Academic literature on the topic 'Legume silage'

Abstract. Ridwan R, Rusmana I, Widyastuti Y, Wiryawan KG, Prasetya B, Sakamoto M, Ohkuma M. 2019. Bacteria and methanogen community in the rumen fed different levels of grass-legume silages. Biodiversitas 20: 1055-1062. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary grass-legume silages on the microbial community by using a culture-independent approach. Treatments consisted of R0: 50% Pennisetum purpureum and 50 % concentrate; R1: 20% P. purpureum, 50 % concentrate, and 30% grass-legumes silage; R2: 20% P. purpureum, 35 % concentrate, and 45% grass-legumes silage; and R3; 20% P. purpureum, 20 % concentrate, and 60% grass-legumes silage. The rumen fluid obtained from fistulated cattle was used for T-RFLP, 16S rDNA clone library, and qPCR analyses. The results indicated that bacterial diversity was dominated by Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and methanogen by Methanobacteriales, based on partial 16S rDNA sequences. The microbial communities were dominated by Prevotella brevis, P. ruminicola, Succiniclasticum ruminis, and Methanobrevibacter ruminantium, M. smithi, M. thueri, and M. millerae. The increasing silage diet in a rumen suppressed methanogenesis by reducing population distribution of Methanobacteriales, directly or indirectly, by reducing the diversity of bacterial populations. Generally, the increase silage in the diet changed the bacterial and methanogen community. Grass-legume silage diets of less than 45% are potential for ruminant diet to reduce methane production by a decrease of 4% in the relative distribution of methanogens in the rumen.

The high rates of rumen fermentation, physical breakdown and passage rates from the rumen of legume silages lead to higher intakes than for grass silages of comparable digestibility. Although total tract digestibilities for legume silages and maize silages are often lower than for grass silages, milk yields are usually higher. A further benefit of legumes and maize is the reduced rate of decline in digestibility. Legume silages often lead to a reduction in milk fat concentration and increased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, 18:2 n-6 and 18:3 n-3. This latter effect is related to reduced rumen biohydrogenation as a consequence of increased rumen passage rates or the effects of polyphenol oxidase. There is quite a wide range of maturities (300 – 350 g kg-1 DM) that leads to maximum dry matter intakes and milk production from maize silage; milk production is reduced with immature or over–mature maize crops. Forage chop length exerts a number of effects, both in the silo and in the rumen, but effects on rumen function, feed intake and milk production have been inconsistent. The high protein content and high N degradability of most legume silages is associated with a low efficiency of converting dietary N into milk N, with a concomitant increase in urine N. Reducing N intake by inclusion of maize silage in mixtures with legume silages leads to a marked reduction in urine N without loss of production potential. It is predicted, on the basis of their chemical composition and rumen kinetics, that legume silages and maize silages would reduce methane production relative to grass silage, though in vivo measurements are lacking. Extensive fermentation in the silo reduces the amount of fermentable substrate, and reduced methane production in comparison with grass silage where fermentation had been restricted by high levels of acid additive.

AbstractAn experiment was carried out to examine the effects of offering beef cattle five silage diets. These were perennial ryegrass silage (PRGS) as the sole forage, tall fescue/perennial ryegrass silage (FGS) as the sole forage, PRGS in a 50:50 ratio on a dry matter (DM) basis with lupin/triticale silage (LTS), lupin/wheat silage (LWS) and pea/oat silage (POS). Each of the five silage diets was supplemented with 4 and 7 kg of concentrates/head/day in a five silages × two concentrate intakes factorial design. A total of 90 cattle were used in the 121-day experiment. The grass silages were of medium digestibility and were well preserved. The legume/cereal silages had high ammonia N, high acetic acid, low lactic acid, low butyric acid and low digestible organic matter concentrations (542, 562 and 502 g/kg DM for LTS, LWS and POS, respectively). Silage treatment did not significantly affect liveweight gain, carcass gain, carcass characteristics, the instrumental assessment of meat quality or fatty acid composition of theM. longissimus dorsimuscle. In view of the low yields of the legume/cereal crops, it is concluded that the inclusion of spring-sown legume/cereal silages in the diets of beef cattle is unlikely to be advantageous.

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritive value, in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD), and ensiling characteristics of legume foliage–maize straw silages. For silage, the proportion of legume to maize was 20%:80% (maize–lablab (ML), maize–indigenous cowpea (MI), maize–Betswit (MB), and maize–Dr Saunders (MD)). Maize alone (M) was used as a control, making up five treatments. Silages were opened after 45 days, and samples were taken for chemical composition, IVDMD, and fermentation characteristics analysis. Other samples were put through a seven-day aerobic stability test. All data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance, in a completely randomized design (CRD). For the nutritive value of the silage, the ML had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) content, when compared with other silages. Maize–Betswit had the lowest (p < 0.05) neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) content, when compared with other silages. The lowest (p < 0.05) ether-extract (EE) and hemicellulose content was recorded for MI silage. The lowest (p < 0.05) pH was recorded for maize silage. All silages had similar (p > 0.05) amounts of lactic acid (LA), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), yeast, and mould counts. The MI had the lowest (p < 0.05) carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, when compared with other silages. The highest (p < 0.05) IVDMD was recorded for ML silage, from 24 h up to 72 h. The addition of legumes in maize straw resulted in improved silage quality and fermentation characteristics.

