Alfalfa Grass Research Articles

Plant-based hydrolysates as building blocks for cellular agriculture

Cellular agriculture, an emerging technology, aims to produce animal-based products such as meat through scalable tissue culture methods. Traditional techniques rely on chemically undefined media using fetal bovine serum (FBS) or chemically defined media utilizing specific growth factors. To be a viable alternative to conventional meat production, cellular agriculture requires cost-effective materials with established supply chains for growth media.Here, we investigate hydrolysates from Kikuyu grass, Alfalfa grass, and cattle rearing pellets. We identified conditions that promote C2C12 myoblast cell growth in media containing 0.1% and 0% serum. These effects are more pronounced in combination with existing growth promoters such as insulin, transferrin, and selenium. Overall, the rearing pellet hydrolysates were most effective in promoting growth particularly when in combination with the growth promoters.Our findings suggest that leveraging these materials, along with known growth factors, can facilitate the development of improved, scalable, and commercially viable media for cellular agriculture.

Evaluation of meadow fescue grass cultivars seeded with alfalfa in New York state

AbstractAlfalfa–grass mixtures sown in the northeastern United States provide high‐quality dairy forage, and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) may improve the quality of these mixtures. Our objectives were to evaluate competitiveness and nutritive value of nine meadow fescue (MF) cultivars in New York State at spring harvest. Three farms, two in central New York State and one in northern New York state, were used. Conventional alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was sown (15 lb acre−1) to nine MF cultivars (three tetraploid and six diploid) and one tall fescue Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) ‘Darbysh’ cultivar in a randomized complete block design with four field replicates at each field site at three seeding rates (1, 2, and 3 lb acre−1). Grass proportion in mixtures was estimated visually. Grass samples were collected shortly before first harvest and analyzed for neutral detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), acid detergent fiber, in vitro digestibility, and crude protein. Most meadow fescue cultivars maintained a grass proportion between 20%–45% across farms and growing seasons when seeded at 1lb acre−1. Seeding rates above 1lb acre−1 resulted in grass proportions above the recommended 20–30% grass proportion rate. Drought in early 2022 resulted in an average drop in grass percentage of 16.9% units for meadow fescue in mixtures, compared to 2021. Nutritive value of cultivars varied among farms and over growing seasons. Meadow fescue cultivars averaged 2.7% units higher NDFD than tall fescue, and cultivars with consistently high NDFD were Hidden Valley, SW Revansch, SW Minto, and Schwetra. Tetraploid cultivars averaged 4.0% units lower NDF compared to diploid cultivars, which is very advantageous for grass in alfalfa–grass mixtures.

Systems management strategies for increasing alfalfa use in warm‐humid regions

AbstractAlfalfa use (Medicago sativa L.; “lucerne”) in warm, humid regions of the world represents a potential area of expansion for the alfalfa industry. The objective of this review paper is to demonstrate how alfalfa forage breeding and systems research efforts have identified opportunities for increasing alfalfa contributions in these regions, along with potential pathways for seed industry and farming operations to increase adoption. Our review draws primarily on reports from the Southeast United States and Argentina. Significant technological advancements in plant screening and selection have identified alfalfa plant populations that are more adapted to the growing conditions experienced in these regions, which are often characterized by mild temperature, long growing seasons, and multiple other abiotic and biotic stressors. Management systems research conducted in the United States and Argentina has demonstrated the use of alfalfa for conserved forage, grazing, or dual‐purpose use in monoculture or mixtures with warm‐season grasses such as bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.). These trials report increased forage production, nutritive value, and ecosystem services of alfalfa–grass mixtures when compared with traditionally N‐fertilized warm‐season grass‐based systems. Grazing‐based alfalfa systems in Argentina have demonstrated methods for utilizing alfalfa as part of beef, dairy, and finishing systems. Some approaches for expanding alfalfa production in the region include targeted marketing efforts for adapted varieties and demonstrating alfalfa applications within existing farming frameworks. This includes educational programming efforts and on‐farm demonstrations to promote alfalfa use as a component of the livestock diets, integration into grass‐based systems, crop rotations, and wildlife use. Continued emphasis on a systems approach to alfalfa inclusion represents an opportunity for improved forage and livestock production in warm, humid regions of the world.

