Lower Dry Matter Research Articles

Influence of Preharvest Bagging on Maturity Indices and Postharvest Quality of Cherry Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme)

The production of cherry tomato (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) is negatively affected by harsh environmental conditions such as extremely high and low temperatures, wind and hail damage, and pest and disease infestation. These factors delay maturity and cause uneven ripening, fruit abrasion, and blemishes, which consequently result in poor fruit quality and reduced shelf life. Preharvest bagging is an environmentally friendly alternative technique for enhancement of fruit quality and hence alleviates the stated problems. The study evaluated the physico-chemical quality of ‘Tinker’ and ‘Roma VF’ cherry tomato as influenced by preharvest bagging (transparent and blue plastics) during 8 days of shelf life at ambient conditions. Five clusters of fruit per plant per cultivar with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.0 cm were bagged after 16 days of fruit set and harvested at the green maturity stage, 12 days after preharvest bagging for the assessment of postharvest quality. Preharvest bagging effectively accelerated fruit maturity and ripening as indicated by enhanced fruit size, uniform color development, high pH, dry matter (DM) content, soluble solid content (SSC), and low titratable acidity (TA) during shelf life. Bagged fruit had higher loss of firmness and weight mainly due to ripening and showed very slight incidence of diseases during shelf life of 8 days. Unbagged cherry tomato had delayed maturity and ripening; small-sized fruit; uneven color development; low pH, SSC, and DM; and high TA. Although unbagged cherry tomato had lower firmness and weight loss due to delayed ripening, fruit showed moderate to severe incidence of tomato bacterial canker disease (Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis) during shelf life. These results indicated that preharvest bagging accelerated fruit maturity and ripening, improved physico-chemical quality, and reduced disease infestation on cherry tomato during shelf life.

Effects of varieties and different micronutrients on growth and yield of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica)

An experiment was conducted at the Horticulture Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, during the period of November 2021 to February 2022. The experiment consisted of two factors, such as factor A: three varieties of broccoli i.e. V1: Early You, V2: Barbara, V3: Green Crown and factor B: four levels of micronutrients i.e. T0: control, T1: Boron @ 3 kg/ha, T2: Zinc @ 2 kg/ha, T3: Boron + Zinc @ (3+2) kg/ha. The two-factor experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Variety and micronutrients influenced significantly on most of the parameters under the study. In case of variety, the highest curd yield (13.35 t/ha) was found from V3 (Green Crown) and the lowest curd yield (11.12 t/ha) was found from V1 (Early You). V2 (Barbara) showed higher dry matter content of broccoli curd, which is 15.72%. On the other hand, V¬1 (Early You) showed lower dry matter content, which is 13.34%. For micronutrients, T3 (Boron +Zinc @3+2 kg/ha) performed the highest in respect of curd yield (19.37 t/ha) and the lowest (6.32 t/ha) was from T0 (control). T3 (Boron+Zinc @3+2kg/ha) showed higher dry matter content (13.01%), whereas T0 (control) showed the least (11.02%). For combined treatment, the highest curd yield (21.61t/ha) was obtained from V3T3 (Green Crown and Boron +Zinc @ 3+2 kg/ha micronutrient dose) and the lowest curd yield (5.23 t/ha) from V0T0 (Early You and control). V2T3 (Boron+ Zinc @3+2 kg/ha with Barbara variety) produced the highest dry matter content of curd, which is 17.34%. On the other hand, the lowest dry matter content of broccoli curd is provided by V1T0 (Early You variety with control) treatment combination which is 12.49%. Therefore, it can be concluded that V3 (Green Crown) along with Boron+Zinc @ 3+2 kg/ha and V2 (Barbara) along with Boron+Zinc @ 3+2 kg/ha were found to be the best in respect of yield and dry matter content of broccoli, respectively, compared to other treatments.

