55714 research outputs found
Sort by
Mechanisum of Aluminum Tolerance in Sericea lespedeza
No full textSericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a warm-season perennial legume tolerant of aluminum (Al) in acid soils. This study was designed to ascertain the mechanism of Al-tolerance in sericea lespedeza. The mechanism of Al-tolerance in sericea was investigated through tissue analysis, rhizosphere pH measurement, and examination of Al distribution using energy dispersive spectrophotometry (EDS) in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Sericea was found to exclude Al from its herbage three times better alfalfa (Medicago sativa), but seedlings reduced pH in their rhizosphere. EDS scans of root tissue embedded in scid soil indicated that Al was accumulated in or on sericea cortex and epidermal cell walls independent of phosphorus (P). Sericea appears to tolerate Al by entrapping the element in an inactive form in its root tissue, reducing Al/P interactions, and allowing normal cell function in the presence of Al
The Influence of Aging on Forage Quality of Individual Switchgrass Leaves and Stems
No full textCattle selectrively graze switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) tops prior to the boot stage and prefer vegetative culms and new tillers following heading. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the changes in forage composition of individual leaves and stems during growth to determine if grazing selection may be influenced by aging. Plants were cut periodically at ground level from collaring of the first leaf until anthesis. Leaves (leaf blade plus sheath) of different ages, stems, and the whorl were hand separated at each harvest. Crude protein, in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), neutral and acid detergent fiber, lignin, and insoluble ash were estimated for each plant part. Crude protein and IVDMD declined as leaves aged; however, leaves that developed early in the season during cooler temperatures had better forage quality at similar growth stages than later developed leaves. The whorl and most recently collared leaf were highest and sterris were lowest in quality. In stem tissue, lignin increased and IVDMD and crude protein decreased dramatically as inflorescences neared emergence. Changes in stem composition appeared to be the primary factor influencing changes in grazing selection during the grazing season. Cultural practices and genetic manipulation that improve stem composition may result in improved switchgrass utilization by livestock
Effects of Mono-Oligo Saccharides and Lignin on the Digestibility in Sorghum and Corn Culm
No full textThis research was undertaken to clarify relationship between digestibility and chemical composition of sorghum and corn culm and futhermore, to find higher nutritive strains among sorghums. Experimental samples used were 21 sorghum culms and 13 corn ones at the silage stages. Samples were analysed mono, oligo saccharides (MOSD), organic cellular contents (OCC), organic cell wall (OCW), organic a (Oa), organic b (Ob), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (AD-L) and acid detergent silica (AD-silica), and estimated in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD)
Grass Species Selection for Meadows Establishment
No full textObservations have shown that due to better moisture supply perennial grasses grown on bog soils produce higher yields as compared with grass species grown on mineral soils. Nevertheless, at higher levels of N fertilization a number of grasses show poor winter hardiness, therefore, most of productive meadows must be reseeded, which requires high inputs and leads to significant yield losses in the year of reseeding. Furthermore, soil loosening causes peat mineralization, which is quite undesirable. In 1977-1980, at the Radviliskis Experimental Station a series of trials was carried out with the aim to determine grass species most suitable for meadows established on bog peats and fertilized with high rates of nitrogenous fertilizer. The results of the investigation demonstrated that at fertilizer rate of 480 kg N/ha, reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea (L.) Trio.) produced 11.4 t DM and showed the highest winter hardiness. Moreover, its green matter was the most nutritious and fodder unit yield amounted to more than 10,000 per hectare
Nonstructural Carbohydrate Storage and Snow Endurance in Winter Annual Forage Crops
No full textAn experiment was carried out to clarify the relationships of growth characteristics and nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) storages in relation to snow endurance in winter annual forage crops. Twenty one varieties of oats, barley and rye differing in snow endurance were sown in the fall of 1982 in the experimental field at Hokuriku Natl. Agri. Expt. Stn. Dry matter weights and concentrations and compositions of NSC were measured before snow fall. Dry matter weight of roots was in the same order as snow endurance among the three species while no significant differences were observed in those of tops among them. Roots should play an important role as a storage of reserves for snow endurance. As for the NSC concentrations of the three species, rye was the highest, oats was the lowest and barley was in between. NSC concentrations also differed significantly among the varieties in each species. The varietal differences in NSC concentrations were very large in rye. The highest were more than two fold over the lowest, but the concentration ranged less in barley and least in oats. The NSC storing capacities seemed to be of genetical factors in the species and varieties examined. The species or varieties higher in NSC concentrations were higher in snow endurance, indicating that high NSC genotypes may lead to snow endurance. High NSC strain may be available through plant breeding efforts
Conditions for Raising the Yield of Orchardgrass
No full textUp to the present, studies have been done on cutting height and plant length at the time of cutting. Concern with planting density, on the other hand, has been slight, with the result that reports which consider all three factors are almost non existent. Our field experiment considered these three aspects to determine the conditions for raising the yield of orchardgrass. Our perspective in the research was ecological.
