Green Matter Research Articles

Avaliação de espécies forrageiras em áreas mal drenadas dos cerrados

Com o objetivo de identificar espécies forrageiras adaptadas a condições de má drenagem, foram avaliados seis acessos de Paspalum e quatro de leguminosas. O experimento foi conduzido por três anos consecutivos na Fazenda Modelo, município de Terenos (MS), em área de campo cerrado, recém-desmatado, sobre um Plintosolo mal drenado. As produções de matéria verde e seca foram avaliadas por cortes, efetuados às três, seis, nove e 12 semanas posteriores à uniformização das parcelas, em épocas representativas das estações de seca e águas de cada ano experimental. As leguminosas não sobreviveram às condições do experimento e, entre as gramíneas, destacou-se o acesso BRA 010707 de Paspalum guenoarum, que é indicado para estudos posteriores visando ao lançamento comercial.

Alterações fenotípicas em cultivares de alface selecionadas para calor

Cultivares de alface selecionadas para o pendoamento lento e as mesmas que lhes deram origem foram analisadas quanto a variações morfológicas, com o objetivo de quantificar possíveis modificações adaptativas para as condições de cultivo em épocas de calor. Cultivares dos grupos "manteiga" (Regina, Glória, IAC 303, IAC 202, Sem Rival e Luciana) "folha crespa" (Grand Rapids e Brisa) e "americana" (Great Lakes e Mesa 659), foram avaliadas em dois plantios de verão, em Piracicaba, em delineamento de blocos casualizados. No primeiro experimento, (novembro/90), foram avaliadas as características de número de estômatos, espessura de folha e quantidade de clorofila total. No segundo, (setembro/91), foram avaliados o peso seco, peso fresco, porcentagem de matéria seca, tempo para pendoamento e número de folhas. As cultivares selecionadas para calor no grupo "manteiga" (Glória e Regina), apresentaram maior número de estômatos (respectivamente 9487/cm² e 7973/cm²) e folhas mais grossas (respectivamente 556 mm e 439 mm) e também, acumularam maior quantidade de matéria seca (respectivamente 24,55 g e 25,50 g). A cultivar selecionada para calor do grupo "folha crespa" (Brisa) acumulou maior quantidade de matéria verde (446,77g) e seca (22,40 g), da mesma forma que apresentou maior quantidade de estômatos (7.279/cm²). Para as cultivares do grupo "americana", observou-se diferença significativa apenas para espessura de folha, sendo que a cultivar Mesa 659 apresentou folhas mais grossas (589 mm). Constataram-se aumentos significativos da biomassa vegetal nas cultivares selecionadas para calor em relação àquelas não selecionadas. As cultivares que atingiram maior produtividade de matéria seca por planta foram Mesa 659 (28,74 g), Great Lakes (27,17 g) e Regina. Os resultados comprovaram que a seleção para o pendoamento lento indiretamente produziu variações adaptativas nas plantas de alface.

Oferta de forragem de capim-elefante anão 'Mott' e a dinâmica da pastagem

Esta pesquisa foi conduzida durante as estações de crescimento de 1994/95 e 1995/96 (out./abr.), na Estação Experimental de Ituporanga/EPAGRI - SC, objetivando avaliar a dinâmica de uma pastagem de capim-elefante anão `Mott' (CEAM) submetida a níveis de oferta de forragem (OF). Os níveis reais de OF foram 3,8; 7,5; 10,2 e 14,0 kg de MS de lâminas verdes/100 kg de PV/dia, em pastejo contínuo, por meio da técnica "put-and-take", usando terneiros de 8 a 10 meses, em um delineamento em blocos completos casualizados com duas repetições. As OF determinaram resíduos médios de MS de lâminas verdes (RMSLV) de 722, 1537, 2332 e 2542 kg/ha, respectivamente. A taxa de acúmulo de matéria seca de lâminas verdes, a cobertura do solo, o diâmetro de touceiras, o peso de afilhos, a altura de plantas e o comprimento de entrenós aumentaram com as maiores OF. Já as menores provocaram aumento da densidade aparente, bem como redução da porosidade total do solo e do sistema radicular, com incremento pronunciado de espécies anuais na pastagem de CEAM. OF de 10 a 11 kg de MS de lâminas verdes/100 kg de PV/dia (equivalentes a RMSLV de 2000 a 2300 kg/ha) asseguram condição de sustentabilidade à pastagem de CEAM, em pastejo contínuo.

