Acid Detergent Lignin Content Research Articles

Lignin composition is more important than content for maize stem cell wall degradation.

BACKGROUNDThe relationship between the chemical and molecular properties – in particular the (acid detergent) lignin (ADL) content and composition expressed as the ratio between syringyl and guaiacyl compounds (S:G ratio) – of maize stems and in vitro gas production was studied in order to determine which is more important in the degradability of maize stem cell walls in the rumen of ruminants. Different internodes from two contrasting maize cultivars (Ambrosini and Aastar) were harvested during the growing season.RESULTSThe ADL content decreased with greater internode number within the stem, whereas the ADL content fluctuated during the season for both cultivars. The S:G ratio was lower in younger tissue (greater internode number or earlier harvest date) in both cultivars. For the gas produced between 3 and 20 h, representing the fermentation of cell walls in rumen fluid, a stronger correlation () was found with the S:G ratio than with the ADL content (). The relationship between ADL content or S:G ratio and 72‐h gas production, representing total organic matter degradation, was weaker than that with gas produced between 3 and 20 h.CONCLUSIONThe S:G ratio plays a more dominant role than ADL content in maize stem cell wall degradation. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Quality characteristics and nutrient yield of fodder maize (Zea mays) as influenced by seeding density and nutrient levels in Indo-Gangetic Plains

Productivity and quality traits of forage crops are largely affected by agronomic management at field conditions in different climatic strata. Therefore, the present field investigation was carried out during kharif season of 2014 and 2015 at ICAR-NDRI, Karnal to evaluate the effect of different planting densities and fertility levels on nutritive yields and quality of fodder maize (Zea mays L.). An experiment was laid out in split plot arrangement with three treatments in main-plot of planting densities of 60, 75 and 90 kg seed/ha and six treatments in subplot of nutrient levels, i.e. 0, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150% recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), i.e. 120 kg N/ha and 60 kg P2O5/ha. All the seed rates were found statistically at par for all the parameters except fiber fractions, i.e. neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content, in which 60 kg/ha seed rate accumulated significantly lower fiber contents. However, numerically higher values of fodder yields and quality parameters were observed at lower planting density. Nutrient levels showed significant increase in fodder yields with increase in dose of fertility up to 125% RDF. The combined use of 60 kg/ha seed rate and 125% RDF obtained significant maximum green (61.7 t/ha) and dry fodder yield (14.1 t/ha). The results showed that use of 150% RDF improved CP content by 20.2%, ether extract by 20.1% and ash content by 23.3% over control. Further, the maize fodder supplied with 150% RDF attributed minimum level of fiber fractions and magnitude of reduction in NDF was 3.49%, ADF was 3.54% and that of ADL was 7.65% in comparison to 0% RDF. The combination of 60 kg/ha seed rate and 125% RDF obtained significant maximum CP (1542.1 kg/ha), EE (367.4 kg/ha) and ash yield (1280.0 kg/ha). The use of 150% RDF also resulted into improvement in the nutrient content to the tune of 20.2% in N and 12.5% in P and enhanced nutrient uptake by 50.5% of N and 41.9% that of P over control. It can be concluded that to realize higher productivity with enhanced quality of fodder maize with optimum density (60 kg/ha) and use of 125% of RDF are quite helpful, which will further strengthen and sustain the performance of livestock in terms of health and milk production.

Effect of traditional processing steps on chemical and nutritional composition of leblebi

Turkey’s and several Middle East countries’ people consume “leblebi”, which is a traditional snack food made from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Leblebi processing steps caused significant decrease (P<0.05) in moisture and carbohydrate fractions. The dietary fibre contents were also reduced through leblebi processing steps. Dehulling process caused reduction in cellulose from 2.6 to 1.3%, whereas increase in acid detergent lignin content from 0.27 to 0.85% was observed. The mineral analysis results have shown that leblebi samples supply macro and micro nutrients required in the human diet.

