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Metabolic Features Of Brain Function With Relevance To Clinical Features Of Alzheimer And Parkinson Diseases, David Allan Butterfield, Maria Favia, Iolanda Spera, Annalisa Campanella, Martina Lanza, Alessandra Castegna

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Brain metabolism is comprised in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Since the brain primarily relies on metabolism of glucose, ketone bodies, and amino acids, aspects of these metabolic processes in these disorders—and particularly how these altered metabolic processes are related to oxidative and/or nitrosative stress and the resulting damaged targets—are reviewed in this paper. Greater understanding of the decreased functions in brain metabolism in AD and PD is posited to lead to potentially important therapeutic strategies to address both of these disorders, which cause relatively long-lasting decreased quality of life in patients.

Herbage And Livestock Responses For N-Fertilized And Grass-Legume Grazing Systems, D. M. Jaramillo, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., L. M. D. Queiroz, L. Garcia, E. R. S. Santos

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage legumes provide an alternative N source in grazing systems. The objective was to evaluate plant and animal responses in N-fertilized or grass-legume-based systems under continuous stocking during winter and summer, from 2016-2019. The three treatments consisted of year-round forage systems including winter and summer forage components. The first system (Grass+N) included N-fertilized (112 kg N ha^-1 yr^-1) ‘Argentine’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures during the summer, overseeded with a mixture (56 kg ha^-1 of each) of ‘FL 401’ cereal rye (Secale cereale) and ‘RAM’ oat (Avena sativa) during winter with …

Annual Ryegrass Pasture For Dairy Cows Receiving Total Mixed Ration, M. Civiero, L. H. Schaitz, C. P. Ferris, Henrique M. N. Ribeiro-Filho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The inclusion of herbage in the diet of medium yielding dairy cows offered a total mixed ration (TMR) may be beneficial. This study, which involved mid lactation dairy cows, examined the effect of partial replacement of a TMR with annual temperate pasture. Treatments were ad libitum TMR (TMR₁₀₀), 75% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ‘Maximus’) (TMR₇₅), and 50% ad libitum TMR + ryegrass (TMR₅₀). Twelve multiparous Holstein and F1 Jersey × Holstein cows were divided into six homogeneous groups, taking account of milk production (26.6 ± 4.5 kg/day), days in milk …

A Guava-Based Hortipasture System For Mitigating Climate Change And Sustaining Fodder & Fruit Supply In Semi-Arid Regions Of India, Kamini Gautam, Sunil Kumar, Amit Kumar Singh, Avijit Ghosh, Manjanagouda S. S., R. V. Kumar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Hortipasture systems have huge potential to mitigate climate change via sequestering carbon along with sustaining fodder and fruit supply especially in semi-arid regions. Therefore to evaluate climate change mitigation, fruit and fodder production potential of 10 year old rainfed based Hortipasture system (Psidium guajava (Guava) + Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes hamata) established at Central Research Farm of ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (Bundelkhand region, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India), carbon stock of tree and under storey pasture components was quantified along with fruit and forage production. The experimental site is drought prone semi arid region characterized by poor …

Free-Enterprise Farming On Grasslands In Central Nsw, Australia, Des Green, Stuart Green, Ted Wolfe, Jo Richardson, Rob Eccles

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A pathway is described in developing and improving the pastures on family-owned sheep and beef properties at sites near Blayney in central NSW. Initially, the twin approach of sowing perennial grasses, predominantly phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) with subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) plus the recommended addition of superphosphate fertiliser, was closely followed but within a decade ill-thrift in pastures and livestock occurred. Once the core problem of soil acidity was recognised, steps were taken to overcome this constraint with applications of lime. However, an additional modification involving the application of gypsum with lime had to be sorted out …

Long-Lasting Impairments In Quadriceps Mitochondrial Health, Muscle Size, And Phenotypic Composition Are Present After Non-Invasive Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury, Steven M. Davi, Ahram Ahn, Mckenzie S. White, Timothy A. Butterfield, Kate Kosmac, Oh Sung Kwon, Lindsey K. Lepley

Center for Muscle Biology Faculty Publications

Introduction: Despite rigorous rehabilitation aimed at restoring muscle health, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is often hallmarked by significant long-term quadriceps muscle weakness. Derangements in mitochondrial function are a common feature of various atrophying conditions, yet it is unclear to what extent mitochondria are involved in the detrimental sequela of quadriceps dysfunction after ACL injury. Using a preclinical, non-invasive ACL injury rodent model, our objective was to explore the direct effect of an isolated ACL injury on mitochondrial function, muscle atrophy, and muscle phenotypic transitions.

