Higher Dry Matter Production Research Articles

Fitodisponibilidade de metais e produção de tifton 85 cultivada com diferentes fontes e doses de zinco

The element zinc (Zn) is considered an essential micronutrient to plants, being that the addition of this metal in forage cultivation may cause increment in the productivity. In Brazilian soils are frequent the cases of Zn deficiency, being necessary the fertilization of these areas with this micronutrient. However it must be highlighted that some sources of this micronutrient available in the market present in its composition heavy metals. This work aimed to study the effect of different sources and doses of Zn applied in Tifton 85 and the production of dry matter and the levels of Zn, phosphorus (P), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) in leaf tissue and the levels Zn, Cd, Pb and Cr in soil. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a Rhodic oxisol of medium texture. Vases with volume of 4 dm 3 were used, which were organized in a completely randomized in factorial scheme (5x4) with three replications. The treatments were the five sources of Zn (A, B, C, D) in four doses of the micronutrient (0, 2, 4, 6 kg ha -1 ). The results show that did not occurred accumulation of Cd, Pb and Cr in the leaf tissue and Cd and Cr in the soil. The source E provided higher production of dry matter in relation to the sources A, B, C, D. However the source 'A' provided higher concentrations of Zn for the forage.

A comparison between cutting and animal grazing for dry‐matter yield, quality and tiller density of perennial ryegrass cultivars

AbstractPerennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL.) evaluation trials are often conducted under simulated grazing to identify the most productive cultivars. It is unclear whether simulated grazing identifies the most productive cultivar for animal‐grazed swards. Ten cultivars were established as plots and managed concurrently under simulated grazing (SG), animal grazing (AG) and conservation (CON). The experiment lasted 3 years with dry‐matter (DM) off‐take, digestibility, tiller density and ground‐cover score recorded in all years. A good relationship existed betweenDMoff‐take underSGandCON(R2 = 0·73). The relationship betweenSGandAGwas strongest in year 2 and 3 (R2 = 0·53 and 0·55 respectively). HighDMproduction was observed inSGswards in year 1; this was weakly related to theDMproduction of theAGsward. Across the 3 years, theCONtreatment had higher yields than either of the other two treatments and was poorly correlated toDMyield underAG, confirming that cultivars should be evaluated under a similar defoliation frequency to their intended use. Tiller density declined quickest underCONand slowest underAG. Some reranking of cultivars occurred between defoliation managements. The results show that simulated grazing is a useful indicator ofDMyield performance of animal‐grazed swards.

Multi-physiological-trait selection indices to identify Lotus tenuis genotypes with high dry matter production under drought conditions

Physiological breeding for improving drought tolerance in perennial forage legume species has been a complex task because of the low association between single physiological traits and dry matter (DM) production under drought conditions. The combination of physiological traits in selection indices may be a more effective alternative in identifying drought-tolerant genotypes. In this work, some physiological and agronomical traits were evaluated in 100 Lotus tenuis genotypes. Traits were measured in spaced plants under irrigation and rainfed conditions during two growing seasons in Chillán, Chile. Three multi-physiological trait indices were calculated based on multiple linear regression (SI1), Euclidean distance (SI2) and descriptive statistical parameters (SI3). SI1 and SI2 were significantly correlated with DM production under rainfed conditions, with correlation coefficients of 0.61 and –0.52, respectively. On the other hand, all single physiological traits showed broad genetic variability in the L. tenuis population but a low association with DM production under drought conditions. Therefore, the multi-trait indices are a more effective tool to select drought-tolerant genotypes.

