Crude Protein Yield Research Articles

Effects of Limited Irrigation on Forage Yield, Nutritive Value and Water Use Efficiency of Persian Clover (Trifolium Resupinatum) Compared to Berseem Clover (Trifolium Alexandrinum)

ABSTRACT To evaluate the forage yield and quality of Berseem and Persian clover cultivars, a two-year experiment was conducted during two growing seasons (2017–2018 and 2018–2019). Irrigation was the main factor, including full irrigation (I100), moderately limited (I75), and severely limited irrigation (I50). The sub-factor consisted of ten cultivars of clover, five of which were Persian clover (Pars, Aleshtar, Eghlid, Harat, and Zabol) and five cultivars of Berseem clover (Karaj, Elite, Ekinaton, Vienna, and Alex). The results showed that the highest dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yield under all irrigation levels were obtained from the Berseem clover cultivars. Imposing limited irrigation reduced the DM yield, digestible dry matter (DDM) yield and content, CP yield, dry matter intake (DMI), and relative feed value (RFV) of forage, whereas the content of CP, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased. Irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) for DM, DDM, and CP yield under limited irrigation were also increased. Comparison of two groups of Persian and Berseem clover cultivars also showed that with increasing drought stress intensity, in Berseem cultivars, DM yield, DDM yield and content, and RFV decrease was higher. Increasing IWUE under limited irrigation was higher in Persian cultivars for DM and DDM yield. Overall, Berseem clover had higher forage yield and water use efficiency in all irrigation regimes, and the forage quality of this species showed more sensitivity to drought. Abbreviations :I100, I75, and I50, full, moderately limited, and severely limited irrigation (equivalent to 100, 75, and 50% weekly evaporation and crop water requirement, respectively); DM, dry matter; CP, crude protein; ADF, acid detergent fiber; NDF, neutral detergent fiber; DDM: digestible dry matter; WSC, water-soluble carbohydrates; DMI, dry matter intake; RFV, relative feed value; IWUE, irrigation water use efficiency.

Can Nitrogen Excretion of Dairy Cows Be Reduced by Genetic Selection for Low Milk Urea Nitrogen Concentration?

