Acid Detergent Fiber Values Research Articles

Utjecaj komercijalnih inokulanata na kemijski sastav i fermentaciju silaže od lucerne

Krmne mahunarke teško se siliraju, pa je potrebno primijeniti starter-kulturu od odabranih sojeva bakterija mliječne kiseline koji podupiru proces siliranja i sprječavaju nepoželjne bakterijske maslačne fermentacije te time doprinose očuvanju i poboljšanju kvalitete silaže. Cilj istraživanja bio je procijeniti učinke komercijalnih inokulanata na kemijski sastav i fermentaciju silaže lucerne kultivara OS99. Masa lucerne podijeljena je u šest jednakih dijelova (kontrola – silaža bez inokulanta) i silaža tretirana komercijalnim inokulantima (PIO1 – Pioneer 11H50, PIO2 – Pioneer 11AFT, SIL – Silko, BON – Bonsilage alfa i SAL – Sil–All4 × 4), sve silirano u mikrosilosima. Nakon 90 dana od siliranja, silaže su analizirane s obzirom na kemijski sastav te fermentacijske parametre. Udio suhe tvari i sirovih proteina bio je veći, a udio mliječne i octene kiseline bio je značajno (p<0,05) veći u silaži tretiranoj inokulantima PIO1, PIO2, SIL, BON i SAL u odnosu na kontrolu. Silaža lucerne tretirana inokulantima PIO1, PIO2, SIL, BON i SAL imala je niži udio kiselih i neutralnih deterdžentskih vlakana, niži pH te značajno (p <0,05) niži udio maslačne kiseline, alkohola i NH3–N u usporedbi s kontrolom. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da komercijalni inokulanti PIO1, PIO2, SIL, BON i SAL povećavaju kvalitetu silaže lucerne kultivara OS99 u odnosu na kontrolu.

Yield and nutritive value of Urochloa hybrids at different regrowth ages

Objective: To evaluate the productive behavior of Urochloa hybrids, depending on the regrowth age.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was carried out under rainfed conditions during 2018. The Cayman, Mulato II, Convert 330, Cobra, Camello I, and Camello II hybrids were evaluated based on the regrowth age (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks). The following variables were evaluated: plant height (PH), total dry matter (TDM) yield, dry matter per leaf (DMl) yield, dry matter per stem (DMs) yield, crude protein content (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). The data obtained were evaluated by means of a randomized complete block design with three repetitions, divided into plots: a large plot for the cultivars and small plot for the regrowth ages.
 Results: The Camello II cultivar obtained the highest TDM yields during the sixth and eighth weeks (4.15 and 6.35 t DM ha-1, respectively); however, during the tenth week, the yield was equal to the yield obtained with the Mulato II and Cayman cultivars (p<0.05). The highest DMl yield was obtained by the Mulato II cultivar during the sixth, eighth, and tenth weeks (3.37, 4.56, and 3.86 t DM ha-1, respectively). The Mulato II cultivar recorded the highest CP values during the second and fourth weeks (158 and 126 g kg-1, respectively); however, the Camello II cultivar obtained the highest CP values during the sixth, eighth, and tenth weeks (99, 95, and 87 g kg-1, respectively). The NDF and ADF values increased as the regrowth age increased: in the tenth week, the Camello II and Cobra cultivars obtained the highest NDF values, while the Camello II cultivar recorded the highest ADF value during the same period.
 Study Limitations/Implications: Urochloa cultivars were developed for their establishment in humid tropical conditions, where their productive performance is greater. However, in dry tropical conditions, the Cayman, Mulato II, and Cobra cultivars have had a better performance than other grasses —such as buffel grass (Pennisetum ciliare), which is used to feed ruminants. In this sense, other Urochloa cultivars (e.g., Camello I and Camello II), which have greater tolerance to droughts, show desirable forage characteristics, such as yield and forage quality.
 Findings/Conclusions: The cultivars with the best productive performance were Camello II, Mulato II, and Cayman.

