Growth Performance Research Articles

Immuno-physiological role of exogenous enzymes supplementation in heat stressed growing calves.

Twenty Crossbred (Baladi× Brown-Swiss) male growing-calves, 6 to 8 months old, weighing an average of 115 to 125kg were subjected for evaluating ZADO supplementary effects on blood biochemical parameters, antioxidant status, thyroid activity, and growth efficiency of calves under semi-arid conditions. The experimental units were pinned equally in two groups. The control (G1) fed the basal ration, and the 2nd, treatment group (G2) fed the basal ration + a daily supplement of 10g ZADO (exogenous enzymes) calf- 1 day- 1 in a powder form mixed well with ration. The results showed that ZADO treatment reduced (P < 0.001) each of respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), serum malondialdehyde (MDA), urea, creatinine, and cortisol. Also, caused a marked decline in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities. However, supplemented ZADO to growing calves diets improved antioxidant status including reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, total antioxidant capacity, serum total protein, albumin, and globulin, as well as IgG and IgM besides. ZADO enhanced (P < 0.01) thyroid activity, and feed efficacy parameters. Finally, supplementing growing calves with ZADO under semi-arid circumstances alleviates the heat stress effect, and leads to an improvement in calves' growth performance.

Enhancement of non-oleaginous green microalgae Ulothrix for bio-fixing CO2 and producing biofuels by ARTP mutagenesis.

Oleaginous green microalgae are often mentioned in algae-based biodiesel industry, but most of them belong to specific genus (Chlorella, Scenedesmus, Botryococcus and Desmodesmus). Thus, the microalgal germplasm resources for biodiesel production are limited. Mutagenesis is regarded as an important technology for expanding germplasm resources. The main purpose of this study is to screen microalgae strains with high carbon dioxide tolerance and high lipid content from mutants derived from indigenous non-oleaginous green microalgae species-Ulothrix SDJZ-17. Two mutants with high CO2 tolerance and high lipid content genetic stability were obtained from the mutants by high-throughput screening, named Ulothrix SDJZ-17-A20 and Ulothrix SDJZ-17-A23. In order to evaluate the potential of CO2 fixation and biofuel production, A20 and A23 were cultured under air and 15% CO2 (v/v) conditions, and their wild-type strains (WT) were used as controls. Under the condition of high CO2 concentration, the growth performance and lipid production capacity of mutant strains A20 and A23 were not only significantly better than those of wild strains, but also better than those of their own cultured under air conditions. Among them, A23 obtained the highest LCE (light conversion efficiency) (14.79%), Fv/Fm (maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II) (71.04%) and biomass productivity (81.26mgL-1d-1), while A20 obtained the highest lipid content (22.45%). Both mutants can be used as candidate strains for CO2 fixation and biofuel production. By ARTP (atmospheric and room temperature plasma) mutagenesis with high-throughput screening, the mutants with higher CO2 tolerance, photosynthetic efficiency and lipid productivity can be obtained, even if they are derived from non-oleaginous microalgae, which is of great significance for enriching the energy microalgae germplasm bank, alleviating the global warming and energy crisis.

Gene Expression Study in Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata): Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Olive Oil Polyphenols on Immunity, Metabolic, and Oxidative Stress Pathways

In an era with an ever-growing population, sustainability and green transition are the main milestones to be considered within the current European Green Deal program, and the recovery of by-products for the integration of feed with bioactive molecules, that are sustainable and with high nutritional value, is an ambitious mission to be explored also in aquaculture. Olive oil extraction produces a range of solid and liquid by-products, in varying proportions depending on the utilized production techniques, all of which are considered as possible pollutants. However, these products are also rich of polyphenols, bioactive molecules with several and well-known beneficial properties (antimicrobic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulating). On this basis, this work aimed at evaluating the effects of dietary supplementation with polyphenols derived from olive mill wastewater on growth performance and on gene expression modulation, by means of RT-qPCR assays, in farmed Sparus aurata. Particularly, some target genes of metabolic, immunity, and oxidative stress pathways have been investigated in breeding gilthead seabream. Differential gene expression analysis was carried out, and differences between the control group (n = 9) and the treated one (n = 9) were computed with Student’s t test. The results have highlighted that supplemented feed enhanced fish growth, with a significant feed conversion ratio between the two groups. Furthermore, the polyphenol diet had a beneficial impact on gene expression fold with a level of significance for fatty acid binding protein 2, superoxide dismutase 1, and interleukin-12 genes at hepatic or intestinal district. These significant and promising preliminary findings promote, in the future, other investigations on polyphenolic by-products and on their putative or possible re-utilization in fish feeding.

