Insights Into the Genetic Architecture of Complex Traits in Napier Grass (Cenchrus purpureus) and QTL Regions Governing Forage Biomass Yield, Water Use Efficiency and Feed Quality Traits

Napier grass is the most important perennial tropical grass native to Sub-Saharan Africa and widely grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, primarily as a forage crop for animal feed, but with potential as an energy crop and in a wide range of other areas. Genomic resources have recently been developed for Napier grass that need to be deployed for genetic improvement and molecular dissection of important agro-morphological and feed quality traits. From a diverse set of Napier grass genotypes assembled from two independent collections, a subset of 84 genotypes (although a small population size, the genotypes were selected to best represent the genetic diversity of the collections) were selected and evaluated for 2 years in dry (DS) and wet (WS) seasons under three soil moisture conditions: moderate water stress in DS (DS-MWS); severe water stress in DS (DS-SWS) and, under rainfed (RF) conditions in WS (WS-RF). Data for agro-morphological and feed quality traits, adjusted for the spatial heterogeneity in the experimental blocks, were collected over a 2-year period from 2018 to 2020. A total of 135,706 molecular markers were filtered, after removing markers with missing values >10% and a minor allele frequency (MAF) <5%, from the high-density genome-wide markers generated previously using the genotyping by sequencing (GBS) method of the DArTseq platform. A genome-wide association study (GWAS), using two different mixed linear model algorithms implemented in the GAPIT R package, identified more than 35 QTL regions and markers associated with agronomic, morphological, and water-use efficiency traits. QTL regions governing purple pigmentation and feed quality traits were also identified. The identified markers will be useful in the genetic improvement of Napier grass through the application of marker-assisted selection and for further characterization and map-based cloning of the QTLs.

DETERMINATION OF FEED QUALITY PARAMETERS OF LEAVES AND STEMS OF DIFFERENT ALFALFA GENOTYPES

This research was carried out to determine feed quality parameters of leaves and stems of different alfalfa genotypes. A total of 12 alfalfa genotypes was used as the plant material for the study. Alfalfa plants were harvested at the flowering stage. The plants were dried at 70°C and grinded in a hand-mill with 1 mm sieve for chemical analysis. In leaf, the acid detergent fiber (ADF) content of genotypes varied between 21.62 - 27.40%, the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content between 33.98 - 39.95%, and crude protein content between 24.68 - 28.45%, whereas in stem ADF content of genotypes varied between 50.99 - 57.72%, NDF content between 66.96 - 76.79 %, crude protein content between 8.46 - 11.00%. The RFV ranged from 159.18 to 197.27% and 53.22 to 67.06% for leaf and stem respectively. The leaf to stem ratio of genotypes ranged from 0.72 to 1.60. Considering current results from different genotypes, genotype has a high effect on feed quality. In addition, the rate of leaf to stems is also effective on feed quality. While the protein ratio of the leaves was higher than the stems, the ADF and NDF contents were found to be lower than the stems. So, in the selection of alfalfa genotypes, attention should be paid to the leaf to stem ratio as well as the yield.

COMPARISON OF GRAIN FEED QUALITY OF DIFFERENT BROAD BEAN GENOTYPES

The objective of the present study was to determine grain feed quality of different broad bean cultivars and lines. For this purpose, Eleven different cultivars and five lines (Emiralem, Histal, Sorgun, Kitik 2003, Sakiz, Eresen 87, Sevil, Reina Mora, Filiz 99, Salkim, Luz De, Otonoto, Seher, EU 4446, Canakkale, Antalya, EU319) were used as the plant material. Experiments were conducted in randomized blocks design with three replications. Effects of genotypes on grain feed quality were found to be highly significant (P≤0.01) Current findings revealed that crude oil content between 0.62 - 1.58%, crude ash content between 1.89 - 3.30%, crude protein content varied between 22.30 - 32.14%, acid detergent fiber (ADF) content between 7.45 - 14.94% and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content between 16.08 - 28.05%. Seher, EU 4446, Canakkale, Antalya, Filiz 99 and Histal were found to be prominent for hight crude protein and crude oil, thus these genotypes were recommended for animal feeding.

