Dry Matter Ratio Research Articles

Determination of bioactive properties of Capparis spinosa fruits and use in production of Tulum cheese

The focus of the present study was to evaluate the bioactive properties of Capparis spinosa (caper) fruits and to investigate some quality parameters of Tulum cheese with addition of caper. Analyses for the phytochemical components of caper fruit used in the production of Tulum cheese showed that it has high levels of bioactive components in terms of antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and flavonoids. It was determined that C. spinosa, which is used in the production of Tulum cheese, had a good radical scavenging activity (DPPH radical assay). Four experimental groups were arranged in the present study and analyzed on the 1, 30, 45, 60, and 90th day of ripening. T_C was designed as the control group, T_C1, T_C2, and T_C4 groups contained 1, 2, and 4% of caper. According to the obtained results as the content of caper increased, dry matter ratios, ash, pH values, tyrosine and free fatty acid values in cheese increased significantly. The microbiological evaluation revealed that the caper affected positively Lactobacillus spp. counts. The highest aroma and taste scores among caper cheeses were given to the control group (T_C). Generally, caper did not have a negative effect on the textural profile of the product. These results revealed that C. spinosa contributes to the improvement of the bioactive potential as well as increasing the quality parameters of cheese.
 Keywords: Caper; Bioactive properties; Functional dairy; Microbiological properties; Tulum cheese

Wastewater Treatment using The Photosynthetic Bacteria at Parksarp Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital

Untreated waste water from the piggery farm will damage the environment and society, if, it is discharged to environment, in particular, direct impact on surrounding communities. The propose of the research is to investigate the characteristics and efficiency of the photosynthetic bacteria in employing on wastewater treatment systems. The experiment is designed and simulated the stabilization tank system that includes: an aerobic tank, sedimentation (excess sludge) tank, clear water tank and all tanks are used the same size of 50 liters, wastewater from a piggery farm was introduced into the treatment tank with a dry matter ratio 5% of the total water mass. Therefore, BOD5, COD, TSS, TKN, and pH were made prior to entering the treatment tank, photosynthetic bacteria is added 200 ml per week, detention time 7 days and after 25 days of treatment. The experiment found that, BOD5, COD, TSS, TKN concentrations reduce continuously from 366 mg/l - 192 mg/l (47.54%), 90,000 mg/l - 4,000 mg/l (95.56 %), 30 mg/l - 7 mg/l (76.67%) and 3.92 mg/l - 0.08 mg/l (97.96%), respectively.

Organic Manure Significantly Promotes the Growth of Oilseed Flax and Improves Its Grain Yield in Dry Areas of the Loess Plateau of China

Organic fertilizers could be useful for agricultural sustainability. Therefore, this study explored green cultivation techniques to improve the grain yield of oilseed flax in dry areas of the Loess Plateau of China. With no fertilization (CK) as the control, the effects of sheep manure (S1: 12.5 t ha−1; S2: 25 t ha−1), poultry manure (C1: 5.8 t ha−1; C2: 11.6 t ha−1), and chemical fertilizers (F1: N 112 kg ha−1, P 75 kg ha−1, K 67.5 kg ha−1; F2: N 225 kg ha−1, P 150 kg ha−1, K 135 kg ha−1) on the growth and development, the grain filling characteristics, and the yield of the Zhangya 2 oilseed flax (Linum usitatisimum L.) variety were compared and analyzed based on a two-factor split plot experiment. The results showed that the application of manure significantly increased the emergence rate (ER) of oilseed flax. Poultry manure increased plant height while sheep manure increased stem diameter. The dry matter production was higher in the 25 t ha−1 sheep manure treatment by 2.47–40.11% compared with that of the other treatments, and it promoted the distribution ratio of dry matter to grains after anthesis. The observed relationship was in accordance with that presented by the logistic equation between grain weight and days after anthesis, and there were significant positive correlations between the 1000-grain weight and the average filling rate (V-ave), the maximum filling rate (V-max), and the growth at the maximum filling rate (W-max). The application of organic manure accelerated the grain filling rate (GFR); under the treatment with 25 t ha−1 sheep manure, V-ave, V-max, and W-max increased by 4.84–22.72%, 1.16–17.54%, and 4.58–22.63%, respectively, and the grain yield and the net income per unit area increased by 6.35–39.25% and 3.04–95.07%, respectively, compared with those under the other treatments. Consequently, the treatment with 25 t ha−1 sheep manure can significantly promote the growth and development of oilseed flax plants, optimize the grain filling characteristics, and increase the grain yield and net income, making it a suitable fertilization technique for oilseed flax in dry areas of the Loess Plateau of China.

