Acid Detergent Lignin Content Research Articles

Comparison of Ruminal Degradability, Indigestible Neutral Detergent Fiber, and Total-Tract Digestibility of Three Main Crop Straws with Alfalfa Hay and Corn Silage.

Simple SummaryCorn straw (Zea mays, CS), rice straw (Oryza sativa, RS), and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum, WS) are the three main crop straws worldwide. Few studies on indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) and total-tract digestibility (TTD) of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of these crop straws are available, which limits their utilization in dairy diets. Here, we compared the ruminal degradability, iNDF288 content, intestinal digestibility, and TTD for the CP, NDF, and ADF of these three crop straws with alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa, AH) and corn silage (Zea mays, CSil). The results showed that CS, RS, and WS had higher ruminal potential NDF degradation, intestinal digestible CP, and lower iNDF288 content compared to AH. Greater accuracies for regression equations capable of predicting the iNDF288 content and TTD were also generated based on chemical composition and ruminal degradation kinetics. Incorporating this information into rations could improve our ability to optimize the utilization of main crop straws in balanced dairy diets.Three main crop straws including corn straw (Zea mays, CS), rice straw (Oryza sativa, RS), and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum, WS), and two forages including alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa, AH) and corn silage (Zea mays, CSil) were analyzed in order to compare their ruminal degradability, indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF), intestinal digestibility (ID), and their total-tract digestibility (TTD) of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) using both an in situ nylon bag technique and a mobile nylon bag technique. The forage samples were incubated in the rumen for 6, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72, and 288 h, respectively, to determine their ruminal degradability. Prior to intestinal incubation, forage samples were incubated in the rumen for 12 h and 24 h to determine the ruminal degradable content of CP, NDF, and ADF, respectively, and for 288 h to determine their iNDF288 content. Residues from the ruminal undegradable fractions (12 h for CP, 24 h for NDF and ADF) were subsequently inserted into the duodenum through a cannula to determine their intestinal digestible content. Here, the TTD of CP, NDF, and ADF were determined as the ruminal degradable content + intestinal digestible content. The results showed that AH had the highest iNDF2.4 (calculated as acid detergent lignin content × 2.4) and iNDF288 values (379.42 and 473.40 g/kg of NDF), while CS and CSil had the lowest iNDF2.4 values (177.44 and 179.43 g/kg of NDF). The ruminal degradability of CP, NDF, and ADF for CS, RS, and WS were lower than those of AH and Csil during the first 48 h of incubation. The potential degradation fraction of CP, NDF, and ADF for CSil was the highest; CS, RS, and WS were intermediate; and AH was the lowest (p < 0.05). CS, RS, and WS had a lower intestinal digestibility with respect to their rumen undegradable content of NDF (p < 0.05), and lower TTD of CP, NDF, and ADF (p < 0.05) compared to AH and CSil. General regression equations with satisfactory accuracy (R2 ≥ 0.828) were derived to predict iNDF288 and TTD based on their chemical compositions and the ruminal degradation kinetics of different forages. Incorporating this information into rations could improve our ability to optimize main crop straws utilization and milk production.

Seeding rate effects on forage productivity and nutritive value of sorghum

AbstractIn Ethiopia, the use of traditional and improved grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] variety as green forage crop is limited mainly by the large stalk thickness and low nutritive values. An experiment was conducted to explore if forage biomass accumulation and nutritive values could be managed by seeding rates. Two improved dual‐purpose grain sorghum varieties (Melkam and Chelenko), and one traditional local variety (Masugi) each representing early and late maturity groups were sown for 2 yr at three locations in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications involving five seeding rates (12.5, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg ha−1). The results showed significant effects of year, location, variety, seeding rate, and the interactions on different variables. These main effects contributed more and the interactions less to the total variation observed on different variables. Increasing the seeding rate significantly decreased stalk thickness, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL), but significantly increased in‐vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) concentration by up to 6.6% with no significant effect on forage dry matter accumulation. Among the varieties significantly more dry matter accumulation was observed for the late‐maturing varieties, whereas the early‐maturing variety showed significantly greater crude protein (CP) and IVOMD with significantly less NDF, ADF, and ADL concentrations across the different locations. Thus, increasing the seeding rate above the recommended 12.5 kg ha−1 for grain could help improve forage potential of dual‐purpose grain sorghum varieties in Ethiopia.

