Les mycotoxines telles que la fumonisine B1 (FB1) produites par les champignons du genre Fusarium sont particulièrement préoccupantes pour la filière maïsicole. L’ensilage de maïs est un processus de fermentation naturel susceptible de favoriser l’évolution des teneurs en FB1. La maîtrise du risque de contamination par la FB1 et la recherche de moyens permettant la décontamination des ensilages est donc nécessaire. L’objectif de ce travail est de caractériser le devenir de la FB1 dans les ensilages de maïs grain et de mettre en évidence l’existence d’agents microbiens capables de dégrader cette toxine. Pour cela, des mini-silos contenant du maïs grain naturellement contaminé en FB1 provenant de différents parcelles et issus des deux années de récolte ont été préparés. La stratégie analytique basée sur le dosage de la FB1 libre et la FB1 complexée par HPLC-MS/MS a révélé une diminution significative de la teneur en FB1 totale qui ne peut être attribuée à un mécanisme de complexation et résulte d’un mécanisme de dégradation. La recherche du microbiote associé à la dégradation de la FB1 a été réalisée par deux approches complémentaires : Une analyse métagénomique combinant l’extraction sélective de l’ADN microbien et le séquençage haut débit «shotgun» afin de comparer la diversité taxonomique et fonctionnelle d’un ensilage dégradant la FB1 et d’un ensilage moins dégradant. En parallèle, un criblage de microorganismes cultivables capables de métaboliser la FB1 a été conduit et a permis de confirmer les résultats de l’analyse globale. Ce travail apporte une première image du microbiote potentiellement associé à la dégradation de la FB1, ainsi que des activités microbiennes responsables. / Fungi of the genus Fusarium are one of the major contaminants of maize that can produce mycotoxins, such as the fumonisin B1 (FB1). Maize silage which is based on the fermentation of whole crop plant or grains is considered the main source of monogastrics and cattle feeding in Europe. The ensiling process could favor changes in FB1 content; however this has scarcely been documented. This led to questioning regarding the possibility of managing the microbiota during ensiling in order to reduce the level of mycotoxins exposure and improve feed quality. The aim of this work is to study the fate of FB1 during ensiling process of high moisture maize grain and to identify an endemic microbiota capable of degrading FB1. Laboratory scale silages were prepared with naturally contaminated FB1 grains from two cropping years. An analytical procedure allowed assessing both free and matrix associated FB1 forms and showed a significant decrease in total FB1 content that are not linked to the presence of bound FB1. Additionally, our data showed that the FB1 content decrease was mainly due to a degradation process. Identification of a potential microbiota responsible for FB1 degradation was conducted. A metagenomics approach combining a selective microbial DNA extraction and high-throughput shotgun sequencing showed microbial specific patterns between FB1 degrading and weakly degrading silage. These results were also supported by the isolation of microbial strains able to metabolize FB1. Ultimately, this work evidenced a microbiota associated to FB1 degradation and the functional diversity involved in this activity. Bacteria and yeasts have been obtained for further studies on degradation activities and their usage as silage starter.

Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar os efeitos do pré-emurchecimento e da aplicação de inoculante bacteriano-enzimático (IBE) ou ácido propiônico tamponado (APT) sobre as características de fermentação, composição química, perfil microbiológico, parâmetros físicos, estabilidade aeróbica e eficiência no processo de ensilagem de Tifton 85 (Cynodon sp.) na produção de silagem armazenada na forma de fardos grandes revestidos por filme plástico. Silagens com cinco níveis de matéria seca (250 g kg -1 , 350 g kg -1 , 450 g kg -1 , 550 g kg -1 e 650 g kg -1 MS) foram confeccionadas na ausência de IBE. Outros três tratamentos consistiram de níveis de matéria seca (250 g kg -1 , 450 g kg -1 e 650 g kg -1 MS) na presença de aditivo bacteriano-enzimático (IBE), e um tratamento adicional, onde os fardos foram submetidos à pré-emurchecimento até atingir o maior nível de MS (650 g kg -1 MS), foi pulverizada uma solução contendo APT. As amostras foram tomadas imediatamente antes (zero hora) e às 6, 12 horas e 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 90 e 180 dias após a ensilagem, para estabelecer curvas de tendência temporal para as características qualitativas de fermentação. As amostras coletadas à zero hora e aos 8, 16, 32, 90 e 180 dias após a ensilagem também foram usadas para determinação da composição química-bromatológica. Nas amostras tomadas à zero hora e aos 32 e 180 dias após a ensilagem foram determinados o perfil microbiológico e alguns parâmetros físico-químicos. A avaliação de perdas foi mensurada indiretamente através da estabilidade aeróbica, nas amostras coletadas aos 32, 90 e 180 dias após a ensilagem. O processo de ensilagem, com o teor de matéria seca de 550 g kg -1 MS foi o mais eficiente, por associar: tempo de emurchecimento intermediário, alta densidade de matéria seca, baixa perda de matéria seca por recolhimento, e por apresentar o maior valor para recuperação de massa digestível, durante a ensilagem. Os tratamentos de maior conteúdo de matéria seca (650 g kg -1 MS) também apresentaram bom desempenho para os parâmetros avaliados, entretanto por necessitarem de um período superior a 24 horas de exposição para atingir o emurchecimento desejado, se submeteram à riscos potencialmente elevados originados de chuvas de ocorrência noturna.O uso de pré-emurchecimento à nível médio de MS, 450 g kg-1 MS, favoreceu as características qualitativas de fermentação e a composição química das silagens de Tifton 85. O uso de APT não melhorou as características qualitativas de fermentação e a composição química das silagens. A utilização de IBE apresentou mínimos benefícios somente nas silagens contendo elevado teor de matéria seca, sendo ineficiente para forragens contendo alta umidade.A ensilagem direta da forragem, sem pré-emurchecimento, produziu uma silagem de menor qualidade, caracterizada por alto conteúdo de nitrogênio amoniacal e uma baixa estabilidade aeróbica. O uso de pré-emurchecimento a conteúdos de matéria seca superiores a 550 g kg -1 MS, levou a restrição no crescimento de microrganismos e consequentemente redução na fermentação, resultando em maior estabilidade aeróbica das silagens produzidas. O uso de IBE foi efetivo quando associado ao conteúdo intermediário de MS (450 g kg -1 MS), resultando em maior estabilidade aeróbica da silagem. O uso de APT, nas silagens com elevado teor de MS (650 g kg -1 MS), não apresentou vantagens em relação aos similares. / The objectives of this work were to study the effects of wilting and microbiological additive or buffered propionic acid (BPA) on the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, microbiological profile, physical parameters, aerobic stability and efficiency of the ensiling process of Tifton (Cynodon sp.) silage stored in plastic wrapped square bales. The treatments were: five forage dry matter contents (250, 350, 450, 550 and 650 g kg -1 DM), three forage dry matter contents (250, 350 and 650 g kg -1 DM) sprayed with bacterial-enzymatic additive (BEA) and wilted forage (650 g kg -1 DM) sprayed with BPA. Core samples were taken 0, 6 and 12 hours and 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 90 and 180 days of storage. The chemical composition was determined on samples taken 0, 8, 16, 32, 90 and 180 days of storage and the microbiological and physical-chemical parameters on samples taken 0, 32 and 180 days of storage. Aerobically stability was used to indirectly estimate losses on 32, 90 and 180 days of storage. The 550 g kg -1 forage dry matter showed the highest silage efficiency production, due to intermediary wilting time, high dry matter density, low dry matter losses during raking and harvesting, and large digestible mass recovery. The treatments with 650 g kg -1 DM were efficient was well, however, the needed longer time to achieve this final dry matter content (longer than 24 hours) may elevate the risk of rain damage. Wilting to 450 g kg -1 DM favored fermentation qualitative traits and silage quality. BPA showed no effects and BEA did increase aerobic stability in the intermediary silage dry matter (450 g kg -1 ) and showed slight benefits only on higher dry matter silages. The very poor quality direct cut silage showed high levels N-NH3 and low aerobic stability. Microorganism growth and fermentation intensity were inhibited in the wilted silages with 550 and 650 g kg -1 DM, which enhanced aerobic stability. The addition of BPA showed no positive results in the silages with 650 g kg -1 DM.

