A modified method for assessment of the morphological stage of development as a predictor of alfalfa herbage chemical composition and nutritive value

2013 ◽  
Vol 151 (4) ◽  
pp. 590-598 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. BOŽIČKOVIĆ ◽  
G. GRUBIĆ ◽  
J. VERBIČ ◽  
T. ŽNIDARŠIČ ◽  
N. DJORDJEVIĆ ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThe aim of the current work was to investigate the possibility of modifying the existing mean stage by weight (MSW) system for evaluating the average development stage in alfalfa. The modification was performed with the aim of providing a simplified system that may be used to evaluate the alfalfa development stage and to predict its nutritive value for ruminants. The suggested modification consists of designating an MSW value on the basis of the fresh weight of all morphological stages in a fresh green plant, as opposed to the original method which is based on weighing all morphological stages dried at 65 °C. The investigation was done on 141 samples of one alfalfa cultivar, collected from the same location during the first three growth cycles: spring growth, the first and the second regrowth. On all collected samples the following characteristics were determined: MSW, modified MSW (mean stage by fresh weight (MSFW)), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude ash (CA) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). For these characteristics of chemical composition (apart from CA) and nutritive value the regressions were calculated for their prediction based on MSW and MSFW. The regressions were derived for individual growth cycles and all cycles combined. A trend for an increase in the coefficient of determination (R2) was identified as well as a decrease in root-mean-square error (RMSE) for all equations derived for all investigated characteristics from the spring growth to the second regrowth. A deviation from this trend was observed only in equations derived for IVOMD. A very high correlation was observed between MSW and MSFW (r=0·999). The determined R2 and RMSE were very similar within the same growth cycle in all regressions for prediction of chemical composition and nutritive value derived for MSW and MSFW. Based on the results of this investigation the MSFW appears to be a quick and accurate method for determining the average development stage in alfalfa which can therefore be recommended for both scientific research and practical field use, as well as for prediction of its chemical composition and nutritive value.

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1441
Author(s):  
Youssef Chebli ◽  
Samira El Otmani ◽  
Mouad Chentouf ◽  
Jean-Luc Hornick ◽  
Jean-François Cabaraux

Forest rangelands contribute largely to goat diets in the Mediterranean area. Information about browsed plant quality is essential for adequate feeding management. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of the main plant species selected by goats in the Southern Mediterranean forest rangeland during two consecutive years; these were very contrasted (dry and wet). The browsed species were composed of herbaceous, eleven shrubs, and four tree species. Overall, large variability in chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and metabolizable energy (ME) was observed among species, grazing season (spring, summer, and autumn), and years within each species. Crude protein (CP) content varied from 60 to 240 g/kg dry matter (DM). The fiber fractions, except for Quercus suber, increased significantly by advancing maturity. Due to the water stress, the lignin level presented a higher value during the spring of the dry year. Condensed tannin (CT) content varied from 2 to 184 g/kg DM. CP, IVOMD, and ME showed a negative correlation with lignin and CT. Based on the results presented herein, it is concluded that the nutritive value of the browsed plant species was highest in the spring and lowest during the summer and autumn of both studied years. With a good grazing management strategy, the selected plant species by goats could guarantee high-quality feeding resources throughout the year.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 406
Author(s):  
Alexandre M. Dias ◽  
Luís C. V. Ítavo ◽  
Júlio C. Damasceno ◽  
Camila C. B. F. Ítavo ◽  
Geraldo T. Santos ◽  
...  

Sugarcane is a source of roughage in animal feeding. It presents high production per unit of cultivated area, relatively easy cultivation and low cost of production per hectare, and better quality and a high dry matter (DM) yield in periods when forage is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of increasing levels of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) in sugarcane forage on chemical composition, in vitro digestibility values of DM, neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF), and kinetics of thermal decomposition processes of weight loss and heat flow. Sugarcane was collected close to the ground and 50-kg heaps of the fresh material were formed and mixed with four doses of Ca(OH)2 (0, 8, 16 and 24 g kg–1 sugarcane). Concentrations of NDF and ADF decreased linearly with increasing amount of Ca(OH)2, whereas concentration of hemicellulose increased linearly. In vitro digestibilities of DM, NDF and ADF were enhanced in a quadratic manner with increasing amounts of Ca(OH)2. The release of heat, measured by ΔH, increased linearly with increased Ca(OH)2 levels, likely due to enhanced digestibility of the fibre components. Weight loss decreased linearly between 272.2°C and 397.7°C with increased amounts of Ca(OH)2 added to sugarcane, likely due to changes in cellulose structure, which became denser and thermodynamically more stable than native cellulose following the alkaline treatment. Calcium hydroxide changed chemical composition and digestibility of the fibrous fraction of sugarcane, resulting in better nutritional value. The greatest release of heat and highest in vitro digestibility of fibre were observed when adding 15.2 g Ca(OH)2 kg–1 sugarcane; therefore, this dose is recommended to enhance the nutritive value of sugarcane as ruminant feed.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 233-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armin Towhidi ◽  
Farnoush Rostami ◽  
Reza Masoumi

