Total Crude Protein Research Articles

Effect of Different Levels of Noug (Guizotia Abyssinica) Seed Cake Supplementation on Growth Performance of Doyogena Sheep Fed Rhodes Grass Hay Basal Diet

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of Noug ( Guizotia Abyssinica ) seed cake supplementation on feed intake, digestibility and body weight change of Doyogena sheep fed Rhodes grass hay basal diet. The experimental period was 112 days including 90 days of feeding trial and 15 days of adaptation period. Twenty four lambs were assigned into six groups based on their body weight and randomly assigned to four treatments with replication of six sheep to each treatment. The experimental animals were fed on Rhodes grass hay as a basal diet. The treatments were: T1 (Hay ad libtium+ 200 g Wheat bran), T2 (Hay ad libtium +200 g Wheat bran + 150 g Noug cake), T3 (Hay ad libtium+200 g Wheat bran+175 g Noug cake) and T4 (Hay ad libtium+200 g Wheat bran+200 g Noug cake). Fecal samples were collected for 7 days after 3 days of familiarizing lambs to carry fecal bags. Significant (p< 0.001) differences were observed in total dry matter, organic matter and crude protein intakes among treatments. Intake increased as level of noug seed cake supplementation increased. The dry matter, organic matter, crude protein digestibility and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (p< 0.001) higher with increased level of noug seed cake. Higher (p< 0.001) final body weight and average daily body weight gains were observed in sheep supplemented with highest level of Noug seed cake. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that supplementation of lambs with 200 g of Noug seed cake was potentially feasible and economically beneficial. Key words : Digestibility, Doyogena, Intake, Noug seed cake, Wheat bran, Weight gain DOI: 10.7176/ALST/81-01 Publication date: August 31 st 2020

Effect of brine time on quality of wet-salted fish

Stingrays or Dasyatis sp. was one kind of fishery commodities. This product was perishable, so it required careful handling through the handling process. Fish preservation was an alternative that can be applied. This study aimed to protect the fresh fish quality throughout the handling process before it was processed further. This research method used the wet-salting method. The principle of this method was to keep the product for a long time in brine for 0h (control/fresh fish), 1h, 2h, and 3h. The analysis achieve was TVB-N, TMA, TPC, total crude protein, and pH. The effect of time in brine on the result showed significant variation with p-value < 0.05. pH value was significantly correlated with TVB-N and total protein, while, TPC was significantly correlated with total crude protein. These conclusions, the fish product for 1h in brine was the best treatment.

Microbial transformation of crop residues into a nutritionally enriched substrate and its potential application in livestock feed

Bioconversion of three different agro-residues (groundnut shells, pigeon pea husk and wheat straw) was studied using endophytic fungi with a view to increasing the nutritive value and to evaluate its feasibility as poultry feed. An endophytic fungal isolate obtained from Celastrus paniculatus, effectively biotransformed selected agro-residues in solid state fermentation. After 21 days incubation, isolate CPL-1significantly altered the nutritional values of all tested agro-residues. Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin content were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) whereas, total carbohydrates were significantly increased in the biotransformed waste as compared to untreated residues. Of the three agro-residues studied, the groundnut shells were found to have maximum carbohydrate content (13.92 ± 0.7 g/100 g) after the treatment. Similarly, the total crude protein and total nitrogen contents of the treated waste were also significantly improved (P < 0.05) as a function of treatment with the isolate CPL-1 with their highest contents (24.95 ± 1.4 and 15.53 ± 1.2 g/100 g, respectively) recorded in the treated groundnut shells. The isolate CPL-1 was identified as Colletotrichum spp. based on the morphology. The tannins and phytate contents were found to be significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the processed wastes. Application of treated agro-residues in poultry diets revealed that the biotransformed groundnut shells and pigeon pea waste can be added up to 20 and 10%, respectively to the commercial poultry diet used in the study without any adverse effects. The results showed that the treated residues of groundnut shells can be used as a partial substitute to the conventional poultry diets as they are rich in enzyme phytase and other nutrients and have good digestibility.

