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[Display omitted] • Biofilters (BFs) can remove significant VMS loads from gas. • Low toluene concentrations (315–635 mg m−3) improved VMS removal. • Majority (87.7%) of VMS and toluene removal occurred in the initial BF section. • Toluene shaped microbial population, boosting VMS-degrading microorganisms. • Results underscore BF potential to reduce VMS concentration, requiring optimization. The removal of volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) from landfill biogas is crucial for clean energy utilization. VMS are usually found together with aromatic compounds in landfill biogas of which toluene is the major representative. In the present study, two biofilters (BFs) packed with either woodchips and compost (WC) or perlite (PER) were used to study the (co–) removal of octamethyltrisiloxane (L3) and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) from gas in presence and absence of toluene, used as a representative aromatic compound. The presence of low inlet toluene concentrations (315 ± 19 – 635 ± 80 mg toluene m-3) enhanced the VMS elimination capacity (EC) in both BFs by a factor of 1.8 to 12.6. The highest removal efficiencies for D4 (57.1 ± 1.1 %; EC = 0.12 ± 0.01 gD4 m-3 h-1) and L3 (52.0 ± 0.6 %; EC = 0.23 ± 0.01 gL3 m-3 h-1) were observed in the BF packed with WC. The first section of the BFs (EBRT = 9 min), where toluene was (almost) completely removed, accounted for the majority (87.7 ± 0.6 %) of the total VMS removal. Microbial analysis revealed the impact of VMS and toluene in the activated sludge, showing a clear selection for certain genera in samples influenced by VMS in the presence (X 2) or absence (X 1) of toluene, such as Pseudomonas (X 1 = 0.91 and X 2 = 12.0 %), Sphingobium (X 1 = 0.09 and X 2 = 4.04 %), Rhodococcus (X 1 = 0.42 and X 2 = 3.91 %), and Bacillus (X 1 = 7.15 and X 2 = 3.84 %). The significant maximum EC values obtained by the BFs (0.58 gVMS m-3 h-1) hold notable significance in a combined system framework as they could enhance the longevity of traditional physicochemical methods to remove VMS like activated carbon in diverse environmental scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic vegetable production is needed worldwide to minimize the use of inorganic fertilizers, protect the environment, and produce healthy food. Accordingly, in the present study, the effects of organic granules on the productivity, quality, and nutrient uptake level of tomatoes and the fertility and microbial population of the soil were determined. Briefly, organic NPK granules and organic N, P and K-rich sources were compared with synthetic NPK granules and synthetic fertilizers administered at 100 and 75% of the recommended fertilizer levels. Among the various treatments applied, treatment with 100% of the recommended NPK using the synthetic NPK granules (Urea, DAP and MOP) led to higher growth, yield attributes, and yield (fruit yield, - 24.21 t/ha and stover yield, -15.01 t/ha) of tomato. This treatment also enhanced the nutrient uptake by tomato. However, quality parameters, such as total soluble solids (6.64%), titrable acidity (0.62%), ascorbic acid content (14.31 mg/100 g), lycopene content (3.54 mg/100 g), reducing sugars (3.11%), non-reducing sugars (1.02%), total sugar (4.13%), and shelf life (15.76 days) of tomato were higher with 100% of the recommended NPK from organic NPK granules than from synthetic granules. This treatment also enhanced the available nutrients and microbial population in the soil. Notably, the same trend was observed for tomatoes fertilized with 75 % of the recommended NPK. The lowest values were obtained with the absolute control. Based on the results of this experiment, the application of 100% of the recommended NPK using organic NPK granules is the best approach to improve the quality of tomato fruits and to enhance the soil fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The minimum disturbance of soil is gaining popularity in different parts of the world because of definite advantages over conventional tillage (CT) especially with respect to rice cultivation. Conventionally, rice is transplanted in puddled soil in which soil is completely broken down and destroyed in presence of standing water to create an impervious layer below the surface so as to hold the rainwater for the rice. Such practice noticeably hampers the growth of the succeeding winter crop grown under conventionally tilled soil because of alteration of soil physical characteristics. Taking into consideration, a field experiment was conducted from 2016 to 2019 to assess the alterations in soil properties resulting from various tillage systems in the cultivation of rice followed by Indian mustard, either through transplanting or direct seeding, after the cultivation of Sesbania aculeata. The experiment was conducted with 20 treatment combinations comprising of five tillage practices combining minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) viz., T1: CT (S: Sesbania)-CT (TR: Transplanted rice)-CT (IM: Indian mustard), T2: MT (S)-CT (TR)-MT (IM), T3: MT (S)-CT (DSR: Direct seeded rice)-CT (IM), T4: MT (S)-MT (DSR)-MT + rice residue @1.5 tha−1 (IM), T5: MT (S)-MT (DSR)-MT (IM) and four weed management practices viz., W1: recommended herbicides (S and IM: pendimethalin 0.75 kg ha−1 pre-emergence; rice: pretilachlor 0.75 kg ha−1 pre-emergence) W2: IWM: integrated weed management (W1 + manual weeding), W3: manual weeding/hoeing, W4: weedy check, laid out in a split-plot design with tillage practices in the main plots and weed management practices in the sub-plots with three replications. Weed management is excluded from the results and discussion section of the paper due to no treatment effect on soil properties. The soil properties studied under the investigation were microbial population, microbial biomass carbon, soil enzymes such as dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterase and fluorescein di-acetate, soil available NPK, soil organic carbon, bulk density, water holding capacity, total porosity, water stable aggregates, and mean weight diameter of aggregates were significantly changed under direct seeded rice based system as compared to puddled rice based system. Findings of the experiment suggested that by minimizing soil disturbance and residue retention in winter crop not only improved soil properties but also system productivity in terms of average rice equivalent yield (18.60%) of rice-Indian mustard cropping sequence over conventional tillage system. Minimum tillage in Sesbania-direct seeded rice-Indian mustard with rice residue retention improved macro water stable aggregates (> 0.25 mm sized aggregates) (62.08%) and mean weight diameter of aggregates (1.34 mm) at 0–30 cm soil depth as compared to conventional tillage system (60.04% and 1.27 mm, respectively). The same treatment improved total porosity and water holding capacity of 0–15 cm of soil depth by 47.42% and 45.87%, respectively as compared to conventional tillage after three years of investigation. Regression analysis shows that one unit reduction in bulk density increased total porosity of soil by 1.47 units; whereas a unit improvement in total porosity improved water holding capacity of soil by 1.25 units. Other soil properties viz., soil organic carbon (16.75% in 0–15 cm depth and 25.86% in 15–30 cm depth), available nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (1.04%, 5.40% and 1.54%, respectively); bacterial and fungal population, microbial biomass carbon (49.90%), and activity of dehydrogenase, phosphomonoesterase and fluorescein di-acetate (25.39%, 17.02% and 48.94%, respectively) were also improved under the same treatment over conventional tillage system. A significant (P ≤ 0.01) positive correlation of soil macro-aggregates, water holding capacity, soil microbial biomass carbon with soil organic carbon as well as phosphomonoesterase, dehydrogenase and fluorescein di-acetate activities with soil microbial carbon was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a lab-scale reactor designed to simulate the operations of the North Water Saline Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWWTP) located in Delfzijl, The Netherlands, was constructed and assessed. Unlike conventional municipal wastewater treatment facilities, this industrial plant deals with wastewater containing stubborn chemicals that are difficult to break down, along with a high ratio of chemical oxygen demand (COD) to nitrogen and elevated sodium chloride levels. Furthermore, its treatment process diverges from standard industrial setups by employing an aerobic process preceding the anaerobic phase. The proposed lab-scale reactors were proven stable and effective in mimicking the conditions of the studied industrial SWWTP, particularly in the presence of abundant glycerol, a factor not explored in similar lab-scale models. Throughout the experiment, the removal of COD (specifically glycerol) and nitrogen were monitored, alongside changes in the microbial community within both reactors. The data enabled us to examine the proliferation of microbial populations within the sludge. The results indicated the complete removal of glycerol and ammonia from the system, with some residual nitrate detected in the effluent. The soluble COD decreased in the first reactor (R1) to approximately 50% of the influent and reduced further to less than 100 mg/L in the second reactor (R2), while nitrogen was majorly removed in the R1. By the experiment's conclusion, Actinomycetales was identified as the dominant order in the anaerobic reactor (sometimes even exceeding 70% of the population), which is known for its utilization of glycerol as a carbon source and its tolerance to high salt concentrations in the influent. Conversely, the aerobic reactor was predominantly inhabited by the order Flavobacteriales, which correlates with ammonia concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic vegetable production is needed worldwide to minimize the use of inorganic fertilizers, protect the environment, and produce healthy food. Accordingly, in the present study, the effects of organic granules on the productivity, quality, and nutrient uptake level of tomatoes and the fertility and microbial population of the soil were determined. Briefly, organic NPK granules and organic N, P and K-rich sources were compared with synthetic NPK granules and synthetic fertilizers administered at 100 and 75% of the recommended fertilizer levels. Among the various treatments applied, treatment with 100% of the recommended NPK using the synthetic NPK granules (Urea, DAP and MOP) led to higher growth, yield attributes, and yield (fruit yield, – 24.21 t/ha and stover yield, -15.01 t/ha) of tomato. This treatment also enhanced the nutrient uptake by tomato. However, quality parameters, such as total soluble solids (6.64% ), titrable acidity (0.62% ), ascorbic acid content (14.31 mg/100 g), lycopene content (3.54 mg/100 g), reducing sugars (3.11%), non-reducing sugars (1.02%), total sugar (4.13% ), and shelf life (15.76 days ) of tomato were higher with 100% of the recommended NPK from organic NPK granules than from synthetic granules. This treatment also enhanced the available nutrients and microbial population in the soil. Notably, the same trend was observed for tomatoes fertilized with 75 % of the recommended NPK. The lowest values were obtained with the absolute control. Based on the results of this experiment, the application of 100% of the recommended NPK using organic NPK granules is the best approach to improve the quality of tomato fruits and to enhance the soil fertility.

