Quality Hay Research Articles

Resistência de cultivares de alfafa à antracnose e à mancha de leptosphaerulina em Uberlândia-MG

Tendo em vista a importância da alfafa como forrageira para a produção de feno de alta qualidade, avaliou-se a susceptibilidade de 27 cultivares às doenças de parte aérea bem como progresso da doença nas condições climáticas da região de Uberlândia-MG. As doenças diagnosticadas foram: antracnose (Colletotrichum trifolii Bain & Essary) e mancha de leptosferulina (Leptosphaerulina briosiana (Pollaci) J. H. Graham & Luttrel). Os resultados indicaram as cultivares BR1, MONARCA, SUTTER, MARICOPA, BR4, SW821O, 5929 e MH15 mais resistentes às lesões de leptosferulina. As cultivares ARAUCANA, IC1990, MH15 E SW8112A mostraram-se resistentes à antracnose. As cultivares Maricopa e ICI990 não apresentaram desfolha. O trabalho apresentou uma correlação simples significativa entre severidade da antracnose e porcentagem de desfolha. O modelo quadrático adequou-se para a curva de progresso da doença da mancha de leptosferulina.

Compression and relaxation properties of timothy hay

Abstract: The compression and relaxation characteristics of timothy hay were investigated with respect to hay moisture content, applied load, and hay quality. Experimental trials were performed by using a Baldwin hydraulic universal testing machine model 60 HVL-1254. The applied loads ranged from 90 kN to 240 kN, in 30 kN increments. Two qualities of timothy hay were used, high quality with moisture contents of 7.44%, 10.17%, 12.97%, and 16.42% wet basis (w.b.), and low quality with moisture contents of 6.38%, 8.67%, 16.24%, and 18.94% w.b. The results indicated that the compact density of hay samples increased with increasing moisture content and applied pressure. Less maximum applied pressure was required to achieve the same compact density with increasing moisture content. Models were fitted to the applied pressure-compact density data. ?Relationships were developed between the model constants and the experimental variables. The use of Faborode-O

Chemical composition, intake by sheep, and in situ disappearance in cannulated cows of bermudagrass hayed at two moisture concentrations and treated with a non-viable Lactobacillus-lactic acid preservative

Bermudagrass [ Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is commonly used for grazing and haying in the southern USA, but hay curing can be challenging due to frequent rainfall events during spring and early summer. An existing stand of ‘Greenfield’ bermudagrass was divided into 12 plots using a randomized complete block design with a 2×2 factorial treatment arrangement to evaluate the influence of a non-viable Lactobacillus-lactic acid preservative and moisture concentration at baling on chemical composition, intake by sheep, and in situ disappearance in cattle. At time of mowing, half of the plots in each block were either spray-treated (T) or not treated (U) with 81 mL/t forage dry matter (DM) of the preservative solution. Hay was then baled at target moisture concentrations of either 174 g/kg DM (L) or 267 g/kg DM (H). Maximum temperature and heating degree days were greater (P<0.05) from H compared with L during the 42-d storage period. An interaction between spray and moisture treatments tended (P<0.10) to affect recovery of DM; recoveries for LT (0.992) differed (P<0.10) from HT (0.913), but LU and HU were intermediate between the spray-treated hays, and did not differ from either (P>0.10). Post-storage nutritive value was largely influenced by moisture treatments only. Intake and digestibility, and in situ DM disappearance of these same hays were determined using 16 wether lambs (43 ± 3.7 kg initial BW), or six ruminally cannulated cows (617 ± 3.5 kg initial BW), respectively. Dry matter intake by sheep was not affected by either treatment factor (P>0.05), but DM digestibility and digestible DM intake were greater (P<0.05) from U compared with T. The in situ immediately soluble DM portion was greater from (P<0.05) L compared with H, but the reverse was true for the potentially degradable DM fraction. The lag time tended (P<0.10) to be greater from H compared with L. Treating bermudagrass with a non-viable Lactobacillus acidophilus-lactic acid spray product at time of baling may not offset the negative effects on forage quality and digestibility of baling bermudagrass hay at excessive moisture concentrations.

