The carrying out of uniform forage crops represents an important technological loop for all agricultural species. The uniformity of these crops is caused especially by seed germination capacity, ...respectively by plant emergence capacity, depending upon the climatic and technological conditions. With regards to the researches carried out in this direction, we present here the influence exerted by some biostimulators, used through extra-root application during plant vegetation period, upon seeds submitted to germination. Concerning the red clover seeds, we may notice an increase of the germination energy from 88.33% in the untreated control variant to 95.67% in the variants submitted to treatments with biostimulant substances.
For a term of two years was studied phytoextractive potential of Zn, Cd and Pb using successive culture of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). In the experimental plot was ...incorporated a quantity of 20 kg mine waste per square meter, providing in soil 1209 mg Zn/kg d.s., 4.70 mg Cd/kg d.s. and 188.2 mg Pb/kg d.s. The metals content accumulated in plants was determined at the two moments of biomass harvesting, and through balance calculations we could establish the phytoextraction efficiency of the two forage-grasses species. The obtained results indicate that both perennial forage-legumes species have a good phytoextractive capacity and tolerance for Zn and Pb, especially Trifolium pratense specie. By using this species as phytoextractors on soil polluted with 3.76 times more Pb and 4.03 times more Zn, is provided the reduction of metallic ion.
Lead (Pb) interferes with plant gene expression, alters metabolite contents and affects plant growth. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the plant response to Pb is not completely ...understood. In the present study, Trifolium pratense L. was exposed to Pb concentrations of 0 (Pb0), 500 (Pb500), 1000 (Pb1000), 2000 (Pb2000) and 3000 (Pb3000) mg/kg in soils. Pb stress affected the ability of T. pratense to accumulate and transport Pb, increased the activity of peroxidase (POD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline, decreased the amount of photosynthetic pigments and soluble proteins, and led to changes in growth and biomass. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed that Pb mainly affected eight pathways, and LHC, flavonoids, organic acids, amino acids and carbohydrates were upregulated or downregulated. Moreover, Pb500 induced the upregulation of serA, promoted the synthesis of citric acid, maintained photosynthetic pigment levels, and ultimately promoted an increase in stem length. Pb3000 induced the upregulation of ARF, GH3 and SAUR genes, but the saccharide contents and stem length decreased in response to Pb stress. We used a variety of methods to provide a molecular perspective on the mechanism underlying the response of T. pratense to Pb stress.
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•Pb dose-dependent promoted or inhibited plant stem length.•Pb dose-dependent stress caused the photosynthetic pigment content to decrease.•Pb interferes with plant hormone signal transduction and Starch and sucrose metabolic pathways.•Low Pb induced up-regulation of citric acid to increase stem length.
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•Reconstitution mechanism of epiphytic microbiota was studied on red clover silage.•Indigenous and exogenous epiphytic microbiota well-adapted on red clover silage.•Pediococcus from ...red clover microbiota accelerate the lactic acid fermentation.•Maize microbiota dominated by Lactobacillus in red clover terminal silage.•Sorghum microbiota exhibited a broad microbial diversity in red clover silage.
The study investigated the effects of transplantation and reconstitution of indigenous and exogenous epiphytic microbiota on the fermentation quality and microbial community of red clover silage. Sterile red clover was inoculated with distilled water (RC0), extracted epiphytic microbiota of red clover (RC), maize (MZ), and sorghum (SG). RC inoculation rapidly decreased pH at the onset of ensiling. The LA concentration and ratio of LA/AA were higher in RC silage during entire ensiling while MZ silage during late phase of ensiling. Pediococcus was dominant in RC early silage, while Lactobacillus was abundant in MZ final silage. The SG terminal silage had higher pH (>4.50) and dominated by Sphingomonas, Enterobacter, and Novosphingobium. RC and MZ microbiota were beneficial in enhancing fermentation quality and microbial community in red clover silage. Transplantation and reconstitution of epiphytic microbiota can be a successful method to assess the effective and eco-friendly additive for the targeted crop.
Abstract
Our objective was to assess the effects of insufficient (WET) or ample (CUR) curing on the phytoestrogen concentrations of red clover silage (29.4 and 45.3% DM) and hay (65.1 and 89.1, ...respectively). Measurements were taken at the start of storage (STRT), after 14 d (MicA), and once storage processes had stabilized for hay and silage (50 and 78 d, respectively; LATE). Hay was packed into mini-bales (~500 fresh g; ~232 kg DM/m3) and silage into mini-silos (19.5 L; ~214 kg DM/m3). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (5 blocks) with a 2 (curing extents) x 2 (storage methods) x 3 (storage phases) factorial. Differences were declared at P ≤ 0.05. The concentration of formononetin was greater in silage vs. hay at STRT (4,624 vs. 2,893 ± 175 mg/kg of DM, respectively), MicA (5,383 vs. 2,110), and LATE (5,666 vs. 2,569). Also, more formononetin was found in WET vs. CUR silage (5,841 vs. 4,608.1± 154 mg/kg of DM, respectively). However, no differences were observed between WET vs. CUR hay (x̅ = 2,524). At STRT, biochanin A was greater in silage vs. hay (3,105 vs. 2,012 ± 139 mg/kg of DM, respectively). A similar trend was observed at MicA (3,233 vs. 1,057), and LATE (3,295 vs. 1,228). In addition, more biochanin A was observed in WET vs. CUR silage (3,793 vs. 2,628.9 ± 127 mg/kg of DM, respectively). The opposite was observed in WET vs. CUR hay (1,219.5 vs. 1,644.9). The genistein concentration was greater in silage vs. hay at STRT (149 vs. 120 ± 8.36 mg/kg of DM, respectively), MicA (246 vs. 62.6), and LATE (264 vs. 72.9). Also, the concentration of genistein was greater in WET vs. CUR silage (236 vs. 202.3 ± 7.21 mg/kg of DM, respectively) but the opposite was observed in WET vs. CUR hay (72.8 vs. 97.3). In the case of daidzein, hay had a greater concentration of this phytoestrogen than silage (12.8 vs. 6.67 ± 0.43 mg/kg of DM, respectively). In conclusion, red clover silage maintains greater concentrations of formononetin, biochanin A, and genistein than hay during curing period and across the storage phase. Also, adequate curing is more beneficial for silage than hay in terms of decreasing the phytoestrogen concentrations.
