Animal Production
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- ItemANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF AVIAN PATHOGENIC ESCHERICHIA COLI ISOLATES RECOVERED FROM BROILERS’ FARMS IN NORTHERN PALESTINE(An-Najah National University, 2024-10-31) Bzour, MahmoudBackground: Colibacillosis is a disease caused by a certain type of Escherichia coli called the avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), which leads to significant losses for the poultry sector and shows zoonotic potential and acts as a source of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors for other E. coli. Objectives: This work aimed to assess resistance phenotype, virulence genes, and phylogenetic groups in APEC isolates recovered from broilers’ farms in northern Palestine. As well as to clarify whether the virulence factors are directly associated with antibiotic resistance or, instead, dependent on a phylogenetic group distribution. Methodology: A total of the 65 APEC isolates were recovered from diseased chicken with typical colibacillosis symptoms from broilers’ farms located in the northern region of Palestine, during the period from May to July 2024. Classical and molecular techniques were used to identify these strains. The disk diffusion method was used to detect antibiotic resistance. Phylotyping and virulence genotyping of these APEC isolates were carried out by polymerase chain reaction. Results: This study revealed a high detection rate of APEC strains (100%) in chicken. The most APEC strains 56/65 (86.2%) assigned to group D. Other strains were related to groups B2 (5/65, 7.7%), B1 (3/65, 4.6%) and A (1/65, 1.5%). Antibiotic resistance ranged from 27.7% for PolymyxinsE (Colistin) to 100% for Amoxicillin. Polymyxins E (Colistin) and Fosfomycin were the most effective drugs. It was found that the most common virulence factor was iroN which was tested in 61 isolates (93.8%). While, 56 (86.2%), 42 (64.6%), 40 (61.5%), 37 (56.9%), 24 (36.9%), 23 (35.4%),16 (24.6%), 13 (20.0%), 0 (0.0%) and 0 (0.0%) isolates were positive for hlyF, iutA, Tsh, ColV, papGII, Iss, papGI, papC, papGIII and ompT genes, respectively. The APEC strains in Palestine exhibit a wide variety of resistance patterns and genetic variation. Conclusion: These results serve as an outline for development of efficient intervention plans for the management of APEC in broiler breeders and broiler farms. Controlling APEC infections is essential for public health, especially when APEC isolates can pass on virulence and resistance factors to other pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli that are particular to humans.
- ItemAFLATOXIN B1 LEVELS IN CORN IN CORN (ZEA MAIZE) AND SOYBEAN (GLYCCINEMAX L.MERR.)-BASED FEED IN NORTHERN PALESTINE(An-Najah National University, 2023-12-20) Hamdan, ElahmAflatoxin is a by-product of the metabolism of aspergillus fungi has severe health risks as indicated by many researchers. This study is aiming to examine the existence of aflatoxin B1 in two crops; corn and soybean which is the major raw material in poultry feeding concentrates. Both ingredients are imported and inter the manufacturing process in local factories. In this study 42 samples of corn and soybean were collected from siloes of concentrates processing factories for animal feeding located in Jenin, Nablus, and Tulkarm districts. The samples were collected in October, 2021. The samples were kept in cool dark containers and then sent to the lab analysis to test the concentration of Aflatoxin B1 according to the procedure of RIDASCREEN® Aflatoxin B1 30/15. The results indicated that aflatoxin B1 was detected in 80%, 100%, and 100% of the corn samples from Jenin, Nablus and Tulkarm consequently. While in soybean the existence of aflatoxin B1 was found in 60%, 85.7%, and 100% of the samples in Jenin, Nablus, and Tulkarm consequently. In corn samples; the overall average AFB1 concentration was 0.69 µg/kg, the average concentration is 0.64 µg/kg in Jenin, 0.604 µg/kg in Nablus, and 0.80 µg/kg in Tulkarm. These results are ithin the accepted levels according to the standards. Significant differences in the aflatoxin concentration of both crops were found between the three districts. In soybean sample; the overall average AFB1 concentration was 0.66 µg/kg. The average concentration is 0.78 µg/kg in Jenin, 0.61 µg/kg in Nablus, and 0.65 µg/kg in Tulkarm, which is within the accepted levels as indicated by the European and US FDA guidelines, which is 20 ppb ( 20 µg/kg).
- ItemEFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PELLETED DATE PALM (ELAEIS QUINEENSIS JACQ.) LEAVES ON THE PERFORMANCE AND SOME BLOOD METABOLITES OF AWASSI FATTENING LAMBS(2023-09-20) Mohammad Hamza Mohammad SaleemAbstract The main objectives of this study were to measure the effect of feeding different levels of pelleted date palm leaves (PDPL) on the performance, digestibility and some blood metabolites of fattening Awassi lambs. A total of 24 Awassi lambs soon after weaning (2-4 month of age) were used in a 70-day fattening trial. Lambs were divided into 3 experimental groups and control group. Lambs in the control group were fed a traditional corn-soybean meal fattening ration. This ration composed of 18% crude protein concentrate plus wheat straw. In the other 3 experimental groups, the pelleted date palm leaves (PDPL) were incorporated at three different levels (25%, 50 %and 75%) as part of wheat straw. Lambs were fed separately and monitored for body weight and feed intake at weekly basis. Feed conversion ratios were also monitored. At the termination of the fattening trial three lambs from each group were slaughtered for testing the carcass cuts and the visceral organ mass. The blood parameters were tested at termination of the feeding trial from 3 lambs of each treatment. Results of study showed that feeding pelleted DPL at different levels had no effect on lambs’ performance. Similarly, DPL had no effects on the feed conversion ratios, and blood metabolites. Visceral organs and carcass cuts were not affected by pelleted DPL. Digestibility of nutrients were affected by pelleting. In general digestibility of crude protein (CP) decreased with pelleting level. Same trend was observed with fat digestibility. However, crude fiber digestibility increased with pelleting level. Digestibility of DM was decreased with a highly level of pelleted DPL. Feeding DPL had no harm effect on lambs; however, cost of fattening was reduced which can be considered as an advantage of incorporating its ingredient in fattening rations. Keywords: Blood Parameters; Carcass Cuts; Digestibility; Feed Conversion Ratio; Feed Intake; Pelleted Date Palm Leaves.
- ItemEFFECT OF OSMO-REGULATORS ON GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM) UNDER SALINE CONDITION(2023-08-08) Lama Omar Ahmad OmarAbiotic stress factors are the most limiting for plant growth and production. Drought caused by water shortage is among the most impacting factor. Palestine has most of the limited renewable water resources. The agricultural sector depends on 51.5% of the total water consumption. Thus, is highly affected. Another major factor that limits productivity is high salinity mainly in arid and semi-arid region like Palestine, the deleterious impact of salinity is associated with water stress as well as nutritional imbalance. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the use of DISPER as an osmoregulator on pepper growth under saline condition. Three levels of Osmo-Regulators (DISPER Osmotic GS) with (0, 0.5, and 1 g/plant) combined with three salt concentrations (0, 100, and 200 mM) of sodium chloride were used. The experiments were conducted in Tulkarm in northern Palestine. Pepper seedlings (Capsicum annuum) variety (Sharbaty) were grown in a greenhouse under natural light condition during the period from 14th October, 2021 to the 22nd January, 2022. One plant was grown in each pot (30 X30cm diameter and height). Filled with a soil mixture of 2:1 sand to peatmoss. The results revealed positive effect of adding DISPER Osmotic GS on plant growth and production of pepper plants under salinity stress. DISPER Osmotic salinity levels of saline water irrigated (100, and 200 mM) saline water, the researcher obtained the best result on chlorophyll content of pepper leaves by (53.775, 41.175 mg/m³) and flower parameters by (12.500, 6.500) respectively, compared to the controller. In addition, the results showed a higher fresh weight of root (14.090, 9.250 g) and the average length of fruits (12, 6 cm) for all measurements respectively. The of DISPER Osmotic GS at 0.5 and 1 gm increased the average area of leaves (179 cm2, 169.632). As a result, DISPER application can be used to alleviate the salinity harmful effects on plant growth and development of pepper plants under saline condition. Keywords: Osmotic GS, DISPER, Salinity irrigation levels, Saline water.
- ItemIMPACT OF SOIL AMENDMENT ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND PLANT GROWTH OF PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUUM)(2023-08-01) Lara Mohammad Shaker BdierWater scarcity is one of the most significant global factors influencing food productivity. Palestine has one of the world's most limited renewable water resources. Agriculture consumes 51.5 percent of total water consumption. Therefore, other water resources and staratigies are needed to cope with this situation. Soil amendments play an important role in enhancing crop growth and production.The objective of the study is to reduce the amount of water requirement of pepper plant through applying inorganic and organic soil amendments. In this study, different soil amendments including hydrogel, stevia straw, and compost were used under different irrigation levels (100%, 70%, and 50%) to irrigate ‘‘Nahas” pepper plants. Pepper seedlings was grown into 10 Litre- sized pots with one seedling per pot.Pots were filled with sand and peat moss, 3:1 ratio. The amendments were applied to the soil in each pots at a rate of 250 g of straw stevia, 250 g of compost, and 2.5 g of a hydrogel. The results showed that adding hydrogel (2.5 gm/plant) increased significantly plant height by 48.4cm, number of fruits by5.2, fresh plant weight by 58.1 g, dry plant weight by 17.2 g, fresh fruit weight by 62.4g, dry fruit weight by 45.8g, and fresh root weight by 21 g. However, adding hydrogel under 50% irrigation levels resulted in higher plant length by 51.7 cm, leaf chlorophyll content by 63.7, average number of fruit / plant by 3, fresh shoot weight by 60.8 g, fresh fruit weight by 44.7 g and fresh root weight by 21.2 g. The addition of compost and stevia straw to soil increased soil moisture but they had a negative effect on plant growth and productivity. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated the positive effect of applying hydrogel in conserving soil moisture content through its water-absorbing properties. Hydrogel helps to alleviate water stress, maintain soil moisture, and optimize water use efficiency, especially in regions facing water scarcity or drought conditions, and reduced the amount of water used for irrigation by 50% of irrigation. According to the results obtained under the comdition of this experiment could be recommended that adding hydrogel could be used under drought condition effective tool for soil water management. Keywords: Soil amendment; Hydrogel; Compost; Stevia straw; Irrigation levels.