Maturity and Regrowth Influences on Quality of Caucasian Bluestem Hay

ABSTRACTCaucasian bluestem [CBS; Bothriochloa caucasica (Trin.) C.E. Hubbard ‘Caucasian’] appears adapted to the mid‐Atlantic region. Three experiments, one with sheep and two with steers, were conducted to assess hay quality. In Experiment (Exp.) 1, initial growth was cut at early boot, anthesis, and postanthesis and regrowth cut at early boot and anthesis (five treatments) and evaluated by wether sheep. All treatments, except regrowth anthesis were also evaluated in a preliminary experiment with steers. In Exp. 2, regrowth was cut at the same three initial growth stages as in Exp. 1 and evaluated by steers. Sheep readily ate CBS hay, consuming 1.88 kg 100 kg−1 body weight (BW) when the hay was cut at early boot, with apparent dry matter digestion (DMD) of 647 g kg−1. Intake decreased linearly by postanthesis to 1.45 kg 100 kg−1 BW with DMD of 548 g kg−1. Steers also readily ate early‐boot CBS hay, averaging 2.49 kg 100 kg−1 BW with DMD of 661 g kg−1. Intake decreased linearly by postanthesis to 1.48 kg 100 kg−1 BW with a DMD of 589 g kg−1. Sheep and steer intake was well correlated (r = 0.951; P = 0.05) as was DMD (r = 0.939; P = 0.06). In Exp. 2, steers readily consumed regrowth hay, averaging 2.73 kg 100 kg−1 BW for the early‐boot cut with a DMD of 670 g kg−1. Intake declined linearly by postanthesis to 1.57 kg 100 kg−1 BW with a DMD of 517 g kg−1. Hays of CBS can provide desirable quality for animal production systems if it is cut by the early‐boot stage in the mid‐Atlantic region of the United States.

Irrigation effects of cooling tower effluent on soil chemistry and alfalfa in the Rio Grande river basin

AbstractDevelopment of alternative sources through wastewater reuse is important to meet water demands in arid regions. However, effects of wastewater irrigation on soil properties and crop performance must be evaluated before advocating its widespread use. Objectives of this study were to evaluate: (i) effects of prior evaporative disposal of saline‐sodic blowdown water (BW) on soil (fine‐loamy, mixed, and thermic Typic Calciorthods) properties in the disposal area, and (ii) effects of flood irrigation with three water qualities (control, BW 1X, and BW 2X) on soil salinity and alfalfa performance using a greenhouse soil column study (soil collected from same study area as objective (i)). Results indicated that although prior land disposal of BW had increased salinity and sodicity of soil, they were within the tolerance limits of the intended crop, alfalfa. Mass balance calculations indicated measured (15·6 Mg ha−1) and calculated (13·2 Mg ha−1) salt accumulation at the test site used for evaporative disposal were similar. Alfalfa grown using BW under greenhouse conditions produced prime quality hay and biomass yield similar to the control treatment (8·3 g column−1 vs. 10·5 g column−1 in control). Although 3·6 years equivalent of flood irrigation with BW 1X did not result in saline soil (BW 1X irrigated soils EC ranged from 2·2 to 3·5 dS m−1), BW 2X irrigation resulted in saline soils. Sodicities of irrigated soils were greater in fine textured deep soils than coarse textured surface soils (e.g., SAR of 6·1 at 0–5 cm vs. 19·5 mmol1/2 L−1/2 at 30–60 cm in BW 1X), indicating the need for high solubility Ca amendments for long‐term irrigation with BW on fine texture soils within the soil profile. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Effects of quality and physical form of hay on mean retention time of digesta and total tract digestibility in horses

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of hay quality and form on mean retention time (MRT) of digesta and total tract apparent digestibility (TTAD) in horses fed under ad libitum or restricted conditions using four Hokkaido native horses. Two experiments (Exp.) were conducted using 4×4 Latin square designs with treatments arranged factorially with hay quality [high quality timothy hay harvested at late vegetative-stage (HH) or low quality timothy hay harvested at late bloom-stage (LH)] and physical form [chopped to a theoretical 10-mm length (G10H) or ground through a 5-mm sieve (G5H)] as main effects.In Exp. 1, horses were offered the experimental diets ad libitum whereas in Exp. 2 horses were offered a restricted allowance of 1.6kg dry matter (DM) per 100kg of BW per day. Under ad libitum conditions, hay quality, physical form and their interactions did not affect feed intake. In both Exp., solid phase digesta MRT in total tract and in the first compartment which having the longest MRT were longer (Exp. 1: P=0.08 and P=0.02, Exp. 2: P=0.04 and P=0.04, respectively) for G5H than for G10H, but hay form did not affect MRT in the second compartment which having the second longest MRT. Hay quality did not affect MRT. The MRT through the gastro-intestinal tract of the solid phase was 23.7h in Exp. 1 and 27.1h in Exp. 2. The TTAD of DM was higher (P<0.01) for HH than for LH in both Exp. In horses fed HH, TTAD of DM was 0.487 in Exp. 1 and 0.561 in Exp. 2, whereas in horses fed LH was 0.355 in Exp. 1 and 0.359 in Exp. 2. Hay form did not affect TTAD of DM. The effects of diet on TTAD of fibre were similar to those observed for DM. The results indicate that MRT lengthen in horses when the proportions of small particle sizes in the diet are high. Feeding chopped hay instead of ground hay did not decrease TTAD of fibre even if total and/or segmental MRT were shortened.

