Mixed Grass Research Articles

50 Water-soluble carbohydrate content in equine pasture: Impact of fertilization, season, and grass species

Horses spend a significant proportion of time grazing to meet their nutritional requirements. However, many domesticated horses now graze on energy-dense pastures designed to support production animals. Excessive consumption of these pastures that often contain significant quantities of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) has been linked to the development of pasture-associated laminitis. Although seasonal changes in pasture WSC content are well documented, the impact of fertilization or grass species composition are less defined. To evaluate the effect of season and fertilization on WSC concentrations, grassland plots were established at SRUC Aberdeen, UK. Six distinct cool-season seed mixtures (Table 1) were sown in triplicate plots (3m x 4m) and split in half to evaluate the effect of fertilizer treatment (285kg/ha of 21–8-11, annual application in March). Samples were collected on ice at set 6-to-8-week intervals (May–October) across 2 consecutive years. The Anthrone method was employed to estimate WSC content of lyophilised and milled samples, expressed as glucose and fructose equivalents [g/kg DM]. Independent t-test analysis (significance set at P < 0.05) revealed that fertilization had no overall effect on the WSC fraction for glucose (t(94) = 1.02, P = 0.99, 95% CI [-7.57, 23.51]) or fructose (t(94) = 1.28, P = 0.78, 95% CI [-4.69, 21.85]). Analysis of variance analysis demonstrated a significant effect of seed mixture (F = 2.56, P = 0.033 for glucose, F = 2.39, P = 0.044 for fructose) and season (glucose: F = 21.88, P = < 0.001, fructose:F = 21.09, P = < 0.001). WSC concentration was highest in samples collected in Spring, while the perennial rye grass mix (5) and a diverse herb mix (4) had the highest and lowest WSC contents across all samples, respectively. These preliminary results suggest that season and grass species composition have a greater effect on WSC concentrations in pasture than fertilizer treatment. Further studies are warranted to estimate the impact of fertilizer on other aspects of grass chemical composition that may have implications for managing pasture for grazing animals.

Linking between soil properties, bacterial communities, enzyme activities, and soil organic carbon mineralization under ecological restoration in an alpine degraded grassland.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization is affected by ecological restoration and plays an important role in the soil C cycle. However, the mechanism of ecological restoration on SOC mineralization remains unclear. Here, we collected soils from the degraded grassland that have undergone 14 years of ecological restoration by planting shrubs with Salix cupularis alone (SA) and, planting shrubs with Salix cupularis plus planting mixed grasses (SG), with the extremely degraded grassland underwent natural restoration as control (CK). We aimed to investigate the effect of ecological restoration on SOC mineralization at different soil depths, and to address the relative importance of biotic and abiotic drivers of SOC mineralization. Our results documented the statistically significant impacts of restoration mode and its interaction with soil depth on SOC mineralization. Compared with CK, the SA and SG increased the cumulative SOC mineralization but decreased C mineralization efficiency at the 0-20 and 20-40 cm soil depths. Random Forest analyses showed that soil depth, microbial biomass C (MBC), hot-water extractable organic C (HWEOC), and bacterial community composition were important indicators that predicted SOC mineralization. Structural equal modeling indicated that MBC, SOC, and C-cycling enzymes had positive effects on SOC mineralization. Bacterial community composition regulated SOC mineralization via controlling microbial biomass production and C-cycling enzyme activities. Overall, our study provides insights into soil biotic and abiotic factors in association with SOC mineralization, and contributes to understanding the effect and mechanism of ecological restoration on SOC mineralization in a degraded grassland in an alpine region.

Efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: A network meta-analysis.

