• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.804-810
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• 2017

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium diacetate (SDA) on fermentation profile, chemical composition and aerobic stability of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage. Methods: Fresh alfalfa was ensiled with various concentrations of SDA (0, 3, 5, 7, and 9 g/kg of fresh forage). After 60 days of the ensiling, the samples were collected to examine the fermentative quality, chemical composition and aerobic stability. Results: The application of SDA significantly (p<0.05) decreased silage pH with the lowest value in silage with 7 g/kg of SDA. The proliferations of enterobacteria, yeasts, molds and clostridia were inhibited by SDA, resulted in lower ethanol, propionic and butyric acid concentrations and dry matter loss in SDA treated silages than control. The increasing SDA linearly decreased free amino acid N (p<0.001), ammonia N (p = 0.018) and non-protein N (p<0.001), while linearly increased water soluble carbohydrate (p<0.001) and peptide N (p<0.001). It is speculated that SDA accelerated the shift from homofermentative to heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria during the silage fermentation, indicated by lower lactic acid production in SDA-9 than SDA-7 silages after 60 days of ensiling. Alfalfa silages treated with SDA at 7 g/kg had highest Flieg's point and remained stable more than 9 d during aerobic exposure under humid and hot conditions in southern China. Conclusion: SDA may be used as an additive for alfalfa silages at a level of 7 g/kg.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1278-1284
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• 2017

Objective: To assess the potency of calcium propionate (CAP) used as silage additive, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the effect of CAP on the nitrogen transformation, fermentation quality and aerobic stability of alfalfa silages. Methods: Alfalfa was ensiled with four levels of CAP (5, 10, 15, and 20 g/kg of fresh weight [FW]) in laboratory silos for 30 days. After opening, the silages were analyzed for the chemical and microbiological characteristics, and subjected to an aerobic stability test. Results: The increasing proportion of CAP did not affect pH, lactic acid (LA) concentrations and yeast counts, while linearly decreased counts of enterobacteria (p = 0.029), molds (p<0.001) and clostridia (p<0.001), and concentrations of acetic acid (p<0.001), propionic acid (p<0.001), butyric acid (p<0.001), and ethanol (p = 0.007), and quadratically (p = 0.001) increased lactic acid bacteria counts. With increasing the proportion of CAP, the dry matter (DM) loss (p<0.001), free amino acid N (p<0.001), ammonia N (p = 0.004), and non-protein N (p<0.001) contents were linearly reduced, whereas DM (p = 0.048), water soluble carbohydrate (p<0.001) and peptide N (p<0.001) contents were linearly increased. The highest Flieg's point was found in CAP10 (75.9), represented the best fermentation quality. All silages treated with CAP improved aerobic stability as indicated by increased stable hours compared with control. Conclusion: The addition of CAP can suppress the undesirable microorganisms during ensiling and exposure to air, thereby improving the fermentation quality and aerobic stability as well as retarding the proteolysis of alfalfa silage. It is suggested that CAP used as an additive is recommended at a level of 10 g/kg FW.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1098-1106
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• 2004

In a split-unit design, 12 Javan rusa (Cervus timorensis russa) stags (6 castrated and 6 entire) were used to investigate seasonal (winter, spring and summer) effects on intake, digestibility of food constituents, volatile fatty acid profile, and nitrogen retention, when given lucerne (Medicago sativa) or rhodes grass (Chloris guyana) hays. Entire stags ate 9% more dry matter (DM) than castrates (p<0.05). Both castrated and entire stags exhibited seasonal changes in DM intake, these being higher (p<0.05) in winter (62.3 g/kg $W^{0.75}$) than spring (56.9 g/kg $W^{0.75}$) or summer (55.3 g/kg $W^{0.75}$). Intakes of lucerne hay (211 g protein/kg DM) were significantly higher than of rhodes grass hay (49 g protein/kg DM) in all seasons (p<0.05). Digestibilities of DM (0.58), neutral detergent fibre (0.59) and acid detergent fibre (0.47) were similar between castrates and entires. DM digestibility was higher (p<0.0001) for lucerne (0.66) than rhodes grass (0.55), and was higher (p<0.05) in winter (0.60) than spring (0.58) or summer (0.57). The ruminal acetate concentrations were higher (p<0.001) in spring than summer (78 and 73 molar % respectively). Apparent digestibility of protein was significantly less (p<0.0001) for rhodes grass (0.37) than lucerne (0.75). N retention was positive for lucerne (15.2 g/d) but negative for rhodes grass (-2.8 g/d) (p<0.0001), and was higher (p<0.001) in summer (12.0 g/d) than spring (4.3 g/d) or winter (2.4 g/d). The tropical rusa deer exhibits seasonal variations in feed intake, food constituent digestibilities, VFA profile and N retention. Castration did not alter these traits. The results do not support the view that rusa deer can thrive on low-quality pastures. The productivity and commercial exploitation of rusa deer could be optimised if they are given high-protein feed during spring and summer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.986-991
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• 2002

