Absorption of drug substances across the intestinal epithelium is a complex and dynamic process. Counter transport proteins are responsible for the efflux of specific drug molecules after they have been absorbed. One of the key counter transport efflux proteins, which is of importance in this study, is P–glycoprotein. The efflux pump P–glycoprotein plays a major role in altering the pharmacokinetics of a wide variety of drugs limiting their absorption and therefore also bioavailability. Many flavonoids have been shown to interact with P–glycoprotein mediated efflux in vitro studies. Numerous in vitro methods have been used to study drug absorption across the intestinal membranes, but it is often not possible to use only one in vitro model to accurately predict permeability characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of four selected hydroxy– and methoxy– flavonoids on the in vitro transport of Rhodamine 123, a known P–gp substrate, across excised rat and pig intestinal tissue using the Sweetana–Grass diffusion apparatus. The results were further used to determine if the two different animal tissue models corresponded with regard to the flavonoids' effects on P–glycoprotein related efflux. Two control groups were included in the experimental design. In the negative control group, the transport of Rhodamine 123 was tested alone and no modulator was added. In the positive control group, the transport of Rhodamine 123 was determined in the presence of Verapamil, which is a known P–glycoprotein inhibitor. The experiments with the flavonoids Morin, Galangin, 6–Methoxyflavone and 7–Methoxyflavone were done in triplicate to determine repeatability of the results. The transport of Rhodamine 123 was evaluated in both the apical to basolateral (absorptive) and basolateral to apical (secretory) directions. The relative transport of Rhodamine 123, the apparent permeability coefficient (P app) values and flux (J) values in both directions as well as the efflux ratio (ER) and net flux (J net) were calculated. The concentration Rhodamine 123 present in the acceptor chamber was determined by means of a validated HPLC method. Statistical analysis was used to compare the results of the test groups with the control groups in order to indicate significant differences. It has been found that Morin, Galangin and 6–Methoxyflavone have a significant inhibitory effect on the Rhodamine 123 efflux (probably P–glycoprotein related) in both the rat and pig intestinal tissue models with p–values smaller than 0.05. On the other hand, 7–Methoxyflavone showed a significant effect on the efflux of Rhodamine 123 in the pig intestinal tissue model (p < 0.05) but not in the rat intestinal tissue model (p > 0.05). These flavonoids may increase the bioavailability of drugs that are substrates for P–glycoprotein and thereby cause clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions, however, this should be confirmed with in vivo studies. On the other hand, these flavonoids may be used for drug absorption enhancement when applied under controlled circumstances. With regard to the different animal tissue models used it can be concluded that data obtained from the rat intestinal tissue model cannot be compared and extrapolated to data obtained from the pig intestinal tissue model. It is recommended that the in vitro results be correlated to in vivo findings to identify the most suitable model. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Zugl.: Berlin, Freie Univ., Diss., 2006

Submitted by Neusa Fagundes (neusa.fagundes@unioeste.br) on 2018-02-09T16:58:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Jefferson_Silva2017.pdf: 21962500 bytes, checksum: b5f3e1638dea54ab903a20e7e41671d6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-09T16:58:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Jefferson_Silva2017.pdf: 21962500 bytes, checksum: b5f3e1638dea54ab903a20e7e41671d6 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-10 / Brazil is the fourth largest swine producer and exporter in world, with swine farming being very representative in the national scenario. This production, however, implies generation of waste and this needs to be mitigated. One