Modeling of productivity and nutrient extraction by the Vetiver and Tifton 85 grasses grown in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity of shoot dry biomass and the capacity of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) extraction by the Vetiver and Tifton 85 grasses when cultivated in horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CWs) whose porous medium was saturated with solutions containing different nutrient availability. The grass shoots were cut every 30 days to determine the productivity and N, P and K contents in the plant tissue. Models of productivity and the extraction capacity of each nutrient were obtained as a function of the nutrient concentration. Based on the results obtained, it was verified that the productivity of shoot dry biomass and the extractions of N, P and K by the Vetiver grass increased linearly with the nutrient availability of the nutritive solution. In relation to Tifton 85, quadratic models of productivity and N and K extraction were adjusted. The maximum productivity, N, P and K extraction by Vetiver grass were 513.4, 8.2, 1.9 and 10.39 g m-2 month-1, respectively. In relation to Tifton 85 grass, these values were 739.4, 30.8, 3.0 and 15.59 g m-2 month-1 for productivity, N, P and K extraction, respectively.

Dehydration curve, gas exchange, and nutritional value of Bermuda grass hay under different conditions of storage / Curva de desidratação, trocas gasosas e valor nutricional do feno capim Bermuda sob diferentes condições de armazenamento

The aim of this study was to characterize the dehydration curve and, gas exchange of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) as well as the nutritional value of hay under different conditions of storage. The dehydration curve was evaluated at 7 time point (0, 13, 18, 22, 37, 42, and 44 hours after cutting) until baling, using five replicates. The time 0 (zero) corresponded to the time before cutting, performed at 19:00 hours. The design was completely randomized with measures repeated over time. Gas exchanges was evaluated 0, 14, and 18 hours after cutting, using 10 replicates. The nutritional value of cowpea hay was evaluated in two open and closed environments (SO and CS), three storage times (30, 60, and 90 days), and five replications. Dehydration of hay was carried out for 44 hours, rapid rates of dehydration was observed in the leaves. Gas exchange was more intense before cutting and up to 14 hours after cutting. Crude protein (CP) content was higher at the time of cutting and decrease after storage. The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content showed no variation between the sampling time and storage systems evaluated. Bermuda grass hay presents rapid dehydration and undergoes changes in the bromatological composition with storage time. Internal temperature of the hay bale did not exceed the ambient temperature.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a curva de desidratação, as trocas gasosas do capim bermuda (Cynodon dactylon L.) e o valor nutritivo do feno sob diferentes condições de armazenamento. A curva de desidratação foi avaliada durante 7 horários (0, 13, 18, 22, 37, 42 e 44 horas após o corte) até o enfardamento, com cinco réplicas. O tempo 0 (zero) correspondeu ao tempo antes do corte, realizado à19:00 horas (tempo 0). O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo. As trocas gasosas foram avaliadas nos tempos 0, 14 e 18 horas após o corte, utilizando 10 repetições. O valor nutricional do feno de do capim- bermuda foi avaliado em dois ambientes, aberto e fechado (SO e CS), três tempos de armazenamento (30, 60 e 90 dias) e cinco repetições. Observou-se que a desidratação do capim Bermuda ocorreu em 44 horas, com taxas rápidas de desidratação nas folhas. As trocas gasosas foram mais intensas antes do corte e até 14 horas após o corte. Os teores de proteína bruta (PB) foram maiores no momento do corte, diminuindo após o armazenamento. Os teores de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) não apresentaram variação nos períodos e sistemas de armazenamento avaliados. O feno do capim Bermuda apresenta desidratação rápida e sofre alterações na composição bromatológica com tempo de armazenamento. A temperatura interna do fardo não excedeu a temperatura ambiente.(AU)

Dehydration curve, gas exchange, and nutritional value of Bermuda grass hay under different conditions of storage / Curva de desidratação, trocas gasosas e valor nutricional do feno capim Bermuda sob diferentes condições de armazenamento

The aim of this study was to characterize the dehydration curve and, gas exchange of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) as well as the nutritional value of hay under different conditions of storage. The dehydration curve was evaluated at 7 time point (0, 13, 18, 22, 37, 42, and 44 hours after cutting) until baling, using five replicates. The time 0 (zero) corresponded to the time before cutting, performed at 19:00 hours. The design was completely randomized with measures repeated over time. Gas exchanges was evaluated 0, 14, and 18 hours after cutting, using 10 replicates. The nutritional value of cowpea hay was evaluated in two open and closed environments (SO and CS), three storage times (30, 60, and 90 days), and five replications. Dehydration of hay was carried out for 44 hours, rapid rates of dehydration was observed in the leaves. Gas exchange was more intense before cutting and up to 14 hours after cutting. Crude protein (CP) content was higher at the time of cutting and decrease after storage. The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content showed no variation between the sampling time and storage systems evaluated. Bermuda grass hay presents rapid dehydration and undergoes changes in the bromatological composition with storage time. Internal temperature of the hay bale did not exceed the ambient temperature.

