Crude Protein Production Research Articles

A Selected Stenotaphrum secundatum as Superior Shade Tolerant Forage Resource

<p class="awabstrak2">The obstacle in planting and developing forage plants is limited land. One solution to anticipate this is to utilize land in plantations by introducing forage shade-tolerant among the main crops. The area of oil palm plantations in Indonesia reaches 14,677,560 ha potentially used in the integration system. This article outlines the superiority of <em>Stenotaphrum secundatum</em> from the selection results so that the reader gets comprehensive information about this grass, both in terms of production, nutritional quality and digestibility. <em>Stenotaphrum secundatum</em> selection’s variety grass is a forage shade tolerant that had derived by positive mass selection method which had had been tried it’s adaptability at two different elevation in North Sumatra. This grass is very suitable to be integrated in plantation land. The average fresh yield of <em>S. secundatum</em> at 55 and 75% shading level reached 2,386 and 2,001 g/m2/harvest, respectively. The digestibility of Steno grass selection’s result on growing Boerka goat shows a fairly good value, which ranges from 60.7% to 72.8%. Palatability of <em>S. secundatum</em> grass in goats is very good with consumption reaching 3.6% of body weight. <em>S. secundatum</em> grass, besides being tolerant of shade, is also resistant to pests, as long as it is maintained with good management. The crossing of polyploid Steno grass with diploid has produced drought tolerant varieties. This grass also has advantages in terms of dry matter production, nutrient content and crude protein production compared to other grass species and can be planted in wider plantation areas with 55-75% shade.</p>

Rules for grown soybean-maize cropping system in Midwestern Brazil: Food production and economic profits

Soybean-maize cropping system is highly dependent on climate condition, especially water deficit, across Brazil, affecting yield, food production and farmers profit. Based on that, the aim of this study was to evaluate the food production and economic viability for soybean and maize for single and soybean-maize off-season production system considering sowing dates, soil types and yield gaps in the Midwestern region. The yield was simulated using FAO-Zone agroecological model. Official yield statistics were used to validate the crop model and to estimate yield gap. We consider single soybean (SSc), single maize (SMc), and soybean-maize off-season systems (SMcs), simulating yield for 35 growing seasons (1981–2015) and six sowing dates (Oct. 01–Dec. 15 for single soybean and single maize; and Jan. 09–Mar. 26 for maize off-season, after soybean harvest). Total production was obtained in function of yield, yield gap, soil type and production intensity. Farmers profit was obtained based on net revenue using independent random function (5000 interactions) for yield, sales price and production costs. The SSc had the largest scenarios with positive net revenue, while SMcs had higher net revenue, reaching R$ 7400.00 ha−1, but with lowest risk for early sowing dates (soybean sowed in Oct. 01 and Oct. 15, and maize off-season in Jan. 09 and Jan. 24). The SMc had higher risk and lower food production in the region. The maximum gross energy production was 2663 billion MJ in SMcs sown soybean on Oct. 01. The SSc had a stable production of gross energy across the sowing dates, with values around 1900 billion MJ. The production of crude protein was similar among SMcs and SSc across sowing dates. The higher crude protein production occurred in the sowing date Oct. 15 for SMcs, with 33.9 billion kg, while SSc produced 32.9 billion kg. The highest net revenue was obtained for the SMcs in the early sowing dates. Nevertheless, the SMcs produced the highest amount of gross energy than single crop systems, but with a very similar crude protein level than SSc. Thus, farmers can be encouraged to grow SMcs to improve food production in early sowing dates. However, public incentive policies through insurance against water deficit can guarantee minimal economic returns and reduce production risks for maize off-season, especially when soybean was sowing late by delay at beginning of rain.

