Search Results (9)

The experiment was designed to evaluate the consequence of a blend of garlic oil and cinnamon bark powder administration on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunity, antioxidant status and methane emission in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Sixteen buffalo calves were divided into two groups in a completely randomised design. The first group (CONT) was fed a basal diet of wheat straw, green oats and concentrate mixture, whereas the second group (GOCB) received feeds as per the CONT along with a blend of garlic oil and cinnamon bark powder (0.5 mL + 1.0 g/head/day) by mixing it with the concentrate mixture for a period of 170 days. The growth rate and feed efficiency in GOCB group buffalo calves were improved (20%) with better (p < 0.05) digestibility of organic matter and crude proteins. Buffaloes of the GOCB group revealed enhanced (p < 0.05) immunity and antioxidant enzymes with reduced (p < 0.05) lipid peroxidation (26% less MDA production). The methane concentration in the eructed gas of the GOCB buffaloes was reduced (33.88%) in comparison with the CONT (p < 0.01). Thus, feed formulated with a blend of garlic oil-cinnamon bark powder demonstrates improvements in the health and production performances of buffalo calves. Full article

Selenium deficiency poses a significant threat to human health. The low bioavailability of selenium in soil largely limits the improvement of selenium content in crops. Selenium in soil mainly exists in an organically bound form. Biochar has the ability to regulate the organic matter content of soil; however, the impact of biochar on the transformation of organically bound selenium in soil remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study investigates the effect of biochar on organically bound selenium in typical medium–to–high selenium soils from Yimen County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province. Reed straw (RS), apple wood (AW), and walnut shells (WS) were used as biomass materials for biochar preparation. The study utilized organically bound selenium transformation incubation and pot experiments to explore the role of biochar in transforming organically bound selenium in soil. The results showed that organically bound selenium was the dominant selenium form in the soil, accounting for 66.31% of the total selenium content. Both pot experiments and incubation trials indicated that the addition of biochar significantly increased the levels of water–soluble and exchangeable selenium in the soil. The addition of biochar mainly promotes the conversion of fulvic acid–bound selenium into water–soluble and exchangeable selenium. In the absence of carbon sources, humic acid–bound selenium can also be converted to water–soluble and exchangeable selenium. Correlation analysis revealed that soil water–soluble selenium was significantly negatively correlated with soil total selenium (r = −0.792 **, p < 0.01), soil phosphatase activity (r = −0.645 *, p < 0.05), abundance taxa of Chloroflexi (r = −0.751 *, p < 0.05), Chytridiomycota (r = −0.674 *, p < 0.05), and Basidiomycota (r = 0.722 **, p < 0.05), while it was significantly positively correlated with soil urease activity (r = 0.809 **, p < 0.01), and significantly negatively correlated with abundance taxa of Myxococcota (r = −0.800 **, p < 0.01). Compared with the initial soil, the WS treatment (initial soil water–soluble selenium 0.31 μg·kg⁻¹, exchangeable selenium 0.11 μg·kg⁻¹) significantly increased the soil water–soluble selenium by 34.9 times and exchangeable selenium by 100.2 times. Additionally, the selenium content in garlic increased by 170% compared to the control group. Full article

Straw return and plastic film mulching are two critical management measures that not only maintain high and stable crop yields, but also have a significant impact on the ecological environment. However, there is still a lack of research on the comprehensive effects of straw return and different film mulching treatments on the ecological environment. Thus, a 2-year field experiment was conducted and six treatments, which included two main treatments, namely straw return (SR) and non-straw return (NR), and three sub-treatments, namely no film mulching (CK), plastic film mulching (PM) and fully biodegradable film mulching (BM), were applied in a garlic cropping system. Based on the life cycle assessment method, six endpoint damage categories, resource consumption, global warming potential, environmental acidification, eutrophication, human health, and ecotoxicity, were assessed. Furthermore, we also evaluated the costs and economic benefits of the six treatments and optimized the treatment of used mulch and straw off-farm. The results indicated that the environmental impacts of the six endpoint damages in the garlic cropping system were ranked as ecotoxicity, eutrophication, environmental acidification, global warming potential, human health, and resource consumption. The SR-BM treatment had the lowest life cycle environmental impact composite index at 27.68 per unit area, followed by SR-PM at 27.75. All six endpoint damage categories for the PM and BM treatments were lower than the CK treatment per t of yield, with the SR-BM treatment being the most economically efficient, yielding at 3691.03 CNY·t⁻¹ and exceeding that of the SR-CK treatment by 7.26%. Fertilizer inputs were the primary contributor to resource consumption, global warming potential, environmental acidification, eutrophication, and ecotoxicity, accounting for about 72.80% of these five environmental impacts. Crop protection significantly affected human health, and garlic mulching helped minimize pesticide use, thereby reducing potential health impacts. Compared to straw incineration and waste mulch power generation, straw power generation and waste mulch recycling granulation offered positive environmental benefits and were more effective offset strategies. In conclusion, straw return with biodegradable mulch is a synergistic cultivation measure that offers both environmental and economic benefits. For straw return with plastic film mulch, environmental impacts can be reduced by waste mulch recycling granulation. Full article

