Effect of crushing unhulled rice and the addition of fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation quality of whole crop rice silage, and its digestibility and rumen fermentation status in sheep

This experiment was carried out to examine the effect of crushing unhulled rice and the addition of fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB) on the fermentation quality of whole crop rice silage, and its digestibility and rumen fermentation in sheep. After whole rice plants (Oryza sativa L. cv. Haenuki) were harvested between the yellow and full‐ripened period of maturity, and cut at a length of 2 cm, four silage treatments were set: (i) non‐treatment; (ii) crushing treatment of unhulled rice division (crushing); (iii) addition of 1% FJLB; and (iv) crushing + addition of 1% FJLB. Lactic acid content increased with the addition of FJLB, and was highest in the crushing + FJLB treatment. Digestibilities of crude fiber, acid detergent fiber and neutral detergent fiber were significantly higher during the crushing + FJLB treatment. There were no differences among treatments in the volatile fatty acid concentrations before and after feeding. At 4 h after feeding, however, the ratio of acetic acid : propionic acid was significantly lower with the addition of FJLB. It was proven that the fermented quality of silage was improved when FJLB was added to rice plants and then ensilaged, and the digestibility of the fibrous component was raised when unhulled rice division was crushed and FJLB was supplemented.     

Seasonality of vertically partitioned soil CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> production in temperate and tropical forest

Soil CO₂ production seasonality at a number of depths was investigated in a temperate forest in Japan and in a tropical montane forest in Thailand. The CO₂ production rates were evaluated by examining differences in the estimated soil CO₂ flux at adjacent depths. The temperate forest had clear temperature seasonality and only slight rainfall seasonality, whereas the tropical montane forest showed clear rainfall seasonality and only slight temperature seasonality. In the temperate forest, the pattern of seasonal variation in soil respiration was similar at all depths, except the deepest (0.65 m–), and respiration was greater in summer and less in winter. The contribution of the shallowest depth (around 0.1 m) was more than 50% of total soil-surface CO₂ flux all year round, and the annual mean contribution was about 75%. CO₂ production mostly appeared to increase with temperature in shallower layers. In contrast, in the tropical forest, soil CO₂ production seasonality appeared to differ with depth. The CO₂ production rate in the shallowest layer was high during the rainy season and low during the dry season. Soil CO₂ production at greater depths (0.4 and 0.5 m–) showed the opposite seasonality to that in the shallower layer (around 0.1 m). As a result, the contribution from the shallow depth was greatest in the tropical forest during the rainy season (more than 90%), whereas it decreased during the dry season (about 50%). CO₂ production appeared to be controlled by soil water at all depths, and the different ranges of water saturation seemed to cause the difference in seasonality at each depth. Our results suggest the importance of considering the vertical distribution of soil processes, particularly in areas where soil water is a dominant controller of soil respiration.     

Simulation model of rainfed rice production on sloping land in northeast Thailand

In northeast Thailand, the rapid expansion of rainfed paddy fields has decreased the stability of rice production. This paper describes a model that computes rice production on the basis of the hydrologic conditions of rainfed paddy fields on hill slopes. The model well expressed the hydrologic processes, rice yield, and production at the study site. We simulated rice production as uphill paddy plots are abandoned, increasing catchment area, under various rainfall conditions. The simulation showed that rice yield and stability increase as uphill plots are abandoned, although the total rice production decreases. Thus, the effect of catchment size on rice production in each plot was quantified. The model proved to be useful for analyzing rainfed rice production under various land and water conditions.     

Neuronal pathway from the liver modulates energy expenditure and systemic insulin sensitivity

Coordinated control of energy metabolism and glucose homeostasis requires communication between organs and tissues. We identified a neuronal pathway that participates in the cross talk between the liver and adipose tissue. By studying a mouse model, we showed that adenovirus-mediated expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-g2 in the liver induces acute hepatic steatosis while markedly decreasing peripheral adiposity. These changes were accompanied by increased energy expenditure and improved systemic insulin sensitivity. Hepatic vagotomy and selective afferent blockage of the hepatic vagus revealed that the effects on peripheral tissues involve the afferent vagal nerve. Furthermore, an antidiabetic thiazolidinedione, a PPARg agonist, enhanced this pathway. This neuronal pathway from the liver may function to protect against metabolic perturbation induced by excessive energy storage.