光周期对青饲玉米耐高氮的调控效应

以光周期敏感型‘华农1号’青饲玉米为材料,在大田条件下,设置N1(75kg/hm2)、N2(225kg/hm2)、N3(375kg/hm2)3个氮素水平和3个光周期处理(16h、13h和10h),分析了其在不同光照长度条件下耐高氮胁迫的能力,探讨光周期对玉米氮高效相关的农艺性状和光合特性指标的影响。结果表明,(1)16h光照处理下,玉米植株的根长、根表面积、根体积分别比10h处理增加了113.19%、45.73%和97.71%,叶片叶绿素含量与净光合速率比10h处理分别提高97.90%和60.24%,且根长、根体积、叶绿素含量和净光合速率在16h和10h处理下差异极显著;16h处理与10h处理叶片数的平均相差值(12)显著,根系直径随光周期延长逐渐减小,但光周期对植株分蘖数无显著影响。(2)‘华农1号’青饲玉米地下部和地上部部分农艺性状指标,在16h长光照处理下随氮素水平的提高而增加,表现出耐高氮胁迫的生物学特征;在10h短光照处理下氮素水平过高相关性状指标反而下降。(3)随着光照时间逐渐延长,地上部生物量逐渐显著增加。研究发现,光周期敏感型‘华农1号’青饲玉米具有较强的耐高氮能力,长光周期促进了其植株营养生长阶段的生长发育,增强了其对高氮的适应能力。     

气候变暖对青藏高原牧草营养含量及其体外消化率影响模拟研究

全球气候变暖,气温上升的趋势逐步被众人接受,而青藏高原这一独特地理单元的生态系统对气候变暖十分敏感.为更好地了解气候变暖对青藏高原牧草品质的影响,利用大板山北坡3 200～3 800 m的海拔梯度,以温度为主要影响因子,用海拔高度不同造成的温差模拟全球变暖带来的升温效应,研究气候变暖对青藏高原牧草营养含量及其体外消化率的影响.针对羊茅(Festuca ovina)、早熟禾(Poa annua)、草(Koeleria cristata)、矮嵩草(Kobresia humilis)和黑褐苔草 (Carex alrofusca) 5种生长在不同海拔梯度的高原牧草中酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)、木质素(ADL)、粗蛋白(CP)、粗脂肪(EE)、无氮浸出物(NFE)、灰分等营养含量及其经绵羊瘤胃液培养后的体外消化率差异,经过1999和2000年两年的测定分析,结果表明:随着温度升高,牧草CP、EE和NFE的百分含量都呈现降低的趋势;牧草ADF和ADL百分含量与温度存在正相关关系,随着温度升高牧草ADF、ADL百分含量都呈增加的趋势;牧草体外消化率与牧草生长的环境温度存在负相关关联,随着温度升高牧草体外消化率呈降低趋势.模拟研究表明,就温度这一重要环境因素而言,未来气候变暖尤其是夜间温度的升高引起青藏高原牧草营养品质的变化,牧草CP、EE、NFE含量的降低,中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、ADL含量的增加,牧草消化率降低,从而不利于反刍动物对牧草的消化利用.     