Nitrous oxide emission factors for urine and dung from sheep fed either fresh forage rape (Brassica napus L.) or fresh perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

In New Zealand, agriculture is predominantly based on pastoral grazing systems and animal excreta deposited on soil during grazing have been identified as a major source of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Forage brassicas (Brassica spp.) have been increasingly used to improve lamb performance. Compared with conventional forage perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), a common forage in New Zealand, forage brassicas have faster growth rates, higher dry matter production and higher nutritive value. The aim of this study was to determine the partitioning of dietary nitrogen (N) between urine and dung in the excreta from sheep fed forage brassica rape (B. napus subsp. oleifera L.) or ryegrass, and then to measure N2O emissions when the excreta from the two different feed sources were applied to a pasture soil. A sheep metabolism study was conducted to determine urine and dung-N outputs from sheep fed forage rape or ryegrass, and N partitioning between urine and dung. Urine and dung were collected and then used in a field plot experiment for measuring N2O emissions. The experimental site contained a perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture on a poorly drained silt-loam soil. The treatments included urine from sheep fed forage rape or ryegrass, dung from sheep fed forage rape or ryegrass, and a control without dung or urine applied. N2O emission measurements were carried out using a static chamber technique. For each excreta type, the total N2O emissions and emission factor (EF3; N2O–N emitted during the 3- or 8-month measurement period as a per cent of animal urine or dung-N applied, respectively) were calculated. Our results indicate that, in terms of per unit of N intake, a similar amount of N was excreted in urine from sheep fed either forage rape or ryegrass, but less dung N was excreted from sheep fed forage rape than ryegrass. The EF3 for urine from sheep fed forage rape was lower compared with urine from sheep fed ryegrass. This may have been because of plant secondary metabolites, such as glucosinolates in forage rape and their degradation products, are transferred to urine and affect soil N transformation processes. However, the difference in the EF3 for dung from sheep fed ryegrass and forage rape was not significant.

Productive performance of three tropical legumes for protein banks in the dry tropics of Colima, Mexico

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of mucuna ( Mucuna pruriens ), lablab ( Lablab purpureus ) and clitoria ( Clitoria ternatea ) for protein banks in Colima, Mexico, with irrigation used prior to the rainy season. Fifteen plots were allocated in a complete randomized block design with 5 replicates. Dry matter production, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus concentrations and leaf:steam ratio were evaluated. The highest dry matter production was recorded for clitoria and lablab (9.80 and 8.93 t/ha, respectively, over 240–260 days), while mucuna produced 5.5 t DM/ha in 120 days. Leaf production in clitoria (4.73 t/ha) exceeded that in lablab (3.23 t/ha) and mucuna (2.69 t/ha), while leaf:stem ratio was 0.94 for clitoria, 1.0 for mucuna and 0.58 for lablab. Crude protein concentrations in all species were high (21.7–27.8%) as were concentrations of Ca (1.17–1.64%) and P (0.38–0.67%). Use of the 3 forages is discussed. Studies in the absence of irrigation in a range of seasons would determine how relevant these findings are in those situations. Feeding studies with animals would provide additional information on which to decide the appropriate species to plant in different situations. Keywords: Clitoria ternatea , dry matter yield, forage quality, Lablab purpureus , Mucuna pruriens . DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)104-111

Resposta econômica do confinamento de ovinos alimentados com silagens de diferentes cultivares de sorgo

Objetivou-se com este estudo avaliar o resultado econômico da terminação de ovinos em confinamento, alimentados com silagens de diferentes cultivares de sorgo: 'BRS 810' e 'BRS Ponta Negra' (caráter forrageiro); 'BRS 610' (caráter duplo propósito); e 'BRS 655' e 'BRS 800' (caráter granífero). Utilizaram-se 35 cordeiros, sem padrão racial definido, com idade entre 5 e 7 meses e com peso vivo médio de 17,7±3,7kg. Os animais foram mantidos confinados em gaiolas individuais durante 42 dias, sendo abatidos com peso médio de 26,24kg. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos (silagem de diferentes cultivares de sorgo) e sete repetições. A relação volumoso:concentrado foi de 48:52 (com base na MS), para todas as dietas testadas. O custo médio das silagens foi de 63,71; 71,01; 78,99; 61,08 e 63,35 R$ t-1 para as cultivares 'BRS 610', 'BRS 655', 'BRS 800', 'BRS 810' e 'BRS Ponta Negra', respectivamente, promovendo uma receita líquida de 78,34; 78,98; 77,43; 82,23 e 80,57 R$ carcaça-1. A produção de silagem utilizando a variedade 'BRS 810' com caráter forrageiro apresenta menor custo de produção e maior receita líquida por carcaça, além de maior produção de matéria seca por hectare, proporcionando aumentar a capacidade de suporte forrageiro das áreas cultivadas, permitindo confinar maior quantidade de animais.