Forage production and soil water balance in oat and common vetch sole crops and intercrops cultivated in the summer-autumn fallow season on the Chinese Loess Plateau

Abstract Integrating forage crops into traditional wheat and maize cropping systems is a potential alternative for increasing fodder supply while maintaining sustainable grain production on the Loess Plateau of China. This study was conducted to evaluate the biomass and crude protein production as well as the soil water balance and water use efficiency of oat (Avena sativa L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) intercrops compared to sole crops. Field experiments were conducted during the fallow season after wheat harvesting (mid-July to late October) in 2011 and 2012. Five cropping patterns were tested: sole oat (SO), sole common vetch (SV), and three intercrops of oat to common vetch in rows of two to one (I21), one to one (I11), and one to two (I12). Rainfall in the middle and late growing season in 2011 was abundant, but the early season was very dry. Rainfall in 2012 was less than average but distributed similarly with the long-term pattern. When harvested in late September, I21 showed the greatest aerial biomass and crude protein yield of 3.20 and 0.36 t ha−1, respectively, in 2011, and SO showed the greatest biomass and crude protein yield of 5.70 and 0.51 t ha−1, respectively, in 2012. When harvested one month later, the crude protein content of common vetch maintained a large value, while that in oat was reduced by 21 %–29 %. I21 still showed the greatest biomass and crude protein yield in 2011, and in 2012, SO had the highest biomass yield of 7.74 t ha−1 while SV showed the highest crude protein production of 0.65 t ha−1. The land equivalent ratio was above unity in all intercropping systems in 2011 and below unity in all systems in 2012. The soil water in the 0−120 cm layer in all treatments was fully recharged in 2011, but depleted in 2012, and the depletions in SV and I12 were significantly less than that of the other treatments (P

Microalgae carbon fixation integrated with organic matters recycling from soybean wastewater: Effect of pH on the performance of hybrid system

Microalgae have been considered as promising alternative for CO2 fixation and wastewater purification. In our previous work, a hybrid microalgae CO2 fixation concept has been put forward, which initially used carbonate solution absorb CO2, and then provided obtained bicarbonate as nutrition for microalgae growth to avoid the challenge of low CO2 solubility and carbon fixation efficiency in the conventional process. In this work, the proposed hybrid system was further intensified via integrating soybean wastewater nutrition removal with bicarbonate-carbon (NH4HCO3 and KHCO3) conversion. The investigation results indicated that the maximum biomass productivity (0.74 g L−1) and carbon bioconversion efficiency (46.9%) were achieved in low-NH4HCO3 concentration system with pH adjusted to 7. pH adjustment of different bicarbonate systems also enhanced total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency up to 87.5%, 99.5% and 77.6%, respectively. In addition, maximum neutral lipid (14.4 mg L−1·d−1) and polysaccharide (14.5 mg L−1·d−1) productivities could be obtained in the KHCO3 systems, while higher crude protein productivity (48.1 mg L−1·d−1) was yielded in the NH4HCO3 systems.

Effects of water supply on biomass yield, root/shoot ratio and water use efficiency of forage crops in intercropping systems

Rainfall is limited and unevenly distributed across different seasons in the sub-humid but drought-prone area on Loess Plateau, China. Understanding the effects of water supply on the growth of forage crops is of great significance for guiding forage cultivation. Pot experiment was carried out in a shelter in this study. There were five cropping patterns, including monoculture of common vetch, oat and maize, oat/common vetch intercropping, and oat/maize intercropping. There were three water supply levels, including high (low limit of 70% field capacity), medium (low limit of 55% of field capacity) and low (low limit of 40% of field capacity) water. The results showed that land equivalent ratio in the oat/common vetch intercropping group were 1.20, 1.21 and 1.19 at the high, medium and low water supply levels, respectively, and those in the oat/maize intercropping were 1.17, 1.11 and 1.03. Such results indicate that all of the intercropping systems had yield advantages compared with all monoculture. Among the five planting patterns under the same water supply level, the total dry matter yield of maize monoculture was the highest, and that of common vetch monoculture was the lowest. Yields of dry matter and crude protein of oat increased with the decreases of water supply, while common vetch and corn monoculture showed opposite trends. On per plant basis, intercropping increased dry matter yield and crude protein yield of oat, while decreased the yield of common vetch and maize, oat showed an intercropping advantage. Compared with the high water treatment, dry matter yield of the oat/common vetch intercropping increased insignificantly by 4.1% and 4.8% respectively compared with that in the treatments of medium water and low water, whereas dry matter yield of the oat/maize intercropping was significantly reduced by 8.0% and 13.0% respectively. Compared with high water treatment, root/shoot ratio of the oat/common vetch intercropping was significantly increased by 33.4% and 58.4% under the treatments of medium and low water respectively. However, medium and low water supply significantly reduced root/shoot ratio in the oat/maize intercropping. Compared with high water treatment, water use efficiency of the oat/common vetch intercropping significantly increased by 11.7% and 12.9% under the treatments of medium and low water respectively, while water use efficiency of oat/maize intercropping was not affected by water application. In summary, yield of forage maize monoculture and oat/forage maize intercropping were higher, but they were sensitive to water shortage and had low yield stability. Under insufficient water conditions, yield stability, crude protein production and water use efficiency in oat/common vetch intercropping system were greater. Consequently, we suggest this system should be used in the study area.

