Effects of naphthaleneacetic acid, indole-3-butyric acid and zinc sulfate on the rooting and growth of mulberry cuttings

The mulberry tree (Morus alba) is a perennial and fast-growing tree distributed worldwide under different climatic conditions. Most of the world’s silk production (>90%) is facilitated by the feeding of silkworm larvae on the leaves of mulberry (Morus alba L.) varieties. Therefore, exploration of the protocol for improving the propagation efficiency and increasing the reproductive capacity of M. alba varieties could be of great significance. This study aimed to determine the effect of four concentrations (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg L−1) each of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and zinc sulfate (0, 100 and 200 mg L−1), supplied separately or combined, on the rooting and growth of mulberry cuttings. M. alba cuttings were immersed for 5 s in each solution using the quick-dip method and subsequently, the cuttings were dried and planted in plastic pots and maintained in a greenhouse for 60 days. The number of leaves (NL), longest root size (LRS), longest stem size (LSS), number of rooted cuttings (NRC), number of stems per tree (NSP), rooting percentage (RP), wet root weight (WRW), dry root weight (DRW), wet stem weight (WSW), dry stem weight (DSW), wet leaf weight (WLW) and dry leaf weight (DLW) were evaluated. The results obtained showed an increase in all growth parameters of the mulberry cuttings. Treatments of hormones (IBA and NAA) and Zn sulfate were effective on LSS, LRS and WSW. The highest values of LSS were obtained for the treatments T5, T6, T14, T15, T16 and T18. Moreover, T5, T12 and T10 showed the highest values of LRS. The highest value of WSW was observed for T18, T5, T14, T15 and T16. The highest values of WLW and DLW were observed in T20 and T14. Dry stem weight (DSW) was high in T18 and T14. The application of NAA (at 200 mg L−1), IBA (200 and 400 mg L−1) and Zn sulfate (200 and 400 mg L−1), either alone or in double combination, can be a suitable and reliable method for mulberry propagation

Comparison of different multi-trait selection strategies for genetic improvement of economic traits in six Iranian commercial lines of the silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lep.: Bombycidae)

In this study, the genetic parameters and economic weights of some important economic traits in six Iranian commercial varieties (110, 107, 101433, Xinhong1, Koming1 and Y) of the silkworm were estimated and selection indices for these traits constructed. Individual recording of cocoon weight, shell weight and shell ratio were carried out during six generations. Heritabilities and genetic correlation between traits were estimated by restricted maximum likelihood method. The heritability of cocoon weight and shell weight were higher than that of shell ratio. Genetic improvement of cocoon weight and shell weight were high in the line 101433 due to higher heritability and genetic correlation between them. Therefore, the restriction of genetic gain of cocoon weight in this line is expected to cause a severe decrease in improvement of shell weight, and subsequently a decrease of selection efficiency. The genetic improvement of cocoon shell percentage increased in restricted indices due to low genetic correlation with cocoon weight, and selection accuracy in these indices decreased significantly compared to other indices. Considering the difference in genetic parameters and economic values of traits in commercial lines of the silkworm, it would be necessary to define a separate breeding goal and selection strategy in each line

Effects of Two Levels of Quantitative Feed Restriction for a 7-or 14-Days Period on Broilers Blood Parameters

Background: Compensatory growth after a feed restriction (FR) period, associated with increased feed intake and digestive adaptation allows the broilers chickens to demonstrate better food conversion efficiency and meat yield when submitted to an early-age food restriction. Differences in levels of feed restriction or on the period of feed restriction need to be adapted to each broilers strain, and should balance an adequate physiological response towards compensatory growth for production of the most suitable carcass, the smallest stress and an adequate immune-competence levels. So far, investigations showed considerable variations concerning broilers response to early life restrictions, physiological associate changes, compensatory growth and fat deposition. This experiment had been done to compare the effects of quantitative feed restriction imposed in different intensities and durations on the blood concentrations of energy, protein and lipid metabolites. Materials, Methods & Results: Five experimental treatments included T1 corresponded to controls (ad libitum); T2 and T4 groups were submitted to 25 and 50% feed restriction for one week; and T3 and T5 were feed deprived in 25 and 50% for two weeks, in three replicates of 10 pieces per treatment. Periods previous and subsequent (up to 42 days) to FR periods were fed ad libitum. All chickens were fed with ad libitum before and after the completion of the restriction period. Feeds were based on corn and soybean meal, and were formulated to contain the same protein and energy levels in all treatments; feed was adapted to the three main phases of the rearing period: the starter period (1-21 days of old), grower period (22-35 days old) and the finisher period (36-42 days old). At the end of the study, at 42 days of age, one bird per group, totalling 3 birds per treatment, was randomly selected for blood collection. Blood samples (1 mL/bird) were collected into EDTA tubes from the wing veins by the end of the experiment, at day 42. Samples were transferred to the laboratory for analysis within 2 h of collection. After centrifugation (3000 g, for 10 min at room temperature) plasma was harvested and stored in eppendorf tubes at -20 degrees C, until assayed. Severe restriction for a 2 week period showed the highest concentrations for Uric Acid (UAc), Triglycerides, VLDL, as well as the lowest for cholesterol and LDL; also, the highest ratios HDL/LDL were observed in this group, suggesting that birds in this treatment are more susceptible to protein catabolism during fasting and more prone to fat deposition in the carcass. In opposition, mild feed deprived birds showed the highest cholesterol and LDL concentrations in blood along with the lowest UAc, triglycerides and VLDL plasma values; they also showed lower HDL/LDL ratios than controls or severely feed deprived birds. No differences were observed between groups in glucose plasma concentrations. Discussion: The results suggest that feed restriction for longer periods may predispose the bird metabolism for an increased susceptibility for fat deposition, in comparison to the controls or the mild feed restriction treatments. Data gathered in the present study showed that quantitative feed restriction starting by day 8, followed by ad libitum was associated with changes in plasma metabolite concentrations. These changes varied between the two different intensities of FR and the two periods of FR evaluated. The results suggest that, for the same intensity of feed restriction, the length of deprivation may not be a determinant factor in mild FR. However, when severe FR is imposed, the length of FR may be a risk factor for excessive protein catabolism and increased VLDL availability, with the latter favouring precocious fattening of the carcasses. New studies are warranted to strength these results in particular on respect to the establishment of the influences of such changes in plasma metabolites with fatness and fat distribution on broilers

Practical applications of agricultural wastes in poultry feeding in Mediterranean an Middle East regions. Part 2: Tomato, olive, date, sunflower wastes

Agroindustry wastes from tomato, olive, date and sunflower processing have valuable nutritional characteristics, and could be included in poultry rations to facilitate reducing feeding costs. By-products of tomato and olive processing can be supplemented in the diet of broilers and laying hens by up to 10% without detrimental effects on production, whilst improving the biochemical blood profile and enhancing the oxidative status of birds. Published research has shown that feeding sunflower and date wastes could be successfully added to diet at high inclusion levels (up to 30 and 40%, respectively) resulting in heavier broiler carcasses and increased number of eggs produced by laying hens. In this paper, applications of agricultural wastes and by-products in poultry feeding is reviewed, and the documented and novel findings related to their influence on poultry production, health and gut microbiota are discussed