Onobrychis Viciifolia Research Articles

Effects of a tannin-rich legume (Onobrychis viciifolia) on in vitro ruminal biohydrogenation and fermentation

There is still controversy surrounding the ability of tannins to modulate the ruminal biohydrogenation (BH) of fatty acids (FA) and improve the lipid profile of milk or meat without conferring a negative response in the digestive utilization of the diet. Based on this, an in vitro trial using batch cultures of rumen microorganisms was performed to compare the effects of two legume hays with similar chemical composition but different tannin content, alfalfa and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), on the BH of dietary unsaturated FA and on the ruminal fermentation. The first incubation substrate, alfalfa, was practically free of tannins, while the second, sainfoin, contained 3.5% (expressed as tannic acid equivalents). Both hays were enriched with sunflower oil as a source of unsaturated FA. Most results of the lipid composition analysis (e.g., greater concentrations of 18:2n-6, cis-9 18:1 or total polyunsaturated FA in sainfoin incubations) showed the ability of this tannin-containing legume to inhibit the BH process. However, no significant differences were detected in the accumulation of cis-9 trans-11 conjugated linoleic acid, and variations in trans-11 18:1 and trans-11 cis-15 18:2 did not follow a regular pattern. Regarding the rumen fermentation, gas production, ammonia concentration and volatile FA production were lower in the incubations with sainfoin (‒17, ‒23 and ‒11%, respectively). Thus, although this legume was able to modify the ruminal BH, which might result in improvements in the meat or milk lipid profile, the present results were not as promising as expected or as obtained before with other nutritional strategies.

Complementarity among four highly productive grassland species depends on resource availability.

Positive species richness-productivity relationships are common in biodiversity experiments, but how resource availability modifies biodiversity effects in grass-legume mixtures composed of highly productive species is yet to be explicitly tested. We addressed this question by choosing two grasses (Arrhenatherum elatius and Dactylis glomerata) and two legumes (Medicago × varia and Onobrychis viciifolia) which are highly productive in monocultures and dominant in mixtures (the Jena Experiment). We established monocultures, all possible two- and three-species mixtures, and the four-species mixture under three different resource supply conditions (control, fertilization, and shading). Compared to the control, community biomass production decreased under shading (-56%) and increased under fertilization (+12%). Net diversity effects (i.e., mixture minus mean monoculture biomass) were positive in the control and under shading (on average +15 and +72%, respectively) and negative under fertilization (-10%). Positive complementarity effects in the control suggested resource partitioning and facilitation of growth through symbiotic N2 fixation by legumes. Positive complementarity effects under shading indicated that resource partitioning is also possible when growth is carbon-limited. Negative complementarity effects under fertilization suggested that external nutrient supply depressed facilitative grass-legume interactions due to increased competition for light. Selection effects, which quantify the dominance of species with particularly high monoculture biomasses in the mixture, were generally small compared to complementarity effects, and indicated that these species had comparable competitive strengths in the mixture. Our study shows that resource availability has a strong impact on the occurrence of positive diversity effects among tall and highly productive grass and legume species.

The effect of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua) feeding regimes on the control of lamb coccidiosis.

Recent research has suggested that plants containing condensed tannins may offer a promising alternative approach for the control of coccidiosis in lambs and goat kids. The present study aimed to examine the potential effect of condensed tannins in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua) incorporated in sheep rations against lamb coccidiosis. The above tannin-rich sources were studied in three independent feeding trials in which the animals (naturally infected by Eimeria spp. ewes and their lambs) were allocated (i) in the control group and received a tannin-free diet (lucerne hay), or (ii) in the treatment groups and received a tannin-rich diet based on sainfoin hay (in trials 1 and 2), or in carob pod meal and a combination of carob pod meal and sainfoin hay (in trial 3). In total, 95 newborn lambs (and their 73 ewes) were enrolled in all trials which started a month before lambing and ended 8-10weeks after lambs were born (at weaning). The course of coccidial infection was monitored in lambs by faecal oocyst counts and consistencies which were recorded at weekly intervals. Moreover, lambs total weight gain was evaluated at the end of each trial. During all trials, 100% of the animals got naturally infected by Eimeria species and the infection burden was higher in trials 2 and 3 compared to trial 1 but in all cases, severe signs of diarrhoea were not observed. Tannin-rich diets were well accepted by the animals not affecting their feed intake and body weight gain when compared to the controls. The results suggest that incorporation of both tannin-rich resources (especially sainfoin) in sheep rations can reduce Eimeria oocyst excretion rates by the lambs, which can decrease subsequently the contamination of the farm environment with the parasite. However, the high variability noted on the results is not allowing us to draw any definite conclusions at least until the potential of those plants is further investigated.