Seed systems of Brachiaria species in intercropping with grain sorghum in the off-season

ABSTRACT The grain sorghum intercropped with Brachiaria provides the production of grains and dry mass in the off-season; however, there is a lack of information related to the implantation of these species. The objective of this study was to identify the best association of sorghum and Brachiaria in the production of grain and dry matter in the Brazilian Cerrado region. The experiment was conducted in Rio Verde, State of Goiás, in the experimental design of randomized blocks, in a 2×3×4+5 factorial scheme, with four replications. Two sorghum hybrids (BRS 330 and DKB 551) associated to three Brachiaria species (Brachiaria brizantha cultivar Marandu, Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria ruziziensis) were evaluated in four systems of Brachiaria implantation (row, interrow, row + interrow of sorghum and spread). Additional treatments referred to the two sorghum monocrops and the three Brachiaria species. The sorghum and Brachiaria consortium resulted in a reduction in grain yield, but the Brachiaria implantation systems in the row, interrow and spread were the most promising. The sorghum hybrid DKB 551 was the most sensitive to the competition with Brachiaria, although there were no grain yield differences in the intercropping. The Brachiaria intercropped in the interrow and in the row + interrow, mainly with B. ruziziensis, were the most promising for the production of dry mass and total crude protein. The cultivation of Brachiaria intercropped with sorghum provided a greater contribution of dry mass in the off-season, an important fact for the no-tillage system in the agricultural production systems of the Brazilian Cerrado.

Forage nutritive value of modern alfalfa cultivars

AbstractGenetically engineered, reduced lignin (RL) alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars have been developed for enhanced forage nutritive value. Research is needed to quantify the differences in forage nutritive value among conventionally bred cultivars marketed as high in nutritive value (HNV) and RL cultivars. The objective was to evaluate forage nutritive value and yield differences in HNV and RL cultivar groups compared with control cultivars. Research was conducted in the seeding and following years in New York and Minnesota, with sampling over multiple days within three harvest seasons. Annual yield was similar among control, HNV, and RL cultivars. Relative to the control and HNV cultivars, lignin was 12.5% lower and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) was 5% higher for RL cultivars. Reduced lignin cultivars had higher relative forage quality (RFQ) than control and HNV cultivars for five of six site/season combinations. Within harvest seasons, lignin, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased, whereas crude protein (CP), NDFD, RFQ, and milk production decreased with increasing growing degree‐days. Growing degree‐day responses were similar across cultivar market groups, with the exception of ADF, NDF, RFQ, and milk during the establishment year in Minnesota, where the rates of decrease in RFQ through time were lower for RL than for control and HNV. Overall, RL cultivars had improved forage nutritive value that persisted with maturity within cutting seasons. Control and HNV cultivars did not consistently differ in nutritive value. Growers can select cultivars for improved nutritive value without concern about compromising forage yield.

Replacing summer fallow with annual forage improves crude protein productivity and water use efficiency of the summer fallow-winter wheat cropping system

