Neutral Detergent Research Articles

Effects of different drying methods on drying characteristics and quality of silage Broussonetia papyrifera L.

The effects of hot air drying (HAD), vacuum drying (VD) and pulsed vacuum drying (PVD) on moisture ratio, drying rate, effective diffusion coefficient, activation energy, color, ash, protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent, fiber total digestible nutrients (TDN) and relative feeding value (RFV) of silage paper mulberry were investigated, and optimal drying processes were developed using entropy weight method. Results show that the drying characteristics of silage paper mulberry, which can be seen as particle packed porous media, undergoing different drying methods exhibit similarities to those of conventional hygroscopic porous media. In terms of quality, noticeable browning occurs when the silage paper mulberry is subjected to HAD at 70 °C or higher, whereas no significant color change is observed under VD at temperatures of 80 °C or lower. Increasing the material thickness leads to higher TDN and RFV after HAD, but higher pressures and drying temperatures resulting in reducing in RFV after VD or PVD. The optimal drying process for HAD is 3 cm, 70 °C, 20%, 1 m/s and it is recommended to use 3 cm, 7 kPa and 70 °C for VD. As for PVD, the conditions are same as VD and using pulsation ratio of 50:5 min.

Chemical characteristics of grass silage with the use of acidifier after opening the bag

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical characteristics of Miyagi grass silage (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Miyagi), with the addition of moisture sequestrants (ground corn grain - GCG, and dried distillers grain with solubles and high fiber, DDGS), and addition of inoculant (SiloSolveMC) and/or acid (Mold-Nil Liquid). The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3x3 factorial arrangement, with five replications: factor 01, the use of moisture scavengers (without additive, with the addition of GCG and/or DDGS), and factor 2, the use of bacterial inoculant (SiloSolveMC) and/or acid (Mold-Nil Liquid). For the chemical evaluation of the silage, the percentage of dry matter (DM), the insoluble fiber in neutral detergent (NDF), mineral matter contents (MM), and crude protein (CP). There were no interactions between moisture scavengers, bacterial inoculants, and/or acids. The use of moisture scavengers interfered with DM (P<0.05), observing a value with GCG and DDGS use of 36.18% and 35.46%, respectively, higher than MGS (27,68%). For NDF values using GCG and DDGS, values of 51.39% and 65.47%, respectively, lower (P<0.05) than MGS (70.72%) were observed. The use of microbial inoculant and acid did not alter (P>0.05) the OM values, with an average value of 92%. As for CP, there was no interaction (P>0.05) of moisture scavengers, microbial inoculant, and/or acid. It is recommended to include moisture-sequestering foods associated with MGS to obtain better DM, NDF, and CP values after opening the bag and the use of microbial inoculants and/or acids in the MGS did not influence these characteristics.

Insecticides chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide in Aster scaber: Dissipation kinetics, processing effects, and risk assessment

The residue characteristics, processing effects of washing and drying, and dietary risks of chlorantraniliprole (CAP) and flubendiamide (FBD) to Koreans were investigated using Aster scaber in a greenhouse. Following foliar application, the initial FBD residues were 3–10 times higher than those of CAP. However, the biological half-lives were similar at 6.0–8.3 and 6.8–9.9 days for CAP and FBD, respectively. The pre-harvest residue limits (PHRLs) 7 days before harvest, derived from the dissipation rates and maximum residue limits, were 12.2 and 33.2 mg/kg for CAP and FBD, respectively. For the removal of CAP and FBD from A. scaber, washing with a neutral detergent was more effective than running under or dipping in tap water (86.5 % and 66.2 %, respectively). Processing factors in fields I and II were 2.6 and 5.1 for CAP and 2.0 and 5.7 for FBD, respectively. Drying removal efficiencies in fields I and II averaged 46.4 % and 52.3 % for CAP and 48.4 % and 49.2 % for FBD, respectively. Chronic health risk assessments indicated that dietary exposure to CAP and FBD is acceptable for Korean health.