•Lower fall soil mineral N with alfalfa, red- & crimson-clover than no cover crop.•Alfalfa≥red clover>>crimson clover positive impact on corn grain yield in 1 of 2 yr.•Plant available N ...(PAN=plant+soil mineral N) recommended to study N dynamics.•At corn harvest PAN was higher with alfalfa & red clover than no cover in 1 of 2 yr.•Higher PAN with spring-than fall-tillage of cover crops regardless of soil type.
The N contribution of a legume cover crop may reduce fertilizer N inputs to subsequent grain corn (Zea mays L.). However, the best cover crop management options to maximize N to subsequent crop, as well as alternatives to red clover are largely unknown. A field study was conducted at two locations on two contrasting soil types in 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 to assess N dynamics and grain corn yield in a cover crop-corn rotation. Treatments included 1) cover crop; red clover (Trifolium pretense L.), crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and no cover crop (no-cc); 2) cover crop seeding rate (3.36, 6.73, and 13.5kgha−1); and 3) cover crop termination timing (fall and spring). Plots were in a split-split plot arrangement. The following spring, no-cc plots were split into three with 0, 112 or 224kgNha−1 calcium ammonium nitrate applied (no-cc0N, no-cc112N, no-cc224N, respectively) to the corn crop but no fertilizer N was applied to plots with planted cover crops. Plant available N (PAN) was analyzed by measuring the sum of soil mineral N (SMN) in 0–60cm depth and plant aboveground N content. In October SMN was 10kgNha−1 lower with the legume cover crop treatments compared to no-cc, suggesting these cover crops may mitigate N losses over the winter. The following May in spring-terminated plots, PAN was 20kgNha−1 lower in no-cc compared to red clover and alfalfa. At corn harvest, spring terminated plots had 14kgNha−1 higher PAN as compared to fall terminated cover crops. At corn harvest, PAN and corn grain yield were significantly higher by 21kgNha−1 and 1.0Mgha−1, respectively, in the highest (13.5kgha−1) cover crop seeding rate compared to the lowest rate (3.35kgha−1). Red clover or alfalfa sown at 6.7kgha−1 with spring termination is recommended to maximize N availability to subsequent corn crop. These observed effects were related to aboveground cover crop growth of alfalfa≥red clover>>crimson clover but only alfalfa and red clover had a positive impact on corn yield in one of two years. Management practices that improve crimson clover establishment and growth, as well as, a cost analysis associated with legume cover cropping are needed.
From the researches make so far we know that the fertilizers could contribute at the crop production increase. From this point of view, in our research program we make also a fertilizers experience. ...So, for to estabilish the best fertilizer system we studied the influence of some organic, mineral and mixt organical-mineral fertilizers dose on red clover production in luvic-brown soil in Targoviste Plane.
The plants height is one of the most important red clover features which give us, in a large measure, the explanation about the crop production. Thus, a biggest height could mean a high number of ...ramifications and leaves, as well as, high crop production and feeding good quality.
The agro-ecologic technology proposed, of seed production in red clover, relies on the following technological elements: bacterial inoculation of red clover seeds, application of organic fertilizers ...or red clover associated cultivation (with a graminaceous plant). Under these conditions, we achieved an average seed yield of 234 kg/ha, 7.3% more than in the classic technology (application of chemical herbicides and fertilizers).
Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring nonsteroidal phenolic plant compounds that, due to their molecular structure and size, resemble vertebrate steroids estrogens. This review is focused on plant ...flavonoids isoflavones, which are ranked among the most estrogenic compounds. The main dietary sources of isoflavones for humans are soybean and soybean products, which contain mainly daidzein and genistein. When they are consumed, they exert estrogenic and/or antiestrogenic effects. Isoflavones are considered chemoprotective and can be used as an alternative therapy for a wide range of hormonal disorders, including several cancer types, namely breast cancer and prostate cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, or menopausal symptoms. On the other hand, isoflavones may also be considered endocrine disruptors with possible negative influences on the state of health in a certain part of the population or on the environment. This review deals with isoflavone classification, structure, and occurrence, with their metabolism, biological, and health effects in humans and animals, and with their utilization and potential risks.
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