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3200－3800m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（Keleria 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。     

青藏高原不同海拔梯度2种莎草科牧草模拟体外消化率研究

利用大板山北坡 32 0 0 m～ 380 0 m的海拔梯度 ,分别在 32 0 0 m、340 0 m、360 0 m和380 0 m处选取矮嵩草 ( Kobresia humilis)、黑褐苔草 ( Carex alrofusca) 2种青藏高原重要莎草科牧草 ,并用二级离体培养法模拟测定其体外消化率 ,1 999和 2 0 0 0年的测定结果发现 ,随着海拔升高牧草体外消化率呈增加的趋势 ,海拔高度从 32 0 0 m升高到 380 0 m,矮嵩草叶、矮嵩草茎、黑褐苔草叶、黑褐苔草茎的体外消化率分别增加了 8.30和 4.48、8.45和 5 .0 3、1 0 .94和 9.5 8、7.85和 8.0 9个百分点。显著性分析结果表明 ,牧草体外消化率与牧草所生长的海拔     

三江源高寒草地牧草营养时空分布

草地的产草量和牧草品质影响着草地载畜量和草食动物的营养状况、生命活动及生产性能。以三江源及其周边地区的天然草地不同生长期（返青期,盛草期,枯黄期）牧草为对象,分析草地产草量及牧草品质的时空格局。结果显示：从整个区域看,草地生产力、可食牧草产量以及粗蛋白产量(Crude Protein, CP)分布均具有较明显的地域差异性,三者的高值区大多分布在三江源东部及南部的高寒草甸区,三者的低值区主要在三江源中部和西部的草甸及高寒草原区;大部分地区总生产力和可食牧草产量盛草期显著高于枯黄期,枯黄期显著高于返青期。粗蛋白产量在大部分地区呈现出盛草期显著高于返青期和枯黄期,返青期和枯黄期差异不明显,少数地区返青期显著高于盛草期和枯黄期,盛草期显著高于枯黄期（如：可可西里）;CP含量及产量在三江源区空间上的分布,均为南部地区高于北部地区,东部农牧交错区高于西部无人区;所有区域CP含量的返青期为最高,枯黄期为最低,而其他养分含量在不同区域的季节波动并不一致;盛草期牧草CP含量随海拔升高先增加后减小,粗灰分随着海拔升高而显著增加,中性洗涤纤维、酸性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤木质素含量随着海拔升高呈降低趋势。结论：三江源及周边地区牧草生产力、可食牧草产量以及CP产量较高,可食性较好;三江源多数地区高寒草地牧草营养质量相对较好,牧草在返青期营养价值最高（蛋白高,纤维低）,到盛草期,牧草产量及营养物质输出量达到最高峰,进入枯黄期的牧草营养质量低劣,此时应进行补饲,以提高家畜生产性能。三江源区可利用草地主要集中在东部、南部和东南部,该区牧草品质较高、利用潜力（粗蛋白产量）较大,可适度利用开发。     

吕梁山森林群落草本层植物物种多样性的空间格局及其对模拟增温的响应

为研究气候变暖背景下森林群落草本层植物物种多样性对温度升高的响应及其随海拔、纬度的空间分布格局,按照纬度梯度选择吕梁山系北段的管涔山和南段的五鹿山为研究区,并在每个山地的不同海拔梯度(高、中、低)分别设置对照(CK)、低度增温(OTC1)和高度增温(OTC2) 3种试验样地。于2017年植被生长季对植物多度、频度、盖度、高度进行调查,计算物种多样性指数(Simpson指数、Shannon指数、Pielou指数、Patrick指数)。结果表明:(1)吕梁山森林群落草本层植物物种多样性随海拔呈"v型"变化格局,即在中间海拔梯度处最低,且海拔梯度对各多样性指数的影响均达到极显著水平(P0.01)。(2)物种多样性随纬度升高呈递增趋势(P0.05),即较高纬度山地具有较高的物种多样性。(3)物种多样性随温度升高整体呈递减趋势(P0.05),即温度升高可抑制林下草本层植物物种多样性。(4)在增温处理下,五鹿山草本植物的Simpson指数、Shannon指数和Patrick指数呈递减趋势,Pielou指数先降低后升高;管涔山草本植物的Simpson指数、Shannon指数和Pielou指数先增加后减小,Patrick指数呈递增趋势。整体来说,在吕梁山较低海拔,持续增温会使物种多样性降低;在中等海拔,物种多样性随温度升高呈现先下降后上升的变化趋势;在较高海拔,适度增温可提高物种多样性,持续增温则抑制多样性。因此,增温对吕梁山森林群落草本植物物种多样性的影响随海拔升高整体呈下降趋势。     

