Tangriani Simioni Assmann

Nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency, recovery and leaching of an alexandergrass pasture

Nitrogen usually determines the productive potential of forage crops, although it is highly unstable in the environment. Studies on recovery rates and use efficiency are important for more reliable fertilizer recommendations to reduce costs and avoid environmental pollution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate N use efficiency and recovery rate of Alexandergrass pasture (Brachiaria - Syn. Urochloa plantaginea) as well as N-NO3- and N-NH4+ soil concentrations using different levels of N fertilization under two grazing intensities. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in a factorial scheme with three replications. Treatments consisted of three N rates (0, 200 and 400 kg ha-1 N) and two grazing intensities termed low mass (LM; forage mass of 2,000 kg ha-1 of DM) and high mass (HM; forage mass of 3,600 kg ha-1 of DM) under continuous stocking and variable stocking rates. Results of N fertilization with 200 kg ha-1 were better than with 400 kg ha-1 N. There was a significant effect of N rates on soil N-NO3-concentration with higher levels in the first layer of the soil profile in the treatment with 400 kg ha-1 N. Grazing intensity also affected soil N-NO3- concentration, by increasing the levels under the higher stocking rate (lower forage mass).

In Vivo Pattern Classification of Ingestive Behavior in Ruminants Using FBG Sensors and Machine Learning.

Pattern classification of ingestive behavior in grazing animals has extreme importance in studies related to animal nutrition, growth and health. In this paper, a system to classify chewing patterns of ruminants in in vivo experiments is developed. The proposal is based on data collected by optical fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBG) that are processed by machine learning techniques. The FBG sensors measure the biomechanical strain during jaw movements, and a decision tree is responsible for the classification of the associated chewing pattern. In this study, patterns associated with food intake of dietary supplement, hay and ryegrass were considered. Additionally, two other important events for ingestive behavior were monitored: rumination and idleness. Experimental results show that the proposed approach for pattern classification is capable of differentiating the five patterns involved in the chewing process with an overall accuracy of 94%.

In-vivo determination of chewing patterns using FBG and artificial neural networks

This paper reports the process of pattern classification of the chewing process of ruminants. We propose a simplified signal processing scheme for optical fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors based on machine learning techniques. The FBG sensors measure the biomechanical forces during jaw movements and an artificial neural network is responsible for the classification of the associated chewing pattern. In this study, three patterns associated to dietary supplement, hay and ryegrass were considered. Aditionally, two other important events for ingestive behavior studies were monitored, rumination and idle period. Experimental results show that the proposed approach for pattern classification has been capable of differentiating the materials involved in the chewing process with a small classification error.

Determination of chewing patterns in goats using fiber Bragg gratings

This paper describes experimental procedures with a goat cadaveric skull aiming the identification of patterns during the chewing process, simulated with two plasticines having different textures. Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) are used to monitor the biomechanical forces related to the chewing process, whereas the obtained signals were processed by neural networks, in order to classify and recognize the presence of different plasticines in the chewing process.

Produção animal e de grãos de trigo duplo propósito em diferentes períodos de pastejo

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of different grazing periods on beef animal production and on wheat forage and grain yield. The experiment was carried out in Pato Branco, PR, Brazil. Six grazing periods were evaluated (0, 21, 42, 63, 84, and 105 days) on dual-purpose wheat cultivar BRS Taruma. Puruna steers, with average live weight of 162 kg and ten months of age, were kept under continuous grazing using a variable stocking rate, in order to maintain the established sward height of 25 cm. Greater increases in total animal gain (TAG) occurred with longer grazing periods. However, there was little increase after 63 days (490 kg ha-1), and TAG decreased from 552 to 448 kg ha-1 between 84 and 105 days. Grain yield decreased from 2,830 to 610 kg ha-1 when the grazing period increased from 0 to 105 days, but there was little change after 63 days (750 kg ha-1). Cultivar BRS Taruma shows excellent animal production potential, and the decision on how long wheat pastures should be grazed must be based on relative prices of grain and livestock.