Estratégias de vedação na ensilagem de milho e desempenho de ovinos em confinamento

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sealing strategies on aerobic stability and feed value of corn silage supplied to finishing lambs. The treatments were set up according to the silo sealing strategy: BP (black polyethylene film), BP + Bagasse (black polyethylene film + sugarcane bagasse) and BP + Silostop (Silostop® Orange oxygen barrier film + black polyethylene film). Six lambs per treatment were used, totaling 18 animals in an experimental period of 63 days. The silage from LP treatment presented the highest aerobic stability, however with lower dry matter digestibility coefficients. No significant differences were detected among treatments for intake and performance of lambs. But for final body weight, weight gain, daily average gain, feed efficiency and dry matter intake, the best results, in absolute value, were found for lambs fed with silage from LP + Bagasse treatment. The silage sealed exclusively with black polyethylene film showed greater aerobic stability. The different sealing strategies used in this experiment did not influence the performance of finishing Dorper x Santa Inês lambs.

Using rose pulp silage instead of sugar beet pulp silage in lambs fed with total mixed ration

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using rose pulp (Rosa damacena) silage instead of sugar beet pulp silage on fattening performance, carcass yield, and some ruminal fluid parameters in lambs fed with total mixed ration. For this purpose, a total of 16 (average 30 ± 5 kg) 6-month-old Pırlak lambs, 8 in each group, were randomly divided into two groups. Total mixed rations were formulated by using concentrate, wheat straw and rose pulp silage (RPS) (Group 1) or sugar beet pulp silage (SBPS) (Group 2) in the experiment. Due to the low dry matter content of rose pulp, 7% wheat bran was added to its silage (RPS). The physical and chemical properties of both silages were evaluated, and rations were formulated as isocaloric and isonitrogenic. The study lasted 8 weeks after 2 weeks of the animals' adaptation to the ration. Live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, hot-cold carcass yield and ruminal parameters such as volatile fatty acids, protozoan number, pH, and ammonia nitrogen concentration were measured in the experiment. It was determined that the acetic acid level (12.4% DM) of RPS was approximately 6 times higher than SBPS, and the butyric acid level (3.83% DM) was 3 times higher. At the end of the study, it was determined that the difference between the performance parameters of both groups was not significant. Apart from acetic and butyric acid, rumen fluid parameters were not affected by the usage of RPS in the ration. It was concluded that the rose pulp silage consisting of wheat bran (7%) can be used as an alternative silage source to feed small ruminants instead of sugar beet pulp silage without any adverse effects.

COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL, MINERAL, PROXIMATE AND ORGANIC COMPOUND STUDY OF FOLIAR EXTRACTS OF CAPSICUM SPECIES WITH THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIALS

Capsicum variants are significant spices in traditional diets because they provide nutritional and medicinal benefits and contain high levels of vitamins A and C. Determining the near-term, chemical, biochemical, and antibacterial potentials of foliar extracts of Capsicum annuum and C. chinense is the main goal of this work. The primary goal of this study was to examine the biochemical components of the extracts of Capsicum spp. in relation to their antibacterial potentials. Standard techniques were used to study the proximate and phytochemical analyses of these extracts, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) was employed to assess the elemental and organic content of the leaves. By using the disc-diffusion method, the bioactive components and antibacterial efficacy of 7 bacterial and 3 fungus isolates were examined. The biochemical analyses showed that the leaves have a high crude protein content and low dry matter content. Studies on phytochemicals revealed that among the other phytochemicals found, C. annuum and C. chinense were rich in cardiac glycoside but low in tannin. In the extracts of the, it was discovered that Mn, Zn, Cu, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, and P were among the different mineral elements present. There were found to be 16 different organic compounds in all, falling into five different chemical categories: esters, alkanoates, alkanoic acids, alkanols, and alkanes. The methanolic extracts of C. annuum and C. chinense exhibit notable effectiveness against all chosen bacterial and fungal isolates when used at a dosage range. These plant species’ methanolic extracts were discovered to be full of chemical and biological components. As a result, these chemicals’ synergistic actions are anticipated to have positive effects on nutrition and health. Therefore, it is advised to consume a lot of food that contains these components.

Micropropagation of plants of the genus Actinidia Lindl.

