Lower Acid Detergent Fiber Research Articles

Growth and quality parameters of oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars as influenced by different cutting management in irrigated subtropical conditions

An investigation was conducted at SKUAST, Jammu, during Rabi 2018-19 and 2019-20 to assess the effect of different cutting managements on the growth and quality of multicut oat cultivars. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with 14 treatments and three replications. A severe drop in plant height and number of tillers/m2 was observed in double cut management system at maturity. Higher fresh and dry weight was recorded at the second cut than at the first cut, resulting in a higher forage yield. However, in the case of quality parameters, no significant difference among the treatments was recorded on the cuttings. Fodder oats harvested at 60 days after sowing (DAS) recorded higher crude protein and lower acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and hemicellulose when compared to those harvested at 105 DAS. Thus, on the basis of two years of experimentation, it was concluded that a single cut provides superior quality fodder. However, if an additional cut is taken at 105 DAS, there is a slight reduction in the quality of fodder, but higher fresh and dry weights of fodder are obtained. However, single-cut treatments recorded superior plant height, number of tillers, grain as well as straw weight. Among cultivars, JHO-2000-4 stood out in both the cutting managements in almost all the parameters.

Effects of fruit and vegetable waste addition on corn stalk silage quality.

In this study, we explored the effect of fruit and vegetable waste addition on the quality of corn stalk silage. Corn stalks were ensiled 20 days after ear harvesting and mixed with fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) consisting of apple, orange, broccoli, and Chinese cabbage waste as 3% of fresh matter. Fruit waste consisted of solid residue obtained after juicing, and vegetable waste was collected from farms and cut into small pieces (2 to 3 cm). The materials were stored anaerobically in 20-L silo buckets and opened after 60 days of fermentation. There were significant differences in dry matter (DM), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrient (TDN), and relative feed value (RFV) levels in FVW derived from all tested raw materials (p<0.05). Corn stalk mixed with orange waste (CSOW) had the highest DM content (28.77%), lowest ADF and NDF content (47.78% and 26.62% of DM, respectively), and highest TDN and RFV content (69.21 and 133, respectively). After 60 days, there were significant differences in all chemical parameters examined (p<0.05). Corn stalk mixed with broccoli waste (CSBW) had the lowest DM loss (2.23%), and the CSOW group had the lowest NDF and ADF content and highest in vitro DM digestibility. CSBW had the lowest pH and ammonia nitrogen content, but the highest lactic acid/acetic acid ratio among the treatment groups. CSOW had the highest lactic acid content (2.27% of DM). The microbial contents of each group differed only in lactic acid bacteria counts before and after ensiling, showing a slight increase (p>0.05) and significant decreases in yeast and mold counts (p<0.05) after ensiling. These findings confirmed that mixing various FVW materials, particularly orange waste, with corn stalks improved the nutritional value of silage. Adding broccoli waste resulted in better fermentation quality than the addition of other FVW materials.

Forage quality and fermentation dynamics of silages of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) wilted for varying periods

Objective: This trial was conducted to explore the impact of different wilting time of Italian ryegrass (IRG) in the field on the nutritional quality and fermentation characteristics of its silage.Methods: The harvested IRG was directly wilted in the field for 0 day (W0), 1 day (W1), 2 days (W2), and 3 days (W3), respectively, and tedded every 6 hours. And the preserved IRG was sampled at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 45 days after ensiling and three replicates per treatment.Results: With the extension of wilting, the dry matter (DM) content and pH value of wilted IRG gradually increased (p&lt;0.05). There was a downward trend in; neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and hemicellulose with the increase of wilting time, but only W2 and W3 were significantly different from W0 (p&lt;0.05). Crude protein (CP), &lt;i&gt;in vitro&lt;/i&gt; DM digestibility), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and relative feed value decreased significantly with the increase of wilting time (p&lt;0.05), except for W1. After 45 days of ensiling, W1 had the highest CP, TDN, and the lowest ADF and NDF. During ensiling, the increase of acetic acid and the decrease of WSC in W0 and W1 were similar, but the accumulation rate of lactic acid in W0 was faster than that in W1, resulting in the lowest pH value in W0. After 5 days of ensiling, the ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid in W1 stabilized at around 3:1, while W0 kept changing.Conclusion: Italian ryegrass that wilted in the field for 1 day effectively improved the dynamic changes in CP, TDN, ADF, and NDF and fermentation quality of silage. Therefore, in practice, W1 was more recommended in production of IRG silage.