Simple SummaryNew Zealand dairy cows predominantly feed on pasture with protein to energy ratios well in excess of requirements and consequently their urine has a substantially greater concentration of nitrogen compared to cows fed indoors on total mixed rations. The nitrogen excreted directly onto land decompose into nitrous oxide and ammonium, causing global warming and freshwater pollution, respectively. One of the strategies to reduce the environmental contamination is genetic selection for reduced nitrogen excretion. The nitrogen excreted in urine is an expensive trait to measure in cows grazed outdoors. One possible approach to reduce the concentration of nitrogen excreted in urine is by selection for reduced urea nitrogen concentration in milk, which is readily measurable. The primary objective of this study was to quantify the likely correlated responses for milk production and liveweight traits in a selection index including breeding values for concentration of milk urea nitrogen with different relative emphasis in order to evaluate the usefulness of milk urea nitrogen for the purpose of reducing nitrogen excretion. Although a per cow reduction in urinary nitrogen excretion was predicted through selection in this study, the reduction of excretion is negligible at the whole farm level due to the influence of stocking rate, measured as the number of cows grazed per hectare, on the per hectare nitrogen excretion. Therefore, selection for low concentration of milk urea nitrogen is unlikely to be effective in reducing nitrogen excretion of dairy cows in New Zealand.The objectives of this study were two-fold. Firstly, to estimate the likely correlated responses in milk urea nitrogen (MUN) concentration, lactation yields of milk (MY), fat (FY) and crude protein (CPY) and mature cow liveweight (LWT) under three selection scenarios which varied in relative emphasis for MUN; 0% relative emphasis (MUN0%: equivalent to current New Zealand breeding worth index), and sign of the economic value; 20% relative emphasis positive selection (MUN+20%), and 20% relative emphasis negative selection (MUN−20%). Secondly, to estimate for these three scenarios the likely change in urinary nitrogen (UN) excretion under pasture based grazing conditions. The predicted genetic responses per cow per year for the current index were 16.4 kg MY, 2.0 kg FY, 1.4 kg CPY, −0.4 kg LWT and −0.05 mg/dL MUN. Positive selection on MUN in the index resulted in annual responses of 23.7 kg MY, 2.0 kg FY, 1.4 kg CPY, 0.6 kg LWT and 0.10 mg/dL MUN, while negative selection on MUN in the index resulted in annual responses of 5.4 kg MY, 1.6 kg FY, 1.0 kg CPY, −1.1 kg LWT and −0.17 mg/dL MUN. The MUN−20% reduced both MUN and cow productivity, whereas the MUN+20% increased MUN, milk production and LWT per cow. Per cow dry matter intake (DMI) was increased in all three scenarios as milk production increased compared to base year, therefore stocking rate (SR) was adjusted to control pasture cover. Paradoxically, ten years of selection with SR adjusted to maintain annual feed demand under the MUN+20% actually reduced per ha UN excretion by 3.54 kg, along with increases of 63 kg MY, 26 kg FY and 16 kg CPY compared to the base year. Ten years of selection on the MUN0% index generated a greater reductions of 10.45 kg UN and 30 kg MY, and increases of 32 kg FY and 21 kg CPY per ha, whereas the MUN−20% index reduced 14.06 kg UN and 136 kg MY with increases of 32 kg FY and 18 kg CPY compared to base year. All three scenarios increased partitioning of nitrogen excreted as feces. The selection index that excluded MUN was economically beneficial in the current economic circumstances over selection indices including MUN regardless of whether selection was either for or against MUN. There was no substantial benefit from an environmental point of view from including MUN in the Breeding Worth index, because N leaching is more a function of SR rather than of individual cow UN excretion. This study demonstrates that attention needs to be paid to the whole system consequences of selection for environmental outcomes in pastoral grazing circumstances.

Fodder cum grain dual harvests from rice (Oryza sativa) for enhanced productivity in Andaman's

An experiment was conducted during kharif 2016-17 to assess the impact of fodder harvest on grain production and system productivity of long duration photosensitive rice C-14-8. For this, five fodder harvest treatments, FHTs {no fodder harvest (FH) control, FH at 30, 45, 60 and 75 days after transplanting (DAT) of rice} were evaluated in Randomised Complete Block Design with four replications. The results revealed that 75 DAT FHT has produced significantly higher dry fodder and crude protein yields (6.30 and 0.538 t/ha), whereas 30 and 45 DAT FHTs has higher grain yields. However, the system productivity measured as rice equivalent yield and net income indicated that FH at 75 DAT was promising (4.23 t/ha and ` 19088/ha). Lodging in grain alone producing crop (95%) was reduced to 24% by taking FH at 75 DAT. Thus, the study establishes fodder cum grain production system of rice as a potential solution to augment fodder shortages while enhancing the grain production from ratoon owing to reduced lodging.

Cover crops can produce livestock forage in Chinese subtropical regions

AbstractIt is common in South China that rice (Oryza sativa L.) fields are seeded with a cover crop following autumn harvest. The objective was to compare the effects of different no‐tillage methods on cover crop yield, nutritive composition, and silage fermentation quality of forage wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Shimai‐1) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.). Cover crops were planted in winter fallow paddy fields 9 (NT9) and 5 (NT5) d prior to rice harvest and 1 d after rice harvest. Cover crops seeded prior to harvest were no‐tillage planted and cover crops seeded after rice harvest were either no‐tillage (NT1) or seeded using conventional techniques (CT1; plow followed by seeding). The cover crop biomass was determined before rice sowing in spring. Compared to NT9 and NT5, the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) yields of NT1 and CT1 were slightly higher. Compared to Italian ryegrass, forage wheat had high relative feed value and DM yield. The neutral detergent fiber concentration of NT9 and NT5 was higher than NT1 and CT1 (P < .05), whereas the water‐soluble carbohydrates (WSC) concentration was lower than NT1 and CT1 (P < .05). The CP, crude fiber, and WSC concentrations of forage wheat were lower than Italian ryegrass (P < .05). Interaction between years and cover crop type were observed in silage fermentation quality (P < .05). The best sowing method for forage wheat and Italian ryegrass on winter fallow paddy fields was no‐tillage sowing after rice harvest, based upon the present study.

