Search Results (11)

Silages produced from different forage species exhibit substantial variability in chemical composition, digestibility, and fermentation characteristics, which may influence forage quality and preservation efficiency in livestock systems. This study evaluated the nutritional and fermentative variability of silages produced from six forage species (Zea mays L., Sorghum bicolor L., Medicago sativa L., Helianthus annuus L., Cenchrus purpureus, and Saccharum officinarum L.) using multivariate analytical approaches. A database comprising 237 observations, obtained from 24 independent ensiling experiments, was analyzed. Chemical composition, fermentative parameters, and in vitro dry matter digestibility were evaluated through principal component analysis (PCA), canonical discriminant analysis (CDA), and Pearson correlation analysis. Significant differences among forage species were detected (p < 0.05). PCA explained 76.2% of the total variance in the chemical dataset and 85.1% in the fermentative dataset, revealing clear multivariate patterns among silage types. Chemical composition traits provided greater discrimination among silages than fermentative variables, particularly through differences in fiber fractions, soluble carbohydrates, digestibility, and buffering capacity. Corn and sorghum silages were associated with greater starch availability and favorable fermentation profiles, whereas elephant grass and sugarcane exhibited higher fiber concentrations. Alfalfa showed greater crude protein concentration and digestibility, while sunflower was characterized by elevated lignin concentration. Overall, multivariate analyses provided an integrated interpretation of nutritional and fermentative relationships among silages, highlighting species-specific responses to ensiling and their implications for forage conservation and livestock production systems. Full article

Elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus) is a globally important C4 perennial forage crop valued for its high biomass yield and tolerance to heat and drought. However, its poor cold tolerance severely limits its cultivation in temperate regions. The bZIP (basic region-leucine zipper) transcription factors are known to regulate abiotic stress responses; however, their role in elephant grass’s cold response is unclear. This study aimed to identify and characterize the CpbZIP gene family on a genome-wide scale and analyze its expression patterns under low-temperature stress. Through phylogenetic analysis, we classified 158 putative CpbZIP genes into 13 subgroups, a classification supported by conserved gene structures and motifs. The family expanded primarily through segmental duplication and has been shaped by strong purifying selection. Promoter analysis revealed numerous cis-acting elements associated with hormone signaling and abiotic stress, including low temperature, suggesting the family’s potential role in stress adaptation. Subsequent expression analysis and RT-qPCR validation identified six cold-induced genes. Of these, CpbZIP38 and CpbZIP86 exhibited high basal expression in roots and were significantly upregulated under cold stress. These findings identify promising candidate genes for the cold tolerance regulatory network in elephant grass and lay the groundwork for breeding cold-tolerant varieties. Full article

Silage is an essential tool for maintaining productivity, especially during the dry season and when pasture availability is limited. However, it is necessary to establish increasingly efficient methods for producing this feed, seeking to minimize losses and provide maximum nutritional benefit. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone cv. BRS Capiaçu silage with cornmeal addition or after 3 or 5 days of wilting, focusing on fermentative profile, chemical composition, and in situ degradation. A completely randomized design with four treatments and three replicates was used: Control (CON), ensilage with 8% ground cornmeal (SGC), wilting for 3 days (WI3), and wilting for 5 days (WI5), totaling 12 silos. After 120 days, the silages were analyzed for pH, volatile fatty acids, chemical composition, and rumen degradability using three cannulated cows. Data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p < 0.05). The SGC and WI3 treatments showed lower pH (4.55 and 4.52) and butyric acid (0.27 and 0.33%) and higher lactic acid (2.32 and 1.57%) contents compared with CON and WI5 (p < 0.001). They also presented higher dry matter (257.2 and 318.3 g/kg) and crude protein (63.8 and 58.5 g/kg) and lower fiber fractions (p < 0.001). For rumen degradability, SGC had the highest values for fraction “A” and effective degradability of dry matter at 5 and 8%/h passage rates (p = 0.001). Cornmeal addition and 3-day wilting improved silage quality, but only cornmeal enhanced degradability. Full article

This study investigated Cenchrus purpureus in the southern part of the Gaoligong Mountains and quantified its invasion risk using an integrated approach. We combined the Drivers–Pressures–State–Impacts–Responses (DPSIR) model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). We adopted non-random sampling techniques to conduct a survey on the cognition, hazards, utilization and management of C. purpureus among 402 respondents from 25 villages. Our results classify C. purpureus as a medium-risk species (Level II). We identified a central socio-ecological dilemma: while 36.1% of communities use it for fodder, 54% report that it causes soil degradation, signaling potential long-term agricultural losses. SEM analysis confirmed that the willingness to manage the invasion is directly influenced by these usage patterns and risk perceptions. The traditional ecological knowledge of Cenchrus purpureus was highly consistent with scientific assessment, validating its use as an early warning indicator. Therefore, our study validates a multidisciplinary framework that integrates models (DPSIR, AHP, SEM) with traditional knowledge for a holistic assessment of C. purpureus invasion. This approach offers a replicable strategy for ecosystem management in global biodiversity hotspots in the mountainous regions. Full article

Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach) is an important forage crop and livestock feed. However, its yield and quality in Kenya are often limited by Napier grass headsmut and stunt disease. Napier grass genetic improvements through mutation breeding and selection could avail cultivars with increased forage. This study investigated the response of embryogenic calli to different levels of colchicine in inducing polyploidy in the two germplasms of Napier grass; South africa and Bana grass. The experiments were carried out as a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD). The colchicine concentrations used were 0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2%, and the exposure durations were 24, 48, and 72 h. During the shoot regeneration stage, culturing explants on an MS medium (Murashige and Skoog) supplemented with 0.2 mg L⁻¹ Benzyl Adenine (BAP), 0.1 mg L⁻¹ dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D), and 0.1 mg L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was more suitable for shoot regeneration. Chromosome doubling was confirmed by genomic DNA and the stomata size and number. Culturing explants on an MS medium supplemented with 1 mg L⁻¹ IBA, 1 mg L⁻¹ 2, 4-D, and 0.5 mg L⁻¹ BAP was more suitable in inducing embryogenic calli in both genotypes. Polyploidy results revealed that a 0.1% concentration of colchicine with two days of treatment established the maximum number of octoploid plantlets induced in vitro, while a 0.2% concentration was very toxic. The stomata size and number of derived octoploid plantlets were bigger with a lower density, a shorter plant height, and a smaller stem diameter, and despite being the first to produce tillers, they were significantly higher than their progenitors. Induced mutants also had a significantly higher number of chromosomes and showed different band patterns and distances during gel electrophoresis. However, we recommend the use of flow cytometry to confirm the ploidy level. The superior mutant plantlets can be selected and recommended for characterization across representative agro-ecologies for large-scale production and used in Cenchrus purpureus breeding programs in Kenya and its environments. Full article

The potential of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) and β-acid extract were evaluated for improving the quality of maralfalfa grass (Cenchrus purpureus) silage (with added sorghum grain, sorghum straw, and urea) during aerobic exposure and their residual effects on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics. Silage samples and ground hops pellets (Galena and Chinook varieties) as well as β-acid mixtures were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h and then maintained under aerobic exposure for 12 h. The sample pH, counts of filamentous fungi, yeasts, and total coliforms, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were determined. Subsequently, in vitro ruminal fermentation was conducted to determine total gas production and concentrations of hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, and VFAs. The β-acid treatment controlled yeast populations, but an increase (p < 0.05) in pH values was observed for the Galena and Chinook treatments compared to the Control. However, pH did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between the Control and the β-acid treatment. Butyric acid concentrations in the silage were lower (p < 0.05) compared to the Control, except in the silage treatment with Galena. In the in vitro ruminal fermentation, the β-acid treatment showed higher butyric acid levels than the Chinook and Galena, but these differences were not significant (p > 0.05). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in methane between the treatments. An increase (p < 0.05) in propionic acid concentration was observed in the in vitro ruminal fermentation with β-acids. It was concluded that β-acids could help reduce silage deterioration during the aerobic phase, reducing the butyric acid and yeast populations, and their residual effect could improve ruminal fermentation, increasing propionate and acetate concentrations. Full article

Elephant grass (Cenchrus purpureus) is an important forage crop hindered by high lignin content. Although MYB transcription factors (TFs) regulate lignin biosynthesis, their roles in elephant grass remain unclear. In this study, we identified 247 CpMYB TFs through whole-genome bioinformatic analysis of elephant grass and classified them into 23 phylogenetic subgroups. Among them, 233 were mapped to 14 chromosomes, and 14 to unanchored contigs. Gene structure, conserved motifs, and domain analyses revealed subgroup-specific conservation and CpMYB proteins dominated by random coils and α-helices. Gene duplication and selection pressure analyses indicated that segmental duplication predominantly contributed to family expansion. Transcriptome analysis identified 48 CpMYB genes differentially expressed in internodes at least one of three developmental stages, with promoters containing various growth-, phytohormone-, and stress-related cis-elements. Additionally, nine CpMYB genes were consistently differentially expressed across all three stages, and predicted protein–DNA interaction suggested that four of them (CpMYB094, CpMYB131, CpMYB145, and CpMYB148) potentially regulate key lignin biosynthetic genes, including 4-coumarate:CoA ligase 1 (4CL1), hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HCT), caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase 1/7 (CCoAOMT1/7), and reduced epidermal fluorescence 3 (REF3). However, their regulatory functions require further experimental validation. Overall, this study characterizes the CpMYB family in elephant grass and highlights their potential roles in lignin biosynthesis. Full article

