scholarly journals Effects of the Harvest Stage of Maize Hybrids on the Chemical Composition of Plant Fractions: An Analysis of the Different Types of Silage

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 786
Author(s):  
Egon Henrique Horst ◽  
Valter Harry Bumbieris Junior ◽  
Mikael Neumann ◽  
Secundino López

The chemical composition of plant components of three maize hybrids harvested at the beginning of six reproductive stages of maturity was compared. The hybrids evaluated included Maximus VIP3, Defender VIP and Feroz VIP, which were evaluated at each of following stages: R1 (grain formation), R2 (milky grain), R3 (pasty grain), R4 (floury grain), R5 (hard grain) and R6 (ripe grain). The advancement in maturation was linearly related to the crude protein (CP) content of the stem, whole plant, and leaves, and there was a difference among the hybrids. Between R4 and R5 stages, Maximus and Defender presented the highest CP contents for husk (6.58 and 5.42% for Maximus; 5.54 and 5.17% for Defender). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of the leaves showed a quadratic relationship with the advancement of maturation but did not differ among the hybrids. For all the hybrids, the NDF content in the husk and cobs increased linearly during the reproductive stages (>77 and 78%, respectively, for the three hybrids in R6). Defender had the lowest NDF content of the cob in R3. The acid detergent lignin contents did not differ among stages in the stems, and showed a linear decrease throughout the whole plant, though the contents did not differ among the hybrids. Due to the differences observed, recommendations for harvest based on the maturity stage for each hybrid should be taken into consideration. There seems to be no important distinction among hybrids for harvesting and use of straw. Despite the reduction in grain yield, an early harvest for earlage or snaplage can provide lower lignin content in husk and cob, as well as higher protein content in the husk, favoring the nutritional value of the vegetative fraction (husk and/or cob).

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Gomez ◽  
Ashok Kumar Sharma ◽  
Amanda Grev ◽  
Craig Sheaffer ◽  
Krishona Martinson

Abstract Background: Although contributions of the equine gut microbiome to forage utilization are well recognized, the impact of alfalfa lignification on the equine gut microbiome remains unknown. Here, we characterized microbial community dynamics in the equine distal gut when feeding reduced lignin (RL) and reference alfalfa hays (CON-control) ( Medicago sativa L.) to adult stock-type horses. Hay from RL and CON cultivars were similar in crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and equine digestible energy, but differed in acid detergent lignin content (RL:74 g kg -1 vs. CON: 81 g kg -1 ). Dietary treatments were fed to six horses in a crossover study. Experimental periods consisted of a 9-d dietary adaptation phase followed by a 5-d total fecal collection phase, during which horses were housed in individual box stalls and manure was removed on a continuous 24-h basis. At 12-h intervals, feces were thoroughly mixed, frozen, and used for bacterial community composition analyses via V4, 16S rRNA amplicon MiSeq sequencing.Results: RL alfalfa did not result in specific fecal microbiome composition across all horses. However, upon incorporating individual horse in the model, it was shown that the microbiome of each subject did respond to hay lignin content in an individualized manner over time, in terms of alpha and beta diversity. Closer inspection of specific taxonomic changes upon feeding the two diets also revealed horse-specific trends, with unique amplicon sequence variants classified as Akkermansia , Fibrobacter succinogenes , Treponema, and Paludibacter fluctuating significantly in abundance when RL alfalfa was fed, depending on horse. Along these lines, horse-specific associations between individual gut microbiome traits and characteristics of the digested CON or RL alfalfa were observed, mainly in regards to dry matter digestibility and mean feed particle size.Conclusions: These results indicate that the horse gut microbiome responds in an individualized manner to small changes in the amount of acid detergent lignin in alfalfa hay, potentially impacting several feed digestibility characteristics. The implications of horse-specific responses to forage quality in regards to metabolic health and performance remain to be elucidated.


