Evaluation of Lactobacillus Plantarum Additive on Growth Performance, Excreta Microbiota, Nutrient Digestibility, Gas Emission, and Meat Quality in Ross308-Broilers

The intention of this study was to analyze the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) additive with different nutrient density diets on growth performance, excreta microbiota, nutrient digestibility, gas emission, and meat quality in Ross308-broilers. A total of 576 mixed-sex, 1-d old Ross-308 chicks were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups with 8 replication and 18 chicks/cage. For a period of 35 days, HD and LD group chicks were fed with commercial corn and soybean meal-based basal diet which contains high and low nutrient density diet, respectively. The other treatment groups LP1 and LP2 chicks were fed with LD+ 0.05% and 0.01 % of L. plantarum, respectively. During day 21 and the overall experimental period, the body weight gain of broilers significantly increased (p<0.05) in HD and L. plantarum groups compared to the LD group. On day 35, broilers fed L. plantarum additive had significantly increased (p<0. 05) the nutrient digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen compared to those fed HD and LD diets. Moreover, dietary inclusion of L. plantarum additive had significantly increased (p<0.05) lactobacillus population and decreased (p>0.05) E. coli and ammonium emission. However, the meat quality traits were not affected by experimental diets. In conclusion, we infer that a low-density diet with 0.1% of L. plantarum additive could serve as an excellent alternative feed additive to enhance the performance of broilers.(AU)

Effects of the Inclusion of Dietary Organic Acid Supplementation with Anti-Coccidium Vaccine on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, and Chicken Fecal Noxious Gas Emissions

A total of 792 conventional healthy 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers chicks (mixed gender) with average body weight of 42.30±1.14 g (mean ± SD) were used in the experiment, which lasted for 35 days. Chicks were randomly allotted into one of four treatment diets, each one having 11 replicate cages with 18 birds each, being fed corn-soybean meal (SBM) based diets. Dietary treatments were CON (basal diet with unvaccinated birds); OA = CON + 0.1% organic acids; ACB = CON + anti-coccidium vaccine; OAACV = CON + 0.1% organic acid + anti-coccidium vaccine. Significant results were observed, with improved body weight (p=0.059; 0.064; 0.034) during days 1-7, 8-21, and overall, respectively. Significant effects were also observed on the feed conversion ratio (p=0.037) through the overall experiment, with no effects on feed intake on OAACV as compared to other treatment groups. Total track digestibility of dry matter (p=0.049) improved significantly in the OAACV treatment group. Additionally, beneficial effects were observed in the OAACV treatment group, with improvements in fecal microbial population (increased lactobacillus) and reduced NH3 gas emissions. Broilers fed the OAACV treatment tended to display reduced drip loss in the meat samples analyzed on days 5 and 7 (p=0.067, 0.072). In summary, our findings revealed that dietary inclusion of organic acid supplementation with anti-coccidium had a beneficial effect on broilers affected by coccidian infection, also improving growth performance, digestibility, fecal Lactobacillus counts, and reducing NH3.

Effects of the Inclusion of Dietary Organic Acid Supplementation with Anti-Coccidium Vaccine on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Fecal Microbial, and Chicken Fecal Noxious Gas Emissions

A total of 792 conventional healthy 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers chicks (mixed gender) with average body weight of 42.30±1.14 g (mean ± SD) were used in the experiment, which lasted for 35 days. Chicks were randomly allotted into one of four treatment diets, each one having 11 replicate cages with 18 birds each, being fed corn-soybean meal (SBM) based diets. Dietary treatments were CON (basal diet with unvaccinated birds); OA = CON + 0.1% organic acids; ACB = CON + anti-coccidium vaccine; OAACV = CON + 0.1% organic acid + anti-coccidium vaccine. Significant results were observed, with improved body weight (p=0.059; 0.064; 0.034) during days 1-7, 8-21, and overall, respectively. Significant effects were also observed on the feed conversion ratio (p=0.037) through the overall experiment, with no effects on feed intake on OAACV as compared to other treatment groups. Total track digestibility of dry matter (p=0.049) improved significantly in the OAACV treatment group. Additionally, beneficial effects were observed in the OAACV treatment group, with improvements in fecal microbial population (increased lactobacillus) and reduced NH3 gas emissions. Broilers fed the OAACV treatment tended to display reduced drip loss in the meat samples analyzed on days 5 and 7 (p=0.067, 0.072). In summary, our findings revealed that dietary inclusion of organic acid supplementation with anti-coccidium had a beneficial effect on broilers affected by coccidian infection, also improving growth performance, digestibility, fecal Lactobacillus counts, and reducing NH3.(AU)

Efficacy of a high quality O1/Campos foot-and-mouth disease vaccine upon challenge with a heterologous Korean O Mya98 lineage virus in pigs.