Diversifying the summer fallow (F)-winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (W) cropping system by replacing summer fallow with forage crops could increase forage yield and precipitation use efficiency in the Loess Plateau region of China. However, its influence on protein productivity is unclear and it is unknown whether improvement in protein productivity will increase soil water extraction and economic input. A three-year (2011–2013) field experiment was conducted to investigate the rotational effect on system productivity, economic benefit, and sustainability when summer fallow was replaced with forage rape (Brassica napus L.) (R) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) (V). Results showed that the rotation system with forage crops did not alter soil water storage of subsequent winter wheat. Compared with the FWFW rotation system, the rotation system with forage crops improved precipitation use efficiency of crude protein yield (PUECP) and system water use efficiency of crude protein yield (WUECP) by 20 and 28% respectively. The greatest crude protein productivity (CPyield) was achieved with the RWRW rotation system, followed by the FWRW and RWVW systems, and CPyield with these systems was 51, 21, and 36% greater than that with the FWFW system, respectively (P < 0.05). In contrast, net income in the FWFW rotation system had the greatest value (U.S. $2,005 ha−1), 27, 20, 34, and 29% greater than that in the FWVW, RWVW, FWRW, and RWRW systems, respectively (P < 0.05). Consequently, the alternate rotation system of FWFW and RWRW is recommended for local farmers when considering both profitability and sustainability.

Growth and Productivity of Brown Midrib Sorghum Mutant Line Patir 3.7 (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) Treated with Different Levels of Nitrogen Fertilizer

The study aimed to determine the best of nitrogen fertilizer level based on growth and biomass production of brown midrib sorghum mutant line Patir 3.7. This research was conducted at the Field Laboratory in the Faculty of Animal Science, Andalas University, Padang. The experiment was assigned in a completely randomized block design with 4 levels of nitrogen fertilizer application and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of N0= 0 kg N ha-1 as a control; N1= 50 kg N ha-1; N2= 100 kg N ha-1; and N3= 150 kg N ha-1. Agronomic and production variables measured were plant height, stem diameter, leaf width length, leaf stem panicle ratio, stem Brix sugar content, as well as fresh biomass and nutrient production. Analysis of variance followed by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was conducted. The results showed that the addition of nitrogen fertilizer produced the highest stem diameter, leaf length, leaf width, leaf ratio, and stem ratio (p 0.05) by the level of nitrogen fertilizer. The fresh biomass, dry matter, crude protein, ash, NFE, and TDN production increased significantly (p<0.05) with the increased level of nitrogen fertilizer. Based on those findings, it can be concluded that nitrogen fertilizer application at the level of 50 kg N ha-1 produces better growth, fresh biomass, dry matter, and nutrients production.

Managing Grazing Intensity Linked to Forage Quantity and Quality Trade-off in Semiarid Rangelands

Knowledge of herbivory tolerance of dominant plant species and their responses to varying grazing intensity is required for sustainable grazing management in semiarid rangeland ecosystems. In a field experiment, we studied the effects of simulated grazing 0%, 30%, 50%, and 80% leaf removal (control, partial, intermediate, and heavy leaf removal) of three dominant perennial legumes: Astragalus cyclophyllon, Astragalus effuses, and Hedysarum criniferum in semiarid rangelands of southwestern Iran for 2 yr and tested 1) differential herbivory tolerance in terms of regrowth ability of belowground and aboveground biomass (AGB), fecundity, and nonstructural carbohydrate reserves; and 2) trade-off between forage quantity and quality—less defoliated plants produce larger amount of biomass with less forage quality and vice versa. The results showed a reduction in AGB and reproduction in each of the three plants. However, three forbs exhibited some sort of variations in shoot and root growth, reproduction and forage quality under intermediate and heavy leaf removal. Leaf removal in individuals of A. effusus and H. criniferum are more likely to compensate for tissue loss by allocating the available resources to the expansion of root biomass, at the cost of AGB and reproductive effort. Leaf removal also led to an increase in forage quality in each of the three forb species, depending on the level of height removal. The control plant had a higher amount of biomass production and lower amount of crude protein compared with heavy leaf removal treatments (i.e., 80%), by contrasting responses of acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber, indicating a trade-off between forage quality and forage quantity. The results indicate that there is a balance among forage quantity, quality, and regrowth ability of belowground and aboveground tissues in intermediate leaf removal treatments of these forb species. This balance is used to develop principles for grazing management of steppe rangelands because such a regime meets different criteria including forage quantity, quality, and nonstructural carbohydrate reserves.

