Greater Dry Matter Research Articles

Acúmulo de forragem e características morfogênicas e estruturais de Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tamani sob intensidades de desfolhação

Abstract. The effects of defoliation intensity (10, 20, 30 and 40 cm above soil level) on green dry matter (GDM) yield and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Tamani were evaluated under field conditions in Roraima´s savannas. The effects of defoliation intensity on the GDM yields, leaf area index and leaf elongation rates was adjusted to the quadratic regression model and maximum values recorded with cutting at 28.2; 33.3 and 21.6 cm above soil level, respectively. The population tiller density, number of leaves tiller-1 and leaf appearance rate was inversely proportional to the defoliation intensity, while the opposite occurred for to average leaf length and leaf senescence rate. Apical meristem removing percentage was higher with increasing defoliation intensity. Regrowth vigor showed close negative correlation with defoliation intensity. Pastures of M. maximus cv. Tamani managed under 25 to 30 cm residue provides higher forage productivity, larger efficiency of forage utilization, greater tissue renewal and canopy structure more favorable to grazing.Keywords: Green dry matter, leaves, tillering, senescence

Macro- and micronutrient content in selected cultivars of Capsicum annuum L. depending on fruit coloration

Capsicum annuum L. belongs to the Solanaceae family and is a species of huge economic importance and high nutritional value. A study conducted in the years 2014–2015 at the Department of Horticulture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, assessed the content of macro- and micronutrients in the fruit of selected Polish and Bulgarian cultivars of pepper collected at different stages of coloration development. The investigation included five Polish cultivars: Roberta, Marta Polka, Etiuda, Trapez and Cyklon and five Bulgarian cultivars: Bulgarski Ratung, Sivriya, Kurtovska Kapiya, Delikates and Dzuliunska Shipka. The study demonstrated a significant effect of cultivar and a degree of fruit coloration on the content of dry matter and macro- and micronutrients. The coloured fruits featured higher content of dry matter than the green ones and cv. Etiuda had the greatest dry matter. Green fruits contained more Mg, Mn and Zn, while the coloured ones more Ca and Fe. Cvs. Delikates and Dzuliunska Shipka were particularly rich in Mg and K, cv. Sivriya in Ca and cv. Etiuda in P, Cu, Zn and Mn were the most abundant in cv. Delikates, Fe in cv. Trapez, and Na in cv. Cyklon.

СЕЛЕКЦИЯ ЛЮЦЕРНЫ ДЛЯ ПОЧВЕННО-КЛИМАТИЧЕСКИХ УСЛОВИЙ ПРЕДГОРНОЙ ЗОНЫ СЕВЕРНОГО КАВКАЗА

Alfalfa belongs to the legume family and has the ability to accumulate to a greater or lesser extent nutritious nitrogenous substances due to the vital activity of nodule bacteria that settle on its roots. This is a productive and high-protein fodder crop. The inherent high plasticity allows it to adapt to a variety of conditions of existence, so it is distributed almost everywhere. Alfalfa increases soil fertility as a result of nitrogen accumulation. The accumulation of organic matter is of great importance in improving the physical and chemical properties of the soil. Alfalfa has a lot of lysine, and in terms of the content of essential amino acids, it surpasses corn, sorghum, soy, barley and a number of other crops. In recent years, in the North Ossetia-Alania, alfalfa sown areas are expanding, seed demand is growing, but their production remains low. This is due to the lack of adaptive, highly productive varieties of alfalfa resistant to diseases, lodging, and insufficiently studied several issues of the technology of cultivating it for seeds. The aim of the research is to create alfalfa varieties that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stress factors of the environment for cultivation in the North Caucasus based on a targeted selection of promising genotypes. As a result of three years of research, it was found that the alfalfa varieties Senegibridnaya and Kizlyarskaya surpassed other varieties by 5–7% in yield of green mass and foliage. Among the tested alfalfa varieties, Kizlyarskaya cultivar had a higher productivity, in which the yield indicators of green mass, dry matter, and mass of 1000 pcs were most successfully combined. seed. In the perspective of our research, the distinguished varieties will be used to form new varieties of alfalfa.

