Influence of herbicides on the chemical composition of radish (raphanus sativus L.) roots

The influence of 5 pre-emergence herbicides viz. nitrofen, alachlor, simazine, linuron and diuron was studied on the chemical composition of radish roots. The herbicides showed a significant influence on crude fibre, fat, crude protein, reducing and total carbohydrates in comparison with the weeded control. The % dry matter and total mineral contents were not influenced. The roots from the unweeded control showed a higher percentage of crude protein and carbohydrates but a lower percentage of crude fibre and fat than the weeded control.     

Studies on the development of nutritious cookies utilizing sunflower kernels and wheat germ

Wheat germ and sunflower kernels were substituted at a level of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent of wheat flour for the preparation of cookies. The crude protein, ash and crude fiber contents increased with the addition of sunflower kernels. Similarly, with the addition of wheat germ, protein, ash and crude fibre contents increased significantly. The cookies containing 30% wheat germ and 20 percent sunflower kernels were found to be superior in overall acceptability.     

Nutritional evaluation of Sterculia setigera seeds and pod

The results obtained on analysis of the seeds and pods of Sterculia setigera for their nutritional composition revealed that while the seed sample has high crude protein, crude fibre, carbohydrate and fat contents, their contents in the pod sample was very low. The analysis of the mineral profile reveals that the seed of Sterculia setigera is rich in sodium, iron, zinc and manganese. Conversely, the mineral composition of the pod is low.     

Protein quality evaluation of sprouted maize

Protein, lysine, tryptophan, crude fibre (CF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) of sprouted, normal and hard endosperm opaque-2 (QPM) kernels increased, whereas in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) decreased substantially up to five days of germination. Following the removal of radicles alone or both radicles and plumules from sprouted kernels, IVPD improved at all the stages of germination. However, the contents of lysine and tryptophan were not affected significantly. For some stages of germination, these amino acids decreased slightly. In sprouted normal kernels, IVPD was higher whereas protein, lysine and tryptophan content was lower than that of sprouted QPM kernels respectively at all the stages of germination. In four days old sprouted normal kernels, after the removal of both radicles and plumules biological value (BV), net protein utilization (NPU) and utilizable protein (UP) increased over non-sprouted kernels whereas true digestibility (TD) reach at par with non-sprouted kernels.     

Chemical composition of kernels from some species ofCucurbitaceae grown in Nigeria

The seeds of lesser-known species —Cucumeropsis mannii, Lagenaria sicceraria varities 1 and 2 andTelfairia occidentalis, ofCucurbitaceae family were studied. The protein content ofC. mannii was 36.1% and the varieties 1 and 2 ofL. sicceraria had 32.1% and 33.3% respectively.Telfairia occidentalis had protein content of 33.2%. The fat contents ofC. mannii, L. Sicceraria var. 1 and 2 andT. occidentalis were 44.4%, 44.6%, 46.9% and 42.3% respectively. The crude fibre content for each of the two varieties ofL. sicceraria was 3.6% andT. occidentalis had 5.5%.Cucumeropsis mannii had the lowest (2.4%) fibre content. The carbohydrate contents forL. Sicceraria var. 2,C. mannii, andT. occidentalis were 12.6%, 13.2% and 14.4% respectively.Lagenaria sicceraria var. 1 had the highest value of carbohydrate (15.8%). The species were relatively rich in potassium and magnesium with range of values of 0.56% to 0.68% and 434 ppm to 444 ppm respectively.Cucumeropsis mannii andLagenaria sicceraria var. 2 had relatively high contents of calcium (117 ppm) and iron (109 ppm) respectively. The kernels of these species exhibited lipase activity.Telfairia occidentalis showed the highest degree of lipase activity.     