Die Studie »Aufarbeitung landwirtschaftlicher Biomasse für den Vergärungsprozess« zeigt, dass eine dem Vergärungsprozess vorgeschaltete Aufarbeitung landwirtschaftlicher Biomasse mittels Doppelschneckenextruder, Multischroter oder Enzymen die Energieproduktion um bis zu 26,6 % steigern kann. Die beispielhafte Darstellung von Aufarbeitungsmöglichkeiten anhand einer Biogasanlage mit 500 kWel beweist, dass sich die Biogaserzeugung beim Einsatz von Maissilage lohnen kann. Eine Rentabilitätserhöhung ist dabei kaum ersichtlich, es kann jedoch mit frei werdender Anbaufläche für die Nahrungsmittelproduktion gerechnet werden. Eine wirtschaftliche Biogaserzeugung auf der Basis vorzerkleinerter Grassilagen konnte nicht nachgewiesen werden, lediglich eine deutliche Effizienzsteigerung. Wie sich die Gewinnerwartung bei zunehmendem Gülleanteil bei Grassilage verhält sowie ausführliche Betrachtungen der Versuche und deren Wertung lesen Sie im kompletten Ergebnisbericht.

In two lactation studies reported in this dissertation, it was hypothesized that feeding 35% brown midrib corn silage (BMRCS) and 25% alfalfa hay (dry matter basis) would result in increased dry matter intake (DMI) around peak lactation compared with feeding conventional corn silage (CCS), causing longer peak milk production, and that feeding dairy cows in early lactation a 16% crude protein diet with fair quality alfalfa hay (FAH) in BMR-based diets would maintain milk production, reduce urinary N excretion, and improve N efficiency compared to those fed high quality alfalfa hay (HAH) in CCS- or BMR-based diets. A third experiment was conducted to assess in situ degradation kinetics of BMRCS harvested prior to or at maturity. The first lactation study was performed to determine the long-term effects of feeding BMRCS fed with a high dietary concentration of good quality alfalfa hay in a high-forage lactation diet on productive performance of Holstein dairy cows for the first 180 d of lactation. Feeding BMRCS-based diet did not affect milk production through peak lactation compared with a CCS-based diet; however, cows fed the BMRCS-based diet maintained heavier body weight through peak lactation and longer peak milk production, which resulted in increased milk yield post peak lactation, leading to greater overall milk production and milk protein yield. A second lactation experiment was performed to investigate if early lactating dairy cows fed with the FAH in BMRCS-based diets would reduce urinary N excretion and improve N efficiency compared to those fed the HAH in CCS- or BMR-based diets. Feeding BMR and HAH had better N utilization by decreasing concentrations of urea in blood, milk, and urine. In addition, feeding BMR-based diets decreased urinary N-to-fecal N ratio, and it was further reduced by feeding the HAH, which can represent an environmental advantage over traditional sources of forages in lactation dairy diets. A third experiment assessed in situ DM and neutral detergent fiber degradation kinetics for two new pre-matured BMR varieties (pmBMR1 and pmBMR2) that can be double-cropped by harvesting at tassel, compared with a sole crop mature BMR (mBMR) and CCS harvested at maturity in dry and lactating Holstein dairy cows. The potentially degradable NDF fraction was greater for BMR hybrids compared with CCS with the exception of the pmBMR2, which had the lowest potentially degradable NDF fraction in dry cows. Estimates of ruminal degradability of NDF were greatest for pmBMR1 in both dry and lactating cows. Feeding BMRCS exerted nutritive and environmental benefits when fed with typical Intermountain West lactation dairy diets. Further research is needed to understand interactive aspects of nutrient utilization with other dietary ingredients under different physiological conditions to take full potential benefits of BMRCS.

