Investigation between Different Amount of Crude Fiber and Fermentation in the Rumen by Beef Suckler Cows

Body condition of suckler cows at the time of calving has an important effect on calving ease and mortality of calves.In the last eight weeks before calving the body condition should be reduced or at least not increased.Rations with a higher amount of crude fibre can be used(rations with straw or late mowed grass silage(GS))to control the body condition score.Eight suckler cows(Charolais)were feeding a total mixed ration(TMR)in the last eight weeks before calving and GS after calving.By the addition of straw(30%in TMR1 vs 60%in TMR2 of dry matter)was varied the amount of crude fibre in the TMR(GS,straw,mineral)before calving.In the period after calving were GS feeding.Last measurement took place on the pasture(PS).Rumen fluid,plasma,body weight and back fat thickness were collected.Rumen fluid pH was assessed immediately after collection using an electronic pH meter.Volatile fatty acids(VFA),sedimentation,methylene-blue and amount of infusorians were measured.From four key figures an“index of rumen fermentation”(IRF)in the rumen was formed.Statistical analysis took place with analysis of variance(ANOVA)with fixed effects of treatment(TMR1,TMR2,GS and PS)and number of lactations(3-7 lactations)using SPSS Version 25.0 for Windows.Rumen fluid pH had significant differences between variants(TMR1 by 6.6,TMR2 by 6.9,GS by 6.6 and PS by 6.9),but was not affected by other effects.The IRF showed a disturbed fermentation in the rumen by feeding the TMR 1+2 with high amount of crude fibre(score:>10.0 points)and a very good situation for fermentation during grazing the PS(score:6.9 points).The long-term use of crude fibre-rich rations in the period before calving may cause deviations from undisturbed fermentation in the rumen and adversely affect the utilization of the feed in the rumen.

Physiological Maturity of Corn Seeds(Zea mays)by Tetrazolium Salt

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of tetrazolium salt testing to common indicators(milk line,black layer,dry matter)used to determine corn seed physiological maturity.The seeds used were the hybrids Pioneer 4285 and Dow 2B587.These hybrids were harvested 40 days after polinization(DAP),with 4-day intervals until 68 DAP.The harvested seeds were evaluated for viability and vigor(germination test,accelerated aging test and cold test).The parameters used to determine the physiological seed’s maturity were the black layer,the milk line,the seed dry matter,seed water content and the evaluation of seed tissues using the tetrazolium salt to evaluate the endosperm cells.The germination of both materials was greater than 95%and there was no difference between harvest times.Corn seed physiological maturity(PM)was identified at 56 DAP for P4285(F2)and between 48 and 56 DAP for 2B587(F2).The maximum vigor was detected by accelerated aging tests and cold tests before PM for the two genotypes.The activity of endosperm cells is related to the other PM indicators(milk line,black layer,dry matter and water content).The transport of nutrients from plant to the seed ceases at seed physiological maturity.Use of tetrazolium salt allows identifying cell death of the basal region and this parameter corresponds to the others evaluated,thus demonstrating that the tetrazolium salt is effective for corn seed physiological maturity characterization.

Consumption of African Indigenous Vegetables Improves Children’s body Fat Free Mass in Machakos County, Kenya

School gardens growing African Indigenous Leafy Vegetables(AILVs)(Amaranthus cruentus and Vigna unguiculata)were established in Kangundo and Kilalani primary schools in Machakos County,Kenya and children aged 6-10 years(Kangundo,N=66,Kilalani,N=46)that met the inclusion criteria participated as study subjects.There were two phases,I(13 weeks)and II(12 weeks)with 4 weeks in between to enable crossover of the school as either experimental or control.AILVs were grown in gardens of the experimental school.Study subjects in the experimental group were fed on the AILVs recipe with an accompaniment of a mixture of cooked maize and beans once a day,5 days a week per phase.The control group fed only on the accompaniment.Body Mass Index(BMI)was determined and a prescribed dose of deuterium oxide was administered and deuterium enrichment determined by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry for%Fat Free Mass(FFM)in children’s saliva at baseline and endline.Serum Zn and Fe levels were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy at baseline and endline.Endline analysis in both phase Ⅰ and Ⅱ showed the%FFM,mean serum Fe and Zn were significantly higher(p<0.001)only for the experimental group.Food-based intervention through vegetable garden establishments has potential to eradicate malnutrition among school-going children in Kenya.Further,finding by previous studies that DDIM is more accurate in determining nutrition intervention outcomes in children than BMI is supported.

A preliminary analysis of the response of an avian community to silvicultural treatments in the southern Cumberland Plateau, Alabama, USA

We simulated a shelterwood forest regeneration treatment by reducing basal area,and monitored the response of an avian community in oak–hickory forest on the southern Cumberland Plateau,northern Alabama,USA.We used five treatments:control(no removal),clear-cut(100%removal),and 25,50,and 75%removal of basal area.Territory mapping was used to quantify bird community between mid-April and July of both 2002 and 2003.Microclimate variables were recorded at each plot.The residual basal area and canopy cover showed three distinct conditions after treatment:closed canopy,open forest,and clear-cut.The microclimate varied among treatments:air temperature was highest in clear-cut plots and lowest in control plots,whereas soil moisture had the opposite pattern.A total of 71 bird species were detected,with 36 of them defending territories.Territory density,species richness,and Shannon diversity index differed among the treatments;the relationship between these bird community indices and the level of basal area removal was quadratic,lowest in the clear-cut plots and highest in the intermediate levels.Although species richness was similar among the control,25,50,and 75%removal treatments,species composition varied.The richness difference among treatments became smaller in the second year post-treatment(2003)with an increase in bird density and richness occurring in the clear-cut plots.