Relationship between Phosphorus Accumulation and Dry Matter Production in Soybeans

Six cultivars of soybean were cultivated under various phosphorus (P) application levels, in pots and in fields to clarify the relationship between P accumulation and dry matter production, and that of varietal differences in soybeans. Dry matter production and yield components increased with the increase of P application, especially under P-deficient conditions, and there were varietal differences in dry matter production, yield components, and amount of P accumulation. However, there were significant relationships between dry matter production and P accumulation, and the relationships could be represented by the same regression line regardless of cultivar. There were varietal differences in dry matter production efficiency of accumulated P under a P-deficient condition. These results suggest that either high ability to accumulate P or efficient dry matter production of P is required for stable production under P-deficient conditions. Therefore, selection of cultivars that have high dry matter production efficiency or large root systems, or the development of agricultural management technology that increases the rate of P fertilizer absorption is required for stable production under P-deficient conditions.

Influence of trickle fertigation on growth and physiological attributes of hybrid okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

An experiment was conducted to compare the effect of conventional fertilisers and water soluble fertilisers at varying frequency interval of application on growth and physiological attributes of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Block Design with two control involving ten treatments in a factorial way and was replicated thrice. Among the treatment combinations, the plot receiving daily fertigation of water soluble fertilisers (S1F1) had recorded the maximum plant height at final harvest (136.80 cm), shortest inter nodal length (4.46 cm), maximum leaf area index (2.04) and the highest dry matter production (8.23 t ha-1). However, no significant difference could be observed for days to flowering, number of primary branches plant-1 at flowering as well as final harvest and node of first flower appearance.

Grasses and legumes as cover crop in no-tillage system in northeastern Pará Brazil

Studies to select one or more species of coverage plants adapted to Amazonian soil and climate conditions of the Amazon are a promising strategy for the improvement of environmental quality, establishing no-till agricultural systems, and thereby reducing the impacts of monoculture farming. The aim of this study was to assess the persistence time, half-life time, macronutrient content and accumulation, and C:N ratio of straw coverage in a Ultisol in northeastern Pará. Experimental design was randomized blocks with five treatments and five replicates. Plants were harvested after 105 days, growth and biomass production was quantified. After 84 days, soil coverage was 97, 85, 52, 50, and 15% for signalgrass (Brachiaria brizantha) (syn. Urochloa), dense crowngrass (Panicum purpurascens), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformes), pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum) and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea,), respectively. Signalgrass yielded the greatest dry matter production (9,696 kg ha-1). It also had high C:N ratio (38.4), long half-life (86.5 days) and a high persistence in the field. Jack bean also showed high dry matter production (8,950 kg ha-1), but it had low C:N ratio (17.4) and lower half-life time (39 days) than the grasses. These attributes indicate that signalgrass and jack bean have a high potential for use as cover plants in no-till agricultural systems in the State of Pará.

Correlações e análise de trilha em capim-elefante para fins energéticos

The elephant grass for its high dry matter production has been used as a source of renewable energy. The selection for the improvement of traits could influence the production of dry matter and therefore it is necessary to study the correlation between these traits. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the correlation coefficients and display genotype correlations into direct and indirect effects of variables such as plant height, stem diameter, number of tillers and leaf blade width in dry matter production in clones of elephant grass. The experiment was conducted in Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ, using forty genotypes of elephant grass. The design was a randomized block with two replications. Evaluated in two cuts, plant height, stem diameter and width of the leaf blade showed positive and significant genotypic correlation with dry matter production. Plant height was the most directly and positively influenced the dry matter production during the second cut. In the third section, it occurred to the characteristics stem diameter and number of tillers.