Effect of lignin linkages with other plant cell wall components on in vitro and in vivo neutral detergent fiber digestibility and rate of digestion of grass forages

The objective of this study was to correlate in vitro and in vivo neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility (NDFD) with the chemical composition of forages and specific chemical linkages, primarily ester- and ether-linked para-coumaric (pCA) and ferulic acids (FA) in forages fed to dairy cattle. The content of acid detergent lignin (ADL) and its relationship with NDF does not fully explain the observed variability in NDFD. The ferulic and p-coumaric acid linkages between ADL and cell wall polysaccharides, rather than the amount of ADL, might be a better predictor of NDFD. Twenty-three forages, including conventional and brown midrib corn silages and grasses at various stages of maturity were incubated in vitro for measurement of 24-h and 96-h NDFD. Undigested and digested residues were analyzed for NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF), ADL, and Klason lignin (KL); ester- and ether-linked pCA and FA were determined in these fractions. To determine whether in vitro observations of ester- and ether-linked pCA and FA and digestibility were similar to in vivo observations, 3 corn silages selected for digestibility were fed to 6 ruminally fistulated cows for 3 wk in 3 iso-NDF diets. Intact samples and NDF and ADF residues of diet, rumen, and feces were analyzed for ester- and ether-linked pCA and FA. From the in vitro study, the phenolic acid content (total pCA and FA) was highest for corn silages, and overall the content of ester- and ether-linked pCA and FA in both NDF and ADF residues were correlated with NDF digestibility parameters, reflecting the competitive effect of these linkages on digestibility. Also, Klason lignin and ADL were negatively correlated with ether-linked ferulic acid on an NDF basis. Overall, esterified FA and esterified pCA were negatively correlated with all of the measured fiber fractions on both a dry matter and an NDF basis. The lignin content of the plant residues and chemical linkages explained most of the variation in both rate and extent of NDF digestion but not uniformly among forages, ranging from 56 to 99%. The results from the in vivo study were similar to the in vitro data, demonstrating the highest total-tract aNDF digestibility (70%; NDF analysis conducted with α-amylase and sodium sulfite) for cows fed the corn silage with the lowest ester- and ether-linked pCA content in the NDF fraction. In this study, digestibility of forage fiber was influenced by the linkages among lignin and the carbohydrate moieties, which vary by hybrid and species and most likely vary by the agronomic conditions under which the plant was grown.

English

Animal production in the Azores is conditioned by the cycles of grass production. In a situation when lack of fiber for animal feed occurs, low quality fibrous foods become relevant. For these reasons, Hedychium gardnerianum (ginger lily), a well-known and traditional source of fiber used by Azorean farmers have been studied. The plant material was subjected to treatments with 5% dry matter (DM) with urea, 3% DM with NaOH, and the addition of a nitrogen source (soybean meal) to achieve a content of 18% crude protein in DM, in order to study its nutritional value. The treatment with urea and the addition of a nitrogen source showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in crude protein (CP), while maintaining the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents, and a variation in the acid detergent lignin (ADL) content. All treatments had a significant effect (P<0.05) on ginger lily DM digestibility. It can be concluded that all the treatments performed had a significant effect on the nutritional value of ginger lily. Key words: Hedychium gardnerianum, NaOH treatment, urea treatment, roughage.

Genetic and transcriptomic analyses of lignin- and lodging-related traits in Brassica napus.

Candidate genes associated with lignin and lodging traits were identified by combining phenotypic, genotypic, and gene expression data in B. napus. Brassica napus is one of the world's most important oilseed crops, but its yield can be dramatically reduced by lodging, bending, and falling of its vertical stems. Lignin has been shown to contribute to stem mechanical strength. In this study, we found that the syringyl/guaiacyl (S/G) monolignol ratio exhibits a significant negative correlation with disease and lodging resistance. A total of 92 and 50 SNP and SSR loci, respectively, were found to be significantly associated with five traits, breaking force, breaking strength, lodging coefficient, acid detergent lignin content, and the S/G monolignol ratio using GWAS. To identify novel genes involved in lignin biosynthesis, transcriptome sequencing of high- (H) and low (L)-ADL content accessions was performed. The up-regulated genes were mainly involved in glycoside catabolic processes (especially glucosinolate catabolism) and cell wall biogenesis, while down-regulated genes were involved in glucosinolate biosynthesis, indicating that crosstalk exists between glucosinolate metabolic processes and lignin biosynthesis. Integrating this differential expression with the GWAS analysis, we identified four candidate genes regulating lignin, including glycosyl hydrolase (BnaA01g00480D), CYT1 (BnaA04g22820D), and two encoding transcription factors, SHINE1 (ERF family) and DAR6 (LIM family). This study provides insight into the genetic control of lodging and lignin in B. napus.