海拔梯度变化对中亚热带黄山松土壤微生物生物量和群落结构的影响

全球变暖对陆地生态系统造成一系列生态问题,使这些问题将随着全球平均气温的升高而进一步加剧。海拔梯度变化是研究气候变暖对陆地生态系统影响的一种重要手段。目前为止利用海拔梯度对微生物影响的研究尚未定论,其主要原因是忽略了植被类型的影响。因此,以中亚热带戴云山的3个海拔(1300、1450、1600 m)的黄山松(Pinus taiwanensis)林为研究对象,探究沿海拔梯度的变化,森林土壤微生物生物量和微生物群落结构的响应变化。结果表明:土壤碳氮磷养分(SOC、TN、TP)、微生物生物量氮(MBN)、微生物生物量磷(MBP)和丛枝菌根真菌(AMF)、革兰氏阴性菌(GN)、真菌(Fungi)、总磷脂脂肪酸(T_(PLFA)),细菌∶真菌(F∶B)均随海拔升高显著下降,而革兰氏阳性菌∶革兰氏阴性菌(GP∶GN)随海拔升高呈相反的趋势。冗余分析(RDA)表明,温度(T)和可溶性有机氮(DON)是影响微生物群落结构的最重要的环境因子。研究表明:与1600 m海拔相比,1300 m海拔温度较高,土壤有机质矿化作用较强,土壤速效养分及微生物生物量随之增加,从而提高(Fungi)、细菌(Bacteria)等。因此,未来气候变暖将通过改变土壤碳氮磷养分来影响本区域微生物群落组成结构。这对进一步深入了解气候变化对山地生态系统土壤养分循环过程具有重要意义。     

新选育饲草玉米品系饲用营养价值初步研究

对利用一年生大刍草和四倍体多年生大刍草分别与玉米杂交选育出的一年生饲草玉米(SC1)和多年生饲草玉米(SC3)生物产量和饲用营养成分进行分析,结果表明:SC1和SC3鲜草年产量分别达115 620kg/hm2、174 045kg/hm2,是普通玉米的4～6倍;SC3的粗蛋白质(CP)和无氮浸出物(NFE)含量最高,分别为17.57%、48.73%,粗纤维(CF)含量最低,为21.65%,其粗脂肪(EE)和灰分(CA)含量分别为4.30%和7.75%;SC1的营养成分含量分别为:(CP)14.73%、(CF)26.09%、(NFE)45.29%、(EE)4.78%和(CA)9.11%;化学营养类型分析表明SC1与SC3分别属NC型和N型,都是高产高饲用价值的新型饲草.     

青藏高原5种牧草木质素含量及其体外消化率研究

在海拔高度3200m的中国科学院海北高寒草甸生态系统定位站选取羊茅 Festucaovina 、早熟禾 Poaannua 、艹洽草 Koeoeriacristata 以及莎草科的矮嵩草 Kobresiahumilis 、黑褐苔草 Carexalrofusca 5种青藏高原重要牧草品种,分别测定羊茅、早熟禾、艹洽草、矮嵩草茎、矮嵩草叶、黑褐苔草茎和黑褐苔草叶的木质素含量,并采用二级离体培养法测定其体外消化率,比较不同牧草间木质素含量及消化率差异.1999和2000年两年的实验结果表明,牧草木质素含量与其体外消化率之间为极显著负相关 P<0.01 ;就同种牧草不同器官而言,牧草茎的木质素含量明显高于叶,其降解率较低;3种禾本科牧草及2种莎草科牧草不同牧草品种间木质素含量和体外消化率差异不显著.     

