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A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Grassland and Pasture Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 14483

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Dr. Cristiano Magalhães Pariz

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Pariz Consultoria Agropecuária (Pariz Agricultural Consultancy), Botucatu, São Paulo 18610-290, Brazil
Interests: silage production; pasture management; beef sheep and beef cattle in integrated crop production systems under no-till farming

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

From the mid-1990s and onwards, ruminant nutrition started to experience changes in terms of carbohydrate formulation, where the concept of physically effective fiber and the digestion of ruminal starch also became more relevant. These two aspects have driven significant changes in ruminant nutrition systems (mainly based on silage and green fodder). Thus, the aim and scope of the current Special Issue “Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder” is to introduce how the motivation for the presentation of new forms of technology was caused by the increasingly unpredictable climate scenario, the need to improve silage and green fodder quality to gain more control over feed costs, achieve aerobic stability more rapidly, and reduce dry-matter losses in the fermentation process mainly associated with the adoption of new agricultural systems models, and how this can contribute to increased, global, sustainable food production in the future. In this context, The Special Issue will focus on the cutting-edge research regarding the important, recent studies and discoveries in the field, namely, innovative agricultural production systems (for example, integrated crop–livestock and intercropping systems); soil characteristics and nutrient-cycling improvement in silage and green fodder areas; cutting heights; aspects of vegetative and grain-portion processing; agronomic, biochemical, microbiological, nutritional, and engineering aspects of management; plant genetic improvement and the factors with the greatest impact on fiber characteristics (plant species and cultivars, stage of maturity, plant height, plant vertical structure, pests, diseases, plant density, soil nutrient, and water content); new forage harvesters; silo types; software applications for sizing, managing, and monitoring (silos and silage processes); storage methods based on silages (stalklage, whole plant, toplage, snaplage, earlage, high moisture, and rehydrated grains and co-products); filling and packing; effects of additives and enzymes (inoculants), plastic films for sealing, and length of storage on the nutritive value and aerobic stability of silages and green fodder; silo unloading and animal feeding; safety in the food chain; environmental constraints and challenges (effluent production and post-use of plastic film); and silage for non-forage uses. Scientific articles presenting unpublished research and detailed literature reviews on these topics will be considered for publication.

Dr. Cristiano Magalhães Pariz
Guest Editor

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Keywords

aerobic stability
environmental aspects
fermentation process
innovative agricultural production systems
nutritive value
storage methods
sustainable food production

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategic Ensilage of Signal Grass Pastures in Two Seasons in a Tropical Region

by Tâmara Chagas da Silveira, Karina Guimarães Ribeiro, João Paulo Santos Roseira, Wagner Sousa Alves, Danielle Nascimento Coutinho, Albert José dos Anjos and Odilon Gomes Pereira

Agronomy 2024, 14(4), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14040822 - 15 Apr 2024

Viewed by 296

Abstract

In tropical regions, grass silage can be produced from the pasture in the rainy season to feed animals during the dry season. We evaluated the chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of ensiled signal grass (Urochloa decumbens Stapf. Basilisk) fertilized with nitrogen (N) or intercropped with calopo (Calopogonium mucunoides Desv.) with and without microbial inoculant. We used a 4 × 2 factorial scheme in a randomized block design, with two blocks and two treatments per block, considering p > 0.05. We studied signal grass fertilized with 0 kg ha⁻¹ of N (0 N), 50 kg ha⁻¹ of N (50 N), or 100 kg ha⁻¹ of N (100 N), or intercropped with calopo legume (LEG), with (I) or without (WI) inoculant, in two seasons. During the dry–water transition, lower concentrations of butyric acid were observed in 50 N and LEG silages (2.77 and 2.55 g kg⁻¹ dry matter, DM) (inoculated) compared to control (7.77 g kg⁻¹ DM). During the water–dry transition, higher concentrations of crude protein were observed in 100 N and LEG silages (71.90 and 54.6 g kg⁻¹ DM) than in 0 N (46.3 g kg⁻¹ DM). The signal grass–calopo intercropping is an alternative to nitrogen fertilization, as it provides forage with a higher protein content and silage with satisfactory fermentative characteristics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

14 pages, 1620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of the Mixing Ratio of Barley and Mung Bean Seeds on the Quality of Sprouted Green Fodder and Silage in a Hydroponic System

by Walid Soufan

Agronomy 2023, 13(9), 2301; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13092301 - 31 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1460