Production, quality and livestock carrying capacity of Panicum maximum and Sesbania grandiflora at saline soil with different manure application

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of manure at saline soil on forage production, quality and livestock carrying capacity of P. maximum and S. grandiflora. The research was conducted on moderately saline soil at Rembang Regency, Central Java Province, Indonesia.Randomized complete block design was used as design experiment. The treatments were different dosage of manure as organic amendment (0, 10 and 20 tonnes/ha). Forage crops were P. maximum and S. grandiflora that planted monoculture or mixed-cropping. Parameters measured were dry matter (DM) production, ash, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, total digestible nutrients. P. maximum was cut eight times, S. grandiflora was cut six times during one year. The result showed that the highest total dry matter production of mixed cropping P. maximum and S. grandiflora was available at moderately saline soil with application 20 ton/ha manure. Total production of dry matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrient available at application 20 ton/ha manure were 29131 kg/ha/year; 3722 kg/ha/year and 17718 kg/ha/year, respectively. Carrying capacity based on dry matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrients were 10.8 AU/ha/year; 13.6 AU/ha/year and 11.3 AU/ha/year, respectively. In conclusion, application of 20 ton/ha manure at saline soil increased production, crude protein and carrying capacity.

In vitro evaluation of utilisable crude protein and methane production for a diet in which grass silage was replaced by different levels and fractions of extracted seaweed proteins

Utilisable crude protein (uCP), methane (CH4) production and other fermentation parameters were analysed in vitro for a diet in which grass silage was replaced by different levels of seaweed protein fractions prepared from three seaweed species: Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta and Palmaria palmata. Ten fractions from these three species in which the protein content had been increased and the salt content reduced by simple processing were tested, with inclusion levels in the diet based on the nitrogen content of the fractions. Following an extraction procedure, four fractions from Saccharina latissima, three from Alaria esculenta and one from Palmaria palmata, were incrementally included in the diet by replacing high quality silage with approximately 0, 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 g/g DM, while two high-protein fractions of Palmaria palmata were tested at replacement levels of 0, 0.075, 0.15 and 0.225 g/g DM. To estimate fermentation parameters, 500 mg of each diet were incubated in bottles with 60 mL buffered rumen fluid. Estimated uCP increased linearly with increasing replacement rate of grass silage with seaweed protein fractions (from 158 g/kg DM to 206 g/kg DM on average for all fractions). Increasing protein fraction from the brown seaweed Saccharina latissima in the diet significantly increased true organic matter digestibility (OMD) (from on average 0.786 to 0.821). Organic matter digestibility decreased with increasing level of Alaria esculenta fractions (from on average 0.785 to 0.733), which also gave a linear decrease in CH4 production (from on average 45.3 to 38.5 mL/g organic matter). As a result of decreased CH4 production and OMD, total volatile fatty acid concentration decreased with increasing level of Alaria esculenta fractions (from on average 69.5 to 63.0 mmol/L). Thus, positive and species-specific effects of seaweed on estimated uCP and fermentation parameters were observed in vitro when protein fractions remaining after an extraction procedure on seaweed partly replaced grass silage in the feed ration.

Inoculation of rhizobium bacteria and nutrient of seawater to increase soybean production and quality as food

Seawater is abundant natural resources not fully utilized even though it contains nutrients needed by plant like N, P, K, Ca, and Mg. On the other hand rhizobium capable of forming effective root nodules of association with legumes and fix nitrogen. The research aim was to get information the benefit of seawater and rhizobium inoculation for soybean as food. The research held in green house of Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Faculty, Diponegoro University Semarang. Seawater was taken from Semarang Marina Beach. Soybean was local bean of Grobogan. The arranged design was completely randomized design with factorial design 4 x 2 in 4 replications. First factor was salinity level of seawater in a row L0, L1, L2, and L3 was EC 0, 1, 2, and 3 ds/m. Second factor was Rhizobium inoculation, R1 = without rhizobium inoculation, and R2 = with Rhizobium inoculation. The parameters were seed production, fresh weight production of straw, crude protein and crude fiber production of soybean seed. Based on variant analysis, there was no interaction seawater salinity level and rhizobium inoculation againt to all of the parameters. Seawater level and rhizobium inoculation tended to increase production and quality of soybean. The best result was treatment L2R2, that is EC 2 ds/m with rhizobium inoculation. The seed soybean production was 3191.25 kg/ha equal to 3,2 ton/ha, with 42.54 % crude protein content of seed, and 13.87 % crude fiber content of seed.

