Applicability of near infrared spectroscopy as an alternative to acid detergent analysis for cattle and swine manure compost

Recently, acid detergent analysis has been reported to provide valid data to evaluate decomposition properties and to determine the available nitrogen (AVN) of organic materials, such as compost. However, this methodology requires complex procedures and creates considerable costs. As an alternative, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a simple method to determine acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and acid-detergent-soluble organic matter (ADSOM), in order to evaluate the decomposition properties of cattle and swine manure compost. To establish an easy and accurate method of estimating AVN in cattle and swine manure compost, the accuracies of direct estimations of AVN by NIRS in incubation experiments and indirect estimations by NIRS based on acid-detergent-soluble nitrogen (ADSN) or total nitrogen (TN) were examined. The reflectance spectra of freeze-dried and milled compost samples were determined using a scanning monochromator. Second derivative spectra and multiple regression analysis were used to develop calibration equations for each constituent. The calibration equations for ADF, ADL and ADSOM were "successful" according to commonly applied criteria. Acid-detergent-soluble nitrogen was found to be more suitable than TN for estimating AVN in cattle and swine manure compost. As the accuracies of the estimations of ADSN and TN by NIRS were comparable, the estimation of AVN based on ADSN as determined by NIRS was more accurate than that based on TN determined by NIRS. The direct prediction of AVN through NIRS was not as accurate as the estimation of AVN based on ADSN determined by NIRS. We conclude that NIRS is a practicable alternative to the time-consuming acid detergent analysis of cattle and swine compost, and that ADSN as determined by NIRS is useful for estimating AVN in the compost.     

Rapid prediction of acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin of rice materials by near-infrared spectroscopy

A rapid predictive method based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was developed to measure acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) of rice stem materials. A total of 207 samples were divided into two subsets, one subset (approximately 136 samples) for calibration and cross-validation and the other subset for independent external validation to evaluate the calibration equations. Different mathematical treatments were applied to obtain the best calibration and validation results. The highest coefficient of determination for calibration (R2) and coefficient of determination for cross-validation (1-VR) were 0.968 and 0.949 for ADF, 0.846 and 0.812 for NDF, and 0.897 and 0.843 for ADL, respectively. Independent external validation still gave a high coefficient of determination for external validation (r2) and a low standard error of performance (SEP) for the three parameters; the best validation results were SEP = 0.933 and r2 = 0.959 for ADF, SEP = 2.228 and r2 = 0.775 for NDF, and SEP = 0.616 and r2 = 0.847 for ADL, indicating that NIR gave a sufficiently accurate prediction of ADF and ADL content of rice material but a less satisfactory prediction for NDF. This study suggested that routine screening for these forage quality parameters with large numbers of samples is possible with NIRS in early-generation selection in rice-breeding programs.     

New NIRS calibrations for fiber fractions reveal broad genetic variation in Brassica napus seed quality

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibrations were developed for the estimation of neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) in intact seeds of oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ). A set of 338 diverse winter oilseed rape genotypes showing broad variation for seed color was used as a basis for the new calibrations. Different calibrations were generated for 10 or 1 mL seed volumes, respectively. In both seed volumes good coefficients of determination for external validation (R(2)) of the calibrations were obtained for ADL, the major antinutritional fiber fraction in oilseed rape meal, and adequate calibrations for NDF and ADF. Evaluation of diverse B. napus germplasm with the new calibrations revealed a surprisingly broad variation in contents of ADL in dark-seeded oilseed rape. The ability to use NIRS for efficient selection of low-fiber genotypes, irrespective of seed color, represents an important breakthrough in breeding for improved nutritional quality of seed extraction meals from oilseed rape.     