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of sublingual immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis (AR) and provide evidence for clinical treatment. A literature search was performed on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database, PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase database. Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of sublingual immunotherapy for AR were screened and extracted from the establishment of those databases to November 2022. Subsequently, a network meta-analysis was performed using a statistical software R 4.2. Totally 22 RCTs that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and screened from 1,164 literature were included. A total of 4,941 AR patients were involved in the 22 trials, as well as five interventions including placebo, pharmacotherapy, subcutaneous immunotherapy_dust mite, sublingual immunotherapy_dust mite, and sublingual immunotherapy_ grass mix plus pollen extract. The results of network meta-analysis showed that, based on symptom scores after different interventions for AR, the most effective treatments for AR were in order as follows: sublingual immunotherapy_dust mite, subcutaneous immunotherapy_dust mite, sublingual immunotherapy_ grass mix plus pollen extract, placebo, and pharmacotherapy. Importantly, sublingual immunotherapy had fewer adverse reactions and higher safety. Sublingual immunotherapy_dust mite for AR has the best efficacy, whereas traditional medicine has the worst. More high-quality studies with a large sample and multiple centers are needed to verify this conclusion in the future, so as to further provide more reliable evidence-based medical evidence for the clinical treatment options of AR patients.

Floral enhancement of arable field margins increases moth abundance and diversity

Moth populations have declined across large parts of north-western Europe since the mid-20th century due, in part, to agricultural intensification. Agri-environment schemes (AES) are widely implemented across Europe to protect biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Grass field margins enriched with wildflowers typically out-perform grass-only margins in terms of increasing insect abundance and diversity. However, the effect of wildflower enrichment on moths remains largely unstudied. Here, the relative importance of larval hostplants and nectar resources for adult moths within AES field margins are investigated. Two treatments and a control were compared: (i) a plain grass mix, the control, (ii) a grass mix enriched with only moth-pollinated flowers, and (iii) a grass mix enriched with 13 wildflower species. Abundance, species richness and Shannon diversity were up to 1.4, 1.8 and 3.5 times higher, respectively, in the wildflower treatment compared to plain grass. The difference in diversity between treatments became greater in the second year. There was no difference in total abundance, richness or diversity between the plain grass treatment and grass enriched with moth-pollinated flowers. The increase in abundance and diversity in the wildflower treatment was due primarily to the provision of larval hostplants, with nectar provision playing a smaller role. The relative abundance of species whose larval hostplants included sown wildflowers increased in the second year, suggesting colonisation of the new habitat.Implications for insect conservation.We show that, at the farm scale, moth diversity can be greatly enhanced and abundance moderately enhanced by sowing diverse wildflower margins, providing these insects with both larval hostplants and floral resources, compared to grass-only margins.

Machine learning-based grassland aboveground biomass estimation and its response to climate variation in Southwest China

The demand for accurate estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) at high spatial resolution is increasing in grassland-related research and management, especially for those regions with complex topography and fragmented landscapes, where grass and shrub are interspersed. In this study, based on 519 field AGB observations, integrating Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR; Sentinel-1) and high-resolution (Sentinel-2) remote sensing images, environmental and topographical data, we estimated the AGB of mountain grassland in Southwest China (Yunnan Province and Guizhou Province) by using remote sensing algorithms ranging from traditional regression to cutting edge machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models. Four models (i.e., multiple stepwise regression (MSR), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM) and convolutional neural network (CNN)) were developed and compared for AGB simulation purposes. The results indicated that the RF model performed the best among the four models (testing dataset: decision co-efficient (R2) was 0.80 for shrubland and 0.75 for grassland, respectively). Among all input variables in the RF model, the vegetation indices played the most important role in grassland AGB estimation, with 6 vegetation indices (EVI, EVI2, NDVI, NIRv, MSR and DVI) in the top 10 of input variables. For shrubland, however, topographical factors (elevation, 12.7% IncMSE (increase in mean squared error)) and SAR data (VH band, 11.3% IncMSE) were the variables which contributed the most in the AGB estimation model. By comparing the input variables to the RF model, we found that integrating SAR data has the potential to improve grassland AGB estimation, especially for shrubland (26.7% improvement in the estimation of shrubland AGB). Regional grassland AGB estimation showed a lower mean AGB in Yunnan Province (443.6 g/m2) than that in Guizhou Province (687.6 g/m2) in 2021. Moreover, the correlation between five consecutive years (2018–2022) of AGB data and climatic factors calculated by partial correlation analysis showed that regional AGB was positively related with mean annual precipitation in more than 70% of the grassland and 60% of the shrubland area, respectively. Also, we found a positive relationship with mean annual temperature in 62.8% of the grassland and 55.6% of the shrubland area, respectively. This study demonstrated that integrating SAR into grassland AGB estimation led to a remote sensing estimation model that greatly improved the accuracy of modeled mountain grassland AGB in southwest China, where the grassland consists of a complex mix of grass and shrubs.