Chemical composition and biological evaluation of Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) seeds and their kernels

Okra (Hibiscus esculentus) whole seeds and their kernels were analysed for their nutrient composition. They were rich in protein as well as fat. Most of the protein and fat of the seed is accumulated in the kernel while crude fiber is concentrated in the seed coat or hull. Its essential amino acid composition was nearly equal to that of the WHO/FAO reference pattern (1973), but lower than that of whole egg protein; its chemical score was 67. Diets containing whole seed and kernel protein at the 10% level were fed to weanling rats both in the raw and cooked forms for 4 weeks. Dry matter digestibility and protein digestibility of whole seed diets were significantly lower than the kernel diets. Cooking improved PER and NPU values of both the whole grain and kernel diets. These results indicated that dietary fiber present in the hull of Okra seed as well as heat labile antinutritional factors present in the seed hinder Okra seed protein utilization.     

Relationships between botanical composition,yield and forage quality of permanent grasslands over the first growth cycle

This study examined the relationships between botanical composition and forage parameters (yield and forage quality variables) in 153 permanent grasslands located in the Massif Central of France. Grasslands were sampled at two vegetation stages in the first growth cycle. Botanical composition, yield, ash, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, acid detergent lignin, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and voluntary intake (VI) were estimated for each sample. Temporal variability in species–forage parameter relationships were accounted for using innovative multivariate analyses applied mainly in ecological science. Crude protein and OMD were weakly correlated when each harvest time was analysed separately. Species–forage parameter relationships remained stable during the first growth cycle. The stability of these relationships indicates that permanent grasslands dominated by competitive species were associated with high yield and forage quality values whereas permanent grasslands composed of conservative species and/or high proportions of senescent material were associated with high structural carbohydrate values and low yield, OMD and VI values. Based on these relationships, we propose a typology of permanent grasslands along with a set of indicator species enabling non‐specialist botanists to easily classify grasslands for grassland management purposes.     

Growth and chemical composition of wild oat (Avena fatua) under Mediterranean conditions

Wild oat (Avena fatua) is an annual cool‐season species that grows in areas with a Mediterranean climate and has potential as a forage source in Jordan. A field experiment was conducted during the growing seasons of 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 under sub‐humid Mediterranean conditions at Samta in the Ajloun Mountains, Jordan. Data on seasonal herbage mass, morphology and chemical composition of wild oat were collected at 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 days after emergence. Plant height increased rapidly beyond 100 days after emergence. The increase in herbage mass of dry matter was gradual and peaked at 140 days after emergence. The lowest concentration of crude fibre was at 60 and 80 days after emergence, with a range of 201–263 g kg^?1 DM. Crude fibre concentrations (610–630 g kg^?1 DM) peaked at 140 days after emergence (maturity). In contrast to concentrations of crude fibre, concentrations of crude protein decreased gradually with age. The calcium and phosphorus concentrations were sufficient to meet the maintenance requirements of ewes.     

A study of kernel oils of some cultivated cucurbits

Oil content of the seed-kernels of 15 species ofCucurbitaceae family has been estimated. It ranged from 37.9 to 56.5%. The iodine values of the oils were from 87.8 to 149.9. Most of these oils were nearly colourless, odourless and of good appearance. The oil-free kernel meals of different cucurbit species had protein content ranging from 60 to 70%.     

Forage production and nutritive value of Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium subterraneum mixtures under different shading treatments

Production and nutritive value of forage in silvopastural systems can be improved by introducing shade‐ tolerant grass and legume species in appropriate mixtures. The management of these systems can present a challenge regarding the selection of the proper grass and legume species as well as the maintenance of the optimum balance between the two species in the grass–legume stand. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the performance of pure stands and mixtures (75:25, 50:50, 25:75) of Dactylis glomerata:Trifolium subterraneum under full sun, 60% shade and 90% shade. Dry matter production of D. glomerata was not affected by shading, while that of T. subterraneum was drastically reduced. Shading increased the crude protein (CP) and acid detergent lignin content, but did not affect the acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre content. The dry matter production of the 75:25 and 25:75 mixtures was higher compared to the one of the 50:50 mixture, while the CP content of the 75:25 mixture was the highest under moderate shading. However, relative yield, aggressivity index and competitive balance index indicated higher competitive ability for D. glomerata compared with T. subterraneum especially under shade. Therefore, the 25:75 mixture is suggested as the most suitable under moderate shade (60%), to perpetuate the stand and avoid the frequent re‐sowing of T. subterraneum.     