Effects of maize straw treated with various levels of CaO and moisture on composition, structure, and digestion by in vitro gas production.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to explore the effects of maize straw treated with calcium oxide (CaO) and various moisture, on the composition and molecular structure of the fiber, and gas production by fermentation in an in vitro rumen environment.MethodsThe experiment used 4×3 Factorial treatment. Maize straws were treated with 4 concentrations of CaO (0%, 3%, 5%, and 7% of dry straw weight) and 3 moisture contents (40%, 50%, and 60%). Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy were employed to measure the surface texture, secondary molecular structure of carbohydrate, and calcium (Ca) content of the maize straw, respectively. The correlation of secondary molecular structures and fiber components of maize straw were analyzed by CORR procedure of SAS 9.2. In vitro rumen fermentation was performed for 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h to measure gas production.ResultsOverall, the moisture factor had no obvious effect on the experimental results. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose contents decreased (p<0.05) with increasing concentrations of CaO treatment. Surface and secondary molecular structure of maize straw were affected by various CaO and moisture treatments. NDF had positive correlation (p<0.01) with Cell-H (H, height), Cell-A (A, area), CHO-2-H. Hemicellulose had positive correlation (p<0.01) with Lignin-H, Lignin-A, Cell-H, Cell-A. Ca content of maize straw increased as the concentration of CaO was increased (p<0.01). Gas production was highest in the group treated with 7% CaO.ConclusionCaO can adhere to the surface of the maize straw, and then improve the digestibility of the maize straw in ruminants by modifying the structure of lignocellulose and facilitating the maize straw for microbial degradation.

Effects of the Harvest Stage of Maize Hybrids on the Chemical Composition of Plant Fractions: An Analysis of the Different Types of Silage

The chemical composition of plant components of three maize hybrids harvested at the beginning of six reproductive stages of maturity was compared. The hybrids evaluated included Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP, which were evaluated at each of following stages: R1 (grain formation), R2 (milky grain), R3 (pasty grain), R4 (floury grain), R5 (hard grain) and R6 (ripe grain). The advancement in maturation was linearly related to the crude protein (CP) content of the stem, whole plant, and leaves, and there was a difference among the hybrids. Between R4 and R5 stages, Maximus and Defender presented the highest CP contents for husk (6.58 and 5.42% for Maximus; 5.54 and 5.17% for Defender). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the leaves showed a quadratic relationship with the advancement of maturation but did not differ among the hybrids. For all the hybrids, the NDF content in the husk and cobs increased linearly during the reproductive stages (&gt;77 and 78%, respectively, for the three hybrids in R6). Defender had the lowest NDF content of the cob in R3. The acid detergent lignin contents did not differ among stages in the stems, and showed a linear decrease throughout the whole plant, though the contents did not differ among the hybrids. Due to the differences observed, recommendations for harvest based on the maturity stage for each hybrid should be taken into consideration. There seems to be no important distinction among hybrids for harvesting and use of straw. Despite the reduction in grain yield, an early harvest for earlage or snaplage can provide lower lignin content in husk and cob, as well as higher protein content in the husk, favoring the nutritional value of the vegetative fraction (husk and/or cob).

​​In vitro Evaluation and Methane Production Potential of Rice Gluten Meal based Concentrate Feeds in Buffalo Inoculum

Background: There is shortage of conventional feedstuffs to feed livestock in the country. Thus, this study was intended to evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro nutrient utilization of concentrate feeds containing graded levels of rice gluten meal (RGM). Methods: Five concentrate feeds containing graded levels of RGM at 0, 6.25, 12.50, 18.75 and 25% replacing soybean meal @ 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% on w/w basis were prepared and designated as conc-1, conc-2, conc-3,conc-4 and conc-5. In vitro evaluation of feeds was carried out by in vitro gas production technique. Data were analysed by one way ANOVA using SPSS (2012) version 21. Result: The total ash, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content decreased while organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), hemicellulose, acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP), neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP) and total carbohydrate (TCHO) content increased with increase in the inclusion of RGM in the concentrate feeds. The OM digestibility was lower (P less than 0.05) in concentrate feeds 3, 4 and 5 than concentrate feed 1 and 2. Microbial mass production (MMP), efficiency of MMP and ME availability were not affected by including RGM in feeds. NH3-N showed a declining trend with increasing level of RGM in concentrate feeds. The relative proportion of acetate decreased (P less than 0.05) while that of propionate increased (P less than 0.05) with increasing level of RGM in the concentrate feeds. Methane production varied non-significantly among the concentrate feeds. The fermentation efficiency was higher (P less than 0.05) in concentrate 4 and 5 than other concentrates.

