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ARTICLE DIGESTS
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 133-139 (2004)
The Use of Whey and other Milk By-products in
Weaned Piglet Diets
D.B. Roxas1* and D.
R. Dahilig2
1,2Institute of Animal
Science, College of Agriculture, University of the Philippines
Los Baños, 4031 College, Laguna, Philippines (*Author for
correspondence: D.B. Roxas; e-mail: passi@laguna.net)
The success of a swine enterprise depends largely
on providing the best nutritional needs of the animals,
starting when sow’s milk is no longer available. Feed quality is of
utmost importance during the weaned piglet stage. The best feed
conversion efficiency can be obtained during this stage if the
right kind of feed is given to the pigs.
It is necessary for weaned piglets to have a good
start. There
should be minimal disturbance on the diet of piglets to avoid
such problems as diarrhea and reduced tolerance to
infection. Since
the piglet’s diet will eventually change from an all-milk to a
solid diet composed of other feed ingredients of lower
quality, providing milk by-products at this stage will effect
a gradual change in diet, until the pig is able to get used to
a purely solid diet.
Maintaining a high level of lactose in weaned pig diets
should provide this good start for the piglets.
An experiment was conducted to compare whey with other
milk by-products as a source of energy in the diet of weaned
piglets (8-20 kg stage), and to determine the optimal level of
whey inclusion in weaned piglet diets. In the second stage
feeding trial, 5% whey was added to the diets of grower (20-40
kg pigs) to determine its effect on the performance of the
growing pigs that previously received stage 1 diets during the
10-20 kg stage.
The study showed that weaned piglets fed high levels of
whey had comparable performance with those fed skimmilk
powder. Whey can
be added up to 35% level in weaned piglet diets and result in
satisfactory performance. High levels of whey
provide easily digestible lactose as energy source. The high quality
protein in whey supplements the protein of soybean meal. The cumulative effects
of feeding high levels of milk by-products during the growing
phase of the pigs are indicated by improved live weight
gains. Since whey
is much cheaper than skimmilk powder, it may be used to
replace two–thirds of skimmilk, without sacrificing
performance.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 140-147 (2004)
Research NOTE: Growth Performance and Meat
Production of Fattened Paddy Herded Ducks Fed
Fish-Silage-Mixed Diets
Antonio J. Barroga1*,
Rocelyn M. Barroga2, Rajeev
Pradhan3 and
Hisaya Tobioka4
1Department of
Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Central Luzon State
University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
(*Author for correspondence; e-mail:
tony_barry@yahoo.com)
2Department of
Agri-Management, College of Agriculture, Central Luzon State
University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
3,4Laboratory of
Animal Nutrition, School of Agriculture, Kyushu Tokai
University, Choyo–son , Aso–gun , Kumamoto, Japan, 869
-1404
This study was conducted to investigate the growth
performance and carcass characteristics of fattened paddy
herded ducks. Thirty Aigamo, namely, Satsumagamo (crossbred)
and 30 Cherry Valley ducks, which were previously brooded and
paddy herded for 57 days, were used as pre-fattening
experimental birds for the study. Consequently, after
being removed from the paddy field, three batches of 27 Aigamo
and 27 Cherry Valley ducks were grouped into three each,
according to almost the same body weight and were distributed
into three fattening pens with nine ducks per replicate. The
ducks were then fed with the reference diet and the different
fish-silage-based diets composed of A, B, C, D and fish wastes
for diets E and F.
The dry matter intake and daily gain of the Cherry
Valley ducks tended to be higher than those of the Aigamo
ducks during the brooding period. The daily gain of Cherry
Valley ducks was higher than that of Aigamo ducks during a
paddy grazing period of 56 days and appeared to be superior in
paddy herding condition. The growth performance of both breeds
fattened with diets containing agro by–products was comparable
to that of ducks fed the reference diet. The dressing
percentage, meat yield and carcass fat + skin was largely
reduced upon supplementation of DL–methionine. The crude
protein and moisture content of the breast meat of Cherry
Valley ducks fed agro by–products of fish silage and tofu cake
was significantly higher than that of ducks fed the reference
diet. Amino acids tended to increase in both the thigh and
breast meat of both breeds fed fish-silage-based diets.
Glutamic acid composition did not differ from the control
diet, indicating that the organoleptic properties of the
carcass were not adversely affected. The results proved that
paddy herded ducks can adapt well to fish-silage-mixed diets
without adverse effects on their growth performance and
carcass quality.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 148-159 (2004)
The Population Densities of Potentially Toxic
Epiphytic
Dinoflagellates in Lingsat Reef, La Union Province,
Philippines
G.N. Pocsidio1,2* and L.M.
