PSV-1 Injectable trace mineral supplementation on grazing beef cows: Effect on subsequent offspring birth weight and weaning weight

This study evaluated the effect of an injectable multi-mineral complex supplementation on grazing beef cows on subsequent offspring birth weight (BW) and adjusted weaning weight (AWW). Experiment 1 included 1,128 Angus crossbred multiparous suckled cows, from 9 locations in Virginia, that were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) One dose of an injectable trace mineral (6 mL; Multimin® 90, Multimin USA, Ft. Collins, CO) at 71.4±16.8 d of lactation (n = 560); or 2) a negative control with no trace mineral injection (n = 568). In experiment 2, 986 Angus crossbred multiparous suckled cows, at 7 locations in Virginia, were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) Two doses of an injectable trace mineral (6 mL; Multimin® 90) at 118.3±17 days before calving and at 67.7±17.4 d of lactation (n = 494); or 2) negative control with no trace mineral injection (n = 492). All cows had ad libitum access to forage and water, and received additional mineral supplementation in form of mineral blocks. Calves were weaned at approximately 7 months of age, and 205-day AWW was calculated based on birth day, age of weaning and age of dam. No differences between treatments were detected for BW (33.7±1.01 kg; P = 0.50) and AWW (212.2±5.0 kg; P = 0.25) when only one dose of injectable trace mineral was administered to the dam at early lactation. Similarly, when two doses of injectable trace mineral were administrated BW (35.6±1.1 kg; P = 0.70) and AWW (259.4±6.1 kg; P = 0.83) did not differ between treatments. In conclusion, one or two doses of injectable trace mineral administrated at late gestation and/or during lactation had no effect on offspring BW and AWW.

Fly ash from Coal-Combustion Waste as an Additive for Quality Improvement and Compressive Strength of Cement

A series of tests were carried out to determine the effect of the addition of coal combustion fly ash as an additional mineral (additive) on improving the quality and compressive strength of cement according to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI 15-2049-2004). Research methods include sample preparation, manufacture of cement with 0%, 5%, 8%, 12%, and 15% fly ash variations, chemical and physical properties of cement. The parameters measured were the level of chemical composition (%) using X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) ARL 9800 OASIS, free lime content (%) by volumetry, insoluble residue level (%) by gravimetry, compressive strength (kg/cm2), and smoothness cement (cm2/g). The results showed that the addition of fly ash increased the SiO2 content of cement, thereby increasing C3S and C2S compounds which are compressive strength components of a cement. Besides, the addition of fly ash is directly proportional to IR levels, compressive strength, smoothness, and inversely proportional to free lime levels. So the addition of fly ash can improve the quality of cement by increasing chemical components, increasing compressive strength, and reducing cracking or expansion of cement.

Economic and bioenergy efficiency of saflor growing with the use of mineral fertilizers and growth regulators

In increasing the yield and improving the quality of safflower products, the primary importance belongs to the agronomic requirements for cultivation, which are based on the biological and physiological characteristics of the culture. The aim of the research was to determine the economic efficiency of growing safflower varieties with the use of additional mineral nutrition and microbiological preparations. The research was conducted in 2017–2019 in the fields of the Institute of Oilseeds of NAAS.Safflower was sown in the first decade of April with a sowing rate of 240,000 similar seeds per hectare. The system of the main tillage: classical. As research factors were selected: varieties – Zhyvchyk and Dobrynya; application of mineral fertilizers – without fertilizers, N60P50 under the main cultivation, P50 – under the main cultivation + N60 – at sowing; application of growth regulators – control (without treatment), Rost-concentrate + Chelatin oil, Chelatin forte + Chelatin mono bor, Chelatin mono bor + Chelatin phosphorus-potassium, Chelatin phosphorus-potassium + Chelatin multimix + Chelatin mono bor. Technical and economic evaluation of safflower cultivation with the use of additional mineral nutrition and microbiological preparations was performed using conventional methods. As a result of our three-year research, the influence of additional mineral nutrition and the use of microbiological preparations on the yield of safflower varieties Zhyvchyk and Dobrynya was established. The highest yields of safflower cultivar Zhyvchyk – 1.71 and 1.70 t/ha and Dobrynya cultivar – 1.84 and 1.85 t/ha were obtained against the background of mineral fertilizers at a dose of N60P50 under the main tillage with the use of Rost-concentrate + Chelatin oil and Chelatine mono bor + Chelatin phosphorus-potassium. The largest conditionally net profit – 22603 UAH/ha for the variety Zhyvchyk and 23837 UAH/ha for the variety Dobrynya was obtained on the background without mineral fertilizers with the use of drugs Chelatin mono bor + Chelatin phosphorus-potassium. The level of profitability, depending on the system of mineral fertilizers and the option of growth stimulants was: for the variety Zhyvchyk 143–524%, for the variety Dobrynya 161–551%. The highest yield of gross energy 38646 MJ/ha in the variety Zhyvchyk and 41509 MJ/ha in the variety Dobrynya was obtained against the background of the main application of N60P50 with treatment of crops with drugs Rost-concentrate + Chelatin oil. The highest indicators of energy coefficient for both varieties were in control (without fertilizers): in Zhyvchyk 3.0–3.1, in Dobrynуа 3.1–3.2. Key words: safflower, variety, mineral fertilizer, growth regulator, productivity, economic indicator, energy coefficient.