Comprehensive assessment of turfgrass wear tolerance: A study on mechanical and chemical traits

A key criterion in the selection process for turfgrass breeding is effective wear tolerance, indicating the plant's capacity to endure forces that may impact leaves, stems, crowns, and roots. In this study, the correlation between mechanical and chemical traits and the wear tolerance of 37 cultivars belonging to seven turfgrass species was examined. Mechanical properties and fiber characteristics of wide range of turfgrass cultivars were determined and compared for the first time. The evaluation of turf wear tolerance (described as turf cover index, TCI) was conducted through a three-year field trial using a Brinkman traffic simulator. Tensile tests were conducted to determine biomechanical parameters. According to the TCI, the most wear-resistant cultivars were those of Lolium perenne, Most of these cultivars demonstrated a TCI below 0.1. The cultivar 'Nira' was the most resistant, with a TCI of − 0.285. The least resilient cultivars belonged to Festuca ovina and Festuca rubra, all exhibiting TCI values above 0.6. Agrostis stolonifera and Agrostis capillaris were characterised by lower cellulose and acid detergent fiber content but high hemicellulose content. The opposite result was determined for Festuca rubra and Festuca ovina. The highest hemicellulose ratio was obtained for Poa pratensis. Lolium perenne was characterised by relatively high content of cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Cultivars of Festuca arundinace distinctly differed from other cultivars, demonstrating higher mechanical resistance with an average force-to-break of 3.73 N. Cultivars of Agrostis stolonifera and Agrostis capillaris reached force-to-break values up to 1.0 N. The relationships between TCI and fiber composition of turfgrass leaves were significant for crude fiber, NDF and hemicellulose content. Thus higher NDF and hemicellulose content resulted in higher force-to-break and work-to-break parameters.

Production of Sweet and High Biomass Sorghum Lines with Optimized Cell Wall Components for Increased Biofuel Bioconversion Yield

The current research focuses on the estimation of fibre content in sweet and high biomass sorghum lines for Production of sweet and high biomass sorghum lines with optimized cell wall components for increased biofuel bioconversion yield, through partially replicated experimental design for F3 populations based on BLUPs values; this study was carried out for four seasons (from postrainy 2020 to rainy 2022) to develop F3 populations of sweet and high-biomass bmr sorghum lines. The proximate fibre component analysis was done in the matured F3 populations by drying the plant samples and grinding them into a fine powder. Fibre quality components such as cellulose, hemicellulose, acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), metabolizable energy (ME), nitrogen, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and ash, were assessed using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS). ICSV18003 had the lowest acid detergent fibre (ADF) percentage at 37.04%, while it also had the highest acid detergent lignin (ADL) percentage at 3.84%. The ash percentage was 3.73% in SSV84 × N609. Moreover, the bmr transferred lines of the F3 population exhibited higher levels of cellulose and hemicellulose, while lignin and ash content were decreased. This indicates that the bmr6 and bmr12 alleles can be confidently utilized in sorghum breeding for bioenergy production, as they meet the requirements for bioethanol production.

Spatio-temporal patterns of rangeland forage nutritive value and grazer selection with patch-burning in the US northern Great Plains

Understanding how management influences forage nutritive value and grazer selection within grazing seasons is an ongoing effort for researchers and land managers globally. We used six, 65 ha pastures managed with patch-burn grazing and stocked with either cow-calf pairs (0.45–0.5 ha • AUM−1) or gestating ewes (0.4–0.48 ha • AUM-1) to explore how patterns in rangeland forage drive grazer selection in semi-arid rangeland over four summer grazing seasons at monthly intervals. We used near-infrared spectroscopy to determine nutritive value parameters from monthly forage clippings. We evaluated livestock performance as the average daily weight gains of each animal. We used mixed-effect models and ordination to compare patch and grazer types across the time-since-fire gradient and found that time-since-fire was significant for all measured variables. Cattle and sheep consistently preferred recently burned patches throughout grazing seasons. These recently burned patches typically contained available forage with higher crude protein and moisture content, lower biomass, and lower acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, and neutral detergent fiber compared to intermediate time since fire patches and patches burned three years ago. Differences between patch-burn grazing with cattle and sheep were observed as additional patch contrasts for available biomass and crude protein, but grazer type and ecological site were not statistically significant factors for the nutritive value ordination. Our study indicates that patch-burn grazing is capable of imposing and maintaining heterogeneous, grazer selection, forage biomass, and nutritive value patterns desirable for heterogeneity focused land management, regardless of grazer type. These findings are especially relevant to the northern Great Plains where introduced grasses are homogenizing the structural environment of remaining rangelands. With prescribed fire currently an uncommon practice throughout the region, these findings provide a baseline of expectations for practitioners and land managers implementing patch-burn grazing and illustrate how grazing livestock can benefit from the patch contrast in forage nutritive value and biomass.

