Leila Taherabadi; Farokh Kafilzadeh
Volume 25, Issue 2 , July 2023, , Pages 169-181
Abstract
Introduction: Increased livestock production can be achieved through the cultivation of high-quality forages with high-yielding capacity. Napier grass has been introduced to all tropical and subtropical areas of the world and is used as a forage crop with high potential productivity in terms of annual ...
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Introduction: Increased livestock production can be achieved through the cultivation of high-quality forages with high-yielding capacity. Napier grass has been introduced to all tropical and subtropical areas of the world and is used as a forage crop with high potential productivity in terms of annual dry matter yield. However, both dry matter yield and nutritional quality of this grass have been affected by different cutting interval. This grass has been neither grown nor studied as a source of forage for ruminant nutrition in Iran.This research was conducted to identify the appropriate cutting interval for Napier grass to produce the maximum nutritive value and yield.
Material and methods: Napier grass was cultivated in a complete randomised block design with three replicates. During the growth season, the cutting intervals were 16-20, 24-28, 43 d or 136 d after planting to corresponding cutting heights of 50, 100, 150 and 300 cm. Hence, from each plot 6, 4, 2, or 1 cuts were harvested, respectively. Cell wall fractions, organic matter, and crude protein of Napier grass from different cuts were determined. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility and in-vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics of the forages were also determined. Biomass production of Napier grass under different cutting interval programs was also assessed.
Results and Discussion: The highest yield of dry matter of Napier grass (25.1 tons per hectare) was observed when only one cut was harvested at the end of vegetative stage (height of 300 cm). The digestibility of organic matter (OMD) ranged from 60 to 70 % in all treatments and the highest OMD was observed at the height of 50 cm. The maximum dry matter and digestible organic matter per hectare (15.9 and 14.2 tons, respectively) was produced when forage was harvested in one cut at the height of 300 cm. There was no difference in the yield of digestible dry matter and digestible organic matter of the forage harvested at the height of 50 and 100 cm. The concentration of crude protein in forages from different cuts ranged from 7.1 to 14.2 % and neutral detergent fiber ranged 65.7 to 76.2 %. The highest concentration of crude protein and the lowest cell wall components were observed at the height of 50 cm. The lowest and the highest gas production potential and fractional rate of gas production were observed at the cutting height of 300 cm and 50 cm, respectively.
Conclusion: The present study showed that it is possible to obtain higher quality of Napier grass by shortening the harvesting intervals. However, this resulted in a pronounce decrease in the yield of organic matter and digestible dry matter yield per hectare. The highest organic matter and digestible dry matter per hectare was produced when Napier grass was harvested only once (136 d after planting and height of 300 cm) at the end of vegetative stage.
Leila Taherabadi; Farokh Kafilzadeh
Volume 25, Issue 1 , April 2023, , Pages 83-91
Abstract
The present study was conducted in order to determine yield and the nutritive value of Napier grass at different growth stages as a new forage source in Iran. For this purpose, Napier grass was harvested at three stages of vegetative growth (65, 85 and 115 days after planting, respectively). Chemical ...
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The present study was conducted in order to determine yield and the nutritive value of Napier grass at different growth stages as a new forage source in Iran. For this purpose, Napier grass was harvested at three stages of vegetative growth (65, 85 and 115 days after planting, respectively). Chemical composition, rumen fermentation parameters, yield and some morphological traits were investigated. At the final growth stage, dry matter (DM) yield and height of Napier grass was 26.8 tons per hectare and 257 cm, respectively. With increasing age of the plant, a decrease in crude protein and an increase in lignin of cell wall was observed (P < 0.05). Crude protein and neutral detergent fiber content of the grass at this stage were 88 and 63 g/kg DM, respectively. Changes in chemical compositions during growth stages were more pronounced in the stem than in the leaf. During the growth period, the decrease in digestibility of leave and stem led to a decrease in dry matter and organic matter digestibility of Napier grass from 782 to 649 and from 814 to 747 g/kg DM, respectively (P < 0.05). The amount of gas production potential decreased with increasing plant age (P < 0.05). Fermentation rate and lag time were similar in plant harvested at the three stages of growth. The results of the present study showed that Napier grass with high yield of digestible organic matter and high nutritive value can be considered as a valuable source of forage in the country.
Yazdan Seyf; Farokh Kafilzadeh; Hassan khamisabadi; Massoumeh Rezaei; Leila Taherabadi
Volume 24, Issue 4 , December 2022, , Pages 453-462
Abstract
The effect of feeding essential oil of Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum during the suckling period on pre and post-weaning growth performance of Sanjabi male lambs using 30 male lambs from an estrus synchronized flock of ewes was carried out, in the form of a completely randomized design with 3 treatments ...