生长期SD大鼠对日粮常规营养物质和氨基酸消化率的研究

目的了解SD大鼠对营养物质消化特点,研究不同结构日粮营养物质的可消化性,为筛选适合SD生长大鼠的日粮营养物质水平和日粮配方提供科学参数. 方法采用饲养试验结束时的90 d龄体重相近的90只SD大鼠,分为9个组,每组10 只,雌雄各半,分笼、每笼5只,采用全收粪法对9个配方日粮进行5 d消化试验,测定9个日粮的能量和6种常规营养物质以及17种氨基酸(AA)的表观消化率.结果以第3组日粮的可消化性为最好,它的总能(GE)、粗蛋白(CP)、粗纤维(CF)、粗脂肪(EE)、无氮浸出物(NFE)、钙(Ca)、磷(P)和17种氨基酸的表观消化率(%)依次分别为85.7、88.0、2 9.5、89.2、90.0、47.6、35.7和85.0(17个氨基酸AA平均值);这些营养物质在9个组的总平均表现消化率(%)依次分别为82.1、79.1、24.7、84.9、88.4、37.1、33.1和 81.5,结果表明,生长期SD大鼠对不同结构的日粮,不同水平的营养物质的可消化性不同 ,不同营养物质的消化率差别较大,以第3组日粮配方及其营养水平较适宜于生长期SD大鼠 ,它的DE、CP、EE、CF、NFE、Ca和P水平依次为14MJ.kg-1、18%、4.5%、4.0%、5 5.0%、1.00%和0.66%,它的苏氨酸,胱氨酸、缬氨酸、蛋氨酸、异亮氨酸、亮氨酸、酪氨酸、苯丙氨酸、赖氨酸、组氨酸和精氨酸水(%)依次为0.74、0.38、1.00、0.40、0. 93、1.65、0.62、0.94、1.00、0.58和1.22,它的可消化氨基酸水平(%)依次为0.60 、0.29、0.84、0.31、0.76、1.45、0.52、0.82、0.87、0.52和1.12.结论日粮能量具有较高的可消化性,对于其他营养物质的消化吸收利用有正效应影响.     

广西典型红壤旱地施用钙镁磷肥对玉米产量及其镉累积的影响

在广西典型类型红壤旱地布置玉米磷肥施用量的田间试验,研究不同钙镁磷肥施用量(磷肥Cd含量为0.0651 mg/kg)对玉米产量及地上部Cd累积的影响。结果表明,与不施磷肥处理(CK)相比,施磷肥可分别显著提高春、秋玉米籽粒产量8.2%—13.1%和13.7%—20.0%。高磷(600 kg P2O5/hm2)处理的春玉米秸秆产量比CK显著提高11.4%;施磷处理春、秋玉米秸秆Cd含量分别下降2.7%—45.8%和11.0%—43.6%;而籽粒Cd含量分别下降13.0%—40.6%和9.9%—31.5%,且秸秆和籽粒的Cd含量及累积量均随施磷量的增加而逐渐降低,其中以高磷处理最为显著。玉米秸秆及籽粒Cd累积量在高磷处理下(600 kg P2O5/hm2)分别比低磷处理(75—300 kg P2O5/hm2)降低13.6%—41.5%和8.8%—29.3%。相关分析表明,玉米Cd含量与土壤pH呈显著负相关,与土壤有效Cd含量呈显著正相关。施磷提高土壤pH,而降低土壤有效Cd含量。高量磷肥施用降低土壤Cd的有效性进而降低玉米对Cd的吸收累积。     

施氮量对小麦/玉米带田土壤水分及硝态氮的影响

通过田间试验研究了河西绿洲灌区典型的小麦/玉米间作群体不同施氮量(0、210、420和630 kg/hm2)对小麦、玉米带田土壤水分和硝态氮(NO3(-)-N)的动态的影响.结果表明:小麦/玉米总籽粒产量随着施氮量的增加而增加,但当施氮量超过420kg/hm2时,总籽粒产量不再随施氮量增加而增加,最高总籽粒产量可达13661-14668 kg/hm2.水分利用效率在施氮420 kg/hm2时最高可达21.25 kg·hm-2·mm-1.小麦收获后,0-120 cm土层内土壤含水量随施氮量增加而减少,NO3(-)-N的累积量随施氮量增加而增加,并且表层土壤(0-60 cm) NO3(-)-N含量明显高于深层土壤(60-200 cm).在小麦/玉米整个生育期,土壤硝态氮的变化呈双峰曲线.施氮0和210 kg/hm2的土壤硝态氮第一峰值和第二峰值均分别出现在小麦三叶期和玉米大喇叭口期;施氮420和630 kg/hm2的土壤硝态氮第一峰值出现在小麦挑旗期,第二峰值分别出现在玉米大喇叭口期和玉米灌浆期.因此,在该地区小麦/玉米间作栽培模式下,施氮水平控制在420 kg/hm2时,使混合产量达到最高,同时可减轻土壤硝态氮的累积和运移,从而达到高效、安全的目的.     

