Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Maize No-Till Agroecosystems In Southern Brazil Based On A Long-Term Experiment, Guilherme Rosa Da Silva, Adam J. Liska, Cimelio Bayer

Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Brazilian agriculture is constantly questioned concerning its environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This research study used data from a 34-year field experiment to estimate the life cycle GHG emissions intensity of maize production for grain in farming systems under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) combined with Gramineae (oat) and legume (vetch) cover crops in southern Brazil. We applied the Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator for modeling the “field-to-farm gate” emissions with measured annual soil N₂O and CH₄ emissions data. For net CO₂ emissions, increases in soil organic C (SOC) were applied as a proxy, …

Evaluation Of Sweet Grain Sorghum Silage For Dairy Cows As An Alternative To Irrigated Maize Silage, W. G. Do Nascimento, Y. Barrière, X. Charrier, Christian Huyghe, J. C. Emile

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Under European dairy cattle rearing conditions, whole plant maize silage is the main part of the dairy cow's diet especially during the winter season. Nevertheless maize production can be limited in some areas because summer rainfall is insufficient and so irrigation is necessary. Grain sorghum hybrids, and especially sweet sorghum types, are potentially of great interest to avoid this water consumption (Lemaire et al., 1996, Legarto, 2000). For this reason we evaluated in 2003 the benefits and limits of a sweet grain sorghum silage for dairy milk production, compared to an irrigated maize silage. We paid particularl attention to …

Effects Of Cattle Slurry, Their Solid And Liquid Fractions And Mineral N Fertilizers On Italian Ryegrass And Maize Forage Yield, H. Trindade, J. Coutinho, N. Moreira

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Solid-liquid slurry separation techniques expand possibilities to improve slurry use efficiency and to reduce its negative environmental impact. These possibilities arise from the different behaviour of the two fractions concerning the release of nutrients, namely nitrogen (N), due to different C:N ratios (≈30 for the solid fraction and ≈7 for the liquid fraction).

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of cattle-slurry and their solid and liquid fractions applied at sowing time of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum cv. Andrea) and forage maize on crop dry matter (DM) yield. In the NW region of Portugal these two …

Effects Of Nitrogen Fertiliser On Nitrate Leaching And Production Of Autumn-Sown Italian Ryegrass In A Double-Cropping System On A New Zealand Dairy Farm, Errol R. Thom, A. A. Judge, R. N. Jensen, M. S. Sprosen, Sterwart F. Ledgard, W. D. Catto

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

On intensive dairy farms in New Zealand, winter Italian ryegrass crops are combined with summer maize silage crops in double-cropping systems. Limited data (Davies & Neilson, 1975) showed variable ryegrass yield responses to nitrogen (N) fertiliser when grown after maize. Nitrogen leaching losses were not measured in this experiment but Ledgard et al. (1988) showed that late autumn/early winter N applications are vulnerable to leaching. Different rates of N fertiliser were applied to Italian ryegrass grown after maize to assess yield responses and levels of nitrate leaching.

Increase In Forage Maize Production By Bacterial Fertilisers, D. Egamberdiyeva, G. Hoflich

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Farmers in many countries value green material generated from maize as a high quality forage. Its inclusion in dairy cow diets can improve forage intake, increase animal performance and has the potential to reduce production costs (Phipps, 1994). Restrictions on the use of chemical fertilisers and a renewed interest in organic sustainable farming systems in general, has restored attention to crop rotations The increase of maize production using bacterial fertilisers also gives alternative ways to reduce chemical fertilisers in forage production. Increased uptake of nutrients such as N, P, and K and crop yield was reported with rhizobacteria (Lazarovits & …

The Effects Of Offering Grass Or Maize Silages To In-Lamb Ewes On Body Weight And Condition Changes, Colostrum Yield And Quality, T. F. Crosby, P. J. Quinn, J. J. Callan, P. Reilly, B. Flynn, D. Cunningham, T. Massey

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Hay and more recently grass silage (GS) have been the traditional feeds for sheep in Ireland over the winter period. Alternatives such as maize silage (MS) are becoming increasingly important as winter forage sources especially for cattle. This study sought to evaluate grass silage and maize silage when offered to pregnant ewes.

Factors Affecting Bag Silo Densities And Losses, R. E. Muck, B. J. Holmes

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Bag silos (polyethylene tubes, 30 to 90 m length, 2.4 to 3.7 m diameter, 0.22 mm thick) are used on approximately one-third of the dairy farms in the U.S.A. for making silage, and the level of adoption is increasing rapidly. Unfortunately, almost no research data have been published on these types of silos. Our objective was to measure densities and losses in bag silos at three farms, looking for causes of variation in both.

