جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه "nutritive value" در نشریات گروه "کشاورزی"

This experiment was carried out to determine the nutritive value of total mixed ration silage (TMRS) based on orange pulp (OP). Three diets including: 1) TMRS based on OP plus wheat straw (WS) and concentrate, 2) total mixed ration based on corn silage (CS) plus WS and concentrate, 3) total mixed ration based on alfalfa hay (AH) plus WS and concentrate. The experimental diets were tested for digestibility and voluntary intake in mature male lambs. The DM content of TMRS ranged 28 to 28.5 percent and pH 3.8 to 3.9 that shwed appropriate characteristics of the silage. The in vivo digestibility of DM, OM and metabolisable energy of the TMRS were significantly higher than the other diets (P<0.05). The DM and OM intake, were significantly differences between the diets where the lowest amounts detected by feeding CS diet. The digestible DM and OM intake were significantly higher in TMRS than the other diets (P<0.05). Data obtained from rumen liquor showed that pH was not different between the treatments at different times. The ruminal NH3-N was higher in CS diet before morning feeding but it was not different between TMRS and CS diets at 3h post feeding werase they were higher than the other diet (P<0.05). No differences were obtained between the diets for NH3-N at 6h post feeding. It is concluded that by ensiling of orange pulp plus WS and concentrate could prepare a complete feed ration silage with nutrient balance and appropriate digestibility and palatability.

Du to limitation of feed resources in Iran, recently research workers tried to find new feed resources, where they introduce new fodder beet varieties to farmers. Regarding the characteristics of the fodder beet, it must be preserved as silage for progressively use in animal feeding, but no appropriate technology was stablished for ensiling of fodder beet. Ensiling is the well nown technology for preserving of fresh forages, but it is difficult to ensile the fodder beet, because of very low dry matter (DM) content. However, using additives (dry roughages and concentrates) as total mixed ration may be applied as a technology for preserving fodder beet silage. Therefore, this research was conducted to prepared a total mixed ration (TMR) silage based on fodder beet in comparison to corn silage and determine their nutritive values in sheep.

Three experimental diets including: 1) TMR based on corn silage (CTMR), 2) TMR silage (CTMRS) based on similar formula of treatment 1 and 3) TMR silage based on fodder beet (FBTMRS) were prepared. Digestibility and voluntary intake of the treatment diets were determined with three treatments and five replicates by in vivo method, using of 5 mature male Shal sheep (with 5 years old age and 80 kg body weight).

The DM contents of the CTMRS and FBTMRS waere 40 and 39.7 percent with pH of 3.95 and 4.06 respectivly. Average daily DM intake (DMI) was 1294g in control, 1301g in CTMRS but 1579g in FBTMRS that were significantly higher (P<0.05) in FBTMRS. Organic matter (OM) intake was significantly (p<0.05) higher (1450 vs 1206 and 1214 g) for the FBTMRS than the other treatments. Similar trend was obsereved when the intake was calculated based on methabolic body weight. Digestibility of DM, OM, organic mater in dry mater (DOMD) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were respectively 71.6, 74, 69.1 and 51.5 percent for CTMRS that were statistically (p<0.05) higher than those of the other treatments but no differences were obtained between the control and FBTMRS. The rumen pH, was affected (p<0.05) by the treatments before morning feeding so that it was the lowest in control, but the highest in FBTMRS (6.11 vs 6.85 and 7.01). However, rumen pH was not varied between the treatments at 3h and 6h post feeding. The rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) showed an increasing tendency in all treatments from morning feedint to 3h post feeding with the highest amount for treatment FBTMRS (from 17.85 to 32.89 mg/dL) and the lowest for the control (from 13.35 to 31.32 mg/dL) but it showed a decreasing trend from 3h to 6h post feeding with slower tendency for the treatment FBTMRS.

Results of the experimental diets on sheep nutrition indicated that, the highest DM and OM intake was obtained when the animals received TMR silage based on the fodder beet. However, the TMR corn silage showed the highest nutrients digestibility that may be due to the nutritional improvement during the silage fermentation and preservation. Improvement the nutrients digestibility of TMR corn silage is considered as an advantage when compared to the normal TMR (contained corn silage). Therefore, TMR silage based on corn forage recommended as superior treatment in this study. However, practicing and utilization of TMR silage based on the fodder beet is recommended, where the fodder beet is available.

Ensuring the availability of high-quality forage and a balanced diet is essential for cost-effective milk and meat production in buffaloes. In Iran, limited forage supply, poor access to forage, and imbalanced diets are major constraints that negatively impact buffalo production and hinder profitable breeding. To address these challenges, a comprehensive understanding of buffalo breeding areas, methods, production issues, problems, and feeding practices is crucial. This study aimed to determine the nutritional value of feed consumed by breeding buffaloes under stable and rangeland grazing conditions in the primary buffalo breeding habitats across different climatic regions of Ardabil province.

