Seasonal Weight Research Articles

Effect of pre-grazing herbage mass on pasture production and performance of suckler-bred steers during the grazing season and subsequent indoor finishing period

The objective was to determine the effect of pre-grazing herbage mass (PGHM) on herbage production and nutritive value, intake and growth of suckler-bred steers in a rotational stocking system, and the residual effects on intake, growth and carcass traits during subsequent indoor finishing. A total of 108 yearling steers previously offered grass silage indoors over 105 days were assigned to one of two PGHM (1500 – low (L) or 2000 – high (H) kg dry matter (DM)/ha; > 4 cm) treatments. Steers (ca. 345 kg at turnout to pasture in spring) rotationally grazed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) dominant pasture in 12 groups of 9 for 203 days. At the end of the grazing season they were housed indoors and offered either (1) grass silage only or (2) grass silage + 3.17 kg concentrate DM/head daily for 136 days until slaughter at 24 months of age. Annual herbage production was higher (8427 vs. 7542 kg DM/ha, P < 0.01) for H than L, but there was no difference between treatments in surplus herbage removed as silage due to the tendency for H steers to consume more herbage/ha while grazing (7363 vs. 6479 kg DM/ha, P = 0.08). During the grazing season, compared to L, steers grazing H had a greater estimated herbage DM intake (6.59 vs. 5.93 kg DM/ha, P < 0.001), daily live weight gain (0.81 vs. 0.76 kg, P < 0.01), live weight at the end of the grazing season (553 vs. 539 kg, P < 0.01) and live weight gain/ha (1261 vs. 1206 kg/ha). During the indoor finishing period there was no PGHM × finishing diet interaction, and no residual effect of PGHM on daily live weight gain, but carcass weight tended to be heavier for H (359 vs. 354 kg, P = 0.06) than L. Compared to silage only, the silage + concentrates group had a higher (P < 0.001) total DM and energy intake, feed conversion efficiency, live weight gain, carcass weight and carcass conformation and fat score. In conclusion, grazing the lower PGHM reduced herbage production, steer live weight gain at pasture, overall live weight gain/ha and tended to reduce carcass weight; therefore, under the conditions of this experiment grazing a PGHM of 2000 kg DM/ha is recommended. Removing concentrates from the finishing diet reduced carcass weight and fatness, making it more difficult to finish steers at a commercially acceptable carcass (carcass fat score > 6.0, 1 - 15 scale).

Studies on blood volume in a teleostean fish, Mystus bleekeri in relation to body weight in summer and winter seasons

The total blood volume, relative (%) blood volume and haematocrit value of Mystus bleekeri of six different weight groups ranging from 24 to 76 grams were studied in winter and summer months at water temperatures of 18°C and 28°C. The total blood volume at both temperatures increased from lower to higher weight groups. The correlation coefficient between total blood volume and body weight were 0.8587 at 18°C and 0.9946 at 28°C. Total blood volume in all weight groups was greater at the higher temperatures and most results were statistically significant. The relative blood volume and haematocrit decreased from lower to higher groups at both temperatures.

Fluctuations in serum steroid hormone concentrations and body mass during growth and sexual maturation in captive northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).

Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) have a distinct life history pattern comprising annual terrestrial breeding and oceanic migration, and the physiological changes associated with these patterns are of particular interest for understanding their environmental adaptations. However, owing to their oceanic distribution, limited information is available on the reproductive physiology of wild individuals during the immature stage and the winter migration period. This study aimed to determine the relationships among the seasonal hormone profiles, body growth, age, and pregnancy using monthly serum samples collected over 3–5 years from two male and two female captive individuals during pubescence and sexual maturation. Small increases in the serum testosterone signaled puberty in males aged 3 and 4 years. Thereafter, males showed considerable increases in testosterone during breeding seasons, indicating sexual maturity. Immature female serum progesterone was maintained at low levels, but after pubescence, females showed an increase in serum progesterone in August, the month next to the peak of delivery, followed by a decrease. In non-pregnant females, progesterone did not increase significantly until the next breeding season, but in pregnant females, they increased again from February to March and then gradually decreased. Immature males increased body mass constantly and reached puberty when their body mass exceeded 20 kg, and they showed seasonal weight fluctuations after puberty. These results provide fundamental information for determining sexual maturity and pregnancy in this species based on sex steroid hormones and body mass measurements.