KANDUNGAN ACID DETERGENT FIBER (ADF) DAN NEUTRAL DETERGENT FIBER (NDF) PADA RUMPUT Brachiaria humidicola PADA UMUR DEFOLIASI BERBEDA

This study aims to determine the content of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of Brachiaria humidicola grass at different depoliation ages. This research is a pure experiment using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method with three treatments (40 days, 50 days and 60 days) and three replications. The results showed that depoliation age had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the NDF and ADF content of Brachiaria humidicola grass with NDF values ranging from 64.20% to 65.49%, while ADF values ranged from 36.75% to 43.99%.

Analysis of Rumen Degradation Characteristics, Attached Microbial Community, and Cellulase Activity Changes of Garlic Skin and Artemisia argyi Stalk.

The purpose of this study was to study the chemical composition, rumen degradation characteristics, surface attached microbial community and cellulase activity of garlic skin (GS) and Artemisia argyi stalk (AS), in order to explain their feeding value. Four 14-month-old healthy Min Dong male goats with permanent rumen fistula were selected as experimental animals. The rumen degradation characteristics of GS and AS were determined by using the nylon bag method, and the bacterial composition, cellulase activity and their relationship on the surface of the two groups were analyzed with high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that in GS and AS, the effective degradation rate (ED) values of dry matter (DM) were 42.53% and 37.12%, the ED values of crude protein (CP) were 37.19% and 43.38%, the ED values of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were 36.83% and 36.23%, and the ED values of acid detergent fiber (ADF) were 33.81% and 34.77%. During rumen degradation, the richness and evenness of bacteria attached to the AS surface were higher. At the phylum level, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were always the main rumen bacteria in the two groups. At the genus level, fiber-degrading bacteria such as Prevotella, Treponema, and Ruminococcus showed higher levels in GS (p < 0.05). Compared with GS, the activity of β-glucosidase (BG enzyme), endo-β-1,4-glucanase (C1 enzyme), exo-β-1,4-glucanase (Cx enzyme) and neutral xylanase (NEX enzyme) attached to AS surface showed a higher trend. Correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of Succinivibrio and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was positively correlated with the rumen degradability of nutrients in GS, and the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae R-7_group, Succinivibrio and Ruminococcus was positively correlated with the rumen degradability of nutrients in AS. The conclusion of this study shows that AS has more potential to become ruminant roughage than GS. In addition, this study also revealed the relationship between cellulase activity and bacteria, which provided new information for us to better analyze the effects of GS and AS on the rumen of ruminants and provided an important theoretical basis for the development and utilization of agricultural by-products.

Effects of Different Harvest Stages on Forage Yield and Quality of Soybean Cultivars Grown as Second Crops

In this study, the effect of three different harvesting stages [full bloom stage (R2), full pod stage (R4), and full seed stage (R6)] on forage yield and quality of three soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars (Adasoy, Derry and Yeşilsoy) were evaluated under Mediterranean climate conditions in Adana, Türkiye in second crop seasons. Plant height, green herbage yield, dry matter yield, crude protein (CP), crude protein yield (CPY), leaf and stem ratio, dry matter intake (DMI), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), digestible dry matter (DDM) and relative feed value (RFV) were determined. The results showed that the average plant height of three soybean cultivars was 106.5-203.5 cm and green herbage yield was 190 42-603 50 kg ha-1. The highest values were obtained from cv. Derry at R4 and R6 harvest stages. In both years, the highest CPY values were determined from the R6 harvest stages. Obtained ADF, NDF, DMI, DDM, and RFV values were found to be between 32.8-47.1%, 41.1-59.3%, 2.0-3.6%, 52.1-63.3%, 83.0-180.2%, respectively, and the best results were obtained from the R6 harvest stage of cv. Yeşilsoy. According to these results, in second crop conditions, while cv. Derry came to the fore of soybean yield, cv. Yeşilsoy stands out in terms of quality. As a result, it is thought that it is appropriate to harvest soybean in the R6 harvest period, the use of soybean as a green herbage should be expanded and its addition to feed rations can provide positive contributions.

Biomass yield, quality, nutrient composition, and feeding value of oat (Avena sativa) silage subjected to different wilting durations and/or inoculant application.

