The effects of wilting grass before ensiling on silage intake

Herbage, predominantly perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) grown in Northern Ireland, was harvested at four dates from June to October 1996 (H1, H2, H3 and H4). At each harvest approximately one-fifth of the grass harvested was artificially dried and pelleted (G). The remainder of the grass was either wilted for 28–52 h (W), depending on the weather conditions, or ensiled directly, i.e. unwilted (UW). Within the W and UW treatments an inoculant or formic acid additive was applied to the herbage before ensiling. After a minimum ensiling period of 10 weeks, sixty steers, mean initial live weight 432 (s.d. 37) kg, were offered the twenty forages in a four-period partially balanced changeover design experiment. Each period was of 2 weeks’ duration. Dry-matter (DM) intakes were recorded daily, with intakes in the second week of each period used in the statistical analysis of the data. The digestibility of each of the forages was also determined in vivo using four castrated male sheep per silage. Wilting increased the DM content of the silage and the pH, the largest increase in DM content occurring at the second harvest. On average, wilting proportionally increased silage DM intake by 0·21 compared with the unwilted silage (P < 0·001), but the intake of the wilted silage was not significantly different from that of the artificially dried and pelleted grass (P > 0·05). The intake of the wilted silage was higher than that of the unwilted silage at each harvest, the proportional increases being 0·22 (P < 0·001), 0·41 (P < 0·001), 0·19 (P < 0·001) and 0·05 (P > 0·05) at harvests H1, H2, H3 and H4 respectively. Treatment of the grass with formic acid before ensiling resulted in a proportional increase in silage intake of 0·08 compared with the inoculant-treated silage (P < 0·05). Compared with the inoculant-treated silage, formic acid increased silage intake by 0·08, 0·02, 0·14 and 0·10 at harvests H1 (P > 0·05), H2 (P > 0·05), H3 (P < 0·01) and H4 (P < 0·05). The results of this study indicate that the effect of wilting on silage intake varies across different harvests and additive treatments. The difference in response to wilting across different harvests is mainly a result of the prevailing weather conditions during wilting.     

Comparing sugarcane fields and forest fragments: the effect of disturbance on soil physical properties and nematode assemblages

Comparisons of agricultural and natural ecosystems reveal the magnitude of the effects of agricultural practices on the diversity and abundance of soil nematodes. Consequently, there is the need for testing ecological hypotheses, specifically with regard to nematode ecology, in natural and agricultural soils to seek strategies for biological control and environmental monitoring. We studied soil nematode assemblages and soil physical attributes of five soil layers (0–10, 10–20, 20–30, 30–40 and 40–50 cm) from sugarcane plantations and forest remnants in the sugarcane zone of Pernambuco State, Brazil. Structure and composition of the nematode assemblage and soil properties differed between forest and sugarcane soils, even in the same locality. The soil bulk density and the abundance of all nematodes and the diversity of plant‐parasitic nematodes were greater whereas soil porosity, soil respiration and abundance of predator nematodes were smaller in sugarcane than in forest areas. We suggest that sugarcane management practices result in changes in the soil properties and concomitantly alter the composition and structure of the nematode assemblages. Co‐inertia analysis indicated that others environmental factors also might be affecting the nematofauna.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Downy Mildew Pathogens of Opium Poppy and PCR-Based In Planta and Seed Detection of Peronospora arborescens

