Earth Sciences Commons^™

Maize Yield Stability Under Organic And Conventional Farming Systems In Sub-Humid Agro-Ecozones Of Central Kenya, Milka Kiboi, David Bautze, Felix Matheri, Amritbir Riar, Andreas Fliessbach

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the main staple crop and is important to the food security and livelihoods of people globally. We evaluated the effects of organic and conventional farming systems on maize grain yield and temporal yield stability under different external input levels in a long-term experiment (2007–2022) at two sites in Kenya. We implemented four farming systems: organic high (Org-High), conventional high (Conv-High), organic low (Org-Low), and conventional low (Conv-Low) in a randomized complete block design. Growth indicators for maize, height, stem diameter, and grain yield were higher in high input systems, but grain yield stability was not. …

Enhancing Sustainable Rice Production Through Organic Plus Fertilizer In Irrigated Paddy Fields, Oviyanti Mulyani, Emma Trinurani Sofyan, Ania Citraresmini, Benny Joy, Anne Yuliana Husen

Jurnal Kultivasi

Sustainable rice farming is increasingly threatened by declining soil fertility, excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers, and environmental degradation from intensive agricultural practices. There is an urgent need for innovative organic fertilizer products that combine organic materials with macro and micronutrient enhancements to restore soil health effectively. This research aimed to evaluate the effect of organic plus fertilizer (OPF) as a sustainable soil amendment to improve soil nutrient status, increase paddy productivity, and enhance overall soil health. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments: one recommended OPF dose, six combinations of NPK (75 – 100%) …

Effect Of Eco-Enzyme Application On Soil Nutrient And Plant Productivity Of Green Mustard-Peanut In Inceptisol, Idris Abd Rachman, Buhari Umasugi, Krishna Aji, Nurul Fahira A Hakim, Adnan Sofyan, Asrul Dedy Ali Hasan

Jurnal Kultivasi

Appropriate land management has a long-term impact on soil performance and is believed to improve soil fertility. This study investigated the effect of eco-enzymes on soil nutrients and plant productivity of green mustard-peanut in inceptisol. The research was conducted from February to April 2025. The experiment used a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of 5 treatments and replicated 3 times, so that there were 15 units, including N0 = without Eco-enzyme, N1 = Eco-enzyme 2cc/L. N2= Eco-enzyme 4cc/L, N3= Eco-enzyme 6cc/L, and N4= Eco-enzyme 8cc/L. The commodities used were green mustard (Brassica juncea L) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea Linn). Soil …

Growth And Yield Of Curly Red Chili (Capsicum Annum L.) In Response To Mulching And Chicken Manure Application In The Erosion-Prone Area Of Loto, Ternate Island, Tri Mulya Hartati, Lily Ishak, Krishna Aji, Chumidach Roini

Jurnal Kultivasi

Information on soil resources in volcanic landscapes presents a high potential for agricultural land development, but its development is always faced with the potential for continuous land degradation. This study aims to reduce the rate of land degradation through the application of vegetative conservation in erosion-prone Loto agrotourism area, Ternate Island. The research location is focused on erosion-prone areas. The research consisted of a soil resource inventory and a vegetative conservation application. The vegetative conservation application method used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) pattern, composed of 2 factors. The first factor is mulching, namely: no mulching (M0) and mulching (M1), …

Farm Management Practice For The Prevention Of Soil Erosion In The Carnarvon Horticultural Area, Kehinde O. Erinle

Horticulture research reports

The Carnarvon horticultural area has suffered considerable erosion damage following flooding of the Gascoyne River.

The purpose of this report is to describe the factors that contribute to soil erosion in the Carnarvon horticultural area (Section 1), provide guidelines for good soil management (Sections 2) and provide floodway hazard classes and associated soil management recommendations (Section 3).

