Effects of Moringa oleifera silage on milk yield,nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of lactating dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) as a partial substitute of alfalfa hay on milk yield, nutrient apparent digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of dairy cows. MO was harvested at 120 days post‐seeding. Fresh MO was cut, mixed with chopped oat hay (425:575 on a DM basis), ensiled and stored for 60 days. Sixty healthy Holstein dairy cows were allocated to one of three groups: NM (no MO or control), LM (low MO; 25% alfalfa hay and 50% maize silage were replaced by MO silage) or HM (high MO; 50% alfalfa hay and 100% maize silage were replaced by MO silage). The feeding trial lasted 35 days. The LM and HM diets did not affect dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield or milk composition (lactose, milk fat, milk protein and somatic cell count). The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF was lower for HM group than NM group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in serum biochemical indexes between the LM and NM groups. The HM group had lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher serum concentrations of urea than the NM group. The partial replacement of alfalfa hay (≤50%) and maize silage with MO silage had no negative effects on milk yield, in vivo nutrient apparent digestibility or serum biochemical indexes of lactating cows.     

Effects of three short-term pasture allocation methods on milk production,methane emission and grazing behaviour by dairy cows

Two short-term grazing experiments were conducted with Norwegian Red cows. In Exp 1, 24 cows were randomly assigned to one of the following three pasture allocation methods (PAM): weekly pasture allowance (7RG), grazing 1/7 of 7RG each day (1SG), or grazing as 1SG but had access to grazed part of the paddock within one week (1FG). In Exp 2, 7RG was shortened to 5 days (5RG). We hypothesized that PAM will affect sward quality, quantity, intake and production differently. Pasture chemical composition changed with advancing grazing days but were not different between treatments. Pasture intake, milk yield, and methane emission were not affected by PAM. In Exp 1, 7RG cows spent less time on grazing, whereas in Exp 2, 1FG cows spent longer on grazing than others. Patterns observed in sward quality, and behavioural and physiological adaptations of cows to short-term changes in nutrient supply may explain the observed effects.     

耕作方式与长期定位施肥对雨养农田冬小麦产量的调控效应

为了明确西北黄土高原半湿润偏旱区耕作方式与长期定位施肥对冬小麦产量的调控效应,以设在半湿润偏旱区连续12年的耕作与肥料长期定位试验为平台,采用裂区设计,以传统耕作和免耕耕作为主处理,不施肥(CK)、单施无机氮肥(N)、单施无机磷肥(P)、单施有机肥(M)、无机氮磷肥配施(NP)、有机无机肥配施(NMP)为副处理,栽培制度为1年春玉米-3年冬小麦轮作,研究耕作及施肥措施对冬小麦产量的影响及其在生产年型间的变化关系。结果表明,不同年型及耕作方式均以有机无机配施冬小麦产量最高,有机肥单施高于化肥单施,磷肥单施高于氮肥单施。耕作方式间表现为传统耕作高于免耕耕作,年型间表现为丰水年>平水年>干旱年,耕作和施肥方式的增产效果以干旱年最好,平水年和丰水年差异不显著。有机无机配施与传统耕作结合优化了冬小麦冠层温度、叶绿素相对含量等生理指标,提高了光合速率、气孔导度及蒸腾速率,因而改善了有效穗、穗粒数和千粒重等产量性状而使冬小麦增产。在550 mm左右降水量的陇东旱塬雨养农业区,无论何种耕作方式及生产年型,长期采用有机无机或无机氮磷肥配施均表现出持续提高冬小麦产量的良好作用。因此,有机无机配施结合传统耕作是提高陇东半湿润偏旱区冬小麦产量的最佳耕作栽培模式。     

耕作方式和秸秆覆盖对旱地麦豆轮作下小麦籽粒产量、蛋白质含量和土壤硝态氮残留的影响

为明确耕作方式和秸秆覆盖对旱地麦豆轮作下小麦籽粒产量、蛋白质含量和土壤硝态氮残留的影响,2014年10月-2016年6月,利用设置在豫西典型旱作区的麦豆轮作栽培模式长期定位试验,选取传统翻耕、翻耕覆盖、旋耕和旋耕覆盖4个处理,比较了小麦氮素吸收利用、籽粒产量、蛋白质含量以及土壤硝态氮残留量。结果表明,与翻耕相比,旋耕不影响小麦产量,但花后氮素积累量、籽粒蛋白质含量和蛋白质产量分别降低60.0%、8.6%和13.0%,而成熟期0~200 cm土层硝态氮残留量显著提高28.6%。同一耕作方式下,秸秆覆盖较无覆盖不仅显著提高了穗数、穗粒数、千粒重和收获指数,还提高了拔节前和开花后的氮素积累量,促进了营养器官氮素向籽粒中转运,从而使翻耕覆盖的籽粒产量、氮素吸收效率、籽粒蛋白质含量和蛋白质产量较翻耕分别提高11.5%、13.5%、7.4%和21.3%,旋耕覆盖较旋耕也分别提高23.0%、39.5%、12.8%和38.5%。在试验进行7年后的小麦成熟期,翻耕覆盖0~200 cm土层硝态氮残留量较翻耕降低31.3%,旋耕覆盖较旋耕也降低51.4%。因此,秸秆覆盖不仅可提高旱地麦豆轮作下小麦产量、蛋白质含量和氮素吸收效率,还能降低土壤硝态氮的残留量,是兼顾旱地小麦高产优质和环境友好生产的有效途径,尤其以旋耕覆盖效果突出。     

