Van Soest Research Articles

A new species of Acarnus Gray, 1867 (Porifera, Demospongiae, Acarnidae) from NE Brazil.

The synapomorphic character of the genus Acarnus Gray, 1867 is the presence of the cladotylote spicule. Acarnus has 27 valid species worldwide, including five species reported from the Brazilian coast: A. innominatus Gray, 1867, A. nicoleae van Soest, Hooper & Hiemstra, 1991, A. souriei (Lévi, 1952), A. radovani (Boury-Esnault, 1973) and A. toxeata Boury-Esnault, 1973. Here we will describe A. microxeatus sp. nov., whose diagnosis is the presence of smooth microxeas and acanthoxeas, new characters for the genus. We also provide a complete characterization of the skeletal architecture and spicule morphology of A. toxeata, with scanning electron microscopy image (SEM) of the spicule set.

New lithistid sponge of the genus Sollasipelta (Porifera, Demospongiae,Tetractinellida, Neopeltidae) from submarine caves of the Ryukyu Islands,southwestern Japan, with redescription of S. sollasi.

A new species of 'lithistid' (rock sponge) Sollasipelta subterranea sp. nov. is described from near-shore submarine caves of Okinawa and Shimoji Islands, the Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan. This new species is characterized by the smooth dentate ectosomal pseudophyllotriaenes, slender choanosomal oxea/style/subtylostyles and two types of amphiasters, one of which is in two size classes. Sollasipelta subterranea sp. nov. is morphologically closest to Sollasipelta sollasi (Lévi & Lévi, 1989), known from the Philippines deep sea, and our examination of the type specimen of S. sollasi revealed that the pseudophyllotriaenes and desmas are substantially different between the two species, and both species possess two types of amphiasters, one of which has two size classes. Sollasipelta cavernicola (Vacelet & Vasseur, 1965) and S. punctata (Lévi & Lévi, 1983) are transferred to the genus Daedalopelta Sollas, 1888, based on possession of one type of amphiastes as microscleres. Sollasipelta mixta (Vacelet, Vasseur and Lévi, 1976) is formally transferred to the genus Neopelta Schmidt, 1880, based on the morphological characters. A key to species of the genus Sollasipelta Van Soest & Hooper, 2020 is also provided. Sollasipelta subterranea sp. nov. represents the first 'lithistid' sponge from submarine caves of the Western Pacific and the first species of sponge inhabiting anchialine cave environments in the Indo-West Pacific. This is also a new record of the family Neopeltidae from Japanese waters.

Sheep supplementation in the arid and semi-arid areas of northern Kenya

The objective of this study was to assess the effects of partial supplementation of 1.5 years old blackhead Persian sheep with hay, molasses and local salt (Chalbi salt). The nutritive values of hay, molasses and Chalbi salt were determined. The selected sheep were assigned to three treatments in a completely randomized design; 10 sheep were given to the farmer and were herded based on his management practice (denoted as treatment A), 10 were grazed for 5 h and later supplemented with 600 g of chopped hay mixed with molasses per sheep daily and Chalbi salt ad libitum (denoted as treatment B), 10 were introduced to a government research farm, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO-Marsabit) flock and managed on the free range with no supplementation except Chalbi salt. They were also grazed for 8 h daily (denoted as treatment C). Feed resources for partial supplementation were analysed for proximate analysis, Van soest, in-vitro dry matter digestibility and mineral profiles. Molasses was spread on hay to increase palatability and intake. Chalbi salt was provided ad libitum to the supplemented group. All 30 sheep were weighed weekly. The data on sheep weights were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The mean sheep weight over the study period was higher among the supplemented group B (25.95 kg), followed by on-station research farm-managed group C (22.60 kg) and lastly farmer-managed group A (19.50 kg). Supplementation of sheep using local feed resources enhances weight gain and this is recommended, essentially in a weight-based marketing system. Keywords: Market, nutrients, sheep, supplement, weight.

