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Agriculture
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Advanced Studies in Improving the Nutritional Status of Forage Crops...
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Advanced Studies in Improving the Nutritional Status of Forage Crops for Better Livestock Productivity

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Farm Animal Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2024 | Viewed by 4399

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Barbara Wróbel

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Technology and Life Sciences—National Research Institute, Falenty, 3 Hrabska Avenue, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland
Interests: grasslands management practices; organic farming; forage nutritive value; fertilization; forage conservation; meat and milk quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Waldemar Zielewicz

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Grassland and Natural Landscape Sciences, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland
Interests: forage grasses; grasslands; fertilization; bioactive fertilizers; Zea mays; sorghum; plant protection
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Forage crops refer to plants, usually grasses (Poaceae) or herbaceous legumes (Fabaceae), consumed by animals, particularly livestock. The nutritional status of forage plants depends on the concentration and proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. The composition of these organic nutrients determines the digestibility of each plant, which, along with minerals and vitamins, provides the amount of energy the animal can obtain. The problem is the presence of anti-nutritional substances and inherent toxins. The quality of feed used in livestock nutrition is very important, as it determines not only the animal’s performance but also the quality of milk and dairy products (butter, cheese and yogurt) and beef. Forage crop quality is determined by genetic constitution and agronomic practices (irrigation management, harvesting stage, the number of cuttings and many others). In addition, climatic changes and abiotic stress factors can also affect forage quality. Nutrient application rate and the source of the nutrient also influence the quality aspect of forage crops. Another important factor is preservation technology involving inherent nutrient losses. For this reason, a wide range of studies on improving the nutritional status of forage crops is carried out.

In this Special Issue, we are looking for publications that can bring together different aspects concerning the improvement of the nutritional status of forage crops. All types of articles, such as original research, opinions and reviews, are welcome.

Dr. Barbara Wróbel
Dr. Waldemar Zielewicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • animal performance
  • anti-nutritional factors
  • botanical composition of sward
  • cultivar breeding
  • animal products quality
  • digestibility
  • livestock diets
  • green forage
  • fertilization
  • silage

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2097 KiB  
Article
Intensive Meadows on Organic Soils of Temperate Climate–Useful Value of Grass Mixtures after the Regeneration
by Teodor Kitczak, Heidi Jänicke, Marek Bury and Grzegorz Jarnuszewski
Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061126 - 26 May 2023
Viewed by 861
Abstract
Meadows on organic soils perform an essential role as a source of fodder and biomass for energy purposes. In the case of intensive meadows, it is crucial to use grass mixtures that enable obtaining high yields of good quality; however, on organic soils, [...] Read more.
Meadows on organic soils perform an essential role as a source of fodder and biomass for energy purposes. In the case of intensive meadows, it is crucial to use grass mixtures that enable obtaining high yields of good quality; however, on organic soils, the grass species composition changes dynamically. We carried out the full cultivation (ploughing) for grassland restoration. The floristic composition of meadow sward in the first year of full use (2013) was similar to the composition of mixtures used for sowing (2012) individual plots. Festuca arundinacea and Phleum pratense showed greater resistance to low temperatures in winter and excess water in spring compared to Lolium perenne. In comparison, we obtained the highest yield (fresh and dry mass) from mixtures with Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne. We obtained the best quality forage from the first swath and the object with the highest share of Lolium perenne. For grassland restoration in the analysed habitat, it is reasonable to use grass mixtures with varied compositions, in which the share of Lolium perenne is between 25–50%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Improving the Nutritional Status of Forage Crops for Better Livestock Productivity)
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Review