玉米自交系秸秆品质性状鉴定与评价

利用近红外漫反射光谱法,对50份常用普通玉米自交系和50份高油自交系秸秆的中性洗涤纤维(NDF)、酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)、可溶性糖(WSC)和粗蛋白(CP)4个品质性状进行了鉴定评价和相关性分析。结果表明,各品质性状变异较大,各性状自交系间差异均达极显著水平。不同品质性状变异程度不同,其中WSC含量变异最大,变异系数达34.23%。WSC与NDF、ADF极显著负相关,NDF与ADF含量极显著正相关。高油系表现为高WSC、CP和低NDF、ADF含量,总体上高油系秸秆品质优于普通玉米。     

苦竹叶片碳氮磷化学计量特征的海拔梯度效应

为揭示海拔梯度对苦竹林立竹叶片碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)化学计量特征的影响,该文以3个海拔梯度[低海拔,(200±10) m;中海拔,(400±10) m;高海拔,(800±10) m]苦竹林为研究对象,测定1至3年生立竹叶片C、N、P含量,分析其化学计量特征和异速增长关系。结果表明:(1)立竹年龄对苦竹叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征影响明显,随立竹年龄的增大,苦竹叶片C、N、P含量和N∶P总体上均呈降低趋势,而C∶N、C∶P总体上呈升高趋势。(2)海拔对苦竹叶片C、N、P含量及其化学计量特征有重要影响,随海拔梯度升高,不同年龄立竹叶片C含量呈先升高后下降变化趋势,N、P含量总体上呈降低趋势,而C∶N、C∶P和N∶P均呈升高趋势。(3)不同海拔梯度苦竹林立竹叶片C、N、P含量和C∶N、C∶P差异显著,中、高海拔苦竹林立竹叶片N∶P无显著差异,均显著高于低海拔苦竹林;不同海拔梯度苦竹林立竹叶片C、N、P间呈显著的正异速增长关系,随海拔梯度的升高,C-N、C-P异速增长指数显著升高,而N-P异速增长指数显著下降。综上结果表明,高海拔苦竹林虽然N、P利用效率提高,但立竹叶片C含量较低,P限制性作用增强;中海拔苦竹林不但具有较高的N、P利用效率,而且立竹叶片C含量高,说明中海拔是苦竹林丰产培育的适宜海拔。     

贵州麻阳河黑叶猴秋季主要食物营养分析及对食物选择的影响

2009年9～11月,采集贵州麻阳河黑叶猴取食较多的23种主要食物及取食较少的14种非主要食物,用称重法、凯氏定氮法、酸碱洗涤法及范式洗涤法分析各独立样本的水分、粗蛋白、粗纤维和酸性洗涤纤维(ADF)的营养含量,计算相应的粗蛋白/酸性洗涤纤维(PROT/ADF)比值,并将所得到的各样本的营养含量与相应的秋季取食比例进行...     

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.     

Effect of level of fibre on performance and digestion traits in growing rabbits

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of level of fibre on production performance, gastrointestinal tract development, caecum fermentation and fibrolytic activity in weaner to 2-month-old New Zealand rabbits. One hundred weaner rabbits were allocated in individual cages for five treatments in which they were fed each diet with ADF at 130 (NDF, 274.1; ADL, 39.7; CP, 158.4; EE, 26.8; starch, 252.5 g/kg), 160 (NDF, 292.9; ADL, 41.9; CP, 160.3; EE, 25.6; starch, 249.4 g/kg), 190 (NDF, 312.4; ADL, 50.5; CP, 157.6; EE, 24.2; starch, 218.2 g/kg), 220 (NDF, 343.9; ADL, 51.2; CP, 158.5; EE, 22.2; starch, 217.6 g/kg), and 250 g/kg (NDF, 375.7; ADL, 66.0; CP, 156.9; EE, 22.4; starch, 220.8 g/kg) original matter basis, respectively. The results were: ADG and F/G deteriorated with increasing fibre (P<0.05); ADI increased with increasing dietary ADF (P=0.002). The stomach relative weight (g/kg LW), small intestine relative weight (g/kg LW), caecum weight, caecum content weight and caecum relative weight (g/kg LW) all increased with increasing ADF (P=0.003, 0.007, 0.002, 0.010 and <0.001, respectively). Quadratic effects of level of ADF on the villus height, villus height/crypt depth of the duodenum and the villus height/crypt depth of the jejunum were obtained; cubic effects of level of ADF on the crypt depth of the jejunum and the villus height/crypt depth of the ileum were obtained. Cubic effects of level of ADF on the pH, the butyric acid (% total VFA) and C2/C4 were obtained. The NH₃–N concentration dropped and the acetic acid (% total VFA) increased when the dietary ADF increased (P<0.001). The fibrolytic activity measured in the caecal contents increased when the dietary ADF increased (P<0.001). Providing a ration consisting mainly of clover meal, wheat straw and peanut hulls, the optimum dietary ADF content for weaner to 2-month-old growing meat rabbits was shown to be 190 g/kg feed.     

