Egg Mass Research Articles

Impact of Cucurbita moschata Resistant Rootstocks on Cucumis sativus Fruit and Meloidogyne incognita Development.

Plant grafting can provide resistance to nematodes. There is a distinct need to determine the role of Meloidogyne incognita-resistant rootstocks on the growth and quality of grafted cucumber plants. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivar Jinchun No. 4 (J) was hole grafted onto the pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) cultivars Xiuli (X), Banzhen No. 3 (B), and its root to generate JX, JB, and JJ plants. The histopathology and M. incognita development associated with JX, JB, and JJ were analyzed under incubator and high plastic tunnel conditions. Under incubator conditions, M. incognita root galls and egg mass indices associated with the JX and JB resistant rootstocks were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those associated with JJ susceptible rootstocks. In addition, the number of eggs were 73.3 ± 8.8% and 85.3 ± 7.7% less, respectively. The number of second-stage juveniles (J2s) in JX roots decreased by 57.1 ± 9.2% compared with that in JJ, and the giant cell and J2 development were poor in JX and JB roots. In pot experiments under a high plastic tunnel, plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and yield of M. incognita-infected JX plants were not significantly different from those of noninoculated control. There was no significant difference in fruit weight, length, firmness, soluble solids, and color among the three grafted plants. The yield per JB plant was increased compared with that of JJ, irrespective of nematode presence. In the M. incognita-infested soil experiment in a high plastic tunnel, the yield per JX and JB plant were significantly higher than JJ (P < 0.05). Thus, the pumpkin rootstock Xiuli and Banzhen No. 3 are promising rootstocks for managing M. incognita without affecting cucumber fruit quality. Grafting provides a good basis for studying the defense mechanism of rootstocks against M. incognita.

The influence of the mass of incubation eggs on the growth indicators of a live weight of the bred young chickens and the quality of their eggs

Purpose: to determine the influence of the mass of hatching eggs on the growth and development of hatched chickens and on the quality of the eggs obtained from them in hens of the Pushkin breed.Materials and methods. The material for the study was chickens of the Pushkin breed, in the amount of 70 heads. 52 weeks of age and their descendants, used later in reproduction (85 ♀ and 28 ♂). The birds were kept in individual cages. Conditions of keeping and feeding are in accordance with the standards adopted in the bioresource collection of the All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Growing Animals “Genetic collection of rare and endangered breeds of chickens”. Immediately before incubation, 340 eggs were estimated by mass. hatching eggs. The hatched chickens were weighed at the ages of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 weeks. Depending on the weight of the incubation egg of the mothers and the sex of the chick, the data obtained were divided into three groups: Group I (light) ⩽M-0.5σ (⩽63.7 g-♀ and ⩽65.14 g-♂), Group III ( heavy) ⩾M+0.5σ (⩾68.2 g-♀and ⩾70.07 g-♂), eggs with intermediate weight are classified as “medium” - group II. At the age of 35 weeks, eggs obtained from daughters of the experimental groups were assessed.Results. It was noted that there are high correlation coefficients between weight incubation eggs the weight day-old of chickens: for hens r = 0.85 for roosters 0.95 (Р&lt;0,001). The average live weight at one day of age by group differed significantly from each other. Significant differences were observed in both hens and roosters between groups I and III at 2 (P&lt;0.05), 6, 8, 10, and 12 months of age (P&lt;0.01). There were no significant differences in live weight between groups I-II and II-III. In terms of the quality of daughters' eggs, significant differences were observed in the weight of laid eggs between groups I and II, I and III (P &lt; 0.01). In terms of the mass of protein, yolk, shell and the energy value of eggs, the highest indicators were noted in group III.Conclusion. Studies have shown that the weight of eggs affects not only the live weight of chickens at the daily age, but also the live weight at a later period of growth. The coefficient of heritability of eggs mass (h2) for mothers was 0.701 (P&lt;0.001) and for fathers 0.389 (P&lt;0.01). Thus, it is possible to increase meat productivity without reducing the quality of eggs in meat-egg breeds of chickens by selecting incubation eggs of a larger mass.

