Food Conversion Efficiency Research Articles

Study of the Level of Gene Expression of the GLUT2 Glucose Vector in the Small Intestine of the Meat Broiler and its Relationship to Productive Traits

The study was conducted in the field of animal production of the Agricultural Research Station / College of Agriculture and the Marshes / Dhi Qar University for the period from 10/11/2021 to 25/ 2/ 2022. Laboratory tests of the samples were carried out in the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the College of Dentistry / Dhi Qar University, for the purpose of knowing the gene expression of the SLC2A2 gene encoding the glucose transporter GLUT2 and the abundance of its mRNA transcripts in different regions of the small intestine of broilers when fed at different levels of energy and to study the relationship of that abundance to some productive traits.
 In this study, 135 non-naturalized of meat broiler (breed 308 Ross) were used. The broiler were randomly distributed to three experimental treatments, with three replicates for each group (15 chicks/repeat), used the adlibitum free feeding system for the duration of the experiment, which lasted (35) days. The study included three levels of energy, where the first treatment was a control diet, which represented 3065 and 3133 kilocalories/kg for the primer and final diet, respectively, as for the second treatment, it contained a high level of energy 3200 kilocalories/kg and 3297 kilocalories/kg for the primer and final diets, respectively, the third treatment contained a low level of energy 2769 kilocalories/kg and 2802 kilocalories/kg for primer and growth diets, respectively. The results of the study showed the following:-
 
 The possibility of amplifying the studied gene and knowing its abundance and according to the primers used.
 The highest level of mRNA transcription of the GLUT2 gene in the small intestine of males was in the jejunum region (9.41) at a representative energy level of 3297 kilocalories/kg, as for the duodenum, the expression of GLUT2 gene was lower than in the jejunum (0.535), the GLUT2 gene expression in males was slightly more than in females in the ileum region (0.578) at a representative energy level of 3297 kcal/kg.
 Gene expression was positively and significantly associated with live weight, weight gain and feed consumption rates, but it was inversely related to the efficiency of food conversion in the jejunum and duodenal regions.
 The abundance of the glucose transporter GLUT2 gene increased with the increase in the energy level in the diet.
 Males gave a higher percentage of mRNA copies in all target organs compared to females.
 The activity of the gene responsible for the transfer of glucose can be modified through feeding and increasing energy levels and thus its reflection on the performance of birds.
 As for the productive traits, the differences were significant in the average live body weight and weight gain, as well as feed consumption compared with the control treatment, while the feed conversion efficiency did not show any significant differences.

Efficiency of Feed Consumption and Rate of Silkworm Respiration (Bombyx mori L.) Mulberry Leaves (Morus sp.) Containing Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

The effect of Mulberry (Morus sp.) leave that contain vitamin B1(Thiamine) on the efficiency of feed consumption and respiration rate of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) had been carried out. This study was complete randomized designed (CRD) by 5 treatments and trireplicated. Each replication consisted of 10 silkworms. The treatmeants were vitamin B1 with concentration of 0; 0,1; 0,2; 0,3 and 0,4mg/100 ml. The results showed that the relative consumption rate increased to the concentration of 0,4mg/100 ml and respiration rate was 0,4mg/100ml (p<0,05). Vitamin B1 had no effect on the relative growth rate, efficiency of convertion of digested food, efficiency of convertion of ingested food and approximate digestibility.

Effect Of The Quality Of Mulberry Leaves Morus alba Against The Silkworm Nutrition Index Bombyx mori L. (Lepidoptera:Bombicidae)

Th leaf quality effect of mulberry (Morus alba) on nutrition index of silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) has been studied. This research was design according to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 2 treatments which are an unfertilized mulberry plant, and the fertilized mulberry plants with urea, triple super phosphate (TSP), nitrogen, phosphor, and potassium (NPP). Twenty times replications was applied for each treatment. The results showed that the leaf of fertilized mulberry plant is evidently increased the growth and the consumption rate on the conversion efficiency of instar III, the feed digestion of instar V, the efficiency of food conversion of instar IV and V, and the estimate of feed digested of instar IV with the number for each was 36% and 26%, 30%, 34% and 67%, 24%, respectively.Bombyx mori L.