Changes in the N Recovery Process from 15N-Labeled Swine Manure Compost and Rice Bran in Direct-Seeded Rice by Simultaneous Application of Cattle Manure Compost

The N recovery from ¹⁵N-labeled swine manure compost and rice bran with or without simultaneous application of unlabeled cattle manure compost was examined in a paddy field with direct-seeded rice during a 1-year period (1 crop season). In all the ¹⁵N-labeled materials including (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄, the processes of N recovery from the ¹⁵N materials by rice plants were different between the plots with and without application of cattle manure compost. At the tillering stage, the N recovery rates from the ¹⁵N materials in the plots with application of cattle manure compost were significantly lower than those in the plots without application of cattle manure compost. These recovery rates, however, became close and no significant differences were observed at the maturity stage. Thus, simultaneous application of cattle manure compost could impede the N recovery from swine manure compost, rice bran as well as (NH₄)₂SO₄.     

Estimation of the amount of nutrients in livestock manure

(Jpn. J. Soil Sci.Plant Nutr., 77, 283–291, 2006)

Nutrient amounts in livestock manure management, including manure treatment and use, were estimated using published statistical data and other information. The eight categories for manure treatment were defined in this study as composting at facility, composting at stockyard, raw feces, dried feces, urine, slurry, purification and other. The three categories for use of manure were defined as application to farmland, sale and exchange and other.

The regional daily excretion units per head of dairy and beef cattle, including the amount of excreta, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), were calculated based on the quantities and qualities of feed in each region. There was found to be a difference in the values for Hokkaido and other regions.

Concerning manure treatment methods in the dairy sector, the sum of the proportion of raw feces and compost at stockyard was high in Hokkaido. On the other hand, the sum of the proportion of composting at facility and dried feces was high in Hokuriku, Tokai, Kinki and Shikoku. In Kyushu, the proportion of slurry production was higher than in any other region.

The amounts of N, P, and K in compost estimated in this study were compared with those calculated from published statistics. The results were as follows. The amounts of N, P, and K in dairy cattle compost, N and K in beef cattle compost, and N in poultry compost in this study were similar to the amounts cited in reported statistics. The amounts of P in beef cattle, swine, and poultry compost in this study were lower than those cited in reported statistics.

As for the use of manure, application to farmland is the most common use of manure in the dairy and beef cattle sector. The proportions of purification, and sale and exchange were high for the swine and poultry sectors, respectively.

Large amounts of liquid manure, such as urine and slurry, are applied to farmland. To clarify the nutrient load resulting from liquid manure, the usable amount of dairy slurry was calculated based on both the standard application rate of fertilizer and the area of grassland and forage crops. As a result, the amount of usable N was lower than the amount of liquid manure N in the Kanto-Tosan, Tokai and Kinki regions.     

Application of Near‐Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy to Estimate Chemical Constituents in Broiler Litter

Abstract

Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has potential to provide rapid estimates of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations in broiler litter to assist managers in establishing application rates of litter to grazing lands that fall within productive and environmentally safe levels. An experiment was conducted to determine accuracy of NIRS estimates of moisture, P, N, and acid detergent fiber (ADF) concentrations in broiler litter. Broiler litter samples were collected from various farms to develop sample sets that were either with or without bedding material, and each sample set was subdivided into processed (i.e., dried and ground) and unprocessed samples to develop local equations for each constituent. Equations were developed by using all samples from each set and using samples following random removal of 20% of total for equation validation. Moisture was determined to be accurately measured by using NIRS based on a high R² (≥0.96), low SEC (<10 g kg^?1), and high s_x/SECV (>5.0). ADF also had a high R² (0.96), but the S_x/SEC (3.00) value was too low for the equation to be considered truly accurate. Estimations of P and N by calibrations that included all samples had a moderate to high R² values, but estimations for the validation set were relatively low in R² (≤0.78) and S_x/SEC (≤2.00). Concentrations of P and N were not estimated by NIRS with a high degree of accuracy, but other methodologies could enhance the usefulness of this technology to rapidly provide these nutrient measures.     