The Quality of Silage and Yield in Hungarian Vetch and Forage Crops and Rye Intercropping System

The aim of the study was to determine silage yield and quality of Hungarian vetch/forage pea (V/P) with rye (R) mixed in an intercropping system that provides maximum level of faulting from the field. The field experiment was conducted in 2021-2022 to examine the effects of different binary sowing ratio (20:80%R/P, 40:60%R/P, 60:40%R/P; 80:20%R/P; 20:80%R/V, 40:60%R/V, 60:40%R/V; 80:20%R/V, 100%R, 100%P, 100%V) in 3 replications. The treatments were harvested in July 2022 for silage, and hay yield and fresh yield were determined in the intercropping treatments before ensiling. On the same day, silages were filled by the same mix ratios in plastic cans. After fermentation, the dry matter ratio, pH, sucrose, crude protein, ADF, NDF, mineral matters and organic acid were defined in silages. Before ensiling the highest fresh and dry yield were obtained from 80:20%R/P. Yield values were decreased by increase of rye ratio in the mix. The dry matter, crude protein, lactic acid formation, the inhibition of undesirable micro‐organisms and nutritional quality has been improved in rye silages prepared with H. vetch and F. pea contribute. Consequently, the combinations of the H. vetch and F. pea contribute to rye silage are complementary, and the intercropping of the binary combination made profitable forage yield and silage quality, according to sole treatments. The positive effects in the investigated parameters are in all mixed ratios, but, 80:20R/P, 60:40R/P and 80:20R/V silages were more superior to the others.

The Effects of Plant Density and Shading on Some Agricultural Traits of Salep Orchid (Serapias vomeracea)

Serapias vomeracea is a valuable plant from the Orchidaceae family, especially in that its tubers are used to make hot drinks. In this study, the plants were grown in field conditions, and it was investigated in detail for the first time to determine the effect of plant density and shading on some agronomic traits of Serapias vomeracea. The five levels of plant density (20x10 cm, 20x5 cm, 10x10 cm, 10x6.6 and 10x5 cm) and three levels of shading (Control, 55% and 75%) were tested. The plants were harvested for new tubers in full flowering period. As a result of the study, the shading was effective on the dry matter ratio (P

Morphologic and chemical characterizations of some salep orchids

Salep orchids have been used as a food for centuries without cultivating but, mainly harvesting from nature. After powdering, their tubers are utilized as hot beverage and in ice-cream industry as a stabilizer. Due to their importance in food industry, it is important to characterize the morphology and chemistry of salep orchids. In this study, it was aimed to determine some morphological (fresh weight, dry weight and dry matter ratio of tubers and the number of tubers required for 1 kg salep powder) and chemical (glucomannan, starch, protein, moisture, ash, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc contents and glucomannan/starch ratio of tubers) properties of 10 salep orchid species from 6 genus namely, Anacamptis pyramidalis, Dactylorhiza romana, Himantoglossum caprinum, Himantoglossum comperianum, Ophrys apifera, Ophrys mammosa, Orchis coriophora, Orchis morio, Orchis tridendata, Serapias vomeracea grown in nature of Black Sea Region of Türkiye. Such a kinds of data is the first and can be beneficial in utilizing the researched species in food industry.

Growth, Biochemical Characteristics, Flesh Quality, and Gut Microbiota of the Pacific White Shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) Fed a Defatted Superworm (Zophobas atratus) Larvae Meal.