Purpose. Analysis of plant micropropagation technologies for the creation of viable interspecific hybrids and varieties of Actinidia Lindl. Methods. General scientific – hypothesis, experiment, observation, analysis, synthesis method for drawing conclusions. Results. The introduction of in vitro technologies is now becoming the dominant commercial method of large-scale and rapid production of seedlings with stable inheritance of variety traits, high multiplication rate, preservation of economically valuable traits in the absence of production seasonality and time constraints. In addition to reproduction, the breeding process is also accelerated, including mutagenesis and hybridization. It is important to obtain not only a sterile explant, but also a morphogenically active one, that is, a plant that takes roots and subsequently regenerates in vitro. The best in terms of decontamination efficiency is the method of treatment with hypochlorite and the addition of PPM biocide to the nutrient medium, but under these conditions, the lowest survival of explants in all samples was noted. The efficiency of introduction into aseptic culture at the first stage of micropropagation is also affected by the biological characteristics of the primary explants. In studies with nutrient media for A. arguta, it was found that of the elements of mineral nutrition, only 11 ions are necessary for life: five macro- (N, K, P, Mg, S) and six microelements (Cl, Fe, B, Mo, Na, I). Plants in vitro have a lower dry matter content and a greater amount of moisture, including free moisture, which is quickly lost when the water balance is disturbed. Conclusions. The abi­lity to regenerate is more pronounced in the species A. chinensis and A. deliciosa, and to a lesser extent in A. arguta. For A. chinensis, the use of hydroponic technology for the adaptation of regenerants at the ex vitro stage is effective.

Perilla frutescens as potential antimicrobial modifier to against forage oat silage spoilage.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Perilla frutescens, alone or in combination with Lactobacillus plantarum a214 or citric acid, on forage oat silage quality, bacterial and fungal microbiological profile during ensiling and aerobic exposure. With the exception of Perilla frutescens, all additives could improve silage quality of forage oat based on lower ammonia-nitrogen content and higher residual of water soluble carbohydrates during anaerobic fermentation compared to control silage, especially in Perilla frutescens combined with citric acid (CAPF). Lactobacillus was the dominant bacteria in all silages, while CAPF group increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus lindneri and Lactobacillus brevis compared to control silage. The application of Perilla frutescens suppressed the relative abundance of yeasts such as Pichia fermentans and Wickerhamomyces anomalus in response to aerobic exposure, especially in CAPF treatment, leading to high acetic acids and lower dry matter loss, as well as good aerobic stability. Therefore, Perilla frutescens, alone or in combination with citric acid, has potential to improve aerobic stability of forage oat silage by shifting bacterial and fungal community composition, and can be used as new additive to prepare high-quality silage for animal production.

Effects of Forage Legumes Sowing in the Fallow Year on Silage Yield and Quality Characteristics of Subsequent Cereals

In this study, the effect of P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture and V. pannonica grown in the fallow year on silage yield and quality of subsequent cereals were investigated in the arid condition of Eskişehir, Turkey. The fresh weight of P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture with 2750 kg/da was found two-fold high than V. pannonica. P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture significantly increased the fresh and dry hay weights of cereals except for H. vulgare cv. İnce. In addition, the highest grain yield was obtained by growing Triticosecale cv. Karma in P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture plots. Due to the high pH and low dry matter content of triticale samples, the Fleig scores were very low, which is a quality indicator in silage. ADF and NDF ratios were the highest in A. sativa cv. Checato as a negative quality factor. Top-dressing of nitrogen had a positive effect on the crude protein ratio. It was concluded that production of quality roughage can be sustainably increased by growing P. arvense-H. vulgare mixture in barren areas in the fallow year and followed by sowed cvs. Karma, Müfitbey, and Checato in the cereal growing season.