Changes in eating time, chewing activity and dust concentration in horses fed either alfalfa cubes or long-stem hay.

Chewing is an essential physiological process in horses; yet, the physical form of feeds may affect their chewing and feeding behaviour with consequences for equine digestion and health. The present study evaluated the potential of a commercial forage cubes made from alfalfa and mixed meadow grasses to maintain chewing activity when compared with a traditional long and fibre-rich hay. An additional aim was to measure the dust formation during feeding. The experiment was a crossover design with six horses (11±4 years old, mean±SD), fed with 5kg (as-fed basis) of their feed (long hay or alfalfa cubes) overnight. Eating and chewing activity was measured using the EquiWatch system with a sensor-based halter. Data showed that by feeding the same amount of feed overnight, cube feeding led to 24% shorter eating time (on average 67min less) and 26% fewer total chews compared to the long hay. On an hourly basis, horses also spent more time eating and chewing the long hay compared to the cubes. The cube feeding led to a higher dust concentration of the inhalable fraction (<100μm), but not of the thoracic (<10μm) fraction. Nevertheless, average dust concentrations were generally low for both cubes and hay, whereby both were of sound hygienic status. Our data suggest that feeding alfalfa-based cubes overnight generated shorter eating time and less chews than the long hay without major differences in the thoracic dust. Therefore, because of the decreased eating time and chews, alfalfa-based cubes should not be fed a sole forage source, especially when it is to be fed without restriction.

Exploring the differences between sole silages of gramineous forages and mixed silages with forage legumes using 16S/ITS full-length sequencing.

Silage characteristics of grass materials directly affect their silage qualities. To expand the source of silage raw materials and develop mixed silages underlined by exploring the positive interactions between forage grasses and legumes, three gramineous grasses, Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum), king grass (Pennisetum sinese), and forage maize (Zea mays) were separately mixed ensiled with a combination of four forage legumes including Medicago sativa, Vicia villosa, Vicia sativa, and Trifolium repens. The chemical composition and fermentation quality of the mixed silages were analyzed and compared with those of the sole silages of these three grasses, as well as the diversity of microbial communities, through the 16S/ITS full-length sequencing. The results showed that the inclusion of forage legumes could somewhat improve the fermentation quality, as indicated by significantly (p < 0.05) higher crude protein and lactic acid contents while lower neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber contents and pH values, compared with the sole silages. Among the three types of mixed silages, the mixed king grass had the highest dry matter and crude protein content as well as lowest neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content. Meanwhile, the bacterial and fungal communities in the mixed silages were influenced by increased the relative abundance of lactic acid bacteria, which inhibited the proliferation of undesirable bacteria, such as Hafnia alvei, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia proteamaculanss. Co-occurrence networks identified 32 nodes with 164 positive and 18 negative correlations in bacteria and 80 nodes with two negative and 76 positive correlations in fungi during fermentation. Inclusion of forage legume to grasses can improve the fermentation quality and optimize the structure of microbial community, which appears to be a feasible strategy to enhance the forage resource utilization.

Effects of corn supplementation on serum and muscle microRNA profiles in horses.

Laminitis associated with equine metabolic syndrome causes significant economic losses in the equine industry. Diets high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) have been linked to insulin resistance and laminitis in horses. Nutrigenomic studies analyzing the interaction of diets high in NSCs and gene expression regulating endogenous microRNAs (miRNA) are rare. This study's objectives were to determine whether miRNAs from dietary corn can be detected in equine serum and muscle and its impacts on endogenous miRNA. Twelve mares were blocked by age, body condition score, and weight and assigned to a control (mixed legume grass hay diet) and a mixed legume hay diet supplemented with corn. Muscle biopsies and serum were collected on Days 0 and 28. Transcript abundances were analyzed using qRT-PCR for three plant-specific and 277 endogenous equine miRNAs. Plant miRNAs were found in serum and skeletal muscle samples with a treatment effect (p < .05) with corn-specific miRNA being higher than control in serum after feeding. Endogenous miRNAs showed 12 different (p < .05) miRNAs in equine serum after corn supplementation, six (eca-mir16, -4863p, -4865p, -126-3p, -296, and -192) previously linked to obesity or metabolic disease. The results of our study indicate that dietary plant miRNAs can appear in circulation and tissues and may regulate endogenous genes.