of the alternatives to reduce the impact caused by pig waste is the application of anaerobic biodigestion treatment, obtaining biogas and digestate as by-products. Digestate can be used as biofertilizer, generating a new product. In this context, this work proposes to define a geographic database from different sources about the national production of swine and to estimate, supported by calculation methodology defined in activities of the BiogasFert Network, the respective production of waste and biogas. These results were provided in an web system using GeoServer map server. In addition, a methodology was defined in this work to identify areas of permanent preservation in top of hills, based on the Brazilian new forest code published since 2012, and in classes of declivity unfit for fertilizer inputs (regions with slopes greater than 45%). As result, a total of 60,879,431 km² (0,72%) of areas considered inapt for the application of fertilizers in the national territory were identified. Another objective of this work was to highlight the use of free GIS software and its processing power, since the metrics applied here were elaborated using exclusively open source software. / O Brasil é o quarto maior produtor e exportador de carne suína mundial, tendo a suinocultura uma grande representatividade no cenário agropecuário nacional. Essa produção, contudo, implica na geração de resíduos, que necessitam ser mitigados. Uma das alternativas para reduzir o impacto causado por dejetos de suínos é a aplicação de um tratamento de biodigestão anaeróbia, obtendo-se como subproduto o biogás e o digestato, o qual pode ser utilizado como biofertilizante, tornando-se não só uma forma de tratamento como também de geração de novos produtos. Neste contexto, este trabalho propôs definir uma base de dados geográfica a partir da integração de fontes distintas acerca da produção nacional de suínos e estimar, apoiado por metodologia de cálculo definida em atividades da Rede BiogásFert, a respectiva produção de dejetos e biogás. Tais resultados foram aportados em sistema web via servidor de mapas GeoServer. Além disso, define-se neste trabalho metodologia para identificar áreas de preservação permanente em topo de morro, a partir do novo código florestal veiculado desde 2012, bem como as classes de declividade inaptas ao aporte de fertilizantes (regiões com declividade superior a 45%). Como resultado, foi identificado um total de 60.879,431 km² (0,72%) de áreas consideradas inaptas à aplicação de fertilizantes no território nacional. Um outro objetivo deste trabalho foi o de evidenciar o uso de softwares SIG livres e o seu poder de processamento, visto que as metologias aqui aplicadas foram elaboradas com uso exclusivo de softwares open source.

Este trabalho foi baseado na realização de simulações computacionais 3D de parâmetros de RQD obtidos de classificação geomecânica de sondagens rotativas realizadas nas fases de investigação geológico-geotécnica e construção da barragem de Itaipu (PR), Brasil. Tais simulações foram desenvolvidas em duas áreas dispostas no entorno da barragem principal da usina, utilizando como ferramenta o programa GRASS, que executa interpolações tridimensionais pelo método numérico Spline Regularizado com Tensão (RST). Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com dados previamente interpretados e obtidos por outros métodos como os geoestatísticos e apresentaram resultados razoáveis devido as dimensões dos voxels adotados, diferenças dos métodos e distribuição espacial dos dados. / This work was based on three-dimensional computer simulations of the parameters RQD of the boreholes on geological and geotechnical research phases and construction of the Itaipu dam (PR), Brazil. These simulations were carried out in two areas arranged around the plant the main dam, using as tool the GRASS program, which performs three-dimensional interpolation by mathematical method Regularized Spline with Tension (RST) . The results were compared with data previously obtained and interpreted by other methods such as geostatistical and had reasonable results because the dimensions of the voxels adopted, differences in methods and spatial distribution of the data.

