Forage Peanut Research Articles

Impact of a forage legume or nitrogen fertilizer application on ammonia volatilization and nitrous oxide emissions in Brachiaria pastures

ABSTRACT The largest proportion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Agriculture sector of the Brazilian national GHG inventory is derived from the large (>200 million head) herd of cattle. The greatest contribution to these emissions comes from the enteric methane from cattle, but the direct and indirect emissions of nitrous oxide (N 2 O) from cattle excreta and N fertilizer are responsible for approximately 9 % of all national anthropogenic GHG emissions. Ammonia (NH 3 ) can be volatilized from N fertilizer and cattle excreta and deposited in sites remote from the source, constituting an indirect source of N 2 O. This study aimed to determine whether direct N 2 O emissions and NH 3 volatilization from N-fertilized pastures were greater than those derived from a mixed grass-legume pasture without N fertilizer addition. Emissions of N 2 O and NH 3 from excreta and N fertilizer from a Palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) monoculture fertilized with 2 × 60 kg N ha -1 yr -1 urea were compared to those from a mixed Palisade grass-forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) pasture. Dung and urine were collected from these cattle, and NH 3 losses and N 2 O emissions from the excreta and from N fertilizer were monitored using static chamber techniques. Volatilization of NH 3 and N 2 O emissions were found to be greater from urine than from dung. Ammonia losses from excreta and urea fertilizer were low, not exceeding 6.8, 1.1, and 4.7 % of the N applied as urine, dung, and fertilizer, respectively. The N 2 O emissions showed a tendency to be greater for the urine from the N-fertilized compared to the mixed grass-legume pasture, and the N 2 O emissions from the urine of the N-fertilized pasture ranged from 0.08 to 0.94 % of applied urine N. The N 2 O emission from the N fertilizer was at maximum 0.46 % of the applied N. The direct N 2 O emissions and the loss of NH 3 by volatilization (indirect N 2 O emission) from the excreta of cattle grazing the mixed grass-legume pasture were similar to, or lower than, the grazed grass monoculture fertilized with 120 kg N ha -1 yr -1 . As the mixed pasture received no N fertilizer and hence no GHG emission from its manufacture or application, introducing forage peanut to the Urochloa brizantha pastures shows potential to be responsible for lower GHG emissions than the N fertilized grass pasture.

Detection and characterization of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus in forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) in Brazil

Detection and characterization of the cowpea chlorotic mottle virus in forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) in Brazil

Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg.–A multifunctional legume

AbstractArachis pintoi, commonly known as pinto or forage peanut, is used mainly in consortia with grass pastures and as cover plant. In addition to increasing the productivity of livestock and plantations, it contributes to the mitigation of environmental impacts (reduction of greenhouse gas emissions) and soil improvement (nitrogen fixation, reduction of fertilizers use), as well as to pests and disease management. Several cultivars that are tolerant to specific climates and soil conditions are suitable to be used as ground covers in agroforestry and silvopastoral systems, orchards, and plantations. Biotechnological and phytochemical investigations revealed the potential of pinto peanut as a sustainable source of resveratrol and other stilbenoids. Extracts from plants grown under natural conditions and from materials obtained in vitro displayed allelopathic, anthelmintic, or antioxidant activities. Other studies revealed the potential of pinto peanut for erosion control, phytoremediation, seed and essential oils production, materials for animal tissue engineering, synthesis of nanoparticles for drug delivery, and as green biorefineries to produce proteins, biochemicals, and biomaterials.

