scholarly journals Characterizing Biomass Yield and Nutritional Value of Selected Indigenous Range Species from Arid Tunisia

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2031
Author(s):  
Mounir Louhaichi ◽  
Mouldi Gamoun ◽  
Sawsan Hassan ◽  
Mohamed A. B. Abdallah

Rangelands of Tunisia show a great indigenous species diversity with considerable potential as forage for livestock. However, information on their fodder yield and quality is scanty and restricted to few species. The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritive values of selected key perennial species based on their biomass yield, chemical composition, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and mineral composition. The species evaluated included four grass species (Stipa lagascae Roem. and Schult., Stipa tenacissima L., Stipagrostis plumosa (L.) Munro ex T. Anderson, and Stipagrostis pungens (Desf.) de Winter.) and eight shrub species (Anthyllis henoniana Coss. ex Batt., Argyrolobium uniflorum (Deene.) Jaub. and Spach., Echiochilon fruticosum Desf., Gymnocarpos decander Forssk., Helianthemum kahiricum Delile., Helianthemum lippii (L.) Dum. Cours., Plantago albicans L. and Rhanterium suaveolens Desf.). Results showed that shrub species contained higher concentrations of the crude protein (CP), acid detergent lignin (ADL), but lower neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) and acid detergent fiber (ADFom) concentrations than grasses. The greatest concentration of CP was 135 g/kg DM for R. suaveolens. The greatest aNDFom concentration was found within the grasses with maximum of 744.5 g/kg DM in S. plumosa. The shrub species E. fruticosum, A. uniflorum, P. albicans, G. decander, R. suaveolens, and A. henoniana had the highest IVOMD with over 500 g/kg DM and have the potential to supply energy to livestock. Overall, the moderate to high protein, low fiber, and high in vitro digestibility measured for shrubs, suggest they have high nutritional values and can be used to enhance local livestock production.

Author(s):  
Kassahun Gurmessa ◽  
Zelalem Garuma

The hydroponic fodder yield performance evaluation of different varities of sorghum was conducted in green house of Wollega University.. Three experiments were conducted. The first was to observe effects of irrigation frequency. The second one was undertaken to evaluate four sorghum varieties (Lalo, Chemeda, Gamadi and Dano) on fodder yield, yield related components and nutritive values. The third experiment was done to determine the appropriate date of harvest for biomass yield and agronomic traits. Complete randomized design (CRD) was employed to conduct the experiment with three replications. The results showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between treatments on   Dry matter yield (t/ha), Leaf Weight (t/ha), Root weight (t/ha) and Plant height (cm) as effect of frequency of watering at 2hr, 3hr and 4hr interval but, significant difference (p<0.05) among varieties of sorghums as an effect of frequency of irrigation on Fresh yield(t/ha), Plant height (cm) and leaf to root ratio (LRR%).The lowest average fresh yields were harvested at 7th days after planting and consistently increased until 17th days of planting. The highest plant heights were observed at 17 days while the lowest was observed at 7th days of harvesting. Except for dry matter (DM), Ash and crude protein (CP), there were significant differences (P<0.05) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and in vitro dry matter digestibility contents of the sorghum varieties. The Sorghum variety, Gamadi contained the highest CP (13.29%) and lowest Acid detergent lignin contents. The Sorghum variety, Chemeda showed best in vitro DM digestibility (73.24%). Harvesting hydroponic sorghum at 17 days after planting gave the best biomass yield (t/ha), LRR and Plant height (cm); showing the increase in biomass as time of harvesting increases. Among the tested varieties of sorghum a variety, Dano best for biomass yield among the others.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3573
Author(s):  
Taylor Jacob Garcia ◽  
Nichole Marie Cherry ◽  
Kimberly Ann Guay ◽  
Jeffrey Alan Brady ◽  
James Pierre Muir ◽  
...  

