Occurrence of fungal species in stored alfalfa forage as influenced by moisture content at baling and temperature during storage

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Undi ◽  
K. M. Wittenberg ◽  
N. J. Holliday
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Fungal Growth ◽  
Fungal Species ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Species Dominance ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Carbohydrate Concentration ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of moisture content at baling on fungal growth during storage of alfalfa forage. Alfalfa forage was baled at DM contents of 64.1–66.2% (Low), 71.9–73.2% (Medium) and 75.4–77.4% (High) and was sampled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 21, 35 and 60 d after storage. For each sample, abundance of fungal and yeast species was assessed by plating on media. Total fungal counts, number of species, species diversity, and species dominance were subjected to analysis of variance, and variation in the fungal assemblages was characterized by ordination. Total fungal counts, number of species, species diversity, and species dominance were not influenced (P > 0.05) by moisture content in the early (days 1 to 8) storage phase. Moisture content at baling did influence (P < 0.05) total counts, number of species, and species dominance in the latter phase (days 9 to 60) of storage. Total fungal counts were highest in Low DM forage, and number of species highest in Medium DM forage. Species dominance was highest in High DM forage. Low DM forage was associated with Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor spp., Absidia spp., Emericella nidulans, and thermotolerant hyphomycetes. Aspergillus repens, Absidia spp. and some yeasts were more predominant in Medium and High DM forages. Moisture content and temperature were related to species assemblages during storage but water-soluble carbohydrate concentration, crude protein concentration and total bacteria counts were not. "Field" fungi, Phoma, Alternaria, Cladosporium spp. and most yeasts were eliminated within 8 d of storage. Physical conditions created in the early stages of storage likely affected fungal growth in the later storage phase. Key words: Moisture content, temperature, storage, alfalfa hay, fungal species, diversity

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.

Effects of Fermented Green Juice and Cellulase on the Silage Quality of Sugarcane Top

2012 ◽  
Vol 554-556 ◽  
pp. 1053-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Fen Zhuang ◽  
Xin Zhu Chen ◽  
Zhao Xia Dong ◽  
Jian Guo Zhang ◽  
Wen Chang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Moisture Contents ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Silage Quality ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

Two moisture levels of sugarcane top (moisture contents 69.03% - MC1 and 56.38% - MC2) were treated with fermented green juice (FGJ) at 2 ml/kg and/or with cellulase (CEL) at 5000 U/kg raw matter, and ensiled in the laboratory at ambient temperature. All additive treatments significantly (P<0.01) increased lactic acid and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) contents, and significantly (P<0.01) decreased pH and contents of NH3-N and acetic acid compared with the control. The treatment of FGJ and CEL mixture significantly (P<0.01) decreased pH and content of acetic acid (AA) compared with treatments of FGJ and CEL alone. All the MC2 silages had more extensive fermentation than MC1 silage, shown by higher contents of lactic acid, lower pH values and NH3-N contents. In conclusion, both FGJ and CEL addition significantly improved the silage quality of sugarcane top, and their mixture had better result than FGJ and CEL alone. Reducing the moisture content of sugarcane top could improve its silage quality.

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