Drought Effect on Yield of Forages Grass Species

Climate change (rising temperatures, lengthening of the growing season, increasing evaporation) significantly affects agricultural production in traditional production areas of Central Europe, as illustrated by example better results in growing of corn on its northern or upper height limit. Changes in the amounts and timing of rainfall events will probably affect ecosystem processes, including those that control carbon (C) cycling and storage. In relation to the ongoing global warming, it is desirable to test resistance of grass species to a lack of moisture. Seasonal variation in precipitation and temperature are important controls of soil and plant processes in grasslands. (Fiala et al., 2012). Many species respond to drought by maintaining high water potential by reducing water losses or better adsorption. Limitation of water losses can be reduced in the development of water stress by rolling the leaves or fast closing stomata. The plants, however, not only reduce transpiration, but also reduce photosynthesis and thus growth and development (Xu et al., 2006). Interaction of drought stress with high temperature has a greater effect than the damaging effects of each stressor separately. There is a loss of water by transpiration required for cooling and thus faster drying (Jiang and Huang, 2001). Almost a third of the fresh water that is consumed in Europe is used in agriculture, mostly for irrigation (Flörke and Alcano, 2004). The main aim of the study was to evaluate the response production types of grasses to stress-induced reduction of normal precipitation in relation to their production characteristics and the structure of biological phytomass

The effect of biological and chemical additives on the chemical composition and fermentation process of Dactylis glomerata silage

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition, silage quality and ensilability of ten cocksfoot cultivars using biological and chemical silage additives. The plant material was harvested from the first and second cut, cultivated at the Research Station of Fodder Crops in Vatín, Czech Republic. Wilted forage was chopped and ensiled in mini-silos with 3 replicates per treatment. The treatments were: 1) without additives, used as a control; 2) with bacterial inoculants; and 3) with chemical preservatives. The results indicated that the year factor (2012-2013) influenced significantly the chemical composition of the silage in both cuts. The use of biological inoculants reduced the content of crude fibre and acid detergent fibre; but it did not influence the content of neutral detergent fibre, in comparison with the control silage in both cuts. Furthermore, the application of biological inoculants reduced the concentration of lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA) in contrast to the control silage in the first cut. Moreover, in the second cut the same values tended to be the opposite. Interestingly, ‘Amera’ was the unique variety that presented a high concentration of butyric acid (0.2%) in comparison with other varieties in the first cut. In conclusion, the biological inoculants had a favourable effect on silage fermentation. Notably, only ‘Greenly’ and ‘Starly’ varieties from the first cut; and ‘Greenly’, ‘Sw-Luxor’, and ‘Otello’ varieties from the second cut were appropriate for ensiling because their pH-values; LA and AA concentrations were ideal according to the parameters of the fermentation process

Influence of Grass Species on the Mycotoxins Content

Clean and healthy phytomass is a prerequisite for producing high-quality forage. Development of microscopic fungi may lead to the formation of mycotoxins (Opitz von Boberfeld et al., 2006), which are secondary metabolites produced especially by the fungi Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium (Rodrigues and Naehrer, 2012). Mycotoxins are produced due to interactions and reactions of fungi to environmental conditions (Opitz von Boberfeld et al., 2002). Mycotoxins naturally have negative impacts upon livestock, causing alterations in hormonal functions, poor feed utilization, lower rates of body weight gain, and possibly death (Duarte et al., 2013). Preventing the occurrence of mycotoxins in forage should begin in the field. These include the use of varieties or hybrids that are well adapted to the given growing area and that are resistant to fungal disease. Production and control of mycotoxins in silage are not well understood. General recommendations for limiting their occurrence include minimizing plant disease (Barnes et al., 2007). The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in green matters and silages of perennial grass species, evaluate the difference among grass species and the impact of fertilization and sites on the occurrence of mycotoxins

Zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles as a novel antibacterial agent: in vivo study on rats after dietary exposure