Age Ain't Nothing But a Number: factors other than age shape brown bear movement patterns

Movement patterns may reflect individual age-specific variation. For example, individuals that sample novel areas (e.g. natal dispersal) may show different movements from those of adults settling in more stable areas and moving around local environments to procure food and shelter. The long-term study of a solitary large carnivore, the brown bear, Ursus arctos , allowed us to test for age-related differences in movement behaviour and, more specifically, for potential inter- versus intraindividual variation among adult versus subadult bears. In addition to age, we also explored factors other than individual characteristics that have the potential to determine movement patterns: sex, season (mating versus hyperphagia) and body weight. The contribution of age to movement patterns seemed to be irrelevant, most of the observed movement patterns being primarily explained by season and body weight. Moreover, intraindividual movements within a home range were more marked among subadult brown bears. We hypothesize that two mechanisms may lead to subadults and adults moving similarly. First, both must hibernate and, consequently, need to store energy during hyperphagia. Second, although triggered by different factors, both make erratic/long movements after hibernation, for dispersal (subadults) or mating (adults), which might contribute to shaping similar movement patterns. Different motivations could thus be expressed through the same behavioural patterns, and equifinality (i.e. similar ecological patterns emerge from different initial conditions) might be considered an intrinsic property of animal behaviours. • Subadults sampling novel areas may show different movements from those of adults. • In brown bears the contribution of age to movement patterns seems to be irrelevant. • Movement patterns are principally explained by season and body weight. • Different motivations can be expressed through similar behavioural patterns. • Equifinality might represent an intrinsic property of animal behaviours.

Benefit Evaluation Model of Prefabricated Buildings in Seasonally Frozen Regions

In order to effectively develop the benefit evaluation model of prefabricated houses in seasonal frozen soil areas, and improve the comprehensive benefits of prefabricated buildings, this paper proposes a life cycle benefit evaluation model for prefabricated buildings in seasonally frozen regions. According to the climatic characteristics of the area, the impact of the seasonally frozen regions is listed as an evaluation index in the construction stage for comprehensive analysis. The 16 indicators that affect the comprehensive benefits of prefabricated buildings are grouped by the nearest neighbor element analysis method. Fuzzy cluster analysis and analytic hierarchy process are used to filter out the most influential index group to calculate the index weight. Then the model proposed in this paper is compared with the existing model to test the validity of the model. The research results show that research and development costs weight is 0.23, design cost weight is 0.10, construction cost weight is 0.22, resource consumption weight is 0.25, building demolition cost weight is 0.04, and seasonal freezing effect weight is 0.16. The calculation result passed the consistency test and the expert scoring result conformed to the normal distribution, which proved the accuracy of the conclusion. It is proposed that the calculation result of the comprehensive benefit score of the model is 1.8% lower than the previous results, which proves the validity of the model. The model can speed up the efficiency of comprehensive benefit evaluation of prefabricated buildings thereby improving the development level of prefabricated buildings.

