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PubMed2004

Selection of plants for zinc and lead phytoremediation.

This article describes a laboratory scale experiment of phytoremediation that has the aim to identify a vegetable species that is able to survive to the high metal concentration of soil taken from Montevecchio, Sardinia, and verify how metal content in soil can influence phytoextraction performances. The experiments allowed finding a plant (Festuca arundinacea) that is able to tolerate Montevecchio soil and to accumulate high quantities of Zinc in the shoots and to evaluate Helichrysum italicum and Mirabilis jalapa performances in zinc and lead phytoextraction.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2006

Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in water and soil from tall fescue paddocks.

Six 1-ha paddocks of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) grazed by Gelbvieh x Angus heifers from 1 March to 21 June 2005 were used to determine the prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in water tanks, and standing water and surface soil surrounding water tanks in tall fescue paddocks grazed by cattle. Paddocks included two each of Kentucky-31 endophyte-infected tall fescue (E+), Jesup tall fescue with the AR542 endophyte strain (MaxQ), and HiMag tall fescue with strain 4 endophyte (HiMag4). Samples were collected weekly (6 June to 5 July) from water tanks (n = 30), and standing water (n = 18) and surface soil (n = 30) surrounding the water tanks in each paddock commencing 3 weeks prior to termination of grazing until 2 weeks after cattle removal. Prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 tended (p = 0.07) to be increased in standing water and surface soil surrounding water tanks when cattle were present. Presence of cattle resulted in muddy conditions surrounding water tanks. Consumption of E+ tall fescue did not influence (p > 0.10) the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella in or around water tanks. Neither E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella were detected in water tanks. Total percentage of standing water samples positive for E. coli O157:H7 was 27.8% and 5.6% for Salmonella. Escherichia coli O157:H7 (6.7%) and Salmonella (10%) also were detected in the surface soil surrounding the water tanks. We conclude that areas surrounding water tanks in tall fescue paddocks can be reservoirs of pathogenic bacteria.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2006

Molecular analysis of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonising a semi-natural grassland along a fertilisation gradient.

The community of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonizing the roots of Festuca pratensis and Achillea millefolium was characterized in a Swedish pasture at different times, along a gradient of fertilization. The small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was subjected to PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The sequences found in this study clustered in 10 discrete sequence groups, seven belonging to Glomus, two to Scutellospora and one to Diversispora. A negative correlation was observed between soil mineral nitrogen and the number of AMF sequence groups in the roots. The frequency of occurrence of AMF in roots decreased dramatically between June and September. No plant-host specificity could be detected.

Achillea↗
PubMed2007

Cross-species identification of Mendel's I locus.

A key gene involved in plant senescence, mutations of which partially disable chlorophyll catabolism and confer stay-green leaf and cotyledon phenotypes, has been identified in Pisum sativum, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Festuca pratensis by using classical and molecular genetics and comparative genomics. A stay-green locus in F. pratensis is syntenically equivalent to a similar stay-green locus on rice chromosome 9. Functional testing in Arabidopsis of a homolog of the rice candidate gene revealed (i) senescence-associated gene expression and (ii) a stay-green phenotype after RNA interference silencing. Genetic mapping in pea demonstrated cosegregation with the yellow/green cotyledon polymorphism (I/i) first reported by Gregor Mendel in 1866.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Changes in microbial community composition and function during a polyaromatic hydrocarbon phytoremediation field trial.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which phytoremediation systems promote hydrocarbon degradation in soil. The composition and degradation capacity of the bulk soil microbial community during the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with aged hydrocarbons was assessed. In the bulk soil, the level of catabolic genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation (ndoB, alkB, and xylE) as well as the mineralization of hexadecane and phenanthrene was higher in planted treatment cells than in treatment cells with no plants. There was no detectable shift in the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) composition of the bulk soil community between treatments, but there were plant-specific and -selective effects on specific catabolic gene prevalence. Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea) increased the prevalence of ndoB, alkB, and xylE as well as naphthalene mineralization in rhizosphere soil compared to that in bulk soil. In contrast, Rose Clover (Trifolium hirtum) decreased catabolic gene prevalence and naphthalene mineralization in rhizosphere soil. The results demonstrated that phytoremediation systems increase the catabolic potential of rhizosphere soil by altering the functional composition of the microbial community. This change in composition was not detectable by 16S rDNA but was linked to specific functional genotypes with relevance to petroleum hydrocarbon degradation.

