Acta Fytotechnica et Zootechnica Online (Faculty of Agrobiology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra)
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Continual Monitoring of Reticulorumenal pH of Dairy Cows During 45 Days
Get PDFDOI:10.15414/afz.2015.18.03.53-55Received 30. June 2015 ǀ Accepted 10. August 2015 ǀ Available online 14. October 2015The aim of the study was to continuosly monitored reticuloruminal pH in 7 dairy cows of Holstein breed during 45 days at school experimental farm in Oponice. The bolus which was implemented through Esophagus measured pH and temperature values every 15 minutes (96 data points per day) with accuracy +/- 0.1 pH. Data were downloaded and collected with HathorHBClient v. 1.8.1 and statistically evaluated with IBM SPSS v. 20.0 (One-way ANNOVA). We found statistically significant differences between average values of pH from all dairy cows every hour (p<0.05). Overally was average pH 6.28±0.32. The lowest pH which we recorded was 5.30 and the highest 7.39. During 24 hours of day were dairy cows on average 6 hours and 51 minutes (28.6 % of a day) between pH interval 6.2 – 6.4. The second longest period of pH values were between 6.4 – 6.6 and took on average 6 hours and 8 minutes (25.6 % of a day). ). The smallest part of a day was pH over 6.8. It was only 0.6 % representing 8 minutes and 34 seconds
Schizosaccharomyces pombe as a model organism for studies of chromosome segreration.
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.02.49–42Received 04. April 2015 ǀ Accepted 11. May 2015 ǀ Available online 29. June 2015Cell division is one of the key condition of development and reproduction of animals, plants, microorganisms and humans. Therefore, the study of the cell cycle has enormous relevance to the health, well-being, and biology of all living organisms, including growth and development of organisms, deseases such as cancer, to aging. Thus, it is of great importance to study and understand the process of regulation and implementation of the cell cycle on molecular basis. Two types of cell division evolved through evolution, namely mitosis and meiosis. Whereas mitotic events lead to generation of genetically identical cells, the main task of meiosis is to reduce the content of the genetic material by half, and thereby ensuring genetic variability and diversity. We study progress and regulation of chromosome segregation in meiosis using simple model organism Schizosaccharomyces pombe because basic molecular mechanism shares common principles in animals, humans, plants and unicellular organisms.Keywords: Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cell cycle, meiosi
The effect of different severity of fire on soil organic matter and aggregates stability
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.01.01–05Received 09. January 2015 ǀ Accepted 16. MArch 2015 ǀ Available online 31. March 2015Fire affects many of physical, chemical and biological soil properties directly by the transport of the heat to the soil or indirectly because of the vegetation changes and dynamic of nutrients and organic matter. This impact depends on many factors therefore the aim of this study was to consider the impact of different severity of fire on the changes in quantity and quality of soil organic matter (SOM) and soil structure in sandy dystrict Fluvisol. The samples were taken in the Zbehy district (autumn 2012) from three localities: 1. unburned soil – the control, 2. Higher severity of fire, and 3. Lower severity of fire. The results showed the increase of SOM content due to higher severity of fire; on the other hand, the SOM quality was decreased. The stability of water-stable aggregates was clearly decreased because of higher fire-severity. Overall, our results indicate that the breakdown of soil structure was affected by higher severity of fire. Keywords: fire, stability of water-stable aggregates, soil structur
Fertilization and carbon sequestration