SUMMARYThe potential of ensiled sorghum–soybean as a ruminant feed has already been demonstrated; however, alternatives for soybean should be considered because other legumes such as jack bean (JB; Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.) and velvet bean (VB; Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC) might produce better yields under tropical conditions. First, the possibility for a qualitative conservation of these legumes in combination with sorghum was studied using lab-scale silages. Furthermore, the potential of additional molasses as a source of water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and a microbial inoculant (BIOPRANAL) to improve silage quality were assessed. As sorghum or legume tannins may influence the silage nutritive value, their importance was assessed through the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG), which reduces tannin activity. Therefore, 25 treatments per legume–sorghum combination were created according to a central composite design. An acceptable silage quality was reached when at least half of the fresh biomass consisted of sorghum in combination with at least 15 g of additional WSC/kg fresh material. The nutritive value of mixed silages as well as pure sorghum silage in combination with dry jack beans was determined through in vitro digestibility in the rumen and small intestine. Polyethylene glycol increased the in vitro production of short-chain fatty acids, ammonia (NH3) concentrations and effective rumen dry matter and crude protein degradability for both mixed silages, indicating that tannins reduced rumen degradability. The latter action could be positive as the amount of digestible bypass protein increased when no PEG was added in the silo. Propionate and valerate proportions were increased through PEG addition to sorghum–JB and sorghum–VB silages, respectively, suggesting that the nature of the tannins differ between these legumes.

Poor animal performance associated with low digestibility silages results partly from the reduced nutrient yield per unit intake, but also from the associated lower intakes which were presumed to be a consequence of rumen fill effects. Legume silages have a lower average digestibility than grass silages, and yet often have higher intake characteristics. The objective of this work was to compare rumen fill and rumen particle size distribution for animals fed grass silage or legume silage-based diets.

Ensiled king grass (Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone) is commonly used as feed in tropical ruminant production. However, ruminant performance can be limited by low nitrogen (N) content in tropical grass silage. A mixed feed of legume–king grass silage may be an option to improve ruminant production. We investigated the effects of feeding an ensiled mixture of king grass forage and foliage of a browse tree legume, either leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) or gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp), on dry matter (DM) intake, DM digestibility, organic matter (OM) digestibility and N balance of Pelibuey sheep. Twelve male lambs 9–11 months old were blocked by initial bodyweight (33 ± 3 kg, mean ± s.d.) into three groups of four lambs and randomly assigned to one of three feed treatments: king grass silage (KS); mixed king grass and leucaena silage (KLS); and mixed king grass and gliricidia silage (KGS). Results showed that DM and OM were similar among silages. The N content was higher (P &lt; 0.001) in KLS and KGS than in KS. DM intake and DM digestibility were higher (P &lt; 0.001) in KLS and KGS than in KS. OM digestibility was higher (P &lt; 0.001) in KLS than in KS. Nitrogen intake, faecal N, urine volume, urinary N, digested N, N digestibility, N retention and retained N:N intake ratio from KLS and KGS treatments were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than from KS. A lower (P &lt; 0.01) urinary N:N intake ratio was detected from KGS and KLS than from KS. This study demonstrated that, compared with silage made from king grass alone, legume–king grass silage mixtures can improve intake and nutrient digestibility in Pelibuey lambs. Further, N retention can be enhanced when legume–king grass silages are used as feed compared with king grass silage alone.

The effect of harvest time on the dry matter (DM) yield and quality of 10 annual temperate legumes [Trifolium subterraneum, var. brachcalycinum and var. subterraneum L. (subterranean clover), T. michelianum Savi (balansa clover), T. alexandrinum L. (berseem clover), Medicago murex Willd. (murex medic), M. truncatula Gaertn. (barrel medic), T. vesiculosum Savi (arrowleaf clover), Vicia sativa L. (common vetch), V. benghalensis L. (purple vetch), Pisum sativum L. (peas) grown in monoculture or in mixtures with oats (Avena sativa L.)] was examined in a Mediterranean environment in southern New South Wales. Three of the legumes (subterranean clover, berseem and peas) were also grown in mixtures with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The forages were sown on 29 May and harvested at three times (2 October, 23 October and 6 November), corresponding to the boot, anthesis and dough stage of the cereal oat variety, Kalgan. Peas were the highest yielding of the legume monocultures at each of the three harvest times (6.9, 11.6, 12.3 t DM/ha), followed by purple vetch (6.2, 9.9, 8.7 t DM/ha). Of the small-seeded pasture legumes, berseem, murex and arrowleaf clover were the highest yielding at the second harvest (7.5–8.8 t DM/ha) when most reached their peak biomass. The inclusion of oats with the legumes increased total DM yield at the first, second and third harvests by 10–54, 7–99 and 3–102%, respectively. Oat monocultures were high yielding (up to 17.7 t DM/ha), but had low N contents (6.3–12.5 g N/kg DM). Oat–legume forage mixtures had nitrogen (N) contents of 7–15 g N/kg compared with 17–40 g N/kg in the legume monocultures. The N content and digestibility of most species and mixtures decreased as harvest time was delayed, whereas total DM peaked at the second harvest for all species except Cooba oats. The legume content of the mixtures was negatively correlated with total DM yield, DM content and water soluble carbohydrates, but positively correlated with N content, in vitro digestibility and buffering capacity. The digestibility of oats decreased more rapidly than the legumes with advancing maturity, and it would need to be harvested at the boot stage to produce a silage of sufficiently high metabolisable energy for the production feeding of cattle. A later harvest at anthesis when yield is higher would produce a silage of sufficient quality for production feeding from an oat–large seeded legume mixture with a legume content of 0.50. The oats and ryegrass had high water soluble carbohydrate and low to medium buffering capacity and would, therefore, be expected to produce well-preserved silages. The legume monocultures had low water soluble carbohydrate contents and high buffering capacity values and there would be a high risk of a poor silage fermentation in these forages without field wilting or the use of a silage additive.