Bacteria↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Compost and calcium surface treatment effects on subsoil chemistry in acidic minespoil columns.

Surface incorporation of a liming agent in combination with compost or biosolids is a proven way to revegetate acidic minespoils, but little is known about the effect of the surface amendments on subsoil chemistry. We conducted a greenhouse column experiment to investigate how different surface amendments affected plant growth and subsoil chemistry in highly acidic minespoil material. Columns were filled with shale minespoil material (pH approximately 2.5), amended with CaCO3, CaSO4 x 2H2O (gypsum), and two rates of compost, and seeded with birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and 'Kentucky 31' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). We measured leachate and plant growth over a 170-d period with extensive irrigation. Without CaCO3, plants could only grow at the high compost rate (68.8 g kg(-1)), even though the soil pH in those treatments was below 3.5, indicating the capability of natural organic matter to detoxify Al(3+) by forming Al-organic matter complexes. Compost had no effect on the subsoil. When CaCO3 or gypsum was added to the surface, extractable Ca increased in the subsoil, but there was no relevant increase in subsoil pH. Even in the first 5 cm of subsoil material, extractable Al did not decrease very much, possibly because a jurbanite-like solid phase controlled subsoil Al(3+) activities. During the reclamation of highly acidic minespoil material one should therefore not expect significant effects of the surface treatment on the untreated subsoil. A sufficient root zone would have to be achieved by incorporating the liming agent down to the desired rooting depth.

Antacids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Surface runoff losses of phosphorus from Virginia soils amended with turkey manure using phytase and high available phosphorus corn diets.

Many states have passed legislation that regulates agricultural P applications based on soil P levels and crop P uptake in an attempt to protect surface waters from nonpoint P inputs. Phytase enzyme and high available phosphorus (HAP) corn supplements to poultry feed are considered potential remedies to this problem because they can reduce total P concentrations in manure. However, less is known about their water solubility of P and potential nonpoint-source P losses when land-applied. This study was conducted to determine the effects of phytase enzyme and HAP corn supplemented diets on runoff P concentrations from pasture soils receiving surface applications of turkey manure. Manure from five poultry diets consisting of various combinations of phytase enzyme, HAP corn, and normal phytic acid (NPA) corn were surface-applied at 60 kg P ha(-1) to runoff boxes containing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and placed under a rainfall simulator for runoff collection. The alternative diets caused a decrease in manure total P and water soluble phosphorus (WSP) compared with the standard diet. Runoff dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentrations were significantly higher from HAP manure-amended soils while DRP losses from other manure treatments were not significantly different from each other. The DRP concentrations in runoff were not directly related to manure WSP. Instead, because the mass of manure applied varied for each treatment causing different amounts of manure particles lost in runoff, the runoff DRP concentrations were influenced by a combination of runoff sediment concentrations and manure WSP.

6-Phytase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of root death and decay on dissipation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the rhizosphere of yellow sweet clover and tall fescue.

A 12-mo greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate the contribution of root death and decay on the dissipation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rhizosphere soil. The contaminated soil was previously treated by land-farming, but residual PAHs remained after treatment. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis Lam.) were the target plants. To specifically evaluate the effect of root decay on contaminant dissipation, plants were treated with glyphosate, a broad spectrum herbicide, to induce root decay. Although tall fescue treatments had the highest root and shoot biomass and root surface area, this plant did not result in the highest contaminant degradation rates. Significant differences were noted between treatments for seven PAHs, with the active yellow sweet clover resulting in 60 to 75% degradation of these compounds. Induced root death and decay did not produce a significant enhancement of PAH degradation. The PAH microbial degrader populations in the vegetated treatments were more than 100 times greater than those in the unvegetated control. The phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) structural group profile shifted over the growing period, indicating a change in the community structure. In conclusion, phytoremediation was shown to be an effective polishing tool for PAH-affected soil previously subjected to biological treatment.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2006

Ground cover impacts on sediment and phosphorus export from manured riparian pasture.