Estimation of Productivity in Dryland Mediterranean Pastures: Long-Term Field Tests to Calibration and Validation of the Grassmaster II Probe

The estimation of pasture productivity is of great interest for the management of animal grazing. The standard method of assessing pasture mass requires great effort and expense to collect enough samples to accurately represent a pasture. This work presents the results of a long-term study to calibrate a Grassmaster II capacitance probe to estimate pasture productivity in two phases: (i) the calibration phase (2007–2018), which included measurements in 1411 sampling points in three parcels; and (ii) the validation phase (2019), which included measurements in 216 sampling points in eight parcels. A regression analysis was performed between the capacitance (CMR) measured by the probe and values of pasture green matter and dry matter (respectively, GM and DM, in kg ha−1). The results showed significant correlations between GM and CMR and between DM and CMR, especially in the early stages of pasture growth cycle. The analysis of the data grouped by classes of pasture moisture content (PMC) shows higher correlation coefficients for PMC content >80% (r = 0.775; p < 0.01; RMSE = 4806 kg ha−1 and CVRMSE = 28.1% for GM; r = 0.750; p < 0.01; RMSE = 763 kg ha−1 and CVRMSE = 29.7% for DM), with a clear tendency for the accuracy to decrease when the pasture vegetative cycle advances and, consequently, the PMC decreases. The validation of calibration equations when PMC > 80% showed a good approximation between GM or DM measured and GM or DM predicted (r = 0.959; p < 0.01; RMSE = 3191 kg ha−1; CVRMSE = 23.6% for GM; r = 0.953; p <0.01; RMSE = 647 kg ha−1 and CVRMSE = 27.3% for DM). It can be concluded that (i) the capacitance probe is an expedient tool that can enable the farm manager to estimate pasture productivity with acceptable accuracy and support the decision-making process in the management of dryland pastures; (ii) the more favorable period for the use of this probe in dryland pastures in a Mediterranean climate, such as the Portuguese Alentejo, coincides with the end of winter and beginning of spring (February–March), corresponding to PMC > 80%.

Morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Centenário under defoliation intensities

The effect of defoliation intensities (20, 30, 40 and 50 cm above soil level) on green dry matter (GDM) yield and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Megathyrsus maximus cv. Centenário were evaluated under field conditions in Roraima´s savannas. The effects of defoliation intensities on the GDM yields, leaf area index and leaf elongation rates was adjusted to the quadratic regression model and maximum values recorded with cutting at 35.8; 44.9 and 30.2 cm above soil level, respectively. The tiller population density, number of leaves tiller-1 and leaf appearance rate was inversely proportional to the intensity of defoliation, while the opposite occurred for to average leaf length and leaf senescence rate. Apical meristem removal percentage was higher with increasing defoliation intensity. Vigor regrowth showed close negative correlation with defoliation intensity level. Pastures of M. maximus cv. Centenário managed under 30 to 35 cm residue provides higher forage productivity, larger efficiency of forage utilization, greater tissue renewal and canopy structure more favorable to grazing.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Forage Production and Nutritive Nalue of Geukdong 6, Teosinte Hybrid 〔<i>Zea mays</i> L. subsp. <i>mexicana</i> (Schrad.) H. H. Iltis〕

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different nitrogen levels on the yield and nutrient quality of a newly developed domestic hybrid of Teosinte, Geukdong 6〔Zea mays L. subsp. mexicana (Schrad.) H. H. Iltis〕. The field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with three replicates and consisted of four nitrogen (N) application rates, T1 (200 kg/ha), T2 (300 kg/ha), T3 (400 kg/ha), and T4 (500 kg/ha). No differences were found in plant length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf number, dead leaves, stem hardness, tiller number, and fresh yield (p>0.05). The T3 showed significantly greater dry matter yield at harvest (heading stage) compared to the other treatments (p 0.05). The sugar content was higher in the T2 treatment than the other treatments (p 0.05). Na content was higher in order of T2 > T4 > T3 > T1 (p 0.05). Given these results, we recommend the amount of nitrogen fertilization necessary for “Geukdong 6” to be around 400 kg per ha (T3), when considering, high fresh yield, dry matter yield, number of leaves and content of crude protein.

Nitrogen and Phosphate Fertilization Maximize Grass BRS Zuri Performance

The low nutrients levels available in pasture formation reduces the forage yield. Soil correction and fertilization practices are considered priorities in the planning, renovation or recovery of pastures. The aimed of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen and phosphate fertilization rate in productivity of the Panicum maximum cv. BRS Zuri. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 3×4 factorial arrangement, with three doses of superphosphate (0.0, 80.0 and 160.0 kg.ha-1) and four doses of ammonium nitrate (0.0; 20.0; 40.0 and 60.0 kg.ha-1), with three replicates. The following parameters were evaluated at 120 days after implantation: green mass and dry matter yield, plant height, number of plants and tillers per square meter. The doses of 80.0 and 160.0 kg.ha-1 of P2O5 and 60.0 kg.ha-1 of nitrogen combined to each other showed the best results for forage yield.