O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar a curva de desidratação, as trocas gasosas do capim bermuda (Cynodon dactylon L.) e o valor nutritivo do feno sob diferentes condições de armazenamento. A curva de desidratação foi avaliada durante 7 horários (0, 13, 18, 22, 37, 42 e 44 horas após o corte) até o enfardamento, com cinco réplicas. O tempo 0 (zero) correspondeu ao tempo antes do corte, realizado à19:00 horas (tempo 0). O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com medidas repetidas no tempo. As trocas gasosas foram avaliadas nos tempos 0, 14 e 18 horas após o corte, utilizando 10 repetições. O valor nutricional do feno de do capim- bermuda foi avaliado em dois ambientes, aberto e fechado (SO e CS), três tempos de armazenamento (30, 60 e 90 dias) e cinco repetições. Observou-se que a desidratação do capim Bermuda ocorreu em 44 horas, com taxas rápidas de desidratação nas folhas. As trocas gasosas foram mais intensas antes do corte e até 14 horas após o corte. Os teores de proteína bruta (PB) foram maiores no momento do corte, diminuindo após o armazenamento. Os teores de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca (DIVMS) e fibra em detergente neutro (FDN) não apresentaram variação nos períodos e sistemas de armazenamento avaliados. O feno do capim Bermuda apresenta desidratação rápida e sofre alterações na composição bromatológica com tempo de armazenamento. A temperatura interna do fardo não excedeu a temperatura ambiente.

Effects of gibberellic acid on Tifton 85 bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) in constructed wetland systems.

This study aimed to evaluate 1) the influence of gibberellic acid (GA3) in the development of Tifton 85 bermudagrass grown in constructed wetland systems (CWs) and 2) the plant's capacity to remove nutrients and sodium from synthetic municipal wastewater (SMW). The experiment was carried out in Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and consisted of foliar applications of GA3 set in randomized blocks design, with four replicates and 6 treatments as following: NC (control with plants); 0 µM GA3; N1: 5 µM GA3; N2: 25 µM GA3; N3: 50 and N4: 100 µM GA3 per CWs, NC* (control with no plants): 0 µM GA3. The study was conducted over two crop cycles in the spring 2016. The parameters used to evaluate the performance of the Tifton 85 bermudagrass were its plant height, productivity, chlorophyll measurement, number of internodes, nutrients and Na removals. Chemical analyses of the effluents were conducted. In response to the application of GA3, the increase in height of Tifton 85 bermudagrass in the first crop cycle was higher than the increase in height in the second crop cycle. The decrease in plant growth in response to GA3 in the second crop cycle may be linked to the age of the plant tissue and climatic conditions. The greater growth of the plants cultivated in the CWs allows a more efficient removal of pollutants, using simple management and low cost. The results suggest that applying 50 µM of GA3 to the development of Tifton 85 bermudagrass provides higher dry matter yield and removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sodium for the first crop cycle in CWs. However, in the second crop cycle, the application of GA3 had no effect on dry matter production and nutrient removal by Tifton 85 bermudagrass in CWs.

Influência da suplementação de vitaminas A, D e E na função imune de bezerros alimentados com dieta á base de feno capim tifton (cynodon spp) / Influence of A, D and E vitamin supplements on immune function of calves fed diet tifton (cynodon spp) hay

As vitaminas são compostos orgânicos necessários em poucas quantidades no organismo, todavia indispensáveis para as funções metabólicas. Elas se inserem em inúmeras reações metabólicas, fisiológicas e imunes das células, necessárias para a manutenção da saúde animal, além de atuarem como imunoestimulante. Embora a dieta rica em folhagens verdes frescas forneça quantidades suficientes de vitaminas A, D e E a suplementação intensiva com alimentos conservados na forma de feno ou silagem pode reduzir em até 50 % dos teores destas vitaminas no alimento. Diante disso, a proposta do trabalho foi verificar se a administração parenteral de vitaminas A, D e E age como imunoestimulante em garrotes estabulados e alimentados exclusivamente com feno de tifton. Para tanto 14 bovinos foram divididos em dois grupos homogêneos, sendo o grupo S, suplementado com vitamina A, D e E em dose única de 30 mL por via intramuscular; e o grupo C, sem suplementação. Ambos os grupos foram alojados em baias parcialmente privadas de sol, e alimentados com feno por um período de três meses. A avaliação imune foi realizada por hemogramas e ensaio de função leucocitária (metabolismo oxidativo e fagocitose) nos momentos antes do tratamento, três e dez dias após os tratamentos. Tendo em vista que a suplementação com polivitamínicos A, D e E aumentou a porcentagem da atividade de células granulocítica e a intensidade da atividade de células mononucleares, além de intensificar o efeito antioxidante prolongando a sobrevida de hemácias e neutrófilos, conclui-se que esta suplementação promoveu efeito benéfico na resposta imune de bezerros da Raça Holandesa, apesar dos efeitos deletérios da alimentação exclusiva com feno e da privação parcial da incidência solar direta.

