Scientific Journals of INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria)
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Comunicación corta. Efectos de la suplementación en la dieta con acetato de zinc y sulfato de magnesio en el rendimiento productivo y el estado antioxidante de pollos sometidos a continuo estrés térmico
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different dietary levels of zinc acetate (Zn; 0, 30 and 60 mg kg-1) and of magnesium sulphate (Mg; 0, 300 and 600 mg kg-1) on performance and blood antioxidant status of broilers under continuous heat stress. For this purpose, four hundred and fifty one-day-old male chicks were used in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment from day 1 to day 42 of age. The inclusion of 30 mg Zn kg-1 increased the body weight gain and the average feed intake and declined the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Although there were no differences between the treatments for FCR, the supplementation with 30 and 60 mg Zn kg-1 decreased the FCR regardless the Mg level. The dietary supplementation with 30 mg Zn kg-1 decreased both blood glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities regardless the Mg level. In addition, neither Zn nor Mg influenced the blood total antioxidant capacity content at the end of the experiment. Blood malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased as dietary Zn supplementation increased. The MDA reduction when diet was supplemented with Zn was not obvious at higher Mg level (interaction Zn × Mg, p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary addition of Mg does not significantly influence either the performance or the antioxidant status of broiler at 42 d of age under heat stress but supplementation of 30 mg Zn kg-1 decrease the blood MDA concentration and improves the performance.En un experimento bajo un diseño factorial 3 × 3 se estudió el efecto de la suplementación con acetato de zinc (Zn; 0, 30 y 60 mg kg-1) y sulfato de magnesio (Mg; 0, 300 y 600 mg kg-1) sobre los rendimientos productivos y el estatus antioxidante sanguíneo de pollos entre 1 y 42 días de edad bajo condiciones de estrés térmico. La inclusión de 30 mg Zn kg-1 incrementó el crecimiento de los animales y el consumo de pienso diarios y redujo el índice de conversión (FCR). Aunque no hubo diferencias entre tratamientos para FCR, la suplementación con 30 y 60 mg Zn kg-1 disminuyó dicho parámetro, independientemente del nivel de Mg. La adición de 30 mg Zn kg-1 redujo la actividad de la glutatión peroxidasa y de la superóxido dismutasa sanguíneas, independientemente del nivel de Mg. Por otro lado, ni el Zn ni el Mg influyeron en la capacidad antioxidante total de la sangre. La concentración de malondialdehído (MDA) en sangre se redujo al aumentar la suplementación dietaria con Zn. La reducción de MDA cuando la dieta fue suplementada con Zn no resultó obvia al nivel más alto de Mg (interacción Zn × Mg, p<0,05). En conclusión, la adición de Mg en la dieta no influyó sobre los rendimientos productivos o el estatus antioxidante sanguíneo de los pollos a 42 días de edad bajo condiciones de estrés térmico, pero la suplementación con 30 mg Zn kg-1 redujo la concentración de MDA en sangre y mejoró la productividad
Ocurrencia y distribución de Fusarium spp. en suelos de cultivo de trigo bajo siembra directa
No full textThe presence of Fusarium species in cultivated soils is commonly associated with plant debris and plant roots. Fusarium species are also soil saprophytes. The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence and distribution of soil Fusarium spp. at different soil depths in a zero tillage system after the wheat was harvested. Soil samples were obtained at three depths (0-5 cm, 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm) from five crop rotations: I, conservationist agriculture (wheat-sorghum-soybean); II, mixed agriculture/livestock with pastures, without using winter or summer forages (wheat-sorghum-soybean-canola-pastures); III, winter agriculture in depth limited soils (wheat-canola-barley-late soybean); IV, mixed with annual forage (wheat-oat/Vicia-sunflower); V, intensive agriculture (wheat-barley-canola, with alternation of soybean or late soybean). One hundred twenty two isolates of Fusarium were obtained and identified as F. equiseti, F. merismoides, F. oxysporum, F. scirpi and F. solani. The most prevalent species was F. oxysporum, which was observed in all sequences and depths. The Tukey’s test showed that the relative frequency of F. oxysporum under intensive agricultural management was higher than in mixed traditional ones. The first 5 cm of soil showed statistically significant differences (p=0.05) with respect to 5-10 cm and 10-20 cm depths. The ANOVA test for the relative frequency of the other species as F. equiseti, F. merismoides, F. scirpi and F. solani, did not show statistically significant differences (p<0.05). We did not find significant differences (p<0.05) in the effect of crop rotations and depth on Shannon, Simpson indexes and species richness. Therefore we conclude that the different sequences and the sampling depth did not affect the alpha diversity of Fusarium community in this system.Fusarium spp. es un hongo saprófito del suelo, asociado a enfermedades de las raíces de las plantas y comúnmente presente en los restos de los cultivos. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la ocurrencia y distribución de especies de Fusarium spp. en muestras de suelo extraídas de parcelas de trigo, a diferentes profundidades, en el momento de la cosecha. Las muestras analizadas se obtuvieron desde cinco secuencias de cultivo: I, agricultura conservacionista (trigo-sorgo granífero-soja); II, mixto con pasturas sin verdeos (trigo-sorgo-soja-colza); III, agricultura de invierno para suelos limitados (trigo-colza-cebada-soja realizada inmediatamente luego de cultivo de invierno); IV, mixto con verdeos (trigo-avena/Vicia-girasol); V, agricultura intensiva (trigo-cebada-colza, con alternancia de soja de ciclo convencional o soja realizada inmediatamente luego de cultivo de invierno). Las muestras se fraccionaron a los 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm y 10-20 cm. Se obtuvieron 122 aislamientos del género Fusarium, que se identificaron como F. equiseti, F. merismoides, F. oxysporum, F. scirpi y F. solani. La especie más frecuente fue F. oxysporum, observada en todas las secuencias y profundidades. La frecuencia relativa de F. oxysporum fue mayor en la secuencia de agricultura intensiva agrícola intenso respecto a las otras secuencias. Asimismo, fue mayor en los primeros 5 cm de suelo respecto a los 5-10 cm y 10-20 cm. Las secuencias de cultivo y la profundidad de muestreo no afectaron la diversidad alfa de la comunidad de Fusarium spp. en este sistema
Evaluation of repeated biodisinfestation using Brassica carinata pellets to control Meloidogyne incognita in protected pepper crops
Get PDFThe nematode Meloidogyne incognita is responsible for substantial losses in greenhouse-grown peppers in south-eastern Spain. This study evaluates the use of biodisinfestation (BS) (organic amendment + solarisation) as an alternative to using methyl bromide (MB) over three consecutive years to control the nematode in greenhouse conditions. Brassica carinata (BP) pellets or B. carinata (BP) + fresh sheep manure (M) were evaluated in treatments which began on two different dates (August and October) and the results were compared with MB-disinfested and untreated controls. During the third year, the gall index for BP was lower than that obtained for BP+M and in the August treatment than in the October treatment. The commercial crop of pepper fruit obtained with the biodisinfestation treatments begun in August was similar to or higher than that obtained with MB, and higher than that obtained with both October biodisinfestation treatments. The yield of the October biodisinfestation treatments was higher than that of the untreated one. In August of all the years studied, the accumulated exposure times were greater than the thresholds required to kill M. incognita populations at 15 cm depth. The incidence of the nematode did not correspond to the reduction achieved during solarisation, and seemed to increase during the crop cycle. Further studies should look at why high temperatures do not produce a sustained reduction in the populations of Meloidogyne incognita