Técnica simples, rápida e barata de isolamento e multiplicação de Phytophthora infestans

ABSTRACT: In this study, we present a method for isolation and propagation of Phytophthora infestans, a challenging-to-isolate phytopathogenic oomycete. The procedure initiated with naturally infected potato leaves, which underwent a 30-minute sanitization under running water. Subsequently, healthy potato tubers were meticulously washed with a neutral detergent, sterilized using alcohol, and then flamed. Slices 4 mm thick were carefully cut out of the potato tubers. Slices were used to cover 2 x 4 mm sterilized leaf pieces cut from the border of two-day old young P. infestans lesions, within sterilized empty Petri dishes. The sealed plates were then transferred to BOD growth chambers set at 18 ºC in complete darkness for 5 days. At the end of this incubation period, the development of a sparse, white mycelium was observed on top of the potato slices. Using a Drigalski loop, the visible mycelium was carefully transferred to rye agar medium in Petri dishes. To avoid contamination, care was taken not no touch potato slices. After mycelium reaching the Petri dish border, and with aid of a Neubauer chamber, the inoculum density per plate was of 1.79 x 104 sporangia mL-1. Sporangia germination rate ranged from 69 to 78%. This isolation technique simplify in vitro production of P. infestans, enhancing the possibility for research with this important pathogen.

First report of Thielaviopsis ethacetica causing black rot in Bactris gasipaes fruit in Brazil.

The peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) is a palm of great importance to the population of the Brazilian Amazon region. Its fruits are an important food source for the local population (Alves and Flores, 1982). Between 2018 and 2021, peach palm fruits with black rot symptoms were collected in the state of Pará, in the municipalities of Juruti (020 09' 08'' S 560 05' 32W) and Santarém (20 26' 22''S 540 41' 55''W), Brazil. Symptomatic fruits detach easily from the bunch. When sectioned, tissues with black coloration and mycelia with white to black coloration were found (Fig. 1a-b). The incidence of the disease in orchards ranged from 5 to 50%. Then, direct isolation, was done by transferring fragments of mycelia and spores to a plate containing potato dextrose agar (PDA). Morphological markers of the asexual phase were evaluated by cultivating the isolates in malt extract agar (MEA) with fragments of Saccharum officinarum culm (Mbenoun et al., 2014). The colonies initially showed a white coloration but turned dark after eight days of cultivation. Colonies produced white mycelia with hyaline, unicellular, rectangular primary conidia (5.6-8.8 µm) (n=30) in length and 2.8-4.0 µm (n=30) in width (Fig. 1e). In the dark-colored mycelia, secondary conidia that formed exhibited three distinct shapes: cylindrical, light brown, and (6.6-11.6 µm x 3.0-3.7 µm) (n=30) (Fig 1. f-i); oblong to globose shape (5.0-10.0 x 3.0-5.3 µm) (n=30) (Fig 1. g); and ellipsoid-shaped (7.0-13.0 x 3.0-4.0 µm) (n=30) (Fig 1. h). Furthermore, unicellular aleuroconidia, produced in dark-colored colonies, exhibited cell walls (10.8-17.5 x 5.4-8.4 µm) (n=30) with a warty, dark-brown, ovoid-shaped appearance (Fig 1. j-k). Genomic DNA was isolated from 4-day-old cultures, and ITS-rDNA and TEF-1α were amplified from ITS1/ ITS2 (White et al., 1990) and EF1F/EF2R (Jacobs et al., 2004), respectively. Sequences were deposited in GenBank (ITS: OL623838, OL623839, OM643316, OL623840, and OL623841) (TEF1: OL631623, OM643318, OM643317, OL631624, and OL631625). Bayesian analysis concatenated were conducted with MrBayes v. 3.2.7 (Ronquist et al., 2011). Clustered the five isolates with the Thielaviopsis ethacetica reference isolate IMI 50560 with Bayesian posterior probability (Bpp = 0.99). (Fig. 2). The pathogenicity test, was conducted using the five isolates, that were were inoculated on six fruits early maturity. After the fruit were washed with neutral detergent and water, 0.5-cm-deep wounds were made with a sterile penknife. Next, 1 mL of primary and secondary conidia suspension at 1 x 105 spores/mL was added to each wound. Six control fruit were inoculated with distilled water. The fruits were kept in incubators at 25 °C with a 12 h photoperiod. The experiment was conducted twice (Alves and Flores, 1982). After five days of inoculation, all inoculated fruit showed characteristic symptoms (Fig 1. c), whereas the control fruit remained asymptomatic (Fig 1. d). The fungus reisolated from all inoculated fruit exhibited the same morphological markers as the inoculated fungus, thus completing Koch's postulates. Thielaviopsis ethacetica is an important pathogen in several palm species in sugarcane and pineapple crops in different parts of the world (Mbenoun et al., 2014; Borgens et al., 2019). This study is the first record of T. ethacetica causing black rot in B. gasipaes fruit in Brazil.