The nutritional value of feed consumed by buffaloes was assessed using gas production techniques in a completely randomized design. Digestibility, metabolizable energy, gas production and degradability parameters, microbial mass production, volatile fatty acids, and grazing diets were evaluated. The study was conducted in three selected locations: Damirof in Bilesavar, Gharabaghlar in Meshginshahr, and Arpatapeh Fandoghlu in Namin counties. Grazing periods and paddocks for buffalo herds were determined based on the Deputy of Livestock Production Improvement's recommendations. Plant samples grazed by buffaloes were collected at three stages of the grazing season in Meshginshahr and Namin (May 15 to June 15, June 15 to July 15, and July 15 to August 15), and one month earlier in Bilesavar (March 15 to July 15). Chemical composition and digestibility tests were conducted on the plant samples. Two types of diets, a "traditional diet" commonly used by buffalo breeders (control diet) and a "standardized diet" formulated based on metabolic energy and protein requirements for buffaloes with an average weight of 550 kg, were selected for feeding buffaloes in stable conditions. Chemical composition and digestion tests were performed on the fodder and concentrate used in the diets.

The results revealed that the balanced diet (standard diet) had significantly higher values of gas production, parameters b and c (slow decomposition and gas production rate), metabolizable energy (ME), net lactation energy (NEL), apparent organic matter digestibility (AOMD), true organic matter digestibility (TOMD), apparent fermentation of organic matter (AFOM), true fermentation of organic matter (TFOM), volatile fatty acids (SCFA), and rumen microbial biomass (MB) production and efficiency compared to the traditional diet (control) (p < 0.05) in all paddocks. Gas production, parameters b and c, ME, NEL, AOMD, TOMD, AFOM, TFOM, SCFA, and rumen microbial biomass and efficiency showed higher mean values during the early grazing season in each paddock compared to the middle and end of the grazing season. Overall, these parameters exhibited a decreasing trend throughout the grazing season (p < 0.05). The TOMD and TFOM values were higher in the early grazing season in the warm semi-arid region of Bilesavar compared to the cold regions of Namin and Meshginshahr (p < 0.05). However, SCFA and MB values were higher in the early grazing season in the cold regions compared to the warm semi-arid region (p < 0.05).

The study demonstrated that balanced diets (standard) had superior nutritional value compared to traditional diets (control) commonly used by buffalo breeders in the selected paddocks. Therefore, these balanced diets can be recommended as alternatives to traditional diets for feeding buffaloes. Additionally, the nutritional value of rangeland habitats varied depending on plant species composition, growth stage, and climatic conditions. For effective stocking intensity and livestock feeding planning in the rangeland, these variations should be considered.

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of preparing silage, determine nutritive value and characteristics of silage prepared from three genotypes of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd.) forage (Sjama, Titicaca and Q12) in a completely randomized design. The chopped forages were siloed with four replications in laboratory silos. After 60 days, the silos were opened and the appearance characteristics of the silages were examined. The quinoa silages were sampled for analysis concentration of chemical composition and silage characteristics. The results show that, the duration of sowing to the dough stage of seeds was 60 days in Kerman climate. In silage of Sajama, Titicaca and Q12 genotypes, the average of dry matter (P<0.01) was 20.36, 22.99 and 22.21%, the concentration of crude protein (P<0.01) was 13.50, 14.21 and 14.31% respectively. The characteristics score of silages were 16.75, 17.50 and 18.13 in a 0 to 20 scoring system for Sjama, Titicaca and Q12 genotypes respectively (P<0.01), Quinoa forage silage had a high buffering capacity and were determined 273.09, 195.90 and 200.33 meq NaOH for Sjama, Titicaca and Q12 genotypes respectively (P<0.01). In general, the results have shown that quinoa forage silage have an acceptable quality, especially in crude protein concentration and can be used as a substitution feedstuff in ruminant nutrition. However, there are many differences between genotypes in chemical composition and silage properties. It seems some genotypes (Sejama) don’t have the potential for silage production and more studies are needed to select the appropriate genotypes.

