EFFECT OF SEEDING DATE ON YIELDS AND QUALITY OF GREEN FORAGE CROPS

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1045-1050 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
J. B. SANDERSON ◽  
P. R. NARASIMHALU

Forage kale (Brassica oleracea L.), rape (B. napus L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), and Chinese cabbage (B. campestris sensulato L.) × stubble turnip (B. rapa L.) hybrid were seeded at monthly intervals between late-May and late-August over 3 yr. Kale was harvested in early November while rape, radish, and turnip hybrid were targeted for harvest 60–70 d after seeding. The dry matter yield of kale declined as the seeding dates were delayed. The primary growth of rape, radish and turnip hybrid was the same for May, June and July seedings, but seeding in August lowered the yields by 25–38%. The in vitro dry matter disappearance was high, ranging from 850 to 920 g kg−1. The total N concentration of whole plant tissue, leaves, stem + petioles, and roots and S-methylcysteine sulphoxide (SMCO) concentration of whole plants increased as the seeding date was delayed. We concluded that kale should be planted by mid-June for high yields. Fodder rape, radish, and turnip hybrid had similar yields with seeding from spring until mid-July. In vitro dry matter disappearance and N concentrations were high for all species.Key words: Brassica oleracea, B. napus, B. rapa, Raphanus sativus, chemical composition, digestibility

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Carlos Rodríguez ◽  
Juan A. Quiñones ◽  
Rodrigo Arias

The trial was conducted at the Centro de Producción Agrícola of ICfA in Cuyuta, Escuintla-Guatemala in order to generate information on the yield and quality of edible mulberry (Morus sp.) roughage treatments consisted of three harvest frequencies (6; 9 and 12 weeks and three fertilization levels of nitrogen (0.40 and 80 kg/ha). A complete randomized block experimental design, with a factorial arrangement (3x3) was used. The cutting height was 0.3 m above the ground level with two sequencies: from August 2nd to September 13 th and from September 13th to December 6th, 1990. In both cases, the 12 week frequency cutting and 80 kg of N were superior to the others (P<=0.01), yielding 6.87 and 6.15 t/ha of dry matter respectively. The yields at 9 weeks were statistically higher than those at 6 weeks. The highest protein percentage of the whole plant, leaves and stalks were produced at 6 weeks. The dry matter digestibility values in vitro showed little variability among treatments, with averages for whole plants, leaves and stalks of 65, 91 and 41 %, respectively. The preceeding data suggests that the mulberry has an excellent potential as a balanced supplement (protein and energy) for dual purpose cattle on the Southern coast of Guatemala.


1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. PELLETIER ◽  
J. P. F. DARISSE ◽  
E. DONEFER

Forage kale (Brassica oleracea L.) was seeded on three dates and fertilized at different levels of N as NH4NO3 for 3 yr. The highest dry matter (DM) yield was obtained with the earliest date of seeding and with levels of N fertilization of 120 kg/ha. The yield of crude protein (CP) was relatively constant among years, for the different dates of seeding and for N fertilization above 120 kg/ha. Increasing N fertilization or delaying seeding increased the leaf:stem ratio, and consequently the CP content. The levels of NO3-N in stems, leaves and whole plants were at an acceptable level for safe feeding. The cellulose, crude fiber, Ca and P contents were not affected greatly either by the dates of seeding or by the levels of N fertilization. The in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) was not affected markedly by any treatment.


2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. Tremblay ◽  
G. Bélanger ◽  
K. B. McRae ◽  
R. Michaud

Increased dry matter digestibility and ruminal undegradable protein (RUP) concentration are traits highly ranked to improve the nutritive value of forage legumes. Whole-plant, leaf, and stem samples of 27 alfalfa cultivars grown in eastern Canada were analysed for total nitrogen (TN), in vitro RUP, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). The objectives were to determine if significant variation exists among these cultivars, and to establish the relationship between nutritive value parameters of leaves and stems, and those of whole plants. Cultivars were seeded in triplicate on 2 consecutive years and evaluated during the 2 subsequent production years with two harvests per year. There were significant differences among cultivars in IVDMD of stems and plants in spring growth and summer regrowth. Cultivar differences in leaf IVDMD were significant only in spring growth, but this variation was negligible in practical terms. Cultivars with high forage IVDMD also had high stem IVDMD and this relationship was stronger in summer regrowth. Alfalfa plant IVDMD is a function of stem digestibility and the leaf weight ratio (LWR). Cultivar differences were significant for plant TN in spring growth and summer regrowth, and for stem TN in spring growth only. Leaf (270 to 306 g kg-1 TN) and stem (242 to 287 g kg-1 TN) RUP concentrations varied among cultivars in spring growth. Cultivars with high stem RUP also had high leaf RUP concentration but differences in plant RUP were not always attributed to leaf and stem RUP. The RUP concentration was on average 10% higher in leaves than in stems in spring growth, and this difference reached 15% in summer regrowth. The LWR varied among cultivars in spring growth and summer regrowth, and it was positively related to plant RUP in spring growth. Improved whole-plant RUP concentration is unlikely to be achieved by simply selecting for high RUP in leaves or stems; LWR has a principal role in determining alfalfa plant RUP concentration. Key words: Dry matter digestibility, ruminal undegradable proteins, alfalfa, genetic variation, stems, leaves