Perfil fermentativo, calidad nutricional y estabilidad aerobia de ensilajes mezclados de hierba elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) y maní forrajero (Arachis pintoi)

Objective. Determine the fermentative profile, proximate composition, and aerobic stability of mixed silages of elephant grass combined with levels of forage peanut. Materials and methods. Different levels of forage peanut (0.0, 20.0, 40.0, 60.0, and 80.0% on FM basis) were added to elephant grass silages. A completely randomized design was adopted, with 5 treatments and 3 repetitions, totaling 15 experimental silos that were opened after 30 days of sealing. Fermentative profile, proximate composition, and aerobic stability were evaluated. Results. The increase in the forage peanut levels in the elephant grass silages promoted a increasing on porosity, permeability, density, and pH (p<0.001). A 0.58 reduction in Flieg index for every 1% forage peanut added to the elephant grass silage was observed (p<0.001). The sum of the silage temperature difference compared to the environment (p=0.032) and aerobic stability (p<0.001) showed a quadratic effect. The forage peanut inclusion in elephant grass silages reduced the dry matter, organic matter, neutral and acid detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, and total carbohydrates (p<0.05) and increased the mineral matter, crude protein, lignin, non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total digestible nutrients (p<0.05). Conclusions. Under the experimental conditions, recommend the inclusion of up to 40% forage peanut combined with elephant grass to compose mixed silages, due to the better fermentative dynamic, nutritional profile, and aerobic stability.

Digital descriptors sharpen classical descriptors, for improving genebank accession management: A case study on Arachis spp. and Phaseolus spp.

High-throughput phenotyping brings new opportunities for detailed genebank accessions characterization based on image-processing techniques and data analysis using machine learning algorithms. Our work proposes to improve the characterization processes of bean and peanut accessions in the CIAT genebank through the identification of phenomic descriptors comparable to classical descriptors including methodology integration into the genebank workflow. To cope with these goals morphometrics and colorimetry traits of 14 bean and 16 forage peanut accessions were determined and compared to the classical International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) descriptors. Descriptors discriminating most accessions were identified using a random forest algorithm. The most-valuable classification descriptors for peanuts were 100-seed weight and days to flowering, and for beans, days to flowering and primary seed color. The combination of phenomic and classical descriptors increased the accuracy of the classification of Phaseolus and Arachis accessions. Functional diversity indices are recommended to genebank curators to evaluate phenotypic variability to identify accessions with unique traits or identify accessions that represent the greatest phenotypic variation of the species (functional agrobiodiversity collections). The artificial intelligence algorithms are capable of characterizing accessions which reduces costs generated by additional phenotyping. Even though deep analysis of data requires new skills, associating genetic, morphological and ecogeographic diversity is giving us an opportunity to establish unique functional agrobiodiversity collections with new potential traits.

First record of Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood, 1912) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Arachis spp. (Fabaceae) in Brazil

The objective of this work was to establish the first record of Caliothrips phaseoli (Hood, 1912) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae); in forage peanut accessions in the state of Acre, Brazil. The specimens were collected directly from the leaves of infested plants grown in pots and under greenhouse conditions, preserved in 70 % ethyl alcohol, and mounted on slides to later be observed under a microscope. Caliothrips phaseoli is a polyphagous species considered an important pest in bean and soybean crops in Brazil. The insect feeds on forage peanuts causes chlorosis on the leaves and delays the development of infested plants, although no mortality was verified.

Carbohydrates and protein digestive traits in beef cattle grazing fertilised or mixed tropical pasture

ABSTRACT This study was performed to investigate the nitrogen (N) and carbohydrate digestive traits of grazing heifers. The experiment was carried out at the Federal University of Lavras. The treatments were a Marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha [Syn, Brachiaria brizantha] Stapf. A. Rich. cv. Marandu) monoculture fertilised with 150 kg N/[ha ∙ year] (FP) or Marandu palisadegrass mixed pasture with forage peanut (MP). The pastures were grazed by six rumen-cannulated zebu heifers. A double cross-over design was used in four periods. Nutritive value, intake and apparent digestibility of forage, ruminal traits and kinetics and N balance were evaluated. Apparent total-tract digestibility of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were greater for FP than for MP. There was no effect in apparent total-tract digestibility of N. The estimated intestinal digestibility of nutrients was greater on MP than FP. Even though N intake and faecal N output were greater on MP than FP, there was no effect in urine N output. The N balance tended to be greater on MP than FP. The forage peanut, which contains condensed tannins, decreased ruminal fibre degradation, apparent digestibility and ruminal protein degradation, increased N flow from the rumen. Inclusion of forage peanut in the mixed pasture decreased the ruminal fibre degradability but increased N retention by the animals.

