Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'A consortium of legumes with grasses'

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The aim of this study was to evaluate morphogenesis, structural and forage production of persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) intercropped with ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) in the field, subjected to different heights and cutting intervals. The experiment was conducted during 2009 in the area ceded by Embrapa Clima Temperado in Capão do Leão, RS. Sowing was done by throwing in plots of 8 m2, with a density of 10 kg ha-1 of persian clover and 15 kg ha-1 of ryegrass. The design was randomized complete block design in a 3x3 factorial design with five replicates, totaling 45 experimental units. We used three cutting height, 4 cm, 8 cm and 12 cm and three cutting intervals, corresponding to the accumulation of heat 320, 420 and 520 GD. Technique was used in the branches / tillers marked and made ratings weekly in clover on count the number of leaves (open living, senescent, dead, emerged), number of nodes, plant height and length of branching, and in ryegrass on count the number of leaves (fully expanded, growing, senescent fully expanded, growing senescent dead), plant height and length of the tiller. On the occasion of the cuts was made that production of dry matter and botanical separation. The rate of leaf appearance (TAF) of Persian clover is modified by the interval (GD) and cutting height. Intervals of 320 and 420 GD have higher rates of leaf appearance (TAF) of Persian clover. The cutting height does not change the TAF of ryegrass. The range of GD 320 has a better TAF of ryegrass. In the cutting of 420 GD-Persian clover has a higher number of green leaves open fewer dead leaves, branches of greater length, greater number of nodes and greater forage production, and the recommended range for management by producers. The highest yield of intercropping forage ryegrass and Persian clover is obtained with GD 520 but with a high ratio stem / leaf.
O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar características morfogênicas, estruturais e produção de forragem do trevo-persa (Trifolium resupinatum L.) consorciado com azevém (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) a campo, submetidos a diferentes alturas e intervalos de cortes. O experimento foi conduzido no ano de 2009, em área cedida da EMBRAPA Clima Temperado Estação Terras Baixas, no município de Capão do Leão, RS. A semeadura foi feita a lanço, em parcelas de 8 m2, com densidade de 10 kg.ha-1 de trevo-persa e 15 kg.ha-1 de azevém. O delineamento utilizado foi blocos completos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 3x3, com cinco repetições, totalizando 45 unidades experimentais. Foram utilizadas três alturas de corte, 4 cm, 8 cm e 12 cm e três intervalos de corte, correspondentes ao acúmulo térmico de 320, 420 e 520 GD. Foi utilizada a técnica das ramificações/perfilhos marcados e feitas avaliações semanais no trevo quanto ao número de folhas (vivas abertas, senescentes, mortas, surgidas), número de nós, altura de planta e comprimento de ramificação; e no azevém quanto ao número de folhas (completamente expandidas, em expansão, completamente expandidas senescentes, em expansão senescente, mortas), altura de planta e comprimento de perfilho. Na ocasião dos cortes, foi feita verificação da produção de matéria seca e separação botânica. A taxa de aparecimento de folhas (TAF) do trevo-persa é modificada pelo intervalo (GD) e altura de corte. Intervalos de 320 e 420 GD apresentam melhor taxa de aparecimento de folhas (TAF) do trevo-persa. A altura de corte não altera a TAF do azevém. O intervalo de 320 GD apresenta melhor TAF do azevém. No intervalo de corte de 420 GD o trevo-persa apresenta maior número de folhas vivas abertas, menor número de folhas mortas, maior comprimento de ramos, maior número de nós e maior produção de forragem, sendo o intervalo recomendado para o manejo pelos produtores. A maior produção de forragem da consorciação azevém e trevo-persa é obtida com 520 GD mas com alta relação caule/folha.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Management)) --University of Limpopo, 2004
Identification of annual grass/legume intercropping or mixtures with superior nutrient traits and Dry matter (DM) production is critical to increasing productivity of the crop and animal production among small-scale farmers in the Limpopo Province. Three similar field experiments were established at different locations in the Province to determine the significance of the contribution of annual summer legumes, and cutting treatments on the nutritive value and dry matter accumulation of the popular forage sorghum (Sorghum spp) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) intercropped with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and dolichos (Lablab purpureus). The cropping systems evaluated were sole sorghum, sole pearl millet, sorghum + cowpea, sorghum + dolichos, pearl millet + cowpea and pearl millet + dolichos. The treatments sole sorghum and pearl millet significantly (P<0.05) outperformed the other treatments in terms of DM production at most cutting stages. The remaining four treatments though, inferior in DM in this study, yielded better than the average yield on farmers' fields in the Province. Higher protein content was obtained in mixtures than in sole cropping, and generally there was lower protein production and content at matured stages (CT3) in the study. The other chemical composition analyzed in the study was not significant for both mixtures and sole cultures.

N-transfer from legume to grass when the two were intercropped in the field and the mechanisms of this transfer were studied. Studies involving either alfalfa-grasses or soybean-corn intercrops, were undertaken. Mycorrhizal and P-supplemented (to compensate for the lack of mycorrhizae) intercrops were compared. In these studies, the legume component of intercrops was labelled with $ sp{15}$N and any excess of the label was looked for in the associated grass plants.
There was no reversal of N transport at the legume-fungus interface. N-transfer from legume to grass must therefore, proceed via excretion of N by legume roots and subsequent uptake by grass roots. Soil microorganisms and proximity of plant root systems are important factors affecting N-transfer. Mycorrhizae enhance the transfer by increasing the absorptive efficiency of the receiver plants.
Mycorrhizal fungi enhance the competitiveness of the most mycotrophic component of the mixtures by either improving P uptake or the general nutrient balance of the plant. Mycorrhizal inoculation can decrease the level of P competition between corn and soybean by increasing the availability of P.
The observation that mycorrhizal plants differ in many regards from P-supplemented plants, emphasize the generally poor comprehension of the mycorrhizal symbiosis.

