Ryegrass Content Research Articles

Effects of heading date and Epichloë endophyte on persistence of diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). 1. Heading date

Context Data are lacking on the effects of heading date of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on ryegrass persistence. Aim We aimed to determine the impact of heading date on perennial ryegrass persistence. Method Two mid-heading (Samson, Bronsyn) and two late-heading (One50, Rohan) cultivars, infected with Epichloë endophytes (AR37, nea2/6 or standard toxic), were established in a replicated plot study grazed by cattle in a subtropical environment of the upper North Island of New Zealand. Persistence characteristics were quantified at least five times per annum, over 4 years. Key results Late-heading cultivars had higher yield, nutritive value, perennial ryegrass content in pasture dry matter, ground cover and tiller density than mid-heading cultivars. There were large seasonal impacts on all ryegrass characteristics, with a major decline over summer and recovery during late autumn into early spring, with less recovery in the final year. Overall, there was a strong linear decline in ryegrass content measured during spring (2018–21). Conclusions The two late-heading cultivars were more persistent than the two mid-heading cultivars, although persistence declined over 4 years for all cultivars. Implications Results support industry recommendations of choosing late-heading cultivars for improved pasture quality and persistence.

Effects of heading date and Epichloë endophyte on persistence of diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). 2. Endophyte strain and interactions with heading date

Context Data are lacking on the effects of selected endophytes of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on ryegrass persistence. Aim We aimed to determine the impact of Epichloë endophyte on the persistence of mid- and late-heading perennial ryegrass cultivars. Method Two mid-heading (Samson, Bronsyn) and two late-heading (One50, Rohan) cultivars, infected with selected endophytes (AR37, nea2/6) or with standard toxic endophyte, were established in a replicated plot study grazed by cattle in a subtropical environment of the upper North Island of New Zealand. Persistence characteristics were quantified at least five times per annum, over 4 years. Key results Endophyte strain had an effect on persistence; infection with standard endophyte resulted in higher ryegrass ground cover percentage, ryegrass content in pasture dry matter and autumn yield than infection with nea2/6 on many occasions, and with AR37 on some occasions. There were negligible impacts on ryegrass tiller density or nutritive value. Trends were dominated by the main effect of endophyte; interactions with heading date were inconsistent. Conclusions Cultivars were more persistent when infected with standard endophyte than with selected endophytes, although persistence declined over 4 years for all cultivars and irrespective of heading date. Implications Reliance on selected endophyte is unlikely to prevent persistence decline of perennial ryegrass in a subtropical environment. Other strategies will be required to maintain the persistence of high-quality pastures based on perennial ryegrass.

Determination of Combined Effects of Organic and Mineral Fertilizer on Forage Yield and Quality of Annual Ryegrass

The widespread practice of using high doses of nitrogen to increase unit area yield in annual ryegrass introduces ecological and economic problems. This research was carried out over two years and aimed to determine the potential forage yield and quality of annual ryegrass by applying manure, humic acid, and low doses of nitrogen fertilizer, within the framework of sustainable forage crop cultivation. The study was carried out from 2020 to 2022 with three replications according to the randomized block split plots experimental design. According to the study results, the highest values were achieved with combinations that included manure application, and even higher values were observed when manure was applied along with low doses of humic acid and nitrogen. The M20 + H20 + N100 treatment yielded the highest fresh yield, dry matter, and crude protein. The treatments with manure, humic acid, and nitrogen fertilizer had varying effects on the ADF and NDF content of annual ryegrass, resulting in fluctuating values. In conclusion, 20 t manure, 20 L humic acid, and 100 kg ha−1 N application can be suggested for sustainable and higher dry matter production with good quality for annual ryegrass cultivation under semi-humid climatic conditions. The results obtained from this research hold promise for sustainable agricultural practices.