Background: Development of new nanomaterials that inhibit or kill bacteria is an important and timely research topic. For example, financial losses due to infectious diseases, such as diarrhea, are a major concern in livestock productions around the world. Antimicrobial nanoparticles (NPs) represent a promising alternative to antibiotics and may lower antibiotic use and consequently spread of antibiotic resistance traits among bacteria, including pathogens. Results: Four formulations of zinc nanoparticles (ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD) based on phosphates with spherical (ZnA, ZnB) or irregular (ZnC, ZnD) morphology were prepared. The highest in vitro inhibitory effect of our NPs was observed against Staphylococcus aureus (inhibitory concentration values, IC50, ranged from 0.5 to 1.6mmol/L), followed by Escherichia coli (IC50 0.8-1.5mmol/L). In contrast, methicillin resistant S. aureus (IC50 1.2-4.7mmol/L) was least affected and this was similar to inhibitory patterns of commercial ZnO-based NPs and ZnO. After the successful in vitro testing, the in vivo study with rats based on dietary supplementation with zinc NPs was conducted. Four groups of rats were treated by 2,000mg Zn/kg diet of ZnA, ZnB, ZnC, and ZnD, for comparison two groups were supplemented by 2,000mg Zn/kg diet of ZnO-N and ZnO, and one group (control) was fed only by basal diet. The significantly higher (P<0.05) Zn level in liver and kidney of all treated groups was found, nevertheless ZnNPs did not greatly influence antioxidant status of rats. However, the total aerobic and coliform bacterial population in rat feces significantly decreased (P<0.05) in all zinc groups after 30d of the treatment. Furthermore, when compared to the ZnO group, ZnA and ZnC nanoparticles reduced coliforms significantly more (P<0.05). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that phosphate-based zinc nanoparticles have the potential to act as antibiotic agents

Clipping management and its effect on the composition and height of low-input turf

The effect of mulching and moving management on the height and the composition of low-input turf was studied in Vatin research station of fodder crops regularly in May, during years 2007–2012. The experiment was established in 2006 with using a clover-grass lawn mixture (95% grasses, 5% clover crops). The experimental plots were not fertilized and the patches were mown or mulched five times a year to a sward height of 40 mm.The achieved results show that mulching affected the composition of the low-input turf very significantly. On the average of six-year monitoring, the representation of grasses in the sward of the mulched variant was 66.9%, which was a significantly higher share of grasses than in the mown variant (52.3%). By contrast, the share of clover crops in the mown variant (36.6%) was significantly higher than in the mulched variant (21.3%). Mulching significantly affected neither the infestation by weeds nor the total sward cover.Mean height of the cut sward was non-significantly higher by 10.1% in the mulched variant with the sward heights being 210.9mm in the mown variant and 232.3mm in the mulched variant

The effect of fertilizer seed coating on the germinating capacity and initial development of some turf grass species and white clover

The effect of the iSeed method treatment on germination dynamics, total germinating capacity and the length of above-ground and root parts was studied in laboratory conditions for the Red fescue varieties Darwin and Moccasin, Kentucky bluegrass varieties Yvette and Miracle, Perennial ryegrass varieties Beatrice and Milan, and White clover varieties Pirouette and Pipolina. In the Perennial ryegrass, the iSeed treatment adversely affected the energy of germination in the first days of study. The germinating capacity gradually equalized during the experiment. Red fescue and Kentucky bluegrass did not show any response to the treatment. Similarly as the Perennial ryegrass, the two varieties of White clover exhibited higher energy of germination on the third day from the establishment. A demonstrably positive effect of the iSeed treatment was recorded on the number of germinated individuals. Particularly the variety Pirouette showed significantly higher germinating capacity until the tenth day of monitoring the treated seeds. The iSeed method had no statistically significant influence on the values of total germinating capacity in all tested species and varieties. The effect of the iSeed method treatment on the length of shoot and root parts was not statistically demonstrated. Some varieties showed a positive effect and some showed a negative effect. A significant difference was observed only in the untreated variety Moccasin whose above-ground part was by 14 mm longer as compared with the treated variant

The effect of seed age and treatment by Proradix method on germinability and initial growth of selected meadow grass (Poa pratensis) varieties

The goal of the study conducted in 2008 and 2010 at the Research Forage Production Station in Vatín was to investigate the influence of seed age and seed treatment by Proradix method on the germination dynamics, total germinating capacity and initial growth rate of selected meadow grass varieties. The testing was carried out in controlled conditions on the germinator. Our results indicate that the age of seed significantly affects both the germination dynamics and the total germinating capacity. On day 7 after the establishment of the trial, a significantly higher germinating capacity was observed in the 4-year old seed (33.3%) as compared with the 2-year old seed (17.4%). Nevertheless, from day 13, higher germination values were recorded in the younger seed and its total achieved germinating capacity was significantly higher too (+7.2%). Interesting was a finding that the older seed of most varieties showed a more readily oncoming germination, which may play a quite important role in some cases namely in meadow grass, which is known by slow initial growth. The older seed exhibited significantly lower values of both above-ground biomass and the biomass of roots. The Proradix method appeared as efficient in boosting the total germinating capacity. It significantly increased germination rate as well as total germinating capacity. At the same time, a positive effect was observed of treatment by this method on the length of both shoot and root parts; the difference was statistically insignificant though