Suitability of cell-wall constituents as predictors of organic matter digestibility in some tropical and subtropical by-products

The van Soest detergent method for determination of cell wall constituents is suggested as a good routine analysis for plant material of high fibre content. The chemical composition of the fibre fraction of 24 tropical and subtropical by-products has been investigated, and simple and multiple correlation coefficients have been calculated between organic matter digestibility in vivo and in vitro, and the contents of different cell wall fractions.The acid detergent fibre (ADF) gave the highest negative correlation with the digestibility of organic material independent from the botanical origin of the sample. The ADF fraction proved superior to the Weende crude fibre as well as to single fractions of the cell walls such as lignin, cutin and silica.The determination of ADF is more convenient, and needs only half the time and half the expenditure required for the Weende crude fibre analysis. There is the additional aspect of health: determination of ADF in the detergent analysis requires no use of asbestos.     

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.     

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.     

Improving utilization of crop residues. Evaluation of two chemicals used to improve digestibility of crop residues

Two chemical treatments involving chelating metal caustic swelling (CMCS) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were evaluated for their ability to affect in vitro dry matter and in vitro cellulose disappearance (IVDMD and IVCD, respectively), dry matter disappearance in sacco and the chemical composition of two low-quality crop residues, cornstalks (CS) and soya bean residue (SBR). At $\text{chemical}\text{substrate}$ ratios ranging from 0.25:1 to 5:1, linear increases in IVCD of both roughages were noted. Improvements in IVCD of CS and SBR were noted at 1:1, 3:1 and 5:1$\text{chemical}\text{substrate}$ ratios, regardless of whether the treated roughages were used immediately after treatment (fresh basis) or preserved by drying or freezing. Decreased concentrations of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and crude protein (CP) resulted from chemical treatment. No effects of the water component of the solvent solutions were observed. Dry matter disappearance in sacco of CMCS- and NaOH-treated roughages was increased at all $\text{chemical}\text{substrate}$ ratios tested. Treatment of either roughage with CMCS resulted in greater digestibility in sacco than did treatment with NaOH. Treatment of CS with CMCS resulted in higher rates of digestion than did treatment with NaOH. No differences in rates of digestion of SBR were noted between chemicals. Both chemicals were more effective in improving digestibility of CS than of SBR.     

Genetic mapping and analysis of quantitative trait loci affecting fiber and lignin content in maize

Plant cell walls of forage provide a major source of energy for ruminant animals. Digestion of cell walls is limited by the presence of lignin, therefore the improving the digestibility of forages by reducing lignin content is a major goal in forage crop breeding programs. A recombinant inbred line maize population was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) of leaf-sheath and stalk tissues. All traits were positively genetically correlated. The larger genetic correlations were between NDF and ADF in sheaths (r = 0.84), NDF and ADF (r = 0.96), ADF and ADL (r = 0.83), and NDF and ADL (r = 0.76) in stalks. Twelve QTL were detected for NDF and 11 QTL for ADF in leaf-sheaths. Eight QTL detected for both traits were defined by the same or linked marker loci. Eight QTL were associated with leaf-sheath ADL. Eleven QTL were detected for NDF and ADF, and 12 QTL for ADL in stalks. Nine of eleven QTL detected for both NDF and ADF in stalks coincided in their genomic position. A high proportion of QTL detected for these traits had the same parental effects and genomic locations, suggesting that it is only necessary to select on one fiber component (NDF or ADF) to improve digestibility. Favorable correlated responses of unselected fiber components are expected due to coincident genomic locations of QTL and the high genetic correlation between fiber components. Several QTL detected in this study coincided in their positions with putative cellulose synthase genes from maize.     

