Egg Production Mass Research Articles

Pathogenic potential, parasitic success and host efficiency of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica on cucurbitaceous plant genotypes

The response to Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica of 29 cucurbitaceous genotypes belonging to the genera Cucurbita, Lagenaria and Luffa was evaluated to determine their relative host suitability and utility as rotational crops in sustainable agriculture. The pathogenic potential, parasitic success and host efficiency were estimated based on the ability of the nematode to form galls and generate egg masses on selected genotypes. Meloidogyne incognita showed higher pathogenic potential (gall formation) than M. javanica across all genotypes except for C. argyrosperma. However, M. javanica had higher parasitic success (egg mass production) than M. incognita on the Cucurbita genotypes. By contrast, on Lagenaria and Luffa, M. incognita had higher pathogenic potential and parasitic success than M. javanica. All genotypes except Luffa spp., showed higher host efficiency (rate of egg masses per gall) for M. javanica than for M. incognita. The genotypes of Cucurbita pepo ssp. pepo will be useful for M. incognita management because they reduce population build-up, but root damage would be more severe due to abundant root galling. The Cucurbita genotypes would be more tolerant to higher Pi when infected by M. javanica as they suffer less root damage, but the residual populations may affect the subsequent crop in the rotation. Lagenaria siceraria showed a good level of resistance to M. javanica and will be useful by itself or for grafting other cucurbitaceous crops. The species of Luffa were poor hosts of M. javanica and can be used also for grafting.

Life cycle of the southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus Canestrini 1888 (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions

The southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is one of the most important tick species affecting bovine wealth worldwide. Three uninterrupted generations of this species were observed under laboratory conditions (28±3 oC and 80±5% R.H.) using rabbit hosts. The average life cycle was determined as 65±8 days. Adult feeding period averaged 7.1±1.24 days. Pre-oviposition and oviposition periods averaged 4.1±1.3 days and 8.6±0.85 days, respectively. Pre-hatching periods averaged 21.03±2.99 days. Larval free-living and feeding to moulting periods averaged 3.5±0.75 days and 7.9±0.69 days, respectively. Nymphal feeding to moulting periods averaged 10.9±1.38 days. Weights of unfed and fed females averaged 1.26±0.29 mg and 120.32±45.6 mg, respectively and produced egg masses with average weights of 29.5±9.03 mg. Number of eggs per female averaged 1455.3±434.5 eggs with peak oviposition on the 3rd day. Average hatching rate was 83.5±2.94%, and the reproduction efficiency index averaged at 12.79±2.85. The conversion efficiency index averaged at 0.26±0.05 and the reproduction fitness index averaged at 10.68±2.4. Tick recovery rate averaged at 4.7%. A strong linear relationship was found between weights of engorged females and weights of egg masses (r = 0.83) and also between weights of engorged females and number of eggs laid (r = 0.82). This work aims to describe temporal and quantitative biological facts of R. (B.) microplus life cycles. Few studies have discussed R. (B.) microplus biology in quantitative terms, and these data can be useful in designing control plans or in epidemiological studies under laboratory conditions.

Effect of pure culture and culture filtrates of Trichoderma species on root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita infesting tomato

Studies were carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of soil application of culture suspension and culture filtrate of five Trichoderma spp. viz., T. harzianum, T. hamatum, T. viride, T. virens and T. koningii against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita (J2) on tomato cv. K-21. The host cultivar was found highly susceptible to the nematode and developed 117 characteristic oval and fleshy galls and 92 egg masses/root system at an inoculum level of 2000 J2/kg soil. The nematode infection caused 18–23% decrease in the plant growth and yield (16–30%) variables of tomato. Soil application of Trichoderma spp. suppressed the galling, egg mass production, fecundity and soil population of the nematode and improved the plant growth of tomato that varied with treatment. The culture suspension of T. harzianum provided maximum control (30%) of the nematode and increased the plant growth (19–22%), biomass production (16–20%) and yield (29%) of tomato over uninoculated control followed by yield enhancement with T. hamatum (13–16%) and T. virens (9–13%). All tested Trichoderma species established in soil and their populations increased over time; however, nematode population decreased with the progress of time. Among the tested Trichoderma spp., T. harzianum performed better against the M. incognita. The treatments with culture filtrate also suppressed the root-knot and improved the tomato yield, but it was found 6–11% less effective than the culture suspension.