This study evaluated the effects of defatted superworm (Zophobas atratus) larvae meal (DBWLM) as an alternative protein ingredient for juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were characterized by replacing 0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%, and 75% fish meal (DBWLM0, DBWLM15, DBWLM30, DBWLM45, DBWLM60, and DBWLM75, respectively) with DBWLM on a w/w basis and feeding them to juvenile shrimp (0.34 ± 0.04 g) for 56 days. The results showed that the replacement of up to 75% fish meal by DBWLM had no negative effect on the growth performance of P. vannamei. The survival of shrimp in the DBWLM30 group was the highest, and the weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, condition factor, and apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter in the DBWLM15 group were the highest. The substitution of DBWLM for fish meal significantly increased the elasticity of flesh, improved the total content of umami amino acids in flesh (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and alanine), promoted lipid metabolism in shrimp, and reduced serum lipid levels. With the increase in DBWLM level, serum acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase activity, and intestinal inflammatory gene expression (IGF-1 and IL-6) were inhibited, malondialdehyde content decreased, and total antioxidant capacity level and superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly. Histological sections of the hepatopancreas showed that when 60% or more fish meal was replaced, the hepatopancreas atrophied and had irregular lumen distortion, but the cell membrane was not damaged. Microbiome analysis showed that the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes increased and the abundance of Proteobacteria decreased in the DBWLM replacement group, and it was rich in "metabolism"-related functional pathways. It is worth mentioning that the expression of amino-acid-related enzymes was upregulated in the DBWLM15 and DBWLM30 groups, and the DBWLM75 group inhibited the biosynthesis of steroids and hormones. To conclude, the replacement of 15%-45% fish meal with DBWLM can result in better growth and immune status, improved meat elasticity, and reduced inflammation in P. vannamei. However, it is recommended that the replacement level should not exceed 60%, otherwise it will cause atrophy of hepatopancreas cells.

Influence of Different Protected Environments and Reflector Material on Cultivated Oiti (Licania tomentosa[Benth.] Fritsch) Seedlings

Abstract Background Oiti (Licania tomentosa[Benth.] Fritsch) is an option for urban forestation and rural environments that require shading by plants, so studying the plant environment to obtain quality seedlings is essential. The present study aimed to evaluate oiti seedlings in different protected environments with or without reflective material on a cultivation bench. Methods The following protected environments were evaluated: an agricultural greenhouse covered with a low-density polyethylene film and a thermo-reflective screen with 42%/50% shading under the film; an agricultural screenhouse with an aluminized screen with 35% shading; an agricultural screenhouse with a black screen with 30% shading; and an agricultural screenhouse with a black screen with 18% shading. Production systems with and without photosynthetically active radiation-reflecting material (aluminized screen, Aluminet®) on the cultivation bench were assessed in each protected environment. Results There was no interaction between the environmental factors; however, the environments influenced height, stem diameter, root dry matter, and total biometric relationships and growth rates. The reflective material did not improve the quality of oiti seedlings. The ratio of shoot and root dry matter was, on average, 71% for the shoots and 29% for the roots. The photosynthetically active radiation received by oiti seedlings ranged from 600 to 1,100 μmol m−2s−1. Conclusions The greenhouse with 42%/50% shading screen under the film and the black screen with 30% shading were the best environments for the formation ofLicania tomentosaseedlings. The reflective material on the cultivation bench did not result in better quality oiti seedlings.

Determination of High Yield and Quality Sainfoin Genotypes (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) for the Bingöl Province of Turkey

This research was carried out for two years between 2017-2018 to determine the high yield and quality sainfoin genotypes for Bingöl Province. A total of 13 genotypes were used as plant materials, two of which were registered cultivars (Lutfibey, Peschanyj 1251), six candidate cultivars (Emre, Hilal, Fatih, Mehmetalibey, Koc 1461, Yunus) and five were populations (Genc, Adakli, Yedisu, Ankara, Tarim). In the study forage yields, dry matter yields, crude protein ratios, crude protein yields, ADF (acid detergent fiber) ratios, NDF (neutral detergent fiber) ratios, digestible dry matter ratios and relative feed values of genotypes were investigated. As the average of two years of the genotypes; the forage yield was 1832±60 kg da-1, the dry matter yield was 576±20 kg da-1, the crude protein rate was 16.4±0.3%, the crude protein yield was 95.3±3.9 kg da-1, the ADF rate was 31.2±0.5%, the NDF rate was 43.8±0.6%, the digestible dry matter rate was 64.6±0.4% and the relative feed value was obtained as 139±2.3. According to two years data in the study, the differences between genotypes were found statistically significant (p<0.01) in terms of forage yield, dry matter yield and crude protein yield, but the differences between genotypes were found to be statistically insignificant in terms of crude protein, ADF, NDF and digestible dry matter ratios and relative feed value. As a result, it was determined that Tarim, Hilal, Peschanyj and Lutfibey genotypes came to the fore in the conditions of Bingöl Province in terms of the examined characteristics.