Optimizing the nutritional quality and phosphorus use efficiency of alfalfa under drip irrigation with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization

AbstractAppropriate fertilization is an important management practice for optimizing the nutritional quality and increasing the phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of field‐grown alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). A 2‐yr field experiment in 2017 and 2018 in Xinjiang, China, involving fertilization with different amounts of N (0, 105, and 210 kg ha−1, referred to as N0, N1, and N2, respectively) and P (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1, referred to as P0, P1, P2, and P3, respectively) was established and resulted in the production of high‐quality alfalfa under drip irrigation. The crude protein (CP) content in the N1 treatment was greater than that in the N2 treatment under the P0, P2, and P3 treatments. Compared with that in the N1P0 and N2P3 treatments, the relative feed value (RFV) in the N1P2 treatment increased by 9−21% and 8−18%, respectively. The annual total CP yield in the N1P2 treatment was the greatest. Compared with that in the N1P3 treatment, the total PUE in the N1P2 treatment increased by 76.69−99.69%. At each clipping, the CP yield and PUE of alfalfa were significantly different between the N and P treatments. Therefore, we conclude that when N was applied at 105 kg ha−1 and P was applied at 100 kg ha−1, alfalfa presented the greatest nutritional quality and PUE under drip irrigation.

Recycling nutrients from anaerobic digestates for the cultivation of Phaeodactylum tricornutum: A feasibility study

The valorisation of Anaerobic digestion waste streams into algal biomass to produce a protein alternative to soybeans could have significant commercial and environmental value. It has the benefit of alleviating the pressure of disposal of nutrient-rich digestate that is rich in nitrogen, phosphorous and trace metals, while potentially reducing the cost of microalgae production. Currently, the use of soybean protein in animal feed has significant negative environmental issues and high carbon footprint associated with its use. This study investigates three types of Anaerobic digestion to grow Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin microalgae. The results found that the crude protein in all concentrations of cow waste and food waste digestates were found to produce a significantly higher concentration of crude protein in comparison to the F/2 control. In addition, cow waste 1% and pig waste 1% formulations were found to have favourable fatty acid profiles, which has significant health benefits in the livestock industry. There was no significant difference in the total fatty acids found in cow waste 1% and pig waste 1% digestates compared to the F/2 control, which was in the range of 243.4 to 269.4 mg/g (dry weight). The other formulations produced a significantly lower (p < .05) concentration of total fatty acids compared to the control. Cow waste 1% was found to be richer in omega-3, eicosapentaenoic acid, compared to pig waste 1%, however, no significant difference was found between the eicosapentaenoic acid, concentration of cow waste 1% and the F/2 control. Overall, in terms of highest total fatty acids and crude protein, cow waste 1% digestate was found to perform the best out of all the digestates tested, and outperformed the F/2 control in terms of crude protein. The P. tricornutum grown in digestate was also found to bioaccumulate higher levels of calcium. P. tricornutum grown in cow waste 1% digestate could offer an alternative viable locally grown protein source for the animal feed industry, with the added advantage of being rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and calcium.

Nitrogen application improved the growth and yield performance of sweetpotato (lpomoea batatas (L.) Lam.)

Nitrogen is one of the most critical nutrients affecting sweetpotato yield. This study was conducted to 1) evaluate the growth and yield response of sweetpotato NSIC SP 33 to different levels of N; and 2) determine the relationship between N level and root yield. A screenhouse experiment laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was carried out using five (5) N levels: 0,40, 80, 120 and 160kg ha-1, each replicated thrice.Thetotal amount of N (as urea) was applied twice, one-half at planting and the other half at six weeks after planting (6 WAP) along with a blanket application of solophos and muriate of potash at 40 and 60kg ha-1 P2O5and K2O. An alluvial Umingan sandy loam soil (lnceptisol) was used as medium. Levels of N significantly increased the leaf area, fresh herbage, total root yield, biomass, dry matter yield, shoot-root ratio, weight and number of marketable roots. Harvest index (HI) of plants applied with 40 and 80kg N ha-1 were comparable to those applied with 0 N. Increasing levels of N from 0 to 1 60kg ha-1 resulted in higher total crude protein (CP) and total N in the leaves. N uptake was higher in N-applied plants. Application of 40 and 80kg ha-1 N produced the highest root yield, above which root yield declined. Relationship between N level and root yield developed through regression analysis showed a quadratic function of Y=111.1794+1.2098x-0.00897x2 and R-square of 0.9904 which suggest that inherent soil N affected root development.