Inclusion of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) silage in dairy cow rations affects nutrient digestibility, nitrogen utilization, energy balance, and methane emissions

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is a tanniniferous legume forage that has potential nutritional and health benefits preventing bloating, reducing nematode larval establishment, improving N utilization, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, the use of sainfoin as a fodder crop in dairy cow rations in northwestern Europe is still relatively unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sainfoin silage on nutrient digestibility, animal performance, energy and N utilization, and CH4 production. Six rumen-cannulated, lactating dairy cows with a metabolic body weight (BW0.75) of 132.5±3.6kg were randomly assigned to either a control (CON) or a sainfoin (SAIN)-based diet over 2 experimental periods of 25 d each in a crossover design. The CON diet was a mixture of grass silage, corn silage, concentrate, and linseed. In the SAIN diet, 50% of grass silage dry matter (DM) of the CON diet was exchanged for sainfoin silage. The cows were adapted to 95% of ad libitum feed intake for a 21-d period before being housed in climate-controlled respiration chambers for 4 d, during which time feed intake, apparent total-tract digestibility, N and energy balance, and CH4 production was determined. Data were analyzed using a mixed model procedure. Total daily DM, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber intake did not differ between the 2 diets. The apparent digestibility of DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were, respectively, 5.7, 4.0, 15.7, and 14.8% lower for the SAIN diet. Methane production per kilogram of DM intake was lowest for the SAIN diet, CH4 production as a percentage of gross energy intake tended to be lower, and milk yield was greater for the SAIN diet. Nitrogen intake, N retention, and energy retained in body protein were greater for the SAIN than for the CON diet. Nitrogen retention as a percentage of N intake tended to be greater for the SAIN diet. These results suggest that inclusion of sainfoin silage in dairy cow rations reduces CH4 per kilogram of DM intake and nutrient digestibility. Moreover, sainfoin silage improves milk production and seems to redirect metabolism toward body protein accretion at the expense of body fat.

Genetic variation for clonal propagation and trait association with field performance in sainfoin

Clonal plant materials with identical genotypes may be used to precisely detect environmental effects and genotype x environment interactions resulting in a more accurate estimate of genetic parameters in plant genetic analysis. In sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia ), knowledge on genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with field performance is limited. Eleven natural ecotypes of sainfoin from wide geographical areas of Iran were used to evaluate genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with related traits. From each ecotype 11‒21 genotypes were cloned via cuttings. Then, clones of a hundred genotypes from 10 ecotypes were transplanted to the field. High genetic variation was found between ecotypes of sainfoin for producing viable clones. The mean values for viable clones varied from 50% (Borujen ecotype) to 97% (Najafabad ecotype). The values of within-ecotype coefficient of variation were higher than the genetic coefficient of variation. The highest heritability estimates were obtained for sensitivity to powdery mildew, plant height and number of stems per plant. Dry matter yield (DMY) in the field was significantly and positively correlated with plant height and number of stems per plant, inflorescence length and growth score. An association between DMY and percent of viable clones was found indicating the possibility of selection during the early stages of clonal propagation. According to principal component analysis, Baft and Fereydunshahr ecotypes have potential for improving production of sainfoin if introduced into breeding programs. These issues warrant further study. Keywords: Clone viability, genetic variability, Onobrychis viciifolia, phenotypic correlation, principal component analysis. DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)38-46