2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 737-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Mustafa ◽  
F. Hassanat ◽  
P. Seguin

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and in situ ruminal degradability of normal and brown midrib (bmr) forage pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] grown in southwestern Québec conditions. Forage was harvested twice during the season. Relative to normal genotype, bmr millet contained less (P < 0.05) neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent lignin and more (P < 0.05) crude protein (CP). Fiber fractions were similar for the two harvests. However, CP content was higher (P < 0.05) in the first than the second harvest. In situ ruminal degradabilities of DM, CP and NDF were all higher (P < 0.05) for bmr than normal forage millet and were not affected by harvest. Key words: Forage quality, pearl millet, ruminal degradability, protein fractions, brown midrib


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. R. Khorasani ◽  
P. E. Jedel ◽  
J. H. Helm ◽  
J. J. Kennelly

The objectives of this study were to determine changes in yield of total grain, stem and leaf DM, leaf:stem ratio and chemical composition during the growth period (boot to soft-dough stage) and during ensiling of whole-crop barley (Hordeum vulgare L. 'Noble'), oats (Avena sativa L. 'Cascade'), triticale (X Triticosecale Rimpani Witt. 'Wapiti'), and a 1:1 barley (Noble):winter triticale (cv. Pika) mixture. Data for whole-crop cereals were compared with a second cut alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. 'Algonquin'). Crude protein and nitrate concentrations of all crops decreased with advancing maturity. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and cellulose concentrations of all crops initially increased and then decreased with advancing maturity whereas acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentrations increased with advancing maturity. During the growth phase, oats and triticale had higher NDF and ADF concentrations, but by harvesting these differences had disappeared. Leaf as percentage of total DM and leaf:stem ratios were higher and the stem as percentage of total DM was lower for the barley:winter triticale mixture compared with the cereal monocrops. Cereal forages were ranked in order of decreasing quality as barley, barley:winter triticale, triticale, and oats. Key words: Alfalfa, barley, oats, triticale, silage, quality


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-16
Author(s):  
Yoandris Pascual Sánchez ◽  
Cesar Betancur-Hurtado ◽  
Aroldo Botello-León ◽  
Kirenia Pérez-Corría ◽  
Cristina Ruiz-Corrales ◽  
...  

The ensilability and chemical composition of silages made with different proportions (100:0; 90:10; 80:20; 70:30; 60:40 and 50:50%) of foliage (fresh and pre-wilted) and noni fruit (fresh) was evaluated. Some fermentative patterns of the original forages and the chemical content of the silages were determined. Correlations between the parameters of quality, chemical composition and the fruit levels in the mixture were made and adjusted the same one to polynomial equations. A higher inclusion of fruits with both fresh and pre-wilted foliage of noni decreases the pH and NH3-N Nt-1 in the silage. In addition, the increase in the level of fruit increased the concentration of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and the ratio of WSC/PC. Moreover, the pre-wilted foliage increased the dry matter (DM) content and its combination with fruit levels between 30 to 40% decreased the fibrous compounds and crude protein (CP) concentration in the silage. According to a cubic model used, the pre-wilted foliage and fruit proportions showed a higher R2 for DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent-lignin (ADL) and cellulose, while CP and hemicelluloses were higher in the fresh plant material. The results showed that the pre-withered process (foliage) and inclusion levels of 30 and 40% of fruits in the mixture improved the quality of the silage intended for animals.


Genetika ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragan Milic ◽  
Djura Karagic ◽  
Sanja Vasiljevic ◽  
Aleksandar Mikic ◽  
Branko Milosevic ◽  
...  

An important objective in alfalfa breeding is the improvement of forage quality. The aim of this experiment was to determine the genetic control of the most important quality traits in whole plant leaves and stems of alfalfa genotypes. Quantitative genetic parameters were estimated for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content. A 5x5 diallel design with reciprocals among parents from geographically different populations were studied. In the diallel study, effects due to general combining ability (GCA) were higher than those due to specific combining ability (SCA) for majority of the tested characters in analyses of whole plant. The F1 progeny effect was significant for almost all characters (except ADF content). The highest values of narrow sense heritability?s were found for NDF (h =0.19) and CP (h =0.17) in whole plant, and in leaves (0.11 and 0.08), while in stems most heritable traits are ADF (h = 0.29) and ADL (h = 0.16) content. As a consequence, CP, NDF and ADF content would be more efficient selection criteria in whole plant analyses, while ADF and ADL content would be more interesting to investigate in stems, in a breeding program for improved nutritive value of alfalfa.


