Effect of Dietary Energy Levels on Growth Performance and Feed Cost Analysis in Japanese Quail

Abstract.-Feed cost has a direct influence on routine farm operations. Optimum energy level in the feed results in better performance as well as proves to be cost effective. The present study was conducted to examine the growth and production of meat type quail along with feed cost analysis using different energy levels. Three diets having energy levels of 2900 kcal/kg (Control group), 2700 kcal/kg (B) and 3100 kcal/kg (C) were offered to 600 one-day-old quail chicks for 28 days to examine the carcass quality and growth performance. Birds were divided into 3 groups. Each group was further divided into 4 replicates with 50 birds in each. High energy diet (3100 kcal/kg) resulted in improved body weight gain, increased feed intake and better FCR (p<0.05). Liver weight was observed better in high energy diet (p<0.05). Dressing percentage was not affected by high energy diet (p>0.05) but a numerical difference existed while breast meat percentage was lower in high energy supplemented group (p<0.05). It is concluded that higher energy diet resulted in better performance and is more economical as it resulted in low cost per Kg live weight gain of birds

Controlling Strategies of Citrus to Increase the Yield in the Country: A step towards the Fight against COVID-19

Citrus (oranges, lemon, mandarin, limes and tangarines) has significant nutritional value in human foods. It is rich source of vitamin C, sugar, organic acids, amino acids, minerals like Ca, Mg and various other phytochemicals (flavonoids, hesperidin etc) compounds that are responsible for good health. Citrus is growing in more than one forty countries of the world including Pakistan, Brazil, China, Mexico, USA, Spain and India.Viral infection and inflammation triggers the production of oxygen free radicals and these radicals severely damage the cells, however hesperidin and vitamin C is reported to counteract these damages. Intake of plentiful citrus fruits is one of amongst the many possible approaches to prevent from COVID-19 role of nutrition. Citrus fruit are very rich in important substances with a potential beneficial for health such as modulating the immunity and in protecting cells from oxidative stress related with infection. Flavonoids and hesperidin two major key compound found in citrus have affinity to treat Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Hesperidin has a low binding energy, both with the coronavirus "spike"protein, and with the fundamental protease that alters the primary proteins of the virus (pp1a and ppa1b) into the complex liable for viral replication hence these compounds could work as an antiviral function. Pakistan is amongst top ten citrus producers in the world. Citrus is one of the best commercial fruits of Pakistan cultivated on a large area, however, in Pakistan yield of citrus has been affected due to attack of insects and pathogens (nematode, fungal, bacterial and viral) which causes heavy losses both in quality and quantity. The purpose of this article is to focusing on the controlling the pathogens of citrus to boost citrus production in country as these beneficial plants are well known for its essential vitamin and flavonoid contents to control COVID-19