Response of different fodder legume species to Colletotrichum trifolii

Colletotrichum trifolii, the causal agent of southern anthracnose, is a major fungal disease in red clover (Trifolium pratense) and lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa), with varietal differences reported. However, results on the reactions of other fodder legumes grown in Central Europe are limited. In this study, a greenhouse test for resistance evaluated the response of T. repens, T. alexandrinum, T. incarnatum, T. resupinatum, Lotus corniculatus, M. lupulina, Onobrychis viciifolia, Vicia sativa, and V. villosa against C. trifolii compared with M. sativa. Conditions of the test were not suitable for T. alexandrinum and the two Vicia species; however, T. repens, T. resupinatum, and L. corniculatus proved highly resistant against the fungus. The other species showed mean plant survival rates of 61.5–84.7%.

The effect of sward structure and n fertilization on the grass-legume silage quality

The effect of sward structure of the mixtures and nitrogen fertilization on grass-legume silage quality was investigated over two years. The study included Lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) in monoculture and in mixtures with cocksfoot ( Dactylis glomerata ), tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea ) and sainfoin ( Onobrychis sativa ). Nitrogen fertilizer was applied to the field plots at four different rates: 0, 70, 140 and 210 kg ha -1 . The quality of lucerne silage was inferior to lucerne silage mixed with grasses due to the greater content of ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N), acetic (AA) and butyric acids (BA), and reduced content of the lactic acid (LA). Gradual increase of N fertilization significantly has increased the content of NH 3 -N, AA and BA and decreased the content of LA.

Choosing Suitable Site for Some Forage Legumes Using Multi-Criteria Assessment and Geostatistical Approach

Land suitability analysis is a prerequisite to achieving optimum utilization of the available land resources. Lack of knowledge on best combination of factors that suit production of forage legume has contributed to the low production. The aim of this study were to determine the most suitable areas for some forage legumes (Medicago sativa L., Onobrychis sativa L., Vicia sativa L., Vicia villosa L., Vicia pannonica L., Vicia narbonensis L., Trifolium pratense L., Trifolium repens L.) based on some physic-chemical properties of soils in the Samsun province located in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkey. To overcome the management and analysis of large volumes of spatial data for land suitability in this study, the geographic information system, geostatistic techniques and multi-criteria assessment using analytical hierarchy approach approaches were used to solve complex geographical problems and to reach reliable results for forage legume cultivation. According to results, 83.2% of the study area has highly (S1) and moderately (S2) suitable whereas, 16.8% of the study area has marginally suitable coded as S3 for forage legumes cultivation.

Nitrogen Application in Sainfoin under Rain‐Fed Conditions in Wyoming: Productivity and Cost Implications

Leguminous crops such as sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) have low N2 fixation; hence, supplementary N is usually provided to realize maximum yield. Nonetheless, N application should be justified by economic benefit to the cropping system. This study evaluated the productivity, nutritive value, and cost implications of N application in sainfoin under rainfed conditions at high elevations in Wyoming. The study was a 2‐factorial experiment set in a randomized complete block design with four replications, where four cultivars (Delaney, Remont, Rocky Mountain, and Shoshone) and four N rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1) were the treatments. Sainfoin was established in 2012, and N was broadcast‐applied in May 2013 and 2014 using urea as the N source. The profitability of the N application was assessed using a benefit–cost ratio analysis. Sainfoin yield and nutritive value was affected by cultivar and N application. Remont (1.08 Mg ha−1), Rocky Mountain (1.17 Mg ha−1), and Shoshone (1.16 Mg ha−1) produced higher forage dry matter (DM) than Delaney (0.84 Mg ha−1). The effect of N application on the forage DM was linear, but applying >80 kg N ha−1 did not result in significant increase in the forage DM. The benefit–cost ratios for the three N rates were less than one in both years, which indicated a net loss in revenue. In general, sainfoin DM and crude protein (CP) increased with N; however, the increase in forage DM with N application was not economical due to higher production costs.

