Pasture Areas Research Articles

Selection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculations from soils Chapada das Mesas with potential for promotion the growth of fava beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.)

The use of AMF can contribute to plant nutrition, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and help with the ecological balance of agricultural crops. The research aimed to investigate the diversity of AMF in the soils of the Chapada das Mesas National Park (PNCM) and select species capable of promoting the growth of faba beans. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with six treatments and five replications. The treatments included soil without AMF inoculum (control), soil with Glomus spp., soil with Rhizophagus sp., soil from all areas collected at PNCM, soil with Roottela BR® and soil with corrected phosphorus concentration. The diversity assessment found that the pasture area presented a greater diversity of AMF species. The genus Glomus showed greater predominance in both phytophysiognomies. It was not possible to find a significant impact of AMF inoculation on the growth and productivity of faba beans. The study highlights the importance of further research to determine the time required for the establishment of AMF in faba bean roots and to evaluate the effectiveness of AMF inoculation on plant productivity in different crops and substrates, in addition to providing important data for studies of conservationists in the region.

Grazing behavior of dairy cows under contrasting pasture allocation frequencies and areas

This study aimed to compare grazing behavior of dairy cows with highly contrasting pasture allocation frequencies. The study ran from September 9, 2022, to December 2, 2022 (12 wk), during a time when daily pasture growth was expected to exceed daily herd intake. Three pasture allocation frequencies were compared, each with 11 spring-calving cows grazing a 4-ha farmlet. The allocations were high frequency rotational grazing (HFRG; 32.5 m2/cow per allocation and 4 allocations/d), rotational grazing with weekly allocations (7RG; 909 m2/cow per allocation and each allocated area continuously grazed over 7 d), and continuous grazing (CG; 1,818 m2/cow per allocation). Animal behavior was monitored using IceQube accelerometers (Peacock Technology) and CowManager ear tags (Agis Automatisering BV). Milk yield and composition were measured and pasture cover was estimated. Daily eating time was highest for CG animals, whereas lying time, lying bouts, and ruminating time were lowest, with no differences between HFRG and 7RG. There were no differences in fat- and protein-corrected milk yield between farmlets; however, estimated accumulated pasture yield was greater with more frequent allocations. Although milk production did not differ between treatment groups, this appeared to be achieved through greater eating times when allocated pasture less frequently, at the expense of time spent lying.

Visual evaluation of soil structure is a reliable method to detect changes in the soil quality of Colombian Amazon pasturelands

AbstractThe visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) is an affordable and easy‐to‐use method for assessing soil quality that could help in the early detection of soil quality changes in pasturelands of less developed countries where ranchers cannot afford quantitative soil studies. Here, we assessed the soil quality of three pasture areas in the Colombian Amazon region using the VESS method and tested its suitability through a correlation analysis with key physical and biochemical soil indicators of quality measured at the same study locations. Moreover, by integrating all assessed soil indicators, we determined a soil quality index (SQI) to correlate with VESS scores. A forest area was used as a reference to evaluate changes in soil indicators and soil quality due to pasture use for >25 years. Our results revealed high VESS scores, indicating poor soil quality in pasture areas and suggesting a compaction process that starts at 6.5 cm soil depth, corroborated by increases in soil bulk density, soil resistance to penetration, and reduction in soil porosity. Soil C and N contents were 35% and 33% lower in pasture than forest. This same pattern was observed in the geometric mean of the enzymatic activity. The VESS scores were significantly correlated with most of physical and biochemical soil indicators and with the overall SQI, demonstrating the ability of VESS to integrate and reflect attributes related to the essential physical, chemical, and biological functioning of soils from the Colombian Amazon region, becoming a useful tool for detecting signs of soil quality degradation in pasturelands.

