The effects of pH, salinity, age of leaves, post-harvest storage duration, and psyllid infestation on nutritional qualities of giant leucaena fodder

Giant leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala subsp. glabrata) can be managed as a profusely branched bushy plant by repeated harvest of its foliage for use as fodder. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of soil pH and salinity, age of the leaves, post-harvest storage duration, and psyllid infection on the nutritional qualities of leucaena fodder. To determine the effects of soil pH and salinity on fodder quality, giant leucaena K636 plants were grown in large pots containing soils adjusted to different pH and salinity levels. The effects of age of the leaves, post-harvest storage duration and psyllid infection on fodder quality were studied using leucaena samples collected from Waimanalo Research Station. Among five pH levels tested, pH 6.0 was found to produce the highest amounts of protein and structural fibers in the foliage. Mimosine contents were highest at pH 6 and 7 and lowest at pH 5.0. The growth of giant leucaena was retarded and the nutritional quality were adversely affected under salinity conditions. Compared to young leaves, old leaves contained 18.5% less protein, 95% less mimosine, 30% less tannin and 40% more structural fibers. Post-harvest storage duration up to 72 h, at room temperature did not seem to affect protein, tannin and structural fiber contents of the foliage; however, mimosine content was reduced by 25%. These results will help to identify ideal soil pH, age of foliage, and post-harvest storage duration for obtaining high forage yield and nutritional quality for giant leucaena.

Assessment of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) genotypes under Latvia agro-ecological conditions

Within the frame of the Nordic/Baltic public-private partnership ’PPP for pre-breeding in perennial ryegrass’ various activities were performed, including assessment of L. perenne (Lp) genotypes under agro-ecological conditions of Latvia. This article summarizes the data obtained in two harvest years for 19 intermediate tetraploid (4x) Lp genotypes. In order to compare the results obtained in ryegrass with performance of grass interspecies hybrids (Fl), which become especially relevant in the recent years, two varieties, developed in Latvia – Lolium × boucheanum Kunth. ‘Saikava’ and × Festulolium ‘Vizule’ were included in the experiment. Various scores were performed, including evaluation of regrowth, intensity of culm development, sward cover, crown rust (Puccinia coronata) susceptibility, etc. The dry matter yield (DMY) and fodder quality were also determined. It can be concluded that the genotypes showed relatively good results in the first two harvest years. Wintering conditions were favourable. Despite the intensified drought and heat in the 1st ley year, relatively high DMY, which ranged from 9.30 to 12.15 t ha-1, for Lp were harvested in three cuts. In the 2nd ley year, under more favourable humidity conditions, Lp in four cuts provided similar DMY, which ranged from 8.81 to 11.50 t ha-1. If we compare the average DMY of Lp and Fl genotypes, it can be concluded that in the first two harvest years no significant differences were found, the average DMY was 10.30 and 10.64 t ha-1, respectively. No significant differences were found between Lp and Fl in terms of forage quality.

Problems of unification of fodder quality and nutritive value assessment systems

The article is devoted to the urgent need for improvement and unification of systems for the quality evaluation of feed and rations. Lack of uniform sampling methods, analysis methods, feed quality indicators; norms of the nutrient requirements depending on the physiological state of animals, a unified approach to balancing diets, and most importantly - the absence of an international standard system for assessing the energy nutritive value of feed and rations - complicates the mutual understanding of scientists and practitioners from different countries and the integration of scientific achievements into agricultural production.

Exploring the potential to capture variation in grain-straw yield and straw quality traits of tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] varieties.

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is an indigenous Ethiopian cereal which helps provide healthy and nutritious diets for people and a palatable straw for livestock feed. This study was conducted to determine the variation in grain-straw yield and straw quality traits of 35 tef varieties and a local check grown in two locations for two years. Straw crude protein (CP), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME) and the yields of grain (GY) and straw (STY) were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by variety, environment and their interactions. GY, CP, ME and IVOMD were significantly higher in the Debre Zeit site compared to Holetta and, except for GY, in 2016 compared to 2015. About 150% and 25% higher mean CP content was recorded in Debre Zeit than in Holetta, and in 2016 than 2015, respectively. Positive and significant (P<0.01) associations were observed between GY and STY, among CP, ME and IVOMD, and among NDF, ADF and ADL. Among all studied varieties, Melko produced the highest grain-straw yield and best fodder quality traits. Based on the yields and qualities of both grain and straw, the production of Gimbichu, Quncho and Gola varieties conferred more than 40% economic advantage over the local check in the local markets. Our study generally identified varieties with high grain-straw yield and/or straw quality traits which provided economic advantages for tef production and an opportunity for future utilization in tef improvement programs.

