Reducing crude protein variability and maximizing savings when formulating corn-soybean meal-based feeds

Crude protein in corn and soybean meal have been documented to vary, and such inherent variability can result in under- or over-feeding of CP when feeds are formulated, leading to reduced bird growth, added input costs, and increased environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to compare 2 grain-handling techniques and 2 feed formulation methods (linear vs. stochastic programming) to reduce CP variability in finished feeds and determine resulting costs or savings. The 2 grain-handling techniques were placing all the random batches of each delivered ingredient in to (1) a single bin (1-bin method) or (2) segregating above- and below-average samples into 2 bins (2-bin method). A fast way of estimating the composition of the ingredients is now available (near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy). Microsoft Excel workbooks were constructed to solve broiler starter feed formulation problems. Formulating feeds by linear and stochastic models based on the 2-bin method reduced CP variability by at least 50% compared with the 1-bin method. Formula cost was reduced by ˜20 cents per ton (averages of August 2012 United States ingredient prices) when the 2-bin method was used with the linear model. Formulating feed with a margin of safety increased formula cost by $3.40 per ton. Stochastic feed formulation increased formula cost to meet the specified CP level in feed at any probability of success, and formula cost was reduced substantially with the 2-bin method (up to $6.47 per ton). The magnitude of savings and reduced feed variability suggested that, regardless of the costs associated with building extra bins, the 2-bin method can be economically efficient in the long run. Therefore, it could be possible to split the batches of feed ingredients at a feed mill into above- or below-average bins before feed formulation to reduce CP variability and to maximize savings.     

磷酸铵镁堆肥产品养分释放特性及其肥效研究

为了研究磷酸铵镁堆肥产品的氮磷养分释放特性及其肥效,分别采用土柱淋溶方法及盆栽试验研究了磷酸铵镁堆肥(MAPC)产品的氮磷养分释放特性及对油菜的肥效,并与普通化肥(CCH)、普通堆肥(CCO)、磷酸铵镁肥(MAP)3种肥料进行对比。结果表明:在整个淋溶过程中,CCH和MAPC处理淋溶液的总氮及总磷浓度均较其他处理高;MAP肥具有缓释性,且堆肥对其养分释放具有促进作用;CCO处理的养分释放最慢。在最后一次淋洗(即第5次)后,总氮及总磷养分浓度排序均为:CCHMAPCMAPCCO。盆栽试验18 d后油菜快速生长,且与对照(不施肥)处理相比,MAP和MAPC处理能显著提高油菜的株高及生物量。在45 d盆栽试验结束时,CCH、CCO、MAP和MAPC处理的生物量分别是对照处理的14.8、4.8、20.5倍和16.0倍。MAP处理能显著提高油菜的养分含量,TN和TP含量分别比对照提高了2.24 g·kg~(-1)和1.54 g·kg~(-1)。研究表明,4种肥料均可改善油菜的生长发育情况,且MAP和MAPC的肥效优于CCH和CCO,在堆肥中利用鸟粪石结晶原理可固定部分氮磷元素,提高堆肥产品肥效。     

Regional distribution of wheat yield and chemical fertilizer requirements in China

Quantification of currently attainable yield and fertilizer requirements can provide detailed information for assessing the food supply capacity and offer data support for agricultural decision-making. Datasets from a total of 5 408 field experiments were collected from 2000 to 2015 across the major wheat production regions in China to analyze the spatial distribution of wheat yield, the soil nutrient supply capacity(represented by relative yield, defined as the ratio of the yield under the omission of one of nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P) and potassium(K) to the yield under the full NPK fertilizer application), and N, P and K fertilizer requirements by combining the kriging interpolation method with the Nutrient Expert Decision Support System for Wheat. The results indicated that the average attainable yield was 6.4 t ha~(-1), with a coefficient of variation(CV) of 24.9% across all sites. The yields in North-central China(NCC) and the northern part of the Middle and Lower reaches of the Yangtze River(MLYR) were generally higher than 7 t ha~(-1), whereas the yields in Southwest China(SWC), Northeast China(NEC), and the eastern part of Northwest China(NWC) were usually less than 6 t ha~(-1). The precentage of area having a relative yield above 0.70, 0.85, and 0.85 for N, P, and K fertilizers accounted for 52.3, 74.7, and 95.9%, respectively. Variation existed in N, P, and K fertilizer requirements, with a CV of 24.8, 23.9, and 29.9%, respectively, across all sites. More fertilizer was needed in NCC and the northern part of the MLYR than in other regions. The average fertilizer requirement was 162, 72, and 57 kg ha~(-1) for N, P_2O_5, and K_2O fertilizers, respectively, across all sites. The incorporation of the spatial variation of attainable yield and fertilizer requirements into wheat production practices would benefit sustainable wheat production and environmental safety.     

