栽培模式和复合肥类型对隆平206农艺性状及干物质积累的影响

该研究用双因素裂区设计,在四种栽培模式和两种类型复合肥条件下,分析了玉米杂交种隆平206的农艺性状及干物质积累的影响。隆平206的株高、生长率均在等行距和宽窄行间差异不显著,但与等行距一穴两株间差异显著;穗位高在等行距和宽窄行[(70+50)cm]间差异不显著,但与宽窄行[(90+30)cm]和等行距一穴两株间差异显著;茎粗在各处理间差异不显著,栽培模式对隆平206穗位上第1叶和穗下第1叶的叶夹角影响显著,对穗上第1叶的叶向值影响显著,对穗下第1叶的叶向值影响不显著,对不同时期穗位节和穗位上节的茎杆强度影响差异显著,对不同时期干物质积累影响差异显著。隆平206在宽窄行[(90+30)cm],地富原玉米专用复合肥时,隆平206农艺性状各指标达最佳状态,栽培模式对隆平206不同时期干物质积累影响差异显著,在拔节期、大喇叭口期、开花期、乳熟期、成熟期,隆平206在栽培模式宽窄行(70+50)cm时干物质积累量均最大。该研究结果为玉米杂交种隆平206的栽培管理和施肥提供了依据。     

Effect of elevated CO2, temperature and drought on dry matter partitioning and photosynthesis before and after cutting of nodulated alfalfa

The rising atmospheric CO₂ concentration resulting from industrial development may enhance photosynthesis and plant growth. However, there is a lack of research concerning the effect of combined factors such as CO₂, temperature and water availability on plant regrowth following cutting or grazing, which represent the usual methods of managing forage legumes like alfalfa. Elevated CO₂, temperature and drought can interact with cutting factors (e.g. cutting frequency or height), and source-sink balance differences before and after defoliation can modify photosynthetic behaviour and dry matter accumulation, as well as dry matter partitioning between above- and belowground organs. The aim of our study was to determine the interactive effect of CO₂ (ambient, around 350 μmol mol⁻¹ versus 700 μmol mol⁻¹), temperature (ambient versus ambient + 4 °C) and water availability (well-irrigated versus partially irrigated) on dry matter partitioning and photosynthesis in nodulated alfalfa after vegetative normal growth and during regrowth. At the end of vegetative normal growth, CO₂ enhanced dry matter accumulation despite photosynthesis being down-regulated at the end of this period. Photosynthesis was stimulated by elevated CO₂ and resulted in greater dry matter accumulation during the regrowth period. Aboveground organs were affected more by drought than belowground organs during the entire experiment, particularly during vegetative normal growth. The higher drought tolerance (greater growth) observed during the regrowth period may be related to higher mass and greater reserves accumulated in the roots of plants.     

Net assimilation rate and relative nitrogen assimilation rate in relation to the dry matter production of alfalfa cultivars

Summary Twelve alfalfa cultivars inoculated with an indigenous strain (RM9) ofRhizobium meliloti, were compared for their seedling morphological characters, and growth characters, including net assimilation rate (NAR), relative growth rate (RGR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and relative nitrogen assimilation rate (R_N). Highly significant differences were obtained between cultivars for most characters.Simple correlation showed that NAR influenced RGR (r=0.91) more than leaf area ratio (LAR) (r=–0.44), and that most characters measured were highly correlated with seedling dry weight. Factor analysis showed that NAR, RGR and R_N contributed 25% of the total variation in the dependence structure. The grouping indicated that the higher the NAR and R_N the greater was the RGR. Path-coefficient analysis showed that NAR had more important direct and indirect effects than R_N in dry matter accumulation. The relationship implied that selection for plants with high NAR, or high efficiency in converting light energy to dry matter production could contribute greater N₂ fixation in alfalfa.     

