Earth Sciences Commons^™

Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy Analysis Of Quality Of Farm- Grown Alfalfa, N P. Martin, G C. Marten, D A. Schriever, J L. Halgerson, F R. Ehle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Successful use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of farm-grown alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is described. Calibration equations for CP, ADF, and NDF using the BEST/NeoTech 6100 IR spectro-computer system1 were developed from windrow alfalfa samples collected throughout Minnesota over three seasons. Standard errors of calibration were 0.57, 1.56 and 1.83 dag/kg for CP, ADF and NDF, respectively. Coefficients of multiple determination (R2) were 0.97, 0. 91 and 0. 93, respectively. Standard errors of NIRS analysis for CP, ADF, and NDF were 0.58, 1.48 and …

Development Of A National Alfalfa Quality Assessment Procedure In The United States, V L. Marble, W C. Templeton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Only a small fraction of the U.S. hay crop is evaluated for nutritive properties. Various states have developed alfalfa hay quality prediction systems based on chemical analysis. Confusion among users has resulted from nonuniformity among systems. Additional factors causing concern include: increased awareness among producers of higher income from the sale of high quality hay; increased demand among dairymen for a prediction system compatible with ration formulation; recognition of the inadequacy and nonuse of U.S. federal hay grades; increased movement of alfalfa hay across state borders; and lack of agreement on duplicate samples sent to different laboratories. After formation of …

The Cultivation And Feeding Value Of Persian Clover, P C. Flinn, K.F M. Reed, G R. Saul, G N. Ward, J G. Graham

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Research with Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum, ssp. majus) cv. Mara!, in south eastern Australia shows it to be productive and well adapted to waterlogged soils. It is particularly productive in spring when compared with other clovers. Winter production can be increased by sowing Persian clover with Westerwolds ryegrass or oats but the yield of clover in the spring is therby reduced. Persian clover conserved as hay was found to have a low neutral detergent fibre content (28.1 % ). In a 60 day feeding trial, lambs were fed Persian clover hay (78.5% digestible dry matter), lucerne hay (63.0% …

Voluntary Intake And Digestibility Of Two Selected Tropical Grasses By Swamp Buffaloes, M Wanapat, A Topark-Ngarm

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A study on chemical compositions, voluntary feed intake and nutrient digestibility of Panicum maximum cv. Guinea and Brachiaria decumbens cv. Signal at three regrowth cuttings (week 4, 8, 12) by swamp buffalo steers, was conducted. Dry matter, acid detergent lignin contents increased whereby ash, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber contents decreased, as the plants matured. Acid detergent fiber fraction remained similar for all cuttings. Voluntary dry matter intake and digestion coefficients of nutrients were relatively high at week 4 and 8 and markedly low at week 12 for both species. Buffaloes fed with signal grass had higher intakes and …

Research For Selection Criteria For Grass Quality, Based Upon Animal References, M Gillet, J Scehovic, M Lila

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In an effort to find selection criteria for intake and digestibility, based on correlations with the same characters measured on animals, we have compared 4 to 6 grasses of similar heading dates for intake, palatability, digestibility by sheep, intake by goats and many laboratory tests. 1979 results were published for Lexington Congress. Results of 1980 and 1981 springs bear them out in several points :

- palatability was a very precise and stable test

- palatability, digestibility and goat intake were stable and correlated with each other

- soluble phenols were able to predict palatability and part of digestibility

-sheep …

Using Grinding Energy Measurements For Predicting Crude Fibre Content In First Growths Of Permanent Grassland, Chr Paul, U V. Borstel, E Zimmer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The performance of a grinding energy test for the simple and rapid prediction of crude fibre content in spring growth of grassland was investigated during three successive years and its potential for deriving recommendations on appropriate cutting dates demonstrated. The grinding energy test appeared to achieve a precision comparable to that for near infrared based predictions of crude fibre reported from the literature. Prediction bias consisting in a mean 2% crude fibre underestimation was found to occur in one year presumably due to an anomalous _constellation of environmental conditions. This appeared to have affected the pattern of plant development and …

Cell Wall Composition And Rate Of Digestion Of Brown-Midrib Sorghum Internodes As Influenced By Maturity, J H. Cherney, J J. Volenec, K J. Moore