PARASITISATION POTENTIAL OF EGG AND LARVAL PARASITOIDS AGAINST LESSER WAX MOTH Achroia grisella F. (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE) UNDER STORED CONDITION

The study conducted to evaluate the parasitisation potential of egg (Trichogramma chilonis Ishii) and larval parasitoids (Bracon brevicornis Wesmael and Apanteles galleriae Wilkinson) on the developmental stages of lesser wax moth, Achroia grisella F. The results indicated that a maximum parasitisation of 46.67% was noticed on egg masses released with seven pairs of T. chilonis, with an overall mean of 28.89 % and also the adult emergence was recorded about 59.49 %. Among the two larval parasitoids taken, the per cent parasitisation of lesser wax moth larvae by A. galleriae was maximum (38.68% overall mean) than by B. brevicornis (33.14%) with a mean adult emergence of 71.16% and 64.78% respectively.

Periodical crossing of the laboratory population with the natural population would improve fitness in S. sunia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Background The research focused on evaluating the biological and reproductive parameters of the species Spodoptera sunia with the introduction of field genetic material, in the Noctuid Insect Breeding Laboratory. Methods The experiment consisted of three treatments and three repetitions involving 30 individuals each. Field-collected S. sunia population was reared in the laboratory under semi-controlled conditions of temperature and humidity for three generations. The progeny of the third generation was crossed with the laboratory population and the resulting progeny was observed for growth and reproductive fitness. Results The results revealed that the hybrid progeny (T3) has a sex ratio (F: M) of 0.82, as against 1.22 and 0.76 observed in the field (T1) and lab populations (T2) respectively. The T1 females oviposited 196 egg masses as against 160 and 59 egg masses by T3 and T2 females respectively. The larval growth was more in hybrid progeny with shorter larval duration. However, no variation was observed in the incubation and pupal periods. Conclusions Since the most optimal results were obtained in T2 and T3, it is recommended to introduce genetic material every six months to maintain a good laboratory population of the insect host under study and better breeding of its natural enemies.

The Comparative Effects of Supplementing Protease Combined with Carbohydrase Enzymes on the Performance and Egg n-3 Deposition of Laying Hens Fed with Corn-Flaxseed or Wheat-Flaxseed Diets.

Flaxseed contains huge quantities of anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), which reduce the performance of livestock. Three different protease and multi-carbohydrase enzymes were included in wheat-flaxseed diets (WFD) and corn-flaxseed diets (CFD) to compare their effects on performance, egg n-3 deposition, and fatty acid transporter genes in laying hens. A total of 540, twenty-week-old, Nongda-3 laying hens (DW brown × Hy-line white) were randomly assigned to six dietary groups, including 10% WFD or 10% CFD plus (i) supplemental enzyme A (alkaline protease 40,000 and neutral protease 10,000 (U/g)), (ii) enzyme B (alkaline protease 40,000, neutral protease 10,000, and cellulase 4000 (U/g)), or iii) enzyme C (neutral protease 10,000, xylanase 35,000, β-mannanase 1500, β-glucanase 2000, cellulose 500, amylase 100, and pectinase 10,000 (U/g)). An interaction (p < 0.05) was found for egg mass, hen day of egg production, and feed conversion ratio on the 9-10th week of the experiment. The WFD with enzyme B was associated with the highest egg weight in the 9-10th week. The deposition of total n-3 was superior with WFD (468.22 mg/egg) compared to CFD (397.90 mg/egg), while addition of enzyme C (464.90 mg/egg) resulted in the deposition of more total n-3 compared to enzymes A and B (411.89 and 422.42 mg/egg). The WFD and enzyme C significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and reduced the n-6:n-3 ratio in egg yolk compared to the CFD. The hepatic mRNA expression of liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) (p = 0.006), fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS-1) (p < 0.001), elongase-2 (ELOV-2) (p < 0.001), fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP1) (p < 0.001), and the intestinal mRNA expression of FATP and FABP genes were increased with WFD compared to CFD. In conclusion, WFD with enzyme C is favorable for optimal performance, results in the deposition of more n-3 and DHA, and increases the expression of fatty acid transporter genes, which helps in n-3 transport.