控水对饲草作物间作群体产量、根冠比及水分利用效率的影响

黄土高原半湿润易旱区降水资源短缺且年际分配不均,研究水分供应对饲草作物生长的影响对该区饲草栽培具有重要的指导意义。在遮雨棚中采用盆栽控水的方法,研究了箭筈豌豆单作、燕麦单作、饲用玉米单作、燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作、燕麦/饲用玉米间作5种种植模式在高水(70%田间持水量)、中水(55%田间持水量)、低水(40%田间持水量)3个供水水平下的群体产量、根冠比以及水分利用效率。结果表明: 在高、中、低3个供水水平下,燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体的土地当量比分别为1.20、1.21和1.19,燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的土地当量比分别为1.17、1.11和1.03,均表现为间作优势。同一供水水平下,5种种植模式中单作饲用玉米总干物质产量最高,单作箭筈豌豆最低。单作燕麦的干物质产量和粗蛋白产量均随水分供应量的减少而增加,而单作箭筈豌豆和单作玉米则表现出相反的趋势。在个体水平上,间作提高了燕麦干物质产量和粗蛋白产量,而降低了箭筈豌豆和饲用玉米的产量,燕麦表现为间作优势。燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体干物质产量在中水和低水处理下比高水处理分别增加4.1%和4.8%,但差异不显著;而燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体干物质产量在中水和低水处理比高水处理分别显著降低8.0%和13.0%。燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体的根冠比在中水和低水处理下分别比高水处理显著增加33.4%和58.4%,中水和低水处理显著降低了燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的根冠比。燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体的水分利用效率在中水和低水处理下分别比高水处理显著增加11.7%和12.9%,而燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的水分利用效率在中水和低水处理下与高水处理相比变化不显著。单作玉米和燕麦/饲用玉米间作群体的产量较高,但其对水分变化较为敏感、产量稳定性差,燕麦/箭筈豌豆间作群体在水分变化条件下产量稳定、粗蛋白产量占优、水分利用效率较高,建议在研究区使用。     

不同施肥处理对土壤活性有机碳和甲烷排放的影响

通过采集田间试验区连续3a施入有机肥的稻田耕层土壤,分析土壤中微生物量碳(MBC)、水溶性有机碳(DOC)、易氧化有机碳(ROC)和可矿化有机碳(readily mineralizable carbon,RMC)等活性有机碳的含量,稻田甲烷(CH_4)的排放通量,探讨施用有机肥的土壤活性有机碳变化及与CH_4排放的关系。研究结果显示:(1)施有机肥对土壤中的活性有机碳均有一定的促进作用。3a不同施肥处理土壤中DOC、ROC、MBC和RMC的平均含量分别为383.6、2501.2、640.4 mg/kg和291.7 mg/kg。3a施猪粪(猪粪+化肥,PM)、鸡粪(鸡粪+化肥,CM)和稻草(稻草+化肥,RS)的DOC的含量分别比化肥(CF)处理增加5.6%、6.7%和19.3%,ROC的含量分别比CF增加6.6%、8.4%和9.8%;MBC含量分别比CF增加5.1%、14.8%和21.5%,RMC增加6.8%、22.0%和33.9%。不同施肥处理的稻田土壤活性有机碳为分蘖期高于成熟期。(2)施肥处理显著增加稻田CH_4排放,CH_4分蘖期的排放通量是成熟期的143倍,3a PM、CM和RS处理的CH_4排放分别比CF处理增加37.0%(P0.05)、92.7%(P0.05)和99.4%(P0.05)。(3)不同施肥处理的DOC、ROC、MBC和RMC含量与CH_4排放通量均存在显著正相关关系,ROC与CH_4排放的相关系数最高,为0.754(P0.01),且4种有机碳间关系密切。稻田分蘖期土壤中的活性有机碳与稻田CH_4排放呈显著正相关关系。(4)综合分析,在4种有机碳中,土壤中ROC和MBC的含量直接影响CH_4排放。     