Population Differences in Fecundity Components in the Hermaphroditic Freshwater SnailPlanorbella trivolvis

Fecundity in outcrossing species can be influenced by both maternal and paternal parents. To tease out these influences, we observed egg production in two populations of the hermaphroditic freshwater snail, Planorbella trivolvis (Say 1817). We carried out both intra- and inter-population matings between individuals from an inbred albino laboratory strain and individuals one generation removed from a natural population, and measured egg production for two 3-week periods - immediately after mating and 11 weeks later. In the female role, individuals from the albino laboratory population produced significantly more egg masses than the wild derived snails, regardless of whether they were mated to a partner of wild or laboratory origin, indicating that egg mass production is controlled by the maternal parent. Conversely, regardless of their own origin (laboratory or wild), snails mated to individuals from the wild derived population laid more eggs in each egg mass than those fertilized by sperm from the lab population. These results indicate that the number of egg masses a snail lays is determined at least in part by a maternal contribution, and that the number of eggs deposited in each mass may be influenced by the origin of the sperm donor. In addition, we confirmed a short-term trade-off between growth and reproduction as differences in egg production among mating types were mirrored by differences in body size. Further investigation into the nature of these differences will lead to better understanding of the reproductive biology of these hermaphrodite mollusks.

Negative effect of phytase superdosing in laying hens

Hisex hens, aged 24 weeks, were divided into 6 groups. Each group consisted of 4 cages with 10 hens per cage with dimensions and equipment meeting the EU directives. This 2 × 3 factorial experiment included two levels of calcium (Ca; 35 or 42 g/kg) and 3 different additions of 6-phytase OptiPhos<sup>®</sup> (Ph; 0, 300, and 1500 phytase units (FTU)/kg) to the diet. The content of nonphytate phosphorus (NPP) in all diets was the same (1.8 g/kg). The experiment lasted 12 weeks. A significant interaction of Ph × Ca (P = 0.029) was observed in hen-day egg production. A diet with 35 g/kg Ca and the highest dose of Ph (1500 FTU/kg) resulted in a lower hen-day egg production (84.1%) than did the other treatments (91.5–88.6%). Phytase superdosing negatively influenced egg mass production (P = 0.001) and the feed conversion ratio (P = 0.018). Neither Ph nor Ca influenced eggshell ash content. Both additions of Ph into mixed feed decreased Haugh units (P < 0.001). A higher content of Ca in the diet increased shell thickness (P = 0.024) and shell breaking strength (P = 0.039), while Ph addition increased shell percentage (P = 0.004) and shell breaking strength (P = 0.009). The results of this experiment demonstrate the unsuitability of Ph superdosing in mixed feed for laying hens.

Performances of Nageswari duck of Bangladesh under intensive management condition