Vitamins are organic compounds which are required in small quantities in the body, however essential for the metabolic functions. They participate in numerous metabolic reactions, physiological and immune cells, needed to maintain animal health, as well as act as immunostimulants. Although the diet rich in fresh green foliage provides sufficient amounts of vitamin A, D and E, intensive supplementation with food stored in the form of hay or silage can reduce up to 50% of the levels of these vitamins in food. Given this, the proposal of this study was to verify how the parenteral administration of vitamins ADE acts as immunostimulant in steers fed exclusively with hay of tifton. For that, 14 cattle were divided into two homogeneous groups: Group S, supplemented with vitamin A, D e E given in a single intramuscular dose of 30mL, and Group C without supplementation. Both groups were housed in private stalls and fed with hay for a period of three months. Immune evaluation was performed by blood count and testing of leukocyte function (oxidative metabolism and phagocytosis) in the moments before treatment, three and ten days after the treatments. Considering that supplementation with vitamin A, D e E increased the percentage of granulocytic cell activity and the intensity of the activity of mononuclear cells, as well as intensified the antioxidant effect prolonging the survival of red blood cells and neutrophils, it can be concluded that this treatment had a beneficial effect on the immune response of Holstein calves, despite the damaging effects of exclusive feeding hay, and the partially deprivation of solar incidence.

Influência da suplementação de vitaminas A, D e E na função imune de bezerros alimentados com dieta á base de feno capim tifton (Cynodon spp) / Influence of A, D and E vitamin supplements on immune function of calves fed diet tifton (Cynodon spp) hay

As vitaminas são compostos orgânicos necessários em poucas quantidades no organismo, todavia indispensáveis para as funções metabólicas. Elas se inserem em inúmeras reações metabólicas, fisiológicas e imunes das células, necessárias para a manutenção da saúde animal, além de atuarem como imunoestimulante. Embora a dieta rica em folhagens verdes frescas forneça quantidades suficientes de vitaminas A, D e E a suplementação intensiva com alimentos conservados na forma de feno ou silagem pode reduzir em até 50 % dos teores destas vitaminas no alimento. Diante disso, a proposta do trabalho foi verificar se a administração parenteral de vitaminas A, D e E age como imunoestimulante em garrotes estabulados e alimentados exclusivamente com feno de tifton. Para tanto 14 bovinos foram divididos em dois grupos homogêneos, sendo o grupo S, suplementado com vitamina A, D e E em dose única de 30 mL por via intramuscular; e o grupo C, sem suplementação. Ambos os grupos foram alojados em baias parcialmente privadas de sol, e alimentados com feno por um período de três meses. A avaliação imune foi realizada por hemogramas e ensaio de função leucocitária (metabolismo oxidativo e fagocitose) nos momentos antes do tratamento, três e dez dias após os tratamentos. Tendo em vista que a suplementação com polivitamínicos A, D e E aumentou a porcentagem da atividade de células granulocítica e a intensidade da atividade de células mononucleares, além de intensificar o efeito antioxidante prolongando a sobrevida de hemácias e neutrófilos, conclui-se que esta suplementação promoveu efeito benéfico na resposta imune de bezerros da Raça Holandesa, apesar dos efeitos deletérios da alimentação exclusiva com feno e da privação parcial da incidência solar direta.(AU)

