Alfalfa Products Research Articles

A new species of the mite genus Sancassania (Acari: Acaridae) associated with alfalfa production losses in China

Gansu is a province in the northwest of China that is well known for its rich grassland types and important alfalfa planting base in China. Among the key limiting factors in alfalfa products and high quality are insect and mite pests, particularly those occurring on root and stem parts. Mite populations were collected on alfalfa roots from Jiuquan City located in the northwest part of Gansu Province. This study aimed to identify the principle mite species infesting alfalfa in Gansu Province, by molecular and morphological characterization. DNA from 20 specimens and morphological data from 45 specimens (15 adult females, 20 adult males [10 homeomorphic and 10 heteromorphic] and 10 deutonymphs were used to confirm the identity of the mite species. The species present is described here as a new species (Sancassania alfalfa Shang & Li, sp. nov.).

Growth performance and carcass traits of growing pigs consuming different alfalfa (Medicago sativa) products in organic farming systems

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to prove the effects of dried alfalfa leaves (AL) and/or alfalfa silage (AS) in growing pigs (Danish Landrace x Duroc) under an organic feeding regime on growth performance and carcass traits. Twenty pigs were fed complete feed mixtures (groups A and B) of which 10 received proportions of AL (up to 20%) (group B). Another 20 pigs received AS (up to 30%) (groups C and D) of which 10 received proportions of AL (up to 15% of the ration) (group D). Groups A and B achieved the same growth performance and carcass traits. The use of 20% AL in the complete feed seemed to be feasible. Group D showed partially significantly lower growth and carcass performances than groups A and B. The use of AL saved 27 kg of protein feed per pig in group B compared to group A.

PSIV-12 Effects of feeding a novel alfalfa leaf pellet product (ProLEAF MAX™) and alfalfa stems (ProFiber Plus™) on production of lactating dairy cows

Abstract Alfalfa is a commonly grown forage in the Intermountain west and is often included in lactating dairy cow rations. This study investigated the effects of including novel alfalfa products: ProLEAF MAX™ (PLM), an alfalfa leaf pellet; and ProFiber Plus™ (PFP), alfalfa stems, in the diet of lactating dairy cows on dry matter intake, milk yield, and milk components. Holstein cows were housed in a freestall barn and milked in a free-flow automatic milking system. All cows were fed each treatment for 21-days, then switched to the next treatment utilizing a crossover experimental design. The five treatments were: control (CON, typical diet including alfalfa hay; n = 65); low-quality alfalfa hay (LQ+PLM, a diet that replaced alfalfa hay with low-quality alfalfa hay and PLM; n = 62); PLM+PFP (a diet that replaced alfalfa hay with PLM and PFP; n = 65); PLM (a diet that replaced alfalfa hay with PLM; n = 62); and PFP (a diet that replaced alfalfa hay with PFP; n = 60). Cows were group fed a partial mixed ration balanced for 40.8 kg milk, 3.9% milk fat and 3.3% milk protein. Individual milk yield and milk components were recorded daily by the automatic milking system. Dry matter intake was also recorded daily. When fed the PFP diet, cows had decreased (P < 0.01) dry matter intake compared to the other diets. Milk yield was increased (P < 0.01) when cows received the PLM diet when compared to the other diets. When fed the PFP and PLM+PFP diets, milk fat was increased (P < 0.01) when compared to the other diets. Milk protein was decreased (P < 0.01) when cows were fed the PFP diet when compared to the other diets. These data indicate that inclusion of fractionated alfalfa products in the diet of lactating dairy cows has the potential to increase milk yield and milk components.

PSVI-6 Effects of feeding a novel alfalfa leaf pellet (ProLEAF MAX™) and an alfalfa stem byproduct (ProFiber Plus™) on growth and conception rates of developing dairy heifers

