Productivity and quality, competition and facilitation of chicory in ryegrass/legume-based pastures under various nitrogen supply levels

Traditional perennial ryegrass-white clover mixtures have limitations in combined productivity and quality that herbs like chicory may alleviate. This study examined the consequences on productivity and quality of as well as competition and facilitation after introducing chicory into varies ryegrass-legume-based pastures in a field study over 3 consecutive growing seasons. A cultivar of chicory, suitable for grazing, in pure stand was found to out-yield a pure stand ryegrass in terms of dry matter and nitrogen (N) accumulation but was found to yield similar to mixture of chicory and ryegrass. The inclusion of chicory, increased N accumulation per area unit irrespective of associated leguminous species but had no effect (P>0.05) on the combined dry matter yield of these mixtures as compared to the chicory-ryegrass mixture. Chicory was not found to co-exist well with associated fodder legumes but it co-existed well with perennial ryegrass. Determined by a direct 15N plant labelling technique, chicory transferred little N to associated legumes and under moderate soil N conditions it almost out-competed the white clover whereas lucerne was able to withstand the competition with birdsfoot trefoil as intermediate. Chicory and ryegrass did exchange N amounting to less than 5% of the receiver plants’ N economy whereas the N transfer from the N-rich lucerne constituted 15% of the associated ryegrass’ N economy but less (P<0.05) of the chicory’s N economy. These differences are ascribed to the species’ root morphology and root zonation. Chicory accumulated large amounts of calcium, potassium, sodium and zinc but significant less of magnesium and manganese, irrespective of the N supply. In the case of sodium it was a short-term effect whereas calcium and possibly also sulphur, copper and zinc accumulation increased over time. It is concluded that chicory may improve the management of intensive dairy farms with a large N surplus because of the increase in productivity per unit area and N uptake efficiency and add significant improvements of the quality of the forage

Dried chicory root (Cichorium intybus L.) as a natural fructan source in rabbit diet: effects on growth performance, digestion and caecal and carcass traits

[EN] Three experimental diets were formulated including (per kg) 100 g oats (control diet), 50 g chicory root (Chicory 5 diet) or 100 g chicory root (Chicory 10 diet) at the expense of oats. The diets differed with respect to starch and fructan contents. In the performance trial, 120 Hyplus rabbits were randomly allocated to three groups (two rabbits per cage) and fed one of the three experimental diets between 31 and 73 days of age. At the end of the trial period, 20 rabbits per treatment were slaughtered and used for evaluation of carcass traits. In addition, the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of the diets and caecal traits were determined from 45 to 49 days of age in 10 rabbits per treatment. The diets did not differ significantly in terms of weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, health status or carcass traits of rabbits. The CTTADs of crude protein (P=0.041) and ether extract (P=0.006) were lower in rabbits fed the Chicory 10 diet than in rabbits fed the control diet. The CTTAD of starch (P<0.001) was lower, whereas that of fructans (P<0.001) higher, in rabbits fed the diets based on chicory root. The caecum weight (P=0.037), the weight of its contents (P=0.025) and the lactic acid (P=0.028) concentration were higher in rabbits fed the Chicory 10 diet than in control rabbits. On the contrary, rabbits fed with the chicory diets showed lower caecal pH (P=0.048) than rabbits fed the control diet. There was a tendency towards a lower caecal dry matter content and higher total VFA concentration in rabbits fed the chicory diets. It may be concluded that chicory root can serve as a natural source of inulin-type fructans in rabbit feed. Diet supplementation with 10% dried chicory root beneficially affected the caecal fermentative activity in the rabbits, without significant reductions in the nutritive value of the diet, growth performance or carcass quality.Financial support for this study was provided by the institutional research project MZE 0002701404Volek, Z.; Marounek, M. (2011). Dried chicory root (Cichorium intybus L.) as a natural fructan source in rabbit diet: effects on growth performance, digestion and caecal and carcass traits. World Rabbit Science. 19(3):143-150. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2011.850SWORD14315019