Seasonal Body Weight Dynamics in Healthy People: A Meta-Analysis

Seasonal Body Weight Dynamics in Healthy People: A Meta-Analysis

Foliar Nourishment with Different Zinc-Containing Forms Effectively Sustains Carrot Performance in Zinc-Deficient Soil

Among the essential micronutrients, zinc (Zn) affects vital functions in crop plants. The influences of foliar nourishing with certain Zn-containing forms on the growth, productivity, and physiology of carrot plants (cv. Fire wedge F1) and their nutritional contents when grown in Zn-deficient soil were examined in both 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 field trials. Two doses of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs(1) = 20 and ZnO-NPs(2) = 40 mg L−1), zinc–EDTA (Zn–EDTA(1) = 1 and Zn–EDTA(2) = 2 g L−1), or bulk zinc oxide (ZnO-B(1) = 200 and ZnO-B(2) = 400 mg L−1) were applied three times. The data outputted indicated, in general, that ZnO-NPs(2) were the best treatment that conferred more acceptable plant growth (measured as shoot length and fresh and dry weights), physiology (measured as cell membrane stability index, SPAD readings, and nutrient uptake), and nutritional homeostasis (e.g., P, Ca, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu contents). All these positive attributes were reflected in the highest yield, which was measured as fresh weight, dry matter, length, diameter, volume, and total yield of carrot roots. However, there were some exceptions, including the highest membrane stability index in both seasons, the highest Cu uptake and Mn content in the first season, and root fresh weight in both seasons obtained with ZnO-NPs(1). Moreover, the maximum P uptake and root dry matter were obtained with ZnO-B(1) and the highest content of root P was obtained by ZnO-B(2). Based on the above data, foliar nourishing with ZnO-NPs(2) can be recommended for the sustainability of carrot cultivation in Zn-deficient soils.

Performance of Some Faba Bean Varieties in Relation to Phosphorus Fertilization and Some Microelements Spraying

In order to study the effect of phosphorus fertilization rates and microelements spraying treatments on plant characteristics and yield traits as well as some seed chemical properties of faba bean varieties, an experiment was conducted in two successive growing seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 in the Farm of Agricultural Research and the Experimental Center of Faculty of Agriculture at Moshtohor, (Toukh Directorate, Kalyubia Governorate) Benha Univ. Egypt. The experimental design was split-split plot in RCBD in three replications. Phosphorus fertilizer was considered as the main plot in three rates (0, 15 and 30 kg P2O5/fed). Four microelements spraying treatments [Tap water (control), Zn, Mn and mixed of Zn + Mn] were arranged in the sub plot. The sub-sub plots were occupied with three faba bean varieties (Giza 716, Nubaria 3 and Sakha 4). The obtained results could be outlined as following: Increasing phosphorus fertilizer rate from 0 to 30 kg P2O5/fed induced significantly increased most vegetative growth, yield attributes, yield and seed chemical properties of faba bean under study except, mid physiological maturity, height to 1st pod and phosphorus use efficiency were significantly decreased with rising phosphorus rates during the both seasons. The foliar spray by Zn and Mn as a single or in combination had significant effect on most faba bean traits under study compared with no microelements added during the both seasons. Faba bean plant treated with microelements foliar spray using Zn in combination with Mn was the most effective treatment for most faba bean characteristics in the both seasons. Mean performances of the investigated faba bean varieties for most faba bean traits under study were significant different during the both seasons. Faba bean variety Sakha 4 had higher values of chlorophyll content index at 85 DAS, plant height, height to 1st pod, No. of branches/plant, plant weight, No. of pods/plant, No. of seeds/plant, seed yield/plant, biological yield/fed, seed yield/fed, straw yield/fed, phosphors use efficiency, seed N content and seed protein yield/fed in the both seasons. While, Nubaria 3 variety significantly gave the maximum mean values in mid physiological maturity, harvest index and 100-seed weight in the both seasons, respectively. The first order interactions between treatments 30 kg P2O5/fed × Zn + Mn, 30 kg P2O5/fed × Sakha 4 and Zn + Mn × Sakha 4 as well as the second order interaction between treatments 30 kg P2O5/fed × Zn + Mn × Sakha 4 were significantly recorded the maximum seed yield/plant, biological yield/fed, seed yield/fed and straw yield/fed in the both seasons. Therefore, this study recommends that Sakha 4 variety treated by 30 P2O5/fed and mixed spraying with Zn 0.3 % + Mn 0.3 % in order to improve the production of faba bean under the condition of Toukh Directorate, Kalyubia Governorate, Egypt.