Intensive Silvopastoral Systems Mitigate Enteric Methane Emissions from Cattle

Assessments of the efficiency of grazing systems, in terms of productivity and ecological sustainability, are necessary in view of the increased demand for animal protein. In this study, the methane (CH4) emissions (sniffer methodology), dry matter (DM) yield, paddock chemical composition (AOAC and Van Soest methods), nutrient intake (dry matter, DMI; crude protein, CPI; metabolizable energy, MEI), daily milk yield (DMY), body condition score (BCS), and body weight (BW) of cattle, in intensive silvopastoral systems (ISPSs) and monoculture systems (MSs), in the tropics of Mexico were evaluated. In the ISPS, CH4 emissions (18% less) and DMY were lower than in the MS. Cows from MSs tend to disperse across higher values of CH4 emissions per kg of DMI, as well as higher milk production, while cows from the ISPS were dispersed over a higher intake (DMI, CPI, and MEI) and lower CH4 emissions. There were no differences between systems in paddock DM yield, chemical composition, cows’ BCS, and BW, regardless of whether it was the dry (April to May) and rainy (September to October) season. Based on the results obtained in this study, ISPSs contribute to the mitigation of methane emissions in cattle; forage and animal production variables in both systems were similar, with a lower use of imported inputs in the ISPS.

Evaluasi Fisik dan Kimia Dedak Padi pada Berbagai Level Penambahan Sekam

The aim of this research was to analyze the physical and chemical properties of rice bran with husk addition. The percentage of husk addition was 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%. Husks were grounded and mixed with rice bran homogeneously. The mixture was analyzed for physical properties, proximate analysis and van Soest analysis. The variables in this study included visualization of husk addition in rice bran, specific gravity (SG), bulk density (BD), moisture content (MC), ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), cellulose and lignin. Data were presented descriptively and the correlation between each variable was conducted. The results showed that there were differences in visualization in each level of husk addition in rice bran. The addition of husks in rice bran increased the ash (Δ = 11.89), CF (Δ = 22.75), ADF (Δ = 47.23), cellulose (Δ = 24.04) and lignin (Δ = 7, 40). The decrease in SG, BD, MC, CP and EE in mixing rice bran and husk were Δ = 0.62; 62.85; 3.64; 5.73 and 9.21 respectively. The correlation between the physical properties and the chemical properties showed significant correlation (p<0.01). The addition of husks to rice bran affected the physical and chemical qualities.

Comparative evaluation of nutritive value of maize stover treated with chopped and mineralized groundnut and soybean stover

This study assessed the value of upgrading the quality of crop residues. The study involved improvement of quality of maize stover with urea, groundnut powder, soybean powder, mineralized groundnut solution and mineralized soybean solution. The nutritional value of the ground groundnut, ground soybean, mineralized groundnut solution, mineralized soybean solution, and the feeds improved with the ground legume stover and the solutions were assessed for nutritive value using laboratory proximate chemical analysis procedures. The stover were chopped before being mixed with urea, ground stover or the solutions and then offered to animals. Effect of upgrading maize stover with selected legumes was studied for nutritive value by proximate analysis. Five(5) samples of each feeding material were subjected to proximate analysis to determine their nutritive value in terms of crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen free extractives (NFE), crude fibre(CF) using the AOAC methods of 2016. Samples were also evaluated for neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), using the Van Soest and Moore Method of 1991 calcium (Ca) using the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS-2016) and direct determination of phosphorus by Atomic Absorption Flame Spectrometry (AAFS-2017).