Synergistic effects of ferulic acid esterase-producing lactic acid bacteria, cellulase and xylanase on the fermentation characteristics, fibre and nitrogen components and microbial community structure of Broussonetia papyrifera during ensiling.

The high fibre content of whole plants of Broussonetia papyrifera limits its efficient utilization. Ferulic acid esterase (FAE), in combination with xylanase, can effectively cleave the lignin-carbohydrate complex, promoting the function of cellulase. However, little is known about the impact of these additives on silage. To effectively utilize natural woody plant resources, FAE-producing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum RO395, xylanase (XY) and cellulase (CE) were used to investigate the dynamic fermentation characteristics, fibre and nitrogen components and microbial community structure during B. papyrifera ensiling. Broussonetia papyrifera was either not treated (CK) or treated with FAE-producing lactic acid bacteria (LP), CE, XY, LP + CE, LP + XY or LP + CE + XY for 3, 7, 15, 30 or 60 days, respectively. In comparison with those in the CK treatment, the L. plantarum and enzyme treatments (LP + CE, LP + XY and LP + XY + CE), especially the LP + XY + CE treatment, significantly increased the lactic acid concentration and decreased the pH and the contents of acid detergent insoluble protein and NH3 -N (P < 0.05). Enzyme addition improved the degradation efficiency of lignocellulose, and a synergistic effect was observed after enzyme treatment in combination with LP; in addition, the lowest acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, hemicellulose and cellulose contents were detected after the LP + CE + XY treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, CE, XY and LP additions significantly improved the microbial community structure, increased the relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus and Firmicutes, and effectively inhibited undesirable bacterial (Enterobacter) growth during ensiling. FAE-producing L. plantarum and the two tested enzymes exhibited synergistic effects on improving the quality of silage, which indicates that this combination can serve as an efficient method for improved B. papyrifera silage utilization. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of N, P, and K rates on stockpiled tall fescue in claypan soils

AbstractStockpiled tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] is an alternative to extend the grazing season and reduce feeding costs during the winter. In addition, adequate fertility management with N, P, and K nutrients can improve forage production. Our objective was to evaluate the impact of N, P, and K fertilization (from 0 to 120 lb/a, 0 and 50 lb/a, and 0 and 30 lb/a, respectively) on forage accumulation (FA) and nutritive value in stockpiled tall fescue in claypan soils. The study was carried out in Columbus, KS, on established ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue pastures in the fall of 2019 and 2021 (two years). The treatments were one unfertilized control and fertilization with six combinations of nitrogen (0, 40, 60, 80, and 120 lb/a), phosphorus (0 and 50 lb/a), and potassium (0 and 30 lb/a) rates. Forage accumulation was greater in the treatments with at least 60 lb N/a compared with the unfertilized control (1,235 vs. 570 lb DM/a). However, the greatest crude protein content (CP; 13%) and crude protein accumulation (CPA; 163 lb CP/a) were produced when 120 lb N/a was applied. Nitrogen fertilization also resulted in greater total digestible nutrients, net energy gain, net energy maintenance, and lower acid detergent fiber. Phosphorus and potassium had little effect on the measured responses. Nitrogen fertilization can be an alternative to increase stockpiled tall fescue FA and nutritive value, reducing the need for energy and protein supplementation of livestock during the winter.

Biomass yield, quality, nutrient composition, and feeding value of oat (Avena sativa) silage subjected to different wilting durations and/or inoculant application.

