Comparative evaluation of effect of legume type on feed intake among dairy cows fed maize (Zea mays) stover treated with groundnut (Arachis hypogea) and soybean (Glycine max) stover

This study evaluated the use of maize, groundnut and soybean stover in cattle feeding. The study assessed the value of upgrading the quality of crop residues. The study involved evaluation of palatability of maize stover improved using urea (U), chopped groundnut stover (cGS), chopped soybean stover (cSS), mineralized groundnut stover solution (mGS) and mineralized soybean stover solution (mSS). In the feeding trial, twelve (12) crossbred dairy cows in their second parity were used as experimental units. A 22 factorial experiment within a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) was used. Maize stover was chopped before being mixed with urea, chopped legume stover and mineralized legume stover solutions. The effect of supplementation using maize stover upgraded with U, cGS, cSS, mGS and mSS was studied for supplement intake levels. Urea Ensilage Treatment (UET) was used as the novel therapy in the study. Both legume type and processing method had influence on supplement intake of maize stover. Groundnut stover had significantly (p˂0.05) higher (0.99kg/day, se=0.04) effect on supplement intake of maize stover than soybean stover(0.83kg/day, se=0.04). The use of mineralized legume stover solution proved significant (p˂0.05) to the use of chopped legume stover in improving the intake of maize stover. Results have indicated that intake was highest (1.01kg/day, s.e=0.04) for mineralised groundnut stover solution and lowest (0.67kg/day, s.e=0.04) for Urea Ensiling Treatment.

Effect of energy and protein level in complete feed used elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum.) and maize stover (Zea mays. L) silage on nutrient content, total digestible nutrient, and in vitro degradation

The purpose of this research was to determine of ideal ration of energy and protein in complete feed used elephant grass and maize stover silage. The materials were use elephant grass, maize stover silage with 10% molasses and Lactobacillus plantarum 1x106 CFU/g and concentrates. The method used experimental laboratory, the data of nutrient and TDN content using descriptive analysis. In vitro degradation value was analysed by Analysis of Variance from a factorial randomized block design and followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The complete feed was use 12.5% elephant grass + 37.5% maize stover silage + 50% concentrates with consist of energy level (E1 =12.5, E2 =13.5, E3 =14.5 MJ/kg DM) and protein level (P1 =10.5, P2= 13.5, P3= 16.5%). The results showed that in vitro DM and OM degradation respectively energy or protein level showed has significantly (P<0.01), while the interaction did not significant (P>0.05). The best treatment is E3P3 with energy 14.5 MJ/kg and protein 16.5% on nutrient content DM 92,51%., OM 90,33%., CP 16.57%, CF 19.29%, EE 1.77%, NFE 53.70%, TDN content 67.14%, In vitro DM degradation 66.14 % and in vitro OM degradation 70.01%.

Soil fungal community structure and seasonal diversity following application of organic amendments of different quality under maize cropping in Zimbabwe

Recent advocacy for Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) in smallholder farming systems in east and southern Africa show substantial evidence of increased and sustained crop yields associated with enhanced soil productivity. However, the impact ISFM on soil fungi has received limited attention, yet fungi play key roles in crop growth. Following total soil DNA extraction with ZR soil microbe miniprep kit, illumina sequencing was used to, examine the fungal communities (ITS1F) under a maize crop following co-application of organic nutrient resources including Crotalaria juncea, cattle manure and maize stover with inorganic fertilizers at three-time periods (T1-December, T2-January, and T3-February) in Zimbabwe. Ninety-five fungal species were identified that were assigned to Ascomycota (>90%), Basidiomycota (7%) and Zygomycota (1%). At T1, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were identified across treatments, with Ascomycota attaining > 93% frequency. Fungal succession was noted and involved reduction of Ascomycota coupled by increase in Basidiomycota under the different treatments. For example at T3, Basidiomycota increased to 34% while Ascomycota declined to 66% under manure but remained unchanged in other two organics. Pre-season mineral nitrogen (N) associated with the ‘Birch effect’ apparently influenced the fungal community structure at T1 while readily available fertilizer N was critical at T2 and T3. The low-quality maize stover promoted the presence of Exophiala sp SST 2011 and this was linked to N immobilization. The impact of N addition was more pronounced under medium (manure) to low-quality (maize stover) resources. Fungi required phosphorus (P) and N for survival while their proliferation was dependent on substrate availability linked to resource quality. Interactive-forward test indicated that soil available P and N were most influential (P < 0.05) factors shaping fungal communities. Co-application of medium to high quality organic and inorganic resources show promise as a sustainable entry point towards enhancing belowground fungal diversity critical in driving nutrient supply.

Effect of legume type and nitrogen source on milk yield among dairy cows fed maize (Zea mays) stover treated with groundnut (Arachis hypogea) and soybean (Glycine max) stover

The main objective of the study was to develop technology for improving utilization of abundant quantities of under- utilized crop residues and leguminous plants during the dry season to mitigate effects of dry season on milk yield. The study was set up to test practical ways of upgrading low quality roughage and their effect on milk yield. A 22 factorial experiment within a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) was used. The study involved improving the quality of maize stover using urea fertilizer (UF), chopped groundnut (cGS) and soybean (cSS) stover, mineralized groundnut (mGS) and mineralized soybean (mSS) solution as sources of nitrogen. Research findings revealed superiority of UET over both groundnut and soybean stover in improving the quality of maize stover. Across legume types, groundnut stover had a higher positive effect on improving the quality of maize stover in terms of milk yield. Within legume stover type mGS showed superior milk yield values than cGS. The reverse was true for soybean stover. The study indicated the effect of improving maize stover with cSS on milk yield was higher than that of mSS in improving the quality of maize stover. It was generally observed that the use of mineralization of legume stover in improving the quality of maize stover is more effective than chopping. Pooled result of effect of mineralised groundnut and soybean stover on milk yield was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of the chopped forms for the same legume stover. When evaluated across legume type the effect of legume type on milk yield did not differ significantly (p>0.05) for both processing methods.