Dynamics of maize grain drying in the high latitude region of Northeast China

A high grain moisture content at harvest has been an important problem in the high latitude region of Northeast China, and it is closely related to the genotypes of varieties, local meteorological factors and planting management. However, delayed harvest at a low temperature could not effectively reduce the grain moisture content. In this study, we continuously observed the grain drying during the late stage of different maturing types of maize varieties in Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, China in 2016 and 2017. A two-segment linear model was used to analyze the different stages of the drying processes: 1) Twosegment linear model fitting can divide the grain drying process of all varieties into two separate linear drying processes with different slopes. 2) During the rapid drying stage, the drying was faster at a higher temperature. The rate of slow drying was influenced by air vapor pressure. 3) The moisture content and meteorological factors when the drying rate turns from one stage into the other were not consistent between varieties and years. After entering the frost period, temperatures below 0℃ will significantly reduce the rate of grain drying. 4) Due to the short growth period of early-maturing varieties, the drying time was prolonged, and the grain moisture content was lower than that of the mid-late maturing varieties. Local meteorological conditions do not allow the drying of mid-late maturing varieties to achieve a lower moisture content. When the temperature falls below 0℃, the drying rate of grain decreases markedly. Therefore, one feasible way to solve the problem of high moisture content is to replace the early-maturing varieties and implement the corresponding cultivation techniques.

The heterotic effects on dry matter production and grain yield formation in hybrid rice

We studied the characteristics of dry matterproduction and matter partitioning in hybridrice and the relationships of them with heterot-ic effect in 1993. Two popular indica hybrids, Shanyou 63(Zhenshan 97A/Minhui 63 ) and Teyou 63(Longtepu A/Minhui 63), as well as theircommon restorer line, Minhui 63 (elite cultivar

Amino acid digestibility of heat damaged distillers dried grains with solubles fed to pigs

The primary objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of heat treatment on the standardized ileal digestibility （SID） of amino acids （AA） in corn distillers dried grains with solubles （DDGS） fed to growing pigs. The second objective was to develop regression equations that may be used to predict the concentration of SID AA in corn DDGS. A source of corn DDGS was divided into 4 batches that were either not autoclaved or autoclaved at 130℃ for 10, 20, or 30 min. Four diets containing DDGS from each of the 4 batches were formulated with DDGS being the only source of AA and CP in the diets. A N-free diet also was formulated and used to determine the basal endogenous losses of CP and AA. Ten growing pigs （initial BW： 53.5 ＋ 3.9 kg） were surgically equipped with a T-cannula in the distal ileum and allotted to a replicated 5 x4 Youden square design with 5 diets and 4 periods in each square. The SID of CP decreased linearly （P〈 0.05） from 77.9% in non-autoclaved DDGS to 72.1, 66.1, and 68.5% in the DDGS samples that were autoclaved for 10, 20, or 30 min, respectively. The SID of lysine was quadratically reduced （P〈 0.05） from 66.8% in the non-autoclaved DDGS to 54.9, 55.3, and 51.9% in the DDGS autoclaved for 10, 20, or 30 min, respectively. The concentrations of SID Arginine, Histidine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, or Threonine may be best predicted by equations that include the concentration of acid detergent insoluble N in the model （r2 = 0.76, 0.68, 0.67, 0.84, 0.76, 0.73, or 0.54, respectively）. The concentrations of SID Isoleucine and Valine were predicted （r2 = 0.58 and 0.54, respectively） by the Lysine：CP ratio, whereas the concentration of SID Tryptophan was predicted （r2 = 0.70） by the analyzed concentration of Tryptophan in DDGS. In conclusion, the SID of AA is decreased as a result of heat damage and the concentration of SID AA in heat-damaged DDGS may be predicted by regression equations developed in this experiment.