Size-assortative mating of Buergeria buergeri (Anura: Rhacophoridae): breeding strategies for balancing fertilisation rate and swimming ability

Abstract Buergeria buergeri is a stream-breeding rhacophorid frog. The sexual dimorphism in body size is significant in this species, which might be advantageous for its movement within the stream in an amplected state. However, the fertilisation rate of egg masses decreases as the body size difference between both sexes in the amplectant pair increases because the distance between the cloacae increases. In this study, we examined the mating pattern of B. buergeri and the relationship between female/male SVL ratio in the amplectant pair and fertilisation rate, and the swimming ability within the stream. As a result, when the female/male SVL ratio was less than 1.45, the fertilisation rate reached a plateau (nearly 100%). However, the fertilisation rate decreased as the female/male SVL ratio increased when this ratio was greater than 1.45. Moreover, a significant positive correlation was observed between the female/male SVL ratio and swimming ability. These results suggest that there was a trade-off between fertilisation rate and swimming ability via the female/male SVL ratio. In the field, we observed a significant positive correlation between male and female SVLs in 16 amplectant pairs, with a mean female/male SVL ratio of 1.44. Our experimental results suggest that when the female/male SVL ratio is 1.44, the fertilisation rate is close to 100%, and the swimming ability can be maintained at an intermediate level. Therefore, B. buergeri adopts a size-assortative mating and maintains the female/male SVL ratio of approximately 1.44 to balance both fertilisation rate and swimming ability, thereby increasing reproductive success.

Volatile organic compounds produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa J2-4 exhibit toxic activity against Meloidogyne incognita.

Root knot nematodes cause great damage to crops worldwide. Due to the negative effects of the application of fumigant and old chemical nematicides, biological nematicides have drawn increasing attention in recent years. Here we tested the fumigant activity of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) blends emitted from Paenibacillus polymyxa and pure commercial VOCs against M. incognita. In this study, we investigated whether P. polymyxa strain J2-4 could produce VOCs that exhibit nematicidal activity. In vitro assays indicated that J2-4 VOCs were highly toxic to second stage juveniles (J2s) and could inhibit egg hatching. Three-layered pot experiments showed that the number of nematodes that penetrating in cucumber roots was reduced by 69.27% after the application of J2-4 VOCs under greenhouse conditions. We identified 14 volatiles using solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The efficacy of six commercially available VOCs, namely 2-isobutyl-3-methylpyrazine, 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldoxime, 2-dodecanone, 2-tridecanol, 2-tridecanone, and 2-tetradecanol, against M. incognita were examined. Except for 2,4-dimethoxybenzaldoxime, the remaining five VOCs showed strong direct-contact nematicidal activity against J2s of M. incognita, and only 2-isobutyl-3-methylpyrazine showed strong fumigant activity against J2s of M. incognita. In pot experiments, 2-isobutyl-3-methylpyrazine and 2-dodecanone reduced the number of root galls by about 70%, and 2-tridecanone reduced the number of root galls and egg masses by about 63% compared with controls. Paenibacillus polymyxa strain J2-4 exhibited high fumigant activity against M. incognita. Our results provide evidence for the use of J2-4 and its VOCs as biocontrol agents in the management of root-knot nematodes. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of Maize Hybrid in Complete Feed on the Production Performance and Economic Considerations in Laying Hens

