Gypsum requirements of a Red-Brown Earth used for dryland cropping were determined by 2 methods: those of the State Chemistry Laboratory (SCL) and of the Institute for Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture (ISIA). These are based, respectively, on exchangeable cations of soil by the Tucker method, and on water-soluble cations in a 1:5 water extract of soil. Information was also gained on longevity of gypsum effects on soil. Gypsum was applied to plots at rates 0·5, 1, and 2 times that predicted by ISIA, whereas the SCL method predicted that no gypsum was required. After 2 years, plots were split and the 3 rates of gypsum were either applied to soil previously untreated with gypsum, or re-applied to the soil treated 2 years before. According to the SCL test, the 0–10 cm soil depth of the Red-Brown Earth was not sodic (ESP <6), it was slightly magnesic (EMgP >25), and required no gypsum. However, it was found that gypsum lowered ESP, EMgP, and clay dispersion, with some effects extending into the 10–20 cm soil depth. With the ISIA method, the 0–10 cm soil depth was classed as low-sodic, but potentially dispersive; it required 2·5 t/ha of gypsum if soil was cultivated, but no gypsum if it was direct-drilled or was under pasture. One year after application, only the highest rate of gypsum (5 t/ha) significantly (P < 0·001) raised the electrolyte concentration of the soil suspension, although all rates reduced (P < 0·001) SAR, and the 2 higher rates reduced (P < 0·01) clay dispersion. However, these effects had disappeared after Year 3. There were significant increases in crop yields due to gypsum treatment in Year 1 (0·5–0·9 t/ha, P < 0·01) and Year 2 (0·3 t/ha, P < 0·001), but no response in Year 3. Fungal diseases seemed to reduce wheat responses, and the highest rate of gypsum caused chlorosis of lupins. Judging by crop performance, the ISIA method predicted an optimal rate of gypsum for the 0–10 cm layer of this soil type. The SCL prediction was also only for the 0–10 cm layer, but had it been used for deeper layers in the profile (the original intention for the technique), it would have given a recommendation not very different from the ISIA method.
ifteen adult local ewes aged 2-4 years with an average body weight of 30 kg were employed to study the effects of grazing and supplementary feeding on wool follicles activity. Animals were randomly divided into three equal groups. The first group was kept in confinement (control, group 1) and fed on clover hay supplemented with concentrate feed mixture (1% of BW), while the other two groups (2 and 3) were grazing the natural rangelands and supplemented with the same concentrate mixture (1 or 2% of BW, respectively). Animals raised in Hederbah valley, Shalateen Research Station from July 2013 to April 2014. At the end of the experiment, skin samples were taken and used to examine the follicle activity and their fibres in response to grazing and supplementary feeding. Results revealed that there is a significant increase in various primary follicle dimensions and their fibres of animals having the supplementary feeding with the double amount of concentrate except in the wall thickness which decreased significantly in all treated animals in comparison with the control group. The increase in the internal diameter of the follicles accompanied by a decrease in the follicles wall thickness was in relation to the increased values of the fiber diameter. Medulla thickness also showed an increased value by the double supplementary feeding. Grazing process showed a significant decrease in the external diameter and wall thickness of the primary follicles and in all secondary follicle dimensions in animals having 1% from body weight concentrate mixture in comparison with the control group. On the other hand, supplementary feeding level by 2% from body weight concentrate mixture showed a slight increase in all secondary follicle dimensions and their fiber diameters in comparison with the other grazed group. Histochemically, there is an excess protein and carbohydrate content in the outer root sheath of both primary and secondary wool follicles than that in the inner root sheath. Administration of double amount of concentrate resulted in a significant increase in the protein content in both sheaths of the primary follicles. An intermediate content was observed in the grazed group having concentrate 1% from body weight. The general carbohydrates showed a reversible trend and the intermediate value was detected in the control group. In secondary follicles, free grazing revealed a non significant decrease in the general protein contents in both follicle sheaths while the general carbohydrates showed an increase in grazed animal than the control group and in the supplemented group than the other two groups. Generally, the supplementary feeding increased the activity of the primary and secondary wool follicles and consequently the wool production and reduced the effect of grazing process.
he influence of halophytic diets with or without inclusion with protected fats was studied on the hair follicle dimensions and activity in the skin of Shami goats. Fortytwo adult Shami goats were divided into three groups (14 each) fed on diets with a ratio of 40% concentrate and 60% roughage and drink fresh water twice daily. The roughage in the first group, which representing the control was berseem hay, while in the other two groups were a mixture of 50% Atriplex halimus and Nummularia and 50% pearl millet with presence or absence of protected fats. Skin samples were taken to determine the hair follicle characteristics and activities. Results obtained indicated that feeding trails have small or no significant effects on the hair follicle dimensions or activities between tested and control groups and consequently elevated the negative effects of poor quality fibrous feed on follicle hair production and activity. A slight increase was found in the diameters of fibers from the secondary follicles in contrast with those of primary follicles, which showed a reversible trend. Meanwhile, the medulla thickness of the fibers produced from the primary follicles showed no significant changes corresponding to different feed trails. The histochemical evaluation revealed that significant differences in carbohydrate and protein contents of both primary and secondary follicle sheaths were found between the different treatment groups. The highest values of both carbohydrate and protein contents were recorded in the group which have protected fat in their diet. Animals fed on halophytes supplemented with protected fat were associated with higher sebaceous gland cell and nucleus diameters of both primary and secondary follicles. In an overall of conclusion, from the stand point of the skin follicle activity and hair production, the mixture of Atriplex halimus, Nummularia and pearl millet supplemented with protected fat could T
The present study aimed at investigating the effect of using Barki sheep ewes. Forty-two animals were utilized in the experiment. 14 ewes served as control (given berseem hay as a basal roughage diet), 14 ewes were designed to be given mixture of salt plants at a percentage of (50% Atriplex Halimus and Nummularia and 50% Pearl Millet) and 14 ewes were fed the same diet with propionibacteria (1gm/h/day). Skin samples were taken from different feed trials and prepared for histological and histochemical studies. Wool fibre samples were also examined illustrating some wool traits under the same different feeding treatments. Results indicated a significant enhancement of the follicle activity due to the follicle dimensions, primary follicles exhibited less reaction than secondary follicles (P<0.05). The addition of propionibacteria decreased disturbances caused by salt plants on follicle dimensions. It also enhanced (P<0.05) the production of protein contents in both primary and secondary wool follicle sheathes. There were no differences in carbohydrate contents in the wool follicles of animals in the control group and those fed propionibacteria. Administration of propionibacteria resulted in an increased fibre diameter and wool traits. In conclusion, giving Barki ewes propionibacteria as feed additive enhanced the metabolic activity resulting in an increased wool follicle activity and decreased the negative effect of salt plants on their performance.
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