Effect Of Harvest Date Research Articles

PSIV-19 Live and carcass production traits for progeny of an F1 USDA Prime – yield grade 1 carcass clone sire in comparison with progeny of popular reference sires

Abstract The cloning of beef carcasses that grade USDA Prime – Yield Grade 1 (P1) has produced a sire that ranked well against high performing bulls from multiple breeds. An F1 (P1 x P1) sire would ideally exhibit heterosis and outperform its high performing parents. A terminal sire study was conducted comparing progeny of an F1 (P1 x P1) sire (AxG1) against progeny (heifers and steers) of four high performing sires of varying breeds {P1 (Alpha); Angus; Simmental; Angus x Simmental}. Production traits included morbidity and mortality frequencies, weaning weight, and feedlot arrival weight; carcass traits included edible liver and normal lung frequencies, hot carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, 12th rib fat thickness, and marbling score. A completely randomized experimental design was used; data was analyzed using a mixed model with a fixed effect of sire and random effects of harvest date, sex, and pen. Feedlot arrival weight, frequencies of morbidity and mortality, 12th rib fat thickness, and frequency of grading Certified Angus Beef or USDA Select did not differ (P ≥ 0.16) between sires. Weaning weight and frequency of normal lungs tended (P ≤ 0.08) to differ amongst sires. Differences in hot carcass weight (P < 0.01), longissimus muscle area (P < 0.01), marbling score (P < 0.01), and frequencies of normal lungs (P < 0.01) was detected among sires. Additionally, sire differences in USDA yield grade (P < 0.01), and frequencies of carcasses grading USDA Prime (P < 0.01) and USDA Choice (P < 0.01) were observed. AxG1 progeny exhibited the least 12th rib fat thickness and lowest USDA yield grade in addition to the largest longissimus muscle area, highest marbling score, and greatest frequency of USDA Prime. These data suggest that AxG1 competed extremely well against other high performing industry sires.

The effect of harvest date and the chemical characteristics of biomass from Molinia meadows on methane yield

Molinia meadows are seminatural habitats of Natura 2000, and their continued existence is heavily dependent on human activities. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the harvest time of meadow biomass originating from Molinia meadows on the methane yield. After 35 days of conducting batch digestion tests, the average methane yield was found to be slightly different over the course of four biomass harvest dates: at the end of May, 221 ± 8 NL CH4 kg−1 VS; at the beginning of July, 211 ± 21 NL CH4 kg−1 VS; at the end of July, 200 ± 8 NL CH4 kg−1 VS and on September 1, 197 ± 2 NL CH4 kg−1 VS. During the initial stages of batch fermentation, a higher methane yield was obtained from the biomass harvested at the end of May. This biomass was characterised by higher contents of N, P and K, as well as a lower C:N ratio and reduced Ca and cellulose content. Relative to the content of elements and cellulose as well as the C:N ratio observed, significant correlations were found for methane yields from biomass obtained between the fourth and eighth days of batch digestion. It was determined that the average methane yield on a per hectare basis for the harvested biomass differed depending on the harvest date under investigation. The use of biomass from Molinia meadows for biogas production has the potential to become an important factor in the environmental protection of this type of habitat.

Effects of cultivar and harvest date on the composition of nitrogen fractions in Festulolium herbage

Effects of cultivar and harvest date on the composition of nitrogen fractions in Festulolium herbage

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia, Risso): The Effects of Cultivar and Harvest Date on Functional Properties of Juice and Cloudy Juice.

Reggio Calabria province (South Italy) is known for being almost the only area of cultivation of the bergamot fruit, grown principally for its essential oil, but today much studied for the health benefits of its juice. The biometrics and physico-chemical properties of the three (Citrus bergamia Risso) existing genotypes namely Castagnaro, Fantastico and Femminello were studied during fruit ripening from October to March. Castagnaro cultivar had the biggest and heaviest fruit during this harvest period. °Brix (7.9–10.0), pH (2.2–2.8) and formol number (1.47–2.37 mL NaOH 0.1 N/100 mL) were shown to be influenced by both the genotype and harvest date. Titratable acidity (34.98–59.50 g/L) and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) (341–867 g/L) decreased during fruit ripening. The evolution of flavonoids such as neoeriocitrin, naringin, neohesperidin, brutieridin and melitidin was studied both in bergamot juice and in the bergamot cloudy juice which is the aqueous extract of bergamot during fruit processing. Bergamot cloudy juice contained a higher quantity of flavonoids compared to the juice. This study gives important information regarding the cultivar and the harvest date for producers who want to obtain the highest juice quantity or the highest juice quality from the bergamot fruit.