Water footprints and efficiencies of ruminant animals and products in China over 2008–2017

Over half of global livestock-related water consumption is for ruminants. Securing the increasing demand for ruminant products and their nutritional supply worldwide, especially in developing countries with limited and scarce water resources, poses new challenges. However, the evaluations of water appropriation (i.e., water footprints) and efficiencies of ruminant animals and products in time and space within large developing and populous countries remain unclear. Taking three ruminant animals (beef cattle, cows, and mutton sheep) and their meat and milk products produced within the most populous developing country, China, over the period 2008–2017 as the study case, we estimate and analyse provincial water footprints (WFs) by colours as well as their efficiencies from both perspectives of water and nutrients. The results show that the national average unit WFs decreased across species of ruminant. The northern provinces had higher unit WFs of three ruminants than the southern provinces. The WFs of beef were higher than those of the other ruminant animal products. Feed crops contributed 99% of the consumptive WFs of ruminant production in China. The water use efficiency for growing feed crops of the three ruminants increased in most provinces during the study period, which led to decreased proportion of inefficient WF of three animal products. The nutrition conversion efficiency of some animal products is found to overcome the well-known gaps between the WFs for a unit nutrient from animal products versus crops. For example, although the WF of fat per kilogram of mutton was triple of its ingested feed crops, the fat content can increase by six times when the feed crops were converted to mutton. This study reveals the necessity of evaluating the environmental impact of ruminant products from the dual perspectives of resource utilization efficiency and nutrient conversion efficiency, with a feasible evaluation method.

Rotation length of intensive Eucalyptus plantations: How it impacts on productive and energy sustainability

The identification of optimal rotation length of forest crops considering production and environmental perspectives is a major concern for eucalypts since plantations costs are high and nutrient extraction is considerable. This study assessed biomass productivity, energy yield and nutrient use efficiency of E. benthamii,E. dunnii and E. grandis plantations for energy purposes, with densities of 2220, 3330, 4440 and 6660 trees.ha−1 in the first rotation during a period of 76 months. Weight, content and extraction of nutrients, energy yield and efficiency of the use of nutrients in conversion to biomass and energy were measured in the stem with bark. The results showed a stabilization of biomass production, energy yield, and nutrient conversion efficiency between 49 and 57 months of age for all species and planting densities. During this time range, biomass productivity was notoriously reduced at higher planting densities (6660 vs. 2220 trees.ha−1), showing the convenience of using low densities. No relationship between productivity and efficiency of nutrient use was detected in the entire age range evaluated. E. benthamii and E. grandis were more efficient in converting nutrients to biomass and energy, while the three species showed similar productivity and energy yield. Productive and energetic sustainability can be enhanced by the optimization of rotation in eucalyptus crops in Uruguay.

Stage Specific food consumption and utilization by the Mexican beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae) on Parthenium hysterophorus Linnaeus

The food is the foremost need for the existence of all living organisms and the fluctuations in its availabilitystrongly affects the population dynamics of both the primary and secondary consumers. In the presentstudy we have investigated the effect of food (Parthenium weed) resource fluctuations, in terms of quality,on the feeding attributes of the Parthenium beetle, Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae).Quantitative food utilization indices were measured in different larval instars and physiological ages ofadult Zygogramma bicolorata Pallister. Among the larval and adult stages of the beetle, third instar larvaeand egg laying females ingested maximum food. Various growth parameters like relative consumptionrate (RCR), relative growth rate (RGR) and approximate digestibility (AD) were relatively higher in thefirst, third and fourth instar and egg laying females. Efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) andefficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) were maximum in first, third and fourth instar larvae anddecreasing trend was observed in second instar larvae. During pre-oviposition stage adult, these parametersincreased tremendously in contrast to senescent stage. However, the fourth instars had higher feedingattributes than the adult females, proving them to be the better bio-control agents of Parthenium weed thanthe adult females. However, field based studies are still needed to validate the present findings.