In 2010 serotype O foot-and-mouth disease virus of the Mya98 lineage/SEA topotype spread into most East Asian countries. During 2010-2011 it was responsible for major outbreaks in the Republic of Korea where a monovalent O/Manisa vaccine (belonging to the ME-SA topotype) was applied to help control the outbreaks. Subsequently, all susceptible animals were vaccinated every 6 months with a vaccine containing the O/Manisa antigen. Despite vaccination, the disease re-occurred in 2014 and afterwards almost annually. This study focuses on the in vivo efficacy in pigs of a high quality monovalent commercial O1/Campos vaccine against heterologous challenge with a representative 2015 isolate from the Jincheon Province of the Republic of Korea. Initially, viral characterizations and r1 determinations were performed on six viruses recovered in that region during 2014-2015, centering on their relationship with the well characterized and widely available O1/Campos vaccine strain. Genetic and antigenic analysis indicated a close similarity among 2014-2015 Korean isolates and with the previous 2010 virus, with distinct differences with the O1/Campos strain. Virus neutralisation tests using O1/Campos cattle and pig post vaccination sera and recent Korean outbreak viruses predicted acceptable cross-protection after a single vaccination, as indicated by r1 values, and in pigs, by expectancy of protection. In agreement with the in vitro estimates, in vivo challenge with a selected field isolate indicated that O1/Campos primo vaccinated pigs were protected, resulting in a PD50 value of nearly 10. The results indicated that good quality oil vaccines containing the O1/Campos strain can successfully be used against isolates belonging to the O Mya98/SEA topotype.

Evaluation of Aluminum Chloride As an Effective Short-Term Solution for Reducing Odor - Causing Volatile Fatty Acids in Duck Litter

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on pH and volatile fatty acid levels in duck litter over the course of a three-week experimental period. Ninety one-day-old Pekin ducks (45 males and 45 females) were distributed into three treatments with three replicates each (10 ducks per replicate) using a completely randomized design. Two treatments were top-dressing duck litter with thin layers (1-2 cm) of 50 g or 100 g of AlCl3 per kg of litter, respectively; the control group received no litter treatment. Although no significant differences in propionic acid levels (p>0.05) were observed in any of the treatments, overall pH values for the 50 g and 100 g AlCl3 treatments were both lower (p 0.05) than those of the control group. Additionally, the two AlCl3 treatments revealed a corresponding influence (p 0.05) on acetic acid levels during the last two weeks of the experimental period. These results indicate that aluminum chloride amendments (at a suggested rate of 100 g per kg of duck litter) are potentially useful in lowering the pH of duck litter, thereby decreasing acetic acid production as an indicator of odor emissions.

Evaluation of Aluminum Chloride As an Effective Short-Term Solution for Reducing Odor - Causing Volatile Fatty Acids in Duck Litter

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the effects of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on pH and volatile fatty acid levels in duck litter over the course of a three-week experimental period. Ninety one-day-old Pekin ducks (45 males and 45 females) were distributed into three treatments with three replicates each (10 ducks per replicate) using a completely randomized design. Two treatments were top-dressing duck litter with thin layers (1-2 cm) of 50 g or 100 g of AlCl3 per kg of litter, respectively; the control group received no litter treatment. Although no significant differences in propionic acid levels (p>0.05) were observed in any of the treatments, overall pH values for the 50 g and 100 g AlCl3 treatments were both lower (p 0.05) than those of the control group. Additionally, the two AlCl3 treatments revealed a corresponding influence (p 0.05) on acetic acid levels during the last two weeks of the experimental period. These results indicate that aluminum chloride amendments (at a suggested rate of 100 g per kg of duck litter) are potentially useful in lowering the pH of duck litter, thereby decreasing acetic acid production as an indicator of odor emissions.(AU)

