• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.253-258
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• 1995

'Ihis experiment was carried out to select a carrier as rhizobium inoculant for alfalfa. The Rhizobium inoculants were produced in main materials(organic and inorganic materials) and submaterial(Ca$CO_3$, and sucrose), and than the changes of Rhizobium population of inoculants were scrutinized from directly after the production to 12 months at $4^{\circ}$C and $25^{\circ}$C. Directly after the production of inoculants, their Rhizobium numbers were 4-9 $\times$ $10^9$/ginoculant in organic materials and 1-8 $\times$ $10^8$/g inoculant in inorganic materials. When they were stored at $25^{\circ}$C, most of inoculants was being started in reduction of rhizobium numbers after 2 months and was reduced by tenfold of initial rhizobium number after 4-6 months, but inoculant of bentonite+ vermiculite+sucrose 1% was not reduced by tenfold after 12 months. When they were stored at $4^{\circ}$C, most of inoculants was being started in reduction of rhizobium numbers after 4 months but was not reduced by tenfold of initial rhizobium number after 12 months, and the effect of sucrose addition to bentonite+ vermiculik did nearly not appear. Preservation of Rhizobium inoculants was more effective at 4C than 25 C . 'Ihe Rhizobium inoalant produced in bentonite+vermiculite(l:3 w/w)+ sucrose 1% was not only high Rhizobium population(8.3 $\times$ $10^8$/g inoculant) but also survival effect of rhizobium in being stored at $25^{\circ}$C.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.303-309
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• 1995

An experiment was camed out in 1994 to determine the effects of curing periods and preservatives on the characteristics and forage quality of baled alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) hay after 60 days of storage. The main plots consisted of the curing periods such as 5 and 7 days, and the subplots consisted of preservatives such as commercial propionic acid preservative, lactic inoculant and control. Temperature during storage remained lower in 7 days cured hay bale than in 5 days and didn't rise over $30^{\circle}C$ in 7 days cured hay bale. After storage, bale with 7 days curing remained in better condition by visual assessment and DM loss of the bale was 21.4% with 5 days curing and 11.8% with 7 days curing. ADF and NDF contents of 5 days cured baled hay were 43.0 and 56.1%. respectively, which were lower than those of 7 days cured baled hay by 1.3 and 1.4%, respectively(P< 0.05). ADF and NDF contents of preservative treated baled hay were higher than those of the control(P<0.05). According to RFV, forage quality of the control and inoculant treated baled hay of 5 days curing, and the control of 7 days curing was classified as 3rd grade, but other baled hay was classified as 4th grade. The total nitrogen content of 5 days cured baled hay was 1.84% and 7 days was 1.38%(P<0.05). Significant differences(P<0.05) in total N content of baled alfalfa hay were found among the preservatives. ADIN/total N of 5 and 7 days cured baled alfalfa hays was 28 and 26%. respectively.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 1999

Alfalfa grows wild in some parts of Korea, but specific information is lacking as to its growth characteristics, nutritive value and dry matter yeild. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of wild alfalfa(Medicago sativa L.) as a forage. Wild alfalfa and 'Vernal' were field sown at Keongsan, Keongbuk in the spring of 1995. Emergence for 'Vernal' was better than for wild alfalfa. It was observed that the flowering date of the wild alfalfa was delayed by 8 days. Regrowth of 'Vernal' was better than that of the wild alfalfa at each harvesting. After the last harvesting date, September 22, there was poor regrowth of the wild alfalfa, but regrowth of 'Vernal' was moderately vigorous growth. Weed infestation in the wild alfalfa plots was higher than in the 'Vernal' plots. Thle dry matter yields per hectare were significantly(P<0.05) higher for 'Vernal' than for the wild alfalfa. The CP content was slightly higher in the wild alfalfa in comparison to 'Vernal'. NDF and ADF contents were lower in the third cut, but they were not different in the 1st and 2nd cuttings.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.237-242
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• 2016

Copper (Cu) is a necessary microelement for plants. However, high concentrations of Cu are toxic to plants that change the regulation of several stress-induced proteins. In this study, an annealing control primer (ACP) based approach was used to identify differentially expressed Cu-induced genes in alfalfa leaves. Two-week-old alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa L.) were exposed to Cu for 6 h. Total RNAs were isolated from treated and control leaves followed by ACP-based PCR technique. Using GeneFishing ACPs, we obtained several genes those expression levels were induced by Cu. Finally, we identified several genes including UDP-glucuronic acid decarboxylase, transmembrane protein, small heat shock protein, C-type cytochrome biogenesis protein, mitochondrial 2-oxoglutarate, and trans-2,3-enoyl-CoA reductase in alfalfa leaves. These identified genes have putative functions in cellular processes such as cell wall structural rearrangements, transduction, stress tolerance, heme transport, carbon and nitrogen assimilation, and lipid biosynthesis. Response of Cu-induced genes and their identification in alfalfa would be useful for molecular breeding to improve alfalfa with tolerance to heavy metals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.1098-1106
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• 2004

