Animal Husbandry Industry Research Articles

Interleukin 17D Enhances the Developmental Competence of Cloned Pig Embryos by Inhibiting Apoptosis and Promoting Embryonic Genome Activation.

Simple SummaryThe cloning technique is important for animal husbandry and biomedicine because it can be used to clone superior breeding livestock and produce multipurpose genetically modified animals. However, the success rate of cloning currently is very low due to the low developmental efficiency of cloned embryos, which limits the application of cloning. The low developmental competence is related to the excessive cell death in cloned embryos. Interleukin 17D (IL17D) is required for the normal development of mouse embryos by inhibiting cell death. This study aimed to investigate whether IL17D can improve cloned pig embryo development by inhibiting cell death. Addition of IL17D protein to culture medium decreased the cell death level and improved the developmental ability of cloned pig embryos. IL17D treatment enhanced cloned pig embryo development by regulating cell death-associated gene pathways and promoting genome-wide gene expression, which is probably via up-regulating the expression of a gene called GADD45B. This study provided a new approach to improve the pig cloning efficiency by adding IL17D protein to the culture medium of cloned pig embryos.Cloned animals generated by the somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) approach are valuable for the farm animal industry and biomedical science. Nevertheless, the extremely low developmental efficiency of cloned embryos hinders the application of SCNT. Low developmental competence is related to the higher apoptosis level in cloned embryos than in fertilization-derived counterparts. Interleukin 17D (IL17D) expression is up-regulated during early mouse embryo development and is required for normal development of mouse embryos by inhibiting apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate whether IL17D plays roles in regulating pig SCNT embryo development. Supplementation of IL17D to culture medium improved the developmental competence and decreased the cell apoptosis level in cloned porcine embryos. The transcriptome data indicated that IL17D activated apoptosis-associated pathways and promoted global gene expression at embryonic genome activation (EGA) stage in treated pig SCNT embryos. Treating pig SCNT embryos with IL17D up-regulated expression of GADD45B, which is functional in inhibiting apoptosis and promoting EGA. Overexpression of GADD45B enhanced the developmental efficiency of cloned pig embryos. These results suggested that IL17D treatment enhanced the developmental ability of cloned pig embryos by suppressing apoptosis and promoting EGA, which was related to the up-regulation of GADD45B expression. This study demonstrated the roles of IL17D in early development of porcine SCNT embryos and provided a new approach to improve the developmental efficiency of cloned porcine embryos.

VB-ApyS-JF1, the First Trueperella pyogenes Phage, Shows Potential as an Alternative Treatment Strategy for Trueperella pyogenes Infections.

Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is an important opportunistic animal pathogen that causes huge economic losses to the animal husbandry industry. The emergence of bacterial resistance and the unsatisfactory effect of the vaccine have prompted investigators to explore alternative strategies for controlling T. pyogenes infection. Due to the ability of phages to kill multidrug-resistant bacteria, the use of phage therapy to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections has attracted attention. In this study, a T. pyogenes phage, vB-ApyS-JF1 (JF1), was isolated from sewage samples, and its whole genome and biological characteristics were elucidated. Moreover, the protective effect of phage JF1 on a mouse bacteremic model caused by T. pyogenes was studied. JF1 harbors a double-stranded DNA genome with a length of 90,130 bp (30.57% G + C). The genome of JF1 lacked bacterial virulence–, antibiotic resistance– and lysogenesis-related genes. Moreover, the genome sequence of JF1 exhibited low coverage (<6%) with all published phages in the NCBI database, and a phylogenetic analysis of the terminase large subunits and capsid indicated that JF1 was evolutionarily distinct from known phages. In addition, JF1 was stable over a wide range of pH values (3 to 11) and temperatures (4 to 50°C) and exhibited strong lytic activity against T. pyogenes in vitro. In murine experiments, a single intraperitoneal administration of JF1 30 min post-inoculation provided 100% protection for mice against T. pyogenes infection. Compared to the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) treatment group, JF1 significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the bacterial load in the blood and tissues of infected mice. Meanwhile, treatment with phage JF1 relieved the pathological symptoms observed in each tissue. Furthermore, the levels of the inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the blood of infected mice were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased in the phage-treated group. Taken together, these results indicate that phage JF1 demonstrated great potential as an alternative therapeutic treatment against T. pyogenes infection.