The following points were recognized:
1) Long plants at cutting time are preferable to short ones.
2) Planting density should be high rather than low.
3) Cutting height must be low
A Technique to Study the Relative Merits of Different Silage Additves
No full textExpansion in the use of silage additives in the more difficult silage-making areas of Europe has created the need for a simple laboratory method to assess the relative values of the wide range of products now offered. A technique is described which can be used to study potential new additives and to monitor existing products. Using direct-cut lucerne(Medicago sativa) ensiled quickly it is possible to produce a high pH, poorly fermented, untreated silage and against this the relative effects of different additive treatments can be assessed. In an example discussed, lucerne of 14% dry matter (DM) and buffering capacity 44m-equiv KOH/lOOg DM produced moderately poor silage of pH 4.8, lactic acid 28.2% of total fermentation acids and protein breakdown 15.9% NH3-N/N. Corresponding values for Add-F (85% formic acid); a mixture of 45% formic acid/45% acetic acid; and 45% sulphuric acid, all applied at 3 kg/1000 kg were: pH 4.1, 4.4, 4.7; lactic acid as % total acids 63.0, 40.8, 28.4%; protein breakdown 10.1, 11.2, 14.2%. At 5 kg/1000 kg the respective values were 3.7, 3.9, 4.7; 73.0, 71.0, 23.4; 6.0, 8.6, 14.2. This assessment applied to over 50 silage additives available in the British Isles indicated that many of them were ineffective and did not correct the difficult fermentation found in this wetter silage area
Deproteinized Juice Utilization from Mechanically Dewatered Alfalfa
No full textMechanical dewatering of alfalfa produces a pressed forage product, a protein concentrate and deproteinized juice. The latter component contains approximately 12% of whole crop DM and can be utilized as a fertilizer material. Several alternatives exist for coagulation of protein from alfalfa juice. An experiment was conducted to evaluate alfalfa yield response to application of whole juice or juice deproteinized by heat, H2SO4 or fermentation. One-half cm surface depth of juice increased shoot yield by 41 % over untreated plants. Alfalfa responded similarly to whole juice or juice deproteinized by either method although maximum yield occurred at a higher rate for heat deproteinized juice. Based upon these results, juice deproteinized by either method could be applied to alfalfa as a fertilizer material
Climate and Hydrology Related to Grassland in Hokkaido- Development of Grassland in the Snowy, Cold Region in Japan (1)
No full textSeasonal and regional aspects of climate and water balance in Hokkaido are described briefly. And some climatological and hydrological problems are discussed in relating to developments of grassland. Detail analysis of depth of snow cover and daily mean temperature indicated that the growing season of grass is restricted by these two climatological elements in Hokkaido. Seasonal change of water balance calculated from meteorological factors suggested that water supplied by precipitation overflows the grassland in late autumn and early spring. Especially, melted snow supplies a large quantity of water to the grassland in short time. These are considerable problems for the disaster prevention and environmental conservation
Effect of Anaerobic Fermentation of Plant Juice on the Yield and the Nutritive Value of Leaf Protein Concentration
No full textEffect of treatments of plant juice on the yield and nutritive value of leaf protein concentrate (LPC) was studied with special reference to anaerobic fermentation using lucerne and Italian rye grass as the materials. Lucerne juice was .subdivided into three portions. The two portions were heated to 70°C immediately or after being adjusted to pH 8 with NaOH. The other portion was anaerobically fermented for 7 days. One half of ryegrass juice was heated to 70°C after being adjusted to pH 4 with HCI and the other half was submitted to the fermentation. After the treatments, each juice was centrifuged at 15,000 rpm and the resultant coagulum (LPC) was dried at 70°C with a draft oven. Before the drying, a part of the immediately-heated lucerne LPC was washed with 90% EtOH. The NaOH-treatment of lucerne juice before heating increased the yield of LPC and improved the nutritive value of LPC in chicks. Fermentation of lucerne juice reduced the yield, crude protein content, protein digestibility and rate of essential amino acid to crude protein of LPC. The yield of digestible crude protein was decreased by about 50% of that of NaOH-treated LPC by the fermentation. Feed intake and growth of chicks fed the fermented luceme LPC was extremely low because of a high concentration of medicagenic acid. Addition of cholesterol to luceme LPCs was as effective as the EtOH-treatment in improving the intake and growth of chicks. But the improved value observed in chicks fed the fermented lucerne LPC was still lower than those fed the other LPCs. Performance of rats was not affected by the medicagenic acid content of LPC. The fermentation of ryegrass juice was as detrimental as being in luceme juice, but feed intake of chicks was not affected by it