Methods: A total of 40 male and female, Long Evans rats (16-week-old) were exposed to …

Fodder Crop Adoption Through Push-Pull Technology (Ppt) For Fall Armyworm (Faw) Control In Cereals Cropping Systems, Michael N. Njunie, E. N. Muthiani, A. Mzingirwa, N. F. Pole, B. M. Muli, A. O. Esilaba

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is an urgent need to increase grain yields and animal products due to increasing human population in Africa. Push-pull technology (PPT) is a conservation agriculture intercrop technology which protects and enhances natural resources productivity and ecosystem services in mixed farming systems. The technology involves growing of a cereal crop with a repellent intercrop, Desmodium genus (silverleaf, D. uncinatum and greenleaf, D. intortum) with grass such as Pennisetum purpureum or Brachiaria spp. planted as a border around the cereal-legume intercrop. The plants accompanying the cereal crop are typically valuable high quality fodder thus integrating crop-livestock production. The PPT was …

Evaluation Of The Chemical And Biological Characteristics Of Sake Lees, S. Katsumata, S. Yamanaka, M. Yamauchi, H. Hirooka, H. Kumagai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sake lees (SLs), produced from brewing Japanese Sake and known to be rich in yeast, is expected to be an alternative of feed protein sources for ruminants. Previous studies showed that yeast improved the digestibility of fibers in ruminants. However, the nutrient composition and the numbers of live and dead yeast in the SLs, have large diversity because of the different brewing materials and processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and biological characteristics of SLs with diverse brewing processes and storing periods (0-23 weeks). Seven types of SLs (SLs 1-7) were collected from two breweries. …

Gut Microbial Trimethylamine Is Elevated In Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis And Contributes To Ethanol-Induced Liver Injury In Mice, Robert N. Helsley, Tatsunori Miyata, Anagha Kadam, Venkateshwari Varadharajan, Naseer Sangwan, Emily C. Huang, Rakhee Banerjee, Amanda L. Brown, Kevin K. Fung, William J. Massey, Chase Neumann, Danny Orabi, Lucas J. Osborn, Rebecca C. Schugar, Megan R. Mcmullen, Annette Bellar, Kyle L. Poulsen, Adam Kim, Vai Pathak, Marko Mrdjen

Pediatrics Faculty Publications

There is mounting evidence that microbes residing in the human intestine contribute to diverse alcohol-associated liver diseases (ALD) including the most deadly form known as alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH). However, mechanisms by which gut microbes synergize with excessive alcohol intake to promote liver injury are poorly understood. Furthermore, whether drugs that selectively target gut microbial metabolism can improve ALD has never been tested. We used liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to quantify the levels of microbe and host choline co-metabolites in healthy controls and AH patients, finding elevated levels of the microbial metabolite trimethylamine (TMA) in AH. In subsequent studies, we …

Interindividual Differences And Their Consistency In Grazing Cattle Behavior Across Seasons, H. Anzai, M. Shitajikkoku, K. Hani, N. Yamada, M. Hirata

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Interindividual differences and their consistency in behavior were investigated for cattle (Bos taurus) grazing a bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) dominated pasture as a herd of about 30 breeding cows with their calves. Behavior of the cows was monitored directly by observers and also using GPS and accelerometer data loggers attached to focal cows for a period of 1–5 days every month during the grazing seasons (from May to October) in 2018 and 2019. The data were converted into behavioral variables (e.g. time spent grazing, ruminating and resting, time spent in particular …

