Research note: Level of nitrogen fertilization and the dry matter yield of Digitaria eriantha cv. Irene in the Transvaal middleveld

Abstract

N fertilizer was applied as a single dressing in spring at 0, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 kg N ha^‐1 a^‐1 to an established Digitaria eriantha pasture, previously used as a hay crop. The only significant increase in dry matter (DM) yield was obtained with 80 kg ha^‐1 a^‐1. The DM production per unit of nitrogen (N) applied also reached a maximum with 80 kg N ha^‐1 a^‐1. The distribution of rainfall also influenced DM yield.     

A study of seed production in eragrostis curvula (schrad.) nees

Results are reported of a series of experiments designed to study the management of E. curvula for seed production in the Natal Region. The following are the main points which arose from this investigation: (a) approximately 90% of the seedheads present at harvest in December were produced by tillers which emerged in the previous autumn; (b) inflorescence emergence in the spring spanned an 18 to 20 day period and the later emerged heads, although smaller than the early heads, contributed almost 50% of the seedhead population; (c) both the time and rate of applying nitrogen influenced seed production to a considerable extent (maximum seed yield was obtained with an application of 120 kg N/ha in spring); (d) removal of over‐wintered forage by burning in early spring had a marked effect on subsequent seed production, giving a yield of over 500 kg/ha of seed, and (e) defoliation at inflorescence initiation had no detrimental effect on seed yield when the stand was supplied with 180 kg N/ha in spring.     

A comparison of highveld fodders and fodder flows for growing out long yearling steers

Abstract

A fodder flow/animal experiment 40,8 ha in extent (7,5 ha irrigated), with 19 paddocks, was carried out over a two and a half year period.

The aims were: firstly, to compare fodder crops within seasons, and fodder flows over three seasons (winter‐spring‐summer), by means of pasture and animal parameters; secondly, to make economic comparisons between different fodder flows, for growing out beef steers.

The conclusions were that: Digitaria eriantha ssp. eriantha is superior to Eragrostis curvula cv. Ermelo for animal production; maize residue gives economically favourable results due to low costs and compensatory growth of cattle; an irrigated pasture providing fodder in more than one season of a flow, for example, Festuca foggage — Festuca pasture — Digitaria pasture, gives a very profitable fodder flow, because the costs of production are divided between two seasons; dryland fodder flows with the sequence maize residue — silage or hay — Digitaria or, with silage or hay replacing the maize residue, were also very profitable; and, the fodder flow giving the highest livemass gain per steer, is not necessarily the most economic. Different kinds and classes of livestock require different fodder flows.     

Long term nitrogen and phosphorus application to veld

Abstract

The long term effects of a 5N x 3P factorial fertilizer application trial on hay yields, botanical composition and soil properties of veld are presented. Significant increases in hay yields were recorded during most years. There was a strong correlation (r = 0,757) between mean (over all 15 treatment combinations) annual hay yields and annual rainfall.

N and N + P fertilizer lowered the percentage basal cover of the tribe Andropogoneae. A notable exception of this tribe was Heteropogon contortus which increased significantly at the lower fertilizer levels. The basal cover of the tribe Paniceae generally increased with N and P fertilizer application. The reaction of the basal cover of the tribe Eragrosteae showed little by way of definite tendencies.

Increasing N and P levels generally resulted in decreases in soil pH, Ca, Mg, K and an increase in compaction of the soil surface layer. However, higher levels of N x P resulted in higher water infiltration rates than occurred in control plots, although initial infiltration rates were greatest in control plots. Despite certain undesirable effects of fertilizers on basal cover and certain chemical and physical properties of the soil, the fertilized plots maintained a high level of production.     