Screening of 18 species for digestate phytodepuration.

This experiment assesses the aptitude of 18 species in treating the digestate liquid fraction (DLF) in a floating wetland treatment system. The pilot system was created in NE Italy in 2010 and consists of a surface-flow system with 180 floating elements (Tech-IA®) vegetated with ten halophytes and eight other wetland species. The species were transplanted in July 2011 in basins filled with different proportions of DLF/water (DLF/w); periodic increasing of the DLF/w ratio was imposed after transplanting, reaching the worst conditions for plants in summer 2012 (highest EC value 7.3 mS cm/L and NH4-N content 225 mg/L). It emerged that only Cynodon dactylon, Typha latifolia, Elytrigia atherica, Halimione portulacoides, Salicornia fruticosa, Artemisia caerulescens, Spartina maritima and Puccinellia palustris were able to survive under the system conditions. Halophytes showed higher dry matter production than other plants. The best root development (up to 40-cm depth) was recorded for Calamagrostis epigejos, Phragmites australis, T. latifolia and Juncus maritimus. The highest nitrogen (10-15 g/m(2)) and phosphorus (1-4 g/m(2)) uptakes were obtained with P. palustris, Iris pseudacorus and Aster tripolium. In conclusion, two halophytes, P. palustris and E. atherica, present the highest potential to be used to treat DLF in floating wetlands.

Growth, dry matter production, phenotypic plasticity, and nutritive value of three natural populations of Dactylis glomerata L. under various shading treatments

Dactylis glomerata L. is a widespread perennial grass species, which has been reported to be adapted to shaded conditions. Its populations thrive in a variety of environments. However, little information is available concerning the comparative response of its natural populations from contrasting environments under the reduced light intensity conditions that exist in silvopastoral systems. The objective of the present study was to estimate the comparative ability of three populations of D. glomerata from northern, central and southern Greece to grow under full sun, 60 % shade and 90 % shade in terms of their growth characteristics, phenotypic plasticity, dry matter production and nutritive value. Shade reduced tillering and dry matter production, increased tiller height and modified leaf characteristics. Under shade fewer leaves were grown simultaneously on the same tiller, but these were longer and thinner compared to full sun. Differentiation in response to shade among the populations examined of D. glomerata was observed mainly for leaf characteristics. The population from Pertouli (central Greece) responded better, particularly to moderate shade as it had a higher leaf area, longer leaf and higher dry matter production, compared to the others. Evidence for adaptive phenotypic plasticity to moderate shade was suggested only for this population. Additionally, Pertouli had higher nutritive value compared to Taxiarchis (northern Greece) and Crete (southern Greece) under shade. The divergent responses of natural populations of D. glomerata could justify breeding germplasm with enhanced shade tolerance.

The Makhana Value Chain in Bihar: An Assessment and Policy Implications

The Makhana Value Chain in Bihar: An Assessment and Policy Implications

Nutrient responses and macronutrient composition of some Trifolium repens×Trifolium uniflorum interspecific hybrids

Interspecific hybridisation is being utilised in white clover (Trifolium repens L.) breeding programs to overcome factors currently restricting productivity and persistence. Valuable new traits that may be introduced from the wild relative T. uniflorum include root characteristics and other adaptations to its natural, Mediterranean habitat. This study examined the effect of hybridisation on growth and macronutrient composition of white clover compared with T. uniflorum and T. repens × T. uniflorum backcross 1 (BC1) hybrids in two glasshouse sand culture experiments. Shoot and root dry weights of BC1 hybrids were greater than of white clover in low-concentration nutrient treatments but not in a more concentrated treatment. Decreases in dry weight with decreasing nutrient treatment strength were also smaller for some BC1 hybrids compared with white clover and other hybrid families. Most foliar macronutrient levels were adequate for white clover growth, but mean shoot or leaf phosphorus (P) concentrations were below published critical levels. Higher dry matter production under these low internal P concentrations suggests that some T. repens × T. uniflorum BC1 hybrids may be more tolerant of lower soil P levels than white clover. Such adaptations are likely to have been inherited from T. uniflorum. However, transgressive segregation may also be occurring, as T. uniflorum was larger than white clover in some, but not all, cases of low nutrient supply.

