• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 1999

Rapid accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their toxic reaction products with lipids and proteins significantly contributes to the damage of crop plants under biotic and abiotic stresses. We have identified several stress activated alfalfa genes, including the gene of the alfalfa ferritin and a novel NADPH-dependent aldose/aldehyde reductase enzyme. Transgenic tobacco plants that synthesize alfalfa ferritin in vegetative tissues-either in its processed form in chloroplast or in the cytoplasmic non-processed form-retained photosynthetic function upon free radical toxicity generated by paraquat treatment and exhibited tolerance to necrotic damage caused by viral and fungal infections. We propose that by sequestering intracellular iron involved in generation of the very reactive hydroxyl radicals through a Fenton reaction, ferritin protects plant cells from oxidative damage. Our preliminary results with the other stress-inducable alfalfa gene (a NADPH-dependent aldo-keto reductase) indicate, that the encoded enzyme may play role in the stress response of the plant cells. These studies reveal new pathways in plants that can contribute to the increased stress resistance with a potential use in crop improvement.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.117-128
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the amounts of voluntary intake, digestibility and nitrogen retention in Korean native goats (KNG) fed agricultural by-products containing rice straw (RS) and apple pomace (AP) and to obtain a basic information for establishing the feeding system of KNG. The result are as follows. 1. Among the chemical composition of experimental diets, the highest values in crude protein (CP ; 18.6%) and crude ash contents (10.7%) were observed in alfalfa hay. Those of RS+AP treatment were significantly low 6.0 and 4.8%, respecitively. Acid detergent fiber (ADF), ether extract and non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) contents were shown an adverse tendency. 2. Dry matter (DM) intakes per day in KNG fed RS+commercial diet (CD), RS+AP and RS+AP+CD were significantly lower (P<0.05) 210.3, 228.3, respectively than 358.1g in alfalfa hay. 3. DM intakes per basal weight expressed as DM g/kg of BW0.75 and DM g/kg of BW(%) were highest (P<0.05) 60.5g and 3.3%, respectively in KNG fed alfalfa hay, any other treatments showed 35.6 to 42.5g and 2.0 to 2.3%, respectively and this result was similar to those of DM intake per day. 4. Digestibilities of DM, organic matter, CP, ADF, neutral detergent fiber (NDF). crude ash and ether extract in alfalfa hay and RS+AP+CD treatment were significantly higher (P<0.05) than RS+CD treatment. Those of CP, ADF and NDF of RS+AP treatment in not significantly different with these treatments. 5. NSC digestibility was higher in alfalfa hay (66.7%) than those of other treatments (44.2~52.0% ; P<0.05). 6. Nitrogen retentions expressed as N retention(g) and N retention (%) in KNG were highest (P<0.05) 0.6g and 15.6%, respectively in RS+AP+CD treatment and RS+CD treatment was lowest (P<0.05) -06g and -21.4%, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1524-1528
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• 2004

In order to determine the extent of change in nitrogen fractions and in vitro ruminal degradability of forage protein during ensilage and the influence on nitrogen utilization by sheep, orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were ensiled in separate 120 L silos for 5, 21 and 56 days. With respect to nitrogen fractions, fraction 1 (buffer solution soluble nitrogen), fraction 2 (buffer solution insoluble nitrogen-neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen), fraction 3 (neutral detergent insoluble nitrogen-acid detergent insoluble nitrogen), and fraction 4 (acid detergent insoluble nitrogen) were determined. Fractions 1 and 2 accounted for more than 80% of total nitrogen in orchardgrass and 90% of that in alfalfa. The proportion of fraction 1 in orchardgrass increased from 33.0% at day 0 to 52.0% after day 56 of ensiling. In the case of alfalfa silage it was 41.7% and 62.9%, respectively. Seventy percent of this increase occurred within the first 5 days of ensiling. A similar change of in vitro ruminal degradability of total nitrogen was also observed in both forages. Nitrogen retention in sheep tended to decrease as the length of ensiling increased, with a significantly positive correlation between urinary nitrogen and fraction 1, and in vitro ruminal degradability of total nitrogen.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.264-268
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• 2015

