2024-03-29T15:09:50Z
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/oai
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/21
2022-08-04T13:25:08Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29271-277
2022-08-04T13:25:08Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 3: September 2014; 271-277
Effect of season on the quality of forages selected by sheep in citrus plantations in Ghana
researchPaper
Adjorlolo, Leonard K.; Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Adogla-Bessa, Tsatsu; Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Amaning-Kwarteng, Kofi; Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Ahunu, Benjamin Kwadwo; Department of Animal Science, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
2014-09-24
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29271-277
en_US
The study aimed at assessing the effects of season on chemical composition of forages selected by sheep grazing in a citrus plantation. Forage species growing in a sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) plantation were identified and sampled monthly for 2 years. Samples were bulked on monthly basis for chemical analysis. The average dry matter content of the forages increased from the rainy to the dry season but effects of season on the chemical components were inconsistent. Some species, such as Asystasia gangetica, had a higher crude protein concentration in the dry season, whereas for others, such as Panicum repens, the reverse occurred. However, average concentrations of crude protein, detergent fiber and components of fiber for all species for the rainy season were not significantly different from the dry season values. It was concluded that there were differences among forage species in their responses to changing seasons, such that grazing ruminants may select a diet to enable them to meet their nutritional requirements, provided forage biomass is adequate.Keywords: Crop-livestock integration, tree plantations, chemical composition, seasonal effects, forage quality.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)271-277
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/24
2021-06-02T14:02:52Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/24
2021-06-02T14:02:52Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 3: September 2016; 139-145
Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration equations to predict nutritional quality parameters of tropical forages
researchPaper
Molano, Martha Lucía; Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Palmira, Colombia.
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical CIAT, Palmira, Colombia.
Cortés, María Luisa; Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical CIAT, Palmira, Colombia.
Ávila, Patricia; Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical CIAT, Palmira, Colombia.
Martens, Siriwan D.; Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Palmira, Colombia.
Muñoz, Luz Stella; Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Palmira, Colombia.
2016-09-23
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/24
es_ES
The objective of this study was to develop NIRS calibration curves to predict nutritional quality parameters of tropical forage species. For this a total of 1,991 samples of tropical forages (grasses and legumes) were employed. These samples showed a high heterogeneity in regrowth age, vegetative state and parts of the plants collected, sampling period and sample origin. Chemical analysis was performed to determine crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), in vitro digestibility of dry matter and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber. A group of samples was used for each chemical parameter to develop the calibration curves. The curves were chosen taking into account the standard errors of: calibration; cross validation (SECV); and prediction. To evaluate the accuracy of each equation the coefficient of determination (R2) and the RPD (ratio performance deviation) index (relation between standard deviation and SECV), which assesses the predictive power of the equations, were calculated. Validation was performed with external samples and results showed correlation coefficients (r) of >0.90 for all parameters except for ADF (r=0.72), demonstrating the precision of the predictive equations. However, the determination of ADF by this analytical method requires further work to increase its reliability. Keywords: Analytical methods, animal nutrition, forage quality, grasses, legumes.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)139-145
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/76
2021-06-01T15:12:46Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29262-270
2021-06-01T15:12:46Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 3: September 2014; 262-270
Effect of cassava chips on quality of silage from fresh forage sorghum plus Cavalcade forage legume hay mixtures
researchPaper
Pholsen, Suradej; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Yoottasanong, Chutchawal; Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Higgs, David E.B.; School of Life Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK.
2014-09-24
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29262-270
en_US
Two experiments investigated the effects on silage quality of adding cassava chips at a range of levels to a sorghum forage plus Cavalcade legume hay mixture at ensiling at the Experimental Farm, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Cavalcade hay was 15% of chopped sorghum fresh weight and cassava chips were added at 0, 5, 10 and 15% of chopped sorghum fresh weight. The first experiment utilized sorghum and Cavalcade main crops and the second used the ratoon crop of sorghum and 2nd cut of Cavalcade. Dry matter percentage of ensiled mixtures and silages increased (P<0.05) with an increase in cassava chip levels in both experiments, but CP and NDF concentrations decreased (P<0.05). Dry matter degradability increased (P<0.05) with an increase in cassava chip levels up to 10% in both main and ratoon/2nd cut silages. Digestible energy and metabolizable energy of both silages increased significantly with an increase in cassava chip levels up to 10% for main crop and 15% for ratoon/2nd cut crops. While addition of cassava chips improved digestibility and energy content of silage, it lowered CP concentration. Use of fresh Cavalcade instead of hay should increase the CP levels and should be investigated along with animal feeding studies to test acceptance and animal performance.Keywords: DMD, CP, sorghum silage, grass-legume silage, Centrosema pascuorum, silage additives.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)262-270
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/77
2022-08-04T13:26:27Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29254-261
2022-08-04T13:26:27Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 3: September 2014; 254-261
Root development and soil carbon stocks of tropical pastures managed under different grazing intensities
researchPaper
Saraiva, Felipe M.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Dubeux Jr, José C.B.; University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL, USA.
Lira, Mário de A.; Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
CNPq fellow.
Mello, Alexandre C.L. de; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
CNPq fellow.
Santos, Mércia V.F. dos; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
CNPq fellow.
Cabral, Felipe de A.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Teixeira, Vicente I.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
2014-09-24
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29254-261
en_US
Grasslands may act as a carbon (C) sink or C source depending on how they are managed. Soil C stocks, root biomass, root length, root length density and soil organic C concentrations were assessed on pastures of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) managed under different post-grazing stubble heights and signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) managed under different stocking rates. Soil samples were collected in 20-cm layers down to 1-m soil depth. Neither stubble height nor stocking rate had any significant effects on root parameters. Both the root system and C stocks declined in both pastures with increasing soil depth. Root biomass in the 0–20 cm layer contained 2.84 and 2.04 t C/ha, declining to 0.39 and 0.64 t C/ha at 80–100 cm for elephant grass and signal grass, respectively. Signal grass had greater root development deeper in the soil than elephant grass pastures, possibly due to its greater tolerance of Al toxicity and acidity. Total soil C stocks were greater for signal grass than for elephant grass (358 vs. 214 t C/ha, respectively).Keywords: Carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, soil nutrients, stocking rate, tropical grass.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)254-261
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/99
2021-06-01T15:00:07Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29246-253
2021-06-01T15:00:07Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 3: September 2014; 246-253
Botanical and agronomic growth of two <i>Panicum maximum</i> cultivars, Mombasa and Tanzania, at varying sowing rates
researchPaper
Hare, Michael D.; Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Phengphet, Supaphan; Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Songsiri, Theerachai; Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Sutin, Naddakorn; Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
2014-09-24
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29246-253
en_US
A field trial in northeast Thailand during 2011–2013 compared the establishment and growth of 2 Panicum maximum cultivars, Mombasa and Tanzania, sown at seeding rates of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 kg/ha. In the first 3 months of establishment, higher sowing rates produced significantly more DM than sowing at 2 kg/ha, but thereafter there were no significant differences in total DM production between sowing rates of 2–12 kg/ha. Lower sowing rates produced fewer tillers/m2 than higher sowing rates but these fewer tillers were significantly heavier than the more numerous smaller tillers produced by higher sowing rates. Mombasa produced 23% more DM than Tanzania in successive wet seasons (7,060 vs. 5,712 kg DM/ha from 16 June to 1 November 2011; and 16,433 vs. 13,350 kg DM/ha from 25 April to 24 October 2012). Both cultivars produced similar DM yields in the dry seasons (November–April), averaging 2,000 kg DM/ha in the first dry season and 1,750 kg DM/ha in the second dry season. Mombasa produced taller tillers (104 vs. 82 cm), longer leaves (60 vs. 47 cm), wider leaves (2 vs. 1.8 cm) and heavier tillers (1 vs. 0.7 g) than Tanzania but fewer tillers/m2 (260 vs. 304). If farmers improve soil preparation and place more emphasis on sowing techniques, there is potential to dramatically reduce seed costs.Keywords: Guinea grass, tillering, forage production, seeding rates, Thailand.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)246-253
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/100
2022-08-04T13:26:53Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29223-245
2022-08-04T13:26:53Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 3: September 2014; 223-245
Evaluating pasture species for less fertile soils in a subtropical aseasonal low rainfall zone
researchPaper
Silcock, Richard G.; Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
Hilder, Terry J.; Formerly Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Mackay, Qld, Australia.
Finlay, Cassandra H.; Formerly Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia.
2014-09-24
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29223-245
en_US
Grasses, legumes, saltbushes and herbs were evaluated at 6 sites in southern inland Queensland to identify potential pasture and forage plants for use on marginal cropping soils. The region experiences summer heat waves and severe winter frosts. Emphasis was on perennial plants, and native species were included. Seedlings were transplanted into the unfertilized fields in either summer or autumn to suit the growing season of plants, and watered to ensure establishment. Summer-growing grasses were the most successful group, while cool season-growing perennials mostly failed. Summer legumes were disappointing, with Stylosanthes scabra and Indigofera schimperi performing best. Some lines such as I. schimperi and the Eragrostis hybrid cv. Cochise were assessed as potential weeds owing to low animal acceptance. Native Rhynchosia minima grew well at some sites and deserves more study. Cenchrus ciliaris was always easy to establish and produced the highest yields. Persistence of some Digitaria and Bothriochloa species, Eragrostis curvula and Fingerhuthia africana at specific sites was encouraging, but potential weediness needs careful assessment. Standard species were identified to represent the main forage types, such as Austrostipa scabra for cool season-growing grasses, for incorporation into future trials with new genetic materials. The early field testing protocol used should be considered for use elsewhere, if unreliable rainfall poses a high risk of establishment failure from scarce seed.Keywords: Evaluation technique, Queensland, non-legume herbs, subtropical grasses.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)223-245
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/106
2021-06-01T16:48:05Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/106
2021-06-01T16:48:05Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 2: May 2015; 112-128
Variations in soil properties, species composition, diversity and biomass of herbaceous species due to ruminant dung residue in a seasonally dry tropical environment of India
researchPaper
Verma, Preeti; Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Sagar, R.; Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Giri, Nitu; Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Patel, Ranjana; Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Verma, Hariom; Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Singh, D.K.; Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Kumar, Kuldeep; Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
2015-05-26
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/106
en_US
Ruminants directly or indirectly influence nutrient cycling and vegetation structure in grassland ecosystems. We assessed the impact of natural cattle dung deposition on soil attributes and the resulting effects on species composition, species diversity and biomass of herbaceous vegetation in a natural grassland in the seasonally dry tropical environment of Banaras Hindu University, India. For this 72 plots of 1 × 1 m [12 locations × 2 treatments (dung residue and control) × 3 replicates] were selected in January 2013 and soil and vegetation samples collected. A total of 74 species belonging to 66 genera and 25 families were recorded. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) ordination revealed that the dung residue (DP) and control (CP) plots were distinctly different in terms of soil attributes and species composition. The k-dominance plot showed greater species diversity in DPs than CPs, with higher soil nutrients and moisture and lower soil pH in DPs than CPs. Similarly, DPs showed more herbaceous species and greater biomass than CPs. This trend can be explained by the positive responses of forbs, erect plants, annuals, large-statured, non-native and non-leguminous species to dung residue, while increased biomass can be partly due to cattle preferentially not grazing areas adjacent to a dung pat. Overall, the study showed that deposition of dung during grazing by cattle stimulates growth of pasture species and increases species diversity. Therefore cattle dung could be used as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers to manage soil pH, species composition and diversity, and forage production in the seasonally dry tropical grasslands of India, which are nutrient- and moisture-limited.Keywords: Animal manure, herbaceous vegetation, plant functional attributes, soil pH, species change.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)112-128
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/107
2021-06-01T19:55:25Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/107
2021-06-01T19:55:25Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 1: January 2016; 47-53
Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on carbohydrate and protein fractions in pearl millet (<i>Pennisetum glaucum</i>) cultivars
researchPaper
Buso, Wilian H.D.; Instituto Federal Goiano, Campus Ceres, Ceres, GO, Brazil.
França, Aldi F.S.; Universidade Federal de Goiás – Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia/Departamento de Produção Animal, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Miyagi, Eliane S.; Universidade Federal de Goiás – Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia/Departamento de Produção Animal, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Ferreira, Reginaldo N.; Universidade Federal de Goiás – Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Corrêa, Daniel S.; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal – Universidade Federal de Goiás, Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia/Departamento de Produção Animal, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
2016-01-22
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/107
en_US
Our research characterizes and quantifies carbohydrate and protein fractions of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) cultivars at different nitrogen (N) rates and 2 sowing dates in Ceres, Goiás, Brazil. A randomized block design using 3 cultivars (ADR-7010, ADR-500 and BRS-1501), 4 N rates (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N/ha) and 2 sowing dates (December 2010 and February 2011) was employed. Two harvests were undertaken for each sowing date, when plants were 0.70 m high. There were no significant differences among cultivars in either total carbohydrates or A+B1, B2 and C fractions of the carbohydrates. Total carbohydrates and their fractions were not affected by N rate nor sowing date. When protein fractionation was investigated, differences in fraction A were observed among cultivars but not in the B1, B2, B3 and C fractions. Nitrogen rate did not affect protein fractions, but sowing date did affect fractions B2 and B3. The significance of these findings in feeding animals is discussed.Keywords: Chemical composition, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System, forage, nitrogen fertilization.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)47-53
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/109
2021-06-01T19:10:55Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/109
2021-06-01T19:10:55Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 3: September 2015; 129-141
Forage intake, feeding behavior and bio-climatological indices of pasture grass, under the influence of trees, in a silvopastoral system
researchPaper
Sousa, L.F; Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Palmas, TO, Brazil.
Maurício, R.M.; Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas (DEPEB), Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, MG, Brazil.
Paciullo, D.S.C.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil.
Silveira, S.R.; Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas (DEPEB), Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, MG, Brazil.
Ribeiro, R.S.; Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas (DEPEB), Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, MG, Brazil.
Calsavara, L.H.; Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas (DEPEB), Universidade Federal de São João Del-Rei, São João Del-Rei, MG, Brazil.
Moreira, G.R.; Departamento de Estatística e Informática, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
2015-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/109
en_US
The aim of this study was to compare a silvopastoral system with a control (pasture only) in the Brazilian Cerrado. The silvopastoral system consisted of a tropical grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) pasture and trees (Zeyheria tuberculosa), while the control was a Marandu pasture without trees. Sheep intake, feeding behavior and microclimatic conditions were the variables evaluated. Temperatures within the silvopastoral system were lower than in the control (maximum temperature of 28 and 33.5 °C, temperature and humidity index of 74.0 and 79.2 for the silvopastoral system and control, respectively). There was increased dry matter intake (88.2 vs. 79.9 g DM/kg0.75 LW/d, P<0.05), organic matter intake (89.6 vs. 81.1 g OM/kg0.75 LW/d, P<0.05) and grazing time (572 vs. 288 min/d, P<0.05), and reduced total water intake (430 vs. 474 mL/kg0.75 LW/d, P<0.05) and walking time (30 vs. 89 min/d, P<0.05) in grazing sheep in the silvopastoral system relative to the control. The results suggest that a silvopastoral system would provide a more favorable environment than a straight pasture for sheep performance in a tropical grazing situation.Keywords: Animal behavior, microclimate, shade, sheep.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)129-141
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/178
2018-05-30T11:30:48Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29278-286
2018-05-30T11:30:48Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 3: September 2014; 278-286
Tolerance of herbaceous summer legumes of temporary waterlogging
researchPaper
Ciotti, Elsa M.; Universidad Nacional del Nordeste
Castelán, María E.
Hack, Claudina M.
Porta, Miriam
González, Ana M.
2014-09-24
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29278-286
es_ES
A greenhouse study to evaluate adaptation of 4 herbaceous summer legumes to temporary waterlogging was conducted. Species evaluated were Desmanthus virgatus and Aeschynomene americana in their vegetative stage, and Macroptilium lathyroides and M. atropurpureum in both vegetative and reproductive stages. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 5 replications and treatments were: T0, control; T1, saturation by capillary movement placing pots in buckets of 5 L with 10 cm of permanent water; and T2, flooding, placing pots in buckets of 10 L and a layer of water 5 cm above the soil. The duration of the water treatments was 7 days. Waterlogging did not affect shoot or root biomass production nor nodulation in A. americana, whereas D. virgatus had its highest dry matter production in saturated soil (T1). In M. lathyroides flooding tolerance was more evident in the reproductive than in the vegetative stage, probably due to more production of adventitious roots and formation of aerenchymatic tissue. Macroptilium atropurpureum showed adaptation to temporary flooding. Survival and quick recovery of these species would confirm their potential as forages for temporarily waterlogged soils.Keywords: Forage legumes, flooding, Aeschynomene americana, Desmanthus virgatus, Macroptilium lathyroides, Northeast Argentina.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(2)278-286
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/179
2021-06-01T13:55:00Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29154-164
2021-06-01T13:55:00Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 2: June 2014; 154-164
The rise and fall of Siratro (<i>Macroptilium atropurpureum</i>) − what went wrong and some implications for legume breeding, evaluation and management
researchPaper
Jones, Richard M.
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29154-164
en_US
Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) cv. Siratro was one of the first tropical legumes released for commercial use in the 1960s. It initially showed great promise in experiments and commercial sowings. Early research showed it was unproductive under heavy grazing, but after some 15 years there was increasing concern about its persistence, even under light to moderate grazing pressure. Commercial usage subsequently declined markedly although siratro, usually as cv. Aztec, is still sown to a very limited extent. This paper examines some reasons for this decline and then discusses some implications for research into improving tropical pastures through the use of legumes. In general, early pasture research, such as that on Siratro, failed to recognize that original plants of herbaceous legumes had a limited life span and that, for long-term persistence, new plants had to develop through vegetative or sexual reproduction. However, many studies over a 20-year time span showed that, although Siratro could form new plants, in most cases these replacements were insufficient to maintain an adequate plant density in the long term. Data on stolon density, plant longevity, soil seed banks and seedling survival, under different rainfall regimes and stocking rates, are presented to illustrate this. The major limitation was that soil seed banks were generally inadequate to ensure persistence, especially through a period of drier years, when there would be little or no seed set and possibly the death of all seedlings, which emerged from isolated falls of rain. Autumn spelling of pastures to enhance seed set improved persistence, but not reliably enough to be of widespread practical use. The major implication is that evaluation studies failed to adequately recognize the need for introduced legumes to form new plants after the original ones died. This has implications for future experiments, in terms of: duration; the management regime(s) imposed; the measurements or observations taken; and the need for a more ecological approach in evaluation.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/180
2021-06-01T13:56:00Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29165-174
2021-06-01T13:56:00Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 2: June 2014; 165-174
Village-based tropical pasture seed production in Thailand and Laos – a success story
researchPaper
Hare, Michael D.; Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29165-174
en_US
Seed of 6 forage species, Mulato II hybrid brachiaria (Brachiaria ruziziensis x B. decumbens x B. brizantha), Cayman hybrid brachiaria (B. ruziziensis x B. decumbens x B. brizantha), Mombasa guinea (Panicum maximum), Tanzania guinea (P. maximum), Ubon stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. vulgaris x var. pauciflora) and Ubon paspalum (Paspalum atratum), is currently being produced by more than 1,000 smallholder farmers in villages in northeast Thailand and northern Laos, under contract to Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand. The seed is mainly exported (95%), with the remainder sold within Thailand. Tropical Seeds LLC, a subsidiary of a Mexican seed company, Grupo Papalotla, employs Ubon Forage Seeds to manage seed production, seed sales and export, and to conduct research on new forage species. This paper details how the development of a smallholder-farmer seed-production program in Thailand and Laos produced positive social and economic outcomes for the village seed-growers. In addition, the strong emphasis on seed quality, high purity, high vigor and high germination enabled pasture growers in more than 20 tropical countries in Asia, Africa, the Pacific and Central and South America, to establish more than 20,000 ha of pastures over the past 3 years.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/181
2021-06-01T13:57:48Z
tgft:RP
v2
https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29175-187
2021-06-01T13:57:48Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 2: June 2014; 175-187
Developing a savanna burning emissions abatement methodology for tussock grasslands in high rainfall regions of northern Australia
researchPaper
Russell-Smith, Jeremy; Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
North Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Yates, Cameron; Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Evans, Jay; Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
Desailly, Mark; Darwin Centre for Bushfire Research and Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia.
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29175-187
en_US
Fire-prone tropical savanna and grassland systems are a significant source of atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases. In recent years, substantial research has been directed towards developing accounting methodologies for savanna burning emissions to be applied in Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, as well as for commercial carbon trading purposes. That work has focused on woody savanna systems. Here, we extend the methodological approach to include tussock grasslands and associated Melaleuca-dominated open woodlands (<10% foliage cover) in higher rainfall (>1,000 mm/annum) regions of northern Australia. Field assessments under dry season conditions focused on deriving fuel accumulation, fire patchiness and combustion relationships for key fuel types: fine fuels − grass and litter; coarse woody fuels − twigs <6 mm diameter; heavy woody fuels − >6 mm diameter; and shrubs. In contrast with previous savanna burning assessments, fire treatments undertaken under early dry season burning conditions resulted in negligible patchiness and very substantial consumption of fine fuels. In effect, burning in the early dry season provides no benefits in greenhouse gas emissions and emissions reductions in tussock grasslands can be achieved only through reducing the extent of burning. The practical implications of reduced burning in higher rainfall northern Australian grassland systems are discussed, indicating that there are significant constraints, including infrastructural, cultural and woody thickening issues. Similar opportunities and constraints are observed in other international contexts, but especially project implementation challenges associated with legislative, political and governance issues.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/182
2021-06-01T14:01:25Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29188-196
2021-06-01T14:01:25Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 2: June 2014; 188-196
Ontogenesis and nutritive value of warm-season perennial bunch grasses
researchPaper
Ziehr, Robert D.; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC, USA.
Rea, Gary L.; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, James E. “Bud” Smith Plant Materials Center, Knox City, TX, USA.
Douglas, Joel L.; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC, USA.
Spaeth, Kenneth E.; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC, USA.
Peacock, George L.; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Washington, DC, USA.
Muir, James P.; Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Stephenville, TX, USA.