Intermittent stocking strategies for the management of Marandu palisade grass in the Brazilian Cerrado biome

AbstractThe objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of pre‐ and post‐grazing targets on the forage accumulation and canopy characteristics of Marandu palisade grass (Brachiaria brizantha [Hochst. ex A. Rich.] Stapf. syn. Urochloa brizantha) to define grazing management strategies in Brazil's Cerrado biome. The experimental design comprised a randomized complete block with four replicates in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: two grazing frequencies (95% of light interception (LI95%) and maximum (LIMax) light interception of the forage canopy) and two grazing intensities (10 and 15 cm of post‐grazing canopy height). Pastures were sampled to quantify forage mass and morphological components at pre‐ and post‐grazing. The tillers population density and forage nutritive value were estimated at pre‐grazing. Pastures managed with the LI95% target demonstrated greater basal (1,341 versus 1,193 tillers/m2) and aerial tillers (101 versus 53 tillers/m2) population densities, a greater leaf:stem ratio (3.8 versus 2.0), and a lower canopy height (33 versus 55 cm), forage mass (3,225 versus 4,320 kg/ha), stem proportion (30.6% versus 44.5%), and leaf (2.5% versus 2.8%) and stem (3.4% versus 3.8%) acid detergent lignin content than those managed with the LIMax target. In the Cerrado, Marandu palisade grass must be grazed when the canopy height reaches 33 cm. Furthermore, animals must be removed from the paddocks when the canopy height reaches 15 cm.

Inheritance of seed quality and seed germination in two doubled haploid populations of oilseed rape segregating for acid detergent lignin (ADL) content

The high lignin content of the seed hull of oilseed rape leads to its black seed color compared to yellow seeded soybean. Reducing lignin and increasing oil and protein content is an important breeding aim in oilseed rape. The objective of the present study was to analyze the inheritance of two rapeseed genetic resources with reduced lignin content in the seeds and to elucidate the effects on seed germination and composition. These resources were crossed to black seeded Express 617 and F1 plants were used to develop two doubled haploid (DH) populations. The two DH populations were tested in field experiments in three to five environments. Significant genetic variation for lignin content and bimodal frequency distributions were found in both populations. SNP marker segregation in contrasting bulks revealed for both populations overlapping narrow genomic regions on chromosome C03, responsible for reduced lignin content. The low lignin bulks had a significantly higher percentage of seeds showing bacterial and fungal growth, but germination and vigor was not affected. Non-targeted metabolome analysis of immature green seeds showed exclusively a depletion of metabolites of the proanthocyanidin pathway in DH lines with a reduced lignin content. In these DH lines, a cinnamate-4-hydroxylase gene copy was identified as candidate gene in the overlapping genomic region of both populations. The newly identified QTL for reduced lignin content on chromosome C03 is valuable for studying additive and epistatic effects in combination with other low lignin genotypes.

Apparent digestibility, fecal particle size, and mean retention time of reduced lignin alfalfa hay fed to horses.

Reduced lignin alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has the potential to provide a higher-quality forage source for livestock by improving forage digestibility. This study was conducted to evaluate apparent digestibility when feeding reduced lignin and nonreduced lignin alfalfa hay to adult horses, and to examine mean fecal particle size (MFPS) and mean retention time (MRT) between alfalfa forage types. In 2017, reduced lignin ("54HVX41") and nonreduced lignin ("WL355.RR") alfalfa hay was harvested in Minnesota at the late-bud stage. Alfalfa hays were similar in crude protein (CP; 199 g/kg), neutral detergent fiber (NDF; 433 g/kg), and digestible energy (2.4 Mcal/kg). Acid detergent lignin concentrations were lower for reduced lignin alfalfa hay (74 g/kg) compared to nonreduced lignin alfalfa hay (81 g/kg). Dietary treatments were fed to six adult, stock-type horses in a crossover study. Experimental periods consisted of a 9-d dietary adaptation phase followed by a 5-d total fecal collection phase, during which horses were housed in individual boxstalls and manure was removed on a continuous 24-h basis. At 12-h intervals, feces were thoroughly mixed, subsampled in duplicate, and used for apparent digestibility and MFPS analysis. On day 2 of the fecal collection phase, horses were fed two indigestible markers, cobalt (Co) and ytterbium (Yb), which were fed as Co-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and Yb-labeled NDF residue, respectively. Additional fecal samples were taken at 2-h intervals following marker dosing until 96-h post-dosing to evaluate digesta MRT. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS, with statistical significance set at P ≤0.05. Dietary treatment (i.e., alfalfa hay type) was included as a fixed effect, while experimental period and horse were considered random effects. Dietary treatments were similar in dry matter intake (1.6% bodyweight) and time to consumption (7.6 h). Apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD) was greater for reduced lignin alfalfa (64.4%) compared to nonreduced lignin alfalfa (61.7%). Apparent CP and NDF digestibility did not differ between dietary treatments, averaging 78% and 45%, respectively. Dietary treatments were similar in MFPS (0.89 mm) and MRT for both liquid (23.7 h) and solid (27.4 h) phase material. These results indicate an improvement in DMD for reduced lignin alfalfa hay when fed to adult horses, with no change in forage consumption, fecal particle size, or digesta retention time.