Vitamins are organic compounds which are required in small quantities in the body, however essential for the metabolic functions. They participate in numerous metabolic reactions, physiological and immune cells, needed to maintain animal health, as well as act as immunostimulants. Although the diet rich in fresh green foliage provides sufficient amounts of vitamin A, D and E, intensive supplementation with food stored in the form of hay or silage can reduce up to 50% of the levels of these vitamins in food. Given this, the proposal of this study was to verify how the parenteral administration of vitamins ADE acts as immunostimulant in steers fed exclusively with hay of tifton. For that, 14 cattle were divided into two homogeneous groups: Group S, supplemented with vitamin A, D e E given in a single intramuscular dose of 30mL, and Group C without supplementation. Both groups were housed in private stalls and fed with hay for a period of three months. Immune evaluation was performed by blood count and testing of leukocyte function (oxidative metabolism and phagocytosis) in the moments before treatment, three and ten days after the treatments. Considering that supplementation with vitamin A, D e E increased the percentage of granulocytic cell activity and the intensity of the activity of mononuclear cells, as well as intensified the antioxidant effect prolonging the survival of red blood cells and neutrophils, it can be concluded that this treatment had a beneficial effect on the immune response of Holstein calves, despite the damaging effects of exclusive feeding hay, and the partially deprivation of solar incidence.(AU)

Degradabilidade ruminal da matéria seca de folhas e colmo de genótipos de Cynodon spp. em quatro idades de rebrota / Ruminal degradability of dry matter of leaves and stem of genotypes of Cynodon spp. four ages of regrowth

Objetivou-se avaliar a cinética ruminal de cinco genótipos do gênero Cynodon (Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russel, Tifton 68 e Vaqueiro), colhidos com idades de 28, 48, 63 e 79 dias com potencial para fenação. Para a degradabilidade in situ utilizaram três novilhos com cânulas ruminais, com tempos de incubação de 96, 72, 48, 12, 6 e 0 hora. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas (gramíneas como parcelas e idade ao corte como subparcelas) com três repetições. Houve redução (P 0,05) para os teores de fração prontamente solúvel (fração a), potencialmente degradável (fração b) e degradabilidade potencial da matéria seca da lâmina foliar e do colmo à medida que houve avanço no estádio de maturidade. Para degradabilidade potencial da matéria seca das folhas, constataram reduções diárias de 0,29; 0,47; 0,38; 0,39 e 0,26% para Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russel, Tifton 68 e Vaqueiro, respectivamente. Recomenda-se o manejo de corte na idade de rebrota de 28 dias para fenação.(AU)

This study aimed to evaluate ruminal kinetics of five genotypes of Cynodon (Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russell, Tifton 68 and Vaqueiro), harvested, aged 28, 48, 63 and 79 days with potential for haymaking. For in situ was used three steers with rumen cannulae, with incubation times of 96, 72, 48, 12, 6 and 0 hours. We used a randomized block design in split plots (grass as plots and subplots as the cut time) with three replications. Decreased (P <0.05) to the levels of readily soluble fraction (fraction a), potentially degradable (fraction b) and the degradability of dry matter of the leaf and stem as there was increase in the maturity stage. For the degradability of dry matter of leaves, found daily reductions of 0.29; 0.47; 0.38; 0.39 and 0.26% for Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russell, Tifton 68 and Vaqueiro, respectively. It is recommended in the management of cutting regrowth age of 28 days from haymaking.(AU)

Degradabilidade ruminal da matéria seca de folhas e colmo de genótipos de Cynodon spp. em quatro idades de rebrota / Ruminal degradability of dry matter of leaves and stem of genotypes of Cynodon spp. four ages of regrowth

Objetivou-se avaliar a cinética ruminal de cinco genótipos do gênero Cynodon (Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russel, Tifton 68 e Vaqueiro), colhidos com idades de 28, 48, 63 e 79 dias com potencial para fenação. Para a degradabilidade in situ utilizaram três novilhos com cânulas ruminais, com tempos de incubação de 96, 72, 48, 12, 6 e 0 hora. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas (gramíneas como parcelas e idade ao corte como subparcelas) com três repetições. Houve redução (P 0,05) para os teores de fração prontamente solúvel (fração a), potencialmente degradável (fração b) e degradabilidade potencial da matéria seca da lâmina foliar e do colmo à medida que houve avanço no estádio de maturidade. Para degradabilidade potencial da matéria seca das folhas, constataram reduções diárias de 0,29; 0,47; 0,38; 0,39 e 0,26% para Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russel, Tifton 68 e Vaqueiro, respectivamente. Recomenda-se o manejo de corte na idade de rebrota de 28 dias para fenação.