Compositional variability of food wastes and its effects on acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation

Converting food waste into butanol via acetone, butanol, and ethanol (ABE) fermentation provides the potential to recover energy and value-added chemicals from food waste. However, the high variability of food waste compositions has hindered the consistency and predictability of butanol production, impeding the development of a robust industrial fermentation process. This study characterized the compositional variation of collected food wastes and determined correlations between food waste compositional attributes and butanol yields for a better prediction of food waste fermentation with Clostridium. The total sugar, starch, fiber, crude protein, fat and ash contents (on dry basis) in the food waste samples were in a range of 0.5–53.5%, 0–25.2%, 0.6–26.9%, 5.5–21.5%, 0.1–37.9%, and 1.4–13.7%, respectively. The high variability of food waste composition resulted in a wide range (3.5–11.5 g/L) of butanol concentrations with an average of 8.2 g/L. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed that the butanol concentrations were strongly and positively correlated with equivalent glucose and starch contents in food waste, strongly and negatively correlated with fiber content, and weakly correlated with total sugar, protein, fat, and ash contents. The regression models constructed based on equivalent glucose and fiber contents reasonably predicted the butanol concentration, with the R2 of 0.80. Our study investigated the variability of food waste composition and, for the first time, unveiled relationships between food waste compositional attributes and fermentation yields, contributing to a greater understanding of food waste fermentation, which, in turn, assists in developing new strategies for increased consistency and predictability of food waste fermentation.

Assessment and Evaluation of the Major Ruminant Feed Resources in Bedele Woreda, Oromia, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess the available feed resource in Bedele district and evaluate the nutritional quality of the major ruminant feeds. Semi-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used in data collection on the available feed resource. . Representative samples of feed resources commonly used in ruminant animal feeding in the study area during the months of December- February were collected monthly and subjected to laboratory chemical analysis. All the data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) (version 20).The results obtained indicated that natural pasture and crop residue were the major basal diets in the study area, during the study period. The highest crude protein of 13.44% was recorded from brewery by product and the lowest (1.17%) from maize stover. The highest fibre contents of 78.2 and 80.03% were recorded from teff straw and maize stover respectively. The total livestock population and annual feed dry matter yield of the study area was estimated to be about 715.01 TUL and 1198.41 tons respectively. The annual total crude protein yield of the study area was estimated at 0.55 tons. At an estimated annual dry matter and crude protein requirement of 1630.23 and 17.87 tons, there is negative dry matter (481.81 tons) and Crude protein (17.32 tons) balance in the study area. The annual metabolisable energy yield of the study area was estimated to be about 0.53% of the annual requirement indicating that strategic supplementation with protein and energy concentrate during the study area is appealing. Keywords : Ruminant, Feed Resources, Nutritional Quality, Bedele Wereda. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-7-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Influence of oat and spring pea mixtures on forage characteristics in different environments

AbstractForage mixtures including oat (Avena sativa L.) and spring pea (Pisum sativum L. spp. sativum) provide opportunities to optimize forage production with increasing forage quality, relative to single species stands. Under different climate scenarios, adjusting seeding rates of these mixtures may produce variable results in forage quantity and quality. We conducted a 2‐yr study at three study sites to evaluate forage characteristics within mixtures of oat and spring pea stands across a semi‐arid to subhumid precipitation gradient. At the western‐most and driest location (219 mm March–June precipitation), the oat monoculture produced 16−19% more total biomass than seeding treatments with mixtures of oat and spring pea. In contrast, at the moderate‐precipitation site (255 mm precipitation), no differences in total biomass were detected for the oat monoculture and seed mixtures of oat and spring pea. Large variation at the wettest site (339 mm precipitation) limited our ability to detect differences for total biomass production across treatments, but weed pressure in Year 2 of the study reduced forage production. Typically, crude protein (CP) concentration decreased linearly (P &lt; .01) as spring pea decreased in the seeding rate, but CP concentration and total CP yield varied for the seeding rate treatments at the different study sites. Environmental condition may influence the benefit of substituting spring pea into a properly managed oat forage crop to increase forage quality. The contribution of spring pea forage in the total forage biomass of mixtures may be limited, especially in drier conditions.

