The cactus pear has demonstrated productive potential in arid and semi-arid regions due to its photosynthetic process of crassulacean acid metabolism. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate agronomic ...characteristics and chemical composition of three genotypes of cactus pear at different locations of a tropical semiarid region classified as non-suitable for cactus pear cultivation. A completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (3 × 7) (three genotypes of cactus pear Miúda, Baiana (Nopalea cochenillifera) and Orelha de Efefante Mexicana - OEM (Opuntia stricta) and seven locations) was used. The climatic conditions characterized an environment that restricts the growth of cactus pear genotypes, mainly due to the air relative humidity values. All morphological characteristics of the cactus pear genotypes were influenced by the interaction genotype x location, with higher expression of the characteristics on the different genotypes under hot semi-arid climate and tropical wet and dry climate. An effect of the interaction genotype x location was observed (p < 0.05) on water use efficiency, water accumulation and carrying capacity, where the highest values were observed for genotype Baiana at location 1. Also, there was influence of the interaction genotype x location over the chemical composition of the cactus pear. The cultivation of cactus pear is recommended under restricted climatic conditions in semi-arid tropical regions, especially the genotype Baiana, based on growth factors, biomass production and chemical composition.
The objective was to evaluate the fermentation parameters, chemical composition and in situ degradability of sesame silage in comparison to usual silages. The losses, fermentation quality and ...chemical composition of the forages and silages were evaluated using a completely randomised design with four treatments (sesame, corn, millet and sunflower) and four replicates per treatment, the silages were produced in experimental silos. In-situ degradability was evaluated using a completely randomised design with four treatments and three replicates (animals) per treatment. The results were statistically evaluated by analysis of variance and Tukey's test with a level of 5% of probability. Three rumen fistulated non-castrated Santa Inês rams were used. Sunflower and corn silages presented higher percentages of losses through gases (p = .0256). Millet silage presented higher losses by effluent (p < .0001). The dry matter recovery (p < .0001) ranged from 70.0 to 96.5% for sesame and corn silage, respectively. The dry matter content (p = .0002) in the silages ranged from 280.0 to 429.4 g kg
−1
. The sesame silage presented loss amounts and fermentation parameters similar to those found in corn and sunflower silage. Sesame silage showed moderate dry matter (DM), content, excellent crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) contents, and low lignin content. Corn silage presented higher concentration of the soluble fraction of DM (p < .0001). The sesame silage presented a high degradability rate of DM and it was similar to corn and millet which have great nutritional potential for ruminants feeding. Sesame has the potential to produce quality biomass and silage for animal feeding.
highlights
The sesame can be an option for silage making.
Sesame helps to ensure sustainability by promoting lower seasonal risks in this region through the usage of silage as feed for the animals.
Sesame also increases the productivity of livestock throughout the year, through the availability of feed for the herd mainly during the dry season of the year.
The correct use of forage as animal food is a less expensive way of improving animal performance and reducing the costs of animal products. Therefore, we hope the book Forage Groups allows its ...readers to acquire knowledge about cultivation, harvesting, and conservation of grass and legumes. This book presents data from many countries around the world and we hope it will be useful for all interested readers in improving their background in forage.
In silvopastoral systems (SPS) canopy height and the existence of shaded and non-shaded environments can provide changes in plant development. The objective in this study was to evaluate the effect ...of shading and canopy height on morphogenic, structural and biomass production characteristics of
Andropogon gayanus
in an SPS. It was adopted a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial scheme, with four replications, being two luminosity intensities (shaded and non-shaded within a SPS) and three canopy heights (45, 55 and 65 cm). The studied area was used for 21 years in SPS and grazed by goats. The luminosity in the
A. gayanus
canopy in shaded areas was reduced by 40% in comparison to the non-shaded area in the SPS. There was effect of the interaction between heights and environments on the dry forage biomass, with higher values in non-shaded areas and in higher canopy heights. The leaf/stem ratio, as well as the leaf percentage did not differ between the environment luminosities and canopy heights, whereas the number of tillers was lower in the shaded areas, also where final leaf length was higher. The shade from
Tabebuia
sp. in SPS does not compromise the growth of
A. gayanus
. In SPS
A. gayanus
should be managed at a canopy height of 65 cm in order to present higher yield and maintain its sustainability.
Sandy soils are characterized by their low fertility and low ability to supply nutrients to plants. However, the adoption of agronomic practices, such as the use of intercropping systems, can promote ...nutrient cycling and improve the production potential of sandy soils. A study was conducted to evaluate the nutrient accumulation and cycling of six maize cropping systems (maize alone and intercropped with cover crops), and to evaluate the nutrition and yield of cowpea crop in the no-till system (NT), grown in succession to maize intercropping systems. The treatments consisted of growing maize alone (monoculture), and five maize intercropping systems: maize + palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha); maize + sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea); maize + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan); maize + palisade grass + sunn hemp; and maize + p-alisade grass + pigeon pea. In the 2016/2017 growing season, dry matter (DM) production, macronutrient accumulation and exportation in maize grains were evaluated. In the 2017/2018 season, DM accumulation, leaf nutrient concentration and grain yield of cowpea crop were measured. Intercropping with cover crops influences maize grain yield, macronutrient contents, and straw dry matter accumulation. The grain yield of cowpea was higher than 600 kg ha
-1
, due to the benefits of cropping under the crop residues of maize intercropped with cover crops.
