Two growth trials and a short-term metabolism trial were conducted in broiler chickens in the period of 22 to 42 days of age in order to evaluate the effects of two dietary levels of L-lactic acid (1.03 or 2.06 g/kg) and microbial 6-phytase (750 U/kg), added either separately or in combination, on growth rate, feed conversion, dressing percentage and utilization of selected nutrients. In the first growth trial, six different dietary treatments were added to a basal grower diet containing 19.4% crude protein and a reduced level of dietary phosphorus (P) (5.9 g total and 2.9 g non-phytate P per kg). Single administration of L-lactic acid did not show any positive effect on the growth rate or feed conversion. In contrast, phytase addition to a low-P grower diet resulted in the increased final weight of birds and higher feed conversion. This beneficial effect was markedly stronger when the microbial phytase was added to the diets containing L-lactic acid. Based on two-factor analysis of variance, microbial phytase significantly increased the mean final weight by 6.5% (P < 0.01) and significantly improved feed conversion from 1.877 to 1.829 (P < 0.05). In the second growth trial, the same six dietary treatments were added to a basal diet containing a standard level of dietary P (6.7 g total and 4.0 g non-phytate P per kg), but the level of crude protein was reduced to 17.0%. L-lactic acid alone did not show any positive effects on performance. Phytase supplementation alone resulted in numerical improvement of the final weight (+1.1-2.4%), but a higher effect was observed in the diets containing L-lactic acid. In agreement with the reduced final weights of broilers fed the low-protein diets, markedly higher values of feed/gain ratio were noted. In the metabolism trial, selected dietary treatments were involved to evaluate the effects of L-lactic acid and microbial phytase, added either separately or in combination, on the digestibility of nitrogen (N) and fat as well as on the retention and excretion of N and P. Apparent digestibility of N and fat in the low-P diets was not affected by dietary treatments. Retention and utilization of N were numerically higher in all treatments fed low-P diets when compared to the treatment fed a standard diet, but the differences were not significant. Retention of P was numerically higher in all treatments fed low-P diets. When compared to the standard diet, the combination of phytase and L-lactic acid increased daily P retention by 37.6%. P excretion was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in all treatments fed low-P diets supplemented by both test products, either separately or in combination. A numerical decrease in N excretion was noted in both treatments fed low-protein diets.

A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of a benzimidazole anthelmintic (fenbendazole) on horse farms in Slovakia. Nine stud farms with a total number of 80 horses were selected for the faecal egg count reduction (FECR) test. Resistance was assumed if egg count reduction was less than 90%. A low level of benzimidazole resistance was found on three farms (84.4-89.0%). On the remaining farms the results of the FECR test indicated substantial reduction in faecal egg output after treatment (92.5-99.4%). Larval identification before treatment revealed Cyathostominea larvae as being predominant.

Plant response to ethephon treatment was tested on 27 cultivars of vegetative annuals that have spreading and trailing growth habits. A control treatment was compared to 500 and 1000 mg.L(-1) (ppm) foliar spray treatments of ethephon. Plant height and/or width index were significantly reduced for 81% of the cultivars tested. Responsive cultivars were alternanthera (Alternanthera dentata), brachyscome (Brachyscome iberidifolia) 'Toucan Tango'; calibrachoa (Calibrachoa hybrids) 'Colorburst Red', 'Million Bells Cherry Pink', and 'Trailing Pink'; diascia (Diascia x hybrida) 'Sunchimes Rose' and 'Red Ace'; double impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) 'Tioga Red' and 'Tioga White'; sweetpotato vine (Ipomoea batatas) 'Sweet Caroline Bronze'; lantana (Lantana camara) 'Patriot Cherry' and 'Samantha'; nemesia (Nemesia x hybrida) 'Aromatica Dark Lavender', 'Blue Bird', and 'Blueberry Sachet'; nolana (Nolana paradoxa) 'Blue Eyes'; ivy geranium (Pelargonium hybrida) 'King of Balcon'; petunia (Petunia x hybrida) 'Cascadia Pink', 'Mini Bright Pink', and 'Supertunia Mini Purple'; bacopa (Sutera cordata) 'Bridal Showers'; and vinca vine (Vinca minor) 'Illumination'. Ethephon was not effective on monopsis (Monopsis unidentata) 'Royal Flush', persicaria (Persicaria microcephala) 'Red Dragon', or calibrachoa 'Liricashower Rose'. Different cultivars of petunia showed varied responses to ethephon treatments as did trailing snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus) 'Chandelier Yellow' and 'Luminaire Yellow'. Flower number was reduced in 55% of the cultivars due to a delay in flowering. The experiment finds efficacy of ethephon for most cultivars treated at rates greater than or equal to that used commercially, however more research is needed to determine optimum concentrations for the specific cultivars. Chemical name used: ethephon (2-chloroethyl) phosphonic acid.

Although natural pyrethrins are effective insecticides, they are not stable when applied outdoors. To solve this weak point, a microencapsulated formulation of natural pyrethrins was prepared and the efficacy was evaluated as a termiticide. This microencapsulated formulation showed slower knockdown activity and equivalent lethal activity against termites as compared with the emulsifiable concentrate. The emulsifiable concentrate of natural pyrethrins did not show lethal activity after 2 months at 60 deg C. On the other hand, the microencapsulated formulation kept high lethal activity for 3 months under the same conditions. Chemical analysis showed that 52% of the active ingredients remained after 5 months storage at 60 deg C in case of the microencapsulated formulation, while only 2% of the active ingredients were found in the emulsifiable concentrate. The microencapsulated formulation of natural pyrethrins should be promising as a termiticide.

Soil samples were analyzed at the laboratory to determine the effects of different rates of organic fertilizers. The application of 4t EM [effective microorganism] had the least available N (13.86) but high total N (0.30%). The soil applied with EM and CF had higher P, S, K and OM [organic matter] than the soil applied with pure CF. The chemical soil properties show an improvement in the nutrient status of all the treatments. Nutrients in all the treatments at harvest were with the range of normal soil conditions

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of edible coating brand "Taza" on shelf-life and quality of tomatoes stored under refrigerated conditions. Three formulations (0.5, 0.75%, 1.0%) of coatings were tried and applied by immersion method. The quality of stored tomatoes were evaluated on the basis of Physiological weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, ascorbic acidity, lycopene content and decay % at regular intervals. On the basis of experimental results and statistical analysis, it was observed that 1.0% taza coated tomatoes recorded minimum changes in the quality parameters as compared to 0.5 and 0.75% taza coated tomatoes, thus extending the shelf-life upto 28 days without adversely affecting the quality.

Coccidiosis is a contagious disease of goats and it has been recognized as one of the major factors for morbidity and mortality in goats. (Sivadas et al., 1965). Literature is scarce on the efficacy of different chemotherapoeutic agents and haematological changes during coccidiosis in goats. The present work was, therefore, conducted to assess the efficacy of three different chemotherapeutic agents on the basis of reduction in oocysts/gram of faeces, clinical symptoms and restoration of haemograms.

v