Nitrogen application affects maize grain filling by regulating grain water relations

Grain water relations play an important role in grain filling in maize. The study aimed to gain a clear understanding of the changes in grain dry weight and water relations in maize grains by using hybrids with contrasting nitrogen efficiencies under differing nitrogen levels. The objectives were: 1) to understand the changes in dry matter and percent moisture content(MC) during grain development in response to different nitrogen application rates and 2) to determine whether nitrogen application affects grain filling by regulating grain water relations. Two maize hybrids, high N-efficient Zhenghong 311(ZH311) and low N-efficient Xianyu 508(XY508), were grown in the field under four levels of N fertilizer: 0, 150, 300, and 450 kg N ha;during three growing seasons. Dry weight, percent MC and water content(WC) of basal-middle and apical grains were investigated. The difference in the maximum WC and filling duration of basal-middle and apical grains in maize ears resulted in a significant difference in final grain weight. Grain position markedly influenced grain drying down;specifically, the drying down rate of apical grains was faster than that of basal-middle grains. Genotype and grain position both influenced the impact of nitrogen application rate on grain filling and drying down. Nitrogen rate determined the maximum grain WC and percent MC loss rate in the middle and the late grain-filling stages, thus affecting final grain weight. The use of high N-efficient hybrids, combined with the reduction of nitrogen application rate, can coordinate basal-middle and apical grain drying down to ensure yield. This management strategy could lead to a win-win situation in which the maximum maize yield, efficient mechanical harvest and environmental safety are all achieved.

Effects of dietary replacement of soybean meal with dried distillers grains with solubles on the microbiota occupying different ecological niches in the rumen of growing Hu lambs

Background:Diet has a profound impact on the rumen microbiota,and the impact can vary among the different rumen ecological niches(REN).This study investigated the effects of dietary replacement of soybean meal(SBM)with dried distillers grains with solubles(DDGS)on the rumen microbiota occupying different REN of growing Hu lambs.After a 9-week feeding trial,6 lambs from each dietary treatment(SBM vs.DDGS-based diets)were slaughtered for sample collection.The microbiota of the rumen solid,liquid,and epithelium fractions was examined using amplicon sequencing analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene,functional prediction,and qPCR.Results:No interaction of dietary protein source(PS)and REN were detected for virtually all the measurements made in this study.The DDGS substitution resulted in very limited influence on bacterial community structure.However,the metabolic pathways predicted from 16S rRNA gene sequences varied greatly between SBM-and DDGS-based diets.The populations of rumen total bacteria,fungi,sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB),and methanogens were not influenced by DDGS substitution,but the population of protozoa was reduced.The bacterial communities in rumen solid(RS)and liquid(RL)were similar in taxonomic composition but were different in relative abundance of some taxa.In contrast,the bacterial composition and relative abundance of rumen epithelium(RE)were greatly distinct from those of the RS and the RL.In alignment with the bacterial relative abundance,the metabolic pathways predicted from 16S rRNA genes also varied greatly among the different REN.The populations of total bacteria,protozoa,and methanogens attached to the RE were smaller than those in the RS and RL,and the fungal population on the rumen epitheliumwas smaller than that in the RS but similar to that in the RL.On the contrary,the SRB population on the RE was greater than that in the RS and RL.Conclusions:Substitution of SBM with DDGS had greater impact to the protozoa than to the other microbes,and the microbial community structure and functions at different REN are distinct and niche-adapted.

Replacement of Forage Fiber Sources with Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles and Corn Germ Meal in Holstein Calf Diets