Effects of increasing levels of whole Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae in broiler rations on acceptance, nutrient and energy intakes and utilization, and growth performance of broilers

Meal of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), which requires extraction of protein and fat, is a novel protein source for poultry, while unprocessed whole BSFL could even directly be fed to chickens. Newly hatched Ross-308 chicks (n = 252) received whole BSFL at 10% (L10), 20% (L20), or 30% (L30) of voluntary feed intake (FI) of control chickens (CON) that received no BSFL but only age-specific diets (n = 63 birds / group) for 42 days (d). Acceptance and nutrient and energy intake of birds by BSFL and FI were calculated. Plasma metabolites were measured using an automatic enzymatic analyzer and immunoglobulins with ELISA. Depending on the variable, data were analyzed using ANOVA or repeated measures ANOVA to address treatment, time and interaction effects. Birds consumed all offered larvae. With the exception of d1, time spent by birds eating their daily portion of larvae (TSL, min/pen) did not differ among the larvae supply groups (P = 0.982). The L10 had a higher larvae eating rate (LER) that is, speed of larvae intake than did L20 and L30 (P < 0.05), implying increased competition for less available BSFL. The ratio of LER to feed eating rate (FER) was greater than 50 fold change difference (FCD), indicating a strong interest of chickens in BSFL over regular feed. Whole BSFL intake up to 30% of voluntary FI did not adversely affect broiler growth (P > 0.05). The L30 had lower total dry matter and metabolizable energy intakes (P < 0.05), although total fat intake was higher in L30 than in CON (P < 0.05). Compared with CON, 30% whole BSFL increased dietary protein-to-energy ratios, plasma uric acid and serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations (P < 0.05). We conclude that whole BSFL can be included in broiler rations up to 20% without negatively affecting growth performance and nutrient conversion efficiency, whereas a higher proportion is associated with lower protein utilization efficiency, possibly due to lower total energy intake.

The genotoxic, cytotoxic and growth regulatory effects of plant secondary metabolite β-caryophyllene on polyphagous pest Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Use of secondary metabolites as an alternative to organic pesticides is an eco-friendly and safe strategy in pest management. β-caryophyllene [(1R,4E,9S)-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylene bicyclo [7.2.0]undec-4-ene], a natural sesquiterpene is found as an essential oil in many plants like Syzygium aromaticum, Piper nigrum, Cannabis sativa. The present study aims at exploring the insecticidal, genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of β-caryophyllene against common cutworm Spodoptera litura (Fab.), a major polyphagous pest. S. litura larvae were fed on different concentrations (5, 25, 125, 625 and 3125 ppm) of β-caryophyllene. Results revealed delay in larval and pupal period with increase in concentration. Larval mortality increased and adult emergence declined significantly with increase in concentration. Higher concentrations of β-caryophyllene caused pupal and adult deformities. A negative impact of β-caryophyllene was also seen on the nutritional physiology of S. litura. Parameters such as relative growth rate, relative consumption rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food, efficiency of conversion of digested food and approximate digestibility showed a significant reduction in a dose dependent manner. DNA damage assessed using comet assay revealed significant genotoxic effects at LC30 and LC50 concentrations. There was an increase in tail length, percent tail DNA, tail moment and olive tail moment. Phenol oxidase activity was suppressed at LC50 concentration with respect to control. Total hemocyte count also declined significantly at LC30 and LC50 concentrations as compared to control. β-caryophyllene induced genotoxic and cytotoxic damage affecting the growth and survival of S. litura larvae. Our findings suggest that β-caryophyllene has the potential to be used for the management of insect pests.

The effect of farming density on the growth of common carp Cyprinus carpio L.1758 raised in floating cages in the Thi-Qar province of the Euphrates River using Iranian feed