Erratum: Compaction, aeration, and addition of mycotoxin contaminated silage alters the fermentation profile, mycotoxin content, and aerobic stability of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) silage

Erratum: Compaction, aeration, and addition of mycotoxin contaminated silage alters the fermentation profile, mycotoxin content, and aerobic stability of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) silage

Compaction, aeration and addition of mycotoxin contaminated silage alters the fermentation profile, mycotoxin content and aerobic stability of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) silage

This study investigated the effect of compaction, aeration and addition of a naturally mycotoxin contaminated ryegrass silage (MCS) containing 1803 µg/kg DM penicillic acid, on the nutritional value and mycotoxin content after ensiling and subsequent aerobic stability of ryegrass Lolium perenne silage (second-cut, June 2020, UK). Mini silos (30 L) were filled with differential compaction (500 kg FW/m3 and 333 kg FW/m3), aeration by injection of air (1L per 48h for 30d then 1L per 7d) and addition of MCS (1.5 g/kg FW ensiled forage) in a 2×2×2 factorial design. During ensilage, mean CO2% (kg FW) in the aerated silos increased with low compaction. Crude protein (CP) increased and ash decreased with aeration. Mean silage fermentation end products acetic (AA), lactic (LA) and propionic acid (PA) concentrations increased with MCS. PA concentration increased with aeration/low compaction. LA decreased and ethanol increased with low compaction. Mycotoxin profiles differed between the silages on opening and after 14-days incubation in aerobic conditions with disappearance of fusarenon X and penicillic acid and appearance of mycophenolic acid and roquefortine C (318 µg/kg DM and 890 µg/kg DM). Addition of MCS, increased the concentration of penicillic acid on opening with an interaction with aeration (80.6µg/kg DM MCS × aerated, 40.0 µg/kg DM in the MCS × sealed). Aerobic stability was affected by aeration and low compaction with reduced time taken to heat to +5°C and +10°C above ambient temperature, higher rate of increase in pH and higher cumulative temperatures to the first peak temperature. Higher mycotoxin concentration at opening had a similar effect increasing time to heat +5°C and +10°C above ambient temperatures in aerobic conditions. Regression analysis showed predominantly direct relationships between silage fermentation end-product concentrations and aerobic stability. This study revealed interactions between silage bacteria and fungi activity from the concentrations of fermentation end-products and mycotoxins during ensilage and subsequent aerobic spoilage. The results supported current best practice for silage making, promoting conditions for improved preservation and aerobic stability. The addition of MCS had unexpected positive effects. However, factors associated with the MCS benefiting aerobic stability were not determined.

Environmental bioavailability of arsenic, nickel and chromium in soils impacted by high geogenic and anthropogenic background contents

High arsenic, chromium and nickel in soils can pose a hazard to the ecosystem and/or human health. Large areas can be affected by elevated potentially toxic elements (PTE) background contents, entailing a significant effort for managing the potential risk. Assessing the environmental hazard associated to PTE-contaminated soils requires the determination of soil PTE environmental bioavailability, which reflects the capacity of these elements to be transferred to living organisms. Here we assess the environmental bioavailability of As, Cr and Ni in topsoils from the Liège basin and Belgian Lorraine, two areas in Wallonia, Belgium, affected by elevated As, Cr and Ni background contents. The source of soil As, Cr and Ni differs in Liège and Lorraine: anthropogenic in the former location and geogenic in the latter. The environmental bioavailability of PTE was determined using two complementary approaches: (1) by chemical fractionation with the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) three-step sequential extraction protocol and (2) by estimating the phytoavailability using a plant-based biotest (Lolium multiflorum as plant model). The results show that total As (6–130 mg·kg−1), Cr (15–268 mg·kg−1), and Ni (8–140 mg·kg−1) contents in the Liège and Lorraine soils frequently exceed the soil clean-up standards. However, no positive correlation was found between the total contents and BCR extraction results or rye-grass contents, except for As in Liège soils. Total As, Cr or Ni contents surpassing soil standards do not necessarily result in elevated mobile, potentially mobilizable and phytoavailable contents. In general, environmental bioavailability of As, Cr and Ni is higher in soils from Liège basin compared to those sampled in Belgian Lorraine. The mobile and potentially mobilizable fractions of As, Cr and Ni account for <30 % of their total contents following the BCR extractions. Our study provides valuable information for sustainable management at the regional scale of soils containing high PTE contents.

