the utilization by sheep of winter and spring Smuts finger and Kikuyu pastures

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on Smuts finger (Digitaria eriantha ssp. eriantha) and Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pastures during a winter and spring period to study the effect of postruminal energy and/or protein supplementation on the selection pattern and performance of sheep. In a further experiment the digestion and utilization of these pastures were quantified. Voluntary intake on both pastures was not significantly affected by postruminal addition of casein but glucose tended to depress intake. In vitro digestibility of organic matter (IVDOM) and crude protein content of oesophageal samples were not significantly influenced by either casein or glucose. Consequently, it was concluded that postruminal amino acid and energy supply do not alter the quality of pasture selection but, depending on circumstances, the amount eaten may be affected. The amount of non‐ammonia nitrogen (NAN) in winter and spring samples flowing through the abomasum was proportional to the nitrogen (N) content in the grass organic matter (OM), while the volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was approximately associated with the digestible OM (DOM) intake. N retention on Smuts finger was significantly higher than on Kikuyu. One of the reasons appears to be less unavailable N in the cell wall of Smuts finger than in the cell wall of kikuyu grass.     

Voluntary intake of several planted pastures by sheep and an assessment of NDF and IVDOM as possible predictors of intake

The aim was to study the quality and quantity of pasture selected by sheep on various planted pastures. A further aim was to assess NDF and IVDOM as easy measurable parameters for use in equations to predict intake. Pasture samples were collected using oesophageal‐fistulated sheep and from knowledge of the in vitro digestibility of these samples and the total faeces voided as measured with faeces bags, intake was calculated. Pastures observed included ryegrass, cocksfoot, C. dactylon, Smuts finger, triticale, E. curvula, Eragrostislucerne combination, lucerne and sainfoin. Nitrogen content of oesophageal samples varied between 2,3 and 5,1%, NDF between 33 and 65% and IVDOM between 50 and 80%. Intake of grass DOM varied from 24,4 to 43,3 g/kg W^0,75/day for lambs and from 29,0 to 37,4 g/kg W^0,75/day for mature wethers. DOM intake on the two legumes was generally poor and varied between 13,7 and 22,9 g/kg W^0,75/day. Although some of the variation in voluntary intake is accounted for by the variation in NDF and IVDOM, these two parameters are of limited value as general predictors, but may be used in selection indices.     

The effect of seeding rate and weed control on the establishment of Rhodes grass in the Eastern Cape

Abstract

The effect of four seeding rates (3; 6; 12 and 24 kg/ha), four methods of weed control (nil, mowing, 4 l/ha of 2,4‐D amine and hand weeding) and two times of cutting (late boot stage and end of season) on the establishment and yield of a Rhodes grass pasture was investigated. The experiment was first sown in 1980 and repeated in the same form in 1982.

Mother and daughter plants were counted and the canopy cover of Rhodes grass was estimated a year after seeding. Subsequently, the experiments were harvested a number of times.

Seeding rate, weed control and cutting affected the density of plants. The higher densities affected the yield of the pasture initially only. The value of using more than 3 kg/ha of commercial certified seed is doubtful. The use of adequate measures to control weeds does seem to be economically justified.     

新型饲草玉淇淋58的性状、遗传及饲草潜力

多色基因组原位杂交(multi-color genomic in situ hybridization, McGISH)鉴定结果表明, MTPP-58有58条染色体,其中11条染色体来自玉米,28条染色体来自四倍体多年生大刍草,17条染色体来自指状摩擦禾和2条玉米与四倍体多年生大刍草易位的染色体。2012-2013年对MTPP-58的饲草产量、品质、越冬率以及繁殖特性研究表明,第1年鲜、干草产量分别为93.845 t/hm²和22.083 t/hm²,第2年鲜、干草产量分别为82.851 t/hm²和14.394 t/hm²;粗蛋白(CP)为10.48%,干茎叶比为0.71,越冬率为100%。MTPP-58下部茎干扦插成活率为51.69%,分株成活率为95.50%。多种属聚合远缘杂交创制的MTPP-58聚合了玉米、大刍草、摩擦禾的优良特性,植株根系发达,生长繁茂,分蘖和抗寒性强,生产性能优,可无性繁殖,是一种多种属间杂交创制的新型多年生饲草。     

