Fodder Value Research Articles

Exploiting fodder and nutritive value of Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed) at different times of harvest: a potential fodder weed

Exploiting fodder and nutritive value of Alternanthera philoxeroides (alligator weed) at different times of harvest: a potential fodder weed

Realization of potential of spring triticale varieties in the conditions of the northeastern part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine

Spring triticale in the grain complex plays a significant stabilizing role in food grain production. The fact that spring triticale is low demanding to predecessors, soil conditions, technical and fodder value of grain, increased resistance to diseases makes it possible to increase grain production.
 The research envisaged the use of the genetic potential of high yields of a relatively new grain crop ‒ spring triticale, which expands the possibilities of producing pure products and stabilizes the market of ecologically safe food grain.
 Varieties of spring triticale had an average plant weight in the range of 2.4‒3.0 g. The greatest weight of the plant was observed in the variety Husar Kharkivskyi ‒ 3.0 g. On average, over the years of research, the maximum weight of the spring triticale ear was distinguished by plants of the Husar Kharkivskyi variety ‒ 2.0 g. Smaller values of plant ear weight were determined in the varieties Zlit Kharkivskyi and Boryviter Kharkivskyi ‒ 1.9, 1.8 g respectively. Experimental data show that the longest ear (on average 9.5 cm) had plants in the variant with the variety Husar Kharkivskyi. The smallest mass of grain from the ear was formed by spring triticale plants in the variety Boryviter Kharkivskyi (1.2 g), the largest one was in the variety Husar Kharkivskyi (1.4 g). The number of grains in the ear ranged from 32.8 to 35,0 pieces. The largest number of grains in the ear was formed by plants of the Husar Kharkivskyi variety ‒ 35 pcs. However, it was found that the largest mass of 1000 grains differed plants in crops of the variety Husar Kharkivskyi ‒ 40.0 g. On average the maximum yield during the research period was formed by the variety Husar Kharkivskyi ‒ 4.76 t/ha. Varieties Boryviter Kharkivskyi and Zlit Kharkivskyi provided yields of 4.08, 4.49 t/ha respectively.
 The content of crude gluten in the grain of spring triticale in the years of research was at the level of 24.92‒26.21 %. Varietal characteristics affected the gluten content in triticale grain. Grain with the highest gluten content was obtained in the variety Husar Kharkivskyi ‒ 26.21 %, which is 1.25 % more than in the variety Zlit Kharkivskyi and 1.29 % in the variety Boryviter Kharkivskyi. The protein content in the grain of spring triticale ranged from 12.57 to 13.53 %. The largest amount of protein in the spring triticale grain was obtained in the variety Husar Kharkivskyi ‒ 13.53%. Slightly lower protein content was obtained in the varieties Zlit Kharkivskyi ‒ 12.75 % and Boryviter Kharkivskyi ‒ 12.57 %.
 The best conditions for growth, development and crop formation of spring triticale have developed on the variant with the Husar Kharkivskyi variety. This variety provided the maximum yield on average for the research period of 4.76 t/ha with the number of grains in the ear of 35 pcs and weight of 40.0 g for 1000 seeds. The maximum amount of gluten 26.21 % with a protein content of 13.53 % was noted in the grain of the Husar Kharkivskyi variety.

