tons per hectare (dry matter) in combination with Diammonium phosphate (DAP) T4 – DAP (200kg per hectare in combination with Calcium Ammonium nitrate (CAN) 500 kg per hectare), T5 - Farmyard manure, 15 tons per hectare. Leaf yield was assessed by both cumulative leaf weight per given plant and leaf number, plant height was also taken. Both organic and inorganic sources of fertilizer significantly increased growth and leaf yield of kale. Tithonia leaf biomass on its own or in combination with an inorganic fertilizer gave leaf yields comparable to those applied with exclusively inorganic sources of fertilizer. With the prices of inorganic fertilizers increasing and becoming unaffordable to most farmers in Kenya, organic sources like tithonia leaves that are locally available to the farmers can be alternative sources of fertilizer to increase the yields and production of kale. Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology Vol.4(1) 2002: 38-51

A utilização de biossólidos industriais na agricultura pode proporcionar aumento de níquel no solo, porém sua biodisponibilidade é influenciada por diversos fatores e, muitas vezes, resíduos com elevados teores de níquel não estão associados à sua alta absorção pela planta. O objetivo foi avaliar a solubilidade do níquel no solo, sua biodisponibilidade e acumulação em plantas. O experimento foi conduzido em vasos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis doses de níquel: 0, 9, 18, 36, 72 e 144 mg de níquel kg-1 de solo, via fonte orgânica (biossólido compostado) e mineral (cloreto de níquel) com 4 repetições. Utilizou-se um Cambissolo Háplico como substrato e o morangueiro como planta indicadora. Avaliaram-se os teores no solo pelos extratores: ácido nítrico + clorídrico concentrado (3:1), nitrato de cálcio a 0,5 mol L-1, ácido nítrico a 1,0 mol L-1 e o pirofosfato de sódio a 0,1 mol L-1 além, ainda, dos teores de níquel na raiz, coroa, parte aérea e fruto. As maiores e menores extrações de níquel no solo foram observadas pela aplicação da fonte orgânica e extração com o ácido nítrico e clorídrico concentrado e pelo nitrato de cálcio, respectivamente. Ambas as fontes aumentaram os teores de níquel nos tecidos avaliados, com menores aumentos para fonte orgânica. Os maiores teores foram observados em raiz e os menores em coroa.

An experiment was conducted to study the production performance of broiler breeder females (25 to 40 weeks of age) fed either reference diet or low non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) diet with or without microbial phytase (500 FYT/kg) supplementation.A weighed (160 g/b/d) quantity of feed from each diet was offered daily to 40 replicates of one bird each housed in California type cage having individual feeders.Each cage was considered as a replicate.A continuous 16-h light per day was provided using incandescent bulbs.Body weight, egg production, egg weight, feed per egg mass, egg specific gravity, egg breaking strength, shell thickness, tibia ash and serum Ca and protein concentrations were not affected by reducing the NPP level from 0.30 to 0.18% in the broiler breeder diet.Supplementation of phytase (500 FYT/kg) enzyme to the diet containing 0.18% NPP had no added advantage on any of the above production parameters.The serum inorganic P was increased significantly (p<0.05) by either enhancing the NPP content from 0.18 to 0.30% or supplementing phytase @500 FYT/kg to the diet containing low P which were found comparable.Retention of Ca and P was positive on all the diets.P retention decreased significantly (p<0.05) with either increase in NPP content or phytase supplementation in the diet.Neither NPP nor phytase supplementation influenced bone mineralization in terms of tibia ash and strength.The hatchability was not influenced by either increasing the NPP content or supplementing the enzyme phytase.Similarly, the P concentration in the egg yolk and day old chick, day old and 14 th day body weight and leg score was not altered by increasing the level of NPP or supplementing phytase enzyme.The mortality was within the normal limits in all the three dietary groups.Thus, it can be concluded that 0.18% NPP (288 mg NPP intake/b/d) in the broiler breeder's diet is adequate in sustaining the optimum performance from 25 to 40 wks of age.Enhancing the NPP content or supplementation of phytase (500 FYT/kg diet) to diet containing 0.18% NPP had no added advantage on performance.(