In this study, we evaluated the biomass yield, physico-chemical characteristics, nutrient composition, and feeding value of oat (Avena sativa) grown without irrigation ensiled with or without supplemental inoculant following different wilting durations. Oat forage at early dough stage (79days after sowing) were harvested to assess the biomass yield, nutrient contents, and mineral composition. Oats were ensiled with or without the addition of inoculant and different wilting durations (0, 24, and 48h) in 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. After the ensiling (120days), the oat silages were opened, quality was measured in terms of pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), smell, structure, color, and Flieg point. Nutritional composition and feeding values were analyzed in oat silages. Oat grown without irrigation yielded 32 ton/ha fresh matter. Mean dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein (CP), crude fiber, crude ash, ether extract, nitrogen free extract, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, non-structural carbohydrates, hemicellulose, and in vitro dry matter digestibility of oat forage were 32.77%, 90.41%, 11.31%, 28.69%, 9.59%, 3.99%, 46.43%, 36.32%, 63.98%, 7.22%, 11.14%, 27.67%, and 74.81%, respectively. Addition of inoculant had no effect on the quality, nutritional composition, and feeding values of oat silages. Increasing wilting durations linearly increased the pH (P = 0.005) and decreased the smell score (P = 0.028) of ensiled oat. A linear increase was seen in the DM content of ensiled oat after increasing wilting durations (P = 0.001). Oat ensiled without wilting had greater CP content (P = 0.010 and linear P = 0.011) and lower ADF content than those ensiled after 24 or 48h of wilting (P = 0.013 and linear P = 0.007). Silages subjected to 24 or 48h of wilting had lower hemicellulose content (P = 0.019 and linear P = 0.012) and digestible DM (P = 0.013 and linear P = 0.007) than those without wilting. In conclusion, inoculant may not affect the quality, composition and feeding values of ensiled oat grown without irrigation whereas, wilting at different durations may negatively affect the pH, smell, CP, ADF, and feeding values of ensiled oats.

Fermentation characteristics and microbial community composition of wet brewer's grains and corn stover mixed silage prepared with cellulase and lactic acid bacteria supplementation.

The objective of this study was to investigate how cellulase or/and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) affected the fermentation characteristic and microbial community in wet brewer's grains (WBG) and corn stover (CS) mixed silage. The WBG was mixed thoroughly with the CS at 7:3 (w/w). Four treatment groups were studied: i) CON, no additives; ii) CEL, added cellulase (120 U/g fresh matter [FM]), iii) LAB, added LAB (2×106 cfu/g FM), and iv) CLA, added cellulase (120 U/g FM) and LAB (2×106 cfu/g FM). All additive-treated groups showed higher fermentation quality over the 30 d ensiling period. As these groups exhibited higher (p<0.05) LAB counts and lactic acid (LA) content, along with lower pH value and ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) content than the control. Specifically, cellulase-treated groups (CEL and CLA) showed lower (p<0.05) neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents than other groups. All additives increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Firmicutes, Lactiplantibacillus, and Limosilactobacillus) while they decreased abundance of Proteobacteria and microbial diversity as well. The combined application of cellulase and LAB could effectively improve the fermentation quality and microbial community of the WBG and CS mixed silage.

A Dataset on Corn Silage in China Used to Establish a Prediction Model Showing Variation in Nutrient Composition

It is important to assess the nutritional concentrations of forage before it can be used for tremendous improvements in the dairy industry. This improvement requires a rapid, accurate, and portable method for detecting nutrient values, instead of traditional laboratory analysis. Fourier-transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy technology was applied, and partial least squares regression (PLSR) and backpropagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) algorithms were used in the current study. The objective of this study was to estimate the discrepancy in nutritional content and rumen degradation in WPCS grown in various regions and to propose a novel analytical method for predicting the nutrient content of whole plant corn silage (WPCS). The Zhengdan 958 cultivar of WPCS was selected from eight different sites to compare the discrepancies in nutrients and rumen degradation. A total of 974 WPCS samples from 235 dairy farms scattered across five Chinese regions were collected, and nutritional indicators were modeled. As a result, substantial discrepancies in nutritional concentrations and rumen degradation of WPCS were found when they were cultivated in different growing regions. The WPCS in Wuxi showed 1.14% higher dry matter (DM) content than that in Jinan. Lanzhou had 11.57% and 8.25% lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations than Jinan, respectively. The DM degradability of WPCS planted in Bayannur was considerably higher than that in Jinan (6 h degradability: Bayannur vs. Jinan = 49.85% vs. 33.96%), and the starch of WPCS from Bayannur (71.79%) was also the highest after 6 h in the rumen. The results indicated that the contents of NDF, ADF, and starch were estimated precisely based on ATR-FTIR combined with PLSR or the BP-ANN algorithm (R2 ≥ 0.91). This was followed by crude protein (CP), DM (0.82 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.90), ether extract (EE), and ash (0.66 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.81). The BP-ANN algorithm had a higher prediction performance than PLSR (R2PLSR ≤ R2BP-ANN; RMSEPLSR ≥ RMSEBP-ANN). The same WPCS cultivar grown in different regions had various nutrient concentrations and rumen degradation. ATR-FTIR technology combined with the BP-ANN algorithm could effectively evaluate the CP, NDF, ADF, and starch contents of WPCS.