Grass Species Density And Biomass Of South African Communal Property Association Farms Differing In Soil Properties, K. E. Ravhuhali, B. Moyo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Attempts to monitor and mitigate rangeland deterioration in Communal Property Associations projects require some understanding of the knowledge of species composition and distribution. The study was conducted to compare the herbaceous in three selected CPAs projects (Mashung Matlala - Sandy loam, Mawela - clay loam, and Bela-Bela - clay) in South Africa. Mawela and Mashung Matlala CPAs were overgrazed. For species density, basal strike, and biomass, three transects (500m), which served as replicates, were established at two camps of each of the selected CPAs. Variation in herbaceous vegetation parameters was explored through SAS software. Clay soil type had better (P …

Therapeutic Treatment With The Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidate Mw151 May Partially Reduce Memory Impairment And Normalizes Hippocampal Metabolic Markers In A Mouse Model Of Comorbid Amyloid And Vascular Pathology, David J. Braun, David K. Powell, Christopher J. Mclouth, Saktimayee M. Roy, D. Martin Watterson, Linda J. Van Eldik

Neuroscience Faculty Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, but therapeutic options are lacking. Despite long being able to effectively treat the ill-effects of pathology present in various rodent models of AD, translation of these strategies to the clinic has so far been disappointing. One potential contributor to this situation is the fact that the vast majority of AD patients have other dementia-contributing comorbid pathologies, the most common of which are vascular in nature. This situation is modeled relatively infrequently in basic AD research, and almost never in preclinical studies. As part of our efforts to develop …

Therapeutic Treatment With The Anti-Inflammatory Drug Candidate Mw151 May Partially Reduce Memory Impairment And Normalizes Hippocampal Metabolic Markers In A Mouse Model Of Comorbid Amyloid And Vascular Pathology, David J. Braun, David K. Powell, Christopher J. Mclouth, Saktimayee M. Roy, D. Martin Watterson, Linda J. Van Eldik

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, but therapeutic options are lacking. Despite long being able to effectively treat the ill-effects of pathology present in various rodent models of AD, translation of these strategies to the clinic has so far been disappointing. One potential contributor to this situation is the fact that the vast majority of AD patients have other dementia-contributing comorbid pathologies, the most common of which are vascular in nature. This situation is modeled relatively infrequently in basic AD research, and almost never in preclinical studies. As part of our efforts to develop …

Assessing Feed Gaps On Smallholder Livestock Farms In Limpopo: Production System And Coping Strategies, S. A. Lamega, M. Komainda, M. P. Hoffmann, J. J. Odhiambo, K. K. Ayisi, J. Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Smallholder farms in southern Africa are predominantly mixed crop-livestock systems and often characterized by low productivity. Therefore, providing sufficient forage becomes a challenge that results first in feed gaps, i.e. the difference between the demand for and supply of forage, and secondly, in nutrient mining of the soil due to the overuse of the resources. However, the availability of forage follows potentially seasonal patterns. Hence, a key entry point for any intervention strategies for improvement is an assessment of forage quantity and quality throughout the year. Against this background, we investigated six locations, smallholders’ cattle production systems and their adaptation …

Forage Quality Of Cereal–Common Vetch At Different Age And Proportions, J. L. Zaragoza-Ramirez, P. A. Martinez-Hernandez, Ma. De L. Reyes-Medel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cereal plant age at harvesting and the proportion of vetch in the harvested forage from cereal-common vetch mixtures might influence total forage quality. The objectives were to determine forage of a forage mixture cereal-vetch, from cereal harvested at two development stages and vetch at different proportion. Cereals were oats and triticale, cultivars: Chihuahua, Bicentenario and Siglo XXI, the last two were triticale; cereal development stages at harvest were: 50% flowering and hard grain. Vetch was harvested at two development stages: 100% flowering and pod formation, while vetch proportions in the forage mix were: 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1.0. Forage …