Van İli İpekyolu İlçesinde Üretilen Yonca Kuru Otunun Hasattan Depolamaya Kadar Besin Madde Kompozisyon Düzeyindeki Değişimin İncelenmesi

Bu çalışmada, Van ili İpekyolu ilçesine bağlı farklı köylerde üretimi yapılan yoncanın hasattan depolanıncaya kadar geçen süreçteki besin madde değişimleri incelenmiştir. Araştırma alanı olarak 208 işletme içerisinden tabakalı tesadüfî örnekleme yöntemi ile 30 işletme belirlenmiştir. Karagündüz köyünde hasat edilen yoncaların ortalama kuru madde miktarı % 40.90 olup Ağzıkara köyü hariç diğer köylere göre yüksek bulunmuştur (P&amp;lt;0.05). Hasat sonrası kapalı ortamda kurutulan yoncaların ortalama ham protein (HP) içeriği % 15.30 iken, bu değer tarlada kurutma sonrasında % 12.67’ye, depolamada ise % 11.82’ye düşmüştür (P&amp;lt;0.05). Hasat sonrası kapalı ortamda kurutulan yoncaların ortalama % 9.89 olan Asit Deterjan Lignin (ADL) içerikleri, depolamada % 11.61’e yükselmiştir (P&amp;lt;0.05). Hasat sonrası kapalı ortamda kurutulan yoncaların ortalama % 140.86 olan toplam karoten ve % 1.66 olan kalsiyum içerikleri tarlada kurutma ve depolamada düşmüştür (P&amp;lt;0.05). Hasatta, tarlada kurutmadan sonra ve depolama sürecinde alınan yonca kuru otu örneklerinde Aflatoksin B1, B2, G1 ve G2’ ye rastlanılmamıştır. Sonuç olarak, hasatla birlikte yoncanın HP, Ca ve toplam karoten düzeylerinde bir miktar kayıplar görülmekle birlikte, yemlerde aflatoksin düzeyine rastlanılmaması yem kalitesi açısından önemli bir sonuç olarak görülmektedir.

Effect of Hay Soaking Duration on Metabolizable Energy, Total and Prececal Digestible Crude Protein and Amino Acids, Non-Starch Carbohydrates, Macronutrients and Trace Elements

Soaking hay before feeding has been documented to reduce airborn respirable particles and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content which may have positive benefits for horses suffering from Equine Asthma (EA) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Prolonged soaking also leaches minerals, but to-date no measurement of the loss of small intestine digestible crude protein has been documented. One aim of this study was to investigate various soaking durations on nutrient contents of hay, WSC, macronutrients, and trace elements levels. Another objective was to determine the prececal digestible crude protein (pcd CP) and amino acid (pcd AA) fraction contents and prececal digestibility (pcD). Four different batches of meadow hay were soaked in water (20° C during preparation) for 0 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 12 hours and drained for 20 minutes. A 15 minutes soaking duration significantly reduced the levels of nearly all investigated nutrients (e.g. for fructans, and WSC, macronutrients and trace elements). However, the crude fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin content increased. Metabolizable energy (ME) contents decreased by 5−15 %, pcd CP and pcd AA fell by 35 %, and the pcD declined by up to 49 %. In contrast, the pcD was 56 % before soaking. Longer soaking durations did not enhance the wash-out effect. Horse owners should be aware that soaking hay, regardless of reason, may negatively alter the nutritional value. The wide range of wash-out effects may pose risks in calculating the correct dry matter portion to prevent weight loss and maintain ME, pcd CP and pcd AA requirements, especially for horses with EMS and EA.