The influence of host genotype and gut microbial interactions on feed efficiency traits in pigs

Feed efficiency and growth performance are economically important traits in pigs. Precious studies have been revealed that both genetics and gut microbes could influence host phenotypes, however, the mechanisms by which they affect pig growth and feed efficiency remain poorly understood. In this study, 361 crossbred Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) commercial pigs were genotyped using GeneSeek Porcine SNP50K BeadChip, and the microbiotas from fecal samples were acquired using microbial 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology to investigate the impact of host genetics and gut microorganisms on growth and feed efficiency. The results showed that the heritability and enterobacterial force ranged from 0.27 to 0.46 and 0 to 0.03, respectively. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified seven significant SNPs to be associated with growth and feed efficiency, and several genes, including AIF1L, ASS1, and QRFP were highlighted as candidates for the analyzed traits. Additionally, microbiome-genome-wide association studies GWAS revealed potential links between CCAR2, EGR3, GSTM3, and GPR61 genes and the abundance of microorganisms, such as Trueperella, Victivallis, and Erysipelatoclostridium. In addition, six microbial genera linked to growth and feed efficiency were identified as follows Lachnospiraceae_UCG-005, Prevotellaceae_UCG-003, Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group, Prevotella_1, Prevotella_9, and Veillonella. Our findings provide novel insights into the factors influencing host phenotypic complexity and identify potential microbial targets for enhancing pig feed efficiency through selective breeding. This could aid in the development of strategies to manipulate the gut microbiota to optimize growth rates and feed efficiency in pig breeding.

The Bioavailability of Solid-State Fermented Feather Meal Using a Novel Feather-Degrading Bacterium Bacillus velezensis PN1 in Broilers

In this study, an effective feather-degrading bacterium was isolated and the solid-state fermentation condition for feather degradation was optimized. The resulting fermented feather meal (FFM) was evaluated for its bioavailability in broilers. Four Bacillus strains were examined for feather degradation rates, with Bacillus velezensis PN1 exhibiting the highest rate (83.24%, p &lt; 0.05). A 3 × 3 × 3 factorial design was used to test substrate moisture content (45%, 55%, 65%), temperature (27 °C, 37 °C, 47 °C), and incubation time (24, 48, 72 h) for optimized fermentation conditions. In vitro pepsin digestibility (IVPD) revealed a significant interaction between temperature and time (p &lt; 0.05), and the optimal performance was achieved at 37 °C for 72 h, followed by 37 °C for 48 h. Considering production time and cost, FFM2 (produced with 65% moisture at 37 °C for 48 h) was further compared with FFM1 (produced under the same conditions but at a lower temperature of 27 °C), and commercial hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM). IVPD did not differ significantly between FFM1, FFM2, and HFM, as they all showed significantly higher digestibility compared to raw feathers (RFs). FFM1, as well as FFM2, had significantly higher histidine and lysine concentrations than RF (p &lt; 0.05), while FFM2 had a significantly lower cysteine content (p &lt; 0.05). Based on fermentation conditions and amino acid composition, FFM2 was considered more suitable for large-scale production and was used in a broiler growth trial. The inclusion of 5% FFM2 in the broiler diet did not significantly affect body weight at 35 days compared to the 5% HFM group (p &gt; 0.05), although both groups showed significantly lower weight gain than the 5% fish meal (FM) group (p &lt; 0.05). The feed conversion ratio and performance efficiency factor did not differ significantly between the FFM2, HFM, and FM groups (p &gt; 0.05). In groups fed diets without supplemental crystalline amino acids, growth performance did not significantly differ between the HFM and FFM2 groups (p &gt; 0.05), although both performed significantly worse than groups with amino acid supplementation. In conclusion, FFM produced by B. velezensis PN1 through solid-state fermentation enhances feather bioavailability in poultry and can completely replace HFM when included at 5% in broiler diets, offering a potential sustainable alternative for poultry nutrition on a commercial scale.

Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing Reveals the Transcriptome Profiling of Ovarian Cells in Adolescent Cyprinus carpio

The common carp (Cyprinus carpio) is a crucial freshwater species cultivated worldwide for food consumption. Female carp have better growth performance than males, which fascinates scholars to uncover the mechanism of gonadal differentiation and produce mono-sex populations. However, the mechanism of ovarian development at single-cell resolution is limited. Here, we conducted single-nucleus RNA sequencing in adolescent common carp ovaries. Our study obtained transcriptional profiles of 13,155 nuclei and revealed 13 distinct cell clusters in the ovaries, including three subtypes of germ cells and four subtypes of granulosa cells. We subsequently performed pseudotime trajectory analysis to delineate potential mechanisms underlying the development of germ cells and granulosa cells. We identified 1250 dynamic expression genes in germ cells and 1815 in granulosa cells (q-value &lt; 0.01), including zp3, eif4a2 and aspm in germ cells and fshr and esr1 in granulosa cells. The functional annotation showed that dynamic expression genes in germ cells were involved in sperm–egg recognition and some terms related to meiosis, such as sister chromatid segregation and homologous recombination. Genes expressed dynamically in granulosa cells were related to the TGF-β signaling pathway, response to gonadotropin, and development of primary female sexual characteristics. In addition, the dynamic genes expressed in granulosa cells might relate to the complex communication between different cell types. In summary, our study provided a transcriptome profile of common carp ovaries at single-nucleus resolution, and we further revealed the potential cell type-specific mechanisms underlying oogenesis and the differentiation of granulosa cells, which will facilitate breeding all-female common carp populations.

Optimizing Wheat Growth and Yield: The Synergistic Effects of Nitrogen and Silicon Levels

Enhancing wheat production is essential to meet global food security needs, especially in sustainable agriculture. Among nutrient management practices, Nitrogen (N) and Silicon (Si) are known to improve growth and stress resilience in crops. However, while the individual effects of N and Si on crop performance are well-documented, limited research has explored their combined influence on wheat growth and yield. This study aimed to address this gap by evaluating the synergistic effects of N and Si fertilizer levels on wheat agronomic performance. A field experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, from November 2022 to March 2023. The experiment utilized wheat variety BWMRI 3 in a two-factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments consisted of four N levels (0, 80, 120, and 160 kg N ha-1) and four Si levels (0, 100, 150, and 200 kg Si ha-1). Statistical analyses using R programming revealed that the combination of 120 kg N ha-1 and 150 kg Si ha-1 (N2:S2) resulted in the highest growth and yield performance, including a 48.32% increase in tiller number, 33.63% improvement in effective spikelets, 12.97% increase in 1000-grain weight, 34.54% rise in grain yield, and a 15.88% increase in biological yield compared to the control (without N and Si). The findings indicate that the combined application of 120 kg N ha-1 and 150 kg Si ha-1 significantly enhanced wheat growth and yield, suggesting that integrating these nutrient management practices is an effective strategy for optimizing wheat production, ultimately contributing to both higher yields and sustainable agriculture.

Feasibility of Fruit Waste-Derived Media for Microbial Culture: A Sustainable and Low-cost Approach

The present study, conducted at the College of Agriculture, Latur during 2023-2024, explores the viability of using fruit waste-derived media as a cost-effective alternative to conventional media for the growth of plant pathogens. The research focuses on the growth performance of Pseudomonas fluorescens, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. udum, and Sclerotium rolfsii on media prepared from fruit peel of eight fruits (Banana, Pineapple, Papaya, Orange, Guava, Pomegranate, Dragon fruit, and Sapota). These fruit-based media were compared to traditional Nutrient Agar (NA) and Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA). Results revealed that Sclerotium rolfsii showed maximum growth on Papaya Dextrose Agar, while Pseudomonas fluorescens exhibited the most robust growth on Banana, Papaya and Dragon Fruit Dextrose Agar. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. udum demonstrated the highest radial growth on Banana Dextrose Agar. The study also observed that fruit-based media significantly reduced costs compared to Potato Dextrose Agar and Nutrient Agar making them a sustainable and accessible option for microbiological research, particularly in resource-limited environments.