Riego por surcos en el cultivo de la chufa en Valencia (España). II: Análisis del comportamiento del riego y optimización
No full textChufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) is a traditional crop in the Mediterranean region of Spain, where it is only furrow irrigated. This article analyzes the irrigation performance for this crop, conducting field studies over three consecutive seasons in Valencia (Spain). Irrigation schedule was based on the volumetric soil water content, which was measured with capacitance sensors. Infiltrability was measured with blocked-furrow infiltrometers. An area velocity flow module measured the water flow, the cross-sectional geometry of furrows was determined using furrow profilometers, and times for advance and recession were recorded. WinSRFR software was used to analyze every irrigation event, determining the application efficiency (AE) and distribution uniformity of the minimum (DUmin), and to optimize the combination of furrow inflow (q) and cut-off time (Tco). Average values obtained for AE were 30.1%, 25.6%, and 26.7% in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively, and the corresponding DUmin values were 0.54, 0.61, and 0.67. Optimized results showed that it is possible to reach AE and DUmin values up to 87% and 0.86, respectively. However, understanding the q-Tco relationship that maximizes both AE and DUmin is more important than knowing the specific values. A function that related q and Tco was obtained for the typical plot dimensions, and this was validated in 2011. Therefore, this function can be used in most of the plots in the cultivation area.La chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) es el cultivo hortícola más representativo de L’Horta Nord de Valencia (España). En este artículo se analiza el comportamiento del riego tradicional (por surcos) en el cultivo de la chufa, realizándose pruebas de campo en tres campañas sucesivas en Valencia. El plan de riego se basó en el contenido volumétrico de agua del suelo, medido con sensores de capacitancia. La infiltrabilidad se determinó mediante infiltrómetros de surco cerrado. El caudal se midió con un caudalímetro modular área-velocidad, la sección transversal del surco se determinó mediante profilómetros, y se registraron los tiempos de avance y recesión. Se utilizó el programa informático WinSRFR para analizar y optimizar cada riego, determinando la eficiencia de aplicación (EA) y la uniformidad de distribución del mínimo (UDmin), y optimizando el caudal del surco (q) y el tiempo de aplicación (Ta). Los valores medios de EA fueron 30,1%, 25,6% y 26,7% en 2007, 2008, y 2009, respectivamente, y los correspondientes valores de UDmin fueron 0,54, 0,61, y 0,67. La optimización mostró que es posible alcanzar valores de EA and UDmin de hasta 87% y 0,86, respectivamente. Pero más importante que conocer los valores concretos de q-Ta, es conocer la relación que maximiza AE y UDmin, por lo que se obtuvo una función que relaciona q y Ta, que fue validada en 2011. Esta función podría ser utilizada en la mayoría de parcelas de la zona de cultivo
Growth performance and gut health parameters of finishing broilers supplemented with plant extracts and exposed to daily increased temperature
Get PDFThe effects of three plant extracts, i.e. lemon peel extract (LPE), orange peel extract (OPE) and Curcuma xanthorrhiza essential oil (CXEO), on the performance and gut health parameters of broilers exposed to high temperature was investigated. A total of 336 unsexed Ross 308 broilers were distributed to seven dietary treatments, a control diet and six diets containing 200 or 400 mg kg-1 feed of one of the three products between d 25-38 (12 chicks per pen, four replicates). To induce chronic heat stress, the temperature was increased to 34°C with 50% relative humidity for 5 h daily starting from d 28 until d 38. At d 38, four animals per pen were sampled for morphological characteristics (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and microbial counts (ileo-cecal