Feeding of animal has become increasingly a big challenge for smallholder farmers in the dry season in most of Sahelian countries. Sheep has an important role in social and economical activity of smallholder farmers. Millet stover (MS) and groundnut haulms (GH) are the main crop residues used. Among concentrates, millet bran (MB) and wheat bran (WB) are mostly used by smallholder farmers in feeding animals. However, these crop residues and concentrates are used inadequately. MS is a poor quality roughage diet, legume residues such as GH and brans are rich in nutritive value. The general objective of this study was to develop a feeding technology transferable to smallholder farmers by supplementing MS with GH, MB and WB to increase the growth performance of sheep during the dry season. The first study evaluated the effect of chopping millet stover (Pennisetum glaucum L. R. Br.) in sheep feeding and the degradability in sacco of feeds. Two Holstein cows were used to determine the degradability in sacco of feeds. The potential dry matter degradability (g/kg) were 846, 809, 730, 410, 550 and 370 for millet bran (MB), wheat bran (WB), groundnut haulms (GH), millet stover, leaves plus sheath and stems of MS respectively. The potential nitrogen degradability (g/kg) of MB, WB and GH were 865, 908 and 817 respectively. The nitrogen content was 7.4, 15.1, 22.0 and 26.2 g/kg for MS, GH, millet bran and wheat bran respectively. The effects of chopping millet stover (MS) on dry matter intake in Oudah bicolor sheep were studied in Maradi, Niger. Four treatments were T0 (unchopped MS), T1 (MS chopped, 50 cm), T2 (MS chopped, 25 cm) and T3 (MS chopped, 10 cm). A randomized block design was applied on 36 sheep, implying 9 sheep per treatment (T0, T1, T2 and T3). The treatment T2 or 25 cm chopping size gave the best MS intake of 560 g/day. The second study evaluated the effects of supplementing millet stover (MS) with groundnut haulms (GH), millet bran (MB) and wheat bran (WB). These supplements can improve the feed value of MS and promote live weight gain of sheep in the dry season. The purpose of this study was to develop a feeding technology transferable to smallholder farmers by supplementing MS. The study was conducted in two successive phases. The phase 1 of 66 days, evaluated the effect of GH, MB and WB supplementations on MS intake and growth performance of sheep, the phase 2 of 14 days, assessed the effect of GH, MB and WB supplementations on intake and digestibility of MS. Six treatments were constituted, namely, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 formed by four levels of GH (0, 200, 400, 600g) and two others (600g GH + 100g MB) and (600g GH + 75 g WB) respectively. A randomized block design was applied on 36 Oudah bicolor sheep, implying 6 male lambs per treatment (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6). The GH supplementation levels had a linear effect (P<0.001) on dry matter intake (DMI) of MS, cell wall and nitrogen. Millet stover intake (MSI) decreased significantly with increasing level of GH. However the total dry matter intake (TDMI) significantly increased with GH levels. MB increased (P<0.05) both TDMI, TOMI and nitrogen intake (NI), (P<0.001). WB increased MSI (P<0.05), TDMI and TOMI (P<0.01), NI (P<0.001) and cell wall intakes. GH supplementation had both a linear and quadratic effect on DM digestibility of MS, cell wall and nitrogen digestibility. GH had a linear and significant effect (P<0.001) on live weight gain (LWG) and efficiency. The maximum average daily gain (80.5 g/day) was obtained with treatment 6 followed by the treatment 5 (68 g/day). The animals of treatment 1 received MS stover alone and lost their weight (-19.13 g/day). It is concluded that groundnut haulms, millet bran and wheat bran had good nutritive value whereas millet stover had low nutritive value. The 25 cm chopping size was the one to propose to smallholder farmers. The supplementation of MS as the basal diet with GH and brans enhanced sheep production through improvements in digestibility and intakes of TDM, TOM, cell wall and nitrogen. Key words: Millet stover; groundnut haulms; millet bran; wheat bran, chopping; intake; degradability; growth performance; Oudah bicolor sheep. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:29:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3063.pdf: 3377110 bytes, checksum: fda162bf60bb5679d2f8f4cfb07989b1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-06 / Considered as alternative management more appropriate for tropical conditions, the no-tillage system can follow the principles of organic agriculture and contribute to the evolution and sustainability of organic cotton production systems. In order to generate usage information about soil covering plants for white and colored cotton fibers production in the organic system with no-tillage, an experiment was conducted in the farming years 2006/07 and 2007/08 in Cáceres-MT, with randomized block design, treatments disposed in scheme of split plots and four replicates. In the plots, were evaluated soil coverage consisting of crop residues of Estilozobium aterrimum, Cajanus cajan, Canavalia ensiformes, Crotalaria juncea, Pennisetum glaucum cv ADR 300, Sorghum bicolor cv BRS 307, mixture of species used, spontaneous vegetation and exposed soil. In the sub plots were evaluated upland cotton cultivars BRS ITAUBA (white) and CNPA AMT 19 (brown) in no-tillage on the crop residues of the soil covering plants cultivated in pre-planting. The plant coverage produces phytomass in sufficient quantities for adequate soil coverage. The Estilozobium aterrimum, in a general manner, shows greater extraction capacity and accumulation of nutrients, high lighting the potential cycling of nitrogen and phosphorus, while Pennisetum glaucum and Crotalaria show, respectively, greater potential cycling of potassium and magnesium. The crop residues of Canavalia ensiformes, spontaneous vegetation and Crotalaria provide low persistence coverage, while Pennisetum glaucum residues and Cajanus cajan provide more persistent coverage. During the process of residues decomposition, the nutrients following this descending order of release: K > P > N = S > Mg > Ca, being the potassium the nutrient with faster release and subject to losses. The Estilozobium aterrimum shows greater weed suppression capacity, showing potential for use in production system without application of herbicides, in contrast with the low suppression capacity of Pennisetum glaucum plants and spontaneous vegetation. The contribution of plant coverage residues promote on the surface layer of soil increases in values of attributes pH, MOS, P, K, Ca, Mg, V e CTC. The coverage does not influence the characteristics of fibers, but exerts significant effects on agronomic characteristics and productivity of cotton. The highest yield occurs in straws of Crotalaria juncea, Canavalia ensiformes, Estilozobium aterrimum and mixture of species. The cotton cultivars of brown fiber (CNPA AMT 19) shows productivity and quality of fiber lower than the cultivars of white fiber (BRS ITAÚBA), however has fibers with characteristics that meet the standards required by the textile industry. / Considerado como alternativa de manejo mais adequada para as condições tropicais, o sistema plantio direto pode seguir os princípios da agricultura orgânica e contribuir para a evolução e sustentabilidade dos sistemas de produção orgânica de algodão. Com o objetivo de gerar informações sobre o uso de plantas de cobertura de solo para a produção de algodão de fibras brancas e coloridas no sistema orgânico com plantio direto, foi conduzido um experimento nos anos agrícolas 2006/07 e 2007/08 em Cáceres-MT, com delineamento de blocos casualizados, tratamentos dispostos em esquema de parcelas subdivididas e quatro repetições. Nas parcelas avaliaram-se coberturas de solo constituídas por resíduos culturais de mucuna preta (Estilozobium aterrimum), feijão guandu anão (Cajanus cajan), feijão de porco (Canavalia ensiformes), crotalária juncea (Crotalaria juncea), milheto (Pennisetum glaucum cv ADR 300), sorgo granífero (Sorghum bicolor cv BRS 307), coquetel das espécies utilizadas, vegetação espontânea e solo exposto. Nas subparcelas avaliaram-se as cultivares de algodoeiro herbáceo BRS ITAÚBA (branco) e CNPA AMT 19 (marrom) em plantio direto sobre os resíduos culturais das plantas de cobertura de solo cultivadas em pré-plantio. As plantas de cobertura produzem fitomassa em quantidades suficientes para uma adequada cobertura de solo. A mucuna preta, de modo geral, apresenta maior capacidade de extração e acúmulo de nutrientes, destacando-se quanto ao potencial de ciclagem de nitrogênio e fósforo, enquanto o milheto e a crotalária apresentam, respectivamente, maior potencial de ciclagem de potássio e magnésio. Os resíduos culturais do feijão de porco, vegetação espontânea e crotalária proporcionam coberturas de baixa persistência, enquanto os resíduos de milheto e guandu anão proporcionam coberturas mais persistentes. Durante o processo de decomposição dos resíduos, os nutrientes seguem a seguinte ordem decrescente de liberação: K > P > N = S > Mg > Ca, sendo o potássio o nutriente de liberação mais rápida e sujeito a perdas. A mucuna preta apresenta maior capacidade de supressão de plantas invasoras, evidenciando potencial para uso em sistemas de produção sem aplicação de herbicidas, contrastando com a baixa capacidade de supressão do milheto e da vegetação espontânea. O aporte de resíduos de plantas de cobertura promove na camada superficial do solo aumento nos valores dos atributos pH, MOS, P, K, Ca, Mg, V e CTC. As coberturas não influenciam nas características de fibras, mas exercem efeitos significativos nas características agronômicas e na produtividade de algodão. As maiores produtividades ocorrem nas palhadas da crotalária juncea, feijão de porco, mucuna preta e coquetel de espécies. A cultivar de algodão de fibras marrom (CNPA AMT 19) apresenta produtividade e qualidade de fibra inferior à da cultivar de fibra branca (BRS ITAÚBA), porém suas fibras possuem características que atendem os padrões requeridos pela indústria têxtil.

Com o objetivo de avaliar, durante cinco anos, o efeito de dois sistemas de manejo dos resíduos culturais, colheita tradicional com queima prévia (CQ) e colheita sem queima (SQ), sobre a produtividade da cana-de-açúcar e a dinâmica do nitrogênio no sistema solo-planta em função do nitrogênio introduzido através do fertilizante e dos resíduos culturais, foi instalado um experimento com adubação no plantio com 63kg.ha-1 de N com os seguintes tratamentos: (T1) 15N-SA (sulfato de amônio) e colheita SQ, recebendo na primeira colheita o total dos resíduos não marcados produzidos no T2; (T2) SA e colheita SQ, recebendo na primeira colheita o total dos resíduos marcados produzidos no T1; e (T3) 15N-SA e colheita CQ. Anualmente, na época da colheita, a planta foi dividida em colmos, ponteiros e palhada; o solo (<2000µm) foi amostrado nas camadas de 0-15, 15-30 e 30-50cm, e foram determinadas as frações granulométricas correspondentes a tamanho de partícula 200-2000µm (Fl, fração orgânica leve e Fp, fração mineral pesada), 53-200µm (Fom, fração organo-mineral) e <53µm (Fsa, fração silte-argila). As variáveis determinadas foram produtividade de colmos (Mg.ha-1); nitrogênio total (Nt, kg.ha-1), nitrogênio derivado do fertilizante (QNddF, kg.ha-1) e nitrogênio derivado dos resíduos (QNddR, kg.ha-1) em solo e planta; e carbono total no solo (C, Mg.ha-1). Em todos os anos, observou-se maior produtividade (p<0,05) e maior absorção de nitrogênio (p<0,05) no tratamento CQ em relação ao SQ. Considerando a quantidade de resíduos que permaneceu no sistema e seu conteúdo de Nt, o potencial estimado de reciclagem de N no sistema SQ foi de 65% do Nt contido na parte aérea da cultura. O potencial de perda de Nt foi estimado em 85% do nitrogênio da parte aérea no sistema CQ. Na colheita da cana-planta, a recuperação do QNddF no sistema solo-planta foi de 46,9kg.ha-1, sendo que 63,0% foi medido na parte aérea. Nos anos seguintes, observou-se uma diminuição exponencial do NddF recuperado na parte aérea da planta. No sistema