Growth Performance and Flesh Quality of Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Fed with Diets Containing Olive Oil in Partial Replacement of Fish Oil—With or Without Supplementation with Rosmarinus officinalis L. Essential Oil

This study aimed to investigate the effects of using olive oil (OO) in a partial replacement of fish oil (FO), with or without supplementation with rosemary essential oil (RO), on the growth performances and flesh quality traits of farmed Dicentrarchus labrax. Sea bass were fed with the experimental diets for 200 days; afterwards, they were caught and stored in ice (0–2 °C) for up to 17 days. The specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion rate (FCR) were calculated. Fillets were analyzed for physical features, chemical composition, fatty acid profile, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration on days 0, 5, 10, and 17 of storage. The fillets were assessed for sensory properties according to the QIM and Torry Scheme methods. No statistical differences between groups were found for the final average body weight, SGR, FCR and the flesh chemical composition. Supplementation with RO reduced (p &lt; 0.05) MDA concentration, thus improving the shelf life of fish by up to 10 days. The sensory score (QIM) increased linearly (p &lt; 0.05) with storage time; for cooked fillet, the Torry Scheme score decreased (p &lt; 0.05) with storage time. The economic analysis of feed cost has proven the feasibility of using olive oil as local feed ingredient in the partial replacement of fish oil.

Comparative Analysis of Growth Performance, Morphological Development, and Physiological Condition in Three Romanian Cyprinus carpio Varieties and Koi: Implications for Aquaculture

This study investigates the influence of internal factors on growth dynamics in four Cyprinus carpio varieties, three Romanian strains (Frăsinet, Ineu, and Podu Iloaiei) and the Koi variety. Fish were measured for total length, maximum height, and weight at four ontogenic stages, namely 7 days post-hatch, 3 months (0⁺), 18 months old (1⁺), and 36 months (2⁺). Weight Gain (WG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Relative Growth Rate (RGR), Fulton’s condition factor, and the profile index were calculated and analyzed. Results revealed significant intervariety differences in growth performance and physiological condition across life stages. At the 2⁺ stage, Podu Iloaiei exhibited the highest WG (849.73 ± 4.09 g), while Koi showed the lowest (403.99 ± 14.21 g). Koi demonstrated a unique growth pattern, with the highest SGR (0.18 ± 0.00% day⁻1) and RGR (0.98 ± 0.05 g day⁻1) at the 2⁺ stage. Fulton’s condition factor varied markedly, with Frăsinet showing the highest value at 7 days post-hatch (149.57 ± 17.485) and Koi the lowest at the 1⁺ stage (0.63 ± 0.011). The profile index decreased with age in all varieties, with Podu Iloaiei showing the most dramatic change from 4.22 ± 0.149 at 7 days to 2.18 ± 0.004 at 2⁺. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic and developmental factors in carp varieties, offering new insights for tailored breeding programs and aquaculture practices.

Growth, immunomodulatory, histopathological, and antibacterial effects of phytobiotic-incorporated diets on Oreochromis niloticus in unchanged water

Phytobiotics are promising diet alternatives, yet their effectiveness in high-risk aquaculture conditions remains underexplored. Therefore, a 90-day feeding trial was conducted based on dietary supplementation of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, with herbal extracts, namely, lemon balm [Melissa officinalis (MOE)], marjoram [Origanum majorana (OME)], and chamomile [Matricaria chamomilla (MCE)] with 0% water change. The treated groups were compared to groups untreated with herbs or control groups [positive control (PC; 0% water change) and negative control (NC; 20% water exchange per day]. Fish were cultured at stocking density (20 fish m-3: 1.8kg of biomass/m3). We conducted a physicochemical analysis of the water and the clinical responses, growth, and immune responses of the fish were evaluated. Furthermore, the herbal-supplemented fish were then challenged with a pathogenic Edwardseilla tarda strain and mortality was monitored. In the 1st and 2nd months, the water parameters were within the permissible limits. After that, a fatally low dissolved oxygen concentration and the highest levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH were recorded during the 3rd month. Blood and immune assays were conducted in the treated groups and control groups. The herbal-treated groups appeared healthy, but during the 3rd month, lethargy and decreased appetite were evident. Generally, the herbal-treated fish showed improved growth performance parameters, survival rates, and resistance against pathogenic bacteria E. tarda, particularly in the OME and MOE-treated groups compared to the positive control group. Finally, phytobiotic supplements were shown to improve fish stress tolerance and immune activation for a certain period under stressful conditions or unchanged water, based on the stocking density, dosages of herbs used, and the extent of deterioration of the water quality.