Effect of Different Commercial Fertilizers, Harvest Date, and Storage Time on Two Organically Grown Blackberry Cultivars: Physicochemical Properties, Antioxidant Properties, and Sugar Profiles

Despite increased consumer interest in organic produce, little is known about how different organic production methods affect both the traditional measures of quality and the naturally occurring health promoting (bioactive) compounds of food. In this study, “Obsidian” and “Triple Crown” blackberries (bothRubushybrids) were cultivated organically and fertilized with either soy meal, fish emulsion/hydrolysate blend, or processed poultry litter fertilizers at a fixed rate. Fruits were hand-harvested three times during their peak production period and stored at 4°C and 85% RH for up to 12 d. Fertilizer effects on the physicochemical properties were minor, while harvest period had a stronger effect, though that trend varied by year. Antioxidant and sugar profile data revealed an interesting pattern: “Obsidian” had ORAC and lower sugar than “Triple Crown” at harvest and also had greater differentiation due to fertilizer treatments. Fertilizer effects differed based on harvest date and cultivar, with late harvest fruit fertilized with fish emulsion fertilizer showing higher TPC and ORAC than other fertilizer treatments, while the early and middle harvest fruit showed similar or greater responses to soy meal-based fertilizer. Time of harvest and length of storage also affected the antioxidant properties and sugar profiles in different ways depending on fruit cultivar, again with the “Obsidian” fruit showing greater variability in general. This study demonstrated that the two cultivars of organically grown blackberry fruit have different physicochemical and antioxidant properties, thus potentially different shelf lives in the fresh market.

Whole farm modelling the effect of grass silage harvest date and nitrogen fertiliser rate on nitrous oxide emissions from grass-based suckler to beef farming systems

The intensification of agricultural production systems to produce food for the growing world population is envisaged to result in the increase in nitrous oxide emissions (N2O). The goal of this study was therefore to assess the effect of different management practices on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from contrasting grass-based suckler beef farms with a particular focus on N2O emissions. The contrasting grass-based suckler beef systems evaluated were intensive (INT) and extensive (EXT) steer and heifer (SH) beef systems and bull and heifer (BH) systems. A whole farm model approach was taken to simulate GHG emissions from these baseline systems using data from a long-term research trial and a hybrid economic-GHG model. Several aspects of the hybrid model were updated. Default values for nitrogen (N) content of fresh and conserved grass were replaced with prediction equations. N excretion and partitioning prediction equations and emission factors (EF) for N2O from grazing cattle and fertiliser were also updated. The four baseline systems were simulated to harvest first cut silage on May 24. The pasture fertiliser rate for the EXT and INT systems were 77 kg N ha−1 and 205 kg N ha−1, respectively. To test the effect of changing management practices, the four baseline systems were simulated at earlier (May 5) and later (June 28) first cut silage harvest dates and 50% higher and lower pasture fertiliser application rates. In total, GHG emissions from four baseline systems and sixteen alternative scenarios were simulated. The carbon footprint of the baseline systems in kg CO2-equivalent (CO2e) per kg of carcass weight (kg CO2e CW−1) ranged from 17.7 for BH EXT to 19.4 for SH INT. This was lower than the latest published EU average of 22.2 kg CO2e CW−1. Across all scenarios, the increase in fertiliser application rate and earlier first cut silage harvest date increased the kg N2O kg CW−1 of the four production systems. Due to younger slaughter age facilitating higher stocking rates and thus higher productivity per hectare, systems finishing males as bulls at 16 months had lower N2O and total GHG emissions than production systems finishing males as steers at 24 months. Therefore, BH EXT with increased fertiliser application rate and earlier silage harvest date was the most sustainable suckler to beef production system while SH EXT with reduced fertiliser application rate and later silage harvest date was the least sustainable suckler to beef production system due to longer time to slaughter and consequently lower stocking rate.

