Acta fytotechnica et zootechnica :: ISSN 1336-9245

Forage yield and quality of vetch-triticale and pea-triticale mixtures under Moroccan conditions

2022-05-31T09:43:51+02:00

In order to investigate forage yield and quality of vetch-triticale and pea-triticale intercrops, two years study was carried out at two locations under rainfed Moroccan conditions, considering three seeding ratios (25:75, 50:50 and 75:25). Results showed that intercrops yielded 46 and 52% higher than vetch and pea monocrops, while they produced 16 and 24% lower than sole triticale. Vetch-triticale intercrops out-yielded pea-triticale mixture by 11% in both locations. Within legume-triticale intercrops, forage yield increase when vetch and pea represented 25 and 50% of seeding ratios; and decreased when the legume ratio increased to 75%. The relative yield of individual species and mixtures increased when legume ratio increased at sowing. Vetch-triticale intercrops had conflictual relationships at SEA, while pea-triticale intercrops at 50 and 75% of legume ratios, developed beneficial relations at both locations. Furthermore, intercrops affected positively forage quality at higher legumes ratios. Protein yield from vetch-triticale mixtures was significantly higher than that of pea-triticale intercrops. It was increased by 43 and 12% respectively compared to sole triticale. NDF ADF and ADL decreased when legumes proportions increased in the harvested forage. Similar trend was noticed for digestibility, dry matter intake (DMI), total digestible nutrients (TDN) and relative feed value (RFV). All of these quality parameters were improved when legume ratios were beyond 25%.

Monitoring the development of silage maturity of various maize hybrids in a foothill area – dry matter content with NIRS method support

2022-05-05T10:19:50+02:00

The aim of this work was to identify and quantify the relationships between the classification of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids into FAO groups and the dry matter content in the dynamics of vegetation development in a foothill area. The work summarises the results of 9 experiments (140 hybrids, 20 FAO groups). Determining dry matter content was made by a combination of gravimetric determination and NIRS method. Dynamics of the development of dry matter content were evaluated at the level of vegetation days and calendar days. The assessment at the level of the calendar day has sufficient informative value and is more suitable for practical use. Climatic factors were expressed by the index of the relative condition of field crops (RKPP) and we monitored their influence on the dynamics of the development of dry matter content. We found statistically significant differences in the RKPP index between the harvest seasons in each area and at one of the three monitored localities. ± 1 unit of RKPP means a shift of ± 2.66 days of silage maturity. We defined the silage maturity in terms of reaching a dry matter content of 30%. In individual experiments, it was reached on average on the 273^rd day, but in a wide range of 40 days. This range was 44 days at the level of individual hybrids and the level of FAO groups. The FAO230 group (the most numerous) range of silage maturity reached 28 days. We have compiled a proposal for a model for the evaluation of silage maize hybrids based on silage maturity. The results show that the use of FAO maturity groups does not provide a suitable basis for estimating silage maturity.

The effect of protein nutrition on production, metabolic transformation of nitrogen and ecological load in dairy farming

2022-10-21T09:49:07+02:00

The aim of the study is to evaluate the relation of protein nutrition to transformation of nitrogen (N) from feed to milk and its urinary excretion in dairy cows under the farm conditions. In breeding conditions of dairy farms in the groups of dairy cows in the 1^stphase of lactation, with low content of CP (139±11.8 g/kg), optimum (161.8±6.3 g/kg) and high content of CP (179.7±8.5 g/kg) in dry matter of total mix ration (TMR), was confirmed the effect of increased the level of ammonia (NH₃) in the rumen (17.4±1.7; 19.6±2.3; 22.8±3.4 mg/100 ml). The same tendency with higher statistical significance (P<0.001) was confirmed to the increased concentration of urea in the blood (22.8±3.7; 27.8±4.8; 35.1±6.6 mg/dl) and to the concentration of urea in the milk (18.2±2.6; 24.8±3.9; 33.3±6.7mg/dl). In the groups with increasing content of CP in the TMR, the ecological load of the environment increases, that was confirmed by a significant increase (P<0.001) of excreted N in the urine (139.4±19.8; 189.5±30.4; 254.7± 51.3 g N/day) and an increase (P<0.001) in the emission of ammonia into the environment (68.1 ± 6.1; 83.7 ± 9.4; 103.8 ± 15.9 g/day). The highest efficiency of N utilization at the level of 31.1 ± 1.4 % was confirmed at a CP content of 150-170 g/kg dry matter of TMR. The evaluation of direct regression dependence between the analysed CP content in TMR and analysed parameters of N transformation in individual farms was confirmed a significant relationship in CP and NH₃ content (r = 0.641), CP and urea in the blood (r = 0.689) resp. CP and excretion of N in urine (r = 0.600). Direct relation was confirmed by the analysed NH₃ content in the rumen and the urea content in the blood (r = 0.795), and urea in the milk (r = 0.786), as well as the urea content in the blood in relation to the urea in the milk (r = 0.767). The obtained results confirm the suitability of the use of the monitored markers to assess the level of protein nutrition and the environmental load at the farm.