Glucogenic and lipogenic diets affect in vitro ruminal microbiota and metabolites differently.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two glucogenic diets (C: ground corn and corn silage; S: steam-flaked corn and corn silage) and a lipogenic diet (L: sugar beet pulp and alfalfa silage) on the ruminal bacterial and archaeal structures, the metabolomic products, and gas production after 48 h in vitro fermentation with rumen fluid of dairy cows. Compared to the C and S diets, the L dietary treatment leaded to a lower dry matter digestibility (DMD), lower propionate production and ammonia-nitrogen concentration. The two glucogenic diets performed worse in controlling methane and lactic acid production compared to the L diet. The S diet produced the greatest cumulative gas volume at any time points during incubation compared to the C and L diet. The metabolomics analysis revealed that the lipid digestion especially the fatty acid metabolism was improved, but the amino acid digestion was weakened in the L treatment than in other treatments. Differences in rumen fermentation characteristics were associated with (or resulting from) changes in the relative abundance of bacterial and archaeal genera. The rumen fluid fermented with L diet had a significantly higher number of cellulolytic bacteria, including the genera of Ruminococcus, Butyrivibrio, Eubacterium, Lachnospira, unclassified Lachnospiraceae, and unclassified Ruminococcaceae. The relative abundances of amylolytic bacteria genera including Selenomonas_1, Ruminobacter, and Succinivibrionaceae_UCG-002 were higher in samples for diets C and S. The results indicated that the two glucogenic diets leaded to a higher relative abundance of bacteria which functions in succinate pathway resulting in a higher propionate production. The steam-flaked corn diet had a higher gas production and lower level of metabolites in fatty acids and amino acids. Most highly abundant bacteria were observed to be not sensitive to dietary alterations of starch and fiber, except for several amylolytic bacteria and cellulolytic bacteria. These finding offered new insights on the digesting preference of ruminal bacteria, which can assist to improve the rumen functioning.

Comparing the yield and nutritional value of ensiled amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus) cultivars with corn silage (Zea mays) in doublecropping condition.

Yield, chemical composition, and fermentation variables were compared for amaranth silages (AMS) from five cultivars (A5, A12, A14, A28, and Maria) and corn (Zea mays; CS). In vitro methane production, organic matter disappearance, microbial protein, ammonia-N concentration, volatile fatty acid levels, cellulolytic bacteria and protozoa populations, and in situ dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability were evaluated. All crops were harvested when the plant was at the mid-milk line stage, then chopped, placed in sealed 5 L plastic bags and stored for 60 days. Data analysis was carried out using the PROC MIXED method of SAS with a randomized complete block design. The mean DM forage yield of CS was higher than the average DM yield of the amaranth cultivars (P < 0.001). In comparison with CS, the AMS had higher CP, lignin, ether extract, ash, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total phenolics and metabolizable protein (P < 0.001), but had lower DM, neutral detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates, organic matter disappearance, lactic acid (P < 0.01) and in vitro methane production (P = 0.001). The AMS had higher (P < 0.01) pH, ammonia-N concentration, in vitro microbial protein, in situ digestible undegradable protein, and metabolizable protein compared to CS. Overall, in comparison to CS, the amaranths produced a silage of medium-quality.

Chemical composition of brown and red algae from Kelapa Beach, Tuban, East Java and their potential as ruminant feed

This research was designed to evaluate the nutrient content of brown (Laminaria Sp. and Padina australis) and red algae (Eucheuma cottonii and Gracilaria Sp.) from Kelapa beach, Tuban, East Java. The algae were cleaned from dirt and other materials before drying under the sun. All of the algae were ground and analyzed using proximate analysis (dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE)) and gross energy with a bomb calorimeter. Data were analyzed descriptively by calculating the average of data obtained. The result showed that brown algae of Padina australis had the highest DM (30.59%) and CP (12.57%). The red algae of Eucheuma cottonii had the highest OM (76.58%), EE (2.85%), CF (8.80%), NFE (56.38%), and gross energy (2,911 Cal/g) but had the lowest DM (13.67%) and CP (8.55%). In opposite with Gracilaria sp. had the highest ash (65.63%) and the lowest OM (34.37%), EE (0.21%), CF (2.49%), NFE (19.95%) and gross energy (1,083 Cal/g). Based on this study, brown algae (Laminaria sp and Padina australis) and red algae (Eucheuma cottonii and Gracilaria sp.) have the potential as ruminant feed, especially as mineral and soluble carbohydrate sources.