This study was carried out to determine the effect of replacement of forage fiber sources from alfalfa and Leymus chinensis with nonforage fiber sources（NFFS） from dried distillers grains with solubles and corn germ meal on calves growth, rumen development and blood parameters. 48 female and 12 male calves（（110.55±15.36） kg of body weight and 12 wk of age） were assigned randomly to four dietary treatments（15 calves/treatment） in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets were： 0% NFFS（control）, 9% NFFS（group 1）, 18% NFFS（group 2）, 27% NFFS（group 3）, and contained equivalent neutral detergent fiber and total digestible nutrients, respectively. The dry matter intake was similar among diets, averaging 3.33 kg d-1, and no differences were detected for body weight, withers height, body length and heart girth. In addition, the development of rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum also were similar among diets. Dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities increased with the increasing levels of NFFS in the experimental diets, but had no significant effect. Blood urea nitrogen, total protein and glubulin were not affected by the dietary treatment, but group 3 resulted in the highest（P〈0.05） concentrations of glucose and the lowest（P〈0.05） concentrations of triglycerides and albumin. In conclusion, dried distillers grains with solubles（DDGS） and corn germ meal（CGM） were available and alternative fiber sources for Holstein calf diets.

Amino acid digestibility in low-fat distillers dried grains with solubles fed to growing pigs

The objective of this experiment was to determine the standardized ileal digestibility（SID） of amino acids（AA） in 3sources of distillers dried grains with solubles（DDGS） with different concentrations of fat.Twelve growing barrows（initial body weight：76.1 ± 6.2 kg） were randomly allotted to a replicated 6×4 Youden square design with 6 diets and 4 periods.The fat content of the 3 sources of DDGS were 11.5,7.5,and 6.9%respectively.Diets contained 60%DDGS and fat concentration of the diets were 7.5,52,and 5.2%,respectively.Two additional diets containing the 2sources of DDGS with 75 and 6.9%fat were also formulated,and corn oil was added to these diets to increase the concentration of fat in the diets to levels that were calculated to be similar to the diet containing conventional DDGS with 11.5%fat.A N-free diet was also formulated to calculate endogenous losses of crude protein（CP） and AA from the pigs.Pigs were fed experimental diets during four 7-d periods.The first 5 d of each period were an adaptation period and ileal digesta were collected on d 6 and 7 of each period.The apparent ileal digestibililty（AID） and SID of CP and all indispensable AA,except AID Pro and SID of Trp,were greater（P 〈 0.01） in conventional DDGS than in the 2 sources of DDGS with reduced fat.Adding oil to the diets containing the 2 sources of DDGS with reduced fat did not consistently increase SID of AA.In conclusion,conventional DDGS has greater SID values for most AA compared with DDGS that contains less fat and inclusion of additional oil to diets containing low-fat DDGS does not increase AID or SID of AA.The lower AA digestibility in low-fat DDGS could not be overcome by the inclusion of additional fat to the diets.

Using vibrational infrared biomolecular spectroscopy to detect heat-induced changes of molecular structure in relation to nutrient availability of prairie whole oat grains on a molecular basis

Background： To our knowledge, there is little study on the interaction between nutrient availability and molecular structure changes induced by different processing methods in dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of heat processing methods on interaction between nutrient availability and molecular structure in terms of functional groups that are related to protein and starch inherent structure of oat grains with two continued years and three replication of each year.Method： The oat grains were kept as raw（control） or heated in an air-draft oven（dry roasting： DO） at 120 °C for 60 min and under microwave irradiation（MIO） for 6 min. The molecular structure features were revealed by vibrational infrared molecular spectroscopy.Results： The results showed that rumen degradability of dry matter, protein and starch was significantly lower（P 〈0.05） for MIO compared to control and DO treatments. A higher protein α-helix to β-sheet and a lower amide I to starch area ratio were observed for MIO compared to DO and/or raw treatment. A negative correlation（-0.99, P 〈 0.01）was observed between α-helix or amide I to starch area ratio and dry matter. A positive correlation（0.99, P 〈 0.01） was found between protein β-sheet and crude protein.Conclusion： The results reveal that oat grains are more sensitive to microwave irradiation than dry heating in terms of protein and starch molecular profile and nutrient availability in ruminants.