Abstract Background Optimum planting date and appropriate fertilizer module are essential facets of chrysanthemum cultivation, to enhance quality yield, and improve soil health. A field-based study was undertaken over multiple growing seasons in 2022 and 2023, where six different planting dates, viz., P1:June 15, P2:June 30, P3:July 15, P4:July 30, P5:August 15 and P6:August 30 and two fertilizer modules, FM1:Jeevamrit @ 30 ml plant−1 and FM2:NPK @ 30 g m−2 were systematically examined using a Randomized Block Design (factorial), replicated thrice. Results P6 planting resulted in early bud formation (44.03 days) and harvesting stage (90.78 days). Maximum plant height (79.44 cm), plant spread (34.04 cm), cut stem length (68.40 cm), flower diameter (7.83 cm), stem strength (19.38˚), vase life (14.90 days), flowering duration (24.08 days), available soil N (314 kg ha−1), available P (37 kg ha−1), available K (347 kg ha−1), bacterial count (124.87 × 107 cfu g−1 soil), actinomycetes count (60.72 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), fungal count (30.95 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), microbial biomass (48.79 µg g−1 soil), dehydrogenase enzyme (3.64 mg TPF h−1 g−1 soil) and phosphatase enzyme (23.79 mol PNP h−1 g−1 soil) was recorded in P1 planting. Among the fertilization module, minimum days to bud formation (74.94 days) and days to reach the harvesting stage (120.95 days) were recorded with the application of NPK @30 g m−2. However, maximum plant height (60.62 cm), plant spread (23.10 cm), number of cut stems m−2 (43.88), cut stem length (51.34 cm), flower diameter (6.92 cm), stem strength (21.24˚), flowering duration (21.75 days), available soil N (317 kg ha−1), available P (37 kg ha−1) and available K (349 kg ha−1) were also recorded with the application of NPK @300 kg ha−1. Maximum vase life (13.87 days), OC (1.13%), bacterial count (131.65 × 107 cfu g−1 soil), actinomycetes count (60.89 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), fungal count (31.11 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), microbial biomass (51.27 µg g−1 soil), dehydrogenase enzyme (3.77 mg TPF h−1 g−1 soil) and phosphatase enzyme (21.72 mol PNP h−1 g−1 soil) were observed with the application of Jeevamrit @ 30 ml plant−1. Conclusion Early planting (P1) and inorganic fertilization (NPK @ 30 g m−2) resulted in improved yield and soil macronutrient content. The soil microbial population and enzymatic activity were improved with the jeevamrit application. This approach highlights the potential for improved yield and soil health in chrysanthemum cultivation, promoting a more eco-friendly and economically viable agricultural model.

Agricultural management practices alter soil characteristics and influence soil biological properties. Hence, a field trial was carried out to assess the 14-year long-term impact of tillage and residue management practices on soil biological activities and microbial population in a rice-wheat cropping system in two depths viz., 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Soil organic carbon levels differed significantly (p> 0.05) across various treatments. Microbial biomass carbon, Microbial quotient, and soil enzymatic activities were significantly greater (10-82%) in crop residue incorporation/retention treatments. Zero tillage with residue retention (ZT+R) had the greatest bacterial, actinomycetes, and fungi population, next to zero tillage with residue incorporation (RT+R). The ZT+R treatment had the greatest value of K-strategist and r-strategist, and was equivalent to RT+R across both soil depths. When compared to Conventional tillage (CT), zero tillage (ZT) increased wheat yield by 9%. However, compared to CT, rice and rice-wheat systems had lower grain yields, whereas crop residue increased wheat and rice-wheat system yields by 10% and 6%, respectively. The findings of this long-term study show that residue management and tillage practices can enhance soil biological attributes while also supporting microbial diversity.