Effects of postharvest handling practices on quality of groundnuts and aflatoxin contamination

The increased cases of aflatoxin contamination are exacerbated by poor post-harvest management practices, coupled with adverse climatic conditions at harvest and post-harvest stages. This study therefore was carried out to improve safety and quality of groundnuts from aflatoxin contamination, through use of proper postharvest handling practices. Specifically the study determined the effects of harvesting dates and drying methods on aflatoxin contamination. Field experiments were carried out both at Chitedze and Chitala Agricultural Research Stations in Malawi during 2017/2018 growing season. A randomized complete block design in a split plot arrangement with three harvesting dates as the main plot and four drying methods as the sub-plots replicated three times was used. Groundnut was assessed for kernel infection by Aspergillus flavus, and level of aflatoxin contamination. Significantly low levels of about 0.5μg/ Kg of A. flavus infection and aflatoxin contamination were observed at 90 days after sowing (DAS). Higher aflatoxin contamination of up to 5μg/ Kg was observed at 80 DAS, and 10 days late after physiological maturity (100 DAS). This study also identified Mandela cock, aframe drying rack as effective drying method that can reduce aflatoxin contamination in groundnuts by 75 %. Moreover, Mandela cock drying method was shown as the most effective compared to A-frame and drying rack drying method. Current study therefore recommends for adoption of timely harvesting at physiological maturity, and drying using either Mandela cock or A-frame and drying rack. Further studies need to be carried on biological control of aflatoxin contamination.

KKTC Ekolojik Koşullarında Bazı Erkenci Mandarin ve Portakal Çeşitlerinin Derim Dönemi ve Meyve Kalite Kriterlerinin Belirlenmesi

Çalışmada, erkenci özellikte olan Okitsu ve Clausellina satsuma mandarin çeşitleri ile Navelina ve Newhall göbekli portakal çeşitlerinin erken dönemden itibaren meyve özellikleri incelenerek, Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti (KKTC) Güzelyurt ekolojik koşullarındaki performansları ile birlikte en uygun derim tarihleri belirlenmiştir. Araştırmada meyve ağırlığı (g), meyve yüksekliği (mm), kabuk kalınlığı (mm), usare miktarı (%), SÇKM (%), sitrik asit miktarı (%) ve olgunlaşma indeksi (SÇKM/asitlik) belirlenmiştir. Okitsu ve Clausellina mandarin çeşitleri için örneklemeler Eylül, Ekim ve Kasım ayları ortasında; Newhall ve Navelina portakal çeşitleri için Ekim, Kasım ve Aralık ayları ortasında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmada mandarin çeşitlerinde dönem x çeşit interaksiyon etkisinin meyve ağırlığı, meyve yüksekliği ve olgunlaşma indeksi değerlerine; portakal çeşitlerinde ise dönem x çeşit interaksiyonunun meyve ağırlığı, sitrik asit miktarı ve olgunlaşma indeksi üzerine istatistiksel olarak önemli etkisi olduğu saptanmıştır. Mandarin çeşitlerinde olgunlaşma indeksi Eylül, Ekim ve Kasım aylarında sırasıyla 4,22, 7,26 ve 10,34 olarak belirlenirken, portakal çeşitlerinde ise bu değerlerin sırasıyla 6,47, 9,47 ve 13,42 olduğu saptanmıştır. Ayrıca ilerleyen derim dönemleriyle birlikte mandarin ve portakal çeşitlerinin meyve iriliğinin arttığı gözlemlenmiştir. Bu çalışmadan elde edilen bulgular sonucunda, Güzelyurt ekolojik koşullarında mandarin çeşitleri ve Newhall portakal çeşidi için optimum derim döneminin Ekim ayı, Navelina göbekli portakal çeşidi için ise Kasım ayı olduğu belirlenmiştir.

Effects of Harvest Date, Sampling Time, and Cultivar on Total Phenolic Concentrations, Water-Soluble Carbohydrate Concentrations, and Phenolic Profiles of Selected Cool-Season Grasses in Central Kentucky