Highlighter pens have been essential tools for students, instructors, and office employees for many years. They are used to emphasize specific information in written texts, making it easier to recognize, remember, and retrieve later. This study proposed the use of organic sources to create solvent-based highlighter pen ink. Specifically, it aimed to determine the viability of using organic sources such as Annatto seeds and blue butterfly pea as sustainable highlighter pen ink and to assess if there was a significant difference between the physical properties of commercial and organic highlighters. An experimental research design was applied, wherein the researchers produced two concentrations of ink and observed which concentration was suitable as highlighter pen ink. The study involved forty (40) students from the College of Education at Laguna University who tested the organic highlighters in one day and answered a validated questionnaire. The results revealed that Annatto seed highlighter pen ink exhibited a more intense color, while blue butterfly pea highlighter pen ink had a mild odor. As a result, respondents strongly agreed on the physical properties of the two organic sources as highlighter pen ink. However, both organic sources resulted in show-through, meaning that the ink could be seen through to the other side, usually due to thin paper or bold ink. Additionally, the study showed that both Annatto seed and blue butterfly pea highlighters were acceptable. However, Annatto seed highlighter was preferred due to its better ink qualities. The research also indicated that there was no significant difference between the physical properties of commercial and organic highlighters, suggesting that highlighter pens made from organic sources can be used as sustainable alternatives. The researchers encouraged further investigation into the advantages of using natural inks derived from organic sources in ecologically friendly and sustainable production methods. This study opens possibilities for utilizing organic materials as alternatives to traditional highlighter pen inks, contributing to environmentally conscious practices in the stationery industry.

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a novel Buttiauxella phytase to pigs fed P-deficient, corn-soybean meal diets. One hundred and twenty crossbred piglets (9.53 ± 0.84kg) were allocated to one of five treatments which consisted of four low P diets (0.61% Ca and 0.46% total P) supplemented with 0, 500, 1,000, or 20,000FTU/kg phytase as well as a positive control diet (0.77% Ca and 0.62% total P). Each treatment had six replicated pens with four pigs per pen. Pigs were fed the experimental diets for 28days. Phytase supplementation linearly improved (P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein, Ca, and P in weaned pigs. Super high dosing with phytase (20,000FTU/kg) further increased (P < 0.05) ADG compared with 500FTU/kg phytase inclusion group, as well as ATTD of Ca and P. Metacarpal bone characteristics and several trace mineral concentration in bone, plasma, or organ tissues were linearly (P < 0.05) improved at increasing dose of phytase. Super high dosing with phytase (20,000FTU/kg) supplementation improved (P < 0.05) Mn and Zn concentration in bone compared to normal dose of phytase supplementation (500 or 1,000FTU/kg). In conclusion, supplementation of 500 FTU of Buttiauxella phytase/kg and above effectively hydrolyzed phytate in a low-P corn-soybean diet for pigs. In addition, a super high dosing with phytase (20,000FTU/kg) improved macro- or micro mineral availability and growth performance.

