Nitrogen Fertilization on Rye Pasture: Effect on Forage Chemical Composition, Voluntary Intake, Digestibility and Rumen Degradation

Abstract

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization of a rye pasture (Secale cereale L.) on the chemical composition of forage and its utilization in vivo and in situ were investigated in winter (W) and early spring (S). Half of the paddock to be assayed was spread with 93 kg urea-N ha )1 (treatment F), and the other half was not fertilized (treatment NF). Each experiment lasted for 17 days; apparent dry matter digestibility in vivo, voluntary dry matter intake (DMI) and digestible DMI were measured on nine rams per treatment. Two rumen cannulated animals per treatment were under the same feeding regime, and used to collect samples of rumen contents. The concentrations of ammonia (NH 3 ) and short-chain fatty acids and pH were measured in these samples. The offered forage was also incubated in the rumen of three Holstein-Friesian steers to estimate its degradation parameters in situ. Fertilization with N increased total N and decreased dry matter (DM) and non-structural carbohydrate concentrations in both periods. DMI was reduced by fertilization. The rumen concentrations of NH 3 were higher in F than in NF in both periods. In both periods, the effective DM degradability of forage was higher in F than in NF. N fertilization affects chemical composition, voluntary intake and rumen digestion of forage from rye pasture.

Effects of dietary sulphur sources on concentrations of hydrogen sulphide in the rumen head-space gas of dairy cows

“…The cyanide detoxification mechanism might explain why excessive protein content is not regarded as a problem with white clover, whilst similarly high protein contents in grasses that have received high levels of nitrogen fertiliser lead to reductions in voluntary intake in some (e.g. Ferri et al, 2004) but not all (Demarquilly, 1970) studies. Indeed, we can speculate that these effects could be involved in the carefully regulated diurnal preferences of ruminants for ryegrass and white clover (Rutter et al, 2004).…”

Identification of Nutrient Contents in Six Potential Green Biomasses for Developing Liquid Organic Fertilizer in Closed Agricultural Production System

“…Research conducted by [30] postulated that higher levels of lignin could be responsible for the lower rate of degradation of dry matter. Lignin is an integral cell wall constituent and provides plant strength and resistance to microbial degradation [31].…”

Weeds – Friend or foe? Increasing forage yield and decreasing nitrate leaching on a corn forage farm infested by redroot pigweed

“…Nitrogen fertilization increases corn dry matter yield by influencing leaf area development, leaf area duration and leaf photosynthesis efficiency (Cox and Charney, 2005). Additionally, many investigators have reported that N fertilization increases corn forage quality, including crude protein and nutritive value (Lawrence et al, 2008;Ferri et al, 2004). Because N is a mobile nutrient in soil and when it is combined with water during excessive application (which often occurs, especially in sandy soils), high levels of ground water N are predictable.…”