Authors:Obey A. Zingwari, Willard Zendera, Freddy Masoso, Taurira Mtaita, Moses Mutetwa Pages: 3 - 11 Abstract: Growing vegetables is seen as a promising method for ensuring sustainable food and nutrition security in the tropics. The rise in demand for tomatoes in this region has influenced production practices and strategies to meet local and export needs. Many tropical countries have expanded their tomato cultivation to fulfill local demand and potentially generate income from exports, as they have become increasingly important for food and nutrition security. Various successful production systems have been implemented around the world to grow tomatoes. However, Zimbabwean farmers are experiencing decreased yields and shorter shelf lives of tomatoes due to insufficient use of calcium, despite the pivotal role agrochemicals have played in boosting global agricultural production. This study aimed to assess the impact of different types and levels of basal chemical fertilizers on tomato quality. The three types of basal fertilizers used were Compound D [7:14:7], Gypsum, and a combination of both in equal proportions. These fertilizers were applied at rates of 50, 100, and 200 kg/ha. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications was utilized for the study. Tomato quality parameters such as ripe fruit count, size, disease prevalence, firmness, total soluble solids, weight loss, and shelf-life were measured. The results revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between the application rates and types of basal chemical fertilizers. The combination of Compound D and Gypsum had the most noTable effect, as the addition of calcium and sulfur improved the quality of tomato fruits. Ultimately, it was concluded that the best tomato quality was achieved when using a combination of Compound D and Gypsum at a rate of 200 kg/ha. These findings highlight the urgent need to promote the use of gypsum in tomato production PubDate: 2024-03-29 DOI: 10.21303/2504-5695.2024.003327
Authors:Lavdi Hasani, Romeo Mano Pages: 12 - 21 Abstract: By modifying variability, let’s mean that a certain feature of the organism undergoes changes and does not maintain uniformity during its appearance (ie during the transfer of information from the genetic structure to the phenotypic one). In this paper, it is shown how the modifying inheritance is presented in the two types of the strawberry plant, in the one that grows in nature, Fragaria vesca L., and in the one cultivated in greenhouses, Fragaria ananassa. The number of leaf teeth, of these species, has served as the analyzed feature, on which our search for this type of inheritance is based. The paper sheds light on the great role of the environment in elaborating the inheritance of organisms by causing modifying changes in their phenotype in function of the status of the environmental factors in which this organism grows and develops. When these phenotypic modifications manage to become heritable, then it is possible to deal with the action of the epigenetic effect in inheritance. For this reason, studies of modifying inheritance in the phenotype of organisms are necessary. From the comparison of the results obtained, in terms of the modification changes observed between these two species, the null Hypothesis (Ho) is rejected; so, the observed changes have a real basis and are not a random finding. Thus it becomes clear to us that the modifying changes in the inheritance of the plant grown in the natural environment (with significant changes in environmental factors) are greater than those of the species grown in strict conditions – in greenhouses (without large variations in environmental factors). Of course, these changes have an impact on the nutritional and taste values of their fruits, as they affect the nutrient processing laboratory, the leaves PubDate: 2024-03-29 DOI: 10.21303/2504-5695.2024.003350
Authors:Alem Dida, Aberra Melesse Pages: 22 - 31 Abstract: The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the partial substitution of soybean meal with raw and processed lupin seed (Lupinus angustifolius) meals on growth and carcass performances of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. Two hundred unsexed day-old chicks with similar body weight were randomly assigned to four treatment diets in completely randomized design with 5 replicates. The four dietary treatments diets were 0 % lupin seed meal (T1), 15 % raw lupin seed meal (RLS, T2), 15 % heat-treated dehulled lupin seed meal (HDLS, T3) and 15 % heat-treated lupin seed meal (HLS, T4). The CP content of RLS, HDLS, and HLS were 33.5, 37.1, and 35.4 %, respectively. The highest total and daily feed intake was observed in chickens reared in control diet (T1) while the lowest from T2 and T4 diets and differed (p<0.05) with the T1 diet. However, no significance effect was observed in feed conversion ratio among the treatment diets. Chickens fed with T1 diet had higher (p<0.05) final body weight, total and daily weight gains than those reared in T2 and T4 diets while these values were comparable to those fed on T3 diet. Similarly, higher (p<0.05) values were observed for slaughter weight, dressed carcass weight, drumsticks, keel bone meat, wings, neck and back and thorax in chickens fed with T1 diet than those of T2 and T4 diets; but these values did not differ with chickens fed on the T3 diet. The gizzard weight was similar between chickens fed with T1 and T3 diets while those on T2 and T4 diets had lower (p<0.05) values than those of T1 diet. The highest liver weight was observed in T1 diet while the lowest in T2 and differed (p<0.05). In conclusion it would be economically beneficial to replace 15 % of the soybean meal with heat-treated dehulled blue lupin seed meal in broilers ration under tropical environment PubDate: 2024-03-29 DOI: 10.21303/2504-5695.2024.003317