新型食用蔬菜鸟巢蕨嫩叶营养成分检测

采用国家标准方法对鸟巢蕨嫩叶的营养成分进行测定,并与西芹、韭菜、生菜等7种对照栽培蔬菜进行比较分析.结果表明:鸟巢蕨中主要营养成分粗蛋白、粗脂肪、总糖、粗纤维和灰分的含量分别为样品鲜重的2.82％、2.59％、1.56％、1.16％和1.21％.鸟巢蕨含有18种氨基酸,接近FAO/WHO推荐的理想蛋白模式标准;鸟巢蕨的p-胡萝卜素含量为10.4 μg/g;维生素A含量为9.9 μg/g,维生素B含量为0.7μg/g;维生素C含量为791.2 μg/g.鸟巢蕨的矿质元素含量丰富,P和K含量分别为860、4 921μg/g,微量元素Zn含量为5 μg/g,Mn含量为9.9 μg/g,Cu含量为19.1 μg/g.鸟巢蕨的营养价值在多方面均优于7种对照蔬菜.鸟巢蕨是一种符合现代营养学对健康食品要求的药食同源的功能性野生蔬菜.本研究为鸟巢蕨作为野生蔬菜栽培利用和野生资源保护提供了一定的科学依据.     

THE INFLUENCE OF SUPPLEMENTS OF FLAKED MAIZE ON THE DIGESTIBILITY BY STEERS OF SILAGE, FRESH LUCERNE AND LUCERNE HAY

Three experiments examine the effects of giving small supplements of flaked maize to steers on the digestibility and retention of nutrients from rations of grass silage, lucerne hay and fresh lucerne. The digestibility of the dry matter, crude fibre and crude protein of the silage ration was depressed by the successive additions of 1, 2 or 3 Ib flaked maize per day. There was a tendency for the steers to retain more nitrogen as the level of starch supplementation increased, in spite of a lowered crude-protein digestibility. The digestibilities of the constituents of lucerne hay and fresh lucerne were slightly increased by the addition of 2 and 4 Ib flaked maize per day. The reasons are discussed for the different effect of the supplemental starch on the digestibility of the crude fibre from grass silage and from fresh or cured lucerne. Attention is drawn to the increase in the retention of N following the supplementation of silage with starch.     

Qualitative variation of Camelina sativa seed from different locations

Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz is a flexible oil-seed crop that can be grown under different climatic and soil conditions. To evaluate the effects of growth conditions on the quality of camelina seed, samples originating from 11 remote locations in Europe and in Scandinavia (6° W–25°E, 48–61°N) were analysed for content of oil, crude protein and crude fibre. The evaluation was restricted to three promising summer cultivars chosen from seven tested varieties/cultivars. Among the cultivars, a statistically significant variation in the content of oil and crude protein was found. The average content of oil in seed ranged from 39.6 to 44.1%/DM. The average content of crude protein ranged from 39.2 to 47.4%/f.f. DM, and the average content of crude fibre was 12.5–16.8%/f.f. DM. The general mean content of oil was 42.0%/DM, crude protein 43.6%/f.f. DM, and the content of crude fibre was 14.5%/f.f. DM. The variation in the quality of seed was ascribed partly to the cultivars and mainly to the combined effects of the climatic and soil conditions under which the crop was grown.     

富硒玉米子粒中硒赋存形态研究

研究了富硒玉米子粒中硒的分布规律和赋存形态。结果表明,在供试玉米中,硒主要以有机结合态的形式存在,其含量占总硒的比例接近90%;在有机态硒中蛋白质硒含量较高,多糖中硒的含量较低;在蛋白质硒中以碱溶蛋白质中硒的含量为最高,占总硒的50.62%。因此,在富硒玉米的深度开发中,碱溶的弱酸性组分适用于深加工,成为补硒食品或添加剂。     

Nutritive quality and energy yield of high oil,opaque-2 and waxy maize hybrids compared to normal maize hybrids