Intra-species variations in yield and quality determinants in Vicia species: 3. Common vetch ( Vicia sativa ssp. sativa L.)

Variations in days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index, as well as yields and quality of hay, grain and straw among common vetch ( Vicia sativa ssp. sativa L.) accessions were examined, and accessions were identified on the basis of yield and quality attributes. Forty-five common vetch accessions were grown over four cropping seasons in a Mediterranean environment in north-west Syria. Crops were harvested at flowering to estimate hay yield, and at maturity to estimate grain and straw yields, and harvest index. Concentrations of hay and straw crude protein (CP), acid (ADFom) and neutral (aNDFom) detergent fibre, and in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD), and grain CP were determined. Accessions varied (P<0.05) in days to flowering (78–96 days) and pod maturity (132–140 days), harvest index (0.17–0.37), as well as yields (kg/ha) of hay (2245–3383), straw (2572–4028), and grain (808–1743). Concentrations (g/kg DM) of hay CP (141–188), ADFom (262–287), aNDFom (364–435), and IVOMD (725–782 g/kg OM); straw CP (62–127), ADFom (334–353), aNDFom (387–505), and IVOMD (437–511 g/kg OM); and grain CP (266–316) also differed (P<0.05) among accessions. Harvest index was correlated with days to flowering ( r = −0.74, P<0.001), and grain yield ( r = 0.87, P<0.001). Straw CP was correlated with ADFom ( r = −0.87, P<0.001), and aNDFom ( r = −0.74, P<0.001). Grain CP was correlated with straw CP ( r = 0.91, P<0.001), and ADFom ( r = −0.84, P<0.001). Results revealed intra-species variations in days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index, as well as yields and quality determinants of hay, grain and straw in common vetch, and showed that promising accessions can be selected in terms of yield and quality. Accessions 2023 and 2567 have better potential for hay and grain production in Mediterranean environments.

Intake and Apparent Digestibility of Permanent Meadow Hay and Haylage in Ponies

The aim of this article was to study the conservation quality, chemical composition, gross energy, voluntary intake, and apparent digestibility of permanent meadow haylage and hay, fed to ponies at maintenance. The forages were from the same swath and harvested at early flowering stage. The apparent digestibility of the hay and haylage, which contained about 61% neutral detergent fiber and 38% acid detergent fiber, as fed, was determined by means of two in vivo digestibility trials, each performed on six ponies, weighing, on average, about 335 ± 80 kg and 334 ± 41 kg, respectively, over a 6-day feces collection period after a previous 14-day adaptation period. The voluntary intake was measured and the digestibility coefficients were calculated for dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, using acid-insoluble ash as the internal marker. The haylages were evaluated for dry matter, pH, alcohols, lactic acid, and monocarboxylic acid. The conservation quality of the haylage was good and its chemical composition was similar to that of hay, except for the crude protein and gross energy contents, which were higher ( P < .05) as compared with those of the hay. No differences were found between the hay and haylage with regard to the voluntary intake and digestibility coefficients.