No description available.

No description available.

Agronomic and water quality impacts of urea particle size were evaluated through field and laboratory experiments and mathematical modeling. In a two-year field study, corn silage yield, corn nitrogen (N) removal, and nitrate-N (NO₃⁻-N) leaching from urea pellets (1.5 g each) and granules (0.01-0.02 g each) applied at 184 kg-N/ha were compared. A control treatment (no N) and two other N application rates (110 and 258 kg-N/ha) were also included. Urea particle size impact on dissolution rate, dissolved urea movement, mineralization, and N0³-N leaching were evaluated in the laboratory. A two-dimensional (2-D) mathematical model was developed to simulate the fate of subsurface-banded urea and its transformation products, ammonium (NH₄⁺)and NO₃⁻. With 184 kg-N/ha, corn silage yield was 15% higher (p = 0.02) and corn N removal was 19% higher (p = 0.07) with pellets than granules in the second year of the field study. In the absence of yield response at 110 kg-N/ha, reason for higher yield at 184 kg-N/ha with pellets was unclear. Greater N removal reduced NO₃⁻-N leaching potential from pellets compared to granules during the over-winter period. No urea form response to yield or corn N removal was observed in the first year. In 23 of 27 sampling events, granules had higher NO₃⁻-N concentration in the root zone than pellets, with average nitrate-N concentrations of 2.6 and 2.2 mg-N/L, respectively. However, statistically, NO₃⁻-N leaching from the root zone was unaffected by urea form, probably due to high variability within treatments masking the treatment effects. In October 1997, pellets retained 16% more (p = 0.04) inorganic-N in the top half of the root zone than granules, due to slower nitrification in pellets as was determined in the mineralization study. Slower NO₃⁻-N leaching allowed for greater N extraction by plants. Pellets had lower dissolution, urea hydrolysis, and nitrification rates than granules; however, nitrification inhibition was the dominant mechanism controlling N fate. The model took into account high substrate concentration effects on N transformations, important for simulating the fate of band-applied N. The model exhibited good mass conservative properties, robustness, and expected moisture and N distribution profiles. Differences in measured field data and model outputs were likely due to uncertainties and errors in measured data and input parameters. Model calibration results indicated that moisture-related parameters greatly affected N fate simulation. Sensitivity analyses indicated the importance of nitrification-related parameters in N simulation, particularly, their possible multiplicative effects. Need for extensive model testing and validation was recognized. The validated 2-D N model could be incorporated into a management model for better management of subsurface-banded granular N. However, the 2-D model is not appropriate for simulating the three dimensional N movement from pellets. / Ph. D.

A metabolism trial and a feedlot finishing trial were conducted with silage made from corn (Zea mays L.) forage grown by conventional and sustainable methods. For the metabolism trial, 24 wether lambs were allotted to four diets: 1) conventional corn silage supplemented with urea, 2) conventional corn silage supplemented with soybean meal (SBM), 3) sustainable corn silage supplemented with urea, and 4) sustainable corn silage supplemented with broiler litter. Apparent DM digestibilities were 65.9, 69.3, 63.8, 66.2%, for the respective diets. Apparent digestibilities of NDF, ADF, and cellulose were lower (P < .05) for the urea-supplemented diets than the SBM and broiler litter supplemented diets. Sheep fed sustainable silage supplemented with broiler litter had the highest (P < .05) fecal N excretion, due to at least partly to the highest (P < .05) N intake. Total N excretion was similar (P > .05) among sheep fed all diets. Sheep fed conventional and sustainable silages supplemented with urea were in negative N balance (-1.04, and -.38, respectively). Sheep fed the conventional silage supplemented with SBM and sustainable silage supplemented with broiler litter had similar (P > .05) positive N retention. Conventional and sustainable silages were fed to feedlot steers and supplemented with either SBM or broiler litter. Conventional steers had a higher (P < .05) live weight (421 kg) upon entering the feedlot than the steers fed the sustainable diet (390 kg). Difference in ADG did not become apparent until the second-to-last 28-d period, at which time the conventional steers had a higher (P < .05) ADG than the steers fed the sustainable diet. Cattle fed the sustainable diet tended to consume more feed (P > .05) and had lower gain/feed (P < .05) than those fed the conventional diet. At slaughter, cattle fed the conventional diet were heavier (P < .05), (596 vs 541kg). Carcass maturity, marbling, backfat, percent kidney, pelvic and heart (KPH) fat, and quality grade were similar (P > .05) for the cattle fed the two diets. Carcass weight, ribeye muscle area, yield grade and dressing percentage were higher for the cattle fed the conventional diet, reflecting higher liveweight than cattle fed the sustainable diet. / Master of Science

This item was digitized as part of the Million Books Project led by Carnegie Mellon University and supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Cornell University coordinated the participation of land-grant and agricultural libraries in providing historical agricultural information for the digitization project; the University of Arizona Libraries, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Office of Arid Lands Studies collaborated in the selection and provision of material for the digitization project.