Effect Of A New Microbial Strain As An Inoculant On The Quality Of Maize Silage, J. G. Kim, J. S. Ham, E. S. Chung, S. Seo, J. K. Lee

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Lactic acid bacteria play a key role in making silage from forage, and lactic acid bacteria selected from good silage could be expected to be suitable inocula for making good silage. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the such novel lactic acid bacteria for making high quality maize silage.

Options For Improved Biomass Production In Feeding Systems For Dairying In High Rainfall Environments In New Zealand, John M. De Ruiter, D. R. Wilson, S. Maley, S. M. Henton

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

New Zealand dairy production has expanded into marginal climates and soil types on the premise of excellent profitability and efficient utilisation of forage. Annual pasture production in the cool West Coast of the South Island (rainfall 2042-2933 mm) is15,000 kg. Increased farm production and feeding of high quality biomass, from imported feed or supplementary feed crops grown on- farm, are needed to improve milk solid output. Small plot trials with spring and early summer-sown brassicas, cereals and maize were the focus for development of systems to maximise and manage the seasonal feed supply. The effect of sowing time, fertiliser timing …

Ensiling Characteristics And Nutritive Value Of Browse/Maize Forage Mixtures, F. B. Bareeba, H. Kato, Elly N. Sabiiti

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The practice of growing fodder tree and shrubs is being advocated for and adopted in smallholder dairy production systems. In Uganda, Calliandra calothyrsus, Gliricidia sepium, and Leucaena leucocephala have been identified and recommended as the most suitable species (Sabiiti, 2001). However tree foliage contains toxic compounds (Lowry, 1990), which may be alleviated by ensiling. The objective of the experiment was to study the ensiling characteristics of browse/ maize forage mixtures and their nutritive value when fed to lactating dairy cows.

Irish Dairy Farming: Effects Of Introducing A Maize Component On Grassland Management Over The Next 50 Years, A. J. Brereton, N. M. Holden

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Typical management of Irish dairy units is based on a low-cost spring-calving strategy with 90% of annual feed derived from grass grown on the farm. Almost 70% of feed is from grazed grass managed by rotational grazing, the remainder is conserved forage and concentrates. The objectives of the work were to examine how the management system has to be modified when part of the dairy unit land is allocated to maize silage instead of grass silage production, and to examine how climate change over the next 50 years will impact on grass and maize management within the production system.

The Feeding Value Of Conserved Whole-Crop Wheat And Forage Maize Relative To Grass Silage And Ad-Libitum Concentrates For Beef Cattle, K. Walsh, P. O'Kiely, F. O'Mara

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grass is the predominant forage ensiled in Ireland. However, the relatively modest yields achieved in a single harvest allied to variability in digestibility and ensilability (and thus in intake and animal performance response) and the likelihood of effluent production create disadvantages for grass silage compared to the potential of some alternative forage crops. Thus, alternative forages are worthy of consideration on many farms. The objectives of this study were to quantify the relative intake, digestibility and performance of beef cattle offered grass silage, forage maize silage and whole-crop wheat (fermented or urea-treated), rank these relative to cattle offered an ad …

Yield And Composition Of Forage Maize: Interaction Of Harvest Date, Cultivar And Plastic Mulch, E. M. Little, P. O'Kiely, J. C. Crowley, G. P. Keane

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Forage maize is established as a crop with the potential to consistently supply high yields of quality forage on some Irish farms. Despite its success, considerable variability in crop yield, quality and maturity at harvest can exist from year to year. These reflect differing prevailing weather conditions, particularly temperature during May to September. The use of plastic mulch has increased the likelihood of achieving higher yields of high quality crops and has permitted maize production to extend into areas once considered unsuitable for the crop. In this experiment two cultivars of differing maturity were grown with or without plastic mulch …

Fermentation Characteristics Of Maize/Sesbania Bi-Crop Silage, M. Kondo, J. Yanagisawa, K. Kita, H. Yokota

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Maize is one of the main forages for dairy production and is a suitable material for silage making because of high fermentable carbohydrates, high counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and low buffering capacity (BC) (Nishino et al. 2003; McDonald et al. 1991). Whole crop maize silage is high in energy but low in crude protein (CP). On the other hand, legumes are high in CP but difficult to conserve because of their low water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and high BC. It might be possible that maize/legume bi-crop silage compensate for their negative points. Sesbania is a legume originated …

An Evaluation Of The Inclusion Of Alternative Forages With Grass Silage-Based Diets On Carcass Composition And Meat Quality Of Beef Cattle Offered Two Contrasting Grass Silages, T. W. J. Keady, F. O. Lively, D. J. Kilpatrick, B. W. Moss

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Recent studies have shown that the inclusion of some alternative forages with grass silage-based diets can increase animal performance of beef cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of including either maize or whole crop wheat (WCW) silages with grass silage-based diets on meat quality of beef cattle offered two levels of concentrate.