Grain yield, chemical composition, protein quality and digestible energy were measured for 18 maize varieties (opaque-2, high oil, waxy hybrids, normal hybrids) cultivated in Yugoslavia. Protein quality assessment was based on amino acid composition, and true protein digestibility, biological value, net protein utilization and utilizable protein as determined in nitrogen balance experiments with rats. The protein concentration in dry matter varied from 8.63–18.81% while the fat concentration varied from 4.45–16.13%. There were only minor differences in ash and crude fibre, while starch and sugar varied inversely to fat and protein concentration. Lysine levels were approximately 30% higher for the opaque-2 varieties compared with normal maize, while leucine levels were about 30% lower. Yields were extremely high for all varieties with the highest value being 10.3 tonnes/ha. Due to the high yields, protein production/ha was high in range of 822–977 kg. This resulted in high yields of amino acids/ha. Protein utilization was very high in the opaque-2 varieties, which had the highest lysine contents. The biological values were close to 80 in these varieties, whereas they were only 60–65 in the normal maize varieties.     

Effects of shrub encroachment on herbage production and nutritive value in semi-arid Mediterranean grasslands

There is limited information on the effects of the increase in the density of shrubs on herbage production and nutritive value of natural grasslands in the Mediterranean region, currently facing major land use changes. Herbage production of drymatter (herbaceous fractions, of plant functional groups and by species), crude protein (CP), neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF), acid‐detergent fibre (ADF), acid‐detergent lignin (ADL) and hemicellulose concentrations and in vitro organic matter digestibility were determined at the time of peak of annual growth across four types of grassland vegetation each characterized by different shrub cover regimes. A sharp reduction in herbage production and a reduction in nutritive value were found as a result of the increase in shrub cover. These changes appeared to be closely related to the shift in plant functional groups detected as shrub density increased. Herbage production from grasses and legumes was found to be more sensitive to shrub cover changes than herbage production from forbs, whereas, as grassland types became denser, annual species were gradually replaced by perennials and C₄ grasses by C₃ ones. The impact of shrub encroachment on Mediterranean grasslands is discussed in relation to their use by livestock.     

Nutritive value of ensiled maize stover from nine different varieties harvested at three different stages of maturity

Nutrient composition and digestibility of stover contribute markedly to the nutritive value of forage maize in cattle feeding. Low stover digestibility limits the quality of whole plant maize silage (WPMS) and should therefore be prevented by optimizing management of WPMS production. A project was carried out to analyse nutrient composition and ruminal nutrient degradability of ensiled stover of nine different current maize varieties, which were planted in 3 years and harvested at three maturity stages (50, 55 and 60% ear dry‐matter [DM] content). Variety and harvest date had a significant impact (p < 0.05) on crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy content, whereas fibre content and non‐fibre components were not affected by these factors. In contrast, the potential and effective degradability (ED) of organic matter (OM), CP and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were significantly influenced by variety and harvest date. The ED5 (ED at 5% per hour passage rate) of different varieties ranged from 22.9% to 29.3% for OM, from 66.2% to 71.4% for CP and from 17.3% to 20.5% for NDF. The ED5 of OM, CP and NDF declined significantly by 4.1%, 2.5% and 2.1% units between the second and third maturity stage. Almost all investigated parameters were significantly influenced by year. Significant differences between varieties indicate that there is a potential for improvement of stover degradability through breeding. Harvest ear DM content should not exceed 55%, because nutritive value of ensiled stover declines significantly beyond this value, which could negatively affect WPMS quality in cattle feeding.     