This report:

• Provides detailed information on soil management for intensive irrigated cropping.
• Details cropping alternatives to better manage the soil erosion risk.
• Identifies appropriate plants for soil stabilisation in a range of situations.
• Promotes the concept of property management plans.
• Takes account of …

Impacts Of 4r Nitrogen Management And Water Optimization On Soil Health, Kamaldeep Kamaldeep

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Farmers in Utah and Idaho are facing growing challenges due to high fertilizer costs, limited irrigation water, and pressure to improve long-term soil health. To better understand current practices and grower attitudes, a survey was conducted in 2020 targeting 5,000 producers of small grains, corn, and potatoes. Although the response rate was low, 146 growers representing over 25,000 hectares of cropland participated. Survey results showed that most growers are open to improving nitrogen and irrigation practices and care about their soil health, even if not all are fully using 4R or precision agriculture methods.

This thesis includes two field studies …

The Effect Of Cellulolytic Enzyme Preparations As In Vitro Improvement For Forage Digestibility, G Bertin, Ph Hellings

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The systematic study of commercial preparations of fungal cellulases has been undertaken with the aim of determining the principal components and the contribution of each to the digestion of the plant cell wall. These enzymes, normally have three fold role-silage preservative by hydrolysing the cellulosic wall of plant material, cellulases make available fermentable sugars to the lactic bacteria. -Improvement of digestibility we can increase gain by 1 % of the dry matter in forage. - Improvement of intake if the animal digests more quickly his gut will empty more rapidly thus making it available sooner for a new intake of …

Effect Of Cellulase Preparation On Fermentation Of Silage, E No, Y Harasawa, A Ataku, N Narasaki, T Sueyoshi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of cellulase preparation (Meicelase) on silage fermentation were studied using the first cutting alfalfa and timothy. In one-liter laboratory silos with Meicelase of 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0:8% of the fresh grasses, the fermentative quality was examined throughout a 30 day ensilage period. The amount of the lactic acid in the silage with the Meicelase was considerably greater than the control silage with no additive. In addition, the pH of that silage was low and the content of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) was high. However, the differences in the amount of Meicelase applied had no effects in the …

Effects Of Sample Drying Method On Estimates Of Nutritive Value Value, S Uchida, H Hayashi, T Horigome

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of different drying methods for the sample used for analysis on the estimates of the nutritive value of silage was investigated. The silages and hay were made from the same grass and fed to three wethers to determine digestibilities. The samples for analytical use of silages and hay fed, and feces excreted, were prepared by three drying techniques of freeze drying (F), oven drying at 60 C (L) and oven drying at 100 C (H) and then each dried sample was ground in a Wiley mill to pass a 0.5 mm screen. The residual moisture in prepared samples …

Effect Of Lactic Acid Bacteria On Silage Fermentation, Ph Hellings, G Bertin, M Vanbelle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Inoculants were tested to determine their suitability for use as silage aids. Studies carried out in laboratory indicated (1) that the minimum inoculum should be at least 105 viable organisms per gram of fresh fodder and (2) of all bacterial strains tested, only the Lactobacillus and, specifically, L. casei improved storage characteristics. But the efficiency of an inoculant was subordinated to the fermentable sugars content of the crops. In this respect, alfalfa and second cut grass had the lowest potential for ensilage. Energy was supplied as a mixture of milled barley and amylolytic complex. The influence of a 1: 1: …

Ensilage Of Alfalfa Press-Cake. A Kinetic Model For Ph, Acidity And Nitrogen Evolution, G Amdrich, L Lencioni, R Florentini, G Anelli

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A kinetic model to describe the time evolution of pH, acidity, metabolizable nitrogen and k1 • B, ( a function related to the bacteria concentration) during ensilage of alfalfa press-cake is suggested. The basic hypotheses of the model are given together with the related differential and integral equations. The kinetic model has been tested using experimental data obtained from two samples of alfalfa press-cake respectively ensiled with and without acid addition. The correlation coefficients obtained indicate the reliability of the suggested model.

Ensilage Of Alfalfa Press-Cake, G Anelli, G Andrich, M Contini, L Lencioni

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Istituto Industrie Agrarie of the University of Pisa has developed a wet green crop fractionation process which involves the ensilage of the press-cake. This note reports some experimental results on the alfalfa press-cake ensiled with or without addition of acid. The evolution of silages was evaluated through organoleptic and chemical parameters. The good behaviour· during the ensilage shows that alfalfa press-cake is suitable to be ensiled even without previous acidification.

