Chemical composition, ruminal degradation kinetics, and methane production (in vitro) of winter grass species

Influence of maize genotypes and harvest stages on in-silo fermentation quality and nutritional value of corn silage during hot summer condition of the tropics

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the potential of promising summer maize genotypes and optimal stage of harvesting these genotypes for ensiling in terms of dry matter (DM), starch, and crude protein (CP) yields, silage fermentation quality, nutrients profile, total digestible nutrients, metabolizable energy (ME) content, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) carbohydrate (CHO) subfractions composition, in vitro DM digestibility (DMD) and in situ starch degradation characteristics. Six maize genotypes were chosen for the study: DK9108 from Monsanto, P30Y87, P3939 from Pioneer, QPM-300 (quality protein maize) and W94 from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), and a local cultivar, Afgoii, from the Cereal Research Institute (Persabaq, KP). A total of 72 plots (8 m × 10 m) were blocked in three replicate fields, and within each field, each genotype was sown in four replicate plots according to a randomized complete block design. For the data analysis, the Proc-Mixed procedure of Statistical Analysis System with repeated measure analysis of variance was used. The DM yield was strongly influenced (P < 0.001) by maize genotypes, varying from 12.6 to 17.0 tons/ha. Except for total CHO and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), the contents of all measured chemical components varied (P < 0.001) among the genotypes. Further comparison revealed that, genotype P3939 had a higher (P < 0.05) content of CP (7.27 vs. 6.92%), starch (36.7 vs. 27.9%), DMD (65.4 vs. 60.0%), ME (2.51 vs. 2.30 Mcal/kg) and lactic acid (5.32 vs. 4.83%) and lowest content of NDF (37.3 vs. 43.1%), pH (3.7 vs. 4.10) compared to the local cultivar (Afgoii). Advancement of post-flowering maturity from 25 to 35% DM (23 to 41 days after flowering (DAF)) increased (P < 0.05) the DM yield (10.4 to 17.8 tons/ha), starch content (29.1 to 35.0%), DMD (65.3 to 67.3%) and ME (2.34 to 2.47 Mcal/kg), and decreased (P < 0.001) the contents of CP (7.42-6.73%), NDF (48.8-38.5%), pH (4.10 to 3.60), NH3-N (8.93-7.80%N) and effective degradability of starch (95.4 to 89.4). Results showed that for higher yields and silage nutritional and fermentation quality, maize crops should be harvested at whole crop DM content of 30-35% (34 to 41 DAF). It was further concluded that genotype P3939 is the most suitable summer maize genotype for silage production in terms of yields and silage nutritional and fermentation quality under the hot environmental conditions of the tropics.

Influence of cutting time interval and season on productivity, nutrient partitioning, and forage quality of blue panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz.) under saline irrigation in Southern region of Morocco

Salinity has become a major issue in various parts of the world negatively impacting agricultural activities and leading to diminished crop potential and lower yields. Such situation calls for urgent interventions such as adopting salt-tolerant crops to fill the gap in food and feed availability. Blue panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz.) is a promising salt-tolerant forage crop that has shown an appropriate adaptation and performance in the saline, arid, and desertic environments of southern Morocco. However, for obtaining a highest forage productivity with nutritional quality, optimization of the cutting interval is required. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the optimal cutting time interval allowing high forage production and quality under high salinity conditions. This experiment was conducted over one entire year covering the summer and winter seasons. The effect of five cutting time intervals on selected agro-morphological traits, crop productivity, mineral nutrient accumulation, and forage quality of blue panicgrass in the region of Laayoune, southern Morocco. The finding of this study recommend that cutting blue panicgrass every 40 days maximized the annual fresh and dry forage yield as well as the protein yield, which reached 74, 22, and 2.9 t/ha, respectively. This study also revealed a significant effect of the season on both productivity and quality. However, forage yield declined during the winter and increased during the summer, while protein content increased during winter compared to summer. The mineral nutrient partitioning between shoots and roots, especially the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, indicated that blue panicgrass has salt tolerance mechanism as it excluded sodium from the roots and compartmentalized it in the leaves. In conclusion, there is a potential of blue panicgrass on sustaining forage production under salt-affected drylands, as demonstrated by the response to two key questions: (a) a technical question to farmers for its adoption such as at which interval should blue panicgrass be harvested maximizing both forage yield and quality? And (b) a scientific question on how does blue panicgrass maintain high K⁺/Na⁺ ratio to cope with salinity stress?