DETERMINATION OF YIELD AND QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMON REED (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud) HARVESTED AT DIFFERENT GROWTH STAGES

Common Reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud, which is remained inactive and grown in saline
 drainage channels, has been seen as an important potential to reduce the roughage deficit needed in animal nutrition. For this purpose, some yield, fermantation, chemical and nutritional characteristics of P.australis herbage and silage obtained from the end of the vegetative stage (EVS), the beginning of panicle (BP) and the full panicle stage (FPS) were determined. The study was carried out in 2021-2022 in Igdir, which is located in the North-East of Turkey. The results showed that the forage yield characteristics increased as the development period progressed and also that high lactic acid, low pH, acetic, propionic and butyric acid contents desired in silo feeds were obtained from the cuttings at FPS. In addition, ammonia production was low in silages at BP and FPS, but high the fleig score. It was observed that the dry matter digestibility, metabolic energy and relative feed value were higher while dry matter and crude protein ratio, acid detergent fibre and crude ash content of herbage according to silage were lower. On the other hand, the desired chemical and nutritional values in both herbage and silage were determined during the most suitable BP. As a result, it was determined that the common reed was appropriate to harvest in FPS for a silo feed with high yield and fermentation properties. In addition, it was concluded that the herbage and silage harvested at BP produced a higher quality feed material in terms of nutritional and chemical composition, respectively.

Comparative estimation of the lysine requirements in two generations of improved strain of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at the grow-out stage

A 3 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary lysine on growth performance, body indices, feed intake, feed efficiency, whole body nutrient composition and amino acid deposition in two successive generations (16th and 17th) of GIFT (Oreochromis niloticus). Three diets containing different levels of lysine at 1.16%, 1.56% and 2.41% were prepared for the feeding trial. Triplicate groups of fish with an initial body weight of 155 g were fed to apparent satiation for 10 weeks in a recirculating aquaculture system. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipids, and total carbohydrates were measured in the experimental diets. At the end of the experiment, no interactions between dietary lysine levels in diet and fish generation were observed on all parameters except for the condition factor (CF) and ADC of crude protein. However, dietary lysine level significantly affected the final weight, weight gain, thermal unit growth coefficient (TGC), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and ADC of dry matter regardless of the fish generation. Final weight, weight gain and TGC of fish were the highest in fish fed 2.41% dietary lysine in diet or 6.52% lysine in the protein. PER was the lowest in fish fed 1.16% dietary lysine. The final weight and the body's accumulation of isoleucine, phenylalanine, and alanine were significantly affected by the fish generation, with the 17th generation having the best performance. Increase growth and higher lysine requirement observed in the improved generation (17th) compared to the (16th) generation at grow out phase indicating that genetic improvement may have changed the dietary lysine requirement.

X-radiation of Lotus corniculatus L. seeds improves germination and initial seedling growth

Purpose Lotus corniculatus L. (bird’s foot trefoil, BFT) is a valuable perennial legume forage species due to its high nutritive value, persistence under grazing, and condensed tannin content that improves ruminant production and prevents bloating. However, it is less preferred by farmers compared with other perennial forage legumes such as alfalfa because of slow germination, slow establishment and low seedling vigor. This study was conducted to determine whether X-ray seed priming could improve these deficiencies. Materials and methods Seeds of L. corniculatus cv. ‘AC Langille’ were irradiated at 0, 100, and 300 Gy. Non-irradiated and irradiated seeds were sown on Murashige and Skoog/Gamborg medium under in vitro conditions and cultured for 21 days. Germination percentage, mean germination time (MGT), germination rate index, length of shoot and root, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, dry matter ratios of shoot and root, water content of shoot and root, and seedling vigor index were measured. Results The results of this study demonstrated that X-ray seed priming significantly increased the germination percentage of L. corniculatus, increased the germination rate and thereby shortened the MGT, and improved seedling growth. However, X-ray pretreatment also decreased seedling shoot and root biomass. Conclusions In this study, it is reported for the first time that X-ray seed pretreatment has the potential to address important seedling establishment issues in L. corniculatus.

Preparation of bacterial cellulose using enzymatic hydrolysate of olive pomace as carbon source

Bacterial cellulose has superior physical and chemical properties, biocompatibility, and purity. However, the high production cost obstructs the common use of this polymer. This study investigated the efficiency of olive pomace, an important by-product of olive oil industry in Turkey, as a carbon source for Novacetimonas hansenii. Olive pomace pretreatment with 1% H3PO4 was followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. The maximal reducing sugar concentration upon enzymatic process was 9.3 g/L with 1 enzyme: 6 substrate (dry matter) ratio. After incubation in the growth media prepared with the obtained reducing sugar as carbon source, the highest bacterial cellulose production was 0.68 g/L. Structural analysis indicated that bacterial cellulose from the enzymatic media and the conventional Hestrin-Schramm medium possess similar characteristics. The present work provides a favourable method to reduce the cost of bacterial cellulose production.