AbstractField experiments during rabi seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 were conducted to asses the groundnut production, soil biological characteristics, micronutrient content in soil and plant parts, and their uptake influenced by graded levels of phosphorus (15, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha−1), Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) and Phosphorus Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) application in Alfisols at Botany farm, Dr. BSKKV, Dapoli in a factorial randomized block design with twenty treatment combinations which were replicated thrice. Results indicated that higher dose of phosphours (60 kg ha−1), biofertilizers (AMF + PSB @ 10 kg ha−1 each) and their interaction was found prominent in augmenting the highest bacterial, actinomycetes, fungal populations. Further, the combined application of phosphate and the AMF and PSB strain at higher level significantly improved the enzyme activities viz., dehydrogenase, urease, alkaline and acid phosphatase, CO2 evolution and SMBC compared to lower dose of phosphorus and non-inoculated treatment was on par with application of phosphorus @ 45 kg ha−1 with dual inoculation of AMF + PSB @ 10 kg ha−1 each. However, DTPA-extractable micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu) status showed significant improvement because of various treatment combinations. Similarly, the application of phosphorus @ 60 kg ha−1 exhibited the highest uptake in edible portion of crops which was resulted in significantly highest pod yield (35.86 q ha−1) of groundnut which was at par with application of phosphorus @ 45 kg ha−1 (31.96 q ha−1) indicating beneficial effect for improving as well sustaining soil health in long term aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove sediments host a diverse array of microbial populations and are characterized by high heterogeneity along their vertical depths. However, the genetic diversity within these populations is largely unknown, hindering our understanding of their adaptive evolution across the sediment depths. To elucidate their genetic diversity, we utilized metagenome sequencing to identify 16 high‐frequency microbial populations comprised of two archaea and 14 bacteria from mangrove sediment cores (0–100 cm, with 10 depths) in Qi'ao Island, China. Our analysis of the genome‐wide genetic variation revealed extensive nucleotide diversity in the microbial populations. The genes involved in the transport and the energy metabolism displayed a high nucleotide diversity (HND; 0.0045–0.0195; an indicator of shared minor alleles with the microbial populations). By tracking the processes of homologous recombination, we found that each microbial population was subjected to different purification selection levels at different depths (44.12% genes). This selection resulted in significant differences in synonymous/non‐synonymous mutation ratio between 0–20 and 20–100 cm layers, indicating the adaptive evolutionary process of microbial populations. Furthermore, our assessment of differentiation in the allele frequencies between these two layers showed that the functional genes involved in the metabolic processes of amino acids or cofactors were highly differential in more than half of them. Together, we showed that the nucleotide diversity of microbial populations was shaped by homologous recombination and gene‐specific selection, finally resulting in the stratified differentiation occurring between 0–20 and 20–100 cm. These results enhance our cognition of the microbial adaptation mechanisms to vertical environmental changes during the sedimentation process of coastal blue carbon ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing agricultural and industrial wastes, potent reservoirs of nutrients, for nourishing the soil and crops through composting embodies a sustainable approach to waste management and organic agriculture. To investigate this, a 2-year field experiment was conducted at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, focusing on a pigeon pea--vegetable mustard--okra cropping system. Seven nutrient sources were tested, including a control (T1), 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through farmyard manure (T2), 100% RDN through improved rice residue compost (T3), 100% RDN through a paddy husk ash (PHA)--based formulation (T4), 75% RDN through PHA-based formulation (T5), 100% RDN through a potato peel compost (PPC)--based formulation (T6), and 75% RDN through PPC-based formulation (T7). Employing a randomized block design with three replications, the results revealed that treatment T4 exhibited the significantly highest seed (1.89 ± 0.09 and 1.97 ± 0.12 t ha-1) and stover (7.83 ± 0.41 and 8.03 ± 0.58 t ha-1) yield of pigeon pea, leaf yield (81.57 ± 4.69 and 82.97 ± 4.17 t ha-1) of vegetable mustard, and fruit (13.54 ± 0.82 and 13.78 ± 0.81 t ha-1) and stover (21.64 ± 1.31 and 22.03 ± 1.30 t ha-1) yield of okra during both study years compared to the control (T1). Treatment T4 was on par with T2 and T6 for seed and stover yield in pigeon pea, as well as okra, and leaf yield in vegetable mustard over both years. Moreover, T4 demonstrated notable increase of 124.1% and 158.2% in NH4-N and NO3-N levels in the soil, respectively, over the control. The enhanced status of available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the soil, coupled with increased soil organic carbon (0.41%), total bacteria population (21.1%), fungi (37.2%), actinomycetes (44.6%), and microbial biomass carbon (28.5%), further emphasized the positive impact of T4 compared to the control. Treatments T2 and T6 exhibited comparable outcomes to T4 concerning changes in available N, P, soil organic carbon, total bacteria population, fungi, actinomycetes, and microbial biomass carbon. In conclusion, treatments T4 and T6 emerge as viable sources of organic fertilizer, particularly in regions confronting farmyard manure shortages. These formulations offer substantial advantages, including enhanced yield, soil quality improvement, and efficient fertilizer utilization, thus contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports a successful continuous biohydrogen production from rice straw hydrolysate in both 3-L and 20-L dynamic membrane bioreactor (DMBR). In the 3-L DMBR (DMBR I), the maximum average bio-H 2 production performance was 32.13 ± 0.71 L H 2 /L-d, 1.27 ± 0.03 mol H 2 /mol hexose-equiv consumed , and 96.39 ± 2.12 L H 2 /d, respectively. The H 2 production performance of 20-L DMBR (DMBR II) was comparable to DMBR I, which were 33.15 ± 0.42 L H 2 /L-d, 1.46 ± 0.03 mol H 2 /mol hexose-equiv consumed , and 663 ± 8 L H 2 /d, respectively. Rapid decline of hydraulic retention time (HRT) in the early stages of operation led to the metabolic flux of the mixed culture from the lactic acid pathway to the H 2 -producing pathway. Genus Clostridium was the dominant microbial population in DMBR I and DMBR II. This study provides operational criteria and insights in the scale-up design and operation of biohydrogen production from lignocellulosic biomass. • Rice straw was converted to H 2 in 3-L and 20-L dynamic membrane bioreactor. • 663 ± 8 L H 2 /d was recovered continuously from a 20-L bioreactor. • Maximum H 2 production was 33.8 L H 2 /L-d and 1.3 mol H 2 /mol hexose in 20-L bioreactor. • Rapid decrease of HRT in early-stage shifted HLa pathway to H 2 -producing pathway. • Feeding of rice straw hydrolysate shifted H 2 -producing pathway from HBu to HAc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native grass is the most important material base in grassland livestock production, and it is of great significance to improve its feeding value. In order to study the dynamic change law of the silage quality of native grass, typical steppe native grass were used as experimental materials, and their nutritional quality, fermentation quality and microbial population were determined after 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, 30 d and 60 d of silage, respectively. The ensiling time had significant effects (P<0.05) on the nutritional quality, fermentation quality and microbial population of native grass silage. Dry matter, crude protein, water soluble carbohydrate content and pH showed a gradual decrease with increasing ensiling time. Lactic acid, acetic acid, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content showed a gradual increase. There was a gradual increase in the number of lactic acid bacteria and a gradual decrease in the number of yeasts, aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria. In conclusion, the fermentation quality of native grass silage for 60 d was optimal. However, the effect of native grass silage by conventional way was not ideal, and the addition of suitable fermentation bacterial agent for silage could be considered in production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron deficiency remains a public health challenge globally. Prebiotics have the potential to improve iron bioavailability by modulating intestinal bacterial population, increasing SCFA production, and stimulating expression of brush border membrane (BBM) iron transport proteins among iron-deficient populations. This study intended to investigate the potential effects of soluble extracts from the cotyledon and seed coat of three pea (Pisum sativum) varieties (CDC Striker, CDC Dakota, and CDC Meadow) on the expression of BBM iron-related proteins (DCYTB and DMT1) and populations of beneficial intestinal bacteria in vivo using the Gallus gallus model by oral gavage (one day old chicks) with 1 mL of 50 mg/mL pea soluble extract solutions. The seed coat treatment groups increased the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium compared to the cotyledon treatment groups, with CDC Dakota seed coat (dark brown pigmented) recording the highest relative abundance of Bifidobacterium. In contrast, CDC Striker Cotyledon (dark-green-pigmented) significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus (p < 0.05). Subsequently, the two dark-pigmented treatment groups (CDC Striker Cotyledon and CDC Dakota seed coats) recorded the highest expression of DCYTB. Our study suggests that soluble extracts from the pea seed coat and dark-pigmented pea cotyledon may improve iron bioavailability by affecting intestinal bacterial populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optimum planting date and appropriate fertilizer module are essential facets of chrysanthemum cultivation, to enhance quality yield, and improve soil health. A field-based study was undertaken over multiple growing seasons in 2022 and 2023, where six different planting dates, viz., P1:June 15, P2:June 30, P3:July 15, P4:July 30, P5:August 15 and P6:August 30 and two fertilizer modules, FM1:Jeevamrit @ 30 ml plant−1 and FM2:NPK @ 30 g m−2 were systematically examined using a Randomized Block Design (factorial), replicated thrice. Results: P6 planting resulted in early bud formation (44.03 days) and harvesting stage (90.78 days). Maximum plant height (79.44 cm), plant spread (34.04 cm), cut stem length (68.40 cm), flower diameter (7.83 cm), stem strength (19.38˚), vase life (14.90 days), flowering duration (24.08 days), available soil N (314 kg ha−1), available P (37 kg ha−1), available K (347 kg ha−1), bacterial count (124.87 × 107 cfu g−1 soil), actinomycetes count (60.72 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), fungal count (30.95 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), microbial biomass (48.79 µg g−1 soil), dehydrogenase enzyme (3.64 mg TPF h−1 g−1 soil) and phosphatase enzyme (23.79 mol PNP h−1 g−1 soil) was recorded in P1 planting. Among the fertilization module, minimum days to bud formation (74.94 days) and days to reach the harvesting stage (120.95 days) were recorded with the application of NPK @30 g m−2. However, maximum plant height (60.62 cm), plant spread (23.10 cm), number of cut stems m−2 (43.88), cut stem length (51.34 cm), flower diameter (6.92 cm), stem strength (21.24˚), flowering duration (21.75 days), available soil N (317 kg ha−1), available P (37 kg ha−1) and available K (349 kg ha−1) were also recorded with the application of NPK @300 kg ha−1. Maximum vase life (13.87 days), OC (1.13%), bacterial count (131.65 × 107 cfu g−1 soil), actinomycetes count (60.89 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), fungal count (31.11 × 102 cfu g−1 soil), microbial biomass (51.27 µg g−1 soil), dehydrogenase enzyme (3.77 mg TPF h−1 g−1 soil) and phosphatase enzyme (21.72 mol PNP h−1 g−1 soil) were observed with the application of Jeevamrit @ 30 ml plant−1. Conclusion: Early planting (P1) and inorganic fertilization (NPK @ 30 g m−2) resulted in improved yield and soil macronutrient content. The soil microbial population and enzymatic activity were improved with the jeevamrit application. This approach highlights the potential for improved yield and soil health in chrysanthemum cultivation, promoting a more eco-friendly and economically viable agricultural model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Animals Studied Methods Results Conclusions To determine normal ocular parameters of the MacQueen's bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii) and describe ophthalmic lesions in a captive bred population.Captive breeding population of 257 Macqueen's bustards.All birds were screened for ocular abnormalities using direct ophthalmoscopy. Abnormalities were photographed. Normative values for Schirmer tear test‐1 (STT‐1), applanation tonometry, aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture, fungal culture, and transcorneal ocular ultrasonography were derived from multiple cohorts of clinically normal adult birds. Five birds with ocular pathology also underwent transcorneal ultrasonography. Statistical comparisons for normative values between OD and OS, and males and females were made using a paired t‐test or Mann–Whitney U‐test, with a significance level of p < .05.Mean tear production based on Schirmer tear test 1 (STT‐1) was 10.16 ± 4.61 mm/min (3–21 mm/min). Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12.42 ± 4.94 mm Hg (5–26 mm Hg). Staphylococcus species were the most isolated bacteria from the conjunctival surfaces of normal birds (85%). Significant differences were found in transcorneal ultrasonographic measurements between males and females for axial globe length (p = .032), vitreous body depth (p = .049) and lens thickness (p = .0428). Corneal fibrosis was the most observed ocular abnormality amongst eyes with pathological changes (39%).Schirmer tear testing, tonometry and transcorneal ultrasound can easily be utilized in MacQueen's bustards and provide reproducible results. Normal parameters for these tests were determined, and common pathological ocular changes were described in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop productivity, soil quality and fertility have been degraded due to intensive conventional tillage and poor crop management practices. Conservation tillage along with proper crop establishment methods (including seed priming, integrated nutrient management) helps in sustaining the productivity of crops, especially under rainfed conditions. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of seed priming, tillage and nutrient management practices on nutrient balance; chemical and microbial properties of soil; and productivity of maize-wheat cropping system in rainfed conditions. The experiment was laid out in factorial randomized block design with three factors (tillage, seed priming and nutrient management) and control as independent treatment for general comparison of results. The findings showed that chemical and microbial properties of soil were enhanced under zero tillage+ mulch as compared to other tillage practices. However, crop productivity was higher in conventional tillage+ mulch (70.28 q/ha (maize), 35.27 q/ha (wheat)). Under nutrient management practices, integrated nutrient management proved to be better as compared to recommended dose of fertilizers. Highest production efficiency (32.8 kg ha−1 day−1) was found under CT+M,Hydro,Int. Nutrient balance (N, P, K) was found higher in treatments with integrated nutrient management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in fermented dairy products is due to their health-promoting properties. The use of milk kefir grains as a starter culture made it possible to obtain a product with a better nutritional and biological profile depending on the type of milk. Cow, buffalo, camel, donkey, goat, and sheep milk kefirs were prepared, and the changes in sugar, protein, and phenol content, fatty acid composition, including conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs), as well as antioxidant activity, determined by ABTS and FRAP assays, were evaluated and compared. The protein content of cow, buffalo, donkey, and sheep milk increased after 24 h of fermentation. The fatty acid profile showed a better concentration of saturated and unsaturated lipids in all fermented milks, except buffalo milk. The highest content of beneficial fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, and C18:2 conjugated linoleic acid, was found in the cow and sheep samples. All samples showed a better antioxidant capacity, goat milk having the highest value, with no correlation to the total phenolic content, which was highest in the buffalo sample (260.40 ± 5.50 μg GAE/mL). These findings suggested that microorganisms living symbiotically in kefir grains utilize nutrients from different types of milk with varying efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interstitial water or pore water occupies the space between soil particles and provides "hotspots" and "fluvial networks" for microbial activities in floodplain soil. However, to date, we know very little about the microorganisms living in pore water and how they respond to environmental changes. This study aimed to understand microbial distribution and assemblage in riparian pore waters, and how they respond to water chemistry and redox gradients associated with hydrological processes.We analysed the annual changes of porewater microbial communities from the east and west banks of the White Clay Creek, a site at the Christina River Basin – Critical Zone Observatory, Pennsylvania, USA. Microbial abundances were quantified by epifluorescence microscopy and detailed community structures were characterised by high‐throughput sequencing. Water chemistry and redox gradients were also monitored and recorded, and their interactions with porewater microbiomes were analysed using correlations and multivariate analyses.Abundance of microbial cells increased during summer and late autumn. Wetland porewater microbiomes mainly contained Acidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Nitrospirae and Proteobacteria, and microbiome structures were easily distinguishable from those in the underlying hyporheic gravel layer. Seasonal dynamics of bacterial community structure in the east and west wetlands were distinct, responding to floodplain topography and associated hydrological/geochemical processes. Iron (Fe)‐cycling bacteria (mainly Gallionellaceae and Rhodoferax spp.) dominated the porewater microbiome, and their relative abundance was significantly higher in the east than the west wetland. Furthermore, Fe‐oxidising bacteria (Gallionellaceae) were negatively correlated with Fe‐reducing bacteria (Rhodoferax spp.) at the east wetland.Microbial abundances (cell density) in pore waters showed similar seasonal patterns across stream banks, but microbial community structure did not. Microbiome assembly in pore water is correlated with water chemistry and redox gradients primarily associated with local hydrological processes.As a consequence of their significance for carbon (C) mineralisation and Fe reduction at terrestrial–aquatic interfaces, microbiomes in riparian pore waters and associated microbial activity play an essential role in C and mineral dynamics. These findings will inform future studies of the response of freshwater ecosystems to hydrological dynamics influenced by global climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to evaluate the ensiling characteristics of maize–forage legume mixtures in small-scale silos. Sole and intercrops forage materials were harvested 80 days after planting and ensiled in small-scale silos, that is: plastic bags, plastic drums, and small pits, for 60 days. After ensiling, samples were collected to examine the chemical composition, microbial community and fermentation quality. Mixed silages stored in the drum silos had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher DM content (35.69%) than that from pit and bag silos. The drum silos had significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher crude protein concentration (20.57% DM) in sole legume silages than other silo types. Neutral detergent fibre concentration (39.76% DM) of sole forage silages was greatest in bag silos than in other silos. High in vitro dry matter digestibility and water-soluble carbohydrate values (58.15 and 12.19% DM respectively) for mixed silages were recorded in drum silos. Bag silos showed lower numbers of lactic acid bacteria and higher populations of enterobacteria (4.86 and 4.26 log10 CFU g−1 respectively) in sole forage silages than other silos. Mixed silages ensiled in drum silos produced significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) pH (3.03) and ammonia nitrogen content (3.73% TN) compared to pit and bag silos. The study concluded that ensiling maize–forage legume mixtures in drum silos can have a positive effect on the nutritive value of ruminants' feeds. Therefore, the recommended forage type for ensiling is mixed silages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated how Clostridium butyricum affected rumen fermentation and the microbial communities of rumen and feces in beef cattle. Twenty beef cattle were divided into two groups: the control group (CK) and the C. butyricum group (CB, fed 2.5 x 108 CFU/kg of dry matter intake per day). The results showed that C. butyricum increased rumen pH, ammonia-N concentration, and microbial crude protein (MCP) concentration (P<0.05). Ruminal propionate and butyrate concentration increased, while the ruminal acetate to propionate ratio decreased (P <0.05). For rumen microbiota, observed species, Chao 1, and ACE indices were higher (P<0.05) with supplemented C. butyricum. At the phyla level, the C. butyricum enhanced the proportion of Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroidota (P<0.01). Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Methanobrevibacter, Oscillospiraceae NK4A214 group, Desulfovibrio, Streptococcus, and C. butyricum were increased (P<0.05) at the genus and species levels in the CB group. The proportion of Prevotella, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, Blautia, and Megasphaera elsdenii increased, while Escherichia coli decreased (P<0.05) in feces. E. coli and Salmonella populations were significantly reduced (P<0.01). These results indicated that diets supplemented with C. butyricum could improve rumen fermentation by increasing the diversity and altering the microbial community structure of the rumen. Additionally, the supplemented C. butyricum changed the fecal microbiota and decreased the harmful bacteria population in beef cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural management practices alter soil characteristics and influence soil biological properties. Hence, a field trial was carried out to assess the 14-year long-term impact of tillage and residue management practices on soil biological activities and microbial population in a rice-wheat cropping system in two depths viz., 0-15 and 15-30 cm. Soil organic carbon levels differed significantly (p > 0.05) across various treatments. Microbial biomass carbon, microbial quotient, and soil enzymatic activities were significantly greater (10-82%) in crop residue incorporation/retention treatments. Zero tillage with residue retention (ZT+R) had the greatest bacterial, actinomycetes, and fungi population, followed by reduced tillage with residue incorporation (RT+R). The ZT+R treatment had the greatest value of K-strategist and r-strategist, and was equivalent to RT+R across both soil depths. When compared to conventional tillage (CT), zero tillage (ZT) increased wheat yield by 9%. However, compared to CT, rice and rice-wheat systems had lower grain yields, whereas crop residue increased wheat and rice-wheat system yields by 10% and 6%, respectively. The findings of this long-term study show that residue management and tillage practices can enhance soil biological attributes while also supporting microbial diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The composting and thermodynamic processes of crude oil (CO) degradation using the compost of goat manure origin (CGMO) and compost of palm oil mill effluent origin (CPOMEO) were studied. Microbial activity was investigated using the carbon dioxide (CO₂) evolution test. The physiochemical properties of the composts and that of the treated CO-contaminated soil (COCS) were also investigated. In particular, CGMO significantly improve CO degradation with the highest CO₂ evolution rate of 45 mg/g compared to the CPOMEO and the control. The CO degradation rates of 85.7 %, 71.4 %, and 14 % corresponded to the first-order CO degradation rate constants of 0.743 day−1, 0.689 day−1, and 0.136 day−1 for CGMO, CPOMEO, and control, respectively. The Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectral pattern for both composts revealed adsorption bands that were identifiable with polysaccharides, potassium, and nitrogen, whereas the scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectrophotometry (SEMEDX) of CPOMEO indicated carbon and oxygen as the sole compositions. The negative ΔG and ΔH values indicated the spontaneity and exothermic nature of the CO composting process, respectively.