Microelements Effect on the General Sheep Performance

Our research shows that the content of microelements (cobalt, copper, iodine) in local feed (alfalfa grass, corn silage, barley and wheat straw, etc.) is very low, and in some cases completely absent. This negatively affects animal productivity. Taking this into account, in 2022-2023 we studied the effect of microelements cobalt, iodine and copper on the overall productivity of sheep. During the experiments, each head of sheep was given daily 10 mg of cobalt chloride, 10 mg of potassium iodide and 10 mg of copper sulfate. The results of a 120-day experiment and our observations show that sheep receiving these microelements had 5,7% more wool and 10,3% greater lamb birth rate compared to sheep that did not receive microelements. Microelements had a positive effect on sheep wool yield, wool length, live weight of the animal, and the development of the lamb in the womb. In the sheep of the experimental group that received micronutrient nutrition, the wool yield was 78 g, and the length of the wool was 0,8 cm longer than in the control group. The live weight of sheep and lambs receiving micronutrients was 3,92 kg at birth and 26,55 kg at weaning, and the live weight of sheep lambs not receiving micronutrients was 3,70 kg and 24,65 kg. Thus, in the conditions of Nakhchivan AR, it is considered advisable to widely use microelements to increase the overall productivity of sheep.

The effect of liquid feeding period on the growth performance of calves

In this research, health records of calves born in a private dairy cattle farms with a capacity of 400 dairy cows in Ereğli between October 2020 and October 2021 were evaluated. The data determined in the 70 days from birth to weaning of the calves were recorded individually. The birth and weaning weights of the calves were measured at monthly intervals with a sensitive electronic scale up to 100 kilograms. Calves were barned in individual calf hutches and roughage and concentrate feed were offered separately and freely in front of them. Calves received colostrum from their mothers for 3 days. For 70 days, they were fed totally 6 litres of milk twice a day. Commercial calf growth feed with 18% crude protein and 2800 Kcal/kg ME energy was purchased and high quality alfalfa grass produced in the farm was used in calf feeding. Health observations of the calves were made by the technician by scoring cough, nasal discharge, condition of eyes and ears and faeces according to the results of the health observations.

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FEEDING LEVELS AND RATION STRUCTURE ON INCREASING SHEEP PRODUCTIVITY

The article considers the process of identifying different amounts of cleavable and non-cleavable basic food in the scars of protein fractions of protein in the south-east of Kazakhstan. The main factors influencing feed intake during fattening are the physical form of the feed, the energy concentration in the dry matter of the diet and the live weight of the sheep. When feeding granulated feed mixtures, feed losses in the form of scraps are reduced by 20-25%, dry matter consumption increases by 10-15% and amounts to 45-50 g per 1 kg of live weight, which allows increasing the total consumption of nutrients by 25-30%, obtaining more meat production by 26.20%, lamb wool by 15.65%, reducing feed costs per 1 kg of gain by 2 feed units or 30%. The proteins most intensively broken down in the rumen of sheep are those of clover and alfalfa grass (83.5-84.6%), grass from foothill and mountain pastures (70.0-71.7%), alfalfa hay and haylage (76.6-81.3%), corn silage (78.6%), and oat and barley grain (84.0-85.3%). Intensive fattening of fat-tailed meat-and-fat sheep using our detailed feeding standards, feed mixtures, and compound feeds ensures an average daily gain of 200-230 g, a carcass weight at slaughter of 23-26 kg, a meat-pulp yield of 76-78% with an expenditure of 6.0-7.0 feed units, 78-80 MJ of exchange energy per 1 kg of live weight gain.