Methods for seedling production and establishment of forage peanut in an intercropping with BRS Tamani grass

Methods for seedling production and establishment of forage peanut in an intercropping with BRS Tamani grass

Acceptability of Rhizoma Peanut Forage by Horses and Its Benefits on Feeding Behavior

Rhizoma peanut hay has been demonstrated to benefit horses’ feeding behavior with reduced inactive time, which can result in lower risk for abnormal behaviors in stabled horses. This publication is intended to provide information to Extension agents, horse owners, and equine facility managers. Written by C. Vasco, J. Dubeux, E. Santos, C. Wickens, and L. Warren, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences, October 2023.

Do regrowth age and microbial inoculant usage affect the microbial diversity and fermentation characteristics of forage peanut silage?

AbstractThis study evaluated the fermentation characteristics, microbial diversity, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of forage peanut silage harvested at two regrowth ages and treated with microbial inoculants at different fermentation periods. A randomized block design was used, with two regrowth ages (R; 40 and 80 days), three microbial inoculants (I; control without inoculant [CTRL], strain AV14.17—Lactiplantibacillus pentosus strain AV14.17 [ISO], and commercial inoculant [CI] Sil‐All 4 × 4 (Lallemand Animal Nutrition®, Patos de Minas‐MG, Brazil), and four storage time (ST; 3, 14, 30, and 60 days after ensiling) arranged in a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial scheme, with four replications. The R × I × ST interaction had a significant effect (p ≤ .05) on the ammoniacal nitrogen content in relation to total nitrogen (NH3‐N/ total N) and on the yeast population. The I × ST interaction also had a significant effect (p ≤ .05) on pH, soluble carbohydrate, NH3‐N/total N, lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi. Inoculated silages with ISO and CI showed lower pH and NH3‐N/total N values, as well as lower abundance of enterobacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi. In silages inoculated with ISO, the relative abundance of genus Lactiplantibacillus was high and that of genus Enterobacter was low. Silages inoculated with ISO and CI showed predominance of the family Lactobacillaceae. The data support the recommendation to ensile forage peanut at both regrowth ages (40 and 80 days) associated with microbial inoculant application to promote improvements in the fermentation characteristics of the silage and a greater abundance of genus Lactiplantibacillus.

Sigmoid models in the description of CO₂ evolved from legumes in the soil

The decomposition of legumes in the soil over time can be described by nonlinear sigmoid models. Thus, this study aimedto describe and to compare the fit of the nonlinear sigmoid models, Logistic and Gompertz, to the CO2 mineralization of fourlegume species over time in the soil, and indicate the most suitable model. Furthermore, it is also proposed to evaluate the CO2mineralization of legumes from two different edaphoclimatic conditions when added to the soil under controlled temperatureand humidity conditions. The following legume species used in green manure were evaluated: Arachis pintoi (forage peanut),Calopogonium mucunoides (calopo), Stylosanthes guianensis (Caribbean stylo), and Stizolobium aterrimum (mucuna). Arandomized block design with four replications was used. The soils from both areas are classified as Red-Yellow Latosol andhave a clayey texture. The mineralized carbon was measured at 48, 96, 144, 192, 240, 312, 384, and 480 hours fromthe beginning of incubation. Legumes in different locations had the same amount of potentially mineralizable carbon, andmicroorganisms had the same adaptation time to reach the maximum decomposition rate. The maximum decompositionrate occurs at the beginning of mineralization, and therefore the Gompertz model was more suitable than the Logistic modelin describing the decomposition of the four legumes in the soil.