Dimaano2
1,2Institute
of Biology and 2Natural
Sciences Research Institute, College of Science, University of
the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
(*Author for correspondence; e-mail:
glorina.pocsidio@up.edu.ph or gnpocs@yahoo.com)
Ciguatera, a kind of marine fish food poisoning, is
considered as a harmful algal phenomenon that has adverse
impacts on the fisheries industry and on peoples that depend
largely on fish as a source of protein. It is a multifaceted
syndrome characterized by a variety of neurological,
cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disturbances that are
frequently caused by more than one toxin that is present in
consumed fish food such as a reef fish or predator fish from
near-coastal waters. According to the food chain hypothesis of
toxicogenesis in a ciguateric fish, a fish becomes toxic when
it feeds on particular algae that harbor toxic dinoflagellates
or on herbivore fish that has previously consumed the toxic
algae. Thus, after a suspect ciguateric case occurred near the
Lingsat Reef in La Union Province in the Philippines, a study
was conducted to determine the population densities of
potentially toxic dinoflagellates in the reef to find out if
these abound in the area in alarming densities.
The different macroalgae and seagrasses in the reef
were examined for the occurrence of Gambierdiscus,
Ostreopsis and Prorocentrum species or the genera
that are known progenitors of ciguateric poisons.
Gambierdiscus sp. was not observed in 1999 but in 2000,
it had the highest density of only 6 cells per gram of the
brown alga Dictyota dentata. Ostreopsis spp.
peaked in 1999 at 186.7 cells per gram of the red alga
Galaxaura elongata while in the following year, its
maximum density was 43.1 cells per gram of the brown alga
Dictyota linearis. Similarly, Prorocentrum spp.
peaked in 1999 at 91.9 cells per gram of the red alga
Gelidiella acerosa but its maximum density in 2000 was
43.1 cells per gram of Dictyota linearis. The results
of the study suggest a potential of the Lingsat Reef for
ciguateric episodes with the most likely involvement of
Ostreopsis spp., Ostreopsis lenticularis, in
particular, although the presence especially of
Prorocentrum spp. does not exclude its participation in
a ciguateric event.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 160-164 (2004)
Soft X-Ray Imaging for Non-Destructive Detection of
Mango Pulp
Weevil
(Sternochetus frigidus (Fabr.) Infestation in Fresh
Mature Green ‘Carabao’ Mango Fruits
L.R.I. Velasco1* and C.
dR. Medina2
1
Department of Entomology and 2National
Crop Protection Center, College of Agriculture, University of
the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
(*Author for correspondence)
The entire province of Palawan is under quarantine
restriction because of the mango pulp weevil [Sternochetus
frigidus (Fabr.), Curculionidae, Coleoptera]. In the
Philippines the insect is only found in that province. Fresh
mango fruits are not allowed to be brought out of Palawan, not
even to other parts of the country to prevent the spread of
the insect to other parts of the country and in order not to
jeopardize the fresh mango fruit export industry.
The potential volume of fresh mango fruits that can be
harvested from more than 1million trees in the province is
significant and can meet the increasing domestic and foreign
demand for mangoes. This study aimed to test the viability of
using soft x-ray imaging for detecting mango pulp weevil
infestation in fresh mango fruits. We also tested the
“readability” of the x-ray images to different groups of
potential “readers” who have differing technical backgrounds
and experience. With this method, fresh mango fruits that are
brought out of Palawan can be insured to be free of the
insect.
Freshly harvested mature green ‘Carabao’ mango fruits
were scanned for mango pulp weevil (MPW) infestation using an
x-ray scanning device at the Puerto Princesa, Palawan Airport.
The damages of the insect in fresh mango fruits were readily
detected from the TV monitor real-time images. Damage-free
fruits showed a clear and uninterrupted image of the seed and
the pulp. MPW-infested fruits showed light-colored patches of
varying shapes and sizes over and/or outside the image of the
seed. These patches correspond to the tunnels and pupation
chamber of the insect in the fruit pulp. Correct detection was
slightly higher when the fruits was scanned in a position
where the narrow shoulder of the fruit was upright than when
the broader side of the fruits were positioned lying down.