Behavior of Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire, 1822 to Meloidogyne incognita and M. paranaensis and their influence on development of plantlets

The influence of Meloidogyne incognita and M. paranaensis on the development of mate (Ilex paraguariensis ST. Hill) plantlets was assessed in greenhouse and laboratory. The experimental design was randomized. Every plot of each one of the 10 repetitions contained one mate plantlet , inoculated with 5,000 eggs of M. incognita (races 1, 2, 3 and 4) and M. paranaensis. After 120 days it was observed that mate was a reliable hostess to such nematodes and that they could finish their life cycle. Plant development was significantly modified by M. incognita, races 1 and 2. Dry and green matter weight of shoots changed according to treatment. No changes were observed in fresh root weight. The number of eggs per root was similar for M. incognita, races 1 and 2, and higher for the other treatments. The reproduction factor was above 1 for all treatments, indicating mate plants susceptibility to them.

Inoculante "graminante" nas culturas de trigo e aveia

Com o objetivo de avaliar o inoculante "Graminante", foram realizados seis experimentos em área experimental localizada na FUNDACEP FECOTRIGO, Cruz Alta, RS, conduzidos no sistema plantio direto. Na safra 1996, conduziram-se dois experimentos com a cultura do trigo e, na safra 1997, dois com a cultura do trigo e dois com a cultura da aveia. O produto comercial foi testado individualmente e associado à adubação nitrogenada. Na safra 1996, os tratamentos foram: 1) testemunha sem inoculação e sem fertilizante nitrogenado (N); 2) com "Graminante"; 3) com N na semeadura e em cobertura; 4) com "Graminante" + N na semeadura e em cobertura; 5) com "Graminante" + N na semeadura e, 6) com "Graminante" + N em cobertura. Na safra 1997, foram acrescidos dois tratamentos: 7) com N na semeadura e, 8) com N em cobertura. Na safra 1996, foram avaliados, no trigo, o rendimento bruto e líquido dos grãos. Na safra 1997, para a mesma cultura, foram avaliados o número de plantas, de perfilhos e de espigas, a altura de plantas, o teor de nitrogênio total do grão e o rendimento de grãos. Para a cultura da aveia, foram avaliados o número de plantas e perfilhos, a massa verde, a massa seca, o teor de nitrogênio total do grão e o rendimento de grãos com corte e sem corte. O "Graminante" não apresentou resposta agronômica favorável em nenhum dos parâmetros analisados nas culturas do trigo e da aveia.

Características agronômicas de cultivares de milho (Zea mays L.) e qualidade dos componentes e silagem

Este trabalho foi conduzido para se avaliarem as características agronômicas (acamamento, quebramento e produtividade) e químico-bromatólogicas da matéria verde e silagem de 19 cultivares de milho. Os tratamentos foram aplicados em parcelas de 5 x 4 m em um delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Por ocasião da semeadura, aplicaram-se doses correspondentes a 500 kg/ha da fórmula 4-14-8 (N-P2O5-K2O) e, aos 47 dias da emergência, 60 kg/ha de N em cobertura. Entre as dezenove cultivares estudadas, selecionaram-se, com base na porcentagem de plantas quebradas e acamadas, nove com características agronômicas adequadas para colheita mecanizada. Ao atingirem o estádio grão farináceo, as plantas de milho da área útil (12 m²) foram colhidas e passadas em picadeira, para se obterem partículas de aproximadamente 2 cm. Depois de picada e homogeneizada, aproximadamente 15 kg de matéria verde foram colocados em sacos plásticos, eliminando o ar e, em seguida, transferidos para uma câmara escura, simulando assim as condições de um silo. A produção de matéria seca dos híbridos selecionados para serem ensilados não apresentou grandes variações, destacando-se o Zeneca 850 e o Braskalb XL380 com 12,72 e 12,62 t/ha de matéria seca, respectivamente. A porcentagem de espiga nas plantas e os teores de fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA), carboidratos solúveis e digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca dos híbridos não diferiram. Contudo, os teores de FDN, FDA, N-NH3/NT e DIVMS na silagem mostraram diferenças entre os nove híbridos, o que não se verificou para proteína bruta, ácido láctico e pH.