Nutritive value of lentil and vetch straws as compared with alfalfa hay and wheat straw for replacement ewe lambs

The objective of this study was to compare the nutritive value of lentil straw (LS) and vetch straws (VS) with alfalfa hay (AH) and wheat straw (WS). Forty Awassi ewes (body weight (BW)=56.2 kg) were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments (10 ewes per treatment) for 6 weeks using a complete randomize design. In each dietary treatment, ewes were fed 550 g per day of concentrate mix formulated to supply 40% of the metabolizable energy requirement. After the consumption of the concentrate mix, ewes had ad libtum access to AH, LS, VS, or WS. Forage intake, total dry matter intake (DMI), and organic matter intake (OMI) were higher for AH and LS and lowest for WS. Final weight of ewes fed AH and LS diets were higher (P<0.05) than VS and WS diets. However, ewes fed VS diet gained more weight (2.5 kg) than ewes on WS diet (0.2 kg). Dry matter digestibility was higher for the AH and LS diets (59.4%), and lowest for WS diet (49.6%). The VS diet had an intermediate value (54.4%). Ruminal passage rate was higher for AH and LS (3.4% per hour) compared with WS (1.9% per hour). Eating time for the AH diet was lowest compared with the rest of the forages. Eating time, expressed as minutes per kilogram NDF intake, was highest for WS and VS diets (680 min) compared with AH and LS diets (535 min). WS diet required more time for rumination (395 min per day) compared to AH, LS, and VS diets. However, ewes on VS diet spent more time ruminating per kilogram NDF consumed (954 min) compared with WS, LS, and AH diets (901, 617, and 597 min, respectively). These results were significant and demonstrate that the nutritive value of LS is greater than VS and close to the nutritive value of AH. VS nutritive value is slightly greater than WS.     

光质对温室甜椒干物质生产和分配指数的影响

为了研究不同光质对甜椒植株干物质生产与分配指数的影响,以甜椒茎有限生长品种"苏椒13号"为试验材料,于2010年计不同种彩色塑料薄膜(红、黄、蓝、绿、紫,白色为对照)试验。结果表明:不同光质处理的甜椒单位面积干物质生产量(Wt)与冠层截获的太阳光合有效辐射日积分(daily photosynthetic active radiation integral,PARi,MJ·m-2)之间的模型为Wt=22.07×e0.0054λPARi;单位面积植株总干重、果实的干物质分配指数、果实采收指数和单位面积果实产量均以红膜最高,紫膜最低;蓝膜的茎干物质分配指数最高,红膜最低;蓝膜、绿膜和紫膜的植株叶片干物质分配指数明显高于红膜和黄膜;不同光质处理对甜椒植株地上部分干物质分配指数的影响差异不显著;研究认为红膜和黄膜能够促进甜椒植株的干物质积累和果实发育,紫膜和蓝膜则有明显的抑制作用,该研究结果可为温室甜椒栽培的光质选择和环境调控提供决策依据。     

旱作条件下紫花苜蓿光合蒸腾日变化与环境因子的关系

在旱作条件下测定了4年生紫花苜蓿初花期光合蒸腾特性,以及光合有效辐射(PAR)、田间CO₂浓度(C_a)、相对湿度(RH)、大气温度(T_a)等环境因子的日变化,并采用相关系数、通径系数和决策系数分析了紫花苜蓿光合蒸腾特性日变化与环境因子的关系.结果表明,对光合速率日变化直接影响最大的因子是T_a,而RH、PAR和C_a主要是通过T_a而间接地影响光合速率日变化;对蒸腾速率日变化直接影响最大的因子是PAR,而RH、T_a和C_a主要是通过PAR而间接地影响蒸腾速率日变化.对光合蒸腾特性起主要决定作用的因子是PAR,主要限制因子是T_a.     

Relative contribution of nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) and bacteria towards the disruption of flushing patterns and losses in yield and quality of mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

