Highest Dry Matter Yield Research Articles

Growth and yield performance of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) as influenced by cow dung and NPK fertilizers

A field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Charfasson Govt. College, Bhola, Bangladesh in rabi season in 2015-2016 to evaluate the effect of cow dung and chemical fertilizers on growth and yield of sunflower cv. BARI-2 (Keroni-2). Highest plant height (208.4 cm), leaf area (410.5 cm2) and leaf area index (12.75) were recorded in T16 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N120P90K150kg ha-1). Highest dry matter yield viz. stem (60.67g plant-1) found in treatment T16 (7.5 ton CD ha- 1+N120 P90K150kg ha-1). Maximum dry weight of leaf (25.33g plant-1) and dry weight of root (12.83g plant-1) were found in treatment T15 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N80P60K100kg ha-1). Highest dry weight of seed (64.7 g plant-1) and dry wt. of 100 seed (9.8 g) were found in treatment T15 (7.5 ton CD ha-1 +N80P60K100kg ha-1) but the highest number of seed (735.7plant-1) and florescence diameter (52.67 cm) were observed in treatment T13 (5 ton CD ha-1 +N120P90K150kg ha-1). Maximum total dry matter yield per plant was 92.01 g and per hectare was 5.75 ton in T16 (7.5 ton CD ha-1+N120P90K150kg ha-1). Results revealed that the combined application of cow dung and NPK fertilizers produced better growth and yield of sunflower in field condition at the coastal belt of Bangladesh. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 32(1): 83-90, 2023 (January)

Effects of intercropping forage turnip (Brassica rapa L.) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) and applying vermicompost and biochar as soil amendments on quality and quantity of the forage turnip crop

ABSTRACT Intercropping is an ecological friendly technique that can increase sustainability of farming systems, whilst considered as low input systems. This 2-year (2018–2019) study aimed to assess the quality and quantity of forage production in intercropping systems with different densities of forage turnip and basil plants and with application of vermicompost and biochar. The treatments were: 100% forage turnip (monoculture); 90% forage turnip + 10% basil; 80% forage turnip + 20% basil; 70% forage turnip + 30% basil applied in main plots, and two vermicompost levels (15 and 18.5 t ha−1) and two biochar levels (0 and 5 t ha−1) applied in subplots. The highest dry matter yield, water-soluble carbohydrates, crude protein, digestibility of dry matter of leaf and root biomass parts of the turnip were recorded in the treatment with 70% forage turnip + 30% basil × vermicompost (18.5 t ha−1) × biochar. This treatment increased crude protein of the above-ground foliage (by 94.6%) and the root (by 87.5%) of the forage turnip, compared with monoculture. The highest acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre were recorded in monoculture × vermicompost 18.5 t ha−1 × biochar and the highest ash was recorded in 80% forage turnip + 20% basil × vermicompost 18.5 t ha−1 × biochar. Intercropping forage turnip and basil with biochar and vermicompost at 18.5 t ha−1 was preferable to monoculture with vermicompost at 15 t ha−1. Intercropping turnip and basil with application of biochar and vermicompost can be suggested to farmers as an alternative to monoculture.

Assessment of Alfalfa Populations for Forage Productivity and Seed Yield Potential under a Multi-Year Field Trial

Alfalfa is the most important forage legume in the production of voluminous fodder. Although not primarily produced for its seeds, the seed yield is still important for the recognition and commercial viability of the cultivars on the market. Creating a cultivar of superior yield and forage quality with satisfactory seed production is one of the biggest challenges for alfalfa breeders and seed producers. The objective of this study was to determine forage and seed yields of 19 newly developed alfalfa experimental populations (ABP 1–19) of the Agricultural Institute Osijek during a long-term research period (2014–2018) in different climatic conditions. Significant differences were found between ABPs and years for forage and seed yields. Three-year (2014–2016) average green mass yield ranged from 68.41 t ha–1 (ABP 6) to 78.05 t ha–1 (ABP 19) and dry matter yield from 13.73 t ha–1 (ABP 6) to 15.30 t ha–1 (ABP 18). The average two-year (2017–2018) seed yield varied from 150.78 kg ha−1 (ABP 9) to 335.35 kg ha−1 (ABP 7). Annual forage yield significantly increased from the year of establishment to the second and third growing seasons of alfalfa. The highest average annual yield of green mass (90.24 t ha−1) was achieved in 2015, dry matter yield (17.62 t ha−1) in 2016 and the seed yield (394.17 kg ha−1) in 2017. During the researched period there was a considerable decreasing trend in forage yield from the first to the last cut, except in the year of the alfalfa establishment. Several alfalfa populations (ABP 19, 8, 14) superior in all analyzed traits were identified, and they represent top performing materials with the potential for developing and releasing cultivars in the near future. Populations with high yields of green mass and dry matter (ABP 12, 18, 1) and seed yield (ABP 7, 4) were also detected and represent valuable genetic material to improve our alfalfa breeding program.