Diversity of chemical composition, dry matter intake, in vivo digestibility and in situ dry matter degradability of oat hay (Avena sativa)

Diversity of chemical composition, in vivo digestibility and in situ dry matter degradability of oat hay (Avena sativa) were studied. Oat hay samples obtained from 22 batches imported were analyzed for chemical composition. The result showed a wide range of variations in crude protein (3.9–8.8%, on a dry matter basis), crude fiber (22.1–35.2%), nitrogen free extract (50.0–66.0%), organic cellular contents (23.4–40.0%), organic cell wall (53.1–70.8%), organic a (4.1–9.8%), organic b (49.0–63.8%) fractions and the estimated total digestible nutrients (50.3–63.8%) from the organic components. Of these, four oat hay samples were used for the measurement of dry matter intake, in vivo digestibility and in situ dry matter degradability in sheep. Significant differences were observed for the dry matter intake, in vivo digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber and nitrogen free extract, dry matter disappearance at 48 h and effective degradability at k = 0.05 h^?1 of the samples (P < 0.05). The results revealed a wide range of diversity of nutritional quality of the imported oat hay that could have an affect on production potential in animals.     

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.     

‘n Vergelyking van wei‐ en voergewasse vir die produksie van slaglammers in die Pretoria‐ Witwatersrand‐Vereeniging(PWV)‐gebied

A comparison of pasture and fodder crops for the production of slaughter lambs in the Pretoria‐Witwatersrand‐Vereeniging (PWV) area. A number of pasture and fodder species were evaluated for the production of mutton with weancr lambs. Animal performance and meat production under three stocking rates, which were classified as light, medium, and heavy, were obtained with the aim of identifying best pasture/fodder for every season. The pastures/fodders included were Lolium multiflorum cv. Midmar and Triticum X Secale pastures under irrigation, Avena sativa and Vicia dasycarpa pasture mixture and maize crop residues under rainfed conditions, and Medicago sativa and Digitaria eriantha hay for the winter months. The spring pastures were L. multiflorum cv. Midmar, Lolium perenne cv. Nui and Dactylis glomerata cv. Hera under irrigation, while the summer pastures included Digitaria eriantha var. eriantha and M. sativa cv. Cuf 101 pastures under rainfed conditions and Cynodon dactylon cv. NK37 under irrigation. Of these, the midmar pasture for the winter and spring, maize crop residues for the winter, Hera for the spring and Cuf 101 for the summer seemed to be the best pasture of those tested in their season of use, from an animal production point of view.     

Effects of Supplementing a Basal Diet of Chloris gayana Hay with One of Three Protein-rich Legume Hays of Cassia rotundifolia,Lablab purpureus and Macroptilium atropurpureum Forage on Some Nutritional Parameters in Goats

Growth and digestibility experiments were conducted on growing East African type goats offered Chloris gayana hay supplemented with one of three high-protein (119–128 g CP/kg DM) legume hays, Cassia rotundifolia (cassia), Lablab purpureus (lablab) or Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro), and crushed maize to investigate the feed intake, digestibility, growth and urinary excretion of purine derivatives. Goats in the supplemented groups had higher total dry matter and nitrogen intakes and higher N retention and body mass gains than unsupplemented counterparts. The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter and neutral detergent fibre were increased by protein supplementation. Animals on supplemented diets had higher fractional outflow rates of particulate matter from the rumen. The production of protein by ruminal microbes and the efficiency of microbial N production were increased by supplementation. It was concluded that a mixture of low-quality grass hay (61.9 CP/kg DM) and either cassia, lablab or siratro hay, and maize grain can provide a productive balanced diet for growing goats.     

The influence of different forms and concentrations of nitrogen on the growth and metabolism of digitaria eriantha and chloris Gayana grown under saline conditions

Abstract

Chloris gayana and Digitaria eriantha plants were watered with nutrient media containing a high concentration of sodium chloride (150 mM) and either high (200 mg/l) or low (25 mg/l) concentrations of nitrate nitrogen and ammonium nitrogen. Dry mass and leaf area production as well as the total reduced nitrogen content of the above ground components were promoted when higher levels of nitrogen, particularly the nitrate form, were applied. As expected the halophytic grass Chloris gayana was able to produce higher levels of dry matter when it was grown in saline conditions compared to Digitaria eriantha under equally saline conditions.     