The metabolome and bacterial composition of high-moisture Italian ryegrass silage inoculated with lactic acid bacteria during ensiling

BackgroundWith its high nutritional value and productivity, Italian ryegrass as a biomass feedstock constantly supplies rumen degradable nitrogen and digestible fiber to ruminants. However, biofuel production is easily reduced during ensiling due to the high-moisture content of Italian ryegrass, leading to economic losses. Lactic acid bacteria inoculants could improve lignocellulosic degradation and fermentation quality and decrease dry matter loss during the bioprocessing of silage. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of Lactobacillus buchneri TSy1-3 (HE), Lactobacillus rhamnosus BDy3-10 (HO), and the combination of HE and HO (M) on fermentation quality, bacterial community and metabolome in high-moisture Italian ryegrass silage during ensiling.ResultsThe results showed that the pH value was significantly lower in the HO groups than in the other treatments at the end of ensiling, and the dry matter and acetic acid contents were significantly higher in the HO group than in the other inoculated groups. All inoculants decreased the diversity of the bacterial community and significantly increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus. Inoculation with HO significantly improved the concentrations of organic acids, dipeptides, ferulic acid, apigenin, and laricitrin. Compared with Lactobacillus buchneri TSy1-3 (HE), HO significantly upregulated the flavonoid compounds in the flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathway.ConclusionsOverall, these findings suggest that inoculation with HO was beneficial for the development of Italian ryegrass as a biomass feedstock, improving fermentation quality, accelerating changes in bacterial community composition and increasing biofunctional metabolites in high-moisture Italian ryegrass silage.

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the growth and metabolism of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under salt stress

Perennial ryegrass is considered an excellent cold-season turfgrass, and salinity is an important environmental factor that affects its growth. Many studies have shown that arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can alleviate stress responses in plants, but there have been few reports on the promotion of turfgrass growth in saline-alkali land by AM fungi. We designed an experiment to investigate the effects of different saline conditions (0%, 0.05%, 0.1% salt, w/w) on the growth and physiological metabolism of perennial ryegrass. The results showed that under 0.05% salt stress, AM fungi increased the plant height by 25.9%, the aboveground and underground dry weight by 37.1% and 55.6%, respectively; and the content of chlorophyll a in the plants by 31.0%. Inoculation with AM fungi increased the net photosynthetic rate (A), transpiration rate (E), intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), and stomatal conductance (Gs) of perennial ryegrass, and the increase in their levels negatively correlated with increasing salt concentrations. Under 0.1% salt stress, the A, Ci, Gs, and E of perennial ryegrass inoculated with AM fungi increased by 24.6%, 23.2%, 139.1%, and 40.7%, respectively. However, inoculation with AM fungi reduced Fv/Fm and had no significant impacts on the SOD activity, MDA, proline (Pro) content, soluble sugar content, and soluble protein content of perennial ryegrass. In conclusion, AM fungi can promote the growth of perennial ryegrass under salt stress, enhance its photosynthetic capacity, and improve the ability of perennial ryegrass to resist salt stress.

Effect of Formic Acid and Inoculants on Microbial Community and Fermentation Profile of Wilted or Un-Wilted Italian Ryegrass Silages during Ensiling and Aerobic Exposure

Wilted (around 35% DM) or un-wilted (around 35% DM) Italian ryegrass treated with three additives (formic acid, FA; Lactobacillus plantarum, LP; Lactobacillus buchneri, LB) was utilized to evaluate the effects of the dry matter (DM) contents on the microbial community and fermentation characteristics, which was ensiled for 60 days in a laboratory-scale silo, followed by 3 days of aerobic exposure. Significantly lower pH and higher lactic acid (LA) contents were observed in the LP-treated group ensiled at both DM contents (differences were significant when p &lt; 0.05). The contents of LA, acetic acid (AA), numbers of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in the FA-treated group were significantly lower than those in other treatments (p &lt; 0.05). L. buchneri was the dominant bacteria after 60 days fermentation, while Enterobacteria became prevalent after 3 days of aerobic exposure. L. buchneri was found in the LB-treated group with higher acetic acid. Although the best fermentation quality was observed in the LP-treated silages, the aerobic stability was lowest compared to other groups (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the DM content of Italian ryegrass affected its epiphytic microbial community and the effectiveness of the different type of additives. Formic acid was more suitable for un-wilted Italian ryegrass silage, L. plantarum had a better effect in wilted Italian ryegrass silage, and L. buchneri prolonged the aerobic stability of Italian ryegrass. DM content and purpose of ensiling should be the key factors for choosing different types of additives for Italian ryegrass silage.