Phytochemical screening and allelopathic potential of phytoextracts of three invasive grass species

Undoubtedly, it is important to remain vigilant and manage invasive grasses to prevent their spread and mitigate their negative impact on the environment. However, these aggressive plants can also play a beneficial role in certain contexts. For example, several invasive grasses provide valuable forage for livestock and have disease control potential. Therefore, a research experiment was conducted to explore the pros and cons of this approach, not only for surrounding vegetation but also for human and animal disease control. The study is primarily focused on developing livestock feed, plant-derived herbicides, and an understanding of the phytotoxic effects of invasive species. All plant parts of Cenchrus ciliaris L., Polypogon monspeliansis L., and Dicanthium annulatum (Forssk.) Stapf, were tested for their phyto-chemical screening, proximate, and toxicity analysis which was caused by the methanolic extract of these grass species. Qualitative phytochemical screening tests were performed for proximate composition analysis and toxicity assessment essays. The phytochemical analysis revealed the positive results for alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, phenols, saponins, and glycosides, while negative for tannins. Comparison of proximate analysis intimated maximum moisture (10.8%) and crude fat (4.1%) in P. monspeliensis, whereas maximum dry matter (84.1%), crude protein (13.95%), crude fiber (11%), and ash (7.2%) in D. annulatum. Five (10, 100, 500, 100, 10,000 ppm) and three (10, 1000, 10,000 ppm) different concentrations of methanolic extract prepared from C. ciliaris, P. monspeliansis, and D. annulatum were used respectively for root inhibition and seed germination essay. Furthermore, three different concentrations (10, 30, 50 mg) of plant fine powder were used for sandwich method test. There was a significant decline in the growth rate of experimental model radish seeds (P > 0.005), and results from sandwich method tests showed suppressed growth of root hairs, inhibiting the anchoring of the radish seed. In comparison, results manifest that; P. monspeliansis indicated an upsurge of inhibition (66.58% at 10,000 ppm), D. annulatum revealed soar germination (75.86% in controlled conditions), and C. ciliaris exhibited dramatic shoot up of inhibition because of sandwich method test (14.02% at 50 mg). In conclusion, although grasses are toxic, it is important to consider the beneficiary account.

Llama and sheep ruminal fluid digestive capacity by in vitro gas production technique

BACKGROUND

The in vitro gas production technique has been used to evaluate forage fermentation kinetics. However, individual and animal species variation can change fermentation patterns due to differences in ruminal environment and microbiota. The aim was to verify whether rumen inoculum (RI) of llama had superior intrinsic digestion capacity and reduced methane (CH₄ ) production compared to sheep RI using fescue and paspalum hay as substrates.

RESULTS

Dry and organic matter (OM) digestibility produced with llama RI tended to exceed that of sheep (P = 0.099 and 0.074, respectively) at 24 h of incubation. However, at 48 h, the sheep RI presented higher substrate digestibility and asymptotic value of gas production than that of llama (P < 0.010). CH₄ production showed no differences between RI or substrates (P > 0.050). The NH₃ -N and total volatile fatty acid concentrations were greater in the RI of llamas compared to those of sheep (P < 0.050). Acetate and butyrate proportions and acetate-to-propionate ratio were greater in the RI of llamas compared to those of sheep (P < 0.001) at 24 and 48 h. However, propionate proportion was greater in sheep compared with llama (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Llama RI tended to surpass that of sheep in dry and OM digestibility at 24 h of incubation, but sheep RI at 48 h presented a higher digestibility and gas production value than llama RI. No differences between the two species were detected for CH₄ production. This study showed that llama RI did not perform better than sheep RI in digesting low-quality forages. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Sustainable Use of Legume Residues: Effect on Nutritive Value and Ensiling Characteristics of Maize Straw Silage

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritive value, in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD), and ensiling characteristics of legume foliage–maize straw silages. For silage, the proportion of legume to maize was 20%:80% (maize–lablab (ML), maize–indigenous cowpea (MI), maize–Betswit (MB), and maize–Dr Saunders (MD)). Maize alone (M) was used as a control, making up five treatments. Silages were opened after 45 days, and samples were taken for chemical composition, IVDMD, and fermentation characteristics analysis. Other samples were put through a seven-day aerobic stability test. All data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance, in a completely randomized design (CRD). For the nutritive value of the silage, the ML had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) content, when compared with other silages. Maize–Betswit had the lowest (p < 0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content, when compared with other silages. The lowest (p < 0.05) ether-extract (EE) and hemicellulose content was recorded for MI silage. The lowest (p < 0.05) pH was recorded for maize silage. All silages had similar (p > 0.05) amounts of lactic acid (LA), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), yeast, and mould counts. The MI had the lowest (p < 0.05) carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, when compared with other silages. The highest (p < 0.05) IVDMD was recorded for ML silage, from 24 h up to 72 h. The addition of legumes in maize straw resulted in improved silage quality and fermentation characteristics.