Influence of mineral nutrition on the productivity of perennial legumes

The results of the studies of different doses of dressings on the yield and nutritional value of green mass of clover for two years use are presented. The experiment was carried out in April 2017 on No. 3 scientific field of the FSBSI «Adyghе Research Institute of Agriculture using B.A. Dospekhov’s method. The experiment was repeated 4 times, the arrangement of repetitions and variants was systematic. The object of the research was Abadzekhsky local red clover variety. In the research a moldboard method of tillage was used to a depth of 20–22 cm. Analysis of the data obtained showed that the maximum yield of green mass of clover, both I and II, was obtained in the variant with an increased background of mineral nutrition and amounted to 15,1 t/ha; 25,1 t/ha. The yield of clover hay in the first and second years of life with the application of the highest dose of nitrogen fertilizers (N45) was 4,8 t/ha and 7,2 t/ha. Complete zootechnical analysis of the nutritional value of the green mass of red clover I g. showed that 1 kg of dry feed contained 0,75–0,80 g/kg of feed units. The provision of digestible protein in the green mass of clover increased with an increase in the background of mineral nutrition 77,7–98,8 g/kg. The content of metabolizable energy in 1 kg of dry food was 8,7–9,3 MJ. The fodder value of green mass of clover of II y. showed that the content of digestible protein varied in the options within 74,0–94,1 g. The content of feed units in 1 kg of dry feed was 0,75–0,86 g, metabolic energy 9,6–10,3 mJ. The content of digestible protein, feed units and metabolizable energy on these variants corresponded to the I and II class of feed.

Evaluation of the grassland sward floristic composition of the Wadowice commune

The quality of the botanical composition of meadows and pastures is decisive in the profitability of livestock farming. The aim of this study was to examine the floristic composition of meadows and pastures of the Wadowice commune and to assess their feed value. Field explorations were carried out in June 2016 throughout the commune. Floristic lists were made on 51 designated plots using the estimated Klapp method. Four groups of similar plots with the following dominant species were distinguished in the analysed area: I – plots with Phleum pratense and Vicia cracca, II – plots with Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens, III – plots with Holcus lanatus, and IV – plots with Arrhenatherum elatius. The results of the research showed that, in the area of this commune, meadows and pastures were characterised by average and good pasture values, which favours their use for agricultural purposes. Improving the quality of the botanical composition of plots of medium fodder value could be achieved through proper care and sustainable use.

Comparisons of nutrient solutions from organic and chemical fertilizer sources on herbage yield and quality of hydroponically produced maize fodder

We investigated the use of four nutrient solutions (organic, organo-mineral, inorganic, and a commercial hydroponics solution that served as a control) on the yield and quality of hydroponically produced maize fodder. The organic, organo-mineral, and inorganic nutrient solutions were formulated from poultry manure, Aleshinloye organo-mineral fertilizer, and NPK 20:10:10, respectively. The nutrient solutions were used to irrigate “Swan-1” maize seeds for 16 days after which herbage yield, water use efficiency, chemical composition, and in vitro variables were determined. Formulated nutrient solutions had no significant (p > 0.05) effect on recorded fodder yield values (0.96 − 1.05 kg/tray). Water use efficiency values ranged from 0.23 to 0.26 kg DM/m3 with no significant (p > 0.05) treatment effect. The organo-mineral nutrient solution decreased crude protein content but increased ash content in the plants. The other treatments had statistically similar (p > 0.05) crude protein and ash values with the control. Recorded crude protein and ash values were 8.88%−13.69% and 5.43%−8.25%, respectively. Plants irrigated with the organo-mineral nutrient solution had consistently higher (p < 0.05) mineral concentration values (3.68, 2.13, 63.60, 13.70, and 5.29 g/kg for Ca, P, K, Mg, and Na); although, P concentration was similar with the control. In vitro gas volumes and dry matter digestibility were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by the treatments. In conclusion, the formulated organic and organo-mineral nutrient solutions produced plants with similar yield and quality as the inorganic and standard nutrient solutions.