The potential role of Indigofera zollingeriana as a high-quality forage for cattle in Indonesia

Ownership of cattle in Indonesia is dominated by smallholder farmers, who rely heavily on low-quality mature grasses and crop residues as animal feed. Forage tree legumes (FTLs) provide a practical and profitable option for supplying nutrients limiting cattle growth and reproduction, especially during the dry months. Indigofera zollingeriana is a tall, high-yielding plant under investigation as feed, which can produce edible plant material exceeding 4 t dry matter (DM)/ha/harvest, when cut every 68 days. I. zollingeriana is adapted to a relatively wide range of climatic conditions and soil-types, with notable high tolerance of acidic soils. Forage quality is high, with high crude protein (265 g/kg DM average) and low fiber (367 g neutral detergent fiber/kg DM) concentrations and high in vitro DM digestibility (72.6%). It contains no identified anti-nutritional compounds but concentration of indospicine, a recognized toxic contaminant in some species of Indigofera, is currently unknown. Information on animal responses to feeding I. zollingeriana is limited, especially for cattle, but research suggests growth responses in goats are comparable with those for other available FTLs. Research to date suggests I. zollingeriana could be a valuable addition to FTLs currently available in Indonesia, especially for acidic soils, but further information is required on performance on saline soils, persistence under regular harvesting, indospicine status, acceptance by cattle and effects on their productivity.

Agronomic characteristics and yield of corn after inoculation with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Corn is one of the most important crops in Brazil and, due to its physiological characteristics, it has a high productive potential and high nutritional quality, for animal and human nutrition. Therefore, this work sought to evaluate Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum FZB42 on agronomic characteristics and yield of corn crop. A randomized block design was used, with six doses of B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. Plantarum FZB42 (0.0; 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; 10.0, and 12.5 mL kg-1 seeds) and four repetitions, totaling 24 experimental units. The study was conducted in the experimental area of annual crops of the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sul de Minas Gerais (Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of the South of Minas Gerais — IFSULDEMINAS), Muzambinho Campus, in the 2017/18 agricultural year. The agronomic evaluations were: plant height, upper ear insertion height, culm diameter, leaf nitrogen content, forage fresh mass, incidence of Fusarium in the ear, number of rows per ear, number of grains per row, mass of 1000 grains, and yield. The nutritional evaluations performed were: crude protein, ash, ether extract, crude fiber, fiber in acid detergent, and fiber in neutral detergent. In summary, the inoculation of B. amyloliquefaciens subsp. Plantarum FZB42 in corn seeds, regardless of the dose applied, did not interfere with the agronomic characteristics and nutritional quality of corn silage.