Grasses are a source of nutrients for grazing horses. However, water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) of grasses have been implicated in some equine health issues. Grasses also contain phenolic compounds, whose sensory and antimicrobial properties may affect forage intake by horses and horse health. The goals of this study were to assess factors affecting phenolic and WSC concentrations in selected cultivars of cool-season grasses and profile the phenolic compounds. Total phenolics and WSC were quantified in “Linn” and “Calibra” perennial ryegrass (PRG), “Cajun II” tall fescue (Cajun TF), “Persist” orchardgrass (OG), and “Ginger” Kentucky bluegrass (BG), collected in the morning and afternoon of late April, early May, and late May. WSCs were higher in the afternoon (P < .0001), and afternoon concentrations differed among cultivars (P = .011) and decreased by late May (P < .0001). Total phenolics, initially highest in Calibra PRG and Persist OG, decreased or remained constant from late April to late May, except in Persist OG (P < .0001). Total phenolics decreased in the afternoon in Persist OG and Calibra PRG (P = .015). High-performance liquid chromatography revealed similar phenolic profiles in Calibra PRG, Linn PRG, and Cajun TF. These differed from the profiles of Ginger BG and Persist OG. Major peaks were characterized by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The cultivars had a diversity of phenolic compounds possibly worth exploring for properties that may interact with those of WSC to impact equine health.

Effect of Species, Fertilization and Harvest Date on Microbial Composition and Mycotoxin Content in Forage

The aim of the project was to evaluate the potential of microbial threat to feed safety in the year 2018. Analyses of the epiphytic community of several forage species (clovers, cocksfoot, fescue, festulolium, perennial ryegrass, timothy and trefoil) in variants of fertilized and non-fertilized vegetation were performed. The hypothesis is based on the fact that microorganisms are normally present on plant material during its growth all the way from the seed to the senescence; they are influenced by a plant’s fitness, and they affect its harvest and utilization. Microflora was analyzed by cultivation on specific substrates, total microbial count and five specific microbial groups were observed and quantified. Forage species did not affect plant microflora. The highest risk factor of microbial contamination of feed was proved to be harvest date. Mycotoxin contamination of fresh feed was determined (deoxynivalenol and zearalenone) using ELISA. Zearalenone (ZEA) levels were negatively correlated to fertilization intensity, although these results were not statistically significant. Deoxynivalenol (DON) levels were the lowest in a moderate fertilization regime. Significant differences in mycotoxin content were found among botanical species.

Effect of harvesting dates on the yield and tuber quality of processing potatoes

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of harvesting dates and variety on the yield and processing quality of potato tuber. Three processing potato varieties (BARI Alu-25, Asterix; BARI Alu-28, Lady Rosetta and BARI Alu-29, Courage) were used as test crops and they were harvested at different days after planting [80, 90, and 100 days after planting (DAP)]. The three processing potato varieties showed higher tuber yield of Grade A (9.12 t ha-1) and B (13.64 t ha-1). The highest tuber yield (Grade A+B) [29.62 t ha-1] and total tuber yield (35.97 t ha-1) was found in Courage at 90 and 100 DAP harvest, respectively. The variety Lady Rosetta attained the highest percent of processable tuber yield (86.8% of the total tuber yield), the maximum dry matter content (26.37%), specific gravity (1.102) at 90 DAP harvest and this variety also contained the highest mean starch content (111.75 mg g-1 FW) followed by Courage (111.17 mg g-1 FW) and Asterix (103.95 mg g-1 FW). Optimum dry matter content (24.07%), specific gravity (1.091), starch content (110.15 mg g-1 FW), processable tuber yield (26.62 t ha-1) and total tuber yield (32.76 t ha-1) was found at 90 DAP harvest and therefore, it could be mentioned as suitable harvesting date for processing purposes. Among the varieties, Lady Rosetta and Courage were found preferable potato varieties that could be used for processing of potato products.&#x0D; Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 44(1): 179-193, March 2019

Cold stress modifies bioactive compounds of kale cultivars during fall–winter harvests

Kale is a plant known and valued since antiquity as a healthy vegetable crop, used for culinary, decorative, but also healing purposes. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of harvest date on physiological status and nutritional composition of two kale cultivars: ‘Winterbor’ F&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt; (blue-green leaves) and ‘Redbor’ F&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt; (red-purple leaves). The leaves were harvested in three periods: before frost (&amp;gt;0°C), after medium (−5.0°C) and heavy frost (−15.0°C). Content of dry weight, soluble sugars, l-ascorbic acid, carotenoids, chlorophylls, polyphenols, anthocyanins, as well as antioxidant activity and peroxidase activity were determined. Cold temperature significantly affected bioactive compounds of kale. The content of dry weight, soluble sugars, l-ascorbic acid, phenolics, and antioxidant activity increased after medium frosts for both cultivars. The level of anthocyanins also increased significantly for the ‘Redbor’ F&lt;sub&gt;1&lt;/sub&gt; cultivar. After strong frost, most of the tested parameters (content of dry weight, soluble sugars, phenolics, anthocyanins, and total antioxidant and peroxidase activity) significantly increased. The chlorophyll &lt;em&gt;a&lt;/em&gt; content was reduced by heavy frost in both seasons. Harvesting kale before and after frost may allow the level of biologically active ingredients to be regulated as cold also significantly affects the physiological status of the plants.