The present study was conducted to know the production and reproduction potentials, and egg quality characteristics of Nageswari duck under intensive management condition. Data were collected from a nucleus flock of Nageswari ducks that have been maintained from day old to 72 weeks of age at AI center, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from May 2015 to October 2016. Irrespective of sex, the average live weight of ducklings at day old, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7thand 9thweeks of age were observed to be 38.85±1.40, 99.06±2.93, 373.29±8.73, 650.31±11.26, 867.74±11.79 and 1076.11±16.34 g, respectively. There was a steady increasing trend observed in live weights for both drakes and ducks from 17thto 72 weeks of age. The average age of sexual maturity and weight were found 130±1.83 days and 1400.84±12.68g respectively. The average egg weight and annual egg production were 58.20±1.50g and 204.23±14.19 no’s, respectively. Hen day egg production was found 55.67±2.74% while the peak production was observed at 26th week of age. The estimated mean egg mass production (g/b/day), feed intake(g) during laying, feed conversion efficiency and performance efficiency index of Nageswari duck were 32.40±2.29, 154.85±2.27, 4.63±0.21 and 20.92±1.37, respectively in Nageswari duck. The external egg quality characteristics like shape index, egg breaking strength, shell thickness and membrane thickness were observed to be 74.59±0.61, 2.00±0.03 kg/cm2, 3.99±0.06 mm and 0.50 ± 0.02 mm respectively whereas, internal quality attributes such as albumen index, yolk index, yolk color score and Haugh unit were 8.89±0.29, 34.36±0.61, 8.42±0.28 and 86.29±1.06, respectively. In conclusion, the studied parameters of Nageswari duck provided some breed specific baseline information and year round actual production potentials of this genetic resource under intensive management condition that could be utilized for future conservation and breeding programs in Bangladesh.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (3): 198-205

Effect of Trichoderma spp. and Purpureocillium lilacinum on Meloidogyne javanica in commercial pineapple production in Kenya

Plant-parasitic nematodes, in particular Meloidogyne species, cause significant yield reduction in commercial pineapple, Ananas comosus, worldwide. The efficacy of three Trichoderma isolates (Trichoderma asperellum M2RT4, T. atroviride F5S21, Trichoderma sp. MK4) and two isolates of Purpureocillium lilacinum (KLF2 and MR2) were evaluated against Meloidogyne javanica, using rooted pineapple crowns in a pot experiment under greenhouse conditions. All the three Trichoderma isolates successfully colonized pineapple root endophytically. The application of two isolates of Trichoderma (T. asperellum M2RT4 and Trichoderma sp. MK4) and the two isolates of P. lilacinum significantly reduced nematode egg and egg mass production reducing root galling damage by between 60.8 and 81.8% and increased the plant root mass growth compared to the untreated control. T. asperellum M2RT4 most effectively reduced galls, egg mass and eggs, by 81.8, 78.5 and 88.4% respectively. P. lilacinum MR2 most effectively reduced galls, egg mass and eggs, by 71.6, 73.9 and 82.6% respectively. In contrast Trichoderma atroviride F5S21 application had no significant effect on nematode multiplication or root damage compared with the control. Inoculation with T. asperellum M2RT4 increased root fresh weight by 91.5%, Trichoderma sp. MK4 by 63.8%, T. atroviride F5S21 by 50.0%, P. lilacinum KLF2 by 43.8% and MR2 by 32.3%. Results indicate that local isolates Trichoderma spp. and P. lilacinum directly and indirectly affected nematode reproduction and host response, demonstrating their control potential against M. javanica on pineapple. Such alternative options for managing Meloidogyne spp. would provide more environmentally sensitive options for combining with other management methods towards more sustainable pineapple production systems.

Suppression of the Root-Knot Nematode,Meloidogyne incognita in Tomato Plants by Application of Certain Entomopathogenic Nematode Species Under Greenhouse Conditions