Grazing intensities and poultry litter fertilization levels on corn and black oat yield

The objective of this work was to assess the effect of poultry litter fertilization levels on corn and black oat yield using different grazing intensities, poultry litter levels (mixture of manure and bedding material) and a chemical fertilization level. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a split‑plot arrangement with four replicates. Black oat + ryegrass grazing intensities, characterized by different pasture sward management, with animal entrance at 25, 30 and 35‑cm heights and exit at 5.0, 10 and 15‑cm heights, were established at the main plots. After the grazing period, corn was grown at the subplots with four levels of poultry litter (0, 4,953, 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha‑1), aiming to supply 0, 100, 200 and 300 kg ha‑1 of nitrogen, and a treatment with chemical fertilizer, according to soil analysis. Grazing intensities had no effect on corn yield. Corn yield was 7,493, 8,458, 9,188, 10,247 and 11,028 kg ha‑1, respectively, for the treatments without and with 4,953, 9,907 and 14,860 kg ha‑1 of poultry litter, and the treatment with chemical fertilization. Poultry litter levels have a residual effect on the production of black oat grown in succession to corn.

Optical Fiber Bragg Grating Strain Sensor for Bone Stress Analysis in Bovine During Masticatory Movements

This paper describes an optical-fiber sensor development and implementation, based on Bragg gratings, to measure the mechanical deformation at the bone surface of a bovine mandible, caused by chewing different types of food and rumination. A suitable encapsulation was developed using a titanium mesh as a transducer and sensor calibration and characterization tests were performed. The proposed sensor was deployed in a living animal transmitting the detected bone deformation to the data collecting instrument. The acquired signal was applied to a pattern-classification algorithm based on decision trees for identifying the chewing process of different foods. The results demonstrate that the sensor is effective and sensitive, capable of capturing the force generated during the masticatory process.

CARACTERÍSTICAS MORFOGÊNICAS E ESTRUTURAIS DE PASTOS DE PAPUÃ MANEJADOS SOB LOTAÇÃO CONTÍNUA

The aim of this study was to evaluate some morphogenetic and structural characteristics to explain variations in forage accumulation of Alexandergrass (Urochloa (Syn. Brachiaria) plantaginea) under continuous stocking method. The experimental treatments consisted of four grazing heights (10, 20, 30, and 40 cm), allocated to experimental units following a randomized block design with three replicates. The following variables were analyzed: leaf appearance, elongation, and senescence rates, leaf lamina length, number of leaves per tiller, leaf area index (LAI), and forage accumulation rate. Data were submitted to analysis of variance and means were compared by Student’s t-test (P≤0.05). The main results were: i) different grazing heights had different tissue flows; ii) grazing heights between 30-40 cm showed the highest LAI, and produced similar values; iii) forage accumulation rate increased according to grazing height increments, but did not change above 30 cm. In conclusion, Alexandergrass pastures under continuous stocking should not be maintained at grazing heights lower than 30 cm if the objective is to maximize forage production.

Application limestone forms and doses for Alfalfa in no-tillage system

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) requires good soil fertility. Brazil is characterized by acidic soils which reduce the potential of the crop. Generally, liming is incorporated into the soil, but in tillage systems it is inadvisable. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the lime application method and dose on pH, Al+3, V % and Ca+Mg in the soil and on dry matter yield of alfalfa cultivated under a consolidated no-tillage system. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of Parana Agronomic Institute, located in Pato Branco city, in Parana state. The plots consisted of the types of lime application (plowing+harrowing, subsoil and surface), the sub-plots was the lime dose (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Mg ha-1) and the sub-sub-plots were the sampled soil depth (0-5; 5-10; 10-20 and 20-30 cm). The results show the application of lime, even superficially, caused increases in pH, concentration of Ca and Mg and base saturation of the soil, while also reducing the concentration of Al, especially in the surface layers of the soil. The practice of plowing and harrowing or of subsoiling, with the aim of lime incorporation in a consolidated no-tillage system is unnecessary. If it is required, the application of lime to the soil should be done superficially for alfalfa cultivated in this system.