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11 pages, 781 KiB  
Review
Fodder Radish as a Potential Alternative Feed Source for Livestock in South Africa
by Lwando Mbambalala, Zikhona Theodora Rani, Thamsanqa Doctor Empire Mpanza, Makiwa Simeon Mthana, Lusanda Ncisana and Ntuthuko Raphael Mkhize
Agriculture 2023, 13(8), 1625; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13081625 - 18 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2742
Abstract
The agricultural sector receives substantial support from livestock, which greatly contributes to the well-being of rural communities. Livestock offers animal-derived products, such as meat and milk, which serve as abundant protein sources for human consumption. While the majority of South Africa’s agricultural land [...] Read more.
The agricultural sector receives substantial support from livestock, which greatly contributes to the well-being of rural communities. Livestock offers animal-derived products, such as meat and milk, which serve as abundant protein sources for human consumption. While the majority of South Africa’s agricultural land is suitable for livestock farming within the smallholder sector, these farmers often face a variety of challenges. Among these challenges, there is insufficient access to superior forage resources, resulting in the limited availability of high-quality feed. Traditional nutrient sources for ruminants, such as soybean meal, grain, sunflower meal, and fish meal, are employed as supplementary feeds to provide exceptional nutrition and improve animal performance. Nonetheless, they present logistical, economic, and environmental challenges. To circumvent these challenges, smallholder producers have turned to leguminous trees, including Vachellia species and other locally available feed resources. They are utilized as feasible and cost-effective alternatives to supplement livestock, especially during periods of extended drought. However, these locally available feed resources exhibit inherent limitations, including thorn presence, high fiber content, low digestibility, and the presence of anti-nutritional and toxic factors. Cool season forage crops such as fodder radish present promising alternatives as autumn and winter forages for these farmers. Despite being widely used globally as a supplement for livestock during winter, fodder radish remains relatively underutilized, particularly among smallholder farmers. There is a scarcity of comprehensive information regarding its chemical composition, nutrient utilization, and remarkable potential to revolutionize livestock production, especially within the smallholder sector. Most of the available literature demonstrates the positive effects of fodder radish on soil structure, soil carbon and nitrogen levels, weed suppression, and other benefits. This paper systematically reviews the current state of knowledge on the nutritive value, opportunities, and challenges associated with the utilization of this crop in the cooler eastern regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Studies in Improving the Nutritional Status of Forage Crops for Better Livestock Productivity)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Cultivation of reed canary grass (/Phalaris arundinacea/ L.) for biomass and seeds
Authors: Grzegorz Jarnuszewski
Affiliation: Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Management and Agriculture, West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin

Title: Effect of CaSO4 and potassium fertilization on the nutritive value of the sward of a legume-grass mixture.
Authors: Zielewicz W.; Wróbel B.
Affiliation: Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department of Grassland and Natural Landscape Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland
Abstract: The metabolic functions of calcium are also important for the normal function of plants. This element is essential for the division of cells in the growth buds of the roots and shoots. Calcium deficiency inhibits plant growth. Alfalfa is a plant species with a high demand for calcium.

Title: Effect of CaSO4 and potassium fertilization on ADF, NDF content and digestibility of a legume-grass mixture sward.
Authors: Zielewicz W.; Wróbel B.
Affiliation: Poznań University of Life Sciences, Department of Grassland and Natural Landscape Sciences, Dojazd 11, 60-632 Poznań, Poland
Abstract: Calcium sulphate fertilisation has positive effects on heavy clay soils because it increases the rate of water infiltration and reduces the crust on the surface of these soils. The content of aluminium, which is toxic to plants, increases in acidic soils and disturbs the growth of plants’ roots. Calcium sulphate only slightly modifies the soil pH, but it limits the toxic effect of aluminium in soil. When calcium sulphate is applied in the soil solution, complex AlSO4 ions or molecular Al(OH)SO4 compounds are formed, which reduce the harmful effect of aluminium on plants. The use of calcium sulphate improves soil conditions and plant uptake of mineral nutrients. Improved soil conditions have an impact on the quality of the forage and the yield obtained.

Title: The effect of Festulolium variety and cut number on the nutrition value of green forages and silages
Authors: Purwin C., Borsuk- Stanulewicz M., Stefańska B., Pogorzelska-Przybyłek P. (Żukowski P.?)
Affiliation: Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie; UP Poznań
Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the Festulolium variety (3 Festulolium varietes and Lolium multiflorum) and cut number affected variation in the nutrition value of green forages and silages. DM yield of biomass and nutrition value of green forages and silage: DM, CF, ADF, NDF, WSC, CP, CNCPS, nutrition value (INRA) were examined.

Title: The effect of harvest date and cutting height of Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) on quality and nutrition value of green forages and silages
Authors: Borsuk- Stanulewicz M., Purwin C., Stefańska B., Baranowska M.
Affiliation: Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie; UP Poznań
Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the harvest date and cutting height of Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby) affected variation in the nutrition value of green forages and silages. Green forages and silage analysis and nutrition value – biomass DM yield, DM, CF, ADF, NDF, WSC, CP, CNCPS, nutrition value (INRA) were evaluated.

Title: Quality of red clover forage in different ecological production systems
Authors: Purwin C., Żuk-Gołaszewska K., Tyburski J., Borsuk-Stanulewicz M., Stefańska B.
Affiliation: Uniwersytet Warmińsko-Mazurski w Olsztynie; UP Poznań
Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate red clover forage produced in different ecological production systems, taking into account different fertilization on chemical composition, carbohydrate fractions and nutritional value. Red clover forage analysis and nutrition value – proximate chemical composition, NDF, ADF, ADL, WSC, true protein, nutrition value according to INRA system.

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