Due to the increasing demand for animal protein resources on the one hand and the lack of available water resources on the other, it is crucial to investigate the forage potential of plants for animal nutrition. The Jerusalem artichoke, which is primarily grown for its tubers, produces a substantial amount of forage-worthy aerial parts. However, few studies on the aerial portion of this plant have been conducted in Iran, and those that do exist were conducted at the Research Institute of Animal Sciences in Alborz province. Consequently, the present study was conducted to determine the variations in yield, chemical composition, and digestibility of the Jerusalem artichoke aerial part and its constituents at various growth stages over two consecutive years. To examine the variations in yield and quality of the aerial portion of Jerusalem artichoke, a randomized complete block experiment with 4 replications was conducted in the Agricultural Research Station of Razi University over the course of two consecutive years, 2018 and 2019. From the vegetative stage to full flowering, the yield and yield components (at 7 stages) and chemical composition and digestibility (at 5 stages) of the aerial part of the plant were determined. The chemical composition was determined includes organic matter, ash-free cell wall fibers, water-soluble carbohydrates, and crude protein. In addition, the digestibility of samples whose chemical compositions were measured was determined invitro using two stages of anaerobic digestion and acidic pepsin digestion. In the first and second years, the dry matter yield of Jerusalem artichoke aerial part at two stages of just before flowering and full flowering was 29.1 and 30.4 tons per hectare and 24.0 and 25.3 tons per hectare, respectively. Increased dry matter accumulation in the stem was associated with increased yield during growth stages. These alterations were associated with an increase in height and a decrease in leaf: stem ratio. The ratio of leaf to stem decreased from 1.62 to 0.41 in the first year and from 1.50 to 0.61 in the second year between the vegetative stage and full flowering. In the present study, the increase in aerial organic matter with increasing plant age was due to an increase in stem yield and an increase in its organic matter. During the growth stages, the stem contained more organic matter, insoluble fibers in neutral detergent, and soluble carbohydrates, while the leaf contained more crude protein. Organic matter, insoluble fibers in neutral detergent and acid detergent content, and lignin in the aerial part just before flowering were, respectively, 895.3, 418.7, 310.6, and 85.3 g/kg dry matter over the course of two years of study. With the continuation of the growth period, the water-soluble carbohydrate content increased and the crude protein content decreased to 225 and 92.4 g/kg dry matter, respectively, just prior to flowering. In the aerial portion of the plant, the digestibility of organic matter and dry matter decreased significantly from the vegetative stage to full flowering in the first and second years, respectively, from 64 to 56 and 65 to 59. An increase in cell wall fibers and an increase in the dry matter yield of Jerusalem artichoke aerial part as the plant matured and reached full flowering reduced the digestibility of the forage. However, the yield of digestible organic matter per hectare remained unchanged between the pre-flowering and flowering stages. The highest dry matter yield of Jerusalem artichoke aerial part was obtained at the full flowering stage, but the digestible organic matter yield per hectare remained unchanged from just before flowering to the full flowering stage.

Fresh orange pulp (FCP) mixed with wheat straw (WS) 79:20 plus 0.7% urea, 0.1% diammonium sulfate (DAMS) and 0.2% mineral-vitamin supplement (MVS) as a basal treatment (T1). Then WS reduced to 15%+5% sugar beet pulp (SBP) T2, WS15%+5% corn ground (CG) T3, WS15%+ 5% corn bran (CB) T4, and WS15%+ 5%rice bran (RB) T5. In T6 WS reduced to 10% and completed with SBP, CG, CB and RB in amounts of 4:2:2:2 percent respectively. All mixtures were ensiled in small scale plastic bag silos with four replicates. All silos were opened four months’ post ensiling and sampled for chemical analyses, in vitro gas test and digestibility. Dry matter content ranged 28.43 to 31.01 percent and pH 3.95 to 4.07 that were significantly different between the treatments (p<.05). Crude protein ranged 12.16 to 15.59 percent that was the lowest in T1 but the highest in T6 (p<.05). Ammonia-N ranged 6.32 to 10.63 percent of total nitrogen that was different between the treatments (p<.05). Reducing of WS and including of concentrate feeds in the treatments reduced NDF from 59.48 to 46.96 percent (p<.05) but increased gas production, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) with highest values in T6. It is concluded that by formulating a mixture of FOP, WS, SBP, CG, CB, RB, Urea, DAMS and VMS in ratio of 79:10:4:2:2:2:0.7:0.1:0.2 may prepared a TMR silage with acceptable silage characteristics. However, more research needs to determine the feeding values through in vivo and feeding trials.