Ruminants, which have multi-compartmented stomachs, are adapted to digest cellulosic materials, which constitute the primary expense on ranches and dairies. Industrial byproducts can be repurposed for livestock diets to decrease these costs. Therefore, finding alternative feedstuffs may benefit the economics of livestock production. The goal of this project was to evaluate the variation in nutritive value of ruminal waste as a potential feedstuff. Twelve paunch samples were collected from individual cattle across multiple harvest dates at the Tarleton State University Meat Laboratory, Stephenville, TX. Samples were dried and assayed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), sequential neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL), and physically-effective fiber (peNDF). Samples were subjected to batch-culture in vitro digestibility assays for the determination of digestibility coefficients. Mean NDF, ADF, ADL, CP and peNDF concentrations were 681, 399, 109, 150, and 387 g kg−1 DM, respectively. Contribution to variance from sample for NDF, ADF, ADL, CP, and peNDF were 75.3, 41.9, 33.0, 51.2, and 71.3%, respectively. In vitro true digestibility (IVTD) and in vitro NDF digestibility (IVNDFD) were recorded as 462 and 216 g kg−1 DM, respectively. Contribution to variation of sample for IVTD and IVNDFD were 31.0 and 30.7%, respectively. Results indicate that rumen waste harvested from abattoirs may be useful for sustainable livestock production, while reducing environmental threats posed by disposal, but the viability of the product is highly dependent on the source animal. For full viability of application in a sustainable system, a centralized receiving and compositing system may be useful for developing a consistent product.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3481
Author(s):  
Kristen June Jacobson ◽  
Lea Ann Kinman ◽  
Walter Franklin Owsley ◽  
James Pierre Muir ◽  
William Brandon Smith

Hempseed meal (HSM) is left after oil extraction of hemp and may act as a protein source in livestock. The first phase of this research evaluated variation in nutritive value and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of HSM from various sources in North America; the second phase utilized IVDMD to evaluate the efficacy of hempseed meal as an ingredient in ruminant feed. In phase one, the source had no contribution to variance for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), or crude protein (CP) (p ≥ 0.20). However, batch within source contributed to variation for NDF (50%), ADF (37%), ADL (13%), and CP (31%; p ≤ 0.01). Irrespective of differences in nutritive value, there was no contribution to variation (p = 0.23) of any measured response on in vitro true digestibility (53.0%). In phase two, two experiments evaluated HSM IVDMD as (1) a concentrate replacement or (2) a protein replacement in rations at varying rates. In the first experiment, IVDMD decreased (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of HSM. In the second experiment, IVDMD decreased (p < 0.01) as HSM inclusion increased. Although IVDMD decreased as HSM inclusion increased, values still met the digestibility threshold for ruminant rations, indicating that HSM has potential as an alternative protein ingredient.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 2129
Author(s):  
Samantha Mariana Monteiro Sunahara ◽  
Marcela Abbado Neres ◽  
Jaqueline Rocha Wobeto Sarto ◽  
Caroline Daiane Nath ◽  
Kácia Carine Scheidt ◽  
...  

The goal of this study was to assess the dehydration curve and nutritional value of Tifton 85 bermudagrass at two cutting heights from ground level (4 and 8 cm) during 120 days of storage in a closed shed. The dehydration curve was determined using samples from the entire plant at eight different times. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with plots subdivided per times and five replicates. The second step consisted of assessing the nutritional value of the stored Tifton 85 bermudagrass in randomized blocks with plots subdivided per times and two treatments per plot: cutting height of four and eight centimeters from the ground, and five different times for the subplots, with five replicates. Dehydration of Tifton 85 bermudagrass at the two heights occurred in 48 hours, considered an ideal time for hay drying. The dry matter content responded quadratically to the time of storage of the two heights, only differing during baling and after 120 days of storage. Crude protein content had a quadratic behavior in the two cutting heights, with the smallest value after 30 days of storage (107.0 g kg-1) and the largest after 90 days (147.8 g kg-1) in the cutting height of eight centimeters. The ether extract exhibited a quadratic behavior in the two cutting heights, only differing after 90 days of storage. The neutral detergent fiber content had linear positive response according to the time of storage, with no difference between the cutting heights. For the neutral detergent fiber content in the two cutting heights, the quadratic regression model was the best fit to the data, differing between the heights after 30 and 60 days of storage. In vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro cell wall digestibility values of the stored hay were lower than the values obtained at the time of cutting. Cutting performed at four centimeters from the ground was the most suitable for hay production due to higher dry matter production and nutritional value without difference between bailing treatments. Hay storage caused undesirable changes in the nutritional value, especially in fiber content and in vitro digestibility.