氮素营养水平对膜下滴灌玉米穗位叶光合及氮代谢酶活性的影响

本文以先玉420为试验材料,研究在大垄双行膜下滴灌种植模式下,氮素水平对玉米穗位叶光合特征及氮代谢关键酶活性的影响。结果表明：1)玉米穗位叶氮素含量、光合速率(Pn)、蒸腾速率(Tr)、气孔导度(Gs)和水分利用效率(WUE),均以N3(300 kg/hm2)水平最高,其平均Pn达35.1μmol m-2 s-1,Tr达7.57 m mol m-2 s-1,Gs 为0.58 mol m-2 s-1,WUE为 4.64μmol mmol-1。2) 最大光化学效率(Fv/Fm)、实际光化学效率(ΦPSⅡ)和光化学猝灭(qP),以N3水平最高,Fv/Fm均在0.75以上,ΦPSⅡ和qP均在0.45以上。3) PEP羧化酶对氮肥的响应较RUBP羧化酶敏感。氮肥少于100 kg/hm2才显著降低RUBP羧化酶活性;而PEP羧化酶则仅在N3处理时活性最高。4) 施用氮肥均增加穗位叶硝酸还原酶(NR)和谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性,以N3处理增幅最大,平均比不施氮肥分别增加22.4%(NR)和64.8%(GS),蛋白水解酶活性则相反,平均比不施氮肥分别降低51.6%(内肽酶)和76.9%(氨肽酶)。5）相关分析表明：穗位叶氮含量与与内肽酶和氨肽酶呈现负相关,与其他各项指标均呈现正相关,差异显著性因花后不同时期而不同。6）在供试试验区,在氮肥施用总量为300 kg/hm2时,玉米穗位叶保持较高的光合特性和相关酶活性,为玉米籽粒产量的形成奠定了基础。     

蚕豆和玉米叶绿体atpE基因表达产物的生物活性差异及次级结构分析

编码蚕豆和玉米叶绿体ATP合酶ε亚基的atpE基因分别在大肠杆菌中获得了高效表达 ,两种表达的ε亚基蛋白分别与来自蚕豆、玉米和菠菜的缺失ε亚基的CF1重组后 ,发现玉米的ε亚基蛋白在抑制CF1 ATP酶水解ATP、阻塞类囊体膜质子通道以及它促进光合磷酸化等方面均明显地强于蚕豆的ε亚基蛋白。该结果表明 :( 1)ε亚基对ATP合酶活性的调节作用与其同ATP合酶其他亚基间的亲和力大小密切相关 ;( 2 )ε亚基抑制CF1水解ATP和阻塞质子通道两个功能是呈正相关的。圆二色性 (circulardichroism)的分析结果表明 ,玉米CF1ε亚基的 4种二级结构比例为α 螺旋 2 2 .6% ,β 折叠 3 0 .6% ,β 转角 9.3 % ,无规则结构 3 7.7% ;蚕豆CF1ε亚基的 4种二级结构比例为α 螺旋 3 1.4 % ,β 折叠 2 2 .3 % ,β 转角 13 .8% ,无规则结构 3 2 .4 %     