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

More information is needed on the growth of secondary plant cell walls in forage species, and the relationship of cell wall structure to rate and extent of digestion. Our overall objective was to relate changes in cell wall composition with maturation to rate and extent of cell wall digestion. The seventh intemode of normal and brown-midrib ( bmr) sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.) was harvested at eight maturities beginning with the cessation of intemode elongation. Dry weight per segment was determined for each maturity stage. Lignin accumulation in lntemode 7 increased during maturation, with the rate of lignin synthesis being …

The Effect Of The Species, Stage Of Maturity And Level Of Intake Of Grass On The Efficiency Of Microbial Protein Synthesis In The Rumen Of Cattle, F J. Hart, Jane Leibholz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study was undertaken because there is a paucity of information in the literature on the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis in the rumen of cattle when grass is fed as the sole diet. There is also little experimental data available on the factors which affect the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. The work involved feeding six rumen fistulated Friesian steers with three species of grass which were harvested at various tages of maturity. In addition each maturity of forage was fed at three 15levels of orp5 nic matter ( OM) intake.

as sampled at the omasum and microbial protein …

The Influence Of Aging On Forage Quality Of Individual Switchgrass Leaves And Stems, B Anderson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cattle selectrively graze switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) tops prior to the boot stage and prefer vegetative culms and new tillers following heading. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the changes in forage composition of individual leaves and stems during growth to determine if grazing selection may be influenced by aging. Plants were cut periodically at ground level from collaring of the first leaf until anthesis. Leaves (leaf blade plus sheath) of different ages, stems, and the whorl were hand separated at each harvest. Crude protein, in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), neutral and acid detergent fiber, lignin, and …

Harvesting Alyceclover For Maximum Dry Matter Yield And Nutrient Value, D D. Baltensperger, W G. Blue, W H. Anderson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Limited information is available on the quality of alyceclover (Alysicarpus vaginalis) in relation to plant stress. This study was undertaken to clarify the relationship between plant maturity and forage yield, quality and mineral composition in order to optimize each at harvest. Alyceclover was grown for two summers and new plots were harvested weekly through the pod-fill stage of development beginning eight weeks after planting. Samples were analyzed for dry matter, organic matter, In vitro dry matter digestibility, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and zinc. Dry matter yields increased through the flowering stage of development except …

Adaptation Of The Inra System Of Determination And Expression Of The Nutritive Value Of Forages To The Tropical Conditions In The Caribbean Island, A Xande, R Garcia-Trujillo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This program have undertaken a series of trials of systematic measure of nu tritive value on the tropical forages. The choice of the calculation and of the way of expression of energetic and nitrogen values required comparation measures in different systems as well as attempts in alimentation before adopting the new french INRA system of energy (UFL-UFV) and of the protein value (POI). The general results of this study is a preamble to the diffusion of the table of nutritive value of the tropical forages. For this purpose 450 samples of forages have been analysed on sheep in cage of …

Using Triple Oxygen Isotopes To Investigate Water Usage In Desert Ecosystems, Cloe V. Knutson

Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

In arid environments, maintaining water balance can be more critical for survival than obtaining food. As droughts intensify, understanding how animals manage body water is essential. Triple oxygen isotope analysis provides a novel way to trace water sources in animals, distinguishing contributions from free water, food-derived oxygen, and atmospheric O₂. We developed an equilibration method using CO₂–H₂O oxygen exchange and measured δ^’18O and Δ^’17O values via tunable infrared laser direct spectroscopy (TILDAS). Validated against traditional fluorination methods, this technique enables streamlined analysis of whole blood and plant samples. Applied to …

Limited Soil Water Recharge In Summer Affects Seasonal Isotopic Signatures Of Tree Xylem Water, Marius G. Floriancic, Gregory R. Goldsmith, Harsh Beria, Scott T. Allen, James W. Kirchner

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Recent studies have reported that xylem waters in forest trees during the summer growing season are often isotopically similar to winter, rather than summer, precipitation. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this observation, which can be viewed as a form of ecohydrological separation, but empirical tests spanning space and time remain limited. We hypothesise that variations in the seasonal origin of precipitation found in tree xylem waters can be explained by seasonal differences in soil water recharge. We test this hypothesis by evaluating to what extent climatic aridity can explain seasonal signals in extensive surveys of the isotope ratios …