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29188-196
en_US
Understanding the dynamics of nutritive values in warm-season perennial bunch grasses with change in ontogenesis is essential to managing their use as forage for livestock or cellulosic bioenergy feedstock.Accumulated growth (not previously harvested) of Alamo lowland and accession 9065018 upland switch grass (Panicum virgatum), Lometa Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), Earl big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), San Marcos eastern gama grass (Tripsacum dactyloides) and Haskell sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula ), all native to the southern Great Plains of North America, as well as Selection 75 Klein grass (Panicum coloratum), originating in southern Africa but selected in North America, was harvested every 28 d for 3 yr, commencing 1 yr after establishment.Growth stage, crude protein (CP) and in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) over 48 h were evaluated at each date.Some entries, such as Haskell, San Marcos and Selection 75, initiated reproductive growth earlier in the growing season and had higher nutritive value [up to 119 g CP/kg dry matter (DM) and 630 g IVDMD/kg DM] at seed set than those reproducing later in the season.Nutritive value of San Marcos and Selection 75 responded to autumn rainfall with resurging nutritive value (over 100 g CP/kg DM and over 600 g IVDMD/kg DM), whereas others did not.These nuances in nutritive value may be useful in manipulating species composition and season of utilization for grazing bunch grasses, especially when incorporated into opportunistic harvests of bioenergy feedstock.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/183
2021-06-01T14:04:58Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29197-206
2021-06-01T14:04:58Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 2: June 2014; 197-206
Harvest frequency affects herbage accumulation and nutritive value of brachiaria grass hybrids in Florida
researchPaper
Vendramini, João M.B.; University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, USA.
Sollenberger, Lynn E.; University of Florida, Agronomy Department, Gainesville, FL, USA.
Soares, André B.; Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Departamento de Agronomia, Pato Branco, PR, Brazil.
da Silva, Wilton L.; University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, USA.
Sanchez, João M.D.; University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, USA.
Valente, Andre L.; University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, USA.
Aguiar, André D.; University of Florida, Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL, USA.
Mullenix, Mary K.; University of Florida, Agronomy Department, Gainesville, FL, USA.
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29197-206
en_US
Brachiaria ‘Mulato II’ is a hybrid brachiaria grass with superior nutritive value when compared with other warm-season grasses. The performance of 2 new brachiaria grass hybrids was compared with that of Mulato II in terms of herbage accumulation, nutritive value and ground cover in a series of experiments. In Experiment 1, Mulato II and lines BR02/1752 (now cv. Cayman) and BR02/1794 were harvested at 3- and 6-wk regrowth intervals in South Florida. Mulato II had greater herbage accumulation and ground cover than Cayman and BR02/1794, while Mulato II and Cayman had greater in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) concentration than BR02/1794. Regrowth interval did not affect herbage accumulation and ground cover but herbage harvested at 3-wk intervals had greater nutritive value than 6-wk regrowth. In Experiment 2, Mulato II had similar IVDOM and CP concentrations to but greater herbage accumulation, ground cover and plant density than Cayman in North-Central Florida. In Experiment 3, Mulato II and Cayman plots were grazed at 2-, 4- or 6-wk intervals, and herbage accumulation and nutritive value were similar for both cultivars. Herbage nutritive value decreased and ground cover increased linearly as regrowth interval increased from 2 to 6 wk, and Mulato II had greater ground cover than Cayman. The new hybrids displayed no production or nutritive value advantages over Mulato II; regrowth intervals of less than 3 wk should be avoided to maintain Brachiaria hybrid stands in this subtropical environment.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/184
2021-06-01T14:16:28Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29207-213
2021-06-01T14:16:28Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 2: June 2014; 207-213
Ruminal in situ degradability of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber of sugarcane silage
researchPaper
França, Aldi F. de S.; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Miyagi, Eliane S.; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Pause, Alzira G. da S.; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Mello, Susana Q.S.; Fundação Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Campus Universitário de Araguaína, Araguaína, TO, Brazil.
Peron, Hugo J.M.C.; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Arnhold, Emmanuel; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Mascarenhas, Alessandra G.; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Corrêa, Daniel S.; Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29207-213
en_US
The ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) of 9 sugarcane varieties ensiled 15 months after planting was evaluated, using 3 fistulated Holstein x Zebu cows and incubation periods of 0, 6, 12, 24, 72 and 96 h in a randomized complete block design. Dry matter, crude protein (CP), mineral matter (MM), NDF, pH and in-situ degradability levels were determined. There were significant differences in composition of all evaluated parameters in the silages, except for CP, with the following variations: DM (19.7–23.2%), CP (2.70–3.47%), MM (3.2–5.2%), NDF (67.6–73.8%) and pH (3.8–4.2). The DM fraction ‘a’ differed among sugarcane varieties, with SP 801816 presenting the highest soluble fraction (26.83%). Effective degradability (ED) of DM (32.7–40.9%) and degradation rate ‘c’ did not differ among varieties. The ED of NDF and fraction ‘a’ did not differ among silages, but there were significant differences in fraction ‘b’, with a variation from 36.4 to 41.2%. Highest NDF ED occurred for the varieties RB 835486 (22%) and SP 791011 (21.1%). Further studies with these two varieties with the addition of inoculants and additives at ensiling are needed along with feeding studies to determine animal performance data.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/185
2021-06-01T14:20:57Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29214-222
2021-06-01T14:20:57Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 2 No. 2: June 2014; 214-222
Agronomic, morphogenic and structural characteristics of tropical forage grasses in northeast Brazil
researchPaper
Rodrigues, Rosane C.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Sousa, Thiago V.R.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Melo, Maria A.A.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Araújo, Jocélio S.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Lana, Rogério P.; Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
Costa, Clésio S.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Oliveira, Maria Elizabete; Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
Parente, Michelle O.M.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Sampaio, Ivan B.M.; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/TGFT%282%29214-222
en_US
The objective of this study was to assess the agronomic, morphogenic and structural characteristics of tropical forage grasses during the establishment phase and throughout the second year in northeast Brazil. The treatments included 9 grasses: Brachiaria humidicola (koronivia grass), Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato, Brachiaria brizantha cvv. Piatã, Xaraés and Marandu, Brachiaria ruziziensis (ruzi grass), Brachiaria decumbens (signal grass), Panicum hybrid cv. Massai and Andropogon gayanus (gamba grass). The grasses were planted in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. The following parameters were measured: total forage production, leaf:stem ratio, tiller population density, number of dead tillers, leaf emergence rate, phyllochron, leaf elongation rate, stem elongation rate, rate of leaf senescence, final length of leaf blade and life-span of leaves. In the establishment year, cv. Mulato produced the highest forage yields, followed by cvv. Xaraés and Massai, with gamba grass and koronivia grass worst. In the second year, cvv. Mulato, Xaraés and Marandu, and gamba grass showed highest forage production, while cvv. Massai and Piatã produced the least. All grasses showed a marked drop in production during the dry season. Cultivar Massai consistently had the highest leaf:stem ratio. The morphogenic and structural characteristics differed according to cultivar and season of the year. In general, leaf emergence rate, leaf elongation rate, stem elongation rate, rate of leaf senescence, final length of the leaf blade, number of live leaves per tiller and density of living tillers were higher in the rainy season, while the phyllochron and life-span of leaves were higher in the dry season. The results of this research highlight the potential of the Brachiaria cultivars Mulato and Xaraés, gamba grass and Panicum cv. Massai in subhumid Maranhão, northeast Brazil.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/186
2021-06-01T15:22:44Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/186
2021-06-01T15:22:44Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 1: January 2015; 1-14
Perennial pastures for marginal farming country in southern Queensland. 1. Grass establishment techniques
researchPaper
Silcock, Richard G.; Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dutton Park, Qld, Australia.
Finlay, Cass H.; Formerly Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia.
2015-01-28
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/186
en_US
Efficient ways to re-establish pastures are needed on land that requires a rotation between pastures and crops. We conducted trials in southern inland Queensland with a range of tropical perennial grasses sown into wheat stubble that was modified in various ways. Differing seedbed preparations involved cultivation or herbicide sprays, with or without fertilizer at sowing. Seed was broadcast and sowing time ranged from spring through to autumn on 3 different soil types. Seed quality and post-sowing rainfall were major determinants of the density of sown grass plants in the first year. Light cultivation sometimes enhanced establishment compared with herbicide spraying of standing stubble, most often on harder-setting soils. A nitrogen + phosphorus mixed fertilizer rarely produced any improvement in sown grass establishment and sometimes increased weed competition. The effects were similar for all types of grass seed from hairy fascicles to large, smooth panicoid seeds and minute Eragrostis seeds. There was a strong inverse relationship between the initial density of sown grass established and the level of weed competition.Keywords: Cultivation, fertilizer, seed morphology, sowing time, weeds, glyphosate.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)1-14
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/187
2021-06-01T15:34:05Z
tgft:RP
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/187
2021-06-01T15:34:05Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 1: January 2015; 15-26
Perennial pastures for marginal farming country in southern Queensland. 2. Potential new grass cultivar evaluation
researchPaper
Silcock, Richard G.; Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Dutton Park, Qld, Australia.
Finlay, Cass H.; Formerly Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia.
Loch, Don S.; Formerly Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries, Gympie, Qld, Australia.
Harvey, Greg L.; Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Toowoomba, Qld, Australia.
2015-01-28
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/187
en_US
Trials in the Condamine-Balonne basin, Australia, compared 11 promising perennial pasture grass accessions (4 Bothriochloa, 2 Cenchrus, 2 Urochloa and 1 each of Digitaria, Eragrostis and Panicum species) against the best similar commercial cultivars on the basis of ease of establishment from seed, persistence once established, forage yield and ease of seed production. Accessions sown at a site were determined by prior experience with them on a range of soils. High quality seed was relatively easy to produce for both Urochloa species and for Eragrostis curvula CPI 30374 but problematic for the Bothriochloa spp. Once established, all accessions persisted for 3–5 years and most were well grazed, but adequate establishment was sometimes a problem with Panicum stapfianum and Bothriochloa ewartiana. The dry matter yield ratings of the non-commercial lines were similar to those of the commercial equivalents of the same species. While agronomically valuable, none of the promising new grasses was considered worthy of commercialization at this point because their strengths did not warrant the setting up of a seed-production business in competition with current commercial enterprises. Long-standing cultivars such as Gayndah buffel and Nixon sabi grass continued to exhibit their superior pasture qualities.Keywords: Herbicide tolerance, persistence, forage yield, establishment ease, commercialization, seed production.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)15-26
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/188
2021-06-01T15:35:31Z
tgft:RP
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/188
2021-06-01T15:35:31Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 1: January 2015; 27-33
Effect of nitrogen on yield and quality of <i>Panicum maximum</i> cvv. Mombasa and Tanzania in Northeast Thailand
researchPaper
Hare, Michael D.; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Phengphet, Supaphan; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Songsiri, Theerachai; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Sutin, Naddakorn; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
2015-01-28
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/188
en_US
A field trial in Northeast Thailand during 2011–2012 compared the effects of nitrogen fertilizer, applied as urea in the wet season, on the growth and quality of Panicum maximum cvv. Mombasa and Tanzania. In the establishment year, increasing rates of nitrogen (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg N/ha every 40-45 days) (0–180 kg N/ha for growing period) progressively increased stem, leaf and total DM production (P<0.05). At higher rates (80 and 100 kg N/ha or 240–300 kg N/ha for growing period), only total DM increased at the highest rate. In the second year, a rate of 20 kg N/ha every 40-45 days (80 kg N/ha for growing season) doubled the amount of DM compared with no nitrogen, and 80 kg N/ha every 40-45 days (320 kg N/ha for growing period) produced significantly higher stem, leaf and total DM yields than most other rates. The yield response (kg DM/kg N) decreased linearly (24.7 to 20.3 in 2011; 56.7 to 15.1 in 2012) from the lowest to the highest rate of nitrogen. In both years, increasing rates of nitrogen significantly increased CP and NDF concentrations in stems and leaves and ADF concentrations in stems. Mombasa produced 17 and 19% more leaf and 18 and 22% more total DM than Tanzania, in the first and the second year, respectively. Mombasa also produced 30% more stem DM than Tanzania in the second year. While Tanzania produced higher CP levels than Mombasa in the establishment year, in the second year, Tanzania had higher levels than Mombasa only when N rates of 80–100 kg N/ha were applied every 40-45 days (320–400 kg N/ha for growing period). Applying 60 kg N/ha every 40-45 days appears to be a reasonable compromise to achieve satisfactory DM yields in the wet season (8,000 kg/ha first year and 12,000 kg/ha second year), leaf percentage of 68–70% and leaf CP concentrations above 7%.Keywords: Guinea grass, crude protein, leaf production, fertilizer responses.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)27-33
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/193
2021-06-01T19:19:35Z
tgft:RP
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/193
2021-06-01T19:19:35Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 3: September 2015; 187-193
Nutritive value and in situ rumen degradability of Marandu palisade grass at different locations within the pasture in a silvopastoral system with different babassu palm densities
researchPaper
Tosta, Xerxes M.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Rodrigues, Rosane C.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Sanchês, Sâmara S.C.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Araújo, Jocélio S.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Lima Júnior, Antônio da S.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Costa, Clésio S.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Santos, Francisco N. de S.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Jesus, Ana P.R.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
da Silva, Ivone R.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Costa, Francivaldo O.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Shigaki, Francirose; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Mendes, Sanayra da S.; Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
2015-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/193
en_US
The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value and in situ rumen degradability of grass collected from different locations within the pasture in a silvopastoral system with different densities of trees. The silvopastoral system consisted of Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) brizantha cv. Marandu and the babassu palm, Orbignya sp. (now: Attaleia speciosa). We used a completely randomized design with a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement for nutritional value (3 differently shaded locations and 3 palm tree densities) and a 3 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement for dry matter (DM) disappearance (3 locations, 3 palm densities and 3 incubation times). There was no effect of location within the pasture nor of palm tree density on the concentrations of NDF, ADF, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose. However, location influenced the concentrations of crude protein (CP) and DM, with highest CP in material grown in full sunlight. At all densities, DM disappearance at 96 h for pasture grown in full sunlight exceeded that for pasture grown in full shade. These factors need to be compounded with the possible depressant effect of trees on DM production of pasture when considering the benefits of silvopastoral systems.Keywords: Digestibility, fiber, Northeast Brazil, protein, tree-grass associations, Urochloa brizantha.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)187-193
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/194
2022-08-04T13:29:31Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/194
2022-08-04T13:29:31Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 2: May 2015; 104-111
Productive performance of three tropical legumes for protein banks in the dry tropics of Colima, Mexico
researchPaper
Macedo, Rafael J.; Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Tecomán, Colima, Mexico.
Arredondo, Victalina; Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Tecomán, Colima, Mexico.
García, Noe; Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Tecomán, Colima, Mexico.
Ramírez, Rafael; Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, General Escobedo, Nuevo León, Mexico.
Prado, Omar; Universidad de Colima, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Tecomán, Colima, Mexico.
García, Luis J.; Universidad de Colima, Centro Universitario de Investigación y Desarrollo Agropecuario, Tecomán, Colima, Mexico.
2015-05-26
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/194
en_US
The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive performance of mucuna (Mucuna pruriens), lablab (Lablab purpureus) and clitoria (Clitoria ternatea) for protein banks in Colima, Mexico, with irrigation used prior to the rainy season. Fifteen plots were allocated in a complete randomized block design with 5 replicates. Dry matter production, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus concentrations and leaf:steam ratio were evaluated. The highest dry matter production was recorded for clitoria and lablab (9.80 and 8.93 t/ha, respectively, over 240–260 days), while mucuna produced 5.5 t DM/ha in 120 days. Leaf production in clitoria (4.73 t/ha) exceeded that in lablab (3.23 t/ha) and mucuna (2.69 t/ha), while leaf:stem ratio was 0.94 for clitoria, 1.0 for mucuna and 0.58 for lablab. Crude protein concentrations in all species were high (21.7–27.8%) as were concentrations of Ca (1.17–1.64%) and P (0.38–0.67%). Use of the 3 forages is discussed. Studies in the absence of irrigation in a range of seasons would determine how relevant these findings are in those situations. Feeding studies with animals would provide additional information on which to decide the appropriate species to plant in different situations.Keywords: Clitoria ternatea, dry matter yield, forage quality, Lablab purpureus, Mucuna pruriens.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)104-111
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/198
2022-08-04T13:28:15Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/198
2022-08-04T13:28:15Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 1: January 2015; 34-40
Botanical name changes – nuisance or a quest for precision?
researchPaper
Cook, Bruce G.; Agricultural consultant, Westlake, Qld, Australia.
Schultze-Kraft, Rainer; Emeritus scientist, Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
2015-01-28
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/198
en_US
To understand the need for the seemingly regular changes to plant names applied to many tropical forage species, it is necessary to be aware of the rules that govern botanical nomenclature. The binomial naming system, first proposed in 1753, is governed by rules defined in the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi and plants (ICN). These rules have been strengthened as necessary over the years in the interest of providing practitioners with plant names that are unique for each species, and presented in an hierarchical format that shows the evolutionary relationships between plants. This paper includes a table of name changes accepted by the USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN) for species used in tropical forage research and development over the last half century. The need to use legitimate plant names is emphasized and suggestions are made on how practitioners might best deal with the changes.Keywords: Taxonomy, nomenclature, tropical forages.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)34-40
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/202
2022-08-04T13:30:30Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/202
2022-08-04T13:30:30Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 1: January 2015; 49-58
Genetic options for improving fodder yield and quality in forage sorghum
researchPaper
Aruna, C.; Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Swarnalatha, M.; Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Praveen Kumar, P.; Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Devender, V.; Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Suguna, M.; Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Blümmel, M.; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), c/o ICRISAT, Patancheru, Hyderabad, India.
Patil, J.V.; Directorate of Sorghum Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
2015-01-28
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/202
en_US
Improving yield and quality of fodder from forage sorghum is important, especially in the semi-arid tropics, where sorghum is a major source of fodder. The aim of this work was to understand the genetic basis of fodder yield and quality traits, and character associations, and to estimate combining ability of the parents. The experiment was carried out during 2 successive rainy seasons using 10 parents crossed in a half-diallel design. Significant differences among the genotypes for fodder yield, quality and cell wall constituents were observed. Important quality traits, crude protein and digestibility (IVOMD), were not correlated with fodder yield, indicating the potential to improve yield and quality simultaneously in forage sorghum. General combining ability and specific combining ability variances showed that, for almost all characters, both additive and non-additive gene effects were important, with a predominance of non-additive effects. Parental lines SEVS4, HC308 and UPMC503 were good general combiners for yield and quality. The brown midrib lines, EC582508 and EC582510, were good general combiners for low lignin and high IVOMD. Strategies for improving forage sorghum to suit animal and biofuel industries are discussed.Keywords: Digestibility, crude protein, ADL, diallel analysis, gene effects.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)49-58
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/204
2022-08-04T13:29:54Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 1: January 2015; 41-48
Soil microbial biomass in an agroforestry system of Northeast Brazil
researchPaper
Rodrigues, Rosane C.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Araújo, Ricardo A.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Costa, Clésio S.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Lima, Antônio J.T.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Oliveira, Maria E.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Cutrim Jr, José A.A.; Instituto Federal do Maranhão, São Luis, MA, Brazil.
Santos, Francisco N.S.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Araújo, Jocélio S.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, Chapadinha, MA, Brazil.
Santos, Vilma M.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
Araújo, Ademir S.F.; Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal do Piauí, Teresina, PI, Brazil.
2015-01-28
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/204
en_US
Agroforestry systems (AFS) are considered alternative land use options to help prevent soil degradation and improve soil microbial biomass and organic C status. However, it is unclear how different densities of babassu palm [Attalea speciosa (syn. Orbignya phalerata)], which is an important tree in Northeast Brazil, affect the soil microbial biomass. We investigated the soil microbial biomass C and activity under AFS with different densities of babassu palm associated with Brachiaria brizantha grass. Soil microbial biomass C (MBC), soil microbial biomass N (MBN), MBC:total organic C ratio, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and dehydrogenase activity showed highest values in plots with high density of babassu palm. On the other hand, the respiratory quotient (qCO2) was significantly greater in plots without babassu palm. Brachiaria brizantha in monoculture may promote C losses from the soil, but AFS with high density of babassu palm may increase the potential of soils to accumulate C.Keywords: Enzyme activity, tropical soil, babassu palm, silvopastoral system, soil quality.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)41-48
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/211
2022-08-04T13:31:47Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 3: September 2015; 161-186
Commonness and rarity pattern of plant species within <i>Terai</i> grassland of northeastern Uttar Pradesh, India
researchPaper
Srivastava, Sumit; Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, India.
Dvivedi, Ashish; Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, India.
Shukla, R.P.; Plant Ecology Laboratory, Department of Botany, D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur, India.
2015-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/211
en_US
We investigated the frequency of occurrence of plant species in grassy landscapes in northeastern Uttar Pradesh, India. Using random quadrats, field assessment was undertaken at 11 sites to sample an area of 333.75 ha, at an overall sampling density of 0.01%. A total of 287 plant species belonging to 183 genera and 53 families was recorded. Of these, 254 species were commonly distributed and 33 species exhibited localized occurrences; according to the rarity classes of Rabinowitz, the latter were classified as rare. One hundred and sixty-five species had large population sizes and 122 species exhibited small population sizes. The most common species, which exhibited high frequency and abundance, were predominantly from Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Papilionaceae, Asteraceae, Scrophulariaceae and Euphorbiaceae. Some species, which are known to have narrow geographical distributions, were locally abundant. Rare species showed restricted as well as localized distributions and were typically sampled at low population densities. The rare occurrences of once frequent and widespread species probably reflect acute fragmentation and shrinkage of specialized habitats as a result of intense cultural activities. Several species are to be considered as threatened. Studies on the status of rare plant species and the processes threatening their survival are urgently required.Keywords: Community structure, frequency of occurrence, habit groups, habitat fragmentation, native grassland.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)161-186
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/216
2022-08-04T13:32:19Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 3: September 2015; 194-204
Esterase polymorphism for genetic diversity analysis of some accessions of a native forage grass, <i>Mesosetum chaseae</i> Luces, from the Brazilian Pantanal
researchPaper
Meirelles, Ana Clara S.; Postgraduate Program in Agronomy, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Monteiro, Eliane R.; Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Breeding, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
da Silva, Laura A.C.; Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Breeding, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
da Silva, Débora; Postgraduate Program in Genetics and Breeding, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Santos, Sandra A.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil.
de Oliveira-Collet, Sandra A.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, MS, Brazil
Mangolin, Claudete A.; Departamento de Biotecnologia, Genética e Biologia Celular, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Machado, Maria de Fátima P.S.; Departamento de Biotecnologia, Genética e Biologia Celular, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
2015-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/216
en_US
The aim of the present study was to estimate the genetic diversity within the samples of Mesosetum chaseae from the Embrapa Pantanal Germplasm Bank (BAG) and assess how they are genetically structured to guide proposals to: 1) identify native forages for further testing to measure their suitability for sowing in conjunction with or as an alternative to exotic forages, mainly Urochloa humidicola; and 2) improve the species M. chaseae with samples that are maintained in the BAG. Isozyme α- and β-esterases were analyzed in 10 accessions collected from different locations in the Nhecolândia sub-region of the Pantanal, and maintained in the BAG. Accessions A11, which showed the highest effective number of alleles, and A32 with the highest average values of expected and observed heterozygosity, were identified as warranting further study as possible options for sowing as pasture forages, as well as for use in recovering poor and degraded areas in the Pantanal region. A high level of population differentiation was detected among the 10 accessions, indicating that they form genetically structured populations and that all accessions are important samples of M. chaseae, which should be maintained in the BAG. Crosses between sample plants with the highest genetic distances are recommended to implement improvement plans with a prospect of broadening the genetic base of the species.Keywords: Genetic polymorphism, genetic resources, grama-do-cerrado, isoesterases, Poaceae.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)194-204
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/219
2022-08-04T13:34:42Z
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2022-08-04T13:34:42Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 3: September 2015; 151-160
Performance of tropical legumes grown as understory of a eucalypt plantation in a seasonally dry area of the Brazilian Cerrado
researchPaper
Nicodemo, Maria Luiza F.
de Souza, Francisco H.D.
