Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Application Of Nirs In Nutrient Composition Evaluation Of Lathyrus Sativus, Yanpei Wu, Yanrong Wang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) Analysis has applied to measure nutrient composition successfully in many forage species (Jerry et al. 2003). Lathyrus sativus, an annual legume, is the only edible legume among Lathyrus with crude protein up to 30% (Jackson and Yunus 1984). It has high drought tolerance, and can grow well in barren soil. Thus, this species has a great potential as a crude protein source for livestock in arid and semi-arid area. To introduce this species into a grassland system in Northwest of China, developing a rapid method to deter-mine nutrient composition of various accessions is …

Fibre Quality In Timothy, Festulolium And Tall Fescue Around First Cut, Magnus A. Halling

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Fibre quality and available energy expressed as iNDF (indigestible neutral detergent fibre) decrease with maturity stage in timothy (Nordheim-Viken and Volden 2009). It is widely accepted that fibre quality also decreases with plant age in other forage grasses. However, climate factors such as temperature and water availability can interact with maturity stage in determining iNDF (Nordheim-Viken and Volden 2009). In the Norfor system, iNDF is an important measure of available energy in forage evaluation for ruminants (Åkerlind et al. 2011). This study examined how fibre quality in different forage grasses was affected by maturity stage and climate.

Pastures In Production Management In Madagascar, Isabelle H. Hantanirina, Jean De N. Rakotozandriny

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Madagascar, natural pasture is found across extensive areas of the landscape and has inherently low productivity. There is limited management of these areas and limited management inputs, such as fertiliser or introduced sown pastures (Morat 1973). Natural pasture has a prominent place in animal production, however, consumer demand for milk, meat and other products mean that greater animal productivity is required than that achieved on natural pastures. This is the case for dairy farming in the highlands of Madagascar. The use of exotic pastures has become necessary for better production.

The aim of this study was to evaluate feed …

Forage Quality And Defoliation Interval In Tall Fescue Cultivars, Mónica G. Agnusdei, Juan Ramón Insúa, Oscar Norberto Di Marco

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Past research has shown digestibility decreases along leaf lifespan (LLS) in several grasses (i.e. Groot and Neute-boom 1997; Insúa et al. 2013; Agnusdei et al. 2012). This phenomenon has not yet been quantified in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Therefore, additional knowledge on the dynamics of leaf quality decline along LLS is necessary to verify the proper defoliation window necessary to optimize forage quality and production (Fulkerson and Donaghy 2001; Lemaire et al. 2009) in tall fescue. Further, this window might differ between old and new types (i.e. softer vs rough-leaved). The …

Use Of N-Alkane Technique To Estimate Sheep Dry Matter Intake, Glaucia A. Amaral, Teresa C. M. Genro, Armindo B. Neto, Jean V. Savian, Diego B. De David, Eduardo B. Azevedo, Felipe Jochims, Paulo C. De F. Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Given the complexity of evaluating intake on grazing, some compounds have been studied to promote qualitative and quantitative estimates of animal physiology. In this sense, the technique using n-alkanes as a marker has been used in several animal species, especially in grazing ruminants (Dove and Mayes 1996). By definition, validation under grazing or browsing conditions is not possible, because actual intakes are unknown (Dove and Mayes 2005). Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate the methodology of n-alkanes to estimate herbage intake by sheep in metabolic cages.

Fatty Acid Profile Of Elephant Grass Pastures With Different Grazing Heights, Kamila M. Dias, Giselle R. Rodolfo, Daniel Schmitt, Raphael S. Pereira, Guilherme N. Camargo, Francisco C. Deschamps, André F. Sbrissia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Ruminant milk and meat are a source of CLA and omega-3 in the human diet and these fatty acids (FAs) have a beneficial effect on human health (Mcguire and Mcguire 2000). The increase in CLA and omega-3 in ruminant products is mainly related to proportion of C18:2 and C18:3 in the animal feed, like forage and to incomplete ruminal biohydrogenation (Bauman et al. 2000). Evaluation of FAs have been performed in temperate forage pastures, without the interaction of animal grazing, and presenting samples collected at ground level and at fixed re-growth intervals or seasons as the main sampling criteria. …

Effect Of Plant Density On Yield And Forage Quality Of Corn For Silage, Lorena Machinandiarena, Jonatan Camarasa, Pablo Barletta, Jorge O. Scheneiter

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is evidence that plant density of maize crops for silage affects herbage yield and quality (Cusicanqui and Lauer 1999). However, most of experimental information comes from trials with a range of plant densities between 20,000 and 140,000 plants per hectare (Pl/ha). This range would be insufficient to establish functional relationships between yield, forage quality, light interception and plant composition (Bertoia 1994). In addition, it is known that dry matter partitioning between plant components varies according to the environmental conditions of a given year (Andrade et al. 1991).