Linear discriminant analysis in red sorghum using artificial intelligence

Red Sorghum landraces are predominantly cultivated in southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India and are noted for its anthocyanin (3-deoxyanthocyanin) content, high antioxidant activity, low glycemic index, dietary fiber, astringency, fodder value, high protein, biotic and abiotic stress resistance. In this study, the seeds of 72 sorghum landraces collected from Tamil Nadu were analyzed to measure morpho-colourimetric data using an image analyser. Artificial Intelligence is widely used in genetic research for its uncompromised accuracy and speed. The observed phenotypic data is used to create a statistical database and analysed by linear discriminate analysis (LDA) to identify and discriminate landraces for utilization in breeding projects. The classification is based on sorghum descriptors established by Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad. The LDA for the trait seed size had discriminated the landraces into three groups with an accuracy of 91.83%. Five groups were observed based on grain color Red Green–Blue colour space Model and CIELAB (Commission International de I’Elcairage Lightness Red/Green values Blue/Yellow values) colour space with accuracy 53.06%. The result showed that discrimination of landraces was possible with great accuracy by image analyser. The image analysis of seeds is found to be more effective, easy, non-destructive and fast method to classify landraces. This new phenomic approach is proved to be an important tool in the early selection of genotypes and facilitates speed breeding in colored sorghum.

Evaluation of Feed Value of Barley Fodder as an Alternative Feed Ingredient

Barley is an important cereal gain which is traditionally used in some nations of Asia and North Africa, and there has been growing interest in using barley as an ingredient in food due to their nutritional value and high content of phyto-constituents. However, no study report on comparative feed value between sprouted barley, cornflake and alfalfa hay. Therefore, in this study we aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, amino acid profile and mineral content of 6 day sprouted barley fodder (SBF) compared with cornflake and alfalfa hay using by AOAC method, as an alternative feed ingredient. Results showed that SBF had higher content of crude protein, acid detergent insoluble crude proteins and neutral detergent insoluble crude protein than alfalfa hay and cornflake; cornflake had higher crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber content than SBF and alfalfa hay; alfalfa hay had higher crude fiber, crude ash, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and lignin level than SBF and cornflake. Also, significant differences were found on amino acid content among them (p<0.01). The most abundant amino acid in SBF was glutamate (123 g/kg DM), which is higher than in alfalfa hay (1.27%) or cornflake (1.58%). However, methionine (1.33%) and cysteine (1.53%) were the least abundant amino acids in SBF compared with cornflake or alfalfa hay. Furthermore, our study results exhibited that SBE comprise a good sources of minerals including ferrous (90.01 mg/kg) followed by zinc (20.50 mg/kg), magnesium (0.20 mg/kg) and sodium (0.03 mg/kg) as compared to cornflake and alfalfa hay. The present research findings, confirmed that the nutritional values of SBF are comparable to those of cornflake and alfalfa hay. Hence, SBF can be a better alternative feed ingredient for cornflake or alfalfa hay. However, feeding trials will be required to determine acceptability of SBF for ruminant production.

Ihlamur Ağacı Tilia rubra subsp. caucasica (Rupr.) V. Engl. Yapraklarının Yem Değeri Potansiyelinin Belirlenmesi

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’nin Doğu Karadeniz Bölgesi’nin kıyı kesiminde yetişen ıhlamur ağacı [Tilia rubra subsp. caucasica (Rupr.) V. Engl.] yapraklarının yem değeri potansiyelinin belirlenmesi amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Bu amaçla, Temmuz ayının başında bitkinin tam çiçeklenme döneminde 35 farklı ıhlamur ağacından yaprak örnekleri alınmıştır. Yaprak örneklerinde; ham protein (HP), asit deterjanda çözünmeyen lif (ADF), nötral deterjanda çözünmeyen lif (NDF), toplam fosfor (P), potasyum (K), kalsiyum (Ca) ve magnezyum (Mg) analizleri yapılmış, yaprağın Ca/P ve K/(Ca+Mg) oranları saptanmıştır. Araştırma sonucuna göre, ıhlamur ağacı yapraklarının HP, ADF, NDF, P, K, Ca ve Mg içerikleri sırasıyla; % 13.52-23.82, % 21.25-35.73, % 31.58-57.03, % 0.23-0.80, % 0.04-1.75, % 1.80-2.97 ve % 0.21-0.71 arasında değişkenlik göstermiştir. Çalışmada, ıhlamur yaprağının K/(Ca+Mg) oranı 2.2’den düşük çıkmış; Ca/P oranı ise hayvan sağlığı açısından riskli bulunmuştur. Ham protein bakımından zengin olan ıhlamur ağacı yapraklarının kaba yem olarak kullanılması durumunda, yem rasyonlarına P ve K kaynakları eklenmelidir.