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The effect of feeding essential oil of Pistacia Atlantica Kurdica gum during the suckling period on pre and post-weaning growth performance of Sanjabi male lambs using 30 male lambs from an estrus synchronized flock of ewes was carried out, in the form of a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 10 replications. The lambs were divided into three groups three days after birth. The first group received no essential oil, and the second and the third groups received a daily dose of 0.8 and 1.6 ml until weaning by a drenching syringe, respectively. Lambs were weaned at 100 days of age and were raised for 10 weeks with the other herd lambs until 170 days of age. Feeding the essential oil increased weaning weight and post-weaning daily weight gain. The blood glucose of lambs during the suckling or post-waning period did not change due to feeding the essential oil. Lambs received the essential oil and had lower blood cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, and higher urea and albumin to globulin ratio. Feeding the essential oil reduced blood malondialdehyde levels but increasing the level of the essential oil did not further decrease this metabolite. The results showed that the essential oil as a new feed additive has a good potential to improve the pre and post-weaning performance of lambs when fed during the suckling period. Since, increasing the level of the essential oil resulted in no additional improvement in the performance of lambs therefore, a daily dose of 0.8 ml is recommended.
Leila Taherabadi; Farokh Kafilzadeh
Volume 23, Issue 3 , September 2021, , Pages 387-394
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum 92069 (LF) isolated from yogurt on chemical and microbial fermentation and aerobic stability of high moisture corn silage. After propagation and concentration determination LF was used to prepare experimental treatments with ...
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The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus fermentum 92069 (LF) isolated from yogurt on chemical and microbial fermentation and aerobic stability of high moisture corn silage. After propagation and concentration determination LF was used to prepare experimental treatments with concentrations of zero (control, LF0), 1×106 cfu/g fresh forage (LF1) and 2×106 cfu/g fresh forage (LF2). Three replicates of each treatment were stored in laboratory silos for 90 days. The results showed that the chemical composition of silages (DM, NDF, ADF, CP, WSC) was not affected by addition of LF. LF2 had a significant lower pH compared to the control (P<0.05). LF1 and LF2 silages showed a higher concentration of lactic acid (P<0.05). Concentration of acetic acid increased and mold population decreased in LF2 compared to the other silages (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between population of lactic acid bacteria and yeast in silages. The aerobic stability of LF0 and LF1 silages decreased significantly compared to LF2 (P<0.05). During the aerobic stage after opening the silos, LF2 silage had the lowest pH (P<0.05). However, yeast population of silages during the aerobic stage was not affected by treatment. The results of this study showed that Lactobacillus fermentum 92069 has the potential to be used as a silage inoculant.
Golnaz Taasoli; Farrokh Kafilzadeh; Darab Ghadimi; Juan Loor; Micheal Ballou
Volume 22, Issue 4 , December 2020, , Pages 529-536
Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of diet containing high (40.7 %) non fibrous carbohydrates on some inflammatory and native immunity related genes expression in lactating Jersey cows. Seven lactating multiparous (2.5 ± 0.5) Jersey cows with 71 ± 3 days in milk ...
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The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of diet containing high (40.7 %) non fibrous carbohydrates on some inflammatory and native immunity related genes expression in lactating Jersey cows. Seven lactating multiparous (2.5 ± 0.5) Jersey cows with 71 ± 3 days in milk and 28 ± 6.6 kg of average milk production were used. All cows received a control diet containing low (34.3 percentage of dry matter) non fibrous carbohydrates content for the first 14 days and then were were switched to a diet containing high (40.7 percentage of dry matter) non fibrous carbohydrates content for one week. Blood samples were collected on day 0 (After 14 days of feeding control diet) and days 4 and 7 after feeding high NFC diet. Relative gene expression of seven genes (IL1-β, TNF-α, MNDA, CD74, TLR2, SELECTIN, TGF1-β) were measured. The results showed that gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1-β and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory proteins (MNDA, D74, TLR2, SELECTIN, TGF1-β) was down regulated during feeding of high NFC diet (p < 0.05). These data indicated that feeding a high non-fibrous carbohydrates diet caused inflammation and affected immunity system in lactating Jersey cows.
vahid piri; farokh kafilzadeh
Volume 22, Issue 3 , September 2020, , Pages 379-389
Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of treating ground barley grain with lactic acid (LA) in starter diets on feed intake, average daily gain, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, skeletal growth, and blood metabolites of pre-weaneddairy calves. Thirty male Holstein calves with average ...