Co-ensiling and field wilting investigated as preparation methods for the ensiling of a wet harvested catch crop for biomethane production

Early harvested cover crops usually present a high moisture content that makes them difficult to store by ensiling because of effluent production and undesirable butyric fermentation. In order to increase the solid content of ryegrass, field wilting (29.0 %TS) and co-ensiling with wheat straw (27.4% TS) were performed and compared with a direct storage of the crop (18.4% TS). The storage experiments were conducted at lab scale and monitored during 180 days to evaluate the fermentation pathways and changes in microbial community structure and methane potential. The addition of straw did not change the fermentation pathway during the ryegrass silage, while field wilting slowed down and decreased the occurrence of secondary fermentations. Despite the presence of secondary fermentations and VS losses up to 11%, the methane potential was efficiently preserved in all conditions. Wheat straw addition should be considered as an alternative to field wilting when unfavorable weather conditions are met.

Metabolic and Physiological Regulation of Aspartic Acid-Mediated Enhancement of Heat Stress Tolerance in Perennial Ryegrass.

Aspartate is the most critical amino acid in the aspartate metabolic pathway, which is associated with multiple metabolic pathways, such as protein synthesis, nucleotide metabolism, TCA cycle, glycolysis, and hormone biosynthesis. Aspartate also plays an important role in plant resistance to abiotic stress, such as cold stress, drought stress, salt stress or heavy metal stress. This study found that the chlorophyll content and antioxidant active enzyme content (SOD, CAT, POD and APX) of perennial ryegrass treated with 2 mM aspartate were significantly higher than those treated with water under heat stress. The electrolyte leakage rate, MDA content and peroxide levels (O2− and H2O2) of perennial ryegrass treated with aspartate were significantly lower than those of perennial ryegrass treated with water, indicating that exogenous aspartate increases the content of chlorophyll, maintain the integrity of cell membrane system, and enhances SOD-CAT antioxidant pathway to eliminate the oxidative damage caused by ROS in perennial ryegrass under heat stress. Furthermore, exogenous aspartate could enhance the TCA cycle, the metabolism of the amino acids related to the TCA cycle, and pyrimidine metabolism to enhance the heat tolerance of perennial ryegrass.

Phytoextraction, accumulation, and toxicological effects of 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquid in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Ionic liquids are widely used in many fields due to their extremely tunable nature and exceptional properties. The extensive application of ionic liquids raises great concerns regarding their bioaccumulation potential and adverse effects on organisms. Green plants have a great potential for uptake of persistent xenobiotics from aquatic and terrestrial environment. However, the assimilation and bioaccumulation of 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C14mim]Br) have not been studied in plants yet. In order to explore the phytoaccumulation of [C14mim]+, ryegrass were exposed to [C14mim]Br with hydroponic experiment. The effects of [C14mim]Br dosages on growth index, chlorophyll content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidant enzyme activity of ryegrass were investigated. The toxic effects of [C14mim]Br on ryegrass growth increased with increasing initial concentration. The high initial concentration treatment resulted in rapid changes in physiological characteristics in ryegrass tissue. [C14mim]+ ions were mainly accumulated in root tissue and partly translocated to the above ground part of ryegrass. [C14mim]+ was observed in the highest concentration (314.35 μg/g in root and 101.42 μg/g in aboveground parts of ryegrass) with 10 mg/L of [C14mim]Br. Our results demonstrated that ryegrass can uptake and accumulate [C14mim]+ and is therefore a suitable species for phytoremediation of trace amount of [C14mim]+ and possibly other ionic liquids.