Estimativa da diversidade genética em famílias de irmãos completos de capim-elefante Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone

ABSTRACT One of the challenges of the energy sector is the identification of renewable resources with less impact on the environment and that are economically viable. This study aimed to estimate the genetic diversity of eleven full-sib families of elephant grass, using quantitative traits associated with bioenergy production. The trial followed a randomized blocks design, with four replications and each plot (family) consisting of five plants, totaling 220 genotypes. Five quantitative traits were measured: dry matter yield, dry matter percentage, plant height, stem diameter and number of tillers. The genetic diversity was estimated using multivariate methods (principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering). The analysis revealed a significant genetic diversity among the full-sib of elephant grass, with a greater variability observed for dry matter yield and number of tillers. The families 1, 2, 5, 7 and 8 exhibited superior genotypes for bioenergy production-related traits. The grouping analysis generated twenty clusters, enabling the differentiation of genotypes. Eight clusters comprised genotypes with a high dry matter yield and plant height, simultaneously, surpassing the overall mean for number of tillers.

Variability of Meadow Fescue Accessions and Productivity and Quality of their Polycross Progenies

The collection investigated included nineteen meadow fescue accessions, 16 wild populations, and 3 commercial cultivars. The first part of the experiment was performed in a plant nursery at a distance plant of plant 60x60 cm. The experiment was done as a randomized block design with 30 plants per accession. This part of the experiment aimed to determine values and variability for the studied traits (heading date, plant height, length of leaf and the number of generative and vegetative tillers per plant and dry matter yield per plant) in two productive years. Data processing was done by ANOVA analyses. The obtained results show that the studied accessions had significant within and among variability for all parameters. The number of generative tillers per plant, plant height and leaf length positively affected dry matter yield per plant. The highest dry matter yield per plant was observed for accessions: FP 1 and FP 4, but the best ratio between dry matter yield and number of vegetative tillers per plant, traits that influenced dry matter quality, was scored for accessions FP 8, FP 7, FP 3, FP 10 and FP 16. The second part of the trial investigated the productivity and biomass quality of the best 26 progenies selected from the polycross field and formed from the plant with the best performance from the nursery. They are tested in plots 5x2 m, as a randomized block design, in 3 replications. The most productive progenies with high biomass quality originated from accession FP 8, FP 3 and FP 13.

Optimizing the Methods and Schedule of Fertilization Escalated Nutrient Uptake, Nutrient Use Efficiency and Dry Matter Yield of Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

A field study was performed at Regional Research Station, Uchani (Karnal) of CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India during 2020-21 to ascertain the role of precision nutrient management in enhancing nutrient availability to plants by amending the schedule and method of N and K fertilization in spring planted sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) crop under wide spacing (120 cm). The experiment was devised under split plot design with three replications. The main plot treatments consisted of two methods of fertilizer placement (B1-broadcasting and B2-band placement) while sub plot treatments included four schedules of application of recommended dose of N and K (RDN+RDK) in five splits (T1), six splits (T2), seven splits (T3) and T4 (RDN in three splits, full dose of P and K at planting). All the main and sub plot treatments showed a remarkable influence on nutrient uptake (kg ha-1), partial factor (kg kg-1) productivity, dry matter accumulation (t ha-1) and plant macro-nutrient content. B1 and T1 among main and sub plot treatments respectively lead to greater nutrient uptake, partial factor productivitie of NPK and highest dry matter yield.

