Ceres Tonic Research Articles

An on-farm study of the herbage quality and sward characteristics of plantain-clover mixes during late summer and autumn and resulting lamb growth rates

An on-farm study investigated the herbage quality and sward characteristics of plantain-clover mixes and resulting lamb growth rates during late summer and autumn. Three farms were chosen, each with a minimum of 10 ha of plantain-clover mix (Plantago lanceolata ‘Ceres Tonic’, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens) used for lamb finishing. Each farm managed the plantain-clover mix area using their routine management without advice or comment from research staff. Throughout autumn, at approximately monthly intervals on the three farms, the pre- and post-grazing herbage masses, botanical composition, herbage quality, plantain dry matter content, secondary chemical composition and lamb growth rates were monitored. A low percentage of clover in the sward, a high percentage of dead stem material and a low crude protein concentration in plantain during dry periods, were identified as the most likely causes of low lamb liveweight gains during autumn. Grazing management during spring that maintains control of plantain stems and encourages the presence of clover, appears to be a key management technique for ensuring high lamb liveweight gains on plantain-clover mixes in late summer and autumn.

Bioactive compounds, aucubin and acteoside, in plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and their effect on in vitro rumen fermentation

Plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) contains bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity that can potentially influence ruminal fermentation. This study aimed to identify the concentration of the bioactive compounds catalpol, aucubin, and acteoside in plantain cv. ‘Ceres Tonic’ through two consecutive growing seasons (2011–2012 and 2012–2013). Then the herbage with highest levels of bioactive compounds was used to evaluate their effect on rumen in vitro fermentation. Plantain cv. ‘Ceres Tonic’ had almost nil concentration of catalpol. Both aucubin and acteoside concentrations increased (P<0.05) through the growing season. Aucubin increased from 1.78 to 3.80mg/g DM in the first and from 0.44 to 6.87mg/g DM in the second growing season; while, acteoside increased from 23.6 to 35.4mg/g DM and from 0.5 to 41.7mg/g DM, respectively. The in vitro experiment evaluated the effect of aucubin and acteoside on ammonia (NH3), volatile fatty acids (VFA) and gas production (GP) parameters. Aucubin and acteoside were added to chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) as negative and to plantain as positive controls. The treatments were (i) chicory (CH); (ii) chicory+10mg aucubin/g DM (C+au); (iii) chicory+20mg aucubin/g DM (C+2au); (iv) chicory+40mg acteoside/g DM (C+ac); (v) plantain naturally containing 7mg/g DM of aucubin and 36mg/g DM of acteoside (PL); (vi) plantain+extra 10mg aucubin/g DM (P+au); and (vii) plantain+extra 36mg acteoside/g DM (P+ac). Plantain with natural concentrations of bioactives produced 40% less NH3 than chicory over 24h. The exogenous addition of both bioactive compounds reduced net NH3 production by CH and PL. The increase in potential GP from acteoside fermentation suggested its use as an energy source. Whereas, the addition of aucubin reduced the rate of GP at dose level, potentially due to its bactericide activity. Therefore, acteoside would have a greater positive effect than aucubin on ruminant animals.

Natural seedling recruitment of Plantago lanceolata cv. ‘Ceres Tonic’ in an established sward

Natural seedling recruitment of Plantago lanceolata cv. ‘Ceres Tonic’ in an established sward

The performance of pasture mixes containing 'Ceres Tonic' plantain (Plantago lanceolata) in Northland

Over the last 10-15 years 'Ceres Tonic' plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has been added to many ryegrass/ white clover pastures in Northland. From 2001 to 2009, measurements were undertaken monthly in six locations throughout Northland to record the dry matter contribution of 'Tonic' plantain in mixes relative to perennial ryegrass-based pasture, using pasture cages in paired paddocks. Keywords: pasture mixes, dry matter production, seasonal distribution of dry matter, persistence

Evaluation of 'Ceres Tonic' plantain (Plantago lanceolata) as a lactation feed for twin-bearing ewes