Dry matter yields and quality parameters of ten Napier grass (<i>Cenchrus purpureus</i>) genotypes at three locations in western Oromia, Ethiopia

Ten Napier grass genotypes (accessions) were assessed across 3 locations, Bako, Boneya Boshe and Gute, for forage dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) concentration, leaf:stem ratio, nutrient composition and digestibility characteristics during 2016 and 2017. The genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Mean DM yield was higher for accession ILRI 16804 across all locations followed by ILRI 16801 and ILRI 16800. Leaf:stem ratio, CP concentration and CP and digestible organic matter (OM) yields also varied significantly among genotypes with the highest values obtained for accession ILRI 16804 across all locations, followed by ILRI 16800 and ILRI 16801. Yields of DM, CP and digestible OM and leaf:stem ratio were higher at Boneya Boshe and Gute than at Bako and higher during 2017 than during 2016. The consistently superior performance of ILRI 16804, ILRI 16801 and ILRI 16800 in both years across the 3 sites suggests that these genotypes should be studied further on farms and in differing environments before being recommended for general cultivation in this area. Examining performance with more frequent harvests and feeding studies with livestock would confirm the benefits to be obtained from planting these new accessions.

Effects of no-tillage sowing on soil properties and forage wheat and Italian ryegrass yields in winter fallow paddy fields.

In South China, it is common practice for the late rice (Oryza sativa) that is planted during the summer in the paddy fields after harvest to be used for fallowing or to plant winter forage crops. The land is ploughed before early rice planting. Both forage wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) have relatively high nutritional value, and planting them in winter fallow paddy fields could potentially address food shortages and provide quality forage for livestock. In this study, we examined the effects of no-tillage sowing 5 days before rice harvest (NB5), no-tillage sowing 1 day after rice harvest (NA1), and conventional tillage sowing (CK) 1 day after rice harvest on forage wheat and Italian ryegrass soil properties, dry matter (DM), and crude protein (CP) yields. Soil and plant samples were collected after three months of crop growth. The results showed that the NB5 and NA1 soil bulk density (0-20 cm soil layer) tended to increase when compared to that of the CK field. The NA1 treatment increased the total soil nitrogen and organic matter content. The enzyme activities and total soil porosity in the no-tillage forage wheat and Italian ryegrass fields tended to decrease, while the no-tillage water content and soil capillary porosity tended to increase when compared to that of the CK field. Overall, planting year significantly influenced soil chemical properties (except for total nitrogen) and enzyme activity, but crop type had no significant effect on soil physical-chemical properties (except for capillary moisture capacity) and enzyme activity. Sowing methods had no significant effects on the crop DM and CP yields. The DM yield was affected by the interaction between planting year and sowing methods, or between sowing methods and crop type. No-tillage also increased the number of species and aboveground weed biomass. We concluded that the best sowing method for forage wheat and Italian ryegrass in winter fallow paddy fields was no-tillage sowing following rice harvest.

Effects of mowing regimes on forage yield and crude protein of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel in Songnen grassland

AbstractForage dry matter (DM) yield and its nutrient content are important in livestock nutrition; however, they have distinct, even opposite responses to mowing regimes. To optimize forage resources, two independent field experiments were conducted to determine effects of initial mowing time (15‐day intervals from May 15 to September 1) and mowing frequency (one to five times per year) on DM yield and nutritive value of Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel. The greatest cumulative DM yield (cDMY), pre‐mowing crude protein yield (pCPY) and cumulative crude protein yield (cCPY) were attained when initial mowing occurred from July 15 to August 15. The crude protein (CP) concentration of pDMY was higher, whereas fiber concentrations were lower, when initial mowing was from May 15 to June 15, with opposite results when the initial mowing was delayed (July 1 to September 30). When mowing three times annually, cDMY and cCPY of L. chinensis were higher (p < .05) than with less frequent mowing. With more than three mowings, accumulated CP yield of L. chinensis was not significantly affected. With four or five yearly mowings, accumulated DM yield of L. chinensis decreased significantly compared to mowing one to three times. In conclusion, based on DM yield and nutritive value, the optimal initial mowing date ranged from July 15 to August 15, whereas optimal mowing frequency was three times yearly.