What determine livestock feed and marketing? Insights from rural Ethiopia

In sub-Saharan Africa where farmers undergo rapid losses of grazing lands and pasture areas, they face feed scarcity and poor animal marketing. In response, farmers make non-separable decisions on feed production and livestock marketing. Under the context of non-separable decision, however, factors affecting livestock feed collection and marketing are unclear in the literature. With the aim of addressing such a gap, this study has proposed two research questions: (1) what factors determine household's decisions on feed collection and livestock marketing? (2) Does feed collection influence livestock marketing? For the analysis, cross sectional data were gathered from 689 households in rural Ethiopia. While Tobit model was used to determine feed collection, two-stage Heckman model was deployed to identify key factors affecting livestock marketing. The study found that household's access to communal land, size of livestock holding, share-in land and own farmlands had positive and significant influence on feed collection. This urges farmers to involve in livestock marketing via selling their extra yield. Increased feed collection from communal and croplands leads to improve animal productivity. Econometric results further showed that household's education and access to training were influencing feed collection and livestock marketing positively. It also confirmed that feed collection and provision of credit services had significant effects on livestock marketing. The study further showed that livestock marketing was hardly realized without gathering feed from communal and private lands, which also entails the need to maintain the environment. This study is useful because it provides the significant roles of farm education, animal holding, credit services, communal and private lands in improving access to feed sources. The findings suggest the need for augmenting land conservation, introducing improved animal breeds and enhancing farmers’ capacity. These interventions ought to be supplemented with provision of credit services and follow up trainings.

The micronucleus test in Ameiva ameiva (Squamata: Teiidae) in riparian forests in the Central Cerrado, Brazil

Free-living species can be used as indicators to estimate the impact of environmental stressors. In this study, the heliophilous lizard Ameiva ameiva was used for the first time for the micronucleus test and other nuclear abnormalities. This biomarker is rapid and reliable in evaluating populations environmentally exposed to genotoxic agents. Thus, two animal populations were collected in the Cerrado Central riparian forests with pasture influence. The results indicated the presence of micronuclei and different nuclear erythrocyte abnormalities: cells with nuclear bud, segmented nucleus, notched nucleus, lobed nucleus, and reniform nucleus. There was no statistical difference in the frequency of DNA damage between the populations in the pasture areas. The inclusion of these species in biomonitoring programs seems relevant to shed light on the susceptibility to expression of genotoxic damage. This species has a wide geographic distribution in the Neotropical region, which makes it promising for research on environmental mutagenesis.

Plant-parasitic nematodes associated with Panicum maximum and Mimosa hirsutissima in a pasture field

Pastures and weed plants can host plant-parasitic nematodes of economic importance, with the limited yield of pastures representing a continuous challenge for agriculture, especially in the lower Jequitinhonha Valley in southeastern Brazil, where dairy and beef cattle play a crucial role in the local economy. From this perspective, this study aimed to provide information on the population density of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with Panicum maximum cv. Mombaça and Mimosa hirsutissima, weed species commonly found in pasture areas cropped with this grass in the municipality of Almenara, MG, in the Jequitinhonha Valley region of southeastern Brazil. Soil and root samples were collected from the field and placed in plastic bags, which were labeled and taken to the laboratory for nematode extraction. Nematode population densities were estimated in a Peters counting slide under a light microscope, and genera identification was based on morphological traits. In rhizosphere soil (100 g) of P. maximum cv. Mombaça, the highest population densities were observed for Helicotylenchus sp. (3,999), followed by Tylenchus sp. (1,191), Meloidogyne spp. (939), and Pratylenchus sp. (544). In roots (1 g), on the other hand, the highest values corresponded to Pratylenchus sp. (19.6) and Meloidogyne spp. (15.5). However, in rhizosphere soil of M. hirsutissima, the highest population densities were recorded for Tylenchus sp. (2,072), Helicotylenchus sp. (1,883), Pratylenchus sp. (751), and Meloidogyne spp. (307). In contrast, in the roots, the highest values were observed for Meloidogyne spp. (6.9), Tylenchus sp. (4.4), and Pratylenchus sp. (2.7). These findings are essential to take decisions on the management of plant-parasitic nematodes.

Litter stock and nutrients under different restoration methods in the eastern Amazon

Litter production contributes to soil fertility through the decomposition process, especially in Amazonian soils, which have low fertility. Amazonian ecosystems are dependent on the forest to ensure their maintenance through nutrient cycling, via litter. The objective of this work was to evaluate litter stock and nutrient content under different restoration methods in abandoned pasture areas in the eastern Amazon. The macronutrient content via litter followed the order: Ca > N > P >Mg > K >Na. Calcium was the macronutrient that most returns to the soil via litter. The restoration method through silvipastoral system presented the highest values of nitrogen. The area under passive restoration proved to be the most efficient method to recover areas degraded by pasture in the eastern Amazon, due to the highest litter stock and nutrient content.