SQ, o NddF recuperado no sistema solo-planta no segundo ano foi significativamente superior (p<0,05) que no sistema CQ. Aproximadamente 95% do NddR ficou imobilizado no solo, permanecendo no sistema no final da colheita da quarta cana-soca. Os conteúdos de carbono e nitrogênio nas frações do solo apresentaram valores crescentes na seguinte ordem: Fsa>Fom>Fl. A Fsa continha mais de 70% do C e do Nt do solo. O sistema de manejo dos resíduos não influenciou o conteúdo de carbono do solo, nem sua distribuição nas frações granulométricas. Na avaliação da colheita da última cana-soca (2002), o sistema SQ apresentou valores de Nt superiores (p<0,05%) em Fl e Fom na camada 0-15cm, e em Fom na camada 30-50cm. Os conteúdos de NddF e NddR nas frações do solo aumentaram na ordem Fsa>Fom>Fl. No sistema SQ, na colheita da primeira cana-soca em 1999, a ordem no conteúdo de NddF foi Fl>Fom>Fsa. No mesmo ano, a ordem no conteúdo de NddR foi Fl>Fsa>Fom. O enriquecimento em 15N dos resíduos gerados durante o ciclo da cana-planta explica os maiores conteúdos de 15N em Fl. / To evaluate during five years the effects of two trash management systems in a sugarcane crop, the traditional harvest system with trash burning before harvest (CQ) and an alternative system without trash burning (SQ), on stalk yield and nitrogen nutrition of the crop, and on the distribution in the soil-plant system of the nitrogen introduced by fertilizer and trash, an experiment was carried out in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, with the following treatments fertilized at planting with 63kg.ha-1 of N: (T1) 15N-labeled ammonium sulfate (AS), harvested with SQ system, and after the first harvest received all the unlabeled trash from T2; (T2) unlabeled AS, harvested with the SQ system, and after the first harvest received all the 15N-labeled trash from T1; and (T3) 15N-AS, and harvested with the CQ system. Annually, at harvest, plants were divided in stalks, tips and residues; and the soil (<2000µm) was sampled in the 0-15, 15-30 and 30-50cm layers, and physically fractionated in particle sizes of 200-2000µm (Fl, light organic fraction, and Fp, heavy mineral fraction), 53-200µm (Fom, organomineral fraction) and <53µm (Fsa, silt-clay fraction). The evaluated variables were: stalk yield (Mg.ha-1); total nitrogen (Nt, kg.ha-1), nitrogen derived from fertilizer (NddF, kg.ha-1), and nitrogen derived from residues (NddR, kg.ha-1) in soil and plant; and total carbon in soil (C, Mg.ha-1). During all years, stalk yield and uptake nitrogen were higher (p<0.05) in the CQ than in the SQ system. Considering the quantity of residues that remained in the system and their Nt content, the estimated potential of N recycling for the system SQ was 65% of the Nt contained in the aboveground parts of the crop. For the CQ harvest system, the potential loss of N was estimated as 85% of N in the aboveground parts of the crop. In the cane-plant harvest, the recovery of NddF in the soil-plant system was of 46,9kg.ha-1 (63,0% were found in the aboveground part of the crop). In the following years, an exponential decrease of NddF recovered in the aboveground part of the plant was observed. In the SQ harvest system, the NddF recovered in the soil-plant system in the second year (first ratoon cane) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the CQ system. Approximately, 95% of NddR were immobilized in the soil, remaining in the system at the end of the crop of the fourth ratoon cane, four years after that it have been added. The contents of total carbon and nitrogen in the soil fractions presented growing values in the following order: Fsa>Fom>Fl. The fraction Fsa contained more than 70% of the total C and total N of the soil. The harvest system did not influence the soil carbon content neither his distribution in the fractions. At the fourth ratoon cane (2002), the SQ system presented values of Nt higher (p<0.05%) in Fl and Fom in the 0-15cm layer, and in Fom in the 30-50cm layer. The 15N-residues from the first crop cycle explain the higher content of 15N in Fl.