NITROGEN RETENTION IN RAPIDLY-GROWING STEERS GIVEN UREA SUPPLEMENTED DIETS

"Shika" (indigenous, V,) and "Ngala" (introduction, V2) varieties of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) field planted at 60 x 90, 60 x 60 or 60 x 30 cm spacing and fertilized at 0, 100, 200 or 400kg N/ha/yr, were examined for dry matTer (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) content, CP yield, nitrogen (N) recovery and stand persistence at Shika during the 1975 and 1976 growing seasons. The highest DM yield resulted from 60 x 30 cm spacing/400kg N combination but the 60 x 60 cm spacing (27,800 plants/ha) with 200kg N appeared optimum for yield. V produced 4.3 to 21.0t DM and V2 2.8 to 17.41 DM/ha/yr over the range of population densities and fertilizer levels investigated. DM yield per kg N applied rose with increasing population density (V, only) and decreasing N rate, the highest value of 49kg being recorded for V t. Mean herbage CP content varied from 7.0% without N to 9.7% with 400kg N/ha but the highest value of 11.0% was obtained from V2 planted at 60 x 90cm. For both grasses, N increased annual CP yield 1.2— 4.5—Fold. The highest apparent fertilizer N recovery of 76.3% occurred at 200kg N/ha while plants survived best at 60 x 60cm spacing.

Influence of Spacing on Performance of Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpureurm Schum) during the Year of Establishment in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

A STUDY was conducted using a split-plot design to determine the effect of within-row spacings of 90, 60 and 30cm at a constant 60cm inter-row distance on the forage yield and growth components of two elephant grass varieties, "Shika" and "Ngala", during establishment, at Shika in the northern guinea savanna of Nigeria. With closer spacing, dry matter (DM) yield increased from 11300 kg to 16700 kg /ha and 12300kg to 15300 kg/ha whilst crude protein (CP) yield increased from 517 kg to 644 kg/ha and 600 kg to 698 kg/ha, for "Shika" and "Ngala", respectively, during the wet season when most of the annual growth occurred. The data suggest that "Shika" was more sensitive to denser planting than "Ngala". The stem and the green leaf made the greatest contribution to forage yield during the growing season. However, the green leaf accounted for a greater proportion of yield during the dry season when DM production fell drastically and crude protein content attained a peak. Considerable stand mortality occasioned early July-planted "Ngala" and this provides evidence that it would not be beneficial to establish this more succulent variety at Shika until ample rainfall has been received during the growing season. The low DM content of 18 per cent in 2.6 m tall "Ngala" suggests that successful ensilage of this crop would necessitate pre-wilting. Wider spacing resulted in lower herbage yield and significantly greater weed competition.

Forage Potential of Cereal/Legume Intercrops: Agronomic Performances, Yield, Quality Forage and LER in Two Harvesting Times in a Mediterranean Environment

The crop yield and quality of seven annual forages (four grasses and three legumes) in sole crop and in mixtures (ratio 50:50) for oat (Avena sativa L.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) were evaluated in a two-year field experiment adopting two harvesting times, green fodder and silage. The main bio-agronomic traits, dry matter forage yield (DMY) and quantity of crude protein (CP) were determined in both sole crop and intercrop. The land equivalent ratio (LER) was used for evaluating biological efficiency and competitive ability of the intercrops. Our results showed that the total calculated LER for fodder and protein yields was always greater than one and corresponded to crop yield advantages of 16.0% and 11.5%, respectively. Our data also highlighted the low competitive ability of the ryegrass in intercrop, which achieved the lowest yield among all the mixtures. Conversely, the same grass showed the best green fodder quality, due to the high incidence of the legume, equal (on average) to 46%. Triticale and barley, harvested for silage (hard dough stage), provided the best quantitative and qualitative results both in sole crop and intercropped with common vetch and pea, determined mainly by the cereal grain.