Understanding the Impact of Sheep Digestion on Seed Germination in the Cold Desert Annual Diptychocarpus strictus with Emphasis on Fruit and Seed Heteromorphism.

This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of fruits and seeds from Diptychocarpus strictus, a plant species inhabiting the cold desert pastoral area of China. Furthermore, this study sought to evaluate the germination potential of these seeds following digestion by sheep. This study employed the sheep rumen fistula method to simulate rumen digestion at various time intervals. Subsequently, an in vitro simulation method was utilized to simulate true gastric and intestinal digestion after rumen digestion. Paper germination tests were then conducted to assess the impact of the digestive process on the heteromorphic seed morphology and germination. During rumen digestion, the seeds were protected by wide wings. The results revealed a highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between seed wing length and digestion time. Post-rumen digestion, variations in the germination rate among seeds from fruits at different locations were observed. Indicators, such as germination rate, exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with rumen digestion time (p < 0.01). In vitro simulated digestion tests demonstrated that Diptychocarpus strictus seeds retained their ability to germinate even after complete digestion within the livestock's digestive tract. The polymorphic nature of Diptychocarpus strictus seeds, coupled with their capacity to survive and germinate through the digestive tract, facilitates the spread of these seeds. This finding has implications for mitigating desert grassland degradation and promoting sustainable ecological development.

Structural changes in the location and sectoral specialization of livestock breeding in the pre-war and during the war period

The article reveals structural shifts in the territorial organization and sectoral structure of animal husbandry in pre-war and during the war. Their trends were determined, an assessment was made, and certain regularities over the past 30 years were summarized. It was established that previously, animal husbandry was represented in almost all agricultural enterprises in the form of the organization and operation of farms of collective farms and state farms and had a relatively explicit zonal specialization by the objectively existing agricultural zones based on agro-climatic and production and economic indicators - Forest or Polissia, Forest-Steppe and Steppe; zones of the altitudinal belt in the mountains; suburban economy near large cities and urban agglomerations. However, in the 90s of the last centuries, the country started the curtailment of animal husbandry, the trends of which have not been overcome and persisted during the last 30 years and were significantly deepened by the war. It was determined that their causes were formed under the influence of inconsistent reforms and imperfect institutions for regulating the development of the industry; lack of investments and slow modernization and introduction of innovations; lack of entrepreneurial initiative among the vast majority of product manufacturers; deformation of the structure of agricultural land in the form of a significant reduction in the area of natural hayfields and pastures, a reduction in fodder production; the decline of selection and tribal food; a decrease in productivity and competitiveness compared to the indicators of the leading countries of the world and meat exporting countries. The only exception is the breeding of chickens and the production of products from them, which was revived on an innovative basis in the form of industrialized enterprises of extensive agricultural holdings with overconcentration of production and its main factors (land and capital) and acquired the status of a leading industry not only in the domestic, but also in the international product market poultry farming Cattle for meat, sheep breeding, horse breeding, and animal husbandry experienced the most significant reduction. On the contrary, beekeeping increased but suffered huge losses due to the war. As for the placement of industries, it had an explicit zonal conditionality and territorial organization with an orientation to the factors of raw materials for fodder, weather and climatic conditions for maintenance, factors of proximity to the consumer, and logistical support for the sale of products. However, with the modernization of enterprises and the concentration of production in large volumes, the improvement of communication routes and the increase in the speed of vehicles, the improvement of refrigeration equipment, the change in the location of crop production due to warming and the decrease in the amount of precipitation, the zonal specialization of livestock production is gradually losing its clarity, but this practically does not affect the efficiency of production. Accommodation remains a significant factor in the efficiency of poultry farming due to the focus on grain farming of the meat direction of cattle, sheep breeding, and horse breeding due to the focus on natural pastures. However, with the war, many animals and poultry, premises and equipment, property, and finished products were lost, and the industry suffered colossal losses. Among the factors of placement of livestock enterprises, safety was the first. Therefore, shifts in the location and branch structure of the industry have changed zonal priorities to regional ones and directions from north-south vectors to east-west. The priority is to prevent the destruction of livestock enterprises and their functioning in the relatively safe central and western regions. Keywords: structure, livestock, enterprises, households, agricultural zones, fodder production, purchase prices, innovations, territorial and industry specialization, risks, security, priorities, and prospects.