Effects of Cutting Stages and Additives on the Fermentation Quality of Triticale, Rye and Oat Silage in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The Qinghai–Tibet Plateau is sparsely populated and has vast grassland, which plays an important role in the development of animal husbandry. However, during the forage cutting season, frequent rainfall and low temperatures are consistently experienced, which makes it extremely difficult to produce quality hay. The best way to process hay is to produce silages. In this experiment, dry matter yield and silage fermentation quality of dominant annual forages, namely triticale, rye and oat, with Sila-Max and Sila-Mix lactic acid bacteria additives at the five cutting stages, i.e., heading, flowering, grouting, milky and dough stages, were determined. Triticale at the dough stage had the highest dry matter yield among the three forages at the five cutting stages. The optimum harvesting time for triticale, rye and oat to produce quality silage in the Qinghai–Tibet alpine area was the milky stage. Sila-Max lactic acid bacteria additives could significantly improve the fermentation qualities of triticale, rye and oat silages, but the fermentation effect of Sila-Mix on the three silages was not significant. The triticale variety ‘Gannong No.2’ is the best raw material to produce quality silages in the Qinghai–Tibet alpine area. Overall, quality silage could be made in the Qinghai–Tibet alpine area while using the triticale variety ‘Gannong No.2’ as the raw material, cutting it at the milky stage and adding Sila-Max as the lactic acid bacteria additive.

On-Farm Multi-Environment Evaluation of Selected Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Cultivars in South Africa.

Cassava is an important starchy root crop grown globally in tropical and subtropical regions. The ability of cassava to withstand difficult growing conditions and long-term storability underground makes it a resilient crop, contributing to food and nutrient security. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance and adaptability of exotic cassava cultivars across different environments in South Africa and to recommend genotypes for cultivation. A total of 11 cassava cultivars were evaluated at six on-farm sites, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were highly significant (p < 0.001) variations between genotypes, environments, and their interaction for all yield and yield-related traits studied. This indicates the need to test the genotypes in multiple environments before effective selection and commercialization can be undertaken. MSAF2 and UKF4 showed the overall best performances for most of the traits, whilst UKF9 (49.5%) and P1/19 (48.5%) had the highest dry matter yield. UKF4 (102.7 t ha−1) had the highest yield and greatest root yield stability across environments. MSAF2 did not perform consistently across environments because it was highly susceptible to cassava mosaic disease (CMD). MSAF2 could be used as a donor parent to generate novel clones with large numbers of marketable roots, and high fresh root yields, if the other parent can provide effective resistance to CMD. Based on genotype and environmental mean, Mabuyeni (KwaZulu-Natal), Mandlakazi (Limpopo), and Shatale (Mpumalanga) were found to be better environments for cassava cultivation and testing. This study is a pioneer in cassava research using multiple environments in South Africa. It provides baseline information on the performance of currently available cassava clones, their adaptation to multiple sites, the identification of suitable test sites, and information on current genetic resources for a future breeding program.

Impact of Mineral and Organic Fertilizer Management on the Performance of Oat-Chickpea Cropping Systems

In India, particularly in Manipur, the cultivation of fodder crops is given the least attention as most of the agricultural land is devoted to food crops to meet the food demand of our enormous population. As a result, livestock productivity of the state is suffering. In addition, cultivation of single crops repeatedly over years using inorganic sources of nutrients as inputs for the growth and development of the crops in the same field leads to low production at the cost of soil quality deterioration and environmental issues. Therefore, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the productivity of the oat–chickpea intercropping system to assess the effect of mineral and organic fertilizer management using factorial randomized block design with three replications comprising four levels of the cropping system (CS1-sole oat, CS2-sole chickpea, CS3-intercropping of oat with chickpea in a 3:2 row ratio and CS4-intercropping of oat with chickpea in a 3:3 row ratio) in the main plot and three levels of nutrient management (F1—Full RDF(recommended dose of fertilizer)through inorganic source, F2—50% N of RDF + 50% N through FYM(farm yard manure)and F3—50% N of RDF + 50%N through vermicompost) in the sub plot to study their productivity and economic feasibility. Three years of pooled results revealed that the maximum green fodder yield (50.88 t/ha), dry matter yield (11.84 t/ha) and plant height (120.69 cm) of oat was recorded in CS1, which is among the intercropping systems with the highest green fodder yield (40.11 t/ha) and has a plant height of 115.06 cm; this was recorded in CS3 and the highest dry matter yield (8.44 t/ha) was recorded in CS4. Application of F3 to oats gave the highest green fodder yield, dry matter yield and maximum plant height in all three years of the growing period. The maximum seed yield (1.86 t/ha), harvest index (46.05%), stover yield (2.15 t/ha/ha) and plant height (53.55 cm) of chickpea was obtained in CS2, but among the intercropping system, CS4 was statistically significant at a 5% probability level and was superior in seed yield and stover yield, as compared to the CS3cropping system. The application of F2 showed a higher seed yield and stover yield of chickpea. The green forage equivalent yield (85.37 t/ha), land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.63), gross return ($1902/ha), net returns ($1436/ha) and benefit cost ratio (4.19) were recorded to be the highest in the CS4 cropping system of oat and chickpea. This study concludes that CS4, in combination with the application of F3, can be recommended as it provides a higher green forage equivalent yield, LER and other economic benefits, as compared to other cropping systems and nutrient management practices.