Effects of sugarcane variety and nitrogen application level on the quality and aerobic stability of sugarcane tops silage.

To better understand the effects of sugarcane variety and nitrogen application level on silage, we analyzed the fermentation quality, microbial community dynamics, and aerobic exposure of sugarcane tops silage from three sugarcane varieties (B9, C22, and T11) treated with three levels of nitrogen (0, 150, and 300 kg/ha urea). After 132 days of silage, the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety B9, with strong nitrogen fixation ability, treated with nitrogen had the highest crude protein (CP) contents, pH, and yeast counts (P < 0.05), as well as the lowest Clostridium counts (P < 0.05), and the CP increased with increasing N application level (P < 0.05). In contrast, the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety C22, with poor nitrogen fixation ability, treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen had the highest lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts, dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and lactic acid (LA) contents (P < 0.05), as well as the lowest acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents (P < 0.05). However, these results were not present in the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety T11, with no nitrogen fixation ability, whether it was treated with nitrogen or not; although the silage was treated with 300 kg/ha nitrogen, the ammonia-N (AN) content was the lowest (P < 0.05). After 14 days of aerobic exposure, Bacillus abundance increased in the sugarcane tops silage produced from variety C22 treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen and from varieties C22 and B9 treated with 300 kg/ha nitrogen, while Monascus abundance increased in the sugarcane tops silage produced from varieties B9 and C22 treated with 300 kg/ha nitrogen and from variety B9 treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen. However, correlation analysis showed that Monascus was positively correlated with Bacillus irrespective of nitrogen level and sugarcane variety. Our results indicated that sugarcane variety C22, with poor nitrogen fixation ability, treated with 150 kg/ha nitrogen produced the highest sugarcane tops silage quality and inhibited the proliferation of harmful microorganisms during spoilage.

Root, Yield, and Quality of Alfalfa Affected by Soil Salinity in Northwest China

Growing crops in salt-affected soils has become increasingly important for sustainable development in arid and semi-arid regions. Knowledge on the responses of alfalfa root development, yield, and quality to soil salinity is critical for assessing the productivity and profitability of salt-affected soils. A field experiment with a total of six treatments combining three soil salinity levels and two biosolids fertilizer levels was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in northwest China. For salinity treatments, the salt addition rates were 2‰, 4‰, and 6‰ of 0–60 cm soil dry weight, while a commercial biosolids fertilizer was added at a rate of 0 and 1.5 Mg·ha−1 of 0–10 cm soil for biosolids treatment. Root parameters of root length (RL), surface area (RSA), diameter (RD), volume (RV), and dry matter (RDM) were obtained at the end of each year, while yield and quality parameters of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were measured for each cut of the two years. Most root parameters were significantly reduced by the highest soil salinity treatment in 2018, but not affected by salinity in 2019. Higher salinity treatments consistently led to lower plant height and yield, higher CP, and lower ADF and NDF in both years. The absolute slope value of the regression between yield of each cut with the respective soil salt content was smaller for the later cuts. The relationship between plant height and quality parameters varied depending on soil salinity levels and between the two years, and plant height was found to be a good predictor for alfalfa quality in 2019. Biosolids fertilizer had no significant effect on any alfalfa root, growth, or quality parameters. The results are expected to assist determining the proper soil salinity range, maximizing the productivity that takes both yield and quality into consideration.