Arachis species: High‐quality forage crops—nutritional properties and breeding strategies to expand their utilization and feeding value

AbstractPlants of the genus Arachis originated from South America and are cultivated worldwide. The genus Arachis contains 83 species and nine intrageneric taxonomic sections. The cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) belongs to the Arachis section, the forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W. C. Greg.) belongs to the Caulorrhizae section, and the perennial peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) belongs to the Rhizomatosae section. These three peanut species have been developed for use as fodder crops. This review summarizes the forage value of Arachis species. Forage and perennial peanuts can be intercropped with forage species to feed livestock. The cultivated peanut vines and peanut by‐products, such as peanut skins and peanut meal, are also high‐quality fodder used to feed sheep, cattle, and poultry. A major limiting factor in terms of adopting forage and perennial peanuts as forage crops is their limited resistance to frosts, resulting from their low winter hardiness. Therefore, the feeding value of cultivated peanuts is higher compared to forage and perennial peanuts. This review suggests that Arachis is a suitable forage crop, focusing on their nutritional properties and breeding to increase their performance under cultivation and feeding value.

Forage peanut genetic variability: Multi-trait selection for forage production and ornamental purposes

The selection of superior genotypes considering several traits simultaneously allows the release of more adapted, productive, and nutritive cultivars. To select forage peanut genotypes for use as animal feed and for ornamental purposes, 67 genotypes were evaluated. Twelve agronomic and nutritive value traits were evaluated in three temporally separated trials: a randomized complete block design. The mixed model method (Restricted Maximum Likelihood/Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (REML/BLUP)) was employed for estimating genetic parameters and predicting genotypic values, which were used in the selection indexes. The selection criteria considered vegetative and seed propagation traits corresponding to the use of forage peanut as animal feed and for ornamental purposes. Seed productivity was also evaluated and correlated with other traits. Genetic variability with high heritability in seed production was observed. Plant vigor, ground cover, and dry matter yield were negatively correlated with seed production. Among the genotypes evaluated, there is a possibility of selecting 14 and 16 genotypes corresponding to seed propagation for animal feed and ornamental purposes, respectively. For vegetative propagation, there are 16 and 14 promising genotypes for animal feed and ornamental purposes, respectively. Vegetatively propagated genotypes generally performed better in terms of agronomic traits related to feed production.

Forage accumulation and nutritive value of four peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) market types in the US Southern Great Plains

AbstractDual use crops are becoming popular as resources like land and water become scarcer. Annual peanuts are an important food crop grown worldwide that can also be used as forage or hay. Replicated trials evaluated the late season (≥15 weeks after planting) forage accumulations and nutritive values (acid detergent fiber, carbon content, crude protein, invitro true digestibility, neutral detergent fiber, nitrogen content, and relative feed value) of four market types near Clovis, NM and El Reno, OK in 2019 and 2020. Statistical analyses (p ≤ .05) showed all traits were affected by the interaction between market type and growing environment. Overall, forage accumulations for all market types ranged from 2.7 to 6.5 Mg ha−1 with relative feed values of 107–155. The location average across sites was 4.45 Mg ha−1 with relative feed value of 132. The Virginia market types produced large amounts of biomass. However, the Valencia market type generated the greatest nutritive values. This study indicates harvesting late‐season biomass of peanuts for hay may be an option that allows producers to generate more income from limited land and water resources. However, both market type and environmental factors, such as rainfall/irrigation, play important roles in production and forage nutritive values of peanut forage.

Can N2 fixation by forage legumes build soil organic matter to rival fertilizer N in a tropical forest biome?

Fertilization of pastures with nitrogen (N) can increase animal productivity and may also increase the stocks of soil carbon (C). Recently stoloniferous forage legumes have been used to develop productive sustainable mixed pastures in the Atlantic forest biome. The objective of this study was to compare the impact over 24 years on soil C and N stocks of a productive N-fertilized pasture of Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu with a mixed forage peanut (Arachis pintoi)-Marandu grass pasture introduced 8 years after an N-fertilized elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum) pasture. The pastures were rotationally stocked by Nellore cattle a green-forage allowance equivalent to 4% of body weight and animal performance was continuously monitored. Soil samples were taken at the start of the study and after 8 and 24 years of grazing and analyzed for total C and N and 13C abundance. In 8 years, the stocks of soil organic matter (SOM – 0-30 cm) increased by 4.4 Mg C and 0.58 Mg N ha−1 under the elephantgrass pasture and by 10.4 Mg C and 1.23 Mg N ha−1 under the Marandu grass pasture, both fertilized with 160 kg N ha−1 yr−1. Over the subsequent 16 years, SOM stocks under the Marandu grass fertilized with 120 kg N ha−1 and the mixed forage peanut-Marandu pasture which replaced elephantgrass attained similar stocks of soil C of 51.8 and 52.5 Mg C ha−1 respectively, approximately 12 Mg C greater than under the native vegetation. The 13C abundance of the soil samples indicated that the C4 grass roots made an insignificant contribution to soil C below 30 cm depth. The results show that the N2-fixing forage peanut was just as effective in accumulating SOM as an annual application of 120 kg N fertilizer ha−1 and indicated that after 24 years of these pastures there was little further SOM accumulation.