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of manila palm (MP) on rumen fermentation and rumen microbial ecology in beef cattle. Four Brahman crossbred heifers with an initial body weight (BW) of 250 ± 40 kg (1–1.5 years old) were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to the following treatments: (1) Control (0% concentrate powder MP), (2) 1% concentrate powder MP, (3) 3% concentrate powder MP, and (4) 5% concentrate powder MP. The manila palm contained 12.54% of condense tannin. Cow were fed with a rice straw ad libitum and concentrate at 1%BW. There were no treatments effect on ruminal pH, NH3-N, microbial protein synthesis, nor ruminal temperature. Inclusion of MP did not affect (P > 0.12) blood urea N and hematocrit. However, ruminal concentration of acetic acid was linearly decreased (P

Introduction: Today, livestock and poultry health in an advanced production system is a major challenge affecting human health and the global economy. Antibiotics have been used in poultry nutrition for many years. Chickens are raised with the assistance of the regular use of antibiotics, not only for the prevention and treatment of diseases but, also, for body growth. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animals are contributing to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. In recent years, as a result of increasing concerns about the possibility of developing antibiotic-resistant strains, as well as the fact that they remain in animal tissues and eventually ban their use, the use of compounds such as organic acids, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, etc. as safe alternatives have been widely considered in poultry nutrition. Organic acids are a good alternative to antibiotics in poultry diets. These are improving the immune system of broilers by acidifying the gastrointestinal tract and improving the intestinal microflora. Organic acids cross the bacterial membrane; inside the bacterial cell, it produces hydrogen ions and bicarbonate, which eventually increases the acidity. Therefore, they force the bacteria to consume energy in order to keep the acidity constant, which leads to their death. Coating of organic acids prevents its dissociation and digestion in the stomach so that the biological effect of organic acids reaches the distal parts of the gastrointestinal tract and is effective in intestinal microflora and mucosal morphology. This study was performed to investigate the effect of encapsulated organic acids on microbial population, intestinal acidity, blood indices, nutrient digestibility, and viscosity of digestive contents, carcass characteristics and performance of broilers.Material and Methods: 150 male broiler chickens of Ross 308 commercial strain as one-day-old were allocated in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments, 3 replications and 10 chickens per replicate. Experimental treatments included: 1. Basal diet 2. Basal diet + commercial Organic acid 3. Basal diet + Non-encapsulated organic acid 4. Basal diet + Encapsulated organic acid 5. Basal diet + encapsulated organic acid + Non-encapsulated organic acid. On day 42 of the experiment, one chickens from each experimental unit, which were close to the weight average of that unit, were selected and blood samples were taken from their wing veins. AT 42d, from each replication, a chick with the same weight as the average weight of the experimental unit was taken and their live weight was recorded and slaughtered. Also, from each replication, a chick with a weight similar to the average weight of the experimental unit was selected and their live weight was recorded and slaughtered. Then, different parts of the carcass were weighed by peeling and emptying the viscera. In order to evaluate the microbial population of the intestines of the tested broilers, at the age of 42 days, one chick from each experimental unit was selected with conditions close to the weight average of the relevant unit and after weighing, it was slaughtered. The microbial population of Lactobacillus and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were studied.The data were statistically analyzed by statistical software using GLM procedure. The means were compared by Duncan method at the significance level of 0.05%.Results and Discussion: The result showed that in growth cycle, weight gain during the growth period and the whole period in the treatments containing encapsulated organic acid showed improvement and a significant difference with the control treatment. The addition of organic acids to the diet during the growth period reduced the conversion coefficient compared to the control group. Feed intake in the treatments containing capsular organic acid showed a significant decrease compare to the control group. The acidity of the duodenum and jejunum showed a significant decrease compared to the control group. The addition of encapsulated organic acids significantly reduced the total number of coliforms in the ileum and duodenum and increased the number of lactobacilli in the ileum. Also, experimental treatments increased the apparent digestibility of crude fat compared to the control group. The weight of the lymph nodes (bursa and spleen) also showed a significant increase under the influence of organic acids.Conclusion: The results of current experimental study showed that the usage of encapsulated organic acids in broiler chicken diets, reduces the acidity of the digestive tract, reduces the intestinal microbial contamination, creates favorable conditions in the digestive system, improves digestibility of the nutrients, and performance of the bird's growing birds.