The nutritional value of maize grain can be influenced by its genetic background, which can lead to differences that could affect laying hens due to the high proportion of maize hybrids in the complete feed. This study aimed to investigate the effects of modern maize hybrids on hen production and egg quality. Dietary treatments differed only in a grain of 15 high-yielding maize hybrids, added at a fixed proportion of 600 g kg−1 and without additional pigments. By 3 in each cage, 225 Lohmann Brown hens were allocated to 15 dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design (15 treatments × 5 cages). The experiment lasted 10 weeks, during which the number and weight of eggs were recorded daily, and diet intake was recorded weekly. Eggs for quality analysis were collected once per week during the last five weeks of the experiment. Dietary treatments differed (p &lt; 0.05) in complete feed intake (119.7–123.1 g), egg weight (58.02–61.51 g), daily egg mass (56.17–60.16 g), and feed conversion ratio (2.01–2.19). As expected, dietary treatments did not affect egg traits such as shape index, albumen height, Haugh units, shell strength, thickness, and weight, but differed (p &lt; 0.05) in yolk color (6.28–8.76) and yolk (14.74–16.03 g) and albumen (34.39–39.29 g) weights. The findings suggest that using different maize hybrids in complete feeds used in egg production systems may lead to small but significant differences in some hen production and egg quality traits, which in turn affect farmers’ income.

Telenomuscristatus Johnson (Hymenoptera, Scelionidae): new diagnostic data, distribution records and host associations.

Specimens of an egg parasitoid wasp, Telenomuscristatus Johnson (Platygastroidea, Scelionidae), were reared from stink bug egg masses collected in the wild, in Maryland, United States. The egg masses were identified morphologically as Halyomorphahalys (Stål), Banasa Stål and Euschistus Dallas (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae). Molecular tools were used to further identify the Euschistus egg masses as E.servus (Say) and E.tristigmus (Say). All of these are new host associations for Te.cristatus. We also provide data to contribute to future identification of Te.cristatus: images of the holotype specimen and COI sequences from two disparate localities.

Biomolecule repository of endophytic bacteria from guava serves as a key player in suppressing root- knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii

Guava production in India is hampered by invasion of guava root knot nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii. Biological control of plant parasitic nematodes is the best strategy to quench the soil and root population of nematodes. Hence the attempts were made to dissect the endophytic bacteria from various niche of guava plants. Amongst the various endophytic bacteria's, Klebsiella quasivaricola inhibited the egg hatching (100%) and moratlity of juveniles (100%). Exploration of non-volatile organic compounds of K. quasivaricola exhibited the presence of 2″-terthiophene, 9′spirobifluorenone, 4-Cyanophenyl 4-butylbenzoate, Benzoic acid, Benzoyl chloride, 3-phenyl-1, 2, 4-triazolin-5-one, Ethanone, 2,3-dihydro-5‑methoxy-, Ethanone, Trifluoroacetophenone, 6,12-dinaphthylindolo[3,2-b] carbazole having anti-microbial activities. Considering this, molecular docking experiments were carried out with important proteins of M. enterolobii such as Translationally Controlled Tumour Proteins, pectate lyase, phospholipase, hexokinase and Sphingomyelinase to understand the effect of biomolecules from K. quasivaricola. The results indicated that all biomolecules had prominent effect on different protein targets and in specific binding affinity with amino acid residues of protein targets benzoic acid, 4-Cyanophenyl 4-butylbenzoate, Trifluoroacetophenone, 6,12-dinaphthylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole, 3-phenyl-1,2,4-triazolin-5-one had significant effect on aforementioned protein targets of M. enterolobii. In addition, bio-hardened guava plants with the effective bacterial endophytes were challenged with M. enterolobii showcased 80% increase on plant growth parameters and 70% reduction of egg mass over control. Hence the present study gave limelight to explore the novel biomolecules from endophytic bacterium which could serve as an alternative synthetic nematicides for the management of M. enterolobii.