Effect of harvest date on yield and secondary compounds of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.)

The quality of the drug of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) is influenced by several factors, among which the effect of ontogenesis has practically not been studied before. Five varieties (‘Lorelei’, ‘Lemona’, ‘Quedlinburger Niederliegende,’, ‘Gold Leaf’, ‘Soroksar’) were sampled at vegetative, budding, full flowering and after flowering phases at two locations (Budapest and Poznan) and their dried leaves analysed.The accumulation of volatile compounds showed maximum values (0.08-0.46 ml/100 g dry weight) in budding phase (Budapest) or during flowering (Poznan). The content of total phenolics was highest (226-431 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight) in vegetative stage and in some cases similar values were measured until budding. After a sharp decrease at flowering time in several cases, a second peak was detected at the end of the vegetation period. Similarly to the total phenolics, also the total flavonoid content reached the highest level (0.239-1.152% dry weight) at the first half of the vegetation period however, with characteristic differences between habitats.In cultivation, the highest essential oil content may be reached later than highest polyphenol content, however harvesting at budding time may assure a good quality from both aspects with advantageous fresh and drug yields. The described dynamics of the accumulation of the investigated secondary metabolites was depending more on the habitat and less from the cultivar.

The effect of different harvest dates on the yield and quality properties of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) plant

The purpose of this research carried out in 2018 under Eskisehir ecological conditions was to determine the effect of six different harvest dates (T1: 16 August, T2: 29 August, T3: 14 September, T4: 28 September, T5: 15 October and T6: 31 October) on the yield and quality properties rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). The experiment was established according to a randomized complete-block design with four replications. The composition of the essential oil obtained by the hydro-distillation from the dry leaves of the rosemary plant was analyzed by GC-MS. In the experiment carried out, the mean values of plant height (cm), fresh herb yield (t ha-1), dry herb yield (t ha-1), dry leaf yield (t ha-1), essential oil ratio (%), essential oil yield were determined as 61.87 cm, 15.78 t ha-1, 5.80 t ha-1, 3.55 t ha-1, 0.69% and 23.92 l ha-1, respectively. In the essential oil samples obtained from the harvests made at different dates, 35 different components were identified. The values of the camphor, 1-verbenone, α-pinene, borneol and 1,8-cineol components determined as the main component in the analyzed essential oil samples ranged from 11.67 to 14.78%, from 8.47 to 11.77%, from 8.74 to 11.82%, from 8.61 to 11.12% and from 7.01 to 9.07%, respectively.

Late harvest improves yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency of summer maize

The farmers are accustomed to harvesting summer maize around September 20, but the maize has not yet reached physiological maturity in the Huang-Huai-Hai region, which is adverse for grain yield and mechanized harvest. In order to explore the effect of harvest date on grain yield and nitrogen utilization of summer maize, two treatment in 2016 (CK and 10d) and four treatments in 2017 (CK, 3d, 6d, 10d) were conducted. The sowing dates of all treatments were June 13, and the harvest dates of CK, 3d, 6d and 10d were September 20, 23, 26 and 30, respectively. We found that grain yield and thousand-kernel weight of 10d significantly increased by 17.4–19.8% and 16.8–19.6%, respectively, compared to CK. And partial factor productivity of nitrogen of 10d was 17.4–19.7% higher than that of CK. The grain nitrogen concentration of 3d, 6d and 10d increased by 5.4%, 9.0%, and 9.3–10.8% compared to CK, which promoted nitrogen harvest index, physiological nitrogen use efficiency and partial factor productivity of nitrogen. The reason why nitrogen utilization efficiency increased was that late harvest promoted nitrogen accumulation after tasseling and nitrogen translocation to grain. The nitrogen translocation of 6d was 10.0% in 2017 higher, and that of 10d was 25.1% in 2016 and 15.3% in 2017 higher, respectively, compared to CK. The nitrogen accumulation of 10d increased by 39.0% in 2016, and that of 3d, 6d and 10d increased by 46.5%, 51.3% and 57.3% in 2017, compared to CK. In conclusion, the thousand-kernel weight increased with the delay of harvest date, resulting in increases in grain yield of summer maize. The late harvest promoted nitrogen utilization efficiency resulting from higher nitrogen accumulation after tasseling and higher nitrogen translocation to grain. The contribution of nitrogen translocation to grain yield appeared in the mid-late period (September 23–30), while the contribution of nitrogen accumulation after tasseling did in the early and middle period (September 20–26). Considering annual production of winter wheat-summer maize, the optimized harvest date for summer maize is 6–10 days later than the conventional pattern in this study, that is the cumulative growing degree-days after tasseling reach 613.2–711.5 °C at least.