O capim-Tanzânia pode ter maior ou menor dependência do cálcio, quando há variação na disponibilidade de nitrogênio no substrato. O objetivo foi avaliar as informações relativas às alterações fisiológicas, nutricionais e produtivas desse capim, quando suprido com combinações de doses de nitrogênio e de cálcio, e verificar a ocorrência de carência de cálcio nesse capim em relação ao fornecimento desse nutriente na solução nutritiva, em presença de elevado suprimento de nitrogênio. O capim-Tanzânia foi cultivado em solução nutritiva, utilizando sílica como substrato, em experimentos em casa-de-vegetação, no período de setembro de 2004 a janeiro de 2005, em Piracicaba-SP. Dois experimentos foram realizados com delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso e quatro repetições. Na ocasião de cada corte a parte aérea foi separada em folhas emergentes (FE), lâminas de folhas recém-expandidas (LR), lâminas de folhas maduras (LM) e colmos mais bainhas (CB) e após o corte final da parte aérea, realizou-se a avaliação do sistema radicular. No primeiro experimento, utilizou-se o esquema fatorial 52 fracionado, com combinações de cinco doses de nitrogênio (2; 9; 16; 23 e 30 mmol L-1) e de cinco doses de cálcio (0,50; 1,75; 3,00; 4,25 e 5,50 mmol L-1) na solução nutritiva. Foram realizados três cortes nas plantas, sendo o primeiro aos 39 dias após o transplantio, o segundo aos 30 dias após o primeiro e o terceiro aos 28 dias após o segundo corte. No segundo experimento foi realizado apenas um corte nas plantas, aos 33 dias após o transplantio e as doses de cálcio na solução nutritiva foram: 0,00; 0,25; 0,50; 2,50 e 5,00 mmol L-1. A combinação entre doses de nitrogênio e de cálcio foi determinante para área foliar e valor SPAD no terceiro crescimento, para a produção de massa seca da parte aérea e de raízes e concentração de cálcio nas LR no segundo e terceiro cortes, e para a concentração de enxofre nas LR em todos os crescimentos e a de nitrogênio nas raízes do capim. O número de perfilhos e de folhas, o comprimento e a superfície radicular, as concentrações de nitrogênio, fósforo e potássio nas LR dependeram apenas do suprimento de nitrogênio. As doses de cálcio exclusivas foram determinantes para a concentração de cálcio em cada componente da parte aérea, na parte aérea total e nas raízes. A concentração de magnésio nas LR do capim decresceu tanto com o incremento no suprimento de nitrogênio como no de cálcio isoladamente. O cálcio participou em 9 a 36%, o magnésio com 17 a 28% e o potássio com 47 a 63% da carga positiva na parte aérea. A utilização de dose de cálcio correspondente a 40% daquela empregada na solução de Sarruge não restringiu parâmetros produtivos, fisiológicos e nutricionais desse capim, mesmo em presença de elevado fornecimento de nitrogênio. Sintomas de deficiência de cálcio nesse capim somente foram observados com baixíssimo suprimento ou ausência de cálcio, em condição de alta disponibilidade de nitrogênio no substrato. / Tanzânia grass may depend on calcium availability as nitrogen is changed in the substrate. The objective was to evaluate the changes in physiological, nutritional and productive parameters of this grass, when combined rates of nitrogen and calcium were supplied, and search for calcium deficiency related to the supply of this nutrient in the nutrient solution having high nitrogen rate. Tanzânia grass was grown in nutrient solution with ground quartz as substrate, in greenhouse experiments from September 2004 to January 2005 at Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Two experiments were carried out in Randomized Blocks design, with four replications. At each plant harvest, plant tops were separated in emergent leaves (EL), recently-expanded leaf lamina (RL), mature leaf lamina (ML) e culms plus sheaths (CS), and following the final harvest the root system was evaluated. In the first experiment, a fractionated 52 factorial was used, with combinations of five nitrogen rates (2; 9; 16; 23 e 30 mmol L-1) and five calcium rates (0.50; 1.75; 3.00; 4.25 e 5.50 mmol L-1). Three harvests were performed, the first one 39 days after seedlings transplanting, the second 30 days after the first and the third one 28 days after the second harvest. In the second experiment only one harvest was done at 33 days after seedlings transplanting and the calcium rates were: 0; 0.25; 0.50; 2.50 and 5.00 mmol L-1. Combination of nitrogen and calcium rates was necessary for Tanzânia grass leaf area and SPAD value at the third growth, for the plant tops and roots yield, and calcium concentration in the RL at the second and third growths, for the sulfur concentration in RL in all three grass growth periods, and nitrogen concentration in the roots. The number of tillers and leaves, roots length and surface, concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the RL depended only on nitrogen rates. Calcium rates affected calcium concentration in each component of plant tops, in total plant tops and in the roots. Magnesium concentration in the RL decreased with both nitrogen and calcium rates. Calcium ranged from 9 to 36%, magnesium from 17 to 28% and potassium from 47 to 63% of the positive charge in plant tops. The use of calcium rate in the nutrient solution equal to 40% of that recommended by Sarruge did not reduce physiological, nutritional and productive parameters of this grass, even with the supply of high nitrogen rate. Calcium deficiency symptoms in this grass were only observed with very low or no supply of this nutrient in the growth medium having high nitrogen availability.