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Forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) is an important forage resource in the Northeast region of Brazil due to its adaptation to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region, mainly to the drought periods. The objective of this work was to assess the effects of diets with forage cactus combined with different sources of fibers on dry matter and water intakes, digestibility, microbial protein production, balance of nitrogen compounds, and performance of Red Sindhi cows in the Semiarid region of Brazil. The silages used were prepared from plants of Atriplex nummularia Lindi., Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp., and Manihot pseudoglaziovii Pax & K. Hoffm. They were included in forage cactus-based diets at a roughage to concentrate ratio of 58:42. The cows were distributed in a 4×4 double Latin square design with 12 days for each period. Water intake presented differences (p

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.) is an important crop for rainfed production systems and can play a significant role as a feed source for ruminants owing to its high yield and drought tolerance. It is well-established that the maturity stage can influence the chemical composition as well as the nutritional value of crops traditionally used for silage production, although quantitative evidence that this occurs with pearl millet under rainfed conditions is lacking. The current research assessed the agronomic characteristics, ensilability, intake and digestibility of a Brazilian pearl millet cultivar (IPA BULK1-BF) harvested at four different growth stages. Forage was harvested at 35, 50, 65 and 80 days after sowing and ensiled under laboratory and farm conditions. Apparent digestibility of the silages was determined using 24 male lambs. The results showed that dry matter (DM) and panicle and stem proportions increased with the advancement maturity. The silage evaluations showed that DM, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates and lignin concentrations increased, while crude protein, ADF and in vitro DM digestibility decreased with the increase in plant maturity. Additionally, the fermentation characteristics were improved with the increasing maturity. The digestion study showed that intake of DM and N as well as digestibility of DM and fibre fractions decreased, while lignin intake increased. The results obtained for the production of dry and digestible DM, the ratio of plant fractions and fermentation parameters indicate the possibility of harvesting pearl millet forage after 50 days after sowing for silage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:47:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 DSM Nutritional Products S.A. (Sao Paulo, Brazil) The effect of exogenous amylase on the in vitro rumen digestion kinetics of whole-crop maize silage made from dent (RB9004) or flint grain type (RB9308) was evaluated at different phenological stages: soft dough (SOD), early dent (EAD), 1/2 milkline (1/2M) and 3/4 milkline (3/4M). Forage was harvested from 70 to 110 days after sowing. Two rumen-cannulated cows receiving or not exogenous amylase (0.7 g/kg dry matter-DM, provided to achieve 396 kilo Novo units of amylase activity/kg of TMR DM) were used as donor of ruminal fluid. The in vitro gas production kinetics was evaluated according to a dual-pool logistic model. The chemical composition and gas production kinetics were affected by the hybrid and phenological stages. The flint hybrid had lower range for chemical analysis among physiological stages. Harvesting at 1/2M and 3/4M improved DM content, bromatological composition and silage quality parameters compared to dent or flint types. Amylase (i) increased methane (CH4) production and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) in 1/2M stage, (ii) improved digestion kinetics by reducing lag time and increasing total gas production and fermentation rates of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and fibrous carbohydrates (FC), and (iii) increased extent and fermentation rate of NFC and increased fermentation rate of FC fraction in whole-crop maize silages produced from dent or flint types in all phenological stages. Harvesting between 1/2M and 3/4M is the best phenological stage to improve chemical composition and silage quality parameters. Exogenous amylase showed improvements on fibre digestion of silages at 1/2M and 3/4M phenological stages in both grain types of corn. Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Anim Prod, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Embrapa Dairy Cattle, Anim Nutr & Precis Dairy Farming, Juiz De Fora, MG, Brazil Univ Estadual Sudoeste Bahia, Dept Rural & Anim Technol, Itapetinga, Brazil DSM Nutr Prod SA, Sao Paulo, Brazil Embrapa Semiarid, Forage Crops & Anim Nutr, Petrolina, Brazil Univ Fed Sul & Sudeste Para, Inst Studies Humid Trop, Xinguara, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Joao del Rei, Dept Agr Sci, Sao Joao Del Rei, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Anim Prod, Botucatu, SP, Brazil

Forage cactus is an important dry-season feed source for livestock in semi-arid regions, but in north-eastern Brazil, its contribution is limited by susceptibility to the carmine cochineal [Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell)] insect. New cactus germplasm shows superior agronomic performance, but the nutritive value of this material has not been adequately described. The objective of the current study was to assess the divergence in chemical composition and rate and extent of in vitro degradation of these genotypes. The treatments were 13 spineless cactus genotypes, eight of which were insect resistant types, two semi-resistant and three susceptible to the carmine cochineal. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and were replicated three times. Nutritional divergence was assessed using canonical variate analysis and hierarchical agglomerative clustering, using the variables: crude protein, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates, degradation rate and potential dry matter degradation. Five distinct nutritional groups were identified: Group I (OO), Group II (F-13 and F-15), Group III (OEA, OEM, COP, IPA 20 and GG), Group IV (V-16 and F-08) and Group V (Miuda, IS and F-21). Group II (F-13 and F-15; resistant genotypes) showed a chemical composition degradability in vitro suggesting it may have the greatest nutritive value as ruminant feed, while Group I had the least. Spineless cactus genotypes resistant to the carmine cochineal showed nutritional characteristics similar to or better than traditionally used cactus genotypes, such as Gigante and IPA 20, which can expand the range of options for using this forage.