Ефективність поверхневого поліпшення гірських схилових луків Карпат

Goal. To determine peculiarities of formation of phytocenoses, productivity, chemical composition, nutritive value, and energy content of grass forages depending on the options for surface improvement of slope meadows of the mountain forest belt of the Carpathians at different modes of use. Methods. General scientific methods (hypotheses, induction and deduction, analogy, generalization) — to select the work program, and special (field, laboratory, mathematical-statistical, calculation) — to conduct researches and their generalization. Results. Surface improvement of cereals and grasses (with 28% share of low-value in feed terms Nardus stricta) low-productive (1.39 t/ha of dry weight) slope grasslands of mountain forest belt of the Carpathians improves their species composition and chemical composition of feed increases the productivity of the land. Share of sowed cereals or legumes increases to 34 – 46%. Under the hay regime the highest efficiency as to the output from 1 ha of dry mass was fixed for reseeding mixtures of grasses on the background of N60P30K60 (4.33 t), for the multi-mow regime — reseeding of white clover on the background of P30K60 (3,71 t), that was, respectively, by 14 and 106% more than in the variants without reseeding, and by 146 and 167% more than in the variants without improvement. Among measures of surface improvement influencing forage quality by chemical composition, increasing the content of crude protein, was the introduction of N60P30K60 or 15 t/ha of manure at multi-mow use, and reseeding of white clover — on the background P30K60. Regardless of the measures of surface improvement the highest content of crude protein, the best energy content, and nutritional value of grass fodder were fixed for multi-mow (simulated pasture) mode of use than for hay-mowing. Conclusions. Surface improvement of meadows of the mountain forest belt of the Carpathians with natural grass by operating factors of the improvement of species composition and quality of grass fodder, as well as an increase of their productivity, is the annual entering of N60P30K60 or 15 t/ha of manure, or N60P30K60 + reseeding of grass mixture (Lolium pratense and Phleum pratense) for hay use, or P30K60 + reseeding of white clover for multi-mow use. The best positive effect ensures the application of mineral fertilizers in combination with the reseeding of perennial grasses.

Lignocellulosic Content and Biofuel Potential of Post-harvest Sugarcane Leaves from Commonly Cultivated Indian Varieties

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in India and its post-harvest leaves having low fodder value compared to many other agri residues, can be utilized for biofuel production. There is no detailed information on the lignocellulosic content of cane straw from different varieties, which could be helpful for the selection of potential biofuel feedstock and designing suitable pretreatment methods. Hence, in the present study, lignocellulosic content of post-harvest leaves from seventeen Indian cane varieties was analyzed for its better utilization in bioethanol production. Major cell wall polymers such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were estimated in a range of 53.8-38.7%, 34.4-23.6% and 18.9-13.3% dry weight of biomass respectively in these varieties. Cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents in Nayana (CO 86032) were found to be 53.8%, 31% and 18.4% respectively. Among the tested varieties, Nayana was selected for further pretreatment studies being one of the candidates widely cultivated in India with high sucrose and cellulose content. 1-ethyl,3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][Ac]) pretreatment at 150°C for 3 hr was found to be effective in biomass depolymerization. Higher degree of delignification was observed in [Emim][Ac] (62.1%) compared to hot water pretreatment (13.4%). FTIR spectra also confirmed the effective depolymerization of the biomass. The biofuel potential of [Emim][Ac] pretreated biomass was assessed in terms of saccharification efficiency and was found 3.8 fold higher compared to untreated biomass at 72 hr of enzymatic hydrolysis.