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between …

Editorial: New Insights Into Mechanisms Of Epigenetic Modifiers In Plant Growth And Development, Ming Luo, Gabino Ríos, Tomasz Jacek Sarnowski, Shoudong Zhang, Nitin Mantri, Jean-Benoit Charron, Marc Libault

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

In eukaryotic cells, chromatin, a highly dynamic nucleoprotein complex, plays a critical role in controlling gene expression notably by regulating the interaction between transcription factors and regulatory elements. The structure of the chromatin is determined by epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling. A growing body of evidence indicates that epigenetic regulations are involved in plant adaptation to environmental stresses, and in plant development, including flowering control, fruit and root development, as well as seed maturation and germination. Furthermore, epigenetic mechanisms have the potential to stabilize cell identity and maintain tissue organization. Hence, epigenetic diversity is now …

Daily Faecal Excretion Of Alkane C32 In Beef Cattle Females Grazing Natural Grasslands In Southern Brazil And In Uruguay, Teresa C. M. Genro, Carolina Bremm, Júlio K. Da Trindade, Alexandre C. Varella, Pablo Soca

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The n-alkane technique is accepted as an appropriate method to estimate herbage intake by grazing ruminants. This method reinforces issues similar to those raised by other methods based on markers such as the effect of carrier matrix or dosing method and frequency on the excretion kinetics of the dosed n-alkanes (Dove et al. 2002; Molina et al. 2004, Oliván et al. 2007). The time of dosage needed to reach the dynamical equilibrium between the concentrations of alkanes in the diet and in the faeces of ruminants is still unclear for the natural grassland environments. The aim of this study was …

Use Of N-Alkanes To Estimate The Intake Of Beef Heifers On Natural Grassland In Southern Brazil, Teresa C. M. Genro, Júlio K. Da Trindade, Paulo C. De F. Carvalho

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The technique of alkanes to estimate dry matter intake (DMI) by wild and domestic herbivores has advanced considerably in the last 20 years (Dove and Mayes, 2006). Alkanes are long chain, saturated hydrocarbons present in the plant cuticle. They are relatively indigestible in the gastrointestinal tract and can be recuperated in the faeces. Compared to other markers normally used (e.g. chromium oxide, ytterbium), it is possible to determine simultaneously the external and internal marker in a unique analysis and to estimate digestibility, faecal excretion, DMI and diet composition (Dove and Mayes 1991). This is a great advantage of …

A Comparison Of Fermentation Kinetics In The Rumen Of Grazing Sheep On A Dwarf Bamboo Pasture And A Grass Pasture, Masato Yayota, Noriya Tanaka, Kazuya Doi, Shigeru Ohtani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Native grasses grown as forest understory are important forage resources for grazing ruminants and in agroforestry. Dwarf bamboo is one such typical grass and has traditionally been used in Japan. The name “dwarf bamboo” refers to a group of native grasses from certain genera (e.g., Sasa spp. and Pleioblastus spp.). These grasses are generally rhizomatous, perennial, and semi-woody (Usui, 1961). The results of an earlier study suggested that the in sacco ruminal degradation of the dwarf bamboo was inferior to that of a common tropical grass (Yayota et al. 2009), and cattle grazing on a forest …

Mineral Composition Of Brachiaria Brizantha Cv. Mg5 Irrigated And Non-Irrigated Subjected To Grazing, Rita C. R. Carvalho, Wellington W. Rocha, Bruno S. Pires, Luziney D. Silva, César T. Piza, Paulo R. V. Leite, Eliel A. Ferreira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5 is an important component of pastures in Brazil. Past studies (Corsi and Marta Jr. (1998), Maya (2003)) have shown significant pasture and animal production increases can be obtained through irrigation and associated grazing management. Such systems can significantly increase economic viability of production systems based on these pastures (Cedeño 2003). However, past studies have not measured possible differences in mineral composition of such pastures throughout the year with and without irrigation. Such differences, if present, may have implication for animal productivity.

This study had the objective of evaluating the mineral composition of Brachiaria brizantha cv …

Forage Quality Indices Of Some Important Grass Species Of Iranian Rangelands, Hossein Arzani, Javad Motamedi, Mohammad Ali Zarechahouki

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

To be informed of the forage quality indices is one of the fundamental essentials for determination of the amount of forage sufficient for the daily requirements of animal in rangelands and wildlife habitats. This amount would be different depending on the vegetative composition and consequently the forage quality (Arzani, 2009). In this regard, grasses are considered one of the most important plants in the vegetative composition of rangelands in the country’s different climate zones that are grazed by the animals and meet a considerable amount of animal requirements (Arzani et al. 2010). Therefore, the values of forage quality indices …

Estimating Crude Protein Concentration Of A Grass Sward Using Spectral Measurements, Joseph L. Moyer, Chuyuan Wang, Bohua Ling, Kevin P. Price

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

While measurement of forage mass (FM) is fundamental to evaluating sward productivity, its forage quality determines the value for grazing. Optical sensing devices have varying potential for estimating forage characteristics. Instruments such as the Greenseeker®, which measures normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) have been related to various characteristics, but are confounded with canopy traits (Biewer et al. 2009). Simultaneous readings of NDVI and FM were used to separate their contributions to sward crude protein CP using multiple regression (Moyer et al. 2010).