Prevalence of common sensitizing aeroallergens in patients with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a skin disease burden worldwide, is a complex, multifactorial, chronic inflammatory disease. Prevalence of AD is increasing in developing countries and identifying the causative allergens is a major challenge. Aeroallergens are shown to aggravate atopic dermatitis. Explore the prevalence of aeroallergens sensitization in patients with AD and its possible relation with AD severity. Cross-sectional study of 132 patients diagnosed to have atopic dermatitis. Atopy was detected by serum specific IgE to a panel of the most encountered aeroallergens. From the 132 patients, elevated specific IgE was detected in 72.7% from which 59.1% were mild and 86.4% are moderate/severe as well as 15.9% are mono-sensitized and 54.5% are poly-sensitized with poly-sensitization being more in severe cases compared to mild cases (68.2% vs 4.5%). Regarding specific IgE to different aeroallergens, the most prevalent were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (50%), followed by Dermatophagoides farinae (34.1%), Birch pollen (20.5%), cat epithelium (18.2%) Regweed (15.9%), and Cockroach (9.1%). However, moderate to severe cases were more sensitized to candida (p=0.012), mix grass pollen (p=0.002), ragweed (0.00), mite (p=0.037) and cat epithelium (p=0.007). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Birch pollen, cat epithelium Regweed and Cockroach are the most frequent sensitizing aeroallergens in atopic dermatitis.

Effects of German and Maize Grasses on Milk and Blood Of Dairy Cows

The objectives of this study were to determine carbohydrates such as glucose, total protein, lipid parameters, mineral levels in blood; qualitative characteristics such as fat, SNF, lactose, total solids and protein percentages of milk; and the quantity of milk after feeding german and maize fodders. Thirty clinically and apparently healthy cows were selected and divided into three homogenous groups. Control group was fed mixed grass, another group was fed german grass and the last one was fed maize grass. Milk and blood samples were collected from the cows (n-30) before the study commenced. Again milk and blood samples were collected on day 30 and day 60. After collection, milk samples were analyzed by Milk Analyzer MIA-SLP-60 for proximate components. Serum samples were analyzed by different colorimetric techniques using a spectrophotometer (Humalyzer 3000®) and kits from Randox (Ireland). In addition, daily milk production records of cows were maintained. The study found a significant rise of SNF and solids, a highly significant increase of lactose and protein in the maize feed group (M), and a highly significant positive change of fat percentage in the german fed (G) group. The average daily milk production of the M and G group were respectively 11.39% and 6.98% higher than the control group. No significant change was found in hematological and biochemical parameters of blood. Further intensive long term investigation to establish relation between blood parameters and milk yield and milk quality should be carried out.&#x0D; Vol. 9, No. 3, December 2022: 313-322

Ponderosa pine introduction methods following a high-severity stand-replacing fire to promote forest regeneration