1969 ◽  
Vol 95 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 193-210
Author(s):  
Víctor M. Figueroa ◽  
Abner A. Rodríguez ◽  
Paul F. Randel

This study was divided into three parts. The first evaluated the effects of five stages of plant maturity (60, 75, 90,120 and 180 d) on the agronomic characteristics, chemical composition and in vitro degradability (IVDMD) of pigeon pea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] 'Kaki' and its anatomical fractions, leaves and stems. In the second part, the selective consumption of this legume was studied. In the third part, the effects of the inclusion of pigeon pea in diets based on tropical grass hay for goats on voluntary intake, and digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were determined. Plant height increased and leaf :stem ratio decreased, as the plants grew. In the whole plant, DM and NDF content increased (P < 0.05) by 13.9 and 19.2 percentage units, but CP content numerically decreased by 4.8 units as plant maturity progressed from 60 to 120 d. At the five successive stages evaluated, CP content in the leaves exceeded that of the stems, whereas NDF content showed the opposite trend. The IVDMD values were 69.6% in the whole plant, 73.9% in the leaves, and 50.4% in the stems. Whole plant IVDMD decreased (P < 0.05), with advancing plant maturity, from 71.2% at 60 d to 55.8% at 180 d. In the selective consumption trial, intake of fresh pigeon pea was compared with that of fresh native tropical grass (NTG) or NTG hay. A high selection of pigeon pea was observed for the first 10 minutes, but during the following 20 minutes this selection decreased. In the voluntary intake and digestibility trial that utilized six goats (26.4 kg live weight) to evaluate the inclusion of 25% of pigeon pea in a NTG-based diet, CP intake was markedly higher (P < 0.05) with legume supplementation. Dietary inclusion of the legume also tended to improve the digestibility of DM and CP but not at the P < 0.05 level of significance (56.7% vs. 51.4% and 58.7 vs. 51.2%); however, it did not affect NDF digestibility. As the pigeon pea plant increased in height, changes occurred in leafistem proportions and chemical composition. The IVDMD results suggest that the interval from 75 to 120 d of growth is favorable for possible utilization of pigeon pea as fresh forage in diets for small ruminants.


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arif F Mustafa ◽  
Philippe Seguin ◽  
Guy Bélair ◽  
Anand Kumar

The objectives of this study were to determine the chemical composition and ruminal nutrient degradabilities of grain of five hybrids of pearl millet grown in southwestern Quebec. Hybrids were selected because they were poor hosts of the widely prevalent root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus penetrans). Neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin were similar for all hybrids. However, acid detergent fiber (ADF) was higher for CGPMH-1 than CGPMH-7 and CGPMH-38 and was higher for CGPMH-11 and CGPMH-20 than CGPMH-7. Starch content was higher for CGPMH-7 (668 g kg-1 DM) than the other hybrids (average 635 g kg-1 DM). Crude protein (CP) was lower for CGPMH-7 (141 g kg-1 DM) than the other hybrids (average 181 g kg-1 DM). Fatty acid content was higher for CGPMH -11 and CGPMH-20 than CGPMH-38. Linoleic acid was the most abundant fatty acid in all hybrids and was lower for CGPMH-38 than the other hybrids. Ruminal dry matter degradability was similar for all hybrids (average 69.5%). However, ruminal CP and starch degradabilities were higher for CGPMH-1 and CGPMH-20 than CGPMH-11 and CGPMH-38. It was concluded that grain concentrations of CP, ADF, and starch, and ruminal CP and starch degradabilities of pearl millet varied among hybrid. Key words: Chemical composition, Pearl millet, Ruminal degradability


2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 623-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. Mustafa ◽  
J. C. F. García ◽  
P. Seguin ◽  
O. Marois-Mainguy