Less than 30% of dairy cattle’s nitrogen ingested is retained in milk. Therefore, large amounts of nitrogen can be excreted in manure and urine with a potential environmental impact. In addition, some legume forages can be more susceptible to proteolysis during the silage process than grasses, and dairy cows fed these legume silages would excrete a larger quantity of nitrogen in slurry. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the amount of nitrogen excretion in dairy cows fed different protein levels and legume silages with a view to improve the slurry quality as a co-product that can be used as fertilizer. Two double 3 × 3 Latin square trials were carried out in order to study three different protein levels (high, medium, and low) and three different silages (grass, faba bean, and field pea). Dry matter intake, milk production, and composition were not affected by treatments. The excretion of ammonia-N in the urine was almost four times lower in the diet with the lowest protein level. The ammonia-N in the urine was twice as high with the pea silage than faba bean and grass silages. In conclusion, the diet containing 13% of protein meets the protein requirement for lactating cows producing 31 kg daily, with low nitrogen excretion in the urine, and the main pathway for the excretion of surplus nitrogen from legume silages is through urine and the metabolization of pea silage protein goes toward ammonia-N.

The impact of fresh legume types or silage on the composition of milk fatty acids and transcription of enzymes involved in the synthesis of milk fat in cows was studied. Three groups of cows grazed high proportions of white clover, red clover and lucerne, respectively. A fourth group of cows was fed maize/grass silage. The cows grazing high proportions of legumes produced significantly more 18:1 trans-11, 18:2 cis9-trans11, 18:2 trans10-cis12 and 18:3 fatty acids than cows fed silage. White clover and lucerne grazing resulted in significantly lower output of 18:1 trans9 in milk than red clover grazing and maize/grass silages. Transcription of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) in mammary tissue was significantly increased by grazing high proportions of legume whereas fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were not affected by type of feeding. Furthermore, average milk fat globule diameter was correlated to daily milk fat yield but was not affected by feeding. Although the fresh forage affected the transcription of SCD in mammary tissue, the largest effects were on the trans11-based fatty acids. It is concluded that type of forage, i.e. fresh or silage, had a greater impact on rumen fermentation pattern than on transcription of enzymes involved in the synthesis of milk fat.

Beef cattle producers in the southeastern US often stockpile forage in late summer to extend the grazing season and reduce feeding costs. Three stockpiled grass-legume mixtures were evaluated for winter grazing. In addition, stockpiled forages were ensiled and evaluated as livestock feed. Four accumulation dates and seven harvest dates were randomized to small plots of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) -red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) -red clover, and orchardgrass-alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). The amount of grass and legume in the fescue-red clover mixture shifted from less than 30% grass and more than 60% legume in October to over 60% grass and less than 10% legume in April. All forage mixtures contained at least 15% CP from November to March. Fescue-red clover was higher in TNC and lower in NDF, ADF and cellulose in January and March than the orchardgrass-legume mixtures. Fescue-red clover was higher in yield than the orchardgrass-legume mixtures from November to February. Delaying stockpiling until September 1 or 15 increased (P <.05) legume content and decreased dead grass content in orchardgrass-clover and orchardgrass-alfalfa. Accumulating growth from September 15 increased percent CP in fescue-red clover and orchardgrass-clover, compared to August 15, and decreased percent NDF in all forage mixtures. Percent IVDMD increased in orchardgrass-clover when stockpiling was delayed until September 15. May yields decreased only in orchardgrass-alfalfa when stockpiling was delayed until September. Orchardgrass stockpiled on August 3 and September 3, and alfalfa stockpiled on September 3 were ensiled alone. Chemical composition of silages was determined after 90 d of fermentation. Silages averaged 16.0% CP and 44.7% NDF. Digestibility of the ensiled stockpiled forages was estimated using acid insoluble ash as a marker with 18 wether lambs. No differences were observed in DM or CP digestibility, but NDF digestibility was lower for alfalfa silage than for orchardgrass silages. All stockpiled grass-legume mixtures provided high quality winter grazing, and all silages were of good quality and digestibility. Fescue-red clover maintained both good quality and higher yield than the other mixtures. Ensiling stockpiled alfalfa and orchard grass provided a method of maintaining CP and digestibility for subsequent feeding.
Master of Science