Morphological and ecophysiological responsiveness of Stipa tenacissima L. populations along a Mediterranean climatic gradient

• Stipa tenacissima populations allocate resources differently with climatic gradient. • Populations of arid sites exposed thicker and smaller leaves with lower productivity. • Xeric populations adjust gas exchange and stomatal closure to avoid water lost. • Mesic populations revealed higher photosynthesis with higher leaf productivity. • Stipa showed high tissues adaptation to dehydration and quick recovery after drought. Predicted climate change in the Mediterranean region has raised concerns about the possible impacts on Alphagrass ( Stipa tenacissima L.) steppes. To understand the vulnerability degree and acclimation capacity of S. tenacissima populations to climate warming and the CO 2 mitigation potential of Alfa steppes, we measured the physiological and morphological traits in five populations across a Mediterranean rainfall range from 100 to 600 mm/year. Results showed different response patterns to the precipitation gradient. Major differences were found in the gas exchange and leaf traits in the mesic to xeric sites. Xeric populations exhibited moderate gas exchange rates together with thicker and smaller leaves (i.e., low leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and high leaf thickness (Lth). They also presented differences in several functional traits related to water economy and earlier stomatal closure with drought. Furthermore, internal water use efficiency (IWUE) and apparent carboxylation efficiency (CE) were the lowest, and dark respiration (RD) was the highest in the arid site (Sfax) due to high temperatures. The relative water content at the turgor loss point (RWCtlp) varied from 0.91 to 0.85 from mesic to xeric sites, which demonstrates a high degree of osmotic adjustment. The leaf water retention capacity by osmotic adjustment and high cell turgor with a reduction in gas exchange activity through stomatal closure promote to S. tenacissima a sustain physiological activities under severe drought. These results suggest that S. tenacissima may have high adaptability to drought by regulating physiological activity and maintaining turgor pressure associated with suitable leaf structure.

Fiber digestibility and protein value of pulp silage for lactating dairy cows: Effects of wet fractionation by screw pressing of perennial ryegrass

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of substituting silage of chopped grass with pulp silage of grass fractionated once or twice in a biorefinery using a screw press on fiber kinetics, protein value, and production of CH4 in dairy cows. Six lactating multiparous Holstein cows in mid-lactation (176 ± 93 d in milk), cannulated in the rumen, duodenum, and ileum, were used in an incomplete 6 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Perennial ryegrass was harvested in third regrowth from the same field at early and late developmental stage (35 and 44 d of regrowth, respectively) and subjected to 1 of 3 types of processing within each developmental stage. Grass was either harvested for normal silage making (mowed, wilted, chopped, and ensiled), or harvested fresh and fractionated using a screw press. Half of the pulp from the first fractionation was ensiled, whereas the other half of the pulp was rehydrated, fractionated a second time, and pulp hereof was ensiled. The grass and pulp silages were used with concentrates (65:35 forage to concentrate ratio) to make total mixed rations (TMR) based on either silage of chopped grass (GS), pulp silage of grass fractionated once (1×P), or pulp silage of grass fractionated twice (2×P), harvested either at early (E) or late (L) developmental stage resulting in 6 different TMR treatments (EGS, E1×P, E2×P, LGS, L1×P, L2×P). The TMR were fed for ad libitum intake and samples of intestinal digesta and feces were collected for determination of digestibility. The effect of processing on ash-free neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) concentration in silages depended on developmental stage, but showed that within each developmental stage, pulp silage of grass fractionated twice had higher aNDFom concentration than pulp silage of grass fractionated once and silage of chopped grass. The 2×P resulted in lower (14.9 ± 0.55 vs. 17.5 ± 0.54 kg/d) dry matter intake (DMI) compared with GS. The effects of processing and developmental stage interacted such that apparent total-tract aNDFom digestibility was higher (784 ± 13 vs. 715 ± 13 g/kg) for L2×P compared with LGS, whereas no difference was found between E2×P and EGS. Moreover, the protein value was higher (106 ± 5 vs. 92 ± 5 g AA digested in the small intestine/kg of DMI) for 2×P compared with GS. Unexpectedly, processing had no effect on fractional rate of digestion of digestible aNDFom or CH4 yield (L/kg of DMI), whereas feeding forages harvested at early compared with late developmental stage resulted in lower CH4 yield. Feeding pulp silage of grass fractionated once generally yielded results intermediate to cows fed silage of chopped grass and pulp silage of grass fractionated twice. This study showed that pulp silage of fractionated grass could serve as feed for dairy cows because the fiber digestibility and protein value improved, but further research investigating effects of physical processing of forage on fiber kinetics is required.