Effects of different fertilizer sources and rates on proximate and phytochemical composition of three cucumber varieties (&lt;i&gt;Cucumis sativus L.&lt;/i&gt;)

Proximate and phytochemical analysis of three cucumber varieties (Poinsett, Marketer and Marketmore) as influenced by the application of fertilizer types and rates was carried out at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Cucumber was subjected to four fertilizer types: Organic fertilizer, Liquid organic fertilizer, Urea fertilizer and NPK fertilizer applied at the rate of 0, 75 and 120kg N/ha. Proximate compositions showed several disparities with the different treatments. Poinsett, Marketer and Marketmore varieties responded well to Liquid organic fertilizer treatment at all rates to produce significantly (p&lt;0.05) high percentage carbohydrate contents and dry matter contents. Higher rates of Urea and Organic fertilizer favoured the production of crude protein. The qualitative phytochemical analysis showed that Marketer and Marketmore varieties accounted for the highest secondary metabolites. Phenols were readily available in all varieties regardless of the nutrient source. NPK and Urea fertilizer produced more phenols and at higher rates, accounted for more flavonoids in Marketer and Marketmore varieties. 120 Kg N NPK increased the percentage carbohydrate in Poinsett, Markerter and Marketmore by 48%, 5% and 1% respectively. Also, 120 Kg N NPK accounted for 30% and 2 % increase in proximal fruit dry matter for both Poinsett and Marketmore varieties respectively whereas 120 Kg N Liquid Organic fertilizer boosted fruit dry matter in Marketer by only 10%. Results showed that organic fertilizer improved the nutritional values in cucumber fruit compared with inorganic fertilizer but increased the perishability by increasing the moisture content. However, there is the need to further quantify the concentration of the secondary metabolites in cucumber fruits for nutritional values.Keywords: Cucumber, Fertilizer, Phytochemicals, Proximate Composition

Effect of Cutting Frequency of Cassava Leaves on Composition and Production during the Dry Season

Cassava leaves are an alternative feed derived from agricultural crops by-product. This study aimed to determine the effect of cutting frequency on the production and chemical composition of cassava leaves. This study was conducted in the Kwarasan Wetan, Kedungkeris, Nglipar, Gunungkidul during the dry season. Farmland with a size of 18 x 12 m has been planted with cassava plantation 5 months old and was divided into 4 blocks as replication, the size of each block was 18 x 3 m. Each block consisted of 3 treatments with the plot size of each treatment was 6 x 3 m which were cut 1, 2 and 4 times. Each treatment consisted of 12 plants, and each plant was conditioned to have 2 stems and cut with different intensities. Leaves and edibles stem were analyzed. The variables observed were content of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fiber (CF), crude protein (CP), extract ether (EE), nitrogen-free extract (NFE), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients production. The data obtained were analyzed according to the completely randomized design (CRD), the differences between treatments were further tested by Duncan's new multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that the cutting frequency had a significant effect (P<0.05) on dry matter and total digestible nutrients. The highest dry matter content was shown at 2 times cutting frequency (32.21%) and the lowest crude fiber at cutting 4 times frequency (17.97%). The 2 and 4 times cutting frequencies were able to increase the production of cassava leaves (P<0.05). Based on the results it can be concluded that the most appropriate cutting frequency is 2 times.

Investigation of lipid, carbohydrate and protein production from &lt;i&gt;Chlorella vulgaris&lt;/i&gt; in controlled environment minkery wastewater

