The Effect of Intercropping of Lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) at Different Planting Densities on in vitro and in sacco Dry Matter Digestibility of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

Background: The advantage of intercropping is the more efficient utilization of the all available resources and the increased productivity compared with each sole crop of the mixture. If cowpea and Lablab intercropping with Napier grass its nutritional values was improved. Methods: The experimental design was factorial combination arrangement in randomized complete block design with three inter and intra spaces (1 m × 0.5 m, 0.75 m × 0.5 m, 0.5 m × 0.5 m) and intercropping with two tropical legumes. Treatments were T1= Pure Napier grass at 1 m row spacing, T2= Napier grass intercropped with lablab at 0.75 m row spacing, T3= Napier grass intercropped with cowpea at 0.5 m row spacing, T4= Napier grass intercropped with cowpea at 1 m row spacing, T5= Napier grass intercropped with lablab at 0.5 m row spacing, T6= Pure Napier grass at 0.75 m row spacing, T7= Napier grass intercropped with lablab at 1 m row spacing, T8= Napier grass intercropped with cowpea at 0.75 m row spacing, T9= Pure Napier grass at 0.5 m row spacing and totally nine treatments were used. Soil samples were collected before and after forage harvested. Result: Napier grass intercropped with lablab and cowpea at different planting densities had significant effect (P less than 0.05) on the in vitro dry and organic matter digestibility (IVDMD, IVOMD) and increased digestibility. The OM degradation constant was significantly different (P less than 0.05) but ‘ED’ was not and for DM degradation ‘c’ and ‘b’ were non-significant (P greater than 0.05) for Napier grass intercropped with lablab and cowpea at different planting densities. In conclusion, Napier grass intercropped with lablab and cowpea at a planting density of 24 plants m-2 was better choice for high yield and forage quality.

Use of biostimulants in elephant grass cv. Napier

This study was developed to examine the growth, yield, chemical composition and in situ degradability of elephant grass cv. Napier (Pennisetum purpureum). Five spraying protocols with biostimulants were tested, namely, Control - no application; 1BR - bioregulator at seven days; 2BR - bioregulator at seven days + bioregulator and foliar fertilization at 20 days; 2BR2 - bioregulator at seven days + bioregulator and foliar fertilization at 20 days + ethylene inhibitor at 30 days; and 3BR - bioregulator at seven days + bioregulator and foliar fertilization at 20 days + ethylene inhibitor and bioregulator at 30 days. The grass was cut evenly at a height of 15 cm and harvested at 70 days of regrowth. The experimental area was divided into two blocks according to the slope. Ninety plots were used, totaling an area of 4,608 m2. Each plot was composed of four 4-m rows spaced 80 cm apart. Chemical composition, morphological traits and forage digestibility data were evaluated. The 3BR protocol, with more bioregulator-based applications, resulted in higher canopy (9.78%) and stem (9.58%) compared with control group. The 2BR and 2BR2 treatments provided a 6.5% higher stem than control treatment. The improvement in the nutritional value of Pennisetum purpureum cv. Napier was due to the 17.55% increase in crude protein (CP) content provided by protocol 3BR relative to control group. Treatments 2BR2 and 3BR improved the effective degradability of dry matter (DM). The application of biostimulant protocols increased the potential degradability of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (+4.1%), with the greatest response seen in treatment 2BR2 in comparison with control treatment. Biostimulant protocols increase the canopy and stem heights and CP content. The application of a bioregulator associated with foliar fertilization and ethylene inhibitor improves the effective degradability of DM and NDF and the potential degradability of NDF in Pennisetum purpureum cv. Napier harvested at 70 days of regrowth.

Anaerobic co-digestion of swine manure and forage at two harvesting ages

ABSTRACT: The co-digestion of swine manure with vegetable waste is an alternative that can increase the production of biogas and methane generated by the isolated digestion of manure. However, recommendations that are based on the best ratio between manure and forage, as well as the age of harvest, are still scarce in the literature. This study was conducted to evaluate inclusions (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) of the total solids (TS) of Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum) harvested at two ages medium age (MA) at 45 days of growth and advanced age (AA) at 90 days in co-digestion with swine manure, using an entirely randomized design in a 5x2 factorial scheme. Batch digesters were used and biogas production was monitored for 12 weeks. There was influence of forage age (P <0.05) on the degradation of solids and neutral detergent fiber, with higher values for the substrates containing MA forage. The highest CH4 yields were obtained by the substrates containing MA forage in the inclusion of 27.7 and 31.6%, being 253.7 and 222.2 L of CH4 per Kg of total or volatile solids. The age of the forages influenced the onset and persistence of biogas production, being advantageous only in the inclusion of 25% of MA forage. The AA forage inclusion is not recommended for co-digestion with swine manure.