Using photographs of x-ray images of the scanned
fruits, evaluators with technical experience were able to
detect MPW infestation more accurately than evaluators without
technical experience.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 165-173 (2004)
RAPD Markers for Genetic
Analysis and Classification of Musa
B Genome
Emma K. Sales1* and
Rene Rafael C. Espino2
1Department
of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Southern
Mindanao, Kabacan, 9407 Cotabato, Philippines, (*Author for
correspondence;
e-mail: ekalaw@yahoo.com)
2Department
of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, University of the
Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031,
Philippines
Southeast Asia is the center of biodiversity of
bananas and the Philippines, being part of it, boasts of 80
distinct cultivars that belong to the following genomic
groupings: pure acuminata (AA/AAA), acuminata x
balbisiana (AAB, ABB and ABBB) and pure
balbisiana (BB/BBB). However, the
classification of banana has been a complicated issue due to
the presence of numerous cultivar names and synonyms expressed
in different languages and dialects of the country. In this study, DNA
markers called RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers
were used to classify these Musa cultivars.
From the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve in Los Baños,
Laguna, Philippines, 19 Musa cultivars were obtained
for extraction of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The 19 cultivars used
were ‘Bungulan´, ‘Saba´, ‘Binendito´, ‘Balayan´, ‘Lakatan´,
‘Dip-pig´, ‘Abuhon´, ‘Cardaba´, ‘Sabang Puti´, ‘Turangkog´,
‘Butohan´, ‘Mundo´, ‘Gubao´, ‘Pinatubo III´, ‘Pinatubo V´,
‘Pinatubo X´, ‘Palawan V´, ‘Palawan IX´ and ‘Palawan
III´.
The appropriate RAPD markers and amplification
conditions were first determined. The RAPD primers OPH-03 and
OPI-16 were found to have markers which were present in all
BB/BBB cultivars. The results show that the specific primers
can differentiate the A and B genomes as well as differentiate
the balbisiana cultivars in this study.
The level of relatedness of the 19 Musa
cultivars was also determined by constructing a dendrogram on
the basis of shared fragments. The first cluster consisted of
the AA/AAA genome grouping (‘Bungulan´ and ‘Lakatan´) with the
three Palawan collections (‘Palawan V´, IX and III) fusing
with them. The
second cluster consisted of cultivars representing the B
genome (‘Saba´, ‘Balayan´, ‘Binendito´, ‘Dip-pig´, ‘Abuhon´,
‘Cardaba´, ‘Sabang Puti´, ‘Turangkog´, ‘Gubao´, ‘Butohan´ and
‘Mundo´) merged with the three Pinatubo collections (‘Pinatubo
III´, V and X).
The results apparently show distinct separation between
the acuminata and balbisiana cultivars. Genome
classification of the Palawan collections was not so clear due
to some inconsistencies in their clustering. A follow-up work on
DNA analysis using other techniques for these collections is
proposed.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 174-176 (2004)
RESEARCH NOTE: The
Interactive Effect of Silicon and Nitrogen on Growth and
Spikelet Filling in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Allahyar Fallah1, Romeo
M. Visperas2* and
Arcelia A. Alejar3
1 Rice
Research Institute of Iran, P.O. Box 145, Amol, Iran (e-mail:
fallah1@137.com)
2Crop,
Soil and Water Sciences Division, The International Rice
Research Institute, DAPO Box 7777, Metro Manila,
Philippines
(*Author for correspondence; e-mail:
r.visperas@cgiar.org)
3Institute
of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031,
Philippines
Silicon is not an essential element in plants but
it is considered beneficial to rice because it improves leaf
erectness, leading to better light interception. The present study
investigated the effect of two levels of silicon in
combination with high or low nitrogen supply using water
culture techniques.
Silicon was found to be easily absorbed by the plant as
detected in the tissues.
Silicon increased dry matter production and silicon
oxide accumulation in tissues regardless of nitrogen supply.
Significant increases in harvest index and percent spikelet
filling were observed, resulting in improved grain yield.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 177-181 (2004)
RESEARCH NOTE: GROWTH AND
RHIZOME ESSENTIAL OIL YIELD OF CAMIA (Hedychium
coronarium Koenig) UNDER VARYING SHADE LEVELS AND
PHOTOPERIOD
Minerva L. Rosas, Rocelie A.
