Nutritive value and morphological characteristics of Mombaça grass managed with different rotational grazing strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 157 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 592-598
Author(s):  
S. C. Da Silva ◽  
A. A. O. Bueno ◽  
R. A. Carnevalli ◽  
G. P. Silva ◽  
M. B. Chiavegato

AbstractLight competition increases and plants’ growth pattern change to optimize light utilization when the leaf area index increases. It has been previously shown that using 95% canopy light interception (LI) as a grazing frequency criterion resulted in a greater proportion of leaves and a lower proportion of stem. The objective of the study was to characterize the forage production, morphological composition and nutritive value of Panicum maximum cv Mombaça. The experiment was carried out during summer, autumn–winter and spring. Treatments corresponded to combinations of two pre-grazing conditions (95% and maximum LI at pre-grazing; LI95% and LIMax, respectively) and two post-grazing heights (PGHs; 30 and 50 cm). The statistical design was a randomized complete block, with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Swards managed with LI95% had greater proportions of leaves and lower proportions of stems compared to LIMax. Leaf proportion was lower during autumn–winter compared to summer and spring. The LI95% had greater crude protein (CP) and digestibility (IVOMD), and lower acid detergent fibre (ADF) concentrations than LIMax. The 50 cm PGH pastures had greater CP content and IVOMD, and lower ADF content than 30 cm PGH pastures. Lower IVOMD was observed during autumn–winter than summer and spring. The variability observed on morphological characteristics was primarily associated with seasonality, whilst the nutritive value was primarily affected by grazing management. The pre-grazing target of LI95% combined with 50 cm PGH was the combination that resulted in an increased proportion of leaves, decreased stems in basal stratum and the greatest nutritive value of the produced forage.

Author(s):  
Renato Di Loreto ◽  
Joadil Gonçalves De Abreu ◽  
Luciano da Silva Cabral ◽  
Arthur Behling Neto ◽  
Luis Miguel Mendes Ferreira ◽  
...  

The goal with this study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics, nutritive value and the forage dry matter (DM) accumulation of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu in different stages of deferment under nitrogen fertilization levels. The experimental design was a randomized block in split-plot, with three replicates. Plot treatments corresponded to two levels of fertilization (with and without). Split-plot treatments corresponded to four deferment periods (March, April, May, June). Plant height and forage DM accumulation increased (P = .05), while the leaves percentage decreased according to the deferral months. Regarding the fertilization, the percentage of leaves was lower (P= .05) with nitrogen use. The DM content was higher (P = .05) in pastures deferred for a longer time. The neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content increased due to fertilization and greater deferral period. The crude protein (CP) level decreased as the deferral periods. Nitrogen fertilization proved to be viable for the production of good quality forage. The reduction in the deferment period produces forage with better morphological composition and nutritive value.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 31-31
Author(s):  
Kevin R Meng ◽  
Eric Bailey ◽  
Josh Zeltwanger ◽  
Hannah Allen ◽  
Mikaela Adams ◽  
...  

Abstract Chemical seed-head suppression of endophyte infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) improves stocker cattle performance but may decrease forage yield. Spring nitrogen application increases tall fescue growth with a concomitant increase in ergot alkaloids, produced by the symbiotic endophyte Epichloë coenophiala. We hypothesized that greater amounts of nitrogen applied to tall fescue would increase forage yield and offset losses in forage production from chemical suppression of seed-heads with metsulfuron without effect on alkaloid concentration. Ninety-six steers (270 ± 20 kg) were randomly assigned to one of sixteen paddocks (1.8 ha) on April 18 and continuously grazed for 57 d. Paddocks were blocked by previous use (n = 4) and randomly assigned to one of four treatments; no metsulfuron, no nitrogen (NEGCON), metsulfuron with 0 (MET0), 67 (MET67), or 134 (MET134) kg/ha of ammonium nitrate, applied March 11. Steers grazing MET0 paddocks were removed 17 d early due to insufficient forage availability. Steer weight, forage yield, forage nutritive value and ergot alkaloids in forage samples were measured monthly. Seed-head frequency and species composition were determined in June. Metsulfuron application reduced (P < 0.01) tall fescue seed-heads by 80%. Metsulfuron decreased (P = 0.03) ergovaline but ergovaline increased (P < 0.01) at each monthly sampling across treatments. Nitrogen had no impact on ergovaline concentration (P = 0.50). Forage yield tended to be least (P = 0.07) for MET0, intermediate for NEGCON and MET67, and tended to be greatest for MET134 (P = 0.08). Steer ADG was not affected by treatment (P < 0.80). Metsulfuron decreased NDF (P=0.02) regardless of fertilization rate. Forage CP increased with fertilization (P < 0.01) and no differences were detected between NEGCON and MET0 (P = 0.45). Species composition was not impacted (P >0.07) by treatment. Metsulfuron decreased seed-head growth and ergovaline concentration in tall fescue. Additional nitrogen fertilizer ameliorated forage yield lost to metsulfuron application but did not impact steer gain.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Caroline Chappell ◽  
Landon Marks ◽  
Katie Mason ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
...  