 There is a shortage of animal feed and water resources in many countries around the world. Numerous agricultural by-products are produced annually in all countries, thus their proper use is often a useful means of overcoming this problem. Large proportions of these materials are important feeds for ruminant animals and can be used as a potentially significant source of energy. However, the use of these materials as ruminant feed is limited because of their complex structure, low protein and high lignin content. Different physical and chemical methods have been used to increase the nutritive value of such by-products. Although these methods have advantages, they are costly, relatively ineffective and environmentally unfriendly and require the application of technology. Recently, biological processing of lignocellulosic biomass has been considered as an alternative approach. Three groups of organisms are able to biodegrade lignin namely, white rot fungi, some soil microbes and termites. In recent years, increased attention has been given to the role of bacteria in lignin degradation in agricultural by-products. Insects that utilize wood as a food source are beetles, cockroaches and termites. Termites are especially well known for their ability to break down the lignin barrier and digest carbohydrate polymers. Researcher has isolated 3 bacterial species from the Anacanthotermes vagans termite gut, including Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., and Ochrobacterium sp. These bacteria could grow on different media containing lignin and lignocellulosic materials prepared from water extracted wheat straw and sawdust as a sole source of carbon and energy. In another study three bacteria include Bacillus licheniformis, Ochrobactrum intermedium and Microbacterium paludicola were isolated by culturing the gut contents of the termite Microcerotermes diversus on different media containing lignin and lignocellulose as a sole source of carbon and energy. Isolates could partially change the chemical composition of the wheat straw and date leaves, while nutrient digestibility increased. However, Zeuzera pyrina L. is also another insect which degrade lignocellulose. Larval tunnels in the wood and girdling burrows under the bark are visible at the ends of broken stems. Numerous partly broken branches with dead brown foliage hanging in tree crowns are characteristic of heavy infestations. In our knowledge, little work has been done on the isolation of lignin and lignocellulose-degrading bacteria from gut of Zeuzera pyrina. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to isolate and identify symbiotic lignocellulosic degrading bacteria from the Zeuzera pyrina L. gut, and to investigate their effects on the nutritive value of wheat straw and sugarcane tops as ruminant feed.

 This experiment was conducted in animal house and laboratories of Lorestan University. Two Lori cows (about five years old) with permanent rumen fistula were used as rumen liquor donor in present study. A two-week diet adaptation period was followed by collection of the rumen contents from each cow before the morning feeding. The aim of the present study was investigate nutritive value of wheat straw (WS) and sugarcane tops (ST) treated with bacteria isolated from gut of Zeuzera pyrina. For this purpose, first, based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, 3 bacteria including Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus sciuri and Brevibacterium sp., with lignin and lignocellulose-degrading potential were isolated from gut of this insect. Thereafter, each of WS or ST were processed with these isolated individually or with mix of them (totally 4 treatment group for each substrate) in liquid medium. Chemical composition, in vitro gas production (IVGP) and fermentation parameters of these two processed by-product were determined compared to control treatment.

 Results showed that highest amount of dry matter (DM) loss, crude protein, in vitro DM digestibility and metabolizable energy was observed in both substrates (i.e., WS and ST) treated with bacterial mixture of Zeuzera pyrina compared to control. Highest volume of IVGP and potential of GP (b) were observed after processing by bacterial mixture of Zeuzera pyrina compared to control treatment (P>0.05). Highest volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, acetate, acetate to propionate ratio and ammonia-N concentration were observed in substrates inoculated with bacterial mixture in comparison with control treatment (P<0.05).

 In this experiment, we isolated three bacteria including Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus sciuri and Brevibacterium sp., with lignin and lignocellulose-degrading potential from the gut of Zeuzera pyrina. Processing WS and ST with these individual bacteria, especially media containing their mixture improved their nutritive value as ruminant feed via increasing DM digestibility and VFA production.

Fresh citrus pulp (FCP) was mixed with wheat straw (WS) 90:10 and ensiled in three treatments 1) 0.0% urea, 2) 0.5% urea and 3) 1% urea, using 40 kg nylon bags. After three months of ensiling, silos were evaluated and sampled for chemical analysis and in vitro gas test. In vivo digestibility and intake of the silages were determined in sheep nutrition along with basal diet (Alfalfa hay+WS+barley ground). Dry matter (DM) ranged 19.32 to 21.15% and pH 3.59 to 3.74 in silages. Crude protein and NH3-N were increased (P<0.05) in silages contained urea. There were no significant differences between silages for gas production. The in vivo digestibility of DM, OM and NDF, and ME were similar between the basal diet and the experimental diets as well as the experimental silages. However, digestibility of CP was increased in silages contained 0.5 and 1% urea (P<0.05). An increasing trend was observed for DM intake where the animals received ad-libitum silages than the basal diet. Daily urine weight and urine pH was increased (P<0.05) when the animals fed 1% urea silage, comparison to the other diets but, ruminal pH was not affected by the treatments. Finally, it is concluded that ensiling of FCP plus WS to provide a mixture with optimum DM content may be an appropriate method of preserving and using of this by product in ruminant nutrition. In addition, deficiency of CP could be compensated by addition of proper amount of urea.

