Nutrients Use Efficiency and Uptake Characteristics of Panicum virgatum for Fodder Production

Giannoulis, Kyriakos D.; Bartzialis, D.; Skoufogianni, Elpiniki; Danalatos, N.G.

doi:10.5539/jas.v9n3p233

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Switchgrass–legumes mixed cropping produced hay with protein content increased almost threefold than switchgrass monoculture, which is in line with the literature reporting that vetch–cereal mixed cropping is highly productive in protein-rich aerial biomass [ 37 ]. The current study’s findings demonstrate that a zero-fertilization switchgrass monoculture system generates animal feed with a protein content of about 5%, which is in perfect agreement with a previous survey conducted in the same location, despite the crop being in its second and third growing year [ 38 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The levels of fertilization dressings were decided based on NPK concentration of switchgrass tissue found in previous studies in the same area (e.g., 0.8% N, 0.08% P, and 1.3% K, and potassium, respectively) [ 38 ]. Considering a deep rooting system obtained after 9 and 10 years of growth, the applied levels PK are expected to be rather supporting to the intercropped legume crop.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Could a Legume–Switchgrass Sod-Seeding System Increase Forage Productivity?

Giannoulis

Bartzialis

Skoufogianni

et al. 2022

Plants

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Nowadays, the lack of cattle feed, particularly green fodder, has become a key limiting factor in the agricultural economy. Switchgrass appears to offer a viable solution to the feed shortage. An improved cultivation practice might be needed to boost switchgrass forage production all season long. This study was conducted to quantify the positive effects of introducing different legume crops (vetch and pea), optimally fertilized, on the production and quality of mixed harvested switchgrass–legumes hay in late spring (May) and switchgrass hay harvested once more in early fall (September). The studied intercropping systems, independently of the legume species used, increased forage productivity (almost threefold), reaching 7.5 t ha−1 and quality characteristics, with protein content almost rising threefold, reaching 12.5%. The aforementioned practice can assist the perennial crop (switchgrass) in providing a high hay production during the early fall harvest, even without fertilization. The overall annual economic benefit for the farmers may be increased by 90–720 € per ha, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. Overall, it may be concluded that the suggested cropping system produces a significantly higher yield of cattle feed compared to traditional monocultures, improving the agricultural economy while reducing the negative effects of modern agriculture on the environment.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Could a Legume–Switchgrass Sod-Seeding System Increase Forage Productivity?

Giannoulis

Bartzialis

Skoufogianni

et al. 2022

Plants

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“…mix (Fig 3d). Unlike Mn, Fe levels were very poor in sorghum stovers as compared to another source of feed ingredients used in the study area.As reported earlier(Garg et al 2005;Udar et al 2003;Agegnehu and Amede, 2017;Giannoulis et al 2017 andMutwedu et al 2020), these forages have Zn and Mn levels below the critical level in many of the semi-arid zones of India.…”

supporting

confidence: 61%

“…This highlights the importance of several factors in determining the availability of micro-minerals from soil to plants and then to animals. Forage micro-mineral concentration varies depending on soil type (Garg et al 2005) and growing conditions (Agegnehu and Amide, 2017;Giannoulis et al 2017 andMutwedu et al 2020). Only a small percentage of trace elements are present in the soil utilised by plants, according to the physio-chemical constitution of the soil (Herdt and Hoff, 2011).…”

Section: Soil-plant-animal Relationshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil-plant-animal Continuum Concerning the Certain Micro-mineral Status of Indigenous Sheep in Hot Semi-arid Regions