Diet selection by wintering Lesser White-fronted GooseAnser erythropusand the role of food availability

SummaryThe Fennoscandian population of the Lesser White-fronted GooseAnser erythropus(LWfG) is on the verge of extinction and migrates from northern Fennoscandia to Greece on a regular seasonal basis. For the first time, diet selection was investigated during two years at Kerkini Lake, a wintering site in Greece. The relative use of LWfG’s feeding habitats was systematically recorded by visual observations of the LWfG flocks. Food availability was measured by the relative cover of available vegetation types while the diet composition was determined by the microhistological analysis of droppings. In addition, we determined crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin content of the most preferred plant species by LWfG and all vegetation categories that contributed to LWfG diet in the middle of the duration of their stay at Kerkini Lake and after their departure from the lake. LWfG feeding habitat was exclusively marshy grassland in water less than 5 cm deep up to 300–400 m away from the shore. LWfG selected a diverse number of plant species (33), however, grass made up the 58% of their diets. The most preferred plant species wereEchinochloa crus-galli,Cyperus esculentus,Scirpus lacustrisandRanunculus sceleratus. LWfG departed from Kerkini Lake in mid-December to the Evros Delta (Thrace, eastern Greece), when either food availability falls in very low levels or flooding occurred in their main feeding habitat. Consequently, as long as food and habitat resources are available for LWfG, it is very likely that the birds will winter mainly at Kerkini Lake and not at the Evros Delta, which will contribute to further minimisation of the theoretical risk of accidental shooting of LWfG at the latter wintering habitat. Thus, future conservation actions should primarily focus on the grassland improvement at Kerkini Lake enhancing the availability of food resources for LWfG (mainly grasses) and the protection of the feeding habitat from flooding.

Kandungan Fraksi Serat Ransum Pellet Unggas Dengan Penggunaan Tepung Indigoferazollingeriana

This study aims to evaluation the effect of Indigofera zollingeriana flour utilization inpoultry pellet ration on the content of the fiber fraction ,namely : Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL), hemicelluloses and cellulose. The experimental design used Completely Randomized Design(CRD),which consists of 4 treatments and 5 replicates. The treatments were the level of Indigofera zollingeriana flour utilization that were T0 = 0% Indigofera zollingeriana (control),T1 = 5% Indigofera zollingeriana, T2 =10% Indigofera zollingeriana, T3 = 15% Indigofera zollingeriana. The results showed that the Indigofera zollingeriana utilization had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the content of NDF, hemicellulose, cellulose but had significantly effect (P&lt;0.05) to the content of ADF and highly significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on the content of ADL. It was concluded that the use of 15% Indigofera zollingerian alowered the content ADF and ADL, unable to reduce the content fNDF and unable to increase the content of hemicellulose and cellulose.The use of 15% Indigofera zollingeriana is t h e b e s t 30.39% NDF; 9.42% ADF; 2.25% ADL; 20.98% hemicellulose and 4.53% cellulose.

English

The study was conducted in Gasera and Ginnir districts of Bale mid to highland areas, Oromia regional state, southeast Ethiopia; to assess livestock feed resources, to determine major feed nutritional value and their implication on animal productivity. Stratified random sampling (poor, medium and wealth) was applied to identify the sampled unit of 156 households in the selected districts. The chemical compositions of sampled feeds were determined using wet chemistry at Holeta Agricultural nutrition laboratory. Livestock production systems in the districts were extensive type. The metabolizable energy (ME) of the major available roughage feeds was 956,094.71 and 980,392.51 MJ per annum in the Gasera and Ginnir districts, respectively. Crop residues (aftermath and barley straw, wheat straw and teff straw) contributed about 80.4 and 81.73% in Gasera and Ginnir, respectively of the total annual ME supply of roughage feeds where the remaining is from natural grasses. The DCP (digestible crude protein) amount estimated in sampled feed was not statistically different in the study districts (P&gt;0.05). Crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) for feed from natural grasses than crop residues and aftermath. To the contrary, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) for crop residues and aftermath. Mean crude protien content of crop residues and aftermath was less than the critical level of CP (7% DM) required for optimum function of rumen microbes, implying the need for supplementation. On the other hand, the amount of dry matter available from major sampled feed sources indicated that, it satisfied the maintenance requirement of cattle; however, the bulkiness of the feed cannot indicate the quality of the utilizable nutrients. This implies supplementation with concentrates and improved forage feeds are compulsory to overcome energy and protein deficiency in both study districts, especially during dry periods for reasonable livestock production. &nbsp; Key words: Livestock, feed resources, chemical composition.