Effect of energy and protein level in complete feed used elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) and maize stover (Zea mays. L) silage on nutrient content, total digestible nutrient, and in vitro degradation

The purpose of this research was to determine of ideal ration of energy and protein in complete feed used elephant grass and maize stover silage. The materials were use elephant grass, maize stover silage with 10% molasses and Lactobacillus plantarum 1x106 CFU/g and concentrates. The method used experimental laboratory, the data of nutrient and TDN content using descriptive analysis. In vitro degradation value was analysed by Analysis of Variance from a factorial randomized block design and followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The complete feed was use 12.5% elephant grass + 37.5% maize stover silage + 50% concentrates with consist of energy level (E1 =12.5, E2 =13.5, E3 =14.5 MJ/kg DM) and protein level (P1 =10.5, P2= 13.5, P3= 16.5%). The results showed that in vitro DM and OM degradation respectively energy or protein level showed has significantly (P<0.01), while the interaction did not significant (P>0.05). The best treatment is E3P3 with energy 14.5 MJ/kg and protein 16.5% on nutrient content DM 92,51%., OM 90,33%., CP 16.57%, CF 19.29%, EE 1.77%, NFE 53.70%, TDN content 67.14%, In vitro DM degradation 66.14 % and in vitro OM degradation 70.01%.

The effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, benzyl amino purin and cupric sulphate on in vitro propagation system from shoot apices of shoot tiller of hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum)

An efficient micropropagation method of hybrid Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureumn Schum) for in vitro plant production and material breeding was established from multiple-shoot clumps (MCS) regeneration system. This system was important for forage breeding system. Shoot apices from shoot-tillers produced MSC on Murashige-Skoog (MS) induction medium containing several combinations of BAP and 2,4-D in induction stage. The addition of 5 μM (v/v) and 50 μM (v/v) CuSO4 were added in best medium for inoculation to proliferate the clump in proliferation/multiplication stage. Plant regeneration was achieved by culturing on solid MS with several combination of medium containing NAA and BAP in regeneration stage. The best results for induction were Murashige-Skoog (MS) induction medium containing 2 mgL−1 BAP and 0.1 mgL−1 2,4-D. The proliferation stage on MS medium containing 5 μM CuSÜ4 effective for proliferation (50% multiple shoot formation). The regeneration stage using 0.1 mgL−1 NAA and 2.0 mgL−1 BAP (51.6% number of shoot can regenerate). All plantlets were successfully grown up in an acclimatization stage. Based on the results, the hybrid Napier grass regeneration via MSC was a stable tissue culture system (no albino plats), which could be applied either for further genetic transformation assay or for alternative supply of nursery plant in the future.

Methane Mitigation Potential of Foliage of Fodder Trees Mixed at Two Levels with a Tropical Grass

Enteric methane (CH4) emitted by ruminant species is known as one of the main greenhouse gases produced by the agricultural sector. The objective of this study was to assess the potential the potential for CH4 mitigation and additionally the chemical composition, in vitro gas production, dry matter degradation (DMD), digestibility and CO2 production of five tropical tree species with novel forage potential including: Spondias mombin, Acacia pennatula, Parmentiera aculeata, Brosimum alicastrum and Bursera simaruba mixed at two levels of inclusion (15 and 30%) with a tropical grass (Pennisetum purpureum). The forage samples were incubated for 48 h, and a randomized complete block design was used. Crude protein content was similar across treatments (135 ± 42 g kg−1 DM), while P. purpureum was characterized by a high content of acid detergent fiber (335.9 g kg−1 DM) and B. simaruba by a high concentration of condensed tannins (20 g kg−1 DM). Likewise, A. pennatula and P. aculeata were characterized by a high content of cyanogenic glycosides and alkaloids respectively. Treatments SM30-PP70 (30% S. mombin + 70% P. purpureum) and BA30-PP70 (30% B. alicastrum + 70% P. purpureum) resulted in superior degradability at 48h than P. purpureum, while in the AP30-PP70 (30% A. pennatula + 70% P. purpureum) was lower than the control treatment (p ≤ 0.05). At 24 and 48 h, treatments that contained P. aculeata and B. alicastrum yield higher CH4 mL g−1 DOM than P. purpureum (p ≤ 0.05). The inclusion of these forage species had no statistical effect on the reduction of CH4 emissions per unit of DM incubated or degraded at 24 and 48 h with respect to P. purpureum although reductions were observed. The use of fodders locally available is an economic and viable strategy for the mitigation of the environmental impact generated from tropical livestock systems.