Abstract A 2-yr study was conducted at Black Belt Research and Extension Center in Marion Junction, AL, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate on forage production characteristics, nutritive value, and animal performance of beef heifers grazing a mixture of native warm-season grasses (NWSG) including big bluestem, little bluestem, and indiangrass. Six, two-hectare plots were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (0 or 67 kg N ha-1 applied in early April; n = 3 replications per treatment). Paddocks were continuously stocked with four weaned Angus × Simmental beef heifers (initial BW 288 ± 7 kg) from late May/early June through mid-to-late August during 2018 (73 grazing d) and 2019 (70 grazing d), respectively. Put-and-take cattle were used to manage forage to a target of 38 cm. Forage mass and canopy heights were collected every two weeks during the trial. Visual ground cover ratings, canopy light interception, and botanical composition were measured at the beginning and end of the trial in each year. Hand-plucked samples were collected every two weeks during the grazing trial to determine forage nutritional value. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4, and differences were declared significant when P ≤ 0.05. Nitrogen fertilized NWSG had greater crude protein (P < 0.0001), sward heights (P = 0.0003), and canopy light interception at the beginning of the season (P = 0.0049) compared to non-fertilized paddocks. However, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.05) among N-fertility treatments for mean forage mass, heifer ADG, or BCS across the 2-yr study. Botanical composition data indicated that indiangrass decreased from 64% to 61% (P = 0.0022) and weed pressure increased from 11% to 15% (P = 0.0064) across the summer grazing season. Canopy light interception decreased by 51% from early June to August in fertilized NWSG and 26% in unfertilized paddocks, respectively. These data illustrate that NWSG systems may provide a viable grazing system in the summer months under reduced N inputs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Duarte Fernandes ◽  
Allan Kardec Braga Ramos ◽  
Liana Jank ◽  
Marcelo Ayres Carvalho ◽  
Geraldo Bueno Martha Jr. ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 230-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIPE LIMA DE AMORIM ◽  
JANAINA AZEVEDO MARTUSCELLO ◽  
JOSÉ TEODORICO DE ARAÚJO FILHO ◽  
DANIEL DE NORONHA FIGUEIREDO VIEIRA DA CUNHA ◽  
LIANA JANK

ABSTRACT: Cultivars of the genus Nopalea are known in Brazil for being tolerant to cochineal carmine attacks, thus making the cultivation of this genus a promising alternative for mitigating the negative effects of this insect on the production of biomass. With the objectives of characterizing morphologically spineless forage cactus varieties and identify morphological characteristics that may be the focus in spineless forage cactus breeding programs, an experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design with 11 treatments and four replications. The variety Alagoas showed the highest values of weight, area and volume of cladodes. The varieties Negro Michoacan F7 and V7, Tamazunchale V12 showed the highest values of the cladode area index, the total volume of cladodes and total fresh mass production. The varieties Negro Michoacan V7 and F7 presented the highest water use efficiency and dry mass yield. Cladode volume showed the highest correlation coefficients with the fresh weight of cladodes. Aiming the release of varieties for biomass production, varieties Negro Michoacan F7, V7 and Tamazunchale V12 may substitute the Miúda variety. The number and cladode area index may be used as criteria for selection of superior varieties in breeding programs.