ABSTRACT Severe downy mildew diseases of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) can be caused by Peronospora arborescens and P. cristata, but differentiating between the two pathogens is difficult because they share morphological features and a similar host range. In Spain, where severe epidemics of downy mildew of opium poppy have occurred recently, the pathogen was identified as P. arborescens on the basis of morphological traits. In this current study, sequence homology and phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were carried out with DNA from P. arborescens and P. cristata from diverse geographic origins, which suggested that only P. arborescens occurs in cultivated Papaver somniferum in Spain. Moreover, analyses of the rDNA ITS region from 27 samples of downy-mildew-affected tissues from all opium-poppy-growing regions in Spain showed that genetic diversity exists within P. arborescens populations in Spain and that these are phylogenetically distinct from P. cristata. P. cristata instead shares a more recent, common ancestor with a range of Peronospora species that includes those found on host plants that are not members of the Papaveraceae. Species-specific primers and a PCR assay protocol were developed that differentiated P. arborescens and P. cristata and proved useful for the detection of P. arborescens in symptomatic and asymptomatic opium poppy plant parts. Use of these primers demonstrated that P. arborescens can be transmitted in seeds and that commercial seed stocks collected from crops with high incidence of the disease were frequently infected. Field experiments conducted in microplots free from P. arborescens using seed stocks harvested from infected capsules further demonstrated that transmission from seedborne P. arborescens to opium poppy plants can occur. Therefore, the specific-PCR detection protocol developed in this study can be of use for epidemiological studies and diagnosing the pathogen in commercial seed stocks; thus facilitating the sanitary control of the disease and avoidance of the pathogen distribution in seeds.     

A short-term comparison of the performance of four grassland-based systems of milk production for autumn-calving dairy cows

Eighty winter‐calving dairy cows of mixed parity were managed in four grassland‐based systems of milk production (F‐F, F‐C, C‐F and C‐C) over a full lactation (year 1) and during the winter period of the subsequent lactation (year 2). During the winter periods cows on systems F‐F and F‐C were offered silages of high feeding value, supplemented with 6·0 kg d^?1 of concentrate [crude protein (CP), 307 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)] through an out‐of‐parlour feeding system, while cows on systems C‐F and C‐C were offered silages of medium feeding value, supplemented with c. 12·8 kg d^?1 of concentrate (CP, 204 g kg^?1 DM), in the form of a complete diet. After 25 February in year 1, cows on systems F‐F and C‐F were given access to grazing for periods of increasing duration, achieving full turnout on 17 April. Thereafter, until 21 October, these cows were offered a high daily allowance of herbage within a flexible grazing system (23·0 kg DM per cow, measured above a height of 4·0 cm), supplemented with 0·5 kg d^?1 of a ‘high magnesium’ concentrate. Cows on systems F‐C and C‐C (year 1) commenced grazing on 1 April, achieving full turnout on 17 April. Thereafter, until 20 October, these cows were managed on a restricted allowance of herbage in a rotational paddock grazing system, with concentrates (average allocation, 3·9 kg d^?1) being offered according to yield. In year 2, cows on systems F‐F and C‐F were given access to grazing for periods of increasing duration, from 11 March to 8 April, at which point the study was terminated. With systems F‐F, F‐C, C‐F and C‐C, mean feed inputs and milk outputs (per animal) during year 1 of the study were as follows: total concentrate DM intakes [881, 1272, 1729 and 2171 kg (s.e.m. 96·1)]; total silage DM intakes [1722, 1713, 1047 and 1154 kg (s.e.m. 70·7)], total grass DM intakes (3245, 2479, 3057 and 2481 kg) and total milk outputs [7541, 7527, 7459 and 7825 kg (s.e.m. 305·8)] respectively. Stocking rates associated with each of the four systems were 2·2, 2·5, 2·6 and 2·9 cows per hectare respectively. Performance of dairy cows on the systems during the winter of year 2 was similar to that recorded during year 1. The results of this study indicate that similar levels of milk output, DM intakes, tissue changes and plasma metabolite profiles can be achieved from grassland‐based systems involving very different combinations of grass silage, grazed grass and concentrate feeds.     