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Plant Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / Changes in climate and land-use, collectively called environmental changes, have been a source of concern globally, particularly in dryland grasslands, where people still heavily rely on services from these ecosystems. Extreme climatic conditions have been projected to increase both in intensity and frequency globally. In semi-arid regions, drought is anticipated to occur more frequently and to last longer as a consequence of climate change. Moreover, as human populations continue to grow, there is an increase in demand for natural resources that are already diminishing. Consequently, the combination of these factors has a negative effect on the functions and services of the dryland grassland ecosystems. Therefore, to counteract the degradation of these socioeconomically significant ecosystems, it is vital to understand how these systems respond to the long-term effects of drought and grazing. Limpopo province is largely dominated by drylands; comprising arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid ecosystems. In Limpopo province, rangelands and agroforestry systems deliver important ecosystem services. Arable lands, rangeland, agroforestry, and orchards are three major land-use types contributing greatly to local livelihoods within Limpopo’s multi-use landscapes. Motivated by the above mentioned factors this study had the following objectives; (i) to review the impact of climate change on dryland grasslands, (ii) to evaluate ecosystem functioning through the assessment of climate related effects on taxonomic diversity and density demography from the grass layer, (iii) to analyse the effects of drought and grazing on the grass layer and to understand the factors affecting tree populations, particularly tree establishment patterns, (iv) to measure ecosystem service provision from the savanna ecosystem and also, to bridge the knowledge gap on the importance of biodiversity in an ecosystem. To achieve the aforementioned objectives, a comprehensive literature analysis was conducted on the effects of climate change on dryland grasslands to assess the magnitude of this impact and the existing understanding of vegetation dynamics in the face of climate change. The study also took advantage of the large-scale field experiment which evaluated, through precipitation manipulation, the impact of drought on grazed and ungrazed vegetation in the dryland grasslands of Limpopo province, South Africa, labeled drought Act experiment. In the Drought Act experiment, passive rain-out shelters and grazing ex-closure fences were set up to simulate a severe drought in combination with differing resting schemes of the rangeland. This was done in order to assess the effect of previous drought events on herbaceous vegetation. Grazing and drought treatments were implemented across four treatment plots per block, via a full factorial design. The study also took advantage of the steep gradient of climatic aridity in Limpopo province and used a space-for-time substitution to evaluate the effects of climate-induced risks and factors impacting the establishment of encroaching woody species under conditions of climate change. Two climate zones and soil types were selected; semi-arid vs. dry sub-humid zone, and Glenrosa soil vs. Hutton soil. Data analysis was executed using the R statistical software package. The examination of literature revealed that African dryland ecosystems are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, resulting in biodiversity loss, structural and functional changes to the ecosystem, and a diminished capacity to deliver ecosystem services. Climate change’s most susceptible species and functions have a great potential to be utilized as early warning signs. Furthermore, precipitation manipulation experiments are a great tool for investigating the impact of climate change as they allow for precipitation reduction below the natural range. There is still a general lack of information regarding the effects that extreme climatic conditions have on ecosystems and the mechanisms that determine how ecosystems respond and recover from stress