• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2016

Purpose: Grain slurry diet are described as food obtained from ground grain paste. They serve as highly nutritious food for both adults and infants in Nigeria because of their immense nutritive and economical value. However, the production of these grain slurry diets is confronted with challenges that have hampered their commercialization. This study examines the trends and constraints of grain slurry food processing in Kaduna State. Methods: A survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire to elicit information from 192 selected processors, including both men and women. The survey was structured in line with the study objectives. The information was collated and synopsized into frequency distribution. Results: These findings revealed that 80% of the respondents processed between 1.0 tons and 13.0 tons of grain slurry per month. More than 90% of the processors processed grain slurry into koko, kunu, agidi, and pito. Accordingly, 80% of the interviewed processors indicated that sieving is one of the major constraints. Furthermore, inadequate modern machinery required to perform this operation makes it highly discouraging. One of the major challenges faced by the grain slurry producers in Nigeria is the lack of processing machinery for most operations (39.1%), followed by the tedious processing nature (27.1%), high labor cost (18.1%), and lack of market (9.4%). The traditional method of grain slurry processing was more popular than using modern equipment, except milling (96.5%), which is the only mechanized unit operation in grain slurry processing. Conclusion: Grain slurry processing and marketing were found to be profitable. However, these limitations could extremely reduce the level of grain slurry production, processing, and economic returns, thereby affecting the general wellbeing of the processors. The study also raised concerns about the safety and hygiene associated with traditionally processed grain slurry diets in the investigated areas.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.479-485
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• 2017

Objective: The effects of particle size of processed barley grain, enzyme addition and microwave treatment on in vitro dry matter (DM) disappearance (DMD), gas production and fermentation pH were investigated for feedlot cattle. Methods: Rumen fluid from four fistulated feedlot cattle fed a diet of 860 dry-rolled barley grain, 90 maize silage and 50 supplement g/kg DM was used as inoculum in 3 batch culture in vitro studies. In Experiment 1, dry-rolled barley and barley ground through a 1-, 2-, or 4-mm screen were used to obtain four substrates differing in particle size. In Experiment 2, cellulase enzyme (ENZ) from Acremonium cellulolyticus Y-94 was added to dry-rolled and ground barley (2-mm) at 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/g, while Experiment 3 examined the interactions between microwaving (0, 30, and 60 s microwaving) and ENZ addition (0, 1, and 2 mg/g) using dry-rolled barley and 2-mm ground barley. Results: In Experiment 1, decreasing particle size increased DMD and gas production, and decreased fermentation pH (p<0.01). The DMD (g/kg DM) of the dry-rolled barley after 24 h incubation was considerably lower (p<0.05) than that of the ground barley (119.1 dry-rolled barley versus 284.8 for 4-mm, 341.7 for 2-mm; and 358.6 for 1-mm). In Experiment 2, addition of ENZ to dry-rolled barley increased DMD (p<0.01) and tended to increase (p = 0.09) gas production and decreased (p<0.01) fermentation pH, but these variables were not affected by ENZ addition to ground barley. In Experiment 3, there were no interactions between microwaving and ENZ addition after microwaving for any of the variables. Microwaving had minimal effects (except decreased fermentation pH), but consistent with Experiment 2, ENZ addition increased (p<0.01) DMD and gas production, and decreased (p<0.05) fermentation pH of dry-rolled barley, but not ground barley. Conclusion: We conclude that cellulase enzymes can be used to increase the rumen disappearance of barley grain when it is coarsely processed as in the case of dry-rolled barley. However, microwaving of barley grain offered no further improvements in ruminal fermentation of barley grain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.354-354
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• 2017