Raju

Parashar

Pankaj

2022

IJAR

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Background: Semi-arid regions have a large livestock population that grazes on nutrient-depleted natural grasses and crop leftovers, resulting in mineral shortages. The goal of this study was to determine the amounts of iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) in soil, pasture and sheep serum in semi-arid areas with low rainfall (498-522 mm) in order to construct a soil-plant-animal continuum and recommend solutions to increase trace element availability. Methods: Samples were collected from different parts of the continuum [Soil (n=50), pasture (n=50) and blood samples from sheep (n=50)] from the selected study area and the trace elements were analyzed after digestion using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Descriptive, correlation and t-test analyses were carried out to categorize the deficiency, their significance and soil-plant-animal continuum. Result: Although most soil samples were found to be below threshold levels, most straws and stovers in the field had marginal levels of these micro-minerals. Most sheep serum samples had levels of different micro-minerals that were below the threshold level, implying that many indigenous sheep are deficient in micro-minerals. Although there was a substantial association between feed, fodder and sheep serum, there was no such correlation between trace mineral levels in sheep serum and soil. A higher percentage of these micro-minerals in sheep faeces implies that these nutrients are truly recycled through faeces and urine in semi-arid rural areas. To address the sub-clinical micro-mineral insufficiency in semi-arid regions, micro-mineral supplementation, particularly Zn, Cu and Mn, is required.

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“…On the other hand, the protein yield harvested with the first cut was much higher compared to the second cut, in all fertiliser treatments. In the experiment conducted by Giannoulis et al [67], the switchgrass protein content was at the level of 62.5 g kg −1 with low nitrogen fertilisation. According to the authors, this confirms the possibility of growing switchgrass on less fertile soils and producing feed at low inputs.…”

Section: Nutritional Valuementioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Biogas Digestate and Mineral Fertilisation on the Soil Properties and Yield and Nutritional Value of Switchgrass Forage

2020

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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a three-year application of digestate from an agricultural biogas plant on the physicochemical properties of highly acidic pHKCl 4.4 ± 0.23, silty loam soils with low macronutrient content and on the yield and nutritional value of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass harvested for green fodder. The experiment included the following treatments: (1) O (control)—no fertilisation, (2) NPK—mineral fertilisation with (in kg ha−1) 150 N, 53.0 P and 105 K, (3) biogas digestate at 30 m3 ha−1 and (4) biogas digestate at 60 m3 ha−1. The higher application rate of biogas digestate significantly reduced soil acidity to pHKCl 4.9 ± 0.18 and improved its sorption properties. It also increased the soil organic matter content from 5.6 ± 0.21 to 6.4 ± 0.22 g Corg kg−1 and of K and Zn. The higher level of biogas digestate significantly increased switchgrass yield to 5.15 ± 0.26 t ha−1. The lower application rate of biogas digestate resulted in forage yield of 4.30 ± 0.20 t ha−1 comparable to that obtained after mineral fertilisation (4.33 ± 0.22 t ha−1). Following application of mineral fertilisers and the higher level of biogas digestate, the number of panicles per plant (150 ± 2.49–157 ± 0.6.17), panicle height (107 ± 1.98–114 ± 2.08), crude ash content (61.2 ± 0.43–65.5 ± 0.38) and protein content (106 ± 0.59–92 ± 1.11) in the switchgrass biomass from the first cut were higher than in the case of unfertilised soil (110 ± 3.81, 93 ± 1.32, 55.5 ± 0.40, 80.3 ± 0.37). The use of mineral fertilisers and biogas digestate increased the content of protein, P and Mg in biomass from the second cut. The results suggest that the use of digestate improved the physicochemical properties of highly acidic soil and increased the yield of switchgrass forage without diminishing its nutritional value.

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Nutrients Use Efficiency and Uptake Characteristics of Panicum virgatum for Fodder Production

Cited by 5 publications

References 11 publications

Could a Legume–Switchgrass Sod-Seeding System Increase Forage Productivity?

Could a Legume–Switchgrass Sod-Seeding System Increase Forage Productivity?

Soil-plant-animal Continuum Concerning the Certain Micro-mineral Status of Indigenous Sheep in Hot Semi-arid Regions

Effect of Biogas Digestate and Mineral Fertilisation on the Soil Properties and Yield and Nutritional Value of Switchgrass Forage

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