Pennisetum Purpureum Cv Research Articles

EFFECTS OF BRACHIARIA GRASSES ON SOIL MICROBIAL BIOMASS CARBON, NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS IN SOILS OF THE SEMI ARID TROPICS OF KENYA

<p>A study was conducted to investigate the changes in microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) following cultivation of Brachiaria grasses in semi-arid region of Kenya. The Brachiaria grass cultivars included<em> Brachiaria decumbens </em>cv. Basilisk, <em>B. brizantha</em> cvs Marandu, MG4, Piatã and Xaraes, <em>B. humidicola</em> cv. Llanero and <em>B. </em>hybrid cv. Mulato II which were compared with two locally cultivated forage grasses (<em>Chloris gayana cv. </em>KAT R3 and <em>Pennisetum purpureum cv. </em>Kakamega 1) and a bare plot (negative check). The grass treatments were evaluated with fertilizers application (40 kg P applied at sowing and 50 kg N ha<sup>-1</sup> in each wet season) and with no fertilizer applications. Microbial biomass C, N and P were determined on field moist rhizosphere soil (18-23% by weight) from a depth of 10 cm. Microbial biomass was influenced (p < 0.01) by grass cultivars and N and P fertilizers. Generally, microbial biomass N was higher in plots with grasses than in the bare plots. A significant enrichment of organic matter was noted in the microbial biomass when Brachiaria grasses are grown with N and P fertilizers. Among Brachiaria cultivars, the highest microbial biomass C was recorded in plots with cv. Mulato II and the lowest from the plots with cv. MG4. Brachiaria grasses with fertilizers application accumulated the highest microbial C and N compared to grasses without fertilizers, but no interaction was observed between fertilizer and grass cultivars. The cv. Marandu had the highest microbial biomass N (21.2 mg N kg<sup>-1</sup>) in fertilizer treatments whereas cv. Mulato II hybrid had the highest microbial N (14.6 mg N kg<sup>-1</sup>) in no fertilizer treatments. </p>

Supplementation with Ca salts of soybean oil interacts with concentrate level in grazing dairy cows: intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal parameters.

In this study, we investigated the associative effects of concentrate levels and Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) supplementation on performance and ruminal parameters of mid-lactation dairy cows grazing on tropical pasture. Twenty-four Jersey × Holstein cows were used in a randomized block design and assigned to four treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Factors evaluated were concentrate levels (low, 3kg/day vs. high, 7kg/day of concentrate) and CSSO supplementation (without CSSO vs. with 250g CSSO cow/day). All cows grazed on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cameroon) and received the supplemental treatments for a 90-day period. The high concentrate level decreased forage intake and grazing time. In addition, the high concentrate level increased rumen propionate concentration and microbial synthesis and tended to decrease ammonia-N compared with low concentrate level. The addition of CSSO tended to decrease valerate, isobutyrate, isovalerate, and microbial synthesis. In conclusion, feeding CSSO for mid lactating cows grazing on tropical pasture had negative effects on rumen function. In contrast, CSSO supplementation tended to interact with concentrate level and increased energy intake when fed at low concentrate level. Feeding the high level of concentrate was an effective strategy to increase energy intake and microbial synthesis and improve N utilization.

Supplementation with Ca salts of soybean oil interacts with concentrate level in grazing dairy cows: milk production and milk composition.

In this study, we investigated the associative effects of concentrate levels and Ca salts of soybean oil (CSSO) supplementation on milk production, milk composition, and milk fatty acids of mid-lactation dairy cows grazing on tropical pasture. Twenty-four Jersey × Holstein cows were used in a randomized block design and assigned to four treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Factors evaluated were concentrate levels (low, 3kg/day vs. high, 7kg/day of concentrate) and CSSO supplementation (without CSSO vs. with 250g CSSO cow/day). All cows grazed on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cameroon) and received the supplemental treatments for a 90-day period. Interactions between concentrate level and CSSO were detected for milk yield, milk yield components, energy-corrected milk (ECM) and 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM). Milk yield increased when CSSO was fed in a low concentrate level, while it decreased milk production in a high concentrate level. Yields of fat, protein, lactose, 3.5% FCM, and ECM were not affected with CSSO in the low concentrate, but reduced in the high concentrate level. CSSO increased proportions of monounsaturated milk FA, C18:2 trans-10 cis-12, and polyunsaturated FA, and reduced proportions of saturated milk FA in milk. In conclusion, feeding the high level of concentrate was an effective strategy to improve milk yield and solid production. CSSO supplementation increased milk production when fed at low concentrate level but did not affect yield of solids.