Cultivation of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and Oats (Avena sativa) Fodder Crops by Using Biofertilizers and Biopesticide: An Experience from Farmers’ Field in Nadia District of West Bengal

Indiscriminate and unscientific application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, adversely affect the agricultural production system by damaging soil health, contaminating natural water bodies and ground water. As a result of prolonged use of excessive chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the yield of field crops are decreasing due to poor soil health and produced crops also adversely impact human health. For animal husbandry enterprise, fodder production is one of the major activities. Injudicious use of chemicals can reduce fodder production as well as productivity of livestock can also be reduced. Under these circumstances, demonstration of fodder berseem and oats cultivation by using biofertilizers and biopesticides were carried out in farmer’s field at three blocks of Nadia district of West Bengal, India. The study was conducted in the winter season of the year 2020-21; the selected farmers were trained and method demonstrations of fodder crop production were carried out. The demonstration results suggested that average yield of berseem fodder crop was 53.33±2.80 t ha-1 whereas oats fodder crop was 43.07±2.16 t ha-1. The BC ratio of fodder crop cultivation suggested that, by the cultivation of both fodder crops farmers got substantial economic return. Fodder produced by the using biofertilizers and biopesticide contain good amount of dry matter as well as crude protein. From the study it can be concluded that both the fodder crops can be grown in the farmers’ field of the study area by using the biofertilizers and biopesticide without deteriorating the fodder yield and fodder quality.

Isoflavones of the red and Hungarian clover and possible impact on animal diet

The content of daidzein, genistein, formononetin, and biochanin A isoflavones was studied in natural populations of red and Hungarian clover, to estimate their impact on fodder quality and to determine directions in possible breeding programs. The study included 6 red clover (Trifolium pratense) and 6 Hungarian clover (Trifolium pannonicum) populations, collected in the central Balkans. The differences between the species and among the populations were analysed. The average content of total isoflavones was 1.393 mg g–1 and 0.487 mg g–1 of air dry matter in Hungarian clover, respectively. While the most prevailed isoflavone in red clover was biochanin A (46%), the Hungarian clover populations were rich in genistein (43%). The red clover leaves accumulated the highest content of isoflavones. The Hungarian clover flowers and leaves had an equal amount of isoflavones. The obtained values of the total isoflavones could not affect the overall nutrient quality and therefore, researched natural populations of two clover species could be considered for further breeding programs.

ETUDES OF THE USA FODDER AND DIETS QUALITY EVALUATION SYSTEM IN RUSSIA

This article is a narrative about application of the USA fodder quality testing system in Russia. Merits and demerits of the American system of an assessment of hay quality are considered. The Leningrad interregional veterinary laboratory (IVL) adapted principles of this system and has extended to all kinds of bulky feeds. It is recommended to check IVL model experimentally, to discuss and to consider on ТК 130 "Fodder production" as the project of GOST Р "Forages. A method of energy value definition". In the second case, on an example of the assessment sheet sent by the American testing laboratory, the ration of feeding a dairy cow at JSC "Dmitrovskie dairy farms", created according to the American model, is considered: assortment, quantity and quality of forages; the actual and demanded content of nutrients in a ration; relative parameters and ratios of nutrients; ration cost indexes. For comparison of standards of National research council (NRC) of the USA on consumption of dry matter, concentration of rumen degradable and nondegradable protein are compared with norms All-Russian Research Animal Husbandry Institute. Discrepancy of calculated parameters testifies to necessity of their experimental corroboration.