The present research investigated copper and cadmium stress-induced differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using annealing control primers (ACP) with the differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Vernal) leaves. Alfalfa leaves were subjected to $250{\mu}M$ of copper and cadmium treatment for a period of 6 h. A total of 120 ACPs was used. During copper and cadmium treatment, 6 DEGs were found to be up or down regulated. During copper stress treatment, 1 DEG was up-regulated, and 3 novel genes were discovered. Similarly, during cadmium stress treatment, 1 DEG was up-regulated and 5 novel genes were identified. Among all 6 DEGs, DEG-4 was identified as the gene for trans-2,3-enoyl-CoA reductase, DEG-5 was identified as the gene for senescence-associated protein DIN1 and DEG-6 was identified for caffeic acid O-methyltransferase. All the up-regulated genes may play a role in copper and cadmium stress tolerance in alfalfa.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1252-1258
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• 2018

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the effects of cumin essential oil on the silage fermentation, aerobic stability and in vitro digestibility of alfalfa silages. Methods: Alfalfa was harvested at early bloom (5th cutting) stage in October and wilted for about 3 hours. The research was carried out at three groups which were the control group where no additive control was done (CON), cumin essential oil (CMN3) with 300 mg/kg and CMN5 with 500 mg/kg cumin essential oil addition. Alfalfa was ensiled in plastic bags. The packages were stored at $8^{\circ}C{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ under laboratory conditions. All groups were sampled for physical, chemical and microbiological analysis 120th day after ensiling. At the end of the ensiling period, all silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test for 7 days. In addition, enzimatic solubility of organic matter (ESOM), metabolizable energy (ME), and relative feed value (RFV) of these silages were determined. Results: pH level decreased in the cumin groups compared to CON (p<0.05), thus inhibiting proteolytic enzymes from breaking down proteins into ammonia. In addition, it increased ESOM amount, and concordantly provided an increase of ME contents. Similarly, dry matter intake and RFV ratio increased. After opening the silage, it kept its aerobic stability for three days. Conclusion: Cumin essential oil improved fermentation, and affected chemical and microbiological characteristics of silages. Especially the addition of 300 mg/kg cumin provided cell wall fractionation through stimulating the activities of enzymes responsible. It also increased the number and activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) through providing a development of LAB.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of various roughage sources on nutrient digestibility and enteric methane ($CH_4$), and carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) production in goats. Four castrated black goats ($48.5{\pm}0.6kg$) were individually housed in environmentally controlled respiration-metabolism chambers. The experiment design was a $4{\times}4$ balanced Latin square design with 4 roughage types and 4 periods. Alfalfa, tall fescue, rice straw, and corn silage was used as representative of legume, grass, straw, and silage, respectively. Dry matter digestibility was higher (p < 0.001) in corn silage than in alfalfa hay. Dry matter digestibility of alfalfa hay was higher than those of tall fescue or rice straw (p < 0.001). Neutral detergent fiber digestibility of tall fescue was lower (p < 0.001) than those of alfalfa, rice straw, or corn silage. Daily enteric $CH_4$ production and the daily enteric $CH_4$ production per kilogram of $BW^{0.75}$, dry matter intake (DMI), organic matter intake (OMI), digested DMI, and digested OMI of rice straw did not differ from those of tall fescue but were higher (p < 0.001) than those of alfalfa or corn silage. Roughage type had no effect on enteric $CO_2$ emission in goats. Straw appeared to generate more enteric $CH_4$ production than legume or silage, but similar to grass.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.248-253
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• 2017