Slaughter parameters of broiler chickens at different levels and ratios of arginine and lysine in the compound feed

2022-10-21T09:48:35+02:00

The article presents the results of the research on the effect of different levels and ratios of arginine and lysine in the compound feed of broiler chickens on their meat productivity. We conducted the research by the group method, on 600 heads of Cobb-500 crossbred broiler chickens, divided into six research groups according to the principle of analogs. During the experiment, chickens consumed the compound feed that differed only in the content and ratio between essential amino acids: arginine and lysine. We established the efficiency of increasing the arginine-lysine ratio in the compound feed of broiler chickens to 1.10 at the age of 1–10 days; 1.06 at the age of 11–22 days and 1.07 at the age of 23–42 days. That contributed to an increase in the pre-slaughter live weight by 0.68–0.88 % (р˂0.05), the carcass weight before evisceration – by 0.97–1.27 % (р˂0.05), the semi-eviscerated and eviscerated carcass weight – by 0.39–2.24 %, the breast muscle weight – by 8.95–11.47 % (p˂0.01), and the leg muscle weight – by 1.67–9.47 % (p˂0.05). The yield of the breast muscles increased by 1.64–2.18 % (р˂0.01), of the leg muscles – by 0.17–1.47 % (р˂0.05); the meatiness of the carcass, breast and legs increased, respectively, by 3.45 % (р˂0.05); 1.80 (р˂0.05) and 1.64 %; the yield of edible parts increased by 1.46–3.96 % (р˂0.05). Narrowing the arginine-lysine ratio, accordingly to 1.02; 0.97 and 0.98, led to a decrease in the yield of breast and leg muscles by 1.91 and 1.07 %, respectively (р˂0.05); the yield of internal fat increased by 0.40–1.10 % (р˂0.05); carcass meatiness decreased by 1.08–3.23 % (р˂0.01), breast meatiness – by 0.66–2.15 % (р˂0.05), leg meatiness – by 0.43–1.10 % (р˂0.01); the yield of edible parts decreased by 0.11 – 0.33 %.

Optimization, characterization and biological effect of Algerian propolis

2022-10-10T12:56:56+02:00

Natural products was the source of many important biological activities against human and animal pathogens. Propolis was one of these substances, produced by bees from resins and wax. In this study, D-optimal experimental design used to optimize operational condition of propolis extraction, and then phenolic compounds of propolis extracted from seven regions of Bejaia was identified and quantified by HPLC analysis. Also, their biological activities was evaluated, including antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects, and sperm cells cryopreservation effect. The highest antibacterial activitywas obtained in propolis extract from the Baccaro region against B. cereus and strong effect against S. areus, C. albicans, and E. Coliwas reached using propolis extracted from Melbou region. High inhibition percentage denaturation of the BSA protein was observed using propolis extracted from Melbou. Also, the best antioxidant and sperm cells cryopreservation preservation was obtained using propolis extracted from Melbou. This work demonstrates that Melbou propolis extract obtained by the agitation method (MEA) showed the best and strongest biological effects, indicating an interesting and promising approach for development of new therapeutics formulations based on propolis extract from bejaia region.

The dispersion of Araneae in ecological and conventional farming conditions

2022-07-12T13:09:46+02:00

Agricultural land is a more important resource biodiversity and changes in their dispersion and structures reflected the quality of habitats. A suitable bioindicator pointing to such changes is the taxon Araneae. The aim of our research was to point out the dispersion of Araneae individuals in the ecological and conventional farming conditions and also the influence of pH, potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen on their abundance. During the years 2018 to 2021, we caught 2,862 individual Araneae in ecological farming (Pisum sativum, Grass mixture, Triticum spelta and T. aestivum) and conventional farming conditions (Brassica napus, Hordeum vulgare and Zea mays) using the pitfall trap method. The dispersion of Araneae individuals was the highest around crops in ecological farming. We confirmed a declining number of individuals with decreasing values of potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen in conventional and also ecological farming. However, the difference was within the limits of optima phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, which were lower in ecological farming compared to integrated farming. On the basis our results, both types of farming can be evaluated as homeostatically, which affects the dispersion and abundance of Araneae. Providing them with topical and trophic conditions, which is important for the production of biomass and also affects the crop.

