Nursery Performance Research Articles

Evaluating the impact of weaning weight and growth rate during the first week post weaning on overall nursery performance

Objective: Determine the effects of nursery pig weaning weight (WW) and first week postweaning growth rate (ADG7) on average daily gain (ADG), final weight, removals, and mortality under field conditions. Materials and methods: In this 42-day study, 1602 pigs (mean [SD] weight: 5.42 [0.9] kg) were weaned at 19 to 21 days of age. Four successive batches of weaned pigs were moved into the same nursery room. Within each batch, pigs were allotted by WW to have approximately one-third of each class (LightWW, MediumWW, and HeavyWW) in all pens. On day 7, pigs were individually weighed and designated according to their ADG7 into four classes within their batch: NegativeADG7, LowADG7, MediumADG7, and HighADG7. An equation was developed and validated to quantify the association between WW and ADG7 with ADG. Results: Weaning weight had no effect on ADG7 (P = .42), but increasing WW and ADG7 increased (P < .001) ADG and final weight at 42 days. Pig removal was reduced if pigs had heavy WW or gained weight in the first week after weaning (≤ 3.2%) compared to pigs that lost weight during the first week in the LightWW (20.9%) or MediumWW (10.3%) categories. Overall mortality was 1.1% with no effects of WW, ADG7, or its interaction (P > .54). The equation generated indicated that WW and ADG7 together had moderate accuracy (R² = 0.54; P < .001) to predict ADG. Implication: The WW and ADG7 are not correlated, but they affect and partially predict the overall nursery performance.

Scion-rootstock interactions in grafted tea at nursery and field levels

ABSTRACTGrafting of fresh tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) cuttings in the nursery offers the possibility to raise composite plants with superior traits. To increase the land productivity, grafted tea plants are greatly preferred in replanting programs in South India. Hence, the present study was conducted to widen the choice of compatible grafts and to know the consistency in nursery and field performances of grafted tea plants. The clone TRF-4 was used as scion for grafting on the rootstock clones UPASI-2, UPASI-6, UPASI-9, and UPASI-26. Nursery assessments showed that all grafted plants produced more vigorous composite plants than self-rooted TRF-4. However, field assessment indicated significant effects of stock-scion interaction on the performance of grafted plants. Significant increases in yield and canopy spread were noted when TRF-4 was grafted on UPASI-9, UPASI-2 and UPASI-26. However, composite plants of TRF-4 grafted on the rootstocks of UPASI-6 recorded lower field survival and yields compared to the self-rooted TRF-4. This result suggests that nursery performance is not a reliable index to judge the field performance of grafted plants.

The effects of dietary soybean hulls particle size and diet form on nursery and finishing pig performance.

Two experiments were conducted to investigate increasing unground and finely ground soybean hulls fed in meal or pelleted form on nursery and finishing pig performance. In experiment 1, 1,100 nursery pigs (initially 6.8 ± 0.1 kg and 28 d of age) were used in a 42-d study with 11 replicates per treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of soybean hulls (10% vs. 20%), grind type (unground, 617 µ vs. ground, 398 µ), and diet type (pelleted vs. meal form). No three-way or soybean hull level × grind type interactions were observed. Overall, average daily gain (ADG) was increased (P < 0.05) by pelleting, decreased (P < 0.05) by grinding, but unaffected by soybean hull levels. Grind type × diet form interactions were observed (P < 0.05) for gain:feed ratio (G:F) and a tendency for average daily feed intake (ADFI; P < 0.10). This was because grinding soybean hulls decreased (P < 0.05) ADFI and increased (P < 0.05) G:F when fed in meal form; however, grinding did not affect ADFI and decreased (P < 0.05) G:F when diets were pelleted. Increasing soybean hulls increased (P < 0.05) ADFI and decreased (P < 0.05) G:F when diets were fed in meal form, but these effects were not observed when diets were pelleted (diet form × soybean hull level interaction, P < 0.06). In experiment 2, 1,215 pigs (initially 21.1 ± 0.1 kg) were used in a 118-d study with nine replications per treatment. Treatments were a corn–soybean meal–based control diet and four diets arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with the main effects of soybean hulls (7.5% vs. 15%) and grind type (unground, 787 µ vs. ground, 370 µ). All diets were fed in meal form. No soybean hull level × grind type interactions were observed for any growth or carcass responses. Increasing dietary soybean hulls from 0% to 15%, regardless of particle size, did not affect ADG or ADFI, but decreased (linear, P < 0.02) G:F. Carcass yield, hot carcass weight, and backfat depth decreased (linear, P < 0.03) whereas percentage lean increased (linear, P < 0.01) with increasing soybean hulls. Pigs fed ground soybean hulls had increased backfat depth (P < 0.01) and decreased (P < 0.01) percentage lean and fat-free lean index. In summary, increasing soybean hulls up to 20% decreased G:F in nursery and finishing pigs, whereas pelleting nursery diets improved ADG and eliminated the negative effect of increasing soybean hulls on G:F. Grinding soybean hulls reduced growth performance in nursery and finishing pigs.