A l’échelle de l’agro-écosystème, la productivité primaire est sous la dépendance du recyclage des matières organiques du sol (MOS) par l’action des organismes indigènes décomposeurs, qui minéralisent les composés organiques libérant ainsi les nutriments nécessaires à la croissance végétale. A une échelle plus globale, le recyclage des MOS détermine les flux de carbone entre le sol et l’atmosphère, avec des conséquences majeures sur la qualité de l’environnement et les changements globaux. Malgré le rôle central des microorganismes indigènes dans ces processus, la composante microbienne est encore mal connue et souvent considérée comme une boîte noire en termes de diversité et de fonctionnalité. Par conséquent, pour mieux comprendre et prédire l’évolution des MOS et donc les flux de carbone (C) dans les agro-écosystèmes, il est nécessaire de mieux connaitre les populations et les mécanismes microbiens impliqués dans leur dégradation et transformation. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif de cette thèse était de progresser dans la connaissance de la réponse des communautés microbiennes telluriques à l’apport de résidus de culture. Cette réponse des communautés microbiennes a été abordée en termes de (i) succession des populations impliquées dans les processus de dégradation de ces MOF (matières organiques fraîches), (ii) lien avec leur fonction de dégradation et répercussion sur la dynamique des matières organiques, et (iii) rôle dans les processus de stockage/déstockage du carbone via les processus de « priming effect ». Différents paramètres pouvant moduler la dégradation des résidus et la dynamique des communautés ont été pris en compte : modalité d’apport des résidus (pratiques culturales), qualité biochimique des résidus (différentes espèces végétales), et température. La stratégie globale de recherche développée repose sur des expérimentations de terrain et au laboratoire impliquant différentes échelles spatiales (du microcosme de sol à la parcelle agronomique) et temporelles (du temps de génération microbien aux cycles culturaux). La réponse des communautés microbiennes à l’apport de résidus a été évaluée par l’utilisation de méthodes moléculaires permettant de caractériser sans a priori la diversité des microorganismes du sol (empreintes moléculaires, clonage/séquençage, séquençage haut débit). En parallèle, un suivi quantitatif et qualitatif de la matière organique du sol, par des méthodes de biochimie ou de spectroscopie, a été réalisé afin d’établir le lien entre la dynamique des communautés microbiennes et le devenir de la matière organique dans le sol. Les deux premiers chapitres du manuscrit portent sur des expérimentations réalisées au terrain (conditions naturelles) afin d’évaluer l’influence de la localisation des résidus (résidus de blé incorporés vs. laissés en surface ; site expérimentale INRA Mons) d’une part et d’autre part de la qualité biochimique des résidus (résidus de blé, colza et luzerne incorporés, site expérimentale INRA Epoisses) sur la dynamique des communautés microbiennes du sol. Les résultats obtenus mettent en évidence une forte influence de la localisation comme de la qualité biochimique des résidus sur les successions de populations microbiennes induites suite à l’apport. Des populations/groupes microbiens stimulés spécifiquement dans chaque modalité ont été identifiés. Les résultats de diversité ont été mis en regard des dynamiques de décomposition des résidus, afin de faire le lien entre les successions de populations et l’évolution des ressources trophiques. La troisième partie du travail correspond à une expérimentation en conditions contrôlées (microcosmes de sol) nous permettant de coupler des outils moléculaires et isotopiques (ADN-SIP) pour cibler spécifiquement les populations microbiennes activement impliquées dans la dégradation des résidus de culture - etc / The effect of the location of wheat residues (soil surface vs. incorporated in soil) on their decomposition and on soil bacterial communities was investigated by the means of a field experiment. Bacterial-Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (B-ARISA) of DNA extracts from residues, detritusphere (soil adjacent to residues), and bulk soil evidenced that residues constitute the zone of maximal changes in bacterial composition. However, the location of the residues influenced greatly their decomposition and the dynamics of the colonizing bacterial communities. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene in DNA extracts from the residues at the early, middle, and late stages of degradation confirmed the difference of composition of the bacterial community according to the location. Bacteria belonging to the -subgroup of proteobacteria were stimulated when residues were incorporated whereas the -subgroup was stimulated when residues were left at the soil surface. Moreover, Actinobacteria were more represented when residues were left at the soil surface. According to the ecological attributes of the populations identified, our results suggested that climatic fluctuations at the soil surface select populations harboring enhanced catabolic and/or survival capacities whereas residues characteristics likely constitute the main determinant of the composition of the bacterial community colonizing incorporated residues. Microbial communities are of major importance in the decomposition of soil organic matter. However, the identities and dynamics of the populations involved are still poorly documented. We investigated, in a eleven-month field experiment, how the initial biochemical quality of crop residues could lead to specific decomposition patterns, linking biochemical changes undergone by the crop residues to the respiration, biomass and genetic structure of the soil microbial communities. Wheat, alfalfa and rape residues were incorporated into the 0-15 cm layer of the soil of field plots by tilling. Biochemical changes in the residues occurring during degradation were assessed by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Qualitative modifications in the genetic structure of the bacterial communities were determined by Bacterial-Automated Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (B-ARISA). Bacterial diversity in the three crop residues at early and late stages of decomposition process was further analyzed from a molecular inventory of the 16S rDNA. The decomposition of plant residues in croplands was shown to involve specific biochemical characteristics and microbial communities dynamics which were clearly related to the quality of the organic inputs. Decay stage and seasonal shifts occurred by replacement of copiotrophic populations/bacterial groups such as proteobacteria successful on younger residues with those successful on more extensively decayed material such as Actinobacteria. However, relative abundance of proteobacteria depended greatly on the composition of the residues, with a gradient observed from alfalfa to wheat, suggesting that this bacterial group may represent a good indicator of crop residues degradability and modifications during the decomposition process...

