Micromorphological and ultrastructural data have been helpful in determining the evolution, classification, ecology, and phylogeny of seed plants. Taxonomic utility of seed characters has been explored, although the value of micro-structure in selected dicot angiosperms from desert areas has not been adequately addressed. We conducted a comparative morphometric analysis of internal and external seed features in the 16 dicot species representing 10 families from the Thal desert (Pakistan) using scanning electron microscopy. Seeds were mostly minute and small and slightly larger than 1 mm in length except for Acacia nilotica, Astragalus hamosus and Prosopis juliflora. Seeds varied in shape from elliptical to obovate, D-shaped, reniform, rhomboid, and ellipsoidal. The cell outline, periclinal boundaries, and sculpture pattern of the anticlinal wall were generally rugulate, reticulate and striate, papillate and rugose, or rarely undulating granulate. The seed coat also comprises diverse forms of epicuticular projections and texture. The phenetics of 84 character-states using principal component and dendrogram statistics supported the affinities among desert species. Here, we identified micromorphological similarities and differences among dicot angiosperms to determine their systematic relationships. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

In the present study, seventy-two 30-week-old laying hens (Brown Hisex) were separated into two groups (control and treatment) and fed with a standard layer diet. In the treatment group the amount of effective microorganism (EM) added to the drinking water is equal to1000 ppm EM dose. Throughout the 8-week study period, 16 h thermoneutral (20-22 ºC) and 8 h hot (35-37 ºC) environmental temperature regime was applied daily. The results indicated that EM supplementation affected performance and some egg quality characteristics of layers exposed high environmental temperature. Feed intake and conversion ratio, yolk index, albumen index, yolk colour b, Haugh unit were decreased by supplemental EM. Serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, total oxidant- antioxidant concentration were not affected by EM. It is concluded that EM supplementation in laying hens could have potential to improve feed intake and feed conversion ratio under high environmental temperature. However, supplemental EM with drinking water decreased some egg quality parameters.

The digestibility of feed in ruminants and the volatile fatty acids (VFA) resulting from digestion directly affect animal performance. It has long been studied on the use of essential oils as an alternative to antibiotics to ensure optimum conditions for the rumen environment. Cyclotrichium niveum (mountain mint) essential oil is rich in antimicrobial agents. In this study different doses (0, 50, 100 and 150 mg/L of culture fluid) of Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil was incubated 24 hours with barley in diluted ruminal fluid takes from fistulated cows fed with a 40:60 concentrate:forage diet in order to assess the effects on rumen microbial fermentation and in vitro true digestibility of barley. True digestibility of barley was determined in ANKOM Daisy Incubator. All doses of Cyclotrichium niveum significantly (P<0.001) decreased the in vitro dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility of barley. Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil negatively affected end-products of rumen fermentation; the value of the measured rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA: acetate, propionate, butyrate, isobutyric acid, valerate and isovalerate) significantly decreased compared to the control group (P<0.001). Carbon dioxide and methane gases created as a result of incubation in rumen fluid were calculated using volatile fatty acid values formed in rumen fluid. The addition of Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil significantly reduces the CO2 in rumen fluid (P<0.001). Methane (CH4) gas from rumen fluid was significantly decreased in treatment groups compared the control group (P <0.001) While end-products of rumen fermentation parameters significantly decreased with all doses of Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil, rumen pH has increased (P<0.05). The results show that when the Cyclotrichium niveum essential oil incubated with barley significantly inhibited the rumen microbial activity and overall fermentation process of rumen.

Over the past two decades, research into the effects of essential oils (EOs) on rumen microorganisms as an alternative to antibiotics has intensified. Yet, there are few investigations on rumen protozoa. To evaluate if EOs have antiprotozoal efficacy against rumen protozoa, the present investigation was conducted. Using the potentiality of rumen protozoa to digest 14C-labeled bacteria, the influence of EOs on in vitro protozoal activity was determined. For the study, orange peel, cinnamon, laurel, oleaster, garlic, and thyme essential oils were selected. Control (without essential oil), 500 mg/kg, 1000 mg/kg, and 5000 mg/kg dosages were used. Except for garlic oil, all essential oils showed a notable effect on antiprotozoal activity. The highest antiprotozoal impact was reported at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg doses of thyme oil, with respective reductions of 89.1% and 84.8% in bacteria degraded by protozoa. Cinnamon and oleaster oils had the strongest antiprotozoal efficacy at a concentration of 5000 mg/kg. At 5000 mg/kg doses of oleaster and cinnamon oils, the quantity of 14C-labeled bacteria degraded by protozoa was reduced by 96% compared to the group that served as the control. In conclusion, orange peel, cinnamon, laurel, oleaster, and thyme oils demonstrated remarkable in vitro antiprotozoal activity; however, more comprehensive research is required to analyse the effects of the EOs used in this study on rumen living groups such as protozoa, bacteria, and yeast and on rumen dynamics.

The present study was conducted to evaluate whether the deacetylation degree of chitosan (low: 70% vs. high: 90%) and its dietary level (0, 200, 400, 800, 1600 mg/kg diet) would affect laying performance, faeces viscosity, egg quality, egg and serum biochemistry of layers. For the experimental feeding period of 8 weeks, 140 four weeks old Hisex Brown layers were divided into 10 treatment groups, comprising 14 birds each. The birds were housed in individual cages in a complete randomised design. Performance was assessed by recording feed intake, egg weight, daily egg production, egg quality and egg biochemistry. Serum biochemistry parameters were determined at the beginning and end of the experiment and faeces viscosity at the end of the experiment. Feed conversion ratio and faeces viscosity were deteriorated by increased level of chitosan. Lightness of egg yolk was significantly increased in animals receiving high-degree deacetylated chitosan compared to low-degree deacetylated chitosan. Yellowness of egg yolk was affected by interaction of deacetylation degree and level of chitosan. Yolk cholesterol concentration was lower in groups receiving high deacetylated chitosan by increasing chitosan level, while laying hens fed low deacetylated chitosan had a higher level of yolk cholesterol. A significant interaction between degree of deacetylation and chitosan level was determined for serum glucose and calcium concentration. Serum total antioxidant content increased with higher levels of dietary chitosan. In conclusion, dietary level or different degrees of deacetylated chitosan may reduce yolk cholesterol and improve serum antioxidant status. However, feed conversion ratio and faeces viscosity were impaired by increasing levels of chitosan supplementation, and lightness of yolk was increased by supplementation of chitosan with a high degree of deacetylation.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of substitution of maize with dried orange pulp on performance and some blood parameters of young Holstein male calves. Twenty Holstein male calves (3 days old and average body weight 42.3±3.6 kg were assigned to two treatment groups. The orange pulp was dried at 80°C with hot air application in the band dryer system. The first group was fed calf starter including 10% dried orange pulp (DOP) and the second treatment group was fed calf starter without dried orange pulp (Control=CNT) during the treatment. Calf starters were formulated to contain average 21% crude protein, 3.4% crude fat and 2600 kcal/kg metabolic energy (DM basis). Calves were weaned after 8 weeks then all calves were fed a total mixed diet containing 50% alfalfa hay and 50% calf starter for another three weeks. Feed intake and body weight gain were recorded weekly and individual blood samples were collected once in two weeks. The results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between the groups in terms of feed consumption, body weight gain and metabolites as glucose, cholesterol, none esterified fatty acids, ß-hydroxybutyric acid and IGF-1 levels in serum. However, there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of IGF-1 (P<0.05). Those results showed that maize could be substituted with dried orange pulp in calf starters.