EFEKTIVITAS PUPUK ORGANIK CAIR (POC) CANGKANG TELUR DAN AIR KELAPA TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN RUMPUT GAJAH MINI (PENNISETUM PURPUREUM CV. MOTT)

Kajian ini dilaksanakan di Kampus Poloteknik Pembangunan Pertanian (Polbangtan) Gowa pada Bulan Mei sampai Bulan Juli 2021, dan penyuluhan dilaksanakan pada Kelompok Tani Palampang Raya di desa Pabbentengang, Kecamatan Bajeng, Kabupaten Gowa. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas pupuk organik cair (poc) cangkang telur dan air kelapa terhadap pertumbuhan rumput gajah mini, dan untuk mengetahui perubahan tingkat pengetahuan, keterampilan dan sikap peternak terhadap efektivitas pupuk organik cair (poc) cangkang telur dan air kelapa terhadap pertumbuhan rumput gajah mini. Metode kajian disusun dengan menggunakan Mirosoft Excel 2010 yang dilanjutkan dengan Uji BNT, yang terdiri dari empat perlakuan dan empat ulangan sehingga diperoleh 16 sampel. Perlakuan P0 (tanpa perlakuan POC), P1 (POC cangkang telur dan air kelapa 150 mL/liter air), P2 (POC cangkang telur dan air kelapa 250 mL/liter air), P3 (POC cangkang telur dan air kelapa 350 mL/liter air). Hasil menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan P3 (POC cangkang telur dan air kelapa 350 mL/liter air) memberikan hasil terbaik pada tinggi tanaman (75,1 cm), panjang daun (46,36 cm) dan lebar daun (2,53 cm), perlakuan P1 (POC cangkang telur dan air kelapa 150 mL/liter air) memberikan hasil terbaik pada jumlah anakan (2,73 anakan).

Performance of Urochloa and Megathyrsus Forage Grasses in Smallholder Farms in Western Kenya

Livestock productivity has remained low in sub-Saharan African countries compared to other places on the globe. The feeding component is the major limitation, in both quantity and quality. Among other inputs, feeding takes 55–70% of the costs involved. Livestock play a major role especially in smallholder mixed farms through provision of household nutrition and income through milk and meat. Equally, fertilization of cropland benefits from livestock manure, and livestock often act as insurance and savings by providing liquidity for unforeseen and urgent financial needs. Increasing livestock productivity would enhance the fore-mentioned benefits contributing to well-being and livelihoods. Toward this endeavor and with smallholder dairy farmers' participation, we undertook an evaluation of 10 selected forages from Urochloa Syn. Brachiaria and Megathyrsus syn. Panicum genus and compared them with Napier grass, i.e., Cenchrus purpureus Syn. Pennisetum purpureum commonly grown by farmers. For detailed and robust evaluation, we established the species in eight trial sites spread in four administrative counties in Western Kenya (Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, and Siaya). In each site, the forages were established in plots in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times. Each site was linked to a group of farmers interested in dairy. For 2 years, dry matter production, plant height, and leaf-to-stem ratio was determined across all sites. Further, we guided farmers to generate participatory forage evaluation criteria, which they later administered across their respective forage demonstration sites individually on plot-by-plot basis to generate preference rating compared to what they normally grow—Napier grass. The results showed significant differences across the forage types within and between the sites. Cumulative dry matter yields ranged 13.7–49.9 t/ha over 10 harvestings across forage types and the counties, while values for crude protein were 1.85–6.23 t/ha and 110,222–375,988 MJ/ha for metabolizable energy. Farmer preferences emerged that highlighted forages with likely better chances of adoption with weighed scores ranging 5.5–7.6 against a scale of 1–9, across the counties. The observations provide additional and well-performing forage options for the farmers and possibly in similar production systems and ecologies. Awareness creation targeting livestock and dairy producers would be key, reaching, and informing them on alternative forage options, with potential to increase livestock productivity.