Pesquisas atuais demonstram respostas positivas em plantios de Eucalipto consorciados com Acacia mangium. O objetivo principal desse trabalho foi avaliar a influência dos sistemas puros e mistos de Eucalyptus grandis e A. mangium na estrutura das comunidades de bactérias e fungos do solo. Avaliou-se a estrutura dessas comunidades num gradiente de profundidade do solo. Foram abertas trincheiras profundas em plantios puros de Acácia (100A), Eucalipto (100E) e em sistemas mistos entre as duas espécies (A+E). No plantio misto fizeram-se coletas de solo e raízes na base da Acácia A(A+E) e na base do Eucalipto E(E+A). Cerca de 10 camadas do solo foram avaliadas ao longo do perfil das trincheiras, sendo coletados pontos de 0 a 800 cm, com 4 repetições cada. As comunidades microbianas foram monitoradas por PCR-DGGE, onde foi observado um forte efeito da profundidade do solo nas comunidades microbianas. Agrupamentos específicos foram formados em cada profundidade amostrada. Plantios puros de Eucalipto selecionaram grupos de bactérias diferentes dos que foram encontrados em 100A, A(A+E) e E(E+A). A comunidade de fungos totais não sofreu diferenciação de grupos nos plantios estudados, ao passo que os perfis de fungos micorrízicos arbusculares (FMA) do solo no tratamento A(A+E), foram significativamente diferentes dos grupos encontrados nos demais tratamentos. Numa análise de correlação, realizada por RDA, ficou indicado que a comunidade de FMA do tratamento A(A+E) correlacionou-se positivamente com os valores de P no solo. Outra variável quantificada foi a abundância de bactérias e fungos, indicadas pelo número de cópias do gene ribossomal 16S DNAr e ITS, respectivamente. Quando comparadas as camadas superficiais do solo (0-20 cm), não foi possível encontrar diferenças na abundância de cópias dos genes 16S e ITS em todos os tratamentos. Ocorreu uma queda exponencial no número de cópias desses genes com o aumento da profundidade do solo. Porém, o tratamento 100E apresentou maior número de cópias em profundidade (de 300-800 cm) dos genes 16S e ITS do que qualquer outro tratamento. Em relação a presença específica de FMA, houve baixa colonização e baixa abundância de esporos de FMA em todos os tratamentos, sendo o tratamento 100E mais colonizado que os demais. Ao todo foram encontradas 16 espécies de FMA, sendo a maior parte pertencente ao gênero Acaulospora. Ao contrário dos FMA, os plantios apresentaram colonização radicular pronunciada por ECM. Conclui-se que nestes sistemas florestais uma espécie de planta parece ser mais importante que a outra na estruturação da comunidade microbiana e que alguns fatores do solo podem ser preponderantes nessa separação. O conhecimento dessas comunidades é de suma importância em plantios florestais, principalmente por estarem envolvidos diretamente nos ciclos biogeoquímicos e, sobretudo, por se tratar de uma forma de plantio florestal nova, promissora e que aborda parâmetros de sustentabilidade.
Recently discoveries have shown positive responses in Eucalyptus plantations intercropped with Acacia mangium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of pure and mixed systems (Eucalyptus grandis and A. mangium) on the microbial communities\' structure in soil. We evaluated the structure of these communities in a gradient of soil depth. In this context, deep trenches were digged in pure stands of Acacia (100A), Eucalyptus (100E) and mixed systems (A+E). In mixed forest plantations, soil and roots were sampled at the base of Acacia (A+E) and the base of Eucalyptus (E+A). Soil over 10 layers along the profile from 0 to 800cm were sampled, with 4 replicates each. The microbial communities were monitored by PCRDGGE, where we observed a strong effect of soil depth on microbial communities. As a result, specific clusters were formed in each soil layer. The community composition of Eucalyptus grandis stands was different from the community structure found in the 100A, A (A+E) and E (E+A) systems. The total fungal community did not show any group differentiation due to the plantation system, while the profiles of mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of these three groups were significantly different from that of the treatment A (A+E). A correlation analysis performed by RDA indicated that the FMA community of the treatment (A+E) was correlated positively with P values in the soil. Another variable quantified was the community of bacteria and fungi, indicated by the number of copies of ribosomal 16S rDNA and ITS, respectively. Comparing the upper soil layers (0-20 cm), we couldn\'t find differences in the abundance of copies of 16S rRNA and ITS region genes in all treatments, but we observed an exponential decrease in 16S rRNA copy numbers with increasing soil depth. Regarding the presence of AMF, we found low root colonization and low abundance of AMF spores in all treatments, although 100E presented higher colonization rates than the others. Altogether, 16 AMF species were found, most of them belonging to the genus Acaulospora. We conclude that these forest systems a plant species seems to be more important than the other in the structuring of the microbial community and that some soil factors may be preponderant in this separation. The processes involving the dynamics of the microbial community structure is a crucial point in understanding the development of forest plantations, mainly by involving the biogeochemical cycles, when seeking for new promising approaches and sustainability parameters.