Productivity of diverse forage brassica genotypes exceeds that of oats across multiple environments within Australia’s mixed farming zone

In many areas of Australia’s mixed farming zone, cropping rotations are dominated by cereals and some areas have few suitable broadleaf alternatives. Forage brassicas are widely used in high rainfall livestock systems, but this study shows that several genotypes offer an alternative to forage oats in drier environments within Australia’s mixed farming zone. We compared a diverse set of forage brassica genotypes sown in autumn and winter with benchmark species, principally oats, across 10 experimental site-years. In both early (800–1300 growing degree days after sowing) and late (1600–2100 growing degree days after sowing) grazing windows, several forage brassica genotypes had forage production similar or superior to oats and dual-purpose canola. Many forage brassica genotypes produced higher yields of metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP), particularly in the late grazing window. In the early grazing window, Rival and Green globe turnips and HT-R24 forage rape consistently produced ~15% above the site mean for all productivity measures, whereas kale produced ~40% less than the site mean. In the late grazing window, oats produced the greatest amount of edible biomass (~44% higher than the site mean); however, Goliath and HT-R24 forage rapes, Pallaton raphanobrassica and dual-purpose canola had the highest yields of ME and CP (~16% higher than the site mean). Green globe turnip, Hunter leafy turnip and Regal kale produced ~22% less than the site mean in this late grazing window. Multi-environment analyses revealed no genotype × environment interactions within the early grazing window. In the late grazing window, there were several genotypic adaptations, particularly for Pallaton, which performed better in low–medium production environments than the other genotypes. We show that forage brassicas offer superior yields of ME and CP, indicating that they may be better able to meet the energy and protein demands of grazing livestock than forage oats.

AN INVESTIGATION ON THE HERBAGE YIELD AND OTHER CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME FORAGE CROPS GROWN BETWEEN CHERRY TREES

This study was conducted between 2017-2019 in a 8-year-old sweet cherry orchard (Prunus avium L.) in Karamürsel district in Kocaeli. Three different forage crop species (Vicia sativa L., Vicia faba L., Lolium multiflorum Lam.) were raised between drive rows of the trees. During the research vegetation height, herbage yield, dry matter ratio, dry matter yield, crude protein ratio and crude protein yield were determined and, beneficial information which would be useful to producers was obtained. Results indicated that, V. faba showed the highest vegetation height, V. sativa and V. faba produced the highest herbage yield, dry matter yield, crude protein ratio and crude protein yield; while L. multiflorum provided the highest dry matter ratio.

Forage potential of sorghum-clover intercropping systems in semi-arid conditions

ABSTRACT To identify the optimum intercropping system of sorghum and clover in terms of quantity and quality of forage yield, a two-year experiment was conducted in a semi-arid region of Iran, during the 2016 and 2017 growing seasons. Treatments consisted of eight cropping systems: S75C25 (75% sorghum + 25% clover), S50C50 and S25C75, as replacement series; S100C50, S50C100, and S100C100 as additive series; and sole cultures of sorghum and clover. The highest and lowest dry matter (DM) yield (29.17 and 10.71 Mg·ha-1) were found in the S100C100 and clover monoculture systems, respectively. Although the highest content of crude protein (CP) and digestible dry matter (DDM) were recorded from clover monoculture, the maximum yield of CP and DDM were obtained from the S100C100. Increasing the proportion of clover in intercropping decreased the acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber, increased the relative feed value, net energy for lactation and dry matter intake. Increasing the proportion of sorghum in intercropping improved the yield of DM, CP and DDM. The land equivalent ratio for DM yield was higher than one in all intercropping treatments but were significantly higher in the additive intercropping systems. Overall, it could be concluded that sorghum and clover additive intercropping systems increased forage yield and quality, however if simultaneous increase of the quantity and quality of forage is the interest of this study then the S100C100 system had a significant advantage over other treatments and can be a suitable alternative for sorghum and clover monoculture systems in semi-arid regions.