Effects of different harvest dates and mixture rates on the yield and some quality characteristics of annual Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) with Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa L.) mixtures

Denemede, İtalyan çiminin (Lolium multiflorum L.), tüylü fiğ (Vicia villosa L.) ile oluşturduğu farklı oranlardaki karışımların (italyan çimi + tüylü fiğ; 100+0 %, 80+20 %, 60+40 %, 40+60 %, 20+80 % and 0+100 %), farklı biçim zamanlarındaki [I. Erken ilkbahar (Mart ayının son haftası), II. İlkbahar ortası (Nisan ayının ikinci haftası) ve III. Geç ilkbahar (Nisan ayının son haftası)] bazı verim ve kalite özellikleri incelenmiştir. Araştırma, 2012-2014 yılları arasında Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Tarla Bitkileri Bölümünün Bornova/İzmir’deki deneme tarlalarında 2 yıl süre ile sürdürülmüştür. İki yıllık ortalama sonuçlara göre, hasat tarihlerinin geciktirilmesiyle bitki boyu, kuru madde verimi, ADF ve NDF artış göstermiş, karışımdaki buğdaygil oranının artması ile ham protein oranı değerleri düşmüştür. Karışımlar içerisindeki baklagil oranı arttıkça, kuru madde verimi ile ham protein oranı artış göstermiştir. Tüylü fiğin saf olarak ele alındığı parseller, Akdeniz koşulları için en yüksek verim ve kalite özelliğine sahip olmuşlardır.

Evaluation of morphological characteristics, yield and nutritive value of Brachiaria grass ecotypes in northwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundA study was conducted to evaluate the effect of altitude and harvesting dates on productivity and nutritive value of three Brachiaria brizantha grass ecotypes (Eth. 13726, Eth. 13809 and Eth. 1377) in northwestern Ethiopia. A factorial arrangement of treatments was employed with a combination of three altitudes and three harvesting dates. The data collected consisted of plant height (PH), number of tillers, number and length of leaves and fresh yield. The yield and chemical analysis of forage samples were analyzed for dry matter yield, ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin. All data were subjected to analysis of variance procedures, with significance tested at P < 0.05.ResultsResults indicated that the highest plant height (PH) was recorded in all sites (low, mid- and high altitudes) by Eth. 1377 ecotype followed by Eth. 13726 ecotype (low and mid-altitudes) and in high altitude by Eth. 13809 ecotype. The highest DM yield was recorded by Eth. 13809 ecotype (7.26, 5.98 and 4.50) which was followed by Eth. 1377 ecotype (6.28, 4.68 and 4.30) at low, mid- and high altitudes, respectively. There was significant difference (P > 0.05) in DM yield with increasing harvesting dates for all ecotypes. CP content declined with increased harvesting date in all ecotypes [Eth. 13726 (16.33, 10.63 and 6.72), Eth. 13809 (13.87, 10.60 and 9.57) and Eth. 1377 (14.80, 10.15 and 7.86)] for 60, 90 and 120 harvesting dates, respectively. All ecotypes had the highest CP content at day 60 harvesting stage.ConclusionsAlthough all ecotypes had potential as an alternative ruminant feed in all altitude areas in Ethiopia, highest CP and lowest NDF and ADF concentrations were recorded by Eth13809 ecotype. Its capability to grow at low rainfall maintaining high yields is an additional advantage over the other two. Thus, among the tested ecotype grasses Eth13809 showed outstanding potential as a forage plant especially in low altitude area of northwestern Ethiopia.