The suppressive effects of six species of entomopathogenic nematodes(EPNs) against Meloidogyne incognita infected tomato were assessed in twoseparate trials under greenhouse conditions. The tested EPN species wereHeterorhabditis bacteriophora, H. megidis, H. zealandica, Steinernema feltiae, S.glaseri and S. riobravae. In the first trial, EPNs were applied as a liquid suspensionof alive or dead infective juveniles (IJs) at rate of 5000 IJs/plant in sandy and claysoils, while in the second trial, two Galleria mellonella infected cadavers of six-dayold per plant were used in sandy soil. In the two experiments, application of EPNswas accomplished simultaneously with inoculation of M. incognita. Carbofuran as astandard synthetic nematicide was used as comparison treatment at recommendedrate of 0.2 g/plant. Control treatments received only water and M. incognita at rateof1000 IJs/plant.Two months after inoculation, galling (as indicated by number of galls/plant)and reproduction (as indicated by number of egg masses /plant) as well as damage(as indicated by fresh and dry weight of areal parts) were assessed. Data showedthat, treatment of carbofuran surpassed all other treatments in minifying galling andreproduction of M. incognita in sandy and clay soils. On the other hand, curativeapplications of alive or heat-killed IJs significantly (P≤ 0.05) diminished gallformation and egg mass production in tomato roots with slightly amelioration infresh and dry weight of tomato shoot. Steinernematid species were morecomparatively effective than heterorhabditid ones. General means for number ofgalls and egg masses for steinernematid species were 52.50 and 25.33 withpercent reduction of 55.45 and 64.49 %, respectively. Whereas, the parallel valuesfor heterorhabditid species were 69.67 and 36.33 with percent reduction of 40.88and 49.07%, respectively compared to treatment of M. incognita alone. Treatmentsof alive IJs overwhelmed those of dead IJs in decreasing number of galls (withpercent reduction of 56.53 and 39.79% respectively) and egg masses (with percentreduction of 63.16 and 50.39%, successively). Moreover, utilization of two G.mellonella infected cadavers markedly lowered number of galls and egg masses and insignificantly (P≤ 0.05) improved plant growth parameters to certain extent. General means of percentage reduction in galls and egg masses were 58.46 and 54.74%, consecutively.

Broad-based root-knot nematode resistance identified in cowpea gene-pool two.

Abstract Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is an affordable source of protein and strategic legume crop for food security in Africa and other developing regions; however, damage from infection by root-knot nematodes (RKN) suppresses cowpea yield. The deployment through breeding of resistance gene Rk in cowpea cultivars has provided protection to cowpea growers worldwide for many years. However, occurrence of more aggressive nematode isolates threatens the effectiveness of this monogenic resistance. A cowpea germplasm collection of 48 genotypes representing the cowpea gene-pool from Eastern and Southern Africa (cowpea has two major pools of genetic resources – Western Africa and Eastern/Southern Africa) was screened in replicated experiments under field, greenhouse and controlled-growth conditions to identify resistance to RKN, to determine the spectrum of resistance to RKN, the relative virulence (VI) among RKN species and isolates, and the relationship between root-galling (RG) and egg-mass production (EM). Analysis of variance of data for RG and EM per root system identified seven genotypes with broad-based resistance to Meloidogyne javanica (Mj), avirulent (Avr-Mi), and virulent (Mi) M. incognita isolates. Two of the 48 genotypes exhibited specific resistance to both Mi isolates. Most of the genotypes were resistant to Avr-Mi indicating predominance of Rk gene in the collection. Based on RG data, both Mj (VI = 50%) and Mi (VI = 42%) were fourfold more virulent than Avr-Mi (VI = 12%). Resistant genotypes had more effective resistance than the Rk-based resistance in cowpea genotype CB46 against Mj and Mi. Root-galling was correlated across isolates (Avr-Mi/Mj: r = 0.72; Mi/Mj: r = 0.98), and RG was correlated with EM (r = 0.60), indicating resistance to RG and EM is under control by the same genetic factors. These new sources of resistance identified in cowpea gene-pool two provide valuable target traits for breeders to improve cowpea production on RKN-infested fields.