Вплив поверхневого поліпшення гірських і заплавних луків Карпат на їх продуктивність та якість корму

Goal. To determine the features of the formation of efficiency, chemical composition, nutritive value, and energy content of grass forages depending on surface improvement of meadows of the mountain-forest belt of the Carpathians Mountains. Methods. Field, laboratory, mathematical-statistical. Results. It is shown that productivity of dry matter for 1 ha over 3 years of research made on average: for haymaking – 2.15–4.77 t, for perennial mowing — 1.95–4.11 t. For haymaking usage, the highest productivity was at sowing the mixtures of cereal grasses on the background of N60P30K60. For perennial mowing usage, the highest productivity was at sowing white clover on the background of P30K60. It respectively made 12% and 85% more than in the variants without interplanting, and 122% and 111% more than in the variants without surface improvement. The best uniformity of distribution of crop biomass was obtained for perennial mowing with interplanting white clover on the background of P30K60. In this case, the share of the 1st mowing was 39%, 2nd — 33, and 3rd — 28% with the unevenness expressed by the coefficient of variation of 18%. From measures of surface improvement of forage quality as to chemical composition (a primarily, increase of the content of crude protein) they noted the introduction of N60P30K60 or 15 t/ha of manure. For perennial mowing, a similar effect was noted for interplanting white clover on the background P30K60. Regardless of the measures of surface improvement the highest content of crude protein, the best energy content, and the nutritional value of grass fodder had perennial mowing (simulation of pasture meadow). Conclusions. For surface improvement of meadows of the mountain-forest belt of the Carpathians Mountains with natural herbage, the working factors influencing the productivity and improving the quality of grass fodder are the annual introduction of N60P30K60 or 15 t/ha of manure, or N60P30K60 + interplanting of mixtures of grasses of fescue and timothy for haymaking use, or P30K60 + interplanting of white clover for perennial mowing use. The application of mineral fertilizers in combination with the interplanting of perennial grasses ensures the best positive effect.

The Use of Remote Sensing Data to Improve the Efficiency of Pastoral Sheep

in the study of agricultural land, the priority is the use of remote monitoring techniques using unmanned aerial vehicles, technological portable devices. Obtaining materials by remote methods will expand the possibilities of introducing grazing livestock, increase the yield and thereby improve the efficiency of production indicators. The article considers the issues of assessing the nutritional value of pasture fodder, in particular, the amino acid composition in combination with the vegetation index in the conditions of pasture livestock raising in the Stavropol Territory. Productive qualities of replacement young animals directly depend on the quality of feed. Monitoring the amino acid composition of feeds allows you to optimize the technology of growing sheep, taking into account their productivity direction. The combination of remote methods for assessing the vegetation index and the in-depth composition of the nutritional value of feeds makes it possible to optimize the production schedule for the use of pasture plots by various sex and age groups of animals and increase the average daily gain in live weight of young fattening groups by 8-10%. It has been shown that the introduction of top-dressing with roughage in especially dry periods contributes to preserve of animal growth energy when changing grazing areas. Remote assessment of pasture vegetation was carried out using a special camera to calculate the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), which was installed on an unmanned aerial vehicle. At the same time, the dynamics of the NDVI using a portable manual nitrogen sensor was studied in the same pasture plots. The obtained results of monitoring of the vegetative index on pasture plots were compared with the results of chemical analysis of plant feed. Information on the availability of gross amount of plant biomass in the fields was used for priority selection of a specific site for grazing animals and optimizing the use of agricultural territories. It was proven that the parameters of the NDVI for the pasture keeping of young sheep should not be lower than 0.4. The development and implementation of innovative methods of aerospace monitoring makes it possible to increase the efficiency of land use and increase the efficiency of grazing.