My objectives were to determine if nutritional benefits occur when animals are offered foods with compounds -- alkaloids, saponins, and tannins - that are potentially complementary. I hypothesized that food intake and digestibility increase when lambs consume plants such as alfalfa ALF that contain saponins or birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) that contain tannins when the basal diet is endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF) or reed canarygrass (RCG) both of which contain alkaloids. I predicted that the nutritional status of lambs would be enhanced if basal diets of alkaloid-containing grasses were supplemented with ALF or BFT. Lambs fed a basal diet of either endophyte-infected TF or RCG ate more food and consequently digested more dry matter, energy and nitrogen when supplemented with ALF or BFT. Lambs ingested more dry matter and digested more nutrients when fed a basal diet of RCG than one of TF, and supplementing with ALF and BFT was more beneficial for lambs fed TF than for lambs fed RCG. Increased intake of digestible nutrients was due to greater intake when lambs were offered more than one food, not due to an increase in digestibility. In pen trials meant to complement the field trials, lambs were offered an alkaloid-containing (either gramine or 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) total mixed ration and supplemented with a food that contained saponins or tannins. All rations were isocaloric (3.3Mcal/kg) and isonitrogenous (14% CP). Lambs fed a ration with either alkaloid and offered a food containing saponin digested approximately the same amount of dry matter, energy, nitrogen, and NDF as lambs not offered saponin. When lambs were fed a ration with either alkaloid and supplemented with food that contained tannins, tannin consumption adversely affected dry matter, energy, and NDF digestibility, but lambs offered food with tannins increased dry matter intake, and as a result, they digested the same amount of dry matter, energy, and NDF as lambs not offered the food with tannins. Lambs offered tannin digested and retained more nitrogen than lambs not offered tannin. These findings indicate a nutritional advantage for sheep eating mixtures as opposed to monocultures of foods with different profiles of secondary compounds and nutrients.

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The project goal was to study the productivity and quality of forage produced bromatological from monoculture of sorghum and maize and intercropping of them with dwarf pea, sunn hemp, white lupine, sunflower and radish. The experiment was installed in the area of agricultural production of the Campus II Unoeste in Presidente Prudente-SP, on April 3rd, 2008. The experimental design was a split plot with four replications, with the following treatments: monoculture of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and maize (Zea mays) and sorghum consortium + pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan var. Dwarf) sorghum + sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), Sorghum + Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), sorghum fodder radish (Raphanus sativus), sorghum + white lupine (Lupinus albus), maize + pigeon pea dwarf, corn / sunn hemp, corn / sunflower corn + radish and corn + white lupine. The plots were scaled with eight rows of sowing of six meters. Biomass were collected at 60, 90 and 120 days after sowing for the quantification of plant material and chemical analysis. Statistical analysis consists of analysis of variance and Tukey test at 5% probability to compare treatment means. The single or intercropped sorghum was more efficient during low nutritive value, especially for syndications with sunflower, hemp and pigeon, which may have occurred because plants are more adapted to the dry climate of the region. Since the time of cutting that stood out with a productive balance and quality of the composition was 90 DAS.
O objetivo do projeto foi estudar a produtividade e a qualidade bromatológica de forragem produzida a partir de monocultivos de sorgo e milho, bem como a consorciação dos mesmos com guandu-anão, crotalária juncea, tremoço branco, girassol e nabo forrageiro. O experimento foi instalado na área de produção agrícola do Campus II da Unoeste, em Presidente Prudente-SP, no dia 03 de abril de 2008. O delineamento experimental foi em parcelas sub-divididas, com quatro repetições, com os seguintes tratamentos: monocultivos de sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) e milho (Zea mays), e consórcios de sorgo + guandu-anão (Cajanus cajan, var. anão), sorgo + crotalária juncea (Crotalaria juncea), sorgo + girassol (Helianthus annuus), sorgo + nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus), sorgo + tremoço branco (Lupinus albus), milho + guandu-anão, milho + crotalária juncea, milho + girassol, milho + nabo forrageiro e milho + tremoço branco. As parcelas foram dimensionadas com oito linhas de semeadura de seis m de comprimento. Foram coletadas fitomassas aos 60, 90 e 120 dias após a semeadura para quantificação da material vegetal e análises bromatológicas. O estudo estatístico consta de análise de variância e teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade para comparar as médias dos tratamentos. O sorgo solteiro ou consorciado mostrou-se mais eficiente na maioria das avaliações bromatológicas, com destaque para as consorciações com girassol, crotalária e guandu, fato que pode ter ocorrido por serem plantas mais adaptadas ao clima seco da região. Sendo que a época de corte que se sobressaiu com um equilíbrio produtivo e qualidade bromatológica foi a de 90 DAS.

Samples of agronomic grasses and legumes grown on copper mine tailings under two surficial amendment regimes and two fertilizer treatments were analyzed for Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Ni, P, and Zn. These values were compared to National Research Council and Agriculture Canada diet recommendations for beef cattle. Foliar Ca, Fe, Mn, Ni and P concentrations were satisfactory. Zn levels in most species were in the deficient range. Some samples contained excessive K or Mg, although overall foliar concentrations for these minerals were satisfactory. Copper and molybdenum concentrations were well above normal levels. Copper concentrations in the legumes and grasses averaged 63 and 44 mg/kg, respectively. Mean molybdenum concentrations were found to be 52 mg/kg in the grasses and 237 mg/kg in the legumes. Cu:Mo ratios in all species violated recommended dietary guidelines for beef cattle. Fluctuations in Cu:Mo ratios were attributable mainly to variations in foliar Cu. Most species were subjected to severe grazing by rodents, producing abnormal growth habits. As a result, assessment of relative species success was difficult. Grazing stress may also have affected foliar elemental levels. Tailings material was artificially weathered by leaching with 0.3 N acetic acid for seven weeks in a Soxhlet extraction chamber. Leached and unleached samples were analyzed for pH, 0.1 N HCl available Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn, acid ammonium oxalate extractable Mo, total elemental levels and mineralogical composition. As a result of leaching, the pH of the tailings was reduced from 6.6 to 3.5. Declines in available Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mo were noted after leaching. No qualitative changes in tailings mineralogy were detected after artificial weathering. During leaching, three general elemental release patterns were observed. These were attributed to the sequential dissolution of readily soluble salts and carbonates, followed by the degradation of micas, pyroxenes, amphiboles and host ore minerals. The relatively inert minerals, such as, quartz, some alumino-silicates and oxyhydroxides of Fe and Al represented the third group. At present, the tailings are unsuitable as a forage production area for beef cattle as a result of toxic Cu:Mo ratios in the foliage. Based on chemical changes induced by artificial weathering, it is probable that forage grown on the tailings will become less toxic over time. Various management practices may be employed to accelerate improvement in growth medium parameters.
Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
Graduate

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
The presence of an arboreal component, such as in agroforestry systems, can promote a better balance of tropical ecological processes, allowing agricultural exploration in vertical and horizontal landscape profiles. This, together with the inclusion of single or intercropped cover crops in the agroforestry understory can increase the beneficial effects through interaction among species, favoring greater nutrient accumulation and cycling. Therefore, the objective of this research was to evaluate the soil chemical attributes and the performance of agricultural species and cover crops in rotation/consortium in an agroforestry system in the cerrado region of Goiás. The research was carried out between 2012 and 2016, in the city of Goiânia-Goiás, in an agroforestry system implanted in an 8- year-old Baru forest (Dipteryx alata V.). Soil from the experimental area was classified as typical dystrophic Red Latosol. The experimental design was randomized complete block (RCB), with four replications. Cover plants were cultivated singly: Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan); Stylosanthes cv. Campo Grande (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% and Stylosanthes capitata - 80%); Massai grass (Panicum maximum) and intercropped: Pigeon pea+ Massai grass and Stylosanthes + Massai grass, in addition to an area under spontaneous vegetation (control treatment). We evaluated soil chemical fertility and dry phytomass productivity and macronutrient accumulations by cover crops, quality and yield of corn silage grown in rotation with the cover plants, relative index of chlorophylls and growth of Banana trees cultivated in consortium with the cover plants, in addition to the growth of the Baru trees during this period (height, diameter at breast height and crown diameter). The Campo Grande Stylosanthes increased the calcium contents, pH values and sum of bases in the soil solution at depth 0-10 cm after two years of cultivation. However, Massai grass, alone, increased potassium levels at depth 0-10 and 10-20 cm in the same cultivation year. The dry matter yield of silage maize was similar among the residual straw of Pigeon pea, Massai grass, and Stylosanthes + Massai grass cultivars. However, cultivation with residual Stylosanthes increased the crude protein percentage. The growth in height of the banana trees at 6 and 12 months was higher in consortium with Massai grass when compared to the area maintained with spontaneous vegetation. The incremental increase in height of Baru trees only increased after two years through the residual Campo Grande Stylosanthes. The highest productivity of dry phytomass was obtained from Massai grass, alone. The accumulations of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and sulfur were similar among Massai grass alone, Stylosanthes alone, and Massai grass + Stylosanthes consortium. However, potassium and magnesium accumulations were only higher in the aerial part of the Massai grass, alone.
A presença do componente arbóreo, como em sistemas agroflorestais, pode promover maior equilíbrio dos processos ecológicos tropicais, possibilitando uma exploração agrícola em perfis verticais e horizontais da paisagem. Isto, aliado a inserção de plantas de cobertura solteiras ou consorciadas nos sub-bosque agroflorestal pode aumentar os efeitos benéficos pela interação entre as espécies, favorecendo maior acúmulo e ciclagem de nutrientes. Com isso, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar os atributos químicos do solo e o desempenho de espécies agrícolas e plantas de coberturas em rotação/consórcio em sistema agroflorestal na região do cerrado goiano. A pesquisa foi realizada entre os anos de 2012 e 2016, na cidade de Goiânia-Goiás, em um sistema agroflorestal implantado em uma floresta de barueiros (Dipteryx alata V.) com 8 anos de idade. O solo da área experimental foi classificado como Latossolo Vermelho distrófico típico. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados (DBC), com quatro repetições. As plantas de cobertura foram cultivadas solteiras: feijão guandu (Cajanus cajan); estilosantes cv. campo grande (Stylosanthes macrocephala - 20% e Stylosanthes capitata - 80%); capim massai (Panicum maximum) e consorciadas: feijão guandu + massai e estilosantes + massai, além de uma área mantida sob vegetação espontânea (tratamento controle). Foram avaliados os atributos de fertilidade química do solo, a produtividade de fitomassa seca e os acúmulos de macronutrientes pelas plantas de cobertura, a qualidade e a produtividade do milho para silagem cultivado em rotação as plantas de cobertura, o índice relativo de clorofilas e o crescimento de bananeiras cultivado em consórcio com as plantas de cobertura, além do crescimento das árvores de barueiros durante este período (altura, diâmetro a altura do peito e diâmetro de copa). O estilosantes campo grande aumenta os teores de cálcio, valores de pH e soma de bases na solução do solo na profundidade 0-10 cm após dois anos de cultivo. Todavia, o capim massai solteiro aumenta os teores de potássio na profundidade 0-10 e 10-20 cm no mesmo ano de cultivo. A produtividade de matéria seca de milho para silagem é semelhante entre os cultivos com residual de palhada de estilosantes, feijão guandu, massai e estilosantes + massai, entretanto, o cultivo com residual de estilosantes aumenta o percentual de proteína bruta. O crescimento em altura das bananeiras aos 6 e 12 meses é maior no consórcio com capim massai quando comparado à área mantida com vegetação espontânea. O incremento de crescimento em altura das árvores de barueiros é aumentado somente após dois anos através do residual de estilosantes campo grande. A maior produtividade de fitomassa seca é obtida como capim massai solteiro. Os acúmulos de nitrogênio, fósforo, cálcio e enxofre são semelhantes entre o capim massai solteiro, o estilosantes solteiro e o consórcio estilosantes + massai, entretanto os acúmulos de potássio e magnésio somente são superiores na parte aérea do capim massai solteiro.