Effects of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Root Meal in Diets Containing Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles on Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Excreta Noxious Gas Emission in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal (CRM) in laying hen diets containing corn dried distiller grains with soluble (DDGS) on production performance, egg quality, and excreta noxious gas emission. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line brown laying hens (40 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 1 of 4 dietary treatments (10 replications with 6 hens per replication) for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) corn-based diet (CON); 2) diet containing 10% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM10); 3) diet containing 20% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM20); 4) diet containing 30% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM30). The inclusion of 30% CRM in the diet containing 8% DDGS significantly decreased (p 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg production, and feed conversion ratio. Increasing the level of CRM in laying hen diets did not affect (p>0.05) the egg quality with the exception of decreased (p 0.05) egg yolk color when 30% of CRM was included in laying hens diet. CRM20 and CRM30 dietary treatments tended to decrease ammonia emission compared with CON dietary treatment (p=0.08). In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that CRM may be incorporated to a concentration of 20% in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS without detrimental effects on production performance and egg quality. Furthermore, the addition of 20% and 30% CRM in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS tended to reduce the excreta ammonia emission.

Effects of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Root Meal in Diets Containing Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles on Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Excreta Noxious Gas Emission in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal (CRM) in laying hen diets containing corn dried distiller grains with soluble (DDGS) on production performance, egg quality, and excreta noxious gas emission. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line brown laying hens (40 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 1 of 4 dietary treatments (10 replications with 6 hens per replication) for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) corn-based diet (CON); 2) diet containing 10% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM10); 3) diet containing 20% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM20); 4) diet containing 30% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM30). The inclusion of 30% CRM in the diet containing 8% DDGS significantly decreased (p 0.05) average daily feed intake (ADFI), egg production, and feed conversion ratio. Increasing the level of CRM in laying hen diets did not affect (p>0.05) the egg quality with the exception of decreased (p 0.05) egg yolk color when 30% of CRM was included in laying hens diet. CRM20 and CRM30 dietary treatments tended to decrease ammonia emission compared with CON dietary treatment (p=0.08). In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that CRM may be incorporated to a concentration of 20% in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS without detrimental effects on production performance and egg quality. Furthermore, the addition of 20% and 30% CRM in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS tended to reduce the excreta ammonia emission.(AU)

First Report of Powdery Mildew Caused by Podosphaera xanthii on Verbena brasiliensis in Korea.

Verbena brasiliensis Vell., commonly known as Brazilian verbena, is native to South America and has been introduced into North America, coastal Europe, southern Africa, and Australasia. Though partly cultivated for garden use, it is invasive in riverine areas and also on roadsides, forest margins, pastures, and waste areas (4). In Korea, this plant was first reported in 1998 in Jeju Island and has become widely naturalized by replacing indigenous plants and disrupting native ecosystems in most of southern part of Korea (3). Since 2009, powdery mildew on Brazilian verbena has been consistently found in several locations of Busan City, Korea. Symptoms appeared as circular to irregular white patches, which subsequently showed abundant hyphal growth on both sides of the leaves and on stems. High disease severity caused poor growth of the plants, resulting in premature senescence and reduced flowering. Specimens (n = 5) were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (KUS). Appressoria on the mycelium were nipple-shaped or nearly absent. Conidiophores were 140 to 190 × 11 to 12.5 µm and produced 2 to 7 immature conidia in chains with a crenate outline. Foot-cells in conidiophores were straight, cylindric, relatively short, 50 to 65 µm long, and constricted at the very base of branching point from the hypha. Conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid to ovate, measured 28 to 38 × 18.5 to 22 µm (length/width ratio of 1.2 to 1.8), and contained distinct fibrosin bodies. Germ tubes were produced from the lateral position of conidia. No chasmothecia were observed. These structures are typical of the powdery mildew Euoidium anamorph of the genus Podosphaera. The morphological characteristics and measurements were consistent with those of P. xanthii (Castagne) U. Braun & Shishkoff (1). To confirm the identity, the complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA of the isolate KUS-F27220 was amplified with primers ITS1/ITS4, and sequenced. The resulting 477-bp sequence was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. KJ472787). A GenBank BLAST search of this sequence revealed 100% identity with Podosphaera sp. on V. bonariensis and V.× hybrida from Japan (AB462804 and AB040347). The Podosphaera sp. isolates listed above are now placed in P. xanthii (1). Pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation by gently pressing a diseased leaf onto leaves of three healthy, potted 2-month-old Brazilian verbena plants. Three non-inoculated plants served as controls. Inoculated plants developed signs and symptoms after 6 days, whereas the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus present on the inoculated leaves was identical morphologically to that originally observed on diseased plants. Powdery mildew of Verbena spp. associated with Podosphaera sp. (including Sphaerotheca sp.) has been globally reported, but not on V. brasiliensis (1,2). To our knowledge, this is the first report of powdery mildew disease caused by P. xanthii on V. brasiliensis globally. Our field observations suggest that the powdery mildew could limit expansion of V. brasiliensis in Korea. References: (1) U. Braun and R. T. A. Cook. Taxonomic Manual of the Erysiphales (Powdery Mildews), CBS Biodiversity Series No.11. CBS, Utrecht, 2012. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Syst. Mycol. Microbiol. Lab., Online publication, ARS, USDA, Retrieved February 18, 2014. (3) C. G. Song and Y. H. Yang. The Naturalized Plants in Jeju Island. Nam-Jeju County, Jeju, Korea, 2005. (4) P. F. Yao. Kew Bull. 45:101, 1990.