Evaluating response variables to the reversion of the ‘engurruñadera del cacao’ through the control of Aceria reyesi (Nuzzaci) (Acari: Eriophyidae) with abamectin and pruning

The cacao bud mite, Aceria reyesi (Nuzzaci), has been identified as the causal agent of the ‘engurruñadera del cacao’, characterized by the apparent accumulation of stipules on the buds, followed by die-back, with premature fall of leaves, shortening of internodes and proliferation of lateral branches, or witches’-broom, resulting in production losses or even in the death of plants. Our objective was to evaluate four response variables (numbers of leaves/plant, stipules/bud, internodes/branch and branches/plant) that could be indicative of a possible reversion of the ‘engurruñadera’ after the application of the acaricide abamectin and/or pruning. Two experiments were carried out between November 2020 and April 2021 in a greenhouse at UESC, with cacao seedlings of the genetic group ‘Forastero’ (cacao ‘Common’) infested with A. reyesi and showing typical symptoms of the ‘engurruñadera’. The first experiment was conducted with 4 treatments and 8 replicates, with the application of (1) Abamectin + pruning, (2) Abamectin without pruning, (3) Water + pruning and (4) Water without pruning (control). Sprays were carried out fortnightly with an Abamex® solution (18 g/L of abamectin, in a concentration of 2 mL/L of distilled water + neutral detergent). Pruning was performed only once, at the beginning of the experiment, by removing the apical 10 centimeters of all plant branches. Response variables were evaluated one day before the application of the treatments (Day 0), and afterward (~Days 75 and 150 after the first evaluation, respectively). The second experiment was conducted with 2 treatments and 12 replicates, with the application of (1) Abamectin (treated) and (2) Water (control). Pulverizations and evaluations were carried out as in the first experiment. The number of leaves/plant and internodes/branch were the only response variables that indicated some reversion of the ‘engurruñadera’ in both experiments among treated and control groups, although only 150 days after the application of abamectin and/or pruning. The number of branches/plant showed a significant increase from 75 days after the treatments with pruning, and no difference was found among treated and control groups in terms of numbers of stipules/bud in both experiments. We concluded that the numbers of leaves/plant and internodes/branch seem to be adequate monitoring tools to indicate the reversion of the ‘engurruñadera’ after the application of abamectin and/or pruning. Pruning was effective in the reversion of symptoms of the ‘engurruñadera’ on cacao seedlings as well as the abamectin application of a 2 mL dose of Abamex® per liter of water fortnightly.

Reduction in residual cyantraniliprole levels in spinach after various washing and blanching methods.

Pesticides are used to protect crops from pests and diseases. However, as many pesticides are toxic to humans, it is necessary to assess methods that can remove pesticide residues from agricultural products before human consumption. Spinach is consumed immediately after a relatively simple washing and heating process in the Republic of Korea. Cyantraniliprole is used as a systemic insecticide during spinach cultivation, which means it might remain in the crop after processing. Consequently, it is important to assess whether residues can be reduced to levels that are harmless to the human body after processing. This study investigated lowering the residual cyantraniliprole levels in spinach after washing and blanching. The amount of cyantraniliprole residue in the spinach samples sprayed with cyantraniliprole during cultivation was analyzed using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). The time of each washing and blanching method was set at 1, 3, and 5 min. The residual levels of cyantraniliprole decreased by 15.1–54.6% and 60.1–93.5% based on the washing and blanching methods employed. The most effective washing method to lower residual cyantraniliprole levels was steeping with a neutral detergent, resulting in cyantraniliprole reduction by 42.9–54.6%. When spinach was blanched after steeping washing with a neutral detergent, the largest removal rates of 77.9 and 91.2% were observed after 1 and 3 min of blanching, respectively. Blanching for 5 min after steeping and running washing exhibited the highest reduction rate of 93.5%. Therefore, a considerable amount of cyantraniliprole residue in spinach could be removed by washing or blanching. Based on the results of this study, blanching after steeping washing can be implemented as an effective method of lowering pesticide concentrations in spinach and other crops, thereby reducing their potential toxicity to humans upon consumption.