Effects of harvest date and grass species on silage cell wall components and lactation performance of dairy cows

This study evaluated the effect of harvest date and forage species on the concentration of hydroxycinnamic acids in silage and its relationship to dairy cow performance. Tall fescue and timothy were harvested at a regular date on June 27 and July 8, respectively, or at a late date on July 8 and 25, respectively, in the first regrowth. Forage was treated with a salt-based additive and ensiled in hard-pressed round bales. Forty-seven lactating dairy cows were used in a block design. Cows received 1 of 4 treatments: (1) tall fescue harvested at regular date (RTF), (2) timothy harvested at regular date (RTI), (3) tall fescue harvested at late date (LTF), and (4) timothy harvested at late date (LTI). Diets were formulated to have the same forage-to-concentrate ratio (46:54 on a dry matter basis). Harvesting at late date increased fiber components, but only for timothy, where LTI contained greater neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin concentrations than the other silages. Concentrations of hydroxycinnamic acids were affected by forage species, where concentrations of esterified ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid were greater for tall fescue silages than for timothy silages. Cows fed the RTI diet showed the greatest intakes of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein. Feeding diets containing timothy silages increased milk yield and energy-corrected milk yield compared with tall fescue diets when averaged over harvest dates. Cows fed the RTI diet had greater milk protein yield than cows fed the RTF and LTF diets, and milk lactose yield was greater for cows fed diets containing timothy silage compared with tall fescue silage when averaged over harvest dates. Cows fed the LTF diet showed greater urinary N excretion compared with the LTI diet, but RTI showed the lowest urinary N and urea N excretions when calculated as percent of N intake. Cows fed diets containing timothy silage excreted more uric acid than cows fed tall fescue diets. Allantoin excretion was greater for cows eating the RTI and LTI diets compared with cows eating the RTF diet. Cows fed the RTI diet had a greater estimated microbial N flow and a greater excretion of hippuric acid than the RTF and LTF groups. In conclusion, besides the effect of harvest date on increasing the fiber components of timothy, concentrations of hydroxycinnamic acids were mainly affected by forage species; consequently, milk production was only affected by forage species. This indicates that hydroxycinnamic acids, such as ferulic acid, which cross-links to glucuronoarabinoxylans, was a major factor regulating milk production of cows fed tall fescue- and timothy silage-based diets, where lower hydroxycinnamic acid concentrations were responsible for greater milk yield.

Performance Evaluation of Improved Forage Trees (Sesbania sesban) Cultivars for Animal feed and Nutritional Quality in Highlands of East Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the biomass yield and adaptability of five accession with one local check of Sesbania (Sesbania sesban) at Highland of Eastern Hararghe Zone in 2017/18 and 2018/19 G.C cropping season consecutive years on-FTC in Burka Jalala PA. The treatments evaluated were S.sesban 15019, S.sesban 10865, S.sesban 15036, S.sesban 10885, S.sesban 1238 and local check in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The biomass yield, plant height, stem weight, leaf to stem ratio (LSR) were taken at Annual. The analysis result indicated in Table (1) showed that there was significant (P < 0.05) variation among the accession in fresh leaf weight, fresh stem weight and percent of leaf to stem ratio. The results indicated that the maximum fresh leaf biomass yield of the accession S.sesban 1238 (7.91 ton ha -1 ), flowed by accessions S.sesban 10885 (7.23 ton ha -1 ). The results showed that the maximum leaf to stem ratio were recorded under accession S.sesban 10865(28.67%), S.sesban 15019(27.66%) and S.sesban 1238(31.33%). A significant variation (p < 0.05) among the content of total ash and Acid detergent lignin. The maximum Acid detergent lignin obtained from S.sesban 15036(22.746%), and the minimum Acid detergent lignin obtained from S.sesban 1238(14.875%) and S.sesban 10885(14.874%). It was concluded that the accessions S.sesban 1238 and S.sesban 10885 were found promising to be demonstrated under in the study areas and same agro-climatic conditions similar to study area. Keywords : Forage Trees, Quality forage, Sesbania Sesban, Tree legumes DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/106-02 Publication date: March 31 st 2021