The effect of leucaena hay as a source of effective fibre and nutrients in diets with forage palm for finishing sheep in semi-arid regions

The present study was conducted to evaluate the intake, digestibility and nitrogen balance of diets for finishing sheep, containing leucaena hay as a source of effective fibre and forage palm. Twenty-one male sheep were used in a randomized block design with three treatments, represented by total diets, where the forage was leucaena hay and forage palm in natura in proportions 350:650, 450:550 and 550:450 g/kg respectively. For the pH and NH₃-N in the ruminal fluid, and urea in the blood serum, plots split in time were adopted. Dry matter and nutrient digestibility, and the nitrogen balance were not influenced (p > .05) by the diets. The neutral detergent fibre digestibility decreased (p < .05) as the proportions of leucaena hay in the diets increased. The pH and NH₃-N were suitable for ruminal fermentation, and blood urea was maintained under normal physiological conditions for sheep. Combining 350 to 550 g/kg of leucaena hay with 450 to 650 g/kg of forage palm in total diets with a forage:concentrate ratio of 60:40 in late-maturing sheep meets the nutritional requirements for daily gain 200 g, characterizing leucaena hay as important source of effective fibre and nutrients in diets.     

Dose–response effect of a pine bark extract on in vitro ruminal ammonia and methane formation kinetics

ABSTRACT

This study assessed the potential of a pine bark extract (PBE) to decrease methane (CH₄) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) production in vitro. Dietary substrates, mixed hay, soybean meal and corn grain, were supplemented 0, 2, 4 and 6% of PBE and incubated in an in vitro batch culture for 24-h. Incubations were run three times. Total gas production (GP) was determined at 6, 12 and 24-h and gas samples were analysed for CH₄. Samples were collected for volatile fatty acids (VFA) and NH₃-N analysis. Treatments were compared by polynomial contrasts for PBE concentration. Increasing PBE caused linear decreases in NH₃-N, microbial biomass production and digestibility, whereas the degradation rate was quadratically reduced. Total VFA were decreased but total GP and CH₄ production and kinetics were unaffected. The inclusion of 2% PBE in ruminant feed has the capability to reduce NH₃-N concentration by 50%, without affecting diet digestibility or CH₄ production.     

The importance of the ecological view of agriculture

Abstract

Marked populations of Themeda triandra and Sporobolus fimbriatus tillers were sequentially harvested at fortnightly intervals both under irrigation and under unamended moisture conditions. Sampling covered a period from tiller initiation through to senescence after flowering.

Tiller masses and green leaf areas were used to derive absolute growth rates, relative growth rates, net assimilation rates and leaf area ratios respectively. Growth rates of Themeda triandra were higher, or were maintained at high levels for longer than those of Sporobolus fimbriatus. Moisture stress resulted in considerably depressed growth rates. Photosynthetic efficiency of spring emerging tillers was potentially greatest in midsummer, but this seasonal influence was masked by moisture stress on non‐irrigated treatments.     

Digestibility and nitrogen utilization in sheep fed enset (Ensete ventricosum) pseudostem or corm and graded levels of Desmodium intortum hay to wheat straw‐based diets

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of Desmodium intortum (Desmodium) hay supplementation in sheep fed fixed amounts of enset pseudostem or corm and a basal diet of wheat straw on intake, digestibility and nitrogen utilization. Eighteen male sheep with a mean (± SD) live weight of 20.5 ± 1.45 kg were assigned to six treatments in a completely randomized design and fed either 108 g dry matter (DM) enset pseudostem or 165 g DM enset corm each with three levels (100, 200 and 300 g) of hay supplementation. For the pseudostem diets, there was no significant difference in total DM intake. Total crude protein (CP) intake and N retention increased with increasing levels of hay in both pseudostem and corm diets. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and microbial nitrogen supply (MN) at 100 g was lower that other levels of supplementation. For the corm diets, total DM and OM intake and MN supply increased with increasing levels of hay. The digestibility decreased (p < 0.001) with increasing levels of supplementation. The results suggest that at least 300 g (395 g/kg dietary DM) of Desmodium hay is required in pseudostem diets, whereas 200 g (337 g/kg dietary DM) may be sufficient in corm diets for efficient nutrient utilization.     