Effect of harvest date on off-flavor development in mandarins following postharvest wax application

Mandarins (Citrus reticulata Blanco) are very prone to off-flavor formation following the postharvest application of wax and it had been previously observed that off-flavor also increases with advanced fruit maturity. To more fully evaluate the maturity effect on off-flavor and to determine potential causal mechanisms for it, ‘Owari’ and ‘China S-9’, two Satsuma varieties, were harvested at three to four dates within the harvest season, waxed and placed into storage for either 2 weeks at 5 °C or 1 week at 5 °C + 1 week 20 °C, the latter treatment being expected to develop off-flavor. The testing was conducted over three seasons with ‘W. Murcott’, a non-Satsuma variety, being included in the third season. In all three seasons analyses were conducted for various parameters related to fruit internal atmosphere composition. At the end of the storage period, in the first two seasons, the fruit were evaluated for flavor using a semi-expert sensory panel. Consistently, in seasons 1 and 2 where flavor was evaluated, both Satsuma varieties did not develop off-flavor or a loss in acceptability in the initial harvest. In subsequent harvests, however, off-flavor became increasingly noticeable and was correlated with the decline in flavor acceptability. There were occasional impacts on other flavor attributes, but the results were inconsistent. Advancing maturity in all three seasons was associated with a decrease in internal oxygen and an increase in internal carbon dioxide, except in the case of ‘W. Murcott’ where there was little or no change in internal oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide. Enhanced fermentative metabolism was indicated in the later harvests in the form of higher ethanol in the Satsuma varieties. Peel gas permeance measurements performed in season 3 showed no meaningful relationship with the internal gas concentrations measured during the season. Respiration rate, however, strongly increased during the season in the Satsuma varieties and decreased in ‘W. Murcott, both changes being associated with the internal gas composition. It is concluded that maturity influences the propensity for off-flavor development in mandarins, but it does not occur in every instance and is influenced by year, storage and temperature. The potential mechanism modulating the change in the three varieties examined in this study appeared to be changes in the rate of respiration, since when respiration is sufficiently high, oxygen levels decline to a level where fermentation occurs, and off-flavor becomes apparent.

Cultivating forage maize for biomass and bioenergy in a sub-boreal climate

The biomass potential of eight high yielding maize cultivars was studied in the sub-boreal climate of southern Finland. The effects of harvest date on lignin and sugar production, biomass yield, mineral element composition, bioenergy potential and soil nutrient management were determined in two years. The eight maize cultivars produced 17.6–33.3 t ha-1 of biomass. The ear fraction contained 50–60% of the biomass, and ash and mineral element composition of the plant fractions were significantly different (p &lt; 0.001), with more ash, Ca and S in the above-ear fractions of the plants than in the mid-stalk portions, whereas the C:N ratio was highest in the lower stalk. Cultivars with less lignin content produced more fermetable sugars. Despite the relatively cool growing conditions and short season of the sub-boreal region, maize has potential for use as biomass, for biofuel or other uses. The crop can be fractioned into ear and stalk, with the lower 20 cm of stalk left in the field to maintain soil organic matter content.

Early sowing and harvesting as effective measures to reduce stalk borer injury, Fusarium verticillioides incidence and associated fumonisin production in maize

Maize cultivation in Tanzania is hampered by the presence of maize stalk borer (Busseola fusca) and Fusarium verticillioides, causing ear, kernel and stalk damage. Furthermore, accumulation of fumonisin mycotoxins deteriorates grain quality. Optimized agronomic practices remain the primary line of defense against pests and diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain insight into the effects of hybrid, sowing and harvest date on injuries due to maize stalk borer, Fusarium verticillioides symptoms and fumonisin contamination in maize grown in Tanzania. The analyses of the data collected during two growing seasons (2013 and 2014) showed early sowing and early harvesting as important measures for minimizing these problems. Although the impact of hybrid was not always significant, the early maturing hybrid STUKA M1 was consistently less susceptible compared to the hybrid STAHA. Correlation analysis revealed that stalk borer injuries, Fusarium symptoms and fumonisin levels were positively associated. The associations between yield and stalk borer injuries, Fusarium symptoms and fumonisin levels were negative, indicating that besides the mycotoxin issues, the insect and fungal pathogen also contribute to yield losses.