Introduction: Antibiotics have been routinely supplemented in diets of poultry to maintain their health, reduce stress, and enhance productivity. However, due to the development of resistance of bacteria to antibiotics and the possibility of these pathogens to be zoonotic, the use of various antibiotic products in livestock and poultry production is gradually being banned around the world. With the possibility of further ban in more regions of the world, research interest into alternatives to in-feed antibiotics has increased. One alternative to in-feed antibiotics that has gained research interest for use in poultry is yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Yeast in both probiotic (live) and prebiotic (dead) forms has been reported to provide several benefits to both healthy of animals, including poultry. The ability of yeast and its components to act as growth promoter could be associated with different mechanisms that it exhibits individually or synergistically. For instance, yeasts have been reported to favor the proliferation of beneficial microbes by serving as substrates for these microbes in the gut. These beneficial microbes, such as Lactobacillus, have been reported to improve gut health as well as exhibit growth-promoting effects in broiler chickens. Specifically, yeast cell wall that is extracted from whole yeast consists mainly of α-mannans and β-1–3-glucans, which are reported to prevent or eliminate bacterial infections.Materials and Methods: In order to study various levels of autolyzed yeast (Privita) on performance, quality characteristics of egg, cecal microbiology and intestinal histomorphology of laying hens (Hy-line W-36) (64 weeks), an experiment was done with 192 birds for 10 weeks. Treatments were various levels of autolyzed yeast (control, 250 ml/1000l, 500 ml/1000l, and 750 ml/1000l) that conducted in completely randomized design with 8 replications. Egg production (EP) and egg weight (EW) were recorded daily and feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were evaluated weekly. Quality characteristics of eggs were evaluated 2 times per period. Iintestinal histomorphology was determined at the end of experiment. At the end of the study, one birds per replicate were killed by cervical dislocation and blood was drawn from the jugular vein. Serum was separated after centrifugation at 4500 g and 4°C for 10 min, and frozen at −20°C until further analysis was conducted for blood biochemical parameters. Serum samples were analysed for concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, and triglycerides using standard kits (Zist Shimi, Tehran, Iran) with an autoanalyser (Autolab PM 4000; Medical System, Rome, Italy). Then, caecal digesta (1 g) from each bird were aseptically transferred into 9 ml of sterile saline solution and serially diluted. Lactobacilli, Coliforms, and E.Coli were grown on Rogosa–Sharpe agar, MacConkey Agar, and Eosin Methylene Blue Agar, respectively. Plates for Lactobacillus were incubated anaerobically for 48 h at 37 °C. Microbial populations for E. coli and Coliforms were counted after aerobic incubation at 37°C for 24 hours. All samples were plated in duplicate.Results and Discussion: This study results showed that addition of autolyzed yeast could not change performance parameters. Yolk color was highest at 250 ml/1000l which had a significant difference with 750 ml/1000l (P