“狼毒净”对高寒草甸狼毒防效及对牧草产量的影响

近年来,狼毒Stellera chamaejasme在青海高寒草甸上滋生蔓延,致使草地严重退化。为有效控制狼毒的危害,选用675,750,825 mL/hm2 3个不同剂量“狼毒净”,对高寒草甸狼毒防除效果进行了研究。结果表明：施药当年,各剂量“狼毒净”对狼毒的株高、投影盖度、鲜质量及干质量有一定抑制作用,但无明显防效;施药后的第2年,750和825 mL/hm2 剂量对狼毒的防效好,超过了94%,单子叶牧草的产量分别提高了15.24%和17.64%,双子叶牧草产量无明显变化。675 mL/hm2剂量“狼毒净”对狼毒防效差,无增产效果。生产上应推荐使用750 mL/hm2剂量。     

红豆草和紫花苜蓿在同仁县生产性状的初步比较结果

试验结果表明 ,在同仁县的隆务河谷地区有灌溉的条件下 ,红豆草在种植前两年的生长速度和产草、产籽量均明显高于紫花苜蓿。红豆草在种植当年就可以收到部分成熟种子 ,如果收草用 ,当年可刈割两茬 ,但越冬率较苜蓿差 ,第 2年可刈割三茬 ,每公顷产鲜草 962 82kg/hm2 ,产种子 1 1 35.5kg/hm2 。紫花苜蓿产鲜草 731 97kg/hm2 ,产种子 1 99.5kg/hm2 。红豆草较紫花苜蓿更适合于隆务河谷较阴湿的荒山荒坡 ,房前屋后及田埂地头上种植 ,既美化环境又可获取较高产量的牧草     

A comparison of a number of annual cool season legumes under dryland conditions in the Dohne Sourveld

Abstract

Fifteen annual cool season legumes were compared under dryland conditions on two sites in the Dohne Sourveld. These sites were Dohne, with a mild but dry winter and an average rainfall of 743 mm per year, and Grasslands, a colder, wetter site.

Vicia spp were among the highest‐yielding cultivars at both sites. At Dohne the mean yield of the legumes that performed best was slightly more than that of the veld and their use does not seem worthwhile. At Grasslands, the mean yield of the highest‐yielding legumes was above 6 t/ha/year and their use does seem economical.

The high yield of the legumes during wet seasons suggests that their cultivation under irrigation should be profitable. Under these or high rainfall conditions seed production may be lucrative.     

不同居群白羊草生产性能和营养品质的比较

以不同居群的4份野生白羊草为试验材料,对播种当年且2茬刈割后的草产量和营养成分进行测定,探究其生产性能和营养品质,进行地方品种的选育驯化。结果表明:不同居群白羊草当年鲜草、干草产量及粗蛋白质产量均不同,均以太谷居群最高,分别达32.17t/hm2,10.53t/hm2和1 041.00kg/hm2,其中,干草产量和粗蛋白质产量均显著高于其他居群(P0.05);不同茬次间,第1茬的鲜草、干草产量及粗蛋白质产量均高于第2茬,且均占到年产量的80%,试验表明第1茬是白羊草利用的关键,且第1茬中,太谷居群的产量均高于其他居群;太谷居群第1茬的CP,Ca和P含量均为最高,Ash含量较高,而NDF和ADF含量均为最低,表明太谷居群的营养品质要优于其他居群。综合评价,白羊草第1茬的生产性能较好,太谷居群的产量高、品质好,具有极大的选育驯化潜力。     

Effect of nitrogen application,seeding rate and defoliation height on mixtures of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium Multiflorum cv midmar: II. Yield advantage as reflected in the land equivalent ratio*

Abstract

Pure stands of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar were compared with a range of mixtures of these two species in terms of dry matter production, crude protein content and crude protein production. Land equivalent ratios (LER) calculated for both dry matter and crude protein production showed that mixing of the two species was advantageous. This was more evident in terms of crude protein production than in DM production. High seeding rates of the grass (20–25 kg/ha), low levels of nitrogen (60 kgN/ha) and heavy defoliation (50 mm) gave the highest LER values. It was concluded that better utilization of land could be obtained with mixtures of the two components than with pure stands.     