Reglos and Constancio C. de Guzman*
Department of Horticulture,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, 4031 College, Laguna,
Philippines
(*Author for correspondence: C. C. de Guzman; e-mail:
tanchodg@lb.msc.net.ph)
Camia, Hedychium coronarium Koenig, is one
of the less utilized essential oil-bearing plants in the
Philippines. Its white, fragrant flowers are commonly used as
hanging ornaments in sampaguita garlands. The essential oils
derived from its flowers and rhizomes have potential use in
the perfumery, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry.
Not much is known about the effect of various
environmental conditions, especially light, on the growth
behavior and essential oil yield of camia. A study was
therefore conducted to determine the effect of light intensity
and duration on the growth response and rhizome essential oil
yield of camia.
Variation in light intensity was measured by growing
camia under the following levels of shade: 0%, 38%, 59% and
75%. For the light duration effect, plants were exposed to
natural daylength (11.9 hours light), short day (8 hours
light), long day (16 hours light) and continuous light (24
hours light).
Growing camia in the open and up to 38% shade produced
vigorous plants with numerous roots and rhizomes. Although the plants
appeared shorter, they had more suckers, thicker leaves and
robust stem. In
much the same manner, light duration affected the growth of
camia. Plants
were tallest under long day. When exposed to
shorter daylengths, they exhibited more suckers and roots and
thicker leaves.
Flowering in camia occurred only when plants were
exposed to long photoperiod, making it a long-day plant.
Both shade level and light duration did not affect the
rhizome essential oil content, which is based on rhizome dry
weight. On the other hand, rhizome essential oil yield, which
is measured on a plant basis, was highest in plants grown in
full sunlight and in those subjected to natural daylight.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 182-190 (2004)
POLLINATION SYNDROME AND
BREEDING SYSTEM OF FOUR REFORESTATION TREE SPECIES IN MT.
MAKILING, LUZON, PHILIPPINES
Ramiro P. Escobin1*,
Pacifico C. Payawal2 and
Cleofas R. Cervancia2
1Forest
Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI),
Department of Science and Technology, College,
Laguna 4031,
Philippines
2Institute
of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences,
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031,
Philippines
*Author for correspondence
(R.P. Escobin; e-mail: rpescobin@yahoo.com)
The continued destruction of our forests will
result in the decline in the population of animal pollinators.
The absence of pollination vectors especially insects
inevitably results in failure in the natural regeneration of
species. Little information is known on the pollination
syndrome and breeding system of Acacia
auriculiformis Cunn. ex Benth. (auri), Vitex
parviflora Juss. (molave), Leucaena leucocephala
(Lam.) de Wit (ipil-ipil) and Pterocarpus indicus
Willd. even as they are used in various reforestation projects
in the country. One reason is probably the difficulty and
problems posed by the height of the trees when they attain
maturity and the short-lived flowers they produce. The
pollination syndrome and breeding system of these four tree
species were investigated.
The floral buds of the four tree species were enclosed
with pollination bags and nets to exclude insect visitors or
pollinators of each species. A corresponding number of floral
buds were tagged and left open. These served as the control
treatment. The results suggested that A.
auriculiformis, V. parviflora and P. indicus
were out-crossing and entomophilous. Important pollinators of
the species were medium-sized to large-sized bees notably,
Megachile sp., for the first species and
Xylocopa sp. for the second and third species.
Furthermore, the flowers exhibited the bee floral syndrome
characterized by bright color, dichogamy, presence of nectar
guides and presence of floral rewards. On the other hand,
L. leucocephala is self-compatible and exhibited
morphological features suitable for anemophily aside from
entomophilous features. This species was also visited by
bees.
Information generated from the study is important in
plantation management specifically in seed production areas
and tree orchards.
Philipp. Agric.
Scientist 87: 191-195 (2004)
FIRST DESCRIPTION OF THE
MALE OF Phasmotaenia elongata ZOMPRO &
EUSEBIO (PHASMATODEA:
PHASMATIDAE) WITH NOTES ON ITS HOST PLANTS
AND A REVISED KEY TO THE
SPECIES OF Phasmotaenia NAVAS
Orlando L. Eusebio1, Ireneo
L. Lit, Jr.2* and
Ingo Vörkel3
1,2Entomology
Section, Museum of Natural History, University of the
Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), College, Laguna 4031,
Philippines
3Le Ros
Subdivision, Tanauan City, Batangas, Philippines
*Author for correspondence
(I.L. Lit, Jr.; e-mail: junlit@hotmail.com)
The stick and leaf insects are interesting
arthropods especially in the tropics but they are not well
known in the Philippines. They are classified under the order
Phasmatodea and include some pest species. Stick and leaf
insects are large to very large chewing insects and are known
to many as “masters of camouflage” because of their remarkable
resemblance to sticks or leaves. A recently discovered
species, Phasmotaenia elongata Zompro and Eusebio, was
described based on adult females, nymphs and eggs collected
from pine trees in Benguet. No male was available
at the time it was described as new to science.