From 18/10/2021 to 18/3/2022, samples were collected from private farms to cultivate fish in floating cages on the Euphrates River. Finally, different densities were studied to obtain the best farming density, in which three densities were used (63-43-23 fish/m3) by several 500 fish for the first process, 1000 fish for the second process, and 1500 fish for the third process, with a weighted rate of 100-120 gm, as a result, an originally Iranian feed was used for all three processes. The results of statistical analysis revealed that there are abstract differences (p0.05) in total weight gain, with the first process outperforming the rest of the process (130.0 gm/fish), followed by the second process (90.0 gm/fish).&#x0D; As well as the third process (75.0 gm/fish). Furthermore, the relative growth rate recorded when performing the statistical analysis that there are abstract differences (p0.05), in that the first process outperformed the second and third processes, with the first process outperforming the second (2.67 percent), the second (2.09 percent), and the third process outperforming the first (2.67 percent) (1.81 percent ). Because of the existence of abstract differences in the relative growth rate between the experiment months, the first process outperformed both the second and third processes. The first process has the highest relative growth rate (130.0 gm/fish), the second process has the highest relative growth rate (90.0 gm/fish), and the third process has the highest relative growth rate (75.0 gm/fish). Statistical analysis of the food conversion rate and food conversion efficiency revealed that there are abstract differences (p0.05) during the experiment months. So the food conversion rate recorded in the first process outperformed the second and third processes, and the highest food conversion rate was recorded for the first process (32.7 feed/gm), followed by the second process (22.5 feed/gm), and finally the third process (15.0 feed/gm). However, the food conversion efficiency demonstrated that the third process outperformed the first and second processes, while the second process outperformed the first. Furthermore, the food conversion efficiency values for the third process (12.5 percent), the second process (10.0 percent), and the first process (10.0 percent) are shown (7.22 percent ).&#x0D;

Effect of daidzein on growth, development and biochemical physiology of insect pest, Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)

Anti- insecticidal potential of daidzein was studied by feeding second instar larvae of Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) on artificial diet incorporated with different concentrations (5 ppm, 25 ppm, 125 ppm, 625 ppm) of diadzein. Results revealed high larval mortality, prolongation of pupal and total developmental period of the larvae treated with diadzein. Anti-nutritional/post ingestive toxicity of diadzein was also revealed by the decrease in the nutritional indices such as relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR), efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and approximate digestibility (AD). The suppression of immune function due to decline in the total hemocytes count was also observed in treated S. litura larvae. Profiles of detoxifying enzymes viz. superoxide dismutases (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidases (APOX) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were also significantly increased with diadzein treatment. The hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2), lipid peroxide content (LP) and protein carbonyl content were also significantly enhanced in the treated larvae thus, indicating oxidative stress in the insect. Our findings suggest that daidzein can be used as the alternative to conventional pesticides for controlling S. litura population.

Production Performance and Nutrient Conversion Efficiency of Field Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) in Mass-Rearing Conditions.

Simple SummaryFarming edible insects such as field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus), called the Mediterranean cricket, is increasingly being adapted for more commercial purposes. Adapting the mass cricket-rearing conditions for field cricket production, we found crickets had a typical growth rate and capacity for conversion of ingested feed into body mass. The efficiency of the deposition of major nutrients (inorganic matter, protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrate) in the field crickets from the ingested feed is possible to be measured under mass cricket-rearing conditions. The feed intake and mortality rate for cricket rearing should be considered for calculating major nutrient conversion efficiency as increased mortality rate resulted in higher conversion efficiency.Currently, there is an increased interest in mass producing edible insects, e.g., field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus), due to their market value and sustainable development. The current study aimed to measure the production performance of field crickets and to quantify the major nutrient deposition rate using a new approach for a nutrient conversion efficiency calculation for the field crickets under mass-rearing conditions. The field crickets were reared under mass-rearing conditions in the rearing crates and fed with a commercial cricket feed. Measurements for daily feed offered, final body weight, and dead cricket quantity were carried out during the feeding trial period. There were three production rounds with the same procedure for farmed cricket management. The samples of diet, adult crickets, and dead crickets were collected and then analyzed for chemical analysis of macronutrients. The production performance and nutrient conversion efficiency were calculated and then compared with applicable earlier reports for both field and house (Acheta domesticus) crickets. The production performance for the studied field crickets under mass-rearing conditions had final a body weight, an average daily gain (ADG), a feed conversion ratio (FCR), and a survival rate of 0.95 g, 23.20 mg/day, 2.94 and 88.51%, respectively. The field crickets had nutrient conversion efficiency for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) of 13.26, 8.03, 28.95, 88.94, 34.87, and 1.85, respectively, with an adjusted nutrient conversion efficiency of 14.85, 8.99, 32.37, 99.17, 38.95, and 2.10, respectively. Thus, the production of field crickets could be performed under mass-rearing conditions, and the nutrient conversion efficiency for both adjusted and non-adjusted values could be measured.