Yield and Chemical Composition of Brachiaria Forage Grasses in the Offseason after Corn Harvest

This study evaluated the dry matter production and chemical composition of Brachiaria forage grasses in the offseason after corn harvest in integrated crop-livestock system. The experiment was conducted at the Federal Institute of Goias, Rio Verde Campus, using a randomized complete block experimental design, with four replications. The treatments consisted of the forages: Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu; Brachiaria brizantha cv. Xaraes; Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata; Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-4; Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria ruziziensis, intercropped in oversown corn for implantation of integrated crop-livestock system. The results showed that intercropping corn with Brachiaria grasses favors the production of high-quality forage in the offseason, and the cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens showed higher dry matter production. And cultivars of Brachiaria brizantha (Marandu palisadegrass, Xaraes palisadegrass and Piata palisadegrass) are the most suitable for presenting food of better quality, compared with Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG-4, Brachiaria decumbens and Brachiaria ruziziensis.

The use of Lactobacillus species as starter cultures for enhancing the quality of sugar cane silage

Sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) is a forage crop widely used in animal feed because of its high dry matter (DM) production (25 to 40t/ha) and high energy concentration. The ensiling of sugar cane often incurs problems with the growth of yeasts, which leads to high losses of DM throughout the fermentative process. The selection of specific inoculants for sugar cane silage can improve the quality of the silage. The present study aimed to select strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from sugar cane silage and to assess their effects when used as additives on the same type of silage. The LAB strains were inoculated into sugar cane broth to evaluate their production of metabolites. The selected strains produced higher concentrations of acetic and propionic acids and resulted in better silage characteristics, such as low yeast population, lower ethanol content, and lesser DM loss. These data confirmed that facultative heterofermentative strains are not good candidates for sugar cane silage inoculation and may even worsen the quality of the silage fermentation by increasing DM losses throughout the process. Lactobacillus hilgardii strains UFLA SIL51 and UFLA SIL52 resulted in silage with the best characteristics in relation to DM loss, low ethanol content, higher LAB population, and low butyric acid content. Strains UFLA SIL51 and SIL52 are recommended as starter cultures for sugar cane silage.

Effect of Treated Tannery Effluent with Domestic Wastewater and Amendments on Growth and Yield of Cotton

Pot culture and field experiments were carried out at the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), Dindigul during kharif 2011-12 to investigate the influence of irrigation of treated tannery effluent along with domestic wastewater on growth, yield attributes and yield of cotton. The pot culture was in a factorial completely randomized design and field experiment laid out in factorial randomized block design with four replications. The results revealed that the mixing proportion of 25% Treated Tannery Effluent (TTE)+75% domestic wastewater (DWW) application recorded taller plants, higher dry matter production, number of sympodial branches plant(-1), number of fruiting points plant(-1), number of bolls plant(-1) and seed cotton yield with yield reduction of 15.28 and 16.11% compared to normal water irrigation under pot culture and field experiment, respectively. Regarding amendments, gypsum application registered higher seed cotton yield followed by VAM.