Abstract Alfalfa is a commonly grown forage in the Intermountain west and is often included in rations for dairy animals. This study investigated the effects of including novel alfalfa products: ProLEAF MAX™ (PLM), an alfalfa leaf pellet; and ProFiber Plus™ (PFP), alfalfa stems, in the ration of dairy heifers on growth, feed efficiency, and conception. Heifers were stratified by weight and farm origin, and randomly allocated to one of three treatment groups (n = 8/treatment): control (CON, typical ration that included alfalfa hay), PLM+PFP (a ration that replaced alfalfa hay with PLM and PFP), or PFP (a ration that replaced alfalfa hay with PFP). Heifers were fed for 84 d in individual pens and feed intake and refusals were recorded daily. Weight, hip height, and wither height were recorded every two weeks and blood was collected every four weeks. Additionally, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and conception rates were measured. Data were analyzed with day as a repeated measure and treatment as a fixed effect. Heifers fed the CON ration had increased (P < 0.05) weight gain, hip height, and dry matter intake over time compared to the treatment groups. There was a treatment*time (P < 0.05) effect on feed efficiency where heifers fed the PFP had more variable feed efficiency than CON or PLM+PFP. Treatment had an effect (P > 0.03) on BUN where CON heifers had increased BUN compared to those fed PFP. No differences (P < 0.05) were observed in conception. These data provide insight into how performance of growing heifers is affected when novel alfalfa products are included in the ration and indicate that inclusion of PFP might decrease growth of heifers by decreasing DMI. More research needs to be done to determine whether there is an optimal amount of these products to include in heifer rations.

A rapid, sensitive and field-deployable isothermal assay for the detection of Verticillium alfalfae

The genus Verticillium contains 10 plant pathogenic species that are responsible for billions of dollars of crop losses annually on more than 400 plant species worldwide. On alfalfa, Verticillium alfalfae causes Verticillium wilt, a disease with the potential to reduce yields of susceptible cultivars by the second harvest year and to limit the productive stand life to less than 3 years. Susceptible alfalfa cultivars exhibit disease symptoms that include chlorotic V-shaped lesions at the leaf tip that cause entire leaflets to become bleached and twisted, leading to defoliation. Stems often remain green after all leaflets have desiccated, and discolouration, stunting and wilting of shoots is visible. Internally, the taproot can show yellow to brown vascular discolouration. International quarantines sometimes prohibit the entry of alfalfa samples contaminated with the Verticillium pathogen. In this investigation, we developed a recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) assay coupled with a lateral flow device for the specific and sensitive detection of V. alfalfae. The primers targeted the translation elongation factor 1α (TEF-1α) gene and were designed with mismatches to increase the specificity of the assay. This assay detected as little as 800 fg of DNA from all tested isolates of V. alfalfae. Moreover, non-specific amplification of closely related V. nonalfalfae or other Verticillium species was not observed. Detection of V. alfalfae in inoculated alfalfa cultivars with high or low resistance further demonstrated the specificity and sensitivity of the diagnostic assay. Additionally, RPA detected V. alfalfae from inoculated plants using a crude DNA extraction method. The assay is easy to use and will allow growers, diagnostic labs and regulatory agencies to determine if V. alfalfae is present in alfalfa products.

Assessment of Beneficial and Possible Toxic Effects of Two New Alfalfa-Derived Shelf Products.

Aerial parts of Medicago sativa L. have been used as food and its consumption has been associated with health benefits, one among the most important being menopausal symptoms control. This work was aimed to explore possible pharmacological effects of two new alfalfa-derived products that have recently emerged as daily beverage preparations. In exploring their potential estrogenic effects, they produced no relevant alteration in the uterus. However, lowering glucose levels until normal values without causing further hypoglycemic effect were observed, when rats were treated with 1.5 g/kg/day samples. In vivo acute toxicity was not found when the alfalfa products were tested up to 3 g/kg rat weight. Furthermore, in vitro studies were conducted to assess their possible toxic effects. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase tests were carried out on the Caco-2 cell model to determine cell viability and membrane integrity. A concentration-dependent effect was observed, with a significant decrease in cell viability after exposure to concentrations of alfalfa product up to 100 mg/mL (after 3 h of incubation) and 50 mg/mL (after 24 h of treatment). Although in vitro level, the decrease in cell viability at these still low doses may underlie some toxicity, making necessary additional studies before any recommendation of a sustained consumption of these products by humans.

Perchlorate in the Feed−Dairy Continuum of the Southwestern United States

Perchlorate has the potential to cause thyroid dysfunction by inhibiting iodide uptake by the sodium iodide symporter. Perchlorate-contaminated waters may lead to human exposure through drinking water and food chain transfer in crops by way of irrigation water. Perchlorate has been found in dairy milk collected nationally and internationally. This study was conducted to evaluate perchlorate in the feed-dairy continuum in the southwestern United States. All feed products collected at dairies in this study had detectable levels of perchlorate as analyzed by ion chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The calculated total perchlorate intake across dairies ranged from 1.9 to 12.7 mg/cow per day. The variation in total perchlorate intake across dairies was largely associated with variation in forage and silage products. Alfalfa products were the single most important source of perchlorate intake variability among dairies. The estimated perchlorate intake from drinking water ranged from 0.01 mg per cow per day and was generally less than 2% of the total perchlorate intake. The perchlorate content of milk ranged from 0.9 to 10.3 microg/L and was similar to levels reported by the Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study. The perchlorate content of milk was significantly related to the presence of perchlorate in feed but the variation of perchlorate in milk could not be explained by feed intake alone.