Yield and quality of Guinea grass cv. Mombasa according to plant spacing and season of the year

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the yield, the chemical composition and the in vitro digestibility of Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus, Jacq.) cv. Mombasa according to plant spacing and season of the year. Design/methodology/approach: The Mombasa grass was stablished at spacing between plants of: 25x25, 50x25, 70x25 and 100x25 cm between rows and plants, respectively, and with broadcasting (traditional planting); cutting was conducted in cool, dry and rainy seasons. A factorial split-plot design in randomized blocks was used, with four replications. Results: The dry matter yield (DMY) of Mombasa grass was equal (p˃0.05) in cool and rainy seasons and lower (p&lt;0.05) in dry season (27.2, 27.5 and 12.7 kg ha-1 d-1, respectively). The crude protein (CP) increased with greater plant spacing (p&lt;0.05). The fodder of the dry season showed a higher (p&lt;0.05) CP content than cool or rainy seasons (10.5, 9.7 and 8.7%). The content of all fiber fractions, except lignin, did not differ between plant spacing (p&gt;0.05). Study limitations/implications: The season of the year affects the quality of tropical grasses. On the other hand, there is no information about the effect of plant spacing on the quality of Mombasa grass. Findings/conclusions: The highest DMY was in the cool season at 75x25 cm and 100x25 cm. The fodder harvested in the dry season showed lower fiber content in cell walls and higher in vitro digestibility (p˂0.05), but lower DMY. To ensure proper yield and quality, it is recommended to establish the Guinea grass cv. Mombasa at greater plant spacing, such as 75x25 cm or 100x25 cm.

Morphological Characters, Dry Matter Production, and Nutritional Quality of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) as Influenced by Genotype and Environment

Cowpea is an important grain legume crop used as feed for livestock, and its dry beans provide protein. Consequently, the objective of this study was to evaluate selected cowpea genotypes for herbage dry matter yield and nutritional quality in two agro-ecologies of the Benishangul-Gumuz region. The study was conducted at Kamashi and Assosa forages research stations of Assosa Agricultural Research Center, and the sites were purposively selected to represent lowland and midland agro-ecologies, respectively. Four cowpeas’ accessions (V. Unguiculata ILRI-11114, ILRI-12688, ILRI-12713, and ILRI-9333) and one check (Melka (ILRI-9334) as a check) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Herbage dry matter yield, plant height at forage harvesting, and days to maturity were significantly affected by location (L). Longer plant heights, shorter days to maturity, and higher dry matter yield (P&lt;0.001) were recorded at Kamashi than at Assosa. Herbage dry matter yield was significantlyP&lt;0.05affected by year (Y), Y∗L (Y and L interaction), G∗L∗Y (genotype (G), L and Y interaction), and G∗L. Hebage dry matter yield was similar between years at Assosa, whereas at Kamashi significantly (P&lt;0.001) different and more yields were obtained in 2015. The genotypes did not differ in nutritional quality parameters such as ash, acid detergent fibre, crude protein, and organic matter digestibility (P&gt;0.05). However, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre were significantly (P&lt;0.05) influenced by genotype. Thus, from the present study, it can be recommended that cowpea genotypes ILRI-12688 are suitable for Assosa and ILRI-11114 to Kamashi areas in terms of biomass production.

The Influence of Fertilization and Plant Density on the Dry Matter Yield and Quality of Black Mustard [Brassica nigra (L.) Koch]: An Alternative Forage Crop.

