Dry Matter Grain Research Articles

Soil tillage enhanced CO 2 and N 2O emissions from loamy sand soil under spring barley

Soil tillage intensity can be expected to affect the greenhouse gas balance of arable cropping systems through effects on soil physics and biology affecting soil carbon storage and nitrous oxide (N 2O) emissions. The effects of conventional tillage (CT) with ploughing to 20 cm, reduced tillage (RT) with harrowing to 8–10 cm and direct drilling (DD) on CO 2 and N 2O emissions from a loamy sand soil (8.1% clay, 3.5% organic matter) under spring barley undersown with ryegrass were measured by static chambers over a period of 113 days in spring and summer 2004 in a tillage experiment established in 2002 at Foulum, Denmark. There was a high temporal and spatial variation in both CO 2 and N 2O emissions, which made the comparisons of treatment effects on emissions on single dates difficult. However, this variation was reduced when the measurements were corrected for diurnal variation in the emissions and when emissions were cumulated over a longer period. Both CO 2 and N 2O emissions decreased in the order CT > RT > DD. Compared with CT (40 kg C day −1) the cumulated CO 2 emissions during the 91 days after tillage were 21 and 25% lower for the RT and the DD treatments, respectively. The cumulated N 2O emission from CT over the entire observation period (0.89 kg N ha −1 or 7.9 g N day −1) was about twice that of DD. The N 2O emissions were significantly higher for CT compared with DD and RT, even before tillage and the difference increased after tillage, but decreased after fertilisation. Spring barley dry matter grain yields were reduced by 14% for RT and 27% for DD compared to CT. Measurements of soil mineral nitrogen (N) at sowing showed no difference between the treatments, and could thus not explain the differences in N 2O emissions and crop N uptake. It is likely that tillage affected CO 2 emissions, N 2O emissions and crop growth through different processes, where effects of soil compactness on root penetration and soil aeration and diffusivity on one side and soil organic matter turnover on the other side probably played key roles.

Effects of Bacillus licheniformis Amylase on Starch Digestibility and Sheep Performance

Crosby, M.M., Mendoza, G.D., Melgoza, L.M., Bárcena, R., Plata, F.X. and Aranda, E.M. 2006. Effects of Bacillus licheniformis amylase on starch digestibility and sheep performance. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 30: 133–136. An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of amylase on starch digestion and sheep performance (45 d) with a sorghum based diet (68%). Thirty-six sheep (Creole x Suffolk, 21.66±6.5 kg BW) were assigned the following doses of amylase from B. licheniformis (g enzyme/kg dry matter of grain): 0.0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0. In vivo digestibility (%) of dry matter was improved (P<0.05) (72.8 vs 81.7%) with amylase. The average daily weight gain (g) and feed conversion were not affected by treatment. Even when dry matter digestibility was increased with amylase from B. licheniformis, sheep performance was not with the exogenous amylolytic enzyme.

Translocation and accumulation of dry matter in winter wheat genotypes

In the years 2003 and 2004, diametrically different in temperature, in total amount of precipitation and in its distribution during vegetation, winter wheat lines in generations F 4 and F 5. originated from seven crossings, and with three local adapted varieties, were examined in field experiments. This study was conducted to assess effects of year and genotype on the rate of biomass produced till anthesis from total one at maturity and the rate of photosynthate produced before anthesis in grain. In hot and dry conditions of the year 2003, in comparison to 2004 (higher precipitation, lower temperature), lower total biomass was produced (1258 g.m −2 to 1859 g.m −2), higher rate of accumulated biomass till anthesis (60 % to 52 %) and higher portion of translocated biomass in grain (15 % to −13.6 %), and lower grain yield (591 g.m −2 to 782 g.m −2) were observed. Differences occurred among crossings and lines within crossing in ratio of photosynthate produced till anthesis in grain. The ratio of translocated photosynthate in grain on one side and grain yield and total produced biomass on the other side, were negative correlated. Genotypes with high proportion of translocated dry matter in grain are recommended for marginal growing areas. For intensive growing areas, genotypes with high biomass production and with higher biomass portion from anthesis to maturity are required. Rate of translocated biomass in grain depends on the harvest index, and on the portion of biomass produced till anthesis from the total one.