Effect of dietary supplementation of yeast culture Saccharomyces cerevisiae in lactating female goats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of adding a novel yeast culture, Saccharomyces cerevisiae refermented sorghum distiller's dried grains with solubles (SSDDGS), to the diets of lactating female goats on lactation performance and lamb growth performance. We divided 10 lactating Dazu black goats of similar age, weight, and offspring into two groups: one fed a pelleted diet with 50 g/day SSDDGS (ET), and the other without SSDDGS as a control (EC) for 7 weeks. We monitor the weight changes of each goat and collect blood and milk samples from experimental ewes at specific times for hormone and milk composition determination. We use ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to detect metabolites in the serum of lactating ewes. Our results showed that SSDDGS supplementation significantly reduced female goats' average daily weight loss during weeks 2–4 of lactation and increased serum IGF-1 and prolactin levels at week 4 (p &amp;lt; 0.05). SSDDGS supplementation in early lactation significantly increased milk protein, lactose, and ash content (p &amp;lt; 0.05). UPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that SSDDGS changed the levels of 58 metabolites in the serum of lactating goats. These metabolites were mainly involved in the sohingolipid signaling pathway, and cysteine, methionine, and sphingolipid metabolism. In summary, Yeast culture SSDDGS reduced weight loss, enhanced milk quality, and modified metabolic profiles in early lactation goats, providing insight into the potential regulatory role and mechanism of yeast culture in lactation female goats.

Evaluating Growth Performance and Economic Efficiency of Indian Major Carps in Integrated Fish-duck Farming Systems

The experiment was conducted in three villages in Namakkal district to evaluate the effects of an integrated fish-duck farming system on the physico-chemical and biological parameters of pond ecosystems, as well as on overall fish production. This eight-month trial took place from July 2016 to February 2017. Ponds were stocked with fingerlings at a density of 6,000 per hectare, using Indian major carps like Catla (Catla catla), Rohu (Labeo rohita), and Mrigala (Cirrhinus mrigala) in a 4:3:3 ratio to maximize energy utilization through polyculture. Indian Runner ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were included in the system to provide meat and naturally fertilize the ponds through excreta while grazing freely. In this village-based cultural practice, fish were not given supplementary feed. Instead, the ducks were fed with household food scraps and agricultural by-products, such as broken cereal grains and rice bran, which are readily available in rural areas. The study revealed that water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and alkalinity were significantly higher in the integrated ponds compared to control ponds (without ducks). Additionally, plankton levels (both phytoplankton and zooplankton) improved markedly in the integrated ponds. The Indian major carps in the integrated ponds also achieved better body weight than those in the control ponds. This improved growth rate contributed to a yield of 8,928 kg/ha/year in the integrated system, compared to 5,145 kg/ha/year in the control ponds. These results demonstrate that integrated fish-duck farming is more profitable than non-integrated systems (control) under rural conditions in Tamil Nadu, as it yields higher fish production without additional inputs.