Relationship between the chemical composition, nutritive value and the maturity stage of six temperate perennial grasses during their first growth cycle along an altitude gradient

This work addresses the dynamic of phenological development on mean stage weight (MSW), chemical composition, (ash, nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents, and pepsin-cellulase dry matter digestibility (PCDMD) for cultivars of six perennial grass species (timothy, ryegrass, cocksfoot, sheep’s fescue, red fescue and meadow foxtail), during their first growth cycle. The study was performed over two years along 3 sites distributed along an altitudinal gradient. The dynamics of MSW, N, NDF, ADF and PCDMD for the species differed according to the environment. For a given sum of temperatures, at Clermont-Ferrand (CL; 350 m), MSW was delayed (note of 2.37) compared with Saint-Genès-Champanelle (SG; 850 m; note of 2.97) and Laqueuille (LA; 1100 m; note of 3.02). Consequently, the NDF and ADF contents were lower and the PCDMD value was higher in the cultivars established at CL (575 g/kg dry matter (DM), 287 g/kg DM and 0.64 respectively) than in those at SG (653 g/kg DM, 349 g/kg DM and 0.51 respectively) and LA (653 g/kg DM, 343 g/kg DM and 0.52 respectively). In all sites, and for the two years, the PCDMD content of timothy (0.60), ryegrass (0.63) and cocksfoot (0.59) cultivars were higher than that of sheep’s fescue (0.47), red fescue (0.53), and meadow foxtail (0.51). The only exception was identified for CL site in the first year of the study, when the dynamic of PCDMD was similar for all cultivars. Sum of temperatures and MSW were closely related to nutritive value of forage, but neither indicator fully described the nutritive value of perennial grasses.

Effects of simulated acid rain on Growth of Lolium perenne

Lolium perenne is an important forage in China. In order to reduce the effect of acid rain on the quality and yield of Lolium perenne, Lolium perenne was used as material to study the changes of seedling growth and physiological characteristics under different pH conditions. The results showed that under the influence of simulated acid rain, the biomass and chlorophyll content of ryegrass changed greatly. The aboveground biomass and total biomass increased at pH 4.0 ~7.0, and the aboveground biomass and total biomass were the largest at pH 5.0, indicating that moderate acidity promoted the growth of Lolium perenne leaves. The chlorophyll content showed a double peak curve with the change of acid rain acidity, and reached the peak value at pH = 7 and pH = 3.5, respectively, indicating that acid environment was also conducive to the synthesis of chlorophyll in Lolium perenne leaves. Malondialdehyde content and relative conductivity increased significantly with the aggravation of acid rain stress, which was also a kind of adaptation and response mechanism of plants to environmental stress.

УСТОЙЧИВОСТЬ КЛЕВЕРА ПОЛЗУЧЕГО (TRIFOLIUM REPENS L.) В СЕЯНЫХ ТРАВОСТОЯХ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ ИХ СОСТАВА, КРАТНОСТИ СКАШИВАНИЯ И АЗОТНЫХ УДОБРЕНИЙ