Literature review on fermentation factors of restaurant organic waste affecting feed quality

The high level of public consumption, balanced with the increasingly dense population globally, makes food waste more and more. Food waste is the second-largest contributor to waste in the world. Moreover, the lack of food waste management makes this condition even worse. This food waste can be found, one of which is in restaurants, school canteens, food courts, and others. Fermentation is the process of breaking down complex substances into simpler ones. A fermentation process can help process food waste into various products such as liquid organic fertilizer, compost, biogas, and raw material for fish feed. Through the fermentation process, food waste can be used as an alternative fish feed with high nutritional content to benefit fish cultivators. Fish need many nutrients for their bodies, with food waste that has been processed will meet the dietary needs of fish. The cultivators will benefit more from the cost of feed and the sale of fish that can meet consumer needs.Moreover, the demand for the fish market is increasing every year. Several factors play a role in the success of the food waste fermentation process and the quality of the resulting product to be converted into fish feed raw materials. These factors include incubation time, pH acidity, and microbial factors that can accelerate the spoilage of fish feed raw materials.Keywords:Fermentation,Restaurant wasteFish feedFactorsQuality of feed IngredientsLiterature review on fermentation factors of restaurant organic waste affecting feed quality

Methods of improvement of degraded haymaking fields in the forest-steppe of the Ob river region

The results of investigations on the formation of high-yielding haymaking fields with the sowing of perennial legumes with different methods of processing the sod of degraded hayfields have been presented in the paper. The purpose of the work was to determine the most effective methods that contribute to increasing the yield and feed quality of degraded haymaking. The most effective methods that contribute to increasing the yield, feed quality and productive longevity of degraded haymaking have been determined. The content of perennial legumes in the herbage was registered: in the variant with plowing of turf it was 88 %, with milling – 80, with disking – 70 %. The highest yield has been obtained on the variant with the radical improvement 17,3 t/ha herbage and 3,64 t/ha of dry weight, which exceeded the indicators of the control variant by 3,6 times. It has been revealed that with the radical improvement of degraded haymaking (plowing + disking), the yield of feed units reached 1,74 t/ha, digestible protein – 0,25 t/ha, the amount of digestible protein per 1 feed unit was 140 g. These indicators during the sod disking were: 1,55 t/ha, 0,22 t/ha and 135 g, respectively. When strip-seeding of perennial legumes, the variant with the width of the treated strip of 60 cm has been distinguished. The collection of feed units amounted to 1,61 t/ha, of digestible protein – 0,18 t/ha. In the control variant (degraded haymaking), the collection of feed units was 0,38 t/ha, of digestible protein-0,025 t/ha. An economic assessment of the methods of improving degraded haymaking has shown that strip sowing of perennial legumes turned out to be the most effective method of improvement in the forest-steppe zone in Western Siberia. The net income depending on the option of strip sowing amounted to 3751–4278 rubles/ha, the level of profitability – 71–87 %. During the radical improvement, the economic indicators were slightly lower – 3959 rubles/ha and 57 %, respectively.

​Feed Quality Test, Prevalence of Aflatoxin Contamination in Dairy Feed and Raw Milk in Oromia Special Zone Surrounding Finfinne, Ethiopia

Background: The study was attended in Oromia special zone around Finfinne with the objective to asses feed quality composition, detect and quantify the amount of aflatoxine (AFM1) in raw cow’s milk and AFB1 in home-mixed feed of dairy. Methods: For this purpose, 90 milk and 90 samples of feed from dairy farmers were collected. Analysis for AFM1 and AFB1 was conducted by high-performance liquid chromatography. Result: The study discovered that the occurrence of AFM1 in all samples of milk and detection level ranged from 0.02 ppb to 0.08 ppbL. Overall, 64 (71.1%) out of a total of 90 milk samples contained less than or equal to 0.05 ppb of AFM1. Moreover, 26 (28.9%) milk samples exceeded 0.05 ppb. All the feed samples were contaminated with AFB1 minimum 12.67 ppb and a maximum of 45.67 ppb. Overall, out of a total of 90 feed samples collected, about 66 (73.3%) contained AFB1 at a level less than or equal to 20 ppb. At the same time, 34 (26.7%) of the feed samples contained AFB1 at a level exceeding 20 ppb. The linear regression displayed that the significant associations between the presence of AFB1 in the feed and the levels of adulteration in AFM1 in milk. The level of aflatoxin pollution found during this study in milk and feed ought to prompt action to spot appropriate interventions. These results recommend that risk mitigation should focus on reducing aflatoxin impurity in raw materials feed which can ultimately minimize AFM1 in milk.