Rice grain yield is determined by crop dry matter production that is sensitive to temperature. Our objective was to determine whether the difference in temperature between years had an impact on the relationship between yield components and grain yield. Field experiments were conducted under machine transplanting cultivation by using yield data of two japonica rice varieties, Odaebyeo (early maturing) and Nampyeong (mid-late maturing), in 2013 to 2016 in Suwon, Korea. Plant height, dry weight, and yield components were examined by analysis of variance, correlation. The milled rice yield of the two varieties were the highest in 2016, however the lowest yields were observed in the different years. In 2016, Odaebyeo produced $0.96t\;ha^{-1}$ greater milled rice yield than in 2015, and Nampyeong produced $1.11t\;ha^{-1}$ greater yield than in 2013. The correlation analysis indicated that spikelet per panicle (R = 0.53) was associated with grain yield of Odaebyeo. In Nampyeong, biomass at heading date (R = 0.74), 1000-grain weight (R = 0.71), spikelet per panicle (R = 0.58), and panicle number per $m^2$ were associated with grain yield. Sink size (spikelet number per $m^2$) of the two varieties responded to accumulative temperature from transplanting to panicle initiation stage. In this experiment, optimal accumulative temperature before panicle initiation has effect on increased spikelet number and/or number of panicle that were mainly responsible for yield difference. Rice production research to increase grain yield should consider all yield components, but increased emphasis on biomass production before heading is also necessary as well as grain ripening conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 1993

Methane production from grain dust was studied using a 3 L laboratory-scale anaerobic plug flow digester. The digester was operated at; temperature of 35, 45, and 55$^{\circ}C$; hydraulic retention time(HRT) of 6 and 12 days; and influent concentration($S_o$) of 7.8 and 9.0 % total solids(%TS). With ten different operation conditions, this study showed the significant effects of temperature, hydraulic retention time, and influent concentration on methane production. The highest methane-production rate achieved was 1.903 (L methane) /(L digester)(day) at 55$^{\circ}C$, 6 days HRT, and $S_0$ of 7.8 %TS. A total of 3.767 L of biogas per day with a methane content of 50.57 % was obtained from this condition. The ultimate methane yield($B_0$) was found to be a function of temperature and influent concentration, and was described as : $B_0$ = 0.02907T-0.1263-0.00297(T-10)(%TS), where TS is the total solids in the liquid effluent, and T is temperature($^{\circ}C$). Our results showed that thermophilic condition is better than mesophilic for grain dust stabilization in an anaerobic plug flow digester.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2013

The use of agricultural by-products as alternative nutrient sources in crop production had gained popularity in order to reducing the rate of chemical fertilizer application in the field. This study was conducted to determine whether the application of rice milling by-products treated with yeast inoculants could substitute, or reduce the rate of chemical fertilizer application. The results of agronomic measurements showed that the effect of incorporated materials was not immediate, as compared to 100% chemical fertilizer application. However, grain yield and quality was either the same or greater than 100% chemical fertilizer application. It was found out that expanded rice hull (treated with yeast or not) could reduce the rate of applying chemical fertilizers by half. Also, yeast treatment was only favorable only to expanded rice hull and not with rice bran, and was already found to be a potential material in reducing chemical fertilizer application in rice production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.1151-1157
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• 2003

The surfactant Tween 80 was evaluated for its ability to influence cumulative gas production, cellulose digestion, and enzyme activities by mixed ruminal microorganisms grown on barley grain or Orchardgrass hay. The addition of Tween 80 at a level of 0.10% significantly (p<0.05) decreased the cumulative gas production rate from both barley grain or Orchardgrass hay substrates. However, 0.05% Tween 80 did not affect gas production rates compared to the control treatment. The addition of 0.05% Tween 80 to cultures growing on barley grain resulted in a significant increase in cellulase (90.01%), xylanase (90.73%) and amylase (487.25%) activities after 30 h incubation. Cultures utilizing Orchardgrass hay had a significant increase in cellulase (124.43%), xylanase (108.86%) and amylase (271.22%) activities after 72 h incubation. These increases in activities were also observed with cultures supplemented with 0.10% Tween 80 throughout all the incubation times tested. These results indicated that the addition of 0.05% Tween 80 could greatly stimulate the release of some of key enzymes without decreasing cell growth rate in contrast to trends reported with aerobic microorganism. Our data indicates potential uses of the surfactant Tween 80 as a feed additive for ruminant animals.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.126-136
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• 1995

The studies had been conducted to evaluate the grain processing effects for ruminants on starch digestion, body weight gain and feed efficiency since 1970. This research deals with experimental results on chemical structure, gelatinization, microbial starch digestion in rumen, intestinal starch digestion in rumen, roles of protozoa, intestinal starch digestion of bypass starch, limits to starch digestion in small intestine. The grain processing has different effects on digestion, weight gain and feed efficiency when different grain sources and contents is used, and the quality and quantity of roughage is different. The economical and efficient method of grain processing should be selected considering weight gain and feed efficiency enhancement than digestibility.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.240-254
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• 2017