Effect of cutting frequency and nitrogen application on herbage yield and nitrogen content of a degraded Panicum maximum pasture.

The effects of cutting frequency and levels of nitrogen on revitalization of a run-down pasture were investigated in 2000 and 2001 at Nsukka, Nigeria. Grass swards were cut at intervals of 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks and received 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg N ha' nitrogen. Grass dry matter yield was increased from 52 to 75% at the 3 and 6 weeks intervals of cutting, respectively. Weed proportion was reduced from 48 to 25% with 6-weekly cuts compared with more frequent cutting at 3 weeks interval between cuts. Cutting interval did not affect the total herbage yield. The dry matter yields of leaf blade, stem and inflorescence fractions increased significantly with increase in interval between cuts in the second year. The percentage nitrogen content was highest with 3-weekly interval of cut and decreased with high interval of cuts in the second year. Crude protein yield (kg ha') was highest with 6- and followed by 3- and 9-weekly intervals of cut and decreased with lar cutting of 12-weekly interval. Fertilizer-N treatment significantly increased total annual herbage dry matter yield from 3,460 kg ha yrl where no fertilizer N was applied to 5,233 kg ha-yr' with application of 450 kg N ha-'. Grass dry matter as proportion of the total herbage dry matter was increased from 57 to 80% with the highest N rate of 450 kg Nha compared with where N was not applied, while the weed dry matter as proportion of the total herbage dry matter was reduced from 43 to 20% with the highest N rate of 450 kg N ha compared with where N was not applied at the second year. A combination of 6-weeks interval of cutting with 450 kg N ha' gave the highest dry matter yield. It was also adequate in suppressing weed. Frequent cutting at higher levels of fertilizer N (300 - 450 kg ha'') increased the nitrogen and crude protein percentages of forage foliage while 6-weekly interval of cuts when combined with higher N levels gave the highest crude protein yield per hectare per year in the foliage herbage.

Effects of the substitution of oregano essential oil for antibiotics in the plateau-broiler diet

This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of the substitution of oregano essential oil (OEO) for antibiotics in the plateau-broiler diet. Partridge Shank chicken is a broiler breed which has stronger adaptability and disease resistance compared with commercial broiler strain. It is generally slaughtered at 75 -d-old. Here, after a 12-d pre-experiment, 144 57-d-old healthy Partridge Shank chickens were randomly divided into three groups, and fed a basal diet supplemented with OEO (group OEO), a basal diet supplemented with aureomycin (group aureomycin), or a basal diet alone (group control) for 28 days. At the end of the experimental period, production performance, mortality ratio, carcass traits, nutrient digestibility, serum antioxidant performance, intestinal morphology, and intestinal flora structure were determined in each group of broilers. We found that the chickens in group OEO and group aureomycin were improved in average daily gain, average daily feed intake, thigh yield, breast yield, and digestibility of crude protein, reduced in mortality ratio compared with group control (p < 0.05), while there were no significant differences in these indices between these two groups (p > .05). Besides, dietary supplementation with OEO improved serum antioxidant activity and intestinal morphology in the plateau broilers, as well as the richness of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. Thus, OEO improved production performance, nutrient digestibility and reduced mortality ratio of Partridge Shank chickens in the plateau by improving intestinal flora structure. Conclusively, it is practicable that use of OEO to replace growth-promoting antibiotic additives in the plateau-broiler diet. Highlights Oregano essential oil may improved production performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics and reduced mortality ratio. Dietary supplementation with Oregano essential oil improved the serum antioxidant performance of plateau broilers. Oregano essential oil may improved intestinal flora structure of plateau-broilers.