Get PDFDOI:10.15414/afz.2015.18.03.56–62Received 20. February 2015 ǀ Accepted 6. May 2015 ǀ Available online 14. October 2015The effect of fertilization on the dynamic change of soil organic matter (SOM) in loamy Haplic Luvisol was studied. In 2008-2011, soil samples were taken from following treatments: 1. C– non-fertilized, 2. PR+NPK – plant residues together with NPK fertilizers, and 3. NPK – NPK fertilizers. The results showed that the content of soil organic carbon in water-stable micro-aggregates (SOC in WSAmi) increased by 11% and by 13% in PR+NPK and NPK treatments, respectively. The ratios of SOC in WSAmi/SOC in bulk soil in the NPK fertilized treatment and in PR+NPK were 14% and 4% higher than in the non-fertilized treatment, respectively. Overall the ratios of SOM in WSA/SOM in bulk soil were higher in macro-aggregates than micro-aggregates. In fertilized treatments, the statistical significant changes in dynamics of labile carbon in water-stable macro-aggregates (CL in WSAma) and in WSAma 0.5-3 mm were observed. In fertilized treatments (PR+NPK and NPK) there were observed significant decrease of the CL in WSAma. The ratios CL in WSAmi also WSAma/CL in bulk soil decreased due to ploughed plant residues together with NPK fertilizers, the ratio of CL in WSAma/CL in soil decreased due to added only NPK fertilizers also
Yield potential of Milk thistle production in south western Slovakia
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.04.79–82Received 28. August 2015 ǀ Accepted 9. October 2015 ǀ Available online 7. December 2015Milk thistle is annual to biennial medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family. Polyfactorial field experiment was establishedand investigated during the vegetation period of the years 2012–2014. The trial was arranged in one independent block.Plant material variety Silyb was harvested in the ontogenetic stage the achenes ripening. Three evaluated factors were asfollows: crop residues – intercrop – fertilization. Milk thistle was integrated to four crop rotation design with following orderof crops: common pea – winter wheat – milk thistle – maize. Average yield of milk thistle achenes significantly differ in therange from 479.6 kg ha-1 in 2012 up to 602.5 kg ha-1 in 2013. The highest yield of milk thistle was measured 745.0 kg ha-1(2013 treatment: no crop residues, with intercrop, with fertilization). The impact of growing year on yield milk thistle achenesconfirmed the high variability of yields. On output of yield milk thistle achenes we were confirmed highly significant effectof year and fertilization, and inconclusive impact of sowing intercrop and ploughing crop residues. In all evaluated years,significantly 20% higher average yield for treatments with mineral fertilization was confirmed. Based on the three-yearresults, it is recommended to continue the research of the production parameters of milk thistle yields in following growingseasons with focus to better used of yield potential of milk thistle in Slovak conditions.Keywords: Silybum marianum L., yield, intercrop, fertilization, crop residuesReferencesANDRZEJEWSKA, J., SADOWSKA, K. and MIELCAREK, S. (2011) Effect of sowing date and rateon the yield and flavolignan content of the fruits of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) on light soil in a moderate climat. In Industiral Crops and Products, vol. 33, pp. 462-468. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2010.10.027ANDRZEJEWSKA, J. and SKINDER, Z. (2006) Yield and quality of raw material of milk thistle (Silybum marianum /L./ Gaertn.) grown in monoculture and in crop rotation. Part 1. Reaction of milk thistle to the sowing date. In Herba Pol., vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 11 - 17.BHATTYCHARYA, S. (2011) Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaert.) Seeds in Health. In Nuts & Seeds in Health and Disease Prevention. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-375688-6.10090-8CWALINA-AMBROZIAK, B., et al. (2012) The effect of mineral fertilization on achenes yield and fungal cummunities isolated from the stems of milk thistle, Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. In Acta Sci. Pol. Hortorum Cultus, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 157–168. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/fhort-2013-0012GENEVA, M. et al. (2008) Improvement of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) seed yield and quality with foliar fertilization and growth effector MD 148/II. In Gen. Appl. Plant Physiology, vol. 34, no. 3–4, pp. 309–318.HABÁNOVÁ, M. and HABÁN, M. (2009) Milk thistle. Available from: http://www.liecive.herba.sk/index.php/rok-2009/36-4-2009/213-pestrec-mariansky.html. [Accessed: 2015-05-14]HABÁN, M., GRANČAI, D. and LUŠČÁKOVÁ, D. (2015) Interesting and less well-known herbal drugs in the Pharmacopoeia and Pharmaceutical Codex (7). In Liečivé rastliny, vol. 1, pp. 29–30.HABÁN, M., OTEPKA, P. and BOKOR, P. (2007) Production of Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) cultivated in sustainable crop rotation. In 1st International Scientific Conference on Medicinal, Aromatic and Spice Plants : Book of scientific papers and abstracts. Nitra: Slovenská poľnohospodárska univerzita, pp. 98–99.HABÁN, M. et al. (2009) production and quality of milk thistle (Silybum marianum /L./ Gaertn.) cultivated in cultural conditions of warm agri-climatic macroregion. In Hort. Sci. (Prague), vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 25–30.HABÁN, M. et al. (2010) Milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.) cultivated in polyfunctional crop rotation and its evaluation. In Research Journal of Agricultural Science, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 111–117.HABÁN, M. and ŠUSTR, M. (2009) The evaluation of yield and quality drugs of milk thistle grown in ZEMEDAR, Limited Liability Company, Poprad – Stráže. In: Sborník příspěvků “15. Aktuální otázky pěstování léčivých, aromatických a kořeninových rostlin”, pp. 83–90.INDRÁK, P. and CHYTILOVÁ, D. (1992) The issue of determining siylbinu in the drug of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.). In Zahradníctví, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 309–313.KARKANIS, A., BILALIS, D., EFTHIMIADOU, A. (2011) Cultivation of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaertn), a medicinal weed. In Industrial Crops and Products, vol. 34, pp. 825–830. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.03.027KUBÍNEK, J. (1987) Growing methods of milk thistle. Prague: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Czech Republic.MALEKZADEH, M., MIRMAZLOUM, S. I., ANGUORANI, H. R., MORTAZAVI, S. N., PANAHI, M. (2011) The physicochemical properties and oil constituents of milk thistle (Silybum marianum Gaertn. cv. Budakalászi) under drought stress. In Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, vol. 5, no. 8, pp. 1485–1488.SMATANA, J. and MACÁK, M. (2011) Analysis of cropping patterns of medicinal and spices plants growing on prime arable land. In Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 37–40.SZCZUCIŃSKA, A. et al. (2006) Założenia technologiczne otrzymywania preparatów z bielma ostropestu plamistego do stowania jako dodatki przeciwutleniające. In Rosliny Oleiste - Oilseed Crops. vol. 27I, pp. 357–356.ŠPÁNIK, F., REPA, Š. and ŠIŠKA, B. (1996) Climate and phenological background of Nitra (1961–1990). Nitra: VES SPU (in Slovak).TOURNAS, V.H., RIVERA CALO, J. and SAPP, C. (2013) Fungal profiles in various milk thistle botanicals from US retail. In International Journal of Food Microbiology, vol. 164, issue 1, pp. 87-91. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2013.03.026TÝR, Š. and, VEREŠ, T. (2011) Weed infestation of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. canopies in the year 2008–2010. In Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica, Sp. Num., 14, pp.46–48.WIERZBOWSKA, J., BOWSZYS, T. and STERNIK, P. (2012) Effect of a nitrogen fertilization rate on the yield and yield structure of milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. ). In Ecol Chem Eng A., vol. 19, no.3, pp. 295–300
Digestibility of NDF and its effect on the level of rumen fermentation of carbohydrates
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.04.110–113Received 14. July 2015 ǀ Accepted 12. October 2015 ǀ Available online 7. December 2015The objective of this study, was to determinate the effects of digestibility of NDF of TMR on rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrient digestion, dairy cows were fed total mixed ration (TMR). We are measured NDF digestibility of TMR using in situ methods.Digestibility of NDF of TMR in our experiment range 26.8 to 48.2%. Digestibility of NDF of TMR did not alter VFA production but had effects on A/P ratio and production of acetate and propionate. Our results indicate that TMR with more dNDF may provide more favourable condition for nutrient digestion both in the rumen and in the total tract of dairy cows. Keywords: rumen, fermentation, NDF, volatile fatty acids, digestibility of NDFReferencesALLEN, M. S., BRADFORD, B. J. and OBA, M. (2009) BOARD-INVITED REVIEW: The hepatic oxidation theory of the control of feed intake and its application to ruminants. In J. Anim. Sci., vol. 87, no. 10, pp. 3317–3334. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2009-1779BEEVER, D. E. and MOULD, F. L. (2000) Forage evaluation for efficient ruminant livestock production. In: D. I. Givens et al. (eds.) Forage Evaluation in Ruminant Nutrition. Wallington: CAB International.HOFFMAN, P.C. and SHAVER, R.D. (2009) UW-Feed Grain Evaluation System Marshfield Soil and Forage Analysis Laboratory. [Online] Available at: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/dairynutrition/documents/ WisconsinFGES.pdf. [Accessed? 2015-06-04].HUTJENS, M. F. (2002) Is your TMR as good as it can be? In Hoard´s Dairyman, vol. 147, no. 18, pp. 698.CHUMPAWADEE, S. and PIMPA, O. (2009) Effect of fodder tree as fiber sources in total mixed ration on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, chewing behaviour and ruminal fermentation in beef cattle. In J. Anim. And Vet. Adv, vol. 8, no. 7, pp. 1279:1284. doi: http://dx.doi.org/2009.1279.1284KOLVER, E. S. and DE VETH, M. J. (2002) Prediction of ruminal pH from pasture based diets. In J. Dairy Sci., vol. 85, no. 5, pp. 1255–1266. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302 (02)74190-8LINN, J.G. et al. (1989) Feeding the dairy herd. Madison: North Central Regional Extension.LÓPEZ, S., J. DIJKSTRA, and FRANCE, J. (2000) Prediction of energy supply in ruminants, with emphasis on forages. In: D. I. Givens, E. Owens, R. F. E., Axford, and H. M. Omed, (eds.) Forage Evaluation in Ruminant Nutrition. Wallingford: CAB International, pp. 63-94.NRC (2001) Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle: Nutrient requirements of domestic animals. 7th revised edition. Washington: National Reserach Council.OBA, M. and ALLEN, M. S. (1999) Evaluation of the importance of the digestibility of neutral detergent fiber from forage: effects on dry matter intake and milk yield of dairy cows. In J. Dairy Sci., vol. 82, no. 3, pp. 589-596. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(99)75271-9OBA, M. and ALLEN, M. S. (2000) Effects of brown midrib 3 mutation in corn silage on productivity of dairy cows fed two concentrations of dietary neutral detergent fiber: 3. Digestibility and microbial efficiency. In J. Dairy Sci., vol. 83, no. 6, pp. 1342–1349. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(00)75001-6ØRSKOV, E.R. and MCDONALD, I. (1979) The estimation of protein degradability in the rumen from incubation measurements weighed according to rate of passage. In J. Agric. Sci., vol. 92, no. 3, pp. 499-503. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600063048VARGA G.A. (2006) In vivo digestibility of forage. In: Proc. Tri-State dairy nutrition conference, Fort Wayne. Columbus: The Ohio State University, pp 95-106.VOELKER LINTON., J. A. and ALLEN, M. S. (2009) Nutrient demand interacts with forage family to affect N digestion and utilization responses in dairy cows. In J. Dairy Sci., vol. 92, no. 4, pp.1594-1602. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-132
Fungi associated with a decline of Pinus nigra in urban greenery
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.02.36–43Received 23. January 2015 ǀ Accepted 20. February 2015 ǀ Available online 29. June 2015During the years 2013-2014, complex mycoflora of Austrian pine trees (Pinus nigra Arnold) was monitored within a survey on health state of trees growing in urban environment. Nine species of microscopic fungi were isolated and identified from samples collected from different part of Pinus nigra needles during the study period. This study reports the occurrence of the fungi Asterosporium asterospermum, Beltrania rhombica, Camarosporium sp., Coleosporium sp., Cyclaneusma minus, Lophodermium seditiosum, Nigrospora sp. Phomopsis sp., Trichothecium roseum of P. nigra. In Austrian pine the greatest damage has been caused by the fungi Lophodermium seditiosum and Cyclaneusma niveum. Damage caused by rust fungus (Coleosporium sp.) and by fungi Asterosporium asterospermum, and Beltrania rhombicaoccurs less frequently.The aim of this study was to research distribution, disease symptoms, some important characteristics in pure culture and distinctive morphological features of the most important parasitic fungi in Austrian pine. The presence of these fungi in host tissue of symptomatic trees has been described using classical phytopathological approaches and microscopical identification based on morphological keys. The occurrence of most fungi was relatively common.