BackgroundIn July 2012, a lightning strike ignited the Arapaho Fire in the Laramie Mountains of Wyoming and burned approximately 39,700 ha. This high-severity fire resulted in 95% mortality of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) at the University of Wyoming’s Rogers Research Site. Ponderosa pine recruitment post-high-severity wildfire is limited in semi-arid and mid-elevation forests in the Rocky Mountain region due to the reduction of seed supplies from living trees, warm temperatures, and limited precipitation. We used an experimental block design to determine management treatments that would increase ponderosa pine abundance, and we measured the impacts to the vegetation community, ground cover, and bare ground following a high-severity wildfire. Treatments included a combination of one pine introduction treatment (natural regeneration, broadcast seeding, and planted seedlings), one logging treatment (no logging, bole only removal, whole tree removal), and erosion control seeding (no erosion seeding and seeding with a native grass mix) in each plot within a block.ResultsOur results indicate that the pine introduction treatment “planted seedlings” was the most effective restoration treatment in semi-arid, mid-elevation sites, although the overall survival rate of seedlings from initial planting in 2015 to 2017 was only 6%. “Whole tree removal” had a weak positive effect on the “planted seedlings” ponderosa pine abundance. The estimated mean percent moss cover was higher in the “no logging” treatment, and this treatment resulted in a lower mean percent bare ground. Overall, 2 years after implementation, the management treatments did not result in different vegetation communities.ConclusionsNo difference in vegetation functional group cover among the pine introduction and logging treatments at the RRS is likely due to the large landscape heterogeneity with differing slopes and two different aspects coupled with the short time frame since the implementation of the treatments at the site. The direct implications of these findings suggest that hand planting ponderosa pine seedlings is an effective way for managers to reintroduce ponderosa pine 3 years following a high-severity wildfire in semi-arid and mid-elevation sites in the northern Rocky Mountains.

Effect of Sugar Beet Pulp and Anionic Salts on Metabolic Status and Mineral Homeostasis during the Peri-Parturient Period of Dairy Sheep.

Sugar beet pulp is a popular by-product of sugar extraction; however, it can potentially cause depletion of Ca availability due to its oxalic content. The experiment examined the effect of sugar beet pulp and anionic salts administration during the dry period on the serum concentration of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium of dairy sheep. Eighty-seven sheep were divided into three groups (A, B, and C) according to their body condition score (BCS) and age at 40 days before the expected lambing. All groups received alfalfa hay, mixed grass straw, and a concentrate supplement. The concentrate fed to groups B and C contained sugar beet pulp. The nutritional value fed to all three groups was similar, except for Dietary Cation Anion Difference (DCAD). Animals of group A had a DCAD of +198 mEq/kg, animals of group B of +188 mEq/kg, and animals of group C were fed 20 gr/d ammonium chloride to achieve a negative DCAD (-52 mEq/kg). All groups were fed the same ration after lambing. Blood samples were collected 30 d, 20 d, 17 d, 14 d, 10 d, 7 d, and 4 d before lambing (a.p.), 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 7 d, 10 d, and 15 d after lambing (p.p) for calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium, and 30 d a.p., 7 d, and 15 d p.p. for beta hydroxybutyrate acid (BHBA) concentrations. Urine samples were also collected 20 d, 10 d, 4 d a.p., and 7 d p.p for the evaluation of pH levels. Ca levels of the control group decreased earlier and were lower at 4 d a.p. compared to those of group B and C. Additionally, the control group showed lower p values compared to group C at 20 d and 17 d a.p. P levels recovered earlier post parturition in young (age 1-1.5 years old) compared to older ewes. Group C had lower urine pH values throughout the pre-parturient period, reflecting the acidifying effect of the administered ammonium chloride, without any side effect on macromineral blood concentration. Feeding sugar beet pulp and systemic acidifying before parturition is considered safe and might even be beneficial in preventing hypocalcemia.

Associative effects of a mixed Brachiaria decumbens and Pennisetum purpureum grass feed on the ensiling properties

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the association between two tropical grasses, Signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) and Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) on the proximate composition, in vitro digestibility, and fermentation characteristics of ensiled material. A complete randomized design was used on three treatments namely Signal grass, Napier grass, and Signal-Napier grass combination. Silage was made using molasses applied in proportions of 1:2 with water and mixed with silage at the rate of 5% for a 5kg bag of 2.5cm cut grass. Signal-Napier grass combination silage was superior in almost all parameters to the two sole crop silages. After ensiling, a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in most parameters was recorded. A significant difference (p=0.0004) in pH was determined where pH was lower in the sole Napier grass silage than that of the Signal-Napier combination and Signal grass. A similar outcome (P&lt;0.05) was recorded for crude protein, ash, ether extracts, nitrogen-free extracts, and neutral detergent fiber. However, no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) was obtained in dry matter (p=0.1524), crude fiber (p=0.5924), and ADF (p=0.1168). Although having poor digestibility values in all treatments, Signal grass proved to be better than the rest. Organoleptic characteristics were promising, with normal color, smell, and texture changes observed. These results indicated that the association of grasses had an impressive positive effect on the nutritional value and quality of silages. Therefore, the use of mixed grass silages is encouraged.