Pezzopane, José Ricardo M.
Mendes, João Carlos T.
Barioni Junior, Waldomiro
Tholon, Patrícia
Santos, Patrícia M.
2015-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/219
en_US
Nine tropical legumes were grown outside the canopy and in the understory of an 8-year-old Eucalyptus grandis stand in order to assess their seasonal production and forage quality for 4 evaluation periods. Incident photosynthetically active radiation in the understory was 18% of that outside the canopy. In the understory, production of Lablab purpureus, Centrosema schiedeanum, Clitoria ternatea, Pueraria phaseoloides, Alysicarpus vaginalis, Aeschynomene villosa, Estilosantes Campo Grande (Stylosanthes capitata + S. macrocephala), Calopogonium mucunoides and Arachis pintoi was <1 kg/ha/d for most samples. Even considering this low production, the large area available for animal production in forest plantations might justify the interest in legumes because of their high nutritive value. Lablab purpureus produced the greatest amount of dry matter in the understory in the establishment phase (12.1 kg/ha/d), but did not persist. It could be a suitable candidate for a cover legume species mixture to provide early growth. Centrosema schiedeanum developed rapidly and showed a high capacity for ground cover (>70%) and persistence, and had high nitrogen concentration, thus demonstrating good potential for protecting soils and promoting nutrient cycling in forest plantations. Another species with potential is A. pintoi, which established slowly but towards the end of the experiment showed moderate to high understory ground cover.Keywords: Dry matter production, forage quality, shade, silvopastoral system.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)151-160
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/224
2021-06-01T16:56:04Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 2: May 2015; 83-93
Evaluation of new hybrid brachiaria lines in Thailand. 1. Forage production and quality
researchPaper
Hare, Michael D.; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Pizarro, Esteban A.; Semillas Papalotla SA de CV., Mexico D.F., Mexico.
Phengphet, Supaphan; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Songsiri, Theerachai; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Sutin, Naddakorn; Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
2015-05-26
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/224
en_US
Forty-three new hybrid bracharia lines were evaluated for forage accumulation and nutritive value in Northeast Thailand from 2006 to 2011 in experiments at 2 sites, using Mulato II hybrid brachiaria as a standard for comparison. The parameters evaluated were wet and dry season dry matter (DM) accumulation, leaf:stem ratio, crude protein (CP) concentration and fiber level [acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF)]. No lines consistently displayed superior dry season forage accumulation and leaf:stem ratio over Mulato II. In the wet seasons, 14 lines produced more DM than Mulato II but in only one wet season each. Mulato II produced forage with high leaf:stem ratio in all seasons. Many lines did have significantly higher CP concentrations and lower levels of ADF and NDF than Mulato II, but their forage accumulation and leaf:stem ratio were inferior. Four lines (BR02/1718, BR02/1752, BR02/1794 and BR02/0465) were granted Plant Variety Rights in 2011.Keywords: Cayman, Cobra, crude protein, dry matter yields, forage regrowth, Mulato II.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)83-93
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/225
2018-10-01T15:20:06Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 2: May 2015; 94-103
Evaluation of new hybrid brachiaria lines in Thailand. 2. Seed production
researchPaper
Hare, Michael D.; Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University
Pizarro, Esteban A.
Phengphet, Supaphan
Songsiri, Theerachai
Sutin, Naddakorn
2015-05-26
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/225
en_US
Forty-three new hybrid bracharia lines bred at CIAT, Colombia, were evaluated for seed production in Northeast Thailand between 2006 and 2010 in 2 experiments at 2 sites, Ubon Ratchathani and Amnart Charoen. These lines were compared with Mulato II hybrid brachiaria. From the BR02 collection, 4 lines, BR02/1718, BR02/1752, BR02/1794 and BR02/0465, were granted Plant Variety Rights in 2011. BR02/1794 produced more seed than Mulato II on most occasions, including both harvests at Ubon Ratchathani and 2 of 3 harvests at Amnart Charoen. The next best yielding lines were BR02/1718 and BR02/0465, which produced more seed than Mulato II in 1 of 2 harvests at Ubon Ratchathani and 2 of 3 harvests at Amnart Charoen. Seed-set (percentage of cleaned seed to spikelets) was generally very low in all hybrid lines (1–12%). The reasons for low seed-set in hybrid brachiaria grasses are discussed, including: being a common defect in newly formed apomictic forage hybrids; previous selection for seed yield not being rigorous enough; and insufficient selection at latitudes and sites where commercial brachiaria seed production is practiced.Keywords: Cayman, Cobra, Mulato II, seed yields, seed yield components.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)94-103
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/227
2021-06-01T19:49:08Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 1: January 2016; 19-28
Carbon dynamics in an <i>Imperata</i> grassland in Northeast India
researchPaper
Thokchom, Amrabati; Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University, Imphal, India.
Yadava, Pratap S.; Department of Life Sciences, Manipur University, Imphal, India.
2016-01-22
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/227
en_US
Carbon stocks and soil CO2 flux were assessed in an Imperata cylindrica grassland of Manipur, Northeast India. Carbon stocks in the vegetative components were estimated to be 11.17 t C/ha and soil organic carbon stocks were 55.94 t C/ha to a depth of 30 cm. The rates of carbon accumulation in above-ground and below-ground biomass were estimated to be 11.85 t C/ha/yr and 11.71 t C/ha/yr, respectively. Annual soil CO2 flux was evaluated as 6.95 t C/ha and was highly influenced by soil moisture, soil temperature and soil organic carbon as well as by C stocks in above-ground biomass. Our study on the carbon budget of the grassland ecosystem revealed that annually 23.56 t C/ha was captured by the vegetation through photosynthesis, and 6.95 t C/ha was returned to the atmosphere through roots and microbial respiration, with a net balance of 16.61 t C/ha/yr being retained in the grassland ecosystem. Thus the present Imperata grassland exhibited a high capacity to remove atmospheric CO2 and to induce high C stocks in the soil provided it is protected from burning and overgrazing.Keywords: Above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, carbon stocks, carbon storage, net primary productivity, soil CO2 flux.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)19-28
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/233
2022-08-04T13:41:20Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 1: January 2016; 8-18
Floristic diversity and effect of anthropogenic activities on human-dominated grasslands in subtropical regions of Peninsular India
researchPaper
Datar, Mandar N.; Biodiversity and Paleobiology, MACS-Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India.
2016-01-22
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/233
en_US
Indian subtropical grasslands are secondary habitats formed due to anthropogenic activities resulting in degradation of deciduous forests. Spread throughout Peninsular and Central India, they are important from economic and ecological points of view and are the prime source of fodder for the large population of livestock in this region. Pastures are either exposed to open grazing or protected and harvested periodically for fodder. In the present investigation floristic diversity of 21 sites from Western Ghats and Central India was studied, along with the effects of anthropogenic activities like burning and grazing on floristic composition in general and palatable species in particular. Over-grazing and burning were found to result in dominance of unpalatable species, making the grasslands less useful for livestock production. High rainfall and protection by local communities seem to play important roles in the dominance of palatable species in grasslands. Our results suggest that periodic harvesting and protection from burning and over-grazing should be encouraged and implemented in order to increase the potential of these grasslands for livestock production. Detailed studies are warranted to confirm these findings.Keywords: Burning, community protection, grazing, palatable species, pastures.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)8-18
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/241
2022-08-04T13:39:56Z
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2022-08-04T13:39:56Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 3 No. 3: September 2015; 142-150
Forage growth, yield and quality responses of Napier hybrid grass cultivars to three cutting intervals in the Himalayan foothills
researchPaper
Wangchuk, Kesang; Renewable Natural Resources Research and Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bumthang, Bhutan.
Rai, Krishna; National Jersey Breeding Center, Samtse, Bhutan.
Nirola, Harilal; Renewable Natural Resources Research and Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Yusipang, Bhutan.
-, Thukten; Renewable Natural Resources Research and Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bumthang, Bhutan.
Dendup, Chhoyten; Renewable Natural Resources Research and Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Yusipang, Bhutan.
Mongar, Durba; Renewable Natural Resources Research and Development Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Bumthang, Bhutan.
2015-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/241
en_US
A 3 x 3 factorial study was conducted in the southern foothills of Bhutan to compare 3 cultivars of Napier hybrid grass (Pennisetum purpureum x P. glaucum: Pakchong-1, CO-3 and Giant Napier), at 3 cutting intervals (40, 60 and 80 days), in terms of forage growth, dry matter (DM) yield and crude protein (CP) concentration. The effects of cultivar x cutting interval were significant only on tiller number per plant and leaf:stem ratio (LSR). CO-3 consistently produced the highest tiller number per plant, leaves per plant and LSR, while Pakchong-1 produced the lowest. Pakchong-1 plants were taller, had bigger tillers and basal circumference and higher stem DM production than CO-3 and Giant. Leaf CP for all cultivars was about 17%, while stem CP concentration was lower for Pakchong-1 than for the other cultivars (3.6 vs. 5.3%, P<0.05). While 40-day cutting intervals produced high quality forage, yields suffered marked-ly and the best compromise between yield and quality of forage seemed to occur with 60-day cutting intervals. Pakchong-1 seems to have no marked advantages over CO-3 and Giant for livestock feed, and feeding studies would verify this. Its higher stem DM yields may be advantageous for biogas production and this aspect should be investigated.Keywords: Bhutan, CO-3, crude protein , dry matter, Giant Napier, Pakchong-1.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(3)142-150
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/243
2021-06-01T19:51:20Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 1: January 2016; 38-46
Genetic variation for clonal propagation and trait association with field performance in sainfoin
researchPaper
Irani, Sayareh; Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
Majidi, Mohammad M.; Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
Mirlohi, Aghafakhr; Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
2016-01-22
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/243
en_US
Clonal plant materials with identical genotypes may be used to precisely detect environmental effects and genotype x environment interactions resulting in a more accurate estimate of genetic parameters in plant genetic analysis. In sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), knowledge on genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with field performance is limited. Eleven natural ecotypes of sainfoin from wide geographical areas of Iran were used to evaluate genetic variation for clonal propagation and its association with related traits. From each ecotype 11‒21 genotypes were cloned via cuttings. Then, clones of a hundred genotypes from 10 ecotypes were transplanted to the field. High genetic variation was found between ecotypes of sainfoin for producing viable clones. The mean values for viable clones varied from 50% (Borujen ecotype) to 97% (Najafabad ecotype). The values of within-ecotype coefficient of variation were higher than the genetic coefficient of variation. The highest heritability estimates were obtained for sensitivity to powdery mildew, plant height and number of stems per plant. Dry matter yield (DMY) in the field was significantly and positively correlated with plant height and number of stems per plant, inflorescence length and growth score. An association between DMY and percent of viable clones was found indicating the possibility of selection during the early stages of clonal propagation. According to principal component analysis, Baft and Fereydunshahr ecotypes have potential for improving production of sainfoin if introduced into breeding programs. These issues warrant further study.Keywords: Clone viability, genetic variability, Onobrychis viciifolia, phenotypic correlation, principal component analysis.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)38-46
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/253
2021-06-01T20:25:37Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 2: May 2016; 91-100
Grazing behavior and intake of goats rotationally grazing Tanzania-grass pasture with different post-grazing residues
researchPaper
Fernandes, Marcia H.M.R.; UNESP/FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
Fernandes Junior, Jalme S.; UNESP/FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
de Resende, Kleber T.; UNESP/FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
Bonfa, Hugo C.; UNESP/FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
Reis, Ricardo A.; UNESP/FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
Ruggieri, Ana C.; UNESP/FCAV, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Departamento de Zootecnia, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
Fernandes, Juliano J.R.; UFG/EVZ, Universidade Federal de Goias, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Santos, Patricia M.; Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
2016-05-27
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/253
en_US
This study aimed to evaluate intake and ingestive behavior of goats rotationally grazing Tanzania (Panicum maximum cv. Tanzânia 1) pastures with 2 levels of post-grazing residue. The experimental area consisted of 1.2 ha of Tanzania pasture divided into 12 paddocks (24 areas), managed under 2 post-grazing residues: low green (leaf + stem) herbage mass (GHM) post-grazing (LR, approximately 1,500 kg/ha GHM); and high GHM post-grazing (HR, approximately 3,000 kg/ha GHM). Each paddock was grazed for 3 consecutive days (D1, D2, D3) followed by 33 days rest and evaluated from October 2005 to April 2006. Animal behavior (grazing time, bite rate and bite size/weight) was evaluated on each grazing day. While goats spent more time grazing on LR than HR (P=0.02), bite rate did not differ between treatments or among days (P=0.31) and averaged 26.5 bites/min. In contrast, bite weight was greater in HR (0.15 g/bite) than in LR (0.12 g/bite), and decreased from D1 to D3 (P<0.001). Absolute dry matter intake of goats was greater in the HR (2.19 kg/d) than the LR (1.89 kg/d) treatment; however, differences were not significant (P>0.05) when intake was determined on a body weight or metabolic weight basis. Our findings are consistent with the general assumption that bite weight is a trade-off between quantity and quality of the herbage mass and is the main determinant of animal performance. More studies are needed to determine animal performance on the various treatments and to determine management strategies to provide a desirable balance between animal weight gain and pasture stability.Keywords: Animal behavior, foraging, grazing systems, Megathyrsus maximus, plant - animal relations.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)91-100
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/254
2022-08-04T13:42:07Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 1: January 2016; 1-7
Growth responses of nine tropical grasses under flooding conditions
researchPaper
Mass Junior, Ralf; Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Campus Alta Floresta, Alta Floresta, MT, Brazil.
Domiciano, Leandro F.; Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Campus Sinop, Sinop, MT, Brazil.
Ribeiro, Luiz Fernando C.; Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso, Campus Alta Floresta, Alta Floresta, MT, Brazil.
Pedreira, Bruno C.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Agrossilvipastoril, Sinop, MT, Brazil.
2016-01-22
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/254
en_US
The diversification of forage grasses is a strategic solution to obtain higher productivity in diverse environments. In this regard, the objective of the present study was to evaluate in a glasshouse study the flooding tolerance of 9 cultivars of forage grasses. The study was conducted using a complete randomized design with a 9 x 3 factorial arrangement: 9 cultivars (Brachiaria brizantha cvv. Marandu, Piatã e Xaraés; hybrid Brachiaria cv. Mulato II; B. humidicola cvv. Llanero and Tupi; B. ruziziensis cv. Common; Panicum maximum cvv. Massai and Tanzânia) and 3 soil water levels: a) minimal water for development (50% of field capacity); b) field capacity; and c) flooded soil (2 cm above soil level), with 3 replicates. Forage accumulation, plant height and root accumulation were evaluated. All cultivars grew well in soil at 50% field capacity highlighting their adaptation to mildly dry conditions. Under flooded conditions, B. humidicola cvv. Llanero and Tupi showed no reduction in forage dry matter production, while shoot growth of cvv. Marandu, Piatã, Tanzânia and Xaraés was significantly reduced (P<0.001) by 71.3, 94.0, 81.2 and 77.2%, respectively. Root mass was reduced about 30% in flooded plants relative to those grown at 50% field capacity. While all cultivars could be used where soil moisture is marginal for production, cvv. Llanero, Tupi and Massai would be most suitable where flooding could occur during the growing season. Field studies are needed to verify these glasshouse findings.Keywords: Brachiaria spp., forage mass, Marandu Death Syndrome, Panicum maximum, root mass, soil water levels.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)1-7
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/258
2021-06-01T20:13:12Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 2: May 2016; 71-81
Botanical composition of Caatinga rangeland and diets selected by grazing sheep
researchPaper
de Oliveira, Osniel F.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
dos Santos, Mércia V.F.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
da Cunha, Márcio V.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Dubeux Júnior, José C.B.; University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL, USA.
Muir, James P.; AgriLifeResearch, Texas A&M University, Stephenville, TX, USA.
de Mello, Alexandre C.L.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Lira, Mário A.; Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco (IPA), Recife, PE, Brazil.
de Barros, Gustavo F.N.P.; Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
2016-05-27
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/258
en_US
Sheep dietary selection from species-diverse Caatinga rangeland of semi-arid northeastern Brazil has not been documented. This study examined the botanical composition of the available forage and diets of Dorper x Saint Ines ewes on thinned Caatinga over-seeded with Cenchrus ciliaris and Urochloa mosambicensis. Sixty-three species from 23 families, dominated by shrubs and short trees of low forage nutritive value, were identified in the vegetation. The botanical composition revealed, on average, high presence of 29.2% Malvaceae and 13.0% C. ciliaris. Using the microhistological technique, sheep showed, on average, 59.6% preference for dicotyledons throughout the year. However, selectivity indexes indicated, on average, greater selection for Poaceae during the rainy season (1.5) and for dicotyledons in the dry season (1.8) with a year-round aversion for Malvaceae (0.3). These findings suggest that Caatinga vegetation management should include Malvaceae thinning and greater incorporation of grasses and herbaceous legumes to improve rangeland carrying capacity. Keywords: Brazil, continuous stocking, dietary selection, microhistological technique, principal components.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)71-81
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/266
2021-06-01T19:59:49Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 1: January 2016; 29-37
Métodos de establecimiento de pasturas en zonas áridas de México utilizando semillas crudas o cariópsides
researchPaper
Quero-Carrillo, Adrián Raymundo; Ganadería, Colegio de Postgraduados, Texcoco de Mora, Estado de México, México.
Hernández-Guzmán, Filogonio Jesús; Universidad Politécnica Francisco I. Madero, Tepatepec, Hidalgo, México.
Velázquez-Martínez, Mauricio; Campo Experimental San Luis, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), San Luis Potosí, México.
Gámez-Vázquez, Héctor Guillermo; Campo Experimental San Luis, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP), San Luis Potosí, México.
Landa-Salgado, Patricia; Universidad Autónoma Chapingo, Texcoco de Mora, Estado de México, México.
Aguilar-López, Pedro; Universidad Politécnica Francisco I. Madero, Tepatepec, Hidalgo, México.
2016-01-22
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/266
es_ES
In order to evaluate the establishment of the native grasses Sideoats grama (‘Banderita’, Bouteloua curtipendula) and Blue grama (‘Navajita’, B. gracilis) and the introduced grasses buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Rhodes (Chloris gayana) at 2 sites in the Chihuahuan Desert, the use of caryopses vs. entire seeds (diaspores) was studied applying 4 methods of covering after broadcasting. The sites were Atotonilco El Grande, Hidalgo State; and Salinas Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí State, Mexico. One thousand viable seeds (caryopses or diaspores) were sown per square meter. The 4 methods of covering were: harrowing with a tree branch; use of a roller; use of a tree branch harrow plus roller; and no covering (control). The response variables measured were number of emerged seedlings; number of established plants; diameter of the crown; plant height; and number of stems per plant. The design was a completely randomized 2 x 2 x 4 factorial arrangement with 3 replicates at each site. There were no differences between sites and, on average, 2 plants/m2 were established. With the native species greater numbers of emerged and established plants were obtained by using diaspores while with introduced species there were no significant differences between caryopses and diaspores. Harrowing with a tree branch and/or rolling the soil resulted in thicker crowns and greater plant height. The highest number of stems per established plant were recorded in Blue grama and Rhodes grass. In native grasses it is important not to remove accessory bracts, in contrast with introduced grasses. In both species groups establishment is improved by rolling.Keywords: Harrowing, introduced grasses, native grasses, plant density, seedbed rolling.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)29-37
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/270
2021-06-01T20:18:12Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 2: May 2016; 101-111
Tillering of Marandu palisadegrass maintained at fixed or variable heights throughout the year
researchPaper
Pessoa, Denis D.; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Umuarama, Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Cardoso, Róger C.; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Umuarama, Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Santos, Manoel E.R.; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Umuarama, Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Carvalho, Bruno H.R.; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Umuarama, Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Silva, Guilherme P.; Universidade de São Paulo/ESALQ, Departamento de Zootecnia, Agronomia, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Silva, Natascha A.M.; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Umuarama, Umuarama, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
2016-05-27
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/270
en_US
Satisfactory tillering is the basic attribute to ensure stability and productivity of a grass population. We aimed to develop an understanding of tillering in Urochloa brizantha syn. Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu (Marandu palisadegrass) maintained at constant or variable heights during the various seasons of the year and to identify defoliation strategies that optimize tillering. In an experiment conducted in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, 3 defoliation strategies were studied: sward kept at 30 cm during the whole year (constant height); kept at 15 cm in fall/winter, 30 cm in spring and 45 cm in summer (increasing height); and kept at 45 cm in fall/winter, 30 cm in spring and 15 cm in the summer (decreasing height). The experiment was completely randomized, with 4 replicates. The following variables were evaluated: tiller appearance (TAR), mortality (TMR) and survival (TSR) rates; the balance (BAL) between TAR and TMR; tiller population stability (TPS); and number of tillers/m2 (NT). In winter and late spring, TAR and BAL were low, while in early spring, the sward with decreasing height showed high TAR, BAL and TPS. The NT was higher when managed with increasing height than with other height strategies.Lowering pasture height from 45 to 30 cm after the winter increased TAR in early spring. Grazing studies seem warranted to assess how these results can be reproduced under grazing and how pasture yield and quality plus animal performance compare with those under the fixed grazing height regimen. Keywords: Defoliation, grazing management, pasture height, tillers, Urochloa brizantha.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)101-111
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/273
2021-06-01T20:21:47Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 2: May 2016; 112-121
Determinants of the utilization of desho grass (<i>Pennisetum pedicellatum</i>) by farmers in Ethiopia
researchPaper
Asmare, Bimrew; Department of Animal Production and Technology, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Demeke, Solomon; Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Tolemariam, Taye; Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia.