土壤培肥与覆膜垄作对土壤养分、玉米产量和水分利用效率的影响

土壤培肥是维持旱地农业土壤肥力水平、提高生产力的最主要的措施之一,但不同土壤培肥措施对全膜双垄沟播土壤肥力及玉米肥水调控的作用机制及其增产效应尚缺乏系统研究认知.2014—2016年在甘肃省农业科学院庄浪试验站,以‘富农1号’玉米为指示作物,设全膜双垄+秸秆还田(FS)、全膜双垄+优化施肥(FF)和全膜双垄+控制性施肥(FC)3种土壤培肥组合模式,以常规种植(CP)为对照,测定年季0～200 cm土层土壤含水量、耕层土壤有机质(SOM)及氮磷钾速效养分含量(AN、AP、AK)和作物产量,计算土壤贮水量(W_C)、作物生育期耗水量(ET)、水分利用效率(WUE)、氮、磷肥偏生产力(PFP_N和PFP_P)等参数,揭示不同土壤培肥模式对土壤有机质、水分养分含量、玉米产量、耗水特征和水肥利用效率的影响.结果表明: FS、FF和FC 3种种植模式通过增效调控土壤水热与养分环境、水肥互作效应,加速还田秸秆腐解养分释放,促进作物旺盛生长,增加归还土壤的有机物质,从而有效提高土壤供水供肥能力、培肥土壤.与CP比,3种模式均显著提高了SOM、AN、AP和AK的含量,尤其是土壤AK含量,3年平均分别提高了0.27 g·kg^-1、4.44 mg·kg^-1、0.20 mg·kg^-1和4.53 mg·kg^-1,表现为FC＞FF＞FS,三者无显著差异.FS、FF和FC 3种土壤培肥模式均显著提高了旱地玉米生育期末0～200 cm土层土壤贮水量(W_C200),3年合计分别比播前W_C200增加了107.41、38.99和28.35 mm;显著降低了玉米ET,年平均分别比CP降低了60.50、37.7和34.15 mm,相当于分别减少了12.6%、7.9%和7.1%.水肥条件的改善在干旱和少雨的年份主要促进了玉米抽雄至成熟期的生长,多雨的年份均衡促进了玉米生长,增加了玉米的双穗率、穗粒数和百粒重,提高了水肥利用率,使玉米产量显著增加.3年平均与CP相比,FS、FF、和FC模式的PFP_N和PFP_P分别提高了1.82、1.65、1.62倍和2.41、1.69、1.63倍;WUE分别提高了13.27、12.65、14.01 kg·mm^-1·hm^-2;玉米产量增加了5986.1、4972.31和4585.63 kg·hm^-2,分别增产81.5%、67.7%和62.5%.综合分析认为,FS有利于玉米抗旱增产,FC和FF则有利于玉米高产高效.     

Fermentation characteristics and feeding value of ensiled poultry litter containing wheat straw,bagasse or sawdust

Poultry excreta substantially increased the crude protein (CP) content and the calcium and phosporus content of the base bedding materials. The crude fibre (CF) content of sawdust (52.3%) was higher than that of wheat straw (38.9%) and bagasse (30.2%). Dry matter digestibility in vitro (IVDMD) of wheat straw, bagasse and sawdust poultry litters (PL) was 65.4, 64.5 and 48.1%, respectively. Green sorghum fodder when ensiled alone or with 20% wheat straw PL, sawdust PL or bagasse PL on fresh basis contained 4.67, 7.80, 10.00 and 7.55% CP, respectively. Nitrogen-free extract (NFE) content of PL silages was lower than that of the control. Apart from wheat straw PL, all silages accumulated considerable amounts of lactic acid. The total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) concentrations were similar for all silages. The addition of PL caused an increase in the proportion of ammonia nitrogen. A feeding trial with crossbred adult male cattle revealed no significant difference in dry matter (DM), CP and ether extract (EE) digestibility of wheat straw and bagasse PL silages. The CF digestibility was similar for all the silages. Sawdust PL silage, however, was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in digestibility of DM, EE and NFE compared to other PL based silages. The DCP and TDN values for the control, wheat straw, bagasse and sawdust PL silages were 2.0, 60.1; 4.3, 45.3; 6.1, 50.3 and 2.9, 41.9 kg/100 kg DM, respectively.     