Effect of harvest time on yield and pre-harvest quality of semi-leafless grain peas ( Pisum sativum L.) as whole-crop forage

The aim of the work was to study changes in the yield and nutritional characteristics of whole crop semi-leafless field pea over two growing seasons in the Po plain, Italy. Samples of two cultivars (Baccara and Sidney) were collected from flowering to grain maturity. The developmental stage, yield, dry matter (DM) content, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), starch, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), gross energy (GE), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and the net energy for lactation (NE L) were determined at each harvest. The forage characteristics were regressed on the growing degree days (GDD) with 4.4 °C as the base temperature. The DM yield increased with advancing maturity from 0.5 to 8.91 Mg ha −1, while the CP decreased from 261 to 159 g kg −1 DM. During the whole growth cycle the GE, OMD, NE L and milk forage units (milk FU) were almost steady. No differences were observed between the cultivars for any of the measured parameters. At grain maturity, the crop produced over 4.0 Mg ha −1 DM of grain. The CP, starch and WSC of the grain did not show any differences between the cultivars or years. The data showed that the nutritive quality of the forage of the semi-leafless grain pea harvested as a whole crop for ensiling purposes did not diminish with maturity and could help improve the self-sufficiency of dairy farms, in terms of home-grown protein forages.

Influence of storage and chemical treatment on sunflower seed quality

In the research have been used two genetically different sunflower hybrids, Fakir and Apolon, with oil content in dry matter of grain 45-48 % and 50-55 %, respectively. After harvesting and seed processing in 2000 year, next treatments were made: T1 – control (without chemical treatment) ; T2 – Apron 35 DS (metalaxyl), 0.6 kg/100 kg of seed ; T3 – Apron 35 DS (metalaxyl), 0.6 kg/100 kg of seed + Geocid ST-35 (carbofuran), 3.5 l/100 kg of seed ; T4 – Apron 35 DS (metalaxyl), 0.6 kg/100 kg of seed + Chinook FS 200 (imidacloprid + beta-cyfluthrin), 1.75 l/100 kg of seed. Seed samples (T2, T3, T4) were powdered by wet treatment. Seed samples were packed in two-wall natron paper bags, storaged on air temperature of 20°C and air humidity of 65 %. Laboratory analysis of seed samples is done before and after 3 years of storage. After 3 years of storage, high oil sunflower hybrid Apolon had significantly larger reduction of vigour and germination in relation to hybrid Fakir. For both sunflower hybrids, the largest values of vigour and germination had treatment T2 (Apron 35 DS), while the smallest values had treatment T3 (Apron 35 DS + Geocid ST-35).

Impact of soil compaction upon soil water balance and maize yield estimated by the SIMWASER model

The capability of the soil water balance model SIMWASER to predict the impact of soil compaction upon the yield of maize ( Zea mays L.) is tested, using the results of a field experiment on the influence of soil compaction by wheel pressure upon soil structure, water regime and plant growth. The experimental site was located on an Eutric Cambisol with loamy silt soil texture at an elevation of 260 m in the northern, semi-humid sub-alpine zone of Austria. Within the experimental field a 7 m wide strip was compacted by a tractor driven trailer just before planting maize in May 1988. Compression effects due to trailer traffic resulted in distinct differences of physical and mechanical soil parameters in comparison with the uncompressed experimental plots down to a depth of about 30 cm: bulk density and penetration resistance at field capacity were increased from 1.45 to 1.85 g/cm 3, and from 0.8 to 1.5 MPa, respectively, while air-filled pore space as well as infiltration rate were appreciable lowered from about 0.08–0.02 cm 3/cm 3 and from 50 to 0.5 cm per day, respectively. The overall effect was a clear depression of the dry matter grain yield from 7184 kg/ha of the non-compacted plot to 5272 kg/ha in the compacted field strip. The deterministic and functional model SIMWASER simulates the water balance and the crop yield for any number of crop rotations and years, provided that daily weather records (air temperature, humidity of air, global radiation, wind and precipitation) are available. Crop growth and soil water regime are coupled together by the physiological processes of transpiration and assimilation, which take place at the same time through the stomata of the plant leaves and are both reacting in the same direction to changes in the soil water availability within the rooting zone. The water availability during rainless seasons depends on the hydraulic properties of the soil profile within the rooting depth and on rooting density. Rooting depth and density are affected by both the type of the crop and the penetration resistance of the soil, which depends on the soil moisture status and may be strongly increased by soil compaction. The model SIMWASER was able to simulate these effects as shown by the calculated grain yields, which amounted in the non-compacted plot to 7512 and to 5558 kg dry matter/ha in the compacted plot.