In an effort to incorporate a novel bioremediation technology into minkery wastewater treatment systems, this study aimed to investigate the effect of light cycles on the simultaneous production of Chlorella vulgaris biomass, lipid, carbohydrate, and protein in controlled environment minkery wastewater. Diluted minkery cage-washing wastewater used in the experiments, which were designed as a completely randomised design with a single factor (light cycle) experiment. The single factor had four levels: six-day continuous light (photoautotrophic), 48-h light/24-h dark (mixotrophic), 24-h light/48-h dark (mixotrophic), and six-day continuous dark (heterotrophic) cycle, which were randomly assigned to the 2.25-litre vertical column controlled environment photobioreactors (PBR), each equipped with an independent cool-white fluorescent light (8 W, 6,700 K) operated at room temperature. The pH in each PBR was monitored and controlled using independent pH meters and air pumps. During six-day cultivations, continuous light and 48-h light/24-h dark cycles achieved the largest biomass (82.50 mg L−1 day−1 and 79.50 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) and protein productivities (42.62 mg L−1 day−1 and 38.79 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) out of Chlorella vulgaris in minkery wastewater; however, using 48-h light/24-h dark cycle instead of continuous light cycle would reduce the energy cost of cultivation. The light cycles of continuous light, 48-h light/24-h dark, and 24-h light/48-h dark achieved the highest lipid (15.06 mg L−1 day−1, 16.03 mg L−1 day−1, 12.82 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) and carbohydrate (11.15 mg L−1 day−1, 11.89 mg L−1 day−1, 8.08 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) productivities, and there was no statistically significant difference in between; however, using 24-h light/48-h light cycle would again reduce the energy cost of cultivation compared to the other two cycles. Overall, for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in minkery wastewater, the most appropriate light cycle for the production of microalgae biomass and crude protein seems to be the mixotrophic growth under 48-h light/24-h dark cycle, while the mixotrophic growth of 24-h light/48-h dark cycle was the most appropriate system for the production of lipid and carbohydrate. Providing a supplemental organic carbon source, preferably from another waste stream, has a potential to change the story with respect to the competitiveness of continuous dark (heterotrophic) cycle, and studying other microalgae strains may make minkery wastewater even more competitive compared to traditional culture mediums.

Investigation of lipid, carbohydrate and protein production from &lt;i&gt;Chlorella vulgaris&lt;/i&gt; in controlled environment minkery wastewater

In an effort to incorporate a novel bioremediation technology into minkery wastewater treatment systems, this study aimed to investigate the effect of light cycles on the simultaneous production of Chlorella vulgaris biomass, lipid, carbohydrate, and protein in controlled environment minkery wastewater. Diluted minkery cage-washing wastewater used in the experiments, which were designed as a completely randomised design with a single factor (light cycle) experiment. The single factor had four levels: six-day continuous light (photoautotrophic), 48-h light/24-h dark (mixotrophic), 24-h light/48-h dark (mixotrophic), and six-day continuous dark (heterotrophic) cycle, which were randomly assigned to the 2.25-litre vertical column controlled environment photobioreactors (PBR), each equipped with an independent cool-white fluorescent light (8 W, 6,700 K) operated at room temperature. The pH in each PBR was monitored and controlled using independent pH meters and air pumps. During six-day cultivations, continuous light and 48-h light/24-h dark cycles achieved the largest biomass (82.50 mg L−1 day−1 and 79.50 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) and protein productivities (42.62 mg L−1 day−1 and 38.79 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) out of Chlorella vulgaris in minkery wastewater; however, using 48-h light/24-h dark cycle instead of continuous light cycle would reduce the energy cost of cultivation. The light cycles of continuous light, 48-h light/24-h dark, and 24-h light/48-h dark achieved the highest lipid (15.06 mg L−1 day−1, 16.03 mg L−1 day−1, 12.82 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) and carbohydrate (11.15 mg L−1 day−1, 11.89 mg L−1 day−1, 8.08 mg L−1 day−1, respectively) productivities, and there was no statistically significant difference in between; however, using 24-h light/48-h light cycle would again reduce the energy cost of cultivation compared to the other two cycles. Overall, for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris in minkery wastewater, the most appropriate light cycle for the production of microalgae biomass and crude protein seems to be the mixotrophic growth under 48-h light/24-h dark cycle, while the mixotrophic growth of 24-h light/48-h dark cycle was the most appropriate system for the production of lipid and carbohydrate. Providing a supplemental organic carbon source, preferably from another waste stream, has a potential to change the story with respect to the competitiveness of continuous dark (heterotrophic) cycle, and studying other microalgae strains may make minkery wastewater even more competitive compared to traditional culture mediums.