Challenging sheep grazing in orchards: Changes in nutrition, performance, and the health of animals and the effects on the vegetation and soil

AbstractWe proposed a mixture of animal husbandry and fruit tree industry: livestock grazing under an orchard layer to increase agricultural productivity per area and reduce the costs of feed, fertilizer, and weed control. Lambs were reared in‐house for 1 month and then moved to a pear orchard for 1 month of grazing. We recorded the changes in body weight, blood properties (e.g., albumin, cholinesterase, and nonesterified fatty acids), and parasitic infection to compare the in‐housed lambs with the grazing lambs in the orchard. Additionally, we conducted field investigations for changes in vegetation and soil properties before and after grazing. Grazing caused significant increases in body weight, helminth eggs in dung, and soil water retention, and significant decreases in plant biomass, grass digestibility, and soil hardness. In contrast, the nutritional values of the feed, blood properties, and soil chemical properties (e.g., pH, P, N, and C) were not significantly changed after grazing. These results highlighted that the fruit tree industry combined with livestock production would be an acceptable management approach for Japanese agriculture, although further case studies are required.

Biosensors for animal health and meat safety monitoring: farm-to-slaughterhouse continuum

The meat supply chain needs to be managed for sufficient levels of consumer protection. Healthy animals are an essential precondition for a safe food supply, since zoonotic diseases, including meatborne pathogens, are a major threat to public health. Information about the livestock’s general health, animal welfare and prevalence of major meatborne hazards such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, STEC and Listeria monocytogenes is of utmost importance for effective biosecurity control on farm. Early detection of these hazards in faecal samples, monitoring blood levels of metabolites relevant for animal welfare (hormones) and animal health (acute phase proteins) can provide high-level control in the animal farming industry. Multiplex biosensors for pathogens and metabolites in the farm-to-slaughterhouse continuum constitute a practical and cost-efficient tool for early detection of signs related to meat safety. Point-of-care multiplex biosensors are an advantage versus commonly used methods ELISA and RT-PCR, since they provide possibilities for early detection and do not require expensive equipment, trained personnel or significant time for sample transfer and analyses. Biosensors can improve meat inspection and meat safety controls, and can serve as a primary tool for monitoring food safety parameters and contribute to the modernization of veterinary inspection and risk-based meat safety assurance system.

Economic Need to Upgrade Livestock Facilities

The economic and social necessity of the upgrading of livestock facilities based on innovative technology has been substantiated. It is noted that, during upgrading, one should use the technical means recommended by the newly developed System of machines for the animal husbandry industry. The economic efficiency of the upgrading of farms is shown in comparison with the construction of new integrated facilities.

Assessment of Antibiotic Stewardship Components of Certification Programs in US Animal Agriculture Using the Antibiotic Stewardship Assessment Tool

Antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs) are meant to promote appropriate use of antibiotics and to help maintain the effectiveness of antibiotics. For the United States (US) animal agriculture industry, multiple resources exist to guide antibiotic stewardship practices. Animal management certification programs can promote on-farm compliance with antibiotic stewardship through the incentive of achieving certification. The goal of this project was to determine whether the stewardship-related requirements of US-based certification programs align with identified core components of antibiotic stewardship in food animal agriculture using the Antibiotic Stewardship Assessment Tool (ASAT). We applied the ASAT to publicly available information from four different US animal agriculture certification programs that incorporate some level of antibiotic stewardship. In part due to varying scopes, the programs demonstrated a great deal of variability in meeting the metrics of the ASAT, with one program meeting all the required metrics and the other three only meeting the metrics to varying degrees (ranging from 3 to 67%). We identified several areas as opportunities for enhancing and promoting ASP implementation on farms. The area with the most opportunity for improvement is evaluation. Evaluation can help ensure effective outcomes of stewardship practices and ensure accountability for following recommended antibiotic stewardship guidelines. While evaluation currently may fall outside the scope of some certification programs, the incorporation of more specific antibiotic stewardship evaluation details within certification program content could serve as an important mechanism for promoting voluntary on-farm compliance with antibiotic stewardship guidelines.

Current status and prospects of studies on biological occupational hazards

Biological occupational hazards have occurred frequently for a long time, which have seriously affected the health of relevant occupational groups. The infection of medical staff caused by improper occupational protection in public health emergencies also sounds alarms to practitioners with biological hazards. In order to further carry out the research work of biological occupational hazards, this paper combs and summarizes the research status of biological occuational hazards in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery and other industries, and puts forward suggestions for in-depth research from three aspects of research scope, research methods and research contents, to provide some reference for the development of biological occupational hazards research in the future.