Simulated drift of 2,4-D and dicamba in pecan (&lt;i&gt;Carya illinoinensis&lt;/i&gt; K. Koch) and olive trees (&lt;i&gt;Olea europaea&lt;/i&gt; L.)

The cultivation of pecan (Carya illinoinensis K. Koch) and olive trees (Olea europaea L.) near pasture and grain cultivation areas in southern Brazil has caused herbicide drift problems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the phytotoxic effects of herbicides 2,4-D and dicamba on the growth of pecan and olive tree seedlings. A total of 8 underdoses were used, as follows: 0, 1.56, 3.125, 6.25, 12.0, 25.0, 50.0, and 100% of the recommended doses of herbicides 2,4-D (670 g a.e ha−1) and dicamba (720 g a.e ha−1) for burndown. The applications were carried out in 80 cm-high seedlings with the aid of a CO2 pressurized sprayer with a spray solution volume of 150 L. ha−1. The analyzed variables were phytotoxicity at 7, 14, 21, 30 and 60 days after spray (DAA) and plant height and stem diameter at 30 and 60 DAA. The drift of hormonal herbicides caused damage to the growth of pecan and olive trees, decreasing their stem diameter and height, with the herbicide dicamba showing the greatest damage. In addition, doses above 12.5% of both herbicides resulted in phytotoxicity levels greater than 60%, and doses of 50 and 100% were responsible for leaf senescence.

Spatial and temporal coordinated development research on ecosystem services and human well-being in the typical pastoral area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Spatial and temporal coordinated development research on ecosystem services and human well-being in the typical pastoral area of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Forage and vegetal characterization of three native mexican grasses in Tulancingo de Bravo, Hidalgo

Objective: To carry out an agronomical assessment and a quantitative description of the yield components of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), and alkali sacaton (Sporobolus airoides) under rainfed conditions in Tulancingo, Hidalgo, Mexico.&#x0D; Design/Methodology/Approach: A completely randomized block design was used in 31-month-old pastures to determine forage production, morphological composition, seed yield, and weight of 1,000 caryopses. The plants were characterized in 7-month-old pastures, recording (per plant) the number of total and floral stems, as well as the basal twigs in alkali sacaton and switchgrass. Meanwhile, in the case of eastern gamagrass, the dome number and androecium sections were recorded.&#x0D; Results: The highest forage dry matter production was observed in switchgrass: 9,322 kg ha-1 (P &lt; 0.05). Eastern gamagrass had a higher leaf ratio (1:3). The highest number of seeds was recorded in alkali sacaton: 211 kg ha-1, with 43% physical purity. After 7 months of sowing, a total of 250, 355, and 280 stems and 193, 150, and 87 floral stems were recorded in switchgrass, alkali sacaton, and eastern gamagrass, respectively.&#x0D; Study Limitations/Implications: Eastern gamagrass produces a low number of seeds; therefore, it must be propagated by plant material. In rainfed soils, grasses help to recover pasture areas, since rainfed agriculture poses a risk in many places as a result of poor rainfall distribution or early frosts.&#x0D; Findings/Conclusions: The three grasses studied are productive due to the amount of forage accumulated. Alkali sacaton produces more seeds.