Laboratory tests of bacteria isolated from the body surface, or from the gut, of a saprophagous rhabditid nematode Caenorhabditis elegans infesting mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) showed that some bacteria enhanced nematode reproduction and that others inhibited it. As some bacteria were shown to inhibit mycelial growth of the mushroom, the effects of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratus, Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia liquefaciens, either alone or in combination with C. elegans, on the flushing patterns, quality and yield of A. bisporus (strain Horst U3) were studied. Bacteria alone had little effect on flushing patterns whereas C. elegans delayed the onset of mushroom production and significantly disrupted the growth pattern of crops, with mushrooms appearing more regularly and not within obvious flushes. Inoculation with bacteria resulted in ‘browning’ of mushrooms that was even more pronounced in C. elegans treatments. Characteristic distortion of sporophores was observed only in the presence of C. elegans. Nematodes commonly colonised sporophores. Bacteria affected the size of nematode populations both on the sporophores and in the casing. Significant yield loss occurred; up to 10% when bacteria were inoculated, up to 27.8% when C. elegans was inoculated, and up to 35% with both bacteria and nematodes. Synergism between C. elegans and A. calcoaceticus var. anitratus was observed; the combination resulted in significantly greater reduction in mushroom yield than any other treatment. It is concluded that bacteria contribute to yield loss and quality deterioration in A. bisporus but that the effects are far greater in the presence of C. elegans.     

Impact of native predators and parasites on Spodoptera exigua, an introduced pest of alfalfa hay in northern California

A long-term study of Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) revealed that a complex of native predators and parasites exploit this introduced pest in alfalfa-hay fields in northern California. In field trials, predators typically fed on >50% of sentinel egg masses during a given sample interval; mean predation rate ranged from 40 to 100% and percentage predation per individual egg mass was density-independent (spatial context) for 16 of 17 sample intervals. The egg-predator guild consisted primarily of adults and nymphs of Lygus hesperus Knight & L. elisus Van Duzee (Miridae), Nabis americoferus Carayon (Nabidae), and Orius tristicolor (White) (Anthocoridae); and adults of Collops vittatus (Say) (Melyridae) and Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville (Coccinellidae). In laboratory feeding trials, these species readily fed on eggs, as well as neonate larvae of S. exigua. The parasite guild associated with small- to medium-sized larvae consisted of Hyposoter exiguae (Viereck) and Pristomerus spinator (F.) (Ichneumonidae), both larval endoparasites; and Chelonus insularis Cresson (Braconidae), an egg-larval endoparasite. Total parasitization by these species in field samples ranged from 5 to 75%, and was density-independent (spatial context) for each of four sample dates. A few larvae were infected with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus but no epizootics were observed. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that native natural enemies, especially generalist predators, can maintain populations of S. exigua at levels well below the treatment threshold for this exotic pest of alfalfa grown for hay.     

The influence of addition of gallic acid, tannic acid, or quebracho tannins to alfalfa hay on in vitro rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis

Tannins may reduce rumen degradability of protein, increase the proportion of feed protein reaching the lower digestive tract for enzymatic digestion and thereby increase the efficiency of protein utilization. The objective was to assess the effects of different types and levels of tannins on rumen in vitro gas production and its kinetics, in vitro true degradability (IVTD) and rumen degradability of protein (IVRDP), and microbial protein synthesis by incubating alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) hay in buffered rumen fluid. Alfalfa was incubated in buffered rumen fluid with and without the addition of different levels of gallic acid (GA), quebracho tannin (QT), or tannic acid (TA). Tannins at the lower inclusion levels had minimal effects on fermentation products compared to the higher levels. Addition of QT and TA reduced ammonium-N (NH₄⁺-N) concentration. Addition of QT at 20, 40, and 60 g/kg DM decreased NH₄⁺-N by 2, 7, and 12% compared with control whereas addition of TA reduced NH₄⁺-N by 5, 6, and 12% when added at 20, 40 and 60 g/kg DM, respectively. In experiment 2, addition of QT at 50, 100, and 150 g/kg DM, resulted in reduction of NH₄⁺-N by 12, 30, and 51%, respectively, compared with the control. Addition of TA at 50, 100, and 150 g/kd DM reduced NH₄⁺-N by 14, 26, and 47% compared with control. Inclusion of QT at 50, 100, 150 DM reduced IVRDP by 13, 30, and 36% compared with control whereas at these levels of inclusion, TA resulted in reduction of IVRDP by 14, 25, and 48%. Rate of gas production decreased (P<0.001), while asymptotic gas production increased (P<0.0001) with increasing level of GA and TA. Quebracho tannin decreased (P<0.0001) both the rate and asymptotic of gas production. Gallic acid had a positive effect on fermentation as indicated by increased gas production and total short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production. Quebracho tannin decreased 24 h gas production, IVTD, and total SCFA production. Acetate to propionate ratio increased with the addition of GA and but decreased when QT was added. Addition of tannins did not markedly increase total purines but numerical values tended to be higher in the presence of tannins compared with the control. Efficiency of microbial growth was lower in the presence of GA and unaltered by TA, but higher in the presence of QT compared with the control. The effect of tannins on rumen fermentation and protein degradation varied with type and level of tannins. In vivo studies will be conducted to validate the in vitro results.     

