RESUMO
Vermicompost is applied as a soil amendment to promote plant growth and yield. It also helps to significantly reduce the incidence of soil-borne diseases. However, its efficiency depends on the type of earthworm from which it is formed. The current study aims to compare the effects of two vermicompost types derived from African nightcrawler (AF) and Tiger worm (TG) as a soil amendment to evaluate its potential for suppressing damping-off disease both in vitro and in vivo. It also aims to determine the effects of both vermicompost types on the growth and yield-related traits of potted Thai vegetable soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] variety "Chiang Mai 84-2" grown under greenhouse conditions when amended to the soil at various application rates (1%, 2%, 3% w/w). AF vermicompost exhibited better suppression of damping-off disease than TG vermicompost in vitro and under greenhouse conditions. AF vermicompost performed significantly greater suppressive efficacy on the mycelial growth of Athelia rolfsii in vitro than TG vermicompost, indicated by 50% and 16% inhibition, respectively. Damping-off incidence on vegetable soybean seedlings grown in soil amended with AF vermicompost was significantly lower (21%) than in soil amended with TG vermicompost (32%) under greenhouse conditions. With an increased application rate of 1% to 2% or 3% for each vermicompost type, plant yields significantly enhanced, with no significant variations among the 2% and 3% rates. Applying vermicompost at 2% w/w through soil amendment was the appropriate rate for promoting the growth and yield of potted vegetable soybeans. The results can be used to guide the application of vermicompost to control soil-borne plant diseases, promote plant growth, and enhance yields, especially in terms of organic crop production. Further research is needed to evaluate its potential for other potted crops and protect against soil-borne diseases.
RESUMO
Objective: This study examined the effects of substituting winged bean tuber steam (WBTS) modified starches for cassava chips (CSC) in the concentrate diet on rumen fermentation, nutrient utilization, and blood metabolites in Thai-native beef cattle. Methods: Four Thai-native bulls were assigned randomly as a 4 × 4 Latin square design, which represents the amount of CSC replaced with WBTS in the concentrate mixture diets at 0, 10, 20, and 30%. Results: Increasing levels of WBTS replacement for CSC in the concentrate diets had a quadratic effect on total dry matter (DM) intake (p<0.05). Replacement of WBTS at 20% and 30% for CSC did not alter total DM intake compared to 0% WBTS, whereas 10% WBTS replacement could significantly increase total DM intake by 0.41 kg DM/day compared to the control group. In addition, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility showed a quadratic increase (p < 0.05) when CSC was substituted at various levels of WBTS in the concentrate diet (p < 0.05). Replacement of CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% showed higher NDF digestibility when compared to 0% replacement. There was a quadratic increase in blood glucose at 4 h post-feeding, and the average blood glucose value was significantly lower (p < 0.01) when substituting CSC with WBTS. Substituting WBTS for CSC at 10% in the concentrate diet showed the highest blood glucose concentration when compared to other treatments. Replacing CSC with WBTS at 10% and 20% shows a higher concentration of C3 than those of other treatments (0% or 30%). The nitrogen (N) intake (NI) increased linearly (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at all levels in the diet. Additionally, N retention (NR) and the ratio of N retention to N intake increased (p<0.05) when substituting WBTS for CSC at 10%, 20%, and 30% compared to 0%. The gross energy intake (GEI), digestible energy intake (DEI), and energy efficiency (DEI/GEI) were quadratically increased when substituted with various levels of WBTS for CSC in the concentrate diet. Conclusion: The findings indicate that substituting 10% of CSC in the concentrate diet with WBTS may be sufficient as an alternative feed resource for improving nutrient utilization and metabolic efficiency in beef cattle diets.
RESUMO
The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of replacing corn meal in ruminant diets with winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) tubers (WBT) on ruminal fermentation, gas production parameters, and in vitro degradability. The study employed a completely random design (CRD) in its execution. The experimental design employed was a completely randomized design (CRD), featuring eleven levels of corn meal substitution with winged bean tubers pellet (WBTP) at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100%. The levels were grouped into four categories of replacement: control (0% in the diet), low levels (10%, 20%, and 30% in the diet), medium levels (40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% in the diet), and high levels (80%, 90%, and 100% in the diet). The experimental results indicated that substituting corn meal with WBTP at moderate and high levels in the diet could improve the performance of the fermentation process by increasing the gas production rate constant from the insoluble fraction (p < 0.01). The IVDMD exhibited a higher degree of in vitro degradation after 12 h (h), with the mean value being higher in the high group compared to the medium until the high group (p < 0.05). At the 4 h mark, the groups that substituted corn meal with WBTP exhibited a decrease in pH value (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control group. The substitution of corn meal with WBTP resulted in the lowest protozoal count after 8 h in the median group (p < 0.05). A significant difference in the effect of WBTP on total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration was observed at 8 h after incubation (p < 0.05). The medium and high levels of WBTP replacement resulted in the lowest TVFA concentration at 8 h (p < 0.05). The mean proportion of acetic acid (C2) linearly declined and was lowest when a high level of WBTP replaced cornmeal (p < 0.05). The concentration of propionic acid (C3) at 8 h after incubation and average values were linearly significantly different when various levels of WBTP were utilized. Replacing corn meal with WBTP at a high level showed the highest concentration of C3. Moreover, substituting medium and high concentrations of WBTP for corn meal resulted in a significant reduction in both the C2:C3 ratio at 8 h and the mean value (p < 0.05). In conclusion, WBTP exhibits a nutritional composition that is advantageous and may be an energetic substitute for corn meal.