This experiment was conducted to determine the nutrient composition of three agricultural by-products, namely garlic peel, sweet potato vine, and cotton straw, calculate their relative feeding value, effective energy value, and other indexes, and comprehensively evaluate their nutrient value by combining with rumen in vitro fermentation technology, with the aim of providing data references for the development and utilization of non-conventional feed resources for ruminants. The results showed that: 1) the dry matter (DM), ash, ether extract (EE), and crude protein (CP) contents of cotton straw were significantly higher than the other two feeds (p < 0.05), while the acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents of garlic peel were highly significantly higher than the others (p < 0.05); 2) the relative feed value (DMI, DDM, TDN, RFV, and RFQ) and effective energy value (GE, DE, ME, NE_m, NE_g, and NE_L) indexes of cotton straw were significantly higher than garlic peel and sweet potato vine (p < 0.01); 3) after 48 h of in vitro fermentation, the dry matter degradation rate (IVDMD) of sweet potato vine was significantly higher than the other two feeds (p < 0.01), and the cumulative gas productions (mL) and estimated gas parameters (a, b, a + b, and c) of sweet potato vine were significantly (p < 0.01) higher than those of garlic peel and cotton straw; 4) the sweet potato vine had lower pH but higher NH₃-N compared to garlic peel and cotton straw (p < 0.05). The sweet potato vine had higher propionate, iso-butyrate, butyrate, iso-valerate, and total VFA than the other two roughages, which also had the lowest acetate-to-propionate ratio. Garlic peel produced the lowest acetate, while it produced the highest valerate (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that all three by-products have high potential as livestock feed based on their nutritive value parameters. Comparatively, sweet potato vines exhibit higher feeding value due to their relatively moderate NDF content and superior rumen fermentation performance. Full article

Laiwu black goats comprise an excellent local germplasm resource; however, a shortage of feed resources has led to the application of unconventional feed. Ginger straw feed has good physiological effects, but research on this feed source for ruminant animals is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of enzymatic silage ginger straw on Laiwu black goat performance. The experiment used an independent sample t-test analysis method; 24 healthy Laiwu black goats with a body weight of 20.05 ± 1.15 kg and age of 5.67 ± 0.25 months were randomly divided into two groups with three replicates (bars) per group and four goats per replicate. The experimental diet was composed of mixed concentrate, silage, and garlic peel at a 2:7:1 ratio. The silage used in the two groups was whole corn silage (CON group) and 60% whole corn silage plus 40% enzymatic silage ginger straw (SG group), and the other components were identical. Daily feed intake/daily gain (F/G) was significantly higher in the SG group than in the CON group (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility between the groups. The shear force, cooking loss, centrifugal loss, and pressure loss of the longissimus dorsi muscle group were significantly lower in the SG than in the CON group (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the CON group, the serum and liver total antioxidant capacity was significantly increased in the SG group, and in the liver, the O2·⁻, malondialdehyde, and OH· contents were significantly decreased. Collectively, the rumen fluid microbial diversity was changed in the SG group. It was concluded that enzymatic silage ginger straw usage instead of 40% whole silage corn as feed for Laiwu black goats can significantly improve the muscle quality, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal flora, with no adverse effects on production performance. In conclusion, our study provides a basis for ginger straw processing and storage and its rational application in the Laiwu black goat diet. Full article

Garlic, an important economic crop, provides nutrient-rich straw. When appropriately balanced with silage corn stalks, it is a high-quality forage resource. However, studies on the impact of garlic straw with silage corn stalks on Hu sheep’s digestive metabolism and rumen microbiota are scarce. In this study, different addition ratios of garlic straw and silage corn stalks were utilized for in vitro experiments. We designed six experimental groups (CON, G0, G20, G40, G60, G80, and G100) based on varying ratios of garlic straw to silage corn stalks. Rumen microbiota was analyzed through 16S rRNA sequencing. Nutrient composition analysis indicated that garlic straw’s relative feeding value (RFV) closely resembled that of silage corn stalks. After 24 h of fermentation, dry matter digestibility and in vitro gas production significantly increased, reaching peak values at a 60% addition ratio. Furthermore, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acid exhibited elevated contents, with the highest yields observed at 60% inclusion. At the genus level, Prevotella, Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, and Succiniclasticum were identified as the dominant bacterial groups. The gas production test showed a significant decrease in the G80 group compared to others. Microbial analysis revealed a higher abundance of Prevotella in G80 compared to G20, offering valuable insights for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant animals. Finally, this study predicted the impact of garlic straw with silage corn stalks’ addition on Hu sheep’s metabolic pathways and biological functions of the rumen microbiota. This research highlights the potential for effectively utilizing garlic straw as a feed resource for Hu sheep and proposes a rational proportion for combining garlic straw with silage corn stalks. Full article