Species diversity and productivity of pasture ecosystems of the Ilovlinsky sand massif

The aim of the research was to establish the productivity of pasture ecosystems on the sandy lands of the Don basin. The objects of research are herbaceous plant communities on the sands of the Ilovlinsky massif of the Volgograd region. The analysis of the species diversity of the vegetation cover, its variability in space was carried out by an inventory of 5 test plots measuring 10 x 10 m. Generally accepted methods of statistical analysis, graphical interpretation and scientific generalization were used to process, analyze and present the results. In all the surveyed sites, there is a low proportion of Fabaceae family species (0-8 %), a large proportion of the mixed grass group (58-75 %) and the weed species of plants (26-50 %) species. The feed mass consumed on average in the plots is 11-45 g / m2. A direct relationship was revealed between the influence of the percentage of Poaceae and Cyperaceae (Carex) species in the phytocenosis on medium-grown sands on the increase in the yield of sandy pastures (g / m2) in the late autumn period (r = 0.99). The condition of the soil and vegetation cover on forage lands is a consequence of overgrazing.

Evaluation of the productivity and feed value of Wondergraze and Redlands leucaena cultivars under grazing

Context Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) is a leguminous shrub used for beef grazing in low-rainfall regions (&lt;600–700 mm). Newer cultivars have the potential to extend adoption of the species to higher rainfall (&gt;600–700 mm), frost-free areas of Australia. Aim We compared productivity, nutritional value and animal performance of two leucaena cultivars, new psyllid-resistant Redlands and the 2010-released Wondergraze, under continuous grazing management in a higher rainfall environment. Methods Growing steers were allocated to replicated established stands of Wondergraze or Redlands with inter-row mixed grass–legume pasture from January to July 2021. Pasture and leucaena were characterised for biomass and nutritive characteristics. Botanical composition was measured. Liveweight gain, rumen fermentation, and leucaena mimosine breakdown products were measured in grazing steers. Key results At the beginning of the study, leucaena edible biomass was similar for both cultivars (P &gt; 0.05), but at subsequent samplings, biomass of Redlands was lower than of Wondergraze (P &lt; 0.01). Biomass of both cultivars declined rapidly over the grazing period. Pasture biomass increased between February and July and was significantly higher in Wondergraze paddocks (P &lt; 0.05). Animal performance was not significantly different between cultivar treatments, averaging 0.8 kg/day, but declined over time. Patterns of mimosine conversion to DHP isomers and their conjugation were similar for the two cultivars, suggesting that effectiveness of detoxification did not differ between them. Conclusion The results demonstrate that leucaena can sustain high levels of animal performance when included in tropical grass pastures in a higher rainfall environment if present in a sufficient quantity (&gt;2 t leucaena edible dry matter/ha established leucaena). Implications Grazing leucaena–grass pastures is an effective means of increasing animal productivity in parts of subtropical Australia. However, managing grass and/or leucaena growth to match animal requirements can be challenging.

Vegetative buffer strips show limited effectiveness for reducing antibiotic transport in surface runoff.

Vegetative buffer strips (VBS) have been demonstrated to effectively reduce loads of sediment, nutrients, and herbicides in surface runoff, but their effectiveness for reducing veterinary antibiotic (VA) loads in runoff has not been well documented. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of VBS vegetation and width on surface runoff loads of the VAs sulfamethazine (SMZ) and lincomycin (LIN). Experimental design of the plots (1.5×25m) was a two-way factorial with four vegetation treatments (tall fescue [Festuca aruninacea Schreb.]; tall fescue with switchgrass [Panicum virgatum L.] hedge; warm-season native grass mix; and continuous fallow control), and four buffer widths (0, 2, 5, and 9m). Turkey litter spiked with SMZ and LIN was applied to the source area (upper 7m) of each plot, and runoff was collected at each width. Runoff was generated with a rotating boom simulator. Results showed VA loads in runoff at the 0-m sampler ranged from 3.8 to 5.9% of applied, and overall VA transport in runoff was predominately in the dissolved phase (90% for SMZ and 99% for LIN). Among vegetation treatments, only tall fescue significantly reduced loads of SMZ and LIN compared with the control, with load reductions of ∼30% for both VAs. Estimated field-scale reductions in VA loads showed that source-to-buffer area ratios (SBARs) of 10:1 to 20:1 reduced VA loads by only 7 to 16%. Overall, the grass VBS tested here were less effective at reducing SMZ and LIN loads in surface runoff than has been previously demonstrated for sediment, nutrients, and herbicides.