In Iran, Javan (2001) has reported the digestibility some arid rangelands plants by bovine rumen liquor. The determination of in vivo digestibility of wheat straw implies that camel apparently digested poor quality roughages more than cattle and sheep (Cianci et al., 2004). Therefore, It is required to measure the in vitro digestibility of herbages by camel rumen liquor. In province of yazd, nutritive value of 11 different plant species for camel were determined (Towhidi, 2007). The objectives of the current study were to determine 1) the chemical composition, gross energy of the most consuming plant species from rangeland of Semnan province including Seidlitzia rosmarinu, Tamarix tetragyna, Tamarix strica, Halostachys spp, Saudea fruticosa., Alhagi camelorum, Haloxylon ammondendron., Salsola arbescola, Hammada salicornica and, 2) in vitro digestibility of the plants by camel rumen liquor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 470-482
Author(s):  
Vera Sommerfeld ◽  
Herbert Steingaß ◽  
C. Friedrich H. Longin ◽  
Markus Rodehutscord

2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Yu ◽  
D. A. Christensen ◽  
J. J. McKinnon ◽  
J. D. Markert

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of forage variety and stage of maturity on chemical composition, protein and carbohydrate subfractions, in vitro rumen degradability and energy content under the climatic conditions of western Canada. Two varieties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cvs. Pioneer and Beaver) and timothy (Phleum pratense L. cvs. Climax and Joliette), grown at three locations in Saskatchewan (Canada), were cut at three stages [1 = 1 wk before commercial cut (early bud for alfalfa; joint for timothy); 2 = at commercial cut (late bud for alfalfa; pre-bloom head for timothy); and 3 = one week after commercial cut (early bloom for alfalfa; full head for timothy)]. The results showed that: (1) the varieties had minimal effects on nutritional value; however, (2) stage of cutting had a large impact on chemical composition, protein and carbohydrate fractions, in vitro rumen degradability and energy value. As plant maturity advanced from stage 1 to 3, the following changes were noticed: (a) CP was decreased [alfalfa: 20.2 to 17.6; timothy: 11.1 to 7.9% dry matter (DM)]; fibre was affected very little in alfalfa but increased in timothy [acid detergent fibre (ADF): 38.0 to 40.7; neutral detergent fibre (NDF): 68.7 to 72.8% DM]; lignin and neutral detergent insoluble protein (NDIP) were not affected in either forage; acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP) was increased in alfalfa (3.5 to 17.1% CP), but no effect was seen in timothy; (b) the rapidly degradable protein fraction (PA) was reduced in alfalfa (51.2 to 34.8% CP) but increased in timothy (9.2 to 27.5% CP); the rapidly degradable fraction (PB1) increased in alfalfa (0.0 to 25.2% CP), but decreased in timothy (31.6 to 16.7%); the intermediate degradable fraction (PB2) decreased in both forages (alfalfa: 14.1 to 5.2; timothy: 37.8 to 29.4% CP); the slowly degradable fraction (PB3) declined in alfalfa (33.1 to 17.7% CP), but was not affected in timothy (averaging 21.3% CP); the unavailable fraction (PC) associated with the cell wall increased in alfalfa (3.5 to 17.1% CP), but did not change in timothy (averaging 5.2% CP); (c) in vitro rumen degradabilities of DM (IVDMD) and NDF (IVNDFD) increased at stage 2 and then declined at stage 3. The highest IVDMD and IVNDFD after a 48-h incubation were at cutting stage 2 (50.5 and 37.3%; 42.8 and 37.3% for alfalfa and timothy, respectively); (d) the energy content behaved in a quadratic fashion; it increased initially and then decreased with the highest energy contents at stage 2 for both forages (TDN1x, DE1x, DEp, MEp, NELp: 63.8% DM, 2.92, 2.68, 2.26, 1.40 Mcal kg-1 DM for alfalfa; 45.3% DM, 2.03, 1.86, 1.43, 0.82 Mcal kg-1 DM for timothy, respectively). In general, the best cutting was found at stage 2, which was late-bud for alfalfa varieties and pre-bloom head for timothy. Key words: Alfalfa, timothy, variety, maturity, nutritive value


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170
Author(s):  
Mariana Pereira ◽  
Roberto Giolo De Almeida ◽  
Manuel Claudio Motta Macedo ◽  
Valéria Ana Corvalã Dos Santos ◽  
Erick Lemes Gamarra ◽  
...  