Response of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã pastures to nitrogen fertilization

With the objective to evaluate the effects of nitrogen levels (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg of N ha-1) on green dry matter (GDM) yield and morphogenetic and structural characteristics and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã, was installed an experiment under field conditions in Roraima´s savannas. Nitrogen fertilization increased significantly (P<0.05) GDM yields, number of tillers, number of leaves tiller-1, average leaf size, leaf area index, leaf senescence rate, leaf appearance and elongation rates. Maximum GDM yields, leaf elongation rates, leaf length and number of leaves tiller-1 were obtain with the application of 145.9; 118.2; 108.9 and 133.6 kg of N ha-1, respectively. Nitrogen nutrition index alone with 120 or 160 kg N application was higher than the grass N internal critical level. The NNI, efficiency of utilization and apparent N recovery were inversely proportional to the increased N levels.

Effect of Potassium and Boron Fertilization on Growth, Forage Yield and Quality of Berseem Trifolium alexandrinum L

The field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2017-18 at the Forage Research Farm of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar with the objective to study the effect of potassium and boron fertilization on growth, forage yield and quality of berseem. Treatment combinations comprised of four potassium levels i.e. 0, 20, 40 and 60 kg K2O ha-1 and four levels of boron i.e. 0, 2, 4 kg B ha-1, and 0.2% B spray at flowering initiation and at 50% flowering. The experiment was laid out in split plot design and replicated thrice. Growth characters improved with the application of potassium and boron. Maximum green fodder (444.24 q ha-1) and dry matter yields (55.32 q ha-1) were obtained when berseem was fertilized with 40 kg K2O ha-1. Crude protein yield was highest with 60 kg K2O ha-1 (10.29 q ha-1) and digestible dry matter at 40 kg K2O ha-1 (37.19 q ha-1). Incremental dose of applied boron resulted in a significant improvement in green fodder and dry matter yields upto 2 kg B ha-1. Significant interaction effects of potassium and boron on total green fodder and total dry matter yields indicated better effects with the combination of 40 kg K2O ha-1 and 2 kg B ha-1.

Produtividade de forragem e morfogênese de Brachiaria ruziziensis sob níveis de nitrogênio

Com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da adubação nitrogenada (0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg de N ha-1) sobre a produção de forragem, características morfogênicas e estruturais e índice de nutrição nitrogenada (INN) de Brachiaria ruziziensis foi conduzido um experimento em condições de campo nos cerrados de Roraima. A adubação nitrogenada afetou positiva e significativamente (P<0,05) a produção de matéria seca verde (MSV), número de perfilhos, número de folhas perfilho-1, tamanho médio de folhas, índice de área foliar e taxas de aparecimento, expansão e senescência das folhas. Os maiores rendimentos de MSV, taxa de expansão foliar, tamanho médio de folhas e número de folhas perfilho-1 foram obtidas com a aplicação de 220,6; 238,6; 191,5 e 225,5 kg de N ha-1, respectivamente. O nível crítico de N foi reduzido com o aumento da produtividade de forragem. O INN, para todos os níveis de N avaliados, foi insuficiente para suprir o nível crítico de N da gramínea. Os níveis críticos de N, a eficiência de utilização e sua recuperação aparente foram inversamente proporcionais às doses de N aplicadas.

Managing harvest of ‘Russell’ and ‘Tifton 44’ bermudagrass receiving broiler litter for nutritive value and phosphorus removal

AbstractBermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay fields receiving broiler litter offer a means to both produce high quality forage and export excess manure nutrients, for example P. This 3‐yr study determined the nutritive value, P removal, and soil P for ‘Russell’ and ‘Tifton 44’ bermudagrass receiving 4 ton ac−1 broiler litter and 98 lb ac−1 N (as NH4NO3) annually and cut at 21‐, 35‐, and 49‐d intervals with residual stubble heights of 1.2 and 3.5 inches. Forage cut every 49 d at 1.2‐inch stubble height had the greatest dry matter (DM) yield and low nutritive value; weighted‐sum crude protein (CP) ranged from 7.2 to 8.2% and weighted‐sum in vitro true DM digestibility (IVTDMD) ranged from 56.8 to 62.0%, depending on year. With a 35‐d interval, forage CP and IVTDMD amounts generally exceeded 9.6 and 62.0%, respectively. Forage IVTDMD was greater in Tifton 44 than Russell in 2006 and 2007, when values with a 35‐d interval were approximately 3.0 and 0.3% greater, respectively. Cutting at a 1.2‐inch height increased P removal by approximately 23% in Russell and 30% in Tifton 44 compared with a 3.5‐inch height. Phosphorus removal was maximized with a 49‐d interval and 1.2‐inch height in 2005 (29.8 lb ac−1) and 2006 (19.3 lb ac−1) and with a 35‐d interval and 1.2‐inch height in 2007 (29.3 lb ac−1). Managing the balance between high DM and nutritive value in both cultivars can be achieved with a 35‐d interval and 1.2‐inch height. A prolonged harvest interval of 49 d is a valuable consideration for P removal via biomass.