Physical properties of urban soil in the campus of Slovak University of Agriculture Nitra
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.02.30–35Received 29. October 2014ǀ Accepted 24. November 2014ǀ Available online 29. June 2015Soil is important ingredient of urbanized areas which are steadily increasing. Therefore, the objective of this study was to characterize selected physical properties of urban soil in the campus of Slovak University of Agriculture in town Nitra depending on different soil management practices. For studying, three soil pits were dug 100-400 meters from the left bank of the river Nitra. The soil under kept lawn in park was classified as Calcaric Fluvisol, under the herbicidal fallow and soil in main garden as Hortic Calcaric Fluvisol. Deposited material of river Nitra contained 9-47% of sand, 30-63% of silt and 23-41% of clay. Alluvial sediments close to the river bank were texturally quite homogenous, but with increased distance from river were more different. Natural compaction was strenghtened with anthropogenic one due to use of agricultural machinery. The amount of available water capacity was considerably low probably for high proportion of clay. To improve structural state, the cultivated soil in main garden requires organic fertilization and tillage reduction
The Application Impact of an Origanum, Anise and Citrus Oils blend in Horses Nutrition
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.04.103–105Received 1. July 2015 ǀ Accepted 28. August 2015 ǀ Available online 7. December 2015The aim of the paper was to analyse the origanum, anise and citrus oils blend as a potential phytogenic feed additive in horse’s nutrition. Several studies in the World analyze the effect of plant origin aromatic additives on blood serum indicators and nutrients digestibility in horses. Origanum and anise contains many chemical compounds as carvacrol, thymol and anethol, which can be beneficially in metabolism and nutrients digestion. Some studies shows, that these additives have insignificant (P>0.05) effect on blood serum indicators, but there are some studies, which reported positive significant (P<0.05) effect on serum cholesterol and triglycerides contents. The main positive effect of origanum and anise is in nutrients digestibility improving. These herbs can improve the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen free extract, crude fibre, ADV and NDV (P<0.05), as well as Mg and K from feed rations (P<0.05). Some antagonistic results published in this area can be affecting in dosage of active compounds, which have often antinutritive effects.Keywords: equine, additives, aromatic plants, feed rationsReferencesCAPCAROVÁ, M. and KOLESÁROVÁ, A. (2010) Beneficial substances affecting internal milieu of animals. Nitra: Slovak University of Agriculture.EPP, T.S. et al. (2005) The effect of herbal supplementation on the severity of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage. In J. Equine and Comp. Exerc. Physiol., vol. 2, pp. 17-25.FORS, M. 2009. Herbs for horses. Uppsala: Swedish University of Agricultural Science.GÁLIK, B. et al. (2011) The effect of phytoadditives on macroelements digestibility of sport horses. In J. Centr. Europ. Agricul., vol. 12, pp. 390-397. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/14.3.1308GÁLIK, B. et al. (2012a) The effect of phytogenic additive on in vivo saccharides digestibility of sport horses. In Pharm. Comm., vol. 2, pp. 3-6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5530/pc.2013.1.2GÁLIK, B. et al. (2012b) The effect of different macromineral intakes on mineral metabolism of sport horses. In Acta Vet. Brno, vol. 81, pp. 113-117. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2754/avb201281020113GÁLIK, B. (2012c) The effect of fytogenic feed addtives on nutrients utilization in non-ruminants: Assoc. Prof. thesis. Nitra: Slovak University of Agriculture (in Slovak)GÁLIK, B. et al. (2013) The effect of phytoadditives on biochemical indicators and nutrients digestibility in sport horses. In J. Centr. Europ. Agricul., vol. 14, pp. 219-227. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/14.3.1308KAMEL, C. (2000) Natural plant extracts: Classical remedies bring modern animal production solutions. In Proceedings of the 3rd Conference on sow feed manufacturing in the Mediterranean region, Reus, March 22-24, 2000. Reus: Spain, pp. 31-38.MORGAN, L.M. et al. (2007) Effect of yeast culture supplementation on digestibility of varying forage quality in mature horses. In J. Equine Vet. Sci., vol. 27, pp. 260-265.PEARSON, W. et al. (2007) Pilot study investigating the ability an herbal composite to alleviate clinical sings of respiratory dysfunction in horses with recurrent airway obstruction. In Can. J. Vet. Res., vol. 71, pp. 145-151.STRAKOVÁ, E. et al. (2007) Positive effect of plant-based diet on the performance and health of laying hens. In Acta Vet. Brno, vol. 76,pp. 31-37. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2754/avb200776S8S031STEINER, T. (2006) Managing gut health: Natural growth promoters as a key to animal performance. Nottingham: Nottingham University Press.Steiner, T. (2009) Phytogenics in animal nutrition: Natural concepts to optimize gut health and performance. Nottingham: Nottingham University Press.SUCHÝ, P. et al. (2002) Replacement of animal origin feed by plant origin feed in the diet of broiler chickens. In Czech J. Anim. Sci., vol. 47, pp. 365-373.TURNER, K.K. et al. (2006) Bee pollen product supplementation to horses in training seems to improve feed intake: a pilot study. In J Anim. Physiol. Nutr., vol. 90, pp. 414-420. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2006.00621.xWINDISH, W. et al. (2008) Use of phytogenic products as feed additives for swine and poultry. In J. Anim. Sci., vol. 86, pp. 140-148. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.2007-0459.ZENG, Z. et al. (2015) Essential oil and aromatic plants as feed additives in non-ruminant nutrition: a review. In J. Anim. Sci. Biotech, vol. 6, pp. 1-10. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40104-015-0004-
Effects of dietary micronutrient supplementation on the reproductive traits of laying geese
Get PDFDOI: 10.15414/afz.2015.18.01.06–09Received 12. November 2014 ǀ Accepted 16. March 2015 ǀ Available online 31. March 2015A feeding trial was conducted with two breeder flocks of Hortobágy White goose to evaluate the possible effects of a micronutrient preparation (containing essential amino acids, vitamins and trace elements) on their reproductive traits. One flock (864 layers + 209 ganders) served as a control, and the other (731 layers + 218 ganders) as a treated group. The micronutrient preparation was given in the drinking water to the treated group in a single daily dose of 50 g per 500 kg live weight 10 days before the onset of the laying period, and thereafter at 10-day intervals for 10 days on each occasion, until the end of the laying period (lasted from 1st February until 26th May, 2014). Treated geese laid consistently more eggs at a higher rate of laying intensity than controls from the 3rd laying week, resulting in a higher average production per layer (44 vs. 35 eggs) and a higher average laying intensity (38.0 % vs. 30.0 %). The comparable hatching results of eggs from treated and control geese indicated that the micronutrient preparation has not affected egg fertility (93.0 % vs. 93.5 %), hatchability of incubated eggs (89.0% vs. 88.0%), and the hatch rates (72.0 %-72.0 %). The mortality rates over 17 laying weeks were relatively low both in the treated (7.7 % of layers; 5.5 % of ganders) and control groups (5.1 % of layers; 6.2 % of ganders). Keywords: goose, micronutrient, egg laying, egg fertility, hatchability