Post-Wildfire Erosion And Sedimentation: An Escalating Threat For Utah Fisheries, Colton James, Kendall Becker, Scott Hotaling, Aish Chandrasekaran, Alex Fiedler, Timothy E. Walsworth, Patrick Belmont

All Current Publications

Wildfires are a natural part of the western U.S. landscape and provide numerous benefits, including enhanced nutrient cycling and habitat rejuvenation. Utah’s fish populations evolved with wildfire as a common disturbance. However, the increasing size and severity of wildfires, combined with Utah’s heavily engineered and fragmented stream networks, pose a contemporary risk to fish populations. This fact sheet reviews wildfire impacts on erosion and Utah's watersheds and fisheries. It outlines measures we can take to prevent post-wildfire fish die-offs.

Spatiotemporal Responses To A Rural Highway By Four Mammal Species, Caitlin K. Brett, Anna Rose Mehner, John H. Young Jr., Sarah E. Lehnen, Richard J. Kline

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Roads can negatively impact the wildlife communities they transect. Road mortalities from wildlife-vehicle collisions are one direct effect, but roads may also indirectly affect wildlife behavior, movement, or local distribution. Quantifying the spatial extent of these road-effects is important for understanding how roads indirectly affect species of concern, identifying potential sources of disturbance, and for estimating the effectiveness of road mitigation structures. Farm-to-Market Road (FM)106, which transects part of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge in Cameron County, Texas, has been identified as a potential source of wildlife road mortalities, particularly for one of the two remaining breeding populations of …

The Astrobiological Figure Of Humboldt As Pioneer In The Rock Varnish Research, Jose Jordan-Soria

Homage to Alexander von Humboldt: Travels to and from Spain Throughout the Centuries / Homenaje a Alexander von Humboldt: Viajes hacia y desde España de todos los siglos

From Humboldt is particularly interesting -and little know- his description of mineral coatings on rocks 200 years ago, reported in his book Personal Narrative of Travels to the Equinoctial Regions of the New Continent during the years 1799-1804, co-written with Aimé Bonpland, for which is considerate the father of rock coating research. On June 5th 1799 set sail from A Coruña -Spain- to Cumaná -Venezuela- beginning five years of expedition. While they explored the Orinoco River system, in th eriver basin waterfalls, Humboldt observed the presence of dark coating depositions. He ascertained a manganese-rich accretion, reporting similar structures in other …

Catching A Fever: A Comparison Of Vachellia Xanthophloea Populations In The Limpopo And Luvuvhu River Floodplains Of The Makuleke Contractual Park, Kianie B. David

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study investigates patterns of stand structure regeneration, growth characteristics, and coarse woody debris (CWD) patterns in Vachellia xanthophloea (fever tree) stands within the Makuleke Contractual Park (MCP), a semi-arid savanna system in northern Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. Fieldwork was conducted across two stand types: a monospecific fever tree stand in Rietbok Vlei and a mixed-species stand in the Western Nhlangaluwe Floodplain where fever tree is established with Faidherbia albida (ana tree). Data were collected from 20 total 1/4-acre (1,011 m²) circular plots between both stands in 2024 and 2025, including seedling root collar diameter (RCD), …

Using Radium Isotopes To Compare Nutrient Inputs Via Submarine Groundwater Discharge To Offshore Export On The West Florida Shelf, Andrew L. Lindgren

OES Theses and Dissertations

Radium isotopes have been used to trace submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and associated nutrient and metal inputs into the coastal ocean. They have also been used to estimate rates of diffusive mixing and export fluxes of dissolved constituents offshore. However, use of both approaches in tandem to determine the fate of groundwater inputs after they enter the coastal ocean is still relatively unexplored. Radium isotopes and nutrients were measured in two cross-shelf cruises on the West Florida Shelf in different seasons and in quarterly sampling of offshore wells. Through 226Ra mass balance and 223Ra-derived diffusive mixing rates, inputs of nutrients …

Response Of Wheat To Phosphorus-Enriched Ironstone Gravel, David Weaver, David Rogers, Ron Master, Peta Richards, Robert Summers, Simon D V Clarendon