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Azolla Meal on Production Performance and Egg Quality of Vanaraja Laying Hens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of Azolla meal on production performance and egg quality of Vanaraja laying hens. Seventy two, 48-weeks old Vanaraja laying hens were randomly distributed into three dietary treatment groups of 24 hens each and were reared in deep litter system. Each treatment contained 4 replicates of 6 hens each. Three experimental diets were formulated by incorporating Azolla meal (AZM) at 0, 5% and 10% levels. A measured quantity of feed (150 g/day) was offered to each bird everyday during the experimental period. Egg production was recorded daily on individual pen basis and percent hen housed egg production (HHEP) was calculated. The average feed consumption was recorded as g/hen/day and feed efficiency was calculated on the basis of feed consumed per unit egg mass production. All the eggs laid during the last five consecutive days of each 28 days period were collected to measure the egg weight. Twelve eggs were randomly chosen in each treatment from the eggs laid during the last three consecutive days of each 28-day period to determine the egg quality. Dietary incorporation of AZM at either 5 or 10% level reduced the body weight of laying hens. The egg production, egg weight, egg mass per day and feed conversion efficiency (g feed/g egg) was comparable among the 0% (control), 5% and 10% AZM incorporated diets. The egg quality indices like albumen, yolk and egg shell percentage observed were similar across the different dietary treatment groups. Similarly, Dietary incorporation of AZM upto 10% in the diet had no influence on Haugh unit and shell thickness.

Volatile compounds produced by Fusarium spp. isolated from Meloidogyne paranaensis egg masses and corticous root tissues from coffee crops are toxic to Meloidogyne incognita

Meloidogyne species produce egg masses containing nutrients which may serve as feeding substrate for rhizospheric fungi. In the present work we isolated fungi form Meloidogyne paranaensis egg masses. Amongst the fungi isolated 67% belonged to the genus Fusarium and, within those, 52% of the isolates were of the species F. oxysporum. Isolates from F. oxysporum and F. solani significantly reduced M. incognita infectivity and reproduction in tomato when J2 were exposed to fungal volatiles, causing up to 100% immobility in in vitro tests. Water exposed to the volatile compounds produced by fungi and mixed to the J2 suspension caused toxicity in M. incognita J2 and reduced infectivity and reproduction of nematodes inoculated in tomato, when compared to the control. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the volatile compounds produced by F. oxysporum and F. solani were identified and gathered in six main categories: esters, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and sesquiterpenes, making up a total of 23 molecules. For the first time, 12 molecules from various chemical groups were identified in the water exposed to the volatiles from F. oxysporum and F. solani. A lower number of molecules were detected in the toxic water when compared with the vapors produced by fungi. Within these molecules, various have been already reported as having high nematicidal activity. Thus, F. oxysporum and F. solani fungi from M. paranaensis egg masses produce volatile compounds with antagonistic activity to M. incognita.

Assessment of some nongenetic factors that affect egg mass weight of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus , is one of the most important fish species for aquaculture worldwide. Egg mass production is directly related to the success and profitability of hatchery farms assuring an adequate egg and consequently fry and fingerling quantity. Most of the success of hatchery farms in Mexico rely on the capacity of production for enough fry to cover the demand of grow-out farms. An analysis was performed with the purpose of estimate the effect of year, month, color, pond and water temperature on egg mass weight data (EMW, g) (n = 3201). The overall mean for EMW was 683.21 g. The effect of all assessed factors was highly significant ( P < 0.0001). Pond and year effects suggested an effect possibly related to management strategies. Month indicated an important effect on early spawning, and water temperature showed a highly significant effect of gradient pattern on EMW ( P < 0.0001), with a linear slope of -67.8 g by increasing temperature degree. Results confirmed the importance of non-genetic influence on egg mass production, supporting the need for attention of this highly variable trait and suggested the possible improvement on this reproductive indicator through the better control of environmental sources of variation.