The effect of fibrolytic enzyme, Lactobacillus plantarum and two food antioxidants on the fermentation quality, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene of high moisture napier grass silage ensiled at different temperatures

Alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene of forage are antioxidants and play important roles in the immune system of ruminants. Fermentation quality, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene of high moisture napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) ensiled without or with additives (fibrolytic enzyme, EN; Lactobacillus plantarum, LP; tert-butylhydroquinone, TBHQ; tea polyphenols, TP) at 15°C, 30°C and 45°C were examined in the present study. After ensiling for 70days, untreated silages had lower (P<0.05) pH, butyric acid and ammonia-N content at 15°C and 45°C than at 30°C. Compared with untreated silage, EN and LP lowered (P<0.05) pH and increased (P<0.05) lactic acid content at 15°C, 30°C and 45°C; TBHQ lowered ammonia-N content (P<0.05) at 15°C, lowered (P<0.05) pH and butyric acid content at 30°C, and lowered (P<0.05) acetic acid and ammonia-N content at 45°C; TP lowered (P<0.05) pH at 15°C and lowered (P<0.05) lactic acid content at 30°C. Especially at 30°C, TP had the highest (P<0.05) acetic acid and butyric acid content among all silages. Napier grass ensiled at 30°C had higher (P<0.05) alpha-tocopherol content than before ensiling. Napier grass ensiled at 30°C and 45°C had higher (P<0.05) alpha-tocopherol content than ensiled at 15°C. EN and TP had lower (P<0.05) alpha-tocopherol content than untreated silage at 15°C, 30°C and 45°C. Napier grass ensiled at 15°C, 30°C and 45°C had lower (P<0.05) beta-carotene content than it before ensiling. Napier grass ensiled at 30°C had higher (P<0.05) beta-carotene content than ensiled at 15°C and 45°C. Additives-treated silages had lower (P<0.05) beta-carotekne contents than untreated silage at 15°C, 30°C and 45°C, except for TBHQ at 45°C (P<0.05). In conclusion, fermentation qualities of untreated and treated silages were better at 15°C and 45°C (V-score>99) than at 30°C (V-score<96). Compared with untreated silage (V-score=78.5) at 30°C, EN, LP and TBHQ improved fermentation quality (V-score>83), and TP lowered fermentation quality (V-score=74.5). Silage ensiled at 30°C increased alpha-tocopherol content and lost beta-carotene slightly. Additives did not reduce alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene loss at any temperature, except for TBHQ ensiled at 45°C. The interactions between additives and preservation temperatures indicated that TP ensiled at 30°C had the poorest fermentation quality, LP and TBHQ ensiled at 30°C had lower alpha-tocopherol loss, and TBHQ and TP ensiled at 30°C had lower beta-carotene loss. TBHQ might be a valuable additive to ensile napier grass at 15°C, 30°C and 45°C, and to reduce beta-carotene loss of napier grass silage at 45°C.

Swine wastewater treatment using vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland planted with Napier grass

Abstract This research aims to investigate the pollutant removal efficiencies in swine wastewater using a vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VSF CW) planted with two species of Napier grass. The grass productivities were also cultivated and compared in order to provide information for species selection. Twelve treatment units were set up with the VSF CWs planted with Giant Napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum cv. King grass) and Dwarf Napier grass ( Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott.) with 2 and 5 cm d −1 of hydraulic loading rates (HLR). Comparisons of removal efficiency and grass productivity were analyzed using Duncan's Multiple Range Test and t-test at the significant level 0.05. Both species of Napier grass performed more than 70% of removal efficiency of BOD and TKN. The VSF CW planted with Giant Napier grass at 5 cm d −1 HLR performed the highest BOD removal efficiency of 94 ± 1%, while the 2 cm d −1 HLR removed COD with efficiency of 64 ± 6%. The results also showed the effluent from all treatment units contained averages of BOD, COD, TSS, TKN and pH that followed Thailand's swine wastewater quality standard. Average fresh yields and dry yields were between 4.6 ± 0.4 to 15.2 ± 1.2 and 0.5 ± 0.1 to 2.2 ± 0.1 kg m −2 , respectively. The dry yields obtained from four cutting cycles in five months of CW system operation were higher than the ones planted with a traditional method, but declined continuously after each cutting cycle. Both species of Napier grass indicated their suitability to be used in the VSF CW for swine wastewater treatment.