Le régime alimentaire automnal de la Perdrix grise (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) dans les Pyrénées-Orientales

We analysed the crop contents of 94 Pyrenean Grey Partridges Perdix perdix hispaniensis collected in the eastern Pyrenees from 1980 to 1996. Birds were shot by hunters in September-November over a large range of altitudes (1 000-2 400 m). The various food items were classified into six categories (grasses, forbs, seeds, berries, tubers-bulbs and animal prey), dried in an oven and weighed. Preparations of epidermal cells were made to identify grasses and forbs. Vegetable matter accounted for 79 % of dry weight. Grasses and forbs, in spite of high frequencies of occurrence (respectively 72 % and 84 %), contributed least to total dry weight. Seeds and animal prey, mainly Orthoptera, were the most important autumn foods, comprising respectively 30 % and 21 % of the total dry weight. There was neither age-related nor altitude-related difference in the foods eaten, but the contribution of green matter was higher in late autumn (> 20.X) than in early autumn. Seventy five plant species were identified. The identification of epidermal cells of grasses by microscopic analysis showed a high frequency of the following three species : Poa alpina, Festuca rubra and F. ovina. At least 29 % (20/70) of vegetable species eaten by partridges were characteristic of pastures subjected to a high grazing pressure. In terms of habitat selection, these features suggest that in late autumn Grey Partridges sought mainly areas intensively grazed by cattle. In the mountainous habitat of the Grey Partridge, like shrublands of broom (Cytisus purgans), the floristic diversity is generally poor. Thus, grazing could improve both the diversity of flora and the level of nitrogen content of vegetable foods.

Increase of grain and green matter of corn by liming

Despite the fact that aluminum toxicity to crops is eliminated near soil water pH of 5.5, lime recommendation in many regions aims to increase soil pH up to 6.0 or even higher. For highly buffered soils, high rates of limestone are required to raise the pH from 5.5 to 6.0, resulting in additional, sometimes unnecessary, costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of soil pH on corn yield in a very acid Hapludox. The experiment was carried out in Lages, Southern Brazil, from 1992 to 1996. The soil had water pH of 4.7, Al3+ of 33 mmol c kg-1, O.M. of 45 g kg-1 and lime requirement to pH 6.0 of 9.0 t ha-1. Dolomitic limestone at rates of 0, 4.5, 9.0, 13.5 and 18.0 t ha-1 (equivalent to pure CaCO3) was incorporated into the soil down to 17 cm depth, in 1992. Liming increased linearly the values of soil pH (from 4.7 to 6.6) and Ca and Mg, eliminated Al3+ with rates of 9.0 t ha-1 or higher, decreased slightly Al-CuCl2, Fe and Cu, and did not affect Zn and Mn. Maximum average corn yield for grain (7.9 t ha-1) and for green matter for silage (GM) (59 t ha-1) was obtained, respectively, at soil pH of 6.0 (12 t ha-1 of limestone) and of 6.1 (14 t ha-1 of limestone); maximum economic efficiency for grain was obtained at pH 5.6 (7.5 t ha-1 of limestone). Maximum yield increments due to liming were 17% for grain and 20% for GM.

Changes in characteristics of pastures in the coastal subtropics when grazed by cattle during years of low rainfall