Boro em solos de várzea do sul de Minas Gerais e a cultura do feijoeiro

Com o objetivo de avaliar a resposta do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) à aplicação de B em solos de várzea, conduziu-se um experimento em casa de vegetação com quatro solos (0-20cm), Glei Pouco Húmico (GP), Aluvial (A), Glei Húmico (GH) e Orgânico (O), este último artificialmente drenado, coletados no município de Lavras (MG). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, arranjado num esquema fatorial 4x7, consistindo dos 4 solos e de 7 doses de B (0,0; 0,25; 0,5; 1,5; 3,0; 6,0 e 10,0 mg dm-3 de solo). Os solos receberam calcário dolomítico, macro e micronutrientes e as respectivas doses de B, e foram incubados por 24 dias. Antes da semeadura, os solos foram amostrados e analisados para B (água quente). Foram cultivadas duas plantas por vaso de três dm³, colhidas na maturação de grãos, avaliando-se a matéria seca de grãos, o número de vagens por planta e o número de grãos por vagem. Os resultados mostraram respostas significativas do feijoeiro à aplicação de B nos solos estudados. As doses de B para atingir 90% da produção máxima variaram de 1,04 a 1,25 mg dm-3. Para a produção máxima, as doses variaram de 2,50 a 2,83 mg dm-3, enquanto que para causar redução de 10% na produção, devido a toxidez, a variação na dose de boro foi de 4,54 a 5,33 mg dm-3. O potencial produtivo dos solos para 90% da produção máxima, em ordem decrescente, foi a seguinte: Glei Húmico &gt; Aluvial = Orgânico &gt; Glei Pouco Húmico.

Prospects of Agronomic Improvement in Spring Barley Based on a Comparison of Old and New Germplasm

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the direction and magnitude of change in morphological and agronomical characters of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Germany over a period of 80 years and to assess the value of various strategies for further crop improvement. Old and new two‐rowed cultivars, eight in each case, were tested together with their F2 intra‐group diallel crosses in a field trial at Braunschweig‐Völkenrode in 1994. New parents and their crosses showed a higher dry matter grain and total biomass yield, a lower plant height, and a higher harvest index as compared to the respective old germplasm. The annual genetic gain in grain yield was estimated at 0.15%. The superior grain yield of the new germplasm was attributable to the higher number of ears per plant and the larger kernel weight. The F2 mid‐parent heterosis in grain yield was 7.6 and 7.2 % for the old and new crosses, respectively. The differences between the two types of crosses were nonsignificant except for the higher heterosis for plant height in the new crosses. General combining ability effects were significant for all characters in both types of crosses, whereas specific combining ability effects were significant in a few cases only. In the new crosses, a significant positive correlation was found between grain yield and straw yield (r = 0.52), whereas no such association was observed between grain yield and harvest index. For further gain in grain yield, improvement of the straw yield is more promising than increasing harvest index.

Growth analysis of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

An experiment to study the growing pattern of a chickpea variety, IAC-Marrocos, was carried out at the Monte Alegre Experimental Station, SP, during 1987 and 1988. The dry matter production of all parts of the plant, as well the leaf area index, were weekly evaluated. Exponential quadratic models of regression were adjusted to total dry matter, leaf dry matter and leaf area index, and a linear model to dry matter of grain. Based on the growth analysis it was concluded that the chickpea is a rustic eatable plant that can be recommended as an alternative winter crop for similar climatic conditions as those of the experiment.

Grain Filling Mechanisms in Spring Wheat. III. Effects of shadings on dry matter accumulation in grain and culm.

To determine the effects of assimilate shortage to grain filling mechanisms in spring wheat canopy (cv. Haruyutaka), we examined the accumulation and translocation of dry matter in grain, along with water soluble sugar content (WSC) and structural material in culm under shading conditions during grain filling phases. Shading treatments were conducted using 95% shading cloth from -2 to 7 days after anthesis (DAA) (initial shading), 7 to 14 DAA (early shading) and 14 to 21 DAA (late shading). These shadings prevented the wheat canopy from producing any assimilate. However rates of increase in grain dry weights for all the shadings were 50-60% of the control (no shading), while the WSC in culm was used for the grain growth. During the initial grain filling phase, the WSC in culm for the initial shading decreased (-15 mg pl-1day-1), whereas that for the control increased (20 mg pl-1day-1). The grain dry weight showed a high rate of increase (11 mg pl-1day-1) for the initial shading, being about 50% of the control (19 mg pl-1day-1). During the early phase, the WSC in culm for the early shading decreased (-15 mg pl-1day-1), although that for the control increased (12 mg pl-1day-1). The rate of grain weight increase for the early shading (24 mg pl-1dayl-1). During the late phase, the WSC in culm for the late shading decreased (-33 mg pl-1day-1) five times as much as the control (-7 mg pl-1day-1). The rate of grain weight increase for the late shading (34 mg pl-1day-1) was 60% of that for the control (55 mg pl-1day-1). Although the culm lengths at harvest were no different between the initial shading and the control, the dry weight of culm structural material for the initial shading was lower than that for the control. The difference between the cases in which the partitioning rate to grain did or did not increase is discussed herein.