EVALUATION OF HYDROPONIC FODDER PERFORMANCE OF DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SORGHUM

The hydroponic fodder yield performance evaluation of different varities of sorghum was conducted in green house of Wollega University.. Three experiments were conducted. The first was to observe effects of irrigation frequency. The second one was undertaken to evaluate four sorghum varieties (Lalo, Chemeda, Gamadi and Dano) on fodder yield, yield related components and nutritive values. The third experiment was done to determine the appropriate date of harvest for biomass yield and agronomic traits. Complete randomized design (CRD) was employed to conduct the experiment with three replications. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) between treatments on Dry matter yield (t/ha), Leaf Weight (t/ha), Root weight (t/ha) and Plant height (cm) as effect of frequency of watering at 2hr, 3hr and 4hr interval but, significant difference (p&lt;0.05) among varieties of sorghums as an effect of frequency of irrigation on Fresh yield(t/ha), Plant height (cm) and leaf to root ratio (LRR%).The lowest average fresh yields were harvested at 7th days after planting and consistently increased until 17th days of planting. The highest plant heights were observed at 17 days while the lowest was observed at 7th days of harvesting. Except for dry matter (DM), Ash and crude protein (CP), there were significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and in vitro dry matter digestibility contents of the sorghum varieties. The Sorghum variety, Gamadi contained the highest CP (13.29%) and lowest Acid detergent lignin contents. The Sorghum variety, Chemeda showed best in vitro DM digestibility (73.24%). Harvesting hydroponic sorghum at 17 days after planting gave the best biomass yield (t/ha), LRR and Plant height (cm); showing the increase in biomass as time of harvesting increases. Among the tested varieties of sorghum a variety, Dano best for biomass yield among the others.

Genetic Variance and Correlation of Forage Yield and Quality Traits in Tropically Adapted Maize

Two F2 populations segregating for biomass yield and forage quality traits were developed from two separate crosses of tropically adapted maize inbred lines. The parental, F1 and F2 generations of both crosses were evaluated to estimate broad sense heritability, genetic advance and correlations for these traits to suggest the best traits as selection criteria towards breeding forage maize with high yield and quality.In Cross 1, biomass yield trait with the highest broad-sense heritability was plant height (70.03%), whereas forage quality trait with the highest heritability estimate was crude protein content (66.60%). Heritability estimates in Cross 2 were high for all biomass yield traits and forage quality traits (&gt;50% for all traits). Indigestible cell wall component represented by acid detergent lignin content was found to be highly heritable in both populations. High genetic advance as percent of mean were found for fresh and dry plant yield as well as for lignin content in both populations. Correlation analysis on all traits showed that all biomass yield components were significantly correlated. All traits related to cell wall content were positively correlated and acid detergent lignin was positively correlated with dry plant yield. Traits with high to moderate heritability and high predicted genetic advance, namely plant height, fresh plant yield and protein content can be used as selection criteria to improve maize biomass yield and nutritive quality for forage utilization. Selecting for higher biomass yield would also result in selecting individuals with higher lignin content as shown by the correlation analysis.

The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum with feruloyl esterase-producing ability or high antioxidant activity on the fermentation, chemical composition, and antioxidant status of alfalfa silage

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of an efficient ferulic acid esterase-producing Lactobacillus plantarum A1 and an antioxidant strain L. plantarum 24-7 on fermentation, chemical composition, antioxidase activity and antioxidant status of alfalfa silage. Freshly chopped and wilted alfalfa with about 30 % dry matter (DM) was treated either without (CON) or with L. plantarum A1 (Lp A1), L. plantarum 24-7 (Lp 24-7), and a reference strain of L. plantarum MTD/1 (Lp MTD/1) at an application rate of 1 × 106 CFU/g fresh weight, respectively, and ensiled for 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90 d. All inoculants improved silage quality as indicated by low pH, high lactic acid concentration, and lactic acid/acetic acid compared to the CON from 7 d to 90 d of ensiling. After 90 d of ensiling, the lowest DM loss and non-protein N were observed in the Lp A1 inoculated silage. Inoculation of Lp A1 also decreased the neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin concentrations in the later period of ensiled alfalfa, and increased ferulic acid concentration during all ensiling duration. The highest ferulic acid concentration was detected in Lp A1 treated silage after 30 d (P < 0.05). In addition, the total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity in the Lp A1 and Lp 24-7 inoculated silages were higher than that in the CON and Lp MTD/1 silages from 30 d to 90 d of ensiling. However, lower lipoxygenase activity was found in Lp A1 and Lp 24-7 inoculated silages during the whole fermentation process. Both Lp A1 and Lp 24-7 improved the total fatty acid concentration and the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in total fatty acid of ensiled alfalfa when compared with the CON and Lp MTD/1 silages after 90 d of fermentation (P < 0.05). Therefore, inoculation of ferulic acid esterase-producing Lp A1 or antioxidant strain Lp 24-7 not only improved the fermentation quality and chemical composition of ensiled alfalfa but also enhanced the antioxidant status of the silage.

