Evaluation of morphological characteristics, yield and nutritive value of Brachiaria grass ecotypes in northwestern Ethiopia

Wassie, Wubetie Adnew; Tsegay, Berhanu Abraha; Wolde, Asaminew Tassew; Limeneh, Bimrew Asmare

doi:10.1186/s40066-018-0239-4

Cited by 28 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…This value was much higher than the findings of Odedire & Babayemi [53], of 120 g/kg at the maturity stage. Except for C. gayana and C. ciliaris, the overall ash values for all grasses from this study were found to be within the range from 30 to 120 g/kg DM as reported earlier by Wassie et al [54].…”

Section: Chemical Compositionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment

et al. 2020

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The establishment of complementary native grass species could be an ideal method of dealing with existing problems of veld degradation and inadequate forage quantity and quality of pastures. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of native grasses viz., Anthephora pubescens, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Dactylis glomerata, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, Festuca arundinacea, Panicum maximum and Themeda triandra. Attributes at different growth stages on agronomy, morphology and chemical composition were checked. Panicum maximum had the broader (p < 0.05) leaves across all growth stages when compared to all other grass species. Festuca arundinacea had highest (p < 0.05) number of tillers than C. ciliaris, C. gayana, D. glomerata, D. eriantha, E. curvula, P. maximum and T. triandra at 2–4-months age. Within each species, all grasses had the highest (p < 0.05) number of leaves at maturity. Chloris gayana, D. glomerata and P. maximum had the highest (p < 0.05) biomass yield when compared to F. arundinacea at the elongation stage. Eragrostis curvula had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) values when compared to all other grasses, except for D. glomerata, F. arundinacea and P. maximum at the elongation stage. Panicum maximum and T. triandra had the least (p < 0.05) acid detergent lignin (ADL) values when compared to all other grasses at both vegetative and the elongation stages. In the ranking, C. ciliaris, C. gayana, D. eriantha, E. curvula, P. maximum and A. pubescens outperformed the rest of the grasses on most parameters. With the low crude protein (CP) content of these grasses, protein supplementation is highly crucial for high performing ruminants, especially those animals that graze grasses as their sole diets.

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Section: Chemical Compositionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment

et al. 2020

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“…1 ; Supplementary Data Table S1 ) are native to Africa: U. brizantha is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, the range of U. decumbens and U. ruziziensis is restricted to the area of Lake Victoria, and U. humidicola occurs from Nigeria eastwards to Southern Ethiopia and southwards to South Africa (Renvoize and Maass, 1993). Information about the collection sites, most from the international 1984/85 expeditions representing the majority of germplasm in Colombia and Brazil, and reintroductions within Africa (Wassie et al ., 2018) allowed us to correlate geographical distribution and ploidy levels as determined by flow cytometry ( Fig. 1A, B ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Complex polyploid and hybrid species in an apomictic and sexual tropical forage grass group: genomic composition and evolution inUrochloa(Brachiaria) species

Tomaszewska

Vorontsova

Renvoize

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background and Aims: Diploid and polyploid Urochloa (including Brachiaria, Panicum and Megathyrsus species) C4 tropical forage grasses originating from Africa and now planted worldwide are important for food security and the environment, often being planted in marginal lands. We aimed to characterize the nature of their genomes, the repetitive DNA, and the genome composition of polyploids, leading to a model of the evolutionary pathways within the group including many apomictic species. Methods: Some 362 forage grass accessions from international germplasm collections were studied, and ploidy determined using an optimized flow cytometry method. Whole-genome survey sequencing and molecular cytogenetic analysis with in situ hybridization to chromosomes were used to identify chromosomes and genomes in Urochloa accessions belonging to the different agamic complexes. Key Results: Genome structures are complex and variable, with multiple ploidies and genome compositions within the species, and no clear geographical patterns. Sequence analysis of nine diploid and polyploid accessions enabled identification of abundant genome-specific repetitive DNA motifs. In situ hybridization with a combination of repetitive DNA and genomic DNA probes, identified evolutionary divergence and allowed us to discriminate the different genomes present in polyploids. Conclusions: We suggest a new coherent nomenclature for the genomes present. We develop a model of evolution at the whole-genome level in diploid and polyploid accessions showing processes of grass evolution. We support the retention of narrow species concepts for U. brizantha, U. decumbens, and U. ruziziensis. The results and model will be valuable in making rational choices of parents for new hybrids, assist in use of the germplasm for breeding and selection of Urochloa with improved sustainability and agronomic potential, and will assist in measuring and conserving biodiversity in grasslands.