The effect of saline and non-saline soil conditions on yield and nutritional characteristics of some perennial legumes forages

Salinity is one of the important environmental stress factors restricting agricultural productivity and sustainability, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In the evaluation of saline soils, growing of salt tolerant or resistant plants is recently a widespread implementation. The aim of this study was to compare some yield and nutritional properties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa Lam.) and bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) species cultivated in extreme saline-soil (9.80 EC dS m-1) and non-saline soil (0.43 EC dS m-1) conditions. For this purpose, this research was conducted in randomized blocks design with three replications on the Igdir Plain, located in eastern Turkey, between the years of 2011-2013. Plants were sown under irrigable conditions in 2011, and data were obtained from the examined plants during three years including the year of sowing. In the study, leaf area index (LAI), crude protein (CP), fresh hay and hay yields differed significantly (P<0.01) in terms of species x soil type x year interaction. In respect to plant height, all the paired interactions, but only soil type x year interaction in terms of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were found statistically significant. According to these results, maximum fresh hay yields and LAI were obtained from alfalfa grown on non-saline soils in the maintenance years (2012-2013), and maximum hay yields were determined again in alfalfa grown on non-saline soils for each of the three years and also on saline soil in 2012. However, minimum fresh hay and hay yields were measured under saline soil conditions in the establishing year for each of the three species. Maximum and minimum CP contents were found in alfalfa and sainfoin grown on saline soil conditions in the establishing year (2011), respectively. Along with changing as per species, plant heights increased in the years following the establishing year, but decreased on saline soil compared to non-saline soil. In respect of NDF content, the highest values were determined under non saline-soils in 2012, and the lowest ones were obtained from saline soil conditions in 2011 and 2013. As conclusion, it was determined that all species can easily grow without too much yield and quality loss in salt-affected areas and can provide enough forage production for livestock feding.

Intercropping experiments in Hungarian vineyards

Intensive mechanical soil cultivation and herbicide treatment was often the preferred technology in vineyards in the second half of the 20 th century. In the last decades we increasingly experienced the disadvantages of these suboptimal technologies: soil degradation, erosion and deflation damages. Alternative cultivation methods were sought for research and practice, especially in organic viticulture. The use of well-adapted cover-crop mixtures in the vine inter-rows poses a possible solution for weed control, soil conservation and biodiversity development. The technology has a special importance on steep slopes: it helps to prevent erosion damages and provides easier cultivation circumstances. In 2012 the Hungarian Research institute of Organic Agriculture in collaboration with other experts and growers began to study three different species-rich cover crop mixtures (Biocont-Ecovin, Legume mixture, Grass-herb mixture) in Hungarian vineyards. Each mixture was sown in three neighbouring inter-rows at each experimental site. After sowing (March 2012) we studied vegetation composition (June 2012, 2013 and 2014), pruning weight and diameter of the second bearing spur of the stocks, yield quality and quantity. Most of the sown species established successfully and in 2012 we found that Biocont-Ecovin and the mixture of legumes were the most effective in weed suppression. For 2013 we detected lower weed coverage in the inter-rows sown with the grass-herb and legume mixtures, while in control and Biocont-Ecovin inter-rows we detected increasing weed coverage. In the third year (2014) we found in every plot? that the grass-herb mixture-covered inter-rows were the least weedy. The most successful species in the inter-rows are: Coronilla varia, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Onobrychis viciifolia, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium repens, Trifolium pratense. Viticultural measurements (2014) show a 10-13 % decrease of yield in case of covered inter-rows, and a 26 and 21 % reduction in pruning weight (Grof Degenfeld and Tokaj-Hetszőlő), especially apparent in young plantations. For Hungarian conditions it is therefore recommended to implement this technology in every second inter-row where erosion control is not required. Keywords: grapevine, cover crops, erosion, biodiversity, species rich mixtures

Large Variability of Proanthocyanidin Content and Composition in Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia).

Proanthocyanidins (PAs) in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) are of interest to ameliorate the sustainability of livestock production. However, sainfoin forage yield and PA concentrations, as well as their composition, require optimization. Individual plants of 27 sainfoin accessions from four continents were analyzed with LC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS for PA concentrations and simple phenolic compounds. Large variability existed in PA concentrations (23.0–47.5 mg g–1 leaf dry matter (DM)), share of prodelphinidins (79–96%), and mean degree of polymerization (11–14) among, but also within, accessions. PAs were mainly located in leaves (26.8 mg g–1 DM), whereas stems had less PAs (7.8 mg g–1 DM). Overall, high-yielding plants had lower PA leaf concentrations (R2 = 0.16, P < 0.001) and fewer leaves (R2 = 0.66, P < 0.001). However, the results show that these two trade-offs between yield and bioactive PAs can be overcome.