Tegegne, Firew; Department of Animal Production and Technology, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan
Wamatu, Jane; International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Rischkowsky, Barbara; International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
2016-05-27
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/273
en_US
A study was conducted to document how smallholder farmers in Ethiopia utilize desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and explain the determinants of alternative and competing uses of the grass. The study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire for 240 farmers in the districts of Burie Zuria and Doyogena, complemented with input from key informants and secondary data. The dependent variables tested were the use of desho grass as a feed, multipurpose uses of the grass and types of livestock fed. To test the effect of the explanatory variables on the dependent variables, separate univariate Probit models were used. Although the majority of respondents can read and write, about 23% of respondents were illiterate. The average desho grass-producing farmer in the sample owned 0.95 ha of farmland and 3.56 tropical livestock units; average household size was 6.5 people with a household head who was typically male (91% of households). Eighty percent of respondents in Burie Zuria and all respondents in Doyogena district depended solely on rain for desho grass production. Fifty-eight percent in Burie Zuria and 65% in Doyogena district applied either manure or artificial fertilizer to the grass. Weeding of desho grass was not practiced by any respondents in either district. Sixty percent of farmers used desho grass as a feed and 35% used it for more than a single purpose. Forty-two percent of farmers who fed desho grass did so to only lactating cattle, 3% fed it to small ruminants and 53% fed it to all livestock species. There were significant negative correlations (P<0.01) between both experience in production of desho grass and access to training in its production and utilization, and its utilization as a feed. Seventy percent of farmers in Burie Zuria and 13% in Doyogena have received training in desho grass production. To expand the utilization of the grass to as many farmers as possible, further training should be provided. A multi-faceted approach would be needed for the 23% of illiterate farmers over the 2 districts.Keywords: Cut-and-carry, lactating animals, multipurpose, Probit models.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)112-121
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/274
2021-06-01T21:17:50Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 3: September 2016; 146-158
Feeding and fertilization practices and greenhouse gas emissions in specialized dairy farms of Dos Pinos in Costa Rica
researchPaper
Wattiaux, Michel A.; Dairy Science Department, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
Iñamagua-Uyaguari, Juan Pablo; Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Ecuador.
Guerra, Leonardo; Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Centro Transdisciplinario de Estudios Ambientales y Desarrollo Humano Sostenible, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
Casasola, Francisco; Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), Turrialba, Costa Rica.
Jenet, Andreas; Centro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza (CATIE), Turrialba, Costa Rica.
2016-09-23
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/274
en_US
Emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) based on the feeding systems of 104 dairy farms in Costa Rica were estimated using IPCC procedures. This study indicated that farmers’ decisions, which determine the feeding strategies for lactating cows, have a substantial impact on CH4 emissions per kg of milk. Lower CH4 emissions per kg milk were estimated on farms with high-producing cows consuming rations with lower neutral detergent fiber concentrations and higher amounts of concentrates. Hours spent in pasture did not influence estimated grass intake or CH4 emissions. However, higher feed efficiency appeared to be a key factor in reducing CH4 emissions per kg of milk. The study also showed that higher N2O emissions were associated with higher amounts of commercial nitrogen fertilizer application; however, the main source of N2O emissions was from the manure deposited during the grazing period. Future approaches to reduce farm gate emissions of CH4 per kg of milk in specialized dairy farms could include incorporating dietary fats in rations, feeding adequate amounts of concentrates and feeding forage at a more digestible stage. These findings are strongly influenced by the assumptions made in calculating CH4 and N2O emissions but do highlight the critical areas which affect greenhouse gas emissions.Keywords: Feed efficiency, fertilization, forage, manure, methane, nitrous oxide.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)146-158
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/275
2021-06-01T21:25:34Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 3: September 2016; 159-167
Milk yield and blood urea nitrogen in crossbred cows grazing <i>Leucaena leucocephala</i> in a silvopastoral system in the Mexican tropics
researchPaper
Bottini-Luzardo, Maria B.; Unidad Académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, Cuajinicuilapa, Guerrero, Mexico.
Aguilar-Pérez, Carlos F.; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Centurión-Castro, Fernando G.; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Solorio-Sánchez, Francisco J.; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
Ku-Vera, Juan C.; Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
2016-09-23
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/275
en_US
The aim of the study was to assess milk yields, estimate the intake of crude protein (CP) and determine the concentrations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in early post-partum crossbred cows grazing irrigated Leucaena leucocephala (leucaena) in a silvopastoral system relative to those in an irrigated grass monoculture. Twenty-four multiparous cows were randomly allotted at calving on the basis of previous milk yields to 2 grazing treatments: grass monoculture system (MS) of Cynodon nlemfuensis (n=12); and an intensive silvopastoral system (ISS) composed of leucaena and C. nlemfuensis (n=12). Cows were supplemented with sorghum grain (ISS) or a conventional concentrate (MS) during milking to ensure availability of metabolizable energy (ME) and CP required for milk production. Mean estimated intake of leucaena was 5.1±1.3 kg DM/d and estimated CP intakes were 1,479±3.3 and 1,258±3.3 g/d for ISS and MS, respectively (P>0.05), while estimated intakes of ME were 161±1.3 and 131±1.4 MJ/d for ISS and MS, respectively (P<0.05). Milk yields were 13.5 and 14.5 kg/cow/d for cows on ISS and MS, respectively (P>0.05). Concentrations of BUN were 19.1 mg/dL for cows in ISS and 15.3 mg/dL for cows in MS (P<0.05). We conclude that intake of leucaena and sorghum grain in an irrigated silvopastoral system was sufficient to substitute for expensive concentrate in the diets of lactating cows grazing irrigated grass monoculture. However, the higher levels of BUN found in ISS suggest a lower efficiency of N utilization in this treatment. Restricting consumption of leucaena might be a means of improving efficiency of its use and this warrants investigation. Keywords: Cattle, crude protein, Cynodon nlemfuensis, leucaena, tropical pasturesDOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)159-167
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/288
2021-06-01T20:09:30Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 2: May 2016; 82-90
Effectiveness of inoculation of two forage legumes grown on two soil types with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
researchPaper
González Cañizares, Pedro J.; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba.
Ramírez Pedroso, Juan F.; Estación Experimental de Pastos y Forrajes de Villa Clara, crucero Digna, Cascajal, Santo Domingo, Villa Clara, Cuba.
Rivera Espinosa, Ramón; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba.
Hernández Jiménez, Alberto; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba.
Crespo Flores, Gustavo; Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agrícolas (INCA), San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba.
2016-05-27
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/288
es_ES
In Bauta, Artemisa province, Cuba, 2 field experiments were conducted in Nitisol and Vertisol soils to evaluate the response of the pasture legumes, stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) and siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum), to inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). In each experiment, inocula with the AMF species Funneliformis mosseae, Glomus cubense and Rhizoglomus intraradices were applied, and there was a control without inoculation. A randomized block design with a 4 (inocula) x 2 (legume species) factorial arrangement was used giving 8 treatments and 4 replications. AMF inocula were applied at sowing by the seed-coating method, and legume yield, the frequency and intensity of mycorrhizal root colonization and macronutrient concentrations in aboveground biomass were evaluated. The legumes responded positively to AMF inoculation, but the effectiveness of the AMF species depended on the soil type. Rhizoglomus intraradices was more effective with respect to the frequency and intensity of mycorrhizal root colonization and in improving the nutritional status and yield of legumes grown in the Vertisol, whereas G. cubense was more effective for those grown in the Nitisol. Studies are required to identify the soil factors that determine the effectiveness of AMF. Keywords: Macroptilium atropurpureum, mineral nutrition, Nitisol, soil fertility, Stylosanthes guianensis, Vertisol.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)82-90
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/295
2022-08-04T13:44:27Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 2: May 2016; 54-70
Selection of effective strains of <i>Bradyrhizobium</i> for Caatinga stylo (<i>Stylosanthes seabrana</i>)
researchPaper
Date, Richard A.; Formerly CSIRO, Division of Tropical Crops and Pastures, St Lucia, Qld, Australia.
2016-05-27
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/295
en_US
Caatinga stylo (Stylosanthes seabrana) is recommended as a forage legume for permanent and long-term ley pastures on clay soils of southern (cv. Primar CPI92838B) and central (cv. Unica CPI110361) Queensland. The release of the 2 cultivars was contingent on the availability of an effective and persistent strain of Bradyrhizobium, because suitable effective nitrogen-fixing strains do not occur naturally in the soils of the target regions. Effective strains of Bradyrhizobium (strains CB3480 and CB3481), suitable as inocula for Caatinga stylo, were selected from nodule material collected in Bahia, Brazil.This paper documents soil-pot and field experiments that led to the selection of these persistent and effective strains of Bradyrhizobium and the eventual release of CPI92838B and CPI110361, respectively, as cvv. Primar and Unica. Keywords: Inoculation, nitrogen fixation, nodulation, soil temperature, survival.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)54-70
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/300
2021-06-02T19:06:48Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 2: May 2018; 104-110
Determinants of adoption of improved forages in selected districts of Benishangul-Gumuz, Western Ethiopia
researchPaper
Abebe, Alemayehu; Livestock Research Process, Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Assosa, Ethiopia.
Hagos, Afework; Agricultural Economics, Extension and Gender Research Process, Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Assosa, Ethiopia.
Alebachew, Habtamu; Livestock Research Process, Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Assosa, Ethiopia.
Faji, Mulisa; Livestock Research Process, Assosa Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Assosa, Ethiopia.
2018-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/300
en_US
This study explores different socio-economic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of improved forage technologies in Assosa and Bambasi districts of Benishangul-Gumuz, Western Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire survey was applied to collect information from 120 farm households, and a binary logistic regression model was used to quantify the factors determining farmers’ decisions to adopt improved forages. The analysis revealed that access to agricultural extension services, participation in forage training sessions and higher cash income had the greatest positive influence (P<0.05) on adoption of forage technologies, while higher numbers of male adult labor units and use of fertilizers had a lesser effect (P<0.10). In contrast, farmers remote from offices of development agents and possessing greater numbers of equines were less likely to adopt improved forage technologies. We suggest that adoption of improved forage technologies could be enhanced by providing farmers with training sessions, raising household income and providing greater access to extension services and that these factors should be considered by planning bodies.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/302
2021-06-01T21:27:21Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 3: September 2016; 168-178
Growth and nutritional evaluation of napier grass hybrids as forage for ruminants
researchPaper
Turano, Brian; Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Tiwari, Utsav P.; Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
Jha, Rajesh; Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
2016-09-23
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/302
en_US
Napier grass is a perennial, tropical C-4 grass that can produce large amounts of forage. However, low temperatures and drought stress limit its productivity and nutritive value as a forage. To overcome these limitations, pearl millet × napier grass hybrids (PMN) were developed. It was hypothesized that PMN hybrids were more drought-tolerant, produced higher yields, and had higher nutritive value than napier grass varieties. The yield and nutritive value of 4 napier grass varieties (Bana grass, Mott, MB4 and N51) and 4 PMN hybrids (PMN2, PMN3, 5344 and 4604) were determined with or without irrigation in a strip plot design in Hawaii. Hybrid PMN3 outperformed napier grass varieties and the other hybrids for yield, while 5344 showed higher nutritional content and digestibility than most other grasses. Dry matter yields during the 110-day study period ranged from 10.3 to 32.1 t/ha without irrigation and 19.6 to 55.8 t/ha with irrigation, indicating that moisture stress was limiting performance in raingrown pastures. Only hybrids PMN3 and PMN2 and variety MB4 showed significant growth responses to irrigation. Further work is needed to evaluate the hybrids in a range of environments over much longer periods to determine if these preliminary results can be reproduced over the long term. Similarly, feeding studies with animals are needed to determine if the in vitro data for digestibility are reflected in superior performance for the promising hybrids.Keywords: Biomass, cattle, in vitro digestion, nutrient content, Pennisetum, tropical grasses.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)168-178
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/308
2022-08-04T13:45:55Z
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2022-08-04T13:45:55Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 3: September 2017; 163-175
Screening of common tropical grass and legume forages in Ethiopia for their nutrient composition and methane production profile in vitro
researchPaper
Melesse, Aberra; School of Animal and Range Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia.
Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
Steingass, Herbert; Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
Schollenberger, Margit; Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
Rodehutscord, Markus; Institute of Animal Science, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany.
2017-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/308
en_US
A study was conducted to assess the nutrient composition, in vitro gas production (GP) characteristics and methane (CH4) production potential of some common Ethiopian grass and legume forages. Crude protein (CP) concentration was lower in grasses than in legumes, while the reverse was observed for neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) and acid detergent fiber (ADFom) concentrations. Within the 9 grasses tested, Cynodon dactylon had the highest CP concentration (187 g/kg DM), while Panicum coloratum and Cenchrus ciliaris had the lowest (70 and 82 g/kg DM, respectively) values. Chloris gayana contained the highest aNDFom (651 g/kg DM) concentration, while Avena sativa had the lowest (484 g/kg DM). Among the 3 legumes tested, Vicia sativa had the highest CP concentration (346 g/kg DM). The aNDFom and ADFom concentrations were highest in V. sativa and lowest in Medicago sativa. In grasses, Brachiaria mutica had the highest calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese concentrations, while in legumes the highest concentrations of phosphorus, potassium and zinc were observed in V. sativa. Methane production was generally higher (P<0.05) in grasses than in legumes. Panicum coloratum produced the lowest (P<0.05) CH4 levels within the grasses followed by B. mutica, while Desmodium intortum produced the lowest (P<0.05) CH4 levels within the legumes. Panicum coloratum and D. intortum appear to have potential as suitable forage species for ruminants, resulting in reduced CH4 emissions. Studies with animals are needed to verify these in vitro findings.
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2021-06-02T14:59:31Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 2: May 2017; 85-93
Weeds alter the establishment of <i>Brachiaria brizantha</i> cv. Marandu
researchPaper
de Marchi, Sidnei R.; Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
Bellé, José R.; Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
Foz, Celso H.; Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
Ferri, Jucilene; Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Barra do Garças, MT, Brazil.
Martins, Dagoberto; Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil.
2017-05-29
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/311
en_US
The present study evaluated the effects of different periods of coexistence among the main weeds and Marandu brachiaria grass (Brachiaria brizantha, now Urochloa brizantha) in newly sown pasture. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block with 4 replications, with treatments being 8 coexistence periods: 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 120 days after emergence. A phytosociological assessment of the weed community was carried out at the end of the coexistence periods, and weeds were eliminated from the appropriate treatment using herbicide. Key morphogenic parameters of the forages were assessed at the end of the experimental period and dry matter production was determined. Results indicated that the presence of weeds had negative impacts on the main morphogenic components, such as plant height, number of tillers and production of leaf and stem dry matter. The presence of weeds reduced productivity in Marandu, with 15 days competition being sufficient to reduce forage production by approximately 50%, suggesting that weed control measures should be adopted within 15 days following emergence of seedlings of Marandu and weeds. Keywords: Dry matter, interference, pasture renovation, weed competition.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/320
2022-08-04T13:47:59Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 1: January 2017; 29-39
Effects of deferred forage as winter cover on spring growth of the tropical grasses <i>Chloris gayana</i> and <i>Panicum coloratum</i>
researchPaper
Imaz, José A.; Centre for Carbon, Water & Food, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Sydney, Australia.
Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido (IIACS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Leales, Tucumán, Argentina.
Merani, Víctor; Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET), Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
dos Santos, Daniel; Instituto de Biodiversidad Neotropical (IBN), CONICET-UNT, Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina.
Benvenutti, Marcelo; University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, Lawes, Queensland, Australia.
Giménez, Daniel O.; Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal (INFIVE-CONICET), Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hernández, Olegario; Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido (IIACS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Leales, Tucumán, Argentina.
Arroquy, José I.; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Santiago del Estero, Santiago del Estero, Argentina.
2017-01-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/320
en_US
This pot study assessed the effects of deferring forage during autumn and leaving as winter cover on reducing cold damage to plants of 2 tropical (C4) grasses (Chloris gayana and Panicum coloratum) in a temperate environment in La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mature plants were subjected to the following treatments: (i) autumn-deferred forage retained (DF) as control; and (ii) autumn-deferred forage removed (DFR) cutting at 15 cm from soil level at beginning of winter. This experiment had 10 replicates per treatment and 1 plant per pot (experimental unit). Plants of both species were extracted from a commercial beef farm and transplanted into an experimental garden in pots where they grew outdoors from 2 February to 23 May (111 days) when treatments were applied. After winter, both grasses were cut to 15 cm in early spring (27 September) and spring growth was measured in November. Shoot biomass was harvested at ground level and separated into lower and upper layers (above and below 15 cm), leaf blades, sheaths and stolons. Daily air temperature, relative humidity and frost events were registered. Allometric analysis of shoot biomass was performed to determine the stress incidence by cold. DF plants achieved 55‒80% higher shoot biomass than DFR plants during spring in both species. The allometric analysis revealed for P. coloratum significant relationships between shoot biomass from plant compartments (lower and upper layers, leaf blade and sheath) and total shoot biomass in both treatments, indicating good cold tolerance. However, for C. gayana, unlike DF plants, DFR plants were strongly stressed, showing a lack of shoot biomass fit. These results suggest that deferring autumn forage growth and retaining as winter cover may improve survival during winter and productivity during spring of these two tropical grasses in temperate pastoral systems. However, the study needs to be repeated under field conditions and under grazing or cutting over a number of years in different situations to verify these preliminary results. Keywords: Winter cover, cold damage, frost protection, pasture management.
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 3: September 2017; 103-116
Temporal differences in plant growth and root exudation of two <i>Brachiaria</i> grasses in response to low phosphorus supply
researchPaper
Louw-Gaume, Anna E.; 1Group of Plant Nutrition, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland.
Schweizer, Noel; Group of Plant Nutrition, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland.
Rao, Idupulapati M.; International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
Presently: Plant Polymer Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, ARS, USDA, Peoria, IL, USA.
Gaume, Alain J.; Syngenta Crop Protection, Münchwilen AG, Stein, Switzerland.
Frossard, Emmanuel; Group of Plant Nutrition, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zurich, Lindau, Switzerland.
2017-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/323
en_US
Exploiting the natural variability of Brachiaria forage germplasm to identify forage grasses adapted to infertile acid soils that contain very low available phosphorus (P) is an important research objective for improving livestock production in the tropics. The objective of this study was to determine the differences in the release of root biochemical markers, i.e. carboxylates and acid phosphatases (APases), during the development of P deficiency in signalgrass and ruzigrass. We used the hydroxyapatite pouch system in hydroponics to simulate conditions of low P supply in acid soils to test the response of well-adapted signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk, CIAT 606) and less-adapted ruzigrass (B. ruziziensis cv. Kennedy, CIAT 654). We monitored shoot and root growth and other physiological and biochemical components that are important for root functionality at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. We found that monocarboxylate exudation was not associated with the plant’s physiological P status, while exudation of oxalate and secreted-APases increased with declining plant P concentrations in both grasses. Ruzigrass showed higher exudation rates and grew faster than signalgrass, but could not maintain its initial fast growth rate when P concentrations in plant tissue declined to 1.0 mg P/g dry matter. Oxalate was the dominant exuded carboxylate for signalgrass after 21 days of growth and this response might confer some eco-physiological advantages in signalgrass when grown in low-P acid soils.
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2022-08-04T13:49:51Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 4 No. 3: September 2016; 129-138
Water use, root activity and deep drainage within a perennial legume-grass pasture: A case study in southern inland Queensland, Australia
researchPaper
Pachas, A. Nahuel A.; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Montecarlo, Montecarlo, Misiones, Argentina.
Shelton, H. Max; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Lambrides, Christopher J.; School of Agriculture and Food Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Dalzell, Scott A.; Santos GLNG Project, Queensland, Australia.
Macfarlane, David C.; David Macfarlane Consulting, West End, Queensland, Australia.
Murtagh, G. John; LanSci Management Pty Ltd, Labrador, Queensland, Australia.
2016-09-23
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/324
en_US
Water use and depth of water extraction of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) pasture, irrigated with desalinated coal seam water (a by-product of the coal seam gas industry), were monitored to provide background information on root activity, spatial and temporal water use and deep drainage over a 757-day period from August 2011 to August 2013. Methodology comprised measurement of soil water from surface to 4 m depth using 8 EnviroSCAN probes connected to dataloggers positioned within leucaena twin rows and within the Rhodes grass inter-row. Just over 581,000 individual moisture measurements were collated and are reported here. Water extraction (and by inference root activity) of leucaena and Rhodes grass showed marked seasonal fluctuation with deepest and highest water extraction occurring during the first growing season; water extraction was greatly diminished during the following drier and cooler seasons due to the negative influences of lower soil moisture contents, lower temperatures and increased defoliation on pasture growth. The highest values of deep drainage below 4 m depth occurred when high rainfall events corresponded with high soil water storage in the entire profile (0–4 m depth). Given that water usage by both leucaena and Rhodes grass was greatest in the upper layers of soil (<1.5 m), future research should focus on how the level of competitive interaction might be managed by choice of row spacing and frequency of irrigation. Further studies are needed, including: (a) physical sampling to determine the depth of active roots; (b) how defoliation affects rooting behaviours and water use of leucaena; and (c) modelling of the water and salt balances of leucaena and grass inter-row systems using data from this study, with various levels of irrigation, to investigate the risks of deep drainage over an extended climate sequence.Keywords: Active rooting depth, agroforestry, Chloris gayana, Leucaena leucocephala, water extraction.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(4)129-138
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/326
2021-06-02T15:19:21Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 3: September 2017; 129-142
Screening of salt-tolerance potential of some native forage grasses from the eastern part of Terai-Duar grasslands in India
researchPaper
Roy, Swarnendu; Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Presently: Molecular & Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, West Bengal, India.
Department of Botany, Kurseong College, Dow Hill Road, Kurseong, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Chakraborty, Usha; Plant Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of North Bengal, Siliguri, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India.
Presently: Molecular & Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Gour Banga, Malda, West Bengal, India.
2017-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/326
en_US
The salt tolerance of 12 native forage grasses from the eastern part of Terai-Duar grasslands was assessed using a rapid method of leaf disc senescence bioassay. Samples of these grasses were grown in untreated water as well as 100 and 200 mM NaCl solutions for periods of 3, 6 and 9 days. Discs of fresh leaf were then placed in untreated water as well as in 100 and 200 mM NaCl solutions for 96 hours. Quantitative effects were measured as the effects on chlorophyll concentration in leaves in response to exposure to the varying solutions. From these results, the salt sensitivity index (SSI) of the individual grasses was determined. The SSI values indicated that Imperata cylindrica, Digitaria ciliaris and Cynodon dactylon were most salt-tolerant of all grasses tested. Further characterization of the grasses was done by observing the changes in 6 biomarkers for salinity tolerance: relative water content, total sugar concentration, proline concentration, electrolyte leakage, membrane lipid peroxidation and H2O2 concentration following exposure to 100 and 200 mM NaCl concentrations for 3, 6 and 9 days. Finally, hierarchical cluster analysis using the software CLUSTER 3.0 was used to represent the inter-relations among the physiological parameters and to group the grasses on the basis of their salinity tolerance. The overall results indicated that Imperata cylindrica, Eragrostis amabilis, Cynodon dactylon and Digitaria ciliaris were potentially salt-tolerant grasses and should be planted on saline areas to verify our results. On the other hand, Axonopus compressus, Chrysopogon aciculatus, Oplismenus burmanni and Thysanolaena latifolia were found to be highly salt-sensitive and would be unsuitable for use in saline areas.