The livestock sector is facing different challenges, and the demand for higher sustainability seems to be one of the most urgent. This PhD project debated, in particular, the environmental impacts related to ruminant nutrition, focusing on dairy cows, since nutrition is bound tightly to two of the most important sources of impact: enteric CH4 emission and land use change (LUC). Enteric CH4 emission from ruminants represents 29-38% of the total (anthropic + natural) emission of this powerful (21 CO2 equivalent) greenhouse gas. The production of CH4 is a physiological process used by ruminants to discharge the [H] resulting from rumen fermentation. Different strategies can be implemented to mitigate this impact, and they can be roughly grouped into three main categories: animal and feed management, diet formulation, and rumen manipulation. The second issue investigated in the project is the high reliance of European livestock on soybean meal as a protein source for diet formulation. A total of 30 million tonnes of this feedstuff was imported into Europe in 2020. The main countries of origin are in South America (65% of total import), where 20% of soybean meal production was linked with deforestation (and consequently LUC) in the last decades. Clearing these areas means loss of carbon sink and emission of CO2 in the atmosphere. Other feedstuffs, like grain legumes, oilseed meals alternative to soybean, and high quality forages could be considered to provide protein feed with a lower environmental cost. In this context, the PhD project was developed as follows:  To address the problem of CH4 emission, plant essential oils, as modulators of rumen fermentation, were evaluated (Experiment 1). Furthermore, the effect on CH4 emission of different forages in the diet of dairy cows was investigated (Experiment 2). For validation of mitigation strategies and inventory computation of emissions at a national scale, country-specific equations to quantify CH4 emission were evaluated (Experiment 3).  To address the problem of soybean meal environmental impact, soybean silage and responsible soybean meal (not connected with land use change) were evaluated as protein source alternatives to soybean meal in the diet of lactating cows (Experiments 4 and 5). Enteric methane direct emission In the first experiment, Achille moschata essential oil and its main pure components, namely bornyl acetate, camphor, and eucalyptol, were evaluated in an in vitro experiment. The trial comprehended a short-term in vitro incubation (48 h), with 200 mg of compound per L of inoculum, and a long-term one by continuous fermenter (9 d), with 100 mg/L for each compound. In the first incubation, no differences due to the treatments were found for in vitro gas production (on average, 30.4 mL/200 mg DM, P = 0.772 at 24 h and 45.2 mL/200 mg DM, P = 0.545 at 48 h). Camphor and eucalyptol reduced CH4 production when expressed as % of gas production at 48 h (P < 0.05): -7.4% and -7% compared to control. In the second incubation, CH4 was reduced by eucalyptol (-18%, P < 0.05). Regarding volatile fatty acids, the main effects were a decrease of total production for camphor (-19.5%, P < 0.05) and an increase in acetate production at 9 d with bornyl acetate and camphor (+13% and 7.6%, respectively, P < 0.05) compared to control. Total protozoa count was increased compared to the control (on average: +37%, P = 0.006, at 48 h and +48%, P < 0.001, at 9 d) with all the pure compounds tested. In the short-term incubation, all the treatments reduced Bacteroidetes (30.3%, on average, vs. 37.1% of control, P = 0.014) and Firmicutes (26.3%, on average, vs. 30.7% of control, P = 0.031) abundances but increased Proteobacteria (36.0%, on average, vs. 22.5% of control, P = 0.014). In the long-term incubation, eucalyptol increased the genus Ruminococcus abundance (2.60% vs. 1.18% of control, P = 0.011). An adaptation at long time incubation was observed. In particular, considering eucalyptol addition at 9 d incubation, VFA production was reduced (26.8 vs. 33.3 mmol of control, P < 0.05) contrary to the 48 h incubation (P = 0.189). Furthermore, the treatments affected protozoa genera relative abundances at 24 h (increased abundance for Entodinium with all the treatments, P < 0.001, and reduced for Diplodinium, P = 0.001); at 9 d, instead, protozoa genera relative abundances were not affected by the treatment. The additives tested showed potential in reducing CH4 production without compromising the overall fermentation efficiency. A meta-analysis (Experiment 2) investigated the effects on lactation performance and enteric CH4 of the main forage included in the diet. In the dataset, composed of in vivo experiments, four main forage bases were evaluated: corn silage, alfalfa silage, grass silage, and green forage. Cows fed corn, and alfalfa silages had the highest DMI (21.9 and 22.0 kg/d, P < 0.05) and milk yield (29.7 and 30.4 kg/d, P < 0.05). On the opposite, NDF digestibility was highest for grass silage and green forage (67.6% and 73.1%, P < 0.05) than corn and alfalfa silages (51.8% on average). CH4 production was lower (P < 0.05) for green forage (332 g/d) than the silage diets (on average 438 g/d). Instead, corn silage and alfalfa silage gave the lowest CH4 per kg of milk yield (14.2 g/kg and 14.9 g/kg, P < 0.05). Considering CH4 per kg of DMI, the only difference was between corn silage and grass silage (19.7 g/kg vs. 21.3 g/kg respectively for corn and grass silage, P < 0.05). Finally, prediction models for CH4 production were obtained through a step-wise multi regression. In particular, the models for the prediction of: CH4 in g/d (CH4 = - 65.3(±63.7) + 11.6(±1.67) × DMI - 4.47(±1.09) × CP - 0.86(±0.33) × Starch + 2.62(±0.78) × OM digestibility + 30.8(±9.45) × Milk fat) and for CH4 in g/kg of milk yield (CH4/milk yield = - 55.5(±20.1) - 0.37(±0.13) × DMI + 0.18(±0.05) × Total forage inclusion on diet DM - 0.10(±0.04) × Inclusion of the main forage on diet DM + 0.48(±0.21) × OM + 0.14(±0.06) × NDF + 1.98(±0.86) × Milk fat +4.34(±1.66) × Milk protein) showed high precision (R2 = 95.4% and 88.6%, respectively), but the best AIC value (320) was found for the model predicting CH4 in g/kg DMI: CH4/kg DMI = 6.16(±3.89) - 0.36(±0.03) × CP + 0.12(±0.05) ×OM digestibility + 3.77(±0.56) × Milk fat - 3.94(±1.07) × Milk fat yield. A dataset (66 observations in total) of three in vivo experiments conducted in Italy on lactating cows in respiration chambers was built to evaluate IPCC Tier 2 equations to estimate enteric CH4 production (Experiment 3). In the dataset, the CH4 conversion factor (conversion of gross energy intake into enteric CH4 energy) was lowest for a diet based on grass and alfalfa silages (5.05%, P < 0.05), while the others values ranged between 5.41 and 5.92%. On average, energy digestibility was 69.0% across the dataset, but the diet based on hays had a lower value (64.8%, P < 0.05). The IPCC (2019) Tier 2 (conversion factor = 5.7% or 6.1% for diet with NDF concentration < 35% or >35%, respectively; digestible energy = 70%) gave, on average, a value of CH4 production not statistically different from the ones measured in vivo (382 vs. 388 g/d in vivo, P > 0.05). The IPCC (2006) Tier 2 (conversion factor = 6.5%, digestible energy = 70%) over-predicted CH4 emission (428 vs. 388 g/d in vivo, P < 0.05; μ = -1.05). The most precise models were the two considering digestible energy equal to 70% and average values of conversion factor for IPCC (2006) and IPCC (2019) (R = 0.630); the most accurate models was the one considering a conversion factor equal to 5.7% and energy digestibility measured in vivo (Cb = 0.995). Overall, the best performance among the predicting models tested was for the one based on a conversion factor equal to 5.7% and energy digestibility of 70% (CCC = 0.579 and RMPSE = 9.10%). Use of alternative protein source to conventional soybean meal The dietary inclusion of soybean silage in partial replacement of soybean meal for dairy cows was evaluated in vivo in lactating cow diets (Experiment 4). Cows were fed two diets, one with 12.4% of DM from soybean silage in substitution of 35% of the soybean meal of the control diet. The treatment did not affect DMI and milk yield (on average, 23.7 kg/d, P = 0.659, and 33.0 kg/d, P = 0.377, respectively). Cows fed the soybean silage diet had lower milk protein concentration (3.43% vs. 3.55% of the control, P < 0.001) and higher milk urea (30.5 vs. 28.7 mg/dL, P = 0.002). The soybean silage had lower nutrient digestibility than the control: DMD 65.2% vs. 68.6%, OMD 66.4% vs. 69.8%, NDFD 31.5% vs. 38.8% (respectively for soybean silage and control diet; P < 0.001 for all of them). Regarding N balance, cows fed soybean silage excreted more nitrogen in the urines (32.3 % of N intake vs. 28.9%, P = 0.005) and less in the milk (31.3% vs. 32.7%, P =0.003) than the control. When used as a protein source alternative to soybean meal, soybean silage sustained comparable milk production, but NDF digestibility and N use efficiency should be improved. The environmental impact of the use of soybean silage in comparison to a control diet with soybean meal as the main protein source was evaluated through an LCA approach (Experiment 5). In addition, two scenarios were included in the study, considering the two diets mentioned before, but with soybean meal not connected to LUC (responsible soybean meal). Regarding the single forages, soybean silage had higher global warming potential than alfalfa hay (477 vs. 201 kg CO2eq/ton DM), also when this was expressed per tonnes of protein production (2439 and 1034 kg CO2eq/ton CP, respectively), probably due to the lower contribution of the cultivation phase for alfalfa, being a multi-year crop. The scenario with soybean silage reduced the global warming potential per kg of fat and protein corrected milk (1.17 kg CO2eq) compared to the control (1.38 kg CO2eq). Responsible soybean meal reduced the global warming potential per kg of fat and protein corrected milk (1.13 kg CO2eq/kg vs. 1.38 of the scenario with the control diet). Overall, the best result per kg of fat and protein corrected milk was obtained when responsible soybean meal and soybean silage were used in combination (1.01 kg CO2eq). Also, when global warming potential was evaluated per daily fed TMR, the impact was lowest for the scenario with responsible soybean meal (13.4 kg CO2eq/d) due to the lower contribution of soybean meal to the total impact (11% vs. 43% of the control). Therefore, the two alternative protein sources tested should be preferred when considering environmental impact compared to conventional soybean meals.

Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. is a legume tree well adapted to water stress, with high levels of protein in their leaves making it a low-cost strategy for ruminants feeding during drought periods. In northeastern Brazil, gliricídia has been used as food for cattle and sheep in silvipastoral systems as well as silage or hay. It produces high dry matter yields of good nutritional quality being well accepted by the animals. The present study carried out at the Pedro Arle Experimental Station of Embrapa Coastal Tablelands in Frei Paulo County Sergipe, Brazil, was split on two trials. In the first one the aim was to evaluate the effect of different gliricidia crop densities over the biomass productive and qualitative parameters. The effect of the crop densities of 10,000; 20,000; 30,000, and 40,000 plants/ha was tested over the green biomass yields, dry matter yields, and on the levels of crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in leaves plus fine stems of gliricídia. A randomized block design with four replications was used. Fresh biomass production of leaves and stems, dry matter production of leaves, percentage of fresh leaves related to total fresh biomass, dry matter percentage in leaves of 13 cuts were evaluated during the growth period between 02/09/2009 and 18/12/2013. The productions of total fresh biomass, leaves fresh biomass, and leaves dry matter increased (P < 0,05) with higher densities of planting 20,000 plants/ha. Year effect (P < 0.05) was found only for total fresh biomass production, fresh leaves yield, percentage of fresh leaf biomass, leave dry matter content, and CP. It is recommended the density of 30000 plants/ha for the conditions of region. In a second experiment mixed silages of gliricídia and ground corn on fresh weight base, in the proportions of 100/0; 94/6; 88/12; 82/18; 76/24, and 70/30 were tested in 10 cm diameter and 30 cm long experimental silos for the parameters of: total dry matter (TDM), ether extract (EE), mineral matter (MM), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), crude protein (CP), pH, lactic acid and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N). The addition of corn changed the chemical composition of the silage fermentation parameters, except for ammonia nitrogen. It is concluded that according with results found for the parameters evaluated in this study, it is not recommended the addition of ground corn silage gliricídia.
Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp. é uma leguminosa arbórea bem adaptada ao estresse hídrico, com altos níveis de proteína em suas folhas tornando-se uma estratégia de baixo custo para a alimentação de ruminantes em períodos de estiagem. No nordeste do Brasil, a gliricídia tem sido usada como alimento para bovinos e ovinos em sistemas silvipastoris, bem como silagem ou feno. Ela produz altos rendimentos de matéria seca de boa qualidade nutricional sendo bem aceita pelos animais. Este estudo foi dividido em dois experimentos. No primeiro o objetivo foi avaliar o efeito de diferentes densidades de plantio de gliricídia sobre parâmetros produtivos e qualitativos da biomassa, realizado na Estação Experimental Pedro Arle, da Embrapa Tabuleiros Costeiros, em Frei Paulo, Sergipe, Brasil. Foi avaliado o efeito das densidades de cultivo de 10.000; 20.000; 30.000 e 40.000 plantas/ha nos rendimentos de biomassa verde, produção de matéria seca, e sobre os níveis de proteína bruta (PB), fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) e fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) em folhas e caules mais tenros de gliricídia. Foi utilizado um delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. A produção de biomassa fresca de folhas e caules, a produção de matéria seca de folhas, a porcentagem de folhas frescas relacionados à biomassa fresca total, a porcentagem de matéria seca nas folhas de 13 cortes foram avaliados durante o período de crescimento entre 02/09/2009 e 18/12/2013. As produções de biomassa fresca total, biomassa das folhas frescas, matéria seca de folhas aumentaram (P<0,05) com densidades de plantio superiores a 20.000 plantas/ha. Foi encontrado efeito do ano (P<0,05) apenas para a produção total de biomassa fresca, produção de folhas frescas, porcentagem de biomassa de folhas frescas, teor de matéria seca das folhas e PB. Recomenda-se a densidade de 30.000 plantas/ha para as condições da região. No segundo experimento silagens mistas de gliricídia e milho moído em base de matéria fresca, nas proporções de 100/0; 94/6; 88/12; 82/18; 76/24 e 70/30 foram testadas em silos experimentais com 10 cm de diâmetro e 30 cm de comprimento para os parâmetros de: matéria seca total (MST), extrato etéreo (EE), matéria mineral (MM), fibra em detergente ácido (FDA) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN), proteína bruta (PB), pH, ácido lático e nitrogênio amoniacal (NH3-N). A adição de milho mudou as características químicas e parâmetros de fermentação da silagem, exceto para nitrogênio amoniacal. Conclui-se, que de acordo com resultados encontrados para os parâmetros avaliados no presente estudo, que não é recomendada a adição de milho moído na silagem de gliricídia.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Objetivou-se avaliar como a substituição parcial de silagem de milho por pastagem de alfafa afeta o desempenho de vacas leiteiras e a viabilidade econômica do sistema. Usaramse 24 vacas da raça Holandesa, em estádio médio de lactação, num delineamento em blocos ao acaso. O período experimental durou 84 dias. Os tratamentos foram: dieta à base de silagem de milho em confinamento; ou silagem de milho substituída parcialmente por pastejo restrito (limitado a quatro horas/dia) ou irrestrito de alfafa. O pastejo foi rotacionado, e a quantidade de concentrado igual (4,5 kg de MS/vaca/dia) em todos os tratamentos. A massa de forragem foi 2338,0 e 1878,0 kg de MS/ha e a oferta, 1,8 e 4,2 kg MS/100 kg PV, nos tratamentos pastejo restrito e irrestrito, respectivamente. A produção de leite não diferiu entre tratamentos, cujas médias foram 25,9±1; 25,8±1 e 25,2±1 litros/vaca/dia no confinamento, pastejo restrito e pastejo irrestrito, respectivamente. A produção de leite por área foi 59 litros/ha/dia no pastejo restrito e 63 litros/ha/dia no pastejo irrestrito, enquanto no confinamento foi 48 litros/ha/dia. A substituição parcial de silagem de milho por alfafa em pastejo não limitou o desempenho produtivo dos animais e mostrou-se economicamente vantajosa em relação ao confinamento.
The objective was to evaluate how the partial replacement of corn silage with alfafa grazing affects dairy cow performance and profitability. Twenty four Holstein dairy cows in mid-lactation were used in a randomized block design. The experimental period lasted 84 days. The treatments were: a corn silage-based diet fed on drylot; or partial replacement of corn silage with either restricted alfalfa grazing (limited to 4 hours/day) or unrestricted grazing. A rotational grazing system was used and the amount of concentrate fed was the same (4.5 kg of DM/cow/day) for all treatments. Forage availability was 2,338.0 and 1,878.0 kg DM/ha and forage-on-offer was 1.8 and 4.2 kg DM/100 kg LW under restricted or unrestricted grazing, respectively. No difference in milk production/cow/day was observed among treatments. Mean milk production was 25.9±1, 25.8±1 and 25.2±1 liters/cow/day for feedlot, restricted grazing or unrestricted grazing, respectively. Milk production per hectare was 59 liters/day under restricted grazing and 63 liters/day under unrestricted grazing, whereas it was 48 liters/day on drylot. The partial replacement of corn silage by alfalfa grazing did not limit animal performance and was shown to be economically advantageous as compared to drylot feeding.