Yield of lucerne-grass mixtures did not differ from lucerne pure stands in a multi-site field experiment

Changing climatic conditions in north-western Europe require adaptations in management of ley grassland, requiring new grass-legume mixture designs in response to increased variability in precipitation and warmer summers. Evaluation of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)-grass swards with the grasses cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), which are potentially more tolerant to summer water shortage, have yet to be evaluated under the agro-climatic conditions of north-western Europe. We tested these grasses in three-species swards and binary lucerne grass swards and compared them against pure stands and a standard lucerne-grass mixture. The study was conducted in eight environments resulting from the combination of four soil sites during the two full main production years 2020 and 2021 with an annual precipitation range of 416–839 mm. Swards were harvested three to five times annually and the accumulated herbage dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) yields, as well as species proportions were recorded. We found an average yield of 11.1 t DM ha-1 and no significant differences in herbage DM yields between lucerne pure stands and the different mixture swards. This pattern was stable irrespective of environmental conditions, but in general herbage yield and aboveground N yield were affected by precipitation amount. Swards with cocksfoot had a greater grass proportion than those with tall fescue. The N yield of lucerne-grass swards was lower and declined as the grass proportion increased, and reached on average 353 kg N ha-1. The maximum N yield of lucerne pure stands was 547 kg N ha-1. Species mixtures yielded higher than expected from the pure stands (net mixture effect, NE) pointing at overyielding. Consequently, synergistic interspecific interactions occurred but did not lead to transgressive overyielding. The results indicate that the inclusion of grass species with tolerance to water shortage into lucerne-based swards offers the potential to diversify grasslands without losses of agronomic potential, at least during the first two main production years.

Productivity of Nitrogen Accumulated in Alfalfa–Grass Sward Cultivated on Soil Depleted in Basic Nutrients: A Case Study

The productivity of fodder legumes, based on internal sources of N, may be limited due to an insufficient supply of nutrients responsible for the efficient use of N accumulated by the crop during the growing season. Production risk occurs on soils that are naturally poor or depleted in nutrients that are decisive for the fixation and utilization of N2 by alfalfa. This hypothesis was validated on the basis of a field experiment with an alfalfa–grass mixture carried out over three main seasons (2012−2014) on soil low in available potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and sulfur (S). The experiment involved two factors that contained two levels of applied gypsum (GYP: 0, 500 kg ha−1) fertilized with P and K (POT: absolute control—AC, P60K0, P60K30, P60K60, and P60K120). In each main season of the alfalfa–grass mixture, the sward was mowed three times (three cuts). The total sward yield (TY) reached its maximum in the second main season (15.6 t DW ha−1), then it significantly decreased. The sward yield of the third cut was the main driver of the TY. The content of P in the first cut, and especially P and S in the third cut of the sward, affected the N:P and P:S ratios, which, in turn, determined the productivity of the alfalfa–grass mixture. The total amount of accumulated N (TN) in the sward significantly responded to gypsum and PK fertilizers. In the first and third main seasons, the highest TN was found on the plot fertilized with both gypsum and 120 kg K2O ha−1. In the second main season, the TY was determined by PK dose, being variable in successive years. The highest total N accumulation (TN) was recorded in the second main season. It reached 504 kg N ha−1 on the plots with GYP−0 and 436 kg N ha−1 for GYP−500. However, the corresponding TY was 16.7 and 17.3 t DW ha−1. This apparent discrepancy was due to the much higher productivity of N, which was 33.2 and 39.6 kg fodder DW ha−1 TN, respectively. These two characteristics clearly indicate that the productivity of the accumulated N by the alfalfa–grass sward was significantly restricted by the shortage of P and S. The studies clearly emphasized that the sward of the alfalfa–grass mixture grown on soil depleted in available K, Ca, and S responds significantly to the combined application of gypsum and potassium, but provides effective control of the P supply, even on soil rich in available P.