Simple Liquid Chromatographic Method for Determination of Carotenoids in Alfalfa Products

Abstract A dichloromethane extraction system has been developed which is suitable for alfalfa carotenoids and is compatible with nonaqueous reverse phase liquid chromatographic (LC) analysis. Ground samples are extracted in the presence of antioxidant with dichloromethaneacetone (2 + 1). After an overnight soak, the mixture is saponified with 40% w/v potassium hydroxide in methanol and then is partitioned with 10% w/v aqueous sodium sulfate. An aliquot of the lower yellow organic phase is used for LC analysis after dilution (1 + 1) with acetonitrile. An isocratic 2 solvent system of ethyl acetateacetonitrile containing 0.1% n-decanol as mobile phase modifier is used for liquid chromatography with a high carbon loading non-endcapped ODS packing material. In comparisons with the existing AOAC method for carotenes and xanthophylls in dried plant materials and mixed feeds, the proposed method gave consistently higher results in a range of 7-28%, depending on the substrate. Possible causes for the differences were examined and include losses during partition and column chromatography with the AOAC method. Calculation methods and the choice of standard materials may also contribute to the difference in results.

Utilization and Yolk Coloring Capability of Dietary Xanthophylls from Yellow Corn, Corn Gluten Meal, Alfalfa, and Coastal Bermudagrass

A single corn gluten meal, three alfalfa products, and two Coastal bermudagrass products were evaluated for their effects on xanthophyll utilization and coloring capability in egg yolks. Test diets were formulated to contain 11 mg total xanthophyll/kg from yellow corn and an additional 13 mg/kg from the test products. Laying hens were fed control and test diets for a 21-day repletion period prior to egg collection for yolk xanthophyll and color analyses. Yolk xanthophyll content was determined by the same method used for feed xanthophyll analysis, and yolk color was determined using the Roche color fan and reflectance colorimetry. All of the products resulted in a significantly improved yolk color, compared with the control, but xanthophyll utilization decreased at the higher relative feed xanthophyll levels of the test diets. The corn gluten meal and alfalfa products resulted in similar xanthophyll utilizations and yolk colors significantly greater than those of the Coastal bermudagrass products. There were no differences within the respective groups of alfalfa or Coastal bermudagrass products for either xanthophyll utilization or yolk color.

Simplified Method for the Determination of Ethoxyquin in Alfalfa Products and Mixed Feeds

Abstract A simplified improved method for the determination of ethoxyquin in alfalfa products has been developed. It is based on the official AOAC photofluorometric method for ethoxyquin in animal feeds but eliminates some of the tedious steps encountered when that method is applied to ethoxyquin-treated alfalfa products. The extraction and phasic distribution steps are modified to simplify and make the method more reliable. A single total volume extraction with methanol and a single phasic distribution step with hexane are employed rather than successive partial volume extractions and partitioning steps. The increment technique is used in the fluorometric step to reduce possible errors caused by impurities which sometimes remain after phasic distribution in both methods. Results by the simplified method compare favorably with those by the official method and by a column chromatographic method for ethoxyquin. The method is also applicable to the determination of ethoxyquin in mixed feeds.

Effect of dehydrated alfalfa products on the utilization of urea nitrogen in beef cattle.

The addition of dehydrated alfalfa stem fraction meal (DAS) to a high-urea semipurified diet resulted in a nonsignificant effect on dietary nitrogen retention and on absorbed nitrogen retention. No differences in dry matter digestibility, digestible energy, rumen ammonia, blood urea and plasma free amino acids were observed. When the addition of dehydrated alfalfa meal (DEHY) was compared to the addition of DAS to a high-urea semipurified diet, no differences were noted in nitrogen retention or any of the other parameters. In a feeding trial steers fed a natural protein supplement gained significantly (P<.05) faster than those fed a Purdue 64 high-urea supplement containing DAS, distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) or one-half DEHY and one-half DDGS. Those fed supplements containing either DEHY or DAS gained at comparable rates (1.18 vs. 1.14 kg/day), but the difference in gain between those fed the natural supplement and those fed DEHY was nonsignificant, whereas that between the natural supplement and DAS was significant (P<.05).