Com o objetivo de estudar o uso de inóculo de fezes em substituição do conteúdo ruminal de bubalinos na técnica in vitro de produção de gases, este presente trabalho comparou as avaliações realizadas em três ensaios. Foram utilizados três bubalinos da raça Mediterrâneo, machos, adultos, castrados, fistulados no rúmen com média de peso vivo de 450 (± 18,7) kg. Estes animais receberam uma dieta basal, composta de silagem de milho (70%) e concentrado (30%). Estes animais foram os doadores dos 2 tipos de inóculos, que foram conteúdo ruminal (CR) e fezes. O primeiro ensaio realizado foi com alimentos concentrados: grão de milho, farelo de soja, farelo de trigo e farelo de algodão; o segundo ensaio foi com leguminosas forrageiras: alfafa (Medicago sativa L. ), estilosantes pioneiro (Stylosanthes macrocephala cv. Pioneiro), soja perene (Neonotonia wightii) e leucena (Leucaena leucocephala); e o terceiro e último ensaio foi realizado com gramíneas forrageiras: capim braquiarão (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), capim buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv. Biloela), estrela africana (Cynodon plectostachyus) e capim mombaça (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombaça). Os valores médios obtidos de produção potencial de gases em cada ensaio foram menores (P<0,05) para as amostras fermentadas com inóculos de fezes que com conteúdo ruminal, sendo respectivamente, para concentrados (140,23 e 194,08 mL.g-1MS), gramíneas (161,99 e 230,25 mL.g-1MS) e leguminosas (141,78 e 170,70 mL.gm-1MS). Conclui-se que inóculos de fezes não apresentam condições satisfatórias para substituição do inóculum com conteúdo ruminal para uso na técnica de produção in vitro de gases.
In order to study the use of faeces as inoculum as alternative for buffalo rumen contents in the in vitro gas production technique, the present work evaluations of three tests. We used three Mediterranean buffalos, male, adult, neutered, fistulated in the rumen, with an average live weight of 450 (± 18.7) kg. These animals received a basal diet composed of corn silage (70%) and concentrated (30%). These buffalo were the donors of the two types of inocula, rumen content (CR) and faeces. The first test was carried out with concentrate foods: corn grain, soybean meal, wheat bran and cottonseed meal, the second test was with legumes: alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. ), Pioneiro estilo (Stylosanthes macrocephala cv. Pioneiro) , perennial soybean (Neonotonia wightii) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) and the third and last test was carried out with grasses: Marandu grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu), buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L. cv. Biloela), African Star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus) and Mombasa grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Mombasa). The average values of potential production of gas in each test were lower (P<0.05) for samples fermented with an inoculum of faeces with rumen contents, being respectively, for concentrates (140.23 and 194.08 mL.g-1MS), grasses (161.99 and 230.25 mL.g-1MS) and legumes (141.78 and 170.70 mL.g-1MS). It follows that fecal inoculum unsatisfactory condition for replacing the inoculum with rumen technique for use in the in vitro production of gases technique.

Técnicas analíticas empregadas para a quantificação do teor de lignina em plantas forrageiras, atualmente em uso, são questionáveis quanto às suas acurácias. O método lignina detergente ácido (LDA), que é um dos métodos mais utilizado em Ciência Animal e Agronomia, apresenta algumas falhas, particularmente devido à parcial solubilização da lignina durante a preparação da fibra em detergente ácido (FDA). A lignina Klason (LK), outro método muito usado, apresenta o inconveniente de mensurar a proteína da parede celular como sendo lignina. Em ambos os procedimentos recomenda-se também mensurar cinzas nos resíduos de lignina. A quantificação da concentração de lignina pelo método espectrofotométrico lignina brometo de acetila (LBA) vem ganhando interesse de pesquisadores no Brasil e no exterior. Nesta metodologia, a lignina da planta contida na preparação parede celular (PC) é solubilizada numa solução a 25% de brometo de acetila em ácido acético e a absorbância mensurada é com luz UV a 280 nm. O valor da absorbância é inserido numa equação de regressão e a concentração de lignina é obtida. Para que esta técnica analítica seja mais aceita pelos pesquisadores, ela deve ser, obviamente, convincente e atrativa. O presente trabalho analisou alguns parâmetros relacionados à LBA em 7 gramíneas e 6 leguminosas, em dois estádios de maturidade. Dentre as diferentes temperaturas de pré-secagem, os resultados indicaram que os procedimentos de 55°C com ventilação e liofilização podem ser utilizados com a mesma eficácia. As temperaturas de 55°C sem ventilação e 80°C sem ventilação não são recomendadas, pois aumentaram os valores de FDA e LDA, possivelmente devido ao surgimento de artefatos de técnica como os compostos de Maillard. No método LBA os valores menores das amostras de leguminosas chamaram a atenção e colocaram em questão se a lignina destas plantas seria menos solúvel no reagente brometo de acetila. Dentre algumas alterações na metodologia da técnica LBA, a utilização do moinho de bolas (para diminuir o tamanho particular) nas amostras de PC não mostrou efeito; a hipótese era melhorar a solubilização da lignina usando partículas menores. O uso de um ultrasonicador, que aumenta a vibração das moléculas e assim, facilitaria a solubilização da lignina no reagente brometo de acetila, melhorou a solubilização da lignina em cerca de 10%, tanto nas gramíneas como nas leguminosas. Foi acoplado um ensaio biológico como referência, a degradabilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS); e como a lignina está intimamente associada à estrutura fibrosa da parede celular, também foi feito um ensaio de degradabilidade in vitro da fibra em detergente neutro (DIVFDN). Os resultados confirmaram o efeito da maturidade, reduzindo a degradabilidade nas plantas mais maduras, e que o teor de lignina de leguminosas é realmente inferior ao de gramíneas. Os resultados de degradabilidade apresentaram coeficientes de correlação mais elevados com o método LBA, quando foi empregada a técnica do ultrasom; o método LK mostrou os menores coeficientes. Também testou-se, com sucesso, a utilização da FDN, como preparação fibrosa, ao invés de PC. A razão é simples: enquanto que a FDN é amplamente conhecida, a preparação PC não o é. Inquestionável que esta manobra facilitará substancialmente a divulgação desse método, tornando-a mais aceitável pela comunidade científica