2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (2) ◽  
pp. 408-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Deak ◽  
M. H. Hall ◽  
M. A. Sanderson

2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1374-1380
Author(s):  
A.C.R. Cavalcante ◽  
P.M. Santos ◽  
J.A.A. C. Júnior ◽  
M.J.D. Cândido ◽  
N.L.S. Lemos

ABSTRACT The aim was to determine the efficiency of use of water and nitrogen for forage production and goat-milk production on an irrigated Tanzania Guineagrass (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia) pasture subjected to different management practices. The management levels tested were combinations among nitrogen fertilization levels and post-grazing residual heights (ResH): Intensive (ResH = 33.0cm and 600.0kg N/ha.year-1); Moderate (ResH = 47.0cm and 300.0kg N/ha.year-1); Light (ResH = 47cm and 0kg N/ha.year-1); and Conventional (ResH = 33cm and 0kg N/ha year-1). The efficiency of water use for forage production was higher in intensive and Moderate management. The Conventional management was recommended only for forage production since there is no nitrogen input available because this result was similar to Intensive management in water efficiency. The efficiency of water use to produce goat milk was higher in Intensive management. Moderate management presented higher efficiency of nitrogen to produce forage. On the other hand, Intensive management was more efficient using nitrogen in goat milk production. The amount of water needed to produce one liter of goat milk varied from 893.20 to 3,933.50L. In the moderate management, up to 121.48kg forage and 21.56kg of milk were produced for every kilogram of N utilized. Intensive management is advantageous for water use efficiency as well nitrogen efficiency to produce goat milk in cultivated pasture.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-89
Author(s):  
Yanfen LU ◽  
Suxiao HAO ◽  
Hui GENG ◽  
Yuncong YAO

Flavonoids are important secondary metabolites, whose content and composition such as anthocyanin and flavonol have been associated with fruit quality and affect fruit coloration. Crabapple (Malus spp.), with rich color and nutritive value, belongs to the family M. genus of the Rosaceae family, and it is widely used in landscape for its rich flavonoid compositions. Radiation mutagenesis breeding may increase the gene mutation frequency and enhance diversity of species, so it is a predominant approach for plant germplasm innovation. However, the changes of crabapple morphological characteristics and flavonoid compositions by radiation are not clear. In this study, we employed 60Coγ radiation to M.cv. ‘Royalty’ crabapple, and then surveyed the changes of leaves and flowers in the growth and morphology traits, color parameters, flavonoid composition, and the genetic diversity. The result found that 60Coγ radiation decreased plant height, stem diameter and leaf and flower areas. And it promoted the flavonoids accumulation in leaves, but inhibited that in flowers. Additionally, 60Coγ radiation improved DNA diversity. W60-7, W40-2 and W40-5 plants showed clear phenotypic variation by AFLP analysis. These results provide evidence that mutagenesis breeding may change the morphological features and flavonoid compositions, and expand crabapple germplasm resources and improve its application value. 


Author(s):  
P. N. Smirnov ◽  
S. M. Chudum ◽  
I. V. Trostyansky ◽  
O. S. Kotlyarova

In controlled experiments during planned studies of cattle for leukemia, animals that showed leukemoid changes in blood – quantitative redistribution of granulocytes and agranulocytes-were identified. Individual analysis revealed that granulocytosis was detected in animals with inflammatory processes. In addition, the article presents comparative indicators of serum proteins in cows at the hematological stage of the leukemic process, with the manifestation of leukemoid reactions and in clinically healthy cows. Characteristic changes in the synthesis of immunoglobulins in cows with leukemia and leukemoid changes in the morphological composition of blood were established. With successful treatment of inflammatory processes, the hematological status of cows is restored to the initial indicators.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (E) ◽  
pp. 124-137
Author(s):  
Hernando Criollo E. ◽  
Johanna Muñoz B. ◽  
Jorge Checa B. ◽  
Wilmer Noguera R.

The importance of coffee cultivation in Nariño is reflected in the fact that 64% of its municipalities grow coffee. The ruggedness of its Andean topography provides great diversity in terms of climatic conditions, which, in one way or another, affect the behavior of coffee in all its physiological processes. Therefore, this study sought to identify the variation in the growth processes and production processes in the different coffee areas of this department, including the coffee-growing municipalities Sandoná, Consacá, La Florida and La Unión in the Department of Nariño, using experimental lots located at different altitude ranges (B <1600msnm; M between 1600 and 1800msnm and A >1800msnm). The statistical design used for each municipality was Random Complete Blocks with three treatments and sixteen repetitions. The recorded climatic variables included photosynthetically active radiation, ambient temperature, precipitation and relative humidity, and the evaluated physiological variables were plant height, number of leaves, basal stem diameter, number of primary branches, number of secondary branches, length of primary branches, number of knots per branch and leaf area index. The variable plant height was statistically higher in the upper zone (A) in the municipalities La Florida (79.95 cm) and Consacá (64.31cm); in La Florida, the number of branches and the LAI were higher in the upper zone plants, while the diameter of the stems was higher in the middle zone. In the other municipalities, these variables were not affected by the altitude.


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