In this study, we evaluated the biomass yield, physico-chemical characteristics, nutrient composition, and feeding value of oat (Avena sativa) grown without irrigation ensiled with or without supplemental inoculant following different wilting durations. Oat forage at early dough stage (79days after sowing) were harvested to assess the biomass yield, nutrient contents, and mineral composition. Oats were ensiled with or without the addition of inoculant and different wilting durations (0, 24, and 48h) in 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. After the ensiling (120days), the oat silages were opened, quality was measured in terms of pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), smell, structure, color, and Flieg point. Nutritional composition and feeding values were analyzed in oat silages. Oat grown without irrigation yielded 32 ton/ha fresh matter. Mean dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein (CP), crude fiber, crude ash, ether extract, nitrogen free extract, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, non-structural carbohydrates, hemicellulose, and in vitro dry matter digestibility of oat forage were 32.77%, 90.41%, 11.31%, 28.69%, 9.59%, 3.99%, 46.43%, 36.32%, 63.98%, 7.22%, 11.14%, 27.67%, and 74.81%, respectively. Addition of inoculant had no effect on the quality, nutritional composition, and feeding values of oat silages. Increasing wilting durations linearly increased the pH (P = 0.005) and decreased the smell score (P = 0.028) of ensiled oat. A linear increase was seen in the DM content of ensiled oat after increasing wilting durations (P = 0.001). Oat ensiled without wilting had greater CP content (P = 0.010 and linear P = 0.011) and lower ADF content than those ensiled after 24 or 48h of wilting (P = 0.013 and linear P = 0.007). Silages subjected to 24 or 48h of wilting had lower hemicellulose content (P = 0.019 and linear P = 0.012) and digestible DM (P = 0.013 and linear P = 0.007) than those without wilting. In conclusion, inoculant may not affect the quality, composition and feeding values of ensiled oat grown without irrigation whereas, wilting at different durations may negatively affect the pH, smell, CP, ADF, and feeding values of ensiled oats.

Determination of Feed Yield and Quality Parameters of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. (Pers.)) Populations Collected from Natural Flora

A two-year study (2020–2021) was conducted in the Erzurum province to investigate the feed quality parameters of 102 genotypes of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) collected from different locations in natural flora. Two control cultivars were also examined in this study, namely Coastal and Survivor. Parameters such as the fresh herbage weight, dry herbage weight, crude protein (CP) ratio, acid detergent fiber (ADF) ratio, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratio, and relative feed values (RFVs) were analyzed. In the first year of this study, Bermudagrass populations collected from natural flora were rooted in pots under greenhouse conditions. In the second year, the rooted plants were transplanted into experimental fields at the Atatürk University Plant Production Implementation and Research Center. The present genotypes generally had superior crude protein, ADF, NDF ratios, and relative feed values (RFVs) than the control cultivar. The fresh herbage weights ranged from 9.20 to 95.37 g per plant, while the dry herbage weights varied from 5.22 to 45.24 g per plant. The findings of this study showed that most of the genotypes collected from natural flora had superior feed quality parameters to the control genotypes.

Feed Value of Emmer Wheat (Triticum dicoccum) and By-products for Ruminant Animals

Ancient wheat species attracts more attention recently due to their health benefits and suitability for organic farming. With this attention, the possibilities of using ancient wheat species and especially their by-products in animal nutrition are emerging. Unlike modern wheat varieties, emmer is known as one of the ancient wheat varieties, has hull covering its grains. Approximately 70% of the total plant weight consists of hulls and stalks. Looking at the literature, limited studies has been conducted regarding the evaluation of the hull and stalk parts of emmer wheat as feed. Herein, this study aims to determine the nutritional values of emmer wheat and its by-products. The feed value of the plant was analyzed in five parts (hulled grain, stalk of plant, hull, naked grain and flour). For each part, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether exract (EE), crude ash (CA), starch, crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent insoluble crude protein (ADICP), neutral detergent insoluble crude protein (NDICP), lignin and mineral analyzes were made. In addition, non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC), digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake by animal body weight (DMIBW), total digestible nutriton (TDN1X), net energy lactation (NEL3X), metabolic energy (ME), net energy maintanence (NEM), net energy gain (NEG), energy and digestibility calculations were performed. The protein content of emmer grain was observed higher than that of modern wheat. ADF and NDF values of the emmer wheat stalks are lower than modern wheat stalks and therefore have better digestibility values. Additionally, the higher resistance to starch digestion compared to modern wheat varieties may be a reason for preference in ruminant feeding.