The Relationship Between Plumage Color, Genetic Group and Their Interaction on Quail’s Performance

The goal of this study is to identified the relationship between plumage color (white and brown), genetic group (Ukrainian and local) and their interaction on quail’s performance during their growth (1-6 weeks) and production (up to 8 weeks) periods. The study was conducted at Nineveh Research Department/Agricultural Research Office. The results for the growth period demonstrated that the Ukrainian quail was superior to the local quail for each of the characteristics of body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and Feed conversion ratio. The FC and FCR both increased significantly for the brown quail over the white quail for all weeks of the experiment, while the weekly weight gain fluctuated between the two colors. The brown quail also had a significant increase in body weight over the white quail. For the majority of the experiment’s weeks, the brown and white Ukrainian quail outperformed the brown and white local birds in most of the qualities being studied. During the production period, the Ukrainian quail’s FCR (g feed / g egg mass) and age at first egg’s lay were significantly lower than those of the local quail, The Ukrainian quail significantly outweighed the local quail in terms of the hen weight at first egg, first egg weight, the number, and weight of eggs produced during 8 weeks, eggs mass, eggs number/ female, hatching %, fertility %, and the hatching from the fertility %. The characteristics above did not appear to be affected by the white or brown plumage color, in comparison to local white and brown quail, the age at first egg and the FCR (g feed/g egg mass) were significantly lower in Ukrainian white and brown quail. Except for egg weight and food consumption /bird, all of the aforementioned variables were significantly higher in the Ukrainian white and brown quails than in the local white and brown quails.

A novel chorismate mutase effector secreted from root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii manipulates plant immunity to promote parasitism1

Meloidogyne spp. is an economically important plant-parasitic nematode distributed worldwide. To fight with host immune system for successful parasitism, plant parasitic nematodes secrete effectors to promote infection. In this study, we identified one chorismate mutase (CM) effector from M. enterolobii, named Me-CM. Spatial and temporal expression assays exhibited Me-cm is expressed in esophageal glands and up-regulated at parasitic-stage juveniles. Me-CM affects the pathogenicity of M. enterolobii based on the reduced infection rate, number of galls, egg masses, eggs per mass and multiplication rate collected from RNA silencing experiments. We showed that Me-CM localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus of plant cells and decreased the expression level of the marker gene PR1 of salicylic acid (SA) pathway. Besides, constitutive expression of Me-cm in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly reduced salicylic acid concentration. These results suggested that M. enterolobii may secrete effector Me-CM to fight with plant immune systems via regulating SA signaling pathway when interacting with host plants, ultimately facilitating parasitism.

The Impact of Varying the Amount of Octacosanol Added to Laying Hens’ Productive Performance and Various Oxidative Tests with and Without Vitamin E

A total of 120 laying hens were employed in this investigation, with 20 hens per treatment and 10 repetitions (2 hens each replicate). The experimental treatments included the following: T1: Control group, which received a basil diet without the addition; T2: 20 milligrams of vitamin E per kilogram of feed; T3: 20 milligrams of octacosanol per kilogram of feed; T4: 40 milligrams of octacosanol per kilogram of feed; T5: 20 milligrams/Kg (mixed octacosanol + vitamin E). The findings indicate that the treatments including the addition of octacosanol significantly increased the percentage of eggs produced, improved feed conversion ratio, and increased the eggs mass. Compared to the first, second, and third treatments, the MDA concentration significantly decreasing during the fourth, fifth, and sixth treatments. There were no significantly variations in glutathione levels. The concentration of the GOT enzyme also decreased significantly across all treatments as compared to the control group. When compared to the control treatment, the third treatment significantly improved the concentration of the GPT enzyme. Estrogen levels were not significantly affected by any of the treatments.