Legumes enhance pasture health and soil productivity by fixing atmospheric nitrogen and boosting soil microbiota. We investigated the effects of tropical pasture legumes, including butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea), seca stylo (Stylosanthes scabra), desmanthus (Desmanthus virgatus), lablab (Lablab purpureus), and Wynn cassia (Chamaecrista rotundifolia), on the soil microbial community and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) gene expression. Additionally, we explored the impact of a phytogenic bioactive product (PHY) in the coculture system. A pot trial using soil enriched with cow paunch compost included four treatments: monoculture of buffel grass and five legume species with and without PHY supplementation and coculture of buffel grass with each legume species with and without PHY supplementation. Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes were the dominant bacterial phyla. Regardless of PHY application, the coculture of buffel grass with legumes positively influenced microbial composition and diversity. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant gene expression changes in buffel grass shoots and roots, with each legume uniquely affecting nitrogen metabolism. Lablab and Wynn cassia exhibited similarities in modulating metabolic processes, butterfly pea contributed to mycotoxin detoxification, and desmanthus balanced cell death and growth. Seca stylo enhanced root cell growth and regeneration. These findings offer insights for optimizing legume–grass coculture systems, enhancing soil activity and promoting sustainable agriculture. Full article

Maralfalfa (Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone) is a productive fodder crop in tropical regions that has been evaluated for forage nutritional value in a Mediterranean climate. To assess the nutritional value, parameters including dry matter content (DM), ash, ether extract (EE), protein (CP), fiber contents (NDF and ADF), and the amino acids profile were determined at eight harvest times (HTs) in a non-fertilized and non-irrigated crop based in Silla (Valencia, Spain). The results showed significant differences in most of the parameters studied. While CP and ash significantly decreased over the eight HTs, NDF and ADF increased. In contrast, EE and the ratio of essential amino acids/total amino acids remained constant. Values of CP remained higher than 15% during the first two HTs (16 and 28 days). According to the analyses performed, the optimum HT can be stated at 28 days as it combines high levels of CP (including an optimal combination of essential amino acids) with low levels of fibers (NDF = 57.13%; ADF = 34.76%) and a considerable amount of dry matter (15.40%). Among the essential amino acids (EA) determined, lysine and histidine showed similar values (Lys ≈ 6%, His ≈ 1.70%) when comparing the composition of these EA to other forage species and cultivars studied, whereas methionine showed lower values. This work establishes the basis for the appropriate HT of maralfalfa according to the nutritional parameters measured. Further studies could be aimed to optimize the nutritional and phytogenic properties of maralfalfa to improve its value as a fodder crop, and to finally introduce it for sustainable livestock production in Mediterranean countries. Full article

In the semi-arid and arid environments of Sub-Sharan Africa, forage availability throughout the year is insufficient and highly limited during the dry seasons due to limited precipitation. Thus, the identification of drought stress-tolerant forage cultivars is one of the main activities in forage development programs. In this study, Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus), an important forage crop in Eastern and Central Africa that is broadly adapted to produce across tropical environments, was evaluated for its water use efficiency and production performance under field drought stress conditions. Eighty-four Napier grass genotypes were evaluated for their drought stress tolerance from 2018 to 2020 using agro-morphological and feed quality traits under two soil moisture stress regimes during the dry season, i.e., moderate (MWS) and severe (SWS) water stress conditions, and under rainfed conditions in the wet season (wet). Overall, the results indicated the existence of genotype variation for the traits studied. In general, the growth and productivity of the genotypes declined under SWS compared to MWS conditions. High biomass-yielding genotypes with enhanced WUE were consistently observed across harvests in each soil moisture stress regime. In addition, the top biomass-yielding genotypes produced the highest annual crude protein yield, indicating the possibility of developing high-feed-quality Napier grass genotypes for drought stress environments. Full article

The evaluation of forage crops for adaptability and performance across production systems and environments is one of the main strategies used to improve forage production. To enhance the genetic resource base and identify traits responsible for increased feed potential of Napier grass, forty-five genotypes from Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária (EMBRAPA), Brazil, were evaluated for forage biomass yield and feed nutritional quality in a replicated trial under wet and dry season conditions in Ethiopia. The results revealed significant variation in forage yield and feed nutritional qualities among the genotypes and between the wet and dry seasons. Feed fiber components were lower in the dry season, while crude protein, in vitro organic matter digestibility, and metabolizable energy were higher. Based on the cumulative biomass and metabolizable energy yield, top performing genotypes were identified that are candidates for future forage improvement studies. Furthermore, the marker-trait association study identified diagnostic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and SilicoDArT markers and potential candidate genes that could differentiate high biomass yielding and high metabolizable energy genotypes in the collection. Full article