Effects of Phragmites australis Shoot Remainder Silage on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Parameters, and Rumen Microbiota of Beef Cattle

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the effects of replacing corn silage with Phragmites australis shoot remainder (PSR) silage on intake, growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and rumen microbial diversity of growing-finishing beef. Fifteen Angus beef cattle with an average body weight of 253 ± 2.94 kg were randomly divided into three groups (five replicas vs. each group vs. Angus beef cattle). The three treatments were group A fed 60% PSR silage + 40% concentrate, group B fed 30% PSR silage + 30% corn silage + 40% concentrate, and group C fed 60% corn silage + 40% concentrate. The adaptation period was 15 days, and the trial period lasted for 45 days. Results showed that the ADG was significantly higher, and FCR was significantly lower both in groups A and B compared with group C. The results of serum biochemical parameters showed that the concentration of GLU was significantly lower in group B than both groups A and C. Microbial diversity results showed that the OTUs, Shannon, Chao1, and ACE indices were significantly lower in group A compared with groups B and C. At the phyla level, the relative abundances of Tenericutes and Melainabacteria had significant differences among the three groups, and the relative abundances of Papillibacter, Anaeroplasma, and Anaerovorax had significant differences among the three groups at the genus level. Additionally, Rikenellaceae was the unique biomarker among the three groups. Furthermore, the results of function prediction showed that the gene families associated with metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, cellular processes and signaling, metabolism, biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites, infectious diseases, signaling molecules and interaction, nervous system, and digestive system were significantly decreased, while lipid metabolism was dramatically increased from groups A to C at KEGG level 2. At KEGG level 3, 11 metabolic pathways were significantly influenced among the three groups. In summary, these findings indicated that PSR silage substituted the corn silage totally or partially improved the growth performance, and altered the rumen microbial composition and diversity and the corresponding change in prediction function of rumen bacteria in Angus beef cattle.

Effects of dietary supplementation with dandelion tannins or soybean isoflavones on growth performance, antioxidant function, intestinal morphology, and microbiota composition in Wenchang chickens

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Effects of feeding silage of beet pulp or maize on the growth performance, meat quality, and production economics of broiler ducks

“…However, Holdobagy geese fed with a commercial diet mixed with whole-plant maize silage at the levels of 15, 30, and 50% exhibited decreased final BW and daily gains, with a significant decrease in FCR ( Wang et al, 2023a ). Wang et al (2023b) conducted a similar study wherein 15% and 30% of whole-plant maize silage was used for feeding Holdobagy geese. Both experimental groups showed a significantly higher FI, with a significantly higher feed-to-gain ratio in the group fed with 15% silage.…”

Effects of Italian ryegrass silage-based total mixed ration on rumen fermentation, growth performance, blood metabolites, and bacterial communities of growing Hanwoo heifers

“…Higher concentration of BUN in heifers fed CON TMR were consistent with higher ruminal NH 3 -N contents, indicating lower dietary nitrogen (N) efficiency. Meanwhile, a lower concentration of BUN was observed in heifers fed H-IRGS TMR, which indicates high nitrogen metabolism capacity [ 52 ]. However, the BUN might be affected by similar starch and fermentable energy content of diets.…”

“…capacity [52]. However, the BUN might be affected by similar starch and fermentable energy content of diets.…”