Untangling the Gordian Knot of Aplysia sea hare egg masses: An integrated open-hardware system for standardized egg strand sizing and packaging for cryopreservation research and application

The California sea hare (Aplysia californica) provides a powerful biomedical model system for studying aspects of neurological development and damage, behavior, aging, and hypoxia. Aplysia encapsulate their zygotes within strands that result in tangled egg masses that greatly complicate culture and experimentation. The historical and current importance of Aplysia for biomedical research and the mounting climate crisis necessitates protection of Aplysia genetic resources. The goal of this work was to prototype open-hardware sizing, processing, and packaging devices for A. californica early life stages suitable for integration into a cryopreservation pathway. The Strand Centi-Sizer was a low-cost, fused filament fabrication 3-D printable device that increased experiment preparation efficiency and standardized the cutting of egg strands customizable to user needs. A downstream system of 3-D printed devices was also prototyped to address inefficiencies in handling of egg strand sections for processing and packaging into existing cryopreservation straw platforms. Time studies were conducted comparing manual methods (i.e., no specialized equipment) with open hardware to demonstrate utility of the devices and to encourage community members to design and prototype new devices to address recurrent and novel problems in other aquatic animals that produce egg strands. Improvements in design could further increase efficiency, standardization, and reproducibility, and extend the application of these devices to other research communities, such as shrimp or salamander spermatophores, sea anemone body part (e.g., pedal lacerate) cryopreservation, or study areas such as vitrification.

Использование нового вида кормового ресурса в рационах кур родительского стада кросса «Хайсекс коричневый»

Purpose. The study of the productive traits of chickens when fed sunflower polysaccharide extract (hereinafter referred to as SPE), which can activate protein and carbohydrate metabolism, stimulate the body's natural defense factors. Materials and Мethods. The studies were carried out in a certified laboratory using classical and modern zootechnical, biochemical and other methods. Laboratory hematological studies were carried out on automatic biochemical analyzers URIT-800Vet and URIT-3020 (China) in the complex analytical laboratory of VRIMMP (Volgograd, Russia). The obtained results were processed using the software, calculation of the mean (M), standard errors of the mean (±SEM) and determination of the Student-Fisher test for the significance of the difference. Results. In I-III experimental groups, an increase in the yield of hatching eggs was recorded, respectively, by 88, 239 and 149 pcs. relative to the control, the intensity of egg production of hens – by 0.65; 1.35 and 0.77%, feed conversion per unit of egg mass – by 0.03; 0.07 and 0.05 kg. There has been a steady trend towards an increase in the mass of eggs in the experimental groups by 0.27 (0.43%); 0.81 (1.29%) and 0.63 g (1.01%), the acid number of the yolk decreased by 8.01 relative to the control; 9.42 (P≤0.05) and 10.29% (P≤0.05), which suggests the presence of antioxidant properties of PPE. The use of the studied additive had a positive effect on the morphological composition of the blood of laying hens of the experimental groups: the content of erythrocytes increased by 15.41 (P≤0.05), 17.47 (P≤0.05) and 17.81% (P≤0, 05), hematocrit – by 5.57 (P≤0.05); 10.22 (P≤0.01) and 11.15% (P≤0.01), hemoglobin – by 6.25 (P≤0.05), 8.67 (P≤0.05) and 9.19 % (P≤0.05) against the background of the control. In laying hens of the experimental groups, an increase in AST activity by 4.86 was recorded; 15.89 and 10.79 u/l, with a decrease in ALT activity by 0.70; 1.37 and 1.25 u/l. A significant increase in glucose in the blood serum of laying hens of the experimental groups was recorded in comparison with the control group by 15.26 (P≤0.05); 23.66 (P≤0.01) and 25.51% (P≤0.01), lactic acid level and glycogen content respectively by 15.26 (P≤0.05); 25.06 (P≤0.01); 25.51% (P≤0.01) and 2.19 (P≤0.05); 3.77 (P≤0.01) and 3.86% (P≤0.01). The bactericidal activity of blood serum of chickens of I-III experimental groups exceeded the control group by 5.02 (P≤0.05); 5.51 (P≤0.05) and 5.70% (P≤0.05 ), lysozyme activity – by 12.31 (P≤0.05); 15.89 (P≤0.01) and 16.36% (P≤0.01), phagocytic activity of leukocytes – by 3.06 (P≤0.05); 4.63 (P≤0.01) and 4.79% (P≤0.01), respectively. Conclusion. The results obtained confirm the activation of metabolic processes in the body of chickens of all experimental groups, under the influence of PPE, however, the studied additive at a dosage of 5.0% in the diet structure had the greatest efficiency in the production of hatching eggs.