THE GENUS PLACOSPONGIA (DEMOSPONGIAE: CLIONAIDA) FROM THE COLOMBIAN CARIBBEAN

The genus Placospongia Gray, 1867 is a group of sponges widely distributed in the world. It currently has 11 valid species, where five of those, Placospongia caribica Rützler et al., 2014, P. cristata Boury-Esnault, 1973, P. intermedia Sollas, 1888, P. ruetzleri van Soest, 2017 and P. giseleae Mácola & Menegola, 2021, are distributed in the Central Western Atlantic. The Colombian Caribbean has the records of P. intermedia and P. ruetzleri. In this research, the taxonomy of the genus Placospongia in Colombia was reviewed, describing four species, two of which are new to science: P. colombiensis sp. nov. and P. soesti sp. nov.; and P. cristata is a new record for the Colombian Caribbean. Therefore, the number of species of the genus is expanded to 13 for the world, to eight for the Western Atlantic, and to five for Colombia, ranking it as the country with the most species of the genus for the Western Atlantic. Some of the misassigned records for Indo‒Pacific species are relocated to species present in the Caribbean. Finally, a taxonomic key is given to identify the species of the Caribbean Sea.

Fermentation of blood meal absorbed by oil palm fronds with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Lactobacillus plantarum

This study was aimed at improving the efficiency of blood meal (BM) use as feedstuff through the application of agricultural waste absorbance and fermentation technology. Blood was absorbed by oil palm fronds and fermented by using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAF) and Lactobacillus plantarum (BLP) inoculants in 0, 60, and 120 hour incubation times. Quality was assessed by using Van Soest fiber analysis and in vitro digestibility trial on the best fermented product. Results showed that there was significant interaction effect (P<0.05) of inoculant type and fermentation times on the changes in fiber fraction of BM absorbed by oil palm fronds. Inoculant types were found to give significant effects (P<0.05) on ration digestibility rate and in vitro rumen condition characteristics. It was concluded that fermentation of BM absorbed with palm oil fronds with BLP in 120 hours resulted in BM with the best fiber fraction reduction, digestibility rate, and in vitro rumen condition characteristics.

Evaluation of nutrition of Black Soldier Flies Larvae (BSFL) using Van Soest and fatty acid profile reared at different media

The current study aimed to evaluate nutrition of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) using Van Soest and fatty acid profile reared at different media. A total of five different treatments were used in this study as follows: fruit waste, food waste, tofu by-product, 50% fruit waste + 50% food waste, and 50% fruit waste + 50% tofu by-product. The parameters observed were fatty acid profile (saturated and non-saturated fatty acid) and fiber composition (Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin). Fatty acid profile analysis was done using gas chromatography and fiber composition using Van Soest method. The result presented the composition of fatty acid in BSFL dominated by saturated fatty acid, namely lauric acid (34.28 – 38.39%), palmitic acid (17.45 –19.25%), arachidic acid (8.8 – 10.41%), myristic acid (7.35 – 9.36%), heptadecanoic acid (2.03– 2.91%), and decanoic acid (1.23 – 1.42%). Non-saturated fatty acid; linolelaidic acid (13.51 – 16.86%), oleic acid (1.64 – 1.91%), nervonic acid (1.341.46%), dan linolenic acid (0.65 – 1.03%) measured higher as compared to the rest. Fiber components measured were NDF (20.19 - 29.11%), ADF (10.43 – 17.55%), hemicellulose (8.86 – 11.56%), cellulose (2.51 –10.49%), and Lignin (0.14 – 0.75%). Respectively, in conclusion composition of growth media of BSFL influence the profile of fatty acid and fiber in BSFL. In addition, the media composed of 50% food wastes and 50% tofu by-product gave highest and most complete fatty acid profile as well as fiber composition.

