<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The use of antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production has been the norm in developing countries, however, the increased rate of antibiotic resistance in humans has resulted in the search for alternatives without negative residual effects. This study investigated the effect of dietary olive garlic extract oil (OGEO) supplementation on the performance and haematological indices of broilers. The experiment lasted for 42 days and broilers were fed varying levels of OGEO‑supplemented diets at the starter (0–21 days) and finisher (22–42 days) phases using two hundred and forty unsexed Ross broilers. Four experimental diets were formulated for the two phases and the diets were designated as diet 1(control (without OGEO)) while diets 2, 3, and 4 were supplemented with OGEO at 1 % (10 g/kg diet) 3 % (30 g/kg diet) and 5 % (50 g/kg diet). Each had four replicates containing fifteen birds per replicate. Performance was measured weekly and haematological indices were determined on days 21 and 42. Data collected were analysed in a one‑way analysis of variance (SAS, 2000) and significant differences were determined using Tukey’s test. Body weight (BW) increased linearly (L) (<italic>p</italic> = 0.003) and quadratically (Q) (<italic>p</italic> = 0.006) with dietary supplementation of OGEO at 1 % for broilers on day 21. Similarly, at day 42, BW increased (L, <italic>p</italic> = 0.006; Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.029) for the broiler on the same treatment. Mortality reduced (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.035) for broilers fed 1 % OGEO‑supplemented diet at day 42. At day 21, Packed cell volume (PCV, 47.33 %) (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.033) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV, 130.83pg) (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.008) increased for broilers fed 1 % and 3 % OGEO supplemented diet respectively. Supplementation of OGEO at 3 % increased (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.036) PCV (37.33 %) and haemoglobin (Q, <italic>p</italic> = 0.021) (137.30 g/L) at day 42. In conclusion, the supplementation of OGEO in the diet of broilers at 1 % resulted in improved WG and reduced mortality. The PCV and haemoglobin of broilers can be increased with the supplementation of OGEO up to 3 % in the diet of broilers; it is thus a suitable alternative to antibiotics for improved performance and immunity.
</abstract>

Dietary olive‑garlic extract oil supplementation: influence on performance and haematological indices of broilers

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

This study aims to update the list of Nitidulidae species observed on date palms in Algeria (Ziban region), their spatial dynamics according to the development stages (larva, pupa, adult), and the effectiveness of the bagging operation. In 2020, we sampled and examined 1800 dates of the Deglet Nour variety from three palm groves managed with different protection modes: yellow bagging, white bagging, and no bagging. The results obtained mention the presence of nine species of Nitidulidae with five species reported for the first time on dates in Algeria. The highest relative abundance (RA) of Nitidulidae beetles was noted in the southern (28%) direction. However, the variation of infestation rate (IR) according to the direction was not very accentuated. The GLM analysis showed that, except for the adult stage, the direction presented a highly significant effect on the RA variation of the total Nitudilidae, the larva and pupa stages (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001), but there was no significant effect of direction on the IR in all studied cases. The highest RA of total Nitidulidae was found on the white plastic-protected dates (RA = 42%), the IR of the total Nitidulidae was higher on dates protected by yellow plastic (IR = 38%). The unprotected dates recorded the lowest RA and IR for all studied cases and the effect of bagging type on the RA variation of Nitidulidae, in all studied cases, was statistically highly significant (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). This effect on the IR was very highly significant only for total Nitudilidae, larvae, and adults (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.0001). So, the southern direction presents the best conditions for sheltering the largest numbers of Nitidulidae. The latter also has a marked preference for bunches covered by plastic bags rather than for those left uncovered. This implies the ineffectiveness of the operation of protecting dates with plastic bags, especially the yellow-coloured ones.
</abstract>

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Sciences

Laboratory Biodiversity, Biotechnology and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences

Laboratory of Biosystematics and Ecology of Arthropods

Sap beetles (Nitidulidae) of date palms of the Deglet Nour variety in the Ziban region (Algeria): distribution patterns and effectiveness of date bunch bagging