The authors carried out studies at the experimental field station of Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy in 2008–2020. The study aimed to determine the resistance of white clover in mixtures with various types of grasses with two- and three-cut clipping treatments. In the experiment with four to five-component mixtures, the proportion of white clover reached 36–53% in the botanical composition of swards with the content of perennial ryegrass in the fourth year of life. It did not exceed 22–23% in the mixtures with cock’s foot. With the application of nitrogen fertilizers at a dose of N180, the clover content in the second year of swards was only 1–27%. With the aging of the swards, the proportion of clover in the harvest decreased. In the ninth year of life, its amount in swards with the content of perennial ryegrass without nitrogen application decreased to 13–24%, and in agrophytocenoses with cock’s foot and with nitrogen application to 0–14%. The cock’s foot dominated in the four-component grass mixtures, but during the overwintering of 2015–2016, cock’s foot and perennial ryegrass almost entirely dropped out of agrophytocenoses. Tall fescue was a more resistant species. The yield of grass mixtures composed of grass varieties of Russian selection amounted to 4.16–5.52 t/ha of dry weight on average for eight years, and from varieties of Dutch selection, the yield equaled 4.07–5.24 t/ha. There were no significant differences in yield between grass-legume mixtures based on perennial ryegrass and cock’s foot. With the introduction of nitrogen in a dose of N180 on grass/legume herbage, the yield increased by only 31%, and the return on fertilizers by yield increases was low, making up 4.6–8.9 kg of dry matter per 1 kg of nitrogen. The aftereffect of nitrogen fertilizers on the yield of grass-legume mixtures without the additional introduction of phosphorus and potassium was insufficiently effective. In long-term three-component swards, used from the 14th to the 24th years of life, white clover was more stable in the composition of agrophytocenoses after three-fold mowing than with two-mowing. In years with favorable atmospheric moisture conditions, the proportion of white clover in two and three mows reached 20.1–34.7 and 2.2–24.3%, respectively, and with a moisture deficit, it decreased to 0–9%. For 26 years of growing grasses, there was a significant increase in soil acidity – pHKCl decreased from 6.3 to 4.91–5.36, which negatively affected the resistance of clover as the herbage was aging.

Effects of the Fungal Endophyte Epichloë festucae var. lolii on Growth and Physiological Responses of Perennial Ryegrass cv. Fairway to Combined Drought and Pathogen Stresses.

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is widely cultivated around the world for turf and forage. However, the plant is highly susceptible to disease and is sensitive to drought. The present study aims to determine the effect of the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae var. lolii of perennial ryegrass on the combined stresses of drought and disease caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana in the greenhouse. In the experiment, plants infected (E+) or not infected (E−) with the fungal endophyte were inoculated with Bipolaris sorokiniana and put under different soil water regimes (30%, 50%, and 70%). The control treatment consisted of E+ and E− plants not inoculated with B. sorokiniana. Plant growth, phosphorus (P) uptake, photosynthetic parameters, and other physiological indices were evaluated two weeks after pathogen infection. The fungal endophyte in E+ plants increased P uptake, plant growth, and photosynthetic parameters but decreased the malondialdehyde concentration, proline content, and disease incidence of perennial ryegrass (p < 0.05). E+ plants had the lowest disease incidence at 70% soil water (p < 0.05). The study demonstrates that the fungal endophyte E. festucae var. lolii is beneficial for plant growth and stress tolerance in perennial ryegrass exposed to the combined stresses of drought and B. sorokiniana.

Nutrient content and fermentation characteristics of ensiled Italian ryegrass and winter cereal mixtures for dairy cows

The interest in new alternative forages in Europe has increased in recent years. The nutritional composition and fermentation characteristics during different stages of ensiling were studied with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and winter cereal mixtures. The trial was carried out on a large-scale farm Galgamenti Agricultural Limited Company, Tura, Hungary. Two different forage mixes were studied: Mixture A (three types of Italian ryegrass 40% + two types of triticale 20%+ two types of oats 20%+ wheat 15%+ barley 5%) and Mixture B (three types of Italian ryegrass 55% + two types of winter oats 45%). Experimental field was 30.600 m 2 by the treatments, respectively. The two different forage mixes were sown on 11th September 2017 (Mixture A: 75 kg seed/ha; Mixture B: 75 kg seed/ha) with depth of 2-5 cm. Plant protection treatment was not applied during the growing season. Cutting was carried out in heading stage of triticale by hand at 10 cm stubble height. The fresh Mixture A (dry matter 189 g/kg; crude protein: 161 g/kg DM; NDF: 485 g/kg DM) and the fresh Mixture B (dry matter 195 g/kg; crude protein: 159 g/kg DM; NDF: 519 g/kg DM) were wilted to 28-32% DM (24h) without any movement on the windrow. The wilted forage was picked up by hand and chopped by a forage harvester (John Deere 7300) on concrete surface with theoretical chop length of 9 mm (weight: 800 kg). Wilted and chopped material of 510 g were packed by hand into a glass jars (0.00072 m3 volume, n=5, total no. of minisilos = 15). Five laboratory silos per mixtures were opened on 7, 14 and 90 days after ensiling. Dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), ether extract (EE), ash, and total sugar of all treatments were determined. Additionally, pH and the concentration of ammonia-N, volatile fatty acids were measured in the ensiled mixtures. At the end of 90 days of ensiling in both mixture silages, there were significant differences (p&amp;lt;0.05) in all nutrient contents except for ADF in Mixture A and CP, ash and CF in Mixture B which was not affected by fermentation duration. Ensiling caused a significant decrease in pH (p&amp;lt;0.05), due to the production of lactic acid and succeeded to achieve lactic acid type fermentation. Values for ammonia-N, ethanol and acetic acid, butyric acid were all low. These results indicated that the fermentation quality of Italian ryegrass and winter cereal silages underwent rapid fermentation and were well-preserved.