RESPONSE OF SOME WHEAT CULTIVARS TO SOWING METHODS AND SEEDING RATES UNDER SIWA OASIS CONDITIONS

Egypt produces about half of the 20 million tons of consumed wheat and imports the other half. So that Egypt became the world’s largest importer of wheat. Therefore, intensive efforts are being for enhancing wheat production to meet any local consumption particularly out of the Nile Valley, i.e. Siwa Oasis, Egypt, where salinity is considered of the major problem. However, Siwan farmers are not acquainted with wheat crop from the beginning sustain policy of wheat flour as well as with agricultural practices. Therefore, two on farm trials were carried out in Agricultural Experimental Station of Desert Research Center at Khemisa, Siwa Oasis during 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 growing seasons, to study the effect of sowing methods (broadcast and row) and seeding rates (30, 45, 60 and 75 kg/fed.) on two wheat cultivars, Triticum aesivum L., (Misr 2 and Sakha 94). Results indicated that row sowing method produced 37.2% and 12.5% more grain yield over traditional broadcast method in the 1st and 2nd seasons, respectively. These increments may be due to a significant increase in number of spikes/m2, number of grains/spike and to some extent 1000-grain weight.Misr 2 wheat cultivar produced the highest biological, grain yields, harvest index and number of spikes/m2. On the other hand, Sakha 94 cultivar gave the highest value of number of grains/spike and 1000-grain weight in both seasons. The highest values of grain yield and harvest index were noticed with 45 and/or 60 kg/fed seeding rates in two seasons. Whereas, a gradual significant increase in number of spikes/m2 and biological yield was noticed with increasing seeding rates from 30 up to 75 kg/fed. However, 1000-grain weight tended to reduce with increasing seeding rates. So, it could be concluded that sowing Misr 2 wheat cultivar at 60 kg/fed., with row sowing method is suitable for wheat production under saline conditions at Siwa Oasis.

EVALUATION OF YIELD AND RESISTANCE TO COTTON LEAF WORM FOR SOME NEW GENOTYPES OF SOYBEAN UNDER OLD LANDS AND NEWLY RECLAIMED LANDS CONDITIONS IN EL-BEHEIRA GOVERNORATE

A field traial allowed in completely randomized design with three replications were conducted in the research farm of the agricultural research station of Etay Al-Baroud (old land) and the research farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhur University, in El-Bostan region, El-Beheira Governorate (newly reclaimed lands) during 2018 and 2019 seasons to evaluate the performance of twelve new genotypes of soybean compared with the three commercial varieties Giza 111, Giza 22 and Crawford. The resistance of genotypes to cotton leaf worm was estimated in the laboratory by raising a fourth instar larvae of cotton leaf worm and leaving them for feeding on the middle leaflet of the third upper trifoliate leaf of the plant for 24 hours, after that the areas that the insect fed on were measured as a percentage of the total area of the leaf (leaf area consumed). The resistance to cotton leaf worm in the field was estimated by vision according to the Smith and Brim 1979 method (defoliation %). The results confirmed that mean square due to genotypes, locations and genotypes x location were highly significant for all studied traits except the locations mean square for number of hairs under binocular field area and branches number /plant in the first season and genotypes x location mean square of number of hairs under binocular field area, branches number /plant, maturity date and 100-seed weight in both seasons as well as number of pods/plant in the second season. All tested genotypes significantly differ in their performances in all studied traits across the two locations and the four genotypes Line 3, Line 105, Line 127 and Line 129 seemed to excellent genotypes for yield and resistance to cotton leaf worm across the two locations. The consumed leaf area caused by cotton leaf worm and oil percentage negatively associated with pubescence density while seed yield positively associated with pubescence density. Seed yield and oil percentage negatively associated with the defoliation value. In general, it can be said that the four soybean genotypes, Line 3, Line 105, Line 127 and Line 129 are promising genotypes that could be sowing in newly reclaimed lands to expand soybean cultivation in Egypt.