Watersaving Cleaning Processing of Sheep Wool and Eco-friendly Extraction of Lanolin

Sheep wool, an important natural raw material for textile industry. This article propose a watersaving sheep wool cleaning processing. For each kilogram of wool, containing about 35% impurities, the water loss in washing is as low as 2.5 liters. Wool washing sewage with high content of COD (chemical oxygen demand), up to 20-30 g/L, is treated by neutral detergent and then a solid hydroxide (Calcium Hydroxide or Alum) with cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM) in order to have a fast flocculation of solid waste. The COD content in wastewater can be as low as 352 mg/L. On the other hand, solid matter contains a large amount of high-value chemical oils, collectively known as lanolin, by extraction of solid matter in hot alcoholic solution (85% Ethanol,15% methanol) at 60 degrees Celsius. About 40 g of lanolin crude product is obtained.

Comparison of Cultivated and Wild Relatives of Several Forage Species in Mixed Rangeland Based on Some Nutritional Characteristics

Cultivated forage species may have higher nutrients contents (NC) and forage quality indicators (FQI) than their wild relatives. Nine forage samples collected five times from a mixed rangeland and an experimental field during two consecutive years was analysed for ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent (ADF) fibres. Then, their FQI such as digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), metabolizable energy (ME) and relative forage quality (RFQ) were calculated. Data were performed in a linear model with fixed effects (forage plant type [PT] and species [PS]) to NC and FQI, and subjected to hierarchical two-way clustering analysis. Cultivated and wilds relatives varied in CP (12.0-18.9% and 8.8-23.3%), ADF (20.9-33.1% and 39.3-73.5%) and NDF (37.2-61.6% and 26.7-46.1%) contents and ME (8.7-9.7 MJ kg-1 DM and 7.0-9.6 MJ kg-1 DM) and RFQ (98.8-186.7 and 74.6-161.7) values. There were interactions between PT and PS for all NC and FQI, except for CP and EE contents. In general, the CP, EE, ADF, ME and RFQ of cultivars were higher, whereas NDF was lower than those of the wilds. The most notable differences (NDF, ADF and RFQ) between the PT represented the differences in nutritional traits based on the clustering analysis. The cultivated and wilds relatives are comprised of NC and FQI that respond differently under same circumstances.

Yield and Nutritional Value of Urochloa ruziziensis in Response to the Use of Liquid Swine Slurry in Maintenance Fertilization

ABSTRACT The objective was to evaluate the production and nutritional value of Urochloa ruziziensis, in response to maintenance fertilization with liquid swine slurry (LSS). The design was in randomized blocks with five treatments, four doses of LSS (0, 120, 240, and 360 m3 ha−1 plotted in 0, 30, 60, and 90 m3 ha−1 per cut, respectively) and mineral fertilization (200 kg ha−1 N in four applications of 50 kg ha−1). Vegetative and nutritive characteristics of the plants were evaluated. The 360 m3 ha−1 dose showed results equal to mineral fertilization in most of the studied variables. The emission index decreased 34% in relation to the control with the application of 90 m3 ha−1 of LSS in the soil. In the neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF and ADF) variables, there was no difference between the doses of LSS and the mineral dose. The increments in the comparison between doses were plant height (39%), crude protein (15%), extractions of N (140%), P (153%), K (147%), Ca (89%), Mg (110%), S (107%), Fe (119%), Zn (104%), Mn (106%), and Cu (101%). The dose of 90 m3 ha−1 of LSS by cut promoted an increase in dry matter yield and crude protein content, without altering NDF and ADF, in addition to linearly increasing macro and micronutrients in Urochloa ruziziensis.

Effects of replacement of wheat straw with corn stover-based TMR on growth performance, behavioral characteristics, selected blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility in Beetal bucks.

