Thai Journal of Agricultural Science

Age and seasonal-associated changes in the blood profiles of Kalahari Red and Kalawad goat bucks in the tropical climate

2024-11-14T16:59:41+07:00

Background and Objective: Goat breeds possess unique adaptive traits shaped by their environments. Under tropical conditions, climate variability imposes stress that alters hematological and biochemical responses, potentially compromising animal health and reproductive efficiency. This study assessed the effects of age and seasonal variation on hematological and serum biochemical indices in Kalahari Red (KR) bucks and their crossbreds (Kalawad, KW) under semi-intensive tropical management.
Methodology: A total of 42 bucks (KR = 21; KW = 21) were assigned to three age groups (1< age ≤2, 2< age ≤3, and 3< age ≤4 years) and evaluated across four seasons (early/late rainy and early/late dry) in a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial design. Animals were managed under uniform nutritional conditions for one year. Monthly blood samples were collected to analyze erythrocytic, leukocytic, and serum biochemical parameters. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA.
Main Results: Age significantly influenced all hematological and biochemical indices (P < 0.05) except glucose, triglyceride, and creatinine. Breed had significant effects only on red blood cell, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and globulin. Seasonal effects were evident in all red blood cell differentials, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts, while white blood cell and other differentials remained unaffected. Age and season also significantly influenced serum protein fractions and cholesterol levels, with the highest cholesterol means observed during the early rainy season at age >3 to ≤4 years. Triglyceride remained largely unaffected.
Conclusions: Age, breed, and season exert significant but variable influences on blood parameters in KR and KW bucks under tropical conditions. These findings highlight the importance of physiological monitoring for managing health and reproductive performance and provide reference values for selection and clinical assessments in heat-stressed environments.

Nutritional impact of hydroponic fodder supplementation on hematological and serum biochemical parameters in West African Dwarf rams

2024-07-07T22:13:01+07:00

Background and Objective: Livestock production in the tropics is constrained by the limited availability and low nutritive value of forage, particularly during the dry season, compounded by insufficient land for cultivation. Hydroponic fodder production, a method of growing plants using water-based nutrient solutions in minimal land space, has the potential to address these challenges. This study evaluated the effects of hydroponic fodders irrigated with poultry manure nutrient solution on the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of West African Dwarf (WAD) rams, with implications for their nutritional and physiological health.
Methodology: Twenty-five WAD rams (average weight: 9.55 ± 0.25 kg) were randomly allocated into five treatment groups (n = 5 per group) in a completely randomized design. All groups were fed a basal diet of Megathyrsus maximus hay, supplemented with hydroponic fodders (maize, millet, sorghum, or wheat) as treatments, while a control group received a concentrate supplement. Key parameters measured included dry matter intake, crude protein content, and hematological and serum biochemical indices after an 84-day feeding trial.
Main Results: Hydroponic maize fodder exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) crude protein content (17.54%) among treatments, and rams fed this fodder achieved the highest dry matter intake (831.18 g/day). Hematological indices such as mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell count, and lymphocytes fell within normal ranges across treatments. However, rams-fed millet and sorghum fodders exhibited suboptimal hemoglobin and packed cell volume levels. Serum protein and urea nitrogen levels in all treatment groups remained within the normal range, indicating no adverse effects on physiological health.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that hydroponic fodders, particularly maize, can be a sustainable and nutritionally adequate supplement for WAD rams during feed-scarce periods, supporting optimal health and performance without detrimental effects on hematological or biochemical parameters. The findings underscore the potential of hydroponics as a practical solution for enhancing livestock productivity in resource-constrained settings.

Evaluation of wheat varieties from Bangladesh for grain yield and heat tolerance

2024-10-31T08:46:51+07:00

Background and Objective: High-temperature stress is a key ecological element that restricts growth and yields in wheat crops. Keeping this important aspect in mind, eleven wheat varieties from Bangladesh were assessed for yielding ability and heat tolerance behavior.
Methodology: The research was conducted at the Agrotechnology Discipline Farm, Khulna University. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated thrice. Eleven high-yielding wheat varieties from Bangladesh (BARI gom20 (Gourab), BARI gom21 (Shatabdi), BARI gom22 (Sufi), BARI gom23 (Bijoy), BARI gom24 (Prodip), BARI gom25, BARI gom26, BARI gom27, BARI gom29, BARI gom30, and Sourov) were used in the study. Data were gathered on different growth and yield parameters. Membrane thermal stability (MTS) and relative injury (RI) levels were considered to estimate the tolerance level of cultivars to temperature stress. Analysis of variance and principal component analysis were performed on different physiological and yield parameters. In addition, bivariate analyses (correlation and regression) were carried out to establish relationships among different characters.
Main Results: Significant variation (P < 0.05) was found among the eleven wheat varieties regarding all the growth and yield contributing characters as well as MSI and RI. Varieties BARI gom20 (Gourab), BARI gom21 (Shatabdi), BARI gom24 (Prodip), and BARI gom26 showed superior performance regarding yield (2.39, 2.81, 3.01, and 2.38 t ha^-1, respectively) and MTS (65.72, 77.66, 84.64, and 56.12%, respectively). Grain yield was positively related to MTS but negatively related to RI, as revealed by regression analysis.
Conclusions: Wheat varieties BARI gom20 (Gourab), BARI gom21 (Shatabdi), BARI gom24 (Prodip), and BARI gom26 are recommended for cultivation in Khulna region of Bangladesh as these varieties exhibited better yielding ability and greater MTS.