Xylanase and xylo- oligosaccharide prebiotic improve the growth performance and concentration of potentially prebiotic oligosaccharides in the ileum of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT

1. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementing broiler diets with xylanase or xylo- oligosaccharide (XOS) on growth performance, the concentration of non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) hydrolysis products in the ileum and concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the caeca of broiler chickens.

2. In total, 500 male Ross 308 broilers were used in this 29-day (d) study. The treatments were organised into a 2 × 2 plus 1 factorial arrangement consisting of two additives (xylanase or XOS) at two levels (low or high) plus a control treatment with no additives. This gave five treatments with 100 birds in each treatment group. The diets were slightly deficient in protein by 20 g/kg and energy by 1 MJ/kg.

3. On d 14 and 28, two birds per pen were euthanised, the caeca content collected and analysed for short chain fatty acid (SCFA) concentration. On d 29, six birds per pen were euthanised and ileal digesta were collected and analysed for the concentration of NSP fractions.

4. On d 14, caecal acetic acid, iso-butyric acid, iso-valeric acid, n-valeric acid and total SCFA concentrations were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) when diets were supplemented with XOS compared with xylanase.

5. Ileal concentration of arabinose, galactose and glucuronic acid (GlucA2) were significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the insoluble NSP fraction when diets were supplemented with a high level of xylanase, compared with the control treatment. Ileal concentration of fructose was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) in the water soluble NSP when a high level of xylanase or low level of XOS were included in the diet compared with the control.

6. It was concluded that xylanase and XOS had similar effects on NSP concentration and SCFA in the caeca, although there was little effect on performance. This observation demonstrated further benefits of xylanase supplementation in wheat-based broiler diets beyond digesta viscosity reduction and the release of extra nutrients.     

土壤中缓效钾的批量快速测定

通过对NY/T 889—2004标准中前处理方法的改进,建立了批量、快速、准确测定的土壤中缓效钾的方法。以石墨消解代替油浴消煮测定标准土中的有效钾,以验证改进后方法的可行性。结果表明,改进后的方法一次可以测定36个样品,且3 min内沸腾时间对结果无显著影响。因此,改进后的方法操作简单、条件易控制、准确快速,能实现对土壤中缓效钾的批量、快速测定。     

Maize harvest index and water use efficiency can be improved by inhibition of gibberellin biosynthesis