First Report of Leaf Spot of Sweet Basil Caused by Cercospora guatemalensis in Korea.

Sweet basil, Ocimum basilicum L., is a fragrant herb belonging to the family Lamiaceae. Originated in India 5,000 years ago, sweet basil plays a significant role in diverse cuisines across the world, especially in Asian and Italian cooking. In October 2008, hundreds of plants showing symptoms of leaf spot with nearly 100% incidence were found in polyethylene tunnels at an organic farm in Icheon, Korea. Leaf spots were circular to subcircular, water-soaked, dark brown with grayish center, and reached 10 mm or more in diameter. Diseased leaves defoliated prematurely. The damage purportedly due to this disease has reappeared every year with confirmation of the causal agent made again in 2011. A cercosporoid fungus was consistently associated with disease symptoms. Stromata were brown, consisting of brown cells, and 10 to 40 µm in width. Conidiophores were fasciculate (n = 2 to 10), olivaceous brown, paler upwards, straight to mildly curved, not geniculate in shorter ones or one to two times geniculate in longer ones, 40 to 200 µm long, occasionally reaching up to 350 µm long, 3.5 to 6 µm wide, and two- to six-septate. Conidia were hyaline, acicular to cylindric, straight in shorter ones, flexuous to curved in longer ones, truncate to obconically truncate at the base, three- to 16-septate, and 50 to 300 × 3.5 to 4.5 µm. Morphological characteristics of the fungus were consistent with the previous reports of Cercospora guatemalensis A.S. Mull. & Chupp (1,3). Voucher specimens were housed at Korea University herbarium (KUS). An isolate from KUS-F23757 was deposited in the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (Accession No. KACC43980). Fungal DNA was extracted with DNeasy Plant Mini DNA Extraction Kits (Qiagen Inc., Valencia, CA). The complete internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA was amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced. The resulting sequence of 548 bp was deposited in GenBank (Accession No. JQ995781). This showed >99% similarity with sequences of many Cercospora species, indicating their close phylogenetic relationship. Isolate of KACC43980 was used in the pathogenicity tests. Hyphal suspensions were prepared by grinding 3-week-old colonies grown on PDA with distilled water using a mortar and pestle. Five plants were inoculated with hyphal suspensions and five plants were sprayed with sterile distilled water. The plants were covered with plastic bags to maintain a relative humidity of 100% for 24 h and then transferred to a 25 ± 2°C greenhouse with a 12-h photoperiod. Typical symptoms of necrotic spots appeared on the inoculated leaves 6 days after inoculation, and were identical to the ones observed in the field. C. guatemalensis was reisolated from symptomatic leaf tissues, confirming Koch's postulates. No symptoms were observed on control plants. Previously, the disease was reported in Malawi, India, China, and Japan (2,3), but not in Korea. To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. guatemalensis on sweet basil in Korea. Since farming of sweet basil has recently started on a commercial scale in Korea, the disease poses a serious threat to safe production of this herb, especially in organic farming. References: (1) C. Chupp. A Monograph of the Fungus Genus Cercospora. Ithaca, NY, 1953. (2) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology & Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , May 5, 2012. (3) J. Nishikawa et al. J. Gen. Plant Pathol. 68:46, 2002.