<div>Background: Methane reduction technology has not yet been put into practical use because of problems such as reduced digestibility, increased costs, additives remaining and microbial adaptations. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of allicin and illite supplementation on ruminal methane production, growth performance and carcass characteristics of the Hanwoo steers. 
 
Methods: For the in vitro experiment, 3 Hanwoo cows equipped with rumen fistula were used. The 28 Hanwoo steers were randomly assigned to one of the four dietary groups: control (CON), T1 (1.0% illite), T2 (0.1% allicin), or T3 (1.0% illite and 0.1% allicin). All data were analyzed using the generalized linear model procedure. 
 
Result: The methane production was rapidly increased for all the treatments after 8 h, but decreased compared to the control after 24 h (P&lt;0.05) of incubation. There was no difference in the growth performance and carcass characteristics of steers among the treatments. Thus, allicin 0.1% and/or illite 1.0% have the potential to be used as natural feed additives to reduce methane production.</div>

Effect of Allicin and Illite Supplementation on the Methane Production and Growth Performance of the Beef Cattle

Background: In response to China&rsquo;s ban on medicinal feed additives with growth-promoting functions in livestock and poultry feed, there is an urgent need in modern animal husbandry for alternatives to antibiotics to sustain livestock health and improve feed conversion efficiency. Allicin, known for its safety, efficiency, lack of drug resistance and absence of residue, regulates the intestinal flora structure; inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria; improves intestinal health, immunity and stress resistance; and improves animal production. 
 
Methods: To investigate the impact of allicin on immune performance and immune-related gene expression in Muchuan black-bone chickens, diets were supplemented with varying allicin levels (50, 100, 200 mg/kg), designated as test groups A, B and C, respectively. Initially, growth performance was assessed. Subsequently, immunoglobulins were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and colorimetry; immune titers for avian influenza and Newcastle disease were evaluated using hemagglutination and hemagglutination inhibition tests and the expression of immune genes was analyzed via real-time quantitative PCR. Finally, serum biochemical indices in each group were determined. 
 
Result: Compared to the control group, allicin supplementation resulted in increased average fasting body weight in the experimental group and significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher thymus and musogastric indices in groups A and C, respectively. Serum levels of immunoglobulin M in groups A and B and immunoglobulin G levels were significantly higher in all experimental groups than in controls. Antibody titers against avian influenza H5 and H7 strains were higher in all test groups, with Newcastle disease antibody titers in groups B and C significantly higher than those in controls. The mRNA expression levels of IFN-&atilde; were lower across all experimental groups, whereas the expression levels of TLR3 in groups B and C and TLR15 in group B were higher. Serum levels of triglycerides in group A were significantly higher and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly lower in groups B and C than in controls. These findings indicate that dietary allicin (50-200 mg/kg) significantly improves growth performance, immunity and protein and lipid metabolism in Muchuan black-bone chickens, offering valuable data for the development and use of allicin as an antibiotic alternative.

Effects of Allicin on the Immune Performance and Expression of Immune-related Genes in Muchuan Black-bone Chickens

<div style="text-align:justify">Background: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) member of the family Alliaceae, quality planting material is one of the major inputs to successful crop production. Planting spacing is the systematic evaluation of the farm area or any growing surface for crop production.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: In order to investigate the effect of planting pattern on morphology and physiology variables of two garlic cultivars an experiments was conducted as a factorial based randomized block design with three replications in research field of Gonbad-e-Kavous University during 2016-2017. The factors were included seven planting patterns (12.5&times;12.5, 15&times;15, 17.5&times;17.5, 20&times;20, 22.5&times;22.5, 25&times;25 and 27.5&times;27.5 cm) and two garlic cultivars (Tarom and Hamedan) and the measurements were phenology bulb yield, harvest index, biological yield and quality parameters (total phenol, antioxidant activity, total flavonoid and allicin). 
 
Result: The highest bulb yield (19014.4 kg ha-1) was recorded in planting pattern 12.5&times;12.5 cm that obtained from the Hamedan cultivar. The highest and lowest of total phenol content ranged from 10.43 mg/100 g (27.5 &times; 27.5 cm) to 8.50 mg/100gr (12.5 &times; 12.5 cm). The antioxidant activity varied from 85.20% (27.5 &times; 27.5 cm) to 77.59% (12.5 &times; 12.5 cm). The results also showed that Hamedan cultivar had a higher bulb yield, total phenol, Flavonoid and antioxidant activity than Tarom cultivar. The minimum days to 50% leafing (24.16 days), days to 50% bulb initiation (74.50 days) and days to 50% maturation (152.83 days) observed in planting pattern 12.5&times;12.5 cm treatment.</div>

Effect of Allicin and Illite Supplementation on the Methane Production and Growth Performance of the Beef Cattle

Effects of Allicin on the Immune Performance and Expression of Immune-related Genes in Muchuan Black-bone Chickens

Effect of Planting Pattern on Physico-chemical Properties of Two Garlic Cultivar