Possibilities to improve maize harvest index and nutrient utilization efficiency by application of plant growth regulators were investigated. In container experiments, the effects of different growth regulators on the development of the maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas were tested. Paclobutrazol (PAC) and chlorocholine chloride (CCC), two inhibitors of gibberellin biosynthesis, as well as gibberellic acid (GA₃) were applied at growth stage V5. Three weeks after application of PAC, shoot growth of both maize cultivars was strongly affected with a significant decrease in plant height in the PAC treatment by 44% and 36% for Pioneer 3906 and Fabregas, respectively. The growth‐retarded plants had higher leaf areas and reduced transpiration rates. The higher shoot growth after GA₃ application was accompanied by a reduction in leaf area and an increase in transpiration rate during 1 week before anthesis. CCC treatment showed no significant effects on plant height, leaf area and transpiration rate. The PAC‐treated cultivar Pioneer 3906 produced several cobs per plant, which were mainly barren at maturity. However, PAC application to Fabregas resulted in just one cob per plant with good kernel development and a grain yield, which was not significantly reduced in comparison with the control. With this similar grain yield in combination with a straw yield decrease of 32%, the harvest index was significantly improved by 12%. In addition, with PAC‐treated Fabregas plants, a 19% increased water use efficiency of the grain (WUE_grain) during the critical period of kernel setting was achieved. In this maize cultivar, CCC application also improved harvest index by 5%, but no effect on WUE_grain occurred. GA₃ treatment decreased harvest index of both maize cultivars, and it either reduced WUE_grain (Pioneer 3906) or showed no effect (Fabregas). Utilization efficiencies of N, P and K were not increased with growth regulator application, even in the PAC‐treated Fabregas plants with a significantly improved allocation of assimilates to the grain, mirrored by the higher harvest index. The results indicate that fertilizer applications must be adjusted to the reduced demand of growth‐retarded plants, most likely leading to higher nutrient utilization efficiencies.     

Phosphorus bioavailability in ash from straw and sewage sludge processed by low‐temperature biomass gasification

Reuse of phosphorus (P) from waste streams used for bioenergy conversion is desirable to reduce dependence on nonrenewable P resources. Two different ash materials from low‐temperature biomass gasification of wheat straw and sewage sludge, respectively, were investigated with regard to their P bioavailability. A set of pot experiments with spring barley was carried out to compare the ash P fertiliser value with mineral P fertiliser and the sewage sludge feedstock. An indirect radioactive labelling approach with ³³P was used to determine the amount of P taken up from the fertiliser materials. Depending on the application rate, straw gasification ash produced a fertiliser response comparable to mineral P. However, P uptake from the ash was generally less than uptake from equivalent amounts of mineral P, and the calculated relative effectiveness was 44% after 6 weeks of plant growth. In contrast, the P fertiliser value of Fe‐rich sewage sludge after low‐temperature gasification was practically zero. These results suggest that ash from low‐temperature gasification could be developed into alternative P fertilisers; however, as the P bioavailability depends greatly on the feedstock used, a greater emphasis on feedstock composition is required.     

不同施肥措施对灰枣园土壤速效养分含量的影响

为了探讨灰枣生长期内不同施肥处理措施对枣园土壤速效养分含量的影响情况,于2014年3月采用不施肥、常规施肥和施用不同种类生物肥共3大类9种处理进行田间试验,并于同年7~10月在灰枣不同生长期测定了各处理区域土壤中的碱解氮、速效磷、速效钾、有机质这4种养分的含量,研究了不同施肥处理下灰枣不同成熟期土壤各养分的动态变化情况。结果表明,不同处理、不同成熟期土壤各养分含量间均有差异,施用生物肥可以显著提高土壤中各养分的含量。     

江西省耕地土壤pH值和养分状况调查

按中国第二次土壤普查推荐的土壤养分和pH值的分级标准，对2014年江西省5个不同区域(赣南、赣北、赣中、赣西、赣东北)的94个县(市)具有代表性的4 188个耕地土壤的养分和pH值的测定数据进行比较分析，探明江西省耕地土壤养分及pH状况。结果表明：江西省耕地土壤pH值平均为5.3，偏酸性；赣南、赣北耕地土壤有机质质量分数均值分别为28.5、25.8 g/kg，属中等水平，而赣中、赣西和赣东北土壤有机质质量分数均值分别为31.9、33.9、31.1 g/kg，属较丰富水平；赣南土壤碱解氮质量分数均值为144.4 mg/kg，属较丰富水平，其他4个区域的均值均高于150 mg/kg，属丰富水平；赣南、赣中土壤有效磷质量分数均值分别为21.8、21.6 mg/kg，属较丰富水平，其他3个区域的属中等水平；5个区域土壤速效钾质量分数均值均在50～100 mg/kg，属较缺乏水平。可见，江西省耕地土壤酸化严重，养分极不平衡。