Effect of fertilization and harvest frequency on floristic composition and yields of meadow stand

The effect of fertilization and the harvest frequency on production and floristic characteristics of a meadow stand were assessed in a small plot trial established in 2003 in Vatín, Vysočina Region, the Czech Republic. Four levels of fertilization (none; N0 + P30 + K60 kg∙ha−1; N90 + P30 + K60 kg∙ha−1; N180 + P30 + K60 kg∙ha−1) were combined with four treatments of exploitation intensity (4 cuts per year, first cut on 15th May, every next after 45 days; 3 cuts per year, first cut on 30th May, every next after 60 days; 2 cuts per year, first cut on 15th June, next after 90 days; 2 cuts per year, first cut on 30th June, next after 90 days). Production of dry matter and proportions of guilds (grasses, legumes, and other species) were evaluated. Data from 2009–2011 were used in this paper. Yields of the dry matter increased along with increasing amounts of nutrients supplied and ranged from 3.8 t∙ha−1 (non-fertilized) to 9.1 t∙ha−1 (N180PK). The nutrition level had a significant effect on spread of grasses, which reached maximal proportion of 52.3 % under N180PK fertilization compared to 42.1% on non-fertilized plots. On the contrary, legumes flourished well in treatments without N-supply, attaining proportion of 6.8 % and 5.1 % on PK-fertilized and non-fertilized plot, respectively. With regard to the exploitation intensity grasses profited from extensive management by contrast to the group of other species which reached its maximum in swards harvested four times a year. Proportions of legumes did not show significant dependence on the cutting frequency

Evaluation of Suitability of Grass Species for Dry Conditions (Water Stress)

Based on three-year results of a field experiment evaluating aboveground biomass production and the number of stems of above-ground shoots of grass species (Lolium perenne, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis) grown in a 200×200 mm layout in two water regime variants (normal and reduced – 50% of precipitation) and further in two variants of mowing intensity (meadow – 3 mowings, grazing – 5 mowings per year), the following has been ascertained. The most productive species on averages of the two moisture regimes is Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne and Festuca pratensis have fodder weight significantly lower by 20.8% and 22.6% (meadow var.) and 16.9% and 21.9% (grazing var.). Reduction of moisture significantly decreased the above ground biomass weight in case of meadow exploitation in Dactylis glomerata −41.2%, in Lolium perenne by −9.9% and in Festuca pratensis −33.5%. In case of grazing exploitation, the influence of “drought” on production was less pronounced. Dactylis glomerata provided the same output, in Lolium perenne there was a decrease of −15.7% and in Festuca pratensis −11.9%. Reduction of precipitation significantly decreased shoot formation particularly in case of meadow utilization in Lolium perenne −23.7%, Dactylis glomerata −34.7% and Festuca pratensis −20.5%. In case of grazing utilization, reduction in the number of pseudostems due to “drought” was lower – in the order of the above species – 27.1% – 4.6% – 9.6%. Generally, compared with meadow utilization, grazing utilization decreases fodder production in both moisture regimes and increases the number of above-ground shoots

The effect of biological and chemical additives on the chemical composition and fermentation process of Dactylis glomerata silage

This study was carried out to determine the chemical composition, silage quality and ensilability of ten cocksfoot cultivars using biological and chemical silage additives. The plant material was harvested from the first and second cut, cultivated at the Research Station of Fodder Crops in Vatín, Czech Republic. Wilted forage was chopped and ensiled in mini-silos with 3 replicates per treatment. The treatments were: 1) without additives, used as a control; 2) with bacterial inoculants; and 3) with chemical preservatives. The results indicated that the year factor (2012-2013) influenced significantly the chemical composition of the silage in both cuts. The use of biological inoculants reduced the content of crude fibre and acid detergent fibre; but it did not influence the content of neutral detergent fibre, in comparison with the control silage in both cuts. Furthermore, the application of biological inoculants reduced the concentration of lactic acid (LA) and acetic acid (AA) in contrast to the control silage in the first cut. Moreover, in the second cut the same values tended to be the opposite. Interestingly, ‘Amera’ was the unique variety that presented a high concentration of butyric acid (0.2%) in comparison with other varieties in the first cut. In conclusion, the biological inoculants had a favourable effect on silage fermentation. Notably, only ‘Greenly’ and ‘Starly’ varieties from the first cut; and ‘Greenly’, ‘Sw-Luxor’, and ‘Otello’ varieties from the second cut were appropriate for ensiling because their pH-values; LA and AA concentrations were ideal according to the parameters of the fermentation process