Herbage intake, methane emissions and animal performance of steers grazing dwarf elephant grass v. dwarf elephant grass and peanut pastures

Management strategies for increasing ruminant legume consumption and mitigating methane emissions from tropical livestock production systems require further study. The aim of this work was to evaluate the herbage intake, animal performance and enteric methane emissions of cattle grazing dwarf elephant grass (DEG) (Pennisetum purpureum cv. BRS Kurumi) alone or DEG with peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo). The experimental treatments were the following: DEG pastures receiving nitrogen fertilization (150 kg N/ha as ammonium nitrate) and DEG intercropped with peanut plus an adjacent area of peanut that was accessible to grazing animals for 5 h/day (from 0700 to 1200 h). The animals grazing legume pastures showed greater average daily gain and herbage intake, and shorter morning and total grazing times. Daily methane emissions were greater from the animals grazing legume pastures, whereas methane emissions per unit of herbage intake did not differ between treatments. Allowing animals access to an exclusive area of legumes in a tropical grass-pasture-based system can improve animal performance without increasing methane production per kg of dry matter intake.

Produção de leite com vacas mestiças em capim-elefante

A trial was carried out with objective of identifying economical sources of alimentary supplementation for cows milk in exclusive feeding regime of elephant-grass pasture (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Napier), submitted to the fertilization and irrigation. The experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments: T1 = cows grazing exclusively in elephant-grass pasture; T2 = T1 + bank of leucena protein and T3 = T1 + concentrated ration, supplied in the amount of 1 kg for each 3 kg of milk produced above 5 kg. The largest production milk was obtained of the animals of T3 (11.11 kg of milk/cow/day and 3,594.08 kg of milk/cow/lactation), followed by T2 (9.19 kg of milk/cow/day and 2,740.15 kg of milk/cow/lactation) and T1 (8.54 milk/cow/day kg and 2,520.36 milk/cow/lactation kg). The lower profitability was obtained with cows grazing elephant-grass supplemented with concentrates.

PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN DEDAK PADI DAN TEPUNG JAGUNG TERHADAP KUALITAS FISIK SILASE RUMPUT GAJAH (Pennisetum purpureumcv.Hawaii)

ABSTRACT EFFECT OF THE ADDITION OF RICE BRAN AND CORN FLOUR ON THE PHYSICAL QUALITY OF ENSILAGE ELEPHANT GRASS (Pennisetum purpureumcv.Hawaii). The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of the addition of rice bran and corn flour on the physical quality of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Hawaii)silage.The present study used elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Hawaii)in the ensilage process. Rice bran and corn flour were then added to the elephant grass in the ensilage processing. The present study used Completely Randomized Design with 7 treatments and 5 replications. The treatments were formulated as follow: R0 = elephant grass 100%; R1 = elephant grass + 8% rice bran; R2 = elephant grass + 12% rice bran; R3 = elephant grass + 8% corn flour; R4 = elephant grass + 12% corn flour; R5 = elephant grass + 4% rice bran + 4% corn flour; R6 = elephantgrass + 6% rice bran + 6% corn flour. The variables measured were physical quality of elephant grass silage, including: texture, color, and aroma. The research results showed that the addition of rice bran and corn flour did not significantly affect (P&gt;0,01) ensilage color and aroma, but significantly affect (P&lt;0,01) the texture of the ensilage. It can be concluded that the addition of 8% rice bran gave the best result on theensilage textureof elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Hawaii). Keywords : Elephant Grass, Ensilage, Rice Bran, Corn Flour, Physical Quality