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This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of treating ground barley grain with lactic acid (LA) in starter diets on feed intake, average daily gain, feed efficiency, nutrient digestibility, skeletal growth, and blood metabolites of pre-weaneddairy calves. Thirty male Holstein calves with average initial body weight of 45.06±2.25 were randomly allocated to one of the 3 treatments. Starter containing 41% ground barley grain from day 4 to 65 of birth. Experimental treatments include: 1) diet containing treated barley in tap water (No LA), 2) diet containing treated barley in 0.5% LA solution, and 3) diet containing treated barley with 1% LA solution. Feed intake was recorded daily. Body weight and skeletal growth measures were recorded on day 4, day 35, and day 56. Calves blood samples were collected on day 4, 35, and 65. Total tract dry matter digestibility and feed efficiency were greater in calves fed diet containing lactic acid treated barley (p < /em> ≤0.05). No effects on dry matter intake, average daily gain, and blood metabolites was observed. At day 35 of the experiment the withers height and body length were greater in calves received LA-treated barely (p < /em> ≤0.05). It seems that treating barley grain with lactic acid decreased starch digestion in the rumen and increased starch flow to the small intestine; accordingly, feed efficiency was improved. Using higher levels of lactic acid may have a positive effect on calf performance.
Reza Naseri Harsini
Volume 19, Issue 2 , August 2017, , Pages 349-360
Abstract
Effects of castration of male Morkhoz kids on quality characteristics of biceps femoris muscle and tissues composition of thigh were studied based on a completely randomized design (2 treatments and 4 replicates). Sixteen males were fed for 119 days and kids in the second treatment were castrated one ...
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Effects of castration of male Morkhoz kids on quality characteristics of biceps femoris muscle and tissues composition of thigh were studied based on a completely randomized design (2 treatments and 4 replicates). Sixteen males were fed for 119 days and kids in the second treatment were castrated one week prior to the adaptation period. Results showed that muscularity in the femur region was significantly higher in the control (intact) group (P<0.05). Morkhoz kids castration decreased moisture and increased fat percentages (P<0.05). Castration significantly increased palmitic acid percentage and declined total desirable fatty acids percentage and (C18:0+C18:1)/C16:0 ratio in intramuscular fat of the biceps femoris muscle (P<0.05). Results showed that Morkhoz kids castration, with respect to the amount and composition of fatty acids, wouldn’t be compatible with human health.
Alireza Karampour; Farokh Kafilzadeh
Volume 18, Issue 3 , October 2016, , Pages 491-500
Abstract
This study was conducted to determine the effects of addition of the pomegranate seed oil (PSO) in the diet on growth performance, diet digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters of fattening lambs. Twenty one Sanjabi lambs, with average body weight of 27.5±2.6 kg and 3 months of age, were ...
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This study was conducted to determine the effects of addition of the pomegranate seed oil (PSO) in the diet on growth performance, diet digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters of fattening lambs. Twenty one Sanjabi lambs, with average body weight of 27.5±2.6 kg and 3 months of age, were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 7 replicates.The experimental treatments included diet free of PSO (control diet), and diets containing 2 and 4% of PSO. Daily feed intake, diet digestibility and rumen fermentation parameters were measured by standard methods. The lambs were weighed at the beginning and the end of the finishing period for estimation of average daily gain (ADG). The DMI in the lambs fed on the diets containing PSO was higher than that of control (P<0.05). There was no differences along treatments concerning ADG, although, in lambs receiving PSO thetrend was to be increased. Dry matter and organic matter digestibility in the lambs fed on 4% PSO were higher than those of the other groups (P<0.05). Concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were not affected except valeric acid, however, incorporation of 4% PSO to the diet increased molar percentage of propionic acid and decreased acetate to propionate ratio, significantly. Ammonia nitrogen concentration was not affected by adding PSO to diet. The results of this experiment suggest that pomegranate seed oil has potential to improve the digestibility and ruminal fermentation efficiency of the diet of fattening lambs.
Nader Papi; Farokh Kafilzadeh; Hasan Fazaeli
Volume 17, Issue 2 , October 2015, , Pages 335-345
Abstract
This research was assigned to study the top crop yield potential and nutritive value of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), using a completely randomized designed with three treatments and four replications. The forage was cut at three growing stages where plant high, fresh and dry forage yield ...
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This research was assigned to study the top crop yield potential and nutritive value of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus), using a completely randomized designed with three treatments and four replications. The forage was cut at three growing stages where plant high, fresh and dry forage yield and leave/steam ratio were recorded. First and second cut were made when the plant heights were 100-150 and 150-200 cm, respectively. Forage from the third cut was at the early bloom stage (200-250cm). Then the cuts were chopped and sampled and nutrient contents and in vitro digestibility of the samples were determined. The amount of fresh and dry forage yield were 45.20 and 15.95 (ton/h) in first cut, and 64 and 29.85 (ton/h) in the last cut (flowering stage), respectively. Yield of second cut was significantly higher (p