Impacts of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria on Tropical Forage Grass in Brazil

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria effects on anatomical characteristics and nutritional value of Brachiaria (Syn. Urochloa) brizantha cv. BRS Piatã. The experimental design applied was completely randomized design with three treatments: (1) non-inoculated unfertilized-control plants (C-), (2) non-inoculated fertilized-control plants (C+) and (3) B. brizantha inoculated with Pseudomonas fluorescens (BRM-32111) and Burkholderia pyrrocinia (BRM-32113). The following parameters were evaluated at 35 days after seedling emergence: biomass production, plant height, net photosynthesis (A), water-use efficiency (WUE), chlorophyll (SPAD), anatomical and nutritional. The rhizobacteria modified the anatomy of the leaf, culm and roots of B. brizantha. They also increased the chlorophyll content, A, WUE, total soluble carbohydrates, starch and crude protein contents, N, P, Mg and Fe concentrations, plant height, root area and biomass production. Therefore, we conclude that co-inoculation with P. fluorescens (BRM-32111) and B. pyrrocinia (BRM-32113) modified the anatomy and biochemistry of B. brizantha, promoting growth and nutrient accumulation. Therefore, these findings set up the basis for additional exploratory studies, using these rhizobacteria as biotechnological innovation with potential of use as biofertilizer in B. brizantha, aiming higher productivity and nutritive value in a more eco-friendly and sustainable pasture production system.

The effect of laundry grey water irrigation on the growth response of selected local bean species in Nigeria

Abstract. This study examined the growth responses of some selected local bean (pulses) varieties in Nigeria; Vigna unguiculata (Ife brown), Vigna unguiculata (Ekpoma Local), Phaseolus vulgaris, Cajanus cajan and Glycine max, cultivated on soil irrigated with laundry-based grey water. Healthy seeds of all bean species were sown in plastic bowls of three replicates each and irrigated daily with similar quantities of the respective grey water. The effect of the grey water on the germination, growth and yield of all the beans was observed for a period of four months. The result obtained revealed that grey water had a negative effect on the growth and yield of all the beans as there was a decrease in the percentage emergence of all seedlings, height of emergent seedlings and number of flowers and pods produced. Grey water also altered the chlorophyll content and total crude protein of all the beans subjected to the treatment. The effect of grey water on plant is as a result of accumulation of excess salts contained in grey water on the soil.

Combined ditch buried straw return technology in a ridge–furrow plastic film mulch system: Implications for crop yield and soil organic matter dynamics

A ridge–furrow plastic film mulch (RP) configuration can increase crop and straw yields in semiarid areas of China. This study advocated for a novel soil tillage practice (ditch buried straw return) in a ridge–furrow plastic film mulch system. There were three treatments: (i) flat cultivation, CK; (ii) ridge–furrow plastic film mulch with no straw return (RP−S); and (iii) ridge–furrow plastic film mulch with ditch buried straw return (RP+S). Field experiments were conducted from 2015 to 2018 on the Loess Plateau of China to study the effects of straw incorporation on maize growth, biomass, water use efficiency, soil organic carbon, and total nitrogen sequestration capacity in RP systems. The mean rate of straw decomposition in RP+S reached 81 % at harvest of each year. The RP systems provided suitable hydrothermal conditions for maize growth. Both RP treatments promoted maize growth, particularly biomass accumulation and plant height under RP+S. The RP+S treatment also had greater concentrations of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen in surface soil at harvest, higher total nitrogen accumulation, nitrogen content and crude protein in maize grain, and higher maize yields and water use efficiencies than the other two treatments. In summary, the introduction of ditch buried straw return to RP is an effective measure for promoting the sustainable development of film mulching systems in semiarid regions of China by improving soil fertility and increasing crop yields.

