Global Journal of Agricultural and Allied Sciences

Soybean-Supplemented Nursing Ewes Showed Better Performance and Immune Response than Corn-Supplemented Ewes while Grazing in Woodlands

Santoshi Chaudhary — 2025-06-10

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasitism is one of the major health threats to pasture-raised sheep in the southeast USA. Poor forage quality contaminated with GI parasites need supplemental feeding during high nutrient demand stages like lactation, however the optimal supplement for improving performance and immunity in woodlands is yet to be answered. This study hypothesizes that nursing ewes' performance and immune function would be better with soybean vs. corn supplements. The study aimed to evaluate corn and soybean supplements’ effect on nursing ewes’ performance and immunity against GI parasites. Eighteen Katahdin-St. Croix cross-nursing ewes were divided into two groups, each grazing on separate sets of woodland plots (3 plots/group) and rotated in the respective plots with ad libitum hay from May to August 2022. One group received whole corn, and the other with whole soybean (0.5% of live weight). Animal performance data (live weight, FAMACHA score, and body condition score (BCS)) were collected on Day 1, fortnightly, and at the study’s end. Fecal and blood samples were collected on Days 1, 45, and 80. Fecal samples were analyzed for the type and quantity of GI parasites, and blood samples for RBC, PCV, WBC, and immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgE). All data were analyzed in SAS 9.4. The soybean group showed better live weight (22%, p<0.05), FAMACHA score (13%, p<0.01), BCS (8%, p<0.001) and IgG level (p<0.0001) compared to the corn group. In conclusion, soybean is a superior supplement than corn for enhancing nursing ewes' performance and resiliency against GI parasites in woodlands.

Rearing System Influenced the Performance and Health Status of Pregnant Ewes During Winter

Sadikshya Lamsal — 2025-03-02

Small ruminants are raised outdoors in the southeast US irrespective of seasons and associated weather conditions. Severe weather in winter can affect the performance of pregnant animals and compromise their health. Keeping animals indoors may provide comfort and minimize adverse weather impact; however, such potential has not been assessed. This study tested the hypothesis that the performance and health status of pregnant ewes would improve when raised indoor versus outdoor during winter. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and health status of pregnant ewes when raised indoor versus outdoor during winter. Eighteen pregnant Katahdin-St. Croix cross ewes were divided into indoor and outdoor groups and fed corn-soybean mix (3:2) (0.8% of live weight) and ad libitum hay. Temperature and relative humidity were measured, and temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated for both sites. Animal performance data (live weight, body condition score (BCS), and FAMACHA score) and fecal samples were collected on Day 1, weekly during the study, and at the end of the study. Blood samples were collected on Days 1, 34, and 69, and analyzed for hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters. Indoor temperature was higher (7%, p<0.01), humidity was lower (8%, p<0.05), and THI was higher (5%, p<0.05) vs. outdoor. Indoor ewes had higher BCS (5%, p<0.05), EPG for GI nematodes (56%, p<0.05), reticulocytes (75%, p<0.05), mean platelet volume (8%, p<0.01), globulin (10%, 0.01), and serum chloride (12%, p<0.01) compared to outdoor ewes. Indoor rearing of pregnant ewes improved performance and impacted a few health parameters.

Effect of Seed Priming by Ascorbic Acid on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)

Saaruj Khadka — 2025-07-30

Seed priming enhances seedling growth in cowpeas, a crop of nutritional and economic importance. However, its physiological effects, particularly its interaction with antioxidants like ascorbic acid, remain underexplored. We hypothesized that priming cowpea seeds with ascorbic acid would enhance germination percentage, root and shoot length, and seedling biomass. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of ascorbic acid seed priming on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) germination and seedling growth. An experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three treatments and three replications. Treatments included three levels of ascorbic acid (0 as control, 0.5, and 1 mM), where seeds were soaked for 12 hours for priming and air-dried for an hour. Each dish contained ten seeds subjected to the respective treatments. The results indicated a significant effect of ascorbic acid priming on germination and seedling growth. The highest germination percentage (100%), shoot length (10.84 cm), root length (9.97 cm), and fresh weight of seedlings (5.60 g) were observed in seeds primed with 1 mM of ascorbic acid. However, the control (0 ascorbic acid) exhibited lower values with 80% germination, shoot length of 6.84 cm, root length of 5.54 cm, and seedling fresh weight of 3.77 g. These findings suggest that ascorbic acid enhances early-stage cowpea growth and improves metabolic activation during germination. Further research is recommended to explore the interaction of ascorbic acid priming with mixed-seed systems and other vegetable crops to determine its broader agricultural applications.