Ractopamine at legal residue dosage accelerates atherosclerosis by inducing endothelial dysfunction and promoting macrophage foam cell formation

Ractopamine, a synthetic β-adrenoreceptor agonist, is used as an animal feed additive to increase food conversion efficiency and accelerate lean mass accretion in farmed animals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration claimed that ingesting products containing ractopamine residues at legal dosages might not cause short-term harm to human health. However, the effect of ractopamine on chronic inflammatory diseases and atherosclerosis is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of ractopamine on atherosclerosis and its action mechanism in apolipoprotein E-null (apoe−/−) mice and human endothelial cells (ECs) and macrophages. Daily treatment with ractopamine for four weeks increased the body weight and the weight of brown adipose tissues and gastrocnemius muscles. However, it decreased the weight of white adipose tissues in apoe−/− mice. Additionally, ractopamine exacerbated hyperlipidemia and systemic inflammation, deregulated aortic cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, and accelerated atherosclerosis. In ECs, ractopamine treatment induced endothelial dysfunction and increased monocyte adhesion and transmigration across ECs. In macrophages, ractopamine dysregulated cholesterol metabolism by increasing oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) internalization and decreasing reverse cholesterol transporters, increasing oxLDL-induced lipid accumulation. Collectively, our findings revealed that ractopamine induces EC dysfunction and deregulated cholesterol metabolism of macrophages, which ultimately accelerates atherosclerosis progression.

Biology and Nutritional Indices of the Fall Army Worm &lt;i&gt;Spodoptera Frugiperda&lt;/i&gt; (J E Smith) on Maize

Lifecycle, progressive growth of larval head capsule, and nutritional indices of Spodoptera frugiperda (J E Smith) on maize (Co-H6) were studied at the Department of Agricultural Entomology, TNAU, Coimbatore during 2018-19. Incubation, total larval, and pupal periods were observed as 2-3, 13-20, and 7-11 days, respectively. The total lifecycle of male and female was 33-46 and 35-47, respectively. The head width was observed to be 0.34, 0.60, 0.89, 1.32, 1.86, and 2.36 mm from the first to the sixth instars, respectively. Linear regression analysis showed a significant relationship between larval instars and head capsule width (R2=0.0979); and geometric progression ratio was observed as 1.48. Nutritional indices were also studied for the third and fifth instar on the maize plants. Consumption index (CI) and approximate digestibility (AD) increased with larval age, while efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) were inversely related to age. These values for the third and fifth instar were- CI= 2.30 and 2.31; AD=35.7 and 40.29; ECI=18.33 and 12.21; ECD=51.33 and 30.3, respectively.

The Hot-Water Extract of Sargassum sp. as a Feed Ingredient for Spotted Scat (Scatophagus argus Linnaeus, 1766) Reared in Songkhla Lake: Effects on Growth, Feed Efficiency, Hematological Data and Body Composition

The growth performance of Scatophagus argus (25.53 ± 0.89 g) reared in Songkhla Lake, a brackish lagoon, was evaluated after feeding isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing hot-water extract from a seaweed, Sargassum sp., at 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 or 1 g·kg−1. Triplicate groups of fish were reared in 15 net cages (50 × 50 × 60 cm) at a density of 20 fish per cage, and the diets were fed twice a day at a rate of 5% of fish body weight per day for 8 weeks. The final body weight, weight gain (WG), average daily gain, and feed intake (FI) showed significant positive and quadratic responses to the Sargassum extract level. The highest WG (57.97%) and FI (0.34) were recorded in the fish that received the hot-water extract at 0.25–0.5 g·kg−1 of diet. The protein efficiency ratio showed significant positive linear and quadratic responses to the Sargassum extract level, while the hepatosomatic index showed a significant positive linear response to the Sargassum extract level. The body protein and ash contents showed positive, linear and quadratic responses to the Sargassum extract level, and the highest crude protein (49%) was observed in the 0.5 g·kg−1 diet group. There were no significant effects of the Sargassum extract levels on feed conversion ratio, food conversion efficiency, lipid and moisture contents, survival rate, hematocrit, and white or red blood cell counts. However, hematological data between fish in the control group and the Sargassum extract groups tended to be different. Overall, the optimum level of seaweed-extract supplementation for spotted scat under natural conditions was determined to be approximately 0.5 g·kg−1 diet.