Green and dry matter production, along with grain yield and otheragronomic traits, were assessed in 44 sorghum genotypes. Two sets of genotypes were formed based on known plant height, aiming to evaluate green and dry matter production and grain yield, as well as to separate forage and grain sorghum genotypes. The evaluations were performed based on experiments with three replications, being one irrigated (drip system) in Petrolina, State of Pernambuco, and the other rainfed, in Nossa Senhora da Glória, state of Sergipe, Brazil. Sowing dates were July 30, 2016, in Nossa Senhora da Glória; July 13, 2017, and October 24, 2018, in Petrolina; with 117 and 128 days from sowing to harvest, respectively. Expressive forage production was observed in genotypes EP-17 and SF-11, which exceeded 120 t ha-1. BRS 506 produced 108 t ha-1, while 13F03(1141572), P-294, P-288, 2502 x 467, BRS Ponta Negra, and SF-15 presented green matter production ranging from 94 to 98.5 t ha-1. Dry matter production was highly correlated with green matter production, and SF-11 had the best performance of 45.5 t ha-1. The observed plant height was more expressive for forage sorghum genotypes, being this trait highly correlated with the green and dry matter. The best grain yield performance reached 13.4 and 10.3 t ha-1, values observed for 9910032 and BRS Ponta Negra, respectively. The results demonstrate the full adaptability of sorghum to the semi-arid environment and the feasibility to produce roughage and grains under irrigation in the Brazilian semi-arid region.

SUMMARYForage sorghum (FS) (Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench) is a key feed source for ruminants owing to its high yield and drought tolerance. The present paper assessed the agronomic characteristics, silage quality, intake and digestibility of five new Brazilian sorghum cultivars (BRS Ponta Negra variety, BRS 655 hybrid, BR 601 hybrid, BRS 506 variety and BRS 610 hybrid). Forages were grown (randomized complete block design) in a typical Brazilian north-eastern semi-arid climate, irrigated with 267 mm water, harvested as plants reached the soft dough stage of grain maturity and ensiled under laboratory and farm conditions. Apparent digestibility of the silages was determined using 25 Santa Inês lambs. BRS 506 outperformed the other cultivars in dry matter (DM) and digestible DM yields/ha. BRS 506 exhibited the lowest neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) contents and the highestin vitrodry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of the cultivars examined. BRS 655 produced the lowest level of lactic acid and the highest pH and ammonia-N concentration. There was no difference in intake or digestibility of DM among cultivars. Silages produced from BRS Ponta Negra resulted in higher crude protein (CP) intake than BRS 655. Silages made from BRS 506 and BRS Ponta Negra resulted in a greater digestibility of CP than those produced from BRS 655. Intake of NDF in silages generated from BRS Ponta Negra and BRS 610 was higher than that found in other cultivars. Although an average Brazilian North-eastern FS exhibited similar characteristics to other cultivars grown in dry regions around the world, the results indicated that BRS 506 had a yield advantage and higher nutritive value under Brazilian semi-arid conditions as compared to the other cultivars examined.

Productive performance for silage production of five forage sorghum genotypes (BRS Ponta Negra, BRS 655, BR 601, BRS 506 and BRS 610) was evaluated through the yield of dry matter, digestible dry matter, and fresh matter, plant height, percentage of lodged and broken plants, and anatomical fractions in Brazilian semi-arid region. BRS 506 and BRS Ponta Negra varieties achieved the highest fresh forage yields (89.4 and 76.2 ton. ha -1 ), and BRS 506, stood out for dry and digestible dry matter yield (25.2 and 12.1 ton. ha -1 , respectively). Regarding the participation of the plant fractions, BRS 655 and BRS 610 genotypes showed a higher percentage of panicles (50.2 and 41.0% respectively), while BRS 506 stressed out the stem participation (84.6%), and BRS Ponta Negra, the leaf participation (17.9%). Among the materials evaluated for silage production, stood out the BRS 506 and BRS Ponta Negra genotypes. The results obtained for production of dry and digestible dry matter, and the ratio of plant fractions indicates the possible use of these genotypes on silage production in the Brazilian semiarid.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar as caracteristicas agronomicas de cinco cultivares de milho (BRS 1055, BRS 3035, BRS 2022, SAO JOSE and BRS CAIMBE) recomendados para producao de silagem no Agreste de Pernambuco. Para tanto foram determinadas as produtividades de materia verde (PMV), de materia seca (PMS), numero de espigas (NE), altura de planta (AP), altura de insercao de espigas (AIE), populacao de plantas (PP), porcentagem de plantas quebradas (PQB) e as proporcoes de espiga (%EMS), colmo (%CMS) e folha (%FMS) na materia verde e na materia seca. Foi utilizado o delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos (cultivares) e cinco repeticoes. O cultivar SAO JOSE destacou-se em relacao a altura de planta, de insercao de espigas e porcentagem de plantas quebradas, apresentando media de 2,05m, 1,15m e 7,62%, respectivamente. Os cultivares BRS 3035, BRS 2022 e BRS CAIMBE obtiveram as maiores producoes de materia seca (9,68, 9,66 e 8,62 Mg ha-1, respectivamente). Os cultivares avaliados apresentaram bom equilibrio na relacao folha: colmo: espiga e estao de acordo com os resultados apresentados para cultivares de milho consagrados para producao de silagem em distintas regioes brasileiras. Em geral, os cultivares BRS 2022, BRS 3035, and BRS CAIMBE se destacaram em relacao aos demais nas caracteristicas agronomicas para producao de silagem na Serra da Borborema, que e uma zona semiarida do estado de Pernambuco.