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

The study determined the impact of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) adoption on crop yield, income, and food security status of smallholder farmers in north-western Nigeria using a sample of 377 farming households. Descriptive statistics, farm budgeting, probit regression model, and treatment effect model were used for data analysis. The result revealed that 82 % of the respondents are adopters of the CSA practices. Significant differences exist in the socioeconomic attributes of the adopters and non-adopters of CSA practices. More so, adopters had significantly larger farm sizes of about 4.0ha compared to 3.4ha for non-adopters. The major CSA practices adopted include crop rotation, application of organic and inorganic fertilisers, and multiple cropping. The major determinants of CSA practices adoption are age, membership of an association, and awareness of climate change impact. The result further shows that CSA adoption will increase technical efficiency scores by 21.9 %, crop income by ₦19,389 ($17.62) per hectare, while the household per capita expenditure on food will also increase by ₦21,938 ($20.0) This implies that the adoption of climate-smart agriculture significantly improved crop yield, income and food security status of smallholder farmers. To sustain the benefits of CSA practices adoption, farmers should be supported so that they do not discontinue its adoption. Credit availability should also be facilitated by the government to enable farmers to obtain relevant agricultural inputs to complement the adoption of CSA practices.
</abstract>

Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and its impact on smallholder farming households in some rural areas of North-Western Nigeria

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Land use changes influence soil quality, which is of fundamental importance in sustainable crop production and environmental management. This study evaluated land use impact on soil quality at Samaru College of Agriculture farm, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. The land use types were Tomato/Pepper, Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin, Mango/Orange, and Guava/Mango. A profile pit was dug in each land unit. Soil samples were collected from genetic horizons, prepared, and analysed in the laboratory using standard methods. Sand, silt, and clay differed significantly (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) among the land uses. The soil texture varied from clay loam to clay. Bulk density (BD) was significantly (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) higher under Mango/Orange and Guava/Mango than other land use types. The soil reaction (pH) ranged from 5.0 to 5.8 and was strongly to moderately acidic. Soil organic carbon was low (&lt; 10 g/kg), total nitrogen values of 0.19 – 0.24 g/kg were low, and available phosphorus values of 1.8 – 27.4 mg/kg were rated low to high across the land use types. Soils under the Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin land use type were significantly higher in organic carbon, exchangeable potassium, sodium, and effective cation exchange capacity than the other land use types. Soil quality under Grapevine/Fluted pumpkin was rated best (80 %), whereas soil quality under Tomato/Pepper land use type was the worst (40 %). The soils were low-to-high in quality and had a higher potential to support crop production if management practices that encourage the build-up of nutrients in the soil system were adopted. The application of manure, liming materials, and phosphorus-based fertilisers is advocated.
</abstract>

Department of Horticulture and Landscape Technology

Evaluation of land use impact on soil quality in Samaru College of Agriculture, Northern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

This study evaluated the health effects of feeding diets of different feed particle sizes supplemented with multienzyme to broiler chickens. Cobb500 (n = 450) broiler chicks (as hatched) were randomly distributed to nine treatments, with each treatment consisting of five replicates of ten birds. The experiment was arranged in a 3 × 3 factorial (three feed particle sizes [3, 4, and 5 mm] and three multienzyme supplementations [0, 1, and 2 g/kg]). The blood indices of the chickens were evaluated. The data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and means were compared using the Tukey Test at a 5 % probability level. The correlation between the growth performance and blood indices was also calculated. Birds fed the 3 mm particle sizes had decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) red blood cell (RBC) and lymphocyte counts with increased multienzyme at the starter phase, while the other haematological indicators increased as the multienzyme supplementation increased. Feeding the 4 mm particle size yielded similar (<italic>p</italic> &lt; <italic>0.05</italic>) total protein, triglyceride, and uric acid for all multienzyme inclusions. An increase in the multienzyme inclusion increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) the RBC of birds fed the 5 mm particles with a decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) and eosinophil counts. At the finisher phase, serum albumin increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) decreased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05), with increased multienzyme inclusion in birds fed the diet of 3 mm particles. Birds fed 4 mm particles had increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) ALP and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) with increased multienzyme, while those fed the 5 mm particle size had increased (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) albumin, aspartate transaminase (AST) as multienzyme supplementation increased. The correlation between growth performance and blood indices showed that feed intake (FI) has a significant (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) impact on the blood profile of broiler chickens. The study concluded that other growth performance indicators, except the feed intake, have no impact on the blood profile of broilers. Feed particle sizes impact feed intake in broiler chickens which consequently impacts their blood composition. Therefore, the size of broiler feed particles has an impact on the health and well-being of the birds.
</abstract>

Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production

Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production

São Paulo State University (UNESP), Faculty of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences

Blood profile as a health indicator in broiler chickens fed diets of different particle sizes supplemented with multienzyme

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 57 (2024): Issue 1 (January 2024)

Volume 56 (2023): Issue 1 (January 2023)

Volume 55 (2022): Issue 1 (January 2022)

Volume 54 (2021): Issue 1 (January 2021)

Volume 53 (2020): Issue 4 (December 2020)

Volume 53 (2020): Issue 3 (September 2020)

Volume 53 (2020): Issue 2 (June 2020)

Volume 53 (2020): Issue 1 (March 2020)

Volume 52 (2019): Issue 3-4 (December 2019)

Volume 52 (2019): Issue 2 (June 2019)

Volume 52 (2019): Issue 1 (March 2019)

Volume 51 (2018): Issue 4 (December 2018)

Volume 51 (2018): Issue 3 (September 2018)

Volume 51 (2018): Issue 2 (June 2018)

Volume 51 (2018): Issue 1 (March 2018)

Volume 50 (2017): Issue 4 (December 2017)

Volume 50 (2017): Issue 3 (September 2017)

Volume 50 (2017): Issue 2 (June 2017)

Volume 50 (2017): Issue 1 (March 2017)

Volume 49 (2016): Issue 1-4 (December 2016)

Volume 48 (2015): Issue 3-4 (December 2015)

Volume 48 (2015): Issue 1-2 (June 2015)

Volume 47 (2014): Issue 4 (December 2014)

Volume 47 (2014): Issue 3 (September 2014)

Volume 47 (2014): Issue 2 (June 2014)

Volume 47 (2014): Issue 1 (March 2014)

Volume 46 (2013): Issue 4 (December 2013)

Volume 46 (2013): Issue 3 (September 2013)

Volume 46 (2013): Issue 2 (June 2013)

Volume 46 (2013): Issue 1 (March 2013)

Volume 45 (2012): Issue 4 (December 2012)

Volume 45 (2012): Issue 3 (October 2012)

Volume 45 (2012): Issue 2 (June 2012)

Volume 45 (2012): Issue 1 (March 2012)

Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica

 Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica is an international peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU) and managed by the Faculty of Regional Development and International Studies. As of 2021 it is published as Open Volume, i.e. accepted articles are immediately presented on the Sciendo platform in a continuous manner, not grouped in issues any more.   The objective of the journal is to promote the science and development of animal and plant production, animal health and welfare, issues of sustainable agriculture, agriculture technology, land and water protection, forestry in tropics and subtropics, landscape, economy of agriculture and rural development in tropical and subtropical areas, as well as studies on human resources in agriculture and protection of biodiversity. Its aim is thus to help sustainable agriculture that would provide quality food for growing human population in the areas under study.   The quality of each contribution is assessed by at least two international experts in the respective field of agricultural sciences. The members of our Editorial Board are critically evaluating the revised manuscripts before final approval is issued.   ATS welcomes original research papers, review articles, and short communications that are related to all aspects of agricultural sciences and technology from all continents and cultures. It is the most friendly publishing forum for young scientists beginning to communicate their results as well as for the seasoned ones.   Scope of the journal   Plant and animal production, animal health and welfare, issues of sustainable agriculture, agriculture technology, land and water protection, forestry in tropics and subtropics, agricultural economics, and regional development in tropical and subtropical areas.   Key words   Serious, author-friendly, helpful, accurate, responsible, reliable   Why subscribe and read   Original and review articles on all aspects and hot topics in tropical agriculture are published. The aim is to support better and sustainable use of local resources such as plants, animals, and soils for human use and support biodiversity.   Why submit   Constructive, comprehensive blind peer reviews by international experts. Editorial support to authors.   Rejection Rate    Approx. 50%      Archiving   Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.   Plagiarism Policy   The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.   BACK ISSUES:Link to previous on-line volumes of Agricultura Tropica et Subtropica (abstracts in years 1989- 2004, full texts from 2005): www.agriculturaits.czu.cz/ and www.agricultura.mendelu.cz 