Biochar and Forage Peanut improve pastures: Evidence from a field experiment in Brazil

Pasturelands, often degraded, represent most of the converted lands globally. It is important to understand how different pasture management approaches can improve soil quality, increase feed production and farmer income. Here, the impact of different soil enhancers on soil quality and productivity of three cultivars of Brachiaria (Syn. Urochloa) forage grass is presented. Soil enhancers included: biochar - a carbon-rich product from biomass pyrolysis, moinha (local charcoal residue), traditional fertiliser containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, lime, and forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo). Considering the total biomass produced over the experiment (sum of four harvests), the highest dry biomass production was observed for Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã (14.1 Mg ha−1) and cv. Marandu (12.7 Mg ha−1), for biochar application of 30 Mg ha−1. Paiaguás had the highest dry matter production (12.4 Mg ha−1) for the treatment with forage peanut plus 15 Mg ha−1 of biochar. The increases in dry mass production translated to additional income, as compared with the control, of U$ 1 291, U$ 1 183 and U$ 991 per year for Marandu, Piatã and Paiaguás, respectively. The increases in forage grass productivity were reflected by positive changes in soil characteristics such as improvement in cation exchange capacity, pH and nutrient contents. Improved management of tropical pasturelands holds opportunity for more sustainable food production, and for ecosystem services protection and recuperation, for example, biodiversity net-gain, water regulation and carbon sequestration.

Morphogenic, structural, and chemical characteristics of Brachiaria grass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf.) pastures in monoculture and intercropped with forage peanut under two grazing intensities

The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphogenic, structural, and chemical characteristics of Brachiaria grass (Urochloa decumbens) intercropped with forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) under three-row spacings (40, 50, and 60 cm) and two post-grazing residual heights (5 and 15 cm). The experiment was performed in a randomized block design with a factorial scheme (3 x 2) with four replicates. The structural and morphogenic characteristics were considered in a factorial scheme (3 × 2) + 1 (an additional treatment of Brachiaria grass in monoculture). Chemical characteristics sampled by cutting and by hand plucking were evaluated. Brachiaria grass had the highest crude protein (CP) content at 5 cm, whereas forage peanut had the highest CP content at 15 cm in the first year, however, there was no difference in the second year. Compared to monoculture, intercropping resulted in lower final stem size, a greater number of live leaves, and increases in the following metrics: leaf elongation rate, final leaf size, and leaf life duration, most consistently with 5 cm residual height in the second year. The forage peanut improved the morphogenic and structural characteristics of Brachiaria grass primarily when managed at 5 cm post-grazing height, regardless of row spacing.

Light competition is the key factor determining spatio-temporal variability in legume proportion within Marandu palisadegrass–forage peanut mixed pastures