The effect of artificial diet made of soybeans (Glycine max L.) on the rearing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)

Spodoptera frugiperda is a novel invasive pest of maize crops. Therefore, studies on this pest are limited. Research on the use of artificial diets in S. frugiperda larvae rearing is essential to facilitate the provision of test larva stocks for lab-scale study purposes. The aim of this research was to figure out the effect of an artificial diet from soybeans as a protein source on S. frugiperda rearing. The parameters observed in this research were larval-stage longevity, larval survival rate, pupa size, sex ratio, pupal-stage longevity, pupal survival rate, fecundity, and nutritional index. The results showed that an artificial diet with soybeans had a significant effect on sex ratio, pupal survival rate, relative consumption rate (RCR) 4.89 g/g/day (4th instar); 1.99 g/g/day (5th instar), approximate digestibility (AD) 98.39% (4th instar); 95.45% (5th instar), and fecundity, but it did not have any significant effect on larval-stage longevity, larval survival rate, pupa size, pupal-stage longevity, the efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) 3.68% (4th instar); 7.84% (5th instar), and efficiency of conversion of digested food (ECD) 3.76% (4th instar); 8.27% (5th instar). Artificial diet-based soybean was highly potential to be used in S. frugiperda rearing.

Cannibalism has its limits in soil food webs

Cannibalism imperfectly recycles resources back to the same species and so decreases trophic transfer efficiency in food webs. As such, viable populations have some limit on how much of their diet can come from cannibalism. We applied a Lotka-Volterra model to derive a theoretical maximum for the proportion of the diet coming from cannibalism. This proportion is set by the food conversion efficiency for both cannibalism and alternative prey. We apply the result to sixteen published soil food web models and find that cannibalism cannot exceed 20% of the diet of most organisms, which includes eating conspecifics that were already dead. However, predators can show a strong (>80%) preference for cannibalism because encountering conspecifics is rare. Cannibalism increased carbon and nitrogen mineralization in fifteen soil food webs and had non-monotonic effects in the remaining one. Our estimates map a physiological parameter (conversion efficiency) to an ecological one (cannibalism) to help to improve model fit and to help soil ecologists identify taxa where cannibalism may be most important.

Evaluation of the productive performance of broiler herds - a field study in Diyala Governorate – Iraq for the production season 2020

The research dealt with the study of the productive and economic performance of broiler farms in Diyala Governorate - Iraq for the 2020 production season, through a questionnaire conducted for a group of broiler breeders, whose number was (35) breeders out of a total of( 360) products, they were randomly selected in order to know the status of production, costs and efficiency Farm management, and a multivariate productivity function model with value units was used to know the impact of production costs on production. The statistical and econometrics analysis showed an inefficiency in exploiting the available production capacities through the parameters of the estimated function, as it turned out that the slope of rented labor X2 towards production is high, as its value reached ( 2.875569), the slope of the feed purchase cost X3 in the estimated production function was (4.700436), while the other variables had a lower slope. The production performance indicators were also measured, which included the efficiency of food conversion, the economic indicator and the productivity index scale, as the economic index reached (27.8) and is considered low compared to the standard value that ranges between (170-200), while the value of the efficiency of food conversion was (1.6 kg of meat / kg of feed). Where the results showed the lack of sufficient knowledge of broiler breeders in the technical management of the broiler flock, as well as the misuse of the available productive resources. The study recommended increasing the number of the flock in the available production capacities according to scientific bases in order to achieve the reduction of fixed production costs and training broiler breeders on advanced technical methods To achieve efficiency in managing the broiler herd, thus minimizing production costs and maximizing profits.