A field experiment evaluated the effect of plantain (Plantago lanceolata) on ewe and lamb liveweight changes and ewe faecal egg count (FEC) during lactation. Pregnant ewes were randomly allocated to either plantain or perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pastures. Ewes remained on the treatments from one week before lambing until weaning. Keywords: lactating ewe, lamb, lactation, carrying capacity, internal parasites

Comparison of the bioactive components of the ecotypes and cultivars of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) herbs

ABSTRACTThe concentrations of the bioactive components, acteoside, aucubin and catalpol, and the production yield, crude protein (CP) and crude ash contents in 25 ecotypes (Et) of plantain (PL, Plantago lanceolata L.), found in northern Japan, and commercial cultivars, Grasslands Lancelot (GL) and Ceres Tonic (CT), were investigated. The quantitative determination of bioactive components was performed by high performance liquid chromatography. The acteoside content of some of the 25 Et was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) than CT and numerically higher than GL and other Et. Most of the Et had numerically higher concentrations of catalpol and aucubin than the GL and CT. The CP and crude ash content of the Et were comparable with those of the GL and CT. The dry matter (DM) yields of some of the Et was numerically greater than that of the cultivars. The present data suggest that most of the Et are comparable to the cultivars in respect to the concentration of bioactive components and DM yield as well as CP and crude ash contents and could be used as pasture like GL and CT.

Establishment, growth and development of plantain and chicory under grazing

Pasture herbs can increase pasture production and feed quality over summer when ryegrass based pasture often constrains livestock production. The growth and development of plantain ('Ceres Tonic'), chicory ('Choice') and red clover ('Redmore') were related to thermal time during establishment. Keywords: Plantago, Cichorium, annual production, thermal time

Productivity of Chicory and Plantain Cultivars under Grazing

The bimodal distribution of growth of cool‐season grass species generates an imbalance in the amount of forage available during the summer, which could be improved by using alternative forage species. Several chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) cultivars were evaluated for such purpose and contrasted against ‘Pennlate’ orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) under different grazing strategies in two experiments during 3 yr. In Exp. 1, ‘Grasslands Puna’ chicory and Pennlate orchardgrass achieved similar dry matter (DM) yields during spring (6500 vs. 7250 kg DM ha−1, respectively) and summer (3350 vs. 3900 kg DM ha−1, respectively). Between plantain cultivars, yields similar to Pennlate orchardgrass were achieved by ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ (7350 kg DM ha−1) in spring and by ‘Ceres Tonic’ (3150 kg DM ha−1) in summer. Grazing every 3 wk vs. 5 wk reduced DM yield in summer (1650 vs. 4450 kg DM ha−1, P &lt; 0.001). In Exp. 2, spring DM yields of Puna chicory were greater than those of Pennlate orchardgrass (5750 vs. 3600 kg DM ha−1, average yield over years; P &lt; 0.05). In summer, DM yield of Puna chicory relative to that of Pennlate orchardgrass varied between years. Yield of Lancelot plantain decreased during 2000 and 2001 following decreases in plant density. Our results suggest that most cultivars tested may not increase forage availability during the summer, which may be related to plant density losses. Of all cultivars, Puna chicory appeared as the most promising. Due to very low plant survival, the plantain cultivars tested may not be appropriate for perennial pastures in northeastern USA.

