Morphological, environmental and management factors affecting nutritive value of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum)

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 1165 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Insua ◽  
M. G. Agnusdei ◽  
S. A. Utsumi ◽  
G. D. Berone

The aim of this study was to quantify the relative importance of leaf age and leaf length on the dynamics of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and 24-h in vitro digestibility of NDF (NDFD) and dry matter (DMD) of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb) Darbysh.). Mini-swards were conditioned and used to conduct two experiments, the first with 4-cm plant stubble height in spring–summer 2009 and autumn–winter 2011, and the second with 4-cm or 10-cm plant stubble height in spring–summer 2011. Plants were harvested at consecutive leaf-appearance intervals to measure nutritive value up to the four-leaf stage. In parallel, leaf morphogenetic traits (appearance, elongation and lifespan) and sheath length of the successive leaves produced on marked tillers were measured. Leaf NDF contents remained stable with increasing leaf age and length but showed a marked variation across seasons. Leaf NDFD and DMD showed a consistent decrease with increasing leaf age and length, and irrespective of growing season or residual pasture height. The negative effect of leaf age and length on digestibility was related to variations in sheath tube length and associated differences in leaf appearance and elongation rates. These findings highlight the relevance of monitoring the sheath tube length as a complementary measure to leaf stage for further management of the NDFD and DMD of grass forages. Although the focus of this study was tall fescue swards, the same morphogenetic implications on forage nutritive value could apply to other temperate and tropical grass species; however, the testing of this hypothesis warrants carefully controlled investigations.

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Insua ◽  
M. G. Agnusdei ◽  
O. N. Di Marco

The objective of this study was to compare the dynamics of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and the 24-h in-vitro digestibility of NDF (NDFD) and dry matter (DMD) in leaf blades of two tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.) cultivars of different leaf softness: a soft- and a tough-leaved cultivar. The experiment was conducted during the summer regrowth of three replicated, dense mini-swards per cultivar arranged in a completely randomised design, all grown under non-limiting water, nitrogen and phosphorus. Cultivars were harvested eight times over 14 weeks to measure morphogenetic traits and nutritive value in six predefined leaf-age categories (from growing to complete senescence). The leaf lifespan and leaf length of the first three successive leaves were measured on 30 marked tillers throughout the experiment. Following analysis of variance, linear regression models were fitted to describe variations of NDF, NDFD and DMD with increasing leaf age and leaf length. Similar leaf NDF contents were found for the two cultivars, which remained stable throughout the leaf lifespan and increased markedly during leaf senescence. Leaf NDFD and leaf DMD both declined with increasing leaf age and length for the two cultivars. However, owing to shorter leaf lifespan of the soft-leaved cultivar, this decline in leaf NDFD and leaf DMD was faster for the soft- than for the tough-leaved cultivar. These results suggest that the soft-leaved cultivar will require more frequent defoliations than the tough-leafed cultivar to prevent decreases in nutritive value.


1988 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 60 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Holm ◽  
RJ Allen

This study was undertaken to assess whether the nutritional quality of spinifex pasture lands is improved by buming to promote the growth of grasses other than spinifex. We selected two comparable sites in the Exmouth Gulf region of Western Australia; one had been bumt in late 1979 and the other had not been burnt for many years. On these sites we sampled the five grass species present, as well as Triodia pungens (soft spinifex) and Plectrachne >chinzii (Oat eared spinifex) on 10 occasions from March 1980 to April 1982. Plant parts were analysed for nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur content, and in vitro digestibility. None of the common grass species tested was more nutritious or more palatable than soft spinifex. It seems that little is gained from manipulating spinifex pastures through burning if the aim is to encourage alternative grass species. There is a need however for further studies into the importance of woody herbs and forbs in the nutrition of grazing animals on spinifex country and the effect of fire on these species.


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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chatchai Kaewpila ◽  
Pongsatorn Gunun ◽  
Piyawit Kesorn ◽  
Sayan Subepang ◽  
Suwit Thip-uten ◽  
...  

AbstractImproving the nutrition of livestock is an important aspect of global food production sustainability. This study verified whether lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant could promote ensiling characteristics, nutritive value, and in vitro enteric methane (CH4) mitigation of forage sorghum (FS) mixture silage in attacking malnutrition in Zebu beef cattle. The FS at the soft dough stage, Cavalcade hay (CH), and cassava chip (CC) were obtained. The treatments were designed as a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Factor A was FS prepared without or with CH, CC, and CH + CC. Factor B was untreated or treated with Lactobacillus casei TH14. The results showed that all FS mixture silages preserved well with lower pH values below 4.0 and higher lactic acid contents above 56.4 g/kg dry matter (DM). Adding LAB boosted the lactic acid content of silages. After 24 h and 48 h of in vitro rumen incubation, the CC-treated silage increased in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) with increased total gas production and CH4 production. The LAB-treated silage increased IVDMD but decreased CH4 production. Thus, the addition of L. casei TH14 inoculant could improve lactic acid fermentation, in vitro digestibility, and CH4 mitigation in the FS mixture silages.