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Context

Gravel fractions ( > 2 mm) in soil are almost always excluded from laboratory analysis and glasshouse experiments as they are considered to be inert; however, the > 2 mm fraction is always present in field experiments. Aims

To determine whether the > 2 mm fraction of ironstone gravel (IG) soil enriched with phosphorus (P) can supply P to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Methods

An IG soil was separated into different size fractions ( < 2, 2–4, 4–6, 6–8 and 8–10 mm), and adsorption and desorption experiments, volumetric moisture measurements and glasshouse experiments were conducted. Each of the > 2 mm fractions were enriched with P to different levels and added to a sand culture, or to the enriched < 2 mm fraction in different amounts (25%, 50% and 75% IG). Wheat was grown in pots and growth correlated to P added from enriched soil fractions, weighted Colwell P, soil solution P concentrations and volumetric water content. Key results

The < 2 mm fraction of the IG soil adsorbed more P than the > 2 mm fraction of the IG …

Comparison Of Energy Efficiency And Vegetation In Different Establishment And Management Systems Of Steep Mountainous Grassland In The Aso Area, Japan, K Kabata, C Okamoto, M Shimizu, M Kikuchi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Aso area is one of the most important areas for grass­land agriculture in Japan. In this area there exists ca. 44,000 hectares of which ca. 28,700 ha are steep mountainous lands ( a gradient of more than 15 degrees). Additionally, there is much precipitation (ca 2.600 mm/year) in the area. Consequently, there is a problem of grassland destruction due to soil erosion. Therefore, in order to promote the utilization and conser­vation of steep grasslands, the following two experimental grazing were carried out: 1) a two pasture system and 2) a coexistent pasture system with introduced and native grasses. In …

Comparison De La Dynamique De La Vegetation De Deux Ecosystemes Herbagers Mesoxerophiles Apres Deprise Agricole Dans Le Massif Vosgien, S Muller

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Les orientations actuelles de !'agriculture europeenne dans le cadre de la Politique Agricole Commune de la Communaute Economique Europeenne devraient conduire a !'abandon dans les decennies a venir de plusieurs millions d'hectares de terres agricoles en France, entrainant des modifications ecologiques et paysageres considerables. Dans le Massif Vosgien la deprise agricole, consecutive a la regression des industries traditionnelles et a !'elevation du niveau de vie, a provoque !'abandon depuis les annees 1950 de nombreux herbages, autrefois entretenus surtout par des pluri­actifs. Ces milieux evoluent alors vers des friches herbacees seboisant plus ou moins rapidement de maniere spontanee.

Massif Vosgien constitue …

Le Role Des Plantes Herbageres Dans La Limitation Des Pertes Des Principaux Elements Nutritifs Par Le Drainage, S Kopec

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Depuis longtemps on connait !'action anti-erosive des plan­tes herbageres qui empechent d'une fa< ;on tres efficace l'affais­sement des particules de sol, en particulier sur des surfaces en pente. Dans ces derniers temps on parle de plus en plus souvent du role des herbages dans la limitation du drainage des elements nutritifs du sol et de nombreuses recherches menees a cet effet dans plusieurs pays le confirment (Jones, 1972; Gachon et Tri­boi, 1967; Kopec, 1985). Dans cette etude on a presente les resultats des recherches lysimetriques Sur la quantite des principaux elements nutritifs draines par les eaux s'evacuant des terrains agricoles couverts d'herbages et d'autres cultures.

Degradation Models And Their Use In Determining The Condition Of Southern African Grasslands, O.J H. Bosch, K Kellner, S.H E. Scheepers

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

An understanding of the processes of change is an important prerequisite for the development of techniques for the monitor­ing of condition and trend, and to interpret the ecological sig­nificance of determined condition classes. The approach to develop and use degradation models for determining range condition is illustrated in this paper by means of basic ecological data from the relatively high rainfall zone in the climatic climax grasslands (Mentis and Huntley, 1982) of southern Africa.