Evaluation of the development of emerald grass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) fertilized with different doses of sewage sludge in Manaus-AM

One of the main pollutants in cities is sewage sludge (SE), which has organic material, nutrients and heavy metals (PM), among other contaminants. However, respecting the acceptable limits of pollutant contents, LE has been studied worldwide and used in agriculture. Thus, an experiment was implemented, aiming to evaluate the development of emerald grass fertilized with LE. The DIC was used (5 treatments and 5 repetitions), with different LE doses (zero, 10, 20, 30 and 40 t/ha-1), the seedlings were of the plug type, after 45 days of fertilization, Total dry matter (DM) and parts, aerial and root dry matter (DM) and soil cover were evaluated. Total DM was statistically different between treatments; being higher at the dosage of 40 t/ha-1. The highest root DM/total DM ratio was at T1 (41%). Soil coverage, visually, was greater and faster the higher the LE dosage applied.

The relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization and milk composition in the postnatal period in Kyrgyz mares and foals.

Immune compatibility between mare and foal is one of the important topics of reproductive immunology. At this point, although there are many studies on antibodies, there are not many publications on the relationship between the cytokine levels of mare, foal and milk and the effects of milk composition on this relationship. Here we investigate the relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokine balance and milk composition in Kyrgyz mares and foals. Samples were taken soon after the foal was born and on days 5, 10 and 20 after birth. Th1 (IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10) cytokine levels in blood samples were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Dry matter, fat, protein and non-fat dry matter ratios were determined in the mare's milk and colostrum. We detected no Th1/Th2 polarization in the mare's milk on the day of the foal's birth (day 0) and day 10, but there was Th1 polarization on day 5 and Th2 cytokine polarization on day 20. There was no polarization in the blood sera of the mares on days 0, 5, and 10, and Th1 cytokine polarization was also detected on day 20. We detected no Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization in the blood sera of the foals on any of the days. Dry matter (19.66 ± 0.39%), protein (16.56 ± 0.18%), fat (2.13 ± 0.17), and non-fat dry matter (17.59 ± 0.44%) were higher in colostrum than the other days. When the correlations between cytokine levels in milk samples and milk composition were examined, there was a positive correlation between IL-5 level and protein ratio on day 10. We detected a positive correlation between IL-2 level and the fat rate on day 20. There was a positive correlation between the IL-2 level and the non-fat dry matter ratio on day 20. Further studies are now needed to determine the relationship between the changes in the composition of mare's milk in the postnatal period and Th1/Th2 cytokine polarization in mares and foals at the time of birth and in the postnatal period. Our finding that protein and fat ratios in mare's milk in the postnatal period are positively correlated with IL-2 levels should be considered in terms of foal and human nutrition.

Carbohydrate Utilization and Digestibility by Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus, Are Affected by Chromic Oxide Inclusion in the Diet

A 12-wk feeding trial was conducted to study the influence of chromic oxide (Cr2O3) on carbohydrate utilization and digestibility by tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus. Two levels of chromic oxide (0.5 and 2%) were each incorporated into diets containing glucose or starch. Chromic oxide was added at 0 or 8 wk. The diets were fed to triplicate groups of fish weighing 1.11 ± 0.05 g. Fish fed the starch diet had greater (P < 0.05) weight gain, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, protein deposition and digestibility of protein, lipid, carbohydrate and dry matter than fish fed the glucose diet irrespective of the time and level of chromic oxide supplementation. Fish fed the glucose diet with 0.5% chromic oxide had higher weight gain, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein deposition than fish fed the glucose diet with 2% chromic oxide. The ingredient digestibility estimated using 0.5% chromic oxide as the marker was greater than that estimated with 2% chromic oxide. Higher phosphofructokinase and lower glucose-6-phosphatase activity was found in fish fed the starch diet than in fish fed the glucose diet regardless of the time and level of chromic oxide inclusion. Fish fed the glucose diet with 0.5% chromic oxide had higher phosphofructokinase activity and lower tissue chromium concentration than fish fed the glucose diet with 2% chromic oxide irrespective of chromic oxide inclusion time. These data suggest that the level of chromic oxide in the diet alters glucose utilization by tilapia and affects nutrient digestibility by tilapia. The time of chromic oxide inclusion had no effect on carbohydrate utilization and digestibility.