玉米自交系籽粒脱水特性的差异分析

通过对12个玉米自交系成熟期及籽粒自然脱水速率的研究,各个自交系成熟期时籽粒水分在30.68%~38.69%之间,成熟10 d后的籽粒水分在21.59%~26.68%之间;自交系间籽粒自然脱水速率差异显著,变幅为0.614%~1.201%/d,其中,中晚熟组的昌7-2、PH6WC和中熟组的M54、辽3162脱水速率较快,在育种中可作为脱水快的材料加以利用。

基于扩散理论的华北春玉米生理成熟后籽粒脱水过程分析

玉米机收籽粒可以显著提高玉米的生产效率,是玉米生产的发展方向。生理成熟后的籽粒含水率是决定机收质量的关键,受品种、密度和气候等多种因素影响。准确估算生理成熟后玉米籽粒含水率,进而分析其主要影响因素,最终确定玉米收获时间和筛选适宜机收的品种,对玉米主产区华北的春玉米籽粒机收发展具有重要意义。因此,于2017年和2018年在河北省泊头、南大港、玉田和山西榆次进行了两年田间春玉米试验,每年设置7个共性品种,每个品种3个密度,对生理成熟后籽粒含水率、品种性状、气象和管理要素进行了监测,并利用基于扩散理论考虑空气温湿度的脱水模型对籽粒含水率进行了模拟,进而计算脱水曲线下的面积(AUDDC),用以筛选脱水优异的玉米品种。结果表明,基于扩散理论的籽粒脱水模型对玉米生理成熟后籽粒含水率的模拟效果较好;年份、地点和品种对生理成熟时籽粒含水率(M0)和水分扩散速率(k)具有显著影响,密度对脱水参数影响不显著。逐步线性回归分析得到灌浆期参考作物蒸发蒸腾量(ET0)、最高气温和灌水量对M0具有显著的正效应,生理成熟后30 d内ET0和灌浆中后期降雨对k具有显著的正效应,全生育期降雨对k具有显著的负效应。品种性状中对M0影响最大的为苞叶层数(正效应),对k影响最大的为叶片数(负效应)。通过模型计算得到,生理成熟后10 d华北地区春玉米籽粒含水率可以下降到28%,籽粒含水率下降到25%的概率为50%。由模型计算得到各品种生理成熟后10 d内的AUDDC,与AUDDC平均值比较发现‘京农科728’‘张1453’‘华农887’‘广德5’和‘金科玉3306’为脱水表现优异的品种。

The correlationship between the metabolizable energy content,chemical composition and color score in different sources of corn DDGS

Background： This study was conducted to evaluate the apparent metabolizable energy （AME） and true metabolizable energy （TME） contents in 30 sources of corn distillers dried grains with solubles （DDGS） in adult roosters, and establish the prediction equations to estimate the AME and TME value based on its chemical composition and color score. Methods： Twenty-eight sources of corn DDGS made from several processing plants in 11 provinces of China and others imported from the United States. DDGS were analyzed for their metabolizable energy （ME） contents, measured for color score and chemical composition （crude protein, crude fat, ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber）, to predict the equation of ME in DDGS. A precision-fed rooster assay was used, each DDGS sample was tube fed （50 g） to adult roosters. The experiment was conducted as a randomized incomplete block design with 3 periods. Ninety-five adult roosters were used in each period, with 90 being fed the DDGS samples and 5 being fasted to estimate basal endogenous energy losses. Results： Results showed that the AME ranged from 5.93 to 12.19 MJ/kg, TME ranged from 7.28 to 13.54 MJ/kg. Correlations were found between ME and ash content （-0.64, P 〈 0.0]） and between ME and yellowness score （0.39, P 〈 0.05） of the DDGS samples. Furthermore, the best-fit regression equation for AME content of DDGS based on chemical composition and color score was AME = 6.57111 ＋ 0.5]475 GE - 0.10003 NDF ＋ 0.1 3380 ADF ＋ 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L （R^2 = 0.70）. The best-fit regression equation for TME content of DDGS was TME = 7.92283 ＋ 0.51475 GE - 0.10003 NDF ＋ 0.13380 ADF ＋ 0.07057 fat - 0.57029 ash - 0.02437 L （R2 = 0.70）. Conclusions： This experiment suggested that measuring the chemical composition and color score of a corn DDGS sample may provide a quality parameter for identifying corn DDGS sources energy digestibility and metabolizable energy content.