Fungal Endophyte Improves Survival of Lolium perenne in Low Fertility Soils by Increasing Root Growth, Metabolic Activity and Absorption of Nutrients

Low nutrient soil is a major limiting factor for normal growth and high yield of plants. Epichloe endophyte infection has been shown to increase host growth, nutrient uptake and balance. This study was done to determine the impact of Epichloe endophyte on growth, survival and elemental nutrient content of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under low fertility conditions. endophyte-infected and endophyte-free plants of L. perenne were grown without fertilization in a greenhouse environment. Plant survival rate, dry weight of leaves and roots, root metabolic activity and nutrient element (C, N, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn) contents were determined after 0 d, 45 d, 90 d, 135 d and 180 d. The presence of Epichloe endophyte relieved the withering and yellowing of plants in the short term (0 to 90 d). The possible mechanisms by which E. festucae var. lolii infection enhances survival of plants includes improved root growth and metabolic activity (i.e., cellular metabolism), increased biomass production, and increased concentration of many nutrient elements in leaves and roots. The endophyte had positive direct and indirect effects on plants in multiple ways, including: increased organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus and Mn content in leaves, increased K content in leaves and roots, and improved root growth and activity. The presence of endophyte E. festucae var. lolii played a key role in improving the survival of L. perenne plants by increasing root growth and metabolic activity, promoting plant biomass and altering nutrient content.

Herbage nutritive value of binary- and multi-species swards relative to single-species swards in intensive silage systems

The nutritive value of sown binary- and multi-species grassland mixtures may differ from the values expected based on single-species swards of their constituent species. Field plots were established in a split-plot design to assess the nutritive value of binary- and multi-species mixtures compared to single-species swards of three grass species and red clover (RC) (Trifolium pratense L.) managed for intensive silage production. The nutritive value of grass–legume binary mixtures reflected the values of the constituent species grown on their own, and thus may be predicted from monoculture values. The relatively low digestibility (dry matter digestibility [DMD]) and crude protein (CP) content of the Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) sward compared to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) suggests that it may have a limited role in binary- or multi-species swards. Herbage nutritive value in the multi-species swards (Mix 1: perennial ryegrass, timothy, RC and white clover [Trifolium repens L.]; Mix 2: perennial ryegrass, timothy, RC, ribwort plantain [Plantago lanceolata L.] and chicory [Cichorium intybus L.]) appeared to be influenced more by the presence of legumes than herbs. Compared to perennial ryegrass, the multi-species swards had a slower rate of DMD decline prior to Cut 1, but subsequently had lower DMD values at the mid-season harvests. Both multi-species mixtures exhibited DMD, water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and CP values that would not have been predicted from their constituent species and thus need to be measured on herbage from field plots growing these mixtures.

NIR Spectroscopy and PLS Regression Combined with Waveband Selection for Estimating Vitamin E Content of Italian Ryegrass

NIR Spectroscopy and PLS Regression Combined with Waveband Selection for Estimating Vitamin E Content of Italian Ryegrass