This research was carried out to determine nutritive value of Medicago polymorpha and Malva parviflora in various growth stages. The study was conducted at three rangelands during December 2013 to May 2014. The samples of plants were randomly taken in three stages including vegetative growth, flowering and maturity (seed production). Samples of each stage and place were analyzed for DM, CP, EE, NDF, ADF, ADL, GE, Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, DMD, OMD and DOMD determination. Randomized Completely Blocks design was used with three treatments (growth stages) and three blocks (studied rangelands). Results showed that NDF and ADF content of plants increased with the growth but their CP, Ash, P, K, Cu, DMD, OMD, DOMD content and Ca content of M. parviflora decreased. Ca, K, Mg, Na, Fe and Mn content of studied plants at different growth stages were higher than those critical limits for Dashtestani sheep with average weight of 50 kg and native goat with average weight of 35 kg, but P content of M. polymorpha at flowering and maturity stages, P content of M. parviflora at maturity stage, Cu content of plants at maturity stage and Cu content of M. polymorpha at maturity stage were less than those critical limits. Totally, these plants are good enough for grazing ruminants specially at vegetative and flowering stages and if possible, it should be increased in the same ranges.

 Animal husbandry is one of the most important agriculture sectors, and with increasing population; demand for animal products has been increased. Currently, due to shortage of water and feed resources as well as increased compete for production of food between human and animals, cost of animal feeds has been enhanced considerably. The global price of feed ingredients such as corn, wheat, fish meal and soybean meal has increased by 160, 118, 186 and 108%, respectively in the previous years. Thus, in this situation, using agro-industrial by-products in the ruminant diets could reduce feed production costs and also improve profitability. Whole carrot tops (WCT) are one of such agricultural byproducts. It remains after harvesting the main product (carrot) and could be used as silage for animal nutrition. Crude protein (CP), crude fiber, ash, nitrogen free extract, Ca and P contents of WCT has been reported 144, 25.1, 151, 189, 493, 24.3 and 7.7 g/kg DM respectively. In another study, WCT contained 11−12% CP, 17% crude fiber and up to 18% ash due to residual dirt. Leaves in WCT have more nitrogen and ash but lower fiber content compared to stems. Due to phenolic content of WCT, using it in ruminant nutrition may be improves rumen protein metabolism via binding dietary CP content. WCT replacing 50% of berseem hay in the diet of Rahmani sheep increased nutrient digestibility. Adding WCT up to 20−30% at the expense of Trifolium alexandrium hay in growing rabbit rations improved growth performance and feed conversion efficiency. However, higher levels (67 to 100%), replacing clover hay in the diet, depressed the performance of growing rabbits. There are a few reports about investigating the nutrition value of WCT as a new by-product in animal nutrition. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate chemical composition, in vitro gas production (IVGP), fermentation parameters and nutrient digestibility of WCT compared to alfalfa and wheat straw (WS) using IVGP technique. Effects of different dietary levels of WCT at the expense of forage potion up to 20 % of dry matter (DM) were also investigated using IVGP technique.  

This study was conducted in animal house and laboratories of Lorestan University. Two Lori sheep (about two years old) with permanent rumen fistula were used as rumen liquor donor in present work. A two-week diet adaptation period was followed by collection of the rumen contents from each sheep before the morning feeding. Four complete carrot plants were collected during October 2017 from commercial carrot field in Share-Kord city (Iran). At the first part, chemical composition, IVGP and fermentation parameters of WCT were determined compared to alfalfa and WS (totally three treatments). After that, different levels of WCT including 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 % of DM (five treatments) were replaced with forage (alfalfa hay and WS) portion of diet and incubated in vitro using IVGP technique. Dry matter, CP, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and lignin were measured.

 Results showed that CP content of WCT was significantly higher than WS, but it was comparable with alfalfa. At 16 h of incubation, highest and lowest volume of GP was observed by WCT and WS, respectively (P<0.05). However, highest and lowest GP at other incubation times, potential (b) and rate (c) of GP, DM, organic matter (OM), estimated metabolizable energy (ME), ammonia-N concentration and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production were noted by incubation of alfalfa and WS respectively (P<0.05). Highest microbial protein synthesis (MPS) was observed by incubation of WCT and lowest amount was for WS (P<0.05). By inclusion of WCT up to 20 % of diet, except for MPS which was increased significantly (P<0.05), other IVGP and fermentation parameters were unchanged among dietary treatments (P>0.05).

 In conclusion, results from the present study indicate that WCT has potential nutritional value to be used in ruminant diets at up to 20% DM without the risk of digestive disturbances. Its nutritive value was also higher that wheat straw while it had a comparable CP content to alfalfa. However, further in vivo studies are needed to validate the benefits of introducing such a by-product in ruminant nutrition. Further studies such as determining potential anti-nutritional factors, as well as the mineral profiles of WCT, will be of great help for optimizing their incorporation in animal nutrition.

The goal of this study was to determine regression equations to predict metabolizable energy of wheat samples given their chemical compositions using meta-analytical approach. A database compromising chemical compositions and apparent metabolizable energy corrected  for the nitrogen (AMEn) of 111 published sources of wheat strains was used. Sample information contains crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), ash and AMEn. Average values for AMEn was calculated as 2917.46 (kcal/kg), while for the CP, EE, CF, ash was calculated as 12.53, 2.12, 1.61and 1.56 (% dry matter), respectively. Meta-regression equations for predicting AMEn wheat based on chemical composition were developed and evaluated by means of provided database. Best equation obtained as: AMEn (kcal/kg)=1648+45.8 %CP+175.8 %EE+ 185.4 %CF. This equation can be used for predicting energy of wheat variates in feed-factories and poultry farms.