Antiparasitic activity of chicory (Cichorium intybus) and its natural bioactive compounds in livestock: a review

Increasing drug resistance in gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of livestock and concerns about chemical residues in animal products and the environment are driving the development of alternative control strategies that are less reliant on the use of synthetic drugs. An increasingly investigated approach is the use of bioactive forages with antiparasitic properties as part of the animal’s diet (nutraceuticals) or as potential sources of novel, natural parasiticides. Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a multi-purpose crop and one of the most promising bioactive forages in temperate regions, and numerous in vivo trials have explored its potential against parasitic nematodes in livestock. However, it is unclear whether chicory can induce a direct and broad activity against various GI parasites in different livestock species, and the levels of chicory in the diet that are required to exert an efficient antiparasitic effect. Moreover, the mechanisms leading to the reported parasiticidal activity of chicory are still largely unknown, and its bioactive phytochemicals have only recently been investigated. In this review, we summarise the progress in the study of the antiparasitic activity of chicory and its natural bioactive compounds against GI parasites in livestock, through examination of the published literature. The available evidence indicates that feeding chicory can reduce faecal egg counts and/or worm burdens of abomasal nematodes, but not infections with intestinal worms, in ruminants. Highly chicory-rich diets (≥ 70% of chicory dry matter in the diet) may be necessary to directly affect abomasal parasitism. Chicory is known to synthesise several bioactive compounds with potential antiparasitic activity, but most research has been devoted to the role of sesquiterpene lactones (SL). Recent in vitro studies have confirmed direct and potent activity of SL-rich extracts from chicory against different GI helminths of livestock. Chicory SL have also been reported to exhibit antimalarial properties and its potential antiprotozoal activity in livestock remains to be evaluated. Furthermore, the detailed identification of the main antiparasitic metabolites of chicory and their pharmacokinetics need further confirmation. Research gaps and perspectives on the potential use of chicory as a nutraceutical forage and a source of bioactive compounds for parasite control in livestock are discussed

The effect of a diet with fructan-rich chicory roots on intestinal helminths and microbiota with special focus on Bifidobacteria and Campylobacter in piglets around weaning

The restrictions on the use of antibiotic and anthelmintic treatments in organic pig farming necessitate alternative non-medical control strategies. Therefore, the antibiotic and parasite-reducing effect of a fructan-rich (prebiotic) diet of dried chicory was investigated in free-ranging piglets. Approximately half of 67 piglets from 9 litters were experimentally infected with Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis in the suckling period (1 to 7 weeks of age) and 58 of the piglets were challenged daily with E. coli O138:F8 for 9 days after weaning to induce weaning diarrhoea. The litters were fed either chicory (30% DM) or a control diet. The effect of chicory on intestinal helminths, intestinal microbiota, especially Bifidobacteria and Campylobacter spp., and E. coli post-weaning diarrhoea was assessed. The weight gain of the piglets was not impaired significantly by chicory. The intestinal A. suum worm burden was reduced by 64% (P=0.034) in the chicory-fed piglets, whereas these same piglets had 63% more T. suis worms (P=0.016). Feeding with chicory elicited no changes among the main bacterial groups in ileum according to terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis. However, the terminal-restriction fragment (T-RF) 208 bp, which may belong to Lachnospiraceae, was stimulated by the chicory feed (P=0.03), and T-RF 370 bp that matches Enterobacter belonging to the Enterobacteria was reduced (P=0.004). Additionally, chicory increased the level of Bifidobacteria (P=0.001) and the faecal Campylobacter excretion level was transitorily reduced in chicory-fed piglets at 7 weeks of age (P=0.029). Unfortunately, it was not possible to assess the effect of chicory on post-weaning diarrhoea as it did not develop. In conclusion, feeding piglets chicory around the time of weaning caused complex changes of the microbiota and parasite communities within the intestinal tract, and feeding piglets chicory may therefore serve as an animal-friendly strategy to control pathogens

In vivo effect of dried chicory root (Cichorium intybus L.) on xenobiotica metabolising cytochrome P450 enzymes in porcine liver