Analytical techniques employed to quantify lignin content in forages, currently in use, are questionable as to their accuracies. The method acid detergent lignin (ADL), which is one of the most used method in Animal Science and Agronomy, has some flaws, due to the partial lignin solubilization during the preparation of acid detergent fiber (ADF). The Klason lignin method (KL), another analytical procedure commonly used, has the drawback of measuring the cell wall protein as lignin. In both procedures also are recommended to measure ash content in the lignin residues. Quantification of lignin concentration by the spectrophotometric acetyl bromide lignin method (ABL) has been gaining interest from researchers in Brazil and abroad. In this methodology, the lignin contained in the plant cell wall preparation (CW) is solubilized in a 25% acetyl bromide in acetic acid solution and the absorbance is measured with UV light at 280 nm. The absorbance value is inserted in a regression equation and the concentration of lignin is obtained. For this analytical technique be better accepted by researchers, it must be, obviously, convincing and attractive. This study analyzed some LBA-related parameters in 7 grasses and 6 legumes in two stages of maturity. Among the different temperatures of pre-drying, the results indicated that the procedures at 55°C with ventilation and lyophilization can be used just as effectively. Temperatures of 55 and 80 both without ventilation are not recommended because they increased ADF and ADL values, possibly due to the emergence of technical artifacts such as the compounds of Maillard. The ABL method yielded lower values for legume samples which called into question if the lignin of these plants is less soluble in the acetyl bromide reagent. Among some changes studied in the ABL technique it was the utilization of ball milling in the PC samples, which showed no effect; the hypothesis was to reduce the particle size and thus improve the solubilization of lignin. The use of an ultrasonicator, which increases the vibration of molecules and possibly allowing better solubilization of lignin in the acetyl bromide reagent improved lignin solubilization by about 10%, both in grasses. As a reference, an in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) was conducted. Because lignin is closely linked to the fibrous structure of the cell wall, an in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability (IVNDFD) test of. Results confirmed the effect of maturity, reducing degradability as the plants matured, and that concentration of lignin is lower in legumes than in grasses. The degradability results showed higher correlation coefficients with the ABL method when the ultrasonicator was used; the KL method showed the lowest coefficients. We also tested, successfully, the use of NDF as a fiber preparation, instead of crude CW. While NDF is widely known, CW preparation is not. This maneuver will substantially facilitate the dissemination of this method, making it more acceptable to the scientific community

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The difficulty of implementing no tillage in the Northeast region of Brazil occurs due to low rainfall, which limits the plant growth and high rates of decomposition. In the Brejo Paraibano microregion, beyond this aspect, another problem is related to changes in the use of soil, without considering their potentialities and limitations, which provided serious damage to conservation. In order to select cover crops for no tillage and understand the soil degradation due to changes in use, was implanted two experiments completely randomized. The experiment of cultural residues was conducted in the Chã of Jardim farm, of Center of Agrarian Sciences of UFPB, and the treatments consisted of three residues of grass species (Brachiaria decumbens), corn (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and three legumes species: pigeon pea (Canavalia ensiformis), guandu (Cajanus cajan) and leucena (Leucaena leucocephala). The residues were placed in litter bags and placed in the experimental field under the litter, in the presence and absence of nitrogen. The experiment about use of soil was conduced in three systems: native secondary forest, cultivation of sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia) and pasture (Brachiaria decumbens). In each area, soil samples were collected at four depths for physical and chemical analisys, fractionation of organic matter and root density. The physical analisys consisted of the separation of aggregates size, grain size, density and total porosity of soil. The chemical ones consisted of determining the pH and concentration of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, aluminum and C. The organic matter was fractionated into fulvic acid fraction (FAF), humic acid fraction (HAF) and humin (HUM). They were quantified deposition and accumulation of litter and its rate of decomposition in areas of woodland and thrush. In the pasture, one evaluated the production of forage. In the case of crop residues, it was observed that the rate of decomposition of the grass is slower than that of legumes, however, this rate is equivalent in the last months of the evaluated year. The grasses showed no differences, but the guandu showed slower rate of decomposition amongst the legumes. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect the waste decomposition rate. In the case of the changes in the use of the soil, the amount of clay, DMPAs, DMPAu and the relationship DMPAu / DMPAs and porosity showed higher values in the area under forest. The soil density was lower in the area under forest. The development of roots was higher in areas under forest and pasture. The waste disposal was greater in the area under sabiá and the N, P and K were higher in these residues, which shows the sabiá capacity in nutrient cycling. The accumulation of litter in the soil was higher in the area under forest. The decomposition rate of the waste was 48% in area under sabiá and 40% in that one under forest. The percentage of C, H + Al, Al, and CTC potential and aluminum saturation (m) are higher in the soil in the area under forest. The soil pH, the base saturation (V) and the concentrations of Na and K are similar in areas under pasture and under sabiá and larger than that under forest. The percentages of Ca, Mg and available P and SB and effective CTC did not differ among the studied areas. The C of the soil is best preserved in the area under forest in function of higher levels in HAF and HUM fractions and the lowest ratio EA / HUM. In turn, the replacement from the grass for sabiá begins to recover the levels of C lost in the area under pasture, with intermediate fraction values of HAF and HUM, demonstrating the sabiá ability to recover soil quality.