Total mercury content in soils and lake sediments of Vilkitsky Island (Kara Sea)

2022-05-10T13:51:14+02:00

Mercury threatens Arctic ecosystems due to its well known deleterious effects. The development of energy resources in the Russian Arctic is currently being planned, which will inevitably be accompanied by emissions of heavy metals into the environment, but little is known about the distribution of mercury in soils of the permafrost regions. Total mercury (THg) concentrations were investigated in soils and lake sediments of Vilkitsky Island located in remote area of the Arctic. The concentration of mercury in soils varied from 1 to 36,6 ng g⁻¹, in lake sediments – from 2.0 to 5.8 ng g⁻¹. In sandy soils of the iseland the concentration of THg was minimal and was usually not higher than10 ng g⁻¹, whereas in loamy soils it was 3.5 times higher. Correlation analysis has shown that THg concentration depended primarily on particle size distribution, in a lesser degree – on total carbon and total nitrogen concentrations. The soils of Viltisky Island have one of the lowest mercury concentration in comparison to soils of other Arctic territories, because of the predominance of sandy marine sediments and low soil organic matter content. Under influence of human activities, THg content has increased three-fold on average. The highest concentrations were observed in soils of an abandoned polar station. Calculation of CF and Igeo coefficients demonstrated the high level of mercury pollution on local sites. The maximum content of mercury (25.7-36.7 ng g^-1) was observed in coastal sediments. It is assumed that the increased mercury content is a consequence of translocation. Thus, the coastal areas of the Arctic islands are at the greatest danger of pollution.

Pests of selected bioenergy crops

2022-09-02T11:10:05+02:00

The question of energy independence is crucial for many countries in the developed world these days. In addition to solar and wind energy, agriculture and plant production are sources of renewable energy. Crops can be grown for the production of biomass for direct combustion, biofuels, and bio-ethanol. In addition to these benefits, lignocellulosic plants have a huge potential for wide application in industry, construction, paper, automotive, and pharmaceutical industries. However, the yield of products from energy crops depends on many environmental factors, and one of them is their pests. In this article, we reviewed selected energy crops (Amaranthus spp., Cannabis sativa (L.), Panicum Virgatum L. and Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) and their most important pests. Summarizing the literature we discovered that the most prevalent pests are different types of insects as well as viral and fungal pathogens.

Effect of AC/DC electrical fields on ZnO nanoparticles kinetics

2022-06-24T09:40:24+02:00

Long-term electrokinetic processes affect the motion of different soil fractions mainly ionic-species in soil-type environments. Primarily, this governs direct (DC) and alternating (AC) electrical fields due to the different thermal, acid-base ion gradients generated close to electrodes resulted in electro-migration, electrophoresis, and other electrolysis-related-processes. The migration of metal ionic-species, including zinc, which occurs mainly under DC electrical field is generally acknowledged, but metal-corresponding nanoforms such as ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) under low-level DC and AC electrical fields absent in the literature. The aims of the research was the analysis of pressure-driven transport at two different electric potentials; the equipotential-voltage lines in sand-media with ZnO-NP under 1 V, and 3 V (for DC), and AC under 1 V, 3 V (1 kHz of sinusoidal waves), detection of the migration of Zn from ZnO-NP to anode-to-cathode area (DC), and to the electrodes areas for AC with pH changes within three-hours of treatment and X-ray diffraction investigation of structural changes of ZnO-NP. The results showed that the AC electric field had more uniform equipotential-voltage pattern of sand-media than the DC fields for both voltages applied. In addition, different zinc concentrations up to 11% and electro-active substances were detected between the DC anode-to-cathode and Electrode 1 area compared to the AC Electrode 2 area. The higher pH value also correlated only with DC. X-ray diffraction analysis detected no structure transformation of ZnO-NP, but deterioration of relatively stable graphite electrodes appeared. Our results at the low-level AC and DC electrical fields confirmed the potential of electro-accelerated nanoparticle kinetics.

Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria enhance the growth and lead removal of weed plants (Echinochloa colona)

2022-06-21T12:21:41+02:00

Heavy metal pollution of soils in being a serious problem for sustainable agriculture. A promising solution for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils is to use plants in combination with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). In this study, a total of 30 soil samples were collected from different locations in Nam Dinh, Vietnam. They were used to isolate PSB from paddy soil on Pikovskaya agar media, and their ability in improving the phytoremediation of lead (Pb²⁺) by a weed plant (Echinochloa colona) as well as in promoting the growth of E. colona under Pb stress condition was investigated by pot experiments. Total 07 PSB were isolated and the ND04 showed the ability in solubilizing multiple P sources ( Ca₃(PO₄)₂, AlPO₄, FePO₄, and phytate) with corresponding P solubilizing levels were 530.12, 50.13, 25.02, and 3.58 mg/L PO₄^3–-P, respectively. Moreover, the ND04 strain was identified as Pseudomonas putida (accession number FJ976605.1) and produced the highest values of available P (1.67 mg/L) in Ca₃(PO₄)₂‑incubated soil experiments. Furthermore, the ND04 inoculation significantly enhanced the growth of E. colona and also increased the phytoremediation efficiency of Pb from Pb-contaminated soil. These results suggest the ND04 could potentially use to construct novel constructed wetlands for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soil.

Improvement of technological methods of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) growing in the Vinnytsia region

2022-05-16T13:23:21+02:00

Cultivation of switchgrass, development and improvement of technological methods and optimized cultivation technology will ensure the reduction of energy dependence of Ukraine, which will generally affect the improvement of the economy and the welfare of the population. It determines the priority and the relevance of the research. The article presents a solution to an important scientific problem - increasing the yield of switchgrass by establishing optimal technological methods of cultivation. The yield of dry biomass of switchgrass is directly dependent on the row spacing, with an increase in the row spacing, the yield increases. Plant height is inversely related to row spacing in turn. The highest values of plant height were established with narrowed row spacing from 30 to 15 cm. However, the height of plants, according to the results of our research, does not play a decisive role in shaping the level of productivity of switchgrass. The row spacing is of decisive importance. In the case of cultivation of varieties studied for a row spacing of 15 and 30 cm, a significantly lower dry biomass yield was obtained compared to a row spacing of 45 cm. The highest yield of dry biomass was obtained in the experimental treatments, where row spacing was 45 cm for both Cave-in-Rock and Carthage (Keiv-in-rok Kartadzh) switchgrass respectively, the average yields for the growing season were 14.1 t/ha and 11.7 t/ha. The highest productivity of dry biomass of rod-shaped millet was obtained in the study, which used variant pre-sowing cultivation and pre- and post-sowing coating, which ensured better moisture supply in the upper seed layer of the bases for rod-shaped millet plants and was reflected in the better development of plants in the second to sixth year of vegetation in the variety Cave-in-Rock – 13.9 t/ha, and in the Carthage variety – 12.2 t/ha.

Net primary production of vegetable peas depending on variety features, limitation of soil and nutritional system - withdrawn from the publication

2022-04-19T09:11:12+02:00

The article presents the solution of an important scientific problem – increasing the yield of vegetable peas. Peculiarities of vegetable pea yield formation under the influence of environmental conditions and application of relevant scientifically substantiated elements of cultivation technology are established. The increase of aboveground mass of plants, leaf surface, photosynthetic potential of sowing, net productivity, productivity depending on the studied factors is investigated. Correlations between these indicators and yield have been identified. The increase in aboveground mass of plants, leaf surface index (LAI), photosynthetic potential (PP) of crops, net productivity of photosynthesis (NPP) and yield depending on the studied factors was studied. Correlations between these indicators and yield have been identified. The increase of above-ground biomass (AGB), area (LA) and leaf surface index (LAI), photosynthetic potential (PP), net photosynthesis productivity (NPP) was studied. There is a high correlation (r˃0.9) between the yield in absolutely dry matter (DM) and the photosynthetic potential (PP) for the period from the microstage to ВВСН 09- ВВСН 77-79, as well as between the number of beans per plant and the area of assimilation plant surfaces – (r˃0.9). The maximum seed yield in terms of dry matter (DM) in the varieties Skinado - 2.97 and Somerwood – 3.52 t / ha was obtained on the version of the experiment, which was carried out liming (1.0 norm per h.a.) on the background of mineral fertilizers N30P60K60, and pre-sowing treatment of seeds with Rhizobophyte and microfertilizer Vuxal Extra CoMo and foliar fertilization was applied with microfertilizers Vuxal Microplant at microsteps ВВСН 12-13 and Vuxal Calcium, Boron at microstages ВВСН 51-59. This is 0.68 and t / ha more than in the control, where the yield in terms of DM in the varieties Skinado - 2.29 and Somerwood - 2.84 t / ha.