Estrutura do pasto e desempenho de ovinos em capim-massai na época seca em resposta ao manejo do período das águas

The objective of this study was to evaluate the canopy structure and performance of sheep raised on massai grass during the dry season in response to the management adopted during the wet season. The treatments consisted of two targets of light interception (90 and 95%) and two post-grazing heights (15 and 25 cm) in a 2 x 2 factorial scheme. Pastures were managed during the wet season, while continuous stocking was used during the dry season. The following pasture characteristics were evaluated: canopy height, forage mass, leaf blade, stem and dead matter mass, leaf blade:stem ratio, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin content, and dead matter of morphological components. Sixteen sheep with an initial body weight of 19 ± 4.7 kg were used and average daily gain, weight gain per hectare and stocking rate were evaluated. The interactions between sources of variation were not significant for any of the variables. Post-grazing heights modified total forage and dead matter mass in the dry season, with the highest values of 2912.5 and 1840.9 kg/ha of dry matter, respectively, being observed when the pastures were managed at 25 cm during the wet season. There was no effect of the management adopted during the wet season on the chemical composition of leaf blades during the dry season. The management adopted during the wet season exerted no effect on animal performance during the dry season. Pasture management to a post-grazing height of 25 cm during the wet season, irrespective of pre-grazing target (90% or 95% light interception), maintains the most adequate forage structure during the dry season. The management adopted during the wet season did not

Effect of Maleic Acid on Nutritive Value, Carotenoids Content and In vitro Digestibility of Maize Silage

This study aimed to determine the effects of supplementation of maleic acid (MA) on the silage characteristics, nutritive value, carotenoids contents, and in vitro digestion attributes of maize silage. Maize herbage was ensiled either without (control group: MA0) or with three different doses of 1.0 (MA1), 2.0 (MA2), and 3.0 (MA3) percent (w/w) of the fresh material for 60 days. Supplementation of MA did not change the dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), acid detergent lignin (ADL) or TDN contents of the silage. In addition, neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom) content decreased (P<0.001) linearly by the increasing dose of maleic acid dose. However, relative feed value, relative forage quality and non-structural carbohydrate of maize silage increased linearly (P<0.001) by MA. Neither the in vitro total gas and methane production nor the nutritive value of the silage in terms of metabolisable energy (ME), net energy lactation (NEL) and organic matter disappearance (OMd) changed due to maleic acid supplementation. However, the supplementation of MA to maize herbage at ensilaging stage decreased (P<0.01) its α-carotene, β-carotene, γ-carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin contents in a linear manner with a concomitant increase (P<0.01) in its lutein and total carotenoids contents. It is concluded that maleic acid addition to maize forage at ensiling stage increased the total carotenoids content of the silage without influencing any of the nutrient characteristics.

Accuracy of two optical chlorophyll meters in predicting chemical composition and invitro ruminal organic matter degradability of Brachiaria hybrid, Megathyrsus maximus, and Paspalum atratum.