Nutritive Value of Chicory and English Plantain Forage

Forage production in midsummer is a challenge for graziers in the northeastern USA. Domesticated cultivars of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) are available in the USA as perennial herbs for pastures. These species have been touted as having good summer production and relatively high nutritive value. We conducted two field‐plot experiments at Rock Springs, PA, during 1997 to 2001 to evaluate the nutritive value of chicory and plantain under clipping. ‘Grasslands Puna’, ‘Lacerta’, and ‘Forage Feast’ chicory and ‘Ceres Tonic’ and ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ grazing plantain were sown in field plots in May 1997 and 1999 and harvested multiple times in 1998 (Exp. 1) and 2000 (Exp. 2). Herbage from three harvests in 1998 and two harvests in 2000 was analyzed for in vitro true digestibility (IVTD); neutral detergent fiber (NDF); and the minerals P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, B, and Zn. Averaged for cultivars, chicory had 11% higher (P &lt; 0.05) IVTD and 6 to 20% lower (P &lt; 0.05) NDF than plantain. Concentrations of all minerals, except for Ca, were 17 to 48% higher (P &lt; 0.05) in chicory than in plantain. There were few meaningful differences in nutritive value among cultivars within chicory or plantain. Chicory and plantain are of relatively high nutritive value and could enhance the nutritional profile of mixed species pastures. The nutritive value benefits, however, must be balanced against the lack of persistence of chicory and plantain.

Forage Yield and Persistence of Chicory and English Plantain

Graziers in the northeast USA often face forage shortages in midsummer. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) have been introduced in the USA as sumer‐active perennial herbs for pastures. We conducted two experiments at Rock Springs, PA, to evaluate chicory and plantain for yield and persistence under clipping. ‘Grasslands Puna’, ‘Lacerta’, and ‘Forage Feast’ chicory, and ‘Ceres Tonic’ and ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ plantain were sown in field plots in May 1997 (Exp. 1) and 1999 (Exp. 2). Plots were cut every 3 or 5 wk in 1998 and 1999 in Exp. 1 and every 4 wk during 2000 and 2001 in Exp. 2. Dry matter yield was determined at each harvest. Stand densities were determined in each experiment. Forage Feast chicory yielded 25% less than Puna (6000 vs. 8100 kg dry matter ha−1; P &lt; 0.05) in 1998, whereas yields of both cultivars were similar (P &gt; 0.05) in 1999 and 2000. Lacerta chicory yielded 9 to 16% less than Puna and Forage Feast in Exp. 2. Forage Feast and Puna chicory had 20 to 50% stand loss in Exp. 1 and 40 to 60% stand loss in Exp. 2. Lacerta chicory lost 80% of the stand during Exp. 2. The plantain cultivars yielded 6 to 14% less dry matter than Puna chicory in 1998 and 33 to 39% less in 2000. Both plantain cultivars, however, suffered a nearly complete loss of plants during the second winter after establishment in both experiments. Ceres Tonic and Lancelot plantain are not suited for the northeastern USA.

Forage Yield and Persistence of Chicory and English Plantain

Graziers in the northeast USA often face forage shortages in midsummer. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) have been introduced in the USA as sumer-active perennial herbs for pastures. We conducted two experiments at Rock Springs, PA, to evaluate chicory and plantain for yield and persistence under clipping. ‘Grasslands Puna’, ‘Lacerta’, and ‘Forage Feast’ chicory, and ‘Ceres Tonic’ and ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ plantain were sown in field plots in May 1997 (Exp. 1) and 1999 (Exp. 2). Plots were cut every 3 or 5 wk in 1998 and 1999 in Exp. 1 and every 4 wk during 2000 and 2001 in Exp. 2. Dry matter yield was determined at each harvest. Stand densities were determined in each experiment. Forage Feast chicory yielded 25% less than Puna (6000 vs. 8100 kg dry matter ha−1; P < 0.05) in 1998, whereas yields of both cultivars were similar (P > 0.05) in 1999 and 2000. Lacerta chicory yielded 9 to 16% less than Puna and Forage Feast in Exp. 2. Forage Feast and Puna chicory had 20 to 50% stand loss in Exp. 1 and 40 to 60% stand loss in Exp. 2. Lacerta chicory lost 80% of the stand during Exp. 2. The plantain cultivars yielded 6 to 14% less dry matter than Puna chicory in 1998 and 33 to 39% less in 2000. Both plantain cultivars, however, suffered a nearly complete loss of plants during the second winter after establishment in both experiments. Ceres Tonic and Lancelot plantain are not suited for the northeastern USA.