Das Ziel der Untersuchungen war die Ermittlung der Grenzbedingungen von Lagerungsdichte und äußerer Luftabschlußgüte (Gasdurchlässigkeit des Zudeckmaterials), unter denen Schimmelpilzwachstum während der Silagelagerung eingeschränkt wird. Den Schwerpunkt bildeten 10 Praxis- und Laborsilierversuche mit extensiv erzeugtem Grünfutter, das aufgrund relativ hoher Rohfasergehalte allgemein schwer verdichtbar ist. In den Silagen wurde die Pilzkeimzahl sowie der Gehalt an Ergosterin und Roquefortin C bestimmt. Für die Analyse des Ergosteringehaltes wurde eine neue Methode entwickelt. Die Gasdurchlässigkeit von 1 - 8 Folienlagen der verwendeten Silierstretchfolie wurde radiometrisch gemessen. Im Versuchszeitraum (1995 - 1997) wurde Grünfutter von jahreszeitlich verschiedenen Aufwüchsen unter landwirtschaftlichen Praxisbedingungen einsiliert. Mit Hilfe drei verschiedener Ballenpressen wurden insgesamt 165 Silageballen mit unterschiedlichen Lagerungsdichten erzeugt. Die Folienlagenzahl und die Lagerdauer bei den Silageballen wurde gestaffelt. Hierdurch sollte der Einfluß des Luftabschlusses auf Gärqualität, Pilzbefall und Mykotoxingehalt in den Silagen untersucht werden. Im Labor wurden Einflußfaktoren wie der Trockenmassegehalt (T-Gehalt) des Siliergutes geprüft. In den Praxisversuchen trat bei einem T-Gehalt < 400 g/kg unabhängig von Lagerungsdichte und äußerem Luftabschluß eine relativ starke Buttersäurebildung in den Silagen auf. Dagegen wurden bei einem T-Gehalt > 450 g/kg bei ausreichendem Luftabschluß buttersäurefreie (£ 0,3 % T) Silagen erzielt. Hier lag offenbar ein ausreichender T-Gehalt zur Sicherung einer guten Gärqualität vor. In allen Versuchen stellte die Erhöhung der Lagerungsdichte die primäre Grundlage zur Erzeugung eines ausreichenden Luftabschlusses in den Silagen dar. Die äußere Luftabschlußgüte besaß im Vergleich dazu sekundären Charakter. Als notwendige Grenzbedingungen des Luftabschlusses zur Erzeugung einer guten Gärqualität sowie zur Einschränkung von Pilzbefall in den Silagen erwiesen sich: (1) eine Lagerungsdichte von mindestens 200-210 kg T/m³ und (2) eine maximale Gasdurchlässigkeit des Zudeckmaterials von 1,7 l/m² in 24 Stunden (6 Folienlagen der verwendeten Silierstretchfolie). Ein ausreichender Luftabschluß war die Voraussetzung für die Wirksamkeit von Silierzusätzen hinsichtlich der Einschränkung von Pilzbefall und der Verbesserung der Gärqualität in den Silagen. Die Mykotoxinbildung in den Silagen, die am Beispiel des Vorkommens von Roquefortin C (ROF) untersucht worden ist, wurde ungeachtet von Lagerungsdichte und äußerem Luftabschluß vor allem durch den T-Gehalt des Siliergutes beeinflußt. Bei einem T-Gehalt < 450 g/kg enthielten etwa 88 % der in diesem T-Bereich vorliegenden Silagen Roquefortin C. Bei einem T-Gehalt zwischen 450 und 550 g/kg enthielten noch etwa 10 % der hier vorliegenden Silagen Roquefortin C, überwiegend aber im Bereich der Nachweisgrenze von ³ 0,05 mg ROF/kg T. Bei einem T-Gehalt > 550 g/kg wurde in den Silagen Roquefortin C nicht nachgewiesen. Die insgesamt in den Silagen gemessenen Gehalte an Roquefortin C waren mit < 1,0 mg ROF/kg T relativ niedrig. Sie sind bei Verfütterung der Silagen an Wiederkäuer nach dem gegenwärtigen Erkenntnisstand toxikologisch als nicht