Summary. The effect of continuous grazing on pasture composition and quality was assessed on 2 pasture types in a subtropical environment. The pastures were native stocked at 1 cow/2.5 ha, and previously improved stocked at 1 cow/1.6 ha. In August 1990, carpet grass (Axonopus affinus) was the major species in both the native (49.8%) and improved (61.3%) pastures. However, the proportion of carpet grass decreased during the study to 33% in the native pasture and 30% in the improved pasture in February 1994. In the native pasture, blady grass (Imperata cylindrica) increased at the expense of carpet grass, whereas in the improved pasture higher quality grasses, and to a lesser extent Giant Parramatta grass (Sporobolus indicus), increased at the expense of carpet grass. Overall, dry matter on offer and green dry matter depended on rainfall and these peaked in late summer. Dry matter on offer differed between non-drought and drought periods in both pastures and was ≤3500 kg/ha in drought months in the native pasture and ≥3500 kg/ha in comparable months in the improved pasture. Green dry matter was higher in pastures towards the end of the summer growing season (83%, March 1992) and lower during many of the drought months (12%, May 1991). Grazing pressure (liveweight 0.75/t green dry matter) was highest in August, the crucial period for weed incursion. Organic matter digestibility was highest following rain in late spring (November 1990; 69%, improved pasture) but lowest in the absence of rain (November 1993; 38%, native pasture). The proportion of green dry matter in the native pasture was not related to organic matter digestibility nor to the nitrogen content of plucked pasture samples. However, in the improved pasture the proportion of green dry matter was related to organic matter digestibility on 3 occasions but not to nitrogen content.

RENDIMENTO DO FEIJOEIRO IRRIGADO EM ROTAÇÃO COM CULTURAS GRANÍFERAS E ADUBOS VERDES

Avaliou-se o efeito residual de culturas graníferas e adubos verdes no rendimento do feijoeiro irrigado, cultivar IAC-Carioca, em experimentação instalada em latossolo roxo distrófico, no Núcleo de Agronomia da Alta Mogiana (IAC), em Ribeirão Preto (SP), de maio de 1992 a janeiro de 1996. Utilizou-se o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e seis repetições. Os esquemas de rotação compreenderam o cultivo do feijoeiro, de julho a dezembro, seguido por milho de ciclo curto, híbrido C-701, de dezembro a abril e, posteriormente, por pousio, pelas culturas graníferas milho e aveia-preta (Avena strigosa) e pelas leguminosas para adubação verde, crotalária júncea (Crotalaria juncea L.), guandu [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] e mucuna-preta (Mucuna aterrima), de março a agosto. Os teores de nutrientes do solo na camada de 0-20 cm de profundidade foram decrescentes durante o período da experimentação, sendo normais para a matéria orgânica e médios para fósforo, potássio, cálcio e magnésio. A acidez média a alta não restringiu a produtividade do feijoeiro. A utilização da mucuna-preta, da crotalária júncea e do milho é viável na rotação com o feijoeiro e o com milho de ciclo curto. Os maiores valores de rendimento de fitomassa verde e de velocidade de infiltração básica do solo também foram obtidos com o uso dessas culturas na rotação. Como efeito das rotações ao longo dos anos, em relação ao pousio, a inclusão da mucuna-preta, no período não convencional de outono-inverno, após a seqüência feijoeiro irrigado/milho de ciclo curto, contribuiu para o aumento nos rendimentos do feijoeiro.

The nutritive value and yield of alfalfa in relation to phosphorus, potassium and magnesium fertilization on sulphur post‐mining lands

The yield and nutritive value of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivated together with grasses under conditions of various levels of P, K and Mg treatment were determined. The study was carried out on reclaimed, calcium carbonate‐rich soils of sulphur bore‐hole mine lands. The levels of basic nutrients, total sulphur and selected micro‐ and macro‐elements in the first cut of alfalfa were determined. The mean yields of green mass, dry matter (DMY), crude protein (CPY) and true protein (TPY) were significantly (P<0.001) positively correlated with P concentration in alfalfa. Any appreciable effect of K and Mg on yield was not found. The crude protein level in alfalfa was significantly correlated with Cu content (P < 0.01 ). The content NDF was positively correlated with P concentration and negatively with gross energy level in alfalfa (P<0.001). Then the P concentration was negatively correlated with Na, Mg and Cu assumulation and negatively with Zn content. Despite a high level of mineral treatment with PKMg deficiencies of these nutrients in alfalfa were found. An excessive accumulation of total sulphur was not detected despite a very high sulphate concentration in soil substrate. The treatment with phosphorous caused a significant decrease in the Ca: P ratio in alfalfa.