An economic analysis of permanent and oversown grasslands based on the data from research experiments

Holubek I., Petrovic F.: An economic analysis of permanent and oversown grasslands based on the data from research experiments. Ekologia (Bratislava), Vol. 30, No. 1, p. 122–132, 2011. Trends in the cost of grassland utilisation were assessed bearing in mind economic, ecological and environmentally friendly management of grassland in mountain regions. The cost calculations were based on the results of long-term trials carried out within the research on grassland manageme nt techniques aimed at production, and the quality of hay. A computer program (MACHDATA www.ktbl.de) was applied to specify the technological cost of making hay from permanent (PG) and oversown (OG) grasslands. The direct and the total costs of production and quality of hay dry matter (DM) were calculated by a modified specific calculation formula. On the basis of the grassland management technology (permanent and oversown grasslands), the direct and total costs were calculated per ha, per metric tonne of hay DM, per a unit of production of protein and energy nutrients, respectively. The yield of hay DM increased with rising fertiliser rates, the highest yield was recorded at the highest fertiliser rates, namely 7.29 t ha -1 at PG and 6.79 t ha -1 at OG. The total costs ranged between 139.39 and 409.38 € ha-1 at PG and from 174.37 to 444.72 € ha-1 at OG fertiliser treatments, respectively. The least efficient production of hay DM and crude protein was recorded at PG with P and K fertiliser application. The application of NPK fertilisers (Treatments 3 and 4) on PG and OG reduced the total costs of production of protein and energy nutrients. The economic effect of oversowing was found at treatments with high fertiliser application rates.

NUTRITIVE VALUE OF GREEN MASS AND HAY FROM THE DIVČIBARE REGION

With the aim of forming a complete observation of the botanical composition and nutritive value of pasture and meadow hay from the Divcibare region, which is a typically hilly-mountain area in Serbia, investigations were designed to evaluate the quality of pasture and hay (chemical composition and energy value), as well as the losses which are results of drying pasture. Twelve samples of grass were taken from three different altitudes and after mowing, samples of hay were also taken from the same meadow. In a conventional chemical analysis (Weende) the chemical composition of grass and hay were determined. On the basic of this analysis nutritive values were calculated. Pasture and hay from the Divcibare region have a satisfying chemical composition, they can be used as a forage base and a source of nutrients for ruminants, predominantly, lowproducing livestock. The difference in content of proteins among samples from some localities might be bound with the content of fabaceae. The increase fibre content with the proportional decrease content of protein had a negative influence on the nutritive value in the samples of grass and hay. The Net Energy Lactation (NEL) of hay from the investigated region is near the lower limit reported as average for pasture and meadow hay. Significant higher nutritive values of green mass, calculated on dry matter (NEL 8.35 MJ/kg, SV 0.78 SJ/kg) when compared to the nutritive value of hay (NEL 8.12 MJ/kg, SV 0.74 SJ/kg) show that losses are results of haymaking. Nutrients losses during drying are in correlation with losses of proteins, lipids and mineral matter, but there is an increase in fiber. The change in chemical composition due to the described losses during drying and the negative influence on organic matter digestibility, led to a reduction in the energy value of the investigated samples.

Effect of frequency of supplementation of a soyhulls and corn gluten feed blend on hay intake and performance of growing steers

Feeding supplements less frequently can reduce labor costs and increase profitability. However reducing the frequency of delivery of grain based supplements can negatively affect fiber digestion in the rumen because more grain must be fed per feeding potentially causing decreased ruminal pH and/or an insufficiency of ruminal nitrogen. Using supplements that have a moderate crude protein (CP) level, and that are low in starch, might alleviate negative effects on fiber digestion and therefore decrease negative effects associated with supplementing energy supplements less frequently. Corn gluten feed and soybean hulls are high in metabolizable energy but low in fat and starch, and corn gluten feed is also a good source of ruminally degradable CP. The objective of this study was to determine effects of reducing supplementation frequency during a weekly cycle on steer performance when supplementing medium quality hay with a blend of soybean hulls and corn gluten feed (SH/CGF). The 86 d feeding experiment was replicated over 4 years. Each year, 40 steers (BW = 263 ± 2.5, 281 ± 2.5, 271 ± 2.9, 229 ± 2.9 kg for years 1–4, respectively) were stratified by body weight and assigned to 8 groups which were randomly assigned to treatment. During years 1 and 2, treatments consisted of ad libitum medium quality fescue hay (70–100 g/kg CP and 340–410 g/kg acid detergent fiber) that was either not supplemented (HAY), supplemented daily (7X) with 2.73 kg/hd, or supplemented on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (3X) with 6.36 kg/hd. During years 3 and 4, an additional treatment was added in which steers were supplemented on Monday and Thursday with 9.55 kg/hd of SH/CGF (2X). Average daily gain was higher (P<0.01) in supplemented steers compared to non-supplemented steers, but did not differ due to supplementation frequency. Hay intake was reduced (P<0.01) by supplementation and was higher (P<0.05) for 7X compared to both 3X and 2X, but hay intake did not differ between 3X and 2X. The gain to feed ratio was increased by supplementation (P<0.01) and was further increased by less frequent supplementation (P≤0.02). Results suggest that when supplementing medium quality hay with a blend of soyhulls and corn gluten feed, steers can be supplemented as little as twice a week without reducing performance.