Impacts caused by the addition of wine vinasse on some chemical and mineralogical properties of a Luvisol and a Vertisol in La Mancha (Central Spain)

Background, aim, and scope  Using wastewaters from wine production that are often discharged directly into soil, with previous treatment, we carried out an experiment to identify the impact over time, specifically to identify the benefits and risks of its application. Materials and methods  Experiments were carried out using approximately 200 g of samples of agricultural soils which were amended with increased amounts of vinasse: 1–5–10–20–40–70 ml. The doses used were not arbitrary but similar to the usual one amended. Soil electric conductivity was determined in distilled water with a glass electrode (soil to H₂O ratio 1:5). Clay identification of soil samples are by X-ray diffraction. Results  The pH decreased slightly and salinity increased, possibly leading to changes in crop productivity. The increase in salinity reflects the concentration of dissolved salts in the vinasse. Significant changes were observed in the clay minerals after amendment with the vinasse. Conclusions  Our study indicates that, under experimental incubation, the application of increasing doses of wine vinasse for increasingly long periods can affect certain chemical properties. The results show that application of winery wastewaters to soil results in significant increases of electrical conductivity, reaching levels that can be detrimental to crop growth. The decrease in pH values is somehow beneficial, and finally there is a small increase in the chemical weathering of clay minerals     

Seroepidemiology of undifferentiated fever in feedlot calves in western Canada.

The relationships between 4 bacterial and 3 viral antibody titers and morbidity (undifferentiated fever (UF)) and mortality were investigated in recently weaned beef calves. Blood samples from 100 animals that required treatment for UF (Cases) and 100 healthy control animals (Controls) were obtained: upon arrival at the feedlot (Arrival), at the time of selection as a Case or Control (Selection), and at approximately 33 d of the feeding period (Convalescent). Seroconversion to Pasteurella haemolytica antileukotoxin was associated with an increased risk of UF (OR = 2.83); however, seroconversion to bovine herpesvirus-1 G-IV glycoprotein was associated with a decreased risk of UF (OR = 0.43). Higher Arrival bovine viral diarrhea virus antibody titer was associated with a decreased risk of UF (OR = 0.83). Increases in Mycoplasma alkalescens antibody titer after Arrival were associated with an increased risk of UF (OR = 1.10). Higher Arrival Haemophilus somnus antibody titer and increases in Haemophilus somnus antibody titer after Arrival were both associated with a decreased risk of UF (OR = 0.76 and OR = 0.78). The odds of overall mortality (OR = 5.09) and hemophilosis mortality (OR = 11.31) in Cases were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the Controls. Higher Arrival bovine herpesvirus-1 antibody titer was associated with an increased risk of mortality (OR = 1.30). Protective immunity to Pasteurella haemolytica antileukotoxin, Haemophilus somnus, bovine herpesvirus-1 G-IV glycoprotein, bovine viral diarrhea virus, and Mycoplasma spp. may be necessary to reduce the occurrence of UF. Animals with UF are at an increased risk of overall and hemophilosis mortality.     

Anti-phytopathogenic activities of macro-algae extracts

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts obtained from nine Chilean marine macro-algae collected at different seasons were examined in vitro and in vivo for properties that reduce the growth of plant pathogens or decrease the injury severity of plant foliar tissues following pathogen infection. Particular crude aqueous or organic extracts showed effects on the growth of pathogenic bacteria whereas others displayed important effects against pathogenic fungi or viruses, either by inhibiting fungal mycelia growth or by reducing the disease symptoms in leaves caused by pathogen challenge. Organic extracts obtained from the brown-alga Lessonia trabeculata inhibited bacterial growth and reduced both the number and size of the necrotic lesion in tomato leaves following infection with Botrytis cinerea. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the red-alga Gracillaria chilensis prevent the growth of Phytophthora cinnamomi, showing a response which depends on doses and collecting-time. Similarly, aqueous and ethanolic extracts from the brown-alga Durvillaea antarctica were able to diminish the damage caused by tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) in tobacco leaves, and the aqueous procedure is, in addition, more effective and seasonally independent. These results suggest that macro-algae contain compounds with different chemical properties which could be considered for controlling specific plant pathogens.