Forage potential of several halophytic species grown on saline soil in arid environments

This study was carried out to evaluate the forage quantity and quality of several halophyte species grown in arid-saline environments. After identifying 44 halophytic species in the region and considering the potential of quantitative and qualitative forage production, 13 species from four families, i.e. Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Leguminosae and Convolvulaceae, and eight genera were selected for further evaluation. These species differed significantly in terms of both forage quantity, measured in terms of fresh (FW) and dry weight (DW), and forage quality assessed in terms of tissue water content (TWC), ash, nitrogen content (N), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), dry matter digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME). The highest fresh and dry weights were obtained from Suaeda ferticosa (1006.3 g and 306.3 g, respectively) and Noaea mucronata (909.3 g and 309 g, respectively). However, based on forage quality characteristics, Alhagi maurorum, Bassia scoparia, Noaea mucronata, Halostachys belangriana and Cressa cretica showed the best forage potential. Values of ash, CP, ADF, NDF and ME measured in the halophytes species ranged between 7.9% and 33.2%, 6.2% and 15.8%, 30.0% and 50.3%, 33.2% and 56.4%, 5.6 and 8.7 MJ kg−1, respectively. The forage quality of the evaluated halophytic plants was influenced by unfavorable environmental conditions such as high soil salinity and low rainfall, however, these species can be considered as new sources of forage. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to improve the quality of such halophytic species by reducing the ash content and increasing the ME.

Determination of Silage Quality of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) with Oat (Avena sativa L.) and Rye (Secale cereale L.) Mixtures

In this study, it was aimed to determine the quality of silage mixtures (100:0%, 75:25%, 50:50%, 25:75% and 0:100%) of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L. cv Berkem) with oat (Avena sativa L. cv Faikbey) and rye (Secale cereale L. cv Aslım-93). Following the harvest, plants were cut in 2-3 cm sizes, filled in vacuum bags according to the mixing ratios and left for fermentation at 25±2 oC for 60 days. Physical observations (smell, structure, color), dry matter (DM), pH, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) analysis were applied to silage samples and relative feed value (RFV) was determined. According to the results obtained, the total physical score of the silages, consisting of the sum of the odor, structure and color scores, ranged between 13.30-19.75 and the physical quality of the silages was ranged between middle-very good class. According to the results of the research, it was determined that the silage DM, ADF and NDF ratios decreased, and the pH, CP and RFV values increased in parallel with the increase in the fenugreek ratio in the mixture. The DM, pH, CP, ADF, NDF and RFV values of the silages varied between 15.67-34.33%, 5.06-5.79%, 6.01-18.17%, 32.03-48.90%, 40.07-74.53% and 63.41-148.48%, respectively. As a result, it was concluded that the silage of “25% oats + 75% fenugreek” mixture was superior to the silages of other mixtures, especially when considered the chemical parameters.

Forage Yield, Quality, and Impact on Subsequent Cash Crop of Cover Crops in an Integrated Forage/Row Crop System

Dual-use cover crops as forage for livestock could offer ecological and economic benefits when incorporated into rotations with corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr) in the Mid-South USA; however, information on implementation and impact is limited. A factorial of sixteen cool-season species and a no-cover control by two management systems (forage harvest and residue left in the field) was repeated under two cover crop planting/termination timings: long-season (Oct. through May; corn/cover-crop/soybean) and short-season (Nov. through Apr.; soybean/cover-crop/corn), two locations (Spring Hill and Knoxville, TN), and two growing seasons (2017/2018 and 2018/2019). Data were analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA (SAS 9.4.). The forage biomass did not differ by species within the short-season (415 to 1583 kg ha−1) but did in the long-season (475 to 4282 kg ha−1). Within the long-season, crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) and winter pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense (L.)) had crude protein and acid detergent fiber values within the range for prime forage and were among the highest biomasses. The forage harvest did not negatively affect soil properties or succeeding crop yield and quality. If appropriate species are selected, cover crops within a corn/cover-crop/soybean rotation can provide quality forage, without reducing the short term ecological benefits.

