Performance of broiler finishers fed toasted Mucuna pruriens seed meal

A four-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of toasted Mucuna seed meal (TMSM) on the growth performance and the digestibility of nutrients by four week-old broiler finisher chicks. Three hundred and seventy five broiler chicks were randomly allocated to five experimental treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated thrice. TMSM was fed in graded levels of 10.0, 20.0, 30.0, and 40.0% alongside control diet of 0.0 TMSM. The parameters measured and calculated include final bodyweight, weight gain, feed intake, feed to gain ratio and feed cost per kilogram gain. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract were also calculated. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that the final body weight of birds at 0% and 10%, the weight gain at 0% and 10%, feed intake at 0% and 10% as well as feed to gain ratio at 0% and 10% levels of inclusion of TMSM were statistically (P>0.05) similar and higher than those from other levels of inclusions. Feed cost per kilogram weight gain and feed cost per bird were lower for all TMSM diets when compared to the control diet. Digestibility of nutrients (DM, CP, CF, EE, Ash and NFE) was similar and better for the birds fed the control and 10.0% TMSM. It was concluded that inclusion of TMSM in the diets of broiler finisher chicks up to 10% has beneficial effects

Phytochemical Screening and Antibacterial Activities of Aframomum melegueta (K. Schum) Seed Extracts on Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae

The phytochemical screening and antibacterial effects of Aframomum melegueta (K. Schum)on Salmonella typhi and Klebsiella pneumoniae was carried out. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, anthraquinones, terpenoids, glycosides  and phenols in the seed extract. The susceptibility test showedzones of inhibition (ZOI) of S. typhi (11.0mm) and K. pneumonia (13.0mm)with methanolic seed extract (MSE), while the hot aqueous seed extract (HASE) recorded 3.0mmas ZOI for both test organisms. The Minimum  inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 200mg/ml and 100mg/ml were recorded against S. typhi and K. pneumoniae respectively with MSE, while HASE indicated 400mg/ml and 200mg/ml MICs against S. typhi and K. pneumoniae respectively. The Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) obtained from MSE were 200 mg/ml and 25mg/ml for S. typhiand K. pneumoniae, while HASE had > 400mg/ml for test microbes. The effectiveness of different concentrations of the test plant extracts on the test organisms was significant (P<0.05). Further trials involving other clinical isolates and botanicals at different concentrations be conducted, to optimize theprocess. Keywords: Phytochemical, Antimicrobial, Aframomum melegueta, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia

Comparison of estimation methods of soil strength in five soils Aplicação de diferentes métodos para estimar a resistência de cinco solos

In agriculture, the soil strength is used to describe the susceptibility to deformation by pressure caused by agricultural machine. The purpose of this study was to compare different methods for estimating the inherent soil strength and to identify their suitability for the evaluation of load support capacity, compaction susceptibility and root growth. The physical, chemical, mineralogical and intrinsic strength properties of seven soil samples, collected from five sampling pits at different locations in Brazil, were measured. Four clay (CS) and three sandy clay loam (SCL) soils were used. The clay soils were collected on a farm in Santo Ângelo, RS (28 º 16 ' 16 '' S; 54 º 13 ' 11 '' W 290 m); A and B horizons at the Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 47 '' S; 44 º 58 ' 6'' W; 918 m) and on the farm Sygenta, in Uberlandia, MG (18 º 58 ' 37 '' S; 48 º 12 ' 05 '' W 866 m). The sandy clay loam soils were collected in Aracruz, ES (19 º 47 ' 10 '' S; 40 º 16 ' 29 '' W 81 m), and on the farm Xavier, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 24 '' S; 45 º 05 ' 00 '' W; 844 m). Soil strength was estimated based on measurements of: (a) a pneumatic consolidometer, (b) manual pocket (non-rotating) penetrometer; and (c) automatic (rotating) penetrometer. The results of soil strength properties were similar by the three methods. The soil structure had a significant influence on soil strength. Results of measurements with both the manual pocket and the electric penetrometer were similar, emphasizing the influence of soil texture. The data showed that, to enhance the reliability of predictions of preconsolidation pressure by penetrometers, it is better to separate the soils into the different classes, rather than analyze them jointly. It can be concluded that the consolidometer method, although expensive, is the best when evaluations of load support capacity and compaction susceptibility of soil samples are desired.<br>Na agricultura, a resistência do solo é usada para descrever a suscetibilidade a deformação através da pressão causada pelas máquinas agrícolas. Os objetivos deste estudo foram comparar diferentes métodos para estimar a resistência do solo e identificar suas potencialidades para avaliar a capacidade de suporte de carga, a suscetibilidade à compactação e o crescimento de raiz. Os atributos físicos, químicos, mineralógicos e de resistência de amostras de solo, coletadas em cinco trincheiras situadas em várias localidades no Brasil, foram medidos neste estudo. Quatro solos muito argilosos (CS) e três franco-argiloarenosos (SCL) foram usados. Os solos argilosos foram coletados em um Fazenda em Santo Ângelo, RS (28 º 16 ' 16 '' S; 54 º 13 ' 11 '' W; 290 m); e os horizontes A e B, na Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 47 '' S; 44 º 58 ' 6 '' W; 918 m), e na Fazenda da Syngenta, Uberlândia, MG (18 º 58 ' 37 '' S; 48 º 12 ' 05 '' W; 866 m). Os solos franco-argiloarenosos foram coletados em Aracruz, ES (19 º 47 ' 10 '' S; 40 º 16 ' 29 '' W; 81 m), e na Fazenda Xavier, Lavras, MG (21 º 13 ' 24 '' S; 45 º 05 ' 00 '' W; 844 m). A resistência dos solos foi obtida com um consolidômetro pneumático, penetrômetro de bolso manual (não giratório) e um penetrômetro automatizado (giratório). Os resultados da resistência do solo foram similares nos três métodos. A estrutura do solo influenciou significativamente sua resistência. Medições com o penetrômetro de bolso manual e o automatizado produziram resultados semelhantes, indicando influência da textura do solo. Os resultados mostraram que, para aumentar a confiabilidade na predição da pressão de preconsolidação usando penetrômetros, é melhor separar os solos em diferentes classes texturais do que analisá-las juntas. Apesar de o método do consolidômetro ser caro, conclui-se que este é o melhor método quando são desejadas avaliações da capacidade de suporte de carga e da suscetibilidade à compactação do solo