ЕFFECT OF BIOSTIMULANTS FOLIAR APPLICATION ON FORAGE YIELD IN ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.)

The present study was aimed to determine the effect of V2, VR10 and VR1 experimental biostimulants application on yield related main traits (plant height and stems number per m2) and on forage productivity of Prista 4 alfalfa variety. The study was carried out in Experimental field at Institute of Agriculture and Seed Science "Obraztsov chiflik" - Ruse, from 2019 to 2021. The biostimulants were foliarly applied two times in each regrowth. There was found positive effect of the biostimulants application on the growth and development of alfalfa. The additional introducing of VR10 and VR1 biostimulants contributed to higher alfalfa grass stands by 17.13 and 14.36%, respectively compared to control. Foliar spraying with V2 biostimulant had more clear pronounced positive effect on the stem development. According to the three-year results the average stems number per m2 at V2 treatment significant exceeded the control by 4.78%. V2 biostimulant distinguished with a stronger positive effect on the forage productivity among studied products. Its application resulted in significant increases on green mass and dry matter yields by 3.72 and 4.96%, respectively over the control. V2 application gives promising results and reason to be recommended as a corrective component in technology of growing alfalfa for forage.

Evaluation indexes of poplar sawdust and alfalfa grass forming pellets

An experimental study was conducted to obtain the degree and pattern of influence of the interaction of various test factors on the evaluation indexes of biomass-forming pellets and the optimal combination of test parameters. Poplar sawdust and alfalfa grass were crushed and compressed into pellets, which were used as test samples. The particle size and moisture contents of the biomass raw materials were selected as test factors, and the quality and performance evaluation indexes, such as relaxation density, Shore hardness, water resistance, crush resistance, longitudinal dimensional stability, forming rate, and productivity, were measured for each pellet group. The results showed that for the same biomass raw material, when the particle size range is zero to 1.5 mm and the moisture content is at 15%, the relaxation density, Shore hardness, and forming rate of the formed pellets are the greatest, and the crush resistance, water resistance, and longitudinal dimensional stability are the strongest. When the particle size range is about 4 to 5.5 mm and the moisture content is at 5%, the relaxation density, Shore hardness, and forming rate of the pellets are the smallest, and the crush resistance, water resistance, and longitudinal dimensional stability are the weakest. The best moisture content of the pellets is about 15%.

Integration of Non-Coding RNA and mRNA Profiles Reveals the Mechanisms of Rumen Development Induced by Different Types of Diet in Calves.

Selecting suitable feed types and understanding the gastrointestinal digestive mechanism are helpful for the growth and health of calves in intensive dairy farming. However, the effects on rumen development of changing the molecular genetic basis and the regulatory mechanism by using different feed types are still unclear. Nine 7-day-old Holstein bull calves were randomly divided into GF (concentrate), GFF (alfalfa: oat grass = 3:2) and TMR (concentrate: alfalfa grass: oat grass: water = 0.30:0.12:0.08:0.50) diet experiment groups. Rumen tissue and serum samples were collected for physiological and transcriptomic analysis after 80 days. The results showed that serum α-amylase content and ceruloplasmin activity were significantly higher in the TMR group, and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis ncRNAs and mRNAs were significantly enriched in the pathways of rumen epithelial development and stimulated rumen cell growth, including the Hippo signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, thyroid hormone signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction and the absorption of protein and fat. The circRNAs/lncRNA-miRNAs-mRNA networks constructed, including novel_circ_0002471, novel_circ_0012104, TCONS_00946152, TCONS_00960915, bta-miR-11975, bta-miR-2890, PADI3 and CLEC6A, participated in metabolic pathways of lipid, immune system, oxidative stress and muscle development. In conclusion, the TMR diet could improve rumen digestive enzyme activities, stimulate rumen nutrient absorption and stimulate the DEGs related to energy homeostasis and microenvironment balance, and is thus better than the GF and GFF diets for promoting rumen growth and development.