16S rRNA基因高通量测序方法检测奶牛场常用干草表面微生物群落结构及多样性

【目的】随着中国奶牛业的发展,干草需求量与日俱增。作为天然牧草,干草可以成为家畜传播病原体的载体。以干草表面附着物为研究对象,了解干草中细菌群落结构以及致病菌属特征。【方法】对来自6个不同奶牛场饲草舍的干草样本,应用Illumina Mi Seq高通量测序技术测定干草表面附着物细菌的16S r RNA基因V3-V4变异区序列,分析不同干草样本细菌群落组成。【结果】干草样本中的细菌在97%的相似水平下共得到OTU个数为15 416,涵盖了29门87纲144目219科323属的细菌。微生物多样性分析表明,干草样本具有很高的细菌多样性,不同样本多样性存在差异。对干草样本菌群中丰度较高的14种病原菌属进行分析,发现相较于人工种植牧草制备的干草,天然牧草制备的干草中病原菌属丰度较高。【结论】研究解析了干草样本中微生物的多样性、丰度及主要病原菌属的特征,对奶牛场疾病防控有一定指导意义。     

Effect of low and high-saponin lines of alfalfa on pea aphid

Pea aphid fed on a high-saponin line of alfalfa showed reduction of reproduction and survival, and disturbance in development of its population. This line negatively influenced aphid probing behaviour, particularly prolonging the non-probing period and probing of the peripheral tissues (epidermis and mesophyll) and shortening the period of phloem sap ingestion. The high-saponin line of alfalfa differed from the low-saponin one by the presence of zanhic acid tridesmoside and a higher level of 3-GlcA,28-AraRhaXyl medicagenic acid glycoside. The saponins incorporated into sucrose-agarose gels significantly reduced number of the aphid probes into the gels and extended their duration in comparison to the control gels (without tested compounds). Role of zanhic acid tridesmoside and 3-GlcA,28-AraRhaXyl medicagenic acid glycoside as potential factors for partial resistance of alfalfa towards the pea aphid is discussed.     

再生水灌溉对苜蓿生长发育和品质的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了再生水不同灌溉方式对苜蓿生长发育和品质的影响.结果表明：与清水灌溉相比,再生水能显著增加苜蓿的株高、侧枝数及产草量,但对苜蓿叶面积有一定的抑制作用;再生水灌溉、再生水与清水混灌和轮灌使苜蓿体内可溶性蛋白含量分别增加78.43%、83.68%、72.53%,但再生水灌溉不利于苜蓿可溶性糖的累积.再生水灌溉下,苜蓿植株体内的Ca、Mg含量较清水灌溉分别增加了27.78%、26.61%;再生水灌溉及混灌下,苜蓿体内的Fe含量较清水灌溉分别降低28.71%、10.09%;再生水灌溉、轮灌和混灌下苜蓿地上部Cd含量较清水灌溉分别增加98.6%、89.5%和59.0%,但苜蓿体内重金属Pb、Cd含量仍低于国家卫生标准（GB 13078—2001）规定限量值.说明再生水是苜蓿可利用的灌溉
资源,但其长期效应仍需进一步研究.        

Host-dependent association and its implications on the relative abundance of blue alfalfa aphid and pea aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on alfalfa in Oklahoma

Field populations of blue alfalfa aphid and pea aphid on alfalfa were sampled during 1985 and 1986 to determine the association of co-occurrence, interspecific interactions and comparative temporal variations in the spatial dispersion patterns of these species in Oklahoma. Relative abundance of these species is discussed in the light of above analyses.Cole' s coefficient revealed a high degree of association between these species in terms of their occurrence on the same alfalfa stems in the field. Regression analyses indicated that the species populations tended to increase in concert on the same stems without evidence of competitive displacement. Spatial dispersion patterns of both species were highly aggregated at low population densities early in the season. Over time, both species tended to disperse and became less aggregated as numbers increased. It was concluded that magnitude of interspecific interactions between the blue alfalfa aphid and the pea aphid were not of a nature that they could be termed as competing species. On the contrary, a concept of an “ecospecies” is proposed for practical applications such as sampling plans and economic threshold determinations.     