Maintaining pasture ground cover is important in preventing environmental degradation of grasslands and associated riparian areas. The objective of this work was to determine the effect of ground cover on sediment and P export from pastured riparian areas under simulated rainfall events. Plots were established on two sites in the North Carolina Piedmont: a 10% slope with Appling sandy loam soils (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults) and a 20% slope with Wedowee sandy loam soils (fine, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Kanhapludults), both with mixed tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)-dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) vegetation. Existing forage stands were modified to represent a range of ground cover levels: 0, 45, 70, and 95% (bare ground, low, medium, and high cover, respectively), and amended with beef steer (Bos taurus) feces and urine (about 10 kg P ha(-1)). Mean runoff volume from bare ground was generally twice that observed from low, medium, and high levels of cover, which were similar. For all rainfall events combined, export of dissolved reactive P was greatest (P < 0.1) at bare ground and was reduced 31% at low cover, which did not differ from medium or high cover. Mean total Kjeldahl P export was greater (P < 0.001) from bare ground than from other cover levels. Results indicate that riparian bare areas can contribute substantial sediment (>215 kg ha(-1)) and P (0.7 kg P ha(-1)) to surface waters during heavy rainfall, whereas export may be reduced equally well by low cover (45%) as by high cover.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2006

Performance of grass barriers and filter strips under interrill and concentrated flow.

Effectiveness of grass barriers and vegetative filter strips (FS) for reducing transport of sediment and nutrients in runoff may depend on runoff flow conditions. We assessed the performance of (1) switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) barriers (0.7 m) planted above fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) filter strips under interrill (B-FS) and concentrated flow (CF-B-FS), and (2) fescue alone under interrill (FS) and concentrated flow (CF-FS) for reducing runoff, sediment, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) loss from fallow plots on a Mexico silt loam. We compared exclusively the performance of barriers and filter strips separately under interrill and concentrated flow. Runoff and sediment were sampled at 1 m above and at 0.7, 4, and 8 m below the downslope edge of the sediment source area. Filter strips under interrill flow reduced 80% and those under concentrated flow reduced 72% of sediment at 0.7 m (P < 0.01). With the addition of supplemental runoff simulating runoff from a larger sediment source area, FS reduced 80%, but CF-FS reduced only 60% of sediment. The FS reduced organic N and NO(3)-N by an additional 50% (P < 0.01) more than CF-FS at 0.7 m. Although the effectiveness of both treatments increased with increasing width, CF-FS removed less sediment than FS alone at 8 m (P < 0.04). In contrast, barriers above filter strips under interrill and concentrated flow were equally effective at 8 m; decreasing runoff by 34%, sediment by 99%, and nutrients by 70%. Thus, barriers combined with FS can be an effective alternative to FS alone for sites where concentrated flows may occur.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Use of nonergot alkaloid-producing endophytes for alleviating tall fescue toxicosis in sheep.