Ensuring nutritional security of animals by mixed cropping of sorghum and guar under varying nutrient management

An experiment was carried out to analyse productivity and quality of fodder sorghum and guar as influenced by nutrient management under mixed cropping and in kharif season of 2018 tested in factorial randomized complete block design with four seed rate combinations of sorghum and guar along with six nutrient management treatments in three replications. The productivity of crops was evaluated in terms of fodder yield and quality in form of dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates, fibre fractions (NDF, ADF, ADL and hemicellulose), total digestible nutrients, dry matter intake and dry matter digestibility. Results revealed that total green fodder and dry matter yield was higher in sole sorghum but it was at par with 75% sorghum + 25% guar. Mixed cropping treatments performed better in comparison to sole crops for different quality parameters in both crops. Among nutrient management, treatments 100% RDF, 100% RDF+ PGPR and 100% RDF+ seaweed extract recorded higher fodder production as well as fodder quality in both crops which was not statistically different from75% RDF + seaweed extract treatment. The results revealed that seed rate of 75% sorghum + 25% guar in mixed cropping with the application of 75% RDF + seaweed extract produced higher quality fodder for animals.

ПЕРСПЕКТИВЫ ВОЗДЕЛЫВАНИЯ ЛЮПИНА УЗКОЛИСТНОГО

The paper presents the results of blue lupine variety studies by the main economic and useful features. The authors determine the efficiency of grain production of early-ripening lupine variety of Ladny in the Northern region of Russia. The research was carried out in the plant growing laboratory of the Arkhangelsk Research Institute of Agriculture located on the premises of the unitary enterprise “Kotlasskoe”. When selecting plants for testing within the Northern agricultural zone, the authors were guided by the goal to identify productive varieties of blue lupine, which could well develop under local natural conditions and the conventional system of farm production adopted in the Northern region. In the course of research, five varieties were studied: Fazan, Dikaf, Ladny (FRC “Nemchinovka”), Siderat, Nadezhda (All-Russian Lupine Research Institute). The main limiting factor in the conditions of the North is the early maturation of the variety. In the present research, the shortest growing season of 55 days for green mass and 89–110 days for grain was found with the Ladny variety. Among all the samples, the yield of green mass and dry matter was observed for late-ripening samples of Nadezhda-31.1 t/ha and 5.3 t/ha, Siderat – 46–36.7 t/ha and 36.7 t/ha, respectively. The yield of green mass in the early-ripening Ladny variety amounted to 30.0 t/ha, dry matter – 4.8 t/ha. According to the grain yield for all three years of testing, the early-ripening precocious Ladny variety ranked first with a yield of 2.00 t/ha. In 2019, the seed yield was obtained only from this variety, while the other varieties did not mature at all. The Ladny variety surpassed all the tested varieties in terms of the feed value of the green mass. In the present research, the economic efficiency of introducing the Ladny lupine variety into grain forage production was 143% as for protein yield per hectare and the profitability accounted for 326%. Thus, when selecting early-ripening varieties, the use of blue lupine for grain-forage purposes in the Subarctic zone is feasible and economically profitable.

Forage yield, chemical composition and morphogenesis of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã under regrowth periods

With the objective to evaluate the effects of regrowth period (14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days) on green dry matter yield (GDMY), chemical composition and morphogenetic and structural characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã, was carried out an experiment under greenhouse with natural conditions of light and temperature. GDMY yields and regrowth, leaf blade length, and leaf lifespan rate increased consistently (P<.05) with regrowth period, however the nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium contents decreased as regrowth period, while calcium contents were not affected by regrowth period. Maximum GDMY, leaf appearance and elongation rate, and leaf blade length were obtained with regrowth periods at 38.2; 41.1; 31.3 and 38.9 days, respectively. These data suggest that cutting at 35 to 42 regrowth days were optimal for obtain maximum yields and regrowth of rich forage and pasture persistence.