In vitro susceptibility of ten Haemonchus contortus isolates from different geographical origins towards acetone:water extracts of two tannin rich plants

The aim of the study was to examine the variation in the in vitro susceptibility of ten Haemonchus contortus isolates from different geographical origins using respective egg hatch assays (EHA) with acetone:water extracts of two tannin containing plants, chimay (Acacia pennatula) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia). Fresh eggs were incubated in PBS with different concentrations of each extract (0, 600, 1200, 2400, 3600, 5000 and 8000μg/ml PBS). Additional concentrations were tested for O. viciifolia (75, 100, 200 and 400μg/ml PBS). Effective concentrations 50% (EC50), with the corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI), were calculated for every isolate with both extracts. Moreover, a resistance ratio (RR) was calculated to compare the isolates, using the most susceptible isolate for each extract as the respective reference. A second set of incubations were made using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) (0, 5000μg/ml, 5000μg/ml+PVPP) to determine the influence of polyphenols on the AH effect. The proportion of morulated eggs, eggs with L1 larvae failing eclosion (%LFE), and emerged larvae were estimated at different extract concentrations. Data of each isolate was used to calculate the effective concentration 50% (EC50) for each extract. The EC50 of each isolate was used to determine resistance ratio (RR) for the different isolates. For the 2 extracts, a susceptibility variation in egg hatching was observed for the different H. contortus isolates. The EC50 values for A. pennatula ranged from 2203 to 14106μg (RR from 2.01 to 6.40). The O. viciifolia extract showed higher variability with EC50 values ranging from 104 to 4783μg (RR from 3.66 to 45.74). The main AH effects of the two extracts tested on the ten isolates consisted in blocking the emergence of L1 larvae (higher% LFE). Additional observations on emerged larvae showed that extract exposure caused alterations in the internal structure, separating the cuticle from the pharynx, bulb and intestinal cells. The use of PVPP revealed that (a) condensed tannins were not the sole plant secondary metabolites responsible for the AH effects, and (b) different H. contortus isolates showed variability in the role of tannins either on the ovicidal effect or the %LFE.

Therapeutic Potential of Temperate Forage Legumes: A Review

The discovery of bioactive molecules from botanical sources is an expanding field, preferentially oriented to plants having a tradition of use in medicine and providing high yields and availability. Temperate forage legumes are Fabaceae species that include worldwide-important crops. These plants possess therapeutic virtues that have not only been used in veterinary and folk medicine, but have also attracted the interest of official medicine. We have examined here Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Trifolium pratense and T. repens (clovers), Melilotus albus and M. officinalis (sweet clovers), Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), Onobrychis viciifolia (sainfoin), Lespedeza capitata (roundhead lespedeza), and Galega officinalis (goat's rue). The phytochemical complexes of these species contain secondary metabolites whose pharmacological potentials deserve investigation. Major classes of compounds include alkaloids and amines, cyanogenic glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, condensed tannins, and saponins. Some of these phytochemicals have been related to antihypercholesterolemia, antidiabetic, antimenopause, anti-inflammatory, antiedema, anthelmintic, and kidney protective effects. Two widely prescribed drugs have been developed starting from temperate forage legumes, namely, the antithrombotic warfarin, inspired from sweet clover's coumarin, and the antidiabetic metformin, a derivative of sainfoin's guanidine. Available evidence suggests that temperate forage legumes are a potentially important resource for the extraction of active principles to be used as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Evidence and consequences of self-fertilisation in the predominantly outbreeding forage legume Onobrychis viciifolia.

BackgroundSainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) is a promising alternative forage plant of good quality, moderate nutrient demand and a high content of polyphenolic compounds. Its poor adoption is caused by the limited availability of well performing varieties. Sainfoin is characterised as tetraploid and mainly outcrossing, but the extent of self-fertilisation and its consequences was not investigated so far. This study aimed at assessing the rate of self-fertilisation in sainfoin under different pollination regimes and at analysing the consequences on plant performance in order to assist future breeding efforts.MethodsThe self-fertilisation rate was assessed in three sainfoin populations with artificially directed pollination (ADP) and in three populations with non-directed pollination (NDP). Dominant SRAP (sequence-related amplified polymorphism) and codominant SSR (simple sequence repeats) markers were used to detect self-fertilisation in sainfoin for the first time based on molecular marker data.ResultsHigh rates of self-fertilisation of up to 64.8 % were observed for ADP populations in contrast to only up to 3.9 % for NDP populations. Self-fertilisation in ADP populations led to a reduction in plant height, plant vigour and, most severely, for seed yield.ConclusionsAlthough sainfoin is predominantly outcrossing, self-fertilisation can occur to a high degree under conditions of limited pollen availability. These results will influence future breeding efforts because precautions have to be taken when crossing breeding material. The resulting inbreeding depression can lead to reduced performance in self-fertilised offspring. Nevertheless the possibility of self-fertilisation also offers new ways for hybrid breeding based on the development of homogenous inbred lines.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12863-015-0275-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessment of Drought Tolerance in Sainfoin: Physiological and Drought Tolerance Indices

The physiological basis of genetic variation in drought response and its association with forage yield and drought tolerance indices is not clear in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.). In this study, 100 sainfoin genotypes from 10 ecotypes were clonally propagated and evaluated under non‐stressed and water deficit conditions during 2 yr. Physiological traits including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content, proline content, relative water content (RWC), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, dry matter yield (DMY), and stress tolerance index (STI) were studied. Large genotypic variation was observed among ecotypes for most of the studied traits indicating that selection in this germplasm would be useful. The results showed that water deficit greatly influenced physiological traits that affected forage production. Water deficit decreased DMY and RWC while significantly increasing carotenoid content, free proline content, CAT, APX, and SOD activity in both years. The relationship between dry matter yield and STI with proline content showed that ecotypes with high DMY and STI under water deficit conditions had higher proline accumulation in their leaves. With regard to the STI and principal component analysis (PCA), ecotypes Baft, Najafabad, and Sirjan were found to be drought tolerant or moderately drought tolerant. These ecotypes showed significantly higher values for proline content under water deficit conditions.

Beneficial Effects of Temperate Forage Legumes that Contain Condensed Tannins

The two temperate forage legumes containing condensed tannins (CT) that promote ruminant production are birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.; BFT) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.; SF). Both are well-adapted to the cool-temperate climate and alkaline soils of the Mountain West USA. Condensed tannins comprise a diverse family of bioactive chemicals with multiple beneficial functions for ruminants, including suppression of internal parasites and enteric methane. Birdsfoot trefoil contains 10 to 40 g·CT·kg−1 dry matter (DM), while SF contains 30 to 80 g·CT·kg−1 DM. Our studies have focused on these two plant species and have demonstrated consistently elevated rates of gain for beef calves grazing both BFT and SF. Novel results from our BFT research include carcass dressing percentages and consumer sensory evaluations equivalent to feedlot-finished steers and significantly greater than grass-finished steers, but with omega-3 fatty acid concentrations equal to grass-finished beef. We have further demonstrated that ruminants fed BFT or SF will consume more endophyte-infected tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) forage or seed than ruminants fed a non-CT forage legume. There is great potential value for sustainable livestock production in the use of highly digestible, nitrogen-fixing legumes containing tannins demonstrated to improve ruminant productivity.

