Edenio Detmann

Silicon nutrition increases grain yield, which, in turn, exerts a feed-forward stimulation of photosynthetic rates via enhanced mesophyll conductance and alters primary metabolism in rice

Silicon (Si) is not considered to be an essential element for higher plants and is believed to have no effect on primary metabolism in unstressed plants. In rice (Oryza sativa), Si nutrition improves grain production; however, no attempt has been made to elucidate the physiological mechanisms underlying such responses. Here, we assessed crop yield and combined advanced gas exchange analysis with carbon isotope labelling and metabolic profiling to measure the effects of Si nutrition on rice photosynthesis, together with the associated metabolic changes, by comparing wild-type rice with the low-Si rice mutant lsi1 under unstressed conditions. Si improved the harvest index, paralleling an increase in nitrogen use efficiency. Higher crop yields associated with Si nutrition exerted a feed-forward effect on photosynthesis which was fundamentally associated with increased mesophyll conductance. By contrast, Si nutrition did not affect photosynthetic gas exchange during the vegetative growth phase or in de-grained plants. In addition, Si nutrition altered primary metabolism by stimulating amino acid remobilization. Our results indicate a stimulation of the source capacity, coupled with increased sink demand, in Si-treated plants; therefore, we identify Si nutrition as an important target in attempts to improve the agronomic yield of rice.

Endogenous fraction and urinary recovery of purine derivatives obtained by different methods in Nellore cattle

Two experiments were conducted to assess the endogenous fraction of purine derivative (PD) excretion, urinary recovery, and intestinal digestibility of purines in Nellore heifers. For both experiments, 8 Nellore heifers fitted with ruminal and abomasal cannulas were allocated to two 4 × 4 Latin squares. The diets were based on corn silage and concentrate (60 and 40% DM basis, respectively); feces and urine samples were obtained by total collection, and abomasal DM flow was estimated using indigestible NDF as an internal marker. In Exp. I, 4 of the 8 heifers (BW 258 ± 20 kg) were also fitted with ileal cannula. The planned treatments were 4 different DMI: 1.2, 1.6, 2.0, and 2.4% of BW (DM basis). The endogenous losses and purine recovery as urinary PD were estimated using linear regression between daily urinary PD excretion (Y) and daily abomasal flow of purine bases (X), expressed in millimoles per kilogram of BW(0.75). In Exp. II, the same 8 Nellore heifers (BW of 296 ± 15 kg) were fed at 1.37% BW (DM basis). The treatments were the infusion of purines (RNA from torula yeast, type VI, Sigma) into the abomasum in increasing amounts (0, 33, 66, and 100 mmol/d). All statistical analyses were performed using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS. In Exp. I, the DMI range was 1.16 to 1.84% of BW and did not affect (P > 0.05) the apparent RNA digestibility in the small intestine, which had a mean of 75.6%, and a true digestibility of 93.0%. The mean ratio of the N-RNA to the total-N in the ruminal bacteria was 0.137. The daily urinary PD excretion (Y, mmol/kg of BW(0.75)) was a function of RNA flow in the abomasum (X, mmol/kg of BW(0.75)): Y = 0.860X + 0.460, where 0.860 and 0.460 were the PD recovery of purines and the endogenous fraction (in mmol/kg of BW(0.75)), respectively. In Exp. II, the daily urinary PD excretion was a function of RNA flow in the abomasum: Y = 0.741X + 0.301, where 0.741 and 0.301 were the recovery of PD in urine of infused purines and the endogenous losses (in mmol/kg of BW(0.75)), respectively. In conclusion, our data suggest that in Nellore heifers the respective values of endogenous PD excretion (mmol/kg of BW(0.75)), urinary recovery of the purines absorbed in the abomasum, and true digestibility of RNA in the small intestine were 0.30, 0.80, and 0.93.

Silicon nutrition alleviates the negative impacts of arsenic on the photosynthetic apparatus of rice leaves: an analysis of the key limitations of photosynthesis

Silicon (Si) plays important roles in alleviating various abiotic stresses. In rice (Oryza sativa), arsenic (As) is believed to share the Si transport pathway for entry into roots, and Si has been demonstrated to decrease As concentrations. However, the physiological mechanisms through which Si might alleviate As toxicity in plants remain poorly elucidated. We combined detailed gas exchange measurements with chlorophyll fluorescence analysis to examine the effects of Si nutrition on photosynthetic performance in rice plants [a wild-type (WT) cultivar and its lsi1 mutant defective in Si uptake] challenged with As (arsenite). As treatment impaired carbon fixation (particularly in the WT genotype) that was unrelated to photochemical or biochemical limitations but, rather, was largely associated with decreased leaf conductance at the stomata and mesophyll levels. Indeed, regardless of the genotypes, in the plants challenged with As, photosynthetic rates correlated strongly with both stomatal (r(2)  = 0.90) and mesophyll (r(2)  = 0.95) conductances, and these conductances were, in turn, linearly correlated with each other. The As-related impairments to carbon fixation could be considerably reverted by Si in a time- and genotype-dependent manner. In conclusion, we identified Si nutrition as an important target in an attempt to not only decrease As concentrations but also to ameliorate the photosynthetic performance of rice plants challenged with As.