In a split-unit design, 12 Javan rusa (Cervus timorensis russa) stags (6 castrated and 6 entire) were used to investigate seasonal (winter, spring and summer) effects on intake, digestibility of food constituents, volatile fatty acid profile, and nitrogen retention, when given lucerne (Medicago sativa) or rhodes grass (Chloris guyana) hays. Entire stags ate 9% more dry matter (DM) than castrates (p<0.05). Both castrated and entire stags exhibited seasonal changes in DM intake, these being higher (p<0.05) in winter (62.3 g/kg $W^{0.75}$) than spring (56.9 g/kg $W^{0.75}$) or summer (55.3 g/kg $W^{0.75}$). Intakes of lucerne hay (211 g protein/kg DM) were significantly higher than of rhodes grass hay (49 g protein/kg DM) in all seasons (p<0.05). Digestibilities of DM (0.58), neutral detergent fibre (0.59) and acid detergent fibre (0.47) were similar between castrates and entires. DM digestibility was higher (p<0.0001) for lucerne (0.66) than rhodes grass (0.55), and was higher (p<0.05) in winter (0.60) than spring (0.58) or summer (0.57). The ruminal acetate concentrations were higher (p<0.001) in spring than summer (78 and 73 molar % respectively). Apparent digestibility of protein was significantly less (p<0.0001) for rhodes grass (0.37) than lucerne (0.75). N retention was positive for lucerne (15.2 g/d) but negative for rhodes grass (-2.8 g/d) (p<0.0001), and was higher (p<0.001) in summer (12.0 g/d) than spring (4.3 g/d) or winter (2.4 g/d). The tropical rusa deer exhibits seasonal variations in feed intake, food constituent digestibilities, VFA profile and N retention. Castration did not alter these traits. The results do not support the view that rusa deer can thrive on low-quality pastures. The productivity and commercial exploitation of rusa deer could be optimised if they are given high-protein feed during spring and summer.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.887-893
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• 2007

Influences of forage DM and addition of cane molasses on silage characteristics of berseem (Trifolium alexandrium) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) and their ruminal digestion kinetics in Nili buffaloes were studied. Berseem and lucerne fodders (at one tenth bloom) were ensiled with wheat straw in laboratory silos to achieve 20, 30, 40% forage DM and without wheat straw (control); each forage DM level was supplemented with 2, 4 and 6% of cane molasses at ensiling. The pH and lactic acid contents of berseem and lucerne silages were affected by both forage DM and addition of molasses. Dry matter, CP and true protein (TP) of berseem and lucerne silages were affected by forage DM at ensiling but were not affected by the addition of cane molasses. Higher DM, CP and TP losses were observed when berseem and lucerne fodders were ensiled either without wheat straw or with wheat straw to achieve 20% and 40% forage DM at ensiling compared with 30% DM at ensiling. Fiber fractions (NDF, ADF, hemicellulose and cellulose) of berseem silage and lucerne silage were significantly increased with increasing forage DM at ensiling. Addition of cane molasses did not affect the DM, CP, TP and fiber fractions of both berseem and lucerne silages. Berseem and lucerne ensiled at 30% DM with 2% cane molasses were screened for comparative ruminal digestion kinetics with their respective fodders. Addition of wheat straw to berseem or lucerne fodder at ensiling depressed DM and NDF ruminal degradability. However, ruminal lag time, rate of degradation and extent of digestion of silages were similar to their respective fodders. In conclusion, berseem and lucerne could be ensiled with wheat straw to increase their DM to 30% along with 2% molasses for buffaloes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.900-907
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• 2007

Three male Gayal (Bos frontalis) and three male Yunnan Yellow cattle (Bos taurus) were fed pelleted lucerne and measurements made of digestibility, nitrogen utilisation, rumen fermentation and microbial population and key plasma metabolites. Total actual dry matter intake was similar but when expressed in terms of live weight or metabolic live weight feed intakes were significantly higher (p<0.05) for Gayal than cattle. Apparent digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, fibre and dietary nitrogen were similar for both Gayal and cattle. Rumen ammonia nitrogen and total volatile fatty acids were significantly higher (p<0.05) for Gayal than cattle and total numbers of viable rumen bacteria, cellulolytic and amylolytic bacteria, but not proteolytic bacteria nor protozoa, were significantly greater (p<0.05) for Gayal than cattle. Although Gayal have a different rumen ecology to cattle, similar digestive parameters were exhibited. Further research is required to establish relationship between rumen ecology and digestive parameters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.270-277
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• 2018