Comparison Of Different Maize Hybrids Cultivated And Fermented With Or Without Sorghum, Sz. Orosz, Z. Bellus, Zs. Kelemen, E. Zerényi, J. Helembai

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In Hungary our key forage crop is silage maize, however, the joint growing of maize and sorghum is increasingly important in arid regions. The reason is, that sorghum varieties tolerate well the various ecological stresses (drought). The joint growing of maize and sorghum varieties has several advantages and disadvantageous in respect of yields, safety of production, fermentability of the crop and nutrient content of the silage. The basis of realising the complementary qualities of the two crops and of the successful joint growing and preservation is the suitable pairing of hybrid varieties.

Stressed Out: Why Does Ancient Maize Thrive In High-Stress Conditions?, Alexander C. Lozano, Aaron Mleziva, Esther Ngumbi

PRECS student projects

Why is understanding stress response in maize so important?

• Maize, along with rice and wheat, provide at least 30% of calories to over 4.5 billion people
• Increases in flooding events has heavily impacted natural vegetation and crop production
• Combinatorial stresses, particularly flooding and herbivory, remain understudied for both modern and ancient verities of maize
• Ancient maize may be a superior genetic resource for flood-tolerant corn

Soil Carbon Accumulation Under Perennial Forage Grasses In The Southern Highlands Of Tanzania, S. S. Nyawira, P. Birthe, M. J. Korir, B. Nzogela, A. O. Notenbaert

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Land degradation caused by the loss of SOC in continuously cultivated agricultural systems is a major problem in many sub-Saharan Africa countries. The integration on perennial forage grasses in cropping systems has the potential to enhance SOC sequestration. The main objective of this study is to compare soil organic carbon (SOC) under perennial forages with SOC under annual food crops, specifically maize (Zea mays). A survey was conducted in Njombe district in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania to identity farmers with planted forages that are more than five years old and with neighbouring maize plots. Survey results identified …

The Relationship Between Grassland Composition On Stemborer Abundance On Grasses Surrounding Maize Farms, Nelima Maryselah, Mutyambai M. Daniel, Kuyah Shem, Netondo Godfrey, Mattias Jonsons

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grasslands are known to host crop pests and may act as the reservoir of pests affecting maize production. This research aimed at determining the effect of grassland composition on abundance of stemborers on grasses sorrouding maize farms in western Kenya. The experimental set up followed a complete random block design (CRBD); with four elevations at Lambwe, Homabay, Luanda and Mt. Elgon assigned as blocks based on different altitudes. Sampling was done in two seasons, during the short rain season of 2019 and the long rain season of 2020. Grasslands surrounding four pairs of push-pull and non-push-pull maize farms were assessed. …

Forage Production From Perennial Vs. Annual Crop R~ On In Sandy Soils In Egypt, Z. Abdelhalim, O. Niemeläinen, I. A. Hanna, A. M. Rammah

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Forage production was studied on newly reclaimed sandy soil in Egypt trom perennial lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and two annual crop rotations. The cropping systems were: A) lucerne, B) berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in the winter followed by pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum R. Br. Emend. Stantz.) in the summer and C) triticale (XX Triticosecale Wittm.) (forage cut + grain harvest) in the winter followed by maize (Zea mays L.) (grain + stover) in the summer. Mean annual dry matter yields (t ha^-1 ) were 20.65, 26.59 and 27.48 from A, B and C, respectively. However, …

Transgenic Maize Hybrid Crop Residues: Nutritive Value And Their Effects On Performance Of Grazing Beef Cows, S. K. Barnhart, J. R. Russell, M. J. Hersom, D. E. Farnham

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Several maize (Zea mays) hybrids, including three transgenic hybrids containing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) enzymes (Bt-maize hybrids), were planted in a field study. Mature, midgestation, beef cows (Bos tarus) strip-grazed post-harvest residues as paddocks over 126 days. Body condition-scores and weights were monitored. Forage yield, weathering losses and forage composition were monitored on grazed and ungrazed areas. Forage selection and intake were estimated. Grain yields, dropped grain, initial crop residue concentrations of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) yields were similar among hybrids. Hybrids varied in infestation of maize borers, …

Legacy Effects Of Intercropping And Nitrogen Fertilization On Soil N Cycling, Nitrous Oxide Emissions, And The Soil Microbial Community In Tropical Maize Production, Lucas P. Canisares, Hanna J. Poffenbarger, Eoin L. Brodie, Patrick O. Sorensen, Ulas Karaoz, Daniel M. Villegas, Jacobo Arango, Letusa Momesso, Carlos Alexandre Costa Crusciol, Heitor Cantarella