Black mustard [Brassica nigra (L.) Koch] is mainly cultivated as a seed crop, and there is a lack of information on biomass quality and its potential for animal feeding. A 2-year field experiment was set up in a split-plot design with 2 main plots (plant densities: 46 and 76 plants m−2), 4 sub-plots (fertilization levels: control, compost, urea with and without urease and nitrification inhibitors) and 3 replications for each treatment. The highest dry matter yield (17.55–18.34 tn ha−1) was observed in high-density plots fertilized with urea fertilizer coated with double (nitrification and urease) inhibitors. In terms of the qualitive parameters of total above-ground biomass, the highest crude protein (CP) content was achieved in plots with low density and urea with double inhibitors. Moreover, the highest neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents of above-ground biomass were found under compost and urea with double inhibitors. The high ADF, NDF and relatively high CP content characterized that black mustard aerial biomass can meet the requirements of lactating animals, and therefore the production of black mustard biomass as a forage crop could be of great importance. As a conclusion, black mustard cultivated at plant densities higher than 46 plants m−2 and under inorganic fertilization, especially with urea coated with double inhibitors, could be successfully used as a novel forage crop in ruminants’ diets.

PRODUCTIVITY OF HETEROGENEOUS COM HYBRIDS DEPENDING ON FERTILIZERS

The article presents the results of studies of the effect of different doses of mineral fertilizers N90P90K90 and N120P120K120 on the productivity of corn. We studied the formation of green mass yield of corn in the following groups of maturity: medium-early hybrid Svityaz FAO 250, medium-ripe Aquazor FAO 320 and late-ripe Hetera FAO 420. During the growing season, corn plants were exposed to adverse weather conditions. The best weather conditions were observed in 2018 (SCC 1.34) and the worst were in 2016-2017 (SCC 0.64-0.81). Such weather conditions affected the growth processes of the crop in height, the indicators of which differed over the years and had the form of a sinusoidal depending on the phase of growth and development. In the ejection phase, the height of maize plants in the hybrid Svityaz FAO 250 was 197 cm, Aquazor FAO 320 - 199 cm and Hetera FAO 420 - 203 cm, which in the phase of wax grain ripeness increased to 262 cm, 263 and 276 cm, respectively, against N120P120K120. One of the indicators that characterize the green mass yield is the height of plants and the percentage of cobs and stems in the structure of biomass. According to our data, the largest share of cobs was on the variants without fertilizers, which was 40.6-43.1 and 37.3-42.1% on the maximum background of fertilizers. In this case, the cobs by weight were the heaviest and reached 197.0-216.7 g per plant using mineral fertilizers at a dose of N120P120K120. The increase in the yield of green mass of corn in the phase of wax ripeness by 1.29-1.58 times compared to N90P90K90 and N120P120K120 - 1.33-1.48 times, compared with harvesting in the phase of ejection of panicles. The highest yield of dry matter of corn was found by applying mineral fertilizers at a dose of N120P120K120, which was in the hybrid Svityaz FAO 250 - 22.46 t / ha, in hybrids Aquazor FAO 320 and Hetera FAO 420 - 25.13 and 28.03 t / ha, respectively. High digestibility of green mass of corn from the phase of ejection of panicles to milk ripeness, where the content of feed units in 1 kg of dry matter increases from 0.93 to 1.04.

Effect of Potassium Application Rate on Dry Matter Yield and Forage Nutritive Value in Alfalfa

The United States is the largest producer of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) however there is still a wide variation in yield among states. Potassium (K) is one of the key plant macronutrients that affect alfalfa yield and stand persistence. To the best of our knowledge, the evaluation of K rates on alfalfa forage yield and quality attributes has not been done in the United States. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of K rates along with harvesting intervals (HI) and varieties on alfalfa dry matter yield (DMY), forage nutritive value, and soil K content. The experiment was carried out in a split-split plot with two HI (28 and 35-day after the first cut), two varieties (Hi–Gest 360: reduced-lignin and AFX 457: conventional), and four K application rates (0, 56, 112, and 168 kg K2O ha-1) in a randomized complete block with four replications. The results indicated that harvesting alfalfa at a shorter interval (28-day) resulted in higher dry matter yield and forage nutritive value than a longer harvest interval (35-day). Yield, nutritive values, and soil K content were, however, not significantly influenced by alfalfa variety and K rates. Further research is essential to quantify the actual trade-off between applied K and soil and plant K content in alfalfa production.