Nutritional ecology of Preuss's red colobus monkey (Colobus badius preussi Rahm 1970) in Korup National Park, Cameroon

Studies on the nutritive ecology of red colobus monkeys (Colobus badius preussi) in Korup National Park, Cameroon, investigated food plants and the parts eaten as well as nutritive values of the various food items. Food plants were identified through direct observations and collected for laboratory determination of nutrient content. Food plants were analysed for crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), nitrogen‐free‐extractive (NFE) and total ash (A). A total of seventeen species belonging to nine different families were identified as food plants for red colobus. Food and feeding habits showed that the species were highly folivorous, tending to prefer the young leaves of food plants. Lecomtedoxa klaineana (27.0%) and Xylopia aethiopica (22.2%) of families Sapotaceae and Annonaceae, respectively, constituted about 50% of total food items consumed. Results of nutrient composition indicated individual nutrients varied significantly (P < 0.01) with food species.     

Determination of polyphenol and crude nutrient content and nutrient digestibility of dried and ensiled white and red grape pomace cultivars

The present study aimed to determine the nutrient and energy content of fresh and ensiled grape pomace (GP) from different grape varieties originating from Germany, and to estimate the feed value of dried white, dried red and ensiled white GP by calculating nutrient digestibility and the content of metabolisable energy (ME) and net energy lactation (NEL) measured in sheep as a ruminant model. GP from red cultivars had higher contents of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), total phenolic contents (TPC) and ME, whereas the concentrations of ash and sugar were lower than from white cultivars. Compared with untreated GP, ensiled GP had increased concentrations of CP (+19%), ether extract (EE; +23%) and CF (+12%) and a higher ME content (+7%) and markedly decreased concentrations of sugar (?99.6%) and TPC (?48%). The concentrations of dry matter, OM and ash were not different between ensiled and fresh GP. Compared with dried GP, ensiled GP had a higher nutrient digestibility (OM, +32%; CP, +43%; CF, +46%; neutral detergent fibre [NDF], +54%; acid detergent fibre [ADF], +69%) and higher energy values (ME, +16%; NEL, +19%). The digestibility of OM, CP, EE and CF and the energy content were higher for dried red than for dried white GP, whereas the digestibility of NDF_OM and ADF_OM was lower for dried red than dried white GP. In conclusion, the results show that both red and white GP are suitable dietary sources for enrichment with TPC. Furthermore, compared with drying ensiling of GP improves the feeding value of GP and is a good possibility of preserving the seasonally produced by-product of winemaking for ruminant feeding.     

Effects of variety and storage duration on the nutrient digestibility and the digestible and metabolisable energy content of maize fed to growing pigs

The objective of this research was to determine the effects of variety and storage duration on the nutrient digestibility and the digestible (DE) and metabolisable (ME) energy content in maize when fed to growing pigs. Four maize varieties (LS1, LS2, LS3 and LS4) were hand-harvested from the same growing area in China in early October of 2012. The samples were sun dried to about 14% moisture content and then stored in the warehouse of the Fengning Pig Experiment Base at China Agricultural University for 0, 3 or 10 months. Twenty-four barrows of about 33 kg body weight were used and allotted to a completely randomised block design with four diets and six replicate pigs per diet. Pigs were individually housed in metabolic crates. The four experimental diets were formulated by mixing 96.8% of each variety of maize with 3.2% vitamins and minerals. A 5-day collection period followed a 7-day diet acclimation period. The results indicated that the DE and ME contents of maize and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of organic matter (OM), dry matter, gross energy (GE), neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre (ADF), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by maize variety and storage duration. With an extension of storage duration from 0 to 10 months, the DE and ME of maize and the ATTD of OM, GE, ADF, CP and EE changed in a quadratic manner (p < 0.05), and 3 months of storage exceeded 0 months of storage by 1.84%, 1.43%, 0.31%, 0.32%, 15.37%, 2.11% and 5.02%, respectively. The DE, ME of maize and the ATTD of OM, GE, ADF, CP and EE decreased by 3.67%, 6.00%, 0.97%, 1.40%, 30.54%, 3.92% and 20.93%, respectively, at 10 months of storage compared to 3 months of storage. No interaction was observed between maize variety and storage duration in DE and ME contents in maize. In conclusion, under the conditions of this study, most of the nutrient digestibility and the DE and ME contents of maize increased from 0 to 3 months and decreased from 3 to 10 months.     

