Fermentation quality of dwarf napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) was estimated for additives lactic acid bacteria and Acremonium cellulase (LAB + AC), fermented juice of epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (FJLB), and a no-additive control in 2006 via two ensiling methods-round-bale and vinyl-bag methods in 2006-and via two ensiling seasons-summer and autumn of 2013. Fermentation quality of dwarf napiergrass ensiled in the summer season was improved by the input of additives, with the highest quality in LAB + AC, followed by FJLB; the lactic acid content was higher, and the pH and sum of the butyric, caproic, and valeric acid contents were lower, resulting in an increase in the V-score value by each additive. The ensiling method in autumn without additives affected fermentation quality, mainly due to the airtightness, which was higher for round-bale processing than in vinyl bags, even with the satisfactory V-score of 72. Fermentation in round bales without additives had a higher quality in autumn than in summer, possibly due to the higher concentration of mono-and oligo-saccharides. Thus, it was concluded that dwarf napiergrass can be produced to satisfactory-quality silage by adding LAB + AC or FJLB in summer and even in the absence of additives in autumn.
Sugarcane is an important crop and also a potential feed resource in the Southwestern Islands of Japan. We investigated chemical composition and in situ degradability of two Japanese sugarcane varieties, a common variety, NiF 8 and a new variety developed for cattle feed, KRFo 93‐1. We also evaluated these sugarcanes as alternatives to sugarcane top and imported oaten hay, i.e. commonly used roughages in the Southwestern Islands. The crude protein (CP) contents of both sugarcane varieties were usually lower than those of sugarcane top and oaten hay, showing a decrease with advancing maturity after ratooning. On the other hand, the non‐fiber carbohydrate contents of both varieties and the effective degradability of dry matter in NiF 8 increased with advancing maturity, possibly due to sucrose accumulation. The effective degradability of neutral detergent fiber for KRFo 93‐1 decreased with advancing maturity, being lower than that for sugarcane top and close to that of oaten hay. Overall, highest nutritional benefits would be obtained at a later stage harvest for NiF 8 and at an earlier stage harvest for KRFo 93‐1. CP and/or energy supplements are needed when either of the sugarcane varieties is used as an alternative to sugarcane top or imported oaten hay.
Although the forage rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar 'Ruriaoba' has very high dry matter (DM) yield, it readily lodges after heading because of its high plant height. As a result, seed production and conventional cultivation of 'Ruriaoba' are very difficult. To improve this situation, we examined the effects of cultivar ('Ruriaoba' or 'Tachiaoba') and row spacing (30 [30-30-30-30] cm, 45 [30-30-30-45] cm, or 60 [30-30-30-60] cm) on the yield and nutritive value of forage rice. The lodging score of 'Tachiaoba' did not differ among row spacings but that of 'Ruriaoba' decreased with increasing row spacing. 'Ruriaoba' had lower grain yield than 'Tachiaoba'. Among its components, 'Ruriaoba' had fewer spikelets per m 2 , fewer spikelets per panicle and lower 1000-grain weight than 'Tachiaoba'. 'Ruriaoba' had fewer grains per m 2 than 'Tachiaoba'. Grain yield and its components did not differ among row spacings, nor did the number of grains per m 2 . Thus, 'Ruriaoba' planted at 60-cm row spacing may not decrease the grain yield and number of grains without lodging. This type of low-density planting of 'Ruriaoba' may be useful for seed production. At heading and yellow ripe stages, 'Ruriaoba' had higher DM yield than 'Tachiaoba' because 'Ruriaoba' had higher number of panicles than 'Tachiaoba'. Furthermore, 'Ruriaoba' had higher total digestible nutrients (TDN) yield than 'Tachiaoba'. At heading, DM yield decreased with increasing row spacing because the number of panicles decreased with increasing row spacing. Total digestible nutrients yield was lower at 45-and 60-cm row spacings than at 30-cm row spacing. However, at heading and yellow ripe, 'Ruriaoba' planted at 60-cm row spacing had DM and TDN yields similar to those of 'Tachiaoba' planted at 30-cm row spacing. Such low-density planting of 'Ruriaoba' may be an option for forage rice production.
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