In tropical regions, grass silage can be produced from the pasture in the rainy season to feed animals during the dry season. We evaluated the chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of ensiled signal grass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf. Basilisk) fertilized with nitrogen (N) or intercropped with calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.) with and without microbial inoculant. We used a 4 × 2 factorial scheme in a randomized block design, with two blocks and two treatments per block, considering p > 0.05. We studied signal grass fertilized with 0 kg ha−1 of N (0 N), 50 kg ha−1 of N (50 N), or 100 kg ha−1 of N (100 N), or intercropped with calopo legume (LEG), with (I) or without (WI) inoculant, in two seasons. During the dry–water transition, lower concentrations of butyric acid were observed in 50 N and LEG silages (2.77 and 2.55 g kg−1 dry matter, DM) (inoculated) compared to control (7.77 g kg−1 DM). During the water–dry transition, higher concentrations of crude protein were observed in 100 N and LEG silages (71.90 and 54.6 g kg−1 DM) than in 0 N (46.3 g kg−1 DM). The signal grass–calopo intercropping is an alternative to nitrogen fertilization, as it provides forage with a higher protein content and silage with satisfactory fermentative characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of different sources of insoluble fiber on performance, gastrointestinal tract characteristics, and nutrient digestibility in the broiler's ileum, and cecum. A total of 380-day-old chickens of ross 308 unsexed were arranged into 5 treatments, 4 replicates, and 19 chickens in each, by completely randomized design (CRD). Experimental treatments included 1: control (corn-soybean meal) 2: arbocel (synthetic fiber) 1% in diet, 3: sunflower hulls (3% in diet), 4: soybean hull (3% in diet), 5: processed wheat straw (3%in diet). Observed parameter include: performance (feed intake, feed conversion ratio and body weight gain), gastrointestinal pH, gastrointestinal viscosity and digestibility of dry matter and protein in ileum and cecum and microbial population in ileum and cecum. The results have shown that the inclusion of 3% sunflower hulls in diets leads to the higher average feed intake from 1 to 10 days of age rather than control (P<0.05). In comparison between the ileum and cecum showed that the higher viscosity by Arbocel® in the cecum and the lowest viscosity showed by wheat straw in the ileum (P<0.05). On the other hand, the digestibility of protein and dry matter in the ileum was higher than the cecum (P<0.05). According to the results of this study, it could be noted that all fibers are considered insoluble fibers and their different behavior in the gastrointestinal tract. The diet Arbocel® has generally led to physicochemical changes (digesta pH and viscosity) and microbial populations. It could be the most important reason for these observations which is related to insoluble fiber particle size and their processing. In addition, reduced dry matter and protein digestibility in the cecum in comparison to the ileum status. Finally, digest pH, viscosity, dry matter and protein digestibility were reduced by insoluble fiber in cecum in comparison to ileum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Every year, a significant amount of saffron petals remains as a by-product after harvesting and separating the thread-like parts of the flower (stigmas). The saffron stigma constitutes only 7.4% of the flower's weight and the remaining 92.6% is unused. This plant residue (petals) is a valuable source of plant bioactive compounds (phytobiotics), which based on previous studies, has useful effects on rumen fermentation, digestion and diet efficiency. However, there is no specific information about the effect of this by-product on ruminal microbial populations, enzymatic activity, antioxidant health, as well as the mechanism of effectiveness. In the present study, it was hypothesized that the use of low levels of saffron petals in the diet (as a natural additive) could improve microorganism populations, hydrolytic enzymes and antioxidant health of the rumen. Therefore, this research was carried out to investigate the mechanism of the positive effects of saffron petals on the energy and nitrogen metabolism and antioxidant health of the sheep rumen using the in vitro method. Materials and Methods: Experimental treatments included a diet without saffron petals (control) and diets containing 1, 2, and 3% of saffron petals (based on dry matter). The 24 and 72-h gas production tests were performed in 2 series (runs; in different weeks) and 3 replicates in each run (i.e., 6 observations per treatment at each incubation time). The gas production from the samples incubated in the 100-mL glass syringes was recorded. Then, the protozoa (using a hemocytometer and light microscope), cellulolytic and proteolytic bacteria (using liquid medium and Hungate tubes), hydrolytic enzymes (via chemical methods and photometry), methane (by injecting NaOH solution to absorb CO2) and antioxidant capacity (via ferric reducing antioxidant power assay) were measured. Truly degraded substrate was determined by boiling fermentation residues in the neutral detergent solution and weighing, ammonia-N by phenol-hypochlorite method, and the volatile fatty acids (VFA) using gas chromatography. Microbial biomass production, digestibility, metabolizable energy and partitioning factor were estimated using the equations. Data were analyzed using the Proc GLM of SAS 9.1 in a completely randomized design (6 observations per treatment). Results and Discussion: The inclusion of different levels of saffron petals in the diet decreased the in vitro ruminal protozoa population (P<0.05), due to its bioactive components, which damage the structure and function of the protozoa membrane, deactivate protozoa enzymes or deprive protozoa of the substrate and metal ions needed for their metabolism. Moreover, saffron petals increased the cellulolytic bacteria numbers and microbial biomass production (P<0.05). This was due to the reduction of protozoa, which leads to the reduction of the bacteria predation and thus improves the growth and population of the cellulolytics. The ruminal fibrolytic enzymes and amylase activity decreased with the use of saffron petals in the diet (P<0.05), because of the higher cellulolytic bacteria and microbial biomass, i.e., higher bacteria activity. These improvements resulted in more (P<0.05) diet digestibility, metabolizable energy, total VFA and truly degraded substrate in the saffron petals-containing groups. The inclusion of saffron petals in the diet resulted in decreasing in vitro ruminal methane release, ammonia-N production and acetate-to-propionate ratio (P<0.05). These changes were due to the decreased protozoa numbers leading to less hydrogen supply for methanogens and higher hydrogen shift toward propionate, as well as less deamination process and ruminal nitrogen recycling. Another reason was the increase of cellulolytic bacteria that consume ammonia as their main nitrogen source. Antioxidant capacity increased with the use of saffron petals in the diet (P<0.05), due to the bioactive compounds and antioxidants (such as flavonoids) present in this plant residue. The maximum truly degraded substrate was observed in the diet containing 3% of saffron petals. The lowest methane, protozoa and ammonia were in diets containing 2 and 3% of saffron petals. Moreover, adding 2 and 3% of saffron petals caused the highest antioxidant power. Conclusion: The results showed that the positive effect of saffron petals on the ruminal metabolism and antioxidative health of sheep, in vitro, was due to the beneficial changes that occurred in microbial populations (increase of cellulolytic bacteria and decrease of protozoa), hydrolytic enzymes (fibrolytic enzymes and amylase) and its antioxidants. Therefore, low levels (up to 3% of diet) of saffron petals can be used as a natural phytobiotic additive to improve rumen fermentation and reduce loss of energy and nitrogen resources, although it is better to confirm the results in vivo. Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no potential conflict of interest related to the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: One of the most critical environmental pollutions is oil contamination. This pollution affects biological characteristics as well as the physical and chemical properties of soil. Soil is a habitat for microbial communities whose abundance and diversity can be affected by petroleum hydrocarbons. Soil biological indicators including microbial respiration, are highly sensitive to environmental stresses and respond to them quickly. Microbial respiration is one of the most common biological indicators which is used to investigate the quality and health of the soil. Since petroleum hydrocarbons are toxic and persistent in soil, studying the pattern of changes in soil biological characteristics is important in effective soil management. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the basal respiration (BR) and substarte induced respiration (SIR) of microbial communities in the presence of oil, and how petroleum hydrocarbons can disrupt microbial respiration. Methodology: For this purpose, a total of 120 samples of crude oil-contaminated soils were collected in the oil-rich area of Naft-Shahr (located in the west of Kermanshah province) which had natural and long-term oil pollution. After measuring the physicochemical properties of soil samples microbial respiration was measured by titration method. In this research a total of 120, oil-contaminated soil samples were used. According to the factors included in this experiment, a nested design was used to analyze the data. The test factors included locations (4 locations) and 3 different levels of oil pollution (L: low, M: moderate, and H: high). It should be mentioned that 10 replications were considered in three levels of oil pollution and a total of 120 soil samples were gathered in this study (4×3×10). The collected soils were analyzed for soil texture, pH, EC and organic carbon (OC), and carbonate calcium equivalent (CCE) using standard methods. The concentration of petroleum pollutants, were determined by the Soxhlet extractor. In order to investigate the abundance of culturable microbial population, bacterial counting was carried out in nutrient agar (NA) and carbon-free minimal medium (CFMM)+crude oil media. Basal and substrate-induced respiration were measured by the titration method. Backward regression coefficients were used in order to identify important independent variables affecting changes in BR and SIR. Finally, the results of measuring chemical, physical and biological parameters were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Findings: The results showed that the percentage of oil measured by the Soxhlet method for oil pollution levels (L, M, and H) were 4.03%, 9.95%, and 22.50%, respectively. The obtained results showed that basal and substrateinduced respiration increased with the increase in the intensity of pollution. Also, the microbial population showed a direct relationship with the increasing of the oil pollution. The highest measured BR and SIR were obtained with values of 0.053 and 0.234 mgCO2/g.h, respectively, in heavily polluted soils. Multiple regression analysis of independent variables on BR and SIR showed that the most influential variable was oil percentage, which individualy explained 59% of BR variance and 72% of SIR variance. Principal components analysis (PCA) was also done and 73% of the density variance of the samples can be justified by the first two components (biochemical component and physical component). Conclusion: In summary, according to the microbial respiration results in oil-contaminated soil, the microbial population followed by microbial respiration increased with increasing oil concentration. It seems that prolonged oil pollution has caused the selection of resistant microbial communities to the oil compounds, hence we can observe their positive response to the presence of oil compounds, and an increase in microbial respirations (BR and SIR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important aspect of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) inclusion in the diets of ruminants is improved animal productivity. Inclusion of yeasts in ruminant diets may alter rumen microbes and their metabolites and promote a favorable intestinal microflora by increasing the population of beneficial microorganisms. Beneficial microbes compete for nutrients and attachment sites with pathogens, thereby reducing the growth of harmful microbes in the rumen. Yeasts enhance growth and average daily weight gain of animals by improving nutrients digestion and absorption. Probiotics can alter the fatty acid composition of meat and milk, and it is common knowledge that a lower fatty acid profile may directly confer health benefits to consumers by reducing harmful cholesterol levels in animal products and thus favorable to human nutrition. Furthermore, yeast probiotics have been shown to enhance immunity by inducing an immunomodulatory effect on the animal in addition to their ability to lower cholesterol, adhesion properties of the intestinal mucosa, and colonial resistance to strengthen gut integrity. This review highlights that yeast probiotics play a role in the ruminal microbial population dynamics, cholesterol-lowering ability and immunostimulatory potentials, yeast adhesion properties, and colonial resistance. Additional benefits include a healthy gut with concomitant increase in animal productivity, nutrient digestion, and absorption and general animal welfare. Overall, yeast probiotics appear to be a viable alternative to the use of antibiotics to improve animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Mangrove sediments host a diverse array of microbial populations and are characterized by high heterogeneity along their vertical depths. However, the genetic diversity within these populations is largely unknown, hindering our understanding of their adaptive evolution across the sediment depths. To elucidate their genetic diversity, we utilized metagenome sequencing to identify 16 high‐frequency microbial populations comprised of two archaea and 14 bacteria from mangrove sediment cores (0–100 cm, with 10 depths) in Qi'ao Island, China. Our analysis of the genome‐wide genetic variation revealed extensive nucleotide diversity in the microbial populations. The genes involved in the transport and the energy metabolism displayed a high nucleotide diversity (HND; 0.0045–0.0195; an indicator of shared minor alleles with the microbial populations). By tracking the processes of homologous recombination, we found that each microbial population was subjected to different purification selection levels at different depths (44.12% genes). This selection resulted in significant differences in synonymous/non‐synonymous mutation ratio between 0–20 and 20–100 cm layers, indicating the adaptive evolutionary process of microbial populations. Furthermore, our assessment of differentiation in the allele frequencies between these two layers showed that the functional genes involved in the metabolic processes of amino acids or cofactors were highly differential in more than half of them. Together, we showed that the nucleotide diversity of microbial populations was shaped by homologous recombination and gene‐specific selection, finally resulting in the stratified differentiation occurring between 0–20 and 20–100 cm. These results enhance our cognition of the microbial adaptation mechanisms to vertical environmental changes during the sedimentation process of coastal blue carbon ecosystems.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of acidifier on broilers’ performance. A total of 648-day-old broilers were assigned to four treatments (0, 1, 2, and 3 g/kg acidifier in the diet). In the grower period, the acidifier inclusion resulted in a higher average daily weight gain (ADWG) than in the control. On the 40th day of age, 3 g/kg of acidifier increased ADWG and average daily feed intake (ADFI). The highest ADWG was observed in the 3 g/kg of acidifier treatment for the whole period. Orthogonal contrast between acidifier and control indicated that cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration in the serum was lower in the acidifier-fed broilers. Inclusion of 2 and 3 g/kg of acidifier reduced Salmonella population in the ileum. Adding 2 and 3 g/kg acidifier to the diet increased crypt depth compared to other treatments. Weight and length of the tibia were also significantly increased by acidifier. The quadratic effect showed that the acidifier had a significant effect on the tibio-tarsal index. The mRNA expression of PPARγ and Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) genes in the ileum of broilers that were fed 3 g/kg acidifier was significantly higher than in other treatments. Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 1 gene showed a significant enhancement effect by the acidifier: with increasing levels of acidifier, its expression also increased. In conclusion, the acidifier improved the performance, upregulated the expression of ileal fatty acid-binding protein 1 (FABP1), TLR4, and PPARγ genes, as well as increased the tibia length, and reduced the Salmonella population in the ileum.

Utilizing agricultural and industrial wastes, potent reservoirs of nutrients, for nourishing the soil and crops through composting embodies a sustainable approach to waste management and organic agriculture. To investigate this, a 2-year field experiment was conducted at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, focusing on a pigeon pea–vegetable mustard–okra cropping system. Seven nutrient sources were tested, including a control (T1), 100% recommended dose of nitrogen (RDN) through farmyard manure (T2), 100% RDN through improved rice residue compost (T3), 100% RDN through a paddy husk ash (PHA)–based formulation (T4), 75% RDN through PHA-based formulation (T5), 100% RDN through a potato peel compost (PPC)–based formulation (T6), and 75% RDN through PPC-based formulation (T7). Employing a randomized block design with three replications, the results revealed that treatment T4 exhibited the significantly highest seed (1.89 ± 0.09 and 1.97 ± 0.12 t ha−1) and stover (7.83 ± 0.41 and 8.03 ± 0.58 t ha−1) yield of pigeon pea, leaf yield (81.57 ± 4.69 and 82.97 ± 4.17 t ha−1) of vegetable mustard, and fruit (13.54 ± 0.82 and 13.78 ± 0.81 t ha−1) and stover (21.64 ± 1.31 and 22.03 ± 1.30 t ha−1) yield of okra during both study years compared to the control (T1). Treatment T4 was on par with T2 and T6 for seed and stover yield in pigeon pea, as well as okra, and leaf yield in vegetable mustard over both years. Moreover, T4 demonstrated notable increase of 124.1% and 158.2% in NH4-N and NO3-N levels in the soil, respectively, over the control. The enhanced status of available nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the soil, coupled with increased soil organic carbon (0.41%), total bacteria population (21.1%), fungi (37.2%), actinomycetes (44.6%), and microbial biomass carbon (28.5%), further emphasized the positive impact of T4 compared to the control. Treatments T2 and T6 exhibited comparable outcomes to T4 concerning changes in available N, P, soil organic carbon, total bacteria population, fungi, actinomycetes, and microbial biomass carbon. In conclusion, treatments T4 and T6 emerge as viable sources of organic fertilizer, particularly in regions confronting farmyard manure shortages. These formulations offer substantial advantages, including enhanced yield, soil quality improvement, and efficient fertilizer utilization, thus contributing significantly to sustainable agricultural practices.