Process Optimization of Deep Eutectic Solvent Pretreatment of Coffee Husk Biomass

The increased processing of coffee beans has generated huge amount of coffee husk, which are improperly disposed. Inappropriate disposal of coffee husk has led to release of toxic compounds to the environment causing serious environmental concerns. To mitigate the impact of improperly disposed coffee husk, it is suggested for valorisation of the coffee husk. Hence, this study has focussed on identifying the potential of coffee husk in maximizing the sugar yield from it which can be converted to value added product. Deep eutectic solvent (DES) involving choline chloride and lactic acid (ChCl:LA) mixed at 1:4 molar ratio was studied to investigate the effect of DES pretreatment on coffee husk to produce reducing sugar in the hydrolysis process. Pretreatment conditions of the biomass were optimized for biomass loading (5-20%, w/w), temperature (70-120 °C), and duration (60-240 min) using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for obtaining maximum yield of reducing sugar. The RSM model predicted an optimal pretreatment condition of biomass loading with 20% (w/w), pretreated at 120 °C for 231.80 min to achieve maximum sugar yield (30.522%). The pretreatment effect on biomass composition was analyzed using the Van Soest method, which showed an increase in the cellulose content along with the hemicellulose removal when compared with the native biomass. Moreover, evaluation of chemical structural changes also confirmed the effectiveness of DES pretreatment. Thus, the current study would illustrate the potential of coffee husk to produce value-added compounds from it.

Economical energy allocation for the landward invasion of Spartina alterniflora in estuaries in the Yellow River Delta, east China

Smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) introduced to China in 1970 s for coastline stabilization threatening the habitat range of native Phragmites australis and even become more adaptive than P. australis. Thus, we used electronic universal testing machine and Van Soest method to compare the morphological and biomechanical responses of these two species to wave interference in the Yellow River Delta, east China. Our study showed that the morphological response of P. australis was more sensitive to waves with shorter individuals in wave zones but larger stem diameter and higher biomass than those in none-wave zones, while S. alterniflora did not exhibit such variations. In wave zones, S. alterniflora invaded P. australis’ habitat regardless higher stem-bending resistance of P. australis with excessive energy allocated in stem growth while decreasing reproduction and fitness. Compared with the none-wave zones, S. alterniflora allocated excessive energy in the stem to resist wind interference, and they are less fitted than P. australis. Thus, economic energy allocation to wave mechanical interference contributed to the successful invasion of S. alterniflora to landward in estuaries. S. alterniflora continued to expand landward in a semi-saline area but the community pattern may maintain the status quo for areas with low salinity and high wave interference.

Xylitol Production from Pineapple Cores (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr) by Enzymatic and Acid Hydrolysis Using Microorganisms Debaryomyces hansenii and Candida tropicalis

Hydrolysis and fermentation processes are key stages in xylitol production from lignocellulosic materials. In this study, pineapple cores, one of the wastes from the canned pineapple industry, were used as raw material for xylitol production. Two methods was used for hydrolysis: enzymatically using commercial enzyme Cellic HTec2, and acid hydrolysis using 4% H2SO4. In contrast, the fermentation process was carried out with two selected yeasts commonly employed in xylitol fermentation, Debaryomycess hansenii, and Candida tropicalis. Before these two processes, the pineapple cores were characterized using the Van Soest method to determine their lignocellulosic content. The hemicellulose content was 36.06%, the cellulose content was 14.20%, and the lignin content was 10.05%. This result indicates that the hemicellulose content of pineapple cores has the potential to be used as a raw material in the production of xylitol. The hydrolysis efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis was 21% higher than that of acid hydrolysis. The highest xylitol and biomass yield of 0.371 gxylitol/gxylose and 0.225 gcell/gxylose were observed by C. tropicalis using an enzymatic hydrolysate.