Effects of Bacillus coagulans and Lactobacillus plantarum on the Fermentation Characteristics, Microbial Community, and Functional Shifts during Alfalfa Silage Fermentation.

This study aimed to investigate the potential of Bacillus coagulans (BC) as an inoculant in alfalfa silage fermentation. Fresh alfalfa was harvested at a dry matter (DM) content of 329.60 g/kg fresh weight (FW), and inoculated without (CON) or with BC (1 × 106 CFU/g FW), Lactobacillus plantarum (LP, 1 × 106 CFU/g FW), and their combinations (LP+BC, 1 × 106 CFU/g FW, respectively). Samples were taken at 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 d, with three replicates for each. The prolonged ensiling period resulted in a decrease in pH values and an increase in lactic acid (LA) concentrations in alfalfa silages. After 60 d of fermentation, the application of BC and LP decreased the pH values and increased LA concentrations in treated silages, especially when their combination was applied. Application of BC preserved more water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and further application of BC increased WSC in LP+BC-treated silage compared to LP-treated silage. There was no significant difference in the crude protein (CP) content between the CON and treated silages, however, the BC and LP treatments reduced the ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration, especially when their combination was applied. Additionally, the BC and LP-treated silages had lower neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) when compared to the CON silage (p < 0.001). Inoculants also increased Lactobacillus abundance and decreased Enterococcus abundance after 60 d of fermentation. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between LA concentration and Lactobacillus abundance. It was noteworthy that LP, BC, and their combination increased the relative abundances of carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, cofactors, and vitamin metabolism, decreasing the relative abundances of amino acid metabolism and drug resistance: antimicrobial. Therefore, the inclusion of BC increased the fermentation quality of alfalfa silage, with the optimal combination being LP+BC. According to the findings, BC could be considered a viable bioresource for improving fermentation quality.

Effects of additives containing a novel strain on the fermentation characteristics, structural carbohydrates, and α-tocopherol content of rice straw and corn stover silages

A novel α-tocopherol-producing bacteria strain was isolated and identified as Bacillus tequilensis QH1 (QH1). The effects of QH1 strain inoculation alone (QH), combined with cell wall degradation enzyme (QC), or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum YM3 and cell wall degradation enzyme (QLC) as the additives on the fermentation characteristics, structural carbohydrates, and α-tocopherol content of rice straw and corn stover silages were investigated, and without additives as the control (CON), in 4 replicates. After silages were kept in a laboratory cabinet (26–34 ℃) and the dark for 42 d, experimental silos (polyethylene plastic bags) were opened for analysis. The results exhibited that the control and additives-treated rice straw and corn stover were ensiled well, indicated by high lactic acid content and little butyric acid content. The QH and QC degraded structural carbohydrates, demonstrated by lower (P < 0.001) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) than the control, but did not enhance lactic acid fermentation, evidenced by lower (P < 0.001) lactic acid content in QH-treated silages compared with the control silages. The effect of QLC on degrading structural carbohydrates was influenced by material factors, evidenced by no role in decreasing the contents of NDF and ADF in rice straw silage and a good role in decreasing the contents of NDF and ADF in corn stover silage. However, the water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents in both rice straw and corn stover silages were increased (P < 0.001) by QLC compared with the control. The control and additives-treated silages had much higher (P < 0.001) α-tocopherol content and lower (P < 0.001) chlorophyll content compared with the material before ensiling. Compared with the control, higher α-tocopherol content was found in QH-treated rice straw (P = 0.071) and corn stover silages (P < 0.05), and QLC-treated corn stover silage (P < 0.05). Therefore, the QH1 strain had the potential to be applied in rice straw silage production, and QLC was recommended to be applied in corn stover silage production.Graphical

Antifungal and carboxylesterase-producing bacteria applied into corn silage still affected the fermented total mixed ration.