The technology of the divider and lifter mechanisms of a garlic harvester using the depth limit, straw divide, and straw lift modes was studied in Lanling County, Shandong Province, China, according to the characteristics of high hardness, good uprightness and narrow row spacing of garlic planting. A test prototype of the divider and lifter mechanisms of the garlic harvester was designed and manufactured. Single-factor experiments and orthogonal regression experiments were carried out using the experimental factors of working speed, the angle of the divider, the height of the tip of the divider’s tooth from the ground, the ratio of the lifter’s speed to working speed and the length of the lifter’s tooth. The index was the success rate of feed. The results showed that the working speed, the angle of the divider and the length of the lifter’s tooth had a significant influence on the success rate of feed (p < 0.05), but the experimental factors of the height of the tip of the divider’s tooth from the ground and the ratio of the lifter’s speed to working speed did not have a significant influence on the success rate of feed (p > 0.05). The effects of the angle of the divider, the working speed, and the length of the divider’s tooth on the success rate of feed decreased in significance. When the working speed was 0.72 km·h⁻¹, the length of the lifter’s tooth was 343.5 mm and the angle of the divider was 20°, the success rate of feed was the highest (98.18%). The research results are conducive to promoting high-quality and efficient combined harvesting of garlic in Lanling County, Shandong Province, China. Full article

The experiment was carried out under ACIAR-KGF project at farmers’ field of Tildanga village at Dacope Upazilla under Khulna District during rabi season of 2018–19 after harvest of previous transplanted aman rice to find out the suitable variety of garlic (Allium sativum) for cultivation in southern coastal region of Bangladesh and to observe the effect of straw mulching on the yield of garlic. The experimental area faces slight to moderately drought and saline prone at later part of winter season and beginning of summer. The salinity causes unfavorable environment and hydrological situation restricting the normal crop production. Farmers generally cultivate only single transplanted aman (T.aman) rice in a year at south and south-western coastal saline areas. Garlic is one of the important spices crop in Bangladesh. The treatments of the experiment were five garlic varieties viz., V₁ = BARI Roshun-1, V₂ = BARI Roshun-2, V₃ = BARI Roshun-3, V₄ = BARI Roshun-4 which were developed by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) and V₅ = Local cultivar. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All five varieties of garlic were sown on 17 December 2018 under zero tillage condition. BARI Roshun-1 gave the highest number of bulb/m² (57), pseudostem height (37 cm), weight of individual bulb (7.65 g) and bulb yield (5.81 t/ha). BARI Roshun-3 gave the lowest yield (3.87 t/ha). It was also observed that the soil moisture of the farmers’ field were higher during sowing of garlic which was not suitable for ploughing the land. So timely establishment of garlic is possible by following hand dibbling methods under zero tillage condition on the muddy soil surface and also cost effective. Mulching can protect the evaporation loss and reduces the salinity stress which ultimately influence the crop establishment and yield. Earlier farmers of Tildanga at Dacope under Khulna District had no idea about the cultivation of garlic under zero tillage along with straw much. When the experimental results were demonstrated and discussed about the technology to the farmers gathering during Field Day then they were impressed and interested to grow garlic. Fallow land of coastal areas of Bangladesh could be utilized through disseminating this technology and ultimately cropping intensification increased. Full article

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) and its by-products are common supplements used in equine diets and are claimed to have beneficial health effects. In this study, the effect of linseed groat-based fibrous feed supplements on diet digestibility was studied. Also, possible detrimental health effects due to continuous feeding of supplemental feeds containing linseed were examined by evaluating blood parameters. The experimental design was arranged as two balanced 3 × 3 Latin Squares. The horses were individually fed at the maintenance energy level, the forage-to-concentrate ratio being 70:30, with three diets: (A) Control diet consisting of dried hay and whole oats; (B) Control diet + Feed 1; and (C) Control diet + Feed 2. Feed 1 contained 70% of linseed groats, 15% dried carrot, 10% dried garlic and 5% molasses. Feed 2 contained 65% linseed groats, 15% molassed sugar-beet pulp, 10% dried garlic, 5% dried carrot and 5% molasses. Digestibility data were obtained by using chromium mordanted straw as an indigestible external marker for the estimation of apparent digestibility. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at the end of each feeding period to evaluate the possible effects of the supplemented diets B and C on the health of the horses. Diets B and C had a higher digestibility of crude protein compared to the control diet A (p < 0.05). In addition, the digestibility of ether extract was higher in the supplemented diets than in the basal feeding (p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences or trends (p > 0.05) in the blood parameters between the treatments. It is concluded that linseed groat-based supplements (offering approximately 6.3%–6.7% linseed groats in the diet’s dry matter (DM), or 0.8 g/kg BW/d), and feed containing soluble fibre sources (sugar-beet pulp, dehydrated carrot), improved the crude protein and fat digestibility of hay-oats diets of horses, and can be used, for example, in feeding strategies replacing grains in the horse rations in order to reduce the intake of starch without any adverse effects on the blood parameters and health of the horses. Full article