Les légumineuses permettent de réduire les intrants en élevage (engrais, concentrés) en raison notamment de leurs niveaux élevés en protéines. Cependant, à la fois pendant le processus d'ensilage et celui de fermentation dans le rumen, les protéines peuvent subir une importante dégradation, ce qui affecte la valeur nutritive des fourrages et induit des rejets d'azote (N) importants, notamment dans l'urine. Certaines légumineuses peuvent alors être d'un intérêt particulier car elles produisent des composés secondaires qui peuvent modifier positivement les processus fermentaires et digestifs. Ainsi, les tannins condensés (CT) présents dans le sainfoin (SF, Onobrychis viciifolia) sont capables de se lier aux protéines, réduisant leur dégradation dans le silo et le rumen et se traduisant par un transfert de l'excrétion d'azote de l'urine vers les fèces. Le trèfle violet (RC, Trifolium pratense) contient la polyphénoloxydase (PPO), une enzyme qui catalyse l'oxydation de différents composés phénoliques en quinones. Comme les CTs, les quinones sont capables de former des complexes avec les protéines permettant de réduire leur dégradation dans le silo et le rumen. L'objectif de cette thèse était alors d'étudier et de quantifier les bénéfices potentiels de l'utilisation de ces deux espèces de légumineuses bioactives sur i) la qualité et la conservation des ensilages, ii) la fermentation ruminale, l'efficacité digestive et les performances des ovins, et iii) l'empreinte environnementale (excrétion d'N et de CH4). Nous avons effectué deux essais in vitro et deux essais in vivo, basés sur des ensilages composés de ces deux légumineuses, seules ou en mélange avec une graminée (la fléole- T, Phleum pratense L.) qui nous a servie de contrôle. Les essais in vitro nous ont permis de nous focaliser sur la qualité et la conservation des ensilages ainsi que sur la fermentation ruminale, tandis que les essais in vivo se sont concentrés sur la performance et l'efficacité digestive des agneaux, ainsi que sur leur bilan azoté et leurs émissions de CH4. L'inclusion de légumineuses bioactives dans les ensilages d'herbe a amélioré la qualité du fourrage, la fermentation pendant le processus d'ensilage ainsi que la protection des protéines contre une dégradation au sein du silo et du rumen. Globalement, l'alimentation des agneaux avec des mélanges comportant ces légumineuses s'est traduite par une augmentation de l'ingestion de matière sèche, en comparaison des agneaux alimentés avec la graminée pure. Néanmoins, en raison de la digestibilité nettement plus faible de T-SF, probablement due à une composition et une nature des fibres différentes ainsi qu'à la présence de CT, les agneaux ayant reçu T-SF ont montré une ingestion et des performances plus faibles que ceux ayant reçu les ensilages contenant RC. Dans le rumen, il semble que les protéines de RC aient été plus protégées de la dégradation que celles de SF, tandis que dans la suite du tractus digestif, les complexes formés entre protéines et CT (avec SF) se seraient moins dissociés que ceux formés entre protéines et quinones (avec RC), ce qui pourrait en partie expliquer le transfert d'excrétion de l'N de l'urine vers les fèces, observé chez les agneaux alimentés avec T-SF et bénéfique pour l'environnement. SF a également permis de réduire légèrement les émissions de CH4. Ainsi, utiliser des légumineuses bioactives dans les pratiques d'alimentation des ruminants apparaît une stratégie prometteuse pour fournir des produits animaux de façon plus durable. Nos résultats montrent que chaque espèce apporte des avantages différents, plutôt orientés vers la qualité de l'aliment et les performances animales pour RC mais plutôt orientés vers la réduction des rejets pour SF. Des recherches complémentaires sont donc nécessaires pour mieux caractériser ces avantages et élargir les investigations à d'autres espèces, d'autres mélanges et d'autres bénéfices potentiels. (...)
Fodder legume species allow to reduce inputs in livestock breeding systems (fertilizer, concentrates) notably because they contain high levels of crude proteins which are of primary importance in ruminant nutrition. However, during both silage and rumen fermentation processes, proteins are submitted to degradation which affects forage nutritive value and leads to nitrogen (N) losses notably via urine. Some specific legumes can then be of particular interest as they produce plant secondary compounds that can positively affect silage and digestive processes. Condensed tannins (CTs) present in sainfoin (SF, Onobrychis viciifolia) are able to bind with proteins thereby reducing their degradation in the silo and the rumen, resulting in a shift in N excretion from urine to faeces. Red clover (RC, Trifolium pratense) contains polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme that catalyses the oxidation of different phenolics into quinones. As CTs, quinones are able to form complexes with proteins that will similarly reduce their degradation in the silo and the rumen. The aim of this thesis was to investigate and quantify the potential benefits of using these two bioactive legume species on i) quality and conservation of silages, ii) rumen fermentation, digestive efficiency and sheep performance, and iii) environmental footprint (N excretion and CH4 emissions). We conducted two in vitro and two in vivo trials which were based on silages of pure legumes or of different mixtures with the grass species (timothy T, Phleum pratense L.), which served as control. In the in vitro trials, we focussed on silage quality, silage conservation and rumen fermentation, while in the in vivo trials, we focussed on lambs' performance, digestion efficiency, N balance and CH4 emissions. Including bioactive legumes in mixtures with grass improved, compared to pure grass, forage quality and fermentation during the silage making process, as well as proteins' protection from degradation within both the silos and the rumen. Lambs fed with the mixtures involving legumes responded with an increase in DM intake compared to their counterparts fed with T. Nevertheless, due to a possibly different fibre composition and to the presence of CT which impaired SF digestibility, lambs that consumed T-SF showed lower intake and performance than those that received RC-containing silages. In the rumen, RC proteins appeared more protected from degradation than SF ones, while in the subsequent parts of the digestive tract, the proteins-CT complexes (from SF) might less dissociate than the proteins-quinones ones (from RC). This could partly explain the environment-friendly shift in N excretion from urine to faeces when animals are fed with T-SF. SF also allowed to slightly reduce CH4 emissions. Thus, utilizing bioactive legumes in livestock feeding practices is a promising strategy to produce animal products more sustainably. Our results show different benefits relative to the bioactive legume species involved, directed towards boosted forage quality and animals' performance for RC but towards lowered wastes for SF. Further research is thus needed to better characterize these benefits and enlarging investigations to other plant species, mixtures and potential benefits (e.g. health). This will help to determine the appropriate choice of plant species according to the objectives