The objective of this study was to determine the accuracy and reliability of 2 optical chlorophyll meters: FieldScout CM 1,000 NDVI and Yara N-Tester, in predicting neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) and in vitro ruminal organic matter degradability (IVOMD) of 3 tropical grasses. Optical chlorophyll measurements were taken at 3 stages (4, 8 and 12 weeks) of regrowth in Brachiaria hybrid, and Megathyrsus maximus and at 6 and 12 weeks of regrowth in Paspalum atratum (cv. Ubon). Optical chlorophyll measurements showed the highest correlation (r = 0.57 to 0.85) with NDF concentration. The FieldScout CM 1,000 NDVI was better than the Yara N-Tester in predicting NDF (R2 = 0.70) and ADF (R2 = 0.79) concentrations in Brachiaria hybrid and NDF (R2 = 0.79) in M. maximus. Similarly, FieldScout CM 1,000 NDVI produced better estimates of 24 h IVOMD (IVOMD24h) in Brachiaria hybrid (R2 = 0.81) and IVOMD48h in Brachiaria hybrid (R2 = 0.65) and M. maximus (R2 = 0.75). However, these prediction models had relatively low concordance correlation coefficients, i.e., CCC >0.90, but random errors were the main source of bias. It was, therefore, concluded that both optical chlorophyll meters were poor and unreliable predictors of ADIN and ADL concentrations. Overall, the FieldScout CM 1,000 NDVI shows potential to produce useful estimates of IVOMD24h and ADF in Brachiaria hybrid and IVOMD48h and NDF concentrations in M. maximus.

Influence of Salix babylonica extract addition on in vitro rumen gas production and degradability of ryegrass silage harvested in different cutting days

Four cutoffs of ryegrass after 15 days (CD15), 30 days (CD30), 45 days (CD45), and 60 days (CD60) with Salix babylonica (SB) extract at 0, 30, and 60 ml/kg ryegrass silage were ensiled for 40 days and then evaluated for the in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and gas production (GP). No interactions occurred between cutting day and SB extract for silage’s nutrient contents and in vitro GP. The DM and organic matter (OM) contents were decreased linearly with decreased crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibres, acid detergent fibres, and acid detergent lignin contents with advancing of days. In contrary, addition of SB extract increased silages’ OM and decreased CP contents. Addition of SB extract for CD15 and CD60 silages, quadratically decreased the lag time. However, SB extract increased the rate of GP and GP during the first 12 h of incubation at the level of 30 ml/kg with CD30 silage and asymptotic GP with the level 60 ml/kg of CD60 silage. Increased DM degradability (DMD) of CD30 and CD60 silages versus decreased DMD with CD15 with increased relative GP (ml gas/g DMD). It could be concluded that CD15 had the highest DM and OM content; however, higher GP was noted with CD45 and CD60. SB extract had weak effects on nutrient content and GP, and the level of 30 ml/kg DM was more effective than the level of 60 ml/kg DM.

English

A research was carried out in Sardinia (Italy) to identify the best combination and management in binary mixtures of Lolium rigidum Gaudin Nurra (L) and Medicago polymorpha L. Anglona (P) new released varieties of both species. Two pure stands (L100P0 and L0P100) and three mixtures (L75P25, L50P50 and L25P75) were compared under two cutting regimes; a commercial mixture was also included in the experiment as test. Forage yield and quality, biological efficiency, interspecific interference and competitive ability of both species were assessed. Total dry matter yield ranged from 2.2 to 5.6 t ha-1 (two-cuttings) and from 2.3 to 4.9 t ha-1 in commercial mixture and L25P75 (three-cuttings). The association grass-legume showed positive effects on the control of unsown species. Crude protein yield, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin concentration significantly varied between mixtures. The highest protein yield was obtained in the L25P75 mixture, reaching 1308 kg ha-1 in two-cuttings, as well as the best combination for quality and yield that maximised the synergic interaction effects between species. Key words: Annual self-reseeding species, forage quality, grass legume competition, mixtures.

Isolation and identification of termite gut symbiotic bacteria with lignocellulose-degrading potential, and their effects on the nutritive value for ruminants of some by-products