1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. WHITE ◽  
K. A. WINTER ◽  
H. T. KUNELIUS

Corn (Zea mays L.) for silage was harvested at approximately 10-day intervals between 5 September and 15 November in 1973 and 1974 at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Dry matter (DM) yields of the whole plant and of grain increased up to first frost which occurred in late September. Following frost, the DM yields of the whole plants declined, while DM yields of grain remained essentially constant or increased slightly. In vitro DM digestibility and in vitro digestible DM yields were highest and the cellulose content was lowest at the time of first frost. Nitrogen and K contents of the whole plant declined significantly with time after frost. The total amounts of N, P, and K harvested in the crop also declined after frost. It is recommended that silage corn in the Maritime Provinces be harvested prior to or immediately after being frozen to obtain maximum yields and quality.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 557-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. V. VALDES ◽  
R. B. HUNTER ◽  
G. E. JONES

A comparison of two near infrared (NIRA) calibrations (C1 and C2) for the prediction of in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDM) in whole-plant corn (WPC) was conducted. C1 consisted of 40 WPC samples collected from four locations across Ontario (Brucefield, London, Guelph and Elora). C2 consisted of 90 samples and included the above locations plus Pakenham and Winchester. Nine wavelengths were used in both equations but only three were common in C1 and C2 equations. These wavelengths were 2139 nm, 2100 nm, and 1445 nm, respectively. The predictions of IVDM utilizing both C1 and C2 were good. Coefficients of determination (r2) and standard error of the estimate (SEE) for calibration and prediction sets were 0.91, 1.7; 0.85, 1.7 for C1 and 0.88, 1.6; 0.77, 1.6 for C2 respectively. Regression analysis within location, however, showed low r2 values for the prediction of IVDM for Pakenham and Winchester in both calibrations. The more mature stage of harvest at these locations might be the cause of the poorer predictions. Key words: In vitro digestibility, whole-plant corn, near infrared reflectance


1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 491-497
Author(s):  
Abate Tedla ◽  
Helena Airaksinen ◽  
M. A. Mohamed-Saleem

The influence of the improved drainage broadbed and furrow (BBF), as opposed to the traditional flat seedbed over the growing season on the dry matter yield and nutritive value of Avena sativa, Vigna unguiculata, Lablab purpureus, Vida dasycarpa, Trifolium steudneri and Sesbania sesban were studied on Vertisol. Up to 7 t/ha dry matter yield was recorded for Avena sativa and Lablab purpureus when planted on Vertisols with improved drainage. Dry matter yield of forage crops also increased with advance in stage of maturity or subsequent harvests. On both improved and traditional flat seedbed methods, the chemical analysis of forage crops showed similar declines in crude protein content and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) levels as the maturity of forage crops progressed.


1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. B. DAYNARD ◽  
R. B. HUNTER

Identical experiments were conducted at the Elora Research Station, near Guelph, Ontario in 1970 and 1971 with the objective of determining the relationships among whole-plant dry matter (DM) yield, whole-plant moisture content, and grain moisture content of corn (Zea mays L.) during the later part of the growing season. Each experiment involved eight commercial hybrids representative of the range in maturity, endosperm type, lodging resistance, and grain yield potential of corn hybrids grown commercially in central Ontario. The hybrids were sampled at weekly intervals over an 8-wk period beginning approximately 1 September; the sampled plants were divided into their leaf, stalk, husk, ear and grain components and oven-dried. Fresh and dry weights were used to calculate dry matter (DM) yields and "at harvest" moisture contents of the various components, and of the entire plant. Averaged across the eight hybrids, maximum DM yield was attained at whole-plant moisture content of 66–70%, and a grain moisture content of 45–50%. Among hybrids, 66% whole-plant moisture corresponded to a range in grain moisture content from 41 to 47%. Two additional experiments were grown also at Elora in 1970 and 1971 to evaluate the effects of harvest date on the DM yield and in vitro digestibility of corn plants and their component plant parts. Each experiment involved four representative commercial hybrids which were sampled at four equal time intervals during the month of September, and divided into grain, cob, husks (including shank) and stover (including leaves, leaf sheaths, stalks and tassels) for dry weight and in vitro digestibility measurement. Whole-plant DM digestibility was essentially constant over a range of whole-plant moisture from 76 to 56% in 1970, and from 76 to 64% in 1971. The consistency of whole-plant digestibility was the result of compensating changes in component yield and digestibility. A decrease in the digestibility of the stover, husks and cob with delayed harvest was compensated for by an increase in the proportion of grain in the whole-plant yield.