Authors:Kabiru Babatunde Jinadu, Omonuwa Bamidele Oluwatosin, Adekanbi Abidemi Oyefunke, Olalekan Anif Abdulkabir, Sherifdeen Abdulsalam, Adenike Oluronke Bolatito, Amos Adedayo Akinwande Pages: 32 - 43 Abstract: The study investigated in vitro gas fermentation kinetics of compounded diets containing different quantities of Tetrapleura tetraptera (TTFM). Three replicates of each dietary sample (200 mg) were incubated in buffered rumen liquor for 48 hours and the parameters such as in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and methane gas (CH4) were determined using in vitro gas production technique. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the gathered data. The IVDMD exhibited substantial variation (p<0.05) among treatments. The diet with 1.0 % Tetrapleura tetraptera had the highest in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), which may be useful for effective feed conversion efficiency. The acetate and propionate with total volatile fatty acids raised the inclusion levels of TTFM in the rams' diet by 1.5 to 2.0 %. Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal can be added to ruminant diets at a rate of up to 2.0 % to increase daily weight gain, nitrogen utilization, and nutrient digestibility, resulting in better storage of energy PubDate: 2024-03-29 DOI: 10.21303/2504-5695.2024.003361
Authors:Sherifdeen Abdulsalam, Kabiru Babatunde Jinadu, Oyefunke Abidemi Adekanbi, Anif Olalekan Abdulkabir, Akingbade Aderemi Olayide, Adenike Oluronke Bolatito, Adedayo Amos Akinwande Pages: 44 - 51 Abstract: Thirty-five (35) West African Dwarf rams (WAD) with an average weight of 13.60+0.2 kg were used to evaluate nutrient intake and digestibility of WAD rams fed basal diet supplemented with multi-nutrient block in a Completely Randomized Design. Multi-nutrient blocks were compounded containing varying levels of Corn Bran (CB) substituting Molasses (M) with CB 0:M 0 %, CB 10 %; M 20 %, CB 20 %; M 10 %, CB 30 %; M 0 % and CB 0 %: M 30 % as treatments 1,2,3,4 and 5 respectively. The trial lasted for fourteen (14) weeks. After the feeding study, the animals were allotted into metabolic cages for separate feeding, faecal and urine sample collection for digestibility trial of WAD rams. The basal diet fed was (Megathyrsus maximus). Data collected data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results obtained showed that multi-nutrient feed block did not significantly affect nutrient intake (p>0.05). The dry matter intake of the basal diet (Megathyrsus maximus) ranged from 278.81–326.66 g/day and varied significantly across dietary treatments (p<0.05). Multi-nutrient supplementation had a positive significant (p<0.05) effect on all nutrient digestibility parameters. The digestibility of dry matter ranged from 88.94 to 90.44 %, crude protein from 79.92 to 86.26 %, and neutral detergent fiber from 64.42 to 78.57 %. Based on this recent finding, a multi-nutrient feed block supplemented to a basal diet (Megathyrsus maximus) has no significant influence on nutrient intake but has the potential to be utilized to feed ruminants during the dry season for higher feed utilization of WAD rams PubDate: 2024-03-29 DOI: 10.21303/2504-5695.2024.003356
Authors:Daniel Thakuma Tizhe, Israel Ogwuche Ogra, Shadrack Dangabar Apollos, Katumi Ohunene Enesi, Afiniki Yohanna, Raphael Aminu, Jacob Kwada Paghi Kwaga Pages: 52 - 67 Abstract: Increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacterial and fungal pathogens pose a significant threat to public health, as it reduces the effectiveness of antibiotic and other antimicrobial drugs, making the control of infections difficult or almost impossible. This condition arises when microorganisms evolve and develop adaptive mechanisms to withstand the effects of the drugs which are designed to kill them. The emergence and spread of these antimicrobial pathogens that have acquired new resistance mechanisms continue to endanger and undermine efforts to treat common infections. As a result, an increase in morbidity and mortality due to bacterial and fungal infections has been observed with a ripple effect of economic hardship. The primary drivers of AMR include misuse and abuse in human, animal and the environment. To address this threat, it is important to have a good understanding of the cause, consequences, as well as the potential control strategies. Due to the cause and nature of AMR, a multidisciplinary approach is necessary in combating the threat posed by this condition. Some of the strategies through which AMR can be combatted include public health awareness, proper antibiotic use, accurate diagnosis, and research into the development of newer antimicrobial agents and alternative treatments. Additionally, the use of improved surveillance and monitoring systems are important in tracking patterns of resistance and provide guide towards the development of effective intervention strategies. Hence, this review focused on bacterial and fungal resistance to increase awareness and the way forward on this growing threat to human existence PubDate: 2024-03-29 DOI: 10.21303/2504-5695.2024.003336
Authors:Maryna Samilyk, Mykhaylo Tkachuk Pages: 68 - 74 Abstract: This study is designed to determine the feasibility of using osmotic solutions formed after dehydration of apricot fruits for sugar fortification. The purpose of the study is to analyze the quality indicators of osmotic solutions obtained as a result of osmotic dehydration of apricot fruits and to develop a rational direction for their further use. The subject of the study was apricot fruits (Prunus armeniaca) of the Aurora variety and enriched sugar. It is proposed to enrich sugar with a derivative product formed during the production of candied fruits using the method of osmotic dehydration and drying from apricot fruits. The results of the study showed that, according to organoleptic indicators, the osmotic solution formed after the production of candied apricot fruits corresponded to the raw material. The mass fraction of dry substances in the osmotic solution is reduced by 25,24 %, and sucrose by 20,3 % due to dilution with cell juice of apricot fruits. The osmotic solution had a fairly high color, probably due to saturation with carotenoids, the concentration of which is 15,87 mg/100 ml. Due to the addition of osmotic solutions, the color of sugar increases by 87.3 units. ICUMSA, however, the sugar solution is transparent, without insoluble sediment, mechanical and other impurities. In addition, sugar is enriched with carotenoids, the mass concentration of which is 1.13 mg/100 g. The analysis showed that the addition of osmotic solutions to sugar does not entail a deterioration in their microbiological composition. A model has been developed for the rational processing of apricot fruits and the use of waste osmotic solutions, which can become the basis for sugar enrichment technology PubDate: 2024-03-29 DOI: 10.21303/2504-5695.2024.003349