高寒区轮作模式对当归田土壤特性及药材产量的影响

连作重茬造成当归产量逐年下降。采用药用植物秦艽(QJ)、羌活(QH)轮作当归(DG),以当归连作为对照,通过测定土壤和药材产量指标,利用主成分分析确定各指标权重,并结合隶属综合因子分析和聚类分析,旨在揭示不同药用作物轮作当归对土壤环境与药材产量的影响,为筛选适宜当归栽培的轮作模式提供科学依据。结果表明,不同作物轮作对当归田土壤特性和药材产量均具有显著影响,秦艽轮作当归可有效改善土壤特性,使当归成药期土壤磷和钾含量处于较低水平,而有机质维持在较高水平,对土壤水分的季节调控作用更为显著,与当归连作相比较,当归成药率提高94.10%,药材单根鲜重和药材鲜产量分别提高53.46%和125.56%,而羌活轮作当归土壤pH最高,有机质含量最低,当归连作土壤有机质含量虽高,但土壤富集磷和钾,对土壤水分季节性调控作用最小,当归成药率和药材产量均低。不同轮作模式当归成药率和药材产量依次为秦艽-当归>当归-当归>羌活-当归,综合指数大小依次为秦艽-当归(0.8132)>羌活-当归(0.3315)>当归连作(0.2051)。聚类分析将3种轮作模式分为三大类,重复小区亚类间距离均小,说明不同作物轮作对土壤的调控作用不同,高寒产区秦艽轮作当归是优化调控土壤环境,提高当归产出性能的有效轮作模式。     

海河平原区棉花饲用黑麦复种方式及水肥利用效率分析

2011年10月-2014年10月连续3年在河北省任县安排了定位试验,通过饲用黑麦不同播期与棉花构建几种棉草复种茬口搭配方式,从产量、经济效益、水分利用效率和养分利用效率以及对土壤肥力影响等方面综合分析棉花饲用黑麦复种的可行性及复种方式。结果表明,棉花可与饲用黑麦复种,为降低饲用黑麦对棉花的影响,饲用黑麦可适当推迟到10月20日播种,次年4月底收获,效益可提高5470.1元·hm^-2。棉花饲用黑麦复种与棉花单作相比,平均水分利用率提高16.49%;水分经济利用效率提高56.54%;并且土壤有机质平均增长幅度提高5.71%,土壤含盐量平均降低幅度达到23.72%,土壤改良效果明显;是适用于该区域的高效复种模式。     

Improved milk production through PG–PL system by provision of in‐house shelter management in lactating Murrah buffaloes during winter season

Comprehensive information on the role of β‐casein and plasminogen–plasmin (PG–PL) system in milk secretion of Murrah buffaloes during winter season is lacking, although effects of cold stress can be ameliorated to an extent by altering microclimate at farm level. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the changes in productivity along with PG–PL system of milk, plasma hormones and metabolites of buffaloes during winter (December–January) season under two different management systems. Average minimum temperature and wind chill index during this season were 7.02 and 12.74 °C respectively. Buffaloes were divided in two groups of six animals each: control and treatment, where treatment group animals were placed in‐house with floor bedding of paddy straw and the control group animals in loose housing system without straw bedding. Physiological responses were recorded, and milk and blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for six‐week experimental period. Under in‐house management system, buffaloes experienced better comfort by alleviating environmental stress as their physiological responses such as respiration rate and pulse rate were significantly reduced (p < 0.01) as compared to the control, which subsequently resulted higher milk yield by 9.92% (p < 0.05). Analysis of milk samples revealed higher concentration of plasminogen (10.6 vs. 8.05 μg/ml; p < 0.01) and β‐casein (p < 0.05), and lower plasmin level (0.299 vs. 0.321 μg/ml; p < 0.05) in buffaloes under treatment group. It was also found that plasma cortisol, glucose and non‐esterified fatty acids levels were higher (p < 0.01) in control group as compared to the treatment animals by 13.6%, 8.14% and 12.6% respectively. However, milk composition, growth hormone, epinephrine and norepinephrine level in plasma were similar in both the groups. Hence, it may be concluded that provision of in‐house shelter management with floor bedding of paddy straw during winter was effective to minimize environmental stress and improved milk production through manipulation of PG–PL system in buffaloes.     

Effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide on inflammatory responses,milk production and milk quality in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses and milk production and quality in lactating dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were assigned to two treatments in a cross‐over experimental design. Cows were infused intravenously either with saline solution or with saline solution containing LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 at a dose of 0.01 μg LPS/kg body weight for approximately 6 hr each day during a seven‐day trial. The clinical symptoms and milk production performance were observed. Milk samples were analysed for conventional components, fatty acids and amino acids. And jugular vein and mammary vein plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins. LPS infusion decreased feed intake and milk yield. An increase in body temperature was observed after LPS infusion. LPS infusion also increased plasma concentrations of interleukin‐1β, serum amyloid A, LPS‐binding protein, C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin. LPS infusion decreased the contents of some fatty acids, such as C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9 (trans) and C18:2n6 (trans), and most amino acids except for methionine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline in the milk. The results indicated that a continued low dose infusion of LPS can induce an inflammatory response, decrease milk production and reduce milk quality.     

Effect of water restriction on milk yield and quality in Lacaune breed ewes

The effect of water restriction on body weight, body condition score, milk yield, and milk composition and rheological characteristics in intensively reared Lacaune ewes was evaluated. After 7 days of adaptation, the trial lasted 28 days. Thirty lactating ewes (48 ± 5 months of age; mean value ± standard deviation) at the beginning of third lactation month were divided into three groups (n = 10), corresponding to the following water restriction treatment: a group control received no drinking water restriction (W100), and two groups received water to the extent of 80% and 60% of W100 daily consumption (W80 and W60 group respectively). The effects of water restriction were assessed at the beginning of experiment (D0), at D14 and D28. The W60 group resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, body condition score, milk yield and feed consumption of hay due to the experimental treatment; whereas a marked increase in both W60 and W80 groups of milk lactose, urea, sodium, sodium chloride content and titratable acidity was observed. Rheological parameters of milk, rennet coagulation time and curd‐firming time were positively affected by water restriction treatments, with a decrease in both experimental groups of the time required for the formation of a stable and firm curd. Results highlight the importance of water consumption in dairy sheep. The scarce availability of water, significantly affecting ewes milk production, is worthy of particular attention in arid area where water stress‐resistant breeds should be considered. This study underlines that milk yield, being closely linked to the availability of water of the breeding habitat due to its high water content (about 81%), could be reached in area where water is not a limiting factor without reducing the genetic expression of the animals. Less severe water restrictions, such as 20% of daily voluntary water intake, produce no detrimental effect on milk yield.     

Yield Performance of Wheat Isolines with Different Dosages of the Short Arm of Rye Chromosome 1

Translocations of the short arm of rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosome 1 (1RS) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Pavon 76) are known to increase root biomass. Such an increase enhances water and nutrient uptake and may improve grain yield. Two greenhouse experiments and a field experiment were carried out at the University of California, Riverside, in 2012 and 2013 under well‐watered and terminal drought treatments to evaluate phenotypic characters associated with varying dosages of 1RS, including grain yield. The genotypes used were cultivar Pavon 76 (R₀), Pavon 76/Pavon1RS.1AL (F₁ hybrid) with a single dosage of 1RS (R₁A), Pavon 1RS.1AL with two dosages of 1RS (R₂A), Pavon 1RS.1DL (R₂D) also with two dosages of 1RS and Pavon 1RS.1AL‐1RS.1DL (R₄AD) with four dosages of 1RS. There was a significant positive correlation between number of dosages of 1RS and root biomass. However, no correlation was found between root biomass and grain yield per plant. Drought in the field experiment reduced grain yield significantly. Under well‐watered field conditions, grain yield of R₂A (215.9 g plant^?1) was significantly greater than those of R₂D (191.8 g plant^?1) and R₄AD (161.7 g plant^?1). Also, grain yield of R₄AD was significantly less than those of F₁, Pavon 76 and R₂D under well‐watered conditions. Under drought field conditions, no significant differences were found among the genotypes for grain yield was found between F₁ (14.7 g plant^?1) and R₄AD (12.4 g plant^?1). Harvest index was significantly greater in well‐watered (44.2 %) than in drought (34.6 %) field conditions. On average, genotypes F₁ (42.3 %) and R₂A (40.6 %) had higher harvest index than R₂D (38.3 %) and R₄AD (35.5 %) in the field. Also, Pavon 76 (40.2) and R₂D (38.3) had higher harvest index than R₄AD. Drought tolerance was lowest for R₄AD due to its relatively lower grain yield potential. In general, Pavon 1RS.1AL carrying two dosages of 1RS showed higher grain yield under wet treatments. Pavon 1RS.1AL‐1RS.1DL carrying four dosages of 1RS produced the largest shoot and root biomasses, but the least grain yield.