Effects of free air carbon dioxide enrichment and drought stress on the feed value of maize silage fed to sheep at different thermal regimes

Information about the effects of rising atmospheric CO2 concentration and drought on the feed value of maize silage and interactions with the thermal environment during feeding is limited. A free air carbon dioxide enrichment facility was operated in a maize field to generate an elevated CO2 concentration of 550 ppm. Drought was induced by the exclusion of precipitation in one half of all experimental plots. Plants were harvested, chopped and ensiled. In a balance experiment on sheep, the nutrient digestibility was determined for three climatic treatments (temperate, temperature humidity index (THI) 57-63; mild heat, THI 68-71; severe heat, THI 75-80). The CO2 concentration and drought did not alter the crude nutrient content of silage dry matter (DM) or nutrient and organic matter (OM) digestibility. Drought increased the concentration of deoxynivalenol (DON, p < 0.001). The drought-associated increase of DON was reduced by CO2 enrichment (p = 0.003). The lowest digestibility of acid detergent fibre (p = 0.024) and neutral detergent fibre (p = 0.005) was observed during the coldest climate. OM digestibility increased during mild heat (p = 0.023). This study did not indicate considerable alterations of the feed value of maize silage due to increased atmospheric CO2 and drought. Enriched CO2 may decrease DON contaminations during drought. The thermal environment during the balance experiment did not interact with feeding maize silage grown under elevated CO2, but may affect cell wall and OM digestibility.     

Effect of exercise on apparent total tract digestibility of nutrients and faecal recovery of ADL and TiO2 in ponies

Exercise and physical training are known to affect gastrointestinal function and digestibility in horses and can lead to inaccurate estimates of nutrient and energy digestibility when markers are used. The effect of exercise on apparent nutrient digestibility and faecal recoveries of ADL and TiO₂ was studied in six Welsh pony geldings subjected to either a low- (LI) or high-intensity (HI) exercise regime according to a cross-over design. Ponies performing LI exercise were walked once per day for 45 min in a horse walker (5 km/h) for 47 consecutive days. Ponies submitted to HI exercise were gradually trained for the same 47 days according a standardized protocol. Throughout the experiment, the ponies received a fixed level of feed and the daily rations consisted of 4.7 kg DM of grass hay and 0.95 kg DM of concentrate. The diet was supplemented with minerals, vitamins and TiO₂ (3.0 g Ti/day). Total tract digestibility of DM, organic matter (OM), CP, crude fat, NDF, ADF, starch, sugar and energy was determined with the total faeces collection (TFC) method. In addition, DM and OM digestibility was estimated using internal ADL and the externally supplemented Ti as markers. Urine was collected on the final 2 days of each experimental period. Exercise did not affect apparent digestibility of CP, crude fat, starch and sugar. Digestibility of DM (DMD), OM (OMD), ADF and NDF tended to be lower and DE was decreased when ponies received the HI exercise regime. For all treatments combined, mean faecal recoveries of ADL and Ti were 87.8±1.7% and 99.3±1.7%, respectively. Ti was not detected in the urine, indicating that intestinal integrity was maintained with exercise. Dry matter digestibility estimated with the TFC, ADL and Ti for ponies subjected to LI exercise were 66.3%, 60.3% and 64.8%, respectively, while DMD for HI ponies were 64.2%, 60.3% and 65.2%, respectively. In conclusion, physical exercise has an influence on the GE digestibility of the feed in ponies provided with equivalent levels of feed intake. In addition, the two markers used for estimating apparent DMD and OMD indicate that externally supplemented Ti is a suitable marker to determine digestibility of nutrients in horses performing exercise unlike dietary ADL.