Nonergot alkaloid-producing endophytes from New Zealand were inserted into tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) cultivars in an attempt to address the problem of fescue toxicosis in grazing sheep. A 3-yr grazing study was conducted to determine lamb performance and to evaluate toxicosis in lambs grazing nonergot alkaloid-producing endophyte-infected (AR542 or AR502), endophyte-free (E-), or wild-type toxic endophyte-infected (E+) Jesup tall fescue or nonergot alkaloid-producing endophyte-infected (AR542) Georgia-5 tall fescue. Replicated 0.11-ha tall fescue paddocks were established at the central Georgia Branch Station during September 1997 and stocked with lambs from spring 1998 through autumn 2000. Mean ergot alkaloid concentrations were higher (P < 0.01) in E+ forage than in AR542, AR502, and E- tall fescue, and ergot alkaloid concentrations in E- plants and plants infected with AR542 and AR502 were low. Forage availability did not differ (P = 0.92) across treatments during autumn and was higher (P < 0.05) in Georgia-5 AR542 than in Jesup AR502 and E+ pastures. Initial serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations did not differ (P = 0.58) across treatments during autumn, but were higher on Jesup AR542 than E+ during spring. Post-treatment serum PRL concentrations were depressed (P < 0.01) on E+ compared with AR542, AR502, and E- in both spring and autumn. Signs of heat stress were observed in E+ lambs during periods of high ambient temperatures. Mean post-treatment rectal temperature and mean stocking rate exhibited treatment x year interactions (P < 0.05). Lamb ADG was higher (P < 0.05) on AR542, AR502, and E- than on E+ tall fescue. Similarly, gain/hectare was higher (P < 0.015) on AR542, AR502, and E- than on E+. Tall fescue pastures containing AR542 and AR502 endophytes yielded lamb performance that did not differ from that on E- tall fescue and which was superior to performance on E+ tall fescue. Depressed PRL concentrations and elevated rectal temperatures as indicators of toxicosis were evident only in lambs grazing E+ tall fescue, suggesting that nonergot alkaloid-producing endophyte-infected tall fescue is a viable alternative for alleviating tall fescue toxicosis.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2004

Novel endophyte-infected tall fescue for growing beef cattle.

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Shreb.) is the predominant cool-season, perennial grass in the eastern half of the United States, and the majority is infected with the endemic endophyte (E+) Neotyphodium coenophialum, resulting in millions of dollars in revenues lost to the beef industry. Endophyte-free (E-) tall fescue was initially tapped as a "silver bullet" for the solution to fescue toxicosis, but drought intolerance and overgrazing have often resulted in nearly complete stand losses in 3 to 4 yr. Recently, the discovery of new endophytes that do not produce ergot alkaloids has resulted in the development of novel-endophyte-infected (NE+), stress-tolerant tall fescue plants. These NE+ tall fescue plants combine the plant persistence advantages of E+ (infected) tall fescue with the animal performance advantages of an E- tall fescue. Controlled studies from several locations in the southern United States have shown that the three commercially available cultivars of NE+ tall fescue persist as well as E+ tall fescues. Stocker cattle performance trials from five states have shown that the ADG in cattle grazing NE+ tall fescue was 47% greater than in cattle grazing E+ tall fescue and that cattle show no signs of fescue toxicosis. Economic evaluations of establishment cost and improved animal performance indicate that a stand of NE+ tall fescue would require 7 yr to pay off and begin to return profit to the enterprise if calves grazing E+ pasture are not discounted in price for fescue toxicosis at marketing. Average discounts at marketing for cattle showing signs of fescue toxicosis are $7.49/45.4 kg of BW. Assuming E+ cattle are discounted at sale and the quality of cattle is not decreased by the use of NE+ tall fescue, a stand of NE+ tall fescue would require 3 yr to pay the expense of establishment and begin to return profit to the enterprise.

Acremonium↗
PubMed2004

Growth rate and physiology of steers grazing tall fescue inoculated with novel endophytes.