A high priority in order to combat climate change is disposal of waste. In low-income countries, a large portion of biomass residues generated in the forestry, agricultural and industrial sectors could be usable, instead of being seen as waste. For instance, it could be converted into biochar, which is proven to have many environmental benefits. In Rwanda, the agricultural sector employs 80% of the population and accounts for 35% of GDP. This sector, together with later refinement of crops and forestry production, cause large amounts of residue that many times is considered as waste. In this report, a literature study was conducted to evaluate possible biochar production from agricultural and wood wastes in Rwanda. Characteristics that determine if a biomass could be suitable for a biochar production were identified as C, H, O, N, S, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, ash and moisture content, residue-to-product ratio, and low heating value. These characteristics were assessed for the chosen Rwandan agricultural and wood wastes, by compiling values from published reports. The result shows that there are large volumes of residues that have potential for biochar production instead of being seen as waste in Rwanda. Biochar production from these wastes could enable environmental benefits for Rwanda, although further investigation of each single biomass could be needed in order to see if it is practically, technically and financially possible to do in reality. / För att bekämpa klimatförändringen är avfallshantering en hög prioritet. I låginkomstländer kan en stor andel av biomassarester som genereras i skogsbruk, jordbruks- och industrisektorer vara användbara, istället för att ses som avfall. Till exempel skulle det kunna omvandlas till biokol, som har visats sig ha många miljömässiga fördelar. I Rwanda arbetar 80% av befolkningen inom jordbrukssektorn och den står för 35% av BNP. Denna sektor, tillsammans med förädling av grödor och skogsbruksproduktion, orsakar stora mängder rester som många gånger betraktas som avfall. I denna rapport genomfördes en litteraturstudie för att utvärdera möjlig produktion av biokol från jordbruks- och träavfall i Rwanda. Egenskaper som avgör om en biomassa kan vara lämplig för en biokolsproduktion identifierades som C-, H-, O-, N-, S-, hemicellulosa-, cellulosa-, lignin-, ask- och fukthalt, samt andel avfall som uppstår i förhållande till färdig produkt och värmevärde. Dessa egenskaper utvärderades för det valda jordbruks- och träavfallet genom att sammanställa värden från publicerade rapporter. Resultatet visar att det finns stora volymer rester som har potential för biokolsproduktion istället för att ses som avfall i Rwanda. En biokolsproduktion från dessa avfall skulle kunna ge miljömässiga fördelar för Rwanda, även om ytterligare undersökning av varje enskild biomassa skulle behövas för att se om det är praktiskt, tekniskt och ekonomiskt möjligt att genomföra i verkligheten.

A mixed integer programming model is developed to determine a logistical design for maximizing rates of return to harvest, storage, transportation, and bioreflning of herbaceous crop residue for production of biofuels and feed for ruminant animals. The primary objective of this research is to identify the optimal location, scale, and number of pretreatment and biorefinery plants in northeastern North Dakota. The pretreatment and biorefinery plants are modeled under the assumption that they utilize recent technological advancement in AFEX and Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation, respectively. Potential feedstocks include wheat straw, barley straw, Durum straw, and com stover. Results indicate that the minimum ethanol rack price that will effectively trigger the production of cellulosic ethanol is $1.75 per gallon.