NIVELES DE ABONOS FOLIARES EN EL RENDIMIENTO Y CALIDAD DE LA CHALA FORRAJERA (Zea mays) VARIEDAD CHUSKA BAJO LAS CONDICIONES EDAFOCLIMATICAS DE CAYHUAYNA 2017

With the objective of evaluating the effect of the levels of foliar fertilizers on yield and quality of forage chala was conducted this work of research, which was carried out on the grounds of the CIFO - UNHEVAL from the village of Cayhuayna. The parameters evaluated were: plant height at harvest, green forage yield, dry matter and protein content; for determination of dry matter was carried out in the Laboratory of Soil and Water of the UNHEVAL and the content of proteins, the samples were sent to the Laboratory of Bromatology of the UNAS. The results obtained were as follows: in plant height, treatments behaved similarly in their average, but treatment Biol 2.0 / 20 L obtained the highest with 2.88 meters; in green forage yield treatments EM 1 - activated 1.5 and 2.0 l / 20 L stand out with 106.06 and 100.65 t / has respectively; in the only dry matter yield differences 5% margin of error, where stressed treatment Biol 1.5 / 20 L with 30.42 t / ha; and in the protein content of maize chala EM and biological level of 2.0 L / 20 litres of water stood out with 9.0 and 9.2% respectively. Key words: forage, dry, protein, effective microorganisms, Biol

Safflower seeds in the diet of feedlot lambs improved fat carcass, colour, and fatty acid profile of the meat

The aim of this study was to evaluate intake, performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs fed finishing diets containing 0%, 7.5% and 15% safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius) as a replacement for corn and soybean meal. Thirty-six male lambs with mean bodyweight of 17.9 ± 1.8 kg were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: C0: no safflower seeds, C7.5: 7.5%safflower seeds in diet (DM basis), and C15: 15% safflower seeds in diet (DM basis). The lambs were fed in pens of two and thus there were six replicates per treatment. Performance and carcass characteristics were not affected by including safflower seeds in their diet. Animals fed 7.5% safflower seeds had greater dry matter intake. There was a linear effect of increasing the redness (a*) of meat with the amount of safflower, where a mean of 15.77 was found for lambs that received the C15 diet. With increasing levels of safflower, the concentration of fatty acids C14:0, C17:0, and C22:1 increased. However, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, C18:2) was reduced in lambs fed C15. A concentration of 0.461 g/100 g meat was observed for animals that consumed C7.5. Thus, lambs fed a diet containing 7.5% safflower had the greatest dry matter intake, carcass fat, and concentration of conjugated linoleic acid in their meat, and enhanced meat colour.Key words: conjugated linoleic acid, human health, lipid supplementation, oilseeds

Crop growth and development dynamics of two fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars sown on different dates in New Zealand

ABSTRACT Two fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) cultivars (‘Rivage’ and SF Brigadier™) were evaluated in a field experiment to quantify the effect of cultivar and sowing date on growth physiology. The crops were sown on 19 September, 17 October, 17 November and 15 December in 2014. Crops were sequentially harvested and separated into storage root, leaf blade and petiole for analysis. Fodder beet growth was sigmoidal; the growth of leaf blades and petioles dominated the lag phase while storage root growth dominated the exponential phase. The appearance of the 25th leaf marked the beginning of the exponential phase. The maximum growth rate was not affected by the cultivar or sowing date. Total dry matter (DM) yield was the same for September- and October-sown crops (2444 ± 164 g DM m−2); showing little advantage of early sowing because cold temperatures slowed canopy development. The November- and December-sown crops produced 18% and 30% lower yield than the October-sown crops. ‘Rivage’ partitioned 5% greater DM to the storage root, an indication of greater sink strength, than SF Brigadier. Information on the pattern of growth can aid management decisions for optimising yield, and is valuable for the improvement of fodder beet models.