The termite gut contains different kinds of lignin and lignocellulose degrading microbes. This study was conducted to isolate and identify termite gut symbiotic bacteria with lignocellulose-degrading potential, and evaluate their effects on the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of wheat straw and date leaves. Termite gut contents were extracted and cultured in 9 different culture media containing lignin and lignocellulosic materials that had been prepared from water-extracted sawdust and wheat straw. Three superior bacteria capable of growing on all media, and with higher lignin peroxidase activity, were selected and subjected to molecular identification. Following this, wheat straw and date leaves were incubated with the isolated bacteria in liquid medium for 6 weeks. 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that these isolates possessed 97, 99 and 97% similarity with Bacillus licheniformis, Ochrobactrum intermedium and Microbacterium paludicola, respectively. The highest (P<0.05) dry matter (DM) loss in wheat straw and date leaves was observed following treatment with B. licheniformis. In the case of wheat straw, the organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and for date leaves OM, NDF and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents were not influenced by the treatments (P>0.05). The greatest and lowest (P<0.05) ADF content of wheat straw was observed as a result of treatment with B. licheniformis and O. intermedium, respectively. However, bacterial treatments decreased (P<0.05) ADF content of date leaves when compared to the control. Acid detergent lignin content of wheat straw was decreased (P<0.05) by bacterial treatments in comparisons to the control. For wheat straw, the highest and lowest (P<0.05) value of crude protein (CP) was observed in the case of M. paludicola and O. intermedium treatments, respectively. For date leaves, the CP content of the control treatment was highest (P<0.05) among treatments. For wheat straw, bacterial treatments enhanced (P<0.05) DM, OM and ADF digestibility when compared to the control. However, highest and lowest (P<0.05) CP digestibility was observed using O. intermedium and M. paludicola, respectively. For date leaves, treatment with B. licheniformis significantly increased (P<0.05) digestibility of DM, OM and NDF when compared to the others. However, CP and ADF digestibility was not different (P>0.05) between experimental groups. Overall, the results of this study showed that the isolated bacteria partially changed the chemical composition of wheat straw and date leaves while, they improved digestibility of nutrients. These bacteria are suitable candidates for increasing nutritive value of by-products for ruminants.

Alfalfa nutritive quality as influenced by drought in South-Eastern Oasis of Tunisia

Medicago sativa is the main perennial legume in many places in the world such as South-East Tunisian Oases. The widespread use of this species is due to its high adaptability, forage yield potential and to its good quality. Furthermore, the succession of drought years in South-East Tunisian Oases especially in Gabes influenced fodder distribution and digestibility. To a better understanding of the variation of the nutritive value of (Medicago sativa L.) plants, the effect of four drought levels (25%; 50%; 75% and 100% of field capacity) on nutritive quality was investigated for three populations [P1 (Gannouch); P2 (Chenini) and P3 (Tebelbou)] cultivated in these oases. Results showed that drought reduced leaves, shoots and roots dry matter, while this effect was more pronounced for above organs (values reached 1.2 mg) than below organs (values reached 1.8 mg). However, drought decreased phosphor, calcium, magnesium and nitrogen contents, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and in acid detergent lignin content for P1 and P2, this stress enhanced potassium uptake, leaves shoots and roots shoots ratios especially for P3, values passed from 1.56 for control treatment to 2.06 for 25% of field capacity. This population seems to be the most resistant to drought by maintaining reduced leaf area and elevated ratios. This result indicates that Medicago sativa succeed to maintain a good nutritive value under stress conditions. To the best of our knowledge, it is important to study the effect of this stress on others varieties to more understand its effect on nutritive value.

Effect of solid-state fermentation by oyster mushroom (Pleurotus florida) on nutritive value of some agro by-products

ABSTRACTThe present research aims to investigate the effect of Pleurotus florida fungi cultivation on chemical composition, gas production characteristics, organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME), net energy lactation (NEL) and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) of some agro by-products (rice straw, wheat straw, barley straw, soybean straw, canola straw, pea straw and rice husk). Dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre were significantly decreased upon with fungi application in all treatments (p < 0.01). Fungal treatment did not cause significant difference in the amount of acid detergent fibre (ADF) in soybean straw, canola straw, pea straw and rice husk (p > 0.05), but significantly decreased ADF in rice straw, wheat straw and barley straw (p < 0.05). In experimental treatments, fungi cultivation did not vary significantly in acid detergent lignin and ether extract content (p > 0.05). Processing significantly increased ash and crude protein in all treatments (p < 0.01). The amount of gas production was not significantly affected by fungi cultivation in wheat straw, soybean straw, canola straw and rice husk; however, it was significantly increased upon processing in rice straw, barley straw and pea straw (p < 0.05). The amount of OMD in rice husk was not changed significantly, but processing significantly increased OMD in other treatments (p < 0.05). Fungi cultivation significantly improved ME in all treatments (p < 0.05). The amounts of NEL and SCFA were significantly increased with treatment by fungi (except rice husk) in all substrate (p < 0.01). The results of this study generally indicated that nutritive value of agro by-products was improved upon fungal treatment.