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are widely studied for their involvement in metabolism of drugs and endogenous compounds. In porcine liver, CYP1A2,2Aand 2E1 are important for the metabolism of skatole.Feeding chicory roots to pigs is known to decrease the skatole concentration in plasma and fat. In the present study we investigated the effect of chicory on CYP mRNA and protein expression, as well as their activity. Male pigs were feed dried chicory root for 16 days before liver samples were collected. By the use of RT-PCR and Western blotting we showed that the mRNA and protein expression of CYP1A2 and 2A were increased in chicory fed pigs. The mRNA expression of CYP2E1 was increased, while there was no effect on protein expression. Activity of CYP1A2 and 2A were increased in chicory feed pigs; this was not the case for CYP2E1 activity. In conclusion; oral administration of chicory root for 16 days to pigs increased the mRNA expression of CYP1A2, 2A and 2E1; and the protein expression of CYP1A2 and 2A. The activities of CYP1A2 and 2A were increased

Evaluation of herb pastures for New Zealand dairy systems : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Sciences at Massey University, Manawatu, New Zealand

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) sown in pure swards or both herbs sown with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and white clover (T. repens L.) are able to produce large amounts of high-quality forage in summer and autumn, when production and quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) are often limited. There have been many cases of poor persistence of chicory with current management practices, but there is limited information for plantain and the herb-clover mix pastures when grazed in dairy systems. Additionally, the presence of bioactive compounds in plantain has created interest in their potential effect on rumen fermentation. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effect of grazing frequency, two and four weeks, on the agronomic characteristics and diet selection of chicory, plantain, and herb-clover mix pastures, with dairy cows during two growing seasons (2011-2012; 2012-2013) and to examine the effect of the bioactive compounds in plantain on in vitro rumen fermentation. Chicory plants grazed every two weeks, rather than every four weeks, did not develop large taproots, and consequently stored less carbohydrate reserves (fructan and fructose) and failed to develop extra shoots. Chicory grazed every two weeks failed to persist, while chicory grazed every four weeks persisted only for the two growing seasons. For plantain the grazing frequency did not affect its plant density nor taproot diameter; however, the number of shoots per plant increased when grazed every two weeks compared to every four weeks. Overall, plantain and herb-clover mix pastures were more productive and persistent than chicory. The three pastures produced high-quality feed for dairy cows. Dairy cows preferred the herb-clover mix pasture, rather than pure chicory or plantain swards, and selected indiscriminately between chicory, plantain, and red clover. The diet selection for chicory and plantain varied between seasons and was affected by the vertical access and horizontal distribution of the species in the swards. The presence of bioactive compounds, aucubin and acteoside in plantain reduced the ammonia concentration during fermentation and probably causes less urea to be excreted in the cow‘s urine when grazing plantain. In conclusion, the herb-clover mix performed best due to its high herbage production and nutritive value and greater grazing preference by dairy cows, plus its potential to reduce the nitrogen lost from dairy systems

Interactions between dietary chicory, gut microbiota and immune responses

This thesis provides a better understanding of interactions between diet, gut microbiota, and immune responses to a specific dietary fiber source, chicory (Cichorium intybus L). This was achieved by examining the impact of chicory fiber on animal performance, digestibility, gut development, commensal bacteria community structure in small and large intestine, and follow-up reactions with specific immune components, cytoprotective heat shock protein (HSP) 27 and 72, in vivo and in vitro. The impacts of dietary chicory on nutrient utilization, performance, and gut environment and morphology were investigated in chickens and young pigs. One-day-old chicks were fed cereal-based diets with inclusion of 60 or 120 g/kg chicory forage and/or root, with each forage diet derived from two harvests. Growing pigs were fed diets without and with inclusion of 80 or 160 g/kg chicory forage and/or root. The results showed that chicory inclusion maintained good animal performance and was accompanied by changes in gut morphology. Total tract apparent digestibility of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and uronic acid in broilers decreased with inclusion of 120 g/kg chicory, but not with inclusion of 60 g/kg. This indicates that chicory can be used as a palatable fiber source for broiler chickens and young pigs. Gut microbiota complexity and dietary NSP-induced changes in pigs were examined using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP). The analysis revealed four primary microbiota clusters: luminal and mucosal ileal microbiota and luminal and mucosal colonic microbiota. In the ileum, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were dominant and responsive to inulin-type fructan. In the colon, bacteria belonging to clostridial cluster IV and XIVa responded to chicory pectin, whereas Prevotella was related to cereal xylan. Mapping of cytoprotective HSP27 and HSP72 occurrence in porcine gut revealed region- and cell type-specific features. Physiological expression of HSP72 was correlated with LAB, representing an important interplay between HSPs and commensal microbes. In-depth studies of interactions between lactobacilli and gut mucosa and their effects on barrier function and HSP expression revealed protective effects from lactobacilli by enhancing HSP and tight junction protein expression under pathogen challenge