Forage yield of African star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) at different cut heights

Objective: To determine the effect of cutting height, season, and year on the forage yield of African Star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) in Loma Bonita, Oaxaca, México. Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized block design was used in plots divided using a factorial arrangement and three replications. The treatments consisted of the combination of cutting heights, seasons, and years of evaluation with four repetitions. The following variables were taken into consideration: fresh and dry forage yield (kg ha-1), leaf weight (kg FM ha-1), stem weight (kg FM ha-1), dead material (kg ha-1), leaf-steam ratio, and total yield per hectare (kg ha-1). An analysis of variance was carried out and the means were compared using Tukey's test. Results: The cutting heights did not have an effect on the DM yield. The uniformity cut can be made between 7 and 10 cm. DM performance for the 6 characters evaluated was better in 2018 than in 2016. Study limitations/Implications: Applying dolomite calcium to increase soil pH, N, P, and K levels under irrigated conditions could improve growth rates and DM production. Findings/Conclusions: Cutting heights did not have an impact on forage yield. The uniformity cut could be made at a 7-10 cm height. The rainy season had a higher dry matter yield (3,310 kg ha-1) than the dry season (1,902 kg DM ha-1) and the cold front season (1,914 kg DM ha-1).

Protein and carbohydrate profiles of a diploid and a tetraploid red clover cultivar

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is characterized by high dry matter (DM) yield and a high nutritive value. It has a higher concentration of soluble carbohydrate than lucerne and its protein is less degradable in the rumen than lucerne protein. The aim of this study was to quantify the main crude protein (CP) and carbohydrate (CHO) fractions of a tetraploid (4n, cv K-32) and a diploid (2n, cv K-39) red clover cultivar harvested at three stages of development in the spring growth. Results showed that the cultivar and stage of development had a large impact on chemical composition and the protein and carbohydrate fractions determined by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS). The rapidly degradable protein fraction (PA) was significantly higher in the tetraploid (272 to 287 g kg-1 CP with advancing plant development) than in the diploid red clover cultivar (214 to 268 g kg-1 CP). Rumen degradable carbohydrate concentration was not affected by cultivar but it was significantly influenced by the stage of development. The concentration of rumen degradable protein decreased from 726 to 655 g kg-1 CP with advancing plant development in the diploid red clover cultivar. In conclusion, the tetraploid red clover cultivar was higher in CP, its protein was more rapidly degradable, and it was characterized by lower concentrations of lignin and unavailable carbohydrate fractions than the diploid cultivar.

Canola as a potential forage.

The nutritive quality of four cultivars of canola forage (Brassica napus L.), Orient, Midas, Global, and Hybrid (Cobra × Regent), which were harvested in the early-spring period, were compared with green-winter barley (GWB) in terms of their yields, chemical composition, in vitro gas production variables, in situ crude protein (CP) degradation, and predicted dry matter intake (PDMI). Data were statistically analyzed using a completely randomized design with four replications and three samples per replication. The study was based on a randomized complete block design, and data were analyzed using SAS, general linear model procedure for normal distribution. The canola dry matter (DM) yield was highest in Orient cultivar and lowest in Midas (P < 0.05). Organic matter (OM), CP, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and lignin(sa) concentration of the four cultivars ranged from 862 to 865, 218 to 247, 295 to 340, and 35 to 53 g/kg DM, respectively. The estimated OM disappearance (OMD), effective degradability of CP, effective rumen degradable protein (ERDP), digestible undegradable protein, and metabolizable protein (MP) of the forages were from 636 to 671 g/kg, 878 to 910, 172 to 193, 1.9 to 3.4, and 112 to 126 g/kg DM, respectively. Compared to Global and Hybrid cultivars, Orient and Midas contained higher CP, OMD, ERDP, MP concentration, and PDMI, but lower NDF, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin(sa) concentrations (P < 0.05). The level of glucosinolates in the forages ranged from 0.38 to 1.51 µmol/g DM, which is below the detrimental level for ruminants. Compared to winter canola cultivars, GWB had higher DM yield (P < 0.003), NDF, lignin(sa), PDMI (P < 0.01), and digestible undegradable protein (P < 0.04), but had lower OMD (P < 0.03), ERDP (P = 0.01), and MP (P < 0.009). Based on the obtained results, the variation in the nutritive quality among the canola cultivars is relatively small, and the Orient cultivar, which is most comparable to GWB, was judged to be nutritionally the best among the cultivars.