Synergistic effects of inoculating AMF and foliar iron fertilizer on growth and yield of broad bean under North Sinai conditions

This work was undertaken at the Experimental Farm of Fac. Environ. Agric. Sci., Arish University, North Sinai, Egypt, during the successive winter seasons of 2016/2017 and 2017/2018. The synergistic effects of inoculating AMF and foliar iron (Fe) fertilizer on spore counts, mycorrhizal colonization, formation of nodules, plant growth and yield parameters of broad bean plant (Vicia faba L.) grown in sandy loam soil were studied. This work included two studied factors: Two mycorrhizal treatments (Inoculum AMF and Natural AMF) and five foliar Fe concentrations (0.0, 300, 400, 500 and 600 ppm) and their interactions. The obtained results revealed that application of inoculated AMF and spray with Fe at 400 ppm increased spore count and root colonization. However, total number of active nodules/plant increased with inoculated AMF and spraying iron at 600 ppm. Results indicated the superiority interaction treatment of inoculated AMF with the foliar Fe at the concentration of 500 ppm by which it recorded the highest values of plant growth traits; viz, root length, number of branches/plant, total dry weight/plant and photosynthetic pigments content in both seasons. Moreover, the same treatment recorded the highest values with all pod characters and yield, except weight of number of green seeds/pod in first season and average pod weight (g) in the second one.

Seasonal weight fluctuations in wild Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni (Froggatt) (Diptera: Tephritidae) may be a survival mechanism

We wanted to evaluate if the body weight of wild adult Queensland fruit fly Bactrocera tryoni changed in response to season or months to confirm results reported in the mass rearing facility. Also, this will provide insights into survival mechanisms in wild flies. We analysed 34,924 flies from the Sydney surveillance array and measured dry and fresh weight across time (months and seasons). We used results from sterile fly production to extrapolate survival traits based on adult fly weights. We found the heaviest flies were collected in late winter (August) and early spring (September and October) and heavier weights are indicative of higher eclosion and flight ability. On the other hand, lighter flies were collected in May, June and July, followed by the other autumn months. We suspect this is associated with longevity and winter survival. We conclude that fly weights vary according to months and seasons and these variations may confer different survival traits for each season.

Seasonal expressions of VEGF and its receptors VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 in the prostate of the wild ground squirrels (&lt;em&gt;Spermophilus dauricus&lt;/em&gt;)

As a vital male accessory reproductive gonad, the prostate requires vascular endothelial growth factors for promoting its growth and development. In this study, we investigated the localizations and expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors including VEGF-receptor1 (VEFGR1) and VEGF-receptor2 (VEGFR2) in the prostate of the wild ground squirrels during the breeding and the non-breeding seasons. The values of total prostate weight and volume in the breeding season were higher than those in the non-breeding season. Histological observations showed that the exocrine lumens of the prostate expanded in the breeding season and contracted in the non-breeding season. The mRNA expression levels of VEGF and VEGFR2 in the prostate were higher in the breeding season than those in the non-breeding season, but the mRNA expression level of VEGFR1 had no significant change between the breeding and non-breeding seasons. Immunohistochemical results revealed that VEGF, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were presented in epithelial and stromal cells during the breeding and non-breeding seasons. In addition, the microvessels of the prostate were widely distributed and the number of microvessels increased obviously in the breeding season, while decreased sharply in the non-breeding season. These results suggested that expression levels of VEGF and VEGFR2 might be correlated with seasonal changes in morphology and functions of the prostate, and VEGF might serve as pivotal regulators to affect seasonal changes in the prostate functions of the wild male ground squirrels via an autocrine/paracrine pathway.