Effects of organic solid cattle manure application on nutritive value of winter cereal forages

Nutritive value of winter cereal forages is one of interested subjects of farmers for animal feeding. Field experiments were established in 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 growing seasons in northeast Turkey to investigate the effect of organic solid cattle manure application (0, 10 and 20 Mg ha^?1 yr^?1) on nutritive value of three annual cereals for forage. The winter cereal forages were: wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and rye (Secela cereale L.). ADF (acid detergent fiber), NDF (neutral detergent fiber) CP (crude protein), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, zinc and boron (N, P, K, S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn and B) concentrations were researched in this study. Wheat had the highest CP, N, Ca, Cu, Na and Zn concentration, whereas oat had the lowest ADF and NDF and the highest K, Fe and Mn concentrations. The greatest Mg and P concentrations were determined in rye. Organic solid cattle manure applications had no effect on N and CP contents, but it decreased ADF and NDF contents. However, in most cases it positively affected the P, B, Cu, Fe, Mg and Na concentrations, whereas it decreased K, Ca, Mn and Zn concentrations. The results showed that wheat and oat are more nutritive species than rye in terms of animal feeding and the organic solid cattle manure, in some cases increased the nutritive values of wheat, oat and rye under organic agriculture conditions.     

猪粪比例对烟草废弃物高温堆肥腐熟进程的影响

以烟草废弃物为基本原料进行堆肥试验,研究了不同比例猪粪与烟草废弃物混合堆肥体系中温度、pH、全氮、C/N比、水溶性NH＋4-N和种子发芽指数（GI,germination index）的动态变化规律,探讨了不同猪粪比例对烟草废弃物高温堆肥腐熟进程的影响。结果表明,在烟草废弃物中加入猪粪能缩短进入高温分解阶段的时间,增加高温分解持续时间,增加全氮含量,加快物料NH＋4-N和C/N比降低的速率,加快烟草废弃物堆肥腐熟化进程。添加一定比例猪粪的处理（烟草废弃物∶猪粪=7∶3、烟草废弃物∶猪粪=8∶2和烟草废弃物∶猪粪=9∶1）,分别在堆肥第3、4、5 d进入高温分解阶段（〉50 ℃）,高温持续时间分别为11、10、8 d;而纯烟草废弃物处理,最高温度为43 ℃,未进入高温分解阶段;至堆肥26 d,NH＋4-N含量分别比纯烟草废弃物对照降低47.7%、61.9%和25.6%;GI分别达到81.4%、84.1%和83.7%。     

长期不同施肥潮土活性有机氮库组分与酶活性对外源牛粪的响应

【目的】研究不同施肥制度下潮土中活性有机氮库及酶活性对新添加有机物料的响应机制,可深入理解不同施肥制度培肥土壤、提高土壤基础地力的机理。【方法】供试土壤采集于从1986年开始的长期定位试验处理,包括CK (不施肥)、OF (常量有机肥)、CF (常量化肥)、OCF (常量有机无机配施) 4个处理。通过室内恒温培养试验,研究添加等氮量牛粪后长期不同施肥潮土有机氮库组分(微生物量氮、可溶性有机氮和颗粒有机氮)含量及土壤酶(α-葡萄糖苷酶、β-葡萄糖苷酶、β-木糖苷酶、纤维二糖水解酶、磷酸酶、过氧化物酶和酚氧化酶)活性的变化特征。【结果】首先,无论添加牛粪与否,土壤全氮、可溶性有机氮和颗粒有机氮含量均随培养时间呈上升趋势或与初始时期差异不显著;添加牛粪的长期不施肥与施化肥处理土壤微生物量氮含量显著低于相同处理不添加牛粪的土壤微生物量氮含量。其次,培养结束后,添加牛粪增加了长期不同施肥潮土全氮、可溶性有机氮和颗粒有机氮含量,分别提高了5.43%~15.49%、5.83%~69.42%及9.75%~42.29%,却降低了土壤微生物量氮含量16.91%~62.10%。另外,施肥、添加牛粪及其交互作用对土壤酶活性具有显著影响(P <0.05);无论添加牛粪与否,不同施肥处理土壤氧化酶(过氧化物酶和酚氧化酶)活性显著低于不施肥处理,不同施肥处理的土壤水解酶活性却呈现不同的变化趋势。不添加牛粪情况下,长期施肥显著提高了除β-葡萄糖苷酶以外的土壤水解酶活性;其中与长期不施肥处理相比,长期施用化肥土壤β-木糖苷酶和β-纤维素酶分别提高了208.74%和180.75%。添加牛粪情况下长期施用有机肥土壤β-葡萄糖苷酶和β-纤维素酶比不施肥分别提高了201.40%和308.04%;冗余分析(redundancy analysis,RDA)显示,添加与不添加牛粪条件下土壤酶活性的关键环境驱动因子不同,在不添加牛粪时为可溶性有机氮,添加后其关键驱动因子为全氮和可溶性有机氮。【结论】不同施肥制度下土壤微生物量氮、可溶性有机氮、颗粒有机氮与土壤全氮之间呈显著正相关;室内好气培养条件下,添加牛粪显著提高了长期不同施肥潮土的全氮、可溶性有机氮、颗粒有机氮含量,却显著降低了土壤微生物量氮含量;不同施肥制度下土壤酶活性差异显著,牛粪的添加改变了影响长期不同施肥潮土酶活性的关键环境因子。     