Nutrient sequestration potential of water primrose Ludwigia stolinefera (Guill. & Perr.) P.H. Raven: A strategy for restoring wetland eutrophication

The current work investigates the capacity of the water primrose (Ludwigia stolinefera) to sequester inorganic and organic nutrients in its biomass to restore eutrophic wetlands, besides its nutritive quality as fodder for animals. The nutrient elements and nutritive value of the water primrose were assessed seasonally in polluted and unpolluted watercourses. The water primrose plants’ highest biomass was attained during summer; then, it was significantly reduced till it reached its lowest value during winter. In the polluted canal, the plant root and shoot accumulated higher contents of all nutrient elements (except Na and Mg) rather than in the unpolluted Nile. They accumulated most investigated nutrients in the growing season during summer. The shoots accumulated higher contents of N, P, Ca, and Mg than the root, which accumulated higher concentrations of Na and K. Therefore, summer season is the ideal time to harvest water primrose for removing the maximum nutrients for restoring eutrophic watercourses. The aboveground tissues had the highest values of ether extract (EE) during spring and the highest crude fibers (CF) and total proteins (TP) during summer. In contrast, the belowground tissues had the lowest EE, CF, and TP during winter. In spring, autumn, and winter seasons, the protein content in the grazeable parts (shoots) of the water primrose was within the range, while in summer, it was higher than the minimum requirement for the maintenance of animals. There was a decrease in crude fibers and total proteins, while an increase in soluble carbohydrates content in the below- and above-ground tissues of water primrose under pollution stress. The total protein, lipids, and crude fibers of the aboveground parts of water primrose support this plant as a rough forage.     

Association of saponin concentration,molecular markers,and biochemical factors with enhancing resistance to alfalfa seedling damping-off

Fifteen alfalfa populations were tested for resistance to the seedling damping-off disease sourced by Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium solani, and Macrophomina phaseolina. In a laboratory experiment, saponin treatment significantly diminished the mycelial growth of the causal fungi of alfalfa damping-off disease. Roots of the fifteen alfalfa populations varied in saponin and lignin content. Selection for the considerably resistant plants leads to the best growth performance, desirable yield, and high nutritive values such as crude protein (CP), crude fier (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), ash, and ether extract (EE) contents. For the PCR reaction, 10 SSR pairs of the JESPR series primers and the cDNA-SCoT technique with seven primers were used. SSR and SCoT revealed some unique markers that could be linked to resistance to damping-off disease in alfalfa that appeared in the considerably resistant alfalfa population (the promised pop.). SSR and SCoT markers can be an excellent molecular method for judging genetic diversity and germplasm classification in tetraploid alfalfa. We recommend breeding for saponin concentration in the alfalfa plant may affect resistance to some diseases like root rot and damping-off because saponin might improve plant growth, yield, and nutritional values.     