Turning Meadow Weeds Into Valuable Species for the Romanian Ethnomedicine While Complying With the Environmentally Friendly Farming Requirements of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy.

The cross-compliance mechanism of the European Union (EU)'s common agricultural policy (CAP) makes the approval of the direct payments to the European farmers subject to compliance with the requirement to maintain the land in good agricultural and environmental condition. One of the obligations of the Romanian land owners and farmers is to avoid the installation of unwanted vegetation on their land plots. This vegetation is represented by some species of herbaceous or woody plants, annual or perennial, that spontaneously invade the agricultural lands, diminishing the production capacity of the cultivated plants. Included in this category are 10 meadow weeds, without fodder value or even toxic to animals: Arctium lappa L., Carduus nutans L., Conium maculatum L., Eryngium campestre L., Euphorbia cyparissias L., Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, Rumex acetosella L., Veratrum album L., Xanthium spinosum L., and Xanthium strumarium L. Various and multiple uses in traditional medicine of these meadow weed species have been reported for Romania and other nine neighboring East European countries, i.e. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Kosovo, Russia, Turkey, Serbia, and Ukraine. For A. lappa were recorded the highest number of ethnomedicinal uses, in the largest number of East European countries, including Romania. C. maculatum and V. album are not recommended for human consumption but can be further investigated as potential sources of pharmaceutically active compounds. Once removed by landowners and farmers from their land, the raw plant material of these 10 species become readily and easily available to the Romanian local communities and the industry of herbal food supplements, while the biodiversity of the agro-ecosystems is maintained.

Method of increasing the mixed fodder nutritional and energy value

The use of local raw materials in the mixed fodder formulations for broiler chickens, including non-traditional raw materials, allows to expand the range of manufactured feeds possessing high nutritional properties and biological value. In order to improve the quality and to reduce the production costs of the mixed fodder due to the cheap raw materials use and the reduction of the premix use share, the mixed fodder formulation for broiler chickens was developed. The nutritional and energy value, safety of mixed fodder are determined. It is established that the nutritional and energy value of the mixed fodder with extruded mixture of non-crushed wheat, peat and cones meets the requirements of the current standard for complete feed for poultry and is obtained in accordance with the rules of the production technological process organization and supervision in the mixed fodder industry. The obtained mixed fodder with the use of non-traditional additives is non-toxic. There is no pathogenic microflora. Replacement of the expensive premix with peat, cones and introduction of non-crushed wheat grain into the mixture before extrusion helps to reduce the cost of finished products. In the production of extrudate from non-crushed wheat (98.8 %), peat (0.6 %) and cones (0.6 %), grinding and mixing with other components of the mixed fodder, the proportion of premix P5-1 decreased to 0.52%. The mixed fodder quality improvement is due to the enrichment with vitamins, essential amino acids and vegetable protein by adding cones and peat.

Application of fertilizers and growth stimulants for growing chickpeas in the dry steppe zone of the Middle Volga region

The results of the 2016–2017 studies are presented. Indicators of the crop structure, productivity and fodder values of chickpea varieties (Privo 1, Volgogradsky 10, Volzhanin) are determined. Different methods of crops treatment with growth stimulants Growth matrix, Megamix Profi, Aminokat + Raikat Development are described. The multifactorial experiment included two options of mineral nutrition (without and with fertilizers N12P52 (factor A); three varieties of chickpeas: “Privo 1”, “Volzhanin”, “Volgogradsky 10” (factor B); two options of vegetation treatment: without and with treatment using Growth Matrix, Megamix Profi, Aminokat + Raikat Development (factor C). The studies have shown that all treatment options f increased productivity of chickpeas and crops quality. The maximum yield was obtained by applying N12P52 for Volzhanin variety treated with Megamix Profi and Aminokat + Raikat Development (2.19 t/ha and 2.16 t/ha with a dry matter of 1.97-1.95 t/ha, digestible protein of 0.36-0.33 t/ ha and an exchange energy yield of 27.10-26.90 GJ/ha, respectively).