Effect of Textile Effluent on Dry Matter Yield and Nutrient Content Of Jute Leaves (Corchorus Capsularis)

A pot experiment was conducted at Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI) to evaluate the effect of textile effluent on dry matter yield and the nutrients content of newly developed BJRI Deshi pat shak-1 (Corchorus capsularis). The treatments were T1: control, T2: 100% RDF + 0% effluent, T3: 50% RDF + 25% effluent, T4: 50% RDF +50% effluent, T5: 50% RDF + 75% effluent, T6: 50% RDF + 100% effluent. All the treatments had significant positive effect over control on dry matter yield and nutrient content of jute vegetables on non-contaminated soils. But in contaminated soils effluent irrigation showed negative effect on dry matter yield and nutrient content of jute leaves vegetables over control. The highest yield of dry matter in both contaminated and non-contaminated soils were observed in treatment T2 (100% RDF + 0% effluent), which were1.81, 1.90, 1.86 and 1.69 t/ha in non-contaminated and contaminated soils of Narayanganj and Gazipur, respectively. Among the textile effluent treated pots T4 the gave second highest yield of dry matter yield which were 1.55, 1.77, 1.36 and 1.58 t/ha in non- contaminated and contaminated soils, respectively. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(2): 47-54

Effect of Seeding Ratios of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Rhodes Grass (Chloris gayana) Mixtures on Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Quality of the Fodder

The study was conducted at Adami Tulu on-station and Shashemene (FTC) sites for two (2019-2020) consecutive years with the objective to determine the appropriate proportions of seeding ratio that could optimize the dry matter yield and quality of Alfalfa and Rhodes grass mixture. The treatment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Different seeding ratios of Alfalfa and Rhodes grass were arranged according to the following treatments: T1; 100% Alfalfa +0 % Rhodes, T2; 0% Alfalfa +100% Rhodes, T3; 50% Alfalfa +50% Rhodes, T4; 75% Alfalfa +25% Rhodes and T5; 25% Alfalfa +75% Rhodes. The results showed that number of tillers per plant of Rhodes grass and leaf to stem ratio of alfalfa, CP% content, NDF% and ADF% were showed a significance (p&lt;0.05) difference among the seeding ratios. The result indicated that seeding ratio has significant (p&lt;0.05) effect on the total dry matter yield of the mixture of alfalfa and Rhodes at both sites. The highest dry matter yield (8.47 t ha-1 ) was obtained from seeding ratio of 25:75, followed by seeding ratio of 50:50 (7.84 tha-1 ). The land equivalent ratios for the mixture were more than one showing that mixture of alfalfa with Rhodes is more advantageous than pure stand of forage. The highest CP% content (21.2%) was recorded from pure stand of alfalfa followed by seeding ratio 75:25 (18.5%), 50:50 (16.8%) and 25:75 (14.6%) while pure stand of Rhodes grass produced the least (11.1%) CP% value. The highest values of NDF% (34.48%) and ADF% (21.25%) were obtained from pure stands of Rhodes grass while the least values were recorded from pure Alfalfa. Thus, it can be concluded that seeding ratio combination of 50:50 could be recommended for use in the study areas and similar agro-ecologies due to its high dry matter yield, good quality and more balanced mixture of forage.

Effects of Different Forage Pea and Rye Mixtures on Forage Yield and Quality

This study was carried out in the 2018-19 vegetation period to determine the appropriate mixture ratios of forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) and rye (Secale cereale L.) under rainfed conditions of Kırşehir province, Turkey. The layout of the experiment was randomized blocks with three replications and the treatments were pure rye, pure forage pea and four different mixtures of forage pea and mixtures (20% FP + 80% R, 40% FP + 60% P, 60% FP + 40% R, 80% FP + 20% R). The highest green forage yield (2395.1 kg da-1), dry matter yield (833.3 kg da-1) and crude protein yield (71.0 kg da-1) were obtained from pure rye sowings. The highest crude protein ratio (15.6%), the lowest ADF (31.1%) and NDF (39.3%) ratios were obtained from pure forage pea sowings. The increase in the rye ratio of the mixtures increased the yield, while the increase in the forage pea ratio caused an increase in the forage quality. The results revealed that a mixture of pure rye and 20% FP + 80% R can be recommended to obtain high dry matter yield, and 40% FP + 60% R mixture for yield and quality for under continental climate conditions as in Kirsehir province of Turkey.