Agronomic performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) accessions and trait association partitioning using path analysis

2025-01-05T13:59:09+07:00

Background and Objective: Yield improvement in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is challenging due to the complexity of its genetic inheritance. Understanding the relationships between yield and its component traits is essential for effective selection in breeding programs. This study aimed to assess the genetic variability among okra accessions, identify high-yielding and early-maturing varieties, and develop appropriate selection indices for yield improvement.
Methodology: Thirty okra accessions were evaluated across two locations in Nigeria over two growing seasons. Quantitative data were collected on ten agronomic and yield-related traits from five representative plants per plot. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, and path coefficient analysis to identify traits influencing yield performance.
Main Results: Significant genotypic variation was observed among the accessions, with NHOKO179, NHOKO158, and NHOKO593 demonstrating the highest yield potential. Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships between yield and the number of pods per plant (r = 0.90; P < 0.01) and pod weight per plant (r = 0.90; P < 0.01). In contrast, negative correlations were found between yield and days to first flowering, days to first picking, and days to first pod appearance (r = -0.50; P < 0.01 for all). Path coefficient analysis revealed that days to first picking (7.68) had the highest positive direct effect on yield, followed by days to first flowering (4.55) and pod weight per plant (1.23). Conversely, days to first pod appearance (-12.25) exhibited the most significant negative direct effect on yield.
Conclusions: The study identified pod weight per plant, early flowering, and early picking times as effective selection indices for enhancing okra yield. NHOKO179, NHOKO158, and NHOKO593 emerged as promising candidates for breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding okra cultivars with improved adaptability and productivity across diverse environments.

Productivity of auxin-treated sugarcane bud chip under field conditions

2025-03-11T11:23:11+07:00

Background and Objective: Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a key crop for sugar and bioethanol. Traditional propagation uses much seed cane, raising costs. The bud chip technique reduces seed use efficiently. Auxins enhance growth and yield. This study evaluated auxin-treated bud chips under field conditions, focusing on growth, yield, and economic efficiency.
Methodology: This study evaluated the performance of auxin-treated sugarcane bud chips under field conditions. The experiment utilized a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 11 treatment combinations, including a control treatment using untreated seed cane. The remaining treatments involved bud chip soaked in various auxin soaking durations and concentrations (10, 20, and 30 minutes soaking at 150, 200, and 250 ppm) prior to planting. Data were collected on survival counts, plant height, internodal length, number of tillers, biomass yield, amount of juice, cane yield per plot at harvest, and return on investment (ROI).
Main Results: Sugarcane propagated through the bud chip method and treated with auxin at 200 ppm consistently outperformed non-treated and seed cane methods in terms of growth and yield parameters. Soaking durations of 10, 20, and 30 minutes at 200 ppm auxin significantly enhanced plant height, internodal length, number of tillers, biomass yield, juice extract, and cane yield per hectare. Among all treatments, 30 minutes of soaking at 200 ppm auxin produced the best results, achieving the highest ROI of 223.09 ± 38.90%. These auxin-treated bud chip propagations are more effective than seed cane and non-auxin treatments, and 30 minutes of soaking at 200 ppm is the most advantageous in growth, yield, and profitability.
Conclusions: These findings confirm that auxin-treated sugarcane bud chips significantly enhance growth, yield, and profitability, offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to conventional sugarcane propagation. It provides technological options for farmers, researchers, and industry stakeholders aiming to optimize sugarcane.

Production trial on eggplant, Solanum melongena L. varieties utilized by farmers in Arayat, Pampanga, Philippines

2024-07-25T08:54:38+07:00

Background and Objective: Eggplant, Solanum melongena L., has received major attention in improving agricultural production. Several varieties of the crop have been developed, and a number are still being studied to make the crop adaptive to the changing climatic and environmental conditions. The study was conducted to determine the growth and yield performance of different eggplant varieties utilized by vegetable farmers in Arayat, Pampanga.
Methodology: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD), with three replications and three varieties, namely Calixto F1, Long Purple F1, and Warhawk F1, representing the treatments.
Main Results: Results of the study showed significant differences among varieties tested in terms of plant height at 30 (P = 0.006) and 60 (P = 0.005) days after transplanting (DAT), days to flowering (P = 0.023), polar diameter (P = 0.016), equatorial diameter (P = 0.040), numbers of marketable (P = 0.001) and non-marketable fruits (P = 0.022), weight of marketable (0.010) and non-marketable fruits (P = 0.048), and computed yield (kg/ha; P = 0.011). The variety Calixto F1 showed the best growth and yield performance as it gave the tallest plant height at 30 DAT (43.23 ± 0.92 cm), took the shorter length of days to flowering (31.67 ± 0.33 days), widest equatorial fruit size (10.40 ± 0.23 cm), heaviest fruit yield per plant (212.31 ± 9.46 g), heaviest weight of marketable fruit (6,939.19 ± 282.68 g), and highest computed yield (2,541.83 ± 103.55 kg/ha).
Conclusions: The current study recommends that Calixto F1 may be the most appropriate eggplant variety to be planted in the area, as it showed superior performance on various growth and yield parameters. However, other factors may still be taken into consideration when selecting varieties to be utilized.