Effects of condensed distillers solubles and drying temperature on the physico-chemical characteristics of laboratory-prepared wheat distillers grain with solubles

Samples of wheat distillers grain with solubles were prepared at 15%,30%,and 45%condensed distillers solubles(CDS)and dried under 40°C,80°C,and 120°C to examine the effects of CDS level and drying temperature on their chemical,physical,flow,compression,thermal,and frictional properties.As CDS level increased,protein and ash contents increased while fat and fiber contents decreased.Fat and acid detergent fiber contents were also markedly affected by drying temperature.While CDS level,drying temperature,and their interaction significantly affected a number of the physical properties,results suggest that CDS level had a stronger influence.Samples with high CDS level,for example,were significantly finer,denser,less flowable,and less dispersible than those with lower CDS.These samples also had significantly higher thermal diffusivity and coefficient of internal friction and produced pellets with higher failure stresses than those with lower CDS.Their pellet density increased with CDS level and was also significantly affected by drying temperature.Further,the samples were classified as fairly flowable and floodable and their compression characteristics were adequately described by the Kawakita-Ludde model.

Comparative ileal amino acid digestibility of distillers' grains for growing pigs

The objective of the experiment reported here was to investigate and compare the amino acid(AA)digestibility of distillers' dried grains(DDG), distillers' dried grains with solubles(DDGS), high protein distillers' dried grains(HP-DDG), and high protein distillers' dried grains with solubles(HP-DDGS) in growing pigs. Five semi-purified diets consisting of DDG, DDGS, HP-DDG, HP-DDGS, and nitrogen-free diet(NFD) were fed to pigs fitted with simple T-cannula for 5 observations per diet. Endogenous losses of AA at the terminal ileum of pigs that received the NFD were used to calculate standardized ileal digestibility(SID) of AA from apparent ileal digestibility(AID) of AA. The AID of Lys in DDGS was lower(P < 0.05) than that in DDG, which was also lower(P < 0.05) than that in HP-DDG. There were no differences in AID of Met among DDG, DDGS and HP-DDGS, but was greater(P < 0.05) in HP-DDG than in DDG or DDGS. The AID of Thr in HP-DDG was greater(P < 0.05) than that in DDGS but not different from that in DDG or HP-DDGS. The branched-chain AA Ile and Leu had greater(P < 0.05) AID in HP-DDG than in DDG, DDGS or HP-DDGS, and there was no difference among DDG, DDGS, and HP-DDGS. The AID of Trp in DDG and DDGS or HP-DDG and HP-DDGS were not different, but the AID of Trp in HP-DDGS was greater(P < 0.05) than that of DDGS. The greatest SID of the indispensable AA was in HP-DDG. Except for Arg and Lys in which DDG had greater(P < 0.05) digestibility, there was no difference between DDG and DDGS in the SID of the indispensable AA. The SID of Lys in DDG was greater(P < 0.05) than that of DDGS but there was no difference between that of DDG and HP-DDGS. Only His, Ile, and Met had lower(P < 0.05) SID in HP-DDGS than HP-DDG within the indispensable AA. The SID of Ala, Asp, Cys, GIu, Gly,Ser and Tyr were lower(P < 0.05) in DDGS than in HP-DDG. There SID of dispensable AA in DDG was not different from that of HP-DDGS. The current study provided apparent and standardized ileal amino acids digestibility values for traditional and high-protein corn distillers' dried grains coproducts for use in formulating swine diets. Amino acid digestibility was generally higher in HP-DDG than in other tested co-products of the dry grind processing of corn for ethanol.