Relationships in swards of tall fescue (Lolium arundinacium Schreb.) were poorer than in other species, …

Yield And Quality In Purple-Grained Wheat Isogenic Lines, Alexey Morgounov, Yasar Karaduman, Beyhan Akin, Sinan Aydogan, Peter Stephen Baenziger, Madhav Bhatta, Vladimir Chudinov, Susanne Dreisigacker, Velu Govindan, Safure Güler, Carlos Guzman, Ajit Nehe, Rachana Poudel, Devin J. Rose, Elena Gordeeva, Vladimir Shamanin, Kemal Subasi, Yuriy Zelenskiy, Elena Khlestkina

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Breeding programs for purple wheat are underway in many countries but there is a lack of information on the effects of Pp (purple pericarp) genes on agronomic and quality traits in variable environments and along the product chain (grain-flour-bread). This study was based on unique material: two pairs of isogenic lines in a spring wheat cv. Saratovskaya-29 (S29) background differing only in Pp genes and grain color. In 2017, seven experiments were conducted in Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkey with a focus on genotype and environment interaction and, in 2018, one experiment in Turkey with a focus on grain, flour, and …

Effect Of Cultivar On Yield, Chemical Composition And British Thermal Unit Content Of Three Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) Cultivars, Kyung I. Sung, Jalil G. Nejad, Bae H. Lee, Do H. Ji, Jing L. Peng, Byong W. Kim

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Switchgrass varieties with different sowing times and years of cultivation may change nutrient parameters, dry matter production and bio-fuel characteristics expressed as British Thermal Unit (BTU). The objective of this study was to report the effect of cultivar on dry matter yield, chemical composition and bio-fuel value of three Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum L.) cultivars. Fossil fuel usage is a key human-related factor contributing to the production of green house gases. Biomass conversion into forms of energy is an old idea but one that is receiving increasing attention largely because of environmental, energy supply and agricultural market condition concerns …

Morning And Afternoon Sampling And Herbage Chemical Composition Of Rotationally Stocked Elephant Grass Cv. Napier, Laiz P. De Oliveira, Adenilson J. Paiva, Lilian E. T. Peireira, Eliana V. Geremia, Sila C. Da Silva

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Nutrient intake by grazing animals depends on the amount of dry matter consumed and its chemical composition. Forage grasses, as with any other plants, produce assimilates during the day via photosynthesis to sustain live tissues, plant growth and organic reserves (Taiz and Zeiger 2013). In that context, herbage chemical composition may vary according to variations in the photosynthesis-respiration balance throughout the day. From dawn to dusk the balance increases and herbage dry matter content as well as concentration of soluble carbohydrates increase, the reverse happening from dusk to dawn. That could interfere with nutritive value and nutrient intake of grazing …

Forage Quality Characteristics Of Lotus Tenuis, Narrow-Leaf Birdsfoot Trefoil, Adam D. Langworthy, Peter A. Lane, David Parsons, Eric Hall

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Narrow-leaf birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus tenuis Waldst. & Kit.) is a herbaceous perennial legume of Mediterranean origin, which can grow in saline and waterlogged environments (Teakle et al. 2010). If this species is to be cultivated in regions constrained by these abiotic factors, it is also vital that herbage produced has a forage quality acceptable for ruminant production. In addition, proanthocyanidin (PA) content is important, and legume species can cause animal production issues if PA content is low, (< 0.02%), e.g. fro-thy bloat, or high (> 5 %), e.g. decreased palatability and digestibility (Larkin et al. 1999). This study examined the PA content and …

The Land Variational Ensemble Data Assimilation Framework: Lavendar V1.0.0, Ewan Pinnington, Tristan Quaife, Amos Lawless, Karina Williams, Tim Arkebauer, David Scoby

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

The Land Variational Ensemble Data Assimilation Framework (LAVENDAR) implements the method of fourdimensional ensemble variational (4D-En-Var) data assimilation (DA) for land surface models. Four-dimensional ensemble variational data assimilation negates the often costly calculation of a model adjoint required by traditional variational techniques (such as 4D-Var) for optimizing parameters or state variables over a time window of observations. In this paper we present the first application of LAVENDAR, implementing the framework with the Joint UK Land Environment Simulator (JULES) land surface model. We show that the system can recover seven parameters controlling crop behaviour in a set of twin experiments. We …

Quality And Vitamins In Forage Herb And Legume Species, Anjo Elgersma, Karen Søegaard, Søren Krogh Jensen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grasslands provide an important part of the feed used by domestic and wild ruminants. Fresh herbage is an important natural source of vitamins in ruminant diets. Concentrations of vitamins in plants depend on factors such as regrowth stage, temperature and day length, N fertilisation and leaf proportion in the harvested herbage. Most studies on vitamin concentrations in forages have been carried out with agronomical important grass species such as perennial ryegrass and legume species such as white clover, but hardly with other grassland forage species. As data of dicotyledonous species grown in a sward are scarce, yield, quality and vitamin …