Crude Protein Content in Diploid Hybrid Potato Clones of Solanum phureja–S. stenotomum

Breeding potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) with high protein content is important for food value and for the processing sector to extract protein from potatoes. Due to the narrow genetic base of the common potato, a new germplasm has to be explored for breeding high-protein potatoes. The objectives of this research were to quantify the crude protein content of diploid hybrid Solanum phureja–Solanum stenotomum (PHU-STN) genotypes, determine the correlation of crude protein content with dry matter and other important agronomic traits, and estimate broad sense heritability for crude protein content. In 2008 and 2009, 70 diploid clones were grown in replicated field plots in Jiagedaqi, Heilongjiang. Also, two tetraploid potato cultivars, Kexin 2 (table potato) and Atlantic (high dry matter), were included in this experiment as controls. The crude protein content on a fresh weight basis (FW) over replications and years for PHU-STN clones ranged from 2.85% to 5.01% with a grand mean of 3.72%, and most of these clones were significantly or highly significantly higher in crude protein content than the two tetraploid controls. Correlations between crude protein content and agronomic traits were all negative, but the magnitudes were generally weak or moderate. Therefore it should be possible to select diploid clones with high crude protein content and acceptable agronomic traits. The estimate of broad sense heritability for crude protein content (FW) on a clonal mean basis was 0.66 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.46 to 0.79, whereas for crude protein content on a dry weight basis the estimate of broad sense heritability was 0.65 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.43 to 0.78. These results suggest that these diploid hybrid PHU-STN clones would be a good germplasm source for a high-protein-breeding effort, and identification of tetraploid progenies with high protein content and acceptable agronomic traits from 4x–2x cross should be possible.     

The response of perennial ryegrass/white clover mini-swards to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations: effects on yield and fodder quality

In order to assess the effects of future elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations on yield, mineral content and the nutritive value of mixed swards of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), both species were grown as monocultures and as different mixtures and were exposed season-long to ambient (380 p.p.m.) and elevated (670 p.p.m.) CO₂ concentrations in open-top chambers. Mini-swards were cut four times at about monthly intervals at a height of 5 cm, dry-matter yields were determined and content of macroelements (N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, Na) and crude fibre, crude protein and ash content were measured. The CO₂-related increase in seasonal yield amounted to 16–38% for white clover monocultures, 12–29% for mixed swards and 5–9% for ryegrass monocultures. The white clover content of all swards was significantly enhanced by elevated CO₂. The K and Na content of total yield was decreased by high CO₂ but did not fall below the minimum requirements for ruminants. As the Ca content of total yield was increased by elevated CO₂ and the P content was not changed, the Ca/P ratio of total yield was increased and exceeded values required for animal nutrition. The crude protein content of total yield was reduced by high CO₂ at the beginning of the growing season only and was increased by elevated CO₂ in the course of the experiment, whereas crude fibre content was decreased throughout the season, sometimes falling below the minimum requirement for ruminants. Removal of N, P, S, Mg and Ca by cutting was significantly enhanced because of CO₂ enrichment. The results show that, besides the positive effect of rising atmospheric CO₂ on dry-matter yield of white clover/ryegrass swards, impacts on the nutritive value should be expected. Possible changes in species composition and implications for grassland management are briefly discussed.     

Prediction of maize seed attributes using a rapid single kernel near infrared instrument

Non-destructive measurements of seed attributes would significantly enhance breeder selection of seeds with specific traits, and could potentially improve hybrid development. A single kernel near infrared reflectance (NIR) instrument was developed for rapidly predicting maize grain attributes, which would enable plant breeders to quickly select promising individual seeds. With the overall goal being to develop spectrometric calibrations, absorbance spectra from 904 to 1685 nm were collected from 87 maize samples, with 30 kernels of each sample (2610 kernels total), representing a wide variability in the essential amino acids tryptophan and lysine, crude protein, oil and soluble sugar contents. Average sample spectra were matched to bulk reference values. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) calibration models with cross-validation were developed for both relative (% dry matter) and absolute (mg kernel⁻¹) constituent contents. Similarly, models using bagging PLSR were developed. The best model obtained was for relative crude protein content, with an R²p of 0.75 and a SEP of 0.47%. Kernel mass was also highly predictable (R²p=0.76, SEP=0.03 g). Tryptophan, lysine and oil were less predictable, but showed good potential for segregating individual seeds using NIR. Soluble sugar contents produced poor model statistics. Bagging PLSR yielded models with similar levels of prediction.