Mixed Ration Silage Containing Tanzania Grass and Babassu By-Products for Dairy Cows

The use of mixed ration silage (MRS) provides animals with a diet formulation that meets their nutritional requirements. This study aimed to evaluate the fermentative profile, losses, chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of mixed ration silages, including babassu by-products as a feed alternative for dairy cows. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and five replications, which were composed of TGS: Tanzania grass silage; MRSS: Tanzania grass silage with corn and soybean meal; MRSF: Tanzania grass silage with corn, soybean meal and babassu flour; and MRSC: Tanzania grass silage with corn, soybean meal and babassu cake. There was a significant difference between MRS and TGS (p &lt; 0.05) in the variables’ pH, gas (GL) and effluent losses (EL), dry matter recovery (DMR), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). There was no statistical difference in buffer capacity (BC), acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose, ether extract (EE) and aerobic stability. However, for the variables’ ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) content, lower values were observed in the MRS (p &lt; 0.001). The babassu by-products, cake and flour, can replace corn by up to 50% of the total ration silage with Tanzania grass, meeting the nutritional requirements of dairy cows.

Remote Sensing Monitoring of Vegetation Reclamation in the Antaibao Open-Pit Mine

After the regreening of the open-pit mine dump, vegetation usually needs to be managed and protected manually for several years before it reaches stability. Due to the spontaneous combustion of coal gangue, surface collapse, and other reasons, secondary damage may occur at any time. Regreening monitoring plays a vital role in the restoration and reconstruction of the mining ecosystem and can provide support for the timely replenishment of seedlings in the damaged area. In this study, remote sensing images were collected from 1986 to 2020 to obtain the NDVI distribution of dumps in the Antaibao open-pit coal mine. In order to obtain the overall growth law of regreening vegetation over time, the study adopted the unary regression analysis method and tested the correlation between NDVI and time by the Pearson correlation coefficient. However, through the Sen+Mann–Kendall trend analysis, it was found that there were differences in the trends of NDVI within the same dump. Next, by means of the Mann–Kendall mutation test and interactive interpretation, information, such as stable nodes of different regreening vegetation and vegetation growth patterns in degraded areas, were obtained. Through the above methods, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) The earlier the dumps were regreened, the more the areas were covered by significantly improved vegetation. In this study: 97.31% (the proportion of significantly improved vegetation in the south dump) &gt;95.58% (the proportion in the west dump) &gt;86.56% (the proportion in the inner dump) &gt;79.89% (the proportion in the west expansion dump). (2) Different vegetation types have different time nodes for reaching stability. It takes about three years for wood, shrub, and a mix of grass, shrub, and wood to reach stability, but only one year for grass. (3) The destruction in mining areas is expansive and repeatable. Monitoring the growth patterns of regreening vegetation is conducive to understanding the reclamation effect, and provides a scientific basis for land reclamation planning and land management policies in the mining area. At the same time, the trend analysis method in this study can quickly extract problem areas after dump regreening and is applicable in most dumps.

Effectiveness and adverse reactions to subcutaneous immunotherapy in children with allergic rhinitis/asthma.