Cattle grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) often develop fescue toxicosis. This condition is thought to be caused by ergot alkaloids produced by the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum. Endophytes from wild tall fescue plants, which do not produce ergot alkaloids, were transferred into the endophyte-free tall fescue germplasm, HiMag. The novel associations also lacked the ability to produce ergot alkaloids. Our objective was to determine whether cattle grazing these novel endophyte associations showed signs of fescue toxicosis. At the Fayetteville, Arkansas location, tester steers (n = 72) were assigned to one of four pasture treatments: endophyte-free HiMag tall fescue (HiMag-); 'Kentucky-31' tall fescue infected with its native, toxic endophyte (KY+); and two novel endophyte-infected tall fescue associations, HiMag4 and HiMag9. At the Mount Vernon, Missouri location, steers (n = 54) were used to test three of the four cultivars (HiMag9 was not tested). Ergot alkaloid concentrations in the forage of HiMag4 and HiMag9 were low or undetectable. Respiration rate, rectal temperature, ADG, and hair scores were measured during the grazing period. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture and used for prolactin, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cholesterol, triglyceride, and creatinine analysis. Weight gains by steers grazing HiMag4 and HiMag9 did not differ from those of steers grazing HiMag-, but were greater than gains (P < 0.05) by steers on the KY+ treatment. Steers grazing KY+ had higher (P < 0.05) respiration rates, rectal temperatures, and hair scores than did steers grazing novel endophyte and HiMag- pastures. Prolactin, ALP, cholesterol, LDH, and triglycerides all were suppressed (P < 0.05) in steers grazing KY+ compared with steers grazing novel endophyte and HiMag- pastures. Steers grazing the novel endophyte tall fescues did not suffer from the decreased weight gains and toxicities associated with fescue toxicosis, resulting in enhanced animal production.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗
PubMed2005

The effect of a condensed tannin-containing forage on methane emission by goats.

The objective of this study was to compare methane emission by goats consuming the condensed tannin-containing forage sericea lespedeza (Les-pedeza cuneata) or a mixture of crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) and Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Two groups of 12 Angora does (initial average BW = 41.5 +/- 2.7 kg) that previously grazed a pasture of sericea lespedeza or crabgrass/tall fescue for approximately 4 mo were used. After 1 wk of adaptation to metabolism cages, gas exchange was measured for 24 h in an open-circuit respiration calorimetry system with four head boxes. Forage harvested daily from the previously grazed pastures was consumed ad libitum. Crude protein concentration was 10.3 and 13.0%, IVDMD was 64.5 and 75.3%, and the level of condensed tannins was 17.7 and 0.5% for sericea lespedeza and crabgrass/tall fescue, respectively. Dry matter intake (1.11 vs. 0.67 kg/d) and digestible DMI (estimated from IVDMD; 0.71 vs. 0.51 kg/d) were greater (P < 0.01) for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue. Ruminal ammonia N (3.7 and 9.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and plasma urea-N concentrations (16.7 and 20.9 mg/dL; P = 0.07) were lower for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue. Concentrations of individual and total VFA and the acetate-to-propionate ratio in ruminal fluid did not differ between treatments (P > 0.19). Despite higher DMI by goats fed sericea lespedeza, daily energy expenditure (409 vs. 431 kJ/kg BW(0.75)), heart rate (70 vs. 73 beats/min), and the ratio of energy expenditure to heart rate (5.82 vs. 5.94) did not differ between sericea lespedeza and crabgrass/tall fescue, respectively (P > 0.13). Methane emission expressed as both quantity per day or relative to DMI was lower (P <0.001) for sericea lespedeza than for crabgrass/tall fescue (7.4 vs. 10.6 g/d and 6.9 vs. 16.2 g/kg DMI). Substantial differences between the forages in condensed tannins concentration and methane emission by Angora goats suggest that condensed tannins decreased methane emission.

Ammonia↗
PubMed2005

Intake, digestion, and N metabolism in steers fed endophyte-free, ergot alkaloid-producing endophyte-infected, or nonergot alkaloid-producing endophyte-infected fescue hay.