Orientador: Francisco Stefano Wechsler
Banca: Ciniro Costa
Banca: Paulo Roberto de Lima Meirelles
Banca: Armando de Andrade Rodrigues
Banca: Mauro Del Secco
Resumo: Objetivou-se avaliar como a substituição parcial de silagem de milho por pastagem de alfafa afeta o desempenho de vacas leiteiras e a viabilidade econômica do sistema. Usaramse 24 vacas da raça Holandesa, em estádio médio de lactação, num delineamento em blocos ao acaso. O período experimental durou 84 dias. Os tratamentos foram: dieta à base de silagem de milho em confinamento; ou silagem de milho substituída parcialmente por pastejo restrito (limitado a quatro horas/dia) ou irrestrito de alfafa. O pastejo foi rotacionado, e a quantidade de concentrado igual (4,5 kg de MS/vaca/dia) em todos os tratamentos. A massa de forragem foi 2338,0 e 1878,0 kg de MS/ha e a oferta, 1,8 e 4,2 kg MS/100 kg PV, nos tratamentos pastejo restrito e irrestrito, respectivamente. A produção de leite não diferiu entre tratamentos, cujas médias foram 25,9±1; 25,8±1 e 25,2±1 litros/vaca/dia no confinamento, pastejo restrito e pastejo irrestrito, respectivamente. A produção de leite por área foi 59 litros/ha/dia no pastejo restrito e 63 litros/ha/dia no pastejo irrestrito, enquanto no confinamento foi 48 litros/ha/dia. A substituição parcial de silagem de milho por alfafa em pastejo não limitou o desempenho produtivo dos animais e mostrou-se economicamente vantajosa em relação ao confinamento.
Abstract: The objective was to evaluate how the partial replacement of corn silage with alfafa grazing affects dairy cow performance and profitability. Twenty four Holstein dairy cows in mid-lactation were used in a randomized block design. The experimental period lasted 84 days. The treatments were: a corn silage-based diet fed on drylot; or partial replacement of corn silage with either restricted alfalfa grazing (limited to 4 hours/day) or unrestricted grazing. A rotational grazing system was used and the amount of concentrate fed was the same (4.5 kg of DM/cow/day) for all treatments. Forage availability was 2,338.0 and 1,878.0 kg DM/ha and forage-on-offer was 1.8 and 4.2 kg DM/100 kg LW under restricted or unrestricted grazing, respectively. No difference in milk production/cow/day was observed among treatments. Mean milk production was 25.9±1, 25.8±1 and 25.2±1 liters/cow/day for feedlot, restricted grazing or unrestricted grazing, respectively. Milk production per hectare was 59 liters/day under restricted grazing and 63 liters/day under unrestricted grazing, whereas it was 48 liters/day on drylot. The partial replacement of corn silage by alfalfa grazing did not limit animal performance and was shown to be economically advantageous as compared to drylot feeding.
Doutor

