Nutritional considerations for horses with colitis. Part 1: Nutrients and enteral nutrition

The equine colon is the primary site of fibre digestion and water absorption. It is therefore not surprising that colitis and associated colonic dysfunction can result in severe nutritional derangements, which can be exacerbated by reduced feed intake in affected horses. Dietary management of colitis is important for optimum recovery. In broad terms, it should prioritise provision of nutrients to horses that otherwise have reduced appetites. In some forms, such as right dorsal colitis, as well as those with chronicity, nutritional recommendations include restricting or eliminating long‐stem roughage from the diet and feeding a complete pelleted diet. Voluntary enteral nutrition is preferred, but horses that are not ingesting enough to meet the minimum recommended requirements as outlined, should be fed via nasogastric tube (if tolerated – no reflux, no ileus and no colic present; faecal output present). Parenteral nutrition may be necessary in some cases, as some colitis cases do not tolerate enteral feeding for reasons such as colic, intestinal dysmotility or abdominal distension. Timing and constitution of nutritional intervention is vital and should be tailored to the individual patient to prevent further complications of the disease process.     

种植密度对光敏型高丹草营养成分及动态变化的影响

在黄土高原雨养农业区,以光敏型高丹草品种“大卡BMR”和“海牛”为材料,采用8.33、12.50和16.67万穴·hm^-2 3个低、中、高密度全膜平铺穴播种植,在植株不同生长阶段,测定了粗蛋白(CP)、中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)、总可消化养分(TDN)和糖锤度(BX)含量,以研究光敏型高丹草在当地的最佳种植密度和收获时期。结果表明:生长发育进程在植株营养形成过程中占主导地位。在品种间,两品种生长前期CP含量差异较大(P<0.05);“大卡BMR”的NDF、ADF和BX整体低于“海牛”,TDN含量高于“海牛”。密度对营养成分有影响,CP含量随密度的增大有所降低;密度对BX含量前期影响较大(P<0.05),中后期影响不明显(P>0.05);在全生长期内NDF和ADF含量整体上高密度处理明显低于(P<0.05)低密度处理;密度对TDN含量影响明显(P<0.05),生长后期(出苗后126~140 d)依次均为高密度>中密度>低密度。营养成分和产量的动态变化表现为,两品种随生长发育进程的延长,CP含量均呈逐渐下降的变化趋势,BX均呈逐渐上升的变化趋势,NDF和ADF含量均呈“升—降—升”的变化趋势,TDN含量均呈“降—升—降”的变化趋势;在出苗后126~140 d,干物质产量仍在上升,CP和TDN产量平稳,TDN的含量处于下降趋势。这种动态变化为北方不抽穗或能抽穗不能成熟的光敏型高丹草最佳刈割期的决策提供了重要依据。从饲草生产角度考虑,在春播一茬青贮收割模式下,当地以“大卡BMR”品种较好,种植密度以每公顷12.50万穴较好,两品种均在出苗后126~140 d(9月上中旬,大卡BMR处于抽穗期、海牛处于开花期)刈割最佳。     

Fertilization of rabbiteye blueberries grown on a typic paleudult soil

A 6 year field study comparing the effects of 5 fertilizer sources applied at 4 levels to 3 rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) cultivars was established on a Typic paleudult soil in southern Misssssippi. Fertilizer sources had little influence on plant height, vigor, chlorosis, or fruit yield. The first year, ‘Tifblue’ was lowest in vigor and fruit yield, but after 4 growing seasons, had the highest plant height and fruit yields. Chlorosis symptoms were more prevalent at the highest fertilization rate, in the cultivar ‘Woodard’, and with Ca(NO₃)₂ fertilizer. During the first 5 years, fruit yields increased as fertilization levels increased from 0 to 5.9 g N/plant but additional fertilization did not influence yields There were no differences in plant vigor due to cultivars but the highest rate of fertilization decreased vigor. The cultivar X fertilization rate interaction was significant for plant height in 1983 and for fruit yields in 1984 and 1985. ‘Delite’ and ‘Woodard’ plant height increased while height of ‘Tifblue’ decreased as fertilization rates increased from the 0 to 5.9 g N/plant levels; higher rates decreased plant height in all cultivars. In 1984 and 1985 fruit yields of ‘Woodard’ and ‘Delite’ were not influenced by fertilization but yields of ‘Tifblue’ indicated a negative response to increasing fertilizer levels.     

TISSUE ELEMENT CONCENTRATIONS AND MINERAL REMOVAL RATES IN HONEYBUSH TEA II: CYCLOPIA SUBTERNATA

A survey of plantation-grown Cyclopia subternata showed that average concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium in the new top growth of mature seedlings and cuttings were 1.59, 0.09, 0.62, 0.32, and 0.17%, respectively. Respective removal rates of these elements at each harvest averaged 13.1, 0.7, 5.1, 2.6, and 1.4 g plant^?1. These quantities were equivalent to. 28% to 45% of the total element in the plant. Concentrations in the top growth of sodium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc and boron averaged, respectively, 1459, 34, 143, 7, 9, and 30 mg kg^?1. Old top growth dry mass and root dry mass increased with time. Peak new top growth yields from C. subternata plants derived from seedlings and cuttings differed by only 2.2%. At peak production, new growth constituted 15% of total seedling dry mass and 21% of total cutting dry mass.