scholarly journals Assessing Suitability of Sentinel-2 Bands for Monitoring of Nutrient Concentration of Pastures with a Range of Species Compositions

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1661
Author(s):  
Suvarna M. Punalekar ◽  
Anna Thomson ◽  
Anne Verhoef ◽  
David J. Humphries ◽  
Christopher K. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Hyperspectral Data ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Carbohydrate Concentration ◽  
Pasture Quality ◽  
Sentinel 2

The accurate and timely assessment of pasture quantity and quality (i.e., nutritive characteristics) is vital for effective pasture management. Remotely sensed data can be used to predict pasture quantity and quality. This study investigated the ability of Sentinel-2 multispectral bands, convolved from proximal hyperspectral data, in predicting various pasture quality and quantity parameters. Field data (quantitative and spectral) were gathered for experimental plots representing four pasture types—perennial ryegrass monoculture and three mixtures of swards representing increasing species diversity. Spectral reflectance data at the canopy level were used to generate Sentinel-2 bands and calculate normalised difference indices with each possible band pair. The suitability of these indices for prediction of pasture parameters was assessed. Pasture quantity parameters (biomass and Leaf Area Index) had a stronger influence on overall reflectance than the quality parameters. Indices involving the 1610 nm band were optimal for acid detergent fibre, crude protein, organic matter and water-soluble carbohydrate concentration, while being less affected by biomass or LAI. The study emphasises the importance of accounting for the quantity parameters in the spectral data-based models for pasture quality predictions. These explorative findings inform the development of future pasture quantity and quality models, particularly focusing on diverse swards.

Canopy morphology and nutritional quality traits as potential grazing value indicators for Lolium perenne varieties

2002 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. GILLILAND ◽  
P. D. BARRETT ◽  
R. L. MANN ◽  
R. E. AGNEW ◽  
A. M. FEARON
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Canopy Structure ◽  
Total Lipid Content ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Carbohydrate Concentration ◽  
Harvest Year ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Testing Protocols

Twelve perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) varieties of different ploidy and maturity classifications were compared under a frequent cutting management in their second harvest year, equivalent to the simulated rotational grazing system employed in UK testing protocols. Varietal differences in canopy structure (proportion of lamina, green leaf mass, sward surface height, extended tiller height, bulk density) and in herbage nutritive value factors (water-soluble carbohydrate content and proportion of linoleic and α-linolenic fatty acids) were assessed and their importance evaluated with reference to total herbage production. Significant variety variation (P<0·001) was recorded in the annual means of all the canopy structure characteristics. Significant differences associated with ploidy were also recorded, with tetraploid varieties having significantly higher values than diploids in most plant characters, indicating better intake characteristics for these grasses. Temporal patterns of variation associated with maturity were also observed in several characters, thus making it impossible to designate a single assessment that would be representative of the annual ranking of varieties. Water-soluble carbohydrate concentration differed significantly (P<0·001) between varieties and although the tetraploids tended to have high contents, the highest value of all was recorded in a diploid variety, which had been selectively bred for this trait. The varieties did not differ in total lipid content but there were significant differences in the proportion of linoleic acid between varieties (P<0·001) while the proportion of α-linolenic acid differed between varieties (P<0·001), ploidy (P<0·001) and maturity (P<0·05) classes.Overall evaluation of the extensive variety variation highlighted the need for better quantification of animal responses to differences of these magnitudes, before the high workload of including them in routine variety testing protocols could be justified. Potential for breeding improvement in these factors was also indicated and the future prospects for their use in farmer decision support systems was considered.

scholarly journals Additive Type Affects Fermentation, Aerobic Stability and Mycotoxin Formation during Air Exposure of Early-Cut Rye (Secale cereale L.) Silage

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1432
Author(s):  
Horst Auerbach ◽  
Peter Theobald
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Potassium Sorbate ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Chemical Additives ◽  
Air Exposure ◽  
Carbohydrate Concentration ◽  
Aerobic Stability ◽  
Silage Production

Whole-crop rye harvested before maturity represents a valuable forage for silage production. Due to the scarcity of data on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability (ASTA) and the lack of information on mycotoxin formation during aeration of early-cut rye (ECR) silage after silo opening, we evaluated the effects of different additive types and compositions. Wilted forage was treated with various biological and chemical additives, ensiled in 1.5-L glass jars and stored for 64 days. Fermentation pattern, yeast and mould counts and ASTA were determined at silo opening. In total 34 mycotoxins were analysed in wilted forage and in silage before and after 240 h of air exposure. Chemical additives caused the lowest dry matter (DM) losses during fermentation accompanied with the lowest ethanol production and the highest water-soluble carbohydrate concentration. Aerobic deterioration, which started within two days after silo opening in silage left untreated and inoculated with homofermentative lactic acid bacteria, was prevented by the combined use of hetero- and homofermentative lactic acid bacteria and the chemical additive containing sodium nitrite, hexamethylene tetramine and potassium sorbate. Moreover, these two additives largely restricted the formation of the mycotoxin roquefortine C to < 0.05 mg kg−1 DM after aeration, whereas untreated silage contained 85.2 mg kg−1 DM.

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