Abstract

Securing good feed and sustaining production is one of the main pillars of the livestock production sector. However, this is difficult to achieve in many different environments or circumstances. The production of fodder in a hydroponic system allows for sustainable production throughout the year and provides many benefits to the animal. However, ways must be found to improve the quality of hydroponic fodder and extend its shelf life. In this study, hydroponic barley fodder was produced by mixing it with mung bean seeds at different mixing ratios. In addition, silage was prepared from the resulting fodder by mixing it with barley straw to reduce the high moisture. The results of this study showed that the proportions of the components of nutritional value in the produced fodder were increased, especially the proportion of proteins, when the percentage of mung beans in the mixture was increased. In addition, the preservation of hydroponic fodder using the silage method resulted in obtaining a higher percentage of dry matter compared to fresh fodder and increased the preservation time. This brings many advantages to farmers and livestock producers, as well as researchers in the field, to expand the scope of experiments to other fodder mixtures and the sustainable production of good fodder in hydroponic systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

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12 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Poultry Litter Application Method and Rainfall and Delayed Wrapping on Warm-Season Grass Baleage

by Christine C. Nieman, Wayne K. Coblentz, Philip A. Moore, Jr. and Matthew S. Akins

Agronomy 2023, 13(7), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13071896 - 18 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 869

Abstract

Poultry litter is a widely available fertilizer in the southeast USA and subsurface application of litter can increase both forage production and nutritive value. Frequent rainfall events and high humidity often limit time available for hay curing; baled silage techniques can increase harvest time flexibility. Unfortunately, rainfall events can still occur without forecast during harvest events, resulting in delayed baling or wrapping. The objective of this study was to evaluate poultry litter amendment methods, subsurface (SUB) and surface (SURF), and the effect of no rain (NR) on bales with wrapping after 2 h compared with rained-on bales with 17 h delayed wrapping (RDW) on warm-season grass baleage fermentation and nutritive value. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with two amendment treatments and two post-baling treatments. Crude protein (CP) was greater (p < 0.01) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was lower (p < 0.01) in both pre- and post-ensiled bales with subsurface-applied poultry litter. Rain and delayed wrapping resulted in lower pH (p = 0.03), starch (p < 0.01), and water-soluble carbohydrates (p < 0.01) in pre-ensiled bales, compared to those that did not receive rain and were wrapped within 2 h, while post-ensiled bales only differed in lower (p < 0.01) starch and slightly greater (p < 0.01) NDF in RDW. Lactic acid (p < 0.01), acetic acid (p < 0.01), and total acids (p = 0.03) were greater in SUB, while butyric acid tended to be greater (p = 0.09), and alcohols (p = 0.05) were greater in SURF. Bales from RDW and NR only differed by greater (p < 0.01) propionic acid concentrations in NR. Under the conditions of this experiment, subsurface application of poultry litter increased final nutritive value, while rainfall and delayed wrapping of 17 h had few effects on the final nutritive value of warm-season grass baleage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

13 pages, 854 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Yield, Nutritional Composition, and In Vitro Ruminal Digestibility of Conventional and Brown Midrib (BMR) Corn for Silage as Affected by Planting Population and Harvest Maturity

by Omar Manuel Peña, Cesar Velasquez, Gonzalo Ferreira and Matias Jose Aguerre

Agronomy 2023, 13(5), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13051414 - 20 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1117

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of corn-planting population, using two conventional (Conv) and two brown-midrib (BMR) hybrids, and maturity stage at harvest on forage dry-matter (DM) yield, silage quality, and in-vitro fiber digestibility. The study was conducted in two fields with contrasting production potential, where both corn hybrids were planted at a theoretical planting population of 59,000, 79,000, and 99,000 seeds/ha. Corn was harvested at the early-dent (early) or 2/3 milk-line (late) maturity stage. An interaction between planting population and field existed for biomass yield. We observed a consistent increase in forage yield with increased planting population only in the field of higher production potential. Corn hybrids that contained the BMR trait did not penalize yield but had a consistently higher digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (aNDFom) compared to conventional hybrids. Except for starch concentration, no interaction existed between planting population and maturity for forage yield, fiber digestibility, and nutritional composition. A response to increasing planting population on starch concentration was observed only when corn was harvested at the L = late maturity stage. In conclusion, increasing corn-planting population may increase forage yield, but such an effect may depend on the soil’s growing potential. In addition, planting population had a negligible effect on the nutritional composition and fiber digestibility of corn silage and was minimally affected by the maturity stage at harvest. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