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2021-06-02T20:22:10Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 3: June 2019; 252-257
Effectiveness of inoculation with rumen fluid containing <i>Synergistes jonesii</i> to control DHP toxicity in ruminants in eastern Indonesia
researchPaper
Halliday, Michael J.; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
School of Environmental and Rural Science, The University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
Pakereng, Charles; The East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute for Agriculture Technology, Kupang, Indonesia.
Edison, Resti G.; The East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute for Agriculture Technology, Kupang, Indonesia.
Ara, Putri; The East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute for Agriculture Technology, Kupang, Indonesia.
Dida, Philips R.; The East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute for Agriculture Technology, Kupang, Indonesia.
Nulik, Jacob; The East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute for Agriculture Technology, Kupang, Indonesia.
Kana Hau, Debora; The East Nusa Tenggara Assessment Institute for Agriculture Technology, Kupang, Indonesia.
McMillan, Hayley E.; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Shelton, H. Max; School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
2019-07-05
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/328
en_US
The feasibility and efficacy of inoculating with rumen fluid as a method to control hydroxypyridone (DHP) toxicity in ruminants on high leucaena diets in eastern Indonesia were investigated. Rumen fluid collected from 2 buffalo identified as ‘protected’, due to low levels of DHP excretion in urine, was orally administered to animals identified as ‘unprotected’ and concentrations of urinary DHP monitored. Control animals were dosed with water only. Treatments were randomly allocated to 10 recipient animals: 3 goats and 7 cattle. All animals were fed a diet containing fresh-cut 100% leucaena during the 18-day study period. Measurement of urinary DHP via colorimetric analysis commenced 8 days prior to animals being drenched with rumen fluid or water and continued for 10 days afterwards. Urinary DHP levels in animals that received the inoculum did not differ from those in the control group 10 days post-inoculation (mean 425 mg DHP/L; P = 0.50). Unexpectedly, DHP levels in all animals (rumen fluid and water) declined with time, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.12), and remained above considered safe threshold levels. These results suggest that transfer of rumen fluid to overcome leucaena toxicity in animals in eastern Indonesia may not be effective despite great care having been taken to ensure the viability of the anaerobic organisms during the inoculation process; this methodology is also not a practical solution to replicate on a commercial scale. The findings suggest that inoculation may not be necessary if animals previously naïve to leucaena are able to adapt to DHP toxicity by other means.
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2021-06-02T14:36:01Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 1: January 2017; 40-49
Evaluation of yield and forage quality in main and ratoon crops of different sorghum lines
researchPaper
Vinutha, K.S.; International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Anil Kumar, G.S.; International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Blümmel, Michael; International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Patancheru, India.
Srinivasa Rao, P.; International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
2017-01-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/329
en_US
Improving the yield and quality of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) forage for livestock feeding is a major breeding objective, because of sorghum’s inherently high biomass accumulation, high productivity per unit water utilized and its ability to produce a ratoon crop after harvesting of the plant crop. Newly bred sorghum lines, including 36 lines falling in 5 different categories, i.e. 12 experimental dual-purpose lines, 6 germplasm accessions from the ICRISAT collection, 11 commercial varieties and hybrids, 6 forage varieties and 1 bmr mutant line, were evaluated in terms of fodder yield, quality and ratooning ability. The main crop produced more dry biomass (P<0.05) at 80 days after planting (mean 22.87 t DM/ha; range 17.32‒33.82 t DM/ha) than the ratoon crop (mean 8.47 t DM/ha; range 3.2‒17.42 t DM/ha) after a further 80 days of growth. Mean nitrogen concentration in forage did not differ greatly between main and ratoon crops (2.56 vs. 2.40%, respectively) but there was wide variation between lines (2.06‒2.89%). The line N 610 recorded highest N percentage of 2.89%, followed by SSG 59 3 (2.86%) and SX 17 (2.81%). Highest acid detergent fiber % was recorded by ICSV 12008 (42.1%), closely followed by CO 31 and IS 34638 (40.0%). The least acid detergent lignin % was observed in MLSH-296 Gold (3.59%), ICSV 700 (3.75%) and ICSSH 28 (3.83%). Metabolizable energy concentration was highest in N 610, Phule Yashodha and SX 17 (mean 8.34 MJ/kgDM), while in vitro organic matter digestibility ranged from 52.5 to 62.6%. The main crop contained much higher mean concentrations of the cyanogenic glycoside, dhurrin, than the ratoon (639 vs. 233 ppm, respectively) with ranges of 38 to 2,298 ppm and 7 to 767 ppm, respectively. There was no significant correlation between dhurrin concentration and dry biomass yield so breeding and selection for low dhurrin concentrations should not jeopardize yields. Hence, breeding for sorghum can target simultaneously both quality and biomass improvement. Keywords: Cyanogenic glycoside, digestibility, dry biomass production, fodder quality, tillering ability.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/331
2022-08-04T13:51:08Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 2: May 2017; 66-76
Dry matter accumulation and crude protein concentration in <i>Brachiaria</i> spp. cultivars in the humid tropics of Ecuador
researchPaper
Garay, Jonathan R.; Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Joaquin Cancino, Santiago; Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Zárate Fortuna, Pedro; Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Ibarra Hinojosa, Martín A.; Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Martínez González, Juan C.; Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
González Dávila, Ricardo P.; Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Campus Santo Domingo, Investigación y Transferencia de Tecnología, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, Ecuador.
Cienfuegos Rivas, Eugenia G.; Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
2017-05-29
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/331
en_US
Climatic conditions throughout the year and age of plants affect both yield and quality of forage grasses. In this research, we evaluated the effects of age of regrowth and seasonal conditions on dry matter accumulation and crude protein concentration in 5 cultivars of Brachiaria spp.: Señal, Xaraés, Marandú, Piatá and Mulato II, harvested at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks after a uniformity cut, during the rainy and dry seasons. The variables were: total dry matter (TDM), leaf dry matter (LDM) and stem dry matter (SDM) yields, leaf area index (LAI), specific leaf area (SLA) and crude protein (CP) concentration. For TDM yield, in the rainy season there was no significant difference (P>0.05) among cultivars, with mean DM yield over 10 weeks of 6.34 t/ha; however, during the dry season Xaraés presented a higher (P<0.05) yield over 10 weeks than other cultivars (5.09 vs. 3.14‒3.89 t/ha). Overall, mean DM yield in the dry season was only 62% of that in the wet season. In both periods, Señal tended to have the highest SDM yields, while Xaraés had the greatest (P<0.01) LDM yields in the dry season. Mulato II tended to have the highest CP concentrations throughout, especially in the dry season. This study was conducted in plots with plants only 12 weeks old at commencement. However, it indicated that all cultivars performed well and larger-scale studies of longer duration are warranted to test these cultivars under grazing, especially Mulato II, which showed both high dry matter yield and retention of high protein concentration throughout the study.Keywords: Brachiaria decumbens, Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria hybrid cv. Mulato II, leaf area index, specific leaf area.
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 3: September 2017; 143-152
Reduction of sward height in the fall and winter as a strategy to improve the structure of marandu palisadegrass (<i>Urochloa brizantha</i> syn. <i>Brachiaria brizantha</i> cv. Marandu)
researchPaper
Santos, Manoel E.R.; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Simplício, Miriã G.; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Silva, Guilherme P.; Animal Science Department, ESALQ, University of São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Oliveira, Heron A. de; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Costa, Ludiêmilem K.P. da; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Sousa, Diogo O.C. de; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
2017-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/333
en_US
The objective of this study was to identify defoliation strategies that might improve the structure of Urochloa brizantha (syn. Brachiaria brizantha) cv. Marandu (marandu palisadegrass). The following 3 defoliation strategies were compared in a plot study: sward kept at 15 cm in fall and winter (W) and 30 cm in spring (Sp) and summer (Su) (15W-30Sp-30Su); sward kept at 30 cm during the entire experimental period (30W-30Sp-30Su); and sward kept at 45 cm in fall and winter and 30 cm in spring and summer (45W-30Sp-30Su). The experimental design was completely randomized, with 4 replicates. Plots were cut with shears to the appropriate height weekly in winter and twice weekly in spring, summer and fall. Tiller density, mean tiller weight, leaf area index, forage mass, percentage of live leaf blades and percentage of stems were measured every 28 days. Forage mass in winter was directly related to pasture height (P<0.05) but differences had disappeared by summer (P>0.05). Mean tiller density was independent of cutting height but was higher in spring and summer than in winter (P<0.05). Mean tiller weight in winter was directly related to cutting height (P<0.05) but differences had disappeared by summer. The percentage of live leaf blades in the swards was affected by season with spring>summer>winter and by cutting height in fall/winter with leaf percentage inversely related to cutting height. Stem percentage in the swards in winter was directly related to cutting height. Grazing studies seem warranted to determine if these plot results are reflected under grazing conditions and what the impacts are on animal performance.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/334
2022-08-04T13:53:07Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 1: January 2017; 19-28
Forage yield and nutritive value of <i>Arachis</i> spp. genotypes in the Brazilian savanna
researchPaper
Fernandes, Francisco D.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Ramos, Allan K.B.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Carvalho, Marcelo A.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Maciel, Giovana A.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
de Assis, Giselle M.L.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Acre, Rio Branco, AC, Brazil.
Braga, Gustavo J.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
2017-01-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/334
en_US
Forage yield, nutritive value, ground cover and mineral concentration of 10 genotypes of Arachis spp. were evaluated over 3 years in Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil. Experimental plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Treatments were 5 genotypes of A. pintoi (accessions 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8), 2 genotypes of A. repens (accessions 1 and 7), 1 hybrid A. pintoi × A. repens (accession 3) and 2 A. pintoi cultivars, BRS Mandobi and Belmonte. All genotypes established well and achieved good ground cover in the first year. Cultivar Belmonte and accessions 2 and 4 produced the highest DM yields (means of 8.8, 8.5 and 8.8 t DM/ha/yr, respectively) throughout, while cv. BRS Mandobi and accession 6 were the worst (5.7 and 5.6 t DM/ha/yr). Most genotypes maintained ground cover above 80% throughout the study but cv. BRS Mandobi plus accessions 6 and 8 had declined to 60% or less by the third year. Mean crude protein concentration overall was 166 g/kg with a range of 154‒182 g/kg among genotypes. There was no major genotypic variation in mineral concentrations, which in all cases were considered marginal to adequate for tropical forage legumes. In conclusion, genotypes 2 and 4 (accessions BRA-039799 and BRA-039187, respectively) of A. pintoi are considered the most promising forage peanut options under the edaphoclimatic conditions of the experimental site. More effort is needed to improve seed set in these accessions to increase adoption by farmers. Their persistence under grazing and impact on production should also be demonstrated. Keywords: Arachis pintoi, Arachis repens, crude protein, digestibility, minerals.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/337
2021-06-02T14:18:56Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 1: January 2017; 1-18
Survival strategies of <i>Centrosema molle</i> and <i>C. macrocarpum</i> in response to drought
researchPaper
Guenni, Orlando; Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Facultad de Agronomía (FAGRO), Maracay, Venezuela.
Romero, Eva; Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Facultad de Agronomía (FAGRO), Maracay, Venezuela.
Guédez, Yajaira; Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), Facultad de Agronomía (FAGRO), Maracay, Venezuela.
Macías, Mercedes P.; Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas (INIA), Maracay, Venezuela.
Infante, Diógenes; Programa Prometeo, Senescyt, Ibarra, Ecuador.
2017-01-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/337
en_US
The response of a genotype each of C. molle and C. macrocarpum to drought (low soil moisture availability) was studied in a seasonally dry tropical environment throughout 3 consecutive years. Changes in soil water content, leaf water relations and gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, forage yield and leaf area index (LAI) were compared in well-watered and droughted plots. Soil water depletion during the study occurred mostly at 0‒20 cm depth. Minimum values of leaf relative water content, water potential (ψl) and net photosynthesis in unwatered plants were within the ranges: 68 (C. molle) to 70% (C. macrocarpum); -1.6 (C. molle) to -0.9 MPa (C. macrocarpum); and 8 (C. molle) to 10 µmol/m2/s (C. macrocarpum), respectively. Leaf movements helped to avoid excessive solar radiation incidence, yet efficiency of chloroplast Photosystem II in stressed leaves of C. molle was negatively affected. Above-ground biomass and LAI were reduced only in C. macrocarpum (45‒50% reduction) as a result of moisture stress. Leaves of both species behaved as isohydric, though larger declines in ψl in C. molle may suggest a less effective control of water loss; this promoted more leaf senescence. Drought survival in these species depends on a combination of avoidance and tolerance strategies; the relative importance of both mechanisms depends on species and the duration and intensity of water deficit. Further studies with a higher number of accessions/ecotypes of each species are suggested in order to corroborate our findings. Keywords: Acclimation, physiological response, soil transpirable water, tropical forage legumes, water stress.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/338
2021-06-02T14:43:37Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 2: May 2017; 50-65
Complementary use of neotropical savanna and grass-legume pastures for early weaning and effects on growth and metabolic status of weaners and inter-calving intervals of dams
researchPaper
Vera, Raúl R.; Formerly International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
Departamento de Ciencias Animales, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Ramírez-Restrepo, Carlos A.; Formerly International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, CSIRO Agriculture, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
2017-05-29
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/338
en_US
Extensive, rangeland-based beef production systems that predominate in the neotropical savannas of northern South America are low input-low output beef breeding systems, and their intensification faces major hurdles due to their location, soil, water and topographic constraints. Intensification requires the introduction of improved pastures strategically managed to complement the native savannas, to improve production and to allow opportunities for a wider range of associated ecosystem services. This study assessed the feasibility of early weaning of beef calves onto small areas of sown pastures to aid system intensification. Weaning calves at 90 days of age and grazing on Andropgon gayanus, A. gayanus-Pueraria phaseoloides, A. gayanus-Centrosema acutifolium and Brachiaria humidicola-Arachis pintoi sown tropical pastures stocked at 6 animals/ha was compared with conventional weaning on native savanna over 4 consecutive years. The reproductive performance of their Brahman (Bos indicus) and crossbred [Brahman x San Martinero (native; B. taurus)] dams grazing savanna (0.2 cows/ha) was monitored in comparison with control cow-calf systems, where calves were weaned onto savanna between 240 and 270 days of age. Post-weaning weight gains of early weaned calves on sown pasture (0.1‒0.2 kg/d) were much lower than those of unweaned animals on savanna (0.31‒0.35 kg/d), but compensatory gains realized after the end of the weaning experiments allowed early weaned calves to reach weights similar to those of control animals 400 days after the end of the pasture phase. As expected, early weaned cows achieved higher live weights and had shorter inter-calving intervals than their counterparts. Trade-offs between performance of calves and of cows are discussed, but it is suggested that the strategic use of small areas of sown pastures for early weaned calves may productively complement large areas of native savannas. It is hypothesized that the improved quality, frequency and intensity of management required by these intensified systems may place a burden on these low-input primary enterprises, which may also challenge the productive and environmental adaptive capacity of primary resource users.Keywords: Cattle, extensive systems, intensification, rangelands, sustainability, tropical pastures.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/342
2021-06-02T16:05:24Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 1: January 2018; 42-52
Variation in carbohydrate and protein fractions, energy, digestibility and mineral concentrations in stover of sorghum cultivars
researchPaper
Singh, Sultan; ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Bhat, B. Venktesh; ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.
Shukla, G. P.; ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Singh, Kunwar K.; ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Gehrana, Deepika; ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India.
2018-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/342
en_US
The nutritional attributes of stover from 11 sorghum cultivars (SP 18005A x 220-2,3,6,7; PC-5; GGUB44 x SSG-59-3; ICSV-700; CSV-17; NRF-526; FM-1; SPV-1616; PVK-809; UPMC-503; and HC-308), selected on the basis of their diverse genetic backgrounds and use, were evaluated to aid in selecting parents superior in protein concentration and digestibility for use in sorghum breeding programs. Samples of stovers were collected after grain harvesting and analyzed. The CP concentrations in different cultivars differed (3.7‒6.7%; P<0.05) as did NDF, ADF, cellulose and lignin concentrations (P<0.05). Total carbohydrate, non-structural carbohydrate and structural carbohydrate concentrations differed (P<0.05) amongst cultivars as did carbohydrate fractions (CA, CB1, CB2, CC; P<0.05). Protein fractions (PB1, PB2, PB3 and PC) except PA differed (P<0.05). Concentrations of stover protein fractions PA and PB3 were lower than PB1, PB2 and PC. Unavailable protein fraction PC was highest (P<0.05) in stover of SPV-1616 (36.8% CP) and lowest in ICSV-700 (20.4% CP). Concentrations of gross energy (GE), digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) varied (P<0.05) and ICSV-700 had highest concentrations of DE, ME and TDN (2.60 kcal/g DM, 2.13 kcal/g DM and 59.0%, respectively). Energetic efficiency for maintenance (NEM), lactation (NEL) and growth (NEG) differed (P<0.05) with ranges of 1.13‒1.42, 0.41‒0.70 and 0.95‒1.33 kcal/g DM, respectively. Values for estimated DM intake, estimated digestible DM and relative feed value for stovers also varied (P<0.05) with ranges of 1.76‒2.19%, 55.3‒61.4% and 75.4‒104.1%, respectively. In vitro dry matter digestibility was highest (P<0.05) for cultivars PVK-809 (55.7%) and ICSV-700 (54.3%). Macro- and micro-mineral concentrations also differed (P<0.05) across cultivar stovers. The wide genetic variability for nutritional attributes in stovers of sorghum cultivars indicates significant potential for improvement of stover quality through sorghum improvement programs, but care needs to be taken that grain and stover yields do not suffer.Keywords: Energy values, nutritive value, sorghum stover, yields.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(6)42-52
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/343
2021-06-02T14:56:34Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 2: May 2017; 77-84
Effects of harvesting age and spacing on plant characteristics, chemical composition and yield of desho grass (<i>Pennisetum pedicellatum</i> Trin.) in the highlands of Ethiopia
researchPaper
Tilahun, Genet; South Gondar Zone Agricultural Office, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
Asmare, Bimrew; Department of Animal Production and Technology, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Mekuriaw, Yeshambel; Department of Animal Production and Technology, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
2017-05-29
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/343
en_US
The study was conducted to evaluate effects of harvesting age and plant spacing on plant characteristics, composition and forage yield of desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin.). A factorial experiment with 3 harvesting ages (75, 105 and 135 days after planting) and 3 plant spacings (10 × 50, 30 × 50 and 50 × 50 cm) with 3 replications was used. The data collected were morphological characteristics such as leaf length, plant height, number of tillers per plant and number of leaves per plant. Chemical analysis was conducted for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL), and dry matter yield (DMY) was quantified. Results indicated that the only morphological characteristic significantly (P<0.05) affected by plant spacing was leaf length. However, harvesting age significantly (P<0.01) affected morphological characteristics and DMY as well as CP and NDF (P<0.05). Dry matter yield increased dramatically as harvesting dates were delayed but plant spacing had no significant effect on DMY. Crude protein concentration in forage declined as harvesting dates were delayed (10.9% at 75 d vs. 9.3% at 135 d). Factors such as weed control and amount of planting material required should be the criteria used by farmers to decide inter-row spacing as, within the conditions of our study, row spacing had minimal effect on yield. As only a single harvest at each age was conducted, the yields quoted in this study are not representative of the yields provided by multiple harvests at these intervals. Further studies are needed to quantify these differences. Keywords: Biomass, harvesting day, morphological characteristics, nutritive value, plant spacing.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/344
2021-06-02T16:29:27Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 2: May 2018; 93-103
Pastoralists’ grazing systems and eco-related outcomes in Yewa Division of Ogun State, Nigeria
researchPaper
Lawal-Adebowale, O. A.; Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Federal University of Agriculture (FUAAB), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Ayinde, I. A.; Department of Agricultural Economic and Farm Management, FUAAB, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Olanite, J. A.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, FUAAB, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Ojo, V. O. A.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, FUAAB, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Onifade, O. S.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, FUAAB, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Jolaoso, A. O.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, FUAAB, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
Arigbede, O. M.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, FUAAB, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
2018-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/344
en_US
In Nigeria heavy dependence of cattle on natural pasture for grazing has resulted in the emergence of a range of grazing systems and ecosystem challenges. Consequently this study appraised the grazing systems in use and their eco-relational outcomes for sustainable cattle management in Yewa Division of Ogun State. A total of 143 pastoralists agreed to take part in the survey and provided data on the commonly practiced grazing systems and ecological effects through the use of an interview format, interactive discussions plus field observations. The study outcome showed continuous, unpatterned rotational and transverse grazing systems were commonly practiced. The study also revealed that the employed grazing systems were independent of size of the cattle herds. While cattle were healthy under the grazing systems employed, soil degradation occurred in some instances. While the grazing systems employed by the pastoralists were satisfactory from the animal perspective, studies are needed to minimize the extent of soil degradation in the area.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/348
2022-08-04T13:53:36Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 3: September 2017; 117-128
Effect of pollination mode on progeny of <i>Panicum coloratum</i> var. <i>makarikariense</i>: Implications for conservation and breeding
researchPaper
Armando, Lorena V.; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida, CERZOS-CCT-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Tomás, Maria A.; Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Garayalde, Antonio F.; Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida, CERZOS-CCT-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Departamento de Matemática, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Carrera, Alicia D.; Departamento de Agronomía, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2017-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/348
en_US
Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense, a perennial grass native to Africa, is adapted to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions with potential to be used as forage in tropical and semi-arid regions around the world. Our objective was to understand how the pollination mode affects viable seed production and further survival of the progeny. We evaluated self- and open-pollinated progenies from different accessions by measuring the seed production of the parents and their germination performance, germination rate and seedling survival. Parents and progeny were also fingerprinted with Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR). Progeny produced through open-pollination resulted in significantly more filled seeds and superior seedling survival than self-pollination. These results indicate that accessions studied here rely heavily on cross-pollination, whereas the contribution of self-pollinated offspring to the population is likely to be low. SSR profiles showed that, on average, 85% of the progeny (arising from cross-pollination) possessed paternal specific markers and 100% of them were genetically different from the maternal genotype. All plants examined had 4x = 36 chromosomes. Overall, our findings indicate that var. makarikariense is able to generate highly polymorphic progeny through segregation and recombination. This study provides reference information for the formulation of appropriate strategies for pasture germplasm management, conservation and development of breeding programs.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/352
2022-08-04T13:53:52Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 5 No. 3: September 2017; 153-162
Evaluation and strategies of tolerance to water stress in <i>Paspalum</i> germplasm
researchPaper
Pezzopane, Cristiana de G.; Centro Universitário Central Paulista - UNICEP, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Lima, Arthur G.; Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
Cruz, Pedro G. da; 3Embrapa Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.