Egg production and quality characteristics of laying hens fed diets supplemented with dry caper (Capparis spinosa) leaf powder

An in vivo experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of dry Caper (Capparis spinosa) leaf powder (DCL) on egg production and egg quality of laying hens at the beginning of the laying period. Four groups of commercial hens (ATAK-S) were fed with diets containing 0, 5, 10 and 15 g DCL/kg. The results demonstrated that dietary DCL had no effect on feed intake, feed efficiency, egg mass (EM) and egg production parameters (P&gt;0.05). Hen–day egg production (HDP) value of the groups was 69.52%, 64.97%, 68.02% and 71.72% respectively. Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and total phenolics amount of DCL were 51.06±2.300 mmol trolox/kg, 50.10±3.488 mmol TEAC/kg and 2.78±0.050 g gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/kg respectively. Based on the results from the current study, the dietary DCL with levels up to 15 g/kg neither reduced productivity performance traits nor improved egg quality characteristics.

Interaction of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli and Meloidogyne incognita on gladiolus cultivars and its management through corm treatment with biopesticides and pesticides

Effects of single and concomitant (simultaneous) inoculations with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. gladioli (Fog) and Meloidogyne incognita (Mi) were examined on the plant growth and flowering of five cultivars of gladiolus viz., King Lear, Her Majesty, Friendship, White Prosperity and American Beauty in earthen pots. In addition, the effectiveness of corm dressing with Trichoderma harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, carbendazim and nemacur against corm rot and yellows, root-knot and Fog+Mi disease complex was tested. All cultivars were found susceptible to F. oxysporum f. sp. gladioli and M. incognita. However, the cvs. White Prosperity and American Beauty expressed moderate tolerance to Fog and Mi, respectively. The cvs. Her Majesty and American Beauty scored highest corm rot and yellows indices (2.9–3.2 on 0–5 scale), and exhibited 28–32% decrease in the number of florets per spike due to Fog infection. Corm dressing with T. harzianum or carbendazim checked the corm rot and yellows (P≤0.05) and increased the plant growth and flowering of gladioli (P≤0.05). The Mi inoculation caused maximum galling on the cv. White Prosperity (40galls/root system) and lowest on cv. American Beauty (11galls) and significantly reduced flowering of gladiolus cultivars (11–23%, P≤0.05) except cv. American Beauty. A treatment with nemacur or P. fluorescens suppressed the galling and egg mass production of M. incognita, and improved the plant growth and flowering variables (7–38%) compared with the inoculated control (P≤0.05). In concomitantly inoculated plants, severity of corm rot and yellows increased (P≤0.05), and significantly greater decrease in the plant growth and flowering variables occurred in all cultivars, but gall formation and egg mass production were decreased. Treatment with carbendazim-nemacur mixture or P. fluorescens effectively controlled the Fog+Mi disease complex leading to significant (P≤0.05) decrease in the corm rot and yellows (4–43% and 5–21%) and root-knot indices (9–33% and 4–40%). The two treatments increased in the spike length (11–15% and 9–16%), spike number (13–43% and 13–57%) and florets per spike (40–55% and 30–46%), respectively, compared with the inoculated control.

High energetic cost of oviposition in an edible marine gastropod

The edible neogastropod Buccinanops cochlidium from Patagonia, Argentina, reproduces by means of egg capsules attached by the female to its own shell. Gravid females lay an outstanding mean of 500,000 eggs that nurse around 800 embryos, which hatch as crawling juveniles (4mm in shell length) after four months of intracapsular development. This reproductive investment could be expressed as the energy content (EC) estimated for the production of a complete egg mass (33.94±12.85 KJ), representing a conservative estimation of the total EC needed for an adult female to spawn, which is in average ∼12% of the total EC in gravid females. This high maternal investment allows a considerable offspring size, which confers them high survival chances. A translocation of energy stored in the foot during the oviposition season is shown in a relative decrease of ∼10% in the foot EC in respect of the total EC (61.8% in non-gravid females vs. 51.3% in gravid females). Gravid females showed significantly higher body wet mass/shell length index and higher total EC than non-gravid females (266.0±66.4 KJ vs. 184.3±69.6 KJ), suggesting that a body condition threshold is required for females to reproduce. These values represent an energetic surplus of over 40% of the total EC per individual when compared to non-gravid females. Protecting gravid females from fisheries would ensure the sustainability of the resource and must be taken into account when establishing fisheries policies.