Sensors ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 658
Author(s):  
Matthew F. Digman ◽  
Jerry H. Cherney ◽  
Debbie J. R. Cherney

Advanced manufacturing techniques have enabled low-cost, on-chip spectrometers. Little research exists, however, on their performance relative to the state of technology systems. The present study compares the utility of a benchtop FOSS NIRSystems 6500 (FOSS) to a handheld NeoSpectra-Scanner (NEO) to develop models that predict the composition of dried and ground grass, and alfalfa forages. Mixed-species prediction models were developed for several forage constituents, and performance was assessed using an independent dataset. Prediction models developed with spectra from the FOSS instrument had a standard error of prediction (SEP, % DM) of 1.4, 1.8, 3.3, 1.0, 0.42, and 1.3, for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), true in vitro digestibility (IVTD), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and crude protein (CP), respectively. The R2P for these models ranged from 0.90 to 0.97. Models developed with the NEO resulted in an average increase in SEP of 0.14 and an average decrease in R2P of 0.002.


Author(s):  
Ali Ameen Saeed ◽  
Saja Intisar Abid

This study was conducted in Nutrition Lab. to investigate the effect of the type and level of substitution of urea with ruminant manure, M (sheep, cow and buffalo) on basis of nitrogen (N) content on the nutritive value of rice straw silage (RSS). Accordingly silages were nominated as, S-RSS, C-RSS and B-RSS. Urea (U) was substituted with dried manure at 6 combinations, 100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 of U:M. Silage samples were prepared by treating chopped straw with pre-treated solution contained 10% low quality debis and 2% urea. Results showed that lower (P˂0.01) DM loss (11.4%) was observed in S-RSS, and with addition of urea only (3.6%).        Samples of S-RSS and C-RSS recorded higher (P˂0.01) Fleig points (Fp) as compared with those prepared by the addition of B-RSS, 60.42, 55.58 and 49.59 respectively. Reduction (P˂0.01) in this parameter was noticed in samples prepared with a combination of 100:0. Aerobic stability (AS) was a reduced (P˂0.01) in samples prepared by addition of S-RSS by 15 and 13 hours in comparison with samples of C-RSS and B-RSS respectively. Samples prepared with combination of 100:0 were prior (P˂0.01) as compared with other samples.        Results also showed an increase (P˂0.01) in in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVOMD) in samples of S-RSS in comparison with samples prepared by addition of C-RSS and B-RSS, 49.99, 44.59 and 42.77% respectively. Samples prepared with combination of 100:0 recorded lower (P˂0.05) in vitro digestibility of dry matter (IVDMD) as compared with combinations of 70:30 and 60:40 of U: M, 40.52, 45.36 and 45.94% respectively.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 55-56
Author(s):  
Taylor J Garcia ◽  
Jeffrey A Brady ◽  
Kimberly A Guay ◽  
James P Muir ◽  
William B Smith

Abstract Ruminant animals develop a diverse and complex microbial ecosystem for digesting fibrous feedstuffs, but this material represents a cost to the industry when bound for rendering at harvest. Our objective was to determine the feed value of paunch manure recovered from an abattoir. Twelve paunch samples were collected from slaughtered cattle at the Tarleton State University Meat Laboratory, Stephenville, TX. Samples were dried under forced air at 55°C to a constant weight and ground to pass through 2-mm screen. A subsample was ground to 1-mm and assayed for DM, CP, and sequential NDF and ADF. Physically effective fiber (peNDF) was calculated with 2 L of unground, dried at 55 ˚C, paunch material using the manually-operated Penn State Particle Separator. Paunch peNDF was determined by multiplying the physical effectiveness factor by the total NDF content of the sample. Samples (2-mm) were subject to batch culture in vitro digestibility assays for determination of digestibility coefficients. Data were analysed as a random effects model using PROC GLIMMIX in SAS. Neutral detergent fiber, ADF, ADL, CP, and peNDF values were 68.1, 39.9, 10.9, 15.0, and 38.7%, respectively. Contribution to variance of the individual animal for NDF, ADF, ADL, CP, and peNDF was 97.2, 97.9, 95.4, 19.1, and 97.5%, respectively. In vitro true digestibility (IVTD) and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility (IVNDFD) was recorded as 46.2% and 21.6%, respectively. Contribution to variance of the animal for IVTD and IVNDFD was 99.05 and 98.49%, respectively. Data collected suggest paunch manure could provide valuable nutrients for livestock production, specifically fiber and protein. For full viability of application in a sustainable system, a centralized receiving and compositing system may be useful for development of a consistent product.


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.


1967 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Smoliak ◽  
L. M. Bezeau

Five native grasses and one sedge of the Stipa-Bouteloua prairie, three introduced grasses collected at five stages of growth, and four shrubby species collected at three stages of growth were analyzed for proximate chemical constituents.The amounts of phosphorus and digestible and crude protein of all species decreased with maturity, while the cellulose increased. Introduced grasses generally contained more crude protein than native grasses. Shrubby species were higher in crude protein and phosphorus than native grasses. No consistent trend was observed in relative total ash and calcium content at progressive stages of development. The estimated nutritive value index was high for all grasses and low for two Artemisia species. The seasonal declines in crude protein and phosphorus suggest that protein and phosphorus supplements are desirable for range cattle during the fall, winter, and early spring.


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