Forage Production And Grazing Behaviour Of Beef Cattle In Agrosilvopastoral Systems In Brazil During The Dry Season, M. Pereira, P. Zawada, J. Werner, M. M. Macedo, R. G. Almeida, U. Dickhoefer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

We aimed at evaluating the microclimate, canopy structure, and grazing behaviour of cattle on Brachiaria sp. pastures within continuous pasture (CON), integrated crop-livestock (ICL), and crop-livestock-forestry (ICLF) systems in Brazilian dry season. Forage accumulation was monthly assessed in four paddocks per system from May to August 2019. To characterize the microclimate, air temperature and relative humidity were measured every hour and temperature-humidity index calculated. Grazing behaviour of 12 Nellore heifers per system (mean bodyweight 355 standard deviation±32.6 kg) was recorded by chewing sensors on nine continuous days (1 d adaptation + 8 d measurement) of three 15-d periods. Four animals …

Forage Accumulation And Quality Of Three Contrasting Ecotypes Of Tall Fescue (Schedonorus Arundinaceus) Managed Under Frequent Defoliation, J. Mattera, O. Scheneiter, I. Cattoni, E. Pacente, P. Barletta, O. Bertín

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the past, tall fescue ecotypes were compared under intermediate management defoliation frequency, but now has station, Argentina (-33 ° 56 'S, -60 ° 33' W) in autumn 2016, on a typical Argiudoll soil. The treatments were cultivars representing three ecotypes of tall fescue: (i) - Mediterranean (cv. Flecha), (ii) - Intermediate (cv. Royal Q 100) and (iii) - Continental (cv. Lujan INTA). Each plot consisted of 7 rows 6.0 m long, 0.2 m apart (8.4m² plot size) arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. The first cut was done at the end of September when …

Farmers’ Perceptions On Different Forage Types In Southern Highlands Of Tanzania, B. Nzogela, S. W. Mwendia, A. J. Mwilawa, J. Kizima, J. Bwire, A. O. Notenbaert

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Feed and forages take the bulk of inputs required in livestock production. Inadequate forages in quality and quantity in sub-Saharan Africa is responsible for low livestock productivity. Addressing livestock feed requirements presents quick wins in livestock productivity compared to breeding and health. In a Climate Smart Dairy project implemented in Tanzania, we demontrated several forage options to farmers including, two cultivars of Pennisetum purpureum, two Urochloa hybrids, Chrloris gayana and Tripsacum andersonii (control). Where applicable, the grasses were intercropped with either one of the following forage legume, Desmodium intortum, Lablab purpureus or Stylosanthes guiyanensis. Fourteen forage treaments …

Examining The Impact Of Patch Burning On Livestock Grazing Patterns In Edwards Plateau, Texas, W. G. Gao, J. P. A. Angerer, X. B. W. Wu, D. T. Tolleson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Production of sheep, goat, and cattle are major agricultural enterprises on West Texas rangelands, especially in the Edwards Plateau. In this region, the use of fire as a management tool was suppressed until recently. Although previous studies have been conducted to evaluate cattle use of burned versus unburned patches, there has been a lack of studies where combinations of livestock species grazing together on patch burned areas have been evaluated. The objective of this study is to examine grazing patterns of cattle, sheep and goats, both spatially and temporally, on areas where patch burning has been implemented. The study site …

Evaluation Of Morphogenesis And Yield Of Three Pennisetum Purpureum Varieties In South-West, Nigeria, Victoria O. A. Ojo, T. A. Adeyemi, D. K. Oyaniran, G. A. Akinade, Olufemi S. Onifade

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This experiment, conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria evaluated the morphogenesis of three varieties of Pennisetum purpureum used in this study, which were the local, purple, and FI variety at different stages of growth. The plants were established through vegetative plant parts (stems) sourced from a previously established plot and planted using 1 m × 1 m spacing on plots measuring 4 m × 5 m. The plants were fertilized with split doses of poultry manure at 4 t/ha (equivalent to 120 kg N/ha). The experiment was laid out as a Randomized Complete Block Design. Data on …