and disturbances. The Drought Act experiment showed that prolonged drought had a substantial and negative impact on the biomass output of the vast majority of taxonomic groups and plant functional types (PFTs). This reduction in biomass production from the grass layer results in limited grazing for livestock, which is a primary ecosystem service provided by dryland grasslands. However, the study revealed that few species and PFTs were resistant to the effects of prolonged drought and grazing. In general, the study showed that long-term drought and grazing winners were primarily forbs and narrow-leaved perennial grasses with low leaf area (LA) and high leaf dry matter content (LDMC). Furthermore, the negative impact of drought on the taxonomic richness and species per unit area and ultimately diversity, worsened as the drought period increased. Additionally, grazing exclusion (resting) was shown to have a negative influence on species richness, abundance, and diversity, especially over long periods of time. Bottom-up mechanisms such as soil type had a greater impact on the establishment, recruitment, and survival of invading woody species than top-down mechanisms such as precipitation. In addition, the significant correlation that was established in the study between the age of trees and the circumferences of their stems, measured at breast height, provided evidence that non-destructive methods of estimating the age of trees are feasible. Further development of non-invasive approaches in the field of dendrochronology is also made possible by these findings. The findings of this thesis indicate, on the whole, that; to gain a better understanding of dryland vegetation dynamics in the face of drought, researchers need to investigate further the impact of climatic extremes on ecosystem functions and services. Moreover, winners and losers of long-term drought can be distinguished by their unique characteristics; hence, taxonomic groups and functional characteristics could be utilized as early markers of veld degradation, which would permit timely management interventions. The negative impact of long-term drought and grazing on the grass layer limits the ecosystem’s capacity to carry livestock and wildlife for extended periods, thus impacting the livelihoods of the people who rely on these ecosystems. In addition, the tendency of higher tree establishment in lower rainfall years suggests that drought could be a driving factor for woody vegetation propagation. The trait-based approach is very instructive when it comes to researching the dynamics of vegetation in dryland grasslands. This is especially true when considering the effects of changing climate and land-use. This study has contributed to a better knowledge of the ecosystem function under changing climate and land-use, which is the basis of enhancing the resilience of different land-use systems and reducing risks to ecosystem functions and services while optimizing production. / NRF, DAAD, UL, SALL net, Universitat Potsdam

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources / Dale J. Bremer / Jack D. Fry / Researchers and practitioners can use numerous techniques to measure or estimate evapotranspiration (ET) from turfgrass but little is known about how they compare to ET using standard lysimeters. An investigation was conducted to compare measurements of ET from lysimeters (LYS[subscript]E[subscript]T) with ET estimates from the FAO56 Penman-Monteith (PM[subscript]E[subscript]T) and Priestley-Taylor (PT[subscript]E[subscript]T) empirical models, atmometers (AT[subscript]E[subscript]T), eddy covariance (EC[subscript]E[subscript]T), and a canopy stomatal conductance model that estimates transpiration (COND[subscript]T). Methods were compared at the same site during the 2010, 2011, and 2012 growing seasons. Overall, PT[subscript]E[subscript]T and EC[subscript]E[subscript]T were not different from LYS[subscript]E[subscript]T, whereas PM[subscript]E[subscript]T, AT[subscript]E[subscript]T, and COND[subscript]T, increasingly underestimated LYS[subscript]E[subscript]T. Differences exist among ET measurement techniques and one should employ the technique that best fits their situation. An atmometer is an inexpensive tool that can be used to measure turfgrass ET within microclimates, such as those typically found in an urban home lawn. An investigation was conducted to compare AT[subscript]E[subscript]T estimates with PM[subscript]E[subscript]T estimates within a number of lawn microclimates. Home lawns in Manhattan and Wichita, KS, were selected for study during the growing seasons of 2010 and 2011. Open sward AT[subscript]E[subscript]T was 4.73 mm d[superscript]-[superscript]1, whereas PM[subscript]E[subscript]T was 5.48 mm d[superscript]-[superscript]1. Within microclimates, AT[subscript]E[subscript]T was 3.94 mm d[superscript]-[superscript]1 and PM[subscript]E[subscript]T 3.23 mm d[superscript]-[superscript]1. Atmometers can provide practitioners with reliable estimates of PM[subscript]E[subscript]T within microclimates. Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp.) is a common turfgrass used on home lawns and golf courses. However, poor shade tolerance and cold hardiness have limited its use in the transition zone. A study was conducted to determine changes and differences in growth and physiology among selected Zoysia over a three-year period (2010-2012) in the transition zone. The genotypes were 'Emerald' [Z. japonica × Z. pacifica], 'Zorro' [Z. matrella], 'Meyer' and Chinese Common [Z. japonica], and experimental progeny Exp1 [Z. matrella × Z. japonica], and Exp2 and Exp3 [(Z. japonica × Z. pacifica) × Z. japonica]. 'Zorro' and 'Emerald' experienced winter injury. 'Meyer', Chinese Common, and Exp1 showed poor performance over the three-years. The Exp2 and Exp3 progeny, maintained high percent cover, visual quality, and tiller density, and may provide practitioners more shade-tolerant cultivar choices in the transition zone.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Three different pasture mixtures were established under irrigation at the Elsenburg research farm with the aim of devising nitrogen (N) management strategies for pastures in the Winelands sub-region of South Africa. The pasture mixtures were as follows: i) a mixed grass pasture consisting of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata); ii) a grass-clover pasture consisting of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, cocksfoot and red and white clover (Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens); and iii) a grass-lucerne pasture consisting of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and lucerne (Medicago sativa). The effect of fertiliser N on selected nutritive characteristics was also evaluated. The grass-legume pastures were subjected to two management strategies: the once-off application of N and the consecutive application of N over the autumn-early spring period. The reaction of the mixed grass pasture to applied N was mostly characterised by an interaction between the season of N application and N application rate. The productivity of the pasture in terms of the primary dry matter production (PDMP) and the total dry matter production (TDMP) was highest in spring and summer with the application of 60 – 80 kg N ha-1, and decreased in autumn and winter. There was a strong response of the winter residual dry matter production (RDMP) to N, which indicated that not all applied N was utilised during the first regrowth cycle, which might present a risk of nitrate being leached below the root zone. The botanical composition of the mixed grass pasture was determined by season of N application, and not N application rate. The tall fescue content was low over all seasons, presumably due to poor establishment and strong competition from accompanying species. In the cooler months perennial ryegrass and tall fescue was the dominant species, while in the warmer months cocksfoot was the main species. Nitrogen application also had a significant effect on the quality of the pasture, most notably the crude protein (CP) content. The response of the CP content was characterised by a strong interaction between season of N application and N application rate. Crude protein levels in excess of 22 % were recorded in autumn and winter with the application of 40 – 80 kg N ha-1. Other characteristics remained within the expected range. The response of the grass-clover and grass-lucerne pastures in terms of productivity and nutritive characteristics were mainly determined by the season of N application, and not N application rate. Productivity tended to be highest in autumn and early spring for both the once-off and the consecutive N application strategies, emphasizing the effect of temperature on pasture growth. The effect of season of N application and the N application rate on the botanical composition of the respective pastures were inconsistent over the two years of the study. The clover content tended to decrease in response to increasing rates of N, while the grass fraction was stimulated. Lucerne productivity decreased from autumn through winter and reached minimum levels in early spring, and was unaffected by fertiliser N rate. The legume component in both the grass-clover and grass-lucerne pastures remained above recommended levels of 20 – 40 % for optimum animal production, even when N was applied consecutively. The nutritive characteristics measured (dry matter (DM) content, CP, in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD)) remained within the expected range, except the total CP content which was very high in the first year (> 30 %), although N application rate did not have a significant effect. Based on these findings, preliminary recommendations for N fertilisation (on low carbon soils) for a mixed grass pasture is 40 kg N ha-1 during autumn and winter and 60 kg N ha-1 in spring and summer. Based on the poor response of the grass-legume pastures to applied N it is doubtful whether fertilisation will lead to an economical advantage, but low rates of approximately 40 kg N ha-1 could be beneficial in a grass-clover pasture during autumn and late winter/early spring based on the relatively strong response of PDMP to N during this period. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Drie verskillende weidingsmengsels is onder besproeiing te Elsenburg proefplaas gevestig met die doel om stikstof (N) bestuurstrategieë te ontwikkel vir aangeplante weidings in die Wynland distrik van die Wes-Kaap van Suid Afrika. Die weidingsmengsels was as volg: i) ‘n gemengde gras weiding bestaande uit meerjarige raaigras (Lolium perenne), langswenkgras (Festuca arundinaceae) en kropaargras (Dactylis glomerata), ii) ‘n gras-klawer weiding bestaande uit meerjarige raaigras, kropaargras, langswenkgras, wit - en rooi klawer (Trifolium pratense en Trifolium repens), en iii) ‘n gras-lusern weiding bestaande uit meerjarige raaigras, langswenkgras en lusern (Medicago sativa). Die effek van stikstof bemesting op sekere kwaliteitsaspekte van die onderskeie weidings was ook geëvalueer. Die gras-peulplant weidings was onderworpe aan twee bestuurstrategieë, naamlik die eenmalige toediening van N en die agtereenvolgende toediening van N bemesting tydens die herfs – lente periode. Die reaksie van die gemengde gras weiding op N bemesting was hoofsaaklik gekenmerk deur ‘n interaksie tussen die N bemestingspeil en die seisoen van N toediening. Die produktiwiteit van die weidings i.t.v. die primêre droeëmateriaal produksie (PDMP) en die totale droeëmateriaal produksie (TDMP) was die hoogste in die lente en somer met die toediening van 60 – 80 kg N ha-1 en het in herfs en winter afgeneem. Daar was n sterk respons van die winter residuele droeëmateriaal produksie (RDMP) teenoor N, wat aandui dat nie alle toegediende N tydens die eerste hergroei periode benut was nie en dus ‘n moontlike risiko van loging inhou. Die botaniese samestelling van die gemengde gras weiding was deur die seisoen van N toediening bepaal, en nie die N bemestingspeil nie. Die langswenkgras inhoud was baie laag in alle seisoene, vermoedelik a.g.v. swak vestiging en sterk kompetisie van gepaardgaande spesies in die mengsel. Tydens die koeler seisoene van die jaar was meerjarige raaigras en langswenkgras die dominerende spesies, terwyl kropaargras tydens die warmer maande gedomineer het. Stikstof toediening het ook ‘n betekenisvolle effek op die kwaliteit van die weiding gehad, veral die ru-proteien (RP) inhoud. Die respons van RP was weereens gekenmerk deur ‘n betekenisvolle interaksie tussen die seisoen van N toediening en die N peil. Ru- proteien vlakke hoër as 22% was tydens herfs en winter waargeneem met die toedieningspyle van 40 – 80 kg N ha-1. Ander kwaliteits- eienskappe het binne normale perke gebly. Die respons van die gras-klawer en gras-lusern weidings in terme van produktiwiteit en kwaliteitseienskappe was hoofsaaklik deur die seisoen van N toediening bepaal, en nie deur die N bemestingspeil nie. Die produktiwiteit was die hoogste tydens herfs en vroeë lente vir beide die eenmalige en die herhaalde N toedieningsstrategieë. Hierdie bevindinge beklemtoon die belangrike effek van temperatuur op die groei en produksie van weidingsgewasse. Die effek van seisoen van N toediening en N peil op die botaniese samestelling van die gras-peulgewas weidings was inkonsekwent oor die twee jare van die studie. Die klawer-fraksie was geneig om af te neem soos wat die N peil toegeneem het, terwyl die gras-fraksie toegeneem het. Die lusern-inhoud het van herfs tot lente afgeneem en was ongeaffekteer deur die N peil. Die peulgewas-inhoud van beide weidingsmengsels was deurentyd hoër as die voorgeskrewe minimum vlak van 20 – 40%, selfs met opeenvolgende N-toediening. Die kwaliteitseienskappe gemeet in die studie (droeëmateriaal (DM) inhoud, RP en in vitro organiese materiaal verteerbaarheid (IVOMV)) het binne normale perke gebly, behalwe die totale ru-proteien (TRP) inhoud wat baie hoog was tydens die eerste jaar (>30%), alhoewel dit nie deur die N peil beinvloed was nie. Aan die lig van bogenoemde bevindinge is die voorlopige aanbeveling vir N- bemesting (op lae koolstof gronde) van ‘n gemengde grasweiding 40 kg N ha-1 tydens die herfs en winter en 60 kg N ha-1 tydens lente en somer. Gebasseer op die swak respons van die gras-peulgewas weidings op toegediende N, is dit twyfelagtig of N toediening enige ekonomiese voordeel vir die boer sal inhou. Gebaseer op die relatiewe sterk respons van die gras-klawer PDMP op toegediende N tydens herfs en laat winter/vroeë lente kan dit moontlik voordelig wees om lae N-vlakke van ongeveer 40 kg ha-1 tydens hierdie seisoene toe te dien.