Coagulation Of Sheep Milk Added With Alfalfa Juice And Protein Concentrate, L Lencioni, R Florentini, A M. Pisanelli, C Galoppini

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This note reports some experimental results on the preparation of food-grade products obtained by enzyme coagulation of sheep milk added with alfalfa juice, decolourized whole protein concentrate and cytoplasmic protein concentrate. Working conditions are reported together with the yields, chemical composition and organoleptic properties of the coagula. Products obtained from milk supplemented with low alfalfa juice (��5% dry basis) or protein concentrates (;;;;:10% dry basis) show a good acceptability. The ripening greatly reduces grass flavour and taste.

Effect Of Remaining Brown Juice In Wet Protein Curd On The Quality Of Leaf Protein After Drying, Y S. Cho, J K. Kim, T Horigome, S Uchifa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of remaining brown juice ( deproteinised juice) in wet protein curd on the quality of resulting leaf protein was examined. Freshly cut Italian ryegrass and red clover were fractionated into protein curd, brown juice and pressed cake. Various leaf proteins were prepared by drying the protein curds retaining different amounts of brown juice at 65°C followed by acetone-washing, and by immediate acetone-washing of the protein curd. Casein-brown juice mixtures at the ratio of 1 :3 and 1: 6 were also prepared. The crude protein content of the dry matter in brown juice was very low, 9. 9% for …

The Nutritive Value Of Mixtures Of White Leaf Protein And Other Food Proteins, R Carlsson, P Hanczakowski

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The nutritive value of white leaf proteins were studied, as food supplements. The protein was obtained by heat­fractionation ( Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) or by de-pigmentation (Medicago sativa L. ). The leaf protein was substituting 50% of the protein in a diet, where the remaining 50% came from wheat gluten, soya bean meal, bone-meat meal, fish meal, skim milk or whey. The nutritive value was estimated by the Thomas-Mitchell nitrogen balance method. The proximate chemical composition of the food protein products, and their amino acid composition were analysed. In every mixture but the one with gluten the biological value was higher …

Effect Of Contamination By Aspergillus Flavus On The Nutritive Value Of Leaf Protein Concentrate Of Leucaena Leucocphala During Storage, H T. Ostrowski-Meissner, I Komang, W Supratman, I Barchia, S Cacang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Leaf protein concentrate extracted from tree legume Leucaena leucocephala cultivar Cunningham (LLP) was stored under humid tropical conditions (24-28°C and 84-92% rh) in the form of wet cake during a 10 day period. Samples of LLP were taken every second day for chemical analyses and protein quality assays. The effect of storage on dried LLP was also assessed against two control proteins: peanut meal (PNM) and fish meal (FM), either free of aflatoxins or infected by the aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergi_llus flavus to the level 280 mcg aflatoxin B1 equivalent/kg. Storage of wet LLP under such conditions resulted in infestation by …

Physiological Activity Of Alfalfa Lpc And Brown Juice, A Sagasaki, T Kawakami, M Naito, H Yamada, Y Kuroyanagi, K Suzumura, R Kayama

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

With the purpose of searching physiological active component(s) contained in alfalfa leaf, green leaf protein concentrate (LPC) and brown juice were tested against the effects on the inutagenicity of mutagen and hyperlipemia. LPC and brown juice were found to inactivate the mutagenicity of 2•aminoanthracene by the Ames test, and the capacity was more powerful in LPC than in brown juice. Further feeding of alfalfa LPC or its brown juice added diet to hamster reduced the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum.

Influence Of The Age Of Chicken On The Metabolizable Energy Value Of Alfalfa Leaf Protein Concentrate, S Terapuntuwat, I Tasaki

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Influence of the age of chicken on the nitrogen corrected metabolizable energy (MEn) value of alfalfa leaf protein concentrate (LPC) was investigated. Chickens of various ages were fed diets containing certain amounts of the LPC, and droppings were collected quantitatively. The MEn of the diets was determined as the difference between consumed energy and excreted energy which was corrected with retained energy as body protein. Then the MEn value of the LPC was calculated using the values of the LPC containing diets and that of cornstarch which was obtained from data for a LPC-free diet. As a result, the MEn …