Effects Of Stages Of Growth On Dry Matter Yield And Nutrient Composition Of Red Clover In The Year Of Establishment In Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, T. T. Akpensuen, J. T. Amodu, O. A. T. Namo, R. J. Tanko

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An experiment was conducted in Jos, Nigeria to evaluate the effects of stages of growth on dry matter yield and nutrient composition of Red clover (Trifolium pratense var. AberClaret) in the year of establishment. The treatments were five (5) stages of growth (5, 9, 13, 17 and 21) weeks after sowing (WAS). The five stages of growth were replicated five times in a Latin Square Design. The land was divided into twenty five plots of 3 m X 3 m each. The spacing between each plot was 1m along the rows and columns. Growth components and DM yield were …

Effects Of Maturity And Drying Method On The Nutritive Value Of Tropical Grasses In Nicaragua, Rocky Lemus, R. Van Der Hoek, Y. C. Newman, M. Mena, K. A. Albrecht

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tropical grasses are key components for both grazing and conserved forages in sustainable livestock systems (beef and dairy) in Central America. The objective of the study was to evaluate grasses used in Nicaragua and their nutritive value contribution as preserved forage during the dry season under different drying methods. Five tropical bunch grasses (Andropogon gayanus, Hyparrheniarufa, Urochloabrizantha, Megathyrsus maximus, and Cenchruspurpureus) were sampled across different farms in Nicaragua in 2014 and 2015 using three replications. Forage samples were collected at 2, 4, 6, and 8-wk maturity as well as season long samples. Samples drying …

Simple Guidelines For Deciding When Soil Variability Does – And Doesn’T – Matter For Rangeland Management And Restoration, Jeff E. Herrick, J. Maynard, B. Bestelmeyer, A. Ganguli, J. Glover, K. Johnson, D. Kimiti, J. Neff, G. Peacock, J. Peters, S. Salley, P. Shaver, K. Shepherd, Z. Stewart, R. Van Den Bosch

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

“Rangelands in most parts of the world are relatively homogenous and can be managed uniformly at the landscape scale” or “rangelands are extremely diverse and require different approaches even at the landscape scale.” Both statements are made frequently by rangelands scientists and managers. Both are correct. Whether or not it is worthwhile to consider soil variability when planning management and restoration at the landscape scale depends on objectives, location, and the management or restoration strategies under consideration. Together these factors determine whether outcomes are likely to be different at different locations in the landscape, and whether those outcomes can be …

Effects Of Banana Peels On Chicken Weight Gain And Egg Production In The Urban And Peri-Urban Areas Of Aksum City, Ethiopia, H. G. Araya, S. G. Gebrekristos, W. V. Oliver

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

High feed cost of running urban-animal-agriculture and huge city wastes are challenges of the growing towns in modern Ethiopia. Egg production microenterprise is steadily growing due to its low initial investment and ready market in urban and peri-urban areas. However, cost of egg production is high due to the rising cost of corn, the main feed ingredient in poultry rations. Using banana peels, which forms a great proportion of city waste in Ethiopia, is seen as a way of not only reducing the waste, but also as an alternative low-cost feed supplement that could help enhance egg production by small-holder …

Restoring Rangelands For Nutrition And Health For Humans And Livestock, I. Öborn, A. Bargués Tobella, G. Bostedt, A. Hörnell, P. Knutsson, K. Lindvall, D. Mpairwe, S. Mureithi, G. Nyberg, Y. Nyberg, B. Schumann, A. Turinawe, T. Vågen, D. Wakjira, L. Winowiecki, E. Wredle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Drylands cover 40% of the global land area and host 2 billion people, of which 90% live in low- or middleincome countries. Drylands often face severe land degradation, low agricultural productivity, rapid population growth, widespread poverty, and poor health. Governance structures and institutions are often eroded. Livestock-based livelihoods, largely depending on seasonal migration are common. Pastoralist communities and their land are highly vulnerable to climate shocks, while there are also changes in land tenure, insecurity/conflicts and rapid infrastructure development. Drylands Transform is an interdisciplinary research project revolving around the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project aim is to contribute …

