Vol. 14 Issue 3
Mohamed A. Mehaia
Gross composition and nitrogen distribution of ewe milk obtained from three breeds (Najdi, Australian and Najdi X Australian) in the Central region of Saudi Arabia were studied. The average results of pH, acidity, fat, protein, lactose, ash, and total solids for Najdi were 6.63 ± 0.01, 0.17 ± 0.01%, 5.31± 0.55%, 4.71± 0.28%, 4.48 ± 0.15%, 0.86 ± 0.02 and 15.36 ± 0.93%; for Australian were 6.64 ± 0.02, 0.16 ± 0.01%, 6.51± 0.63%, 5.60 ± 0.32, 4.65 ± 0.26, 0.87 ± 0.02% and 17.63 ± 1.05%, and for the Najdi X Australian were 6.63 ± 0.02, 0.17 ± 0.01%, 5.74 ± 0.63%, 5.14 ± 0.32%. 4.61± 0.20%, 0.86 ± 0.02% and 16.35 ±0.85%, respectively. Moreover, the milk of Australian ewe contained the highest amount of protein fractions whereas the Najdi ewe's milk had the lowest values. However, Najdi ewes had the highest average daily milk yield (1.60 ± 0.21 kg), whereas Australian ewes produced the lowest amount (0.91 ±0.17 kg).
Results also indicated that crossing caused heterosis effect of cross ewes which produced better milk constituents compared to the Najdi ewes and better milk yield compare to the Australian ewes. In fact, ewe's milk was evidently appreciably richer than cow's milk in nearly all the constituents determined, with the notable exception of lactose.
M.A. Zahran and Huda F. Al-Kaf
The coastal belts of Yemen (about 1950 km) extend along the Red Sea coast (about 550 km) and the Gulf of Aden Coast (about 1445 km). In both coastal belts the climate is arid, hot and dry. Soil is of the aridisols type: sandy, saline and contains considerable amounts of calcium carbonates.
The littoral halophytes of Yemen are grouped under six types: seagrasses, mangroves, salt marshes, sand dunes, reed swamps and palm groves. The common species of these types include: Cymodocea spp., Halophila spp. Halodule uninervis, Avicennia marina, Typha domingensis, Phragmites australis, Cyperus spp., Arthocnemum glacum, Halopeplis perfoliata, Suaeda spp., Salsola spp., Tamarix spp., Zygophyllum album, Halopyrum mucronatum, Hyphaene thebaica and Phoenix dactylifera
M.Y. Al-Kassim
The present studies were undertake to find out the fungi associated with the seeds of locally cultivated okra, pepper, radish and soybean and their control by fungicidal seed treatment. Seeds were obtained from the local market and farmers in September, 1991. Using the methods suggested by the ISTA, seed-borne fungi were isolated by moist blotter and agar plate methods. A total of 15 species of fungi belonging to the genera, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Botrytis, Cladosporium, Colletotrichum, Curvularia, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Penicillium, And Stemphylium were isolated from the tested seeds. These fungi were reported for the first time from the tested seeds in Saudi Arabia. Five fungicides viz., Bavistin, Benlate, Cozib, Dithane M-45 and Ridomil MZ-58 were used as seed-treatment. The number of fungal species were greatly reduced when the seeds were treated with 0.2 percent of the tested fungicides before placing them on agar plates. Benlate was found to be very efficient as seed fungicide followed by Cozib and Dithane M-45.
Fawzia A. Zaied
Chromosomal aberration in bone marrow cells of albino rat (Rattus norvegicus were taken as an indication of genotoxic action of chloramphenicol (CAP): Young adult male rats (Rattus norvegicus) received oral administration of 50 and 100 mg/kg of CAP. Samples of bone marrow cells were taken at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 hours post treatment. Pregnant female rats received a similar treatment at midterm and later stages of pregnancy in order to examine the genotoxic effects of CAP (50 mg/kg) on embryos through transplacental exposure. Chloramphenicol did not induce any effects after 50 mg/kg but chromosomal aberration were recorded at 100 mg/kg at 12 and 18 18 hours post treatment and 24 hours later the number of aberrant cells returned to control values in both young adult male and newborn pups of treated pregnant female rats
Soliman M. Al-Ogaily
This study evaluated the effect of different levels of ∝- cellulose on the growth performance and body composition of Oreochromis niloticus. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% of ∝- cellulose were prepared and fed to fingerling Oreochromis niloticus (average weight ± 11.74 0.19 g) for a period of 39 days. Significant differences (P< 0.05) were observed in the weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed different levels of ∝- cellulose. The diet containing 3% cellulose showed the poorest weight gain, SGR, FCR, and PER values as compared to all other diets whereas the best values were observed for the diets containing 9 or 12% cellulose. Increasing the level of cellulose from 9 to 12% in the diet did not produce any further significant (P>0.05) beneficial effects. The level of cellulose in the diest did not affect (P> 0.05) the feed intake or the condition factor (k) of fish. Supplementation of cellulose at 6% level in the diet produced similar results (P<0.05) as compared to that of a diet without cellulose. The increasing level of cellulose in the diet increased body moisture and decreased crude protein and fat contents of fish. It may be concluded from these results that cellulose at a level of 9% in the diet of Oreochromis niloticus can improve their growth performance, FCR and PER and will produce leaner fish as compared to those without cellulose. Higher levels of cellulose may not have any further beneficial effects.
Khaled A.S. Al-Rasheid
Thirty eight species of marine interstitial ciliates have been identified from collections made from the coastlines and salt-marshes of the Saudi Arabian Gulf Islands of Al Batinah and Abu Ali. The species reported belonged to 31 genera and 22 families, all represent new records of the fauna of The Arabian Gulf and Saudi Arabia and seven of them were present at all collection sites. The distribution of each species around the two islands was recorded.
Abdullah A. Al-Sheikh and Ali M. Al- Darby
This study was conducted to investigate the combined effect of soil gel-conditioner (Aquasorb) addition to calcareous sandy soil (Typic Torripsamments) and irrigation water quality on growth, productivity, and water use efficiency (WUE) of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plant grown under different water levels. The gel-conditioner was added to the soil surface (0-60 mm) at the following rates (C): 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9% (on dry weight basis). Natural irrigation waters having the following electrical conductivities (ECw): 0.45, 3.10, and 6.25 dS/m were used at three irrigation levels (IL): 40, 60, and 80% of evaporation from a free water surface (Ev).
Generally, the addition of the gel-conditioner promoted seeds germination; and increased plant height, leaf area index and dry matter of shoots and roots of snap bean. However, these parameters significantly decreased by increasing ECw, but with no significant effect for IL. The number and fresh weight of snap bean pods (productivity) and water use efficiency were significantly enhanced with increasing C and reduced with increasing ECw. On the other hand, the effect of irrigation level on the number and fresh weight of snap bean pods ranked as follows: 80 > 60 ≥ 40% of Ev. whereas, this effect on WUE ranked as follows: 40 > 60 ≥ 80% of Ev. Exponential relationships between WUE, C and IL were found with r> 0.939.
Based on technical considerations, the general recommendations might be obtained from this study are: the best rate of soil gel-conditioner (Aquasorb) was more than 0.3%, the suitable irrigation water quality was that of lower salinity (0.45dS/m); and the best irrigation level was the 60% of Ev.