Effects of Bacteriocin-Producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum on Fermentation, Dynamics of Bacterial Community, and Their Functional Shifts of Alfalfa Silage with Different Dry Matters

This study investigated the effects of two bacteriocin-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains on fermentation, bacterial communities, and their functions of alfalfa silage with two dry matter (DM) contents of 355 (moderate DM) and 428 (high DM) g/kg fresh weight. Before ensiling, alfalfa was treated with (1) distilled water (control), (2) the commercial strain L. plantarum MTD/1, (3) bacteriocin-producing L. plantarum ATCC14917, and (4) bacteriocin-producing L. plantarum LP1-4, and ensiled for 3 d, 7 d, 14 d, 60 d, and 90 d, respectively. Application of ATCC14917 promoted lactic acid production in the moderate DM silage at the early fermentation stage (3 d). Silages treated with ATCC14917 and LP1-4 showed lower DM losses and non-protein nitrogen concentrations versus the control or MDT/1-treated silage (p &lt; 0.05). During fermentation, a high proportion of Weissella cibaria was observed in the silages with high DM content from 3 to 60 d of ensiling, and the functions of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolisms of silage bacterial community were decreased by ATCC14917 before 60 d of ensiling. In addition, ATCC14917 also inhibited the growth of Aerococcus and Enterobacter in silage. Therefore, the bacteriocin-producing L. plantarum ATCC14917 has a great potential to improve alfalfa silage quality, nutritive value, and safety as well.

Effects of Different Lactic Acid Bacteria Inoculants on Alfalfa Silage Fermentation and Quality

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a crucial perennial forage plant with its high protein and mineral content and may be mowed several times through the vegetation period. Along with having a large cultivation area in Türkiye, it constitutes approximately 61% of the total green forage produced. Silage is the best method for keeping grass well and using it as a source of roughage in all seasons. However, ensiling alfalfa, especially with low dry matter content, is very difficult due to its low water-soluble carbohydrate and buffering capacity. This study was carried out to improve the alfalfa plant's silage fermentation process by inoculating new lactic acid bacteria strains. When the alfalfa plant reached 50% flowering, six different lactic acid bacteria strains were inoculated and compared with the uninoculated alfalfa silage. According to the results obtained, it was determined that lactic acid bacteria inoculants improved the fermentation properties of alfalfa silage in general. All inoculated strains caused a significant decrease in pH of the resulting silage. The strain Lactobacillus buchneri (LS-31-1-4) was superior in terms of much dry matter recovery (96.82%) and protein recovery (94.00%). At the same time, Lactobacillus brevis (LS-55-2-2) and Leuconostoc citerum (LS-70-6-1) were the most restrictive strains to yeast and enterobacteria growth in silage, respectively.

Effects of antibacterial peptide-producing Bacillus subtilis, gallic acid, and cellulase on fermentation quality and bacterial community of whole-plant corn silage.