Influence of stage of harvesting and zinc application on yield and zinc uptake in cluster bean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) TAUB

The field experiment entitled, “Influence of stage of harvesting and zinc application on yield and zinc uptake in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)” was conducted during Kharif 2016 at Forage Research Farm, Agronomy Section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments comprised of four stages of harvesting [50, 60, 70 and 80 DAS] and under sub plot treatments four levels of Zinc application (Control, 10 kg ZnSO4, 20 kg ZnSO4 and 0.5 % Zinc spray at 30 DAS) were taken. The soil of the experimental field was sandy clay loam in texture with neutral pH, low in available nitrogen and zinc, medium in available phosphorus and higher in available potassium. The growth parameters viz. plant height, leaf length, number of leaves, stem girth and leaf: stem ratio were significantly higher at 80 DAS over other harvesting stages. In sub plot treatments application of zinc through zinc sulphate @ 20 kgha-1 significantly improved all growth parameters except stem girth over other treatments. Positive interaction effect was recorded between Stage of harvesting and zinc application for stem girth and plant height. Highest plant height was recorded under treatment combination of 80 DAS and zinc application @ 20 kg ha-1over other harvesting date and zinc level combinations. A significant increase in green fodder yield (GFY) and dry matter yield (DMY) was obtainedup to harvest at 80 DAS and zinc application @ 20 kg ha-1whereas significantly highest OM content was recorded at 50 DAS (Day after sowing). Maximum zinc uptake was noticed at 80 DAS stage and application rate of 20 kg ZnSO4ha-1 among other treatments.

Comparison of feeding diets diluted with sorghum-sudangrass silage or low-quality grass on nutrient intake and digestibility and growth performance of Holstein dairy heifers

This study was carried out to evaluate the nutrient intakes and growth of dairy heifers offered an alfalfa silage-corn silage diet (CON; 14.3% crude protein, 61.1% total digestible nutrients, 47.9% neutral detergent fiber) compared with diets containing 1 of 2 types of sorghum-sudangrass (SS) silages: conventional or photoperiod sensitive. The objective of the study was to determine the potential to use SS to control dry matter (DM) and nutrient intakes and weight gain. Both diets were similar in nutrient composition, with approximately 13% crude protein, 60 to 61% total digestible nutrients, and 55% neutral detergent fiber. Seventy-two Holstein heifers (16-18 mo at study initiation) were blocked by initial body weight (light = 422 ± 12.8 kg; medium = 455 ± 14.8 kg; heavy = 489 ± 16.7 kg) with 3 pens assigned to each weight block (8 heifers/pen; 24 heifers/block). The 3 diets were randomly allocated to the pens within each block and offered for 12 wk. Heifers offered the CON diet had greater DM, protein, and energy intakes compared with those offered the SS silage-based diets due to the greater neutral detergent fiber concentration of the SS diets. With lower DM and nutrient intakes, average daily gain was in the recommended range (0.8-1 kg/d for Holstein heifers) for heifers offered the SS silage-based diets (mean of 0.92 kg/d for both SS diets vs. 1.11 kg/d for CON). Sorting behaviors for heifers offered both SS diets were more aggressive against long, medium, and short particles compared with those of heifers offered the CON diet; however, heifers sorted large particles from photoperiod-sensitive silage more aggressively than those from conventional silage. Based on this study, SS silage-based diets can control the DM and energy intakes for heifers and maintain optimum growth rates, with harvesting at a shorter chop length likely helping to alleviate sorting issues.

Doses and Times of Trinexapac-ethyl Application in Soybean Development and Yield

The intense vegetative growth is one of the problems faced by soybean producers, causing the lodging, making difficult and damaging the harvest and, even, the efficiency of the application of agricultural defenses. The use of growth regulators is an important tool in the management of growth, in addition, it can favor the transport of photoassimilates for grain filling. Therefore, the objective was to evaluate the best dose and time of trinexapac-ethyl application in the development and yield of soybean varieties. The experiment was conducted in the Selvíria County, Brazil (20°20′53″ S, 51°24′02″ W). The experimental design was used in randomized blocks with treatments arranged in a factorial scheme 5 x 3 (doses x times), with four replications. The varieties used were the BRS Valiosa RR and the BMX Potência RR, the doses of the growth regulator were 0; 50; 100; 200 and 400 g ha-1 of trinexapac-ethyl (Moddus®) and the application times were at the phenological stages V7, V10 and R2. The varieties BRS Valiosa and BMX Potência, respectively, were obtained at the phenological stage V10, with application of 200 g ha-1 of trinexapac-ethyl, greater dry matter accumulation of leaves and pods. Nevertheless, the same did not act on the foliar area of the BRS Valiosa RR variety in the same way that it did not induce changes in the production components of the BMX Potência RR variety. Regardless of the application period (V7, V10 and R2) and the dose (up to 400 g ha-1), the application of trinexapac-ethyl was not a management capable of influencing the agronomic characteristics and the lodging of the plants in both varieties.