Plant and Soil Sciences Faculty Publications

Maize-forage grasses intercropping systems have been increasingly adopted by farmers because of their capacity to recycle nutrients, provide mulch, and add C to soil. However, grasses have been shown to increase nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Some tropical grasses cause biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) which could mitigate N₂O emissions in the maize cycle but the reactions of the N cycle and the microbial changes that explain the N₂O emissions are little known in such intercropping systems. With this in mind, we explored intercropping of forage grasses (Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria humidicola) with distinct …

Comparison Of Four Maize Cultivars (Zea Mays L.) As Winter Forage In Sudan, Rihab El Zubair

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Winter forage availability in Sudan is constrained by lack of a suitable annual winter forage crop. The main forage crop grown is Abu70 (Sorghum bicolor) which is a summer crop that yields 7.6-8.4 t/ha in summer but much less in winter. There is, therefore, need for a winter high yielding forage crop that exceeds Abu70 in productivity and quality. This study was aimed to evaluate four forage maize cultivars as potential winter crops in central Sudan in terms of productivity and quality. An experiment was conducted using four maize forage cultivars. The experiment lasted for two consecutive seasons …

The Use Of Cover Crops After A Maize Crop In The North Of Spain, D. Báez, M. Pinto, M. Rodríguez, G. Besga, J. M. Estavillo

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

This work intends to study N leaching losses in a field assay when crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) and italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was incorporated into the soil and quantify the their effect on N₂O, N total gaseous losses under controlled soil moisture and temperature conditions. Field assay: A split-plot design where main plot was the cover crop and the subplot was the rate of fertilizer (0 and 150 kg N ha^-1) applied to the subsequent maize crop. Laboratory assay: Residues of italian ryegrass and crimson clover were mixed with soil in containers, …

Effect Of Harvest Timing On Maize (Zea Mays L.) Quality, Z. Gaile

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.

Economic And Ecosystem Impacts Of Gm Maize In South Africa, Kristiina Ala-Kokko

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

White maize in South Africa is the only staple crop produced on a widespread commercial basis for direct human consumption using genetically modified (GM) cultivars. Using a combined economic and environmental approach, we estimate the total welfare benefits attributable to GM white maize in South Africa for 2001-2018 are $694.7 million. Food security benefits attributable to GM white maize in South Africa also manifest through an average of 4.6 million additional white maize rations annually. To achieve these additional annual rations using conventional hybrid maize, the additional land required would range from 1,088 hectares in 2001 to 217,788 hectares in …

Genomic Prediction Of Salinity Stress Tolerance In Maize (Zea Mays L.), Vishal Singh

Student Research Symposium

Maize is the largest crop in the world in terms of production. Utah, maize is a potential fodder crop. With increasing climate change, soil salinity is also increasing worldwide. Soil salinity is very detrimental to plants' growth and development and crop production. For a fodder crop, plant biomass is an important trait, and maize biomass is adversely affected by salinity stress, especially at the seedling stage. A Selection of salt-tolerant breeding material is a time-consuming process and its complexity is further increased by significant heterogeneity in soil salinity under field based evaluation. Genomic prediction is an emerging tool that can …

Scanning Electron Microscope (Sem) Of Leaf Cell Morphology And Inheritance For Corn Leaf Aphid (Cla) Resistance In Maize, Hee-Chung Ji, Joung-Kyong Lee, B. R. Sung, K. Y. Kim, K. J. Choi, Keun-Bal Lim, W. H. Kim, Sung Seo

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.

Adaptability Of Maize--Italian Ryegrass Cropping To Variable Sowing Dates By Life Cycle Assessment In Southern Kyushu, Japan, Y. N. Wang, Yasuyuki Ishii, A. Wadi, R. F. Utamy, Sachiko Idota, Y. X. Shen

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

No abstract provided.

Decolonizing Food Systems Research – The Case Of Household Agricultural Food Access In Bikotiba, Togo, Katryna Maria Kibler

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

Indigenous West African farmers are among the most climate change threatened globally. Food insecurity is prevalent in West Africa because ecological, social, political, and economic instabilities, and globalization worsen climate pressures. In this study, I collaborated with the community of Bikotiba (bih-CO-ti-buh), Togo, to understand their household agricultural food access, one aspect of resilience to food insecurity. I adopted a feminist approach of reflexivity, radical vulnerability, and radical empathy, combined with decolonizing principles, to argue that there could be an ethical way for well-trained Western researchers to engage Indigenous communities, if negotiated carefully. Together, Indigenous Research Assistants and I developed …