Objective: The present experiment has tested the effect of dietary alfalfa flavonoids (AAF) supplementation on the productive performances, carcass characteristics, meat quality and lipid oxidation of growing rabbits. Methods: One hundred and sixty crossbred rabbits (42 days old) were divided into four groups of forty animals each and were fed either a control diet (AAF0) or an AAF0 diet supplemented with 400, 800, or 1,200 mg of AAF/kg per diet (AAF4, AAF8, and AAF12, respectively) from weaning to slaughtering (102 days old). Performance data were recorded over a period of 60 days. At the end of the trial, 12 rabbits were slaughtered per group, and the carcass characteristics were recorded. Moreover, the plasma, liver and dorsal muscles were sampled from 12 rabbits/group, and were analyzed for lipid oxidation. Results: No significant differences were recorded for the performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality traits except for lightness parameter that was lower in the control group. Dietary AAF supplementation significantly (p<0.01) affected the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of the frozen meat in a dose-related manner, with the lowest value (0.24 mg MDA/kg fresh meat) recorded in the AAF12 group samples. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the dietary inclusion of AAF in rabbit diets improved muscle oxidation stability with no adverse effects on the growth performance of the animals even if a slight impact on meat lightness color parameter was recorded.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.245-253
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• 2020

Objective: To develop the fermentation quality and chemical composition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa Lam.) silage, plants were inoculated with different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains at field 24 hours before harvest. Methods: The treatment groups were as follow: silage without additive as a control and inoculated with each strains of Lactobacillus brevis (LS-55-2-2), Leuconostoc citerum (L. citerum; L-70-6-1), Lactobacillus bifermentans (L. bifermentans; LS-65-2-1), Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum; LS-3-3) and L. plantarum (LS-72-2). All the silages were stored at 25℃. Parameters such as pH, microorganism and volatile fatty acid contents, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, net gas, metabolizable energy, organic matter digestibility, dry matter intake and relative feed value were measured to determine fermentation quality, chemical compositions and relative feed value of alfalfa silages. Results: Significant differences were found among the control and treated groups in terms of pH and microorganism contents at all opening times and crude protein, net gas, metabolizable energy and organic matter digestibility of final silage. The pH values ranged from 4.70 to 5.52 for all treatments and control silage had the highest value of overall treatments at T₇₅d silages. Volatile fatty acid of silages was not influenced significantly by inoculations. However, lactic acid content of L. bifermentans (LS-65-2-1) was higher than the other treatments. The highest metabolizable energy and organic matter digestibility were recorded from L. citerum (L-70-6-1) inoculation. In addition, no significant differences were found among treatments in terms of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, dry matter intake and relative feed value. Conclusion: Among the treated LAB isolates, L. bifermentans came into prominence especially in terms of organic acid composition and quality characters of silages.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.228-236
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• 2004

Two varieties of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L cv. Pioneer and Beaver) and timothy (Phleum pratense L cv. Climax and Joliette), grown at different locations in Saskatchewan (Canada), were cut at three stages [1=one week before commercial cut (early bud for alfalfa; joint for timothy); 2=at commercial cut (late bud for alfalfa; pre-bloom head for timothy); 3=one week after commercial cut (early bloom for alfalfa; full head for timothy)]. The energy values of forages were determined using three approaches, including chemical (NRC 2001 formula) and biological approaches (standard in vitro and in situ assay). The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of forage variety and stage of maturity on energy values under the climate conditions of western Canada, and to investigate relationship between chemical (NRC 2001 formula) approach and biological approaches (in vitro and in situ assay) on prediction of energy values. The results showed that, in general, forage species (alfalfa vs. timothy) and cutting stage had profound impacts, but the varieties within each species (Pioneer vs. Beaver in alfalfa; Climax vs. Joliette in timothy) had minimal effects on energy values. As forage maturity increased, the energy contents behaved in a quadratic fashion, increasing at stage 2 and then significantly decreasing at stage 3. However, the prediction methods-chemical approach (NRC 2001 formula) and biological approaches (in vitro and in situ assay) had great influences on energy values. The highest predicted energy values were found by using the in situ approach, the lowest prediction value by using the NRC 2001 formula, and the intermediate values by the in vitro approach. The in situ results may be most accurate because it is closest to simulate animal condition. The energy values measured by biological approaches are not predictable by the chemical approach in this study, indicating that a refinement is needed in accurately predicting energy values.