High Value Productions From Lucerne: A New Zealand Perspective, R M. Mcdonald, P E. Donnelly, R A. Mills, S R. Vaughan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Research at Ruakura has aimed at improving the economics of lucerne protein extraction, by extracting more of the protein (up to 85%) and by searching for ways to get maximum value for each of the components in the lucerne. Presently most lucerne protein concentrate is sold on the basis of its protein and xanthophyll contents, which are valued by poultry growers. Other components, including carotene, chlorophyll and vitamin E, are not valued in poultry feed and consequently could be extracted and sold separately. Carotene and vitamin E have recently been associated with cancer prevention. The paper also discusses the value …

Effect Of Drying Methods On The Nutritive Value Of Leaf Protein Concentrates Coagulated By Acidification, Heat Or Anaerobic Fermentation, M Ohshima

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

SUMMARY To determine the effect of heat-treatments on the nutritive value of leaf protein concentrate(LPC), several LPCs prepared by different procedures were fed to rats. The nutritive value of ladino clover LPC separated centrifugally from acidified juice and freeze-dried was compared with that of LPC prepared from the same acidified juice by heating to 70°C with an electric heater before the centrifugation and oven-dried at 70°C. The heat-treatments reduced not only the apparent digestibility of crude protein by 5%, but also the nutritionally available lysine content of LPC. Response of rats to lysine supplementation in addition to methionine was observed …

Effect Of Anaerobic Fermentation Of Plant Juice On The Yield And The Nutritive Value Of Leaf Protein Concentration, M Ohshima, H Ueda

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Effect of treatments of plant juice on the yield and nutritive value of leaf protein concentrate (LPC) was studied with special reference to anaerobic fermentation using lucerne and Italian rye grass as the materials. Lucerne juice was .subdivided into three portions. The two portions were heated to 70°C immediately or after being adjusted to pH 8 with NaOH. The other portion was anaerobically fermented for 7 days. One half of ryegrass juice was heated to 70°C after being adjusted to pH 4 with HCI and the other half was submitted to the fermentation. After the treatments, each juice was centrifuged …

Alkali Treatment Of Rice Whole Crop Silage, T Tobino, N Mikami, A Yamazaki, R Kobayashi, K Furugouri

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Application of Na OH for rice whole crop at the time of ensiling increased digestibility, intake and body weight gain of Holstein steers. As rice whole crop silage is inclined to cause secondary fermentation, when the moisture content is not sufficient, water addition to the filling material is necessary. The suitable application level of NaOH is 3 to 4% of silage dry matter and it can be applied successfully using 20 to 30% solution. The rate of notreacted Na in the NaOH applied silages was 20 to 40% and it changed wholly to the form of Na2CO3 -Na. The greater …

The Effect Of The Harvest Time, Height And Length Of Cutting On The Quality And Nutrient Yield Of Japanese Millet Silage, T Nakui, N Yahara, S Takai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The experiments were made to determine the appropriate harvest time, height and length of cutting of Japanese millet for silage. Harvesting the millet at the end of the late dough stage was found to be the most favorable for silage, and the fermenting quality of the silage was improved by higher cutting and keeping the length of the cutting short ( < 10 mm). Dry weight yield of the plant (x) well correlated with TDN yield (Y) of the silage (r = 0.91, Y = 0.511x - 64.7). A negative correlation was obtained between the rate of temperature rise during the second fermentation process of silage broken the seal and the content of butyric acid in the silage. The second fermentation was suppressed when the butyric acid content in the total acid of the silage was more than 3 % .