Forage value of vegetative leaf and stem biomass fractions of selected grasses indigenous to African rangelands

Context Rangeland grasses native to Africa constitute the main diet for free-ranging livestock and wild herbivores. Leaf:stem ratio is a key characteristic used for assessing quality of forages. However, studies to determine the allocation of biomass to leaves and stems as well as chemical components and nutritive value, especially of grasses in African rangelands, are rare. Aim This study was conducted to establish biomass allocation and chemical and mineral components in leaf and stem fractions of three grasses, Eragrostis superba, Enteropogon macrostachyus and Cenchrus ciliaris, all indigenous to African rangelands. Methods Plant height, plant densities, plant tiller densities and biomass yields were estimated at the elongation stage, before inflorescence. Chemical and mineral components were determined from biomass harvested at the vegetative phase for all three grass species. Dry matter, ash content, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, and calcium, phosphorus and potassium contents were determined. Key results Enteropogon macrostachyus displayed significantly greater plant and tiller densities and plant height than the other two species. Leaf and stem biomass fractions varied significantly (P &lt; 0.05) among grasses. Leaf:stem ratio of E. superba was double that of E. macrostachyus and C. ciliaris. Crude protein and organic matter yields and net energy for lactation were highest (P &lt; 0.05) in E. superba leaf biomass, as was Ca content. Conclusions Eragrostis superba demonstrated greater potential as a forage species for ruminant animal production than E. macrostachyus and C. ciliaris. Implications Eragrostis superba is a key forage species that warrants promotion in pasture establishment programs in its native environments.

Новый сорт сои Волгоградка 2

Purpose: creation of a new high-yield, mid-ripening, technological, with a high protein content soybean variety, responsive to irrigation and suitable for cultivation in crops without irrigation. Materials and methods. A collection of soybeans, numbering 2 thousand varieties of various ecological and geographical origin, including the selection of the Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution VNIIOZ, created in 1983 and annually replenished with new genotypes. Hybridization and selection in later generations. The research was carried out on the chernozem soils of Volgograd region. Results. The original plant varieties were identified in the period 2008–2010, competitive variety trials were carried out in 2014–2016, state tests were held in 2018 and 2019. A new soybean variety called Volgogradka 2 has been included in the State Register of Varieties approved for use since 2020. In accordance with the indicators of its comparative with the standard characteristics, it stands out for its high yield (3.04 t/ha (an increase of 0.34 t/ha)), a short growing season (105 days), medium-sized (0.74 m) plants with a high attachment of lower beans (0.16 m), an increased protein content in seeds (41 %) and a gross crude protein and fat yield of 1.51 t/ha. It is drought-resistant in non-irrigated agriculture of the steppe zone of chernozem soils of Volgograd region, highly profitable and provides high-quality grain production suitable for food processing. Conclusions. A fundamentally new soybean variety with a complete type of stalk growth during the period of mass flowering, a low stem that is resistant to lodging and high attachment of lower beans, a short growing season, which contributes to a significant increase in the grain yield and quality in terms of protein content relative to standard varieties VNIIOZ 76 and VNIIOZ 86 was developed by traditional methods of breeding. The introduction of the new variety will allow expanding soybean crops in the Lower Volga region and increasing domestic soybean production.

Effect of Conservation Tillage on Yield and Economics of Fodder Crops

In order to find out the efficacy of conservation tillage on yield and economics of fodder crops over conventional tillage in new alluvial zone of West Bengal, a field experiment was conducted at Central Research Farm, Gayeshpur, West Bengal, India during summer season of 2016 and 2017 comprising 3 tillage practices (T1: zero tillage, T2: minimum tillage, T3: conventional tillage) in main plot and 4 fodder crops (C1: maize, C2: sorghum, C3: rice bean, C4: cowpea) in subplot and replicated thrice in a split plot design. Mean data confirmed the superiority of conservation tillage over conventional tillage in improving soil status and thereby, crop performance. Cereal crop maize when grown under zero tillage produced highest green forage yield (42.33 t/ha), dry matter yield (7.84 t/ha). However, regarding crude protein yield, cowpea showed superiority over others specially when grown under zero tillage condition (1.071 t/ha). Mean data also stated that legume crops under conservation tillage remained economically more viable than cereal crops. Specifically, cultivation of cowpea under zero tillage condition was economically most profitable (B:C of 2.21) and therefore can be recommended in this region.