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF AGROWASTES MODIFIED FIBER AND LIGNIN AND THEIR HYDROTHERMALLY CARBONIZED PRODUCTS

This study investigated the use of gravimetric method of analysis to determine the Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL) of some Agro wastes and their hydrothermally carbonized products with a view of evaluating the energy production potential. The results showed that most of the carbonized products had more ADF values as compared to their uncarbonized precursors except for cassava peels and plantain peduncle, which have values of 39.20% as against 21.65% and 41.19% and 28.22% respectively. The ADL values were all lower than those of ADF. The percentage difference for the pairs of the crop wastes and their hydrothermally carbonized products gave the highest of ADF of 54.91% for maize comb and -44.77% for cassava peels. For the ADL, the range of percentage difference is between 60.20% for rice husk and -62.23% for beans husk. With the high ADF values for the agro - wastes and their hydrothermally carbonized products, these materials could be exploited for various energy generation.

17 Determination of Various Dietary Levels of Inorganic Zinc onin Vitro Dry Matter Disappearance of Diets Fed to Cervids as Compared to Other Established Protocols

Abstract The captive white-tailed deer breeding industry has an estimated economic impact of $1.6 billion, annually. However, nutritional requirements for cervids are determined through previous research based on sheep and goats. The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for harvesting rumen fluid from cervids for in vitro fermentation to analyze differences in dry matter disappearance with varying levels of supplemental zinc sulfate (ZnSO4). Rumen fluid was collected in conjunction with private hunts with partnership from a high fence producer. A European red hind (Cervus elaphus) and axis doe (Axis axis) were collected at separate times, each having a fermentation period utilizing the operating protocol for the Daisy incubator and A200 Fiber analyzer (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY). The gastrointestinal tract was removed and tied at the terminal end of the esophagus and the beginning of the duodenum to prevent leakage. The tract was placed in a cooler with water at 39oC and transported to the laboratory in Huntsville, Texas. Each jar (3) served as an experimental unit, with Zn doses of 0.36, 3.6, and 36 g/d equivalents as treatments. Filter bags were filled with feed provided by the producer for the incubator prior to collection. Followed by Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) analysis with the fiber analyzer. The red deer NDF and ADF values ranged from 27.8% to 20.6% and 15.7% to 13.7% based on treatment, respectively. The axis NDF and ADF values ranged from 18.8% to 20.0% and 11.0% to 12.5% based on treatment, respectively. Previous in vitro digestibility studies conducted on sheep and cattle have produced similar NDF and ADF values with similar feed products. This preliminary study illustrated that the protocol is viable and will produce appropriate IVDMD results from NDF and ADF after in vitro rumination.

Nutritional Quality of Opuntia ssp. at Different Phenological Stages: Implications for Forage Purposes

The study aimed to evaluat the chemical composition of forage cactus cladodes of the genus Opuntia spp. at different stages of phenological development. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with a 4×3 factorial scheme, with four species of cactus (Opuntia stricta Haw, Opuntia undulata Griffiths, Opuntia atropes Rose and Opuntia larreri FAC Weber) and three stages of cladode development (young, intermediate, and mature). The chemical composition of Opuntia cladodes varied according to species and phenological stage. Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations increased, and crude protein (CP) decreased with cladode maturation. The species O. atropes had the lowest levels of organic matter (OM), CP, total carbohydrates, and non-fibrous carbohydrates, as well as the highest values of mineral matter, NDF and ADF. Calcium and phosphorus contents increased with cladodium maturation. The concentrations of boron, copper and manganese were higher in the young and intermediate stages. The cladodes of O. stricta, O. undulata and O. larreri showed better nutritional quality for feeding domestic ruminants. Young and intermediate cladodes are more proteinaceous and less fibrous. These results can be useful in selecting the forage cactus species and in optimizing the use of cladodes for feeding different categories of ruminants in semiarid regions.