Evaluation of lignin and lignin‐nitrogen fractionation following alternative detergent fiber pre‐treatment methods

Abstract

Decomposition of plant material, compost, or mulch may be monitored or predicted by measuring certain key parameters in live or senescent material. Lignin is one of the key parameters to measure as it provides an indication of soil quality. This study evaluates the most promising detergent clean‐up procedures for pre‐treating plant material to provide a more rapid method for lignin determination. Performance was tested with a variety of plant material, typical of vegetation analyzed in decomposition, nutrient cycling and natural ecosystem studies. Lignin‐nitrogen (N) and fiber‐N residues were also determined to assess the efficiency of the clean‐up processes. Good agreement was obtained for lignin on a range of plant material between the time‐consuming classical Klasson method and either modified neutral detergent fiber (NDF) excluding sodium sulphite and Dekalin, or the acidified detergent fiber (ADF) pre‐treatments. We recommend either of the detergent pre‐treatment procedure as they provide rapid and effective preliminary steps for precise lignin determination. Residual lignin‐N following NDF and ADF detergent pre‐treatment methods were on average respectively 31% and 24% of the plant nitrogen.     

沼液堆肥化与牛粪堆肥化的发酵特性及腐熟进程

为评价沼液作为堆肥含氮添加剂的应用效果,开发沼液的处理应用技术,以牛粪树叶堆肥为对照,将沼液和树叶混合堆制发酵,探讨其发酵特性与腐熟进程。研究结果表明,环境温度一直在10℃以下,沼液堆肥化和牛粪堆肥化均能经历35d以上的堆温超过50℃的高温发酵;而沼液堆肥化超过50℃的高温期持续时间比牛粪堆肥化少8d;经60d的发酵沼液堆肥化的半纤维素含量从发酵初期的12.14%下降到6.53%,纤维素含量由20.5%下降到9.8%;而牛粪堆肥化的半纤维素含量从12.8%下降到9.56%,纤维素含量由21.5%下降到15.9%。可见沼液堆肥化的分解更彻底。从C/N、温度、可溶性糖含量、含水量、种子发芽指数综合评价两种堆肥的腐熟度,沼液堆肥化进入腐熟状态约经30d,而牛粪堆肥化进入腐熟约需45d。     

Fate of nitrogen derived from 15N-labeled plant residues and composts in rice-planted paddy soil

Pot experiments that lasted for 3 y were conducted to investigate the dynamics of nitrogen derived from plant residues (rice root, hull, straw, corn root, and rapeseed pod-wall), and composts (rice straw compost, cattle manure compost, and cattle manure sawdust compost), which were labeled with ¹⁵N. The rates of nitrogen uptake by rice (=N efficiency), denitrification, and immobilization derived from the organic materials incorporated before the first year of cultivation were investigated throughout 3 y of cultivation. At the end of the first year of cultivation, relatively high rates of N efficiency were obtained for rapeseed pod-wall (24.6%), rice straw (19.1%), and rice hull (18.6%), while corn root and cattle manure sawdust compost displayed a noticeably high denitrification rate. Corn root, cattle manure sawdust compost, rice hull, and rapeseed pod-wall exhibited remarkably high N mineralization rates ranging from 60 to 75% of the organic materials N applied. Cumulative rates of N efficiencies from the organic materials applied before the first year of cultivation fitted well to a first-order kinetic model and their asymptotes were compared among the organic materials. The asymptotic rates of N efficiency tended to depend on the rates at the end of the first year of cultivation.     