干热河谷退化山地柱花草品种(系)比较试验

2007-2009年在元谋干热河谷退化山地对12个柱花草品种(系)进行比较试验研究。观测研究牧草物候期、地上生物量、叶茎比、青干比、分枝数及株高、营养成分等生产性状和经济指标。试验结果表明,CIAT11362柱花草是综合性能较优的材料,年均产量、旱季产量和3年保存率最高,是较耐旱的牧草,适应干旱和半干旱地区种植,年均干草产量为20.31 t/hm²,旱季干草产量为7.17 t/hm²,3年植株的保存率为87.5%。GC1579柱花草和热研5号柱花草也是综合性状较优种质,可作为干热河谷地区推广的牧草。90089柱花草和西卡柱花草综合性能虽不是特别突出,但各有不可忽视的优点,在不同性能要求下是理想的材料。     

Evaluasie van verskillende grasspesies vir moontlike gebruik in die stabilisering van kunsmatige waterbane

Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii (= D. decumbens), Cynodon nlemfuensis en “Coastcross II” (Cynodon‐Hibried) was met behulp van steggies gevestig is, en Chlorisgayana. Pennisetum clandestinum en Cynodon dactyton (Pasto Rico), wat met behulp van saad gevestig is, het die beste bedekkings‐waarde gedurende die seisoen van vestiging gelewer. Van die voormelde spesies het die basale bedekking van Chloris gayana, Pennisetum clandestinum, Cynodon dactylon (Pasto Rico) en Digitaria eriantha subsp. pentzii ( = D. decumbens) gedurende die vier jaar wat die proef geduur het, na bevredigende aanvanklike bedekking, toegeneem of minstens konstant gebly. Die beste vestiging is gedurende Desember verkry, terwyl aangetoon is dat ‘n bemesting van ten minste 120 kg N + 16 kg P/ha nodig is om ‘n goeie bedekking en produksie per ha gelewer.     

Interactions between rodents and weeds in a lowland rice agro‐ecosystem: the need for an integrated approach to management

Rodents and weeds are important pests to rice crops in Southeast Asia. The interaction between these 2 major pests is poorly documented. In temperate cereal systems, seeds of grass weeds can be an important food source for rodents and weed cover along crop margins provides important refuge for rodents. In 2012 and 2013, a replicated study (n = 4) in Bago, Myanmar compared 4 treatments (rodents and weeds; no rodents and weeds; rodents and no weeds; no rodents and no weeds) each of 0.25 ha in transplanted rice. Weeds were managed with hand weeding in the wet season, and hand weeding and herbicides in the dry season. Plastic fences were installed to exclude rodents. We examined the weed cover and relative abundance of weed species, rodent damage, rodent population dynamics and rice yield loss caused by rodents and weeds. The dominant rodent species was Bandicota bengalensis. In the dry season, Cyperus difformis was dominant at the tillering stage and Echinochloa crus‐galli was the dominant weed species at the booting stage. In the wet season E. crus‐galli was a dominant weed throughout the season. Damage by rodents was higher in the dry season. There were larger economic benefits for best weed management and effective rodent control in the dry season (258 US$/ha) than in the wet season (30 US$/ha). Concurrent control of weeds in and around rice fields combined with coordinated community trapping of rodents during the early tillering stage and ripening stage of rice are recommended management options.     

In vitro gas and methane production in rumen fluid from dairy cows fed grass silages differing in plant maturity,compared to in vivo data

The relationship between in vitro rumen CH₄ production of grass silages, using the gas production technique, and in vivo data obtained with the same cows and rations in respiration chambers was investigated. Silages were made from grass harvested in 2013 on May 6th, May 25th, July 1st and July 8th. The grass silages were used to formulate four different rations which were fed to 24 cows in early and late lactation, resulting in a slightly different dry matter intake (DMI; 16.5 kg/day vs. 15.4 kg/day). The experimental rations consisted of 70% grass silage, 10% maize silage, and 20% concentrates on a dry matter basis. Cows were adapted to the rations for 17 days before rumen fluid was collected via oesophageal tubing, and in vitro gas and CH₄ production were analysed. In vitro total gas and CH₄ production of the (ensiled) grass expressed as ml/g OM decreased with advancing maturity of the grass. The in vitro CH₄ production after 48 hr of incubation expressed in ml/g OM did not correlate with the in vivo CH₄ production expressed in g/kg organic matter intake or g/kg DMI (R² = .00–.18, p ≥ .287). The differences in CH₄ emission per unit of intake observed in vivo were rather small between the different rations, which also contributed to the observed poor relationship. Utilizing stepwise multiple regression improved the correlation only slightly. In vitro gas and CH₄ production varied based on whether donor cows were previously adapted to the respective ration or not, suggesting that careful adaption to the experimental diet should be envisaged in in vitro gas and CH₄ production experiments.     