SUMMARY: Ensuring good water quality is one of the key management strategies to promote optimal broiler health and performance. A few studies have assessed the microbial status of drinking water for poultry, but there is insufficient information on biofilm in the drinking water lines within the poultry housing facilities. The buildup of microbes in the drinking water system could potentially result in biofilm formation which eventually deteriorates water quality. Hence, in this preliminary study, we sought to evaluate biofilm formation in the drinking water lines of selected broiler houses and characterize their microbial composition. Three random houses in each of 5 farms were visited representing 15 total houses used in this study. Using a borescope, we confirmed the presence of biofilm in 4 water lines per house on each farm, and a sterile gauze swab was used to collect the biofilm from these water lines. All biofilm samples were analyzed for the total aerobic plate count (APC), presence of yeasts and molds (YM), and Enterobacteriaceae (EB). The data were analyzed with ANOVA, and means were separated with Tukey's HSD test at P ≤ 0.05 using JMP software. All 15 houses evaluated had aerobic bacteria population and YM, whereas 7 out of the 15 houses had EB counts. For APC, there were significant differences across the farms (P < 0.0001) with Farm 1 having the highest APC (3.65 Log10 CFU/mL) and Farm 5 having the lowest APC (2.05 Log10 CFU/mL). For YM, significant differences existed across farms (P < 0.0001), Farm 2 had the highest counts (4.44 Log10 CFU/mL), whereas Farm 5 had the lowest count (1.19 Log10 CFU/mL). EB was detected in 3 out of the 5 farms and the counts were not statistically different (P = 0.07). Based on a sample size of 15 commercial broiler houses, these results suggest the need to evaluate water lines for biofilm and develop effective mitigations.

A polymicrobial biofilm model of Komagataeibacter hansenii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was developed to understand whether a pre-existing matrix affects the ability of another species to build a biofilm. P. aeruginosa was inoculated onto the preformed K. hansenii biofilm consisting of a cellulose matrix. P. aeruginosa PAO1 colonized and infiltrated the K. hansenii bacterial cellulose biofilm (BC), as indicated by the presence of cells at 19 μm depth in the translucent hydrogel matrix. Bacterial cell density increased along the imaged depth of the biofilm (17-19 μm). On day 5, the average bacterial count across sections was 67 ± 4 % P. aeruginosa PAO1 and 33 ± 6 % K. hansenii. Biophysical characterization of the biofilm indicated that colonization by P. aeruginosa modified the biophysical properties of the BC matrix, which inlcuded increased density, heterogeneity, degradation temperature and thermal stability, and reduced crystallinity, swelling ability and moisture content. This further indicates colonization of the biofilm by P. aeruginosa. While eDNA fibres - a key viscoelastic component of P. aeruginosa biofilm - were present on the surface of the co-cultured biofilm on day 1, their abundance decreased over time, and by day 5, no eDNA was observed, either on the surface or within the matrix. P. aeruginosa-colonized biofilm devoid of eDNA retained its mechanical properties. The observations demonstrate that a pre-existing biofilm scaffold of K. hansenii inhibits P. aeruginosa PAO1 eDNA production and suggest that eDNA production is a response by P. aeruginosa to the viscoelastic properties of its environment.

Background: To increase crop productivity, modern agricultural practices comprises fertilizers, algaecides, herbicides and fungicides. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil microbial population and soil enzyme activity by the use of fertilizer in maize and inorganic input in the rice ecosystem. Methods: A field experiment (2021 to 2023) was carried out using synthetic fertilizer doses with maize crops followed by rice crops using inorganic inputs. Soil microbial population and enzyme activities were examined. Results: Maize field experiment revealed that the plots treated with 75 % Standardized Dose of Fertilizer (SDF) of NPK had the highest populations of diazotrophs (124 × 105cfu / g), Phosphobacteria (66.33 × 105cfu / g), and Azospirillum (0.409 × 105 MPN / g) than 100 % and 150 % SDF of NPK. The soil enzyme activity was higher in the unfertilized control plot than fertilized plot. These experimental results revealed that a low amount of fertilizer and no fertilizers favour the growth of soil microorganisms and soil enzyme activities, respectively. Followed by the rice field experiment, revealed that the soil microbial population was decreased by the application of inorganic inputs viz., fertilizer, algaecide, herbicide and fungicide. However, the maximum soil microbial population was found in algaecide application followed by herbicide and fungicide. Conclusion: The field experiment concluded that soil microbial population and enzyme activity were affected by inorganic amendments. Less inorganic fertilizers and no fertilizers improve soil microbial activities and soil enzyme activities.

IntroductionOil contamination affects the biological, physical, and chemical properties of soil. The abundance and diversity of soil microbial communities can significantly be influenced by petroleum hydrocarbons. Soil biological indicators including microbial population and enzyme activity, are highly sensitive to environmental stresses and respond to them quickly. Measuring the microbial population is one of the most common biological indicators which is used to study the quality and health of the soil. Also, measuring the activity of enzymes such as urease is one of the most sensitive indicators of oil-contaminated soils. There are some studies on the effects of oil contamination on microbial population and soil enzyme activity. Most of the studies have tested non-natural and short-term oil pollution and reported the adverse effects of oil hydrocarbons on microbial activities in soil. While the soil sample used in this research had natural and long-term contamination and the microorganisms are compatible with polluted conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the microbial population and urease activity in the presence of different levels of oil contamination, and how petroleum hydrocarbons can affect them. Petroleum hydrocarbons are toxic and persistent in soil, so it is necessary to study the pattern of changes in soil biological characteristics in effective soil management. Material and MethodsIn this study, 120 samples of oil-contaminated soils were collected from the oil-rich area of Naft-Shahr (located in the west of Kermanshah province) which had natural and long-term oil pollution. A nested design was used to analysis data in this research. The test factors included locations (4 locations) and 3 different levels of oil pollution: low (L), moderate (M), and high (H). Also, 10 replications were considered in the three levels of oil contamination. The collected soils were analyzed for physico-chemical (pH, EC, Ɵm, CCE, OC, soil texture) and biological properties (including urease activity, BR and SIR) using standard methods, and the concentration of oil pollutants was determined by the Soxhlet extractor. To determine the abundance of the culturable microbial population, bacterial counting was performed using nutrient agar (NA) and carbon-free minimal medium (CFMM) supplemented with crude oil as the media. Urease activity was measured by the indophenol blue method and finally, the results of measuring chemical, physical and biological properties were analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). Results and Discussion The average percentage of oil measured by Soxhlet method was 4.03%, 9.95% and 22.50% respectively for L, M and H levels. The results showed that the microbial population increased with the increase of contamination intensity. The highest microbial population counted in NA culture medium was 9.54 ×105 CFU/g in H soils and the lowest population was 3.25 × 105 CFU/g in L soils. In the CFMM culture medium, the highest population in H soils was 11.3 × 105 CFU/g and the lowest population in L soils was 11.8 × 104 CFU/g. For both NA and CFMM mediums, location 1 had the highest population and location 4 had the lowest microbial population. Oil contamination of soil samples led to a decrease in urease activity in such a way that the highest enzyme activity in soils was obtained with low contamination (594.90 µgNH4/g.h) and the lowest activity in heavily contaminated soils (176.11 µgNH4/g.h). Also, the lowest urease activity was observed in location 1 and the highest in location 4. Principal components analysis (PCA) was also performed and 71% of the variance of the samples could be explained by the first two components (biochemical component and physical component). The results of this research indicated an increase in the microbial population with an increasing of the intensity of oil pollution. It seems that the results obtained from the studies conducted on man-made pollution and natural pollution have differences in terms of the type of biological responses. Aged, long-term and natural oil pollution has caused the selection of oil-resistant microbial community, and therefore we see their positive response to the presence of oil compounds. Conversely, urease enzyme activity was found to be higher in soils with low pollution. This suggests that microbial activity, while influential, is not the sole determinant of urease activity, and various factors contribute to Soil Enzyme Activity (SEA). The type of petroleum pollutant, the direct effect of petroleum compounds on urease-producing microorganisms, as well as the non-microbial origin of urease in soil can be possible reasons for reducing urease activity in contaminated soils. ConclusionIn areas where petroleum pollutants are naturally and long-term present in the soil, some oil-decomposing microbial groups use petroleum hydrocarbons as a source of carbon for their nutrition, so the abundance of oil-decomposing communities increases. The results showed an increase in the microbial population with an increase in the intensity of oil pollution. On the other hand, the activity of urease enzyme measured in soils with low pollution was higher because non-microbial factors may affect the activity of this enzyme and the increase in the microbial population is not related to the increase in the population of urease-producing microbes.