Responses of herbage and cattle tail switch hair δ15N value to long-term stocking rates on a rough fescue grassland

The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of δ¹⁵N in herbage and cattle tail switch hair to long-term grazing pressure on a rough fescue grassland (Festuca campestris Rydb.) near Stavely, Alberta, Canada. Cattle have grazed the paddocks from 15 May to 15 November annually since 1949. Stocking rates were 0, 2.4 and 4.8 animal unit months ha^?1 for non-grazing (Control), moderate grazing (MG) and heavy grazing (HG), respectively. Green standing crop (GSC) was sampled monthly throughout the grazing season in 2007. The GSC was fractioned into neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and their total nitrogen (TN) concentration and δ¹⁵N values in NDF, ADF and GSC were determined. Tail switch hair samples from cows (>2 years old) and calves (<1 year) were collected at the end of the grazing season in 2007 and 2008 and analysed for δ¹⁵N values. The TN concentrations in NDF and δ¹⁵N values in herbage NDF and ADF fractions were higher (P?15N values in tail hair also decreased (P?15N values in tail hair increased with herbage δ¹⁵N values. The δ¹⁵N values in tail hair were enriched by +5.2‰ compared to herbage δ¹⁵N values in 2007. Changes in δ¹⁵N value in GSC and cattle hair reflect the influence of grazing practices on N cycles through the animal/plant/soil system on this rough fescue grassland.     

不同配比醋糟有机基质氮素有效性与黄瓜生长的关系

研究了醋糟与牛粪和菇渣不同体积配比(纯醋糟C,醋糟+菇渣CG,醋糟+牛粪CN和醋糟+菇渣+牛粪CGN)基质中氮素有效性及其与黄瓜生长发育的关系。结果表明:(1)纯醋糟基质全氮与有效氮含量较高,添加菇渣和牛粪后均有所下降。(2)随黄瓜的生长,纯醋糟基质全氮含量一直呈下降趋势,而添加菇渣和牛粪处理则表现为前期下降后期上升的变化过程。(3)不同醋糟配比基质有效氮均以硝态氮为主,随黄瓜的生长,除纯醋糟基质硝态氮含量表现为前期迅速、而中后期缓慢的下降趋势外,其它添加菇渣和牛粪处理均表现为不同幅度的先增高后降低的波浪式变化。基质全氮和硝态氮含量变化存在极显著的正相关关系。(4)从不同醋糟基质黄瓜的生长状况来看,以纯醋糟和醋糟添加牛粪的处理较好。     

Potential of near infrared spectroscopy to determine the lipid content of untreated garbage compost

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the capability of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as a simple method to monitor the lipid content of garbage compost, which is a potential inhibitor of plant growth. We conducted a cultivation experiment with vegetable mock pak choy ( Brassica rapa L. Parachinensis Group) using two application rates of four garbage composts that differed in lipid content. The input of lipid from the compost to the field showed a significant negative correlation with germination rate and plant height in the initial growth stage. Reflectance spectra of untreated and freeze-dried and milled compost samples were taken using a scanning monochromator. Second-derivative spectra and multiple regression analysis were used to develop calibration equations for lipid and moisture contents. The calibration was carried out with the short wavelength region ([SWR] 800–1100 nm) and the long wavelength region ([LWR] 1100–2500 nm) separately. The calibration equations with the LWR were more accurate than those with the SWR for lipid and moisture determinations. The accuracies of the calibration equations for untreated samples were comparable to those for freeze-dried and milled samples. In conclusion, we suggest that the application rate of garbage compost can be determined by measuring the lipid content of untreated samples by NIRS.     