kritisch einschätzbar. / The goal of the investigation was to determine the boundary conditions of compactness and hermetic level of covering material (permeability of the covering material) to inhibit mould growth during silage storage. The emphasis was based on 10 practical and lab ensiling experiments with green forage having a relatively high content of raw fiber, which in general is difficult to compress. The silages were investigated for their mould count, as well as for their content of ergosterol and roquefortine C. A new method was developed to analyse the ergosterol content. The permeability of 1 - 8 numbers of wraps of the used ensiling stretch film was measured by radiometric methods. During the experimental time (1995 - 1997), green forage from seasonally different bites were ensiled under practical agricultural conditions. Using three different balers, a total of 165 bales were wrapped at various compactness levels. The numbers of wraps and the storage period of the bales were staggered. Hereby the influence of air exclusion on fermentation quality, mould growth and mycotoxin content in the silage should be tested. In the lab, factors such as the dry matter content (d-content) of the green forage were tested. In the practical experiments, the results showed that at a d-content of < 400 g/kg, a relatively high amount of butyric acid formed in the silages, independent of the compactness and hermetic level of the covering material. Whereas, at a d-content of > 450 g/kg, no butyric acid (£ 0,3 % dry matter) was found in the silages with sufficient air exclusion. Here, the d-content to ensure a good fermentation quality was sufficient. In all experiments, the primary way to generate sufficient air exclusion in the silages was to increase the compactness. Compared with this, the hermetic level of covering material had secondary character. To get a sufficient fermentation quality, as well as an inhibition of mould growth in the silages, necessary boundary conditions of air exclusion were: (1) a compactness of at least 200-210 kg T/m³ and (2) a maximum permeability of the covering material of 1,7 l /m² in 24 hours (6 numbers of wraps of the used ensiling stretch film). Sufficient air exclusion was necessary for the effectiveness of the silage additives in inhibiting mould growth and improving the fermentation quality in the silages. The mycotoxin formation in the silages, investigated by measuring the occurrence of roquefortine C (ROF), was influenced mainly by the dry matter content of the ensiled material, regardless of the compactness and hermetic level of covering material. At a dry matter content of < 450 g/kg, about 88 % of the silages contained roquefortine C. Between 450 to 550 g/kg dry matter about 10 % of the silages containing roquefortine C, however, at low levels in the range of the detectable content of ³ 0,05 mg ROF/kg dry matter. At a dry matter content of > 550 g/kg, no roquefortine C was found in the silages. Summarised, the measured amounts of < 1,0 mg ROF/kg roquefortine C in the silages is considered to be relatively low. Within the actual state of knowledge of toxicology, it is not considered dangerous to feed ruminant animals with silages containing these low amounts of roquefortine C.