A universal equation to predict methane production of forage-fed cattle in Australia

The methods for estimating methane emissions from cattle as used in the Australian national inventory are based on older data that have now been superseded by a large amount of more recent data. Recent data suggested that the current inventory emissions estimates can be improved. To address this issue, a total of 1034 individual animal records of daily methane production (MP) was used to reassess the relationship between MP and each of dry matter intake (DMI) and gross energy intake (GEI). Data were restricted to trials conducted in the past 10 years using open-circuit respiration chambers, with cattle fed forage-based diets (forage >70%). Results from diets considered to inhibit methanogenesis were omitted from the dataset. Records were obtained from dairy cattle fed temperate forages (220 records), beef cattle fed temperate forages (680 records) and beef cattle fed tropical forages (133 records). Relationships were very similar for all three production categories and single relationships for MP on a DMI or GEI basis were proposed for national inventory purposes. These relationships were MP (g/day) = 20.7 (±0.28) × DMI (kg/day) (R2 = 0.92, P < 0.001) and MP (MJ/day) = 0.063 (±0.008) × GEI (MJ/day) (R2 = 0.93, P < 0.001). If the revised MP (g/day) approach is used to calculate Australia’s national inventory, it will reduce estimates of emissions of forage-fed cattle by 24%. Assuming a global warming potential of 25 for methane, this represents a 12.6 Mt CO2-e reduction in calculated annual emissions from Australian cattle.

Hyperspectral field measurements to determine dry matter yield and nutritive value of legume-grass swards

Summary: Productivity, botanical composition and forage quality of legume-grass swards are important factors for successful arable farming in both organic and conventional farming systems. As these attributes can vary considerably within a field, a non-destructive method of detection while doing other tasks would facilitate a more targeted management of crops, forage and nutrients in the soil-plant-animal system. This study was undertaken to explore the potential of field spectral measurements for a non destructive prediction of dry matter (DM) yield, legume proportion in the sward, metabolizable energy (ME), ash content, crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of legume-grass mixtures. Two experiments were conducted in a greenhouse under controlled conditions which allowed collecting spectral measurements which were free from interferences such as wind, passing clouds and changing angles of solar irradiation. In a second step this initial investigation was evaluated in the field by a two year experiment with the same legume-grass swards. Several techniques for analysis of the hyperspectral data set were examined in this study: four vegetation indices (VIs): simple ratio (SR), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI) and red edge position (REP), two-waveband reflectance ratios, modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression and stepwise multiple linear regression (SMLR). The results showed the potential of field spectroscopy and proved its usefulness for the prediction of DM yield, ash content and CP across a wide range of legume proportion and growth stage. In all investigations prediction accuracy of DM yield, ash content and CP could be improved by legume-specific calibrations which included mixtures and pure swards of perennial ryegrass and of the respective legume species. The comparison between the greenhouse and the field experiments showed that the interaction between spectral reflectance and weather conditions as well as incidence angle of light interfered with an accurate determination of DM yield. Further research is hence needed to improve the validity of spectral measurements in the field. Furthermore, the developed models should be tested on varying sites and vegetation periods to enhance the robustness and portability of the models to other environmental conditions.

Influence of different supplements and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) cultivars on intake, digestible variables and methane production of dairy heifers under tropical conditions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of row spacing and intercrop on maize grain yield and forage production of palisade grass

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of organic-mineral fertilization of an oxisol on soil chemical properties and Bracharia brizantha production

A utilização de fertilizante organomineral da indústria produtora dos aminoácidos lisina e treonina pode melhorar a fertilidade de solos tropicais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência de diferentes dosagens do fertilizante organomineral denominado Ajifer L-14 nos atributos químicos e no aumento de produção de forragem de um Latossolo Vermelho do noroeste paulista. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com sete tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1- testemunha (sem aplicação de Ajifer L-14); T2- testemunha com vegetação natural; T3- adubação mineral de acordo com a necessidade da cultura e a análise do solo (usando 1,35 kg de ureia, 2,20 kg de superfosfato simples e 0,51 kg de KCl por parcela, o que corresponde a 60 kg de N, 40 kg de P2O5 e 30 kg ha-1 de K2O, respectivamente); T4- adubação com Ajifer L-14 de acordo com a recomendação da análise química do solo (40 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 60 kg ha-1 N); T5- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 50 % acima da recomendação (60 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 90 kg ha-1 N; T6- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 50 % abaixo da recomendação (20 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 30 kg ha-1 N); T7- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 25 % acima da recomendação (50 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 75 kg ha-1 N); e T8- adubação com Ajifer L-14 em dosagem 25 % abaixo da recomendação (30 L parcela-1, o que corresponde a 45 kg ha-1 N). Nas profundidades de 0,0-0,1 e 0,1-0,2 m, avaliaram-se os seguintes atributos químicos do solo:, teor de matéria orgânica (MO), pH, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, capacidade de troca catiônica (CTC), acidez potencial e saturação por bases. A aplicação do fertilizante organomineral não influenciou os atributos químicos do solo. Na análise de regressão, houve relação polinomial entre as doses de aplicação do fertilizante organomineral e a produção de massa seca e proteína bruta de Bracharia brizantha.