Food selection by European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus): effects of plant chemistry, and consequences for the nutritional value of their diets

We describe food selection by roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in relation to the food quality of the plants available (the concentrations of fibres, sugars, crude protein, and of phenolics and terpenes). Seven tame roe deer feeding in an oak‐beech woodland edge used the majority (80‐94%) of the plant species available: they were therefore generalist feeders. However, they preferred only a small number of plant species in the different seasons: ivy (Hedera helix) in winter and autumn, dogwood (Cornus spp.) in summer, hornbeam (Curpinus betulus), hawthom (Crataegus spp.) and bluebells (Hyacinthoides non‐scripta) in spring. No preference or avoidance could be demonstrated for 74‐85% of the available species, but 7‐12 species were avoided according to the season. Though the avoided species were sometimes common, they never comprised an important part of the diet. In contrast, the preferred species made up only 4‐13% of the available green matter but composed a large part of the diet (22‐49%). Although generalists, the roe deer were therefore also highly selective feeders. The use of the different plant species was influenced by their availability, but to a different extent in the different seasons. Use of the plant species correlated negatively with the fibre content, as predicted from the digestive morphology of this concentrate selector. Preference/avoidance was related to the concentrations of soluble sugars, but not the crude protein content. Contrary to expectation, the roe deer preferred plants with a high concentration of protein‐binding phenolics, suggesting that this deer has specific mechanisms for de‐activating these compounds. Among the nutritional consequences of the feeding strategy of roe were a 17‐35% higher soluble sugar content of the diet compared with the available green plant tissues, and an even greater increase in the phenolics. The crude protein contents and the dry matter digestibility of the diets tended to be slightly higher, and the fibre contents were lower, than those of the available green plant tissues.

Co-adaptation between neighbours? A case study with Lolium perenne genotypes

Co-adaptation between neighbouring genotypes of Lolium perenne was examined in a pot experiment over an 18 month period. Competitive interactions in pure and mixed stands were examined using 9 genotype pairs (established as neighbours from electrophoresis data), 7 from a 10 year-old, and 2 from a 40+ year-old pasture. Combinations of each pair of neighbours grown together, and each grown with 5 randomly chosen alien (non-neighbour) genotypes sampled from the same pastures were also assessed. Seven harvests of green matter produced above 20 mm were made, and 50–135 kg N ha−1 was administered after each harvest. Data for dry weight at each harvest for pure and mixed stands, and Relative Yield Totals (RYT) were obtained for neighbours and aliens in each treatment.

95/01608 Green energy matters report No. 8. Biofuels

95/01608 Green energy matters report No. 8. Biofuels

Biomass and biofertilizer production by Sesbania cannabina in alkaline soil

Biomass shortages in developing countries require increased investigation into fast-growing, N-fixing, woody plant species. In field trials in north India, the potential of Sesbania cannabina for production of green leaf manure (biofertilizer) and firewood (woody biomass) was investigated. At 100 days after sowing (DAS), green matter was 21·5 and 9·4 Mg ha −1 in the stem and the leaf. A seeding rate of 15 kg ha −1 producing a population of 10 5 plants per hectare was adequate. Biofertilizer potential was 124·7 N, 5·3 P, 80·7 K and 12·0 S (kg ha −1), respectively. Nodulation was profuse and effective and N fixed was nearly 122 kg ha −1 at 100 DAS. At maturity, 200 DAS, woody biomass production was 19·2 Mg ha −1 and growing Sesbania until this stage was no more demanding on soil nutrients than growing it for green-matter production. There was a considerable beneficial influence from growing Sesbania on soil C and N status.

Influence of nitrogen fertilisation on forage and animal production of a continuously grazed irrigated grass/clover pasture in the Rûens area of the southern Cape

Abstract The production of an irrigated grass/clover pasture was evaluated under continuous grazing at a range of stocking rates (20.6 to 35.9 Merino ewe units ha‐1 and two nitrogen fertiliser treatments (0 and 300 kg N ha‐1 a‐1) over a period of four years. The clover content of the pastures declined, while the grass component increased with increased pasture age on both nitrogen treatments, leading to grass domination by the end of the trial period. The clover content (%) of the green dry matter (DM) was higher and the grass content (%) lower on the zero‐nitrogen than the nitrogen‐fertilised pastures, with the average daily gain of the sheep and wool production per ewe unit highest at low stocking rates on the zero‐nitrogen treatment. However, the total amount of green DM was higher on the nitrogen‐fertilised than on the unfertilized treatment, resulting in higher stocking rates for maximum wool and meat production per hectare. A higher profit margin was realised at lower stocking rates on the zero‐nitr...