An experiment was conducted at Suwanvajokkasikit Research Station, Pakchong, Nakornratchasima, Thailand, to determine the yield and quality of three different grass cultivars intercropped with leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala). The treatments consisted of three grass cultivars (ruzi, dwarf napier and Taiwan A25) as the main plots, planted between leucaena at three row spacings (1, 2 and 4 m width) as the sub plots and leucaena cutting height (10 and 25 cm above ground levels) as sub-sub-plots. Dwarf napier consistently produced more dry matter than Taiwan A25 or ruzi and Taiwan A25 outyielded ruzi. Leucaena yield was highest in the ruzi plot and lowest in the dwarf napier plot. However, yields of grass plus leucaena were highest in the dwarf napier plot and were lowest in the ruzi plots. The difference was due mainly to the grass components. Increasing the spacing between rows of leucaena resulted in a lower leucaena yield but the reverse was true for the grasses. Cutting of leucaena at 10 cm above ground levels depressed yields of leucaena but did not affect the associated grasses. In terms of herbage quality, it was found that the crude protein of leaves and stems of the dwarf napier and Taiwan A25 were higher than that of the ruzi grass. Leucaena gave higher levels of crude protein than all grasses. The phosphorus and potassium levels of all grasses were higher than leucaena. ADF levels were higher in the grasses than in the legumes. Nutrient contents in the leaves and stems of grasses and leucaena were not affected by leucaena spacing and cutting height.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.812-815
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• 2005

This study was conducted to see the influence of additives and fermentation periods on Mott grass silage (MGS) characteristics, its chemical composition and to compare the digestion kinetics of Mott grass (MG) and MGS in Nili buffaloes. Mott grass chopped with a locally manufactured chopper was ensiled using two additives, cane molasses and crushed corn grains each at 2, 4 and 6% of forage DM for 30 and 40 days in laboratory silos. The pH, lactic acid concentration, dry matter (DM), crude protein and fiber fractions of MGS were not affected by the type or level of additive and fermentation periods. The non-significant pH lactic acid concentration, and chemical composition of MGS indicated that the both molasses and crushed corn were utilized at similar rate for the growth of lactic acid bacteria and production of organic acids. The MG ensiled with molasses at 2% of fodder DM for 30 days was screened out for in situ digestion kinetics in Nili buffaloes. Ruminal DM and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradabilities of MGS were significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of MG. The DM and NDF rate of degradation, lag time and extent of degradation was nonsignificant between MGS and MG. The higher ruminal degradation of DM and NDF of MGS than MG was probably a reflection of fermentation of MG during ensilation that improved its degradability by improving the availability of easily degradable structural polysaccharides to ruminal microbial population. The results in the present study have indicated that MG ensiled with either 2% molasses or 2% crushed corn for 30 days has better nutritive value for buffalo.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Teff grass is a warm season C4 annual grass that is used for dry hay, silage and haylage. We have developed a high-frequency plant regeneration system for teff grass via callus culture using mature seeds. It was revealed that mature seeds cultured on MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D, 0.5 g/L proline, 0.5 g/L casamino acid and 3 g/L Gelrite under light condition produced the highest percentage of callus formation (91.9%). Addition of cytokinins (BA) at 0.0~0.5 mg/L to media containing 2 mg/l 2,4-D enhanced callus growth. The most suitable medium for plant regeneration from dehydrated calli was MS agar medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/l NAA, 1 mg/l BA, 0.5 g/L proline, 0.5 g/L casamino acid 3 g/L Gelrite which induced the highest percentage of calli forming shoots (47.0%). The shoots were rooted at the highest rate (100%) when transferred onto 1/2 MS medium and acclimated in greenhouse conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 1990

This experiment was carried out to determine the effects of nitrogen(N) fertilizer levels (0, 120, 240 and 360kg $ha^{-1}Y^{-1}$ Y-') on seasonal grass growth, dry matter (DM) yield and botanical composition in pasture under shade condition. Investigation date was on 7 , 14, 21, 28 and 35 days after harvesting in spring (May), summer (July) and autumn (Sept.), 1988, respectively. Shade degree was controlled artificially ca. 45-50%, and each annual level of N was distributed 5 times equally. Grass growth and DM productivity were most vigorous in spring. Higher DM yield was produced with N 240 kg spring, and Nl2Okg in summer and autumn. Higher significant relationships, in spring, were found between grass height and DM, and N level and DM yield. However, low relationships were observed between those in summer and autumn. In botanical composition, grass coverage was decreased in summer and autumn, and bareland was increased, especially in higher N plots. Based on the results, it is suggested that 200kg $ha^{-1}$ of N in this experiment is more effective for forage production and pasture persistence. Also a littie more amount of N (50-70kg $time^{-1}$) in spring, and low level of N (20-30kg $time^{-1}$) in summer and autumn may be desirable.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.783-791
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• 2019