Effect of water stress imposed at vegetative stage on growth and physiological traits of subterranean clover

Pasture productivity in the Mediterranean region depends mainly on the soil water deficit. Subterranean clover originates from the Mediterranean region and is adapted to areas with hot and dry summers. The response of Subclover to drought was studied in greenhouse and subjected to three soils - water levels: 100% (control), 50 and 25% of field capacity (FC). After 70 days of water deficit treatment, our results showed that increasing levels of water constraint resulted in a progressive decline in the different growth parameters (shoot and root dry matter (DM) height, leaf area, shoot and root (DM)) and those of water content and leaf chlorophyll concentration. At the limited irrigation, Trifolium subterraneum L. showed smaller decreases in plant height and leaf area. Despite, limited irrigation increased the root to shoot ratio of DM. Thus, it shows better adaptation and a more balanced water balance. Findings of this study suggest that subterranean clover used avoidance mechanisms to withstand drought.

Nutritional parameters and performance of crossbred heifers fed with millet and BRS 716 biomass sorghum silages

ABSTRACT This study addressed the different proportions of millet and sorghum silage biomass BRS 716 (BRS-716 silage) in the diet of crossbred heifers ¾ Holstein x ¼ Zebu on their nutrient intake, and digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen balance, ingestive behaviour, and growth performance. Five experimental diets with 0, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100% of BRS-716 silage in compared to millet silage were evaluated. The roughage: concentrate ratio in the total dry matter (DM) of the diets was 75:25. The diets were evaluated in ten heifers with an initial body weight of 264.95 ± 19.4 kg (± SEM), following the experimental design in two 5 × 5 Latin squares, simultaneously. The total experimental period lasted 105 d, divided into five periods of 21 days, including a 17-d initial adaptation, and four for data collection, and samples. The increase of BRS-716 silage in the diet of crossbred dairy heifers did not change the dry matter intake (DMI), and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDFI). For the purine derivatives, and microbial synthesis, there was no significant effect (P > 0.05). The average daily gain was 0.795 kg/d. The millet silage, and BRS-716 silage in the diet of crossbred Holstein × Zebu heifers used exclusively or combined in different proportions.

Eficiência de uso de fósforo por genótipos de meloeiro

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of phosphorus use with melon genotypes cultivated in a hydroponic system. Ten melon genotypes were evaluated in solutions with and without phosphorus restriction. A randomized block design in a 10 × 2 factorial scheme was used, with five replicates. The following characteristics were evaluated: leaf number, stem diameter, main branch length, root system length, root system volume, chlorophyll, root and shoot phosphorus concentration ratio, total phosphorus, root and shoot dry matter ratio, total dry matter, and phosphorus use, acquisition, and internal utilization efficiencies. The existence of variability among genotypes was verified for all evaluated characteristics, except for chlorophyll. Genotypes A-16, A-29, A-50, A-52, and Trinity were classified as efficient and responsive in the phosphorus-restricted solution and are promising for breeding studies.

Energy Density of Three Prosopium Fish Species Endemic to Bear Lake, Utah–Idaho

Abstract We used bomb calorimetry to quantify the energy density of three Prosopium fish species endemic to Bear Lake, Utah–Idaho, that we collected in 2020–2021: Bear Lake Whitefish Prosopium abyssicola, Bonneville Whitefish Prosopium spilonotus, and Bonneville Cisco Prosopium gemmifer. We found that mean ± standard deviation wet weight energy densities were 6,312 ± 760 J/g for Bear Lake Whitefish; 5,301 ± 778 J/g for Bonneville Whitefish; and 4,743 ± 443 J/g for Bonneville Cisco. We built linear mixed models and found relationships between energy density and dry matter ratio (i.e., ratio of dried weight to wet weight of a fish) for all three species, suggesting that the energy density of future samples collected in Bear Lake could potentially be determined from comparisons between the dried and wet weight of fishes belonging to these species. Our results are useful for future bioenergetics modeling with these three Bear Lake endemic species and potentially with others species in related genera that share similar feeding, behavior, and life-history traits.