Evaluation of external markers to estimate fecal excretion, intake, and digestibility in dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to compare the use of an external marker titanium dioxide (TiO₂) as an alternative to chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) in dairy cows. Four dairy cows were allocated in individual pens and fed concentrate supplement and Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cameroon cut daily. Fecal excretion, forage and total dry matter (DM) intakes, and digestibility were measured and estimated with TiO₂ and Cr₂O₃. Chromic oxide overestimated and TiO₂ tended to overestimate fecal excretion compared with total fecal collection. Forage and total DM intakes were overestimated by Cr₂O₃. The apparent DM digestibility was underestimated by Cr₂O₃ and TiO₂. The organic matter (OM) digestibility was underestimated by both markers. There were greater mean bias, mean squared prediction error, and root of the mean squared prediction errors for all parameters estimated with Cr₂O₃. In conclusion, estimates using TiO₂ were more precise and accurate indicating that it can replace Cr₂O₃ as an external marker for grazing dairy cows.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PUPUK N-P-K TERHADAP HASIL BAHAN KERING DAN PROTEIN KASAR RUMPUT Brachiaria humidicola cv. Tully dan Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott

THE EFFECT OF N-P-K FERTILIZER ON THE YIELD OF DRY MATTER AND CRUDE PROTEIN OF GRASS (Brachiaria humidicola cv. Tully and Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott.). This research was done to evaluate the effect of macro elements N-P-K on the dry matter and crude protein yield of grass (Brachiaria humidicola cv. Tully and Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott). The research used combination of N-P-K fertilizer. The treatments were arranged in factorial design based on the Completely Randomized Design with two factors, three treatments and four replications. The factor A was applied for testing different grass of Brachiaria humidicola cv. Tully (a1), and Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott (a2). The factor B was fertilizer combination of N (b1), NP (b2), and NPK (b3). Variables observed were dry matter and crude protein. The results of variance analysis showed that treatment affected significantly (P &lt;0.05) dry matter and crude protein. Application of factor A indicated that both grasses had positively response to the application of N-P-K fertilizer measured on the yield of dry matter and crude protein. Keywords: N-P-K Fertilizer, Dry Matter, Protein, Brachiaria humidicola cv. Tully and Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott.

Herbage intake, methane emissions and animal performance of steers grazing dwarf elephant grass with or without access to Arachis pintoi pastures

The inclusion of legumes in diets based on grass has nutritional benefits due to ingestive and digestive interactions (Niderkorn and Baumont 2009). Moreover, it is speculated that tropical legumes can contribute to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) compared with diets exclusively composed of grasses (Archimede et al. 2011). However, under grazing conditions, these advantages are not always possible to obtain. This occurs when the spatial distribution of sward grasses limits access to legumes by grazing animals (Solomon et al. 2011). This can be the case, for example, when legumes are overlapped by the leaves of a tufted tall grass like dwarf elephant grass (Crestani et al. 2013). Considering that management strategies for increasing legume percentage in the diet of grazing animals should be investigated and data on enteric methane emitted by ruminants eating tropical forages are scarce, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effects on herbage intake, animal performance and enteric methane emissions of providing access to an exclusive area of forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) for cattle grazing dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. BRS Kurumi).

Biogas Production from Co-digestion of Pennisetum Pururem cv. Pakchong 1 Grass and Layer Chicken Manure Using Completely Stirred Tank

In this research, the production of biogas from co-digestion of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Pakchong1 grass and layer chicken manure using completely stirred tank was investigated. The experiment was defined to examine effect of the change in carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratios and the organic loading rates (OLRs) on biogas production and system steady-state performance. Primary analyses suggested that an approximate content of grass and manure was 50: 50% by weight to achieve C/N ratio of 20 and 70: 30% by weight for C/N ratio of 30 respectively. The experimental reactor was set to operate at a fixed total solid content of 4% with two cases of C/N ratio at four different OLRs of 1.1, 1.4, 1.7 and 2.2kg VS/(m3.d). Each condition was operated for 1.5 time of reactor retention time. The result suggested that maximum steady-state methane yield of 0.27 ± 0.01 L CH4/kg VSadded can be achieved at C/N ratio of 20 with OLR of 1.1kg VS/(m3.d). Moreover, the results also suggested that methane yield decreased for an increase in OLR. Nonetheless, the work presented herein can provide an insight information for design and operation optimization according to economical investment analysis.