155 Survey of equine veterinarians: Part 1—Hay selection and evaluation

Few nutrition-related surveys of equine veterinarians have been conducted. This survey investigated the perspectives of veterinarians on selecting and evaluating hay for horses. A survey link (Qualtrics, Provo, UT) was sent to members of Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners and distributed by equine practices located in Lexington, KY. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed in SPSS V28. There were 41 responses with 34 completed surveys. The majority of veterinarians (93%) worked in equine-specialized practices (>90% equine), with the main practice areas relating to breeding (44%), performance (12%), recreational horses (2%), or a combination of equine specializations (42%). Veterinarians were confident in identifying hay types (78% very confident or confident) and evaluating hay quality based on sensory characteristics such as color and smell (73.2% very confident or confident), but only 41.5% were very confident or confident in evaluating hay quality based on forage analysis. Stage of maturity (52%) and texture (29%) were most selected as characteristics used to evaluate hay quality. Fiber (neutral-detergent fiber or crude fiber) was reported by 84% of respondents as the most useful chemical component to evaluate digestibility. Most veterinarians (85.3%) indicated that educational materials on selecting hay for differenthorse types, sensory evaluation of hay, and interpreting a forage analysis would be useful to share with clients. When asked to rank the likelihood of recommending certain hay types for different classes of horses, alfalfa hay and mixed alfalfa grass hay were less likely to be recommended for sedentary horses compared with breeding and growing and performance horses (P < 0.001). Veterinarians in breeding farm practices tended to be less likely to recommend cool-season grass hays for breeding and growing horses compared with veterinarians in other practice types (P = 0.09). Hay sampling and analysis services were not routinely offered to clients, but 50% of veterinarians had submitted a sample for analysis, with the most selected reason being to evaluate nonstructural carbohydrates (35%). When asked where they would refer clients requesting this service, 11% of veterinarians were unsure, while 67% selected county extension agent and 19% commercial lab. This group of veterinarians displayed understanding of key principles of selecting and evaluating hay for horses. This preliminary survey provides valuable information regarding nutrition-based interactions between veterinarians and their clients that can be used to develop educational materials.

Land Conflict Resolution for Chilonga Village

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate, and Rural Resettlement issued statutory instrument (S.I) 50 of 2021, announcing the 12940 hectares of Chilonga land is commercialized for national food security. The statutory instrument (S.I) 50 of 2021 also stated that the Chilonga villagers immediately pave way for the lucerne grass irrigation project. The problem with this research is that the Ministry of Land has the power to relocate people in all communal lands according to the constitution of Zimbabwe and the Communal lands Act Chapter 20:04, but failed to resettle the Chilonga villagers. This research aims to analyze the causes of the Chilonga land conflict, the Ministry of Lands's capacity to carry out the Chilonga land resettlement, and how the government can intervene in resolving the Chilonga land conflict. Theories and concepts used are; strategy theory, conflict tree concept, conflict triangle theory, and national security concept. This research employs a qualitative research method involving nine informants. The results of the study show that the causes of the Chilonga land conflict are poor strategic planning, poor communication, cultural beliefs, political influence, lack of trust, and land compensation. The research results also show that the Ministry is lacking the capacity to conduct Chilonga resettlement. Finally, the research shows that the government should provide adequate support to the resettlement program and also should consider win-win conflict resolution.