Wetter, but not wet enough – limited greenhouse gas mitigation effects of submerged drains and blocked ditches in an intensively used grassland on fen peat

&lt;p&gt;The vast majority of peatlands in the North German Plain are cultivated as grassland. Intensive drainage measures are a prerequisite for conventional agricultural use of peatlands, but this practice causes high emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), mainly carbon dioxide (CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;). Thus, raising the water levels is necessary to reduce or stop CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; emissions. Water management options such as submerged drains (SD) and ditch blocking (DB) are discussed as a potential compromise between maintaining the trafficability for intensive grassland use and reducing the GHG emissions. Furthermore, grassland renewal is regularly practiced to improve the fodder quality for dairy farming; however, this might cause additional release of GHGs, especially nitrous oxide (N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O). Here, we present results of a four-year study on the GHG emissions from an intensively used grassland on fen peat equipped with SD and DB. Additionally, the effect of grassland renewal by shallow ploughing and direct sowing was evaluated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The target groundwater levels were set to -0.30 m below ground. In the first year, the water management system was optimized. In the following years, mean annual water levels at the parcels with SD were -0.23 m and at the parcels with DB -0.37 m. The groundwater level at the SD parcels was around 0.18 m higher than at the conventionally drained control parcels. Thus, water management by SD enabled us to even surpass the target water levels. However, year two and three of the study were dryer than usual, the differences between the SD parcels and the control parcels are expected to be lower in wet years. DB, in contrast, raised the water levels only marginally.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;During the first three years, control parcels with ditch drainage emitted 27-49 t CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-eq. ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; a&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;. This is within the typical range of emissions from grasslands on fen peat in Germany. On average, the parcels with SD showed slightly lower emissions than the drained control parcels, but these were highly variable (16-60 t CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-eq. ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; a&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;). Due to similar groundwater levels the emissions from the parcel with DB (23-43 t CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;-eq. ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; a&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;) were comparable to the drained control parcels. Reasons for the high CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; emissions despite increased groundwater levels by SD remain so far unclear. Both types of grassland renewal lead to higher N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O emissions during the first year after renewal. Afterwards, effects became ambiguous.&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Results from the fourth measurement year (2020) will be presented as well. So far, the data seems to support the results of the previous years.&lt;/p&gt;

REVIEW OF ROBOTIC FEEDING SYSTEMS AND PORTABLE SPECTROMETERS FOR FEED QUALITY INSPECTION

Рассмотрен вопрос роботизации кормления молочного скота, а также контроль качества кормов при помощи спектральных анализаторов Фурье. Детально изучены системы кормления от разных производителей. Выявлены конструктивные различия роботов и принципы их действия. Самоходные роботы с органами загрузки кормовых компонентов позволяют обойтись без дополнительных подсобных помещений и ряда оборудования, которое осуществляет взвешивание и погрузку кормов. Исследованы машины для пододвигания корма и их конструкторские различия. Они имеют 2 типа рабочих органов: шнековый механизм и за счет вращения корпуса. Рассмотрен вопрос по контролю качества кормов. Анализ российского рынка аналитических приборов для проведения экспресс-анализа качества кормов показал, что на данный момент существуют 2 итальянские фирмы, специализирующиеся на выпуске таких устройств. Установлено, что они работают по принципу спектрометрии и позволяют определять в кормах 7 показателей — сухое вещество, сырой протеин, сырой жир, крахмал, золу, кислотно-детергентную и нейтрально-детергентную клетчатку. Полученные от приборов данные можно сохранить на флэш накопителе. Их применение позволяет оперативно решать задачи по оптимизации рационов коров, а также применять анализаторы во время кормозаготовительных работ для отслеживания изменений, протекающих в заготовленных кормах. The issues of robotization of dairy cattle feeding and fodder quality control with the use of Fourier spectrum analyzers have been discussed. Feeding systems by different manufacturing companies have been studied in detail. Differences in design of robots and their operating principles have been found. Self-propelled robots equipped with devices for loading feed ingredients eliminate the need for additional utility space and a number of devices for weighing and loading feed. Robotic feed pushers and constructive differences between them have been studied. These robots have 2 types of working bodies: a screw conveyor and a rotating body. The issue of fodder quality control has been discussed. Carrying out an analysis of the Russian market of analytical devices for an express-analysis of fodder quality, the authors have found two Italian companies, specializing in the production of such devices. It has been established, that express-analyzers operate on the principle of spectrometry and allow for assessing 7 nutritiousness parameters of feed: the content of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, starch, ash, acid-detergent and neutral-detergent fiber. The data from the devices can be saved to a flash drive. Their use allows for a faster solution of cow diet optimization problem, and also for the use of analyzers in fodder harvesting in order to observe changes in newly stored feed.