Nursery Performance of Sandfish Holothuria scabra Juveniles in Tidal Earthen Pond Using Different Types of Cage

Sandfish Holothuria scabra is a promising aquaculture commodity. Techniques for producing this species have been developed rapidly in recent decades to address the issues of increasing market demand and overexploitation of wild populations. Providing sandfish seed with suitable size for stocking (20-50 g) is one of the main issues in mass production of sandfish. Developing reliable nursery techniques could solve this problem. This study aimed to investigate the survival and growth performance of sandfish juveniles in two types of nursery cage: (i) floating net cages and (ii) fixed net cages. The experiments were conducted in a tidal earthen seawater pond in Sekotong, West Lombok for 14 weeks between August 5 and November 13, 2015. Each type of experimental cage had 3 replicates, stocked with 15 juveniles (mean initial weight 4.22 g) per cage. Feed was provided naturally from the substrate in the pond and in seawater, which was exchanged daily following the natural tidal cycle. Juveniles showed rapid growth and high survival rate for both floating and fixed net cages during the first six weeks of culture with no significant difference (P<0.05). Conversely, at the end of the experiment, the growth and survival of juveniles in the fixed net cage were lower because of the extreme low tide and the dry season, which began after week 6. During the low tide, floating net cages stayed submerged in the water while some parts of the fixed cages were exposed, killing the juveniles attached to the net. Our findings suggest that both cages were suitable for use in sandfish juvenile nurseries, although it is better to use the floating net cage in tidal ponds.

Effects of seed bed types and weed control methods on the vegetative parameters of long cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutesens L)

Effects of seed bed types and weed control methods on the vegetative parameters of long cayenne pepper (Capsicum frutesens L)

PSVI-19 Evaluating the effects of day of iron injection after farrowing on nursery performance and hematological criteria

Abstract Weaned pigs (n = 311; 5.9 kg BW) were used in a 59-d study evaluating the effects of Fe injection timing after birth on nursery pig performance and hematological criteria. Pigs were weaned at 21 d and allotted to pens based on preweaning Fe treatment with BW balanced across pens within a treatment with 5 or 6 pigs/pen and 10 pens/treatment. The preweaning treatments were a negative control receiving no Fe injection or 200-mg of injectable Fe (Gleptoforte, Ceva Animal Health, Lenexa, KS) provided in a single injection on d 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 after birth. All pigs were fed common diets after weaning that contained 110 mg/kg of added Fe as FeSO4 provided from the trace mineral premix. Growth data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with pen as the experimental unit. Hematological criteria were measured as a repeated measure with pig as the experimental unit. Overall, increasing the age of pigs receiving a 200-mg Fe injection from 2 to 4 or 6 d after birth increased (quadratic; P = 0.013) d 80 ending BW with a decrease in BW when Fe was provided on d 8 or 10 (Table 1). Not providing an Fe injection after birth worsened (P &lt; 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and d 80 ending BW. Significant treatment×day interactions (P &lt; 0.001) were observed for Hgb and Hct values. These interactions occurred because pigs not receiving an Fe injection after birth had values that increased from d 21 to 35 while pigs receiving an Fe injection had values that decreased from d 21 to 35. While it is common practice to provide an Fe injection within the first 48 hours of birth, these results suggest delaying injection until d 4 or 6 may increase nursery final weight.