In the current study, we assessed the effects of antibacterial peptide-producing Bacillus subtilis (BS), gallic acid (GA) and cellulase (CL) on the fermentation quality and bacterial community of various varieties of whole-plant corn silage. Three different varieties of whole-plant corn (Yuqing386, Enxiai298, and Nonghe35) were treated with 0.02% BS (fresh material basis), 0.2% GA (fresh material basis) and 0.02% CL (fresh material basis), after which 45 days of anaerobic fermentation were conducted. With the exception of its low dry matter content, the results showed that Yuqing386's crude protein, water-soluble carbohydrate, and lactic acid contents were significantly higher than those of the other two corn varieties. However, its acid detergent fiber and cellulose contents were significantly lower than those of the other two corn varieties. Among the three corn variety silages, Yuqing386 had the highest relative abundance of Lactobacillus at the genus level and the biggest relative abundance of Firmicutes at the phylum level. In addition, the three additives markedly enhanced the quantity of dry matter and crude protein as compared to the control group. The application of GA considerably decreased the level of neutral detergent fiber while significantly increasing the content of lactic acid and water-soluble carbohydrates. Even though all additives enhanced the structure of the bacterial community following silage, the GA group experienced the greatest enhancement. On a phylum and genus level, the GA group contains the highest relative abundance of Firmicutes and Lactobacillus, respectively. Overall, of the three corn varieties, Yuqing386 provides the best silage qualities. GA has the biggest impact among the additions employed in this experiment to enhance the nutritional preservation and fermentation quality of whole-plant corn silage.

Physiological mechanisms underlying genetic improvement in sink establishment and plant‐to‐plant variability in maize

Genetic improvement in maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield is associated with improvements in dry matter accumulation during the grain-filling period and the ability to maintain partitioning to the grain (i.e., harvest index) when grown at higher plant population densities. Although several attributes have been identified that lead to improved dry matter accumulation during the grain-filling period, the attributes that have enabled the maintenance of harvest index at higher plant population densities remain elusive. Using the Ontario ERA hybrids that represent five eras of genetic improvement in Ontario, we examined genetic improvement in several attributes associated with sink establishment and partitioning to the grain. We show that the number of florets on an ear initial is not influenced by plant density, nor is there any evidence of a genetic improvement in floret number. There has been genetic improvement, however, in the ability to support kernel set at a lower threshold level of dry matter accumulation and to more efficiently set kernels at lower dry matter accumulation levels, such as those experienced at higher plant densities. Genetic improvement is evident for reduced plant-to-plant variability for dry matter accumulation, grain yield, kernel number, and plant growth rate around silking, but most notably for grain yield. Finally, we show that genetic improvement in reduced plant-to-plant variability for grain yield is the result of the lower threshold dry matter levels required for seed set and the improved resource utilization, which has led to greater stability of individual plant performance in a stand.

Assessing the effect of roads on mountain plant diversity beyond species richness.

A comprehensive understanding of the effects of mountain roads on plant diversity is critical to finding the most effective solutions for managing this particular driver. Little is known, however, about the simultaneous effects that road have on the multiple facets of biodiversity, although roads are considered to be one of the major disturbances in the Qionglai mountain range. In this study, we analyzed the impact of roads on the multiple facets of plant diversity (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity) in the study area using Hill numbers by comparing plant diversity between roadside and interior plots at the landscape scale, then, we used linear mixed models to analyze the effect of mountain roads on the multiple facets of plant diversity along an elevational gradient. The results showed that the roadside plots lacked 29.45% of the total number of species with particular functional traits (such as a relatively high specific leaf area (SLA), a relatively low leaf dry matter content (LDMC) and relatively old clades) and exclusively contained 14.62% of the total number of species. Compared with the interior community, the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of roadside community decreased by no more than 26.78%, 24.90% and 16.62%, respectively. Taxonomic and functional diversity of dominant and common species showed greater changes to road disturbances, while rare species showed the greatest change in phylogenetic diversity. Taxonomic homogenization of roadside communities was accompanied by functional and phylogenetic homogenization. Additionally, the impact of roads on these three facets of plant diversity showed the characteristics of peak clipping along the elevation gradient. Our findings highlight the negative impact of roads on the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of the Qionglai mountain range, as roads promote communities that are more similar in taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic composition, and to a greater extent contributed to compositional evenness. These effects tend to be functionally and phylogenetically non-random, and species in some clades or with some functional traits are at higher risk of loss. Our results are important for the conservation and management of nature reserves, especially for local governments aiming to create new infrastructure to connect natural mountainous areas.