Inoculant rhizobia suppressed root-knot disease, and enhanced plant productivity and nutrient uptake of some field-grown food legumes

ABSTRACTThe potential effect of rhizobial inoculation on root knot nematodes in chickpea, mungbean and pigeonpea were studied under field condition. The seed treatment with respective rhizobium strains increased the nodulation, leghemoglobin content, bacteriod population, plant growth, yield and nitrogen uptake of three three food legumes compared to the plants without the rhizobium treatment. The nematode (1500 juveniles/kg soil) incited oval galls on the roots of the three legumes, and suppressed plant growth and yield. The galling, egg mass production and soil population of the nematode was greater on the plants without the rhizobium treatment. The pure culture and culture filtrate of the rhizobium strains suppressed the egg hatching and induced mortality to the juveniles of M. incognita over control. The nematode infection reduced the nodulation, bacteroid population and leghemoglobin contents of the nodules and NPK uptake by the plants. Hence, the rhizobia treatment shall be integrated to common agronomic practice of food legume cultivation so as to enhance crop productivity and to protect roots from nematode attack.

Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi during the Acclimatization of Alpinia purpurata to Induce Tolerance to Meloidogyne arenaria.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the tolerance of micropropagated and mycorrhized alpinia plants to the parasite Meloidogyne arenaria. The experimental design was completely randomized with a factorial arrangement of four inoculation treatments with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Gigaspora albida, Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Acaulospora longula, and a non-inoculated control) in the presence or absence of M. arenaria with five replicates. The following characteristics were evaluated after 270 days of mycorrhization and 170 days of M. arenaria inoculation: height, number of leaves and tillers, fresh mass of aerial and subterranean parts, dry mass of aerial parts, foliar area, nutritional content, mycorrhizal colonization, AMF sporulation, and the number of galls, egg masses, and eggs. The results indicated a significant interaction between the treatments for AMF spore density, total mycorrhizal colonization, and nutrient content (Zn, Na, and N), while the remaining parameters were influenced by either AMF or nematodes. Plants inoculated with A. longula or C. etunicatum exhibited greater growth than the control. Lower N content was observed in plants inoculated with AMF, while Zn and Na were found in larger quantities in plants inoculated with C. etunicatum. Fewer galls were observed on mycorrhized plants, and egg mass production and the number of eggs were lower in plants inoculated with G. albida. Plants inoculated with A. longula showed a higher percentage of total mycorrhizal colonization in the presence of the nematode. Therefore, the association of micropropagated alpinia plants and A. longula enhanced tolerance to parasitism by M. arenaria.

Effect of temperature on the Bulinus globosus \u2014 Schistosoma haematobium system

BackgroundGiven that increase in temperature may alter host-parasite relationships, the anticipated rise in temperature due to global warming might change transmission patterns of certain diseases. However, the extent to which this will happen is not well understood.MethodsUsing a host-parasite system involving Bulinus globosus and Schistosoma haematobium, we assessed the effect of temperature on snail fecundity, growth, survival and parasite development under laboratory conditions.ResultsOur results show that temperature may have a non-linear effect on snail fecundity and snail growth. Snails maintained at 15.5 °C and 36.0 °C did not produce egg masses while those maintained at 25.8 °C laid 344 and 105 more egg masses than snails at 31.0 °C and 21.2 °C, respectively. Attainment of patency led to a reduction in egg mass production among the snails. However, the reduction in fecundity for snails maintained at 21.2 °C occurred before snails started shedding cercariae. Parasite development was accelerated at high temperatures with snails maintained at 31.0 °C reaching patency after three weeks. Furthermore, snail growth rate was highest at 25.8 °C while it was inhibited at 15.5 °C and reduced at 31.0 °C. Increase in temperature increased snail mortality rates. Snails maintained at 36.0 °C had the shortest survival time while those maintained at 15.5 °C had the longest survival time.ConclusionsWe concluded that temperature influences fecunxdity, growth, survival and parasite development in the snail and thus dictates the time it takes the parasite to complete the life cycle. This has implications on transmission of schistosomiasis in the context of global warming.