Long-term land cover changes assessment in the Jiului Valley mining basin in Romania

Introduction: Highlighting and assessing land cover changes in a heterogeneous landscape, such as those with surface mining activities, allows for understanding the dynamics and status of the analyzed area. This paper focuses on the long-term land cover changes in the Jiului Valley, the largest mining basin in Romania, using Landsat temporal image series from 1988 to 2017.Methods: The images were classified using the supervised Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm incorporating four kernel functions and two common algorithms (Maximum Likelihood Classification - MLC) and (Minimum Distance - MD). Seven major land cover classes have been identified: forest, pasture, agricultural land, built-up areas, mined areas, dump sites, and water bodies. The accuracy of every classification algorithm was evaluated through independent validation, and the differences in accuracy were subsequently analyzed. Using the best-performing SVM-RBF algorithm, classified maps of the study area were developed and used for assessing land cover changes by post-classification comparison (PCC).Results and discussions: All three algorithms displayed an overall accuracy, ranging from 76.56% to 90.68%. The SVM algorithms outperformed MLC by 4.87%–8.80% and MD by 6.82%–10.67%. During the studied period, changes occurred within analyzed classes, both directly and indirectly: forest, built-up areas, mined areas, and water bodies experienced increases, whereas pasture, agricultural land, and dump areas saw declines. The most notable changes between 1988 and 2017 were observed in built-up and dump areas: the built-up areas increased by 110.7%, while the dump sites decreased by 53.0%. The mined class showed an average growth of 6.5%. By highlighting and mapping long-term land cover changes in this area, along with their underlying causes, it became possible to analyze the impact of land management and usage on sustainable development and conservation effort over time.

Participant approach model in a basin: A case study from Turkey

Abstract The Beyşehir Lake Basin, which is the study area, is the second largest sub-basin within the Konya province, located southwest of the Konya Closed Basin in terms of surface by 7,308 km2. Some basin characteristics such as slope, elevation classes, land use, aspect groups, land capability class, erosion status were examined by a Geographic Information System. The aims of the study were to determine the problems and the requests and suggestions of the people living in the basin, and to reveal the needs and deficiencies. For these purposes, the current and potential situation of the basin was evaluated using a holistic evaluation approach, which represents the most important of the watershed management principles, and the solutions were concluded in the light of the findings of the study. Migration, inadequacy of agricultural activities, lack of pasture areas for livestock activities, lack and neglect of irrigation water and irrigation infrastructure, lack of basic infrastructure such as village roads, and soil losses due to lack of erosion structures were the most obvious problems of the basin based on the results of the Ask–Find–Resolve analyses.

The Archaeology of Field Systems in Al-Andalus

The Berber and Arab conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in 711 C.E. led to a profound transformation of the agricultural landscape. The layout of the irrigated areas, both rural and urban, is recognisable because it is the result of social and technological choices. But irrigated agriculture was not the only option in Al-Andalus. Rainfed agriculture is supposed to have been the main form of agriculture in large areas of the centre and west of the peninsula, although the field systems have been scarcely identified. In regions where irrigation was the preferred option, rainfed crops were complementary. In regions where dry farming was the only possible agriculture, there were settlement networks linked to livestock breeding and to droveways and pasture areas. The original selections made by the Berber and Arab farmers can still be recognized despite the expansion that has mainly taken place since modern times. However, the more recent and destructive capitalist agriculture is erasing the last vestiges of the Andalusi agricultural landscape.

Analysis of Influencing Factors of Heavy Metals and Non-Point Source Pollution in Typical Areas of Tethys Himalayan Tectonic Domain

Due to their potential toxicity and non-degradability, heavy metals pose water and soil quality and safety challenges, impacting crop growth and the ecological environment. The contamination of heavy metals (HMs) and non-point source pollution from agriculture and pastoral presents significant ecological and environmental challenges, necessitating prioritized prevention and mitigation. In this study, 44 water samples and 55 soil samples from Gangba County, a typical agricultural and pastoral area in the Tethys Himalaya tectonic domain, served as research objects. We employed various methods, including the inverse distance weighting, ecological risk assessment model, redundancy analysis, and geographical detector modeling, to investigate the spatial distribution and pollution attributes of arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Our analysis considered the impact of soil physicochemical properties on heavy metals (HMs), elucidating factors influencing their spatial distribution. Results indicated that 65.46% of soil As in the study area exceeded the screening value, while the concentrations of the eight selected elements in water remained below the standard limit. Simultaneously, the study area exhibited low overall ecological risk and minimal HM pollution. Furthermore, As and Pb were primarily linked to human activities and the environment, while Cd, Cr, and Ni were predominantly associated with natural processes. Additionally, factors, such as per capita net income, mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, geomorphic type, organic matter, geology type, and soil texture (sand, silt, and clay) constituted primary controlling factors influencing the spatial distribution of HMs in soil. Therefore, for effective prevention and control of HMs and non-point source pollution in agriculture and pastoral, arsenic should be the primary monitoring target, with careful consideration given to the application rates of fertilizers containing N, P, and K to facilitate sustainable development of the ecological environment.

