The objective of this study was to investigate the impacts of Bacillus subtilis ( BS ), ATCC 6051a strain, as a probiotic bacterium in broiler diets based of 2 protein sources (soybean meal [ SBM ] and cowpea seeds [ CWP ]), on growth performance ( GP ), carcass traits, bone mineralization, and microflora population (0 to 42 d age). The SBM and CWP starter, grower, and finisher diets were tested in the presence or absence of BS (5.0 × 10 11 CFU spores g −1 feed) in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design. Broilers were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment (20 chicks per pen). The results showed that broilers fed CWP had comparable GP (body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) to the birds fed the SBM diet. Carcass, breast and legs' yield, organ size (i.e., gizzard, liver, pancreas, small intestine, cecum), and bone development were not affected by the protein source. The addition of BS in both types of diet improved BWG ( P < 0.001) and feed efficiency, especially in the grower and finisher period ( P = 0.047; P = 0.043 , respectively). In addition, BS significantly decreased abdominal fat ( P = 0.026) and cecum weight ( P = 0.034) and increased tibia bone P concentration ( P = 0.015). Furthermore, BS decrease cecal pH ( P = 0.010) and reduced Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. from cecum and excreta broilers ( P < 0.001; P < 0.0001 , respectively). It is concluded that the BS significantly improved the GP of broilers and can beneficially affect the gut and excreta bacterial community in both SBM and CWP diets.

Sweet potato or bathe [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam], a drought-tolerant plant, originates in Central America and now cultivated on large areas in China, India, Japan, Africa, the US, Mediterranean areas of Europe in a soil having moderate fertility. In Romania there are about 439,000 ha of sandy areas and due to more and more frequent changes of climate, it is necessary to find some species and varieties, which can withstand the thermohydric stress. In this respect, during the period 2015-2017, at Dăbuleni, located in southern Oltenia, Romania we have studied five sweet potato varieties of Korean origin, with different growing seasons, (Yulmi, Juhwangmi, Hayanmi, KSP 1 and KSC 1), in order to determine the plant's reaction to the color of the mulch used to protect the soil and the time of harvesting. The results showed that most of the genotypes had reached a maximum production potential at 120 days from the planting of the shoots in the field (24232.1-37746.1 kg / ha, in the variants with transparent mulch and 22327-38587.7 kg / ha, in the variants with smoky mulch). The exception is the Juhwangmi variety, which, being earlier, achieved the maximum yield when the harvest was carried out 110 days after planting, irrespective of the color of the mulch (47044,4-48285 kg / ha). Harvesting sweet potato varieties outside the optimal age of the plant maturity, results in the reduction of production and the depreciation of its quality, having negative repercussions in winter storage.

Sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (L)Lam is a drought resistant species with vigorous growth and high productivity adapted to the conditions of sandy soils (Iamandei Maria et al., 2014, Diaconu Aurelia et al., 2016. In terms of Romania, sweet potato are reproduces by shoots obtained under solar. In this respect, the research carried out at CCDCPN Dabuleni between 2016-2017 aimed at obtaining sweet potato shoots in a trifactorial experience, as follows: Factor A -Planting time in the solar (15 March, 25 March), Factor B -Variety (KSP 1 and KSC 1), Factor C -Diameter of tubers (2, 3, 4 cm). The results obtained on the monitoring of solar microclimate influence on growth and development of sweet potato shoots and plant physiological processes (photosynthesis, perspiration, chlorophyll content) underline the importance of the planting period and the quality of the biological material planted in the solar. Observations and determinations of growth rate they have a slow pace in April, when climatic factors have fluctuated greatly from night to day, which increased in the first decade of May, when the shoots saw the optimal planting size of 35-40 cm. The best results were obtained by planting in the solar on March 25, using tuberous roots 3-4 cm in diameter, when there was an intense physiological activity and a large number of shoots on the tuber (9.125-9.980 shoots).

The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a diet containing untreated cowpea (CWP; Aura 26 variety) seeds as a protein source on quality parameters of chickens’ breast (PM; Pectoralis major) and thigh muscles (BF; Biceps femoris). A total of 240 Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allotted to two groups: a control group fed with soybean meal (SBM) and an experimental group fed with CWP included at 200 g/kg as a replacement of SBM. Each group consisted of six pens as replicates, with 20 chicks per pen. At 6 weeks of age, twelve birds/group were slaughtered. Compared to SBM group, the group fed CWP had higher (P < 0.0001) lightness (L*) and redness (a*) values of PM and BF muscles, the latter had also higher yellowness (b*, P < 0.0001). The collagen and protein contents were significantly higher in CWP group in both PM and BF muscles, while fat was lower (P < 0.001) only in BF muscle. The use of CWP into broilers’ diets did not negatively impact the textural properties, i.e., hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience of PM and BF, showing similar values in both groups. Also, PM and BF muscles of birds fed CWP had significantly higher (P < 0.05) levels of C:18:3n-3 and C:20:5n-3 compared with birds fed SBM. The n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio was significantly lower in CWP group (11.72 and 7.00) compared to SBM (13.47 and 12.63) for both PM and BF muscles. These results indicate that CWP can be considered a promising protein source for broiler chickens’ feed.

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that a new rye hybrid produced in Romania (Suceveana variety) could not impair the performance and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 360-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (40.1±2.3 g) were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments replicated 6 times having 20 birds per replicate. Experimental diets were formulated to replace 25 and 50% of corn with rye (RYE 25 and RYE 50, respectively) as energy-yielding sources, whereas the control diet (CON) was 100% corn-based. All diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous, with similar total lysine and total sulfur amino acids. The results indicated similar outcomes of the local rye hybrid to commonly used corn-containing diets in terms of performance and carcasses. There were no differences in fundamental physicochemical (i.e., pH, protein, fat, moisture) or textural attributes of breast muscles due to dietary treatment, as well. However, the substitution of corn with rye reduced (P = 0.008) abdominal fat associated with an increase in CIE color (P< 0.001). Thus, the Suceveana rye hybrid can be included in broiler diets, from hatching to day 42, without any adverse effects on the bird’s performance.