Effect of ambient temperature on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed brown-midrib maize silage

The aim of the experiment was to determine the impact of heat stress on nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in sheep fed silages differing in fibre quality. The digestibility trial was conducted at three different ambient temperatures (15°C, 25°C and 35°C for 24 h/d). The tested brown-midrib maize (Bm) silage had a higher nutrient digestibility, except for ether extract (EE) and a higher metabolisable energy (ME) content than the control maize (Con) silage. Nitrogen (N) excretion with faeces was higher but N excretion with urine was lower for sheep fed Bm silage, subsequently N balance did not differ between the two silages. Temperature had no effect on nutrient digestibility, except for crude protein (CP), but N excretion with urine was lower at elevated temperatures. A diet by temperature interaction was found for dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) digestibility. When the ambient temperature increased from 15°C to 25°C, the DM and OM digestibility increased in animals fed Con silage, but decreased in animals fed Bm silage. Concomitantly, ME estimated from digestible nutrients was higher for Bm than for Con at 15°C, but no differences were found at 25°C and 35°C. Effects of diet by temperature interaction, furthermore, were observed for EE and CP digestibility. Therefore, forage quality has to be considered when feeding heat-stressed animals.     

Effect of variety and harvest date on nutritive value and ruminal degradability of ensiled maize ears

The nutritive value of whole crop forage maize is influenced by the proportion of ears and stover in the whole crop and by the nutrient composition and digestibility characteristics of the plant parts. An experiment investigating the impact of variety, harvest date and year on the nutritive value of ensiled maize ears was carried out in three consecutive years (2007, 2008 and 2010). Nine different maize varieties were harvested at three different maturity stages (50, 55 and 60% dry matter (DM) content in the ears). After harvest, ears and stover were ensiled separately and afterwards nutrient composition and ruminal nutrient degradability (organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC)) were analysed. Variety had a significant influence on content of CP and effective ruminal degradability (ED) of OM at low passage rates, whereas ED of CP and NFC was not affected by variety. In contrast, harvest date and year significantly influenced nutrient composition and ruminal degradability of ensiled maize ears. The content of NFC increased and the content of fibre components as well as ED of OM, CP and NFC declined with processing maturity of the maize plants. At a passage rate of 5% h^?1, ED of OM declined from 75.9% to 68.4%, ED of CP from 82.5% to 73.8% and ED of NFC from 88.0% to 82.3% between the early and late harvest date. The results of this study indicate that the nutrient composition and ruminal degradability of ensiled maize ears are affected mainly by maturity stage at harvest and by year, whereas variety has only little influence.     

Forage nutritional characteristics and yield dynamics in a grazed semiarid steppe ecosystem of Inner Mongolia,China

In the steppe of Inner Mongolia, forage is the only source of feed for sheep. The forage intake of sheep can be characterized in both quantity and quality terms, which are determined by environmental and anthropogenic factors and grazing has a strong effect on steppe productivity and the grassland ecosystem. Evaluation of forage quality and quantity is therefore of critical importance. The effects of grazing intensity, interannual variability effects, and species composition on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and forage nutritional characteristics were investigated in a controlled grazing experiment along a gradient of 7 grazing intensities (from non-grazed to very heavily grazed) over six years (2005–2010) on typical steppe in Inner Mongolia. Forage nutritional characteristics were defined by the nutritional value (concentrations of crude protein (CP), cellulase digestible organic matter (CDOM), metabolizable energy (ME) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF)) and the nutritional yield. The forage nutritional yield is a function of ANPP and the forage nutritional value. Forage nutritional value increased but ANPP and nutritional yields decreased with increasing grazing intensity. The inter-annual variation of ANPP, forage nutritional value and yield were weakly linked to the inter-annual variability of precipitation. However, ANPP and nutritional value also varied during the growing season, depending on the seasonal distribution of precipitation and temperature, which influence forage digestibility (CDOM) and metabolizable energy (ME), with higher CDOM and ME under high seasonal precipitation and low seasonal mean temperature. Forage nutritional value and yield, as well as ANPP, were predominantly determined by the dominant species rather than by species diversity. The results suggest that forage nutritional yield in the Inner Mongolian steppe is predominantly determined by the ANPP and only to a minor extent by forage nutritional value, and is predominantly determined by the dominant species and only to a minor extent by species diversity. Therefore, herbage productivity seems to be the most limiting factor in managing this steppe ecosystem as a feeding resource for livestock and to be the best ecological and environmental indicator for grassland management practices.