Changes in the Concentrations of Bioactive Compounds in Plantain Leaves

The plantain is used in herbal medicines and for pasturage. Two cultivars of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), Grasslands Lancelot and Ceres Tonic, were sown in spring. Changes in catalpol, aucubin, and acteoside concentrations in the leaves during the growing season and by drying after harvesting were quantitatively determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentration of catalpol was relatively low, fluctuating between 1 and 2% of dry matter during the growing season, and there was no clear-cut seasonal change. From spring to midfall, the aucubin concentration increased from 2.1 to 4.8% in Grasslands Lancelot and from 1.0 to 2.7% in Ceres Tonic. These increases were gradual over the season, except for during midsummer, when aucubin concentrations were relatively constant. The acteoside concentration increased from 3.4 to 7.1% in Grasslands Lancelot and from 1.5 to 4.1% in Ceres Tonic over the course of the growing season, although in the summer it declined steadily to lows of 2.5% in Grasslands Lancelot and 1.9% in Ceres Tonic. Our data suggested that midfall was the appropriate time for harvesting plantain for medicinal use. The concentrations of the bioactive compounds steadily decreased in the initial stages of drying both under natural climatic conditions and at 60 degrees C. The development of processing methods to minimize the loss of bioactive compounds is imperative.

Chicory and English Plantain Seedling Emergence at Different Planting Depths

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and English plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) have been introduced in the USA as perennial herbs for pastures. A knowledge of seedling emergence and the structure of these species under different planting conditions is necessary for developing planting recommendations. We conducted controlled environment and field studies to compare the emergence and morphology of chicory and plantain seedlings from three planting depths. ‘Grasslands Puna’, ‘La Certa’, and ‘Forage Feast’ chicory, and ‘Ceres Tonic’ and ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ plantain were sown at 1, 3, and 6 cm depths in the growth chamber and greenhouse. The seedlings were destructively sampled 14 d after emergence, and the number and mass of leaves and roots (primary, lateral, basal, and adventitious) were recorded. The same cultivars were sown in field plots in July and September 1998 to determine seedling size and emergence from 1‐, 3‐, or 6‐cm planting depths. Controlled environment studies showed that deeper planting reduced the root weight, length, and number more in chicory than in plantain. Planting at 3 and 6 cm in the field reduced seedling emergence by 34 and 60% (avg. of cultivars), respectively, compared with the 1‐cm planting depth. Differences in seedling size among cultivars within species were mainly related to differences in seed mass. Plantain had better seedling emergence in the field than chicory (54 vs. 27% in July and 60 vs. 17% in Sept.), and these differences were not related to differences in seed mass. Both chicory and plantain should be planted no deeper than 1 cm for rapid establishment.

Seedling Development of Chicory and Plantain

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) are perennial herbs for pastures. Knowledge of growth and development of these species is needed to develop appropriate management practices. We compared growth and development of chicory and plantain during establishment in growth chamber, greenhouse, and field studies. ‘Grasslands Puna’, ‘La Certa’, and ‘Forage Feast’ chicory and ‘Ceres Tonic’ and ‘Grasslands Lancelot’ plantain seedlings were destructively sampled weekly for 7 wk in the growth chamber and greenhouse beginning 8 to10 days after planting (DAP). The number and mass of leaves and roots (primary, lateral, basal, and adventitious; growth chamber only) were recorded. In the field, leaf development was measured during spring and fall of 1997, whereas leaf and root development were measured during spring of 1999. Puna chicory developed a larger root mass than plantains, whereas plantains had greater root length than chicory. Plantains developed 8 to 10 adventitious roots on the hypocotyl, but the chicory cultivars developed only one or two. Plantain and chicory developed only one or two basal roots per plant. Primary and lateral roots dominated the root systems of both species. Leaf development in fall 1997 was slower than in spring with only two leaves forming on each species by 49 DAP in fall compared with six to seven leaves during spring in the field. Across environments (except fall), seedlings developed three to four leaves by 40 to 50 DAP. Our data suggest that development of three to four leaves is required for successful establishment of chicory and plantain seedlings.