Effect Of Stage Growth And Chopping Length On Ensiling Characteristics, Digestibility And Palatability Of Guinea-'A', S Panditharatne, J P. Fontenot, V G. Allen, M.C N. Jayasuriya

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ensiling of forages is a common practice in temperate areas, but is not used extensively in tropical countries. Preservation of excess forage during rainy seasons would provide a more even distribution of feed during the year. Experiments were conducted to investigate fermentation characteristics, and digestibility and palatability of Guinea-'A' (Panicum maximum, ecotype A) silage by sheep. Guinea-'A' grass was harvested after 2- and 3-week growth periods, and ensiled chopped or unchopped in 210 liter metal drums, double lined with polyethylene. Cutting grass at 2 weeks decreased pH and increased lactic acid of silage, compared to cutting at 3 weeks. Chopping …

Analysis Of The Factors Affecting On Disappearance Of Nitrate In Grass During Ensilage, T Masuko, T Otani, K Awaya

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

From 1979 to 1985, a series of experiments was carried out. In these experiments, Italian rye grass containing large amounts of nitrate was ensiled in laboratory silos with CaCO3, glucose and urea immediately after harvesting, and at three moisture levels adjusted by pre-wilting. In each experiment, the grasses were chopped to about 2 cm length and then packed in 1.5 liter glass bottles. The silos were kept at 28°C in the incubator and opened 50-80 days after ensiling. The nitrate content and crude protein content of original grass were-high and WSC content of that was low. In thirty grass silages …

A Technique To Study The Relative Merits Of Different Silage Additves, A D. Drysdale, D A. Parker

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Expansion in the use of silage additives in the more difficult silage-making areas of Europe has created the need for a simple laboratory method to assess the relative values of the wide range of products now offered. A technique is described which can be used to study potential new additives and to monitor existing products. Using direct-cut lucerne(Medicago sativa) ensiled quickly it is possible to produce a high pH, poorly fermented, untreated silage and against this the relative effects of different additive treatments can be assessed. In an example discussed, lucerne of 14% dry matter (DM) and buffering capacity 44m-equiv …

Control Of Silage Fermentation By Inoculation With Lactobacillus Casei, K Ataku, H Nakamura, N Narasaji, M Kikuchi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The D( -) isomer of lactic acid is largely produced by silage fermentation. Accordingly, this study focused on Lactobacillus casei (LC) in which produces L( +) lactic acid. The influences of the inoculation of LC and Lactobacillus plantarum (LP) on the quality of silage and on the isomer ratio of the lactic acid were examined with and without 2% glucose addition at two ensilage temperature (20°C and 30°C). Orchardgrass and alfalfa were ensiled in laboratory silos, capacity one-liter. When either LP and LC was added, a large quantity of lactic acid was produced, the pH dropped sharply, and the quality …

Losses During Ensiling Due To Gas Exchange, H Honig, E Zimmer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Gas exchange leading to air infusion into the silo during the storage period is one of the main reasons for poor silage quality and additional losses. To make these losses better predictable, and to show ways to ensiling technology to avoid them, the parameters influencing the gas exchange in silage stacks have to be defined and quantified. The motive powers for this gas exchange are "breathing" in gastight systems, and CO2 flow off in "open" systems. Recent experiments using 6 m3 pilot silos to evaluate and quantify these losses, especially those due to CO2 flow off, show the following results: …

Speeding The Field Drying Of Alfalfa With Chemicals, C A. Rotz, J W. Thomas, D R. Buxton

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Field drying experiments were conducted on alfalfa to determine the requirements and long term expected performance of chemicals for conditioning hay in the northern USA 2.8% aqueous solution of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) sprayed on the alfalfa as it was mowed increased field drying rate. A mixture of 1.4% potassium carbonate and 1.4% sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) in water provided a similar increase in drying rate, while a solution of sodium carbonate alone was generally less effective. Maximum effect occurred when the treatment was applied as alfalfa was mowed and conditioned with a roll-type conditioning machine and the alfalfa was left to …

Mechanical And Chemical Conditions As An Aid In Hastening Drying Rate Of Ryegrass Forage, M Tsang Mui Chung, L R. Verma

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A laboratory study to evaluate different types of mechanical, chemical and combinations of mechanical-chemical treatments on drying rate and quality of ryegrass (Lolium multifloruIJJ.) forage is described. Mechanical treatments ranged from cuticle abrasion to crushing of the stems while the chemicals were expected to remove or disrupt epicuticular waxes. Removal of the surface wax layer and part of the cuticle caused only moderate increases in drying rate indicating that epicuticular resistance for ryegrass is only a small fraction of the total resistance to moisture loss. Treatments that crushed and split the stems to bypass tissue resistance were considerably more effective. …