Ulcerative glossitis and gingivitis associated with foxtail grass awn irritation in two horses

Two horses were presented for diagnosis of lethargy, salivation, halitosis, dysphagia, bleeding ulcerative glossitis, gingivitis, and focal bleeding ulceration along the mucocutaneous junction of the labial commissures. In both instances, ulceration was attributed to foxtail awns (Setaria geniculata) based on microscopic examination of representative tissue biopsies and identification of numerous foxtail seed heads in representative samples of the available hay. The horses recovered and the lesions resolved completely following removal of the affected source of hay.     

Nutritional evaluation of the legume Macrotyloma axillare using in vitro and in vivo bioassays in sheep

This study consisted of two experiments with the following objectives: to evaluate the effects of tannins from the tropical legume macrotiloma (Macrotyloma axillare) on total gas and methane (CH₄) production, as well as on ruminal fermentation parameters by performing an in vitro bioassay, with samples incubated with and without polyethylene glycol (PEG) in a semi‐automatic system; and secondly in a 17 day in vivo experiment, to determine apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dietary nutrients and ruminal fermentation parameters of 12 intact 8‐ to 9‐month‐old Santa Inês (averaging 24.95 ± 1.8 kg body weight) ewes fed tropical grass hay supplemented with macrotiloma hay. The ewes were divided into two treatment groups depending on their diet: chopped aruana grass hay (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana) (control—CON); and aruana grass hay supplemented with chopped macrotiloma hay (macrotiloma—MAC). The animals were kept for 5 consecutive days in metabolic cages for the ATTD assay, and at the end of this period, samples of rumen fluid were collected from each ewe to determine ammoniacal nitrogen (NH₃‐N) and short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and protozoa count. For the in vitro assay, a decrease in total gas and CH₄ production was observed for samples incubated without PEG (p < .05). No differences were observed for the other parameters evaluated (p > .05). In the in vivo experiment, increased intake and ATTD of crude protein were observed for the animals fed MAC when compared to CON (p < .05). For rumen fermentation parameters, increased NH₃‐N, total SCFA and isobutyrate concentrations, as well as reduced protozoa count were observed for MAC when compared to CON (p < .05). The results observed here indicated the potential of macrotiloma for use as a ruminant feed, and antimethanogenic potential of this plant was noted.     

The influence of different forms and concentrations of nitrogen on total nonstructural carbohydrate allocation and growth in Digitaria eriantha

Abstract

Digitaria eriantha plants were grown under controlled conditions for a period of three months, during which time they were supplied with the following forms and concentrations of nitrogen: 50 mg/1 NO₃ ^?‐N, 200 mg/1 NO₃ ^?‐N, 200 mg/1 NH₄ ⁺‐N and a combined form containing both NO₃ ^?‐N and NH₄ ⁺‐N with a nitrogen concentration of 200 mg/1. Control plants received no nitrogen.

At monthly intervals both above and below ground components were assayed for soluble and insoluble carbohydrate contents. Dry mass and leaf areas were also measured.

The nitrogen treatments were found to influence the allocation of photosynthates into either soluble or insoluble carbohydrates. In above ground tissue, the soluble carbohydrate component decreased with time, while the insoluble component increased with time. In root tissue the reverse trends were observed. Both dry mass and leaf area development were enhanced in plants supplied with nitrogen in any form. It was suggested that growth of D. eriantha was influenced by carbohydrate fluctuations.     