Determination of Carotene and Xanthophyll in Alfalfa Products

Abstract The addition of an increment of water to the extracting solvent increased the extraction of xanthophyll from dehydrated alfalfa meals but not from lyophilized meals. Results of the analysis for carotene and xanthophyll compared favorably with analysis by AOAC method 39.018–39.023.

Alfalfa Products by Wet Fractionation

Alfalfa Products by Wet Fractionation

The Value of Certain Supplements in Practical Chick Rations Containing Adequate Riboflavin

SEVERAL factors are responsible for the radical changes being made in the composition of poultry rations. Wartime shortages of various feedstuffs have, of course, made certain changes essential. However, even before the war, the trend was toward the use of larger quantities of vegetable proteins and less of those of animal origin. Also at times the alfalfa products commonly included in poultry rations have been difficult to obtain and of poor quality. Synthetic riboflavin and other materials rich in this factor are becoming cheap and readily available and are often suggested as a replacement for dried milk. The following experiments were conducted to determine whether or not satisfactory results would be obtained if the alfalfa leaf meal and dried milk are replaced with vitamin A from fish oils and synthetic riboflavin in rations containing a limited quantity of animal protein.EXPERIMENTALFor sake of brevity only three experiments will be .

Dried Cow Manure and Dried Rumen Contents As a Partial Substitute for Alfalfa Leaf Meal

HAMMOND (1942) reviewed the literature pertaining to the synthesis of vitamins of the B-G Complex in the rumen of the cow and reported his experimental finding that the addition of dried cow manure to a diet deficient in riboflavin improved growth in chickens and was not detrimental when added to a complete diet. Alfalfa leaf meal is known to be a source of several vitamins but is used in poultry diets chiefly as a source of vitamin A and riboflavin. An acute shortage of alfalfa products in the spring of 1943 made the formulation of substitutes imperative.Accordingly a series of experiments was conducted for the purpose of finding combinations of feedstuffs that could be used in place of alfalfa leaf meal.EXPERIMENTALIn an exploratory trial it was found that when the 8 percent of alfalfa leaf meal in a certain simple wartime diet for chicks was replaced by .

Effect of Changes in Milling and Manufacturing of Feeds on Their Nutritional Value

MANY of the feed materials used in compounding rations for poultry are by-products produced in making human foods. Meat products, fish meals, milk products, wheat mill feeds, and certain corn products are in this classification. If changes are made in the milling or manufacturing processes used in producing these feeds then we should be looking for possible changes in their feeding values. Some products resulting from the production of edible and industrial oils are also available for poultry feeding purposes. The alfalfa products are prepared for use as feedstuffs, principally for poultry feed. One may also include the cereal grains as being worthy of attention in a general feedstuffs survey such as is attempted in this short discussion.No attempt has been made to make this an exhaustive discourse. Neither have references to the technical literature been made. Nevertheless, I have attempted to gather accurate information that has value to .

Report on Mechanical Classification of Alfalfa Products

Report on Mechanical Classification of Alfalfa Products

Alfalfa Products as Green Feed Substitutes for Layers

NUMEROUS publications stress the importance of including green feed, green feed substitutes, or other sources of vitamin A in diets for poultry. Beach (1924), Davis and Beach (1925), Kennard and Lingle (1928), and Stuart (1929) have shown that alfalfa meal, alfalfa leaves, or alfalfa hay may be used as sources of vitamin A in diets for hens. Smith and Lynott (1931) have demonstrated the value of alfalfa leaf meal as a feed material rich in vitamin A when used in sorghum-grain rations fed to rats. In a comparison of different sources of vitamin A in diets for growing chicks, Heywang and Titus (1932) found that alfalfa leaf meal was superior to alfalfa meal for maintaining life in growing chicks.However, there are few if any available data which show the relative value of alfalfa products when used as the principal source of vitamin A in diets for laying fowls, and .

Sources of Vitamin A, Particularly Alfalfa Products, for Maintaining the Life of Chicks

AMONG the investigators who have demonstrated that fresh alfalfa, alfalfa meal, alfalfa leaves, and alfalfa hay may be used as sources of vitamin A in the diet of hens are Beach (1924), Davis and Beach (1925), Kennard and Lingle (1928), and Stuart (1929). Unpublished data obtained at the United States Poultry Experiment Station at Glendale, Arizona, also bear out their findings. However, there seem to be few if any published data regarding the comparative value of these products, as well as of other sources of vitamin A, when fed as a part of the diet of growing chicks. Accordingly, the experiments which are reported in this paper were planned for the purpose of obtaining such data. Inasmuch as it has been found during the last few years that vitamin A is of considerable value in preventing infection, it seemed desirable to learn whether or not this vitamin is also of .