Cereal grains are the most important food source for humans. As the global population continues to grow exponentially, the need for the enhanced yield and minimal loss of agricultural crops, mainly cereal grains, is increasing. In general, harvested grains are stored for specific time periods to guarantee their continuous supply throughout the year. During storage, economic losses due to reduction in quality and quantity of grains can become very significant. Grain loss is usually the result of its deterioration due to fungal contamination that can occur from preharvest to postharvest stages. The deleterious fungi can be classified based on predominance at different stages of crop growth and harvest that are affected by environmental factors such as water activity ($a_w$) and eco-physiological requirements. These fungi include species such as those belonging to the genera Aspergillus and Penicillium that can produce mycotoxins harmful to animals and humans. The grain type and condition, environment, and biological factors can also influence the occurrence and predominance of mycotoxigenic fungi in stored grains. The main environmental factors influencing grain fungi and mycotoxins are temperature and $a_w$. This review discusses the effects of temperature and $a_w$ on fungal growth and mycotoxin production in stored grains. The focus is on the occurrence and optimum and minimum growth requirements for grain fungi and mycotoxin production. The environmental influence on aflatoxin production and hypothesized mechanisms of its molecular suppression in response to environmental changes are also discussed. In addition, the use of controlled or modified atmosphere as an environmentally safe alternative to harmful agricultural chemicals is discussed and recommended future research issues are highlighted.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.281-290
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• 2015

Recent climate change has led to fluctuations in agricultural production, and as a result national food supply has become an important strategic factor in economic policy. As such, in this study, panel data was collected to analyze the effects of seven meteorological elements on the production of five types of grain with error component panel data regression method following the test results of LM tests, Hausman test. The key factors affecting the production of rice were average temperature, average relative humidity and average ground surface temperature. The fluctuations in the other four grains types are not well explained by meterological elements. For other grains and beans, only average temperature and time (year) affect the production of other grains while average temperature, ground surface temperature, and time (year) influence the production of beans. For barley and millet, only average temperature positively affects the production of barley while ground surface temperature and time (year) negatively influence the production of millet. The implications of this study are as follow. First, it was confirmed that the meteorological elements have profound effects on the rice production. Second, when compared to existing studies, this study was not limited to rice but encompassed all five types of grains and went beyond other studies that were limited to temperature and rainfall to include various meteorological elements.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.32-32
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• 2017

To increase rice production, manipulating plant architecture, especially developing new high-yielding cultivars with erect leaves, is crucial in rice breeding programs. Leaf inclination angle determines the light extinction coefficient (k) of the canopy. Erect leaves increase light penetration into the canopy and enable dense plantings with a high leaf area index, thus increasing biomass production and grain yield. Because of erect leaves, the high-yielding indica rice cultivar 'Takanari' has smaller k during ripening than 'Koshihikari', a japonica cultivar with good eating quality. In our previous study, using chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from a cross between 'Takanari' and 'Koshihikari', we detected seven quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for leaf inclination angle on chromosomes 1 (two QTLs), 2, 3, 4, 7, and 12. In this study, we developed a near-isogenic line (NIL-3) carrying a 'Takanari' allele for increased leaf inclination angle on chromosome 3 in the 'Koshihikari' genetic background. We compared k, dry matter production, and grain yield of NIL-3 with those of 'Koshihikari' in the field from 2013 to 2016. NIL-3 had higher inclination angles of the flag, second, and third leaves at full heading and 3 (- 4) weeks after full heading and smaller k of the canopy at the ripening stage. Biomass at full heading and leaf area index at full heading and at harvest did not significantly differ between NIL-3 and 'Koshihikari'. However, biomass at harvest was significantly greater in NIL-3 than in 'Koshihikari' due to a higher net assimilation rate at the ripening stage. The photosynthetic rates of the flag and third leaves did not differ between NIL-3 and Koshihikari at ripening. Grain yield was higher in NIL-3 than 'Koshihikari'. Higher panicle number per square meter in NIL-3 contributed to the higher grain yield of NIL-3. We conclude that the QTL on chromosome 3 increases dry matter and grain production in rice by increasing leaf inclination angle.