The Effect of Harvest Date on the Chemical Composition and Fodder Yield of Guizotia abyssinica (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) under the Climatic Conditions of South-West Poland

Abstract

Guizotia abyssinica (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.) is regarded as a minor oilseed crop, which is important in terms of its nutritional value and potential uses. An important benefit of this crop is its cultivation for green matter and seed yield even under the difficult conditions of marginal cultivation. Guizotia abyssinica has not yet gained popularity in Europe. However, in a changing climate and taking into account its feeding value, it could gain in importance for ruminant nutrition in the near future. A field experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 in the west part of Poland on a farm in Opolskie voivodship (commune Prudnik). The objective of the field study was to assess the effect of three harvest dates on the yield and the chemical composition of fodder in a 90-day cultivation cycle in each year of the study. Stage of growth seems to be the most important factor affecting yield and the chemical composition of Guizotia abyssinica. In both years of the research, the green fodder yield reached the highest value after 90 days from sowing—32.5 and 36.9 t ha−1—while dry matter was 6.85 and 7.99 t ha−1, respectively. Chemical composition was also significantly dependent on harvesting date. Crude protein (in 2018 from 154.5 to 100.7 g kg−1 and in 2019 from 148.3 to 78.2 g kg−1) and crude ash (in 2018 from 165.8 to 98.7 and in 2019 from 155.2 to 89.9 g kg−1) content decreased with progressive harvest date while nitrogen-free extracts (in 2018 from 500.5 to 562.0 g kg−1 and in 2019 from 582.2 to 605.2 g kg−1) and gross energy increased (in 2018 from 19.4 to 21.17 MJ kg−1 and in 2019 from 18.63 to 19.73 MJ kg−1.). The most favorable date for harvesting green forage is 90 days after sowing, due to the significantly highest yield of fresh and dry matter of green forage and with potential as a forage for animals.

Seasonal Variation in Chemical Composition, Ruminal Fermentation, and Biological Characteristics of Paulownia shan tong: In Vitro Potential Use by Sheep and Goats

“…In contrast to this observed evolution through the seasons, Ganchev et al [35] observed that leaves of P. shan tong collected in spring had a higher CP concentration than leaves collected in the late autumn. As compared with our results, the literature pointed out lower (17.4% [36]) and higher (22.6% [37] and (27.1%) [38]) CP contents in Paulownia These differences could be attributed partly to different climatic conditions, varieties studied, and harvesting time [32,35]. The CP of P. shan tong is considered moderate compared with leaves of Moringa oleifera, which reaches more than 27% CP [39], but similar to those recorded for alfalfa (17 to 19%) [40].…”

“…This discrepancy could be attributed to variation in environmental conditions and the maturation state of the plant [33,34]. It is well documented that the concentration of CP in plants depends mainly on the harvest time, plant growth phase, fertilizer applied, and soil conditions [32,35]. However, the CP contents reported herein remained stable throughout the growing season and ranged in a very narrow interval, being 19.4% and 19.8% for the winter and spring harvests, respectively.…”

“…Leaves from the spring harvest showed higher concentrations of OM, lipids, NDF, ADF, and ADL (Table 1). Other studies carried out in the literature [17,32] pointed out the significant effect of the harvest time on the nutrient concentrations of plants. The environmental conditions and maturation state are the main factors that influence the chemical composition of plants [33,34].…”

“…The environmental conditions and maturation state are the main factors that influence the chemical composition of plants [33,34]. The precipitation level determines the DM content in plants, especially in the initial phase of plant growth [32].…”

Determination of process parameters and precipitation methods for potential large‐scale production of sugar beet leaf protein concentrate

“…19 The protein content of sugar beet leaf on a dry matter basis was found to be 10% 19 and 24.02%. 15 These differences in the chemical composition of the leaves may vary depending on many factors such as 20 The high protein content and the availability and abundance of raw materials allow sugar beet leaves as an alternative source for protein concentrate production. 15 Determination of protein isolation methods and parameters Determination of the pH value of extraction Extraction was carried out at pH values of 7, 8, and 9 according to the extraction procedure of the isoelectric precipitation method.…”