A model for assessing Medicago Sativa L. hay quality

A study was conducted to identify chemical parameters and/or models for assessing Medicago sativa L. (L) hay quality, using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis and Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) milk prediction as a criterion of accuracy. Milk yield (MY) derived from the CNCPS model, by replacing the average L hay in a complete diet with 168 representative South African L hay samples, was used as a criterion to evaluate and/or develop models for L hay quality grading. The best single predictor of MY was the acid detergent fibre (ADF) content of L hay, which explained 67% of the measured variation. A multiple linear equation (Y = 64.18 – b1ADF – b2ash – b3lignin) explains 96% of the measured variation in MY. The relatively poor performance of crude protein (CP) (r² = 0.04) and other protein related parameters (r²

Evaluation of models for assessing Medicago sativa L. hay quality

A study was conducted to evaluate current proposed models for assessingMedicago sativa L. hay quality, using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) analyses and Cornell Nett Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) milk production prediction as a criterion of accuracy. Application of the theoretically-based summative total digestible nutrients (TDNlig) model of Weiss et al. (1992), using lignin to determine truly digestible NDF, explained almost all of the variation in milk yield (MY) (r² = 0.98). However, this model involves high analysis costs to develop and maintain NIRS calibrations and several of its components were poorly predicted by NIRS and therefore, not suited for quality assessment in practice. Current available models (forage quality index (FQI), relative forage quality (RFQ); relative feed value (RFV)) for assessing Medicago sativa L. hay quality revealed lower accuracies (r² = 0.83, r² = 0.76, r² = 0.61, respectively), especially when protein was included in the model (total forage quality index (TFI); r² < 0.49). The developed empirical equation named lucerne milk value (LMV), including ADF, ash and lignin (Y = b0 – b1ADF – b2ash – b3lignin) (r² = 0.96), proved to be the most practical, simplistic, economical and accurate quality evaluation model for commercial application.

Effect of storage system and tarpaulin color on nutritional quality and digestibility of stored lucerne hay in the irrigated Sonoran Desert

A field trial and a steer digestion trial were conducted to evaluate the effect of tarpaulin color on the quality and digestive attributes of lucerne ( Medicago sativa) hay during a 20 week summer storage period in the irrigated Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico and the southwestern US. Lucerne hay was subjected to six treatments (four repetitions per treatment): stored roadside uncovered (UC), stored roadside and covered with a white plastic tarpaulin (WT), stored roadside and covered with a black plastic tarpaulin (BT), stored roadside and covered with a silver-colored plastic tarpaulin (ST), stored outside under a plastic hay barn (BC), and stored in an air-conditioned room (AC). During the 20 week storage period, daily maximum temperatures exceeded 38 °C for more than 16 weeks. Internal bale temperatures were 44.9, 44.1, 43, 42.9, and 40.7 °C for BT, UC, ST, WT, and BC, respectively, during the storage period. UC, WT, BT, and ST, at the end of the field trial, were heat damaged as indicated by an acid detergent insoluble nitrogen/nitrogen ratio greater than 0.14. BT bales had the greatest (P<0.05) heat damage of all treated hay. Total tract dry matter (DM) digestible contents were 668.0, 644.8, 651.5, 597.7, and 562.0 g/kg DM for BC, WT, ST, UC, and BT, respectively. Total tract crude protein (CP) digestible contents were 796.6, 786.2, 773.7, 720.8, and 71.90 g/kg CP for BC, WT, ST, UC, and BT, respectively. The authors concluded that valuable hay products, such as lucerne, should be protected from harsh environmental extremes during storage in hot desert climates. Protecting lucerne with a roof structure (BC) provided the best protection against the heat. Covering the hay with tarpaulins is another viable option, but not all tarpaulin colors are equally efficient. BT did no better than the negative control (UC). The white tarpaulin (WT) did a satisfactory job in protecting lucerne against the heat in comparison to BT and ST. Valuable hay products, such as lucerne, if stored during the summer in hot desert climates, should include an acid detergent insoluble nitrogen analysis to detect the presence of heat damage.