Nutritive capacity building in baby corn fodder through enhanced agronomic strategies

The knowledge of type of fodder/forages fed to animal is very important to determine how to best meet the amount of nutrients required for animal maintenance and production. The following study was undertaken to boost nutritive value of baby corn fodder. The primary objective of the study was to assess the amenable agronomic traits, viz. cultivars, sources of urea and nitrogen levels in manipulating the quality factors of baby corn fodder, viz. dry matter content, crude protein, ether extract, ash content, acid detergent fibre, dry matter intake, dry matter digestibility, neutral detergent fibre, net energy requirement, total digestible nutrients, relative feed quality and relative feed value. The experiment was piloted during 2016–17 and 2017–18 at research farm of Agronomy section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India. The treatments consisted of two varieties of baby corn (PHM-1 and HM-4), four-coated urea (Neem coated urea, zinc coated urea, sulphur coated urea and prilled urea) and four nitrogen levels (180, 150, 120 kg N/ha and control). All the quality parameters of fodder improved with progression in dose of fertilizer nitrogen. The highest values of said indices were statistically cogent with application of nitrogen at level 180 kg/ha whereas, DM, NDF and ADF showed a significant reduction at 180 kg N/ha compared to control (no fertilizer applied). The baby corn fodder fertilized with nitrogen dose 180 kg/ha showed better crude protein content, had less fibre, improved dry matter digestibility and intake, more digestible nutrients and higher feed value and quality.

Mapping and characterization of stakeholders in the fodder value chain in Southern Rangelands of Kenya: Understanding their roles, interactions and influences

Livestock production is the most important economic activity in Kenya. Land use practice in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya is most affected by droughts, which lead to pasture scarcity. Fodder production has been adopted by communities in ASALs to enhance feed availability and generating alternative source of livelihood. However, the scale of fodder production remains low, with poor markets being key challenge in realizing the economic benefits of fodder production. This study was conducted in Makueni and Kajiado Counties to understand institutional structures and stakeholders together with their roles and influences on fodder production and marketing. The two counties were purposively selected as they were some of the target areas where fodder production practices and technologies had been promoted. Data was collected through NetMap tool for identifying and mapping actors, their roles, influence and interactions along the value chain. NetMaps were subjected to quantitative analysis using Organizational Risk Analysis tool in Social Network Analysis to map, as well as measure relationships and influences of stakeholders and examine their relative positions. Results revealed that various stakeholders play multiple roles along the chain, which determine their position and influence in decision-making. Most influential actors included Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), NGOs and CBOs – they determine access to information, technical and funding resources and markets; thus, key in upscaling, out-scaling and commercialization of fodder production in the study areas. Working in groups enabled producers to easily access technical support, information and interact with other stakeholders in the chain. Efforts for enhancing fodder production should provide more technical support and capacity building to CBOs due to their centrality and strategic position in the network which make them the main stakeholders.

Productivity and nutritional value of sunfl ower and Sudan grass

The work presents the results of research into productivity of traditional and uncommon silage crops – sunfl ower and Sudan grass – sown as a single crop and intercropped with broad beans, spring rape and oil radish. The study was carried out on meadow chernozem mealy-carbonate soil in the forest-steppe zone of Trans-Baikal Territory. The objects of the research were the following recognized varieties: Yenisei sunfl ower, Sudan grass Novosibirsk 84, broad beans Sibirskiye, spring rape Spat, oil radish Tambovchanka. Agricultural technology used for fodder crop cultivation was common for this area. Sunfl ower was sown both as a single crop and intercropped with broad beans in the third ten-day period of May in wide alternating rows. Sudan grass was sown both as a single crop and intercropped with spring rape and oil radish in the second ten-day period of May in rows. The experimental work was carried out alongside laboratory observations and analyses in accordance with the generally accepted guidelines for fi eld experiments on fodder crops. The possibility of increasing fodder productivity and nutritional value of silage agrocenoses was established by means of intercropping sunfl ower and Sudan grass with broad beans and cabbage crops (spring rape and oil radish) and sowing them in herbage in alternating rows. The experiment noted the maximum collection of feed units of 2.96-5.22 t/ha, digestible protein of 414.2-621.1 kg/ha and gross energy of 35.467.1 GJ/ha with the availability of digestible protein in the amount of 118.9-139.9 g per one feed unit and 10.0-10.7 MJ of metabolic energy per 1 kg of dry matter.