A digestion and N balance trial was conducted to compare effects of traditional endophyte-infected (E+), endophyte-free (E-), and nontoxic endophyte infected (NE; MaxQ; Pennington Seed, Inc., Madison, GA) Jesup tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) hay on digestion and N retention in steers. Hay composition (DM basis) was as follows: E+ (10.8% CP, 59.9% NDF, and 29.4% ADF), E- (11.8% CP, 58.5% NDF, and 28.4% ADF), and NE (11.6% CP, 58.6% NDF, and 28.3% ADF). Eight Polled Hereford steers (initial BW 240 +/- 9 kg) were used in a replicated, 3 x 3 Latin square design, with an extra steer allotted to each square. Steers were fed ad libitum for 14 d, followed by a 9-d adaptation to restricted intake (based on the animal with the lowest ad libitum intake for the square) and a 5-d fecal and urine collection. Water intake (20.2 L/d) and urine output (7.40 L/d) did not differ (P > 0.10) during the collection period. Plasma prolactin concentration was less (P < 0.05) for steers on the E+ hay (8.83 ng/mL) than for those on the E- hay (18.03 ng/mL) and intermediate for steers on the NE hay (12.65 ng/mL). Endophyte-infected hay differed (P < 0.05) from E- and NE in ad libitum DMI (5.02 vs. 5.62 and 5.61 kg/d, respectively) and ad libitum DMI as a percentage of BW (1.86 vs. 2.06 and 2.06%, respectively). Restricted DMI during the fecal and urine collection was lower (P < 0.05) for E+ hay than for E- (5.04 vs. 5.24 kg/d), and NE was intermediate (5.19 kg/d). Dry matter digestibility was lower (P < 0.05) for E+ compared with E- and NE (62.3 vs. 67.0 and 65.9%, respectively). Digestibility of ADF was lower (P < 0.05) for E+ than for E-, and was intermediate for NE (61.5, 66.0, and 63.9%, respectively). There were no differences for NDF, cellulose, or hemicellulose digestibilities among hay types. Crude protein digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) for E- and NE than for E+ (54.3 and 52.5 vs. 48.1%, respectively). Nitrogen retention was lower (P < 0.01) for E+ than for E- or NE (15.6 vs. 22.7 or 23.0 g/d, respectively). Hay type did not influence plasma urea N, urine urea N output, or urine urea N as a percentage of urinary N. Results from this study indicate that E+ tall fescue hay was lower in ad libitum DMI, DM digestibility, and N retention than NE or E- hays with similar chemical composition. Hay from NE and E- fescue had nearly identical composition, and did not differ for any variable measured.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2005

Behavior, preference for, and use of alfalfa, tall fescue, white clover, and buffalograss by pregnant gilts in an outdoor production system.

Sustainable outdoor pig production requires vegetation that can maintain ground cover, assimilate manure nutrients, and prevent soil erosion. Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the suitability of four forages: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), white clover (Trifolium repens), and buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) for grazing or ground cover in pastures for pigs. Each forage plot covered 7.5 m2, with nine replicates in a randomized block design. In Exp. 1, eight pregnant gilts had free access to all forages during a 2-d adjustment period. Immediately thereafter, pairs of gilts were assigned randomly to one of each of four blocks of the four forages during a 2-d measurement period. The percentage of ground cover for each forage was visually estimated at 0, 24, and 48 h of study. Behavioral data, including walking, eating, grazing, rooting, drinking, standing, lying, and time spent in hut were video-monitored continuously for 48 h. Initial percentage of ground cover was 100% for all species. By 48 h, percentage of ground cover decreased (P < 0.001) for white clover (11.3 +/- 0.88%) and alfalfa (36.3 +/- 0.88%), but not for tall fescue (98.0 +/- 0.88%) or buffalograss (98.0 +/- 0.88%). Gilts spent more (P < 0.01) time grazing white clover (16.3 +/- 1.97 min/d) and alfalfa (11.2 +/- 1.97) than tall fescue (0.8 +/- 1.97) or buffalograss (0.3 +/- 1.97), and rooted more (P < 0.04) white clover than other forages. In Exp. 2, six gilts from the initial group were put on six blocks of the four forages. Each gilt was assigned randomly to three replicates of each forage, including alfalfa, tall fescue, or buffalograss (white clover was excluded because of damage by gilts during Exp. 1), and gilts grazed single forages for 2 d. After this grazing period, the percentage of ground cover was less (P < 0.01) for alfalfa than for buffalograss or tall fescue (37.5 +/- 0.38, 96.7 +/- 0.39, 96.3 +/- 0.39%, respectively). With access to a single forage, pregnant gilts spent more (P < 0.01) time grazing alfalfa (15.8 +/- 2.36 min/d) than buffalograss (1.5 +/- 2.36) or tall fescue (0.7 +/- 2.37). These gilts clearly preferred grazing white clover and alfalfa, and rooting and eating white clover compared with buffalograss or tall fescue. Rates of ground cover loss were less (P < 0.01) for tall fescue and buffalograss than for the more preferred forages. Less preferred forages could have potential as pasture for swine when the primary objective is ground cover maintenance rather than nutrient supply.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2004

Lactation performance of holstein cows fed fescue, orchardgrass, or alfalfa silage.