The use of hydrogels helpsthe production of plants in drought-stress environments. Thus, this work evaluated using different hydrogels to minimize drought stress in soybean cultivation. The ...treatments employed two different hydrogels, one already commercialized and the other produced with cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale), five levels (0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg pot
) of the hydrogels, and two levels of drought stress in sandy soil. The growth and yield of soybeans and the levels of macro- and micronutrients in soybeans were evaluated.growth. The use of CG hydrogel promoted 12% increase in protein content in the seeds in the when soybean plants were subjected to drought stress. The levels of 30 mg pot
, corresponding to 7.5 kg ha
, improved the 'morphological and productive parametersof the soybeans. The increasing levels of hydrogel promoted the increase in P, K, Ca, Mg, and Fe and reduced S and Cu on an exponential scale. The use of cashew gum hydrogel increased the K and Ca contents in soybean seeds compared to commercial hydrogel.
The growth characteristics and chemical composition of Nopalea cochenillifera under water stress were evaluated, comparing the use of hydrogel based on natural fiber of Orbignya phalerata, to the ...commercial hydrogel based on polyacrylamide and under different levels of the test hydrogel. Two trials were performed, adopting a completely randomized design with six replications. In the first trial, the treatments were three forms of soil hydration: no hydrogel - NH, commercial hydrogel - CH and test hydrogel - TH. While in the second trial, the treatments were levels of 0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 90 kg ha
−1
of TH. In the first trial, significant effect (p < .05) was observed on the number of cladodes, cladode area, plant height, cladode dry biomass (CDB), root dry biomass (RDB), dry matter content (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). In the second trial, significant effect (p < .05) was observed on the number of cladodes, cladode area, plant height, CDB and RDB, according to the increase in the level of TH in the initial growth of cactus pear. Regarding the chemical composition of the cactus pear grown with different levels of TH, an effect was found (p < .05) on dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. The use of hydrogel provides greater growth and better chemical composition of the cactus pear Nopalea cochenillifera, in its initial growth, with the hydrogel based on natural fiber of Orbignya phalerata being the best economically and environmentally option, upto a level of 30 kg ha
−1
.
In livestock management, the production of forage plants is undoubtedly the most efficient way to produce products of animal origin with quality and economic viability. We hope that the readers of ...the book "New Perspectives in Forage Crops" will have a good reading and appreciate the information provided on forage production, since the book draws on the expertise of different specialists of the area, who discuss the following aspects: fertilization, semiarid region production, forage species selection, nitrogen fixation, grasses, legumes, cacti, drought, etc. The authors of the book are of different nationalities and provide important information and diverse perspectives on the subject of forage farming.
Hydrogels are water-absorbing polymers that can hydrate forage plants in the soil. The objective was to evaluate the replacement of synthetic hydrogels derived from petroleum with biodegradable ...hydrogels in Mombaça grass pastures (Megathyrsus maximum). The experimental treatments consisted of no hydrogel (NH); synthetic commercial hydrogel (CH), made from a synthetic polyacrylamide product; and biodegradable test hydrogel (TH), obtained from cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale). The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks with five replications and three treatments. The morphogenesis, production, chemical, and mineral composition of the Mombaça grass pasture were assessed. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and mean comparison using the Scott–Knott test at 5% probability. The leaf elongation rate showed 42.3 mm day−1 in the treatment TH, which was higher (p < 0.05) than NH (35.0 mm day−1). The green leaf mass yield was higher in TH than in NH and CH. On the other hand, hydration had no effect on the chemical composition. The mineral composition of Mombaça grass showed more Zn when TH was used. It can be concluded that biodegradable hydrogels can replace synthetic commercial hydrogels in pastures.
The objective was to evaluate the characteristics of the pasture and the behavior of grazing goats under continuous stocking in a silvopastoral system (SPS) of Andropogon grass (
Andropogon gayanus
...Kunth cv. Planaltina) in comparison to its monoculture (MC). The treatments consisted of two cropping systems: monoculture of Andropogon grass and silvopastoral system—SPS of native trees mixed with Andropogon grass, evaluated in five grazing periods using goats (February, March, April, May and June). Pasture height, leaf/stem ratio and the dry mass of forage, leaf, stem and dead material were evaluated. The grazing behavior of the goats was also assessed. Significant effect of interaction was observed (
p <
0.05) on pasture height and on the dead material dry mass yield of the pasture among cropping systems and grazing periods. There was a significant effect of the different systems (
p <
0.05) on the yield of forage dry matter, leaf dry matter and leaf/stem ratio. The SPS presented superior grazing time (
p =
0.01), with an average of 389.0 min. Regarding rumination and moving times, there was no difference between cropping systems and grazing periods (
p >
0.05). The Andropogon grass has the potential to be used in SPS with grazing goats under continuous stocking, positively affecting the pasture and animal behavior.
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