Natural capital accounting of land resources based on ecological footprint and ecosystem services value

Land resources are the material basis for human survival and development. Rapid economic development in the past has resulted in the over-utilization of land, and the undervaluation of land in market transactions has further exacerbated the loss of land benefits. This calls for monitoring the quantity and quality of land and reversing the undervaluation of land to reduce the waste of land resources. Based on this, a scientific natural capital accounting system of land resources should be established to understand the quantity and value of land resources in time. In order to provide a comprehensive evaluation of land utilization, this paper introduces the idea of compiling the land resources balance sheet. First, the physical quantity of land is calculated through the ecological footprint method improved by net primary productivity. Second, the value quantity of land is calculated through the equivalent factor method which is improved by the biologically productive land area obtained above, and then using ArcGIS to further demonstrate spatial and temporal changes in land resources. Taking the relevant data of Chongqing from 2000 to 2020 as an example, the land status is comprehensively evaluated from multiple perspectives, including quantity, value and spatial distribution. The results show that: (1) Under the dual impact of changes in the physical quantity and the unit price of land, the value quantity of land assets and equity in Chongqing realized 5.9 times and 5.1 times growth respectively during the study period. (2) Grassland was the most productive land type in Chongqing. Over a long time period, Chongqing prioritized the development of animal husbandry, placing too much emphasis on the production function of grassland and neglecting ecological protection, which was caused by an imbalance in the pasture area. In 2020, grassland utilization exceeded 40.9 % of the carrying capacity. (3) The value quantity of land in Chongqing existed in a spatial distribution pattern that was high in the southeast and northeast and low in the center and west, and there was a great imbalance in its growth rate among regions. The research results are helpful to the rational utilization and standardized transaction of land resources in Chongqing, and provide references for the inclusion of land resources in the management of state-owned assets.

Contemporizing Earthen Architecture - A Futuristic and Sustainable Approach

Abstract Utmost metropolises and municipalities in developing countries are passing a massive migration of population from pastoral areas. The maturity of the pastoral population migrates to civic areas hoping to find a job and an advanced income for their survival. This large affluence creates a high demand for civic casing and structure, which the maturity of the settlers cannot go. also, the inadequate use of low- cost traditional structure accoutrements and construction ways in domestic construction has redounded in precious casing stock for the maturity of the poor. That's thus a critical need to assess indispensable structure accoutrements and ways that are both affordable and sustainable. Stabilized earth is an indispensable structure material that's significantly cheaper than using conventional slipup and concrete, and is also environmentally sustainable. Earth has been used as a construction material on a global position since age. Earth as the building material gives a lot of potential possibilities &amp; alternative solutions, not only to the architects or the environment-conscious planners &amp; designers, but it will encourage &amp; respect the volunteers of commonality &amp; make them blend towards the field of rethinking sustainable practices with their quality of living &amp; even pave ways for skillful labors in the mainstream of the construction industry. The objective of the study is to understand the potential of the ‘Earth’ as the building material &amp; trace its evolution of construction techniques since the ages by analyzing the ecological aspect, challenges &amp; thermal performance of Earthen Architecture to explore innovative construction techniques in the current context &amp; future trends Professionally architects do have the power – we must take a lead &amp; be actively critical &amp; analytical about the materials we choose for the design of our buildings. But innovation towards more circular material flow is already out there. We simply need to be bold enough to understand &amp; test their potential &amp; put them into the field of sustainable practice – the alternative &amp; the affordable solution just lies beneath our feet – ‘the Earth’. This study is limited to the detailed understanding of building physics revolving around the Rammed Earth |RE| construction &amp; CSEB |Compressed Stabilized Earth Block| used in the mainstream of sustainable building construction.