A dificuldade de implantar a semeadura direta na região Nordeste do Brasil ocorre devido às baixas precipitações pluviais, que limita o crescimento vegetal e as elevadas taxas de decomposição de resíduos. Na microrregião do Brejo Paraibano, além desse aspecto, outra preocupação é a mudança no uso do solo, sem considerar as suas potencialidades e limitações, o que tem proporcionado graves prejuízos à sua conservação. Com objetivo de selecionar plantas de cobertura para a semeadura direta e entender a degradação do solo devido às mudanças de uso, foram implantados dois experimentos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O experimento de resíduos culturais foi conduzido na Fazenda experimental Chã do Jardim, do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da UFPB, e os tratamentos constaram de três resíduos de gramíneas: braquiária (Brachiaria decumbens), milho (Zea mays) e sorgo (Sorghum bicolor) e três de leguminosas: feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformis), guandu (Cajanus cajan) e leucena (Leucaena leucocephala). Os resíduos foram colocados em sacolas náilon e dispostas no campo sob a serrapilheira, na presença e ausência de adubação nitrogenada. O experimento sobre uso do solo foi conduzido em três sistemas: mata nativa secundária, cultivo de sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia) e pastagem de braquiária (Brachiaria decumbens). Em cada área foram coletadas amostras de solo, em quatro profundidades para análises físicas, químicas, fracionamento da matéria orgânica e densidade de raízes. As análises físicas constaram de separação de tamanhos de agregados, granulometria, densidade e porosidade total do solo. As químicas constaram da determinação do pH e dos teores de cálcio, magnésio, fósforo, potássio, sódio, alumínio e C. A matéria orgânica foi fracionada nas frações ácido fúlvico (FAF), ácido húmico (FAH) e humina (HUM). Nas áreas de mata e sabiá foram quantificados a deposição e acúmulo de serrapilheira, bem como sua taxa de decomposição. Na pastagem, avaliou-se a produção de forragem. Quanto aos resíduos de culturas, observou-se que a taxa de decomposição das gramíneas é mais lenta que a das leguminosas, porém essa taxa se equivale nos últimos meses de avaliação. As gramíneas não apresentaram diferenças entre si, mas o guandu apresentou taxa de decomposição mais lenta entre as leguminosas. A adubação nitrogenada não afetou a taxa de decomposição dos resíduos. Quanto às mudanças no uso do solo, a quantidade de argila, o DMPAs, DMPAu e a relação DMPAu/DMPAs e a porosidade apresentaram maiores valores na área sob mata. A densidade do solo foi menor na área sob mata. O desenvolvimento de raízes foi maior nas áreas sob mata e pasto. A deposição de resíduos foi maior na área sob sabiá e os teores de N, P e K nesses resíduos foram maiores, o que mostra a capacidade do sabiá em ciclar nutrientes. O acúmulo de serrapilheira no solo foi maior na área sob mata. A taxa de decomposição dos resíduos foi de 48% na área sob sabiá e 40% na sob mata. Os teores de C, H+Al, Al, e a CTC potencial e a saturação por alumínio (m) no solo são maiores na área sob mata. O pH do solo, a saturação de bases (V) e os teores de Na e K foram semelhantes nas áreas sob sabiá e sob pasto e maiores que na sob mata. Os teores de Ca, Mg e P disponível e a SB e a CTC efetiva não diferem entre as áreas estudadas. O C do solo está mais preservado na área sob mata em função dos maiores teores nas frações FAH e HUM e da menor relação EA/HUM. Por sua vez, a substituição do pasto por sabiá começa a recuperar os teores de C perdidos na área sob pasto, com valores intermediários das frações FAH e HUM, demonstrando a capacidade do sabiá em recuperar a qualidade do solo.

Six plant species were screened to determine potential suitability for phytoremediation of nitroglycerin (NG), a component in smokeless powders (SP). Seeds of Zea mays (corn), Triticum aestivum (wheat), Medicago sativa (alfalfa), Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), Trifolium pratense (red clover), and Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) were sown into greenhouse mesocosms containing commercially prepared soil spiked with 0, 1, and 5% SP (w/w). Soil samples were collected 7, 60, and 90 days after seeding, extracted with ethanol, and analyzed for NG using a gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector. Plant growth observations were recorded using a simple scoring metric at 7, 14, 30, and 60 days after seeding. Soil nitrate and ammonium, potential by-products of NG decomposition, were quantified 90 days after seeding. NG disappearance in plant treatments was markedly, although not significantly (p > 0.05), higher than control at 1% SP, with legumes being the most successful treatment. Nitrate concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in legume than grass treatments. Soil ammonium was not correlated to any plant or SP treatment. Plant uptake of NG was minimal, suggesting a soil microbial effect in NG disappearance. More extensive screening studies are needed to determine which plants are the most successful remediators of NG.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Samples of agronomic grasses and legumes grown on copper mine tailings under two surficial amendment regimes and two fertilizer treatments were analyzed for Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Ni, P, and Zn. These values were compared to National Research Council and Agriculture Canada diet recommendations for beef cattle. Foliar Ca, Fe, Mn, Ni and P concentrations were satisfactory. Copper and molybdenum concentrations were well above normal levels. Copper concentrations in the legumes and grasses averaged 63 and 44 mg/kg, respectively. Mean molybdenum concentrations were found to be 52 mg/kg in the grasses and 237 mg/kg in the legumes. Cu:Mo ratios in all species violated recommended dietary guidelines for beef cattle. Fluctuations in Cu:Mo ratios were attributable mainly to variations in foliar Cu. Most species were subjected to severe grazing by rodents, producing abnormal growth habits. As a result, assessment of relative species success was difficult. Grazing stress may also have affected foliar elemental levels. Tailings material was artificially weathered by leaching with 0.3 N acetic acid for seven weeks in a Soxhlet extraction chamber. Leached and unleached samples were analyzed for pH, 0.1 N HCl available Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn, acid ammonium oxalate extractable Mo, total elemental levels and mineralogical composition. As a result of leaching, the pH of the tailings was reduced from 6.6 to 3.5. Declines in available Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and Mo were noted after leaching. No qualitative changes in tailings mineralogy were detected after artificial weathering. During leaching, three general elemental release patterns were observed. These were attributed to the sequential dissolution of readily soluble salts and carbonates, followed by the degradation of micas, pyroxenes, amphiboles and host ore minerals. The relatively inert minerals, such as quartz, some aluminosilicates and oxyhydroxides of Fe and Al represented the third group. At present, the tailings are unsuitable as a forage production area for beef cattle as a result of toxic Cu:Mo ratios in the foliage. Based on chemical changes induced by artificial weathering, it is probable that forage grown on the tailings will become less toxic over time. Various management practices may be employed to accelerate improvement in growth medium parameters.