PSV-13 Effects of increasing iron dosage in newborn pigs on subsequent nursery performance and hematological criteria

Abstract Weaned pigs (n = 308; 5.7 kg BW) were used in a 42-d study evaluating the effects of increasing injectable Fe dose at processing (d 3 after farrowing) on subsequent nursery pig performance and hematological criteria. Pigs were weaned on d 21 and allotted to pens based on previous Fe treatment with BW balanced across pens within a treatment with 5 or 6 pigs/pen and 10 pens/treatment. Treatments applied at processing were a negative control receiving no Fe injection or increasing injectable Fe (Gleptoforte, Ceva Animal Health, Lenexa, KS) to provide 50, 100, 150, 200-mg, or 200-mg plus 100-mg on d 11 post-farrowing. All pigs were fed the same diets after weaning containing 110 mg/kg of Fe from FeSO4 provided from the trace mineral premix. Growth data were analyzed as a CRD with pen as the experimental unit. Hematological criteria were analyzed as a repeated measure with pig as the experimental unit. Overall, increasing injectable Fe improved (linear; P &lt; 0.05) ADG and ADFI (Table 1). Increasing injectable Fe up to 150 mg improved (quadratic; P = 0.011) G:F with a worsening G:F thereafter. There was no evidence of difference in growth performance (P &gt; 0.10) between the 200-mg and the 200 + 100 mg injectable Fe treatments. Significant treatment×day interactions (P &lt; 0.001) were observed for Hgb and Hct because pigs receiving an Fe injection less than 150-mg had increasing values through nursery while all other pigs had values remaining constant until d 63 after birth with no evidence of difference (P &gt; 0.10) amongst all treatments at d 63 after birth. These results suggest that providing a 200-mg Fe injection at processing provides the greatest growth performance in the nursery and Fe in the diet is sufficient to meet the pigs’ Fe requirement to restore blood Fe status at the end of the nursery.

Plug Cell Volume, Growing Media Quality and Benzyl Aminopurine (BAP) Spray Effects for Nursery Growth of Impatiens walleriana

Plant propagators must take two technological critical decisions: the plug-cell size and the growing medium, both of which have been mentioned as abiotic stress sources for bedding pot plants. However, only a few recent reports on bedding pot plants have simultaneously included limiting and non-limiting plug cell volumes and growing medium during nursery. The aim of this work was to assess the nursery performance of Impatiens walleriana seedlings grown in four plug cell volumes and four growing media with significant differences in both physical and chemical properties. Plants were sprayed or not with an early and single benzyl aminopurine (BAP) dose, aiming to understand how they interact on determining biomass accumulation at the pot transplant stage. The hypothesis tested was that, both plug cell volume and growing medium, must be seen as additive abiotic stress sources, which can be partially overridden by exogenous cytokinin supply. The main result was that, in I. walleriana seedlings, the abiotic stress imposed by the growing medium quality during nursery had a higher effect on biomass accumulation (on both fresh and dry base), leaf area expansion and photo assimilates partitioning than plug cell volume and constitute an interactive process associated with cytokinin synthesis. From a grower´s point of view, one expensive option to avoid root restriction is to use high quality growing media and increase the plug cell volume. In contrast, a single 100 mg L-1 BAP spray can partially override the root restriction symptoms related to abiotic stresses. The novelty of this work is related to the fact that growing media quality would be a more limited factor than plug cell volume for I. walleriana seedlings during nursery.

Microbial Consortia versus Single-Strain Inoculants: An Advantage in PGPM-Assisted Tomato Production?

The use of biostimulants with plant growth-promoting properties, but without significant input of nutrients, is discussed as a strategy to increase stress resistance and nutrient use efficiency of crops. However, limited reproducibility under real production conditions remains a major challenge. The use of combination products based on microbial and non-microbial biostimulants or microbial consortia, with the aim to exploit complementary or synergistic interactions and increase the flexibility of responses under different environmental conditions, is discussed as a potential strategy to overcome this problem. This study aimed at comparing the efficiency of selected microbial single-strain inoculants with proven plant-growth promoting potential versus consortium products under real production conditions in large-scale tomato cultivation systems, exposed to different environmental challenges. In a protected greenhouse production system at Timisoara, Romania, with composted cow manure, guano, hair-, and feather-meals as major fertilizers, different fungal and bacterial single-strain inoculants, as well as microbial consortium products, showed very similar beneficial responses. Nursery performance, fruit setting, fruit size distribution, seasonal yield share, and cumulative yield (39–84% as compared to the control) were significantly improved over two growing periods. By contrast, superior performance of the microbial consortia products (MCPs) was recorded under more challenging environmental conditions in an open-field drip-fertigated tomato production system in the Negev desert, Israel with mineral fertilization on a high pH (7.9), low fertility, and sandy soil. This was reflected by improved phosphate (P) acquisition, a stimulation of vegetative shoot biomass production and increased final fruit yield under conditions of limited P supply. Moreover, MCP inoculation was associated with selective changes of the rhizosphere-bacterial community structure particularly with respect to Sphingobacteriia and Flavobacteria, reported as salinity indicators and drought stress protectants. Phosphate limitation reduced the diversity of bacterial populations at the root surface (rhizoplane) and this effect was reverted by MCP inoculation, reflecting the improved P status of the plants. The results support the hypothesis that the use of microbial consortia can increase the efficiency and reproducibility of BS-assisted strategies for crop production, particularly under challenging environmental conditions.