1986 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 147-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Murphy ◽  
John R. Rice ◽  
David T. Dugdale

AbstractPermanent pastures produce far below their potential, as they are usually managed in the northcentral and northeastern United States. Dairy farmers in these regions generally feed their cattle year-round from stored forage and purchased concentrates, and use permanent pastures as mere holding or exercise areas, grazing them continuously. This practice involves high operating costs that, combined with lower milk prices, have resulted in greatly reduced profit margins. Farming practices that return more net income are needed. The Voisin system of rotational grazing management, which applies intensive management to forage crops on pastureland, is widely used on dairy and sheep farms in New Zealand. Farmers using the Voisin system there have low operating costs and obtain high yields of excellent quality forage over long grazing periods; increased net income results Between 1 May and 1 October 1984, 497 forage samples were taken and analyzed from permanent pastures grazed according to the Voisin management system on six Vermont dairy farms. This was done to provide farmers with current estimates of forage feeding value so that they could balance their cows' rations accordingly throughout the season, and determine if they could improve the profitability of their farms by using Voisin grazing management. Average grazingseason analyses (dry weight) were: 22.5% dry matter, 22.4% crude protein, 20.8% available protein, 28.4% acid detergent fiber, 1.18% calcium, .48% phosphorus, 1.60% potassium, .22% magnesium, and 1.58 Mcal/kg net energy lactation. Average dry forage yield was 8.9 metric tons/ha. Dry matter intake was adequate for milk production up to 36 kg/cow/day. Forage protein and energy contents were sufficient for at least 25 and 18 kg milk/day, respectively. On three farms where economic factors were calculated, net profits per cow averaged $67 more during the 5-month period from using Voisin grazing management, compared to continuous grazing of the same pastureland in the year before Voisin management was used. This profit resulted mainly from feed savings and a more favorable milk:concentrate ratio of 4.1:1 obtained with Voisin management, compared to 2.7:1 with continuous grazing and more feeding of stored or machine-harvested forage. Voisin-managed pastures can produce high yields of excellent-quality forage that can be incorporated into dairy feeding programs, thereby reducing feed costs and increasing profitability of the farming operations.


1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 935-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL FLIPOT ◽  
D. N. MOWAT ◽  
J. G. BUCHANAN-SMITH ◽  
J. J. PARKINS

Two trials were conducted to investigate the effect of NaOH on the ensiling characteristics of corn and alfalfa forage. In one trial, NaOH was added at levels of 0, 2, 3, or 4% of dry matter (DM) to whole plant corn and 0 or 3% to corn stover, and ensiled in cryovac bags. In a second trial, 0 or 3% NaOH was added to whole plant corn or alfalfa (25–40% DM). In addition, alfalfa had molasses added at a level of 0 or 10% of the forage DM. Materials were ensiled in miniature silos of 250-ml capacity. Additions of NaOH to all forages increased silage pH (P < 0.05). Molasses may have some influence in limiting the rise in pH after addition of NaOH but the effect appears to be limited. Alkali treatment of corn stover silage and corn silage generally increased lactic acid production. Total-N of all silages tended to decrease with NaOH treatment. However, alkali treatment markedly reduced soluble-N with all forages (P < 0.05), except with corn stover. Molasses also reduced soluble-N (P < 0.05) with alfalfa silage of low DM content. Treating forages while ensiling would appear to represent a suitable on-farm system for alkali treatment.


1975 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 975-986 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. FISHER ◽  
D. B. FOWLER

Dry matter yield, percent dry weight, in vitro digestible dry matter, in vitro digestible organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash and hemicellulose contents were determined for spring- and fall-sown common wheat, barley, rye and triticale and spring-sown durum wheat and oats for the period from late boot to maturity. Differences among cultivars and stages of maturity were significant for all parameters. These differences were accompanied by stage of maturity interactions. Consideration of the interrelationships among these parameters revealed that level of in vitro digestible dry matter was reflected in measures of acid detergent fiber and ash or percent dry weight. Further analyses indicated that differences in digestibility due to stage of maturity were primarily reflected by changes in ash or percent dry weight, while differences in digestibility among cultivars were mainly attributable to differences in acid detergent fiber.


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