Compatibility of new sainfoin populations as forage mixtures with alfalfa and orchardgrass in Alberta

Sainfoin is a highly nutritious non-bloating leguminous forage crop of temperate regions. Despite non-bloating properties, its use in pastures was limited due to low dry matter yield (DMY), lack of persistence in the mixed pasture, and slow regrowth. The paradigm then shifted when new sainfoin cultivars planted in mixtures with alfalfa reduced 98% bloat incidence in ruminants. Two experiments were conducted to determine the compatibility of sainfoin with grass and alfalfa. Experiment (Exp.) I was established by drilling alfalfa cv. Longview and orchardgrass cv. Kayak with new sainfoin populations in alternate or cross-seeding rows under irrigated and unirrigated conditions in Lethbridge, AB. Exp. II was established by drilling sainfoin populations in mixture with alfalfa cultivars in alternate rows under irrigation. DMY and botanical composition (dry matter basis) were observed for both experiments. In Exp. I, monoculture orchardgrass produced the least DMY compared with the mixtures under both growing conditions and over all growing seasons. Alfalfa–sainfoin mixture yielded higher under irrigatated and less under unirrigated conditions relative to alfalfa monoculture. The percentage DMY contribution of sainfoin in alfalfa–sainfoin mixtures decreased but increased in sainfoin–orchardgrass mixtures over successive harvests under both environments. In Exp. II, we observed that new sainfoin populations mixed with alfalfa cvs. Beaver and Longview yielded greater ( P &lt; 0.05) than their corresponding monocultures and this increase was not associated with the proportion of the species in the mixture suggesting new sainfoin populations are as productive as alfalfa.

Nutrient digestibility of diets containing five different insect meals in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

In the recent years, insect meals have been studied as alternative feed ingredients for aquafeeds, due to their adequate nutrient composition and low ecological footprint. These studies involve nutrient digestibility measurements, as they provide valuable information on the ability of fish to utilize insect meal efficiently. In this context, the current study evaluated the nutrient digestibility in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fed diets with five different insect meals. For this investigation, diets including 19.5 % of each insect meal from yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor – TM), black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens – HI), common housefly (Musca domestica – MD), super worm (Zophobas morio – ZM) or lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus – AD) and a control fish meal (FM) diet were tested. In European sea bass, TM and MD diets showed similar dry matter, protein, fat, energy, and organic matter ADCs among each other as well as with the FM diet (P > 0.05). However, adjusted protein ADC of TM and ZM diets (93.4 – 93.6 %) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) compared to the FM diet (91.9 %). Fat ADC was similar in all dietary groups (88.6–92.4 %; P > 0.05). The HI diet exhibited significantly lower dry matter, protein and organic matter ADCs compared to the FM diet (P < 0.05). Moreover, the AD diet presented significantly lower digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter and energy than the FM diet (P < 0.05). The dietary contents of crude fiber and ash, and the inclusion of plant feedstuffs correlated negatively with various ADCs (P < 0.05). Regarding gilthead sea bream, the ADCs of dry matter, organic matter, protein, adjusted protein and energy were not affected by the different dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Fat ADC of the TM diet (73.6 %) was significantly lower compared to the other five diets (78.9–84.3 %; P < 0.05). The individual amino acid ADCs values were found to be very high in all experimental diets (90.9 – 98.0 % for European sea bass and 88.9 – 97.2 % for gilthead sea bream). In sea bass, the variation in crude protein and adjusted protein ADCs was strongly reflected on the individual amino acid ADCs. Nevertheless, the “true protein digestibility” as expressed by the sum of amino acids was not affected by the insect inclusion compared to the FM diet (P > 0.05), while a significant difference was observed between the ZM and HI diets (95.9 % and 94.1 % respectively; P < 0.05). In sea bream, the sum of amino acids and the individual amino acid ADC values did not differ among the experimental diets (P > 0.05) except for methionine (P < 0.05). Conclusively, in sea bream all diets exhibited similar overall digestibility. In sea bass, compared to the FM diet, TM and MD diets had similar or even slightly better digestibility, whilst diets HI and AD presented lower overall digestibility.