Seasonal Variability in Weight Gain Among American Indian, Black, White, and Hispanic Children: A 3.5-Year Study

Several studies have reported that children gain more weight during the summer season. Despite high obesity rates, little research has included American Indian/Alaskan Native children, and few studies have been longitudinal. This observational study examines seasonal weight variability over 3.5 years among ethnically diverse children, including 2,184 American Indian/Alaskan Native children. Children's height and weight were measured before and after the summer from 2012-2015 and analyzed in 2019-2020, including children with ≥2 consecutive measurements (N=7,890, mean age=8.4 [SD=2.8] years). Mixed-effects models tested whether the percentage of the 95th BMI percentile and BMI differed by season (summer versus the rest of the year) and ethnicity. American Indian/Alaskan Native (23.7%), Hispanic (19.8%), and Black (17.8%) children had significantly higher baseline obesity rates than White children (7.1%). The percentage of the 95th BMI percentile significantly increased during the summer compared with the percentage during the rest of the year, with the strongest effects for children who were obese (b=2.69, 95% CI=1.35, 4.03, p<0.001) or overweight (b=1.47, 95% CI=0.56, 2.35, p<0.01). In BMI units, summer BMI increase was 0.50 kg/m2 higher (obese model) and 0.27 kg/m2 higher (overweight) than that of the rest of the year. Seasonal effects were significantly less pronounced for American Indian/Alaskan Native children than for White children. Children gained significantly more weight during the summer season, with the strongest effects for children who were obese. American Indian/Alaskan Native children had less seasonal variability than White children, but higher overall obesity rates. These data underscore summer as a critical time for obesity prevention among children who are overweight/obese but suggest that seasonal patterns may vary for American Indian/Alaskan Native children.

Late-planted short-season cotton without plastic mulching is an alternative to early-planted mulched full-season cotton

The early planting of full-season cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) at a moderate plant density under plastic mulching is a traditional means of growing cotton in the Yellow River valley of China. However, it is labor intensive, consumes a large amount of materials, and also results in residual plastic pollution in the soil. While our previous studies indicated that late planted short-season cotton under plastic mulching greatly reduces labor and material inputs and increases net revenue, the residual plastic pollution remains an issue. It is unclear if short-season cotton can be managed without yield loss in the absence of plastic mulching. A field experiment was therefore conducted using a random complete block design with four treatments, including the early planting of full-season cotton with (FCM) and without plastic mulching (FC), and the late planting of short-season cotton with (SCM) and without plastic mulching (SC), in the Yellow River valley from 2017 to 2019. The yield, yield components, input and output values, earliness, dynamics of flowering and boll setting, and late-season leaf senescence in cotton were examined. The results showed that early planted full-season cotton under mulching (FCM) produced a 21.1 and 20.4 % higher seedcotton yield and boll density, respectively, and improved earliness over the non-mulched treatment, while the boll weight did not differ significantly. Short-season cotton without plastic mulching produced comparable seedcotton yields to that with mulching (SCM), and there was no significant difference in average boll weight, boll density, or earliness between the mulching and non-mulching treatments. However, SC had a 7.0 and 12.1 % smaller boll density and boll weight, respectively, than FCM and thus produced a 17.9 % lower seedcotton yield. Therefore, SC produced 14.9 and 14.4 % greater net returns than SCM and FCM, respectively, because it consumed less labor and material inputs. Short-season cotton without plastic mulching delayed leaf senescence due to reduced boll load and thus increased boll weight in the late season compared with SCM. In addition, SC exhibited improved earliness as a result of a higher flowering rate, faster fruiting, and more concentrated boll opening than FCM. Short-season cotton without plastic mulching also avoided the residual film pollution in the soil. The overall results demonstrated that the late planting of short-season cotton without mulching is a promising alternative for sustainable cotton production in the Yellow River valley region of China as well as other cotton growing areas with similar ecology.