PRODUCTIVITY OF ALFALFA IN THE SYSTEM OF ORGANIC PRODUCTION UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The article presents the results of studies of the influence of the modes of use of the grass stand on the forage productivity of different ecotypes of alfalfa. Under the conditions of climate change, alfalfa sowing formed stable productivity indicators on the organic background of fertilizer in combination with soil liming. In the experiment, the fodder productivity of different alfalfa ecotypes was studied by Rosana (originator: Institute of Fodder and Agriculture Podillia, National Academy of Sciences) and Unitro (originator: Institute of Irrigated Agriculture, National Academy of Sciences). An increase in the yield of leaf-stem mass in the first slope of sowing alfalfa according to the main phases of growth and development was noted, which, regardless of the varietal characteristics of the crop, was in the range of 22.4-23.5 t/ha in the budding phase, 27.6-28.4 t/ha - at the beginning of flowering and 28.3-29.2 t/ha - in flowering. According to the modes of using alfalfa crops, the height of the plants in the first slope gradually increased and already at the beginning of flowering in both varieties it was 88.3-91.1 cm against the background of liming and 92.7-93.0 cm of organic matter. The linear indicators increased accordingly to 92.1-92.6 and 95.2-95.7 cm when the plants reach the full flowering phase. The best height parameters were obtained for a combination of two factors, where plant growth in both varieties was within 4.0-4.9 cm, or increased by 6.7-8.9%. It can be concluded that adjusting the terms of mowing grass contributed to its better development. It was established that the first slope of the leaf-stem mass of alfalfa was formed due to the productive moisture of the autumn-winter period and a sufficient temperature regime for passing the stages of organogenesis. The plants produced a high yield of leaf-stem mass when the grass was mowed in the phase of beginning and full flowering (3-4 regimes) regardless of the level of fertilization. At the same time, it was the largest on the organic background of fertilizer, which was 27.6-28.3 t/ha in the Unitro variety and 28.4-29.2 t/ha in Rosana. The dependence of the harvest parameters on the terms of mowing the previous slope according to the modes of use of the grass stand is established. With the alienation of alfalfa grass in the budding phase, in the second slope, the indicators were the lowest and amounted to 8.6 t/ha. An increase in productivity was observed under the second regime, up to 13.0 t/ha for mowing the grass at the beginning of flowering. The change in the mowing scheme of the grass stand within the regime affected the yield indicators of the leaf mass, which were determined by the height of the plants against the background of fertilization and the development phase of the alienation of the grass stand in the first slope. Based on the analysis of the obtained data, it can be concluded that regardless of the change in the alternation of slopes according to the main phases of growth and development of the culture, its endurance and stability to produce regardless of the hydrothermal conditions of the growing season have been noted.

Features of crop formation and productivity of legume-festulolium grass mixtures in the Central region of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia

The article presents the results of four years of research in a field experiment conducted on medium-loamy gray forest soil of the Kaluga region. The soil of the experiment was characterized by: humus content - 2.7%, pH – 5.9, gross nitrogen content - 0.12%, mobile phosphorus content - 135, exchangeable potassium - 100 mg/kg of soil. Objects of research: festulolium of the Fest and Allegro varieties, skip-row sown and in mixtures with legumes grasses - meadow clover of the Delets and Orlovsky varieties, alfalfa variable Sarga variety and Eastern galega Gale variety. Legumes-festulolium grass mixtures on average for three years formed the green mass and dry matter yield in the range of 34.5-43.5; 34,8-43,9 and 7,2-9,3; 7,2-9,4 t/ha, respectively, with skip-row and mixed sowing methods. The maximum productivity was obtained in a grass mixture of alfalfa of the hybrid Sarga variety with festulolium of the Allegro variety. The yield of exchange energy in legume-festulolium grass mixtures was in the range of 66.8-90.4 and 68.1-91.3 GJ/ha, respectively, with skip-row and mixed crops. The largest collection was provided by alfalfa-festulolium mixtures. Alfalfa grass mixtures of the Sarga variety with festulolium of the Fest and Allegro varieties provided the collection of crude protein 17.1-17.3 and 16.7-17.2 c/ha, respectively, with skip-row and mixed sowing methods. The collection of crude protein in clover- and galega-festulolium grass mixtures did not exceed 11.7 and 12.0 c/ha. The total energy costs and the energy efficiency coefficient according to the experimental variants were 17.2-17.7 GJ/ha and 3.8-5.1 for skip-row, 17.3-17.8 GJ/ha and 3.9-5.1 for mixed crops, respectively. Grass mixtures with the participation of alfalfa of the Sarga variety and festulolium of the Fest and Allegro varieties had the highest total energy costs and the maximum energy efficiency coefficient.