Glicerina bruta na dieta de cordeiros terminados em confinamento

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of crude glycerin (CG) inclusion, with 36.20% of glicerol, on finishing lamb diets on intake, nutrients digestibility, and productive and economical performance. Thirty‑five intact male lambs (Santa Ines), with 20±2.27 kg of initial average body weight were randomly assigned to five treatments, with six replicates. The treatments consisted of increasing crude glycerin levels on the diet: 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% of diet dry matter. After ten days of adaptation, five animals were slaughtered to determine initial carcass dressing. After the adaptation period, 30 animals were housed in individual pens. When the group reached average body weight of 35 kg, animals were slaughtered. The CG levels had a negative linear effect on dry matter intake and average daily weight gain, and a quadratic effect on neutral fiber detergent digestibility corrected for ash and protein. Crude glycerin levels had also a quadratic effect on body weight at slaughter and feed‑to‑gain ratio (FGR). Crude glycerin with 36.20% of glycerol can be included in the diet of finishing lambs up to 6% of dry matter, optimizing the FGR and promoting economic benefits.

Estimation of fibrous compounds contents in ruminant feeds with bags made from different textiles

The aim of this work was to evaluate the contents of in situ indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) and the fibrous particles lost in aqueous environment in some ruminant feeds by using bags made with different textiles. The physical structure of the textiles was also observed. Wheat bran (WB), soybean hulls (SH), corn silage (CS), and signal grass hay (SGH) samples were used. The bags used for rumen incubation were made of nylon (50 µm); F57 (Ankom®); and non-woven textile (NWT -100 g/m²). The feed samples were ground (1 mm) and conditioned in bags (4 × 5 cm) (six bags of each feedstuff/textile), in a ratio of 20 mg of dry matter/cm2 of surface. The bags were incubated in the rumen of a cow fed with corn silage (70%) and concentrate (30%) for 144 hours. After that, the bags were removed, cleaned with running water and treated with neutral detergent. The residue was assumed as iNDF. The iNDF contents in WB, SH and CS were similar for F57 and NWT, but lower values were obtained when nylon was used For the SGH samples, all textiles produced different results, and the lowest contents were obtained with nylon. The fibrous particle losses in the aqueous environment were evaluated by cleaning the bags in warm running water (39oC) (10 bags/textile). The loss of fibrous particles was significant for nylon. This loss was considered the cause of lower iNDF contents obtained by using nylon textile, since the microscopic evaluation did not show the occurrence of ruptures during incubation or neutral detergent extraction.

Suplementação de Novilhos Mestiços durante a Época das Águas: Parâmetros Ingestivos e Digestivos¹

The effects of supplementation of crossbred steers on pasture during the wet season on dry matter (DMI), forage (FI), neutral detergent fiber (NDFI) and crude protein (CPI) intakes; digestibility of DM (DMD), NDF (NDFD) and CP (CPD); rate of passage of ruminal particles (RPR) and total mean retention time (TMRT) of the digesta; pH and concentrations of amoniacal-N in the rumen, were evaluated. Five F1 Limousin x Nelore steers fistulated in the rumen and esophagus and supplemented on Brachiaria decumbens pasture were used. The experiment was carried out in three experimental periods, according to a randomized blocks design, being the periods considered blocks. The supplements were: mineral salt (SAL); supplements based on corn and soybean meal, with 20% CP, at the level of 1.0 and 2.0 kg/day (MS1 and MS2); and supplements based on wheat bran and soybean meal, with 20% CP, at the level of 1.0 and 2.0 kg/day (TS1 and TS2), daily fed at 10 a.m. The supplementation decreased DMI, FI, and NDFI, being more prominent for the supplements based on corn, although without significant effects. RPR, TMRT and ruminal pH did not differ among treatments. There was interaction supplement x time of collection on concentration of amoniacal-N, without elevating the basal levels; the treatments SAL and MS1 did not differ and did not vary with the time. The treatments MS2 and TS1 did not differ at any time, presenting quadratic profiles, similar to TS2, which demonstrated the largest concentrations of amoniacal-N in the times other than zero.