Two trials were conducted to demonstrate diet selected by grazing cattle. Selection criteria were investigated on the basis of cattle selection for plant species, green leaf in preference to dry leaf or dry stem and the chemical contents of esophageal samples versus those in the standing crop. The influence of residual old vegetation on selection ability was studied by mowing all or part of the pasture. Cattle consumed Lehmann lovegrass in preference to shrubby species (Table 1). The esophageal samples contained higher levels of protein, phosphorus and IVDMD than that in the standing crop in both Trial 1 and Trial 2. Neutral detergent fiber was higher in the standing crop than in the esophageal samples, whereas in Trial 2, there appeared to be no difference in NDF. Removal of old vegetation by mowing had no effect on selection for plant parts. Cattle selected green leaf, in preference to dry leaf or dry stem regardless of the presence of old material. Free ranging cattle selected a diet that was higher in nutrient density and more digestible than the available forage.

This work aimed to contribute to the understanding of tree - grass inter-cropping interactions so that the productivity and sustainability of extensive livestock husbandry can be increased. The work was carried out in the context of a small farm in Oaxaca, Mexico, where increases in productivity are limited by shortage of capital and where the tree component would be used as green manure. It is difficult to investigate the effectiveness of such a system by only using conventional field trials. I constructed a mathematical model to simulate how the main components of the system function under conditions that would not be evaluated in the field. Issues such as how many trees to plant and what tree species combine with grass cattle and environment, can be answered with the model. The particular features of the model are: 1) It describes an agro-ecosystem where trees perform several biological functions like nitrogen capture for use in the silvopastoral system, 2) It links grass and trees with the animal and 3) Nutrient availability depends mainly on soil organic matter decomposition and mineralisation rather than on external inputs. The present research consisted of 1) constructing the model prototype using data from the literature, 2) conducting field experiments to investigate the actual performance of the silvopastoral system, 3) perform laboratory research and greenhouse experiments complementarily to the field experiments and 4) elaborate on the carbon and nitrogen balance of the silvopastoral experiment, by combining research results and the mathematical model. The field experiment consisted of an array of 13 plots with one of the tree species Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Delonix regia and Lysiloma auritum in a gradient of plant densities within a Brachiaria decumbens paddock. Results showed that the presence of trees in pastures is potentially useful for retaining nitrogen and carbon that would be lost in the grass mono-crop. Trees did not incorporate nitrogen through biological fixation, perhaps because the lack of adequate nodulation and they did not established their rooting systems to a depth beyond the grass roots (> 1.20m) so as to recover leached nutrients. However, trees produced mulch that was rich in nitrogen (3.8%) and whose decomposition rate ensures a slow release to prevent leaching. At the plant density used, the tree population caused no harm to grass as to production and nutritive value. Further increments in tree density in order to improve the potential for nitrogen capture should be evaluated in terms of the reduction of grass production. Several biological attributes of the species were determined, in some cases for the first time: biomass productivity, specific leaf area, nutritive value, phenolic content, root biomass, grass root longevity, root vertical distribution, etc. Such characterisation is useful for the understanding of the system inter-cropping and specially for the parameterisation of the silvopastoral model. Even though the mixtures proved able to survive for the span of the experiment, the sustainability of tree - grass inter-cropping as to the stabilisation of soil fertility requires longer monitoring. Other limiting factors such as phosphorus availability and the management of grazing systems have to be incorporated for an adequate evaluation of the silvopastoral system.