Characterization of Fruit, Seed Traits and Seedling Growth Performance of Different Seed Sources of Calophyllum inophyllum

Calophyllum inophyllum is an oil-bearing tree species with seeds containing 50-70 per cent oil, mainly used for non-edible purposes. Belonging to the Clusiaceae family, it is commonly known as Undi in Kannada. This littoral tropical tree grows above the high-tide mark along coastlines and is frequently found on sandy beaches. Its prominence has increased due to high demand as biofuel and commercialization. The study aimed to examine the fruit and seed traits from various sources and the impact of seed source variation on germination and seedling growth of Calophyllum inophyllum. Experiments were conducted at the College of Forestry, Sirsi, with fruits collected from seven different regions from coastal taluks of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. Data on fruit, seed, and plant parameters were recorded. Results revealed that there was no such statistically significant difference was observed in fruit parameters, seed parameters, seedling parameters and germination percentage of Callophyllum inophyllum among the selected seed sources inferring no greater variations. However, the seeds from the Ramangindi (48.66%, 17% higher than the next best region, Ankola) region in Kumta taluk performed better in germination of seeds, fruit and seed traits, as well as growth compared to other sources.

Bibliometric analysis of research hotspots and trends on the relationship between the gut microbiota and depression from 2020 to 2024

IntroductionIn recent years, an increasing body of research has illustrated a strong correlation between gut microbiota and depression. However, there has yet to be a comprehensive discussion or summary of the latest advancements and trends in this field.MethodsWe retrieved research articles focused on gut microbiota and depression through the WOS database from 2020 to 2024, using visual text analysis tools such as CiteSpace and VOSviewer.ResultsThe literature on the relationship between gut microbiota and depression surged from 396 papers in 2020 to 711 by 2024. During this period, the journal with the highest publication rate was Nutrients. China led the countries in contributions, while University College Cork topped the institutions. Kenji Hashimoto emerged as the most prolific author. The most cited paper was authored by Cryan JF et al., published in 2019 in Physiol Rev. The keywords “gut microbiota,” “depression,” and “anxiety” appeared most frequently, while recent years saw explosive increases in terms such as “growth performance,” “receptors,” “depression-like phenotypes,” “stress response,” “gastrointestinal symptoms,” “reliability,” and “neurogenesis.”DiscussionOur article displayed the overview of the relationship between the gut microbiome and depression from 2020 to 2024 using bibliometric methods, providing perspectives and research hotspots for studies exploring the correlation between the gut microbiome and depression.

Impact of Probiotic Bacillus sp. Dietary Supplementation on Pancreatic and Intestinal Activities in Seabream Sparus aurata.

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of commercial probiotic Bacillus sp. supplementation on seabream Sparus aurata larviculture under culture conditions. In this context, Bacillus was supplemented via rotifer feeding and water and its effects on pancreatic and intestinal enzyme activities as well as aquaculture parameters were evaluated during early life development. In the experimental group, as probiotic three Bacillus sp. spores was introduced via rotifer and larval culture tanks, while the larvae in control group did not feed any probiotic supplementation. At the end of the experiment on 40 days after hatching (DAH), the probiotic-supplemented group exhibited better growth performance and there were statistically differences between in groups of probiotic-treated and control regarding growth parameters (p<0,01), despite insignificant of survival rate (p>0.05). In terms of enzymatic expressions, S. aurata larvae receiving probiotic supplementation through rotifers demonstrated noteworthy (p<0.05) enhancements in specific activities of pancreatic and intestinal enzymes, except for amylase (p>0.05), when compared to the control group. It is concluded that the administration of Bacillus sp. as probiotic bacteria through rotifer supplementation and water intake demonstrates significant positive impacts on both growth parameters and specific activities of main pancreatic and intestinal enzymes of seabream larvae.

Cecal Microbial Diversity and Metabolome Reveal a Reduction in Growth Due to Oxidative Stress Caused by a Low-Energy Diet in Donkeys