[ Endemic plants of rangelands, especially key species and palatable ones are inevitable for improvement and development of rangelands. The grazing is a critical managing factor regarding to the resources conservation and quantitative and qualitative increase of plants production at the rangeland ecosystems. Rangelands are dynamic ecosystems and changing as a result of the environmental disturbances. Sustainable utilization of rangelands is obtained when the changes become known. The increase in population over the past few decades, due to the increased demand for livestock production, has increased the number of livestock in the rangeland, and as a result, the pressure on the rangelands, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, has damaged many rangelands. After the degradation of rangelands, one-year species, non-palatable and toxic species are replaced by the high quality and palatable species and therefore the quality and quantity of forage in most of the rangelands is by no means satisfactory. Many rangelands in arid and semi-arid regions have been affected by soil erosion and dust and greasy vegetation due to the lack of vegetation. In the vast array, rangelands cultivating non-domestic species have been imported, For example, in dry and semi-arid rangelands of northern of Golestan province, imported species of Atriplex cultivate which, despite proper forage production and other benefits, has some disadvantages, including gradual increase of soil salinity, lack of plant regeneration in the years after establishment which cause metabolic disorders in animals, negative effects on native plants, parasite organisms in planting areas and the destruction of the plant due to extreme cold, which will undoubtedly lead to an increase in economic costs after its destruction, as well as reducing fodder production. Therefore, in order to improve and revitalize dry and semi-arid rangelands, it is necessary to introduce, reproduce and deploy indigenous species with high adaptability and high yield.

Plant samples in different growth stages (vegetative, flowering and seeding) were collected from arid and semi-arid hilly loess soil located north of Golestan province, Gonbad-e Qabus (Dashli Borun). The Gonbad-e Qabus is located (55o 12 N, 37o 16 E) and 45 m above sea level. The mean annual rainfall amount is below 450 mm and mean annual temperature is above 20 °C. Samples of Astragalus podolobus, Atriplex (A. canesences), Salsola (S. rigida), Lyceum, Artemisia sieberi were taken and air dried at 60 °C for 48 h and milled to pass a 1 and 1.5 mm screen. Their nutritive value was evaluated through determination of chemical compositions and in vitro gas production techniques. Samples were tested in an in vitro gas production method (96 h incubation) and batch rumen culture system (24 h incubation). Rumen fluid was collected before the morning feed from three fistulated Dalagh male sheep (45 ± 2.5 kg live weight fed on a forage diet at a concentration of 40:60). In vitro gas production was measured in triplicate and for each replicate, a sample of 200 mg DM were used. The bottles were then filled with 30 ml of incubation medium that consisted of 10 ml of rumen fluid plus 20 ml of buffer solution and placed in a water bath at 39 °C. Gas production was recorded at 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. Total gas values corrected for blank incubation and gas values expressed in ml g-1 of DM. The asymptotic gas production system (A) and rate of gas production (c), organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA). A medium similar to one developed for gas production was used for batch rumen culture system to measure pH, and NH3-N and in vitro digestibility. The pH of the media was measured after 24 h incubation. After 24 h incubation, the contents of each glass bottle were empty, strained through four layers of cheesecloth and then 10 ml of strained rumen fluid was acidified by 10 ml of 0.2 N HCl for determination of NH3-N using the distillation method. Finally, all contents remaining in the bottles were filtered through nylon bags, oven dried at 60 °C for 48 h and analyzed for IVDMD and IVOMD.

Results showed that there were significant differences among plants species for chemical composition. The OM content ranged from 63.77 to 89.33% for all species and Artemisia sieberi had highest and salsola had lowest at seedling stage. The results of the present study showed that there were significant differences among plants species on potential and rate of gas production. Artemisia sieberi and Atriplex canscens had highest potential gas production at flowering and seedling, respectively. Salsola had lowest OM digestibility, ME and ACFA concentration. There were significantly differences among different species on DM digestibilty vegetative stage and Artemisia sieberi and Atriplex had highest (58.66 %) and lowest (50 %) DM digestibilty, respectively. Salsola showed the highest value of partitioning factor at vegetative stage(7.37 mg/ml) and lycium showed the lowest value of partitioning factor at seeding stage (3.42 mg/ml).

In conclusion, results of current study showed that Astragalus podolobus has nutritive value as similar as Artemisia Sieberi. However, further investigation is needed in order to determine nutritive value of these species.