Fermentation Quality and Nutritional Traits of Cluster Bean-Maize Mixture Silages

In present study, effects of different mixture ratios of cluster bean (CB) and maize (M) on silage fermentation and nutritional traits were investigated. Based on dry matter (DM) ratios, maize and cluster bean plants were mixed in five different ratios (100% M, 75% M+25% CB, 50% M+50% CB, 25% M+75% CB and 100% CB). Pure maize, cluster bean and mixture were ensiled for 60 days. Effects of mixture ratios on investigated traits were found to be highly significant (p≤0.01). Increasing silage DM, ADF (acid detergent fiber), NDF (neutral detergent fiber), lactic acid, gas-methane production, metabolizable energy (ME) and organic matter digestibility (OMD) values and decreasing pH levels were observed with increasing maize ratio of the mixtures. Increasing silage crude oil (CO), crude ash (CA) and crude protein (CP) content and volatile fatty acids (acetic, butyric and propionic) were observed with increasing cluster bean ratio of the mixtures. Present findings revealed that improvements were achieved in DM, pH, nutritional traits and ME of the silages with mixtures of maize and cluster bean. It was concluded that 25, 50 and 75% maize ratios in mixtures provided significant contributions to silage quality.

Effects of Different Water Table Depth and Salinity Levels on Quality Traits of Bread Wheat

Abiotic stress factors encountered in production lands influence both the yield and the quality traits of bread wheat. This study investigated the effects of three different water table depths (30, 55, and 80 cm) and four different groundwater salinity levels (0.38, 2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 dSm−1) on some quality traits of bread wheat under irrigated and unirrigated conditions. The experiments were conducted in the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons in randomized blocks—factorial (three factors) experimental design with three replications under controlled conditions. The hectoliter weight, fat ratio, starch ratio, protein content, Zeleny sedimentation, wet gluten content, ash ratio, acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values were investigated. The hectoliter weights varied between 66.1% and 77.8 kg, fat ratios between 1.49% and 1.70%, starch ratios between 61.9% and 67.8%, protein contents between 11.9% and 13.8%, Zeleny sedimentation values between 23.5 and 28.0 mL, wet gluten contents between 25.0% and 28.8%, ash ratios between 1.43% and 1.75%, and ADF values between 2.85% and 4.12%. The quality traits were positively influenced by increasing the water table depths. With increasing the groundwater salinity levels, the hectoliter weight, fat ratio, starch ratio, and NDF values decreased, while the protein ratio, sedimentation value, wet gluten content, ash ratio, and ADF values increased.

Analysis of Nutrient Composition, Rumen Degradation Characteristics, and Feeding Value of Chinese Rye Grass, Barley Grass, and Naked Oat Straw.

Simple SummaryLimited studies have been reported so far on the rumen degradability characteristic of low-quality forage. In the current study, three low-quality forages (Chinese rye grass, barley grass, and naked oat straw) were selected. Various nutritional parameters such as rumen degradation characteristics, chemical composition and feeding value of three roughages were studied in detail. Among the three roughages, the Chinese rye grass (Leymus chinensis) was superior in terms of rumen degradability characteristics, chemical composition and feeding value.The current study was designed to investigate the chemical composition, rumen degradation characteristics, and feeding value of three roughages commonly used in Asia as ruminant feed, including Chinese rye grass (CRG), barley grass (BG), and naked oat straw (NO). Four Holstein Friesian cows equipped with permanent rumen fistulas were chosen for experimental trials in the current study. The nylon bag method was carried out to measure the crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Our analysis revealed that the contents of CP in the CRG (9.0%) and BG (8.9%) were higher than in the NO (5.94%). The contents of NDF in the CRG (64.97%) and NO (63.83%) were lower than in the BG (67.33%), and the content of ADF in the CRG (37.03%) was lower than in the BG (37.93%) and NO (38.28%). The ED values of DM in the NO and CRG were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than in the BG. The effective degradability (ED) values of NDF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the NO (p < 0.001). In addition, the ED values of ADF were the highest in the CRG and lowest in the BG (p < 0.001). The ED value of CP in the CRG was significantly higher than that in the BG and NO (p < 0.001). The estimated total digestible nutrients (TDN) (54.56%) and DM degradation rate (DDM) (60.06%) of the CRG were higher than those of BG and NO. In addition, the expected DM intake (DMI), estimated relative feed value (RFV), and estimated relative feed quality (RFQ) of the BG were lower than those of the CRG and NO. Altogether, based on our findings, we concluded that the nutritional quality, feeding value and effective rumen degradation rate of CRG were better than of BG and NO.