五种高禾草在高寒地区生产性状的比较

三年的试验结果表明：5种高禾草在试种地区均能安全越冬，细茎冰草，绒毛冰草，多叶老芒麦，短芒老芒麦和无芒雀麦种植后第二，三年平均鲜草产量分别为24.05,11.51,25.52,24.40和23.63t/hm^2。平均产籽量分别为1.158,0.000,0.977,1.024和0.652t/hm^2，叶片占总重的比例分别为27.8%,22.4%,28.9%,24.8%和30.4%。除绒毛冰草因产草量和叶量较低。且种子不能成熟，不适于在该地区种植外，其余4种均可种植。     

保护播种对高寒区刈割型混播草地产草量及品质的影响

为探讨保护播种对高寒区刈割型混播草地[垂穗披碱草（Elymus nutans,EN）+中华羊茅（Festuca sinensis,FS）]产草量及品质的影响,以无保护草种播种为对照,研究了4比例多花黑麦草（Lolium multiflorum,LM）和燕麦（Avena sativa,AS）保护播种对牧草产量和品质指标的影响。结果表明,多花黑麦草单播量的20%,30%,40%和50%处理其2年总干草产量分别为9 389 kg·hm^-2,17 284 kg·hm^-2,12 263 kg·hm^-2和14 292 kg·hm^-2,比对照分别提高了2%,88%,33%和55%,其中EN+FS+30% LM处理牧草粗蛋白产量比对照提高了75%。燕麦播种比例同多花黑麦草相似,单播量的20%,30%,40%和50%比例下2年总干草产量分别为25 975 kg·hm^-2,25 249 kg·hm^-2,27 077 kg·hm^-2和27 306 kg·hm^-2,比对照提高了182%,174%,194%和196%;牧草粗蛋白产量比对照分别提高124%,143%,143%和204%。但播种燕麦对多年生牧草生长的抑制作用大于多花黑麦草。综上,EN+FS+30% LM保护播种有效提高高寒区刈割型混播草地牧草产量和营养,是建植人工草地理想的保护播种草种及比例。     

Evaluation of Clitoria, Gliricidia and Mucuna as nitrogen supplements to Napier grass basal diet in relation to the performance of lactating Jersey cows

A study was carried out at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute Mtwapa in Coastal lowland Kenya to evaluate the effects of supplementing Napier grass variety Bana (Pennisetum purpureum) with Clitoria ternatea (Clitoria), Gliricidia sepium (Gliricidia) and Mucuna pruriens (Mucuna) on feed intake, diet digestibility and milk yield of lactating Jersey cows. Clitoria and Mucuna were compared with Gliricidia; a widely studied nitrogen supplement to roughage-based diets in dairy rations in coastal Kenya. Twelve lactating Jersey cows in their mid lactation were assigned to four groups balanced for initial milk yield and live weight in a completely randomised design. One group was fed Napier grass ad libitum and 3 kg of maize bran daily (control). The remaining three groups were fed the control diet supplemented with 8 kg of fresh Clitoria, Gliricidia or Mucuna. Mucuna had lower CP (180 g kg^{− 1}) concentration compared to Gliricidia (232 g kg^{− 1}) and Clitoria (218 g kg^{− 1}). Tannin concentration was higher in Gliricidia compared to the other legumes. They were however below the critical level of 6% hence were not expected to have any negative effect on animal performance. The total dry matter intake was not affected by legume supplementation (P > 0.05). Legume supplementation had no significant effect on organic and dry matter digestibilities (P > 0.05). Nitrogen supplementation (P < 0.05) increased daily milk yield by 20%, 27.5% and 32.5% for cows fed Gliricidia, Clitoria and Mucuna respectively. Results from this study show that Mucuna and Clitoria can give similar lactation performance to Gliricidia as nitrogen supplements Napier grass basal diet.     