Beloni, Tatiane; Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.
Fávero, Alessandra P.; Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
Santos, Patrícia M.; Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
2017-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/352
en_US
The evaluation of genetic resources in germplasm banks of Paspalum can contribute to their use in breeding programs and for advanced research in biotechnology. This study evaluated the tolerance of 11 Paspalum accessions to abiotic stress caused by soil water deficit in a greenhouse experiment at Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The variables analyzed were: dry biomass of green matter, dead matter and roots; leaf area; leaf water potential; number of days to lose leaf turgor (wilting); soil moisture at wilting; and number of tillers per pot. The results showed high genetic variability for all traits, not only among species but also within species, and also reflected the existence of different strategies of response and potential adaptation to water deficit events. For breeding programs, when the aim is to produce materials better adapted to the occurrence of prolonged drought, 5 accessions from this group seem to have good potential: P. malacophyllum BGP 289, P. quarinii BGP 229, P. regnellii BGP 112, P. conspersum BGP 402 and P. urvillei x P. dilatatum BGP 238. Conversely, when the goal is to select materials for short-term water stress conditions, 6 accessions stand out: P. atratum BGP 308, P. regnellii BGP 215, 248 and 397, P. dilatatum BGP 234 and P. malacophyllum BGP 293.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/354
2022-08-04T13:54:17Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 1: January 2018; 34-41
Evaluation of growth parameters and forage yield of Sugar Graze and Jumbo Plus sorghum hybrids under three different spacings during the <i>maha</i> season in the dry zone of Sri Lanka
researchPaper
Gnanagobal, Hajarooba; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka.
Sinniah, Jeyalingawathani; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jaffna, Ariviyal Nagar, Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka.
2018-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/354
en_US
A field experiment to evaluate the growth parameters and fodder yields of Sugar Graze and Jumbo Plus under occasional irrigation was conducted at 3 different plant spacings (30 × 15, 30 × 45 and 30 × 60 cm) on a red-yellow latosol in the dry zone of Sri Lanka from August 2015 to January 2016. The design was a randomized block with 3 replications. Initial harvesting of fodder was done 60 days after planting and 2 ratoon yields were assessed at successive 60-day intervals. Plant spacing was inversely related (P<0.05) to dry matter (DM) yield with the narrowest spacing (30 × 15 cm) producing yields of 14.1 t DM/ha for Sugar Graze and 12.6 t DM/ha for Jumbo Plus at the initial harvest. Plant spacing also influenced leaf area, stem girth, root length and plant height in the initial harvest. Sugar Graze produced higher yields than Jumbo Plus at the initial and second ratoon harvests. Yields from ratoon crops were about 30% of those for the initial harvest. Further studies are needed to determine how these findings apply under the low-rainfall conditions of the yala season, and chemical analyses and animal feeding studies would provide valuable information on the nutritional value of the different forages.Keywords: Dry matter yield, forage sorghum, ratoon crop, red yellow latosol, row width.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(6)34-41
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/355
2021-06-02T15:56:50Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 1: January 2018; 15-25
Soil attributes of a silvopastoral system in Pernambuco Forest Zone
researchPaper
Lima, Hugo N.B.; Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Dubeux Jr, José C.B.; University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL, USA.
Santos, Mércia V.F.; Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Mello, Alexandre C.L.; Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Lira, Mário A.; University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL, USA.
Instituto Agrônomico de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Cunha, Márcio V.; Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
2018-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/355
en_US
This research evaluated soil properties in a silvopastoral system using double rows of tree legumes. Treatments were signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens) in monoculture or in consortium with sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia) or gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium). Treatments were arranged in a complete randomized block design, with 4 replications. Response variables included chemical characteristics and physical attributes of the soil. Silvopastoral systems had greater (P<0.001) soil exchangeable Ca (gliricidia = 3.2 and sabiá = 3.0 mmolc/dm3) than signalgrass monoculture (2.0 mmolc/dm3). Water infiltration rate was greater within the tree legume double rows (366 mm/h) than in signalgrass (162 mm/h) (P = 0.02). However, soil moisture was greater in signalgrass pastures (15.9%) (P = 0.0020) than in silvopastures (14.9 and 14.8%), where soil moisture levels increased as distance from the tree rows increased. Conversely, the light fraction of soil organic matter was greater within the tree legume double rows than in the grassed area (P = 0.0019). Long-term studies are needed to determine if these benefits accumulate further and the productivity benefits which result.Keywords: Fertility, legumes, soil physics, trees.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(6)15-25
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/375
2022-08-04T13:55:01Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 2: May 2018; 82-92
Pre-breeding studies in <i>Panicum coloratum</i> var. <i>coloratum</i>: Characterization using agro-morphological traits and molecular markers
researchPaper
Burgos, Estanislao; Instituto de Biotecnología, CICVyA, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Thompson, Carolina; Laboratorio de Inmunología, EEA Rafaela, INTA, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Giordano, Mabel; Mejoramiento Genético de Forrajeras, EEA Rafaela, INTA, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Thomas, Maria A.; Mejoramiento Genético de Forrajeras, EEA Rafaela, INTA, Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
2018-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/375
en_US
Panicum coloratum var. coloratum is a native African perennial C4 grass, introduced to Argentina. It is tolerant of salinity and cold and has good forage production. The scarce genotypic and phenotypic information about this grass limits its breeding in order to satisfy market demands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability in a collection of Panicum coloratum var. coloratum formed by 8 accessions and grown at EEA INTA Rafaela during the summer of 2011, based on 15 ISSR molecular markers and 17 morphological characters. For all morphological characters, the distribution of variability observed in the collection was high and not homogenous. The characters that showed greater variation were related to forage and seed production. Eight ISSRs, selected according to their reproducibility, showed 127 bands with 100% polymorphism and allowed grouping of populations according to their site of collection. AMOVA study indicated that more than 58% of the molecular variation existed within accessions; this would be consistent with the predominant allogamous form of reproduction. The results showed that the combined use of molecular and morphological markers offer complementary information. The high variability detected in this collection will allow for the initiation of a breeding program to improve important characters like those related to DM yield and seed production.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/381
2022-08-04T13:55:19Z
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2022-08-04T13:55:19Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 3: September 2018; 169-176
Ecological implications of bush encroachment on foraging behavior of dairy cows and goats at SUA farm, Morogoro, Tanzania
researchPaper
Selemani, Ismail S.; Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Morogoro, Tanzania.
2018-09-28
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/381
en_US
The study was carried out at SUA Magadu Farm to investigate the influence of bush encroachment in a native rangeland on foraging behavior and grazing distribution of dairy cows and goats. Characterization of bush in terms of woody density was done using the PCQ method. A mixture of animals (150 cows and 60 goats) were rotationally grazed on areas with 3 different levels of bush encroachment (dense - 60%; moderate - 35%; and open grassland - ≤5%) and grazing behavior of 3 cows and 3 goats was monitored. Six trained observers recorded behavior of these animals for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon for 9 days on a rotational basis. There were significant interactions between animal species in terms of grazing behavior and level of bush encroachment. Both species spent similar amounts of time grazing on open grassland (>75% of total feeding time) but on treatments with moderate and dense bush encroachment levels goats spent at least 70% of their time browsing, while grazing time of cows did not change. Goats took many more bites than cows on all treatments and as a result spent more time walking than cows. The implications of these findings for management of bush encroachment are discussed. Further studies on nutritive values and chemical composition of key forage species in the study area are recommended as well as the changes in behavior with different seasons and the impacts on animal production.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/383
2021-06-02T16:15:26Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 2: May 2018; 58-69
Molecular markers as a tool for germplasm acquisition to enhance the genetic diversity of a Napier grass (<i>Cenchrus purpureus</i> syn. <i>Pennisetum purpureum</i>) collection
researchPaper
Negawo, Alemayehu T.; Feed and Forage Development Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Jorge, Alexandra; Feed and Forage Development Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND, Maputo, Mozambique.
Hanson, Jean; Feed and Forage Development Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Teshome, Abel; Feed and Forage Development Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Muktar, Meki S.; Feed and Forage Development Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Azevedo, Ana Luisa S.; Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Ledo, Francisco J.S.; Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Machado, Juarez C.; Embrapa Gado de Leite, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Jones, Chris S.; Feed and Forage Development Program, International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2018-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/383
en_US
At the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 171 germplasm accessions of Napier grass were studied using 20 SSR markers with the objective of assessing the allelic richness and genetic diversity of the collections held at ILRI and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), and to determine distinct accessions to be introduced to enhance the diversity in each of the genebank collections. A total of 148 alleles were observed in the whole collection, of which 140 and 93 alleles were observed in the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections, respectively. Fifty-five and 8 alleles were found to be unique to the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections, respectively, while 85 alleles were shared between the collections. The number of alleles per marker ranged from 1 to 23 with an average value of 7.4 across both collections. The heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.000 to 0.808 with an average value of 0.463. A principal coordinate analysis grouped accessions into 3 main groups, whereas a hierarchical cluster analysis indicated 4 main clusters. From a genebank management and conservation perspective, the marker profile of the accessions was used in the process of selecting and acquiring distinct lines to be added to the ILRI and EMBRAPA collections. Accordingly, 54 accessions and elite lines were selected and introduced from EMBRAPA to the ILRI collection, while 8 distinct accessions from ILRI were added to the EMBRAPA collection. In general, a useful marker profile of an expanded Napier grass collection has been generated which could be used to enhance the conservation, use and management of the available genetic resources of this important forage crop.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/385
2021-06-02T16:03:25Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/385
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 1: January 2018; 26-33
Germination of tropical forage seeds stored for six years in ambient and controlled temperature and humidity conditions in Thailand
researchPaper
Hare, Michael D.; Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Ubon Forage Seeds Co. Ltd., Jaeramair, Muang, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Sutin, Naddakorn; Ubon Forage Seeds Co. Ltd., Jaeramair, Muang, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Phengphet, Supuaphan; Ubon Forage Seeds Co. Ltd., Jaeramair, Muang, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
Songsiri, Theerachai; Ubon Forage Seeds Co. Ltd., Jaeramair, Muang, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand.
2018-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/385
en_US
The germination performances of fresh seed lots were determined for 5 tropical forage species: Mulato II hybrid brachiaria [Urochloa ruziziensis (syn. Brachiaria ruziziensis) x U. decumbens (syn. B. decumbens) x U. brizantha (syn. B. brizantha)], Mombasa guinea [Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum maximum)], Tanzania guinea [M. maximus (syn. P. maximum)], Ubon paspalum (Paspalum atratum) and Ubon stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis), stored under ambient conditions in Thailand (mean monthly temperatures 23‒34 ºC; mean monthly relative humidity 40‒92%) or in a cool room (18‒20 ºC and 50% relative humidity) for up to 6 years. The first paper of this study showed all seeds, except unscarified Ubon stylo seed, were dead after a single year of storage in ambient conditions. This second paper shows that cool-room storage extended seed viability, but performance varied considerably between species. Germination percentage under laboratory conditions declined to below 50%, after 3 years storage for Mombasa guinea seed and Tanzania guinea seed, 4 years for Ubon paspalum seed and 4‒5 years for Mulato II seed. Ubon stylo seed maintained high germination for 5 years, in both cool-room storage (96%) and ambient-room storage (84%). Apparent embryo dormancy in acid-scarified Mulato II seed steadily increased with time in cool-storage and this seed had to be acid-scarified again each year at the time of germination testing to overcome dormancy. Physical dormancy of Mulato II seeds, imposed by the tightly bound lemma and palea in unscarified seed, was not overcome by length of time in cool-storage and these seeds had to be acid-scarified to induce germination. Hardseeded percentage in Ubon stylo seed remained high throughout the study and could be overcome only by acid-scarification. The difficulties of maintaining acceptable seed germination percentages when storing forage seeds in the humid tropics are discussed.Keywords: Embryo dormancy, hardseededness, humid tropics, seed storage, seed viability.DOI: 10.17138/TGFT(6)26-33
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/388
2022-08-04T13:55:58Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 3: September 2018; 148-157
How does seed size of <i>Arachis pintoi</i> affect establishment, top-growth and seed production?
researchPaper
Assis, Giselle M.L. de; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.
Miqueloni, Daniela P.; Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.
Azêvedo, Hellen S.F.S.; Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.
Valentim, Judson F.; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil.
2018-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/388
en_US
The adoption of Arachis pintoi in mixed pastures in the humid tropics remains limited to specific success cases, mainly because of high seed cost. The search for methods to reduce these costs is a key challenge towards promoting wider adoption of this legume in livestock production systems in the tropics. One possible option is to select for smaller seeds, which would allow lower sowing rates, while ensuring similar plant numbers. Alternatively, high seed production costs could be offset by utilizing forage from seed production fields for hay or silage prior to seed harvest. This study evaluated the effects of seed size on crop performance of A. pintoi cv. BRS Mandobi in a tropical forage + seed production system, plus the effects of harvesting forage during the growth stage on seed production. Parameters measured were: ground cover, height, pest and disease incidence, total forage and leaf yield plus seed yield and seed sizes. Smaller seeds resulted in morphologically smaller plants and lower forage mass during the initial phase of crop establishment. However, seed size had no effect on ground cover at the end of the establishment period or on seed production and quality. Harvesting forage during the growth cycle had no effect on seed production. This indicates the possibility of harvesting forage from seed crops of A. pintoi during growth without jeopardizing seed yields as a means of offsetting high costs of seed production. However, the study has failed to provide conclusive evidence whether variation in seed size in BRS Mandobi is mainly genetic or a response to micro-environmental conditions. Further studies with individual plants from BRS Mandobi are necessary to determine the heritability of seed size.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/391
2021-06-02T20:00:09Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/391
2021-06-02T20:00:09Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 1: January 2019; 35-47
Demonstrating control of forage allowance for beef cattle grazing Campos grassland in Uruguay to improve system productivity
researchPaper
Do Carmo, Martin; Programa de Pasturas y Forrajes, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Tacuarembó, Uruguay.
Presently: Centro Universitario de la Región Este, Universidad de la República, Rocha, Uruguay.
Cardozo, Gerónimo; Programa de Pasturas y Forrajes, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Tacuarembó, Uruguay.
Jaurena, Martín; Programa de Pasturas y Forrajes, Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria, Tacuarembó, Uruguay.
Soca, Pablo; Estación Experimental “Dr. Mario A. Cassinoni” (EEMAC), Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Paysandú, Uruguay.
2019-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/391
en_US
While low-cost technology can be applied within beef cattle systems to improve economic output and decrease economic risk, methodologies to increase adoption by farmers deserve attention. Here we report 4 case studies where low-cost, high-impact technology was applied on commercial farms in an endeavor to demonstrate increased physical output in what we describe as 'Producer Demonstration Sites'. Forage allowance (FA) affects forage growth, forage intake by animals and energy partitioning to maintenance or production. We decided to demonstrate the benefits to production from controlling forage allowance at specific recommended levels. While we focused on FA, other management tools, e.g. suckling restriction and energy supplementation of cows prior to breeding, were tested in different contexts and time periods to improve the critical responses mentioned. While increases in production from 3 of the farms were demonstrated, only 2 of the farmers showed interest in implementing the strategies on their farms subsequently. We conclude that control of forage allowance improved energy intake. For this approach to be successful and increase adoption, it is important to involve the farmers in discussions regarding the proposed changes from the outset as well as the monitoring of progress during the demonstration.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/392
2021-06-02T16:17:22Z
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2021-06-02T16:17:22Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 2: May 2018; 70-81
Agronomic characterization of <i>Paspalum atratum</i> Swallen and <i>P. lenticulare</i> Kunth
researchPaper
Marcón, Florencia; Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina.
Urbani, Mario H.; Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina.
Quarin, Camilo L.; Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina.
Acuña, Carlos A.; Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Corrientes, Argentina.
2018-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/392
en_US
Paspalum atratum and P. lenticulare are perennial grasses, native to South America. The objective was to evaluate seasonal growth, frost tolerance, cattle preference, nutritional characteristics, seed yield and germination of 11 ecotypes of P. atratum and P. lenticulare with regard to their potential as alternatives to introduced species. Forage yield was evaluated during 3 growing seasons between 2011 and 2014. Digestibility and CP concentration were assessed in summer 2014, cattle preference in winter 2013 and summer 2015, frost tolerance after the first frosts in June 2012, flowering time during 2013 and 2014 and seed yield and germination in 2014. A marked warm-season growing period was observed for both species with annual forage yields varying from 5 to 12 t DM/ha. Flowering did not occur until autumn, with mean seed yield of 280 kg/ha and germination of 16% for P. atratum and 19% for P. lenticulare. Most ecotypes were able to tolerate winter temperatures and behaved as perennials. Although no differences were observed for DM digestibility and CP concentration among accessions, cattle preferentially grazed accession P. atratum U44. Further studies are needed to evaluate persistence under grazing and animal performance.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/396
2021-06-02T19:13:27Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 3: September 2018; 117-133
Got forages? Understanding potential returns on investment in <i>Brachiaria</i> spp. for dairy producers in Eastern Africa
researchPaper
Schiek, Ben; Decision and Policy Analysis Area, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
González, Carlos; Decision and Policy Analysis Area, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
Mwendia, Solomon; Agrobiodiversity Research Area, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
Prager, Steven D.; Decision and Policy Analysis Area, International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Cali, Colombia.
2018-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/396
en_US
Production of livestock and dairy products in Sub-Saharan Africa struggles to keep pace with growing demand. The potential exists to close this gap in a climate-friendly way through the introduction of improved forage varieties of the Brachiaria genus. We assess the potential economic impact of the development and release of such varieties in 6 Eastern African countries using an economic surplus model. Results are presented across a range of potential scenarios involving different adoption rates and percentage increases in production. For all but the lowest levels of adoption and production increases, improved forages have the potential for positive return on investment. Using these results, we present formulae that help readers calculate the adoption rate or percentage increase in production necessary to achieve specific desired levels of net benefit. Overall, the model output suggests that investment in a forages research program related to the qualities of the forage itself as well as programs to enhance dissemination and adoption of new materials would be low risk and have high likelihood for positive outcomes, generating discounted net benefits in the order of multiple tens of millions of dollars over a 30-year time horizon.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/397
2021-06-02T20:10:15Z
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2021-06-02T20:10:15Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 3: June 2019; 223-233
Between-year variation in the effects of phosphorus deficiency in breeder cows grazing tropical pastures in northern Australia
researchPaper
Coates, David B.; CSIRO Ecosystems Sciences, ATSIP, Aitkenvale, QLD, Australia.
Dixon, Rob M.; Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), Centre for Animal Science, The University of Queensland, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia.
Mayer, Robert J.; Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Maroochy Research Facility, Nambour, QLD, Australia.
2019-07-05
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/397
en_US
Breeder herd productivity can be severely reduced by dietary phosphorus (P) deficiency. The performance of small groups of P-deficient (Pdefic) or P-supplemented (Psupp) breeder cows was studied over 5 annual cycles while grazing C4 grass-Stylosanthes pastures at a site in the seasonally dry tropics of northern Australia. Soils contained c. 4 ppm of bicarbonate extractable P. Plasma inorganic P concentrations (PIP) during the wet season indicated that the Pdefic cows were deficient in P in 4 years and marginal in one year. Annual liveweight (LW) changes ranged widely between annual cycles from −71 to +13 kg in Pdefic cows and from +4 to +44 kg/head in Psupp cows. The LW responses to increased dietary P ranged from −9 to +115 kg, were greatest in years when LW losses by the Pdefic cows were greatest, and were associated with low-rainfall years. LW gains of calves suckling Psupp cows (mean 0.86 kg/d) tended to be higher (range 0.01–0.17 kg/d; mean 0.09 kg/d) than those of calves suckling Pdefic cows, but were significantly (P = 0.03) higher in only one year. Reconception appeared to be higher in Psupp than Pdefic cows during the 2 years of lower rainfall. Overall, the results indicated that responses to P supplementation by breeders grazing P-deficient pastures can vary widely between years. Therefore, the response in any one year may not reliably indicate responses in the longer term.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/408
2021-06-02T19:15:04Z
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2021-06-02T19:15:04Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 3: September 2018; 134-147
Variability for salt tolerance in a collection of <i>Panicum coloratum</i> var. <i>makarikariense</i> during early growth stages
researchPaper
Cardamone, Luisina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Cuatrín, Alejandra; Instituto de Tecnología Agropecuaria, (INTA), EEA Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Grunberg, Karina; Centro de Investigación Agropecuaria (CIAP), INTA, Córdoba, Argentina.
Tomás, María A.; Instituto de Tecnología Agropecuaria, (INTA), EEA Rafaela, Santa Fe, Argentina.
2018-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/408
en_US
Our aim was to investigate variability for salt tolerance in a collection of Panicum coloratum var. makarikariense of INTA EEA Rafaela, Argentina. Panicum coloratum is a C4 perennial grass to be potentially used to increase forage production in areas affected by abiotic factors which reduce their productivity. We evaluated the response of half-sib families from different accessions to increasing salt concentrations under growth chamber conditions. Germination percentage (GP), GP (% of control) and index of germination decreased with increasing salinity, while mean germination time increased (P˂0.001). After being exposed to saline conditions ungerminated seeds were able to recover in distilled water and many germinated. Salt tolerance was more variable between families within accessions than between accessions in all evaluated variables. At the seedling stage, morphological and physiological variables allowed differentiation among families on the basis of salt tolerance. Molecular characterization by ISSR molecular markers demonstrated variability within parent material and grouped families by accessions. A positive but low correlation between morphological and molecular distances was detected (r = 0.24; P = 0.032). Nonetheless, even after selection, enough molecular variability remained within tolerant families grouped by principal components analysis. In summary, materials of P. coloratum var. makarikariense from INTA EEA Rafaela showed both morphological and genetic variability for salinity tolerance and the contrasting genotypes could be used as parent materials to conduct breeding studies to improve salt tolerance in this species.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/412
2021-06-02T19:21:20Z
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2021-06-02T19:21:20Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 6 No. 3: September 2018; 158-168
Efectos de la fertilización en la productividad de una pastura de <i>Brachiaria humidicola</i> cv. Llanero en el Piedemonte de los Llanos Orientales de Colombia
researchPaper
Rincón, Alvaro; Red de Ganadería y Especies Menores, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (Agrosavia), C.I. La Libertad, Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia.
Flórez, Hernando; Red de Ganadería y Especies Menores, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (Agrosavia), C.I. La Libertad, Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia.
Ballesteros, Hugo; Oficina de Desarrollo de Negocios, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (Agrosavia), C.I. La Libertad, Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia.
León, Leandro M.; Red de Ganadería y Especies Menores, Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (Agrosavia), C.I. La Libertad, Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia.
