Water regimes in selected fodder radish (Raphanus sativus) genotypes: Effects on nutritional value and in vitro ruminal dry matter degradability.

Fodder radish is widely used as a livestock supplement, however, the nutritional value of fodder radish under different water conditions remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to assess the chemical components and in vitro, ruminal dry matter degradability of two fodder radish genotypes (Endurance and Line 2) subjected to three irrigation regimes: well-watered (W1), moderate water stress (W2), and severe water stress (W3). The analysis revealed statistically significant effects of the main factors on the chemical composition and estimates of fodder radish leaves and tubers, particularly in terms of Crude Protein (CP) and Ether Extract (EE) across genotypes. Both Endurance and Line 2 leaves exhibited interaction effects on N, P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Al. Meanwhile only Na, K, Zn, and Cu were affected in tubers. Endurance tubers, specifically, displayed significantly higher (p < 0.05) CP content, with Line 2 tubers showing the highest CP content under W1. Furthermore, Endurance leaves had higher levels of Neutral Detergent Fibre, EE, and Non-Structural Carbohydrate (NSC) compared to Line 2 leaves under W1. Notable differences in tuber fibres were found, specifically in Acid Detergent Fibre for Endurance, with W3 exhibiting a higher concentration level. Both genotypes displayed higher NSC under W3. Significant variations in macro and mmicro minerals were observed between water levels in both genotypes. In terms of in vitro degradability during the 24 h and 48 h incubation periods, all treatments met the acceptable level of 60-80 %. Regardless of water regimes, both Endurance and Line 2 showed nutrient concentrations meeting the minimum requirements for optimal animal production. Though, Line 2 exhibits significantly higher nutritional value and in vitro ruminal dry matter degradability than Endurance, evident in both leaves and tubers. Notably, moderate water stress conditions yielded better nutritional quality and in vitro ruminal dry matter degradability compared to both well-watered and severe water stress treatments. This suggests that applying 180-220 mm of water per season can also yield better nutritive value of these genotypes.

Factors associated with an unsuppressed viral load among HIV-positive individuals attending STI services in South Africa, 2019.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly in the absence of viral suppression, increase the risk of HIV transmission to uninfected partners. We determined factors associated with having an unsuppressed VL among HIV-positive individuals attending STI services in South Africa (SA). METHODS: We analysed secondary cross-sectional data collected on HIV-positive individuals presenting with STI symptoms s at sentinel sites in Western Cape and Gauteng provinces between January-December 2019 in SA. We compared demographic characteristics of individuals on ART or not on ART, and a Poisson regression model to identify factors associated with having an unsuppressed VL (≥ 50 copies/ml) was used. RESULTS: Among 93 HIV-positive individuals attending STI services with VL data, the median age was 32 years (IQR 27-37). Thirty-two (34.41%) individuals were on ART compared to 61 (65.59%) not on ART. Most of those on ART (56.25%) had an unsuppressed VL, while 86.89% of those not on ART had an unsuppressed VL. ART use was associated with a 33% lower prevalence of having unsuppressed VL. In a model adjusting for age, age at first sex and oral sex, none of the factors were significant. Among those on ART, individuals < 25 years were more likely to have an unsuppressed VL (aPRR = 1.94: 95% CI = 1.27-2.97) compared to those ≥ 25 years. CONCLUSION: ART use among HIV-positive individuals was low and VL suppression among those on ART was sub-optimal. Intensified ART initiation and adherence support to HIV-positive individuals seeking STI services could improve VL suppression.

Physical and chemical properties of the soils in selected communal property associations of South Africa.

Communal Property Associations (CPAs) rangeland users need more knowledge on the state of their respective grazing lands and also the interaction of soil properties with grazing management implemented. This study aimed to investigate the effect grazing has on the physical and chemical properties of four different soil types found in selected CPAs of the Bela-Bela municipality, they are as follows: Mawela (Hutton-clay loam: HCL), Bela-Bela (Hutton-clay: HC), Moretele (Hutton-loamy sand: HLS) and Ramorula (Ecca sand-clay loam: ESCL).The macro and micro minerals, pH, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, organic carbon, soil particle size distribution, acidity and resistance were all measured. All data were subjected to two-way factorial analysis of variance (SAS, 2010). The topsoil was sampled at a depth of 300 mm at an interval of 100 m (100 and 200 m) from the same transect used for woody species data collection resulting in a total of 18 samples per CPA. In each CPA, three camps were selected. In each camp, three transects 200 m apart at the length of 200 m were set. In each transect, soils were drawn at 0, 100 and 200 m making a total of nine soil samples per each camp. The highest (P < 0.05) pH (7.14) recorded on the sub-soil was in HLS. Nitrate nitrogen (2.4 mg/kg) concentration on the topsoil was high (P < 0.05) in HC soil type. Soil organic carbon for both topsoil (0.66%) and subsoil (0.41%) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in HLS soil type and ESCL soil type respectively. Phosphorus concentration was significantly high (P < 0.05) in ESCL soil type for both topsoil (12.86 mg/kg) and sub-soil (1.59 mg/kg). Iron concentration was high in both topsoil (11.8 mg/kg) and sub-soil (7.3 mg/kg) in ESCL soil type. Sub-soil manganese concentration was found to be higher (P < 0.05) in ESCL soil type (7.58 mg/kg). Soil resistance (2880 Ω ) measured in topsoil was high (P < 0.05) in HCL soil type compared to other soil types. Moreover, for the sub-soil the highest (P < 0.05) resistance (least salts) (3640 Ω) was recorded in ESCL soil type. For most of the soil types, the mineral concentration was higher in topsoil than in sub-soil, this trend explains that the uptake of these minerals by plants took place due to the inconsistencies of grazing management employed in these selected CPA farms. It is of colossal significance to properly manage rangelands, to allow a fair-to-good herbaceous layer in the presence of minerals in the soils and farmer should prioritize having enclosures and keeping N-fixing tree species in the rangelands to achieve the above mentioned conditions.