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13 pages, 336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fermentation Profile, Nutritional Quality and Microbial Populations of Melon Plant Biomass Silage Ensiled with Corn Bran

by Romilda Rodrigues do Nascimento, Ricardo Loiola Edvan, Keuven dos Santos Nascimento, Dhiéssica Morgana Alves Barros, Arturene Marques Rocha, Tairon Pannunzio Dias e Silva, Edson Mauro Santos, Rafael de Souza Miranda, Daniel Biagiotti and Marcos Jácome de Araújo

Agronomy 2023, 13(4), 1049; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13041049 - 03 Apr 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1102

Abstract

Currently, there is no use for melon plant biomass in agriculture and animal feeding. Using this biomass as silage provides a more sustainable production system. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the silage produced with different mixtures of melon plant biomass and ground corn. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (5 × 2) with five replications. The treatments consisted of five mixtures of melon plant biomass between the plant (branch + leaf) and the fruit (melon scrapings) in amounts of 0% fruit, 5% fruit, 10% fruit, 20% fruit, and 100% fruit on an as-fed basis and ground corn in amounts of 0% and 5% AF of the ensiled biomass. The greatest dry matter contents were found in silages with corn and 0 and 5% fruit, which were 225.6 g/kg and 235.2 g/kg, respectively. The highest concentrations of acetic acid were found in the silages with 0% fruit without corn and 20% fruit with ground corn and were 10.96 and 10.00 g/kg DM, respectively. The use of melon fruit biomass with 0%, 5%, and 100% fruit is the most suitable for silage making, and adding ground corn improves silage quality parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

15 pages, 1278 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of NBPT and NPPT Application as a Urease Carrier in Fertilization of Maize (Zea mays L.) for Ensiling

by Piotr Szulc, Daniel Krauklis, Katarzyna Ambroży-Deręgowska, Barbara Wróbel, Waldemar Zielewicz, Gniewko Niedbała, Przemysław Kardasz, Marek Selwet and Mohsen Niazian

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030817 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1757

Abstract

The study presents the results of a 3-year field trial aimed at assessing the yield and quality of raw material for ensiling in the cultivation of three maize varieties differing in their agronomic and genetic profile, conditioned by the selection of nitrogen fertilizer. Maize cultivar ES Metronom showed a significant advantage over other cultivars when fertilized with UltraGrain stabile, or alternatively Super N-46. The application of nitrogen-stabilized fertilizers or urea + N-Lock significantly increased the yield of maize green fodder for ensiling. The “stay-green” maize cultivars were characterized by a higher content of non-structural carbohydrates, including starch and water-soluble sugars, and a lower content of structural carbohydrates, compared to the conventional cultivar, which increased their suitability for ensiling. The negative effect of maize fertilization with ammonium nitrate and ammonium nitrate + N-Lock on the chemical composition of green fodder was demonstrated by a reduced starch content and increased structural carbohydrate contents, including crude fiber and NDF. In turn, the positive effect of maize fertilization with urea and urea + N-Lock on the chemical composition of maize fodder was shown by increased starch content and reduced structural carbohydrate contents, including crude fiber and its NDF and ADF fractions. The analysis of the number and weight of leaves may indicate a highly effective utilization of nitrogen (“stay-green” maize hybrids), leading to the faster formation of leaves with a larger assimilation surface, which is the basis for the efficient absorption of solar radiation. The results obtained clearly show that only the correct choice of maize variety for silage cultivation, combined with nitrogen fertilizer guaranteeing access to N during the growing season, can guarantee a high yield for ensiling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

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12 pages, 286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Quebracho Tannin (Schinopsis quebracho-colorado (Schltdl.) F.A. Barkley and T. Meyer) on Silage Nutritive Value, Ergovaline Concentration, and Fermentation Parameters of Tall Fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Shreb.) Dumort) with Two Dry-Matter Levels

by Ally J. Grote, Christine C. Nieman, Ivan R. Thomas Jr., Kenneth P. Coffey, James P. Muir and James L. Klotz

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 694; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030694 - 27 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1062