Intra-species variations in yield and quality determinants in Vicia species: 1. Bitter vetch ( Vicia ervilia L.)

Variations in days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index, as well as yields of hay, grain, and straw among 25 bitter vetch ( Vicia ervilia L.) accessions were examined over four cropping seasons in a non-tropical dryland environment in north-west Syria. Crops were harvested at flowering to determine hay yield, and at maturity to determine grain and straw yields. Concentrations of hay and straw crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility, and grain CP were analyzed. Days to flowering and pod maturity, harvest index (0.26–0.35), as well as yields (kg DM/ha) of hay, (2738–3435), straw (3408–4033), and grain (1285–1959) varied (P<0.05) among accessions. Concentrations (g/kg DM) of hay CP (146–178), ADFom (200–230), aNDFom (335–395), and IVOMD (742–777 g/kg OM); straw CP (82–120), ADFom (282–321), aNDFom (464–508) and IVOMD (483–591 g/kg OM); and grain CP (273–285) also varied (P<0.05) among accessions. Grain yield was correlated with days to flowering ( r = −0.83, P<0.001; Y Grain yield = 5976.38–45.75 Day to flowering , r 2 = 0.69), and harvest index ( r = 0.90, P<0.001; Y Grain yield = 69.41 Harvest index − 495.78, r 2 = 0.81). Straw CP was correlated with ADFom ( r = −0.78, P<0.01; Y Straw ADFom = 374.42 − 0.738 Straw CP , r 2 = 0.59,) and IVOMD ( r = 0.87, P<0.001; Y Straw IVOMD = 269.47 + 2.78 Straw CP , r 2 = 0.76), while straw IVOMD was correlated with ADFom ( r = −0.79, P<0.01; Y Straw IVOMD = 1333.64 − 2.64 Straw ADFom , r 2 = 0.53). Results provide quantitative data on intra-species variations in phenology, as well as yields and quality determinants of hay, grain, and straw in bitter vetch, and demonstrated that yields and quality of hay, grain and straw can be used to identify promising bitter vetch accessions. Accessions 508, 2510, 2511, 2514, 2515, 2517, 2519, 2520 and 2522, have better potential for hay and grain production in non-tropical dry areas.

Effect of Autumn and Spring Sowing Dates on Hay Yield and Quality of Oat (Avena sativa L.) Genotypes

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sowing dates on hay yield and quality of oat genotypes. Sixteen oat genotypes were grown over the consecutive four growing seasons in Samsun, North of Turkey. Hay yield and quality were significantly different between genotypes and sowing dates. Hay yield, Crude Protein (CP), Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN), Relative Feed Value (RFV), Ca, K, P and Mg contents of hay were determined. Hay yield of the oat genotypes in the autumn sowing was higher than in the spring sowing while hay quality (CP, ADF, NDF, TDN, RFV and some elements) in the autumn sowing was lower than in the spring sowing. The hay yield of late- maturing and tall genotypes like Yesilkoy-330, Yesilkoy-1779, Faikbey and Seydisehir (12.1, 12.2, 12.4 and 12.9 t ha�, respectively) were higher compared with the other genotypes in sowed in autumn. But quality of 1 these genotypes in autumn sowing was lower than the other genotypes. In spring sowing, genotypes Samsun and Kupa had the highest hay yield and fairly high quality. Ca, K and P contents of hay were adequate for ruminants in both sowing dates but Mg content was not adequate. This study showed that sowing date had great effect on hay yield and quality potential of oat genotypes.

USING SOLAR ENERGY TO DRY EGYPTIAN CLOVER

A solar dryer has been developed and tested for drying high moisture of clover crop (Trifolium alexandrinum) at the Food Technology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center. The dryer used solar heated air passing by forced convection through a beds of green forage. Three beds were employed to investigate the effect of solar drying of clover on the final quality of hay in comparison with the natural drying method. The obtained results showed that:: - Clover moisture content decreased from an initial level of 85.67 % (w.b.) to final level of about 12.86 % in 26 and 94 h. for the solar drying and natural sun drying method respectively. This means that solar drying method could reduce the required time for drying clover hay by about 72 % in comparison with sun drying method. - The thermal efficiency of the dryer approached about 26 %. - The chlorophyll A and B and carotenoid content of the solar dried clover were slightly higher for solar dried samples in comparison with sun dried samples. Meanwhile the percentage of crude protein, fiber content and ash content increased by 10.18, 3.22 and 4.8 % respectively.

