Serum metabolites of broilers fed graded levels of beniseed (Sesamum indicum L.) waste meal in place of maize (Zea mays linn)

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary replacement of maize with beniseed waste meal (BSW) on the carcass  characteristics, organs weights, hematological and serum biochemical indices of broiler chicken. A total of 180 days old Marshal broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six treatments, each having three replicates of ten birds per replicate. Six experimental diets were formulated as follows; D1 (100% Maize: 0% BSW), D2 (80% Maize: 20% BSW), D3 (60% Maize: 40% BSW), D4 (40% Maize: 60% BSW), D5 (20% Maize: 80% BSW) and D6 (0% Maize: 100% BSW) for both broiler starters and finishers. The live weight, eviscerated weight, dressed weight, neck, thigh, wings and lower back weights were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. The highest percentage dressed weight (63.52) obtained in D3 (40% BSW) was significantly (P < 0.05) different from 60.87 (0% BSW), 61.68 (20% BSW) 60.00 (60% BSW), 55.18 (80% BSW) and 56.52 (100% BSW). The organs (lungs, liver, kidney, intestine, gizzard and proventriculus) monitored were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. Heart, pancreas and spleen were similar among the treatments. The serum biochemistry and haematological parameters measured were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. It was concluded that maize could be safely replaced with beniseed waste meal up to 100% level (55% BSW) in broilers diets. Key words: beniseed waste meal, maize, broilers, barcass, health statu

The feed value of toasted Mucuna sloanei meal on the performance, haematology and blood biochemistry of broiler finisher birds

An experiment was conducted to determine the feed value of toasted Mucuna sloanei meal (TMSM) on the performance, haematology and blood biochemistry of broiler finisher birds. Mucuna sloanei seeds were processed into toasted Mucuna sloanei meal (TMSM) and analyzed for proximate and phytochemical composition. The meal was then used to formulate broiler finisher diets at 0.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0% inclusion levels respectively, which were then used to raise groups of 30 broiler finisher for 5 weeks. At the end of the 5 weeks (35 days) feeding trial, 3 birds were selected from each group and used for the determination of the blood indices. The daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05) as the dietary levels of TMSM increased. The cost of production also increased as the TMSM increased. The haemoglobin (HB), the packed cell volume and the red blood cell decreased significantly at 15.0% dietary levels. The total proteins, creatinine, urea, cholesterol and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) decreased significantly as toasted Mucuna sloanei meal increased. The results of this trial suggests that broiler finisher chicken can be fed with the toasted Mucuna sloanei meal up to 5.0% inclusion level in their diets without any detrimental effects on performance and blood indices.Keywords: feed value, toasted Mucuna, haematology, blood biochemistr

Nutritional evaluation of some Bangladeshi oilseed by-products as dietary protein sources for common carp (Cyprinus carpio L)

The nutritional suitability of some Bangladeshi oilseed by-products (mustard, Brassica juncea; linseed, Linum usitatissimum; sesame, Sesamum indicum) as fish meal substitutes in carp diets was investigated. These protein sources were shown to cause depressed growth and feed efficiency when substituting 25% or more of the fish meal protein in semi-purified diets. However, the use of these oilseed meals in combination was found to be more effective than that of single sources. Supplementation of plant protein diets with crystalline EAA improved their nutritive value. Growth performance was better in fish fed diets supplemented with all deficient EAA than in fish fed diets supplemented with the first limiting EAA. Nutrient digestibility studies with these plant proteins suggested reasonable agreement between apparent protein digestibility (APD) and average apparent amino acid digestibility (AAAD). APD and AAAD values ranged from 78.9% to 85% and 82.4% to 85.8% respectively. Both aqueous and enzyme treatments were effective in reducing (49% and 57% respectively) the anti-nutritional factors (e. g. allyl isothiocyanate) in mustard oilcake. In linseed and sesame meals heat treatment was the most effective (reducing phytic acid levels by 72% and 74% respectively). Use of detoxified meals in diets improved growth performance and food utilization compared to untreated meals. Dietary phytic acid in the presence of increased levels of calcium and magnesium significantly (p < 0.05) depressed growth, food utilization and mineral bioavailability (especially Ca and Zn) in carp. Carp were shown to be tolerant of a dietary glucosinolate (allyl isothiocyante) level of 0.4 mg glucosinolate/g diet without inhibiting growth performance or adverse effects on fish health. However, fish fed diets containing higher levels of mustard oilcake or allyl isothiocyanate showed abnormal changes in thyroid tissues. The results of this study are discussed in relation to previously published research on fish and other monogastric animals

Integrated strategy to control wilt disease of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini (Schlecht) Prasad & Patel

Various fungicides, oilcakes and fertilizers were evaluated at Jaipur (Rajasthan) for themanagement of cumin (Cuminum cyminum) wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. &nbsp;cumini.Trimethyl thiuram disulphide (0.1 g g-1&nbsp;seeds) was the best fungicide which was on par withpropiconazole, carbendazim and copper oxychloride (0.1 g g-1&nbsp;seeds) for the control of wilt.The disease incidence was minimum under the soil treatment with neem cake (30 q ha-1)which was on par with sesamum cake (25 q ha-1). Among the chemical and non-chemicalmanures, application of NPK @ 40 kg ha-1&nbsp;was most suitable to control the disease whichwas on par with Azotobacter @ 40 kg ha-1. The disease incidence was also significantly lowerin plants grown in solarized soil. The yield was significantly higher in all treatments ascompared to control. The highest cost : benefit ratio was obtained (1:40) in thiophanatemethyl treatment followed by carbendazim. Among the combined treatments, minimumdisease incidence was recorded with solarized soil + sesamum cake @ 25 q ha-1&nbsp;+ seed treatmentwith carbendazim @ 0.1 g g-1&nbsp;seeds followed by solarized &nbsp;soil + sesamum cake @ 25 q ha-1&nbsp;&nbsp;+Azotobacter @ 40 q ha-1. However, the highest &nbsp;cost : benefit ratio (1:10.6) was obtained withsolarized soil + sesamum cake @ 25 q ha-1&nbsp;+ Azotobacter (biofertilizer) @ 40 kg ha-1. Theintegrated treatments recorded the highest grain yield and low disease incidence over controlas compared to individual application. &nbsp