Effect of nitrogen application,seeding rate and defoliation height on mixtures of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar: I. dry matter production,crude protein content and crude protein production*

Abstract

The interaction between Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar was measured in a field trial, in terms of dry matter production, crude protein content and crude protein production. The treatments included in the field trials were five different seeding rates of the grass component, four rates of nitrogen application and two defoliation heights. Total DM production of the mixtures differed only slightly, and height of defoliation had, likewise, little effect on the DM production. N application tended to increase the yield of pure grass as well as the grass component of the mixtures. Crude protein content and crude protein production of the mixtures were markedly increased by nitrogen application, largely due to effective uptake of nitrogen by the grass component. However, the highest crude protein production, achieved by an application of 240 kg N/ha to both mixtures and pure grass swards, did not differ appreciably from the amount produced by pure clover receiving no nitrogen fertilizer.     

川东地区白三叶引种适应性试验研究

从2003年开始.在四川达州试验点连续5年对拉丁诺和胡依阿两品种白三叶(Trifolium repens)生长发育、根系生长情况、茎叶比、草产量以及种子产量进行观察测定.结果表明,两品种较为适应川东地区的夏季高温伏早天气,能完成整个生育周期,全年生长,无明显枯黄期,青绿期320 d以上.越夏率100%.抗病力强;具有较...     

安徽省野生芭茅草的生长性能及营养价值

[目的]为研究安徽省芭茅草野外自然生长的性能及营养价值。[方法]试验2020年4—10月在安庆太湖地区,每隔30 d左右刈割1次,对试验地芭茅草的产量、生长速度和常规营养价值进行测定和检测。[结果]结果表明,野生芭茅草株高152.80～174.80 cm, 1年刈割1次即可,鲜草产量24.68～28.22 t/hm²,干草产量6.85～11.10 t/hm²,4—7月生长速度快,6—7月最快可达5.15 cm/d,含水率55.20%～80.54%,以干物质为基础的粗蛋白含量（CP）7.50%～10.76%,粗纤维（CF）31.50%～42.90%,中性洗涤纤维（NDF）63.00%～74.40%,酸性洗涤纤维（ADF）35.40%～44.60%,粗灰分（Ash）6.40%～11.20%,粗脂肪（EE）、Ca、P含量低。[结论]芭茅草产量丰富,营养价值高于一般农作物秸秆,说明芭茅草可作为肉牛粗饲料推广使用。     

On farm evaluation of sun-dried Ziziphus spina-christi leaves substitution for natural pasture hay on feed intake and body weight change of Bati goat breeds in Ethiopia

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different levels of sun-dried Ziziphus spina-christi (ZC) leaves on feed intake and live weight gain of local male goats. Twenty-five male local breed of goats at 1 year of age (body weight; BW?=?20.7?±?0.72 kg) were randomly allocated to five treatments and five replications. Treatments were as follows: T1 (grass hay only; control group); T2 (75% grass hay + 25% ZC leaves); T3 (50% grass hay + 50% ZC leaves); T4 (25% grass hay + 75% ZC leaves), and T5 (100% ZC leaves). The study lasted for 90 days. During this period, feed intake, BW change, and average daily gain were evaluated. There was a significant difference in total dry matter intake of goats fed on different levels of ZC leaves compared with the control group. Mixing of the pasture grass hay diet improved (P?<?0.05) goats feed intake from 440 to 592 g/head/day at the minimum proportion of 25% ZC and natural pasture mixture. However, there was no significant difference (P?>?0.05) in feed intake among the supplemented groups (T2–T5) as ZC leaves proportion increased. Goats in the control group and in the 25% ZC treatment diet gained 31.4 and 46.7 g, which was not different (P?>?0.05). The highest average daily BW was gained (P?<?0.05) in goats supplemented with the highest level (100%) of ZC leaves. T5 (100% ZC leaves supplementation) showed a significant increment (P?<?0.05) in body weight gain of goats over other treatments and the control. Feed conversion ratio was increased (P?<?0.05) with increased inclusion level of ZC leaves. Goats on supplemented treatments 1 and 2; treatments 4 and 5 had no significant difference (P?>?0.05) in feed conversion efficiency while there was a significant (P?<?0.05) difference between treatments 2 and 3 diets which had higher (P?<?0.05) feed conversion ratio than the control groups. Generally, the results of the current study showed that supplementation of goats with above 50% level of dried ZC leaves in their diet significantly increased feed intake and body weight gain by improving feed conversion efficiency of goats.