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.     

Effects of pH and fermentative substrate on ruminal metabolism of fatty acids during short‐term in vitro incubation

The ruminal biohydrogenation of c9,c12‐18:2 can be affected by the fibre/starch ratio of the diet and the ruminal pH. The objectives of this study were to examine independently in vitro the effects of fermentation substrate (hay vs. corn starch) and buffer pH (6 vs. 7) on the biohydrogenation of c9,c12‐18:2 carried out by grape seed oil, focusing on its t11 and t10 pathways, using 6‐h ruminal incubations. The experimental design was a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Fermentation substrate and pH affected the C18 fatty acid balance in incubated media, but few interactions were observed. Compared with starch, hay as the fermentation substrate favoured the production of 18:0 (×2.3), all trans‐18:1 isomers (×12.6) and CLA (×6.1), except c9,t11‐CLA, and the disappearance of unsaturated C18 fatty acids, but decreased the production of odd and branched chain fatty acids. Compared with pH 6 buffer, pH 7 buffer resulted in higher c9,c12‐18:2 disappearance and CLA production. For c9,t11‐CLA, an interaction was noticed between the two factors, leading to the highest production in cultures incubated on hay with the 7 pH buffer. Compared with starch, hay as fermentation substrate favoured the activity of t11 producers, which are fibrolytic bacteria, and the production of t10 isomers, possibly due to the presence of potential t10 producers in hay. Low pH resulted in a decreased t11 isomers production and in a slightly increased t10 isomers production, probably due to a modulation of enzymatic or bacterial activity.     

Behaviour of pigs of Slovenian local indigenous breed and modern hybrid fed with concentrate and hay

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the feeding behaviour differences between Kr?kopolje pig (KP) and a modern hybrid (MH) pig. The behaviour was recorded during concentrate and hay consumption after the body weight of pigs was 100 kg. Animals (N=24) were observed in a straw-bedded system in eight pens of three pigs. During concentrate consumption, feeding, drinking and displacement at the trough (when a pig changed a feeding place) were directly recorded. During hay consumption, hay chewing, resting, exploring, playing and synchronisation while hay chewing were scored. MH ate faster and drank less than KP; however, they changed their feeding places more often and showed a higher probability to chew hay (overall P<0.01). MH pigs tended to chew hay more synchronously than KP (P<0.10). The results show that concentrate and hay consumption habits vary between the Slovene KP and the MH pig.     

Monitoring in a complex world — seeking slow variables,a scaled focus,and speedier learning

The nutritive value of four subtropical grasses (Panicum maximum, Anthephora pubescens, Digitaria eriantha and Chloris gayana) standing hay were compared in terms of qualitative intake and partial digestibility by sheep. The species differed significantly in terms of diet quality selected by sheep grazing the standing hay. The rumen ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), total volatile fatty acid and propionic acid concentrations of sheep grazing P. maximum and A. pubescens were higher than those sheep grazing D. eriantha and C. gayana standing hay. Organic matter intake (OMI) (g kg^?1 W^0.75 d^?1), nitrogen intake (g d^?1), digesta flow, the total N flow, NH₃-N flow, non-ammonia nitrogen (NAN) flow and NAN disappearance (g d^?1) in the ileum were higher for sheep grazing P. maximum than for those grazing the other standing hays. The organic matter disappearance in the stomach and small intestine of sheep grazing P. maximum and D. eriantha standing hay was higher than for those sheep grazing either A. pubescens or C. gayana standing hay. The NAN flow/N intake were the highest for sheep grazing P. maximum and A. pubescens compared to C. gayana. The NAN digestibility was, however, not significantly different among the four species. The standing hays (except for C. gayana) seemed to have the capacity to meet the N requirement of the sheep for production, but the OMI (g kg^?1 W^0.75 d^?1) was not sufficient to support maintenance requirement of the sheep.