DOSES E FONTES DE NITROGÊNIO NA PRODUÇÃO E COMPOSIÇÃO BROMATOLÓGICA DO CAPIM-XARAÉS

This study evaluated the effect of nitrogen sources and doses on dry matter yield and bromatological composition of xaraés grass throughout the year. The experiment was carried out at the Agronomy Faculty of Rio Verde University from October 2008 to January 2010. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement with measures repeated in time, and four replications. We tested two nitrogen sources (ammonium sulfate and urea) and four nitrogen levels (0, 200, 400 and 600 kg ha-1). The evaluations were conducted on the same plots throughout the year and during all four seasons (autumn, winter, spring, and summer). The results demonstrated that the maximum grass production of dry matter and crude protein of xaraés grass for the sources of urea and ammonium sulfate were estimated at doses of 500 and 472 kg ha-1 and 407 and 396 kg N ha-1, respectively. And for TDN level the maximum dose was 404.74 kg ha-1 N, for the source of ammonium sulfate. This result indicates that, regardless of the source, the application of increasing doses of up to 400 kg ha-1 of nitrogen in xaraés grass is sufficient to maintain a high dry matter production, associated with the nutritional value of the forage. The source ammonium sulfate demonstrated higher efficacy for xaraés grass dry matter production in the seasons evaluated, however additional studies are needed to evaluate the economical feasibility of its use.KEYWORDS: Ammonium sulphate; Brachiaria brizantha; urea; year season.

IR24/Oryza nivara 染色体断片置換系統の低窒素条件における高い乾物生産性に関わる生理学的要因の解析

IR24/Oryza nivara 染色体断片置換系統の低窒素条件における高い乾物生産性に関わる生理学的要因の解析

EFFECT OF SPLIT APPLICATION OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER ON MORPHO-PHYSIOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES AND GRAIN YIELD OF BROADCAST SEEDED EGYPTIAN HYBRID RICE (Ι)

An experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm of Rice Research and Training Center (RRTC), Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt, during 2011 and 2012 seasons. The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with four replications. The main plots were devoted to the nitrogen level 220kg N/ha in form of urea (46.5% N). The sub-plots were allocated to the six times of nitrogen application to assess the effect of six nitrogen application treatments, viz., T_1: (2⁄(3 ) as B ( basal ) + 1⁄3 at PI ( panicle initiation)), T_2: (1⁄3 as B + 1⁄3 at MT (mid-tillering) + 1⁄3 at PI.)), T_3:(1⁄2 as B + 1⁄4 at MT + 1⁄4 at PI.)), T_4:(1⁄4 as B + 1⁄4 at MT + 1⁄4 at PI + 1⁄4 at BT (booting)), T_5:(1⁄4 as B + 1⁄4 at MT + 1⁄4 at BT + 1⁄4 at CH (complete heading)), and T_6:(1⁄4 as B + 1⁄4 at MT + 1⁄4 at PI + 1⁄4 at F ( flowering)) on morpho-physiological attributes and grain yield of Egyptian hybrid rice (1) under broadcast seeded-rice. The results revealed that nitrogen levels caused significant increases in all morpho-physiological attributes and grain yield of Egyptian hybrid rice (1), except for number of primary branches/panicle, number of panicle/m², panicle weight and 1000-grain weight in both seasons. Leaf area index and dry matter production at flowering were significantly increased in first and second seasons, respectively, Increasing N-level up to 220kg N/ha significantly increased number of unfilled grains/panicle and straw yield t/ha. In addition, application of 165kg N/ha produced the highest values of number of filled grains/panicle, grain yield t/ha and harvest index in both seasons. Moreover, It was observed that the highest estimated values of dry matter production at panicle initiation and straw yield; and the lowest number of panicles/m² were recorded in the first treatment (T_1), without significant differences with the 〖(T〗_(3 )) and 〖(T〗_(5 )) treatments in both seasons. The highest dry matter production at flowering, LAI at flowering, chlorophyll content in flag leaf, days to 50% heading, plant height at harvest, number of primary branches/panicle, panicle weight, heaviest 1000-grain weight, harvest index and grain yield were exhibited in 〖(T〗_(6 )) in both seasons, The interaction between nitrogen levels and time of nitrogen application had significant effect on dry matter production ( g/m²) at panicle initiation, leaf area index at both panicle initiation and at flowering, chlorophyll content in flag leaf and number of tillers/m², number of filled grains/panicle in both seasons and number of unfilled grains/panicle in the second season. From the obtained results, it could be recommended that splitting of N-fertilizer application with the rate of 165 kg/ha in four equal doses i.e. as basal application, mid-tillering, panicle initiation and at the flowering stages were played a remarkable role for achievement of high yield production from Egyptian hybrid (1) rice genotype, when it grown under broadcast seeded rice under normal soil in Egypt.