The objective of this study was to compare the growth performance of two Nguni ecotypes and its crosses (Nguni x Landim) raised under the same feedlot conditions at the Posto Fomento do Impaputo, in southern Mozambique. Live weight feedlot data, from entry to marketing, were collected every fortnight between 1999 and 2009 from 453 oxen of the Nguni and Landim male ecotypes, as well as the crosses. Year-season of birth had significant effects on live weight at entry in the feedlot and at marketing age. Overall means for average age at entry in the feedlot was 31.8 ± 4 months, with the Landim being younger than the Cross (p=0.07). The average live weight at entry in the feedlot was 390 ± 42.5 kg, with no differences between ecotypes (p>0.05). Males born in dry year-seasons were heavier than males born in wet years-seasons (p<0.0001 to p<0.05).The average age at marketing of the Nguni ecotypes was 34.4 ± 5.08 months, with the Landim being younger (p<0.05) than the Cross. The average live weight at marketing was 446 ± 42.2 kg. The average live weights at entry and at marketing were higher in dry years-seasons than in wet years-seasons. There were no differences between ecotypes for average daily gain (0.89 ± 0.79 kg) in this study. Growth rates for the feedlot in the Nguni cattle obtained in this study were substantially lower than that obtained for the Ngunis in South Africa albeit they entered the feedlot at a much older age. This study demonstrates that in Mozambique feedlot industry is still underdeveloped with main constraints on feed resources, especially concentrates.

he survey was carried out in Horro district of Horro Guduru zone, west part of Ethiopia. The objectives of the survey were: to describe cattle production system, trait preferences, breeding practices, and constraints in utilization of the breed and to use the information generated as baseline data to design breeding strategy of the breed. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, group discussions and secondary data collections from different sources. Statistical Package for Social Science was employed to analyze data. Horro cattle are kept in a mixed crop-livestock production system and are the dominant livestock species in the area. Cattle have multi-functional roles in the production systems. Among reason of keeping cattle, draught power was ranked first followed by milk production. Farmers prefer composite traits from their male and female cattle. Draught power performance, body size, hump size, adaptability and coat color were among the higher ranked preferred traits for male cattle in that order. Preferred traits for female cattle include milk yield, fat yield, calving interval, adaptability and coat color.

Nigerian indigenous chicken (NIC) from three agro-ecological zones (Rain Forest, RF; Derived Savanna, DS; and Guinea Savanna, GS) were evaluated for age at first egg, egg production and egg weight, percent hen-day egg production and percent laying mortality. Data for this work were collected over a period of 72 weeks. A total of 579 eggs from DS and RF zones and 505 growers from DS, GS and RF were evaluated. Data were compiled by Dbase IV and analysed using the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Agro-ecological zones, age and sex were the fixed effects in the model. Means for each variable effect were compared using the Least-Square Analysis of Variance and Duncan option of SAS. For all the traits evaluated, there was no significant difference between the chickens from the three ecological zones. Hence, the Nigerian indigenous chickens from these zones cannot be said to belong to different genetic groups.

Two studies were conducted: the first study evaluated the production potential of indigenous (Tswana) chickens under an extensive free-range management system in the Gaborone agricultural region of Botswanal; and the second study was a survey of 25 randomly selected, commercial small-scale broiler farms in the Southern region of Botswana. Data were obtained using a structured questionnaire, interviews and direct observations of the birds and their management in the two systems. Study 1 involved 85 farmers. Ten different common supplementary feeds fed to the free-range chickens together with soil samples from where the chickens roost were collected. The feeds were: sorghum grain (Sorghum bicolor), maize grain (Zea mays), jugo bean, also known as bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea), tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius), millet grain (Pennisetum glaucum), melon seeds (Colocynthis citrullus [Citrullus lanatus]), Tswana water melon fruit (whole), sorghum milo, maize bran and sorghum beer residue (moroko). Mean adult body weight of the birds (n=713) was 2.2 and 2.0 kg for cocks and hens respectively. Average egg weight (n=188) was 48 g with an annual production of 34 eggs laid in 2 to 3 clutches. Production varied little among flocks. Sexual maturity was attained at about 6 months for females. The crude protein content of the feeds (as-fed basis) given as supplements was: maize grain 9.8%, millet 6.5%, sorghum 11.1%, tepary bean 18.5% and jugo bean 15.8%. All the feeds had a low level of calcium, for example 0.22% for melon seeds. The farmers kept the chickens for home consumption and occasional sales. In study 2, all the farmers practiced intensive housing on deep litter. The number and size of the poultry houses ranged from one to eight, with floor area of less than 100m2 to 1000m2. Numbers of chickens in each batch ranged from less than 1000 to 10000 with about 4 batches in a year. The broiler strains were Ross hybrid, Indian River and Cobb with 56% of the farmers keeping Ross hybrid. Various heating methods were used for brooding with more than 40% using gas as a source of heat. Vaccinations for either gumboro and/or Newcastle were used by 76% of the farmers. Feed was provided ad libitum in all instances.

The objectives of the investigation were to determine the transgressive lines of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for grain quality traits (1000 kernel weight, and content of crude protein, starch and β-glucans) in the six cross combinations between covered and hull-less barley genotypes. The trial was carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute during 2007 and 2008. Lines representing either positive or negative transgression were found in each cross combination if compared covered and hull-less lines with their parent varieties. These lines during the two years of investigation exceeded both parents in positive or negative direction by one standard deviation according to any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. Seven positive transgressive lines were observed regarding 1000 kernel weight, and two transgressive genotypes regarding crude protein content within the population of covered barley lines. No line with positive transgression regarding starch and β-glucan content was found within the covered barley population. 27 hull-less lines showed positive transgression regarding any of the four analyzed grain quality traits. The results show that it is possible to increase grain quality of spring barley grain by implementing selection practices.

