Addition of Lactic Acid Bacteria Can Promote the Quality and Feeding Value of Broussonetia papyrifera (Paper Mulberry) Silage

In this study, the influence of two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains [Lactobacillus rhamnosus BDy (LR-BDy) and Lactobacillus buchneri TSy (LB-TSy)] selected from Southwest China on the fermentation characteristics and in vitro gas production of Broussonetia papyrifera (paper mulberry) silage were experimentally explored. The experimental groups were a control group (C), an LB-TSy treatment (LB), an LR-BDy treatment (LR), and an LR-BDy + LB-TSy hybrid group (LR × LB). After the LAB were added, the pH value of paper mulberry silage significantly declined (p < 0.05), and the crude protein content was effectively preserved (p < 0.05). However, no significant changes were found in the levels of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and crude ash (p > 0.05). The lactic acid content in paper mulberry silage was evidently increased (p < 0.05). The in vitro gas production in the LR at 36, 48, and 72 h were markedly higher than that in the other treatments (p < 0.05). Owing to the addition of LAB, the microbial diversity in paper mulberry silage was reduced, while the relative bacterial abundance of Lactobacillus was enhanced. Hence, the addition of LAB selected from the warm and humid region in Southwest China can improve the quality of paper mulberry silage and elevate its feeding value in this region.

Composición química y morfología de raíces de cinco especies arbustivas nativas y su influencia en la fijación del suelo

Antecedentes: El uso de vegetación es una práctica recurrente para la fijación de suelo y dependerá de las características del sistema radical. Preguntas e hipótesis: La composición química de las raíces es diferentes entre especies e influenciada por su diámetro. La clasificación morfológica es diferente entre las especies. Especies estudiadas: Broussonetia papyrifera, Caesalpinia mexicana, Dalea hospes, Decatropis bicolor y Zanthoxylum fagara. Área de estudio y fechas: Matorral Submontano, Parque Ecológico Chipinque, San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León. Junio a noviembre 2019. Métodos: Se clasificaron raíces por especie en tres categorías diamétricas (I, 0.1-2.9 mm; II, 3-5.9 mm; III, 6-9.9 mm). Previo a los análisis químicos se retiró la corteza de las raíces. La composición química se determinó por fraccionamiento secuencial de la pared celular. La morfología radical se clasificó por comparación con metodologías establecidas. Resultados: Se encontró una relación decreciente en el contenido de hemicelulosa y celulosa con el aumento del diámetro de raíz, en todas las especies fueron mayores en la categoría diamétrica I. Los mayores contenidos de lignina se encontraron en la categoría III (6-9.9 mm). El orden de importancia considerando el contenido de celulosa para protección de laderas fue: Dalea hospes > Broussonetia papyrifera > Caesalpinia mexicana > Decatropis bicolor > Zanthoxylum fagara. Conclusiones: Con base en la composición química de las raíces y la morfología radical, se propone un método de revegetación para la fijación del suelo, Dalea hospes y Decatropis bicolor en la cima de la ladera, Zanthoxylum fagaray Caesalpinia mexicana en la parte media y Broussonetia papyrifera al pie de la ladera.

The effect of Broussonetia papyrifera invasion on the regeneration of selected native timber species in a tropical moist forest in Uganda

Broussonetia papyrifera has been identified as one of the top invasive species in some African tropical forests with potentially devastating impacts on the conservation and timber production potential of the forests. This study determined the effect of B. papyrifera on the regeneration of selected native timber species in Mabira Forest Reserve, Uganda. The abundance, basal area and population structure of the timber species were compared between areas invaded and uninvaded by B. papyrifera. Employing a complete randomized block design, a total of forty plots (30 x 30 m each), and equally distributed between invaded and uninvaded areas with similar habitat conditions were surveyed. Counts of seedlings were recorded and diameter of saplings and trees measured. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the abundance, tree basal area and size class distributions of the selected species. The study revealed that the effects of B. papyrifera invasion vary depending on the growth stage and species studied. Overall, B. papyrifera invasion significantly reduced tree abundance and basal area, and suppressed the regeneration of some but not all the selected species. Our results demonstrate that if the spread of B. papyrifera is not abated, it will lower the conservation and timber production potential of tropical forests. Therefore, we call for interventions to control the spread of B. papyrifera to the uninvaded parts of the forests and halt its multiplication in invaded areas so as to enhance the regeneration and growth of timber species.