Agronomic characteristics of maize varieties for silage production in the submedio Sao Francisco river valley. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dry and fresh matter yield, height of ear insertion, number of ears per plant, plant height and the ear stem -1 leaf -1 ratio of six maize varieties recommended for the Brazilian semi-arid region (BR 5033 - Asa Branca, BR 5028 - Sao Francisco, BRS 4103, BRS Caatingueiro, BRS Assum Preto and Gurutuba) aiming at silage production. The experiment was carried out at Embrapa Semi-Arid, in a completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. The varieties Gurutuba and BRS 4103 achieved the highest yields of fresh forage (38.7 and 40.0 t ha -1 ). These two varieties and BR 5028 - Sao Francisco showed the highest dry matter yield (16.0, 16.5 and 15.8 t ha -1 , respectively). However, the variety BRS Caatingueiro presented a higher number of ears per plant (1.6) than those of the other varieties. Among the materials evaluated for silage production in the Submedio Sao Francisco river Valley, Gurutuba, BR 5028 - Sao Francisco and BRS 4103 stood out. The results obtained for dry matter production (t ha -1 ) and number of ears per plant, as well as the ear stem -1 leaf -1 ratio, indicate the possibility of using the evaluated

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.) is an important crop for rainfed production systems and can play a significant role as a feed source for ruminants owing to its high yield and drought tolerance. It is well-established that the maturity stage can influence the chemical composition as well as the nutritional value of crops traditionally used for silage production, although quantitative evidence that this occurs with pearl millet under rainfed conditions is lacking. The current research assessed the agronomic characteristics, ensilability, intake and digestibility of a Brazilian pearl millet cultivar (IPA BULK1-BF) harvested at four different growth stages. Forage was harvested at 35, 50, 65 and 80 days after sowing and ensiled under laboratory and farm conditions. Apparent digestibility of the silages was determined using 24 male lambs. The results showed that dry matter (DM) and panicle and stem proportions increased with the advancement maturity. The silage evaluations showed that DM, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates and lignin concentrations increased, while crude protein, ADF and in vitro DM digestibility decreased with the increase in plant maturity. Additionally, the fermentation characteristics were improved with the increasing maturity. The digestion study showed that intake of DM and N as well as digestibility of DM and fibre fractions decreased, while lignin intake increased. The results obtained for the production of dry and digestible DM, the ratio of plant fractions and fermentation parameters indicate the possibility of harvesting pearl millet forage after 50 days after sowing for silage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Made available in DSpace on 2021-01-20T09:03:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dantas.-Performance-agronomic-traits-ensilability.pdf: 242348 bytes, checksum: 5697d8ff7b2606de10394c7bab016f57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum(L.) R.) could play an important role as a feed source for ruminants in arid and semi-arid zones of the world owing to its high yield and drought tolerance. The current paper assessed the agronomic characteristics, ensilability, intake and digestibility of five Brazilian pearl millet cultivars (IPA Bulk1BF, BRS 1501, CMS-03, CMS-01 and BN-2) in a typical Brazilian northeastern semi-arid climate. Forage was harvested at the dough stage of grain maturity (growth stage 86 according to the BBCH scale) and ensiled under laboratory and farm conditions. Apparent digestibility of the silages was determined using 25 Santa Inês male lambs. The cultivars CMS-01, CMS-03 and BN-2 out-performed the others in terms of dry matter (DM) and digest- ible DM yield/ha. At DM partitioning among plant tissues, the cultivar IPA Bulk1BF had a greater DM associated with panicles and one of the greatest concentrations of organic matter, lactic acid and in vitro dry matter digestibility among the five cultivars. The cultivar BRS 1501 had greater butyric acid concentration as well as one of the highest pH values. Silage produced from BN-2 not only contained greater acetic acid concentration, but also showed one of the greatest total volatile fatty acid concentrations. There were no differences in feed intake and digestibility of nutrients and fibre fractions across all cultivars. Silage made from BN-2 resulted in greater urinary excretion of nitrogen than those produced from BRS 1501. Under the conditions of the present study, the results obtained for production of DM and digestible dry matter, and the ratio of plant fractions, indicates the possible use of these cultivars for silage production in the Brazilian semi-arid region. Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-13T01:10:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Agronomictraits.pdf: 112360 bytes, checksum: 00cb5845a6ab1fe41e351a8cfe61853d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-01