Produktivitas Ayam Pedaging Pola Kemitraan di Kabupaten Lombok Barat

ABSTRACTThis study aims to determine the level of productivity of broilers in the partnership farm system in relation to the quality of feed provided by partner companies. The research was conducted in 2 (two) stages; Phase I. Survey of feeding system in partnership system of broiler farming in West Lombok. The parameters observed included: type of feed offered, the amount provided and frequency of feeding, harvest weight, and FCR. Phase II. Evaluation of the chemical composition of the diet used in partnership broiler farming system. The parameters observed included: the moisture, ash, protein, fat and fiber. The data obtained were tabulated and discussed descriptively. Based on the survey results, there are 8 partnership companies, namely PT. MSJ, PT. BBB, PT. Samsung, PT. DMC, PT. BSS, PT. FMS, PT. KUS and PT. PAL, and 6 types of feed used, namely S12, GM-PS, GM 1 EJ, Malindo, Wonokoyo, HD BR1 161. Average feed consumption is 3.24 kg / head / period, with weight gain of 2.10 kg / head / period, with the FCR value of 1.54. Based on the results of the evaluation of the nutritional content, there is a mismatch, especially the protein content which is lower (0.01%) as shown in the leaflet of the starter feed from Wonokoyo company. The conclusion of this study is that in general, the complete feed quality used is in accordance with the SNI based feed quality standards and the broiler productivity produced on partner farms meets the company standards. Nutritional; Complete Feed; Consumption; Weight Gain; Feed Conversion

Results of studyıng the effect of feed qualıty of ıntroduced multıple varıetıes on technologıcal ındıcators of cocoon

The article provides information on the technological features of cocoons obtained from silkworms fed on the leaves of mulberry varieties imported from different countries. We are talking about raw silk yield, total length of cocoon wire, metric number of silk thread, dry cocoon yield from live cocoon, raw silk yield indicators. These indicators may differ depending on the hereditary characteristics of different varieties. Keywords: Mulberry, sort, introduction, cocoon, raw silk yield, silkiness, metric number

Factors associated with grain feeding in dairy farms located in the central-western region of Paraná State, Brazil

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with grain feeding and determine the typology of dairy farms that use high-grain diets. Twenty-two farm operators were interviewed in three municipalities located in the central-western region of Paraná state, Brazil. Information on reproductive and nutritional management practices, sociodemographic characteristics, and farm performance was collected. Data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and multiple linear regression. Three factors (F1, F2, and F3) were extracted, which together explained 82.61% of the total variance. F1 comprised diet quality, technology, and breeding composition. F2 comprised labor and size. F3 comprised feed quality and schooling. Farms were classified into four groups and compared in terms of factor scores and performance parameters. Group 1 had the highest mean score on F1 (0.715), group 4 on F2 (1.642), and group 2 on F3 (1.116). Groups 4 and 1 had the highest milk productivity (2043.50 and 399.52 L day−1, respectively) and labor efficiency (418.16 and 148.63 L worker−1 day−1, respectively). Group 4 also had the highest mean number of cows per worker (25.52 cows worker−1). Regression analysis revealed that diet quality, technology, and breeding composition (F1) explained the variance in cow productivity. Labor and size, (F2) explained the variance in number of cows per worker. Daily productivity and labor efficiency were explained by both F1 and F2. Feed quality and farm operator’s level of schooling did not explain the variation in any of the variables. We found that roughage quality, breeding technology, and herd breed composition are the major factors associated with grain feeding. Farmers who feed cows high-quality roughage throughout the year and invest in genetic improvement and selective breeding strategies are more likely to adopt high-grain feeding and have high milk productivity.