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“…Napier grass is a fast-growing perennial grass widely grown for smallholder dairy production in tropical and subtropical regions [ 14 , 17 ], while Brachiaria hybrid grasses are the newest options for improving productivity in semi-intensive systems, and some of these cultivars are high-yielding, nutritious, and ecofriendly [ 18 ]. As a result of these benefits, Brachiaria hybrid grasses have recently garnered considerable interest in Africa and have factored into several ongoing initiatives to support the emerging livestock industry in tropical regions, particularly to prepare hay for the dry season [ 19 , 20 ]. However, despite the potential of these improved forages in various tropical regions, including Ethiopia [ 21 ], information regarding their contribution to the performance of lactating dairy cows and methane emission is sparse.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Feeding Improved Grass Hays and Eragrostis tef Straw Silage on Milk Yield, Nitrogen Utilization, and Methane Emission of Lactating Fogera Dairy Cows in Ethiopia

Mekuriaw

Tsunekawa

Ichinohe

et al. 2020

Animals

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The nutritionally imbalanced poor-quality diet feeding is the major constraint of dairy production in tropical regions. Hence, alternative high-quality roughage-based diets are required to improve milk yield and reduce methane emission (CH4). Thus, we tested the effects of feeding natural pasture hay, improved forage grass hays (Napier and Brachiaria Hybrid), and treated crop residues (Eragrostis tef straw) on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, nitrogen balance, and methane emission. The eight lactating Fogera cows selected for the experiment were assigned randomly to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Cows were housed in well-ventilated individual pens and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) comprising 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. The four roughage-based basal dietary treatments supplemented with formulated concentrate were: Control (natural pasture hay (NPH)); treated teff straw silage (TTS); Napier grass hay (NGH); and Brachiaria hybrid grass hay (BhH). Compared with the control diet, the daily milk yield increased (p < 0.01) by 31.9%, 52.9%, and 71.6% with TTS, NGH, and BhH diets, respectively. Cows fed BhH had the highest dry matter intake (8.84 kg/d), followed by NGH (8.10 kg/d) and TTS (7.71 kg/d); all of these intakes were greater (p = 0.01) than that of NPH (6.21 kg/d). Nitrogen digestibility increased (p < 0.01) from the NPH diet to TTS (by 27.7%), NGH (21.7%), and BhH (39.5%). The concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen was higher for cows fed NGH than other diets (p = 0.01) and positively correlated with plasma urea nitrogen concentration (R² = 0.45). Feeding TTS, NGH, and BhH hay as a basal diet changed the nitrogen excretion pathway from urine to feces, which can help protect against environmental pollution. Estimated methane yields per dry matter intake and milk yield were decreased in dairy cows fed BhH, NGH, and TTS diets when compared to cows fed an NPH diet (p < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding of TTS, NGH, and BhH roughages as a basal diet to lactating dairy cows in tropical regions improved nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and reduced enteric methane emission.

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Evaluation of morphological characteristics, yield and nutritive value of Brachiaria grass ecotypes in northwestern Ethiopia

Cited by 28 publications

References 15 publications

Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment

Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment

Complex polyploid and hybrid species in an apomictic and sexual tropical forage grass group: genomic composition and evolution inUrochloa(Brachiaria) species

Effect of Feeding Improved Grass Hays and Eragrostis tef Straw Silage on Milk Yield, Nitrogen Utilization, and Methane Emission of Lactating Fogera Dairy Cows in Ethiopia

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