An experiment was executed to determine the effects of replacing wheat straw with corn stover on growth performance, behavioral characteristics, blood metabolites, and nutrient digestibility in Beetal bucks (23.92 ± 0.79kg; age = 10 ± 1month). A total of twenty four Beetal bucks were assigned randomly to one of three treatment groups, having eight animals each, for 15-week experimental period excluding adaption period of 2weeks. The dietary treatments included conventional (25% wheat straw and 75% concentrate), corn stover 50 (50% of wheat straw (12.5%) was replaced with corn stover), and corn stover 100 (wheat straw was completely replaced with corn stover). Parameters were evaluated regarding growth performance, behavioral recording, digestibility, chemical analysis of feed and fecal materials, rumen pH, fecal score, and blood metabolite measurements. Dietary replacement of wheat straw with corn stover has resulted in an increased dry matter intake and average daily gain significantly (P ≤ 0.05) by 10 and 26%, respectively in the bucks. Rumen pH and fecal score, however, remained unaffected by dietary replacement of wheat straw with corn stover in the bucks. The replacement of wheat straw with corn stover has resulted in an increased feeding and rumination time, improved lying time and length, and decreased number of bouts in the bucks. Blood glucose, urea, bilirubin, and calcium levels were remained unaffected by replacing wheat straw with corn stover. The blood phosphorous level, however, was lower in bucks fed corn stover-based ration. The bucks fed corn stover-based ration has resulted in an increased digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and neutral and acid detergent fiber compared to those fed wheat straw-based total mixed ration. It was concluded that replacement of wheat straw with corn stover as fiber residue in the ration of bucks has resulted in an increased dry matter intake and higher average daily gain, improved behavioral characteristics, and higher nutrient digestibility.

Bradysia aff. impatiens and Bradysia aff. ocellaris in the semi-hydroponic strawberry production system in Southern Brazil

ABSTRACT: Soilless cultivation of strawberry is in expansion in Brazil due to factors like the reduction of phytosanitary problems and the possibility of extending the crop period, as well as the ergonometric facility for management of the culture. However, black fungus gnats (Sciaridae, Diptera) are ubiquitous pests in the greenhouse production system, causing direct and indirect damage to plants. ThIS study evaluated the occurrence of black fungus gnats species in semi-hydroponic cultivation of strawberry and to identify the species, as well as to describe the symptoms in infested plants. The research was developed in commercial productions of strawberry, in five municipalities (Arroio do Padre, Canguçu, Capão do Leão, Pelotas and Turuçu) during July to December 2017, where adult samples were collected twice a month, with petri dish traps containing water and neutral detergent placed inside the greenhouses between the plants. A total of 2030 adult gnats belonging to two species were collected. Bradysia aff. impatiens, accounted with 90.79% of the total, and Bradysia aff. ocellaris, accounted with 9.21%. In order to assist the correct determination of species, males of both species were identified and illustrated. With respect to the symptoms observed during the research, it was possible to verify since the wilted crown of plants to the death of plants, which were confirmed by the presence of larvae in the root system. As the occurrence of these insects is recent in strawberry, there is no pesticide registered in Brazil, so management strategies (cultural, physical, and sanitary) also are discussed.

Height management strategies of sudangrass €˜BRS estribo€™

The productive, morphological and chemical composition of Sudangrass €˜BRS Estribo€™ submitted to different heights of management was evaluated. The design was in randomized blocks with four replicates in a 3x2 factorial scheme, with three pre-defoliation heights (40, 55 and 70 cm) and two post-defoliation heights (20 and 10 cm). There was no significance between post-defoliation heights for accumulated forage production (AFP), percentages of leaf blades (%F) and of stem and sheath (%S). The AFP at 70 cm pre-defoliation height(10,071.1 kg ha-1) was higher than at 40 cm height (7,471.3 kg ha-1) and did not differ from defoliation at 55 cm (8,562.3 kg ha-1). Predefoliation at 40 cm showed a higher %F (67.67%) than at the heights of 55 cm (61.74%) and 70 cm (55.15%), which differed from each other. The %S was higher for pre-defoliation at 70 cm (35.57%) than at the heights of 55 (32.08%) and 40 cm (27.75%), which also differed from each other. The different handling heights did not change the contents of dry matter, insoluble fiber in neutral detergent,insoluble fiber in acid detergent and ash, which presented averages of 15.87; 60.34; 28.53; and 10.48%, respectively. However, there was a significant interaction between pre-and post-defoliation heights forcrude protein (CP) contents, which the management heights at 40 x 20 cm and 70 x 10 cm presented, respectively, the highest (18.78%) and lowest (12.22%) CP contents of the study. Pre-defoliation heights of55 cm with 10 or 20 cm of residual height should be used to improve the botanical composition and crude protein content of Sudangrass BRS Estribo forage.