Meta-analysis of corn plants, green fodder (ensilage), and silages of different types of maize hybrids used in experimental conditions in Brazil

The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of scientific publications from January 1994 to December 2014, to evaluate the chemical composition of corn plants, green forage, and silages of three different types of maize hybrids (simple, double, and triple) used in experimental conditions in Brazil. The sub-bases Corn Cultivation and Green Fodder were composed of 49 experiments, consisting of 481 treatments, and the sub-base Silage consisted of 24 studies composed of 163 treatments, involving 478 silos. In the Corn Cultivation sub-base, the variables of spacing, plant height, grain yield, organic matter content, and total carbohydrates of maize silage differed (P &lt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. The number of corn plants per hectare, number of spikes per plant, and the levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, and lignin did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. In the Green Forage sub-base (ensilage), the main difference (P &lt; 0.05) was regarding the in vitro dry matter digestibility, whereby the triple hybrids (59.38%) had lower values than the simple (73.05%) and double (72.74%) hybrids. In the Silage sub-base, the variables of organic matter, total carbohydrates, cellulose, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and pH differed (P &lt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. While the variables dry matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, lignin, total digestible nutrients, ethereal extract, crude protein, and ammonium nitrogen did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. The variability in the determination of parameters, such as dry matter yield, dry matter content, and non-fibrous carbohydrates of corn silage, and the non-determination of the starch content demonstrated that the chemical compositions of Brazilian corn silage have not yet been fully clarified. The types of maize hybrids (simple, double, and/or triple) mainly differ in terms of grain production. In many situations, the silage processes are not conducted in an ideal way, and the differences as a function of the maize plants (type of hybrid) are minimized due to losses during the ensiling process.

Meta-analysis of corn plants, green fodder (ensilage), and silages of different types of maize hybrids used in experimental conditions in Brazil

The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of scientific publications from January 1994 to December 2014, to evaluate the chemical composition of corn plants, green forage, and silages of three different types of maize hybrids (simple, double, and triple) used in experimental conditions in Brazil. The sub-bases Corn Cultivation and Green Fodder were composed of 49 experiments, consisting of 481 treatments, and the sub-base Silage consisted of 24 studies composed of 163 treatments, involving 478 silos. In the Corn Cultivation sub-base, the variables of spacing, plant height, grain yield, organic matter content, and total carbohydrates of maize silage differed (P &lt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. The number of corn plants per hectare, number of spikes per plant, and the levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, and lignin did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. In the Green Forage sub-base (ensilage), the main difference (P &lt; 0.05) was regarding the in vitro dry matter digestibility, whereby the triple hybrids (59.38%) had lower values than the simple (73.05%) and double (72.74%) hybrids. In the Silage sub-base, the variables of organic matter, total carbohydrates, cellulose, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and pH differed (P &lt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. While the variables dry matter, non-fibrous carbohydrates, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, lignin, total digestible nutrients, ethereal extract, crude protein, and ammonium nitrogen did not differ (P &gt; 0.05) according to the hybrid type. The variability in the determination of parameters, such as dry matter yield, dry matter content, and non-fibrous carbohydrates of corn silage, and the non-determination of the starch content demonstrated that the chemical compositions of Brazilian corn silage have not yet been fully clarified. The types of maize hybrids (simple, double, and/or triple) mainly differ in terms of grain production. In many situations, the silage processes are not conducted in an ideal way, and the differences as a function of the maize plants (type of hybrid) are minimized due to losses during the ensiling process.

Effect of the Pelleting Process on Diet Formulations with Varying Levels of Crystalline Amino Acids and Reducing Sugars on Digestibility in Growing Pigs

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of thermal processing on the digestibility of amino acids (AA) in diets with or without increased concentrations of free amino acids and reducing sugars (RS). To measure AA digestibility, a total of eight individually housed barrows (initially 69.2 ± 6.8 lb) that had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum were allotted to a replicated 8 × 8 Latin square design with 8 diets and eight 7-d periods. Thus, each pig was fed each diet in one period and no pig received the same diet more than once. Each period lasted 7 days with the initial 5 days being the adaptation period, and ileal digesta was collected for 9 hours on d 6 and 7. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of crystalline AA concentration (low vs. high), reducing sugars (low vs. high), and diet form (mash vs. pellet). There was no feed form × crystalline AA inclusion × RS inclusion interaction for standardized ileal digestible (SID) AA. There was a feed form × RS interaction (P < 0.026) for SID tryptophan. Feeding pelleted high RS diets resulted in decreased SID of tryptophan compared with mash high and low RS diets, and pelleted low RS diets. For the main effects of feed form, the SID of total AA, crude protein (CP), and indispensable AA increased (P < 0.042) in pigs fed pelleted diets compared with those fed mash diets. For the main effects of crystalline AA inclusion, pigs fed low or high crystalline AA inclu­sion had similar SID of total AA and CP. Pigs fed high crystalline AA had increased (P = 0.007) SID of tryptophan compared with those fed low crystalline AA diets. The SID of lysine tended to increase (P = 0.076) in pigs fed high crystalline AA diets compared with those fed low crystalline AA inclusion diets. Pigs fed high crystalline AA had decreased (P = 0.050) SID histidine compared with those fed low crystalline AA diets. The SID of arginine and isoleucine tended to decrease (P < 0.079), in pigs fed high crystalline AA. In pigs fed high crystalline AA, the SID of serine and glycine decreased (P < 0.042) compared with those fed low crystalline AA. For the main effects of RS diets, pigs fed high RS diets had decreased (P < 0.05) SID of total AA,