Adverse reactions, which are mostly local and rarely systemic, can be seen during subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). It was not possible to continue SCIT at times due to systemic reactions. The purpose of the present study was to identify the incidence and risk factors associated with adverse reactions during subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT). A total number of 344 patients under 18 years old with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma who underwent SCIT between 2005 and 2021 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of the patients, laboratory findings [Total Immunglobulin E(IgE), aeroallergen prick test, inhaler, and allergen specific IgE(sIgE) and eosinophil counts], and adverse events observed during AIT were recorded retrospectively. Descriptive and univariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for adverse events. Among 344 patients, 33.4% (n=115) were female, mean age was 133.1±41.0 months, and 42.2% (n=145) were >12 years old. One hundred-thirty eight (40.1%) of the patients were mono-sensitized, 47 (13.7%) had asthma, 207 (60.2%) allergic rhinitis, and 90 (26.2%) asthma and allergic rhinitis. Single allergen content was administered to 187 (54.4%) patients (62 mite, 114 grass mix, 11 olea), and multiple allergens to 157 (45.6%) patients (121 pollen mix, 36 other (mite/alternaria)]. A total number of 33.008 injections were administered. 840 adverse reactions (262 (31.1%) at up-dosing phase, 578 (68.8%) at maintenance phase) in 195 (56.7%) patients were observed. Among the adverse reactions, 632 (75.2%) were local, 160 (19%) large local, and 48 (5.7%) (39at maintenance, 9at up-dosing) (in 31 patients) were systemic (28 Grade 1, 12 Grade 2, 8 Grade 3). Adrenalin was administered to 8 patients with Grade 3 systemic reaction (8/33008; %0.024). Adverse reactions, especially local ones, were seen more frequently in children under 12 years old (p<0.001). Patients sensitized with grass pollen (p:0.01) and mite (p:0.004), and those who had received SCIT with pollen mixture had more adverse reactions than the others. More adverse reactions were observed in SCIT containing calcium-phosphate as adjuvant (p: 0.01). Local reactions were risk factors for large local (OR=3.591, %95 CI:2.064-6.247, p<0.001) and systemic (OR=2.190, %95 CI:1.005-4.722 p=0.046) reactions at univariate analyses. Total nasal symptom scores, Visual Analog Scale and asthma symptom control test decreased after one year of treatment (p<0.01). SCIT is a safe and effective treatment method in childhood that leads to improvements in all nasal symptoms and asthma after one year of treatment.

Mixed grass species differ in rhizosphere microbial community structure and function response to drought compared to monocultures

Natural grassland succession is the interactions among different grass species and various environmental factors. The dynamics of soil microbial communities along succession stages has received tremendous attention. The effects of the coexistence of different grass species on the structure and function of rhizosphere soil microbial communities, however, are poorly understood, especially under drought stress conditions. Here, we investigated how different grass planting patterns and soil water content affect rhizosphere microbial community structure and function. Two typical grass species (Bothriochloa ischaemum and Stipa bungeana) on the Loess Plateau were planted in three planting systems: B. ischaemum monoculture, S. bungeana monoculture, and a mixed culture of the two species under two water regimes (optimal water: 80% field capacity [FC]; drought stress: 60% FC). Rhizosphere soil samples were collected to evaluate the rhizosphere microbial community structure (via phospholipid fatty acid [PLFA] biomarkers) and function (via six enzyme activities). The mixed culture of grass species noticeably shifted the rhizosphere microbial community structure. It caused the rhizosphere gram-positive:gram-negative PLFA ratio and fungal:bacterial PLFA ratio to increase under optimum water conditions. In comparison, drought stress caused total PLFA, bacterial PLFA, and gram-positive PLFA biomass to increase. Drought stress caused rhizosphere-specific enzyme activity to increase under monoculture treatment and rhizosphere-specific enzyme activity to decrease under mixed culture treatment. Soil water-soluble organic carbon, pH, and water-soluble organic phosphorus were the most important factors driving changes to rhizosphere microbial community composition. In comparison, pH was the predominant factor driving variation in rhizosphere specific enzyme activities. Thus, the coexistence of grass species altered the structure and function of the rhizosphere microbial community through changes in rhizosphere pH and water-soluble nutrients. In conclusion, changes to rhizodeposits under a mixed culture of grass species likely affect the structure and function of the rhizosphere microbial community. The results of the present study improve our understanding of the impacts of grass species interaction on soil biogeochemical processes under future global drought stress scenarios.