Productivity of the Syniukha variety alfalfa grass stands of the fourth and fifth years of growing in conditions of the northern Podillia

Purpose. To evaluate the productivity of feed grass stands of the Sinyuha variety alfalfa according to yield indicators, quality and nutritional value of green mass harvested in the phases of budding and flowering to establish their value for the use in livestock industry in conditions of northern Podillia. Methods. Field experiment (visual and phenological observations of the growth and development of alfalfa plants), calculation, thermostatic, mathematical-statistical. Results. The studies were carried out in the field experiment of the Khmelnytskyi state agricultural research station of the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillya of NAAS during 2019-2020 on podzolized medium loam black soil. The optimal phase of mowing alfalfa in the feed grass stands of the fourth-fifth years of life was determined. It is the budding phase, in which the feed productivity of the crop increased: the yield of green mass in the sum of four mowings, which was 2.5 t/ha or 5% higher. Despite a slight difference in dry matter content, its total yield was practically equal to that of the flowering phase. The studied phases of mowing had an impact on the feed productivity of alfalfa. It has been established that, in terms of quality and nutritional value of the leaf-stem mass, a greater accumulation of nutrients occurred during the mowing of alfalfa in the budding phase, when the gross yield of the sum of cuttings was: feed units – 8.78 t, crude protein – 2.39 t, gross energy – 151.52 GJ and exchange energy – 92.12 GJ. Conclusions. To ensure high yields and good feeding qualities of the Sinyukha variety alfalfa grass stands of the fourth-fifth years of cultivation in conditions of northern Podillia, mowing in the budding phase should be applied, what will contribute to the increase in the total yield of green mass with a slight difference in the total dry matter yield and increase in gross yield: feed units, crude protein, gross and metabolizable energy relative to the flowering phase.

Yield of winter wheat depending on precursors, fertilizers and liming

The research was aimed at comparing the characteristics of winter wheat precursors on leached heavy loam chernozem in the conditions of the Republic of Mordovia. The object of the study was winter wheat of the Mironovskaya 808 variety, grown in grain-grass-fallow-row (1996-1997) and grain-grass-row (2008-2009) crop rotations, where the precursors were pure fallow and lucerne grass of the 3d year of use. In the control variant (without lime and mineral fertilizers), the crop yield after pure fallow was 3.27 t/ha, after perennial grasses it was 3.72 t/ha. Liming of the soil introduced in 1989-1990 and 1999-2000 did not make significant changes in crop yield, but the combined action with fertilizers in the grain-grass-fallow-row crop rotation against the background of liming by 1.0 h. a. contributed to a greater increase (0.43 t/ha) than against the background of liming by 0.5 h. a. (0.28 t/ha). In grain-grass-row crop rotation, on the contrary, against the background of liming by 0.5 h. a, more grain was obtained (0.74 t/ha), than against the background of 1.0 h. a (0.51 t/ha). The effect of fertilizers without lime was estimated by a less increase in yield ‒ 0.36 and 0.78 t/ha, respectively by crop rotations. Taking into account the payback of 1 kg a.i. of mineral fertilizers with an additional grain yield and additional income, the following doses can be recommended in addition to phosphorus-potassium: the use of nitrogen fertilizer in the top-dressing in the following doses: in the grain-fallow-grass-row crop rotation not more than 30 kg a. i., in grain-grass-row ‒ 30-60 kg a.i. against the background of soil liming by 0.5 h. a.