Transformation and Upgrading Path of Animal Husbandry Industry Based on Dynamic Shift Share Model

Transformation and Upgrading Path of Animal Husbandry Industry Based on Dynamic Shift Share Model

ITRAQ-based proteome analysis of porcine group A rotavirus-infected porcine IPEC-J2 intestinal epithelial cells

Porcine rotavirus (PoRV), particularly group A, is one of the most important swine pathogens, causing substantial economic losses in the animal husbandry industry. To improve understanding of host responses to PoRV infection, we applied isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantitatively identify the differentially expressed proteins in PoRV-infected IPEC-J2 cells and confirmed the differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) expression differences by performing RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Herein, in PoRV- and mock-infected IPEC-J2 cells, relative quantitative data were identified for 4724 proteins, 223 of which were DAPs (125 up-accumulated and 98 down-accumulated). Bioinformatics analyses further revealed that a majority of the DAPs are involved in numerous crucial biological processes and signaling pathways, such as metabolic process, immune system process, amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, immune system, MHC class I peptide loading complex, Hippo signaling pathway, Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, antigen processing and presentation, and tubule bicarbonate reclamation. The cellular localization prediction analysis indicated that these DAPs may be located in the Golgi apparatus, nucleus, peroxisomal, cytoplasm, mitochondria, extracellular, plasma membrane, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Expression levels of three up-accumulated (VAMP4, IKBKE, and TJP3) or two down-accumulated (SOD3 and DHX9) DAPs upon PoRV infection, were further validated by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Collectively, this work is the first time to investigate the protein profile of PoRV-infected IPEC-J2 cells using quantitative proteomics; these findings provide valuable information to better understand the mechanisms underlying the host responses to PoRV infection in piglets. SignificanceThe proteomics analysis of this study uncovered the target associated with PoRV-induced innate immune response or cellular damage, and provided relevant insights into the molecular functions, biological processes, and signaling pathway in these targets. Out of these 223 DAPs, the expression levels of three up-accumulated (VAMP4, IKBKE, and TJP3) and two down-accumulated (SOD3 and DHX9) DAPs upon PoRV infection, have been further validated using RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. These outcomes could uncover how PoRV manipulated the cellular machinery, which could further our understanding of PoRV pathogenesis in piglets.

Determinants of the Innovative and Investment Development of Agriculture

The article considers the conditions for the formation of determinants of innovative-investment development of agriculture. A systematic approach to the development of agriculture in a single integration space of intersectoral cooperation and state support through the introduction of effective innovative and investment determinants, which form the criteria of investment attractiveness of economic entities and provide conditions for innovation in production and technological process, is implemented. The levels of innovative and investment development of agriculture are structured. Determinants of innovative and investment development of agriculture and indicators of its estimation are offered. A comprehensive methodological approach to financing innovative and investment projects with state guarantees to potential investors to obtain additional value from the introduction of scientific development in the technological cycle of agricultural production, taking into account economic, social, budgetary, environmental, resource, intellectual, scientific and technical components of innovative and investment processes proposed. It is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the introduction of innovations in agriculture by an integrated indicator with the ratio of effects (results) and costs by certain components. Scientific organizations by sectors of activity, which include development in innovative and investment development of agriculture of Ukraine, are analysed. An assessment of innovative and investment activity of Ukrainian producers with the distribution of the average number of employees in agriculture is carried out. The share of expenditures on research and development on agricultural development in the gross domestic product (GDP) of EU-28 countries and Ukraine is determined. The calculation of priority factors of external and internal environment of influence on the efficiency of innovative and investment development of the animal husbandry industry is carried out. The forecast values of functional risks and the level of efficiency of innovative and investment development of the animal husbandry industry of Ukraine are determined.

In vitro Inhibition of Border Disease Virus Replication With Lentivirus-Mediated shRNAs.