Feeding of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgarisL.) for Milk Production

Abstract Verma, A.K. and Naik, D.G. 1994. Feeding of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) for milk production. J. Appl. Anim Res., 6: 37–42. In order to assess the feasibility of feeding green sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) plant, eighteen crossbred lactating cows of first or second lactation, yielding 6–10 kg milk daily, were divided into three equal groups of six animals each following randomised block design. During 45 days of experimental feeding, the cows of control group (Group I) received 75 percent dry matter requirement through green maize fodder and the balance 25 percent through concentrate. mixture to meet the protein and energy requirements. 25 and 50 percent of green maize dry matter was replaced with sugar beet in group II and group III, respectively. Nutrient intake, their digestibilities, daily weight gain, milk yield and its composition, except, crude protein, did not differ significantly among the three groups indicating that upto 50 percent maize fodder can be replaced with sugar beet plant wi...

ALCEPAS, an onion growth model based on SUCROS87. II. Validation of the model

SummaryA dynamic simulation model for onion growth at potential production level (ALCEPAS), presented in a previous paper, was validated using data on leaf area index, bulb and green leaf dry-matter production, bulb formation and day of fall-over from independent trials at four locations. The model performance in terms of bulb dry-matter production was good under environmental conditions close to the optimum, but insufficient under stress situations. The model overestimated leaf area index and green leaf dry matter. Bulb formation was simulated satisfactorily, while the time of 50% fall-over was simulated too early at low plant densities.

MANEJO DO PALHIÇO DA CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR. 1. EFEITO NA PRODUÇÃO DE COLMOS INDUSTRIALIZÁVEIS E OUTRAS CARACTERÍSTICAS AGRONÔNICAS

O experimento foi conduzido em área do Centro de Ciências Rurais da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes tipos de manejo do palhiço e os efeitos sobre a produção de colmos industrializáveis e outras características agronômicas da cana-de-açúcar. Foram testados cinco tratamentos de manejo do palhiço, em quatro colheitas consecutivas. Os tratamentos de queimar a cana em pé antes da colheita, colher a cana e queimar o palhiço remanescente e retirar o palhiço da parcela comportaram-se de maneira semelhante em relação a produção de colmos industrializáveis. Enleirar o palhiço em filas alternadas e triturar o palhiço e redistribuir na lavoura apresentaram menor produtividade. Para o brix pode-se recomendar qualquer dos tipos de manejo do palhiço estudados, visto que todos apresentaram grau brix superior a 18%. A produção de massa verde proveniente das pontas, diâmetro do colmo, peso médio de colmo e número de entrenós do colmo não foram afetados pêlos tratamentos de manejo do palhiço.

Liveweight changes of sheep grazing a range of herbage allowances underPinus radiata agroforestry regimes

A range of improved pasture herbage feed allowances (1 to 5 kg dry matter/head/day) were offered to young sheep, grazing underPinus radiata grown at 0, 50, 100 and 200 stems per hectare. Six trials were conducted, each for 30 days duration between spring 1986 and autumn 1988, at tree age 13–15 years. Mean liveweight gain over all trials for 0 (open pasture), 50, 100 and 200 stems per hectare were 170, 155, 136 and 94 g/sheep/day, respectively. Liveweight gain increased curvilinearly with increasing pasture allowance at all tree stockings and tended to level off above 3 kg green dry matter/head/day. Green matter pasture in vitro digestibility of the ‘green’ pasture fraction changed little with increasing tree stocking despite changes in pasture composition. Pine needle accumulation under the higher tree stockings depressed the quality of the total feed on offer. Livestock performance under low tree stocking agroforestry regimes can be satisfactory, providing pasture management encourages fresh nutritious feed.