Utilization of the Viscum Species for Diet and Medicinal Purposes in Ruminants: A Review.

A cost-effective, alternative protein and mineral source such as the Viscum species can be key to livestock production. Viscum spp. are used as feed in many semi-arid and arid regions globally, particularly during feed shortages. The species' feeding value, and their pharmaceutical attributes, have been recognized worldwide, albeit with variation in nutritive value from one host to another. The antinutritional factors found in Viscum spp. may benefit livestock when consumed in moderation due to their immunomodulatory, proapoptotic, and antimicrobial properties. The Vachellia species are known to be the common hosts for Viscum spp. Further, even though Viscum spp. inhibit host tree development by reducing carbon absorption and the host tree's carbohydrates, the efforts to regulate their infestation should not result in the plant's total eradication due to the benefits to livestock (as well as in fodder and medicine). This review will help to improve understanding of Viscum species control measures, while also increasing the productivity of ruminants.

Effect of Soil Type: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Phytochemicals in Some Browse Species Leaves Found in Savannah Biome of South Africa.

In semi-arid regions, browse plant species are used as feed and for medicinal purposes for both animals and humans. The limitation of the utilization of these species to medicinal purposes or as feed for livestock is a lack of knowledge on the concentration level of phytochemicals and other bioactive compounds found in these plants. The study sought to assay the qualitative and quantitative bioactive constituents of some browse species found in the savannah biome of South Africa, viz. Adansonia digitate, Androstachys johnsonii, Balanites maughamii, Berchemia discolor, Berchemia zeyheri, Bridelia mollis hutch, Carissa edulis, Catha edulis, Colophospermum mopane, Combretum Imberbe, Combretum molle, Combretum collinum, Dalbergia melanoxylon, Dichrostachys cinerea, Diospros lycioides, Diospyros mespiliformis, Euclea divinorum, Flueggea virosa, Grewia flava, Grewia flavescens, Grewia monticola, Grewia occidentalis, Melia azedarach, Peltophorum africanum, Prosopis velutina, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Pterocarpus rotundifolius, Schinus molle, Schotia brachypetala, Sclerocarya birrea, Searsia lancea, Searsia leptodictya, Searsia pyroides, Senegalia caffra, Senegalia galpinii, Senegalia mellifera, Senegalia nigrescens, Senegalia polyacantha, Strychnos madagascariensis, Terminalia sericea, Trichilia emetic, Vachellia erioloba, Vachellia hebeclada, Vachellia karroo, Vachellia nilotica, Vachellia nilotica subsp. Kraussiana, Vachellia rechmanniana, Vachellia robusta, Vachellia tortilis, Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana, Vangueria infausta, and Ziziphus mucronata. These browse species' leaf samples were harvested from two provinces (Limpopo and North-West) of South Africa. The Limpopo province soil type was Glenrosa, Mispah, and Lithosols (GM-L), and the soil types in the North-West Province were Aeolian Kalahari Sand, Clovelly, and Hutton (AKS-CH). The harvested browse samples were air dried at room temperature for about seven days and ground for analysis. The methanol and distilled water extracts of the browse species leaves showed the presence of common phytoconstituents, including saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, cardio glycosides, terpenoids, and phlobatannins, as major active compounds in browse species leaves. In the quantitative analysis, phytochemical compounds, such as soluble phenols, insoluble tannins, and condensed tannins, were quantified for common species found in both sites. Two-way ANOVA and multivariate analysis were used to test soil type and species effect on soluble phenols, insoluble tannins, and condensed tannins of woody species. Dichrostachys cinerea (0.1011% DM) in GM-L soil type and Z. mucronata (0.1009% DM) in AKS-CH soil type showed the highest (p < 0.05) concentration of soluble phenols. In AKS-CH soil type, D. cinerea (0.0453% DM) had the highest insoluble tannins concentration, while V. hebeclada had the lowest (0.0064% DM) insoluble tannins content. Vacchelia hebeclada had lower (p < 0.05) condensed tannins concentration levels than all other browse plants in both soil types. Under multivariate analysis tests, there was a significant effect (p < 0.001) of soil type, species, and soil type x species interaction on soluble phenols, insoluble tannins, and condensed tannins of woody species. In this study, most of the woody species found in GM-L soil type showed a lower amount of tannins than those harvested in AKS-CH soil type. There is a need to identify the amount of unquantified phytochemicals contained in these browse species and valorize the high-bioactive-compound browse species to enhance and maximize browsing of these browse species for animal production.