Overgrazing on unmanaged grassland interfered with the restoration of adjacent grazing-banned grassland by affecting soil properties and microbial community.

A "grazing ban" policy has been implemented in some pastoral areas in China to fence degraded grasslands for restoration. However, fencing increased grazing pressures in unmanaged grasslands. Based on the mechanism of negative edge effect, we investigated whether overgrazing on unmanaged grassland interfered with the restoration of adjacent grazing-banned grassland by affecting soil properties and microbial community using a sample in Hulun Buir of Inner Mongolia, in order to optimize the "grazing ban" policy. Plant and soil were sampled in areas 30 m away from the fence in unmanaged grassland (UM) and in areas 30 m (adjacent to UM) and 30-60 m (not adjacent to UM) away from the fence in the grazing-banned grassland (F-30 m and F-60 m). The species richness and diversity of plant communities and the ASV number of fungal communities significantly decreased in F-30 m and UM, and the Simpson index of the bacterial community significantly decreased in F-30 m compared with F-60 m. The abundance of fungi involved in soil organic matter decomposition significantly decreased and the abundance of stress-resistant bacteria significantly increased, while the abundance of bacteria involved in litter decomposition significantly decreased in UM and F-30 m compared with F-60 m. The simplification of plant communities decreased in soil water and total organic carbon contents can explain the variations of soil microbial communities in both UM and F-30 m compared with F-60 m. The results of PLS-PM show that changes in plant community and soil microbial function guilds in UM may affect those in F-30 m by changing soil water and total organic carbon contents. These results indicate that overgrazing on unmanaged grassland interfered with the restoration of adjacent grazing-banned grassland by affecting soil properties and microbial community. The grazing-banned grasslands should be adjusted periodically in order to avoid negative edge effects.

Maternal protein supplementation during mid-gestation improves offspring performance and metabolism in beef cows.

This study examined the impact of maternal protein supplementation during mid-gestation on offspring, considering potential sex-related effects. Forty-three pregnant purebred Tabapuã beef cows (20 female and 23 male fetuses) were collectively managed in a pasture until 100 d of gestation. From 100 to 200 d of gestation, they were randomly assigned to the restricted group [(RES) - basal diet (75% corn silage + 25% sugar cane bagasse + mineral mixture); n = 24] or control group [(CON) - same basal diet + based-plant supplement [40% of crude protein, 3.5g/kg of body weight (BW); n = 19]. From 200 d of gestation until parturition, all cows were equally fed corn silage and mineral mixture. During the cow-calf phase, cows and their calves were maintained in a pasture area. After weaning, calves were individually housed and evaluated during the backgrounding (255 to 320 d), growing 1 (321 to 381 d), and growing 2 (382 to 445 d) phases. Offspring's blood samples were collected at 210 and 445 d of age. Samples of skeletal muscle tissue were collected through biopsies at 7, 30, and 445 d of age. Muscle tissue samples were subjected to reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Prenatal treatment and offspring's sex (when pertinent) were considered fixed effects. The significance level was set at 5%. At mid-gestation, cows supplemented with protein reached 98% and 92% of their protein and energy requirements, while nonsupplemented cows attained only 30% and 50% of these requirements, respectively. The RES offspring were lighter at birth (27 vs. 31kg), weaning (197 vs. 214kg), and 445 d of age (398 vs. 429kg) (P ≤ 0.05). The CON calves had greater (P < 0.05) morphometric measurements overall. The CON offspring had ~26% greater muscle fiber area (P ≤ 0.01). There was a trend (P = 0.06) for a greater Mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase mRNA expression in the Longissimus thoracis in the CON group at 7 d of age. The Myogenic differentiation 1 expression was greater (P = 0.02) in RES-females. Upregulation of Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 was observed in RES offspring at 445 d (P = 0.04). Expression of Fatty acid binding protein 4 (P < 0.001), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (P < 0.001), and Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase (P < 0.001) was upregulated in CON-females. Therefore, protein supplementation during gestation enhances offspring growth and promotes favorable responses to lipogenesis, particularly in females.