Plants display an assorted collection of reproductive tactics that eventually play a crucial role in perpetuation of species. Plant reproductive ecology is principally concerned with the adaptive implications of the plant in their vicinity, disparity in qualities allied with pollination, seed dispersal, and seedling establishment. The success in reproduction in most flowering plants depends on ecological interactions with pollinators and seed dispersal agents. Modern tactics in reproductive ecology can integrate proper surveys, advanced pollination studies, interaction between flower and pollinators and clear assessments of population genetic structure, which can provide new opportunities for plant reproductive biology. Alfalfa is an important forage legume and known as “Queen of forages” due to its worldwide adaptability, high yield potential and quality. Alfalfa produces seeds which are primarily used for forage production. It is a gift to livestock industry including dairy, beef, horses, and sheep for grazing, silage, hay etc. Alfalfa is also a medicinal herb with antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and cardioprotective properties, utilized for treatment of arthritis, kidney problems. The seeds are exploited in alfalfa sprout industry. The current chapter highlights the reproductive biology of alfalfa from flower development to seed production and its advances.

The paper presents an overview of domestic and foreign research on the influence of lipolytic changes in silage on the content and the composition of milk fat. During the preparation of herbage for ensiling (wilting), some losses occur due to lipolysis and oxidation of fatty acids. During the fermentation of the ensiled mass whereby some strains of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum AKU 1009a) were used as inoculants, the biohydrogenation of some PUFA occurs as well as the increase of the content of conjugated fatty acids in the silage. Based on a review of a number of experiments, the most favorable effect can be attributed to legume and grass silages, compared to corn silages. In the first place, for sure, is red clover silage, due to the partial reduction of lipolysis by polyphenol oxidase. In contrast, when corn silage is used, there is occurrence of biohydrogenation of linoleic acid in trans- 10, cis-12 CLA, which is a very strong inhibitor of milk fat synthesis.

The purpose of this work is to increase the intensity of growth and development of young cattle when rearing highly productive cows, as well as when fattening for meat through the use of energy-saturated high-protein silos harvested using a new technology in feeding diets. To solve the tasks set in the conditions of LLC "Yenikeyev" Dyurtyulinsky district of the Republic of Bashkortostan, crops of mixtures of high-protein, energy-saturated unconventional and crops of mixtures of traditional fodder crops were isolated and silos were prepared by preliminary drying to 70% humidity and using a new generation preservative Biosib. The study of the chemical composition and nutritional value of feed was carried out in the laboratories of zooanalysis of the Bashkir Research Institute of the UFIC RAS and BASHNPVL according to generally accepted methods. Studies have shown that silos from legume-cereal grass mixtures, harvested according to new technologies, are real reserves for replenishing the range of feed for young cattle when growing highly productive cows in the winter-stall period of maintenance, as well as when fattening for meat. The feed is highly nutritious and of good quality. 1 kg of feed contains 0,22-0,24 EKE and 19,0-23,9 g of digestible protein. Feeding heifers 7 kg / head / day of silage of a mixture of eastern goat and boneless stalk increases the intensity of their growth. Compared with the control, the average daily gains in live weight of animals in the experimental group were 7,8% higher. The use of 8 kg of silage in the diet of heifers of a mixture of eastern goat and boneless stalk, while reducing the proportion of concentrates by 0,2 kg, contributes to an increase in live weight gain by 9,0% compared with a group of animals receiving a similar feed mixture of alfalfa and boneless stalk. Feeding bulls 12 and 17 kg of silage with a mixture of eastern goat and boneless stalk also increases the intensity of their growth. In comparison with the control, the average daily increments of animals of the experimental groups were higher by 9,5 and 14,3%. The use of 12 and 17 kg of silage in the diets of fattened young animals of a mixture of eastern goat and boneless rump reduces the cost of concentrated feed per unit of increase by 9,3 and 37,2%.

The effectiveness of joint and mixed crops of sparsely distributed annual cereals (sorghum-sudank hybrid, African millet, paiza) with legumes (peas, fodder beans) has been studied. The role of sparsely distributed annual cereal crops in improving the quality of raw materials and finished feed is revealed. It has been established that in the conditions of Siberia, it is quite possible to use such crops as paiza, sorghum-sudank hybrid and African millet as silage crops.