Intake and digestibility in cattle under grazing supplemented with nitrogenous compounds during dry season

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with nitrogenous compounds on intake and digestibility in cattle under grazing during dry season. It was used five Holstein × Zebu steers with average initial live weight of 236 kg, kept in five Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. paddocks (0.34 ha). The experiment was carried out according to a 5 × 5 Latin square design, with five supplementation levels and five experimental periods. The supplementation levels were the following: 0; 0.35; 0.70; 1.05, and 1.40 g of crude protein/kg live weight. A mixture of urea, ammonium sulfate and albumin (4.5:0.5:1.0, respectively) was used as nitrogen supplement. The average crude protein levels in the diet were 7.39; 8.92; 10.98; 12.55; and 13.62%, as dry matter basis, for the respective supplementation levels. Linear-response-plateau relationships were observed between intake estimates and diet crude protein levels. The linear-response-plateau pattern showed that intake was increased up to crude protein levels close to 9%, as dry matter basis. The estimates became unchangeable from this level. The total and ruminal digestibility coefficients of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber, and diet level of total digestible nutrients presented a positive linear pattern according to diet crude protein levels. The rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration was linearly increased by diet crude protein levels. This variable assumed the value of 8.00 mg/dL when the intake estimates reached the maximum values. Supplementation with nitrogen compounds in quantities that raise the crude protein content in the diet to levels close to 9% optimizes the use of low-quality forage by cattle under grazing.

Desempenho e características de carcaça de novilhos suplementados no período das águas

The effects of concentrate supplementation of steers during the rainny season on the performance and physical and traits of the carcass were evaluated. Fourty nine crossbreds steers were used, maintained on pastures of Brachiaria decumbens. The experiment was carried out in three experimental periods, according to a complete randomized design. The following supplements were daily fed at 10 a.m.: mineral salt (SALT), corn and soybean meal based supplements, with 20% CP, at the levels of 1.0 and 2.0 kg (CSBM1 and CSBM2) and wheat bran and soybean meal based supplements, with 20% CP, at the levels of 1.0 and 2.0 kg (WMSBM1 and WMSBM2). There was no treatment effect on average daily gain (ADG) and body weight (BW). The ADG were: 0.887, 0.936, 1.047, 0.943 and 1.012 kg/animal/day, respectively, for the treatments SALT, CSBM1, CSBM2, WMSBM1 and WMSBM2. The animals submitted to the different treatments did not exhibit differences in the physical and chemical characteristics of the carcass. No differences were observed for the steers carcass yield, which was, in average, of 52.19%.

Degradação ruminal e digestibilidade intestinal da proteína bruta de alimentos para bovinos

The objective of the present study was to determine the A and B fractions and the rumen degradation rate (Kd) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in 27 feeds and determine the intestinal digestibility of non-degraded rumen protein by the three steps and mobile nylon bag techniques. Rice meal, babassu meal, wheat and corn germ, ground corn cobs and straw, ground corn cobs, corn, citrus pulp, sorghum, starea and cottonseed meal with 28, 38 and 46% CP, peanut meal, sunflower meal, soybean meal, bean byproduct, corn gluten, soybean grain, dry yeast, corn gluten meal, cacao hulls, coffee hulls, soybean hulls, elephant-grass silage and corn silage were sampled. To obtain the ruminal degradation of DM and CP, 10 × 20 cm nylon bags with incubation times of 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 16, 24, 48 and 72 hours were used. The intestinal digestibility was determined by the three steps and the mobile nylon bag techniques. The ruminal degradation data of the dry matter and crude protein were similar to the literature. The three step technique did not estimate properly the intestinal digestibility of all the feeds evaluated, excepted for the protein feeds. Most feeds had total CP digestibility close to 90%, excepted for soybean, coffee and cacao hulls and elephant-grass and corn silage. The three step technique correctly estimated the intestinal digestibility of the protein feeds, but the equation IDCP (%) = -5,1906 + 1,1053 × X is recommended to correct the digestibility obtained by the three steps technique for non-protein feeds.

Validação de equações preditivas da fração indigestível da fibra em detergente neutro em gramíneas tropicais

The objective of this work was to validate the prediction equations for neutral detergent fiber indigestible fraction (iNDF) employed by the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (Sniffen equation) and the National Research Council (Conrads equation). A database with 114 observations taken from tropical grass, with lignin and indigestible neutral detergent fiber (iNDF) contents, was used. Comparison among predicted and observed values was accomplished by adjusting a linear regression model with predicted values as dependent variable and observed values as independent variable. The estimates supplied by Conrads equation were different from observed values, with constant bias of +5.60 percentile points. Alteration of the exponent that composes this equation, from .667 to .85, controlled the bias, guaranteeing the similarity among predicted and observed values. Lack of fitness was observed on the Sniffen equation, which caused under and overestimation of the iNDF contents for lignin concentrations lower and higher than 10.4% of NDF, respectively. This behavior is supported by the absence of non-linear relationships in this equation, constituting its main element of deficiency. The bias free of Conrad equation with empirical correction enlarges the accuracy of estimation process, leading to the lower mean square of the prediction error.