contents). Plant extracts did not affect the bird performance. The bursa weight of the control birds was lower (p<0.05) comparing to those fed 400 mg kg-1 OPE and 200 and 400 mg kg-1 CXEO diets. Feeding 400 mg kg-1 of LPE decreased the duodenal villus:crypt ratio compared to control and 200 mg kg-1 OPE fed birds. Plant extracts did not have effect on ileal histo-morphology. Feeding with 400 mg kg-1 of LPE and CXEO caused a decrease in coliform counts in ileum and feeding of 400 mg kg-1 CXEO diet decreased coliform counts in caecum compared to control birds (p<0.05). These results elucidate that CXEO, OPE and LPE might modify some microbial and intestinal traits, but without beneficial effect on performance of broilers under heat stress.The effects of three plant extracts, i.e. lemon peel extract (LPE), orange peel extract (OPE) and Curcuma xanthorrhiza essential oil (CXEO), on the performance and gut health parameters of broilers exposed to high temperature was investigated. A total of 336 unsexed Ross 308 broilers were distributed to seven dietary treatments, a control diet and 6 diets containing 200 or 400 mg kg-1 feed of one of the three products between d 25-38 (12 chicks per pen, four replicates). To induce chronic heat stress, the temperature was increased to 34°C with 50% relative humidity for 5 h daily starting from d 28 until d 38. At d 38, four animals per pen were sampled for morphological characteristics (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) and microbial counts (ileo-cecal contents). Plant extracts did not affect the bird performance. The bursa weight of the control birds was lower (p<0.05) comparing to those fed 400 mg kg-1 OPE and 200 and 400 mg kg-1 CXEO diets. Feeding 400 mg kg-1 of LPE decreased the duodenal villus:crypt ratio compared to control and 200 mg kg-1 OPE fed birds. Plant extracts did not have effect on ileal histo-morphology. Feeding with 400 mg kg-1 of LPE and CXEO caused a decrease in coliform counts in ileum and feeding of 400 mg kg-1 CXEO diet decreased coliform counts in caecum compared to control birds (p<0.05). These results elucidate that CXEO, OPE and LPE might modify some microbial and intestinal traits, but without beneficial effect on performance of broilers under heat stress
Effect of genotype, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on plant growth and micronutrient status in Silene vulgaris (Moench)
Get PDFChromium released into the environment from industrial activities has become an important environmental concern. Silene vulgaris has been proven to be tolerant to many heavy metals, so it is considered an interesting species in the revegetation and restoration of polluted soils, but no information is available about its response to Cr. The objective of this work was to study uptake and influence on plant growth of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in six genotypes (four hermaphrodites and two females) of S. vulgaris from different sites of Madrid (Spain). Plants were treated for 12 days with 60 µM of Cr(III) or Cr(VI) in semihydroponics. Dry weights, soil-plant analysis development values (SPAD) reading with chlorophylls and micronutrient and total Cr concentrations were determined. Metal uptake was higher in presence of Cr(VI) than of Cr(III) and poorly translocated to the shoots. In both cases S. vulgaris did not show visual toxicity symptoms, biomass reduction, or differences among SPAD values as consequence of Cr additions. However genotypes SV36 and SV38 showed Fe and Mn imbalance. This is the first report on the relatively good performance of hermaphrodite and female S. vulgaris genotypes in Cr uptake and physiological traits, but further studies will be necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which the gender may influence these variables. S. vulgaris presented high diversity at genotypic level; the treatment with hexavalent Cr increased the differences among genotypes so the use of cuttings from an homogeneous genotype seems to be an adequate method for the study of this species
Pollination following grafting introduces efficiently Ocimum basilicum L. genes into Nicotiana tabacum L.