This study investigated the effects of corn silage as a source of microbial inoculant containing antifungal and carboxylesterase-producing bacteria on fermentation, aerobic stability, and nutrient digestibility of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) with different energy levels. Corn silage was used as a bacterial source by ensiling for 72 d with an inoculant mixture of Lactobacillus brevis 5M2 and L. buchneri 6M1 at a 1:1 ratio. The corn silage without or with inoculant (CON vs MIX) was mixed with the other ingredients to formulate for low and high energy diets (LOW vs HIGH) for Hanwoo steers. All diets were ensiled into 20 L mini silo (5 kg) for 40 d in quadruplicate. The MIX diets had lower (p<0.05) acid detergent fiber with higher (p<0.05) in vitro digestibilities of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber compared to the CON diets. In terms of fermentation characteristics, the MIX diets had higher (p<0.05) acetate than the CON diets. The MIX diets had extended (p<0.05) lactic acid bacteria growth at 4 to 7 d of aerobic exposure and showed lower (p<0.05) yeast growth at 7 d of aerobic exposure than the CON diets. In terms of rumen fermentation, the MIX diets had higher (p<0.05) total fermentable fraction and total volatile fatty acid, with lower (p<0.05) pH than those of CON diets. The interaction (p = 0.036) between inoculant and diet level was only found in the immediately fermentable fraction, which inoculant was only effective on LOW diets. Application of corn silage with inoculant on FTMR presented an antifungal effect by inhibiting yeast at aerobic exposure and a carboxylesterase effect by improving nutrient digestibility. It also indicated that fermented feedstuffs could be used as microbial source for FTMR. Generally, the interaction between inoculant and diet level had less effect on this FTMR study.

Evaluating the fermentation characteristics, bacterial community, and predicted functional profiles of native grass ensiled with different additives.

Bioaugmentation of native grass ensiling with Lactobacillus plantarum or Lactobacillus buchneri or Pediococcus pentosaceus on the ensiling performance and bacterial community was investigated after 30 days of the fermentation process. The native grass was inoculated with distilled water, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus buchneri, and Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, and Pediococcus pentosaceus as the CON treatment, T1 treatment, T2 treatment, and T3 treatment, respectively. The addition of lactic acid bacteria was added at a total of 1 × 106 colony-forming unit/g of fresh weight. As expected, the markedly (p < 0.05) lower water-soluble carbohydrate content was tested in the T2 and T3 treatments compared to the CON and T1 treatments. Compared to the CON and T1 treatment, significantly (p < 0.05) higher crude protein content, and lower acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber contents were found in the T2 and T3 treatments. Compared to the CON treatment, the pH significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculated silage, and the lowest pH was measured in the T3 treatment. Similarly, significantly higher lactic acid and acetic acid contents were also found in the T3 treatment compared to those in other treatments. After 30 days of ensiling, the Shannon and Chao1 indexes in silages decreased compared to that in the fresh materials (FMs). The principal coordinate analysis indicated that both FM and silage were distinctly separated in each treatment with no interactions on the confidence ellipse (R = 0.8933, p = 0.001). At the phylum level, the dominant phylum was shifted from Proteobacteria to Firmicutes after the fermentation process. Interestingly, Weissella dominated the fermentation in the CON treatment and Lactobacillus dominated the fermentation in all inoculated LAB silages at the genus level. Results of functional prediction analyses showed that the metabolism of amino acid, cofactors, and vitamins, and membrane transport was reduced, while the metabolism of nucleotide and majority carbohydrates was increased after ensiling. The complex LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus buchneri, and Pediococcus pentosaceus) exhibited the potential possibility to decrease pH and enhance the relative abundance of LAB in response to obtaining high-quality silage by the synergistic effects. These results suggested that the complex LAB could improve the ensiling performance of native grass silage, and lay a theoretical basis for inoculant application in native grass.

Production of corn plus sunflower forage and its preference as silaged by sheep in Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo

a) Objective. The objective was to evaluate the forage production of maize, maize + sunflower and its preference for sheep as silage. b) Design/methodology/approach. The design in the field was in completely randomized blocks with three replications and in the laboratory in a completely randomized design (Tukey α = 0.05). Sowing was in spring - summer 2020 under rainfed conditions. The treatments were: 100 % corn, 90 % corn + 10 % sunflower, 80 % corn + 20 % sunflower. Forage production was evaluated at 126 days of sowing, it was ensiled and the quality through bromatological analysis. For silage preference, 10 pregnant Hampshire × Suffolk ewes were used with 44.8 kg of live weight along 20 days. c) Results. The 80 % maize + 20% sunflower combination showed higher green forage yield (P&lt;0.001; 28 t ha-1), higher percentage of soluble protein (P&lt;0.01) and higher percentage of lignin (P&lt;0.001; 4.6 %). The sheep preferred the silage with 100 % corn, since it had a lower percentage of non-fibrous carbohydrates (22.2 %), lower acid detergent fiber (35.3 %) and lower neutral detergent fiber (59.4 %). d) Limitations/implications. Sunflower should be established on soils with low numbers of broadleaf plant seeds, because chemical control cannot be applied. e) Findings/conclusions. A greater amount of forage was produced per surface unit whit 80 % corn + 20 % sunflower. The 100 % maize silage was preferred by sheep due to lower percentage of lignin, and higher in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber.