Effects of seven factors on the growth and yield of winter barley grown as a third consecutive take-all susceptible crop and of growing the barley after oats or a fallow

SUMMARYIn experiments at Rothamsted in 1984–86, seven factors, each at two levels, were tested in factorial combination on winter barley (cv. Panda) grown as a third take-all susceptible crop. The factors were seed rate, a growth regulator prior to stem extension, amounts of N in spring, ‘winter’ nitrogen, an autumn insecticide, a fungicide applied to the seed (‘Baytan’) and a programme of fungicide sprays in spring and summer. Sowing 50% more seeds than normal increased the number of ears/unit area but had no effect on mean grain yield because grains were smaller. There were, however, significant, but unexplained, interactions between seed rate and the fungicide ‘Baytan’ applied to the seed. A growth regulator applied prior to stem extension had little effect on crop growth and no significant effect on grain yield. If sufficient N was applied in April there was little benefit from applying ‘winter’ N (30 kg/ha in November and again in February/March) except in 1985 when the amount of NO3-N in the soil, measured in the previous October, was lowest. Insecticide sprays applied in autumn to control the aphid vectors of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) had no significant effect on grain yield but infectivity indices were below the threshold needed for treatment in each year. On average, ‘Baytan’ applied to the seed increased grain yield by 0·28 t/ha and this was associated with decreases in the severity of take-all. Over the three years, programmes of fungicide sprays, applied during spring and summer, increased grain yield by 0·92 t/ha but the mean response was largest where most N was applied.The experiments also allowed the importance of interactions between different agronomic factors to be examined. A combined analysis of grain yields for all three years (based on 192 plot values) showed that only six 2- or 3-factor interactions, out of the 73 estimated, were significant (P &lt; 0·05). Two of these interactions reflected variable responses to ‘winter’ N and fungicide sprays in the three years and three of the remaining four involved ‘Baytan’.Additional plots of barley grown after oats had little take-all and yielded 1·14 t/ha more grain than similarly treated plots grown after barley. These responses were obtained despite evidence that oat residues had adverse effects on the growth of barley seedlings. Additional plots of barley grown after a bare fallow also had little take-all and gave even larger total yields (grain plus straw) than did barley after oats but the mean yield of grain was less than after oats because more of the dry matter after a fallow was straw. In 1984, when take-all was relatively slight, plots after a fallow gave even less grain than plots after barley (−0·77 t/ha) despite producing 2·12 t/ha more dry matter in grain plus straw.

Milk production by dairy cows fed legume grains or barley grain with or without urea as supplements to a cereal hay based diet

Milk production and composition was determined in Holstein-Friesian cows fed either 3.5 or 7.0 kg dry matter (DM) daily of lupin grain, pea grain, faba bean grain or barley grain with or without 1.5% added urea, as supplements to an oaten hay based diet. All the grains were hammermilled. Daily yields of milk (L), fat (kg) and protein (kg) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher for cows fed lupin (20.0, 0.81, 0.57), pea (18.9, 0.80, 0.56) and faba bean (18.9, 0.79,0.55) grains compared with those of cows fed barley grain with (17.8, 0.73, 0.51) or without (18.0, 0.71, 0.52) urea. Yields of milk (L), fat (kg) and protein (kg) and milk protein content (g/kg) were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher when 7.0 kg DM (19.5, 0.80, 0.57, 29.6) compared with 3.5 kg DM (18.0,0.73,0.51,29.0) of grain was fed. There were no significant differences between treatments in hay DM intake by cows fed 3.5 kg DM of grain daily. A significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher milk fat production per unit DM intake was recorded for cows fed legume compared with barley grain. There were generally higher returns above grain cost for cows fed legume compared with barley grain and for cows fed 4 kg compared to 8 kg daily of grain. It was concluded that it was more economical to feed 3.5 kg DM of legume grain compared with 3.5 kg DM of barley grain, with or without urea, as supplements for cows offered cereal hay in early lactation. However, the economics of feeding 7.0 kg DM of legume grain compared with 7.0 kg DM of barley grain and 7.0 kg DM compared with 3.5 kg DM of grain will depend on the costs of relative changes in hay intake associated with these practices.