Seed systems of Brachiaria species in intercropping with grain sorghum in the off-season

ABSTRACT The grain sorghum intercropped with Brachiaria provides the production of grains and dry mass in the off-season; however, there is a lack of information related to the implantation of these species. The objective of this study was to identify the best association of sorghum and Brachiaria in the production of grain and dry matter in the Brazilian Cerrado region. The experiment was conducted in Rio Verde, State of Goiás, in the experimental design of randomized blocks, in a 2×3×4+5 factorial scheme, with four replications. Two sorghum hybrids (BRS 330 and DKB 551) associated to three Brachiaria species (Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu, Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria ruziziensis) were evaluated in four systems of Brachiaria implantation (row, interrow, row + interrow of sorghum and spread). Additional treatments referred to the two sorghum monocrops and the three Brachiaria species. The sorghum and Brachiaria consortium resulted in a reduction in grain yield, but the Brachiaria implantation systems in the row, interrow and spread were the most promising. The sorghum hybrid DKB 551 was the most sensitive to the competition with Brachiaria, although there were no grain yield differences in the intercropping. The Brachiaria intercropped in the interrow and in the row + interrow, mainly with B. ruziziensis, were the most promising for the production of dry mass and total crude protein. The cultivation of Brachiaria intercropped with sorghum provided a greater contribution of dry mass in the off-season, an important fact for the no-tillage system in the agricultural production systems of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Kvalita zrna genotypov jarného jačmeňa pestovaných v agroekologických podmienkach Slovenskej a Bulharskej republiky

On two locations (Borovce, Slovak Republic and Karnobat, Republic of Bulgaria) 21 barley genotypes (Hordeum vulgare L.) were grown for two consecutive years (2017, 2018). Selected malting qualitative parameters were analysed in mature grains; the content of total starch, crude proteins, and β-D-glucan. The aim of the work was to analyse agro-ecological conditions affecting the content of selected quality parameters in the barley grain and to evaluate, select and exchange barley genotypes created with an added value in order to obtain suitable biological material usable in the changing environmental conditions of a country. The content of total starch in analysed samples was in the range 53.62% and 63.30%, crude proteins were between 11.50% and 15.46% and β-D-glucan was from 3.26% to 5.87%. Year, locality, genotype, and their interactions were factors affecting the content of all analysed parameters in the barley grain, however the content of proteins and β-D-glucan was relatively stable. In Slovak barley genotypes, higher levels of starch and lower levels of proteins and β-D-glucan were observed compared to Bulgarian genotypes. Higher amounts of starch were detected in the conditions of the Slovak Republic. In warmer conditions of the Republic of Bulgaria, higher amounts of proteins and β-D-glucan were observed. Statistically significant correlations (P≤0.05) were observed between total starch and crude proteins (r=-0.59) and between total starch and β-D-glucan (r=-0.40). The correlation between the content of proteins and β-D-glucan was positive (r=0.05), but in present experiment not statistically significant.

STUDY ON ENERGY AND PROTEIN DISTRIBUTION FOR EGG MASS PRODUCTION IN GUINEA FOWLS LAYERS USING THE SYSTEM ‘CLARCS OF DISTRIBUTION/TRANSFORMATION’

Aim: To introduce and calculate the energy and crude protein distribution from fodder to the edible part of the egg mass. New indexes “Clarc of energy distribution (CED)” and “Clarc of protein transformation (CPT)” were introduced. Methods: The “Clarc’s” were calculated by using the following formula: CED = Total energy content in the yolk, albumen, mélange/Total metabolizable energy intake for 1 kg yolk, albumen, mélange; CPT = Total (crude) protein content in yolk, albumen, mélange/Total (crude) protein intake for 1 kg yolk, albumen, mélange. Results: CDE to the yolk, albumen, mélange – 0.1492, 0.0399 and 0.1891 respectively; CPT to the yolk, albumen, mélange – 0.1041, 0.113, 0.2771 respectively.