The objectives of the investigation were to determine effect of hull-less gene on grain quality traits (crude protein, starch and β-glucans) and to evaluate the heritability of these traits in the F4 and F5 generations of six crosses between covered and hull-less barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The trial was carried out at the State Stende Cereal Breeding Institute during the years 2007 and 2008. Mean value, range and the coefficient of variation of traits for covered and hull-less lines within each cross combination were calculated. Heritability of quality traits was estimated as intergeneration correlation (r) and linear regression coefficients (b). The highest intergeneration correlation values were observed for starch content within covered and hull-less barley populations (rF4:F5=0.609 and 0.635 respectively). Moderate intergeneration relationship was observed for crude protein content within covered barley population (r=0.582), and for β-glucans content within hull-less barley population (r=0.593). The regression estimates of heritability were higher for starch content for both covered and hull-less barleys (b=0.549 and 0.703 respectively). Due to effects of genotype and environment interactions the regression estimates of heritability for crude protein and β-glucans content for both covered and hull-less barley were low (b varied from 0.347 to 0.373).

Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid for mammals since they cannot synthesise it. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major source of dietary Trp, and wheat high in Trp would thus be very beneficial. This study investigated the impact of location and wheat variety on the content of free Trp and mineral nutrients in wheat grain. Four wheat cultivars from national variety tests on wheat with varying protein contents were selected from seven different locations of Sweden representing different climatic zones and soil contents of trace elements. Grain was analysed for Trp content using reversed phase HPLC. Mineral nutrients were analysed using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. Wheat yield and grain content of nutrients and Trp differed significantly between sites. High N content in grain was correlated with a high content of Cu, Fe and S, and also Ca and Mg. However, it was correlated with a low content of K and Na. Trp content was positively correlated with Na and Zn content and negatively correlated with K/Na and K/(Na+Zn) ratio. The varieties differed in Trp content and the two ratios, but there were no significant differences in yields between the varieties at any location. The results indicated salt stress induction of Trp synthesis, which may protect wheat against salt stress and yield losses.

The EU Directive on the promotion of the use of biofuels or other renewable fuels for transport (CO M 2003/30/EC) states that the proportion of biofuels in 2010 must make 5.75% of non-renewable fuels, but in 2020 - 10%. The only way for Latvia to fulfil the Directive 2003/30/EC is to use winter rye because it is one of the oldest cereals grown in Latvia, and Latvia has a long-lasting experience in growing it. A field trial of winter rye (Secale cereale L.) was arranged in the Agricultural Science Centre of Latgale from 2005 to 2007. The influence of four winter rye varieties and five fertilizer rates on grain yield and starch content was researched for three years. The year (factor A), the varieties (factor B), the fertilizer rates (factor C), and the interaction of factors AB, AC , BC, and ABC significantly influenced the yield of grain and the starch content with 95% probability. It is recommended to use good quality grain with high starch content and low protein content for bioethanol production. The varieties of winter rye 'Kaupo', 'Amilo', and 'Walet' are the most suitable for ethanol production in Latgale region.

Performing biofuel use studies, a large number of parameters that characterize engine operation under different conditions and with different fuel mixtures have to be identified. The real driving conditions are usually simulated by driving cycles on a laboratory chassis dynamometer. There are two major categories of driving cycles: legislative and non-legislative. From the viewpoint of cycle formation there are also two ways. One is composed of various driving modes of constant acceleration, deceleration and speed, and is referred to as modal or polygonal. The other type is derived from actual driving data and is called as 'real world' cycle. There is a strong agreement among researchers that driving characteristics of each city are unique because of different vehicle fleet composition, driving behaviour and road network topography. It is therefore better to develop own driving cycles than using driving cycles developed elsewhere. The aim of this investigation is to develop driving cycles or models for dynamometer control software corresponding to peculiarities of Latvia. The procedure for cycle development and fuel consumption and exhaust emissions measurement was worked out. Using real driving data on the Jelgava streets, models simulating driving in different urban areas were constructed. The model quality was determined using vehicle driving parameters and fuel consumption measurement results from both the road and laboratory tests. Since the obtained data coincidence of all the parameters exceeded 98%, the elaborated cycles can be used for the biofuel use efficiency determination.

The dietary fibre is edible parts of plants' carbohydrates that are resistant to digestion in human small intestine. Diets naturally rich in dietary fibre support to prevent constipation, improve gastrointestinal health, glucose tolerance and the insulin response, and reduce the risk of colon cancer, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and other coronary heart disease risk factors. About 45% of the dietary fibre intake comes from grains and grain mixtures. In Latvia, there are neither data, nor investigations of the dietary fibre content in grain products during processing and in the end products in which manufacturers and consumers are interested. The aim of this paper was an approval of dietary fibre determination methodology by using analytical equipment the Full option science system (FOS) Analytical Fibertec E 1023. The dietary fibre determination experiments were carried out in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Food Technology at the Latvia University of Agriculture in 2009. The Total Dietary Fibre (TDF) content was analyzed in the samples of rye whole grain flour, rye whole grain bread, and wheat biscuit. Experiments showed that the fibre content in rye whole grain flour is 13.8 g 100 gE-1, in rye whole grain bread - 11.6 g 100 gE-1, and in the wheat biscuit - 1.9 g 100 gE-1. Reached data are comparable with results of other researchers' data.