Productive potential for dry matter and crude protein in Jiggs Bermuda grass under nitrogen fertilisation

The adjustment of nitrogen fertilization is essential to promoting dry matter production together with a high concentration of crude protein in Jiggs Bermuda grass under a continuous cuts. The aim of this study was to quantify dry matter and crude protein production in Jiggs Bermuda grass, a cultivar of the genus Cynodon, associated with nitrogen fertilisation. The experimental design was randomised blocks with four replications, where treatments consisted in five doses of nitrogen (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 cut-1) as urea, first applied during seedlings settlement, and second between 5 to 15 days after each harvest. For three years, in the flowering stage of the plants, 0.50 m2 area per plot was collected, totaling 18 collections for the determination of the dry mass, after oven drying at 65 °C until constant weight, and after grinding, the concentration and the crude protein content were quantified. Data were analyzed by variance, adjusting the regressions in function of the levels of nitrogen applied. There was a significant response to the nitrogen dosesin dry matter production and crude protein content. The maximum potential for crude protein content was 158.5 kg nitrogen ha-1 (477.7 kg ha-1 of crude protein content), applied per harvest during the autumn/winter period, and 171.2 kg ha-1 (753.1 kg ha-1 of crude protein content) in the spring/summer, with respective increases of 49.7 and 78.9% regarding to the treatment without nitrogen fertilisation.

PRODUKSI BAHAN ORGANIK, PROTEIN KASAR DANBAHAN EKSTRAK TANPA NITROGEN HIJAUAN PASTURA ALAM YANG DIINTRODUKSI JENIS RUMPUT DAN LEGUM YANG BERBEDA

The aim of the study was to evaluate the production of organic matter, crude protein, nitrogen free extract of natural pasture forages which was introduced by different types of grasses and legumes which had been carried out on natural pastures in Tuatuka Sub-District, East Kupang District for 7 months from April to October 2017, based on randomized block design (RBD) with 5 treatments and 4 groups, namely: P0: Natural pasture without introduction, CP: natural pastura introduced by Cynodon plectotachyus, DA: natural pastura introduced by Dichantium aristatum, DV: natural pastura introduced by Desmanthus virgatus, and C: natural pastura introduced by Clitoria ternatea. The variables observed were organic matter (OM) production, crude protein (CP) production, nitrogen free extract (NFE) production of forages. Data were analyzed for variance based on RBD and continued with Duncan Test. Variance analysis shows that OM production, CP production and NFE production of natural pasture forages are strongly influenced (P <0.01) by species introduction. Duncan's test showed that introduction with C, DV and CP produced OM, CP,and NFE production of forage higher and different (P <0.05) with DA and P0. Average of OM, CP, and NFE production of forage are: 2.38 tons / ha, 0.10 tons / ha and 1.18 tons / ha. It was concluded that the introduction of natural pastura with superior species was able to increase the production of OM, CP, and NFE forages and species of Clitoria ternatea, Desmanthus virgatus and Cynodon plectotachyus producing the highest forage production.

Evaluation of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculum on Production and Nutrient Content of Pennisetum purpureum

Land for forage planting is mainly on marginal land such as acid soil. However, the constraint is the low levels of phosphorus (P) that can inhibit forage production. Arbuscula mycorrhizal fungi has been known as a biological fertilizer because the fungi can help the absorption of phosphorus (P) on the root so that can improve the forage production and quality of nutrients. This study was aimed to utilize and evaluate the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculum in forage production and nutritive value of Pennisetum purpureum. The experiment used a completely randomized design with two factors (2 x 4) and 4 replications. The first factor was type of AMF inoculum (A and B) and the second factor was doses of AMF (D1= 0.5 kg/planting hole, D2= 1 kg/planting hole, D3= 1.5 kg/planting hole, and D4= 2 kg/planting hole). Control treatment was carried out separately. The result showed that the highest shoot dry weight production was on AD2 and significantly different (P<0.05) from BD1 and control. There was no interaction between type and dose of inoculum on shoot dry weight production and nutrition value. The inoculum A significantly increased (P<0.05) shoot dry weight production (34.04%), crude protein content (10.21%), phosphorus uptake (40%), N content (10.53%), N uptake (38.10%), and protein production (40.15%) of P. purpureum, compared to inoculum B. It can be concluded that AMF inoculum type A was the best inoculum for forage production.