Meta-analysis on how manure application changes soil organic carbon storage

Manure application to agricultural soils is widely considered as a source of nutrients and a method of maintaining levels of soil organic carbon (SOC) to mitigate climate change. At present, it is still unclear which factors are responsible for the SOC stock dynamics. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between SOC stock changes and site characteristics, soil properties, experiment characteristics and manure characteristics. Overall, we included 101 studies with a total of 592 treatments. On average, the application of manure on agricultural soils increased SOC stocks by 35.4%, corresponding to 10.7 Mg ha−1. Manure applications in conventional tillage systems led to higher SOC stocks (+ 2.2 Mg ha−1) than applications under reduced tillage. Soil organic carbon increase upon manure application was higher in soils under non-tropical climate conditions (+ 2.7 Mg ha−1) compared to soils under sub-tropical climate. Larger SOC increases after manure application were achieved in intermediate and shallow topsoils (in 0–15 cm by 9.5 Mg ha−1 and in 16–20 cm by 13.6 Mg ha−1), but SOC stocks were also increased in deeper soils (> 20 cm 4.6 Mg ha−1), regardless of the tillage intensity. The highest relative SOC increase (+ 48%) was achieved if the initial SOC was below 1% but the absolute SOC increased with increasing initial SOC. Clay soils showed higher SOC increase rates compared to sandy soils (+ 3.1 Mg ha−1). Acidic soils showed comparable relative effects but a higher stock difference than neutral (+ 5.1 Mg ha−1) and alkaline soils (+ 5.1 Mg ha−1). The application of farmyard-, cattle- and pig manure showed the highest SOC increases (50%, 32% and 41%, respectively), while green manure and straw showed only minor effects. If manure applications were combined with additional mineral fertilizer, the SOC increases were higher (+ 1.7 Mg ha−1) compared to manure alone. Higher applied amounts generally led to higher SOC stocks. However the annually applied amount is only important under conventional tillage, non-tropical climate conditions, and pH-neutral as well as SOC-rich or SOC-depleted soils and if no additional mineral fertilization is applied. Further studies should focus on the SOC dynamics under tropical climate conditions and factors influencing a potential carbon saturation. In both cases, the number of data was too small. For this reason, additional field studies should be conducted primarily in the tropics. On the other hand, long-term field trials should be re-assessed or newly established to specifically investigate potential saturation effects and long-term (> 20 years) fertilizer effects and carbon sequestration.

Influence of mineral mixture feeding in indigenous cattle

The field assessment of mineral mixture conducted in Dhule district of Maharashtra State, to perceive the influence of mineral mixture feeding on milk yield and fat content in indigenous cattle.Cow animals were selected randomly from two villages of Dhule district, one is from Dhule Tahsil (Mohadi) and second one is from Sindkheda Tahasil (Tavkheda), respectively. 26 cows were selected third stage of lactation and divided into two groups of 13 animals in each village. First group treatment T1 not fed additional mineral mixture, which is farmers practice in that particular area. Second group treatment T2 fed with 80 g mineral mixture daily until 90 days of lactation.This assessment conducted during year 2019- 20 and 2020-21, respectively. In result it was observed from the result, the yield of milk is more in treatment T2 (20.27 %) over treatment T1. In respect to fat percentage, treatment T2 had shown slightly more fat content (3.77 %) over rest of the farmers practices T1. In conclusion mineral mixture supplementation resulted in increased milk yield. However, no significant effect observed on milk components particular to fat during this feeding trial.

Effect of water scarcity during thermal-humidity exposure on the mineral footprint of sheep

Objective: Combination of two stressors on alteration of mineral footprints in animals needs due attention to meet maximum production and welfare, particularly in grazing sheep. This study tested whether ewes (Ovis aries) exposed to water deprivation and thermal–humidity stressors had altered mineral footprints in their wool, serum, urine, and feces.Methods: Nine ewes (age = 3 years; mean body weight = 41±3.5 kg) were divided among a control group with free access to water, and treatment groups with water deprivation lasting either 2 h (2hWD) or 3 h (3hWD) after feeding. Using a 3×3 Latin square design, animals were assigned to treatment groups for three sampling periods of 21 days each (n = 9). Blood was collected by jugular venipuncture. Wool was collected at the end of periods 2 and 3. Metabolic crates designed with metal grated floors were used for urine and feces collection. We measured sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn).Results: The wool mineral levels did not differ between the treatment groups, although K was marginally lower (p = 0.10) in the 2hWD group. The serum and urine mineral levels did not differ between the treatments (p>0.05). Fecal K was significantly lower in the 2hWD group than in the other groups (p≤0.05).Conclusion: In conclusion, water deprivation and thermal-humidity exposure altered the excretion of K, but not of other minerals, in the wool, urine, feces, or serum of ewes. Thus, no additional mineral supplementation is needed for water deprived ewes during thermalhumidity exposure.