Irrigation and nitrogen fertilization influence on alfalfa yield, nutritive value, and resource use efficiency in an arid environment

In arid regions, water and nitrogen are the two most limiting factors for sustainable pastoral production systems. In this study, we determined the potential effects of irrigation and nitrogen application on forage yield, nutritive values, and resource use efficiency of alfalfa in arid agro-climatic conditions. Field experiments were carried out using three irrigation regimes (W1, 300; W2, 450; and W3, 600 mm) and three nitrogen application rates (N1, 150; N2, 225; and N3, 300 Kg N ha−1). Alfalfa seeds were sown in fall 2014, uniformly managed for crop establishment, and subjected to different treatments in spring 2015–2016. Results indicated that irrigation, nitrogen, and their interaction (W × N) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected alfalfa forage yield, quality, irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Forage yield followed an increasing trend with increasing the irrigation amount at each harvest in both growing seasons. However, crude protein (CP), relative feed values (RFV), and IWUE were significantly decreased while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents were increased at the high irrigation level (W3). The maximum forage yield was achieved with W3 treatment (25.9 and 23.1 t ha−1), followed by W2 (25.8 and 21.7 t ha−1) in 2015 and 2016. In both years, the highest IWUE (57.3 and 48.2 kg mm−1), CP (16.1 % and 17.7 %), and RFV (197.1 % and 186.2 %) values were achieved with W2 treatment. Moreover, increasing N application resulted in a linear decline in alfalfa forage yield, nutritive quality, and resource use efficiency. The maximum forage yield (24.4 and 21.2 t ha−1), CP (15.5 % and 16.4 %), RFV (210.3 % and 198.8 %), IWUE (54.3 and 47.0 kg mm−1), and NUE (169.9 and 141.2 kg kg−1), and lower ADF (25.7 % and 24.9 %) and NDF (31.0 % and 33.1 %) was obtained with application of 150 kg N ha−1 in 2015 and 2016. The regression equations of irrigation and nitrogen application indicated a quadratic relationship between yield and forage nutritive values. Overall, 450 mm irrigation coupled with 150 kg N ha−1 (W2N1) showed the most promising effects in terms of achieving optimal forage yield consistent with enhanced forage nutritive values, and greater resource use efficiency of alfalfa in the arid region of North China.

The Feed ADF and NDF Digestibilityof Goat Fed Four Difference Diets

Goats generally have the ability to utilize carbohydrate sources from forages in the form of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin obtained from plant cell walls. Generally, forage contains relatively high crude fiber content which can be indicated by the contents of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of the forage. The aim of this study was to examine the level of the feed consumption and digestibility of NDF and ADF of 4 different local forages fed to goats. This study was designed based on the Latin Square Design which consisted of 4 dietary treatments with 4 replications in each dietary treatment. A total of 4 male goats, with relatively the same weight and age, were randomly assigned to an individual metabolic cage fed with 4 diets including Elephant grass (R1), Mini elephant (ME) grass (R2), Panicum maximum (PM) grass (R3) and Brachiaria decumbens (BD) grass (R4). Each diet added 20% of rice bran. The results indicated that a diet containing Mini elephant grass had relatively higher digestibility of ADF and NDF compared to that of the other 3diets. In contrast, a diet containing Panicum maximum grass had lower ADF and NDF digestibility than other diets. In conclusion, adding rice bran to the diet based on Mini elephant grass, Elephant grass, and BD grass resulted in higher ADF and NDF consumption and digestibility compared with a diet based on PM grass. Keywords: Digestibility, NDF, ADF, local grasses, goat.