Steers performance in dwarf elephant grass pastures alone or mixed with Arachis pintoi

The inclusion of legumes in pasture reduces the need for mineral nitrogen applications and the pollution of groundwater; however, the agronomic and animal husbandry advantages with tropical legumes are still little known. The objective of this study was to quantify the effect of the use of forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Amarillo) in dwarf elephant grass pastures (Pennisetum purpureum cv. BRS Kurumi) on forage intake and animal performance. The experimental treatments were dwarf elephant grass fertilized with 200 kg N/ha, and dwarf elephant grass mixed with forage peanut without mineral fertilizers. The animals used for the experiment were 12 Charolais steers (body weight (BW) = 288 ± 5.2 kg) divided into four lots (two per treatment). Pastures were managed under intermittent stocking with an herbage allowance of 5.4 kg dry matter of green leaves/100 kg BW. Dry matter intake (mean = 2.44 % BW), the average daily gain (mean = 0.76 kg), and the stocking rate (mean = 3.8 AU/ha) were similar between the studied pastures, but decreased drastically in last grazing cycle with the same herbage allowance. The presence of peanut in dwarf elephant grass pastures was enough to sustain the stocking rate, but did not allow increasing forage intake and animal performance.

Forages improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers with beef cattle in South Central Coastal Vietnam

In South Central Coastal Vietnam, on-farm research and farmer experience demonstrated the benefits of growing improved forages as a means of improving the year-round quantity and quality of feed available for smallholder beef cattle production. In Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Ninh Thuan provinces, 5 new forage species ( Panicum maximum cv. TD58 , Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II, Pennisetum purpureum cv. VA06, Paspalum atratum cv. Terenos and Stylosanthes guianensis cv. CIAT 184) were evaluated for yield and crude protein concentration. There was no consistent yield difference between locations for the forage grasses, but in Binh Dinh province P. maximum TD58 produced the highest yield. The grasses were comparable in crude protein concentration. Stylo CIAT 184 produced much less forage than the grasses but had a much higher crude protein concentration. All species have potential use, depending on the circumstances and site factors such as fertility, drainage and availability of irrigation. This work was expanded to a total of 45 farmers to gain feedback on farmer experience in growing different forages. The percentage of farmers who “liked” the introduced forages was Mulato II, 92%; TD58, 85%; VA06, 82%; Paspalum, 46%; and Stylo, 36%. By far the most important early socio-economic impact of developing perennial forage plots close to households was an average 50% reduction in the amount of labor and time that farmers spend supplying cut-and-carry forage to their animals. In addition, the growing of forages can meaningfully reduce the grazing pressure on common grazing lands, thereby lowering the potential for environmental degradation.

Nutritional value of some feedstuffs used in the diet of captive capybaras

Five pen-raised adult female capybaras were used in five digestibility trials in a Latin square design, to determine, for capybaras, the nutritional values of Cameroon grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Cameroon); Napier grass (P. purpureum cv. Napier); corn grain; cassava hay, comprising leaves and stems; and palm kernel (Elaeis guineensis) cake. These feedstuffs were provided separately or mixed, in a completely randomized manner, in different experimental periods. The digestibility of each feedstuff not supplied alone was estimated by difference. The animals were individually introduced in metabolism pens. Following a 10-day period of adaptation to each diet, feed intake was recorded and total fecal output was collected over five consecutive days. Energy, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities of Cameroon grass were, respectively, 0.88 (±0.07, standard deviation), 0.63 (±0.39) and 0.82 (±0.15). For Napier grass they were 0.84 (±0.05), 0.63 (±0.12) and 0.72 (±0.10); for corn grain, 0.92 (±0.05), 0.97 (±0.20) and 0.83 (±0.14); for cassava hay, 0.86 (±0.12), 0.84 (±0.14) and 0.43 (±0.16); and for palm kernel cake 0.94 (±0.05), 0.85 (±0.14), and 0.97 (±0.05). These digestibilities in capybaras were higher than the digestibilities of the same feedstuffs in other livestock. These results can be explained by the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the capybara, which lead to a high rate of nutrient digestion and absorption.