Genetic variability and association between oil and economic traits for some new Egyptian cotton genotypes

BackgroundCotton breeding programs mainly focus on improving cotton fibers, but less attention has been paid by breeders to cottonseed oil improvement. Breeding cottonseed for oil content has mainly depended on phenotypic information used to select varieties with high seed oil content. The purpose of this study was to evaluate some cotton genotypes regarding their oil content and other characters related to fiber yield, in order to select genotypes with high oil content and acceptable levels of the other characters. Seventeen different genotypes of cotton were used in this study. A two-year experiment was carried out at Sids Agricultural Research Station, Beni Suef, Egypt, during 2017 and 2018, using a randomized complete block design with six replications. Seed cotton yield, lint cotton yield, boll weight, seed index, embryo index, oil % and embryo oil index characters were recorded.ResultsThe analysis of variance results showed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the studied traits except boll weight in season 2017. The overall cotton embryo oil % ranged from 33.40 to 40.28 among the genotypes, while the overall cotton embryo oil index ranged from 1.79 to 2.47. Maximum cotton embryo oil % was noted by the genotypes 15 [{(G83 × G80) × G89} × Australian] and 8 [(G 91 × G90) × (G 85 × G 83)], while maximum cotton embryo oil index was noted by the genotype 13 [(G 91 × G 90) × G80]. The results showed positive correlations between seed cotton yield and lint cotton yield, seed index and embryo index, seed index and embryo index oil %, embryo index and embryo index oil %, and oil % and embryo index oil %.ConclusionsIt could be concluded that using seed or embryo oil percentages as criteria for differentiating genotypes according to their oil content is misleading and the best efficient measure is using the seed or embryo oil indices because they depend on weight basis. Also, Genotypes 13, 15 and 8 were the best genotypes regarding oil % and they could be used in breeding programs for cotton oil improvement.

Preliminary report of honeybee physiological changes pre- and post-hybrid lavender season in high and low weight gain colonies

Pollinators foraging on monocultures like hybrid lavender are suspected to suffer physiological stress. We used biomarkers to assess changes in honeybee physiology pre- and post-hybrid lavender season, in high and low weight gain colonies. We observed post-season increased levels of enzymes involved in antioxidant defenses: catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase; increased levels of acetylcholinesterase, a biomarker of neural transmission; and decreased levels of alkaline phosphatase associated with the loss of midgut homeostasis. Compared to low weight gain colonies, high weight gain colonies showed lower levels of almost all analyzed biomarkers. We discuss the environmental and beekeeping factors likely underlying observed changes for which cause and effect remain to be established.

The ratio of roughage to concentrate on milk secretion rate in goats fed Stylosanthes ha mata hay

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of roughage to concentrate ratio (R:C) on milk secretion rate (g/h) in goats using a cross-over design in which each goat passed sequentially through all the treatments in random order. The treatments (R: C) were: A = 70 percent roughage : 30 percent concentrate; B = 50 percent roughage : 50 percent concentrate e and C = 30 percent roughage : 70 percent concentrate. In the experiment, seven goats were milked once a day, from the 2nd to 8th week of lactation, thrice per week for 2 weeks per treatment. The animals were fed at 4 percent body weight (DM basis). The feed consisted of Stylosanthes hamata hay (S. hamata hay) and a 17.2 percent CP concentrate ration. Data were analysed using the treatments as main effect with live weight and week of lactation as covariates. There was no significant treatment effects on mülk secretion rate (P&gt;0.05). Overall milk secretion rate was 5.23gh. Week of lactation also had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05). However, live weight of doe at time of milking had a highly significant effect (P&gt;0.001) with milk secretion rate increasing by 0.41g/h per kilogram live weight. The R2 values for the predictive mathematical relationship for goats fed Stylosanthes hamata hay at 4 percent body weight in the dry season was R2 = 0.888. It can therefore be deduced that for a ladating doe in the 5th week of lactation at 20kg body weight fed at 4 percent with Stylosanthes hamata hay to concentrate ratio at 70 percent roughage : 30 percent concentrate would give a milk secretion rate of 6.717g/h while at 50 percent roughage : 50 percent concentrate it would give 6.662 g/h and 30 percent roughage : 70 percent concentrate level would give 7.054 g/h.&#x0D; Keywords:,,,