Accurate descriptions of all forms and stages of stick
insects are important in identifying individuals in the field
and in museum collections. They allow us to differentiate
males from females, which is vital in studying how the
organism reproduces and behaves sexually. These aspects of
stick insect biology are, in turn, essential in further
researches, whether for pest management, in case of potential
pests, or for biodiversity conservation, especially for
species that are found only in the Philippines or those that
are endangered.
More recently, a male from Benguet province, the type
locality of P. elongata, was collected on agoho,
Casuarina equisetifolia L. The male of P.
elongata differs from that of P. lanyuhensis Huang
& Brock, a species from Taiwan, in having longer antennae,
shorter appendages found at the tip of the abdomen and a
smaller body size.
The definition of the genus Phasmotaenia is
modified to accommodate new information from the Philippine
species, and a taxonomic key to its known species is provided
to facilitate their identification.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 196-228 (2004)
Predatory Mites of the Genus
Asca (Acari: Ascidae) Associated
with Cultivated Crops in the Philippines
Josephine B. de
Leon-Facundo1* and
Leonila A. Corpuz-Raros2
1,2Department of
Entomology, and Museum of Natural History, University of the
Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna 4031, Philippines
(*Author for correspondence: J.B. de Leon-Facundo; e-mail:
phen009@hotmail.com)
The genus Asca is generally a predaceous
group of mites with diverse habitats. They are present in
moss, sod, litter, in the nests of spiders, birds and mammals,
in the bark of citrus trees and leaves of several plants. They have been found
to feed on small arthopods like thrips, collembolans and other
mites, as well as non-arthropods like nematodes. Prior to this report,
there were 97 nominal species of Asca known worldwide
but none reported from the Philippines.
This paper reports the first Philippine records of
Asca species totaling 16. Ten of these are new to
science: Asca bundukana De Leon-Facundo, Asca
filipina de Leon-Facundo, Asca vulgaris De
Leon-Facundo, Asca labrusca De Leon-Facundo, Asca
gamuensis De Leon-Facundo, Asca ornamentalis De
Leon-Facundo, Asca flexiperitrema De Leon-Facundo,
Asca butuanensis De Leon-Facundo, Asca breviseta
De Leon-Facundo and Asca zamiana De Leon-Facundo.
Six species are new records for the Philippines: Asca
garmanioides De Leon, Asca garmani Hurlbutt,
Asca aethiopica Ryke, Asca spicata Hurlbutt,
Asca lacertosa Tseng and Asca craneta De
Leon. All the
reported species were found associated with cultivated crops,
either on the litter or the arboreal plant parts or both. The basic information
generated is vital to discovering potential biological control
agents for pest management.
Philipp. Agric. Scientist 87: 229-237 (2004)
Antimicrobial Activity and
DNA Fingerprinting of Bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus
acidilactici through
RAPD-PCR
Francisco B. Elegado1*, Marie
Antonette Ruth V. Guerra2,
Rommel A. Macayan2,
Melanie T. Estolas3
and
Marcelina B. Lirazan4
1,2National
Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
(BIOTECH),
University of the Philippines Los Baños, College,
Laguna 4031, Philippines
3,4College
of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila,
Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila, Philippines
(*Author for
correspondence;
e-mail address: fbelegado@hotmail.com)
Pediococcus acidilactici
AA5a, a lactic acid
bacterium isolated from fermented rice-fish mixture (burong
isda), was compared with a reference strain, Pediococcus
acidilactici S3, in terms of their antimicrobial activity
against various bacteria. Both Pediococcus isolates
inhibited strains of Lactobacillus, Pediococcus,
Enterococcus, Bacillus, Leuconostoc and Listeria
spp. Their economic and practical importance is based on their
strong inhibitory activity against the food pathogens or
disease-causing organisms, namely, Listeria
monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. Their genetic
makeup was also compared using a technique, random amplified
polymorphic DNA-polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR), that
randomly amplifies segments of their deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) using short-chain DNA primers. Five out of the nine
primers tested produced identical polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) profiles from the two strains while the other four
differentiated them. The degree of their relatedness compared
with other selected lactic acid bacterial strains was also
estimated through numerical
analysis.
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