The Major Chemical Constituents of Teosinte Grown as Mono and Mixed Cropping with Legumes in different Sowing Date

Teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana) is one of the most popular summer growing cereal fodder, yet with comparatively low level of chemical constituents. The quality of this fodder can be improved through better by cultivation management including sowing dates and mixed cropping with legume. The main objective of this study was to determine the forage quality as reflected by major chemical constituents of pure stands of teosinte and binary mixtures of teosinte with commonly available legumes under different dates of sowing. Four fodder combinations; teosinte mono crop, teosinte+ cowpea, tesosinte+ rice bean, and teosinte+ lablab bean was arranged to cultivate in three different date of sowing in the field in a Split Plot Design with 5 replications. Main plot treatments were different sowing dates and sub-plot treatments were combinations of fodder species. Dry herbage mass production, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and Ash were determined. The results showed that the significantly the highest Dry herbage and CP were obtained from fodder combination teosinte+ cowpea if sown at 18th April, whereas the significantly highest mean values of ADF and NDF were obtained for teosinte mono fodder crop. However, the lowest average value of ADF and NDF was obtained for fodder combination teosinte with cowpea. The average value of Ash and ADL of both harvest for fodder combination and date of sowing was statistically similar (p&gt;0.05). The effect of treatments interaction/combination on cumulative dry herbage was statistically high (p&lt;0.05) when teosinte+ cowpea was sown at 18th April. However, effect of treatments interaction/combination on average value of CP, NDF, ADF, ADL and Ash of both harvests (g/kg DM) was statistically similar (p&gt;0.05). The results showed that mixture of teosinte with cowpea sown at 18th April could be the best combination in terms of quantity as well as for major chemical constituents that could reflect better quality of fodder harvest.

Rapid and Cost-Effective Assessment of the Neutral and Acid Detergent Fiber Fractions of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) by Combining Modified PLS and Visible with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

The near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) combined with modified partial least squares (modified PLS) regression was used for determining the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and the acid detergent fiber (ADF) fractions of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed. Fifty chickpea accessions (24 desi and 26 kabuli types) and fifty recombinant inbred lines F5:6 derived from a kabuli × desi cross were evaluated for NDF and ADF, and scanned by NIRS. NDF and ADF values were regressed against different spectral transformations by modified partial least squares regression. The coefficients of determination in the cross-validation and the standard deviation from the standard error of cross-validation ratio were, for NDF, 0.91 and 3.37, and for ADF, 0.98 and 6.73, respectively, showing the high potential of NIRS to assess these components in chickpea for screening (NDF) or quality control (ADF) purposes. The spectral information provided by different chromophores existing in the chickpea seed highly correlated with the NDF and ADF composition of the seed, and, thus, those electronic transitions are highly influenced on model fitting for fiber.

Use of rizostar in the production of sorghum silages

This study aimed to evaluate the development of culture, mass production, and the silage nutritional value of sorghum under three nutrients fonts. The experiment was conducted as a block randomized design, with three treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of fonts fertilizations in showing: Monoammonium Phosphate, with 90.0 kg ha-1, and Rizostar with 37.5 kg ha-1 and 45.0 kg ha-1 doses. The productive parameters of the plants were evaluated at 30 days and at the time of harvesting the plants for silage, in addition to the nutritional value of the silages. The materials presented expressive productions, with averages of 43846; 43346; 44002; and 35674 kg ha-1 of green matter. The Maxisilo sorghum hybrid presented the highest levels of acid detergent fiber (ADF), with a mean of 471.42 g kg-1 dry matter (DM). Crude protein (CP) contents in each hybrid remained constant over time, presenting mean values of 74.37; 65.26; 54.44; 78.43 g kg-1. The mean total digestible nutrients values found in the Dominator sorghum hybrid were 657.34 g kg-1, being higher than the others. After long storage periods, the nutritional parameters of the materials remained stable in their CP, DM, NDF, and ADF values. The aerobic exposure nutritionally deteriorated silages. Fertilization with Rizostar 45, does not influence the final level of plants, fresh raw materials, and dry raw materials, besides significantly increasing the use of samples.