Abstract

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Shreb.) Dumort) is a cool-season forage grown in the mid-south United States of America that has the potential for spring silage. Ergovaline produced by the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum is preserved in tall fescue silage and can induce tall fescue toxicosis in livestock. Condensed tannins, such as quebracho (Schinopsis quebracho-colorado (Schltdl.) F.A. Barkley and T. Meyer) extract, can bind to the nitrogenous components of ergovaline, rendering it ineffective in the ruminant. Quebracho tannin (QT) can also bind to crude protein, reducing its conversion to ammonia. Quebracho tannin was either not added (0QT) or added at 10 (10QT) or 20 (20QT) g/kg of dry matter (DM) of silage to chopped endophyte-infected tall fescue of 670 g/kg of moisture (high moisture, HM) and 440 g/kg of moisture (low moisture, LM). A moisture × QT interaction affected the final pH (p = 0.02), with the lowest pH observed in HM silages with 0QT and 10QT. The ergovaline concentrations were not significantly different (p = 0.19) among the post-ensiled forages. Ammonia concentrations (g/kg DM) were affected by a moisture × QT interaction (p = 0.05), with greater concentrations observed in HM 0QT compared with HM 10QT, HM 20QT, and LM 20QT. Lactic acid concentrations (g/kg DM) decreased (p = 0.05) with the addition of QT. The moisture × QT interaction (p = 0.02) resulted in higher concentrations of acetic acid in the HM silages with 0QT and 20QT compared to the LM silage with 20QT. The total acid concentrations (g/kg DM) were higher (p < 0.01) at HM but did not differ (p = 0.54) across the QT concentrations. Ensiling tall fescue with quebracho tannin did not reduce the ergovaline concentrations, although proteolysis was reduced at the inclusion of 10 g/kg of QT in the HM silages and 20 g/kg of QT in the LM silages. The results indicate that QT as a tall fescue silage additive showed promise for modifying silage characteristics but it did not reduce ergovaline concentrations at the low QT levels used in this study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

12 pages, 5126 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Strategies to Maximize Kernel Processing in a Brazilian Vitreous Endosperm Hybrid

by Gustavo Gonçalves de Souza Salvati, Willian Pereira dos Santos, Paula de Almeida Carvalho-Estrada, Greiciele de Morais, Jéssica Mariane Silveira Salvatte, Lorena Fachin, Bruno Augusto Valverde Arthur, Ariádna Patricia Ribeiro, Nilson Nunes Morais Júnior, Késia da Silva Oliveira and Luiz Gustavo Nussio

Agronomy 2023, 13(3), 616; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13030616 - 21 Feb 2023

Viewed by 870

Abstract

Whole-plant corn silage (WPCS) is a major source of forage for dairy cattle in Brazil. Improved kernel processing may be especially advantageous when feeding corn hybrids with vitreous endosperms. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the theoretical length of cut (TLOC) and ensiling time on WPCS particle size and kernel processing with two types of forage harvesters. In the first trial, the plant was harvested by a pull-type forage harvester (PTFH) at TLOCs of 3, 6 and 9 mm. In the second trial, the harvesting was performed by a self-propelled forage harvester (SPFH) at TLOCs of 6, 12 and 18 mm, with a roll gap of 3 mm. The WPCS were stored for 0, 35 and 140 days. In the PTFH trial, the TLOCs of 3 and 6 mm did not affect the WPCS particle size distribution and mean particle length (MPL). However, the TLOC of 9 mm increased the MPL. The increase in the TLOC with the SPFH led to a higher MPL and percentage of long particles. The ensiling time increased the MPL and long particles only for the WPCS harvested by the SPFH. The strategy of reducing the TLOC with the SPFH increased the percentage of kernels smaller than 4.75 mm. Furthermore, the TLOC of 6 mm led to the best kernel processing with the SPFH. The ensiling time reduced the particle size of the kernel fractions for both forage harvesters. The corn silage processing score was improved with 140 days of ensiling with the SPFH. These findings suggest that increasing the ensiling time and a low TLOC in SPFHs (6 mm) may be good strategies to increase kernel damage and starch digestibility in WPCS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

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15 pages, 343 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Silage with Different Mixtures of Melon Biomass with Urea as an Additive

by Romilda Rodrigues do Nascimento, Ricardo Loiola Edvan, Keuven dos Santos Nascimento, Lucas de Sousa Barros, Leilson Rocha Bezerra, Rafael de Souza Miranda, Alexandre Fernandes Perazzo and Marcos Jácome de Araújo

Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020293 - 18 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1502

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the silage produced with different mixtures of melon biomass with urea used as an additive. It adopted a completely randomized design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme with five replications. The first factor was made up of five mixtures on an as-fed basis (AF) of the melon, including plant (branch and leaf) and fruit (culled melon, after harvest), where the amount of fruit varied as follows: 0% fruit, 5% fruit, 10% fruit, 20% fruit, and 100% fruit. The second factor was represented by the use of urea in the silage as follows: 0% and 1.5% urea AF. The highest silage dry matter (DM) content (200 g/kg DM) was observed in the silage with 20% fruit. Regarding the crude protein, the highest content (69.8 g/kg DM) was found in the silage with the addition of urea. The highest loss through the gas (GAS) was observed in the silages with 0% and 100% fruit (0.6 and 1.13%), with no addition of urea. The silages made with melon biomass and the addition of 20% and 100% fruit showed differences regarding the fermentative pattern, chemical composition, and aerobic stability, thus being the most indicated mixtures for silage making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

12 pages, 906 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Ustilago maydis on the Nutritive Value and Aerobic Deterioration of Maize Silage

by Lauksmė Merkevičiūte-Venslovė, Eimantas Venslovas, Audronė Mankevičienė, Alvyra Šlepetienė and Jurgita Cesevičienė

Agronomy 2023, 13(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13010111 - 29 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2361

Abstract

The common smut of corn, caused by Ustilago maydis, reduces the yield and quality of maize forage. When heavy infestations of corn smut occur, grain yields can be so severely decreased that the most viable economic alternative may be to harvest and ensile the crop. Only a couple of studies have attempted to investigate the influence of aerobic exposure on the nutritive value and aerobic stability of silage, which is prepared from smut-infected maize. In this study, individual whole corn plants were harvested by hand. The plants were distributed into three treatments: 0% infected, 50% infected, and 100% infected. The fresh forage was ensiled in triplicate for a 90-day period. Aerobic exposure lasted for 28 days. Samples were taken on the day of opening and on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 28th days. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration equations were used for the prediction of qualitative indicators. Silage prepared from 100% smut-infected maize had comparatively poor quality with dry matter loss, increasing pH and the low amount of starch. It was also distinguished with significant temperature increases from days 15 to 18 of aerobic exposure. Silage prepared from 50% smut-infected maize did not show significant quality changes over the period of the experiment, although it had inferior quality compared to the silage prepared from smut-free maize. While silage prepared from smut-infected maize had an overall worse quality than silage prepared from non-infected maize, it should not have an adverse effect on livestock health or production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

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10 pages, 307 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mixed Ration Silage Containing Tanzania Grass and Babassu By-Products for Dairy Cows

by Daniele Ferreira, Danrley Bandeira, Anderson Zanine, Henrique Parente, Michelle Parente, Edson Santos, Anny Graycy Lima, Ricardo Pinho, Juliana Oliveira, Francisco Naysson Santos, Francisca Claudia Sousa, Renata Costa, Carlos Rodolfo Castro and João Ricardo Dórea

Agronomy 2022, 12(12), 3043; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12123043 - 01 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1195

Abstract

The use of mixed ration silage (MRS) provides animals with a diet formulation that meets their nutritional requirements. This study aimed to evaluate the fermentative profile, losses, chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of mixed ration silages, including babassu by-products as a feed alternative for dairy cows. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and five replications, which were composed of TGS: Tanzania grass silage; MRSS: Tanzania grass silage with corn and soybean meal; MRSF: Tanzania grass silage with corn, soybean meal and babassu flour; and MRSC: Tanzania grass silage with corn, soybean meal and babassu cake. There was a significant difference between MRS and TGS (p < 0.05) in the variables’ pH, gas (GL) and effluent losses (EL), dry matter recovery (DMR), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). There was no statistical difference in buffer capacity (BC), acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose, ether extract (EE) and aerobic stability. However, for the variables’ ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) and non-fibre carbohydrate (NFC) content, lower values were observed in the MRS (p < 0.001). The babassu by-products, cake and flour, can replace corn by up to 50% of the total ration silage with Tanzania grass, meeting the nutritional requirements of dairy cows. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospects for the Development of Silage and Green Fodder)

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