This study aimed to evaluate ruminal kinetics of five genotypes of Cynodon (Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russell, Tifton 68 and Vaqueiro), harvested, aged 28, 48, 63 and 79 days with potential for haymaking. For in situ was used three steers with rumen cannulae, with incubation times of 96, 72, 48, 12, 6 and 0 hours. We used a randomized block design in split plots (grass as plots and subplots as the cut time) with three replications. Decreased (P <0.05) to the levels of readily soluble fraction (fraction a), potentially degradable (fraction b) and the degradability of dry matter of the leaf and stem as there was increase in the maturity stage. For the degradability of dry matter of leaves, found daily reductions of 0.29; 0.47; 0.38; 0.39 and 0.26% for Tifton 85, Jiggs, Russell, Tifton 68 and Vaqueiro, respectively. It is recommended in the management of cutting regrowth age of 28 days from haymaking.

Tifton hay, soybean hulls, and whole cottonseed as fiber source in spineless cactus diets for sheep.

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of three different sources of fiber (tifton hay, soybean hulls, and whole cottonseed) in spineless cactus diets for sheep in the semiarid region of northeastern Brazil. Twenty-one sheep in finishing phase with indeterminate breed, non-castrated, and with initial weight of 18.90 ± 1.07 kg were randomly distributed to individual stalls where they were confined for the duration of the experiment. The intakes of dry and organic matter, total carbohydrates, and total digestive nutrients were not influenced (P > 0.10) by the different fiber sources (1.10, 0.97, 0.73, and 0.80 kg/day, respectively). However, sheep which received the whole cottonseed diet were characterized by a lower (P < 0.10) intake of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber and greater (P < 0.10) intake of ether extract (0.11, 0.29, and 0.048 kg/day, respectively). The different sources of fiber resulted in similar times spent feeding (P > 0.10), although the rumination time was greater for tifton hay (P < 0.10) (429.05 min/day). The digestibility coefficient of dry and organic matter differed between the treatments (P < 0.10), with the soybean hull diet showing a higher level of digestion (83.23 and 86.72 %, respectively). The whole cottonseed diet gave the smallest digestibility coefficient of crude protein (68.95 %) and greatest for ether extract (85.94 %). The daily weight gain of animals fed on whole cottonseed was significantly lower (P < 0.10). On the basis of these findings, we recommend the use of tifton hay or soybean hulls as important additional source of fiber in forage spineless cactus diets for sheep in finishing phase.

Milk yield, milk composition, eating behavior, and lamb performance of ewes fed diets containing soybean hulls replacing coastcross (Cynodon species) hay.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of replacing coastcross hay NDF by soybean hull (SH) NDF on the lactation performance and eating behavior of ewes and also on the performance of their lambs. Fifty-six Santa Inês lactating ewes (56.1 +/- 6.8 kg of initial BW; mean +/- SD) were penned individually and used in a randomized complete block design with 14 blocks and 4 treatments. Diets were formulated to provide similar concentrations of NDF (56%) and CP (16%). The SH NDF replaced 33 (SH33), 67 (SH67), or 100% (SH100) of the NDF contributed by coastcross hay in a 70% forage-based diet (SH0), resulting in SH inclusion rates of 0, 25, 54, and 85% of the dietary DM. Once a week, from the second to the eighth week of lactation (weaning time), ewes were separated from their lambs, stimulated by a 6-IU i.v. oxytocin injection, and hand milked to empty the udder. After 3 h, milk production was obtained after the same procedure. Quadratic effect for milk production (142.4, 179.8, 212.6, and 202.9 g/3 h) and cubic effect for DMI (2.27, 2.69, 3.25, and 3.00 kg/d) were observed as SH inclusion increased from 0 to 85% of the dietary DM. Milk fat (7.59, 7.86, 7.59, and 7.74%), protein (4.53, 4.43, 4.40, and 4.55%), and total solids (18.24, 18.54, 18.39, and 18.64%) did not differ among the 70% forage-based diet and diets with SH NDF replacing 33, 67, or 100% of the NDF. A linear increase in lactose concentration was observed with SH inclusion. Ewe BW gain during the trial showed a cubic response (0.37, 0.03, 4.80, and 2.80 kg) with SH inclusion. The preweaning ADG of lambs increased linearly, and ADG of lambs after weaning decreased linearly with SH inclusion. Final BW of lambs (2 wk after weaning) did not differ among treatments. Eating behavior observations were conducted with 44 ewes. The same facilities, experimental design, dietary treatments, and feeding management were used. Observations were visually recorded every 5 min for a 24-h period when ewes were 46 +/- 6.8 d in milk. Eating time (min/d, min/g of DMI, and min/g of NDF intake) and time expended in rumination and chewing activities (min/g of DMI and min/g of NDF intake) decreased linearly with the addition of SH in the diets. The inclusion of SH improved DMI and milk production, also reflecting on the BW of lambs at weaning. Milk performance was not affected when SH NDF replaced 100% of hay NDF.