小麦叶蜂危害的产量损失与防治指标研究

当小麦叶蜂幼虫数量相等时,在较干旱的年份（1988）危害较重;而在气候较湿润的年份（1989）危害较轻。虫量与产量损失成正相关（r=0．9821**）,其中以25头／m2幼虫危害的产量损失突增,达显著水平,可以认定为防治指标。     

Impact of wheat grinding and pelleting in a wheat–rapeseed meal diet on amino acid ileal digestibility and endogenous losses in pigs

The purpose of the current experiment was to investigate the impacts of grinding and pelleting procedures applied to wheat in a wheat–rapeseed meal diet on the coefficients of standardized ileal digestibility, i.e., apparent digestibility corrected for basal endogenous losses (CSID), and true ileal digestibility, i.e., apparent digestibility corrected for total endogenous losses (CTID), of nitrogen (N) and amino acids (AA) in pigs. Ileal digestibility was measured by collecting digesta from pigs fitted with ileorectal anastomoses. Four diets, involving four technological treatments applied to wheat, were compared in vivo according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design (four pigs each fed four diets during four successive periods of 1 week). The technological treatments of wheat were two grinding procedures and two pelleting processes. Wheat was ground to obtain mean flour particle sizes of 1000 and 500 μm, leading after mixing with rapeseed meal and minerals-vitamins premix to the first and second diets named “coarse” and “fine”, respectively. Part of the 500 μm wheat flour was pelleted through dies of same screen diameter (4 mm) but different thicknesses, 16 and 20 mm, inducing a low and high compression ratio, leading after mixing with rapeseed meal and premix to the third and fourth diets named “LCR” and “HCR”, respectively. Basal endogenous losses were determined by feeding a protein-free diet during the 5th week of the experiment. Total endogenous losses were measured by way of the isotopic dilution method using ¹⁵N-labeled wheat and rapeseed meal. Decreasing wheat particle size from 1000 to 500 μm improved (P<0.05) the coefficient of ileal digestibility of dietary energy (0.707 versus 0.665), organic matter (0.718 versus 0.677) and dry matter (0.681 versus 0.645), but neither AA CSID nor N retention. The pelleting processes did not further increase (P>0.10) energy or organic matter digestibility but improved (P<0.05) N and AA CSID (0.785 versus 0.759 for N and 0.725 versus 0.679 for lysine, with HCR versus fine diet, respectively). Pelleting wheat flour at higher compression ratio (HCR versus LCR diet) was more efficient to improve dietary N and AA digestibility values due to a significant decrease in ileal specific, i.e., total minus basal, N and AA endogenous losses (P<0.05) associated with an increase in CTID. It is concluded that pelleting wheat fine flour at high compression ratio allows maximizing AA digestibility and availability of a wheat–rapeseed meal diet.     

Synergistic effect of Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 and Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41 on Moroccan alfalfa population grown under limited phosphorus availability

This study looked at the synergistic effect of Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 and Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41 on the Moroccan alfalfa population (Oued Lmaleh) grown under symbiotic nitrogen fixation and limited phosphorus (P) availability. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber and after two weeks of sowing, the young seedlings were inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41 alone or combined with a suspension of Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9. Then, the seedlings were submitted to limited available P (insoluble P using Ca₃HPO₄) versus a soluble P form (KH₂PO₄) at a final concentration of 250 μmol P·plant⁻¹·week⁻¹. After two months of P stress, the experiment was evaluated through some agro-physiological and biochemical parameters. The results indicated that the inoculation of alfalfa plants with Sinorhizobium strain alone or combined with Pseudomonas strain significantly (p < 0.001) improved the plant growth, the physiological and the biochemical traits focused in comparison to the uninoculated and P-stressed plants. For most sets of parameters, the improvement was more obvious in plants co-inoculated with both strains than in those inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41 alone. In fact, under limited P-availability, the co-inoculation with two strains significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced the growth of alfalfa plants evaluated by fresh and dry biomasses, plant height and leaf area. The results indicated also that the enhancement noted in plant growth was positively correlated with the shoot and root P contents. Furthermore, the incensement in plant P contents in response to bacterial inoculation improved cell membrane stability, reflected by low malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and electrolyte leakage (EL) contents, and photosynthetic-related parameters such as chlorophyll contents, the maximum quantum yield of PS II (Fv/Fm) and stomatal conductance (g_s). Our findings suggest that Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 can act synergistically with Sinorhizobium meliloti Rm41 in promoting alfalfa growth under low-P availability.     