Fodder value of Sudan grass depending on the harvesting time

Among scientists there has been no agreement on which vegetation phase is the most suitable for harvesting of green mass of Sudan grass to provide the largest yield of highly qualitative forage. It has largely depended on the characteristics of the region, varietal composition and, therefore, these studies have been of great value and relevance. The purpose of the study is to identify the optimal time for harvesting green mass of Sudan grass to ensure maximum fodder value. The studies were conducted in 2015-2018 in the conditions of the Rostov region. The Sudan grass variety ‘Aleksandrina’ was used as an object of the study. The analysis of plant height changes through the vegetative phases has shown that there was the largest increase in plant height per day during the period ‘the 30-th day – booting stage’ (7.18 cm) and ‘booting stage – heading stage’ (5.83 cm). Plant growth after flowering stopped and the increase of the yield of green mass was only due to lateral stems. The structural analysis has shown that the largest part of the green mass of Sudan grass was represented by the stem (58-61%). The proportion of leaves, considered to be the most nutritious parts of plants, decreased from 35% (‘the booting stage’) to 20% (‘milky ripening of grain’) as the plants were growing. The productivity of green mass of Sudan grass was largely determined by the first hay cutting (59-63% of the total). The green mass of the second hay cutting corresponded to the amount of digestible protein per one fodder unit (113.7-128.9 g) and produced maximum yield when harvesting in the ‘heading stage’. Though the green mass productivity increased in the period from ‘booting stage’ to ‘flowering’, the content of raw protein reduced from 10.45 to 7.96%. This resulted in a decrease of digestible protein percentage per one fodder unit. Thus, the data on yield and quality of green mass of Sudan grass ‘Aleksandrina’ have shown that the harvesting could be already started in the ‘booting stage’, however, the highest nutritional value has been identified in the early ‘heading stage’.

Роль нетрадиционных кормовых культур в кормопроизводстве Верхневолжья и научные основы их возделывания в одновидовых и смешанных посевах

The results of many years of research on the comparative study of single-species and mixed crops of non-traditional forage crops, including festulolium used to create a sustainable forage base balanced in energy, protein and carbohydrates, are presented. The scientific basis for the cultivation of herbs in single and mixed sowing has been determined. It was established that the yield of green mass of festulolium is high-er than that of traditional cereal grasses and on control for an average of three years amounted to 19.8 t/ha, against the background of mineral nutrition — 29.9 t/ha. In mixed sowings, grass mixtures consisting of clover and festulolium and alfalfa and festulolium were distinguished in terms of productivi-ty and fodder value. They provided the harvest of fodder units of 7.95 and 8.65 thousand/ha, with the provision of the fodder unit with digestible protein at the level of the norm or much higher than it — 101–134 g, with an optimal (0.8–1.0) sugar-protein ratio on both backgrounds. The positive effect of grasses on soil fertility, expressed in the accumulation of a significant amount of crop-root residues and nitrogen, is shown. Single-species crops of clover and alfalfa have accumulated 9.83 and 14.8 t/ha of crop-root re-sidues at the control and 10.8 and 19.5 t/ha against the background of mineral nutrition, with which 154, 328 and 253, 431 kg, respectively, were supplied with nitrogen ha, of which symbiotic – 65, 140 and 85, 183 kg/ha.