Les prairies indigènes présentent une source importante d'alimentation pour le pâturage du bétail dans les prairies Canadiennes semi-arides. L'addition de légumineuses fixatrices d'azote et de phosphore dans les prairies indigènes peut améliorer la productivité et la valeur nutritive de fourrage. Ces pratiques peuvent induire des modifications de la structure et de la diversité des communautés fongiques du sol, ce qui peut en retour avoir un impact sur la production et le contenu nutritionnel du fourrage. L’objectif de cette étude était de développer un système de pâturage à bas niveau d’intrants, productif, autonome et durable. À court terme, nous voulions 1) déterminer l'effet des légumineuses (Medicago sativa, une légumineuse cultivée ou Dalea purpurea, une légumineuse indigène) et la fertilité en phosphore du sol sur la productivité et la valeur nutritive des graminées indigènes, comparées avec celles de la graminée introduite Bromus biebersteinii en mélange avec le M. sativa, 2) identifier l'effet de ces pratiques sur la diversité et la structure des communautés des champignons mycorhiziens à arbuscules (CMA) et des champignons totaux, 3) identifier l'effet des légumineuses et des CMA sur les interactions compétitives entre les graminées de saison fraîche et les graminées de saison chaude. Les expériences menées au champ ont montré que M. sativa améliorait les teneurs en azote et en phosphore des graminées indigènes au début de l'été, ainsi que la teneur en azote de la graminée de saison chaude Bouteloua gracilis à la fin de l'été de l'année sèche 2009. Par contre, la fertilité en phosphore du sol n'ait pas affecté la productivité des plantes. D'autre part, l'inclusion des légumineuses augmentait la diversité des CMA dans le mélange de graminées indigènes. Cette modification présentait des corrélations positives avec la productivité et la quantité totale d'azote chez le M. sativa et avec la teneur en phosphore des graminées indigènes, au début de l'été. La structure des communautés de champignons totaux était influencée par l'interaction entre le mélange des espèces et la fertilité en phosphore du sol seulement en 2008 (année humide). Cet effet pourrait être lié en partie avec la productivité des plantes et l'humidité du sol. Les expériences menées en chambre de culture ont montré que les CMA peuvent favoriser la productivité des graminées de saison chaude au détriment des graminées de saison fraîche. En effet, Glomus cubense augmentait la productivité de la graminée de saison chaude B. gracilis, en présence de M. sativa. Cet effet pourrait être associé à l’effet négatif du G. cubense sur la fixation de l’azote par le M. sativa et à la diminution de l’efficacité d’utilisation de l'azote de certaines graminées de saison fraîche résultant en une augmentation de la disponibilité de l'azote pour B. gracilis. Par contre, le Glomus sp. augmentait la biomasse de Schizachyrium scoparium, autre graminée de saison chaude, en absence de légumineuse. Ce phénomène pourrait être attribuable à une amélioration de l’efficacité d’utilisation du P de cette graminée. En conclusion, mes travaux de recherche ont montré que la légumineuse cultivée M. sativa peut améliorer la valeur nutritive des graminées indigènes au début de l'été ainsi que celle de la graminée de saison chaude B. gracilis, dans des conditions de sécheresse sévère de la fin de l'été. De plus, l'addition de M. sativa dans le mélange de graminées indigènes peut contribuer à augmenter le nombre des espèces bénéfiques des CMA pour la production et la nutrition du fourrage au début de l'été.
The native grasslands are considered as the main feed source for livestock grazing, in semi-arid regions of the Canadian prairies. The addition of N fixing legumes and phosphorus to semi-arid native grasslands may increase the productivity and nutritive value of forage. However, these practices may also shape the structure and diversity of soil fungal communities which in turn may impact forage production and nutritive value. The global objective of this research was to design productive, self-sustaining, permanent and with low inputs pastures. The specific objectives were 1) to demonstrate the effect of N-fixing legumes (the cultivated legume Medicago sativa or the native legume Dalea purpurea) and soil P fertility on the productivity and nutritive value of native grasses mixes in comparison to the mixture of the introduced grass Bromus biebersteinii and M. sativa, 2) identify the effect of these practices on the diversity and community structure of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and total fungi, and 3) identify the effect of legumes and AM fungi on competitive interactions between native cool-season grasses and native warm-season grasses. The field experiment showed that M. sativa improved the nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations of native grasses mixes early in the summer, as well as the N concentration of the warm-season grass B. gracilis, in late summer of the driest year 2009. In contrast, the soil phosphorus fertility had no effect on plant productivity. On the other hand, the inclusion of legumes to the mix of native grasses generally increased AM fungal diversity. This shift was positively correlated with the productivity and nitrogen uptake by M. sativa and with the phosphorus concentration of native grasses mixes in early summer. The structure of the total fungal community was affected by the interaction between species mixtures and soil P fertility only in the wet year (2008), suggesting that this effect was likely driven in part by plant productivity and soil moisture. The growth chamber experiment showed that the AM fungi may favoured the growth of warm-season grasses under competition with cool-season grasses. However, Glomus cubense increased the productivity of warm-season grass B. gracilis when growing with M. sativa. This effect might be related to a negative impact of G. cubense on the nitrogen-fixing activity of M. sativa and to a lower N-use efficiency of certain cool-season grasses, which resulted in increased soil N availability for B. gracilis. In contrast, Glomus sp. enhanced the growth of S. scoparium, another warm-season grass in the absence of legumes, and this may be related to improved P-use efficiency in this grass. We concluded that the cultivated legume M. sativa can improve the nutritive value of native grasses mixes early in the summer and also of warm season grass under severe drought conditions in late summer. In addition, the inclusion of M. sativa within native grass mixes may contribute to promote beneficial AM fungi taxa that were involved in forage production and nutrition early in the summer.