Effect Of Seeding Rates On Productivity And Quality Of Alfalfa In Northern Area Of Korea, Jong Geun Kim, C. Liu, S. N. Wei, Y. F. Li, E. C. Jeong, H. J. Kim

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Alfalfa cultivation in South Korea is not common. There are many reasons, but low productivity has been extremely limited. Although alfalfa growth was poor due to boron deficiency in the soil, the problem has recently been solved. Nevertheless, the cultivation of alfalfa is not expanding. About 200,000 tonnes of alfalfa hay are imported every year. Therefore, this study was conducted to find a way to replace imported hay by expanding alfalfa cultivation in Korea. Alfalfa (P5444) was sown in northern part of South Korea (Pyeongchang). Alfalfa was sown in September 2018 with different seeding rates (20, 30 and 40 kg/ha) …

Effect Of Prompt-Delayed Packaging And Ensiling Time On Fermentation And Aerobic Stability Of Soybean Curd Residue, Ajmal Wali, Takeshi Tsuruta, Naoki Nishino

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Wet soybean curd residue (SCR) obtained from two tofu factories (F1 and F2) was anaerobically stored with or without added beet pulp (BP). Sealing was performed on the day of tofu production (prompt sealing [PS]) or 2 days after SCR was piled and unprocessed (delayed sealing [DS]). Predominant lactic acid fermentation was observed regardless of the sealing time and BP addition. Acinetobacter spp. were the most abundant (> 67%) bacteria in pre-ensiled SCR, regardless of the factory and sealing time. In PS silage, the abundances of typical lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Streptococcus spp. reached …

Effect Of Native Grassland Intensification Over Cattle Performance, N. Caram, F. Casalás, M. Cadenazzi, R. Zanoniani, P. Boggiano

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective was to evaluate the effect of different levels of intensification in native grassland over cattle live weight gain (LWG), stocking rate (SR) and average daily gain (ADG) in Uruguay. The study was carried out in 7.8 ha in Paysandú, between winter 2015 and autumn 2019. Experiment was a randomized complete block design, with 4 replicates. The four treatments applied were native grassland (NG), NG overseeded with Trifolium pratense (6 kg.ha^-1) and Lotus tenuis (6 kg.ha^-1) + 40 kg.ha^-1 of P₂O₅ (NGO), NG fertilized with 60 kg.ha^-1 of N + …

Relationship Between Exchangeable Acidity And Persistence Of Orchardgrass (Dactylis Glomerata) In Temperate Pastures Under Different Management, H. Kakihara, S. Ogura

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Orchardgrass is a high productive, highly nutritive grass, but its persistence is low under acid soil condition. Therefore, to obtain the information on the effect of soil acidity on the persistence of orchardgrass in acid soil grasslands, we investigated the relationship between exchangeable acidity (y₁) and orchardgrass in sown pastures. Eight temperate pastures (four cutting meadows [CMs] and four cattle grazing pastures [GPs]) were used for vegetation survey and soil samplings. Six or three line transects (50 m each) were fixed in each meadow or pasture, and measurement location (three quadrats 20 cm×20 cm in size and 50 …

Isotopic Δ15N Signature Of Grass-Alone And Grass-Legume Tropical Pastures To Estimate Sources Of Nitrogen To Grasses In Farmer Managed Pastures, Daniel M. Villegas, J. Velasquez, J. Arango, K. Obregon, Idupulapati M. Rao, G. Rosas, A. Oberson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Vast areas of tropical forest have been converted into pastures sown with introduced grasses (Urochloa spp.). The majority of pastures exist in some stage of degradation, which has dramatic ecological and economic consequences. Our objective was to determine isotopic ¹⁵N signature of grass alone and grass-legume pastures to estimate sources of nitrogen (N) to grasses in farmer managed pastures. This work contributes to enhancing the sustainability of tropical pastures in forest margins through the integration of legumes. The overarching hypothesis tested was that legumes associated with grasses will improve nutrient supply via symbiotic fixation and mobilization of soil …