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.


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.


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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Peripolli ◽  
Ênio Rosa Prates ◽  
Júlio Otávio Jardim Barcellos ◽  
Cássio André Wilbert ◽  
Cláudia Medeiros Camargo ◽  
...  

The interest in using crude glycerol in animal feeding has reemerged due to its increasing availability and favorable price resulting from the expansion of biofuel industry. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of substituting corn for crude glycerol at different levels in the diet on ruminal fermentation using in-vitro true digestibility parameters. The experimental treatments consisted of substituting corn for liquid crude glycerol (0; 4; 8 and 12%) in dry matter basis. Diets consisted of 60% alfalfa hay and 40% corn and glycerol substituted the corn in the diet. In addition to the 48 hours traditionally applied in digestibility assays, different in-vitro digestibility times were used (0; 4; 8; 16; 48, 72 and 96 hours) in order to study digestion kinetics. The dietary corn substitution for increasing crude glycerol levels did not affect ammonia nitrogen content, metabolizable energy content, in-vitro digestibility of organic matter and neutral detergent fiber, nor ruminal degradation parameters. However this by-product of biodiesel production may be tested in-vivo as an alternative energy feedstuff in ruminant diets.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 2045 ◽  
Author(s):  
Flávio Pinto Monção ◽  
Marco Aurélio Moraes Soares Costa ◽  
João Paulo Sampaio Rigueria ◽  
Marielly Maria Almeida Moura ◽  
Vicente Ribeiro Rocha Júnior ◽  
...  

The objective was to evaluate the productivity, chemical composition, ruminal degradability of dry matter and digestibility of BRS capiaçu grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) managed at five regrowth ages. A completely randomized design with ten replications was used in the BRS capiaçu elephant grass subjected to five cutting intervals (30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days) in the summer, making a total of 50 plots with a useful area of 4 x 2 m. There were daily increases in the dry matter production in the order of 382 kg ha-1, with 49,859 kg ha-1 being produced at 150 regrowth days. The dry matter content and organic matter linearly increased (P < 0.01) at different regrowth ages. The crude protein content, in vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber linearly reduced (P < 0.01) 0.037%, 0.196% and 0.256% per day, respectively. Potential degradability of dry matter decreased from 68.9% at 30 days to 44.7% at 150 regrowth days (0.194 percentage units per day). The rate of degradation of fraction B 'c' was not modified (P = 0.94), averaging 1.46% hour-1. In the cultivation of BRS capiaçu elephant grass in the summer season, in the northern region of Minas Gerais, the age for harvesting between 90 and 120 days of regrowth is recommended.


2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-156
Author(s):  
Jeskarlândia Silva Barros ◽  
Laura Cristina Souza Castro ◽  
Fabiane de Lima Silva ◽  
Fabiana Villa Alves ◽  
Roberto Giolo de Almeida ◽  
...  

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the pasture productive and nutritional characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã in integrated systems with different densities of trees. Considering as plot the systems: integrated crop-livestock-forest with rows of trees (eucalyptus) spaced at 14 m and 357 trees ha-1 (ICLF-14m), ICLF with rows of trees spaced at 22 m and 227 trees ha-1 (ICLF-22m) and the integrated crop-livestock (ICL) with five remaining native trees ha-1; period of the year as subplots, and sampling points as subsubplots (A, B C, D, and E) arranged perpendicular to trees alleys. It was evaluated the production of forage and leaf blade dry mass, leaf:stem ratio, soil coverage, radiation photosynthetically active interception, canopy height, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVDOM) of the leaf blade, and stem associated with the leaf sheath. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) for all variables due to the month within the integrated systems. Mainly in January and March, showing the forage and leaf blade dry mass reduction due to a higher trees density. System with higher trees density showed the lowest soil coverage and canopy height sampling points A and E in ICLF-22m showed lower forage and leaf blade dry mass production and soil coverage. The system with higher trees density showed lower value of NDF of the leaf blade, and higher CP contents. The IVDOM of the leaf blade was higher in ICLF systems. For the evaluated parameters the best results were for the ICLF-22m.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document