An Experiment And Study On A Air-Seeding Astragalus Adsurgens For Soil Conservation On The Loess Plateau Of China, Yimin Liang, Daiqiong Li, Xinhai Cong

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The irrational land utilization has resulted in destruction of original vegetation and serious soil erosion on the Loess Pla­teau in China. At present, 1600 million ton of sediment is disch­arged into the Yell ow River per year. In order to explore effec­tive avenues to speed reestablishing vegetation for controlling soil erosion, we made an experiment in seeding forage and shrubs by airplane for four years, from 1976 to 1979, in semi­arid region on the Loess Plateau. We selected suitable plant species for aerial seeding on semiarid region, determined fit aerial seeding time and seeding rate through manual broadcast and air-seeding. …

Role Potentiel Des Legumineuses Annuelles A Ressemis En France, P Masson, G Gintzburger

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

L'interet pour les legumineuses annuelles a ressemis est recent en France malgre !'importance de la zone mediterra­neenne et atlantique dont ces plantes sont originaires. Le trefle souterrain (Trifolium subterraneum) et les luzernes annuelles (Medicago sp.) apparaissent respectivement dans notre littera­ture specialisee a la suite de travaux d'amelioration pastorate en Corse (Etienne, 1977) et des travaux de plusieurs labora­toires de l'Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique a Montpellier (Gintzburger et Prosperi, 1987). Apres 4 ans d'experimentation dans diverses situations des Pyrenees Orientates dans le sud de la France en climat mediter­raneen (pluviometrie moyenne annuelle de 575 mm a …

Agroforestry In The Southeastern United States, H A. Pearson, C E. Lewis

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Agroforestry has been practiced for many years in the tropics by intermixing forages under palms, fruit trees, or hardwoods. Interest has increased in temperate zones for combining trees, pastures, crops, and livestock. Agroforestry in the United States is generally limited to the combining of pines, tame pastures, and cattle. Our purpose is to summarize results of research and developments in the southeastern United States on cool-and warm-season forages under planted pines and pine regeneration in tame pasture.

The Effects Of Heavy Metals Applied In Digested Sewage Sludge To Grassland, A Desira Buttigieg, D A. Klessa, D A. Hall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The application of potentially toxic elements in sewage sludge to grassland has implications to environmental pol­lution and the health of grazing rumiµants. In Scotland, mod­erately acid grassland receives most of the sewage sludge applied to agricultural land and there is therefore a risk of heavy metal mobilisation and uptake by herbage. In addition, soil ingestion (Fleming, 1986) and intake of herbage contami­nated with sludge adhering to leaf surfaces may present an important means by which potentially toxic elements are absorbed by ruminants. In this paper, two aspects of sewage sludge use on grassland are studied, namely : 1. Factors affecting …

Increasing Flora Diversity In Grassland Swards, R J. Haggar, D Jones

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Europe's farmers are being encouraged to take land out of agriculture in order to reduce surplus cereal production. There is therefore, increasing scope for creating new species-rich swards, although guidelines for this purpose are lacking. Several reasons are advanced for encouraging species diver­sity and conservation, including recreational, ethical, education and resource utilisation. As leisure time increases, so public interest in conservation matters increases. Scientifically, there is a need to preserve genetic diversity and to understand the com­plex plant and animal relationship leading to a rich and varied community. This paper describes two experiments aimed at achieving a . highly diverse …

Grass Plan Density For Adequate Conservation Reserve Program Stands, D W. Meyer, D Rugroden

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a federal program with the objective to reduce surplus feed grain pro­duction in the United States by idling marginal cropland, has already idled nearly 12 million hectares with a target of 32 mil­lion hectares. Idled land must be seeded to perennial grasses to help prevent soil erosion. The required grass seeding has caused the cost of grass seed to increase several fold ; therefore, estab­lishment cost could be reduced considerably if seeding rates could be reduced from the present recommended 215 to 323 seeds/m2 (Dodds, 1981). Recommended seeding rates were developed from research on establishment …

Multiple Of The Intermountain Region, Forest Service, United States Department Of Agriculture, J S. Tixier, A H. Winward

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Initial custodians of the National Forests of the United States were primarily concerned about protecting what were perceived as deteriorating timber stands and watersheds. Con­siderable progress was made in correcting these problems in the first half of this Century. As the population of the United States grew, more people became interested in management of all resources on these public lands. Forest Officers gradually became stewards managing a broad array of lands and resources for which there were often conflicting interests and uses. A primary use of National Forests in the Western United States has been livestock grazing. Here, animals are …