The term “guinea fowl” is the common name of the seven species of gallinaceous birds of the family Numididae, which is originated from Africa and their meat and eggs are very popular. Eggs, one of the versatile foods, inexpensive and high nutritious, supply well balanced nutrients that affect human health. An egg is a rich source of protein and then have high biological value. Eggs contain essential proteins, fats, vitamins except vitamin C, minerals mainly including calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, potassium and sodium, and bioactive compounds, and their compositions could be affected by type of bird, heredity, strain, age, hen diet, and environmental conditions such as season and rearing condition. An average weight of egg in commercial strains is usually 55 g and this trait mainly influenced by diet mainly the concentration of methionine and lysine and energy content. Distribution of proteins in egg component is equal between egg yolk and egg white. Other hands, the egg yolk is the major part of lipid, mineral and vitamins. The high consumer preferences of guinea fowl and its products demonstrate that guinea fowl is valuable and have high marketing potential. Compared to native hens and chickens, the guinea fowl’s benefits are: low production and rearing cost, high meat quality, greater capacity to scavenge for insects and grains, better ability to protect itself against predators and low incidence of common poultry diseases than chickens including parasites Newcastle Disease and Fowl Pox. In order to improving household protein supply and income and Because of the great potential for increasing guinea fowl production for smallholder farmers need to evaluate their products and specifically egg. This study was conducted to determine internal and external egg quality traits, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of yolk of East Azarbaijan province guinea fowl and compare their values with table hen eggs values.

A total of 50 clean eggs were obtained from Bonab guinea fowl research station by simple random sampling method. The guinea fowl breeders were at the same age and fed with similar diets. In order to compare of these values with table eggs values, 50 clean table eggs were purchased from a market. After sampling, the eggs were immediately transferred to the lab and internal and external egg quality traits were individually measured. Descriptive statistics of traits were determined using SAS software by univariate procedure and unpaired t-test was used to compare the data of guinea fowl eggs with table eggs data.

The results of this study showed that the mean external egg quality traits of guinea fowl eggs such as egg weight, shell ratio and thickness, egg shape index and egg volume were 40.736 g, 15.604% , 0.718 mm, 78.801 and 42.035 cm3, respectively. The mean of internal egg quality traits of guinea fowl eggs such as yolk and albumin percentage, haugh unit, yolk color, pH of yolk and albumin were 31.418%, 52.977%, 78.030, 8.80, 6.592 and 9.332, respectively. Also, the average external egg quality traits of table eggs such as egg weight, shell percentage and thickness, egg shape index and egg volume were 61.371 g, 9.080 %, 0.665 mm, 76.852 and 63.065 cm3. The mean of internal egg quality traits of table eggs such as yolk and albumen percentage, haugh unit, yolk color, pH of yolk and albumen were 31.334%, 59.585%, 75.075, 4.70, 6.431 and 9.415, respectively. The average of shell thickness of guinea fowl eggs were higher than hen eggs that indicate the shell strength of guinea fowl eggs is higher than table eggs. For determinating of chemical composition of guinea fowl and table eggs, 5 mixed samples (from each 10 eggs) were prepared. The amounts of albumin and yolk dry matter, albumin and yolk crude protein, yolk ether extract, and ash contents of shells were 13.526 and 46.662, 81.696 and 33.652, 31.456, and 89.924%, respectively and these values in table eggs were 12.730 and 45.770, 84.384 and 33.064, 30.406 and 77.564, respectively. The ash content of egg shells in guinea fowl was higher than that of table eggs. This is consistent with shell ratio and shell weight. Cholesterol content of the guinea fowl and table eggs were 1605 and 1391 mg/100 g of yolk, respectively. To determine the fatty acid profile of egg yolk of guinea fowl and table eggs, 5 mixed samples were selected and the fatty acids contents were measured by the gas chromatography method. In guinea fowl, the highest fatty acids content of egg yolks were palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid, with the amounts of 28.274%, 34.686% and 20.130% of total fatty acids of egg yolk, respectively. The highest and the lowest fatty acid content of table egg yolks were palmitic acid and docosapantaenoic acid with values of 29.176 and 0.026, respectively. The sum of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty (MUFAs) acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the egg yolk of guinea fowl were 38.144, 38.712 and 22.090 % and for table eggs were 40.638, 32.280 and 19.361 %, respectively. The sum of PUFAs of guinea fowl eggs significantly higher than table eggs (p<0.05). Sum of n-3 PUFAs in table eggs was higher than guinea fowl eggs (0.567 vs 0.342) and unlike n-6 fatty acids, the guinea fowl eggs had higher value in comparison of table eggs (21.746 vs 18.694). PUFAs and specially, n-6 PUFAs have a hypo-cholesterolemic effect than n-3 PUFAs and therefore guinea fowl eggs can decrease cholesterol content of serum.