Our objective was to measure chemical composition and anatomy of 5 Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum maximum) genotypes, when grown in combination with eucalypts in a silvopastoral system. Cultivars Massai, Mombaça, BRS Tamani, Tanzânia and intraspecific hybrid accession PM44 were evaluated in full sun and a silvopastoral system at 5 different distances from eucalyptus tree rows. The experimental design was a randomized block in split plot with 2 replications. Plots corresponded with genotypes and subplots with sampling points within the system. Total forage and leaf biomass as well as nutritive value und tissue proportions were evaluated. Our results showed a decrease in biomass as radiation incidence decreased. Forage biomass was greatest in BRS Tamani and Mombaça and lowest in PM44. There was a significant interaction between sampling points and genotype for nutritive value variables, such as crude protein, in vitro digestibility of organic matter, cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin-S, while tissue proportions were not affected by the interaction between sampling points and genotypes. Genotype had more pronounced effects on chemical composition and anatomical characteristics than did sampling points. The leaves of Mombaça were the longest and had greatest total cross-sectional area, and this genotype showed greater proportions of sclerenchyma and vascular tissues than other cultivars and the lowest proportion of mesophyll. The greatest proportion of parenchyma bundle sheaths was also found in Mombaça leaves. Genotypes PM44 and Tanzânia had the lowest proportions of sclerenchyma, and PM44 and BRS Tamani had the lowest proportions of vascular tissues. On the other hand, PM44 and Tanzânia had the greatest proportions of mesophyll. BRS Tamani was comparable with the most used cultivars, Mombaça and Tanzânia, and had forage quality slightly superior to that of Mombaça. Tropical grasses growing under shade can potentially produce less forage but with better nutritive value, in terms of chemical composition and tissue proportions, than grasses grown under full sun. However, as the degree of shading in silvopastoral systems does not occur uniformly across the whole area, the improved nutritive value would not be uniform and may not be very prominent overall.


1986 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-64
Author(s):  
Koji TOYOKAWA ◽  
Kei HANZAWA ◽  
Tatsushi INOUE ◽  
Akira SAKAMOTO ◽  
Kaizo TSUBOMATSU

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahmoud F. Seleiman ◽  
Shaimaa Selim ◽  
Seija Jaakkola ◽  
Pirjo S.A. Mäkelä

Maize cultivation for silage could be a sustainable option in Boreal conditions, especially when combined with nutrient recycling. Effects of digestate (sludge from biogas of domestic origin) application in comparison with synthetic fertilizer and two maturity stages on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of whole-crop maize were investigated. Starch, neutral detergent fiber, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) and digestible organic matter (DOM) contents of maize did not differ in response to the two fertilizer treatments. However, starch, DOM and metabolizable energy of maize increased, while ash, crude protein and WSC contents decreased with increasing maize maturity. Heavy metals in maize fertilized with digestate remained low. The results indicate that whole-crop maize fertilized with digestate and harvested at 150 days after sowing is a promising feed and has good nutritive value, even in Boreal conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ayaşan ◽  
E. Sucu ◽  
I. Ülger ◽  
H. Hızlı ◽  
P. Cubukcu ◽  
...  

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.), or chufa, is a plant that is found in nature and is cultivated for its edible tubers. The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition, nutritive value, and in vitro digestibility of three tiger nut varieties using the in vitro gas production technique. These varieties were Sarışeker (yellow), Introduction 1, and Balyumru (brown). Rumen fluid was obtained from two cannulated Holstein animals. Time-dependent in vitro gas production was monitored at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours of incubation. The varieties differed in dry matter (DM), crude ash (CA), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) content (P <0.05). They also differed in the instantaneous volume of gas produced and in time-dependent gas production. Balyumru produced more gas at the onset of incubation than Introduction 1 and Sarışeker. However, over time, the gas produced by digestion of Introduction 1 exceeded the other two varieties. The amounts of gas produced at each time-point were intercorrelated. It is recommended that these results should lead to further evaluation in in vivo studies. Keywords: chemical composition, energy content, in vitro gas production


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