Perennial grasses are increasingly being used as an integral part of nutrient management plans, but fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is often overlooked because of perceived intake problems. A 30-d study was conducted to evaluate the lactation performance of cows fed a fescue silage-based total mixed ration (TMR) compared with orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) silage-based TMR, when forages are harvested at recommended neutral detergent fiber (NDF) levels. Holstein cows (body weight [BW] = 627 +/- 66.0 kg, milk yield = 40.9 +/- 6.93 kg/d, parity = 2.6 +/- 1.44, days in milk = 152 +/- 24.5) were randomly assigned to treatment. Statistical design was a randomized complete block with 10 cows per treatment. The 5 treatments consisted of TMR using first-cutting alfalfa, and first- and second-cutting orchardgrass and tall fescue silage. Diets were formulated to provide 0.95% of BW as forage NDF and contained approximately 18% CP and 1.6 mcal/kg. This resulted in diets of about 30% NDF; for a 612-kg cow, approximately 5.8 kg/d of forage NDF was fed. Second-cutting, grass-based TMR had lower intake than alfalfa and first-cutting forage TMR. Cows consuming second-cutting orchardgrass had lower milk production than did cows consuming other forage TMR. Cows fed fescue TMR had higher milk production than those fed orchardgrass. Indigestible residues were higher, and NDF digestibilities were lower, in second-cutting forages vs. first-cutting forages, likely contributing to the differences observed in intake and resulting differences in milk production. Dairy cows consumed the first-cutting fescue TMR readily and performed as well as those on alfalfa or first-cutting, orchardgrass-based TMR in terms of lactation performance, but fescue and orchardgrass rations will require more concentrate in the ration than alfalfa.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗
PubMed2002

Endocrine and respiratory responses to ergotamine in Brahman and Hereford steers.

Ergot alkaloids are considered causative agents of fescue toxicosis, a syndrome experienced by cattle consuming tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) infected with the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum. One sign of fescue toxicosis in cattle is severe hyperthermia. This study assessed hormonal responses to ergotamine in heat-sensitive and heat-tolerant cattle. Seven Hereford (heat-sensitive, Bos taurus) and 7 Brahman (heat-tolerant, Bos indicus) steers on a fescue-free diet received ergotamine tartrate iv. Blood was sampled every 15 min for 2 h before and 4 h after dosing for determination of circulating hormonal changes. Respiration rates were recorded hourly. Ambient temperature and relative humidity averaged 31C and 48%, respectively, during sampling. A breed x time interaction existed (p < 0.01) for plasma prolactin, LH, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, triiodothyronine and glucose concentrations. The breed x time interaction tended to affect (p = 0.14) growth hormone and influenced (p < 0.01) respiration rates. Ergotamine reduced (p < 0.01) plasma LH and increased (p < 0.01) growth hormone concentrations in Brahman. Both breeds responded to ergotamine with increased (p < 0.01) plasma cortisol, glucagon, and glucose and reduced (p < 0.01) insulin concentrations. The magnitude of response for cortisol, insulin, and glucose were greater for the Brahman. Ergotamine increased (p < 0.01) plasma triiodothyronine and respiration rates in Hereford, whereas these traits were unaltered in Brahman. Acute ergotamine exposure generally resulted in similar effects on Brahman and Hereford steers. The triiodothyronine and respiratory comparisons revealed modified responses in Brahman that suggest a potential benefit of using heat-tolerant genetics to reduce the adverse effects of fescue toxicosis in cattle.

Animals↗