Establishment of a Highly Efficient Corn Stock-Degrading Microbial Consortium and Its Degradation Effect

Corn stalks are not easily degradable and thus have a low utilization rate. In this paper, a highly efficient corn stalk-degrading microbial consortium, designated as SDP, was established using the strains Z22 (Bacillus subtilis), Z15 (Bacillus megaterium), and Z08 (Aspergillus tubingensis). Moreover, the fermentation conditions for enzyme production by SDP were optimized through orthogonal experiments. The Van Soest method was used to determine the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents in the degraded corn stalks using the SDP consortium to evaluate its degrading effect. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the micromorphological structure changes of the stalks to evaluate the degradation effects of SDP on corn stalks. The carboxymethyl cellulase activity of SDP reached 6.37 U/mL. Moreover, the enzyme production effect was optimal when the culture conditions were as follows: temperature, 30°C; time, 5 d; nitrogen source, NH4NO3; and initial pH, 7.0. The SDP consortium showed an improved ability to degrade corn stalks. The cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents were reduced by 32.15%, 23.87%, and 7.98%, respectively, after culturing for 20 d. This study provides insights to guide further research and development of consortia for efficient corn stalk degradation.

A new species of Desmacella Schmidt, 1870 (Porifera, Demospongiae, Desmacellidae) from the Northeast region of Brazil

Desmacella is a Desmacellidae characterized by monactinal megascleres, arranged in plumose bundles; microscleres are sigmas and raphides; the latter may be absent (Hajud & Van Soest 2002). Thirty species are known worldwide, of which 19 occur in the Atlantic Ocean and three on the Brazilian coast: Desmacella annexa Schmidt, 1870; D. microsigmata, Cavalcanti, Santos & Pinheiro, 2015; D. tylovariabilis, Cavalcanti, Santos & Pinheiro, 2015 (de Voogd et al. 2022; Muricy 2022). In this paper, a new species of Desmacella from the Northeast region of Brazil is described. The material examined was compared with the descriptions and/or characterizations of all Desmacella species that occur in the Atlantic Ocean (Cavaltanti et al. 2015: 367-368). The specimen was preserved in ethanol 80% and is deposited in the Porifera Collection of the Natural History Museum of the Universidade Federal da Bahia.

PSVIII-10 In Vitro Incubation with a Bacillus-Based Direct-fed Microbial Improves Forage Digestibility Parameters

Abstract Over the years, the use of direct-fed microbials (DFM) has been gaining attention and interest by beef cattle producers and nutritionists, due to health benefits associated with these solutions. Moreover, some bacterial strains currently fed to cattle are also capable of producing and releasing enzymes that might improve nutrient utilization in beef animals. Hence, we hypothesized that the incubation of a Bacillus-based DFM would improve in vitro dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility of ten forage sources (spinifex, buffel grass, Flinders grass, Queensland bluegrass, corn silage, lucerne hay, ryegrass, rhodes grass hay, leucaena, and Mitchell grass hay). Our objective was to evaluate the effects of incubating a Bacillus-based DFM on in vitro forage digestibility. Forage sources were incubated, in triplicate, into the media containing or not Bacillus-based DFM (Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis; 3.2 × 109 CFU/g; Bovacillus, Chr. Hansen A/S, Horsholm, Denmark) over a 48-h period. The DAISY-II fermentation technique was used with the buffer and nutrient solution described by Goering and Van Soest (1970). The DFM was added to the rumen fluid of treatment groups to simulate the dose of 3 g/animal per day and filter bags were used to isolate 0.5 g of ground forage samples. All data were analyzed using SAS. Inoculation of a Bacillus-based DFM increased overall mean in vitro DM digestibility in 8 out of 10 forage sources with improvements ranging from 6. 1 to 27.3% (P ≤ 0.01). Similarly, mean in vitro NDF digestibility was improved in 8 out of 10 forage types (P ≤ 0.01). In summary, incubation of a Bacillus-based DFM improved in vitro DM and NDF digestibility in forage sources of varying nutritional profile, demonstrating its feasibility to be used in forage-based beef systems.