Combined use of FORMOSAT-2 images with a crop model for biomass and water monitoring of permanent grassland in Mediterranean region

Abstract. The aim of this study is to propose methods to improve crop and water management in Mediterranean regions. At landscape scale, there is a spatial variability of agricultural practices, particularly for grasslands irrigated by flooding. These grasslands are harvested three times per year and produce high quality hay, but their productions decreased significantly during the last few years because of the water scarcity. It is therefore important to assess the real water requirement for crops in order to predict productions in the case of agricultural practice modifications. Until now, the spatial variability of agricultural practices was obtained through surveys from farmers, but this method was tedious to describe an entire region. Thus, the specific aim of the study is to develop and assess a new method based on a crop model for estimating water balance and crop yield constrained by products derived from optical remote sensing data with high spatio-temporal resolution. A methodology, based on the combined use of FORMOSAT-2 images and the STICS crop model, was developed to estimate production, evapotranspiration and drainage of irrigated grasslands in "the Crau" region in the South Eastern France. Numerous surveys and ground measurements were performed during an experiment conducted in 2006. Simple algorithms were developed to retrieve the dynamic of Leaf Area Index (LAI) for each plot and the main agricultural practices such as mowing and irrigation dates. These variables computed from remote sensing were then used to parameterize STICS, applied at region scale to estimate the spatial variability of water budget associated with the biomass productions. Results are displayed at the farm scale. Satisfactory results were obtained when compared to ground measurements. The method for the extrapolation to other regions or crops is discussed as regard to data available.

Registration of ‘Colony’ Lowland Switchgrass

‘Colony’ (Reg. No. CV‐256, PI 658520) is a lowland cytotype of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) developed and released by the USDA‐ARS and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service. Colony was developed from three cycles of selection with random cross‐pollination occurring in cycle 0, index selection for forage dry matter yield and in vitro dry matter disappearance and crude protein concentrations in open‐pollinated isolation in cycles 1 and 2. Replicated yield trials were conducted for 5 yr in Piedmont and 4 yr in Coastal Plain soils of North Carolina. Associated nutritive value estimates were obtained for the last 3 yr from the Coastal Plain site. The quality of Colony hay was evaluated in replicated animal trials. Colony was released because of its greater dry matter concentration of cellulose and greater cellulose yield per hectare with potential for biomass purposes.

Intra-species variations in yield and quality in Lathyrus species: 2. Dwarf chickling ( L. cicera L.)

Variations in days to first flowering and pod maturity, as well as yields of hay, grain and straw and hay and straw concentrations of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADFom), neutral detergent fibre (aNDFom), and in vitro organic matter (OM) digestibility (IVOMD), and grain CP and β-N-oxalyl diamino propionic acid (β-ODAP) among 25 dwarf chickling ( Lathyrus cicera L.) accessions grown over five cropping seasons in north-west Syria were examined. Accessions varied (P<0.05) in days to flowering (81–88 days) and pod maturity (124–134 days), yields (kg/ha) of hay (2689–3385), straw (2873–3330), and grain (1357–1881). Concentrations (g/kg DM) of hay CP (172–198), ADFom (156–180), aNDFom (268–295) and IVOMD (741–779 g/kg OM) and straw CP (65–75), ADFom (298–332), aNDFom (508–610) and IVOMD (512–568 g/kg OM) and grain CP (295–311) differed (P<0.05) among accessions. Grain yield was correlated with days to pod maturity ( r = 0.63, P<0.001) and harvest index ( r = 0.65, P<0.01). Hay IVOMD and aNDFom ( r = −0.84, P<0.01), and straw IVOMD and ADFom ( r = −0.73, P<0.01) were correlated. Yields and quality of hay, grain and straw could be used to promising dwarf chickling accessions. In terms of yield and quality, dwarf chickling accessions 629, 632, 641 and 643 have better potential for hay and grain production in non-tropical dry areas.