Background: Border disease is believed to be one of the most important diseases in the animal husbandry industry, which has not yet been eradicated in Iran. The development of approaches based on the application of interfering RNA (RNAi) for antiviral therapy has attracted a great deal of attention over the recent years. The present research was conducted to design, construct, and apply shRNA against the NS3 gene of BDV to evaluate the prevention of BDV proliferation in the cell culture system. For this purpose, the suitable oligonucleotide sequence of NS3 gene coding was selected utilizing BDV- X818 strain. Afterwards, using shRNA design software, shRNA molecules were designed and synthesized. These shRNAs were cloned into the desired vectors and were finally transfected in HEK293T cells employing the third generation of lentiviral packaging system. Subsequently, these shRNA expressing lentiviruses were transduced to the MDBK cell line to challenge to border virus. In order to evaluate the efficacy of shRNAs, the viral infectious titer and RNA copy number were calculated with TCID50 and Real-time RT-PCR tests, respectively.Results: The results revealed that shRNAs 1, 2, and 3 decreased viral RNA by more than 90% compared to the control groups. BDV titer noticeably decreased after the challenge with shRNAs 1, 2, and 3 from ~88% up to 99% in comparison with the control groups.Conclusions: Overall, it could be concluded that RNAi may be considered as a strong treatment proposal against viruses, such as BDV.

Pemberdayaan Potensi Masyarakat Melalui Pengembangan Perdagangan, Pendidikan, Sosial, dan Lingkungan Desa Gedangan Kecamatan Grogol Kabupaten Sukoharjo

&lt;p&gt;Gedangan is a village located in Grogol District, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java. In 2021, Gedangan Village will become one of the partners of the Sebelas Maret University Student Community Services Program (KKN). In this village, KKN activities were carried out using a hybrid system due to the pandemic. KKN is carried out through online and offline activities with the theme of empowering community potential through counselling in the fields of animal husbandry, education, social and creative industries. The work programs that have been implemented are "Literacy Lanterns", Catfish Cultivation in Buckets, composter making, educational posters, PHBS counselling, Reading Houses, and murals to attract the public. The implementation strategy includes socialization, teaching, and various trainings. With this KKN team work program, the people of Gedangan Village are able to optimize the local potential of the village, especially in the fields of Education, Social, and Creative Industries. This activity is supported by the village government and local communities from various backgrounds. This activity is useful for developing Gedangan Village in managing village potential and can help the community be more interested in developing Gedangan in the future.&lt;/p&gt;

Input Structure Effect of Total Factor Productivity Growth of Animal Husbandry

This paper uses the input-output panel data of China's animal husbandry industry from 1997 to 2017, based on the total factor decomposition framework of total factor productivity (TFP), and uses the Hicks-Moorsteen index completely decompose the growth of animal husbandry TFP. By measuring the effect of mixed efficiency on the development of TFP in animal husbandry and then evaluating the input structure effect of TFP growth in animal husbandry. The results show that the impact of input structure on the TFP growth of animal husbandry has also changed from negative to positive. From 1997 to 2007, the input structure of the Huanghuaihai region alone contributed to the growth of TFP in animal husbandry, and the rest of the region was the opposite. From 2008 to 2017, the input structure of the Mengxin Plateau region hindered the growth of TFP in animal husbandry, while the rest of the region was the opposite.

СОСТОЯНИЕ И ОСОБЕННОСТИ РАЗВИТИЯ ЖИВОТНОВОДЧЕСКИХ ОТРАСЛЕЙ В РОССИИ И ЗА РУБЕЖОМ

The state and level of development of livestock industries depend on internal (availability of basic production funds, material and labor resources, the level of technological and technical support, etc.) and external factors (the state of the country's economy, fluctuations in market conditions, the solvency of the population, natural resources, economic and political stability, etc.). The effectiveness of livestock industries and the level of their development are determined by a favorable combination of internal and external factors, with their rational use. The research aims to study and analyze the state and level of development of animal husbandry industries in the Russian Federation and abroad, with further identification of areas for improving efficiency and developing recommendations for their further development.&#x0D; As of 2019, compared to the pre-reform period (1990), the number of livestock of agricultural animals in the Russian Federation has sharply decreased: cattle (cattle) - by 3 times, including cows-by 2.6 times, pigs-by 1.5 times, sheep and goats-by 2.6 times. This led to a decrease in the density of livestock per 100 hectares of agricultural land, which reduces the efficiency of land use, including hayfields and pastures. On the territories of the Russian Federation, there are quite a lot of natural forage lands, which, with reasonable specialization and territorial placement of livestock industries, can increase the efficiency of their use. The lack of a unified policy to improve the sustainability of agroecological systems and their effective use in the country does not allow us to reach the pre-reform level of livestock production. For the period from 2010 to 2019, beef production decreased by 6.7%, and milk production by 0.5 %. For meat and meat products, the actual production volumes are above the established threshold of food security, and for milk and dairy products, this level has not yet been reached. So, by 2019, taking into account reserves, the share of domestic production was 83.1 % (with a threshold value of 90 %), and the share of imports was 16.9 %. All this dictates the need to study internal and external factors affecting the development of livestock industries, identify internal reserves and, on this basis, increase production volumes, and ensure competitiveness in the foreign market.&#x0D; In the world market of livestock production, the leading positions are occupied by such industrialized countries as the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, Australia, New Zealand. The analysis of the state of development of animal husbandry in these countries allows us to conclude that the growth of livestock production and livestock productivity was promoted by taking into account and combining internal and external factors - the use of industrial industrial technologies (dairy cattle breeding), taking into account natural factors (meat cattle breeding). The use of cheap sources of natural forage land and climatic conditions that allow for the production of livestock products in some of these countries (Australia, New Zealand, some US states) without the construction of capital livestock buildings makes it possible to obtain cheap, high-quality and competitive products. Taking into account the experience of foreign countries, taking into account the possibilities of agroecological systems, it is necessary to choose the right specialization of livestock industries and on this basis to increase the production volumes and efficiency of livestock products