PSVII-11 Effects of Wheat Cultivars on Chemical Composition, in Vitro Digestibility, and Rumen Fermentation Characteristic of Sprouted Grains

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the effect of wheat cultivars on in vitro rumen digestibility and fermentation characteristics of sprouted grains. Three wheat cultivars, Arriheuk (ARH), Saekeumkang (SAK), and Jokyoung (JOK), were harvested at 6 days of cultivation stages, while Keunalbory (KEA) was a positive control. The collected sprouted grains dried at 55oC for 48 h, and ground to pass 1-mm screen for the chemical compositions and in vitro incubation. For in vitro rumen incubation, rumen fluid collected from cannulated Hanwoo heifer was mixed with Van Soest medium at a 1:2 ratio. Ground sprouted grains (0.3 g) with the mixture of rumen fluid/Van Soest medium (30 mL) were placed into the incubation bottles in quadruplicates and incubated for 0, 24, and 48 h. After incubation, the bottle contents were centrifuged to collect the supernatant and residues for analyses of rumen fermentation characteristics and in vitro digestibilities of dry matter (IVDMD) and organic matter (IVOMD), respectively. Crude protein content (27.7 vs. 20.4%) in JOK was greater (P< 0.05) than that in KEA, but lowest (P< 0.05) in ARH and SAK. The contents of crude ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber were lower (P< 0.05) in AK and SK than in KEA. The IVDMD (58.7 vs. 64.7%) and IVOMD (71.9 vs. 77.1%) were less (P< 0.05) in SAK than in KEA. In vitro rumen pH was highest (P< 0.05) in JOK, while ammonia-N content was less (P< 0.05) in SAK than in the other sprouted grains. Total volatile fatty acid content was greater (P< 0.05) in JOK than that in ARH and SAK, while the molar percent of propionate and butyrate were greatest (P< 0.05) in SAK and ARH, respectively. Therefore, this study could conclude that JOK had greater feed values than ARH and SAK, but similar to KEA.

Herbal Mixtures based on Indian Medicinal Plants in Growing Lambs and Ruminal Environments

Background: The prohibition of the use of antibiotics in lamb feeding requires the search for natural alternatives that can improve productive performance and ruminal fermentation parameters. Herbal mixtures can function as cost-effective substitutes for growth promoters since an extraction or purification process is not required. Methods: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Chebulic myrobalan, Terminalia bellirica and Azadirachta indica on the productive performance of finishing lambs. Thirty-six Hampshire x Suffolk male lambs (initial body weight (BW) 23.52±3.67 kg), in individual crates, were used for 45 days of evaluation after 15 days adaptation and were randomly assigned to treatments which consisted of dietary inclusion of the feed plant additive at 0.000, 0.250, 0.375 and 0.500% of dry matter (DM). Rations were sampled for DM, ash and crude protein (AOAC, 2005), neutral and acid detergent fibre (according to van Soest, 1991) analysis and metabolizable energy was estimated. The animals were weighed on days 1, 15 and 45 before feeding and the average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion rate were calculated by daily recording of the dry matter intake. Contrasts no orthogonal were used to test linear or quadratic effects of the herbal mixture with initial body weight (BW) as a covariate for ADG and final BW. Result: There was no effect (P greater than 0.05) of herbal mixtures on ADG, final BW, feed efficiency, DM intake and feed conversion by phytobiotic dietary inclusion. Ruminal pH (P=0.07) increased quadratically in response to the herbal mixture dietary concentration. The acetate increased and propionate reduced, both quadratically (P less than 0.05). The evaluated doses of the polyherbal additive did not influence growth and feed efficiency of lambs.

Nutritive Value of Ajuga iva as a Pastoral Plant for Ruminants: Plant Phytochemicals and In Vitro Gas Production and Digestibility