Evaluation of Tropical Grasses on Mine Revegetation for Herbage Supply to Bali Cattle in Sorowako, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The aim of this study was to evaluate forage quality and absorption of heavy metals in grasses of grazing lands in mine revegetation area. Grazing land was dominated by Brachiaria decumbens (BD), which occupied about 87% in the pasture’ syielding ability of 14.8 Mg DM/ha/year, followed by Centrocema pubescens (CP), Calopogonium mucunoides (CM) and Imperata cylindrica (IC) at 6, 4 and 3%, respectively. Both of in vitro dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility were the highest in BD and CM, followed by CP and the lowest in IC. Structural carbohydrates of cellulose and hemicelluloses were the highest in BD, contrary to Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) concentration, which was the highest in IC and the lowest in BD, while CP and CM showed the middle in ADL and cellulose concentrations among the four forage species. Heavy metals of nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) were detected in the order of Ni > Cr > Pb in the grasses examined and harvested on mine-revegetation area in Sorowako, Indonesia.

English

Mixing grasses with legumes for forage production has been a common cropping system, especially in the Mediterranean countries. However, the nutritive value of the end product is greatly dependent on adopting the suitable cultural practices to achieve maximum benefit from the forage mixture, especially the nitrogen (N) fertilizer level and the mixing rate. Thus, the current study was carried out on the winter season of 2012 and 2013 in the experimental station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Egypt. The main aim was to investigate the variations in 1st cut dry matter (DM) content and nutritive value of Egyptian clover (EC) and annual ryegrass (RG) grown in pure stands and with three mixing rates, under three N fertilization levels (72, 107, and 143 kg N ha-1). Nutritive value was judged upon investigating the crude protein (CP), carbohydrate content, and fiber fractions [neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL)]. Results revealed significant variations among the five forage treatments for all the tested parameters (P < 0.001). In addition, significant variations among the three N-levels (P < 0.05) and significant two-way interaction among forage treatment and N-level (P < 0.01) were declared only in case of 1st cut CP content. In general, pure RG was superior in DM (155.08 g kg-1), carbohydrate (273.00 g kg-1), NDF (505.74 g kg-1), and ADF (279.60 g kg-1) contents. While, pure EC produced the highest-significant CP (155.52 g kg-1) and ADL (23.86 g kg-1) contents. Increasing the applied N-fertilizer level significantly increased the CP content of the sole EC (156.63 g kg-1) and the mixture of 70% EC + 30% RG (132.70 g kg-1). Grass-legume mixtures produced fodder of more balanced nutritive value when compared to the pure stands. Key words: Forage mixture, Egyptian clover, annual ryegrass, nitrogen fertilization, fodder quality.

Genome-Wide Analysis of Seed Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) and Hull Content in Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.).

A stable yellow-seeded variety is the breeding goal for obtaining the ideal rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) plant, and the amount of acid detergent lignin (ADL) in the seeds and the hull content (HC) are often used as yellow-seeded rapeseed screening indices. In this study, a genome-wide association analysis of 520 accessions was performed using the Q + K model with a total of 31,839 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites. As a result, three significant associations on the B. napus chromosomes A05, A09, and C05 were detected for seed ADL content. The peak SNPs were within 9.27, 14.22, and 20.86 kb of the key genes BnaA.PAL4, BnaA.CAD2/BnaA.CAD3, and BnaC.CCR1, respectively. Further analyses were performed on the major locus of A05, which was also detected in the seed HC examination. A comparison of our genome-wide association study (GWAS) results and previous linkage mappings revealed a common chromosomal region on A09, which indicates that GWAS can be used as a powerful complementary strategy for dissecting complex traits in B. napus. Genomic selection (GS) utilizing the significant SNP markers based on the GWAS results exhibited increased predictive ability, indicating that the predictive ability of a given model can be substantially improved by using GWAS and GS.