Transverse Micro Radiography Analysis of the Effect of Experimental Calcium-Containing Primer System on Demineralized Enamel

Background: Enamel mineral density is dependent on a balanced dynamic process of demineralization and remineralization. Objective: We evaluated the remineralization potential of experimental calcium- containing primer (CaP) application on enamel subsurface lesions. Methods: Demineralized enamel samples obtained from bovine incisor teeth were prepared and cut buccolingually. All samples were divided into 4 main groups according to the type of primer: CLEARFIL SE BOND 2 Primer (SEP), experimental calcium-containing primer (CaP) and bond: CLEARFIL SE BOND 2 Bond (SEB), CLEARFIL Protect Bond (PBB) treatment: (1) SEP-SEB (2) SEP-PBB (3) CaP-SEB (4) CaP-PBB. Each group was subdivided according to storage time in artificial saliva: immediately, 1 month and 6 months. Then, the samples were analyzed using transverse micro radiography (TMR). Additionally, the samples treated with each primer were prepared for scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) observation. Two-way ANOVA was used for the statistical analysis of mineral loss (ΔZ: vol%·µm). Results: CaP-PBB had the significantly lowest ΔZ at all storage times, while SEP-SEB had the highest ΔZ (p < 0.05). SEM observations revealed that new crystals were formed on the surface after 6 months, and the ratio of calcium on the enamel increased in the EDS analysis. Conclusion: Experimental calcium-containing primer can provide additional mineral deposition, with even further deposition when combined with a fluoride-containing bond.

Possibilities of using biofuel ash in the cultivation of spring barley

Wood biofuel ash is a complex and heterogeneous mixture of inorganic crystalline and amorphous minerals together with organic matter. Biofuel ash is usually enriched with K, P, Ca and Mg, which are essential macronutrients for plant growth. Currently, a large proportion of biofuel ash is disposed of in landfills. However, ash processed into granular products can be used as a stand-alone or additional mineral fertilizer in agriculture. The aim of the research is to determine the chemical composition of biofuel ash and evaluate its suitability for the production of ash granules; also to evaluate the yield of spring barley grain and straw fertilized with bulk and granular biofuel ash, and the correlation between the yield and the amount of K2O applied by different fertilization products. The experiment was carried out in 2017–2018. Concentrations of heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Ni, Cd) and microelements (Zn and Cu) in wood biofuel ash did not exceed the permissible norms, and from them it was possible to produce fertilization products (ash granules) and use them in a vegetation experiment. During the experiment, it was found that the fertilization products significantly (P < 0.05) increased the yield of grown spring barley grains and straw in both years of the study, and the performed correlation regression analysis was positively strong in both years of the study (P < 0.01). The yield of spring barley increased with the increase of K2O content in fertilizer products.

Effects of mixed pulp mill sludges on crop yields and quality

There is a great need for sustainable fertilisers and soil amendments, as current fertilisation practices negativelyaffect the environment. Pulp mill sludges (PMS) could provide a means to replace fertilisers made using non-renewable resources while adding slowly decomposing organic material to the soil and utilising nutrients from the forest industry. This study tested the effects of composted and lime-stabilised mixed PMS (CPMS and LPMS) on wheat (Triticum aestivum) yields and residual effect on oat (Avena sativa) yields in the boreal region. A two-year field experiment included two CPMS and two LPMS treatments all with additional mineral fertilisation, a mineral fertiliser treatment, and a zero-control treatment. All the fertilisers increased yields. There were no differences in crop yields between CPMS, LPMS and mineral fertiliser treatments. However, some quality characteristics and nitrogen (N) uptake were lower with all or some PMS compared with mineral fertilisation. This result suggests that part of the mineral fertilisation for cereals could be replaced by using PMS, but more information on N mineralisation from sludges is needed.

Phosphorus supplementation does not affect the intake, digestibility, and meat quality of Nellore young bulls fed with high-grain diets

This study evaluated the effect of phosphorus (P) supplementation on the intake, digestibility, and quality of aged meat from Nellore young bulls fed on high-grain diets finished in feedlot. Forty young bulls (30 months old) with an initial body weight (IBW) of 296 ± 25 kg were used. It was distributed in a completely randomized experimental design. The treatments were: without P supplementation (CO), commercial mineral supplement (CM), and supplementation with dicalcium phosphate (DP) with 2.4, 4.2, or 5.0 g of P per kg of dry matter (DM), respectively. Diets were composed of sugarcane bagasse (200 g kg-1) plus concentrate (800 g kg-1) on a dry matter (DM) basis. The meat quality parameters analyzed were pH, color, cooking losses, shear force, and water-holding capacity. P supplementation did not affect the intake and digestibility of nutrients There was no interaction (p > 0.05%) between diets and the aging time for the meat quality parameters. However, bulls fed with DP exhibited lower pH (5.98) compared to CO and CM (6.19 and 6.14, respectively). The longer aging time increased the cooking losses and intensity of yellow (b*). Under Brazilian conditions, feedlot Nellore cattle fed with high-grain diets do not require additional mineral supplements.