Soil phosphorus increases dry matter and nutrient accumulation and allocation in potato cultivars

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Intake, performance and estimated methane production of Nellore steers fed soybean grain

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ruminal dry matter and nitrogen degradation in relation to condensed tannin and protein molecular structures in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and lucerne (Medicago sativa).

Sainfoin is a temperate legume that contains condensed tannins (CT), i.e. polyphenols that are able to bind proteins and thus reduce protein degradation in the rumen. A reduction in protein degradation in the rumen can lead to a subsequent increase in amino acid flow to the small intestine. The effects of CT in the rumen and the intestine differ according to the amount and structure of CT and the nature of the protein molecular structure. The objective of the present study was to investigate the degradability in the rumen of three CT-containing sainfoin varieties and CT-free lucerne in relation to CT content and structure (mean degree of polymerization, proportion of prodelphinidins and cis-flavanol units) and protein structure (amide I and II bands, ratio of amide I-to-amide II, α-helix, β-sheet, ratio of α-helix-to-β-sheet). Protein molecular structures were identified using Fourier transform/infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FT/IR-ATR) spectroscopy. The in situ degradability of three sainfoin varieties (Ambra, Esparcette and Villahoz) was studied in 2008, during the first growth cycle at two harvest dates (P1 and P2, i.e. 5 May and 2 June, respectively) and at one date (P3) during the second growth cycle (2 June) and these were compared with a tannin-free legume, lucerne (Aubigny). Loss of dry matter (DMDeg) and nitrogen (NDeg) in polyester bags suspended in the rumen was measured using rumen-fistulated cows. The NDeg of lucerne compared with sainfoin was 0·80 v. 0·77 at P1, 0·78 v. 0·65 at P2 and 0·79 v. 0·70 at P3, respectively. NDeg was related to the rapidly disappearing fraction (‘a’) fraction (r=0·76), the rate of degradation (‘c’) (r=0·92), to the content (r=−0·81) and structure of CT. However, the relationship between NDeg and the slowly disappearing fraction (‘b’) was weak. There was a significant effect of date and species×date, for NDeg and ‘a’ fraction. The secondary protein structure varied with harvest date (species×date) and was correlated with the fraction ‘b’. Both tannin and protein structures influenced the NDeg degradation. CT content and structure were correlated to the ‘a’ fraction and to the ‘c’. Features of the protein molecular secondary structure were correlated to the ‘b’ fraction.

Response of black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb) on the aspersion irrigation and nitrogen fertilization

The objective of the study was assessing the effect of the nitrogen and the aspersion irrigation on the growth and dry matter yield of black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb). The experiment was conducted in the Campus of USP in Pirassununga, Sao Paulo State. In the study were evaluated four nitrogen levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg of N ha(-1)) and also the presence or absence of the irrigation. The plant variables evaluated were: mean height, dry matter percentage, yield and growth rate. The results had disclosed to greater height of plant in the irrigated condition, reflecting in the higher production of dry matter. In dry land area, percentage of DM was 24.7% and in irrigated area 18.7%. The nitrogen was significantly only for plant mean height that showed linear fit when carried through the irrigation. The effect of the irrigation was better for the production of black oats than nitrogen.

Morphogenic parameters and productivity of grass-Pioneer subjected to nitrogen

Objective of this work by evaluating the effect of nitrogen on forage yield and morphogenesis of elephant grass cv. Pioneer. The experimental design was randomized blocks with five replications, totaling 20 experimental units. Treatments consisted of four nitrogen levels (100, 200, 300 and 400 kg ha(-1) yr(-1)). The experiment was conducted under irrigated conditions. Evaluative cuts were made at 50 cm soil with values of light interception (95%) without pre-defined intervals. It was observed that N fertilization increased significantly (P<0.05) the production of dry matter per hectare, leaf appearance rate (leaves days(-1)tiller(-1)), leaf elongation rate (cm tiller(-1) day(-1)) and stem elongation rate (cm day(-1)). The process of this forage senescence is accelerated with increasing doses of nitrogen and leaf appearance rate, thereby reducing the phyllochron. It required a study on the economic viability of higher doses of nitrogen in grazed elephant grass cv. Pioneer.