2018-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/412
es_ES
En una pastura de Brachiaria humidicola cv. Llanero no degradada, manejada con una fertilización de mantenimiento bianual durante 15 años, ubicada en un Oxisol ácido y de baja fertilidad en el Piedemonte llanero de Colombia, se evaluaron 3 tratamientos de fertilización: T1 - sin fertilización (testigo); T2 - fertilización básica (kg/ha: P 20, Ca 18, Mg 20, K 18 y N 18); y T3 - fertilización básica+urea (kg/ha: P 20, Ca 18, Mg 20, K 18 y N 110). Cada tratamiento estuvo compuesto por 4 potreros de 0.8 ha donde pastaron en forma secuencial grupos de toretes Cebú Brahman, con un período de ocupación de 7 días y un período de descanso de 21 días. Tanto en época lluviosa como seca la producción de forraje durante cada descanso fue más alta en T3 (1,540 y 940 kg MS/ha, respectivamente) que en T2 (979 y 665 kg MS/ha) y T1 (958 y 613 kg MS/ha). La fertilización básica+urea también aumentó la concentración de PC en el forraje en época lluviosa (9.9%, en comparación con 8.4 y 8.1% en T2 y T1, respectivamente). En 250 días de pastoreo del experimento, incluyendo 173 días de época lluviosa y 77 días de época seca, la producción de peso vivo por hectárea fue de 317, 599 y 870 kg/ha para T1, T2 y T3, respectivamente; las ganancias de peso vivo por animal y día fueron, en el mismo orden, 589, 782 y 878 g/an/día en la época lluviosa y 379, 642 y 721 g/an/día en la época seca. En términos económicos, T3 (fertilización básica+urea) representó un ingreso neto adicional de US$ 658/ha respecto al testigo y de US$ 349 respecto a T2. Mientras que el estudio presenta evidencia del potencial de la fertilización, sobre todo nitrogenada, de pasturas para la intensificación de la producción ganadera en la región, se requieren experimentos a largo plazo para confirmar la sostenibilidad de estos sistemas.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/417
2021-06-02T19:58:34Z
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2021-06-02T19:58:34Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 1: January 2019; 25-34
RETRACTED: Agro-morphological characterization of <i>Urochloa</i> grass accessions in Kenya
researchPaper
Njarui, Donald M.G.; Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Katumani, Machakos, Kenya.
Gatheru, Mwangi; Biosciences eastern and central Africa – International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, Nairobi, Kenya.
Ghimire, Sita R.
2019-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/417
en_US
The Editors and Publisher have retracted this article because the text had already been published in Njarui et al 2016. The content conveyed by this article is therefore not original and redundant. The corresponding author, Donald Njarui, recognizes this involuntary duplication publication and agrees to the retraction of this article. The online version contains the full text of the retracted article as electronic supplementary material.Supplementary materialhttp://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/public/417_Njauri_et_al.pdfReferences(Note of the editors: All hyperlinks were verified 28 June 2019.)Njarui DMG; Gatheru M; Ghimire SR. 2016. Agro-morphological characterisation of Brachiaria grass accessions. In: Njarui DMG; Gichangi EM; Ghimire SR; Muinga RW, eds. Climate smart Brachiaria grasses for improving livestock production in East Africa - Kenya Experience. Proceedings of a workshop, Naivasha, Kenya, 14–15 September 2016. p. 27–36. hdl.handle.net/10568/80421
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/418
2022-08-04T13:56:59Z
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2022-08-04T13:56:59Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 3: June 2019; 234-243
Perennial ryegrass and novel festulolium forage grasses in the tropical highlands of Central Kenya: Preliminary assessment
researchPaper
Mwendia, Solomon Waweru; International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
Maass, Brigitte; International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
Njenga, David; International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Nairobi, Kenya.
Notenbaert, An; International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Nairobi, Kenya.
2019-07-05
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/418
en_US
Two perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) varieties and 5 festulolium hybrids (L. perenne × Festuca spp.) were evaluated on-farm for their performance over one growing season on clay loam soils at Ol-joro-Orok in the central highlands of Kenya at about 2,600‒2,800 masl. Seed was sown in May 2015 and fertilizer (90 kg N + 90 kg P/ha) was applied at planting. The study continued for 8 months with harvests after 113, 99 and 32 days (3 growth cycles). Growth attributes assessed included dry matter yield (DMY) and plant height, while forage nutritive value was measured in terms of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentrations. At the end of the first growth cycle, 61 local dairy farmers rated the grasses on criteria they nominated as being important, including DMY, growth rate, height, frost tolerance, disease tolerance and leafiness. Total herbage yields for the whole study period (8 months) ranged from 14.6 to 18.0 t DM/ha for perennial ryegrass and 14.3 to 20.9 t DM/ha for festulolium with very poor growth in the third growth cycle. All perennial ryegrass and festulolium lines contained similar (P>0.05) concentrations of CP (163–190 g/kg DM), ADF (264–281 g/kg DM) and NDF (448–493 g/kg DM). For perennial ryegrass, farmers gave a minimum weighted score of 6.7 and for festulolium, 7.9. Based on herbage production, forage nutritive value and farmers’ assessments, we conclude that all perennial ryegrass and festulolium lines tested have the potential to contribute to improving the forage resource base in this and other similar areas, especially for farmers whose land sizes allow grazing instead of stall-based feeding only. Further studies with N applications after each harvest would determine whether yields can be maintained at high levels for longer than in this study, while grazing and feeding studies would determine how well the pastures support weight gains and milk yields. Studies over a number of years are needed to assess how persistent these varieties/hybrids are in this and other environments.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/423
2022-08-04T13:57:41Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/423
2022-08-04T13:57:41Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 2: May 2020; 105-114
The effects of bovine urine application on two soil nitrogen compounds and growth of three forage grasses in the Colombian Piedmont plains
researchPaper
Garzón, Jaime E.; Departamento de Producción Animal, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
Pardo, Oscar; Corporación Colombiana de Investigación Agropecuaria (Agrosavia), La Libertad, Colombia.
Cárdenas, Edgar A.; Departamento de Producción Animal, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
2020-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/423
en_US
The effects of application of bovine urine on biomass and nitrogen (N) accumulation in 3 tropical grasses (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, U. humidicola cv. Humidicola and Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombasa), and on available N concentrations in soil (NH4+-N, NO3--N) were studied using a randomized complete block design with 3 replicates. There were significant interactions between species and urine application over time in terms of herbage accumulation and N concentration (P<0.01), with significant differences in the concentrations of N available in the soil (P<0.01). Soil temperature and precipitation had important effects on the concentrations of both soil ions. Application of bovine urine increased dry matter accumulation of all grasses in the short term and of U. decumbens over the whole year. Application of urine increased soil N levels, but for U. humidicola and M. maximus the effects were transient. It is necessary to continue with longer-term studies in the Piedmont plains to determine the effects of livestock grazing on the biogeochemical cycles, environmental impacts and natural mitigation options that the ecosystem offers, e.g. CO2 sequestration, biological nitrification inhibitors and organic matter decomposition.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/434
2022-08-04T13:58:03Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/434
2022-08-04T13:58:03Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 1: January 2019; 1-13
Long-term beef production from pastures established with and without annual crops compared with native savanna in the Eastern Plains of Colombia: A compilation and analysis of on-farm results 1979‒2016
researchPaper
Vera, Raúl R.; Private Consultant, Viña del Mar, Chile; formerly: Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, CIAT, Cali, Colombia.
Hoyos Garcés, Phanor; Private Consultant, Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia; formerly: CIAT, Cali, Colombia.
2019-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/434
en_US
The Eastern Plains of Colombia (“Llanos”) are made up of acid soils with low nutrient concentrations covered by tropical savannas, but they constitute a very important land resource for the country. The Llanos have traditionally supported extensive beef cattle production systems but are increasingly in demand for food, feed and oil production. The establishment of improved tropical pastures is a continuing trend as a means of intensifying beef production. Published data and the authors’ own on-farm databases were collated and analyzed to estimate commercial cattle weight gains. A total of 198 records representing pastures directly drilled into native savanna and pastures undersown with rain-fed upland rice and maize were available for the 1979‒2016 period, and were compared with savanna-based beef production. Records were available for sown paddocks 1‒15 years in age that were managed solely by ranchers or by consensus between ranchers and researchers. Performance was not affected by who made the management decisions. Pastures sown in association with maize largely out-yielded all others, but observations on these paddocks were restricted to only 3 years and there was a steep fall in production with age. Differences between conventionally established and rice-associated pastures decreased rapidly over time, and production from these pastures did not differ over the longer term. Pasture age and stocking rate during the rainy season were the major factors influencing output from all systems. Overall, adjusted, long-term weight gains per year ranged between 11 and 386 kg/ha for savanna and maize undersown pastures. The data suggest a need to document long-term planned, regular, crop-pasture rotations, but none was available. The analyses provide valuable, long-term estimates of realized beef production under commercial conditions that should assist in decision-making by graziers and policy makers.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/436
2021-06-02T20:01:26Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/436
2021-06-02T20:01:26Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 1: January 2019; 48-55
Growth, yield and yield component attributes of narrow-leafed lupin (<i>Lupinus angustifolius</i> L.) varieties in the highlands of Ethiopia
researchPaper
Alemu, Firehiwot; Woldiya University, Department of Animal Science, Woldiya, Amhara, Ethiopia.
Asmare, Bimrew; Bahir Dar University, Department of Animal Production and Technology, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia.
Yeheyis, Likawent; Amhara Agricultural Research Institute, Bahir Dar, Amhara, Ethiopia.
2019-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/436
en_US
An experiment was conducted to characterize the growth and yield performance of narrow-leafed sweet blue lupin varieties (Lupinus angustifolius L.) in northwestern Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications and included 7 varieties (Bora, Probor, Sanabor, Vitabor, Haags blaue, Borlu and Boregine). Data on days to flowering and to maturity, flower color, plant height, numbers of leaflets, branches and pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, forage dry matter (DM) yield, grain yield and 1,000-seed weight were recorded. The results showed that plant height, number of branches per plant, forage DM yield, number of seeds per pod, grain yield and 1,000-seed weight varied significantly (P<0.01) among varieties. The highest forage DM yield at 50% flowering (2.67 t/ha), numbers of pods per plant (16.9) and of seeds per pod (4.15), grain yield (1,900 kg/ha) and 1,000-seed weight (121 g) were obtained from the Boregine variety. The tallest plants and greatest number of branches per plant were recorded from varieties Sanabor and Bora, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that the major factor affecting forage DM yield was plant height, while plant height, days to maturity and number of seeds per pod had the greatest influence on grain yield. The best performing variety was Boregine followed by Sanabor and Bora. These varieties seem promising for the development of sustainable forage production strategies with limited external inputs. However, future research should be conducted on the improvement of their agronomy and the possibility of their utilization as protein supplements using narrow-leafed sweet blue lupin forage or grain, as well as testing of promising varieties in diverse locations.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/441
2022-08-04T13:58:38Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/441
2022-08-04T13:58:38Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 3: June 2019; 214-222
Performance of young Nellore bulls on guineagrass pastures under rotational stocking in the Brazilian Cerrado
researchPaper
Braga, Gustavo J.; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Maciel, Giovana A.; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Guimarães Jr., Roberto; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Ramos, Allan K.B.; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Carvalho, Marcelo A.; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Fernandes, Francisco D.; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Fonseca, Carlos E.L.; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Jank, Liana; Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
2019-07-05
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/441
en_US
New highly productive guineagrass (Megathyrsus maximus syn. Panicum maximum) cultivars have been released in Brazil and grazing trials are necessary to evaluate their carrying capacity and forage quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the liveweight gains of young Nellore bulls grazing 3 guineagrass cultivars under rotational stocking. The experiment was carried out in Planaltina (Federal District, Brazil) during a single rainy (November‒April) and dry (May‒August) season. Treatments were Massai (control), BRS Tamani and BRS Zuri cultivars. Zuri and Tamani pastures provided greater average daily liveweight gains (ADG) (0.38 and 0.42 kg/head, respectively) over the experimental period than Massai (0.28 kg/head). For all cultivars liveweight gains decreased markedly from May onwards at the beginning of the dry season. Nevertheless, bulls grazing Tamani and Zuri pastures still gained 0.20 kg/hd/d until late August, while those on Massai pastures gained only 0.08 kg/hd/d. The differences in ADGs can be explained to some extent by differences in quality of available forage. In vitro dry matter digestibility of plucked samples of Massai was 555 g/kg, compared with 621 g/kg for Tamani and 590 g/kg for Zuri. Crude protein concentration in plucked samples was also greater for Tamani and Zuri (71.9 and 74.2 g/kg, respectively) than for Massai (62.2 g/kg). As feed wastage was particularly high in Massai, further studies are needed to verify if higher stocking rates during the wet season could result in greater production of live weight per ha on this cultivar, assuming that ADG does not decrease further with the increased stocking rate.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/449
2021-06-02T19:56:35Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/449
2021-06-02T19:56:35Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 1: January 2019; 14-24
Agronomic and molecular characterization of <i>Chloris gayana</i> cultivars and salinity response during germination and early vegetative growth
researchPaper
Ribotta, Andrea N.; Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IFRGV-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
López Colomba, Eliana; Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IFRGV-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Bollati, Graciela P.; Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Striker, Gustavo G.; Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Carloni, Edgardo J.; Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IFRGV-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Griffa, Sabrina M.; Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IFRGV-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Quiroga, Mariana P.; Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IFRGV-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Tommasino, Exequiel A.; Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IFRGV-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Grunberg, Karina A.; Instituto de Fisiología y Recursos Genéticos Vegetales, Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (IFRGV-CIAP-INTA), Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2019-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/449
en_US
Chloris gayana is a warm-season grass, often cultivated in areas where soil salinity is a major constraint for forage production. Five cultivars (2 unselected populations and 3 synthetic varieties) were evaluated through agronomic traits as well as Inter Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSRs) and Sequence-related Amplified Polymorphism (SRAP) molecular markers. The consensus between both agronomic and molecular data sets was high (>99%) suggesting that both systems provided similar estimates of genetic relationships. The analysis revealed that synthetic varieties, Finecut, Topcut and Santana, were the most genetically different cultivars, whereas the unselected populations, Pioneer and Katambora, were closely related. Responses to salinity stress during germination and early vegetative growth stages were evaluated in only the synthetic varieties. The results showed that Finecut and Santana were able to germinate in the same proportion as controls even at concentrations of 200 mM NaCl. Under hydroponic conditions, Santana attained approximately 20% higher total dry weight than the other 2 varieties and the longest roots. Finecut presented the highest root dry weight. These results suggested that Santana and Finecut showed high salinity tolerance at germination and early vegetative growth stages, both crucial phases when seeking a successful pasture establishment, particularly in saline environments. Further studies in the field are needed to determine if these hydroponic results are reproduced under field conditions.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/451
2021-06-09T15:29:04Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/451
2021-06-09T15:29:04Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2021): January 2021; 23-33
<i>Urochloa brizantha</i> cultivated in aluminum-toxic soil: Changes in plant growth and ultrastructure of root and leaf tissues
researchPaper
Lisboa, Lucas Aparecido Manzani; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Dracena, SP, Brazil.
Dias, Gustavo Henrique de Oliveira; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
Sacco, Hiago Augusto Amaral; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
Padovan, João Vitor Rodrigues; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
Rodrigues, Gabriel Banos; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
Ribeiro, Kauê Barbarotto; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
da Silva, Gabriel Geminiano; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
Cardoso, Alan dos Santos; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
Pereira, Leandro Barradas; Fundação Educacional de Andradina, Andradina, SP, Brazil.
de Figueiredo, Paulo Alexandre Monteiro; Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnológicas, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Dracena, SP, Brazil.
2021-01-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/451
en_US
Brazilian soils destined for fodder production are infertile and acidic and contain toxic levels of aluminum (Al), which cause a reduction in growth of the root system and aerial plant parts. The main aim of the present pot trial was to determine ultrastructural and developmental changes in root and leaf tissues of Urochloa brizantha, when grown in an acid Oxisol containing varying levels of Al. The experimental design was a 3 × 5 factorial arrangement, involving 3 cultivars of U. brizantha (Marandu, Paiaguás and Piatã) and 5 concentrations of Al in the soil (0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 cmol/dm3), with 4 replications; a total of 60 pots. All cultivars responded negatively to increasing Al concentration in the soil, even in small amounts. Root ultrastructures were damaged even at concentrations of 0.4 cmol Al/dm3, primarily in the conducting tissues (xylem and phloem) and epidermal cells. Shoot development and leaf tissues were also negatively affected. In general, plant development and ultrastructure of root and leaf tissues in all 3 cultivars of U. brizantha were impaired when grown in the presence of Al at doses >0.2 cmol/dm3 in the soil.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/452
2022-08-04T14:00:08Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/452
2022-08-04T14:00:08Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 2: May 2020; 93-104
Vertical distribution, nutrient concentration and seasonal changes of fine root mass in a semi-deciduous tropical dry forest and in two adjacent pastures in the Western Llanos of Venezuela
researchPaper
González-Pedraza, Ana Francisca; Universidad de Pamplona, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Pamplona, Colombia.
Universidad Nacional Experimental Sur del Lago “Jesús María Semprum”, Santa Bárbara,
Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Altos de Pipe, Venezuela.
Dezzeo, Nelda; Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Altos de Pipe, Venezuela.
2020-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/452
en_US
With the objective to contribute to a better understanding of ecological consequences of deforestation on the below-ground system in the Western Llanos of Venezuela, we evaluated the vertical distribution, nutrient concentration and seasonal changes of total fine root mass (FRM) (<2 mm diameter) in a semi-deciduous tropical dry forest and in 2 adjacent pastures of Cynodon nlemfuensis: a young pasture (YP, 5 years old) and an old pasture (OP, 18 years old) in the Obispo municipality, Barinas State. This evaluation included measurements at the end of the rainy season, during the dry season and during the subsequent early rainy season in 2005/2006. Highest FRM was recorded during the dry season, which probably indicates a plant water-stress response mechanism. The highest proportion (63‒88%) of FRM was concentrated in the 10–20 cm soil layer at all studied sites, probably due to a higher nutrient and moisture content at that depth. Non-significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in the total concentrations of organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium in the FRM in soils supporting forest, OP and YP at the evaluated depths. Non-significant changes in the total FRM and nutrient concentrations were observed between the sampling periods and the 3 study sites. YP soils showed a slight increase in FRM that could be associated with the root growth of secondary vegetation, which is considered a weed and is periodically removed. Our results suggest that the land use change from tropical forest to pastures has not significantly affected the mass of fine roots and their carbon and nutrient concentrations. Further studies are needed to determine if these findings apply to other ecosystems.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/455
2021-06-03T14:15:59Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/455
2021-06-03T14:15:59Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020): September 2020; 203-213
Establishment of a core collection of <i>Cynodon</i> based on morphological data
researchPaper
Huang, C.Q.; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement in Southern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
Long, T.; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement in Southern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
Bai, C.J.; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement in Southern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
Wang, W.Q.; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement in Southern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
Tang, J.; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement in Southern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
Liu, G.D.; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences/Key Laboratory of Crop Gene Resources and Germplasm Enhancement in Southern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan Province, China.
2020-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/455
en_US
In a field plot study conducted in Danzhou, Hainan province, China, a total of 537 wild Cynodon accessions from 22 countries and classified into 11 groups according to taxonomy and origin, were characterized in terms of 11 phenotypic traits in order to construct a core collection. For this, the optimal strategy was developed by screening within the following method levels: (i) 7 sampling proportions (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35%); (ii) 3 sampling methods (preferential sampling, deviation sampling and random sampling); (iii) 5 clustering methods [single linkage, completed linkage, median linkage, unweighted pair-group average (UPGMA) and Ward’s method]; (iv) 3 genetic distances (Euclidean distance, Mahalanobis distance and principal component distance); and (v) 3 sampling proportions within groups (simple, logarithmic and square root proportions). Mean difference percentage, variance difference percentage, coincidence rate of range and variation coefficient changing rate were the criteria adopted for evaluating how well the core collection represented the original collection. The correlation between the original and core collections was determined for comparison. The core collections were validated with the sample distribution diagram of the main components. Results showed that the optimal sampling method for constructing a Cynodon core collection was preferential sampling, the optimal sampling proportion being 20%. The optimal sampling proportion within groups was the square root proportion, the optimal genetic distance was Mahalanobis distance and the optimal clustering method was UPGMA. The proposed core collection of Cynodon is composed of 108 accessions; it was constructed following the optimal sampling strategy identified and retained the original collection´s phenotypic diversity, phenotypic trait correlations and phenotypic group structure. Thus, this collection could be considered a representative sample of the entire resource.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/461
2021-06-02T23:53:59Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/461
2021-06-02T23:53:59Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 2: May 2020; 115-124
Effects of swine manure application and row spacing on growth of pearl millet (<i>Cenchrus americanus</i>) during the establishment period and quality of silage produced in Southwest Nigeria
researchPaper
Ojo, V.O.A.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Adeshina, F.T.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Adetokunbo, G.A.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Jimoh, S.O.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Institute of Grassland Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
Sustainable Environment Food and Agriculture Initiative (SEFAAI), Lagos, Nigeria.
Adeyemi, T.A.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
Njie, J.L.; School of Agriculture and Environment Sciences, University of The Gambia, Serrekunda, The Gambia.
Onifade, O.S.; Department of Pasture and Range Management, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria.
2020-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/461
en_US
The effects of swine manure application and row spacing on dry matter yields of Cenchrus americanus (pearl millet) at 6 weeks after sowing and chemical composition, fermentative characteristics and in vitro gas production of silage produced from the forage were studied. The design was a 2 × 2 factorial with 2 row spacings (0.5 and1.0 m) and 2 levels of manure application [no manure (Control) and swine manure at 5 t/ha (22% DM; 0.34% N on DM basis)] replicated 3 times. Swine manure application had no effect (P>0.05) on dry matter yield but a row spacing of0.5 m produced higher (P<0.05) dry matter yields than 1.0 m spacing (mean 7.05 vs. 5.57 t DM/ha). Fresh forage from manured treatments had significantly higher crude protein concentration (114.9–124.2 g/kg DM) than from unfertilized plots (86.2–95.1 g/kg DM). After being ensiled for 42 days, CP% in the forage had declined by 16–18% but relative differences remained. Quality measurements indicated that silages from the various treatments were all of acceptable standard although CP% of silage from Control plots was barely high enough to provide a maintenance diet. This study suggests that, under the experimental conditions, planting of pearl millet at a spacing of0.5 m rather than 1.0 m would increase DM yields obtained in the first 6 weeks of growth, while application of swine manure would not affect yields but would increase CP% of forage produced. The laboratory study indicates that the forage produced could be ensiled successfully although there was significant loss of crude protein during the process. Since there were no significant increases in DM yields of forage, other benefits, e.g. increase in N concentration, improved soil organic matter, etc., would need to be considered in justifying the additional cost of drying and applying the manure.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/471
2021-06-02T20:41:15Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/471
2021-06-02T20:41:15Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 5: November 2019; 502-518
Herbaceous plant species diversity in communal agro-pastoral and conservation areas in western Serengeti, Tanzania
researchPaper
Kavana, Pius Yoram; Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania.
Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
Sangeda, Anthony Z.; Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
Mtengeti, Ephraim J.; Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, College of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
Mahonge, Christopher; Department of Policy Planning and Management, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
Bukombe, John; Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania.
Fyumagwa, Robert; Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute, Arusha, Tanzania.
Nindi, Stephen; National Land Use Planning Commission of Tanzania, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
2019-11-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/471
en_US
Agro-pastoralism involves the growing of crops and keeping of livestock as a livelihood strategy practiced by communities in rural areas in Africa and is highly dependent on environmental factors including rainfall, soil and vegetation. Agro-pastoral activities, e.g. livestock grazing and land clearing for crop cultivation, impact on environmental condition. This study evaluated the impacts of agro-pastoral activities on herbaceous plant species diversity and abundance in western Serengeti relative to conservation (protected) areas. A vegetation survey was conducted along the grazing gradients of ten 4 km transects from within village lands to protected areas. A total of 123 herbaceous species belonging to 20 families were identified. Higher herbaceous species diversity and richness were found in protected areas than in communal grazing lands. Similarly, the number of perennial herbaceous species was higher in the former than the latter, while occurrence of annuals was higher in the village areas. This observation indicates poor rangeland condition in village communal grazing lands as compared with protected areas. It is obvious that current agro-pastoral activities have contributed to a reduction in herbaceous species diversity in village lands in western Serengeti. However, the array of pasture species, especially desirable perennial species, still present in communal grazing areas, suggests that rejuvenation of these areas is possible. Resting of grazing land is recommended to reverse the trend towards diversity reduction and ensure future availability of feed resources for grazing animals in village lands.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/473
2022-08-04T14:00:41Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/473
2022-08-04T14:00:41Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 1: January 2020; 35-39
Development, rooting and nodulation of mororó (<i>Bauhinia cheilantha</i>) cuttings harvested in different seasons
researchPaper
Lima, Amanda Ferreira de; Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica (PIBIC), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, PE, Brazil.
Lins, Manuela Menezes; Programa Institucional de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica (PIBIC), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE), Recife, PE, Brazil.
Souza, Carla Giselly de; Programa Nacional de Pós-Doutorado (PNPD-FACEPE), UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Santos, Mércia Virgínia Ferreira dos; Programa Nacional de Pós-Doutorado (PNPD-FACEPE), UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) productivity fellows.
Ferreira, Rinaldo Luiz Caraciolo; Programa Nacional de Pós-Doutorado (PNPD-FACEPE), UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) productivity fellows.
Cunha, Márcio Vieira da; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Baiano, Alagoinhas, BA, Brazil.
Lira, Mário de Andrade; Programa Nacional de Pós-Doutorado (PNPD-FACEPE), UFRPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Souza, Toni Carvalho de; Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Baiano, Alagoinhas, BA, Brazil.
2020-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/473
en_US
To increase the establishment options of the tropical forage legume tree, mororó (Bauhinia cheilantha), a native of the Caatinga vegetation in Northeast Brazil, a vegetative propagation study was carried out. In 2 experiments the performance of cuttings taken from 2 different locations on the mother plant (apical and basal branches) was evaluated on 4 different substrates: washed sand (SA); soil (S); soil in a moist chamber (S+MC); and vermiculite (V), in which cuttings were ‘planted’. The variables analyzed were: bud emergence; presence of expanded leaves; length and width of expanded leaves; and development of roots. For the first experiment, cuttings were taken in the dry season (December), for the second experiment in the rainy season (June). Cutting season had the major effect on all variables, particularly emerging buds (37‒90% in the dry vs. 1‒34% in the rainy season) and expanded leaves (23‒60% in the dry vs. 1‒13% in the rainy season). The best results were obtained in substrates S+MC and SA, the latter applying particularly for root development. It seems cuttings can be taken from any part of the mother plant but should be taken in the dry season, when an adequate supply of nutrients exists in the branches. Further studies are warranted to determine how to increase the success of root development on cuttings.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/475
2022-08-04T14:01:00Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/475
2022-08-04T14:01:00Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 3: June 2019; 244-251
Enhanced germination performance of dormant seeds of <i>Eragrostis tef</i> in the presence of light
researchPaper
Tiryaki, Iskender; Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey.
Kaplan, Sakir Anil; Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Canakkale, Turkey.
2019-07-05
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/475
en_US
Lack of germination or low germination due to seed dormancy prevents successful crop establishment in several important plants. To determine the presence of innate seed dormancy and effects of stress-related plant hormones on germination performance of Teff (Eragrostis tef) seeds, we primed seeds in 1% KNO3 for 24 hours in dark conditions at 21 ± 0.5 ºC along with varying concentrations of chemicals known to influence seed germination, including: acetyl salicylic acid (ASA); methyl jasmonate (JA-Me); giberellic acid (GA3); and indole acetic acid (IAA). Primed seeds were incubated either in constant light (210 µM/m2/s) or in darkness at 21 ± 0.5 ºC. The results indicated that primingsignificantly improved final germination percentage (FGP) in both light (92.5%) and dark (89.4%) conditions compared with untreated seeds. The inclusion of plant hormones in the priming media generally had limited effects, except for 10 mM ASA (94.5%) and 100 mM GA3 (92.5%). ASA generally provided faster seed germination than seeds primed in 1% KNO3 only, while the other plant hormones had no effect on the time required for 50% of FGP in the dark. Priming had no significant effect on time span of germination in either light or dark incubation conditions. The results demonstrate that E. tef has light-inducible seed germination and about half of freshly harvested seeds can be dormant, which can be eliminated to some extent by priming seeds in 1% KNO3.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/477
2021-06-02T20:37:30Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/477
2021-06-02T20:37:30Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 5: November 2019; 493-501
Whole corn grain addition in sugarcane silage avoids fermentative losses and improves in situ degradation of silage
researchPaper
del Valle, Tiago A.; Departamento de Biotecnologia e Produção Vegetal e Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.
Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus Itaqui, Itaqui, RS, Brazil.
do Nascimento, Gabriela; Departamento de Biotecnologia e Produção Vegetal e Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.
Fernandez, Luana S.; Departamento de Biotecnologia e Produção Vegetal e Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.
França, Marisa M.; Departamento de Nutrição e Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
Osório, Jesus A.C.; Departamento de Ciência Animal, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Gandra, Jefferson R.; Departamento de Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
Marques, Júlia A.; Departamento de Nutrição e Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
de Souza, Johnny M.; Departamento de Nutrição e Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
Campana, Mariana; Departamento de Biotecnologia e Produção Vegetal e Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.
Morais, Jozivaldo P.G.; Departamento de Biotecnologia e Produção Vegetal e Animal, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Araras, SP, Brazil.
2019-11-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/477
en_US
Sugarcane silage (SS) is generally susceptible to yeast action, resulting in dry matter losses due to high soluble carbohydrate concentration. We evaluated the effects of adding corn grain and microbial inoculant at ensiling on fermentative profile, losses, chemical composition and degradation of silages. Forty experimental silos (PVC tubing) were assigned at random to a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement with: (1) 5 corn additions at ensiling: CONT - straight sugarcane silage; GC2 - sugarcane with ground corn (processed through a 2 mm sieve) added at ensiling; GC8 - sugarcane with ground corn (processed through an 8 mm sieve) added at ensiling; WC - sugarcane with whole corn grain added at ensiling; and RCS - rehydrated corn ensiled without sugarcane; and (2) 2 microbial inoculant additions at ensiling: 0 and 8 mg of commercial inoculant per kg of feed. Corn grain was added at the rate of 100 g per kg of fresh sugarcane. Adding corn grain to sugarcane at ensiling improved SS fermentation and silage chemical composition. There was no benefit from grinding the grain before adding it to sugarcane. Microbial inoculant had little effect on SS fermentation. Studies comparing corn grain with other energy sources, e.g. molasses or cassava, for addition at ensiling sugarcane seem warranted along with feeding studies with livestock to assess intake and subsequent performance. The overall benefits of adding the energy sources at ensiling versus feeding them directly to animals with untreated sugarcane silage should be determined.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/499
2022-08-04T14:01:44Z
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020): September 2020; 167-176
How does the sward condition in late winter influence the Marandu palisade grass (<i>Urochloa brizantha</i> cv. Marandu) structure during spring and summer?
researchPaper
Santos, Manoel E.R.; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia. Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Carvalho, Bruno H.R.; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia. Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
van Cleef, Flávia O.S.; 2University of Florida, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, FL, USA.
Rocha, Gabriel O.; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia. Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Nogueira, Henrique C.R.; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia. Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
Borges, Gustavo S.; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Uberlândia. Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
2020-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/499
en_US
Height and mowing of a sward in late winter can change its structure during the subsequent spring and summer seasons, which influences plant growth and animal performance. This work was conducted to evaluate the structural characteristics of Urochloa brizantha (syn. Brachiaria brizantha) cv. Marandu (marandu palisadegrass) during spring and summer in relation to the following sward conditions in late winter: short (15 cm), medium (23 cm), tall (31 cm) and tall (31 cm)/mowed to 8 cm. Stages of the grazing period (beginning, middle and end) in spring and summer were considered measures repeated over time. Leaf area index was lower in the tall pasture than in the other pastures and was lower at the beginning than at the end of the grazing period. Dead material mass was highest in the tall pasture, intermediate in the short and medium pastures and lowest in the tall/mowed pasture. Live stem mass was higher at the end than at the beginning and middle of the grazing period of the short, medium and tall/mowed pastures, contrary to that observed in the tall sward. At the end of the grazing period, tiller number did not vary among pastures. The tall pasture in late winter presents a limiting structure to animal consumption. Short and tall/mowed pastures in late winter show a favorable structure for forage plant growth and, probably, animal performance.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/519
2022-08-04T14:02:01Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/519
2022-08-04T14:02:01Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 3 (2020): September 2020; 195-202
Mombaça grass development with partial replacement of potassium fertilizer by sodium chloride and the effects of adding calcium
researchPaper
Silva, Paulo Sérgio S.; Departamento de Solos, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, Brazil.
Leite, Rubson da C.; Laboratório de Proteção de Plantas, Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Belém, PA, Brazil.
Carneiro, Jefferson Santana da S.; Departamento de Ciência do Solo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, MG, Brazil.
Freitas, Gilson A. de; Departamento de Solos, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, Brazil.
Silva, Rubens R. da; Departamento de Solos, Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Gurupi, TO, Brazil.
2020-09-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/519
en_US
The objective of this greenhouse study was to evaluate the effects on development parameters in Megathyrsus maximus cv. Mombaça of partially replacing the potassium (K) in fertilizer by sodium (Na)and the impacts of applying calcium (Ca). The experimental design was completely randomized with 4 replicates, in a 3 × 4 + 3 factorial arrangement. Three Ca sources (CaCO3, CaSO4 and CaCl2) were applied at 4 Ca doses (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg Ca/kg of soil) to the grass where 25% of the K fertilizer was replaced by NaCl. The 3 additional treatments were: application of standard fertilizer (N:P:K) with 100% of K recommendation; application of fertilizer with 25% of K replaced by Na but no Ca applied; and grass with no fertilizer of any kind as Control. The variables analyzed were: leaf area, leaf area ratio, net assimilation rate, relative growth rate and photosynthetic rate. Partial replacement of K by Na up to 25% of the K fertilizer recommendation did not cause significant change in the development of Mombaça grass or to any of the measured parameters. Addition of Ca had minimal impact on the analyzed variables regardless of level or source. These measurements helped to explain why dry matter yields of Mombaça grass were not significantly affected by partial replacement of K by Na up to 25% of the K fertilizer recommendation.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/553
2022-08-04T14:02:41Z
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2022-08-04T14:02:41Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 1: January 2020; 20-27
Dry matter concentration and corn silage density: Effects on forage quality
researchPaper
Krüger, Ana Maria; Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA), Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia (PPZ), Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Lima, Paulo de Mello Tavares; Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA), Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Abdalla Filho, Adibe Luiz; Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA), Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Moro, Julienne de Geus; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia (PPZ), Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
de Carvalho, Igor Quirrenbach; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia (PPZ), Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Abdalla, Adibe Luiz; Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA), Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Jobim, Clóves Cabreira; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia (PPZ), Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
2020-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/553
en_US
Considering the hypothesis that density and dry matter (DM) concentration may be used as indicators of silage nutritional quality, the aim of the present study was to determine density and maturation stage (i.e. DM concentration) of corn silages under farm conditions in Brazil, establishing relationships between density and physical and chemical characteristics. In a completely randomized design, 20 bunkers of corn silage, each from a different farm, were used for data collection. Using a coring machine, 5 samples of silage were extracted from an exposed face of each silo and samples were analyzed for density of compaction, plus concentrations of DM, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), total digestible nutrients (TDN), total carbohydrate (TC), non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) and starch (STA), as well as electrical conductivity. There was significant variation in many of the parameters measured with the greatest variation in density on a natural matter basis. Negative correlations were observed between percentages of DM, NDF and ADF in the silage and silage density on a natural matter basis (P<0.05). On the other hand, DM% was positively correlated with concentrations of STA, TDN and TC (P<0.05). Density on a DM basis showed positive correlation with STA but was negatively correlated with NDF and ADF (P<0.05) indicating that the more fibrous material is harder to compact. A technology transfer program seems warranted to inform Brazilian farmers of these findings and the importance of harvesting forage at a stage of growth when quality would be better to increase the probability of achieving adequate compaction of the ensiled material and hence better quality of material at feeding out.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/557
2021-06-28T21:25:35Z
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2021-06-28T21:25:35Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 2: May 2020; 133-140
Selection based on meiotic behavior in <i>Urochloa decumbens</i> hybrids from non-shattered seed
researchPaper
Baldissera, Joana Neres da Cruz; Colegiado de Biologia, Instituto Federal do Paraná, Palmas, PR, Brazil. palmas.
Mendes, Andréa Beatriz Diverio; Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Coan, Marlon Mathias Dacal; Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Mangolin, Claudete Aparecida; Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
Valle, Cacilda Borges do; Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Gado de Corte, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
Pagliarini, Maria Suely; Departamento de Agronomia, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil.
2020-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/557
en_US
This study aimed to evaluate the end-products of meiosis in sexual and apomictic hybrids of Urochloa decumbens, so as to identify genotypes with good production of viable pollen for use in breeding programs to increase yields of pure viable seed and reduce degree of seed shattering. From 457 intraspecific hybrids of U. decumbens arising from crosses between 3 artificially tetraploidized sexual plants and the apomictic cultivar Basilisk, 27 hybrids from non-shattered seed were selected. Slides were prepared by smearing anthers and staining to determine the presence of abnormalities. The abnormalities found were micronuclei, microcytes and polyads. The data were compared by the Scott-Knott test at P<0.05. Data obtained enabled separation of hybrids into 4 groups depending on the presence of micronuclei and formation of polyads and into 6 groups based on the presence of microcytes in the tetrads. Among the analyzed apomictic hybrids, R179 has the attributes for viable seed production to proceed to cultivar development. Among the sexual hybrids, R161, R181, R193 and S47 are recommended as female parents for use in crossing programs.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/561
2022-08-04T14:14:15Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/561
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Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 5: November 2019; 519-526
Evaluation of fodder biomass yield of hydroponically-grown barley and oats and the effects on intake, digestibility and weight gain of Washera sheep when fed as a supplement to a basal diet of natural pasture hay in Ethiopia
researchPaper
Mekonnen, Endalew; School of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Mekuriaw, Yeshambel; School of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Tegegne, Firew; School of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Asmare, Bimrew; School of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
2019-11-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/561
en_US
The feasibility of using hydroponically-grown (HGF) barley and oats forage as a supplement to natural pasture hay (PH) for sheep-feeding was investigated. Twenty-five intact Washera male lambs were used in both a 90 day feeding trial and a 10 day digestibility study. The treatments compared were: 100% PH (control, = T1); PH + a concentrate mix (CM) (= T2); PH + HGF barley (= T3); PH + HGF oats (= T4); and PH + 50% CM and 50% HGF mixture of barley and oats (= T5). Chemical composition of diets and refusals, feed intake and digestibility of DM and nutrients were recorded. The average HGF fresh biomass yields from 1 kg grain were 5.21 and 6.32 kg for barley and oats, respectively. The CP, NDF, ADF and ADL concentrations in HGF were 13.2, 45.6, 34.8 and 6.7% for barley and 13.7, 46.8, 36.6 and 7.6% for oats. All supplemented treatments had higher total DM intakes (12‒21%) than the control (P<0.05) and all supplements produced marked substitution effects for PH (35‒51%). Animals on the PH diet lost weight (17 g/d), while all supplemented groups gained weight (58‒65 g/d). Partial budget analysis showed that the highest net return was for T5 followed by T2, T4 and T3. Hydroponically-grown oats forage could have potential to replace a commercial concentrate for supplementing sheep on native pastures, but both HGF and concentrates are probably unaffordable for the majority of smallholder farmers engaged in sheep production. Establishment of farmer cooperative hydroponic facilities could spread the overhead costs of the capital infrastructure and this approach should be investigated.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/563
2021-06-02T23:11:12Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/563
2021-06-02T23:11:12Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 1: January 2020; 28-34
Biomass accumulation, phenology and seed yield of <i>Trifolium alexandrinum</i> ecotypes evaluated in Central India
researchPaper
Singh, Tejveer; Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India.
Radhakrishna, Auji; Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India.
Malaviya, Devendra Ram; Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India.
Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow, India.
Dheeravathu, Seva Nayak; Division of Crop Improvement, ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi, India.
2020-01-31
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/563
en_US
Berseem or Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) comprises 3 ecotypes, Miskawi, Fahli and Saidi, with Miskawi being the most widely cultivated. The narrow genetic base coupled with low availability and utilization of genetic resources is hindering genetic improvement of Berseem in India. Exploitation of new and diverse sources of variation is essential for the genetic enhancement of the cultivated genepool of Berseem. In the present study 7 populations of the 3 T. alexandrinum ecotypes were evaluated over 2 years to analyze the patterns of biomass accumulation, phenology, nutritional value and seed yield. Results indicate that Fahli and Saidi populations accumulated higher biomass per unit area than the tested populations of Miskawi and were earlier maturing. While crude protein (CP) concentration in forage was higher for Miskawi, Fahli and Saidi ecotypes contained more than 17% CP at 50% flowering. Further, seed yields of Fahli and Saidi populations were significantly higher than those of Miskawi. It is possible that genetic improvement of cultivated populations of Miskawi could be achieved by incorporating genes for dry matter yield and seed yield from the populations of Fahli and Saidi ecotypes.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/571
2022-08-04T14:15:22Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/571
2022-08-04T14:15:22Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 7 No. 5: November 2019; 480-492
Improvement of plant regeneration and <i>Agrobacterium</i>-mediated genetic transformation of <i>Stylosanthes guianensis</i>
researchPaper
Guo, Pengfei; Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
Liu, Pandao; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), Haikou, China.
Lei, Jian; Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
Chen, Caihong; Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
Qiu, Hong; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), Haikou, China.
Liu, Guodao; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), Haikou, China.
Chen, Zhijian; Tropical Crops Genetic Resources Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS), Haikou, China.
Luo, Lijuan; Hainan Key Laboratory for Sustainable Utilization of Tropical Bioresources, College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
2019-11-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/571
en_US
As a pioneer tropical pasture legume, stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) is well adapted to growth-limiting factors in acid soils. Considering the importance of stylo, there is a need to improve Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation to enable development of elite cultivars. In this study, S. guianensis cv. RY5 was used to systematically optimize Agrobacterium-mediated transformation based on its plant regeneration. Results showed that Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.2 mg/L 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) was the optimal callus induction medium. MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 6-BA was suitable for shoot regeneration from cotyledon-derived calluses, and 0.5 mg/L indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and 0.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) applications were beneficial for rooting. The highest transformation efficiency (67%) was obtained at an Agrobacterium concentration of optical density = 0.6 combined with an infection time of 15 min and 3 days of co-cultivation. Furthermore, 200 mg/mL carbenicillin (Carb) and 0.6 mg/L Basta® supplements were effective in eliminating excess bacterial growth and selecting transgenic plants, respectively. Subsequent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis confirmed that the β-glucuronidase (GUS) and BAR genes were successfully integrated into the stylo genome. Wider testing of this improved protocol as a means of enhancing genetic improvement and gene function analysis of stylo seems warranted.
oai:oai.tropicalgrasslands.info:article/578
2022-08-04T14:17:12Z
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https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/578
2022-08-04T14:17:12Z
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT)
Vol. 8 No. 2: May 2020; 48-59
Seasonal herbage accumulation, plant-part composition and nutritive value of signal grass <i>(Urochloa decumbens)</i> pastures under simulated continuous stocking
researchPaper
Braga, Gustavo José; Embrapa Cerrados, Planaltina, DF, Brazil.
Pedreira, Carlos Guilherme Silveira; Departamento Zootecnia, ESALQ, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Ferreira, Aliedson Sampaio; Departamento Zootecnia, ESALQ, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Oliveira, Eliara Anaí de; Instituto de Zootecnia, APTA, Nova Odessa, SP, Brazil.
Paulino, Valdinei Tadeu; Instituto de Zootecnia, APTA, Nova Odessa, SP, Brazil.
2020-05-30
url:https://www.tropicalgrasslands.info/index.php/tgft/article/view/578
en_US
In order to optimize the regrowth and harvest of signal grass (Urochloa decumbens) cv. Basilisk pastures it is necessary to establish more precise grazing management guidelines. The objective of this study was to evaluate herbage accumulation, plant-part composition and nutritive value of signal grass managed under contrasting levels of steady-state canopy heights. Treatments included 3 canopy height targets, i.e. 10 (S-short), 17.5 (M-medium) and 25 cm (T-tall), in a completely randomized design with 4 replications. Experimental units were 144-m2 plots which were grazed by groups of steers for short periods in an endeavor to keep canopy heights at the 3 desired targets. On average, herbage accumulation rate (HAR) in T pastures was greater than in M and S pastures, including the dry-wet season transition period in spring (September‒November). The S pastures had higher crude protein and lower acid detergent fiber concentrations than M and T pastures, especially in the first half of the calendar year. However, in vitro organic matter digestibility was similar for all treatments (612 g/kg). As S and M pastures had lower HARs than T pastures in the spring, it appears advantageous to maintain the signal grass canopy at ~25 cm in order to ensure quick regrowth with the return of the wet season. However, longer-term studies are needed with recording of animal performance before these initial findings can be promoted widely.
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