Re-Focusing Human Relationship with Environment: Development of TOPHI Model and Expedition towards Sustainable Development

The above maxim makes it evident that human and environment are very closely related and an important part of each other. As human need to interact with environment to obtain our food, water, fuel, medicine, building materials and many others things, thus, protecting the environment is essential to our health, quality of life and ultimately for survival. Humans have been interacting with the environment since, people first walked the earth. Humans have been cutting down forests to clear land to grow crops and building residents. Later on, with introduction of industrialization during 18th century in the UK and slowly spreading in Europe and America and then across the world. Such industrialization indicates technological intervention in organizations related to agriculture, animal husbandry and agriculture related industries. Much of massive production stated taking place and subsequently, the production of wastes as sewage, agricultural run-off, industrial chemicals etc. also started which leads to pollution. Aim of the Study: The present paper proposes the TOPHI Model to draw a holistic picture of relationship between human and environment. The model focuses upon how each parameter are related itself to human existence with mother nature. The model also tries to provide both positive and negative perspective of these relationship. Finally, the paper also tries to lighten the pathway of sustainable development describing its need for ensure better future. The paper not only provide a comprehensive framework covering all the possible elements of nature and human but also hopes to serve as a base for future study.

Ecotoxicology assessments in avian species using cell-based models: A review

Cell-based models in avian species have historically focused on virology due to the demands of animal agriculture and vaccine production industries. Recent years have witnessed a gradual rise in the use of these models ( in ovo, cell lines, primary cell cultures, organ slices, and organ-on-a-chip) in ecotoxicological studies as scientists and governments begin the shift to new approach methodologies, a shift validated by the recent memo by the Environmental Protection Agency announcing the end of mammalian testing in the next two decades. This rise has been hindered by the limited standards available for avian species and the unknowns surrounding cell-based assay applicability in extrapolation to in vivo. Toxicologists have incorporated these models in many different studies, including maternal deposition, mechanistic, metabolic, and non-target analysis methods, demonstrating the broad utility of cell-based assays. In ovo methods are ideal for reproductive and early life stage development studies, primary cell cultures for metabolic analysis, cell lines for long term studies requiring culture, organ slices for metabolic research, and organ-on-a-chip models for predictive analysis. These models all have their limitations that researchers need to consider when choosing which is most appropriate for the intended research, however. The current indications are that future avian cell-based model testing would benefit from expanding the species diversity available in cell lines and increasing metabolic conservation in full replacement methods. In ovo and primary cell culture methods should also be examined to increase efficiency and further reduce animal usage. This review examines the use, limitations, and published applications of these models in an ecotoxicological context to understand the current state of avian cell-based models to explain what future directions should be taken and how best to apply the methods available to current problems that avian researchers are approaching.