Objective: This study was to evaluate the fermentation dynamics, structural and nonstructural carbohydrate composition and in vitro gas production of rice straw ensiled with lactic acid bacteria and molasses. Methods: Fresh rice straw was ensiled in 1-L laboratory silos with no additive control (C), Lactobacillus plantarum (L), molasses (M) and molasses+Lactobacillus plantarum (ML) for 6, 15, 30, and 60 days. After storage, the silages were subjected to microbial and chemical analyses as well as the further in vitro fermentation trial. Results: All additives increased lactic acid concentration, and reduced pH, dry matter (DM) loss and structural carbohydrate content relative to the control (p<0.05). The highest organic acid and residual sugar contents and lignocellulose reduction were observed in ML silage. L silage had the highest V-score with 88.10 followed by ML silage. L and ML silage improved in vitro DM digestibility as compared with other treatments, while in vitro neutral detergent fibre degradability (IVNDFD) was increased in M and ML silage (p<0.05). M silage significantly (p<0.05) increased propionic acid (PA) content and decreased butyric acid content and acetic acid/PA as well as 72-h cumulative gas production. Conclusion: The application of ML was effective for improving both the fermentation quality and in vitro digestibility of rice straw silage. Inclusion with molasses to rice straw could reduce in vitro ruminal gas production.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1860-1870
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• 2022

Objective: The observation that temperate C₃ and tropical C₄ forage silages easily produce large amounts of ethanol or acetic acid has puzzled researchers for many years. Hence, this study aimed to assess the effects of epiphytic microbiota from C₃ forages (Italian ryegrass and oat) on fermentative products and bacterial community structure in C₄ forage (sorghum) silage. Methods: Through microbiota transplantation and γ-ray irradiation sterilization, the irradiated sorghum was treated: i) sterile distilled water (STSG); ii) epiphytic microbiota from sorghum (SGSG); iii) epiphytic microbiota from Italian ryegrass (SGIR); iv) epiphytic microbiota from oat (SGOT). Results: After 60 days, all the treated groups had high lactic acid (>63.0 g/kg dry matter [DM]) contents and low pH values (<3.70), acetic acid (<14.0 g/kg DM) and ammonia nitrogen (<80.0 g/kg total nitrogen) contents. Notably, SGIR (59.8 g/kg DM) and SGOT (77.6 g/kg DM) had significantly (p<0.05) higher ethanol concentrations than SGSG (14.2 g/kg DM) on day 60. After 60 days, Lactobacillus were predominant genus in three treated groups. Higher proportions of Chishuiella (12.9%) and Chryseobacterium (7.33%) were first found in silages. The ethanol contents had a positive correlation (p<0.05) with the abundances of Chishuiella, Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Sphingobacterium. Conclusion: The epiphytic bacteria on raw materials played important roles in influencing the silage fermentation products between temperate C₃ and tropical C₄ forages. The quantity and activity of hetero-fermentative Lactobacillus, Chishuiella, Acinetobacter, Stenotrophomonas, Chryseobacterium, and Sphingobacterium may be the key factors for the higher ethanol contents and DM loss in silages.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 1994

This experiment was canied out to determine the effects of 3cn1, 6cm, and lOcm of cutting height at harvest on the grass growth, dry matter(DM) yield, and weeds development in reed canarygrass(Phu1uris umndinacea L.) pasttire. The cultivars of reed canarygrass used in this study were Palaton. Veuture and Frontier(contro1). and the grass was harvested four times at soiling stage in 1992. The plant height at first harvest was 84, 96 and 94cm in Palaton, Venture and Frontier, respectively. The average regrowth height was same as 59cm in three cultivars. However, the regrowth height by cutting height was 61 -65cm in 6 and IOcm, and 51 -53cm in 3cm of low cutting height. Annual DM yield was not different in three cultivars of Palaton(l2.58lkg), Venture(l2,752kg), and Frontier (12,243kgIha). The yield at first harvmt wa5 significantly high in 3cm of height, however, the forage yields at second, third and fourth harvest were greatly high in 6cm of stubble height(P<0.05). Total yields by 3, 6 and lOcm of cutting height were 12.306. 14,094 and 11,342kg in Palaton, 12,794, 14,155 and 11,307kg in Venture, and 12,258, 12,940, and 11.535kglhg in Frontier, respectively. The highest yield was achieved in 6cm of stubble heigth(P<0.05). Daily DM production during grass regrowth was not affected by cultivars, and the best regrowth was observed by 6cm of cutting height. Development of weeds was high in 3cm of low stubble height, regradless of cultivars. The contents of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and hemicellulose were not affected by cultivar and cutting height. In conclusion, it is suggested that the 6cm of cutting height is the most effective for grass regrowth, forage production, and weed control in reed canarygrass pasture. regradless of cultivm of Palaton, Venture and Frontier.