Nursery performance of exotic citrus rootstocks under protected conditions

Nursery performance of exotic citrus rootstocks under protected conditions

Effects of different seed treatments, provenance and size on germination and early establishment of Olea europaea

Knowledge and understanding of the factors affecting germination and growth of tree species is of paramount importance for enhancing the efforts towards afforestation. Hence, the prime objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of seed treatment methods, provenance and size on germination and early nursery performance of Olea europaea. The experiment was arranged in a factorial combination and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Factor A was seed treatment methods (soaking in three levels of hot water, soaking in four levels of concentrated H2SO4, heating with fire, de-coating and control). Factor B was two seed provenances and factor C was two seed size classes. Interaction of seed size and provenance had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on all parameters. Different seed soaking method showed highly significant difference (p < 0.01) in all parameters. Seed de-coating had maximum value for all parameters but seeds treated with fire had lowest value. Hence, the germination percentages under nursery condition were 85.8 and 2.5% for de-coated and fire treated seeds, respectively. It was concluded that seeds from both provenances and seed size class germinated and were established equally; de-coating improved germination and early nursery performance; whereas, fire affected germination and early nursery performance negatively. Seed de-coating has to be done widely for the improvement of germination and early establishment of Olea europaea and further research is needed on the use of fire for breaking dormancy. Key words: Dormancy, germination, Olea europaea, provenance, seed treatment, seed.

Development of Somatic Embryo Maturation and Growing Techniques of Norway Spruce Emblings towards Large-Scale Field Testing

The possibility to utilize non-additive genetic gain in planting stock has increased the interest towards vegetative propagation. In Finland, the increased planting of Norway spruce combined with fluctuant seed yields has resulted in shortages of improved regeneration material. Somatic embryogenesis is an attractive method to rapidly facilitate breeding results, not in the least, because juvenile propagation material can be cryostored for decades. Further development of technology for the somatic embryogenesis of Norway spruce is essential, as the high cost of somatic embryo plants (emblings) limits deployment. We examined the effects of maturation media varying in abscisic acid (20, 30 or 60 µM) and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) concentrations, as well as the effect of cryopreservation cycles on embryo production, and the effects of two growing techniques on embling survival and growth. Embryo production and nursery performance of 712 genotypes from 12 full-sib families were evaluated. Most embryos per gram of fresh embryogenic mass (296 ± 31) were obtained by using 30 µM abscisic acid without PEG in the maturation media. Transplanting the emblings into nursery after one-week in vitro germination resulted in 77% survival and the tallest emblings after the first growing season. Genotypes with good production properties were found in all families.

Performance of Cheura, Diploknema butyracea (Roxb) Lamb in nursery under lower-and mid-Himalayan conditions of Himachal Pradesh

The area below apple belt ie below 1800 m particularly between 600 and 1800 m in Himachal Pradesh is characterized by unique problems of low productivity, high male out migration, high reliance on women in agriculture, pressure to expand cultivated land at the cost of forest land, undulating terrains, small and scattered holdings, limited irrigation facilities, large number of animals both domestic and wild to compete with human beings for the same resources, severe erosion due to deforestation, erratic rainfall and more susceptibility to climate change. For increasing the overall productivity of the state the vast tracks of this region hold the key. To improve the productivity of these areas an integrated approach is required that includes diversification in traditional agricultural practices, judicious use of available irrigation water and large scale rain water harvesting for gradually shifting from rainfed to commercial production. Even some additional farm income should be ensured from marginal land or grassland by commercializing already existing resources or through introduction of new set of species etc. From forestry point of view tree-borne oilseed species namely Cheura, Diploknema butyracea (Roxb) Lamb has great potential to provide some additional income to hill farmers of the region falling in between 300 to 1500 m elevation in Himachal Himalayas. In Uttarakhand this species occurs abundantly in a wild state in the Pithoragarh district near Kali river between altitude of 300–1500 m in hot humid climate. It is right time now for the introduction of this species in lower and mid-Himalayan regions of Himachal Pradesh for testing the suitability of the species. Therefore in the present investigations nursery performance of Cheura was studied under lower-and mid-Himachal Himalayas to eventually popularize this species in the state. It was found that the Cheura planting stock could be easily grown in the nurseries in the foot-hills of Himachal Himalayas provided nursery stock during winter was kept in polyhouse for three months (15 December to 15 March) to avoid frost damage.