Feeding and reproductive parameters of adult female Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Amblyomma americanum parasitizing white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann) (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) are the main host for adult Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae) (blacklegged tick) and all stages of Amblyomma americanum Linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae) (lone star tick). However, literature describing the feeding and reproductive parameters of these tick species when feeding on this host is limited. We experimentally infested white-tailed deer with adult pairs of either I. scapularis or A. americanum to improve our understanding of these tick-host relationships. Our study used tick-naïve white-tailed deer and restricted host grooming throughout the infestation. For I. scapularis, the days to repletion (mean ± SE, 6.04 ± 0.07), engorgement weight of replete females (0.20 ± 0.0032 g), duration of oviposition (32 ± 0.45 d), egg mass weight (0.10 ± 0.0027 g), and number of eggs laid per tick (1,803.00 ± 49.00) were recorded. Data from A. americanum were also recorded, including days to repletion (11.00 ± 0.063), engorgement weight of replete females (0.63 ± 0.025 g), duration of oviposition (37.00 ± 1.30 d), egg mass weight (0.34 ± 0.017 g), and number of eggs laid per tick (5,873.00 ± 291.00). These biological parameter data could be used as variables in models (e.g., LYMESIM 2.0) to determine how white-tailed deer influence I. scapularis and A. americanum populations in nature, and to evaluate the protective efficacy of tick-antigen-based antitick vaccines.

The relative infection potential of Meloidogyne incognita and M. graminicola in the basmati rice cultivar PB1121

AbstractRoot‐knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., are considered one of the major biotic constraints for global rice production. Although the role of Meloidogyne graminicola in root‐knot disease progression is well investigated, negligible research has been performed to understand the damaging potential of M. incognita in rice. In this study, the comparative infection biology of M. incognita and M. graminicola was investigated in the basmati rice cultivar PB1121 growing in Pluronic gel medium and soil. Intriguingly, M. incognita laid eggs outside the galled root, whereas M. graminicola egg masses were deposited inside the galled root. This differential egg‐laying pattern can be correlated with their specific adaptations in irrigated and upland rice production systems. Although M. incognita induced a greater number of galls than M. graminicola, M. graminicola gall sizes were comparatively larger than those of M. incognita. The greater reproductive success of M. graminicola than M. incognita did not cause any difference in their yield reduction potential in PB1121. PB1121 was equally vulnerable to M. incognita and M. graminicola in terms of reduction in plant height, tiller numbers per plant and grain yield per plant. Our research suggests that M. incognita also causes economic damage to rice, and nematode management tactics must consider the damaging potential of both nematode species.

Effects of Supplementing Layers, With Varying Levels of Alfalfa and Moringa Fresh Leaves on Egg Production and Quality

