This study aimed to evaluate the accumulation of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) in the dual-purpose wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivar BRS Tarumã grown under varying urea nitrogen doses (0, 150, 250, 350, and 450 kg N ha⁻¹) under the same environmental conditions, thereby assessing the applicability of an exponential growth model. The absence of topdressing nitrogen fertilization limited plant development, including Ca, P, Mg and K accumulation, resulting in only three cuts throughout the production cycle (167 days). However, when urea nitrogen fertilization, all the treatments (150, 250, 350 and 450 kg N ha⁻¹) yielded exponential increases in the accumulation of Ca, P, Mg and K (kg ha⁻¹), with frequent cuts: six in 188 days under the 150 kg N ha⁻¹ treatment, nine in 188 days under the 250 kg N ha⁻¹ treatment, and ten in 212 days under the 350 and 450 kg N ha⁻¹ treatments. The accumulation of Ca, P, Mg and K in wheat was affected by the nitrogen ratio of topdressing under the same environmental conditions (temperature and rainfall). An exponential model could explain the dynamics of macromineral accumulation during production on the basis of the thermal sum for each nitrogen dose.
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the consequences of probiotic (Protexin) and prebiotic (mannan oligosaccharides) supplementation as antibiotic growth promoter’s substitutions on growth performance, carcass traits, morphology of jejunum and immune responses of broilers. A total of 192 one-d-old mixed-sex broiler chicks (Arian) were weighted and accidentally allocated to sixteen pens of 12 chicks. The nutritional regimens were as follows: basal diet as a control, basal diet + 4.5 mg flavophospholipol kg⁻¹, basal diet + 0.1 g Protexin kg⁻¹ and 1 g mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) kg⁻¹ of diet at 0-42 d of age. At 14 d of age, the broilers fed diets containing antibiotic had markedly greater body weight (BW) in comparison with those fed basal diet (P < 0.05). At 28 and 42 d of ages BW of broilers tended to enhance in broilers fed diets supplemented with antibiotic or probiotic (P > 0.05). In the first phase broilers fed diets containing prebiotic had markedly better feed: gain ratio (P < 0.05). The broilers fed diets supplemented with probiotic had markedly (P < 0.05) higher antibody titers against Newcastle and avian influenza viruses. The results suggest that probiotic supplementation can improve humoral immune responses with no side effects on growth performance.
Indigenous chickens are hardy and well-adapted to harsh environments but have low egg productivity, which limits their economic potential and contribution to the animal protein supply. This persistent productivity gap has continued to constrain the effective utilisation of indigenous chickens in improving household income and food security, particularly under low-input production systems. Genetic improvement through selective breeding and crossbreeding can enhance their laying performance. However, information on the optimal proportion of indigenous and exotic genetic composition required to maximise laying performance and egg quality under Nigerian production conditions remains limited. The experiment aimed at exploring the influence of genotypes on laying performance and egg quality traits in Nigerian Indigenous chickens and their crosses. A total of 150 pullets were used, consisting of five genotypes: 100% Normal Feather Indigenous Chickens (Nm), 12.5% Indigenous (AAANm), 25% Indigenous (AANm), 50% Indigenous (ANm), and 75% Indigenous (ANNm). Data were collected on laying performance traits, including age at first egg (AFE), body weight at first lay (WTFL), total egg production, and egg quality parameters. Results showed significant differences (p < 0.01) among genotypes for AFE, WTFL, total egg production, and egg quality traits. The AAANm genotype exhibited the earliest sexual maturity, while the Nm genotype had the latest onset of lay. The highest egg weight was observed in AAANm, and the lowest egg weight was observed in AANm. Seasonal variations significantly affected egg quality traits, with the best yolk weight observed in the early wet season. Data analysis using the General Linear Model (GLM) revealed that genotype and season significantly affected laying performance and egg quality. These findings provide comparative evidence on graded levels of exotic inheritance and support the identification of genotype combinations that improve egg production and quality in Nigerian indigenous chickens.
A study investigated the effects of replacing soybean meal (SBM) with camelina meal at 0%, 25%, and 50% in the diets of 240 laying Japanese quails over 8 weeks. The quails, aged 12 weeks, were split into three groups, each with 8 replicates of 10 birds. The study assessed egg production, egg quality, blood variables, and performance metrics. Substituting up to 50% camelina meal did not significantly impact egg production, yolk cholesterol, body weight, or specific egg quality traits like eggshell weight, and gravity (p>0.05). However, the 50% camelina group showed a significant decrease in egg mass during weeks 1–4 (p<0.05), while both camelina groups improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) over the 8-week period (p<0.05). The 50% group had the lowest egg weight, while the control (0% camelina) had the highest (p<0.05). Camelina enhanced yolk color intensity and eggshell thickness but reduced albumen weight (p<0.05). Blood HDL and LDL levels decreased with higher camelina, while cholesterol and glucose remained unchanged (p>0.05). Triglycerides increased at 25% but decreased at 50% (p<0.05). Replacing 50% SBM with camelina improved FCR, eggshell thickness, and yolk color, making it a viable alternative without compromising productivity.
Many rural farms in Rio Grande do Sul lack their own machinery for corn silage production. In Montauri (RS), municipal public policies have addressed this limitation by providing outsourced harvesting services and technical assistance. This study assessed how different forage harvester models influence the particle size distribution of whole-plant corn silage produced on 15 farms from January to April 2023. The machines used on each farm were recorded (JF C-120, tractor-mounted; CLAAS Jaguar and ZS 2010, self-propelled), and silage samples were collected for physical evaluation using the Penn State Particle Separator (19 mm, 8–19 mm and < 8 mm sieves). The CLAAS Jaguar was equipped with a kernel processor, whereas the ZS 2010 was not. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Self-propelled harvesters showed higher retention in the 8–19 mm fraction and fewer fine particles, resulting in distributions closer to recommended ranges. The JF C-120 showed a higher proportion of fine particles. Overall, access to self-propelled harvesters combined with technical support improved silage particle size quality on participating farms.