This study aims to evaluate the nutritive value of Ajuga iva (A. iva) harvested from three distinct altitude regions in Tunisia (Dougga, Mograne, and Nabeul). The chemical composition, phenolic concentration, gas production, and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility were determined. The highest concentrations of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were for A. iva cultivated in Nabeul. In contrast, the highest crude protein (CP) concentration was observed in that cultivated in Mograne, and the lowest (p < 0.01) CP concentration was noted in that cultivated in Dougga. Additionally, the cultivation regions affected the concentrations of free-radical scavenging activity, total flavonoids, and total polyphenols (p < 0.01). The highest free-radical scavenging activity was observed with A. iva cultivated in Dougga and Mograne. The highest (p < 0.05) gas production rate and lag time were observed in A. iva cultivated in Mograne and Nabeul regions. DM digestibility differed between regions and methods of determination. The highest (p < 0.01) DM degradability, determined by the method of Tilley and Terry and the method of Van Soest et al., was for A. iva cultivated in Mograne and Dougga, while the lowest (p < 0.01) value was recorded for that cultivated in the Nabeul region. Likewise, metabolizable energy (ME) and protein digestibility values were higher for A. iva collected from Mograne region than that collected from the other sampling areas. In conclusion, the nutritive value of A. iva differed between regions. Therefore, care should be taken when developing recommendations for using A. iva in an entire region. Season- and region-specific feeding strategies for feeding A. iva are recommended.

NIR Validation and Calibration of Van Soest cell wall constituents (ADF, NDF, and ADL) of Available Corn Silage in Bangladesh

This study was undertaken at the Feed Quality Control Laboratory, DLS, Savar, Dhaka, to calibrate and validate corn silage nutritional parameters- Van Soest cell wall constituents (ADF, NDF, and ADL) in the Near-infrared Spectrophotometer (Bruker-MPA, Germany) systems monochromator (700- 9500 nm) range was used for the rapid analysis of available corn silage. Almost 52 samples were analyzed at the QC lab wet chemistry laboratory to know the available nutrients. In the 2nd part of this study, developed local calibration equations in the NIRS using OPUS (Optical User Software) to relate the spectral data and corresponding wet chemistry values. A Quartz sample cup was used to hold the sample on the Infrared light scanner and used XPM was MPAII sphere macrosample_64_rotating_Res16-DLS.XPM. Fresh samples were dried and ground through 2mm screen for the analysis. The value for each component was placed into the calibration group for NIRS equation development. After calibration in NIR, the root means a square error of estimation (RMSEE) for the determination of ADF%, ADL%, and NDF%, were, 1.56, 0.47, and 1.15, with the correlation coefficient (r2) of 93.31, 95.43, and 97.86 respectively which are very close to the mean laboratory values. Whereas after cross-validation, RMSECV (Root Mean Square Error Cross-Validation) were 1.97, 0.598, and 1.55, along with the r2 values 87.02%, 90.23%, and 95.32%, respectively. The accuracy% of the predicted values in NIRS was between 98.94-100.16% which are very close to the mean laboratory values. It can be concluded that NIR could be a potential instrument to predict the nutritional quality of corn silage in Bangladesh.

Taraxacum rhodocarpum and T. schroeterianum (Asteraceae, Crepidinae) are not synonyms, and T. sect. Rhodocarpa is the correct name for T. sect. Alpestria

Taraxacum schroeterianum Hand.-Mazz. was published to cover distinctive red-fruited slender West Alpine plants with appressed outer phyllaries; it traditionally included T. rhodocarpum Dahlst. as a synonym. A separate section, T. sect. Rhodocarpa van Soest was even erected; its type is T. rhodocarpum on the basis of Art. 10.8 of the ICN. We present a detailed evidence for the separate status of T. schroeterianum and T. rhodocarpum. They differ in a series of morphological features and in the chromosome number. While the former represents a rather isolated taxon, the latter is close to the group of T. reophilum van Soest, the type of T. sect. Alpestria (van Soest) van Soest. Taraxacum sect. Rhodocarpa is therefore considered as the correct name for T. sect. Alpestria. The names T. schroeterianum and T. rhodocarpum are typified, and both these species together with T. sect. Rhodocarpa are supplemented with full descriptions. The name T. sagii Sonck was reassessed and synonymized with T. schroeterianum.