Faba bean (FB) can be used in poultry diets as a protein source alternative to soybean meal. This study evaluated the effect of extrusion of low-tannin FB and phytase supplementation on performance, phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) retention, and gut microbiota activity in broiler chickens. Raw or extruded FB meal was included in broiler diet at 300 g kg-1 . The experimental treatments additionally differed in nutrient level (adequate, or calcium, P, and protein reduced) and phytase supplementation. Broiler performance was not affected by the dietary treatments. Extrusion and a reduced nutrient content did not affect P and N retention coefficients, but they increased when the reduced diets were supplemented with phytase. In the ileal digesta, FB extrusion increased the activities of bacterial α- and β-glucosidase, β-galactosidase, and β-glucuronidase, but acetate and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentrations were higher only in birds fed extruded FB supplemented with phytase. In the cecal digesta, FB extrusion increased the activities of bacterial α- and β-glucosidase, α-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase, and phytase supplementation decreased β-glucosidase and β-glucuronidase activities, but acetate, butyrate and valerate and total SCFA concentrations were lower in birds fed extruded FB. Good performance of broilers could be obtained using diets containing 300 g kg-1 raw FB. The extrusion process does not improve FB nutritive value and may negatively affect the activity of cecal microbiota. Phytase supplementation allows lowering calcium, inorganic P, and protein level in diets with FB, and reduces P and N excreted in droppings, with a positive effect on the environment. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Simple SummaryWith the ever-increasing demand for poultry products, the continuous supply of conventional cereal grains such as maize has become a challenge. Barley has been recognised as a potential alternative feed ingredient that can replace common cereal grains in poultry diets. However, due to several limitations such as the presence of various anti-nutritive factors and the variability in nutrient composition and quality, the use of barley in poultry diets remains comparatively low. The previous findings on the optimum use of barley in poultry diets are also inconsistent primarily due to differences in research methodologies. The importance of using accurate nutrient profiles for specific barley cultivars to formulate barley-based diets is emphasised in this review. Moreover, the need to adapt feed processing conditions suitable to different barley cultivars to increase the inclusion of barley in poultry diets is highlighted in this review.The supply of conventional cereal grains, especially of maize, will be a significant constraint to the future growth of the poultry industry. Various alternative feed ingredients are being tested to replace maize in poultry diets. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is one such feed ingredient, the use of which remains limited in poultry diets due to its low metabolisable energy, presence of anti-nutritive, soluble non-starch polysaccharides and consequent inter-cultivar variability. Differences in research methodologies used in published studies have also contributed to the inconsistent findings, preventing a good understanding of the nutritional value of barley for poultry. The importance of using accurate nutrient profiles, specifically metabolisable energy and digestible amino acids, for specific barley cultivars to formulate barley-based diets is emphasised. Nutritionists should also pay close attention to feed processing conditions tailored to the specific barley cultivars to increase the barley inclusion in poultry diets.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi modificar quimicamente resíduos do beneficiamento do café (pergaminho), visando a obtenção de um produto mais hidrofóbico, testá-lo quanto ao seu poder adsorvente de óleo e utilizá-lo em formulações de rações para aves. Os resíduos foram analisados quanto a sua composição química-bromatológica e, posteriormente, acetilados com anidrido acético usando diferentes concentrações de N-bromossuccinimida, a temperatura de 120°C por 4 horas. A análise dos resíduos indicou altos teores de fibras. A acetilação possibilitou ganho de massa em todas as amostras estudadas. Nos testes de adsorção de óleo verificou-se aumento significativo na retenção de óleo dos materiais modificados, comprovando a hidrofobização. O material acetilado e com certa quantidade de óleo adsorvida foi chamado de OSoL (óleo sólido) sendo avaliado o seu valor nutricional em rações para aves, substituindo o óleo de soja. Nos ensaios metabólicos adotou-se o método de alimentação forcada, sendo determinados os valores de energia metabolizável verdadeira, energia metabolizável verdadeira corrigida para nitrogênio, coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca, coeficiente de digestibilidade da proteína bruta e coeficiente de metabolizibilidade da energia metabolizável. Os tratamentos mostraram-se semelhantes estatisticamente, sendo, portanto, viável a inclusão do OSoL nas rações animais.

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the effect of increasing phytase coefficient of variation (CV) in chick diets, and to determine the effect of phytase addition on nutrient availability in diets for swine and poultry. The first experiment (EXP) simulated varying mix uniformity of phytase by alternately providing two diets with two different concentrations of microbial phytase (FTU). Increasing phytase CV had little effect on growth performance, whereas bone ash and breaking strength and Ca and P retention and excretion decreased only at the most extreme CV. These data suggest that a phytase CV of between 34 and 69% is adequate to support optimum chick performance. Seven EXP were conducted using slope ratio assays to determine the nutrient values that might be attributed to phytase addition to corn-soybean meal diets for chicks. For chicks, nutrient values of 26% for lysine, 25% for total sulfur amino acids, and 46,000 kcal of metabolizable energy per kilogram of phytase could be used for phytase providing 600 FTU with an inclusion rate of 0.1%. In an experiment conducted with pigs to determine the effect on growth performance of phytase addition to diets deficient in amino acids, improvements in feed efficiency and lean gain and increased fat indicate possible increases in energy and amino acid availability with phytase addition. This result was supported by an EXP where reducing the concentration of dietary Ca and P, phytase addition, and the combination of the two treatments in corn-soybean meal diets for pigs increased apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids, DM, energy, and N. Similar digestibility EXP were conducted in chicks, broilers, and laying hens. While the effect of phytase on the individual amino acids varied, there was an overall tendency for improved amino acid digestibility with phytase addition in diets for chickens. Thus, phytase increased nutrient availability in diets for poultry and swine.