Interference of condensed tannin in lignin analyses of dry bean and forage crops

Legumes with high concentrations of condensed tannin (pinto bean [Phaseolus vulgaris L.], sainfoin [Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.], and big trefoil [Lotus uliginosus Hoff.]), were compared to a selection of forages, with low or zero condensed tannin (smooth bromegrass [ Bromus inermis Leyss], Lotus japonicus [Regel] K. Larsen, and alfalfa [Medicago sativa L.]), using four methods to estimate fiber or lignin. Protocols were validated by using semipurified condensed tannin polymers in adulteration assays that tested low-lignin tissue with polyphenolic-enriched samples. The effect on lignin assay methods by condensed tannin concentration was interpreted using a multivariate analysis. There was an overestimation of fiber or lignin in the presence of condensed tannin in the acid detergent fiber (ADF) and Klason lignin (KL) assays compared to that in the thioglycolic acid (TGA) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) methods. Sulfite reagents (present in TGA lignin method) or sequential acidic digests at high temperatures (ADF followed by ADL) were required to eliminate condensed tannin. The ADF (alone) and KL protocols are not recommended to screen nonwoody plants, such as forages, where condensed tannin has accumulated in the tissue.     

过磷酸钙用量对猪粪堆肥过程及磷形态变化的影响

【目的】过磷酸钙作为常用的畜禽粪便堆肥添加剂,具有减少氮素损失率并提高氮、磷养分含量等优点,但其对磷的有效性和形态的影响有待深入探讨。通过试验研究不同过磷酸钙添加量对猪粪锯末好氧堆肥过程的影响及堆肥中不同形态磷含量和形态之间的相互转化规律,以期为畜禽粪便堆肥中磷素的转化及合理施用提供科学依据。【方法】将猪粪和锯末以质量比（鲜重）4:1的比例混合,然后按照猪粪和锯末干物质量的5%、10%、15%添加过磷酸钙,以不添加过磷酸钙作为对照（CK）,进行42 d好氧堆肥,监测堆肥温度、含水率、pH、全氮、有机碳、全磷、有效磷、有机磷等指标。【结果】与CK相比,添加适量过磷酸钙可以显著提高堆肥的温度,增加高温持续期2~10 d;提高堆肥物料的持水能力,加快有机碳降解。添加5%~15%的过磷酸钙可以显著降低堆肥初始pH值0.33~0.68个单位,有效抑制堆肥过程中铵态氮的挥发损失,CK、5%、10%和15%的处理在堆肥结束时的氮素损失率分别为29.4%、26.6%、18.5%和8.0%,全氮和全磷含量分别较堆肥初增加17.3~34.2%和37.0%~123.1%。CK有效磷含量随堆肥时间不断上升,第42 d较堆肥初增加73.0%,而添加过磷酸钙5%、10%和15%的处理有效磷含量显著降低,分别较堆肥初减少了4.0%、23.2%和41.8%。随着堆肥的进行,各处理中有效磷占全磷的比例均不断下降,表明堆肥过程降低了磷的有效性。堆肥前期以有机磷的矿化为主,后期以有机磷的合成为主,第42 d有机磷占全磷的比例CK最高（22.1%）,添加5%、10%和15%过磷酸钙的处理分别为15.4%、11.0%和8.7%。【结论】猪粪堆肥中添加过磷酸钙,可以有效减少氮素损失,加快有机物料降解,以10%的添加量效果最佳;堆肥过程降低了磷的有效性,随着过磷酸钙用量的增加有效磷的比例不断下降;腐熟后堆肥中的磷以无机态为主,有机磷占全磷的比例随着过磷酸钙用量的增加而递减。     