N2O emissions from decomposing crop residues are strongly linked to their initial soluble fraction and early C mineralization

The emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), a strong greenhouse gas, during crop residue decomposition in the soil can offset the benefits of residue recycling. The IPCC inventory considers agricultural N2O emissions proportional to the amount of nitrogen (N) added by residues to soils. However, N2O involves several emission pathways driven directly by the form of N returned and indirectly by changes in the soil induced by decomposition. We investigated the decomposition factors related to N2O emissions under controlled conditions. Residues of sugar beet (SUB), wheat (WHT), rape seed (RAS), potato (POT), pea (PEA), mustard (MUS), red clover (RC), alfalfa (ALF), and miscanthus (MIS), varying by maturity at the time of collection, were incubated in two soils (GRI and SLU) at 15 °C with a water-filled pore space of 60%. The residues contained a wide proportion range of water-soluble components, components soluble in neutral detergent (SOL-NDS), hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Their composition drastically influenced the dynamics of C mineralization and soil ammonium and nitrate and was correlated with N2O flux dynamics. The net cumulative N2O emitted after 60 days originated mostly from MUS (4828 ± 892 g N-N2O ha-1), SUB (2818 ± 314 g N-N2O ha-1) and RC (2567 ± 1245 g N-N2O ha-1); the other residue treatments had much lower emissions (<200 g N-N2O ha-1). For the first time N2O emissions could be explained only by the residue content in the SOL-NDS, according to an exponential relationship. Residues with a high SOL-NDS (>25% DM) were also non-senescent and promoted high N2O emissions (representing 1–5% of applied N), likely directly by nitrification and indirectly by denitrification in microbial hotspots. Crop residue quality appears to be valuable information for accurately predicting N2O emissions and objectively weighing their other potential benefits to agriculture and the environment.

Incorporation of Electromagnetic Fields as an Alternative Technology to Increase Starch Production in Corn Crops

During the last decades, the production of fuels derived from agricultural products called agrofuels or biofuels has been promoted as an alternative to high oil prices and pollution due to carbon dioxide emanating from the primary sources found for that purpose. In this sense, corn is part of the cereals most used in the production of bioenergy, likewise, it is recognized as the most productive vegetable species since antiquity. In the previous context, this project evaluated the performance of starch, as well as the physical-chemical characteristics of corn grains that were subjected to electromagnetic fields. For this, the content of protein, fiber, fiber in acidic detergent, fiber in neutral detergent, fat and nitrogen was determined by official methods 08-01, 46-13 and 30-25 of the AACC. Alike, by optical microscopy, the starch granule was morphologically characterized, with an Accu-scope 3000-led-40 optical microscope with a digital camera Aptina CMOS Sensor of 14 megapixels. For the microscopic observation, suspensions of starch in excess of water were prepared, taking them to a slide, after, covered by cover-object and observed at 100, 400 and 1000 times. The starch yield was determined gravimetrically with soaking in ethyl ether and washing in 96 % ethanol in 40, 100 and 200 U.S. sieves to collect the precipitated starch eliminating the excess of the reagent by evaporation at room temperature. The field and laboratory experiments were carried out at the Fundacion Universitaria Agraria de Colombia – UNIAGRARIA, with Porva corn, harvesting until the grain matured (168 days after sowing). For this, it was taken into account that the seeds, before sowing, had been treated with electromagnetic fields at intensities of L1-23 µT, L2-70 µT and L3-118 µT; Electromagnetic field intensities or flux density (in microtesla, µT) were created artificially from the interconnection of electronic devices that carry electrical charges that act as energy sources; moreover, it was observed that with the application this force, the recovery (yield) in the starch doubled without affecting the characteristics of the compound. Finally, the statistical analyzes were performed in the statistical package Statgraphics 5.1Plus, developing a simple variance analysis and a multiple range test.