Forage Production and Population of Alfalfa Weevil (Hypera Postica) in Intercropping of Alfalfa and Sainfoin

Diversification of varieties or species within the same field can result in reduced pest population and increased yields. To study the forage production and alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) population in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa) intercropping, a field experiment was carried out as a split-plot in time across 2 years (2010–12) with three replications. Treatments were: sole-cropping of alfalfa, sole-cropping of sainfoin, 50% alfalfa + 50% sainfoin as one row alternates, 50% alfalfa + 50% sainfoin as two row alternates, 75% alfalfa + 25% sainfoin, 25% alfalfa + 75% sainfoin, 10% sainfoin + 100% alfalfa, 20% sainfoin + 100% alfalfa, and 30% sainfoin + 100% alfalfa. Because of delayed emergence and growth of alfalfa in the first year, alfalfa weevil populations were monitored in the second year only. Sampling period was from April 9 to May 12, 2011. Five sampling dates were used. The results revealed that with increased ratio of alfalfa in mixed treatments, population of alfalfa weevil followed an increasing trend. In all treatment, pest population during the season showed a decreasing trend and reached zero level at the last sampling date. The highest value of dry yield was observed in 30% sainfoin + 100% alfalfa and the lowest value was obtained in sole-cropping of sainfoin and alfalfa. In both years, the highest values of land equivalent ratio were related to 30% sainfoin + 100% alfalfa treatment. We concluded that less competition between alfalfa and sainfoin caused a reduction in alfalfa yield losses from alfalfa weevil and higher plant populations in 30% sainfoin + 100% alfalfa compared to other combinations, increased forage production.

The control of soil polarization in Populus simonii and Quercus liaotungensis forests by forage litter on the Loess Plateau, P. R. China

Soil polarization in pure forest stands affects the stability and sustainable development of the ecosystem. The most effective approaches to the prevention of soil polarization may be the use of forage litter as fertilizer or the direct establishment of tree-grass communities. We investigated monospecific plantations of Populus simonii and Quercus liaotungensis. Such plantations have been established throughout the Loess Plateau of China. A 120-day decomposition incubation experiment with forest humus soil mixed with 7 common leguminous forage litter species was performed to study the uses of forage litter in controlling soil polarization in pure forests. The addition of forage litter of Astragalus adsurgens, Lespedeza bicolor, and Vicia villosa to the soil of pure P. simonii forest clearly improved the soil quality, these forage species are suitable for planting with P. simonii, whereas Melilotus officinalis, Medicago sativa, and Onobrychis viciifolia litter produced obvious deterioration, thus these forages should not be planted with P. simonii. Coronilla varia litter showed no significant influence. The addition of forage litter of M. sativa to the soil of pure Q. liaotungensis forest clearly improved the soil quality, and C. varia and V. villosa also yielded improvements but were slightly less effective than M. sativa litter, these forages are suitable to be planted with Q. liaotungensis. However, L. bicolor showed obvious deterioration, followed by O. viciifolia and A. adsurgens, and M. officinalis had no significant influence. These species should not be planted with Q. liaotungensis.

EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF TWO DIFFERENT ARTIFICIAL PASTURES AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF GRAZING BEEF ANIMALS

ABSTRACT This research was conducted to determine the feeding quality of different artificial pastures and their effects on animal performance from the years 2010 to 2012. For this purpose, two different artificial pastures were established, each one covered 1.5 ha area during the first year of the research. The mixtures of the pastures used were as follows: Pasture 1 (P1): Medicago sativa L. (20%) + Bromus inermis L. (40%) + Agropyron cristatum L. (30%) + Poteriumsanguisorba (10%); Pasture 2 (P2): Medicago sativa L. (15%) + Onobrychis sativa Lam. (15%) + Agropyron cristatum L. (35%) + Bromus inermis L. (35%). The grazing was conducted in the second and the third years of the research. Twenty Holstein male calves with 6 months old were assigned to the experimental areas randomly, each pasture containing 10 animals. Forage samples were collected from grazing and non-grazing areas once every 15 days during the grazing seasons. Concurrently with forage sampling, liveweight gains of animals were also obtained. The dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) contents, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were determined on the forage samples collected from grazing and non-grazing areas. The results showed that as grazing season advanced forage quality was declined in both pastures. The CP content and IVDMD were decreased with advancing growth stages in grazing and non-grazing areas of two pastures. The ADF and NDF contents were increased with advancing growth stages. There were no significant differences in the animal performances grazed on both pastures in terms of final weights, total weight gains and daily live weight gains. Keywords: Animal performance; dry matter yield; forage quality; grazing; liveweight gain.