Dynamics of production and forage utilization on elephant grass pastures managed with different post-grazing heights

This study was conducted to evaluate the daily production of forage and its morphological components, as well as the potential of forage utilization in pastures of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Napier managed with three post-grazing heights (30, 50 and 70 cm). Two experiments were carried out: one from February to May 2009 and another from December 2009 to May 2010, characterizing months of summer and fall. The experimental design was of completely randomized blocks with three replicates. The grazing was performed by crossbred heifers of approximately 270 kg body weight, when the sward intercepted 95% of the incoming light. In both experiments, the pastures managed with post-grazing height of 30 cm, in the summer months (December to March), presented lower daily production of leaves and stems, as well as less daily leaf senescence, which resulted in lower daily forage production and accumulation in comparison with those managed at 70 and 50 cm. In the period from February to March 2009 (experiment 1) and December 2009 to March 2010 (experiment 2), pastures presented greater daily production of leaves and forage, greater daily forage accumulation and more daily leaf senescence in relation to the months of April and May 2009 and 2010. On the other hand, the daily production of stems was higher in the fall, in comparison with the summer. Therefore, elevation in the post-grazing height, especially in the summer, increases the regrowth vigor of elephant grass cv. Napier.

Aspectos qualitativos da silagem de capim-elefante com fubá de milho e casca de soja

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of corn meal and soybean hulls in silage Pennisetum purpureum cv. Roxo Botucatu. The experiment has adopted a completely randomized design in a split-plot, with seven treatments (elephant grass pure soy cone (5 and 10%) and corn meal (5 and 10%) alone or in joint same proportions totaling 5 to 10%), three open times and three replications. We used a randomized design in a split-plot, with seven treatments (elephant grass pure, soybean hulls (5 and 10%) and corn meal (5 and 10%) of isolated form or together in the same proportions totalizing 5 and 10%, three open times and three replications. There were used experimental silos made of bucket of 20 L. Silos were opened at 7, 14 and 28 days after ensiling, and evaluated the effluent losses, dry matter, pH, total titratable acidity (TTA) and aerobic stability of silage. The use of additives in ensiling reduced the effluent losses. Dry matter varied with the use of additives, obtaining higher values for the silage with 10% soybean hulls or corn meal, in relation to elephant grass pure silage. The results of pH present interaction between treatment and time of opening, with the desired values 7 days after ensiling.The breaking of aerobic stability occurred 48 hours after opening the silo for the treatments containing corn meal alone or together with soybean hulls for both levels. The use of corn meal, either individually or in combination with soybean hulls, was effective in improving the standard of silage fermentation elephant grass, however, additional care should be taken about management after opening the silo.

Fotossensibilização em ovinos associada à ingestão de Brachiaria brizantha no estado do Pará

Foram estudados dois surtos e realizado um experimento de fotossensibilização associada à ingestão por Brachiaria brizantha em ovinos mestiços de Santa Inês e Dorper, com idade variando de dois a três meses, em uma fazenda no município de Santa Luzia do Pará. Esses animais foram mantidos desde o nascimento até aproximadamente dois meses de idade, em apriscos suspensos do chão, recebendo capim-elefante roxo (Pennisetum purpureum cv. roxo), concentrado, sal mineral e água ad libitum. Após esse período foram introduzidos em um piquete de B. brizantha. Na ocasião dos surtos e do experimento a fazenda foi visitada para observação dos dados epidemiológicos, avaliação clínica dos animais, colheita de amostras de sangue para dosagem de GGT, AST, BD, BI, BT, ureia e creatinina e colheita de pastagem para pesquisa de Pithomyces chartarum e saponinas. Também foi realizada necropsia com colheita de material para estudo histológico. O surto 01 ocorreu na época de escassez de chuva, com taxa de morbidade e letalidade de 43,4% e 81,6%, respectivamente. O surto 02 aconteceu no início da época chuvosa, com taxas de morbidade e letalidade de 16,3% e 76,9%, respectivamente. Em ambos os surtos o capim encontrava-se com massa residual reduzida e senescente. Dos 50 animais do experimento, 10 receberam 200ml de fluido ruminal retirado de ovelhas mães do mesmo lote, a primeira administração foi feita um dia antes da introdução desses animais na pastagem, e mais duas subsequentes com intervalo de uma semana. Após 15 dias de pastejo, os animais começaram a apresentar inquietação, procura por sombra, edema nas orelhas, mucosas amareladas, apatia, anorexia e desprendimento da pele seguido por formação de crostas em algumas áreas do corpo. Tanto os animais dos surtos quanto do experimento apresentaram aumento nos níveis de GGT, AST, BD, BI, BT, ureia e creatinina. Os valores de ureia e GGT dos animais que receberam fluido ruminal e dos que não receberam foram semelhantes, já os valores de creatinina, AST e bilirrubinas foram menores nos animais que receberam fluido ruminal em comparação aos que não receberam. Foram determinados dois tipos de saponinas nas amostras de B. brizantha dos surtos e do experimento, a metilprotodioscina e a protodioscina. O nível de saponina no surto 01 e 02 foi 0,92% e 0,88%, respectivamente. Os níveis de saponinas no experimento variaram de 1,13% a 1,62%. A quantidade de Pithomyces chartarum, tanto nos surtos quanto no experimento, foi insignificante. Na necropsia foi verificada icterícia generalizada, fígado com consistência aumentada de coloração amarelada e com padrão lobular acentuado. Nos rins foi observada coloração amarelo-esverdeado e aumento de tamanho. As alterações histológicas ocorreram principalmente no fígado e consistiram de leve proliferação das vias biliares nos espaços porta, presença de hepatócitos binucleados, presença de macrófagos espumosos, necrose incipiente de hepatócitos isolados, colangite, presença de cristais em macrófagos e hepatócitos.