Context Understanding ecology in grass–legume pastures can help support strategies aimed at maintaining canopy stability in terms of botanical composition. Aims This 2-year study evaluated spatial variability, focusing on plant structural characteristics in a Marandu palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. Ex A. Rich.) R.D. Webster cv. Marandu]–forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. and W.C. Greg. cv. BRS Mandobi) mixed canopy under grazing in continuous stocking management. Methods The pasture was managed with canopy height of 20–25 cm. The experimental area had a permanent sample grid containing 50 pre-established and georeferenced plots. Principal component analysis was performed, and spatial dependence structure of the first principal component and structural variables were separately characterised by geostatistical analysis. Key results There was spatial dependence of the structural characteristics, with marked spatial heterogeneity in the distribution of all variables. Taller grass canopies caused competition for light between species, reducing legume contribution and inducing more erect forage peanut growth habit. Conversely, in areas with lower grass canopy height, forage peanut botanical composition increased to up to 70%, as it propagated more effectively by stoloniferous propagation. Conclusions The canopy structure spatial variability of a Marandu palisadegrass–forage peanut mixed pasture determines the overall average pasture grass/legume proportion. In regions with taller canopies, Marandu palisadegrass was favoured, while in areas with shorter canopy, forage peanut proportion was promoted. Satisfactory legume proportions can be reached in the canopy despite areas with reduced legume contribution. Implications Our findings using geostatistical techniques facilitate the development of useful and innovative tools allowing better comprehension for the management of mixed pastures.

Highlighting the benefits of biological nitrogen fixation on agronomic, physiological, and nutritive value traits of brachiariagrass

The search for efficiency in forage-based systems has intensified in recent years, increasing the need to reduce environmental impacts of animal agriculture. Reducing the dependence on fossil fuels for nitrogen (N) input with the use of microorganisms (e.g., biological nitrogen fixation, BNF) and grass-legume mixed stands has become an important practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate N input strategies that affect the agronomic, physiological, and nutritive value traits of Ipyporã brachiariagrass (Brachiaria hybrid ‘BRS RB331 Ipyporã’) based on the use of mineral N fertilization (ammonium sulfate), bacterial inoculation (Azospirillum brasilense strains Ab-V5 and Ab-V6; CNPSo), and mixed stands with forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krapov. & W.C. Greg. cv. BRS Mandobi) in the Amazon biome. The treatments were six N-input strategies: 1. pastures with no nitrogen fertilization (control); 2. fertilized with 80 kg N ha-1 season-1 (N); 3. inoculated with A. brasilense (Az); 4. fertilized with 80 kg N ha-1 season-1 + A. brasilense (N + Az); 5. mixed stand of Ipyporã brachiariagrass and forage peanut (Mix) and 6. mixed stand + A. brasilense (Mix+Az). The experimental period was from 20 January 2015–21 March 2017, covering three summer growing seasons. Forage was cut to a 12-cm stubble when average canopy height reached 25 cm. Annual forage accumulation (FA) was greater in N, Az, N + Az, and Mix+Az (averaged 7760 kg DM ha-1) than in Control and Mix (averaged 6485 kg DM ha-1). The FA measured in Az and Mix+Az was equivalent to applying 58 and 86 kg of N ha-1, respectively when compared with Control. The greatest leaf mass was measured in N, Az, N + Az, and Mix+Az (averaged 1475 kg DM ha-1). The Az and Mix+Az can be options to improve the sustainability of forage systems and maintain forage production while using renewable sources for nitrogen.

Description of Porphyrosela arachisella sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae), the first report of Lithocolletinae for Brazil

During a recent survey of leaf-mining microlepidoptera in the Cerrado biome, mines of an undescribed Porphyrosela Braun (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae: Lithocolletinae) were found associated with the forage peanut, Arachis pintoi Krapov. W.C. Greg. (Fabaceae). Consequently, adults, immature stages and the leaf mine of Porphyrosela arachisella sp. nov. are herein described based on light and scanning electron microscopy. A preliminary analysis of DNA barcode sequences including putative members of other lithocolletine species and all BINs (Barcode Index Numbers) available for Porphyrosela supports P. arachisella as an independent cluster, with 8 to 11% divergence. Its nearest neighbour was the cluster formed by three BINs (BOLD: ADT2137, BOLD: AAG1161 and BOLD: ADU9985) that includes specimens from Australia, Vietnam and Bangladesh. This is the first report of a lithocolletine gracillariid for Brazil, and the third species recognized for the genus in the Neotropical region.