Management of Aries and Aruana Guinea grass cultivars under rotational stocking based on canopy light interception

AbstractEfforts were made to obtain forage cultivars with high production capacity and quality and to determine the ideal time to start animal grazing, respecting the morphological characteristics of the grasses. For this purpose, the nutritional value, digestibility and characteristics of the forage canopy of Aries and Aruana (Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) or Panicum maximum) cultivars kept under rotational stocking with sheep were evaluated and the management height was determined based on 95% light interception (LI). The experiment was evaluated with repeated measures over time (grazing cycles by season, in 2 years) with a treatment factor (grass cultivar) in a completely randomized block design with eight replicates, using 800 m2 paddocks. The height of the forage canopy before grazing (pre-grazing) determined by 95% LI stabilized around 29 cm. The highest proportion of Aruana leaf blades was observed in winter. Aries grass presented similar leaf blade percentages in summer, autumn and spring. Similar forage accumulation (FA) was observed for both cultivars, decreasing in spring, autumn and winter. Higher crude protein and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were seen in Aries grass, while Aruana grass presented higher neutral and acid detergent fibre and cellulose and lower IVDMD. The nutritional quality of the grasses was maintained throughout the year. The height of the forage canopy of Aries and Aruana recommended for entry into the paddock is 29 cm to maintain nutritional quality. The successful management strategy adopted for grasses combined with nitrogen fertilization provided a greater forage mass quality.

Successful rehabilitation of an oiled sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) affected by the biggest oil spill disaster in Brazil

The standardisation of protocols and discussion of therapeutic procedures in the rehabilitation of turtles affected by oil spills are necessary to optimise the recovery time and increase the chances of survival of these animals. This study aimed at reporting the processes adopted for the stabilisation, decontamination, rehabilitation and release of an oiled olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), rescued alive on September 23, 2019, at Santa Rita Beach, Extremoz municipality, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Its entire body was covered by oil. At first, the animal was mechanically dry cleaned using a gauze soaked in mineral oil in the keratinised regions (carapace and plastron) and a gauze soaked in vegetable oil was used on the oral, nasal, ocular, and cloacal mucous membranes. The second stage of the oil removal consisted of washing the animal with heated pressurised water (39 °C) and a neutral detergent using a soft foam sponge. The animal received treatment with antitoxins, antibiotics, analgesics, gastrointestinal protectors, and fluid therapy. After 7 days of treatment, the blood count showed that all the parameters were within the normal range. The oil cleaning process and the therapeutic protocol used in the rehabilitation of the olive ridley sea turtle were efficient.

The impact of lamb diets containing either barley or corn on growth performance and carcass quality

Background and Aim:Grains, such as barley (BAR) and corn (CORN), are major energy sources for small ruminants. This study aimed to assess the impact of feeding either BAR or CORN-based diets on growth performance and carcass characteristics.Materials and Methods:Awassi male lambs, average body weight of 20.4±0.49 kg, were chosen randomly. Lambs were acclimated for 10 days and assigned to one of two diets (1) BAR and (2) CORN. Feeding continued for 70 days with 60 days of data collection. Daily intake was recorded. Measurements of body weight were taken starting from day 1 then once per week throughout the study period. On day 40, six lambs were randomly chosen from each group and placed in metabolism cages to assess digestibility and N balance. Lambs were slaughtered on the last day of the study to evaluate carcass characteristics and meat quality.Results:Neutral and acid detergent fiber and ether extract intake were greater (p≤0.05) for lambs fed the BAR diets. Nitrogen loss in feces tended to be greater (p=0.09) for the CORN diet. Eye muscle depth (mm) tended to be greater (p=0.07) for the BAR diet. Nutrient digestibility, daily weight gain, carcass characteristics, and meat quality were not different (p≥0.1) between diets.Conclusion:The results herein demonstrate that feeding BAR grain improved nutrient intake efficiency and consistency and did not affect weight gain and carcass traits. BAR-based diets might be a useful alternative to CORN for feeding growing lambs.