Nutrients Profile of 52 Browse Species Found in Semi-Arid Areas of South Africa for Livestock Production: Effect of Harvesting Site.

The use of these browse plant species as feed supplements to livestock is restricted due to a lack of knowledge about their nutritional status. This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of woody browse species found in a semi-arid, as influenced by harvesting, site (Limpopo and North West Province). Limpopo had a Glenrosa, Mispah and Lithosols (GM-L) soil type and North West sites had an Aeolian Kalahari sand, Clovelly and Hutton (AKS-CH) soil type. Fresh leaves from fifty-two trees (five trees per species) were randomly selected and harvested from the site by hand-picking. Limpopo had forty-five browse species and North West had twenty-one browse species, respectively. The samples were air dried at room temperature and ground for laboratory analysis (nutritive value). The data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance (for those species that were not common in both sites) and two-way factorial (for those species that were common in both sites) in a completely randomized design. In the GM-L soil type, M. azedarach (223.2 g/kg DM) had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein content (CP), whereas in the AKS-CH soil type, V. hebeclada (189.2 g/kg DM) had the highest (p < 0.05) CP content. Within each species, V. nilotica. Subsp. Krasssiana had the highest (p < 0.05) dry matter digestibility (725.4 g/kg DM), non-fibrous carbohydrates (607.3 g/kg DM), digestible energy (3.375 Mcal/kg) and metabolizable energy (2.771) content when compared to all the other browse species in both GM-L and AKS-CH soils. Melia azedarach in GM-L had the highest (p < 0.05) values in most amino acids' parameters measured when compared to the same species in AKS-CH. Though the harvesting site had an effect on the nutritive value, all species, irrespective of the harvesting site, had sufficient CP to be used as a supplement to livestock exposed to the low-quality roughages. The results from this study will be useful for farmers and researchers through the provision of relevant information on how to improve livestock production. There is a need to run in vivo trials to determine the best species suitable for livestock sustainability.

Apparent digestibility and nutritional composition of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) leaf meal incorporated in the diets of Black Australorp and Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breeds.

The objective of the study was to determine the apparent digestibility and nutrient composition of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LLM) inclusion in Black Australorp and Potchefstroom Koekoek diets. Tender and mature leaves were separately harvested from 10 individual trees and stored separately for chemical analyses. The leaves were air-dried in a well-ventilated laboratory to constant weight and milled to pass through a 1-mm sieve. A mixture of tender and mature leaves was also collected to produce a bulk leaf meal. The four iso-nitrogenous dietary treatments were 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% of LLM, respectively. The apparent digestibility of two chicken breeds was also evaluated. The dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ether extract (EE), cellulose and hemicellulose of the samples did not differ between tender and mature leaves. Tender leaves had higher (P < 0.05) calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium concentration than mature leaves. Crude protein and mimosine content were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in tender than in mature leaves. The inclusion levels of L. leucocephala leaf meal affect (P < 0.05) acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and crude protein (CP) digestibility. Crude protein digestibility decreases as the inclusion levels of L. leucocephala increase. Both tender and mature L. leucocephala leaves have a potential nutritional value that can be used in feedstuff and can be used as a protein supplement for Black Australorp and Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breeds.

Common Mental Health Disorders among Informal Waste Pickers in Johannesburg, South Africa 2018-A Cross-Sectional Study.

Waste-picking is an income-generating opportunity for individuals living in poverty. Waste picking is associated with a range of risk factors for common mental disorders (CMD). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with CMD among waste pickers in Johannesburg. A cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data for 365 waste pickers. A validated Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess CMD. Multivariable logistic regression was fitted to identify factors associated with CMD. The overall prevalence of CMD among waste pickers was 37.3%. The odds of having CMD were 2.5 and 3.2 higher in females and cigarette smokers, respectively (p = 0.019 and p = 0.003). Life enjoyment (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.54, p = 0.02) and a good quality of life (aOR 0.34, p ≤ 0.001) were associated with lower odds of CMD. The high prevalence of CMD among waste pickers was significantly associated with cigarette smoking, being female, not enjoying life, and a poor quality of life. Mental health awareness of CMD will assist with the prevention, early detection, and comprehensive management of CMD among waste pickers.