SUBSTITUTION OF ANIMAL PROTEIN BY DIFFERENT ATION OF DRIED RUMEN MEAL IN COMMON CARP Cyprinus carpio DIETS

The study was conducted to show the effect of using dried rumen powder as a source of animal protein in the diets of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) on its performance, in the fish laboratory/College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences/University of Baghdad/ for a period of 70 d, 70 fingerlings were used with an average starting weight of 30±3 g, with a live mass rate of 202±2 g, randomly distributed among five treatments, two replicates for each treatment and seven fish for each replicate. Five diets of almost identical protein content and different percentages of addition of dried rumen powder were added. 25% was added to treatment T2 and 50% to treatment T3 and 75% of the treatment T4 and 100% of the treatment T5 In addition to the control treatment T1, which was devoid of dried rumen powder, the fish were fed on experimental diets of 4% of their body weight and weighed every 15 d. The results showed that the T2 treatment was one of the best experimental treatments, as it gave the highest levels for most of the studied traits. The results indicated that there were significant differences (p&gt;0.01) and (P &lt; 0.05) between it and the control treatment T1 in growth parameters, which included the final weight average of 715 g and the rate of increase The total weight is 512.50 g, the daily weight gain rate is 12.32 g/d, the relative growth rate is 252.47%, and the specific growth rate is 1.75 g/d. The criteria for evaluating the diet, which included the amount of feed intake 1765.26 g and the amount of protein intake 577.41 g, and the best food conversion ratio of 3.44 and the efficiency of food conversion was 29.03 % and the value of the protein produced is 64.21% and the net exploited protein is 0.73%. We conclude from the current study that the dried rumen powder can be used by 25% in the diets of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as a partial substitute for imported animal protein because it contributed to improving production performance. It can also be used Dried rumen powder at rates of 50 and 75%, but did not reach the levels achieved by 25%.

Effect of Micronutrient Supplemented Mulberry Leaves on Larvae of Silk Worm Bombyx mori

The present study explores the effect of micronutrient supplemented mulberry leaves on PM×CSR2 hybrid variety of Bombyx mori L. larvae. The field experiment with twelve treatments including a control (T0 to T11), replicated thrice, was supplemented with the desired quantity of the respective micronutrient in individual or in combination. Twenty early B. mori fourth and fifth instar larvae/ replication were fed with the 5-6 fully mature mulberry leaves (T0 to T11) twice a day (morning and evening). The results showed that food consumption increased to a maximum of 31.56 and 22.98%, and assimilation increased by 51.38 and 34.56% over control (4th and 5th instar, respectively) with treatment T9 (CuSO4 15 kg/ ha +ZnSO4 15 kg/ ha + FeSO4 30 kg/ ha). With the same treatment, total growth increased by 94.95 and65.67%, and approximate digestibility by 15.14 and 9.33%; tissue growth efficiency also increased by 65.35and 49.61% with this treatment, while maximum ecological growth efficiency increased by 49.58% and52.0% over control in T11 (CuSO4 25 kg/ ha + ZnSO4 25 kg/ ha + FeSO4 25 kg/ ha). Larval duration wasmaximum with T1 (FeSO4 10 kg/ ha alone) (7.63± 19.16 days) as against when fed with the control (T0).Larval length increased by 18.0 and 18.51% in T9, with the larval width increasing by 50.0% in morethan one treatment. Maximum chawki larval weight and larval weight increased by 16.78 and 29.44%,while maximum silk gland weight was 2.14± 0.05g in T9.

Repellency and insecticidal activities of Thapsia garganica crude extract against some important pests

Repellency and insecticidal activities of Thapsia garganica leaf methanolic extract were investigated against Tribolium castaneum, Myzus persicae, Phthorimaea operculella, and Spodoptera littoralis. Repellency and toxic activities (by ingestion and topical application) were evaluated on T. castaneum nymphs and adults. Topical application treatment caused total larval growth inhibition at 10%, until mortality after 7 days. The highest mortality was recorded with 94% at the same concentration. Methanolic extracts incorporation into T. castaneum larvae artificial diet at 10% caused 100% mortality after 3 days. The extract at 1% cause high repellent effect on T. castaneum after 60 min of exposure, while M. persicae was less sensitive. P. operculella female’s showed sensitivity by a repellent effect at oviposition. Egg’s number laid on treated tubers at 1% and 2% decreased significantly to 32% and 72%, respectively. In addition, methanolic extracts had a preventive effect on P. operculella larval penetration. In fact, the number of larvae was reduced by 30.46% and 76.12% in the treated tubers at 1% and 2%, respectively. For S. littoralis, a low antifeeding effect was recorded. However, the relative growth rate (RGR), conversion of ingested and digested food to biomass, were decreased. The approximate digestibility increased. Moreover, a delay in larval development was observed. This study suggests that the leaf extract of T. garganica could be applied as bio-insecticide.