EFFECT INTERCROPPING SYSTEMS OF (MAIZE AND MANGBEAN) ON YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS AND QUALITY CHARACTERS OF MAIZE CROP

A field experiment was conducted in the (Juwaba) Arund area of Ramadi city in the spring and autumn seasons 2017. To study the effect of intercropping systems and maize varieties on the yield and its components and the quality characters of maize crop, maize varieties (booth 106, 5018, 5012 and French cultivar) were used. The experiment was carried out according to the design of (RCBD) and in the order of the split plot, cultivar wear arranged in Maine poke the main plots and the secondary plots occupies (the intercropping systems). The results showed that the intercropping system 1: 2 was superior in number of ears per plant which gave 1.48 and 1.70 ear in the spring and autumn seasons respectively, also it was superior in the average of 500 grains weight in the spring season by giving 155.4 gm, also the same system in the grain yield in the autumn season by giving 10.96-ton ha-1. While the cultivars, The French cultivar was superior in spring season in seed yield which gave the highest value 7.99 ton ha-1, while the cultivar 5018 was superior in the autumn season by giving the highest grain yield was 11.48 ton ha-1, while the qualitative characters, sole crop for maize was excellence in the percentage of oil on the rest of the farming systems in the autumn season only gave higher mean about 4.74% ,while the intercropping system 1:2 exceeded the in percentage of protein in seeds about 10.32% in spring and autumn seasons.

PERFORMANCE OF SOME BREAD WHEAT CULTIVARS UNDER NEW LAND CONDITIONS AT MIDDLE EGYPT

Two field experiments were carried out at El-Minia governorate (Middle Egypt) during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 to evaluate the performance of 14 bread wheat cultivars namely; Gemmiza 9, Gemmiza 10, Gemmiza 11, Gemmiza 12, Sakha94, Sakha 95, Giza 168, Sids 12, Sids 14, Giza 171, Misr 1, Misr 2, Misr 3, and Shandaweel 1 under newly reclaimed lands. Randomized complete block design with four replications was used. The differences among bread wheat cultivars for all studied traits were significant in both seasons except days to heading in the second season and harvest index in both seasons. The results indicated that Gemmiza 12 recorded the lowest number of days to heading. Shandaweel 1 showed the earliest maturity than the other cultivars. Gemmiza 9 and 10 recorded the tallest plants in first season and Gemmiza 9 and Sakha 95 in the second season. Sids 12 produced the highest number of kernels spike-1 (59 kernels) in the first season, while it was (55 kernels) for Sids 12 and Misr 1 in the second season. Misr 3 recorded the highest number of spikes m-2. Giza 171 produced the highest values for 1000- kernel weight in both seasons (48.64 g and 39.01 g, respectively). The highest grain yield was obtained from Misr 3 in both seasons without significant differences among cultivars Gemmiza 10, Gemmiza 11, Sakha 94, Sakha 95, Sids 12, Misr 1, and Misr 2 in the first season and among Misr 2 and Giza 171 without significant differences in the second season. Meanwhile, Misr 3 recorded the highest biological yield in both seasons. Shandaweel 1 recorded the lowest number of grain filling duration (13.0 and 18.0), growing degree days (GDD) at grain filling stage (157.7 and 273.2), and growing degree days (GDD) at maturity stage (1317.8 and 1363.2) in both seasons. Significant and positive correlations were found between grain yield and biological yield, grain filling duration with growing degree days at filling stage and growing degree days at maturity stage, and growing degree days at filling stage with growing degree days at maturity stage. These results indicated the superiority and the suitability of Misr 3 and Misr 2 and high potentiality under the newly reclaimed lands at El-Minia Governorate.