Humic acid (HA) is known to consist of various kinds of polymeric organics, their detailed structures can vary depend on sample sources such as organic manure, composts, peat, and lignite brown coal, and largely exists in grassland soils. HA possesses diverse positive effects that not only increase plant growth but also improve soil fertility. Recently, we have manufactured a co-polymeric product of catechol and vanillic acid (CAVA) synthesized artificially, and found that CAVA as a HA mimic increases seed germination and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis. In this study, we examined whether HA or CAVA affects to seedling growth in alfalfa. Foliar application of HA or CAVA increased alfalfa seedling growth including aerial and in root parts. HA or CAVA dramatically enhanced size of leaf and root, whereas HA significantly displayed higher bioactivity than CAVA. Taken together, CAVA acts like as a HA mimic in alfalfa that could apply as an alternation supplement to enhance plant growth and productivity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2022

Alfalfa is one of the most useful forage crops worldwide, containing a high level of amino acids that are essential to both human and animal health. However, amino acids and their concentrations may differ between plant parts. Hence, detecting amino acids in different plant parts would be useful in the development of diet supplements. The purpose of this study was to determine the amino acid content in alfalfa leaves, stems, and inflorescences using an amino acid analyzer. Asparagine and glutamic acid were the most abundant amino acids found in stems, leaves, and inflorescences than other amino acids. All parts of alfalfa had low concentrations of cysteine and methionine. All amino acids except asparagine were present in the highest concentration in leaves followed by inflorescences. Leaf had a rich amino acid content, namely asparagine, glutamic acid, leucine, proline, and lysine. However, the stem had a lower amino acid composition than the leaf or inflorescence. Overall, the data showed determining the amino acid content of forages provides a good approach to making animal feed with essential and specific amino acids and preventing excessive inclusion of amino acids.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.156-161
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• 2023

This study was conducted to determine the appropriate seeding dates by verifying the difference in winter survival and productivity of alfalfa according to fall sowing dates in the central area of South Korea. The experiment was conducted for 2 years (2020 and 2021) at the field in the Department of Animal Resources Development, NIAS located in Cheonan. Sowing dates started from September 18 to November 8 with 10 days of intervals during 2020 and 2021; SO1 (September 18), SO2 (September 28), SO3 (October 8), SO4 (October 18), SO5 (October 28), and SO6 (November 8). After sowing, the winter survival rate was measured in the spring of the following year, and the dry matter yield was measured by harvesting at 10% flowering and harvesting five times a year. SO6 failed to winter survival, and SO5 also had a lower winter survival rate than SO1~4 (p<0.05). The average annual dry matter yield of alfalfa linearly decreased with delaying sowing dates (p<0.05). The feed value did not differ in the same year by delaying the sowing date in the same year. These results suggest that sowing date should be started before October 18 to increase winter survival and productivity of alfalfa in the central area of South Korea.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.218-227
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• 2024

Objective: The aim of this research was to explore the effects of dietary substitution of alfalfa hay by amaranth hay on production performance, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical parameters and antioxidant ability in dairy cows. Methods: A total of 45 healthy Holstein cows with same parity and similar milk yield and body weight were randomly divided into 3 groups: control diet without amaranth hay (CON) or 50% and 100% alfalfa hay replaced by an equal amount of amaranth hay (dry matter basis, AH1 and AH2, respectively). All the cows were fed regularly 3 times a day at 06:30, 14:30, and 22:30 and had free access to water. The experiment lasted for 60 d. Results: The dry matter intake of CON and AH1 groups was higher (p<0.05) than that of AH2 group. Compared with AH1 group, the milk yield of AH2 group was reduced (p<0.05). Moreover, dietary substitution of alfalfa hay by amaranth hay increased (p<0.05) milk fat, ammonia nitrogen and acetate concentrations. However, the crude protein digestibility of AH2 group was lower (p<0.05) than that of CON group, while an opposite tendency of serum urea nitrogen was found between two groups. The neutral detergent fiber digestibility of AH1 group was increased (p<0.05) when compared to AH2 group. Amaranth hay treatment increased (p<0.05) the serum concentration of glutathione peroxidase in dairy cows. Compared with CON group, the malonaldehyde activity of AH1 group was decreased (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dietary replacing alfalfa hay with amaranth hay (50% ratio) in dairy cows did not affect production performance but improved their antioxidant ability.