Growth dynamics and yield of melon as influenced by nitrogen fertilizer

Nitrogen (N) is an important nutrient for melon (Cucumis melo L.) production. However there is scanty information about the amount necessary to maintain an appropriate balance between growth and yield. Melon vegetative organs must develop sufficiently to intercept light and accumulate water and nutrients but it is also important to obtain a large reproductive-vegetative dry weight ratio to maximize the fruit yield. We evaluated the influence of different N amounts on the growth, production of dry matter and fruit yield of a melon ‘Piel de sapo’ type. A three-year field experiment was carried out from May to September. Melons were subjected to an irrigation depth of 100% crop evapotranspiration and to 11 N fertilization rates, ranging 11 to 393 kg ha –1 in the three years. The dry matter production of leaves and stems increased as the N amount increased. The dry matter of the whole plant was affected similarly, while the fruit dry matter decreased as the N amount was increased above 112, 93 and 95 kg ha –1 , in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The maximum Leaf Area Index (LAI), 3.1, was obtained at 393 kg ha –1 of N. The lowest N supply reduced the fruit yield by 21%, while the highest increased the vegetative growth, LAI and Leaf Area Duration (LAD), but reduced yield by 24% relative to the N93 treatment. Excessive applications of N increase vegetative growth at the expense of reproductive growth. For this melon type, rates about 90-100 kg ha –1 of N are sufficient for adequate plant growth, development and maximum production. To obtain fruit yield close to the maximum, the leaf N concentration at the end of the crop cycle should be higher than 19.5 g kg –1

Resposta de mudas de goiabeira a doses e modos de aplicação de fertilizante fosfatado

O presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o desenvolvimento de mudas de goiabeira em resposta a doses e modos de aplicação de fertilizante fosfatado. As mudas de goiabeira foram transplantadas em conjuntos de vasos (sacos plásticos, 18 x 28 cm) geminados, contendo em cada lado 2,8 dm³ do subsolo de um Argissolo (P resina = 1 mg dm-3), de modo que a metade do sistema radicular ficasse em cada vaso. Usou-se um fatorial 2 x 3 x 2 + 1 (testemunha, sem fósforo), em 5 blocos casualizados. As doses de 70; 140 e 280 mg de P dm-3 de solo, na forma de superfosfato triplo, foram aplicadas de dois modos diferentes com relação ao solo (distribuído em todo o volume do solo ou localizado a 1/3 de profundidade) e dois modos diferentes com relação às raízes (dividindo-se a dose igualmente entre os dois vasos do conjunto ou aplicando-se a dose total em um único vaso). Cem dias após o transplante, verificou-se maior acúmulo de P e maior produção de matéria seca nas plantas que receberam adubação fosfatada. As mudas de goiabeira responderam positivamente à adubação fosfatada, sendo a dose próxima de 100 mg de P dm-3 de solo suficiente para o bom desenvolvimento das plantas. Doses acima de 200 mg de P dm-3 promoveram redução do crescimento das mudas de goiabeira. A disponibilização de fósforo à metade ou a todo o sistema radicular da goiabeira não afetou o suprimento desse nutriente às mudas e tampouco o seu desenvolvimento. A aplicação do adubo fosfatado distribuído em todo o volume de solo no vaso proporcionou maior desenvolvimento do sistema radicular e menor desenvolvimento da parte aérea das mudas de goiabeira, comparado à aplicação localizada do adubo a 1/3 de profundidade.

Produção de matéria seca em pastagem de Tifton 85 irrigada, com diferentes doses de dejeto líquido de suíno

O dejeto líquido de suíno (DLS) pode constituir-se em excelente fonte de adubação em pastagem, com aplicação por aspersão, desde que seja assegurada a proteção do meio ambiente. Apesar de seu comprovado potencial para uso em sequeiro, pouco se conhece sobre o comportamento da cultivar Tifton 85 em sistemas sob irrigação e sob aplicação de DLS. Para determinar a produção de matéria seca pré-pastejo de Tifton 85 com DLS, foi conduzido um experimento na Fazenda-Escola da Universidade de Uberaba, irrigado por aspersão em malha, com aplicação de 0; 50; 100 e 200 m³ ha-1 ano-1 de DLS. Houve efeito significativo das doses de DLS em relação à produção de matéria seca pré-pastejo, ocorrendo acréscimos de produção com o aumento das doses. O fornecimento de 200 m³ ha-1 ano-1 de DLS possibilitou produção de 5.928 kg de matéria seca (MS) da forrageira por ciclo de 28 dias.

Resposta à inoculação de fungo solubilizador de fósforo em milho

Este trabalho procurou verificar o efeito da adição de duas fontes de fosfato prontamente disponíveis, superfosfato triplo e fosfato solubilizado obtido por via microbiológica e uma fonte não prontamente disponível, apatita de Araxá, na cultura do milho. em adição, foi verificado o efeito da inoculação do fungo Aspergillus niger, solubilizador de fosfato de rocha e da adição de matéria orgânica. Nos tratamentos em que se usou matéria orgânica, houve um aumento de população microbiana total do solo, mas nenhum efeito foi observado na produção e absorção de fósforo pela cultura do milho. Tanto o superfosfato triplo como a apatita de Araxá permitiram resultados mais favoráveis em termos de produção de massa seca e absorção de fósforo pelo milho em relação ao controle (sem fósforo) e à utilização de fosfato solubilizado. Também não se constatou efeito da inoculação de A. niger sobre a solubilização do fosfato de rocha, possivelmente devido à interferência dos microrganismos naturais do solo. O numero de microrganismos e a atividade da fosfatase ácida foram menores no solo fertilizado com superfosfato triplo que com apatita de Araxá.