Heterogeneous expression of Osa-MIR156bc increases abiotic stress resistance and forage quality of alfalfa

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most widely cultivated perennial leguminous forage crop woldwide. MicroRNA156 (miR156) precursor genes from dicotyledonous species are reportedly useful for improving alfalfa plant architecture and abiotic stress resistance. However, there has been no report on whether a miR156 precursor gene from a monocotyledonous species functions in alfalfa. We introduced two tandem precursor genes of miR156, rice Osa-MIR156b and Osa-MIR156c (Osa-MIR156bc), into alfalfa. The expression of miR156 in the transgenic (TG) alfalfa was significantly elevated. Compared to wild-type plants, the TG plants overexpressing miR156 had more branches and leaves and showed improved salt and drought tolerance. Overexpression of miR156 slightly reduced plant height, but the biomass yield of TG plants grown in flowerpots was still increased. Forage quality of TG plants was markedly improved by reduction of acid detergent lignin (ADL) content and increase in crude protein content. The expression of the putative miR156 target genes MsSPL6, MsSPL12, and MsSPL13 in TG plants was repressed by miR156 overexpression, and that of all tested MsSPLs would be sharply increased under drought or salt stress. RNA sequencing revealed that overexpression of miR156 affected the expression of genes associated with abiotic stress resistance and plant development in multiple pathways. This first report of overexpression of monocot miR156 precursors in alfalfa sheds light on the function of miRNA156 precursors from the monocot species rice that could be used for genetic improvement of the dicot forage crop alfalfa.

Biodegradation of cassava root sieviate with enzymes extracted from isolated fungi

This study was carried out to investigate changes in proximate, sugars and cell wall components of cassava root sieviates (CRS) treated with extracted enzymes obtained from Aspergillus niger (An), Trichoderma viridae (Tv), Rhizopus stolonifer (Rs) and Mucor mucedo (Mm) applied on autoclaved CRS at 250ml/kg. Another treatment that had a commercial enzyme Roxazyme G2G (RG2G) as the degrading agent was prepared and the enzyme was applied at 150g/tonne as recommended by the manufacturer. At the end of the7 thday after enzyme application, the chemical analysis showed a higher bioavailability of nutrients in the degraded samples than the undegraded sample. Non starch polysaccharides (NSPs) in the CRS was negatively related to crude protein, ash and metabolisable energy (P&lt;0.05) but positively related to crude fibre, pectin, neutraldetergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hemicellulose and cellulose content . The highest value of metabolisable energy (ME), Ash, crude protein and phosphorus were : 2807.81kcal/kg, 17.32,18.32 and 0.91 g/100gdry matter respectively; obtained when A.niger, T.viridae, A. niger and R. stolonifer enzymes were added respectively .The lowest values of crude fibre, pectin, NDF,ADF, ADL, hemicellulose and cellulose were: 4.82,3.52,30.74, 17.12, 3.74,13.71 and 14.46g/100g dry matter respectively obtained when enzymes extracted from A.niger , R. stolonifer, T. viride ,A. niger, R. stolonifer, M. mucedo and T. viride were applied . Results of levels of sugars (µg/ml) in undegraded CRS showed that glucose level increased by 72.40% (257.34 to 932.22), 67.18%(257.34 to 784.20), 53.75%(257.34 to 556.40), 50.13%(257.32 to 516.06) and 32.53%(257.34 to 381.43) when enzyme preparations from A. niger, T.viridae , R.stolonifer, M.mucedo, and Roxazyme G2G were applied on CRS for degradation respectively . Other sugars that were significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased after biodegradation were galactose, fructose and sucrose. Significant (P&lt;0.05) differences were also expressed in the mineral analysis. After biodegradation, the degraded CRS had better mineral bioavailability as there were improvements in the minerals quantity. The results revealed that the use of enzymes from the above named fungi and the commercial enzymes defiberised the CRS and hydrolyzed the cell walls and hence promoted better availability of energy, crude proteins and other nutrients which were hitherto unavailable.

Forage value of vegetative leaf and stem biomass fractions of selected grasses indigenous to African rangelands

Context Rangeland grasses native to Africa constitute the main diet for free-ranging livestock and wild herbivores. Leaf:stem ratio is a key characteristic used for assessing quality of forages. However, studies to determine the allocation of biomass to leaves and stems as well as chemical components and nutritive value, especially of grasses in African rangelands, are rare. Aim This study was conducted to establish biomass allocation and chemical and mineral components in leaf and stem fractions of three grasses, Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus and Cenchrus ciliaris, all indigenous to African rangelands. Methods Plant height, plant densities, plant tiller densities and biomass yields were estimated at the elongation stage, before inflorescence. Chemical and mineral components were determined from biomass harvested at the vegetative phase for all three grass species. Dry matter, ash content, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, and calcium, phosphorus and potassium contents were determined. Key results Enteropogon macrostachyus displayed significantly greater plant and tiller densities and plant height than the other two species. Leaf and stem biomass fractions varied significantly (P &lt; 0.05) among grasses. Leaf:stem ratio of E. superba was double that of E. macrostachyus and C. ciliaris. Crude protein and organic matter yields and net energy for lactation were highest (P &lt; 0.05) in E. superba leaf biomass, as was Ca content. Conclusions Eragrostis superba demonstrated greater potential as a forage species for ruminant animal production than E. macrostachyus and C. ciliaris. Implications Eragrostis superba is a key forage species that warrants promotion in pasture establishment programs in its native environments.