Dietary energy level plays an important role in animal growth and development. The present study investigated the effect of dietary energy on the growth performance, antioxidative state, and nutrient digestion of meat donkeys. It simultaneously explored the probable reason for cecal microbiota and metabolome. Twelve meat donkeys (male) aged 1 year with a similar weight (150 ± 25 kg) were divided into two treatment groups: low-energy group (E1) and high-energy group (E2). The experiment was divided into a 10-day pre-trial period and a 135-day trial period. Donkeys in the trial periods were fed diets with digestible energy values (in dry matter) of 12.08 and 13.38 MJ/kg (pre-fattening, 1–45 d), 13.01 and 14.07 MJ/kg (mid-fattening, 46–90 d), and 13.54 and 14.93 MJ/kg (late-fattening, 91–135 d). The results show that E1 decreases body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and the digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber (p &lt; 0.05), but increases cecal acetate and butyrate concentrations, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in serum, and the ratio of dry matter intake to ADG(F/G). E1 diminished the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase, while it increased the content of interleukin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (p &lt; 0.05). Cecal microbiome showed that the abundance of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria in E1 was significantly lower than in E2 (p = 0.029, p = 0.002), whereas Bacteroidetes was higher (p = 0.005). E1 increased the genera Ruminococcaceae-UCG-004, Acinetobacter, and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. Meanwhile, cecal metabolome showed that formyl-5-hydroxykynurenamine, chorismate, 3-sulfinoalanine, and 3-isopropylmalate were upregulated in E1, while brassinolide was downregulated. The altered metabolites were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways related to energy metabolism and metabolism to mitigate oxidative stress in the meat donkeys, such as tryptophan metabolism, brassinosteroid biosynthesis metabolism, etc. In conclusion, low-energy diets resulted in a negative energy balance in meat donkeys, resulting in more nutrients being oxidized to provide energy, inducing oxidative stress, and thereby leading to decreasing growth. The reduction in meat donkey growth from low-energy diets was related to changes in cecum microbiota and metabolites.

The Influence of Micronutrients on Growth Performance of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) CV. Mahima

The present investigation entitled, “The influence of micronutrients on growth performance of ginger (zingiber officinale) cv. mahima” was conducted at All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Spices, Asond Block, Central Experiment Station, Wakawali, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli during 2023-24. Experiment was laid out with total nine treatments and three replications each in present study. The experimental findings revealed that the treatment, T1 i.e. RDF + Foliar Spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 % recorded better results in number of tillers per platnt (12.57), plant height (77.65 cm), number of leaves per plant (76.03), leaf length (23.25 cm) and leaf width (3.08 cm). Thus, it was concluded that the treatment T1 (RDF + Foliar Spray of ZnSO4 @ 0.5 %) was found to be the best for growth performance of ginger (Zingiber officinale rosc.) under Konkan agroclimatic conditions.

Effect of Media Formulation on Survival and Growth Performance of Star Jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum Burm. f. Andrews) Propagation by Stem Cuttings

Present study investigated “Effect of media formulation on survival and growth performance of star jasmine (Jasminum multiflorum Burm. f. Andrews) propagation by stem cuttings”. during 2023-2024 using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with eight treatments and three replications with eight treatments i.e., T5: soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1). The treatments comprised various combinations of soil, farmyard manure (FYM), cocopeat, sand, rice husk, and vermicompost. The results indicated that the propagation media significantly affected the growth parameters. Notably, Treatment T5 i.e. soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1) demonstrated superior performance, with the shortest sprouting time (9.67 days), highest survival rate (78.67%) and overall enhanced growth attributes, including sprout number, sprout length, plant height, leaf area, and root and shoot weights. The findings suggest that soil + vermicompost + cocopeat (1:1:1) is an optimal medium for propagating of star Jasmine, warranting further studies to confirm its efficacy across different locations and seasons.

The Effectiveness of Biofloc Technology and Its Application Prospects in Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) Aquaculture: A Review

This review aims to advance the development of biofloc technology (BFT), providing more sustainable and efficient practices for the farming of the Japanese sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus). BFT is a sustainable aquaculture method that promotes nutrient recycling and effective carbon source management, offering significant advantages such as improving water quality, enhancing growth performance, and boosting the physiological activity and disease resistance of cultured animals. In A. japonicus farming, the optimal carbon source is glucose, and the ideal carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio ranges between 15 and 20. Microbial additives, such as the Bacillus species, have been shown to enhance biofloc formation and growth, as well as the immune responses in A. japonicus. However, the technology also faces limitations, including finding suitable biofloc culture protocols that match the physiological habits of A. japonicus and potential challenges with biofloc stability under varying environmental conditions. Based on existing research, this review discusses these limitations in the farming of A. japonicus. Additionally, it compares biofloc farming models for other economically important aquatic species. By addressing these key aspects, this review offers insights to enhance BFT performance, ultimately contributing to more efficient and sustainable A. japonicus aquaculture practices.