Feeding driet chicory root to pigs decrease androstenone accumulation in fat by increasing hepatic 3β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression

The present study investigated the in vivo effect of chicory root on testicular steroid concentrations and androstenone metabolizing enzymes in entire male pigs. Furthermore, the effect on skatole and indole concentrations in plasma and adipose tissue was investigated. The pigs were divided into two groups; one receiving experimental feed containing 10% dried chicory root for 16 days before slaughter, the control group was fed a standard diet. Plasma, adipose and liver tissue samples were collected at slaughter. Plasma was analyzed for the concentration of testosterone, estradiol, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), skatole and indole. Adipose tissue was analyzed for the concentration of androstenone, skatole and indole, while the liver tissue was analyzed for mRNA and protein expressions of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), sulfotransferase 2A1 and heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70). The results showed that the androstenone concentrations in the adipose tissue of chicory fed pigs were significantly (p < 0.05) lower and indole concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) compared to control fed pigs. Moreover the chicory root fed pigs had increased mRNA and protein expression of 3β-HSD and decreased HSP70 expression (p < 0.05). Testosterone and IGF-1 concentrations in plasma as well as skatole concentrations in adipose tissue were not altered by dietary intake of chicory root. It is concluded that chicory root in the dietreduces the concentration of androstenone in adipose tissue via induction of 3�-HSD, and that these changes were not due to increased cellular stress

Regulation of cytochrome P450 mRNA expression in primary porcine hepatocytes by selected secondary plant metabolites from chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) has been shown to induce enzymes of pharmacokinetic relevance (cytochrome P450; CYP). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of selected secondary plant metabolites with a global extract of chicory root, on the expression of hepatic CYP mRNA (1A2, 2A19, 2C33, 2D25, 2E1 and 3A29), using primary porcine hepatocytes. Of the tested secondary plant metabolites, artemisinin, scoparone, lactucin and esculetin all induced increased expression of specific CYPs, while esculin showed no effect. In contrast, a global extract of chicory root decreased the expression of CYP1A2, 2C33, 2D25 and 3A29 at high concentrations. The results suggest that purified secondary metabolites from chicory affect CYP expression and thereby might affect detoxification in general, and that global extracts of plants can have effects different from individual components

Sensory emphasis on pork quality related to the diet content of fermentable fibre-rich feedstuffs (chicory and lupine) with special emphasis on the effect on boar taint

Boar taint in entire male pork is caused by skatole and andros-tenone and other compounds such as indole. However, female pigs also pro-duce skatole and indole. The purpose was to minimise boar taint related to skatole by feeding entire male and female pigs with fibre-rich feedstuffs. An organic, 10% dried chicory or 25% lupine diet was applied for either 7 or 14 days before slaughter. Lupines significantly reduced skatole in backfat for both genders whilst chicory showed no significant differences in this re-spect. From a sensory perspective, chicory and lupine reduced boar taint since odour and flavour of manure related to skatole and urine associated to androstenone were minimised. The level of boar taint in the entire male pigs was mainly reduced after 14 days by both chicory and lupine while the “boar” taint in female pigs was mainly reduced by lupine