Comparing the Use of Handheld and Benchtop NIR Spectrometers in Predicting Nutritional Value of Forage

HighlightsA transportable spectrometer performed similarly to benchtop spectrometers to predict forage quality.Absorption bands in the second and third overtone regions were used to predict forage quality with ample accuracy.A low-cost handheld spectrometer was useful for routine screening of forage for nitrogen content. Abstract. Assessing the nutritional composition of animal feed and forage materials is important to achieve high animal productivity and wellness. Precision nutrition programs that use NIR technology can determine the nutritional composition of feed and forage quickly and simply, generating actionable information such as total nitrogen (N), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents, as well as in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Recent advances in optics and microelectronics have allowed for the development of handheld spectrometers that are portable, robust, and user-friendly. However, are the handheld units accurate enough to predict nutritional content of animal feed? In this study, the performance of two handheld NIR spectrometers to predict the nutritional content of forage based on N, ADF, NDF, ADL, and IVDMD was evaluated by comparing them to two benchtop NIR spectrometers often used in feed and forage analysis. The forage samples comprised switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), and Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans). The first handheld spectrometer covers 780-2500 nm with a spectral interval (??) of 1 nm, while the second handheld spectrometer is a palm-sized smartphone spectrometer covering 900-1700 nm with ?? = 4 nm. The benchtop spectrometers both cover 400-2500 nm with ?? = 2 nm. Forage samples were scanned on each spectrometer and divided into calibration (n = 143) and validation (n = 35) sets. Partial least squares (PLS) regression was used to calibrate all spectrometers using mean-centered spectral data that had been preprocessed using Savitzky-Golay first derivative (SG1) or second derivative (SG2) algorithm with 9-63 smoothing points. Results showed that PLS models that best predicted N using the benchtop spectrometers had lower standard error of prediction (SEP = 1.24-1.28 g kg-1) and higher ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD = 3.66-3.78) compared to the models developed based on spectra collected from the handheld spectrometers (SEP = 1.46-1.78 g kg-1; RPD = 2.39-2.84). ADF, NDF, and ADL were variable and generally poorly predicted using spectra from the benchtop spectrometers (SEP = 10.02-33.19 g kg-1;RPD = 1.71-2.24), and even more so using the handheld spectrometers (SEP = 10.63-32.57 g kg-1;RPD = 1.64-2.47). Predicting IVDMD was similar for both sets of benchtop (SEP = 40.00-41.73 g kg-1; RPD = 2.24-2.34) and handheld (SEP = 34.46-40.84 g kg-1; RPD = 2.29-2.72) spectrometers. These results show that the handheld devices can be used for screening of forage samples based on N, which is a closely monitored component in animal feed and forage, as well as IVDMD, an important forage quality index. Keywords: Forage, Portable spectrometer, Spectroscopy, Screenin, Ruminant nutrition.

Chemical composition of Tanganyika grass under tree shading levels in a silvopastoral system

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different Clitoria fairchildiana tree shading levels on the Tanganyika grass (Megatyrsus maximus Jacq. cv. Tanganyika) chemical composition, in summer I (2011/2012), spring (2012) and summer II (2012/2013) seasons. For this purpose, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments (shading levels) and five repetitions at Seropédica, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The following variables were evaluated: dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent (ADF) fiber, neutral (NDIP) and acid (ADIP) detergent insoluble protein, lignin (LIG) and mineral matter (MM) contents. Data were analyzed by PROC MIXED SAS®, with repeated measures in time, and treatment means compared by Tukey’s test (P&lt;0.05) or by PROC REG (P&lt;0.05 for regression analysis. There was a significant interaction between season and shading level for DM, CP, NDF, ADF, NDIP, ADIP and MM contents (P&lt;0.05). Lignin content was only influenced by shading level (P&lt;0.05). The DM, NDF, ADF and lignin contents were reduced by shading increase while CP, NIDP and MM contents were increased. Higher ADIP contents were found only in the spring. The increase in Clitoria fairchildiana tree shading improves the chemical composition of Tanganyika grass forage during summer season.