Current state and development trends of livestock in the Republic of Kazakhstan

The article is devoted to the study and analysis of the current state of the animal husbandry industry in the Republic of Kazakhstan in the context of regions. The indicators of the dynamics of the number of livestock of farm animals for the period 2015-2019 by regions, indicators of productivity in the industry, indicators of the volume of production of meat products are analyzed. The dynamics and structure of costs in the country’s livestock industry are also considered.Today, one of the most pressing problems in the development of the agro-industrial complex is the low level of labor productivity due to low automation and digitalization of technological processes. The need to meet the demand for livestock products in the domestic market of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as to increase its export resources, poses a challenge for Kazakhstani science and practice to develop, scientifically substantiate and master modern technologies for the production of low-cost, environmentally friendly, competitive products of the industry. They should be resource-saving, aimed at maximizing the use and improvement of the genetic potential of farmed farm animals, adapted to the specific natural and economic conditions of the regions of the republic. The development and mastering of such technologies will make it possible to weaken the negative impact of the industry on the environment, reduce the cost of material resources, and effectively use the available land and water resources [5].The main problems hindering the effective development of the country’s livestock industry are identified. The promising strategic directions for the development of this industry have been determined. From the point of view of experts of the financial organization, the country has good potential and opportunities to export its beef and pork to China, and the lamb of the Edilbay sheep breed to the countries of the Middle East.

De Novo Sequencing and High-Contiguity Genome Assembly of Moniezia expansa Reveals Its Specific Fatty Acid Metabolism and Reproductive Stem Cell Regulatory Network.

Moniezia expansa (M. expansa) parasitizes the small intestine of sheep and causes inhibited growth and development or even death. Being globally distributed, it causes considerable economic losses to the animal husbandry industry. Here, using Illumina, PacBio and BioNano techniques, we obtain a high-quality genome assembly of M. expansa, which has a total length of 142 Mb, a scaffold N50 length of 7.27 Mb and 8,104 coding genes. M. expansa has a very high body fat content and a specific type of fatty acid metabolism. It cannot synthesize any lipids due to the loss of some key genes involved in fatty acid synthesis, and it may can metabolize most lipids via the relatively complete fatty acid β-oxidation pathway. The M. expansa genome encodes multiple lipid transporters and lipid binding proteins that enable the utilization of lipids in the host intestinal fluid. Although many of its systems are degraded (with the loss of homeobox genes), its reproductive system is well developed. PL10, AGO, Nanos and Pumilio compose a reproductive stem cell regulatory network. The results suggest that the high body lipid content of M. expansa provides an energy source supporting the high fecundity of this parasite. Our study provides insight into host interaction, adaptation, nutrient acquisition, strobilization, and reproduction in this parasite and this is also the first genome published in Anoplocephalidae.

Changes of Stem Characteristics, Senescence Indexes and Yield and Quality of Wintering Rye under Different Populations

In response to the production crisis caused by a winter feed shortage due to the rapid development of the animal husbandry industry, winter rye 001 was selected to study differences in stalk and senescence characteristics in yield formation in cold regions. Five density treatments were established in a randomized design as 225 × 104 plant·hm−2 (D1), 275 × 104 plant·hm−2 (D2), 325 × 104 plant·hm−2 (D3), 375 × 104 plant·hm−2 (D4), and 425 × 104 plant·hm−2 (D5). Stem characteristics, SOD activity, POD activity, MDA content, and differences in yield and feeding quality under different population densities were analyzed. The plant height, center of gravity, and stem basal internode length showed an increasing trend with an increase in planting density. The stem wall thickness, diameter, strength, and lodging resistance indices decreased. At 275 × 104 plants·hm−2, the rye crude protein content was the highest while neutral washing fiber and acid washing fiber were the lowest, and feed quality was the best. With an increase in density, spike number, grain number per spike, and thousand-grain weight first increased and then decreased. We concluded that the yield and feeding quality were best when the basic seedling was at 275 × 104 plants hm−2.

Isolation and characterization of a podovirus infecting the opportunist pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Bacterial infections have a negative impact on both animal husbandry industry and medicine, and increasing bacterial drug resistance exacerbates this adverse impact. Phages show promise as an alternative to drugs against drug-resistant bacteria. In this study, a novel virulent bacteriophage (phage) vB_ValP_IME234 against Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus was isolated from freshwater in Beijing, China. Phage vB_ValP_IME234 had an isometric head (59 nm in diameter) and a short tail (10 nm long), belonging to Podoviridae family. Its complete genome is liner double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) with a GC content of 41.6% while encoding 61 putative proteins. Three transfer RNA (tRNA) and no lysogenic gene was detected. vB_ValP_IME234 had a polyvalent infectivity, a burst of 390 PFU/cell, and is stable under different temperatures (4 °C to 50 °C) and pH (6.0 to 10.0) values. Host range test showed that vB_ValP_IME234 has the ability to infect seven strains of Vibrio in total. Phylogenetic analyses based on terminase and capsid suggested that this phage had a close relationship with Vibrio phages. These results indicate that vB_ValP_IME234 could be used as a potential biocontrol agent against V. alginolyticus strains.