This study assesses the use of drainage water in agriculture by mixing irrigation water and agricultural drainage water to examine the effects of the mixture on soil properties and the yield of tomatoes in Moghan Plain, Iran. The experimental design was completely random, conducted with three irrigation treatments and four replications for two years. The treatments were the control treatment (only irrigation water) (T0), 50% drainage water +50% irrigation water treatment (T1), and only agricultural drainage water treatment (T2). The results showed the treatments had significant differences (p≤0.05) in terms of the microbial population, basal respiration, and substrate-induced respiration. There were also significant differences among the treatments in terms of soil pH and EC (p≤0.01). However, the soil organic matter, yield, bulk density, and chlorophyll content of tomatoes showed no significant differences among the treatments. The treatments did not differ significantly in terms of the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) in the first year, whereas the Ks for the drainage water treatment differed significantly (p≤0.05) in the second year. No significant differences were observed in the parameters of van Genuchten (θs, θr, and α) among the treatments. Whereas the statistical results showed that there was a significant difference (p≤0.01) in the parameters of van Genuchten (n) between T0 with T1 and T2 treatments, there was no significant difference between T1 and T2 treatments. It can be concluded that the use of drainage water negatively affected soil pH, salinity, and biological properties; but it did not decrease the plant yield.

In this paper, a lab-scale reactor designed to simulate the operations of the North Water Saline Wastewater Treatment Plant (SWWTP) located in Delfzijl, The Netherlands, was constructed and assessed. Unlike conventional municipal wastewater treatment facilities, this industrial plant deals with wastewater containing stubborn chemicals that are difficult to break down, along with a high ratio of chemical oxygen demand (COD) to nitrogen and elevated sodium chloride levels. Furthermore, its treatment process diverges from standard industrial setups by employing an aerobic process preceding the anaerobic phase. The proposed lab-scale reactors were proven stable and effective in mimicking the conditions of the studied industrial SWWTP, particularly in the presence of abundant glycerol, a factor not explored in similar lab-scale models. Throughout the experiment, the removal of COD (specifically glycerol) and nitrogen were monitored, alongside changes in the microbial community within both reactors. The data enabled us to examine the proliferation of microbial populations within the sludge. The results indicated the complete removal of glycerol and ammonia from the system, with some residual nitrate detected in the effluent. The soluble COD decreased in the first reactor (R1) to approximately 50% of the influent and reduced further to less than 100 mg/L in the second reactor (R2), while nitrogen was majorly removed in the R1. By the experiment’s conclusion, Actinomycetales was identified as the dominant order in the anaerobic reactor (sometimes even exceeding 70% of the population), which is known for its utilization of glycerol as a carbon source and its tolerance to high salt concentrations in the influent. Conversely, the aerobic reactor was predominantly inhabited by the order Flavobacteriales, which correlates with ammonia concentration.

Introduction: After more than 100 years of generating monoculture batch culture growth curves, microbial ecologists and evolutionary biologists still lack a reference method for inferring growth rates. Our work highlights the challenges of estimating the growth rate from growth curve data. It shows that inaccurate estimates of growth rates significantly impact the estimated relative fitness, a principal quantity in evolution and ecology. Methods and results: First, we conducted a literature review and found which methods are currently used to estimate growth rates. These methods differ in the meaning of the estimated growth rate parameter. Mechanistic models estimate the intrinsic growth rate μ, whereas phenomenological methods -- both modelbased and model-free -- estimate the maximum per capita growth rate μ Using math and simulations, we show the conditions in which μmax is not a good estimator of μ. Then, we demonstrate that inaccurate absolute estimates of μ are not overcome by calculating relative values. Importantly, we find that poor approximations for μ sometimes lead to wrongly classifying a beneficial mutant as deleterious. Finally, we re-analyzed four published data sets, using most of the methods found in our literature review. We detected no single best-fitting model across all experiments within a data set and found that the Gompertz models, which were among the most commonly used, were often among the worst-fitting. Discussion: Our study suggests how experimenters can improve their growth rate and associated relative fitness estimates and highlights a neglected but fundamental problem for nearly everyone who studies microbial populations in the lab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chicken collagen is a promising raw material source for the production gelatins and hydrolysates. These can be prepared biotechnologically using proteolytic enzymes. By choosing the appropriate process conditions, such changes can be achieved at the molecular level of collagen, making it possible to prepare gelatins with targeted properties for advanced cosmetic, pharmaceutical, medical, or food applications. The present research aims to investigate model samples of chicken gelatins, focusing on: (i) antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azinobis-3-etylbenzotiazolin-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS); (ii) the distribution of molecular weights via gel permeation chromatography with refractometric detection (GPC-RID); (iii) functional groups and the configuration of polypeptide chains related to molecular-level properties using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); (iv) the microbiological populations on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA), plate count agar (PCA), tryptic soy agar (TSA), and violet red bile lactose (VRBL) using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) method. Antioxidant activity towards ABTS radicals was more than 80%; activity towards DPPH radicals was more than 69%. The molecular weights of all gelatin samples showed typical α-, β-, and γ-chains. FTIR analysis confirmed that chicken gelatins all contain typical vibrational regions for collagen cleavage products, Amides A and B, and Amides I, II, and III, at characteristic wavenumbers. A microbiological analysis of the prepared samples showed no undesirable bacteria that would limit advanced applications of the prepared products. Chicken gelatins represent a promising alternative to products made from standard collagen tissues of terrestrial animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the effect of application rate, soil type and temperature on the degradation dynamics of mesosulfuron methyl and iodosulfuron methyl and their effect on soil enzymatic and microbial activity under laboratory conditions. Mixture of mesosulfuron methyl + iodosulfuron methyl was applied to soils at application rates of 14.4, 28.8, 43.2 and 57.5 g ha−1. Residues of herbicides were extracted using ultrasonic-assisted extraction method and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. Degradation was dependent on soil type and application rate of herbicides with DT50 (50% degradation time) and DT90 (90% dissipation time) of 8.71 to 47.08 and 28.95 to 156.43 days for mesosulfuron methyl while 7.17 to 38.24 and 20.81 to 127.07 days for iodosulfuron methyl. Increase in temperature enhanced the dissipation of herbicides. The fastest dissipation was observed in loam 1 soil probably because in acidic soil abiotic hydrolysis was a predominant contributor in degradation. Among both herbicides, mesosulfuron methyl was more persistent in studied soils. Various metabolites of mesosulfuron methyl and iodosulfuron methyl, viz. mesosulfuron (M1) and 2-[3-(4-hydroxy-6-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl) ureidosulfonyl] – 4 – methane sulfonamidomethyl benzoate (M2), 4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine-2-yl-urea (M4), 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine (M5), metsulfuron methyl (I1), methyl-2-amino-sulfonyl benzoate (I2), 4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine-2-amine (I3) and saccharin (I4), were also detected in the studied soils and their appearance and disappearance varied with soil type and application rate. The application of herbicides showed short-lived harmful effects on dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activity and soil microbial activity while urease activity remained unaffected. The results indicated that studied herbicides have low to moderate persistence and transitory adverse effects on soil microbial activity depending on pH, organic matter content and temperature conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the use of drainage water in agriculture by mixing irrigation water and agricultural drainage water to examine the effects of the mixture on soil properties and the yield of tomatoes in Moghan Plain, Iran. The experimental design was completely random, conducted with three irrigation treatments and four replications for two years. The treatments were the control treatment (only irrigation water) (T0), 50% drainage water +50% irrigation water treatment (T1), and only agricultural drainage water treatment (T2). The results showed the treatments had significant differences (p=0.05) in terms of the microbial population, basal respiration, and substrate-induced respiration. There were also significant differences among the treatments in terms of soil pH and EC (p=0.01). However, the soil organic matter, yield, bulk density, and chlorophyll content of tomatoes showed no significant differences among the treatments. The treatments did not differ significantly in terms of the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) in the first year, whereas the Ks for the drainage water treatment differed significantly (p=0.05) in the second year. No significant differences were observed in the parameters of van Genuchten (?s, ?r, and a) among the treatments. Whereas the statistical results showed that there was a significant difference (p=0.01) in the parameters of van Genuchten (n) between T0 with T1 and T2 treatments, there was no significant difference between T1 and T2 treatments. It can be concluded that the use of drainage water negatively affected soil pH, salinity, and biological properties; but it did not decrease the plant yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of F. subpinnata powder (FSP) on the performance, carcass characteristics, blood parameters, immune system, microbial population, intestinal morphology, and percentage of fatty acids in the breast meat of broiler chickens. A total of 300 day-old male chickens from the ROSS 308 strain were used in the form of a completely random design with four treatments of five replicates (15 birds each). The experimental treatments were, respectively, (1) control with base diet (without additives), (2) base diet + 1% FSP, (3) base diet + 2% FSP, and (4) base diet + 3% FSP. The results showed that the feed intake and weight gain increased in the treatments containing 2% and 3% FSP when compared to the control (P < 0.05). Cholesterol and ALT levels in the treatment containing 3% FSP were lower that the control (P < 0.05), while the concentration of glutathione peroxidase enzyme in the treatment containing 3% FSP significantly increased (P < 0.05). Thymus weight and antibodies produced against AIV in all three levels of FSP increased significantly compared to the control (P < 0.05). The population of lactobacilli and coliforms in the treatments containing FSP increased and decreased significantly compared to the control (P < 0.05). The length and width of the intestinal villi of the chickens that were fed with 3% of FSP had a significant increase compared to the control (P < 0.05). The percentage of saturated fatty acids in the breast decreased significantly with the consumption of all three levels of FSP (P < 0.001). In general, the results showed that the use of 3% FSP in the broiler diet increased the efficiency of growth performance and enzyme activity, while strengthening the immune system, favorably altering the intestinal microbial population, and reducing the fat in breast meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]