Liming effects of beef cattle feedlot manure or compost

Abstract

Soil pH can be increased by manure or compost application because feed rations usually contain calcium carbonate. This study was conducted from 1992 to 1996 to evaluate effects of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N)‐based manure and compost application management strategies on soil pH level. Composted and uncomposted beef cattle (Bos taunts) feedlot manure was applied to supply N or P needs of corn (Zea mays L.) for either a one‐ or two‐year period. Phosphorus‐based manure or compost treatments also received additional fertilizer N (ammonium nitrate) to provide for a total of 151‐kg available N ha^‐1 yr^‐1. Fertilized and unfertilized checks also were included. Manure and composted manure contained about 9 g CaCO₃kg^‐1 resulting in application rates of up to 1730 kg CaCO₃ ha^‐1 in 4 years. The surface soil (0–150 mm) pH was significantly decreased with ammonium nitrate application compared to soil in the unfertilized check or to soil receiving manure or compost. Soil pH was significantly increased with the N‐based management strategy compared with the soil original level. In contrast, 4 yr of P‐based manure and compost application strategy maintained soil pH at the original level. Nitrogen‐based applications resulted in higher soil pH than P‐based. Beef cattle feedlot manure and compost can be good sources of CaCO₃ for soils requiring lime addition.     

Acid detergent fiber analysis in oilseed Brassicas by near-infrared spectroscopy

The potential of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for determining the acid detergent fiber (ADF) in the seed of oilseed Brassica (fam. Brassicaceae) was assessed. One hundred and fifty accessions belonging to the species Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern.& Coss.), Ethiopian mustard (B. carinata A. Braun) and rapeseed (B. napus L.) were scanned by NIRS as intact and ground seed, and their ADF values were regressed against different spectra transformations by modified partial least squares regression. The coefficients of determination in the external validation (r(2)) for intact and ground seed were 0.83 and 0.85, respectively. The standard deviation to standard error of prediction ratio and range to standard error of prediction ratio were 2.40 and 10.75 for intact seed and 2.62 and 11.76 for ground seed. No significant differences in the prediction were found for both sample presentations. Effects of the C-H and O-H groups of lipids and water, respectively, as well as protein and chlorophyll, were most important in modeling these equations.     

Potential of Near- and Mid-infrared Spectroscopy in Biofuel Production

For many decades, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to determine the composition of animal feedstuffs and grains. More recently, mid-infrared spectroscopy (mid-IR) has also been examined for similar determinations. These spectroscopic methods offer the potential for rapid and accurate determination of organic constituents, such as fiber components and protein, of forages, by-products, and grains at reduced cost and greatly increased speed (minutes instead of hours or days). Because they are nonchemical in nature, they result in a large reduction (90% or more) in the chemical wastes associated with standard chemical-based assay methods. The same components of interest for biofuel production (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, starch, protein, oil, etc.) are those that have already been determined by NIRS/mid-IR for evaluating grains and animal feedstuffs. Therefore, these techniques would appear to be a natural match for evaluating feedstocks for biofuels, and the literature shows that efforts in this direction are being successfully tested and instituted. For this discussion, an overview of where such efforts are and the potential for NIRS/mid-IR in producing biofuels will be covered. For example, while there are similarities between the needs of the biofuels industry and the analysis of animal feedstuffs, there are also both practical and technical differences between the two that will likely impact how NIRS/mid-IR is developed for biofuels. As an example, grain analysis for protein is performed on a large scale by government agencies such as the Canadian Grain Commission and U.S. Grain Inspection Service, while at least in the United States, animal feedstuff analysis is performed by state or independent laboratories for individual farmers. For biofuels, this might well result in most analysis being performed by the large corporations converting the feedstocks to biofuels, as opposed to the individual producer having analysis performed at an independent laboratory. Similarly for animal feedstuffs, measurements of fiber (neutral detergent fiber or NDF, acid detergent fiber or ADF, and lignin) and protein are carried out. These fiber measurements often consist of more than one type of fiber component with some being computed by difference (hemicellulose = NDF – ADF) and are empirical at best. Whether such empirical estimates will be sufficient for assessing biofuels or whether new spectroscopic methods for directly measuring the components of interest (cellulose, etc.) will need to be developed is a question to be answered when components other than starch for ethanol or oil for biodiesel become common.