A study was conducted to determine the effects of forage soybean cultivar on chemical composition, ensiling characteristics, and ruminal degradability of silage. Two cultivars of forage soybean (Kodiak and Mammouth) were field-grown, harvested at the R6 stage, and ensiled in mini-silos (n = 3) for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 45 d. Two ruminally fistulated cows were used to determine in situ ruminal nutrient degradabilities of the 45-d silages. Both cultivars went through slow fermentation as indicated by a gradual decline in pH up to day 45 post-ensiling. Lactic acid concentration increased throughout ensiling and was higher for Mammouth than Kodiak except at day 45 post-ensiling. Analysis of the 45-d silages showed that Mammouth contained higher neutral detergent fiber (NDF, 490 vs. 444 g kg-1), acid detergent fiber (371 vs. 353 g kg-1) and acid detergent lignin (81 vs. 64 g kg-1) than Kodiak. However, crude protein (CP) concentration was higher for Kodiak than Mammouth. Mammouth silage had lower buffer soluble protein and higher neutral and acid detergent insoluble protein concentrations than Kodiak silage. Results of the in situ study indicated that Kodiak silage had greater ruminal dry matter (606 vs. 549 g kg-1), CP (828 vs. 752 g kg -1) and NDF (272 vs. 227 g kg-1) degradabilities than Mammouth. It was concluded that chemical composition and ruminal nutrient degradabilities of forage soybean silage were significantly influenced by cultivar. Key words: Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merill.], silage, ensiling; forage quality, nutrient degradability


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELLIOT BLOCK ◽  
L. D. MULLER ◽  
L. H. KILMER

Brown midrib (bm) mutants of corn contain less lignin than normal (N) corn. No previous research has compared whole plant and stover of bm and N corn plants. Corn plants from N and isogenic mutant bm3 were harvested as whole plant (WP) or stover (St), and stored fresh frozen (F) or as fermented silage (S). A 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement was used for the factors of mutant type (bm3 and N), plant portion (WP and ST) and storage method (S and F). A 9-day metabolism study was conducted, with 32 wethers assigned to the following forage combinations: (1) bm3WPS; (2) bm3StS; (3) NWPS; (4) NStS; (5) bm3WFF; (7) NWPF; and (8) NStF. Lignin content of bm3 forages was about 2 percentage units less than that of their N counterparts. Digestibilities of dry matter (DM), energy, acid and neutral detergent fiber (ADF and NDF) and cellulose were greater for the bm3 forages and intakes of digestible nutrients were 20–25% higher for those forages. These findings were attributed to the reduced and altered lignin of bm3. Comparison of WP and St showed that DM digestibility, DM intake (DMI), digestible DMI and digestible energy and crude protein intakes were greater for WP than for St. Differences between storage methods were not significant. A plant type by storage method interaction was found for the apparent digestibility of NDF, ADF, cellulose and energy, and for the intake of digestible NDF and ADF. These measurements decreased for WP and increased for St with ensiling. The increase in St digestibility could have been due to partial degradation of the cell wall, while the decrease in WP digestibility could have been due to a larger loss of NDF and soluble carbohydrates during fermentation. Tendencies existed for the feeding value of bm3St (F and S) to surpass that of NSt (F and S) and to approach the feeding value of NWP (F and S). Key words: Brown midrib-3, corn plants, silage, lignin, corn stover, sheep


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
H. A. Lardner ◽  
R. Kumar ◽  
E. Darambazar ◽  
D. Damiran ◽  
J. J. McKinnon

<p>The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition and <em>in situ</em> rumen degradability of whole plant barley (<em>Hordeum vulgare</em>), whole plant foxtail millet (<em>Setaria italica</em>) and smooth bromegrass (<em>Bromus inermis</em> <em>Leyss</em>)-alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa </em>L.) (grass-legume) hay, collected during a companion field grazing study. Relative to grass-legume hay, barley and millet were higher (P = 0.05) in crude protein (CP) and soluble CP, and lower (P = 0.02) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), lignin, neutral detergent insoluble CP, and acid detergent insoluble crude protein. The potentially undegradable fraction of CP averaged 32% lower for barley and millet, compared to grass-legume hay, while CP soluble fraction was 36 and 64% higher (P &lt; 0.05) for barley and millet, respectively, than for grass-legume hay. Millet had the highest NDF degradability (P = 0.03) and grass-legume hay the least. Barley and millet had greater (P = 0.02) effective degradability of dry matter (DM), CP, and NDF than grass-legume hay. Millet had the highest (P = 0.01) degradable and lowest undegradable fractions of DM and NDF, and lowest soluble fraction of NDF and rate of CP degradation (P &lt; 0.05). Results indicate that whole plant barley and millet have greater nutritive value than grass-legume hay and may be suitable annual forages for extensive grazing.</p>


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