Divergent Effects of Schistosoma haematobium Exposure on Intermediate-Host Snail Species Bulinus nasutus and Bulinus globosus from Coastal Kenya.

AbstractSchistosoma haematobium infection causes urogenital schistosomiasis, a chronic inflammatory disease that is highly prevalent in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Bulinid snails are the obligate intermediate hosts in the transmission of this parasite. In the present study, Bulinus globosus and Bulinus nasutus snails from coastal Kenya were raised in the laboratory and exposed to miracidia derived from sympatric S. haematobium specimens to assess the species-specific impact of parasite contact and infection. The snails' subsequent patterns of survival, cercarial shedding, and reproduction were monitored for up to 3 months postexposure. Schistosoma haematobium exposure significantly decreased the survival of B. globosus, but not of B. nasutus. Although both species were capable of transmitting S. haematobium, the B. globosus study population had a greater cumulative incidence of cercarial shedders and a higher average number of cercariae shed per snail than did the B. nasutus population. The effects of prior parasite exposure on snail reproduction were different between the two species. These included more numerous production of egg masses by exposed B. nasutus (as compared with unexposed snails), contrasted to decreased overall egg mass production by parasite-exposed B. globosus. The interspecies differences in the response to and transmission of S. haematobium reflect clear differences in life histories for the two bulinid species when they interact with the parasite, which should be taken into account when planning control interventions aimed at reducing each host snails' contribution to local transmission of Schistosoma infection.

The effect of dietary supplementation of salts of organic acid on production performance of laying hens.

Aim:An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing different levels of salts of organic acid in the laying hen’s diet on their production performance and egg quality parameters during a period of 16-week.Materials and Methods:A total of 140 white leghorn laying hens at 24 weeks of age were randomly distributed to seven dietary treatment groups, i.e. T1 (control), T2 (0.5% sodium-butyrate), T3 (1.0% sodium-butyrate), T4 (1.5% sodium-butyrate), T5 (0.5% calcium-propionate), T6 (1.0% calcium-propionate) and T7 (1.5% calcium-propionate) consisting of 5 replications of 4 birds each in each treatment and housed in individual cages from 24 to 40 weeks of age. Feed intake, percent hen-day egg production, egg weight, egg mass production, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and economics of supplementation of salts of organic acids in layers’ ration were evaluated.Results:The dietary supplementation of salts of organic acids did not significantly affect the feed intake (g/day/hen) and body weight gain (g). Different levels of supplementation significantly (p<0.05) improved production performance (percent hen-day egg production and egg mass production) as compared to control group. FCR in terms of feed intake (kg) per dozen eggs was lowest (1.83±0.05) in T4 and feed intake (kg) per kg egg mass was lowest (2.87±0.05) in T5 as comparison to control (T1) group. Salts of organic acids supplementation resulted in significant (p<0.05) improvement in FCR. Egg weight was significantly (p<0.05) increased at 0.5% level of salts of organic acids in the diet. The cumulative mean values of feed cost per dozen egg production were Rs. 44.14, 42.40, 42.85, 43.26, 42.57, 43.29 and 43.56 in treatment groups T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7, respectively, and reduction in feed cost per kg egg mass production for Rs. 0.52 and 0.99 in groups T2 and T5, respectively, in comparison to T1 group.Conclusions:It can be concluded that supplementation of salts of organic acids may improve persistency of lay, egg weight, and FCR. From economical point of view, egg production was more profitable at 0.5% level of sodium butyrate and 0.5% level of calcium propionate which reduced the feed cost per dozen eggs and per kg egg mass production without affecting the egg quality.