Silage quality whenMoringa oleiferais ensiled in mixtures with Elephant grass, sugar cane and molasses

AbstractFourteen different silages were prepared using mixtures of Moringa (Moringa oleifera), Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureumcv Taiwan) or sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum). Molasses from sugar cane was used in the amounts of either 10 or 50 g kg−1fresh matter (FM) in treatments without sugar cane. A completely randomized design with three replicates of each treatment was used. The silages were prepared in 1800 mL micro silos and opened after 120 d. The presence of Moringa and Elephant grass in the silage changed the pH by −0·8 and +0·7, respectively (P &lt; 0·001), indicating a favourable effect of Moringa on silage pH. Overall differences were found among treatments for dry matter content, crude protein and acetic acid concentrations, weight loss, CO2production and silage pH after spoilage (P &lt; 0·001). Weight loss was proportionately 0·034 and 0·014 in silages with and without sugar cane respectively (P &lt; 0·001). Overall, differences (P &lt; 0·05) were also found for neutral‐detergent fibre and lactic acid concentrations, lactic acid bacteria counts, clostridial counts and time to spoilage of the silages. Treatments containing Moringa had higher lactic acid concentrations (+16 g kg−1DM;P &lt; 0·01) compared to treatments without but the presence of Moringa decreased time to spoilage by 67 h (P &lt; 0·05). No differences were found in propionic acid concentration or fungal growth of the silages. It is concluded that Moringa can be used as a component of high quality silages which also contain high concentrations of crude protein.

Effect of Cutting Heights on Productivity and Quality of King Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. King Grass) under Irrigation

An experiment to study the effect of cutting heights on yield and nutritive values of King napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. King grass) was conducted on sandy loam, Korat soil series (Oxic Paleustults) under irrigation during June 2006 to November 2007 at Khon Kaen Animal Nutrition Development Research Center, Thailand. Four treatments of cutting height at 0 (T1), 5 (T2), 10 (T3) and 15 (T4) cm above ground level in randomized complete block design with 4 replications were employed. The results showed that the Total Dry Matter Yield (TDMY) and Average Dry Matter Yield (ADMY) (65,707.5, 67,070.0, 69,697.5 and 71,403.1 kg/ha/year ; 5,973.4, 6,096.4, 6,336.2 and 6,491.2 kg/ha/cut, respectively) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in T4 than T1. There were no significant differences in CP and DMD among treatments, ranging from 12.1-12.9 and 75.5-76.6%, respectively but the percentage of ADF, NDF and ash were highly significantly different (41.7-43.5, 64.6-66.2 and 13.1-14.7%), respectively. Based on this research, it can be concluded that cutting height can affect the forage DM yield and nutritive values of King Napier grass. Cutting 35 day interval at 15 cm height above ground level could be the optimal level for harvesting King Napier grass in Northeast of Thailand.