The Impact of the Renovation of Grassland on the Development of Segetal Weeds in Organic Farming

The intensive use or discontinuation of the use of swards can compromise biodiversity, yields, and feed quality; thus, leading to the degradation of permanent grasslands. Various methods of renovation are employed to restore the usability of degraded swards. In the years 2013–2016, a monofactorial field experiment was carried out on the Experimental Farm in Grabów (province of Mazowieckie, Poland). The experiment involved swards being reseeded after ploughing (P) and after disking with a compact harrow (H), with a non-renovated sward as the control treatment. The plots under renovation were reseeded with a lucerne–grass mixture. Both seedbed preparation methods for the renewed sward, ploughing (P) or shallow disking to a depth of 5 cm (H), were found to be effective for increasing sward yields, restricting weed growth, and reducing the number of weeds in the sward. The ploughing-based renovation method (P) had a strongly restrictive effect on biodiversity, as expressed by the H’ function value vis-à-vis the harrow method (H) and the non-renewed control (NR). Dicotyledonous species accounted for 92.3% of the weed population in the studied treatments. Of these, Taraxacum officinale, Achillea milefolium, Capsella bursa-pastoris, and Plantago maior occurred in the highest numbers.

The effects of humic acid addition to ration on the fattening performance and some oxidative stress parameters in anatolian merino lambs

In this study, it is aimed to determine the effects of adding humic acid to ration of Anatolian Merino lambs on the fattening performance and some oxidative stress level by using thiol / disulfide balance measurement method. In the study, singleton 32 male Anatolian Merino lambs with an average age of 2.5 months were used. The experiment was carried out by forming a control group without additives and four trial groups, three of which were added with humic acid (2, 4, 6 g/kg), with 8 replications in each group for a total of 70 days. The lambs housed in the group partitions were fed with 350g/day/head of alfalfa grass as roughage and lamb grower feed ad-libitum containing 2750 kcal/kg DM ME, 16% HP until the end of the trial. At the end of the research; intra-group native thiol (NTL, μmol/L) values increased on the 30 th day (P&amp;lt;0.05) in all groups except the control group, while total antioxidant status (TAS, mmol/L), total thiol (TTL, µmol/L) and disulfide values increased on the 60 th day in all groups including the control group ( P≤0.001) was observed. In terms of lambs' feed consumption, live weights, body weight gains, feed conversion ratios, TAS, total oxidant status (TOS, μmol/L), OSI, TTL, NTL and disulfide was found that there was no significant difference between groups (P˃0.05). It was concluded that the humic acid additive was not effective on the fattening performance, but 4 or 6 g/kg could be added to the lamb rations due to the increase in thiol groups, which have an important role in the antioxidant defense system.

Modeled performance of forage mixtures and annual crops grown in eastern Canada under climate change

AbstractTimothy (Phleum pratense L.) is expected to be more affected by climate change than other forage grasses. Therefore, alternatives to timothy, such as tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Shreb.) Dumort.], meadow fescue [S. pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv.], or meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem. &amp; Schult.) should be explored. Our objective was to simulate and compare the yield and nutritive value of four alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)–grass mixtures and annual crops grown on two virtual dairy farms representative of eastern Canada under future climate conditions. The Integrated Farm System Model (IFSM) was used for these projections under the reference (1971–2000), near future (2020–2049), and distant future (2050–2079) climates for two climatically contrasting agricultural areas in eastern Canada (eastern Quebec; southwestern Quebec). In both future periods, annual forage dry matter (DM) yields of the four alfalfa–grass mixtures are projected to increase because of additional harvests, with greater DM yield increases projected in the colder area than in the warmer area. In both areas, the highest yield increase is projected for alfalfa–tall fescue mixture and the lowest for alfalfa–timothy mixture. The nutritive value of all mixtures should increase due to a greater proportion of alfalfa. In both areas, yields of silage and grain corn (Zea mays L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are projected to increase, but not those of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Tall fescue, meadow bromegrass, and meadow fescue are adequate alternatives to timothy grown in association with alfalfa under future climate conditions.