According to the results, the level of cholesterol, n-6 fatty acids and n-6 to n-3 fatty acids ratio of guinea fowl eggs were higher than those of table eggs. Also, the sum of PUFAs and the sum of SFA to sum of MUFA ratio in yolk samples of guinea fowl eggs in comparison with table eggs were higher.

Primarily the purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and the in vitro fermentation parameters of banana peel (BP) in comparison with wheat straw and alfalfa hay. Then, substitutional effects of BP with levels of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 g/kg in dry matter (DM) In Vitro Fermentation Parameters were investigated. Results showed that BP had higher crude protein (CP) content compared to wheat straw, but it was lower than alfalfa (P<0.05). However, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin content of BP were lower compared to other experimental feeds (P<0.05). Greater ether extract and non-fibre carbohydrate contents were observed in BP compared to other experimental feeds (P<0.05). Potential of GP (b coefficient) and ruminal organic matter disappearance of BP were greater than wheat straw, but they were lower compared to alfalfa (P<0.05). Alfalfa and BP had similar total GP (TGP) and DM disappearance (P>0.05). Microbial protein production (MPP) increased with BP incubation compared other feeds (P<0.05). Two-stage DM and ADF digestibility were lower in BP than alfalfa (P<0.05), while their NDF digestibility was not significant (P>0.05). A linear reduction in ammonia-N concentration and a linear increase in MPP and partitioning factor were observed as BP dietary level was elevated (P<0.05). Other fermentation parameters and ruminal DM and OM digestibility were similar among experimental diets (P>0.05). In conclusion, results of present study indicated that banana peel has a better nutritive value in comparison with wheat straw and is comparable to alfalfa. In addition, it can be used in dry nutrition up to 20 % DM without any negative effects on in vitro fermentation parameters.

Mesquite or Kahoor (Prosopis Juliflora swartz) fimily Leguminosae, sub-fimily Mimosoideaes is a perennial, fast-growing, ever- green and drought resistant shrub or tree that planted and developed in the south parts of Iran and is known as Kahoor. This plant can be used for preventing soil erosion and stability of sand dunes. It also provides fruit (pod) as animal feed. The young branches (browses) and pods of Kahoor is good goats and camel. The aim of this study was determining the chemical composition and digestibility of Prosopis Juliflora pods and leaves and to using Prosopis Juliflora pods (PJP) in diet on the growth Performance of fattening Tali goats.

In this experiment 24 Kahoor pods and leaves samples were collected randomly from three intensive cultivated planted areas in Hormozgan province. Samples sun dried and mixed to get homogenous and then were used for chemical analysis. Also, Kahoor pods and leaves were collected, dried and ground in this study the In vivo digestibility of Kahoor pods and leaves were determined by eight Goat. Eighteen Tali male Kids with initial body weight of 13.20 ±1.5 kg were randomly divided into two equal groups on the basis of age and live weight (LW) used in a experimental design with two treatments and nine replications. Goats fed with control diet and the other group with diet of 28.5 % PJP (30% forage to 70 % concentrate ratio) for 14 weeks. The diets were offered into two equal halves daily at 08:00 am and 16:00 pm hours. The kids were weighted in initial trial and every 2 weeks after 16 h feed deprivation using a suspended weighing scale and calculated their weight changes. The average body weight gain, average dry matter intake and feed conversion ware determined. Chemical composition and digestibility, Feed intake, body weight changes and feed conversion data were analyzed using the SAS 9.1(2001) software and GLM procedures, with two treatments and nine repeats per treatment with using T- test.

The result of this experiment showed that the chemical composition mean of PJP and PJL samples were contained 88.4,42.31% dry matter, 92.61,90.52% organic matter, 13.82,20.3% crude protein, 5.42,9.48% ash,40.3,54.22% neutral detergent fiber, 26.98,31.84% acid detergent fiber, 1.04,2.26% calcium, 0.21,0.27% phosphors (on DM basis) respectively. The average digestibility coefficient pods and leaves for Dry matter, Organic matter, Neutral detergent fiber and Acid detergent fiber is 60.99, 55.74 and 62.16, 57/69 and 56.25, 59.78 and 47.45, 43.05, respectively. The average daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were 87.28 g, 783.3g, 8.6 and 90.55g, 823.3g, 8.3 respectively for Kids received control and PJP diet that were not statistically different. Total cost of feed and also, cost of meat production was cheaper than control group. The result of this study indicated that the PJP similar to commercial concentrate has supplied kids requirements that can be suitable replacement for commercial concentrate in fattening kids diets.

Results indicated that pods and leaves contain a large amount of essential nutritive material and can used T.M.R. with other feed in maintenance conditions animal rations after drying and reducing anti nutrition materials. Also; that PJP can be used in fattening kids concentrate to 28.5 % DM rate without negative and side effect on growth performance and FCR goats and reduced 30% the feeding cost economically.