UTILIZATION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA AS A NEW RABBITS FEED. 3- EFFECT OF DIETARY INCLUSION OF MORINGA OLEIFERA HAY ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF BUCK RABBITS

: A total number of 18 New Zealand White buck rabbits with (2671± 185g average initial body weight and 24 weeks of age were used in this study to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of different levels of Moringa oleiferahay (leaves+ twigs) as a partial substitute for alfalfa hay on their reproductive and productive performance. The animals were randomly allotted to three experimental groups (6 bucks in each). The 1st group was served as a control and fed basal pelleted diet (Diet A) contained 18% alfalfa hay, represents about 14.7 % of the total crude protein of the diet. The 2nd and 3rd groups were fed the same basal diet, but 50 and 75% of alfalfa hay (B and C Diets, respectively) were replaced by moringa hay (leaves+ twigs) on the basis of its contents of protein. Buck rabbits fed Diet B and C had improving semen quality.Mean valuesof physical semen characteristicswere significantly higher (P < 0.01) for buck rabbits fed Diet B and C as compared to those fed Diet A (control). The correlation coefficients (r) between testosterone and each of ejaculate volume, wave motion, sperm motility, live spermatozoa, sperm concentration and total sperm output were significantly (P < 0.05 and 0.01) positive and ranged between 0.57 to 0.91. However, negative (P < 0.01) correlation coefficients were detected between testosterone concentration and abnormal spermatozoa (- 0.85). The coefficients of determination (r2) between testosterone and each of ejaculate volume, wave motion, sperm motility, live spermatozoa, sperm concentration, abnormal spermatozoa and total sperm output were significant (P < 0.05 and 0.01) and ranged between 0.33 to 0.83 . The results of the present study demonstrate that Moringa oleifera hay (leaves+ twigs) is good unconventional source of protein for feeding buck rabbits and could be added in the diet at levels up to 13.5% to replace about 75% of alfalfa hay without any adverse effects on their reproductive traits.

Protein supplementation for sheep fed with tropical forage

The effects of increasing levels of protein supplementation (50, 100, 150 and 200 animal per day) and mineral salt on feed intake, nutrient digestibility and ingestive behavior of sheep consuming tropical forage (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) were evaluated. Five non-castrated crossbred lambs (½ Santa Inês x ½ undefined breed) with average initial body weight of 35.0 kg (± 4.40 kg) were allocated in individual cages and analyzed in a 5x5 Latin square experimental design composed of five animals, five treatments and five evaluation periods of 14 days each. The contrast (protein supplement vs. mineral mixture) was not significant (p&gt;0.05) for total dry matter intake, total organic matter intake, total ether extract intake and total carbohydrate intake variables. However, it was significant (p&lt;0.05) for the variables forage dry matter intake, total crude protein intake, total mineral matter intake, total neutral detergent fiber intake and total non-fibrous carbohydrate intake, demonstrating possible replacement of forage by the supplement. Although the diet dry matter digestibility declined linearly (p &lt;0.05), there was a significant linear increase effect of supplementation (P &lt;0.05) on apparent digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, non-fibrous carbohydrates and consumption of digestible non-fibrous carbohydrates. This was due to higher participation of supplement in the diet ingested by supplemented sheep. The type of supplementation (protein or mineral mixture) did not affect the animals€™ daily activities. Protein supplementation did not affect the water ingestion (P &lt;0.05), demonstrating that even at the highest level of supplementation (200 g/day), animals were not induced to drink more water by the diet. We conclude that increasing levels of protein supplementation associated with good quality elephant grass resulted in increases in sheep digestive parameters, and supplementation below 100 g day-1 resulted in similar parameters to those of sheep receiving mineral mix (control). Additionally, protein supplementation did not affect (P&gt; 0.05) either the water intake or ingestive behavior of sheep, with rumination and rest coinciding with dusk and dawn.