This feeding trial was conducted to evaluate and demonstrate the effects of supplementing intensively managed commercial layer chickens with varying levels of fresh leaves of Medicago sativa (Al) and Moringa stanophetela (Ms) on the characteristics of eggs. A 3x3 factorial arrangement was used Levels of Al fresh leaves were 0, 200, or 400 g, and levels of Ms fresh leaves were also 0, 200, or 400 g. Each treatment was replicated 4 times and 11 laying birds were allocated per replicate. Treatment arrangements/combinations were as follows, such as T1 (0 g of Ms &amp; 0 g of Al), T2 (0 g of Ms &amp;200 g of Al), T3 (0 g of Ms &amp; 400 g of Al), T4 (200 g of Ms &amp; 0 g of Al), T5 (200 g Ms &amp; 200 g of Al), T6 (200 g Ms &amp; 400 g of Al), T7 (400 g Ms &amp; 0 g of Al), T8 (400 g of Ms &amp; 200 g of Al) and T9 (400 g of Ms &amp; 400 g of Al). The actual investigation was started in the 30th week and then ended after 10 weeks. To evaluate egg quality traits, 9 eggs (3 eggs per pen per month), with a total of 36 eggs per treatment were randomly selected and analyzed. The result revealed that yolk color was strongly influenced (P&lt;0.05) by an interaction effect of that of the leveled Al and Ms supplementations. However, egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, albumen weight, Haugh unit, and yolk weight weren’t significantly (P&gt;0.05) influenced by such supplementations. The total egg production, egg production per pen, egg weight, egg mass, the hen-housed egg production, and a hen day egg production were not (P &lt; 0.05) influenced. The trend showed that the yellowness of the yolk color became deepened when increasing the amounts of either Al or Ms supplementation, as the main factors in the diets.

Insect oviposition in herbaceous plants attracts egg parasitoids despite fungal phytopathogen infection

Egg parasitoids are important natural enemies of several insect pests. The ability to kill the pest before it can inflict damage to the plant makes egg parasitoids ideal candidates for biological control. Several studies have shown that egg parasitoids exploit oviposition-induced plant volatiles (OIPVs) to locate host eggs laid on plant organs. Yet such studies have often overlooked that, in nature, plants frequently suffer concurrent attack by insect herbivores and phytopathogens. These dual attacks can modify the emission of induced plant volatiles, which may potentially interfere with the host location abilities of egg parasitoids. We investigated this research question using the following study organisms: the broad bean Vicia faba, the plant pathogen Stemphylium sp., the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula and its associated egg parasitoid Trissolcus basalis. We showed that T. basalis is able to exploit OPIVs in order to locate N. viridula egg masses even when V. faba plants were previously infected by Stemphylium sp. Chemical analyses indicate that the egg parasitoid ability to exploit OIPVs persists despite significant alterations of the volatile blends emitted by plants suffering multiple biotic stresses. This study highlights the importance of incorporating the complexity of multiple biotic stresses when studying parasitoid foraging behavior, in order to comprehend how to enhance the effectiveness of natural enemies in crop protection.

Effect of complex bioadditives of phytogenic origin on productive performance of quails

Comparative research on studying the influence of phytobioadditives from natural plant raw materials and with synthetic adaptogen Aurol in complex with arabinogalactan on quail productive indices were carried out. Daily inclusion of bio-additives in the diets of quails, from 5 days to 107 days of age, had a different effect on the safety and their productive performance. The control group received the basic diet, the 1st experimental group – the basic diet with drinking aqueous solution of aurol with arabinogalactan; in the 2nd experimental group 0.1% of bio-additive No. 1 consisting of roseroot powder with arabinogalactan was added to 99.9% of the basic diet; in the 3rd experimental group – 98.4% of the basic diet + 1.6% of bio-additive No. 2 consisting of roseroot powder, pine nut shell and pine needles with arabinogalactan in the first period of growing; in the second period – 98.3% of the basic diet + 1.7% of bio-additive No. 2a. Biochemical composition of blood, muscle tissue of quail carcasses, quail eggs was studied. In the period of quails growing, inclusion of complex bio-additives of plant origin with arabinogalactan No. 1 and No. 2 in the main composition of the diet of experimental groups increased their live weight by 7.6 and 11.1%; average daily gain by 8.6 and 12.4%; slaughter yield of gutted carcass by 0.9 and 1.5%; increased safety by 5.7 and 1.4% compared to the control group. At the beginning of egg production, the best results were with natural complex bio-additives. The laying hens of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups started egg laying 2 days earlier, they had the highest egg laying intensity (66,98 and 61,67%). In comparison with the control group, a higher average weight of one egg was observed in the 2nd experimental group – by 5.7%, the intensity of oviposition was higher – by 15.0%, egg mass – by 38.9.