Performance evaluation of oat variety Bundel Jai-15-1 for fodder and seed yield in hill zone of India

A high yielding new forage oat entry, JHO-2015-1, a derivative of the cross between UPO 90 × IGO2-70 was released&nbsp;as Bundel Jai-2015-1 during the year 2018 as an alternate variety for irrigated, timely sown conditions in tropical and subtropical regions during winter season in the hilly areas of India. Variety is ready for fodder harvesting with 50 per cent of flowering in 110-120 days with additional desirable features like high green forage yield, dry matter yield, physiological efficiency and better adaptability. The variety has high crude protein content, crude protein yield and high nutritional quality for in vitro dry matter digestibility and low in ADF and NDF content. A semi erect stature variety having efficient tillering capacity, with highly acceptable plant morpho-characters, good for single cut system and with medium size of grains. An efficient material with positive response to nitrogenous fertilizer treatments for green fodder, dry matter, crude protein yield (q/h) and content (%) and the number of tillers present in per meter row length and moderately resistant to leaf blight and powdery mildew. In the overall performance, the mean green forage yield of 292.65 q/ha was recorded for entry, JHO-15-1 in five years of trials with 14-15 per cent increase over check varieties. Besides the mean dry matter yield recorded for entry was 96.6 q/ha in five years of trials with 24-26 per cent increase over check varieties. At Srinagar district of Kashmir the entry has recorded the highest green forage yield of 479.0 q/ ha and 122.3 q/ha of dry matter yield among the trials conducted, this demonstrate the genetic potential. The per day productivity of entry JHO-15-1 for green forage yield and dry matter yield and seed yield is also higher than the other released and tested varieties like Kent,OS-6 and SKO-90. Crude protein yield of entry was 3.9 q/ha, IVDMD was 54.8% and CP content was 10.0%. The entry JHO-15-1 was recommended for cultivation in hilly areas of Jammu, Himachal Pradesh and Srinagar areas of India.

Determination of Roughage Production of Different Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties in Dry Conditions of Eastern Anatolia

Kinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) yüksek rakımlarda, kurak ve tuzlu topraklar gibi ekstrem şartlarda başarı ile yetiştirilebilen bir alternatif bitkidir. Bu araştırma Doğu Anadolu Bölgesinin Erzurum ve Iğdır gibi iki farklı lokasyonunda 10 farklı kinoa çeşidinin kuru şartlardaki kaba yem üretim potansiyelini belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Araştırma 2015 ve 2016 yıllarında şansa bağlı tam bloklar deneme planında 4 tekerrürlü olarak kurulmuştur. Her bir lokasyonda çeşitlerin kuru madde verimi, çiçeklenmeye kadar geçen süre, bitki boyu, yaprak alan indeksi, sap kalınlığı ve ham protein verimleri incelenmiştir. İki yıllık araştırma sonuçlarına göre Erzurum kuru şartlarında kinoa çeşitlerinin verimleri oldukça düşük (213.5-337.8 kg da-1) bulunmuştur. Buna karşılık Iğdır şartlarında bütün çeşitler yeterli verim vermişlerdir (585.4-999.0 kg da-1). Mint Vanilla, Oro de Valle, Sandoval Mix, Red Head, Cherry Vanilla, French Vanilla ve Rainbow çeşitleri yüksek kuru madde ve ham protein verimine sahip olmuşlardır. Bu sonuçlara göre Erzurum kuru şartlarında kinoa yetiştiriciliğinin uygun olmadığı, Iğdır şartlarında ise başta Mint Vanilla, Oro de Valle ve Sandoval Mix çeşitleri olmak üzere rahatlıkla yetiştirilebileceği belirlenmiştir.