The effect of alfalfa saponins on growth and lysis of Physarum polycephalum

The prelytic events associated with the interaction of saponins with Physarum polycephalum membrane components were studied. It was found that alfalfa saponins form interaction products with membranal sterols, proteins and phospholipids. The interaction of saponins with proteins affect also certain membranal enzymic activities such as NADH oxidase and Malate dehydrogenase. It is suggested that although the interaction of the saponin with sterols is much more specific than with other membranal components, the lysis of plasmodia of P. polycephalum should be attributed to a concerted attack on the various membrane constituents. In continuation of these interactions, the changes of permeability of plasmodia membrane were expressed by increment of inorganic sodium ions and water influx, traced by lysis, while no efflux of ions was observed.Killed in action in the October War, October 22, 1973.     

Impact of flood events on dolphin occupancy patterns

The aim of this study was to assess potential impacts of water quality changes associated with floods on the occupancy of Indo‐Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in two subtropical estuaries in Australia. Boat‐based surveys were conducted in the Clarence River estuary (CR) and Richmond River estuaries (RR) over 3 yr. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that when the dolphins were absent from the estuaries, three water quality components were extracted in the CR and two components in the RR. The PCA¹ component included high loadings for salinity, turbidity, and pH for the CR (46%); and salinity, turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) for the RR (51%). Randomization tests showed that dolphins abandoned both estuaries at times of lower salinity, and during periods of higher turbidity and of lower levels of pH and dissolved oxygen in the RR that were associated with floods. The time until dolphins returned to the estuary postflood depended on the length and severity of the flood, but generally dolphins were observed in waters with salinity levels above 29‰. Their delayed return postflood could be for their physiological health, or because their prey returned to the estuaries under these higher salinity conditions, or more likely a combination of both factors.     

Effects of ethyl ester supplementation to forage on short-term dry matter intake and preference by goats

In whole-crop maize silages with atypical smell and decreased acceptance by ruminants, high concentrations of the volatile organic compounds ethyl acetate (EA) and ethyl lactate (EL) were detected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different concentrations of ethyl esters added to forage on preference and short-term feed intake of goats. In the first of three trials, whole-crop maize silage was supplemented with different concentrations of EA and EL and then vacuum-stored before use. Forages sampled during the preference trial showed a good recovery of EL with a high accordance of target (naturally formed + supplemented) and analysed concentrations. Supplemented EA was not recovered, making transient storage of substrates before use in feeding trials equivocal. However, four treatments with different concentrations of EL (approximately 330, 560, 920 and 1300 mg/kg dry matter (DM)) were used for the preference trial. In Trials 2 and 3, EA and EL (with and without ethanol, respectively) were added to grass hay directly before offering the feed, each in concentrations of 0, 600 and 1200 mg/kg DM to have six treatments each. In all trials, each possible combination of treatments was offered to Saanen-type wethers (n = 10, Trial 1; n = 5, Trials 2 and 3) as free choice in preference trials. In Trial 1, there was only a weak impact of EL on preference behaviour as goats avoided medium EL concentrations, but did not avoid silages with higher concentrations. In Trials 2 and 3, there was no influence of added volatiles on short-term DM intake and preference at all. It can be concluded that it is unlikely that ethyl esters as single substance or in combination with ethanol affect preference behaviour and feed intake of ruminants. Possibly a combination or still unidentified fermentation products cause avoidance instead of a single compound.