Effects of Fe Dosage in Newborn Pigs on Preweaning and Subsequent Nursery Performance

Effects of Fe Dosage in Newborn Pigs on Preweaning and Subsequent Nursery Performance

Effects of the Age of Newborn Pigs Receiving an Iron Injection on Suckling and Subsequent Nursery Performance and Blood Criteria

Effects of the Age of Newborn Pigs Receiving an Iron Injection on Suckling and Subsequent Nursery Performance and Blood Criteria

Continuous Spectrum LEDs Promote Seedling Quality Traits and Performance of Quercus ithaburensis var. macrolepis.

Regulation of the growth, development, and quality of plants by the control of light quality has attracted extensive attention worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of continuous LED spectrum for indoor plant pre-cultivation and to investigate the morphological and physiological responses of a common broadleaved tree species in Mediterranean environment, Quercus ithaburensis var. macrolepis at seedling developmental stage. Thus, the seedlings were pre-cultivated for 28 days, under five different LED light qualities: (1) Fluorescent (FL) as control light (2) L20AP67 (high in green and moderate in far-red), (3) AP673L (high in green and red), (4) G2 (highest in red and far-red), AP67 (high in blue, red, and far-red), and (5) NS1 (highest in blue and green and lowest in far-red) LEDs. Further examination was held at the nursery for 1 year, on several seedling quality traits. Indeed, AP67 and AP673L triggered higher leaf formation, while L20AP67 positively affected seedling shoot development. NS1 and AP67 LED pre-cultivated seedlings showed significantly higher root fibrosity than those of FL light. Furthermore, NS1 and AP673L LEDs induced fourfold increase on seedling root dry weight than FL light. Hence, evaluating the seedling nursery performance attributes, most of those photomorphogenetic responses previously obtained were still detectable. Even more so, LED pre-cultivated seedlings showed higher survival and faster growth indicating better adaptation even under natural light conditions, a fact further reinforced by the significantly higher Dickson’s quality index acquired. In conclusion, the goal of each nursery management program is the production of high quality seedlings with those desirable traits, which in turn satisfy the specific needs for a particular reforestation site. Thus, the enhanced oak seedling quality traits formed under continuous LEDs spectrum especially of NS1 and AP673L pre-cultivation may potentially fulfill this goal.

Nursery Performance of Male Clones of Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir Valley

Nursery Performance of Male Clones of Poplar (Populus deltoides Bartr.) under Temperate Conditions of Kashmir Valley

Evaluation of compatibility and nursery performance of new graft combinations in tea (Camellia sP.)

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Assessment of various Peach rootstocks for germination and seedling growth

Peach root stocks “Swat local”, “Chitral local” and “Okinawa” were evaluated to assess their performance in nursery at Agricultural Research Institute Mingora, Swat Pakistan during 2013`14. Days to germination, percent seed germination, seedling diameter, number of branches per seedling, number of leaves per seedlings and seedling height were found significant in all the three rootstocks. The indigenous root stock “Swat local” and “Chitral local” performed well for the aforementioned traits. The rootstock “Okinawa” had earlier germination.

Meeting Forest Restoration Challenges: Using the Target Plant Concept

Meeting forest restoration challenges relies on successful establishment of plant materials (e.g., seeds, cuttings, rooted cuttings, or seedlings, etc.; hereafter simply “seedlings”). The Target Plant Concept (TPC) provides a flexible framework that nursery managers and their clients can use to improve the survival and growth of these seedlings. The key tenets of the TPC are that (1) more emphasis is placed on how seedlings perform on the outplanting site rather than on nursery performance, (2) a partnership exists between the nursery manager and the client to determine the target plant based on site characteristics, and (3) that information gleaned from post-planting monitoring is used to improve subsequent plant materials. Through the nursery manager–client partnership, answers to a matrix of interrelated questions define a target plant to meet the reforestation or forest restoration objectives. These questions focus on project objectives; site characteristics, limiting factors, and possible mitigation efforts; species and genetic criteria; stocktype; outplanting tools and techniques; and outplanting window. We provide examples from the southeastern United States, Hawai‛i, and Lebanon on how the TPC process has improved performance of seedlings deployed for reforestation and forest restoration.