Get PDFTobacco is an important cash crop in the world. However, the genetic basis is comparatively narrow among the modern Nicotiana tabacum cultivars, limiting its potential for quality improvement. To introduce genes conferring desirable chemical constituents from medicinal plants, a distant hybridization test was conducted between N. tabacum and Ocimum basilicum L. Seedlings of wild type Nicotiana sylvestris and N. tabacum cultivar 78-04 respectively acted as rootstock and scion. During the flowering season, hand pollination between 78-04 as pistillate parent and O. basilicum as pollen parent was carried out under 22-25°C temperature and 70-80% of relative humidity in the greenhouse. Seed sets of 55% were obtained in 78-04, and about 400 seeds per capsule were produced. But both non-grafted and self-grafted 78-04 plants rarely resulted in fruits by hand pollination and those obtained were without seed. Similar results were obtained in different material combination. The interfamilial F1 hybrids acquired showed distinct variation with various morphological characteristics, and their hybrid nature was confirmed by isozyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses. This result indicated that pollination following grafting can facilitate gene exchange and recombination at the interfamilial level and efficiently overcome barriers of sexual incompatibility between N. tabacum and O. basilicum. Our research not only extends the genetic basis of tobacco but also will provide valuable germplasm for improvement of varieties
Transcriptome analysis in Ceratitis capitata to unveil genes involved in ageing-maturation process
Get PDFThe sterile insect technique (SIT) is widely used in integrated programmes against the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Information on the age distribution of insects, and more particularly, the knowledge of wild female reproductive status (mature or not) at the time of the sterile male release is one of the key factors for the success of the SIT. In recent years, sequencing analysis has become an important tool in molecular biology. In this work we present a genome-wide expression analysis based on SSH (substractive sequence hybridization) and EST (expressed sequence tag) sequencing and macroarray expression analysis to identify signature genes related to the ageing-maturing process in C. capitata, leading to the successful identification of new putative candidate genes of reproductive status in medfly that would serve as molecular markers for ageing. We have sorted out 94 unigenes from 873 single-pass ESTs, of which 57% have homology with known genes. Ageing-maturing process in C. capitata presents a marked expression pattern accompanied by the increase of transcription level of genes involved in reproduction (vitellogenins, chorion proteins and male-specific serum proteins). Other identified cDNAs (43%) with a differential expression pattern would be also candidates but deserve further studies, as they belong to the unknown function class
Short communication. Mitochondrial DNA diversity of the founder populations of the Asturcón pony
Get PDFA 380 bp fragment of the horse D-loop region was analysed in 42 founder mare samples of the bay-coated Asturcón pony obtained in three different and reproductively isolated mountainous areas of Western Asturias: range of “La Bobia” (20), range of “Carondio” (13) and range of “El Aguión” (9). These sequences were compared with the information provided by 37 founder matrilines of black-coated Asturcón assigned to the range of “Sueve” (26) and the “out-of-Sueve” (11) founder populations. The aim of this research was to ascertain the differences in founder mtDNA diversity between the two strains of the Asturcón pony and if such differences have geographical consistency. The 79 sequences analysed gave 16 different haplotypes defined by 33 polymorphic sites. The two Asturcón strains shared eight haplotypes that gathered 76% and 81% of the samples available in bay-coated and black-coated Asturcón, respectively. Both haplotypic (0.027 ± 0.006) and nucleotide (0.021 ± 0.011) diversity were higher in the bay-coated than in the black-coated Asturcón (0.024 ± 0.005 and 0.016 ± 0.009, respectively). AMOVA analyses failed in assessing any statistically differentiation among Asturcón geographical populations or strains. Most genetic variability is due to the individuals (estimates varying from 96.34% to 99.81%). Differentiation among strains or population took low and non-significant values. Differentiation between Asturcón pony strains using mtDNA marker would not have clear support. The two strains of the Asturcón pony breed likely derive from the same ancestral mare population
Effects of main reproductive and health problems on the performance of dairy cows: a review
Get PDFThis review focuses on the potential effects of twinning, dystocia, stillbirth, abortion, retained placenta and metritis on the productive and reproductive performances in dairy cattle. These are diverse disorders that are similar in that they all can result in impaired performance of dairy cows. Reproductive problems occur frequently in lactating dairy cows and can dramatically affect reproductive efficiency in a dairy herd. Poor reproductive performance is a major cause of involuntary culling and therefore reduces the opportunity for voluntary culling and has a negative influence on the subsequent productivity of a dairy herd. Reproductive performance is influenced by the interactive effect of environment, management, health, and genetic factors. In addition, diseases mainly affect dairy cow productivity by decreasing reproductive efficiency, shortening the expected length of productive life and by lowering milk production. Deciding whether to breed, treat, or cull dairy cows showing one or more of these problems is a challenge for both veterinarians and dairy producers. In addition, there is considerable debate among dairy scientists and bovine practitioners regarding the economic impact of these problems in a dairy operation and the most effective management or therapeutic intervention for treating them. Because of this controversy, dairy managers should focus on prevention and control of risk factors associated with each problem rather than on prescriptive therapeutic interventions