The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) is an important pest that causes significant damages to alfalfa crops, reducing yield and quality, but there’s a solution. This research had two main goals to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides available in Korea for alfalfa weevil control and to provide data for pest management studies. The experiment, conducted from 2023 to 2024 at the National Institute of Animal Science in Cheonan, Republic of Korea, included four treatment plots: control (CON), early-occurrence (EAR), mid-occurrence (MID), and late-occurrence (LAT). It also included two frequency plots with primary and secondary insecticide using 50% fenitrothion emulsion, which made it truly comprehensive study. The primary insecticide was applied at the first observation of the alfalfa weevil larvae, with subsequent secondary applications at specified intervals. The results showed that two-times insecticide applications significantly reduced larvae populations and increased yield and nutrient content compared to a single application. Specifically, control rates ranged from 94 to 94.7% on the third day after treatment and from 72.2 to 93.4% on the seventh day. Plots with two applications had higher yields and crude protein content. The study concluded that the timing and frequency of insecticide applications are critical to maximizing alfalfa yield and quality, emphasizing the importance of optimized application strategies for effective pest control.

This study aims to contribute to resolving the critical issue of weed management in newly established alfalfa fields, study has been conducted on effective herbicide use. The study evaluated the impact of various domestically available foliar herbicides on alfalfa phytotoxicity, weed control, yield, and nutritive value. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with four treatments. Alfalfa ‘SW 5615’ seeded in the spring of 2024 on a 1 ha field (March 18), with herbicide treatments including fluazifop-P-butyl (FPB), bentazone (BEN), and a mixture of these herbicides (MIX). Herbicide efficacy, alfalfa yield, and nutritive value were assessed 30 days post-application. Results indicated that the MIX treatment achieved superior weed control comparable to hand weeding (HW), although it exhibited higher phytotoxicity, requiring extended recovery periods. While MIX led to lower overall yield, it enhanced alfalfa purity, resulting in higher crude protein (CP) content and relative feed value (RFV) compared to other treatments. The study concludes that despite the potential for increased phytotoxicity, mixed herbicide treatments could offer a strategic advantage in enhancing the quality of alfalfa feed through effective weed management, thereby improving CP and RFV, critical factors for the nutritional value of alfalfa. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing weed management practices in alfalfa cultivation, suggesting that mixed herbicide application, although associated with increased phytotoxicity on the plants, could improve the overall feed quality by reducing weed competition.

This study was conducted to find a way to improve quality by observing changes in quality and microbial communities according to whether corn silage was treated with additives and the storage period, and to utilize them as basic research results. The experimental design was performed by 2˟4 factor desigh, and the untreated (CON), and the additive inoculated (ADD) silage were stored and fermented for 30 (TH), 60 (ST), 90 (NT), and 120 (OHT) days, with each condition repeated 3 times. There was no change in the nutrient content of corn silage according to additive treatment and storage period (p>0.05). However, the change in DM and the increase in the relative proportions of lactic acid content and Lactobacillales according to the storage period (p<0.05) indicate that continuous fermentation progressed until OHT days of fermentation. Enterobacterales (33.0%), Flavobacteriales (14.4%), Sphingobacteriales (12.7%), Burkholderiales (9.28%) and Pseudomonadales (6.18%) dominated before fermentation of corn silage, but after fermentation, the diversity of microorganisms decreased sharply due to the dominance of Lactobacillales (69.4%) and Bacillales (11.5%), Eubacteriales (7.59%). Therefore, silage maintained good fermentation quality with or without microbial additives throughout all fermentation periods, but considering the persistence of fermentation even in long-term storage and the aerobic stability, it would be advantageous to use microbial additives.

This study was conducted to estimate the effects of the forage process on rumen fermentation characteristics and greenhouse gas emissions of rye. Rye was grown at the Taeyoung Livestock farm and harvested at the heading stage. The harvested rye (5 kg) was sub-sampled for fresh forage, hay, and silage in triplicates. The sub-sampled rye was freeze-dried or air-dried for fresh forage or rye hay, respectively. For rye silage, the sub-sampled rye forage was ensiled into a 10 L mini bucket silo and stored for 90 days. For 72 h rumen incubation, each forage (0.3 g) was placed into the incubation bottle with the rumen mixture (30 mL) in quadruplicates. After the incubation, total gas was measured and sub-sampled for CO2 and CH4 analyses, and the bottle content was centrifuged for in vitro digestibilities of dry matter (IVDMD) and neutral detergent fiber (IVNDFD), and rumen fermentation characteristics. Silage had higher crude protein, crude ash, and acid detergent fiber concentrations than fresh forage and hay but lower non-fiber carbohydrates and relative feed value (p<0.05). And, silage had higher lactic acid bacteria than the other forages but lower pH (p<0.05). After 72 h incubation in the rumen, fresh forage had higher IVDMD and butyrate content than the other forages (p<0.05). However, silage had higher rumen pH and propionate content than the other forages but lower A:P ratio (p<0.05). Regarding greenhouse gases, silage had lowest total gas (mL/g DMD and NDFD) and CH4 (mL/g DMD and NDFD) emissions, while fresh forage had lowest CO2 (mL/g DMD) emission (p<0.05). Therefore, this study concluded that the ensiling process of rye can effectively mitigate greenhouse gas emissions of Hanwoo.

This study was conducted to determine the optimal spring seeding dates for alfalfa yield and feed value. The experiment was conducted annually for three years (2021~2023) at the field in the Department of Animal Resources Development, NIAS, located in Cheonan. The treatments involved six seeding dates ranging from February 24 to April 14, with 10days intervals. Alfalfa was harvested four times a year at the early flowering stage. Dry matter yield showed a tendency to decrease with delayed the seeding date. However, depending on the climatidc condisions in the seeding year, the dry matter yield on March 14 or 24 was comparable to that on February 24. Annual dry matter yield varied, influenced by the daylight conditions each year. The average feed value did not significantly differ within in the same year with delayed seeding dates (p>0.05). Therefore, the most stable period for alfalfa spring seeding in the central area of South Korea is considered to be from February 24 to April 4, with February 24 indentified as the optimal date.

Understanding changes in fermentation characteristics and microbial populations of forage silage during ensiling is of interest for improving the nutrient value of the feed for ruminants. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in fermentation characteristics and bacterial communities of whole crop rice (WCR) silage during the ensiling period. The chemical compositions, pH, organic acids and bacterial communities were evaluated at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months after ensiling. The bacterial communities were classified at both the genus and species levels. The dry matter content of WCR silage decreased with the length of storage (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in crude protein and NDF contents. Following fermentation, the pH level of WCR silage was lower than the initial level. The lactic acid content remained at high levels for 3 to 6 months after ensiling, followed by a sharp decline at 12 months (p<0.05). Before fermentation, the WCR was dominated by Weissella (30.8%) and Pantoea (20.2%). Growth of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (31.4%) was observed at 3 months after ensiling. At 6 months, there was a decrease in Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (10.2%) and an increase in Levilactobacillus brevis (12.8%), resulting in increased bacteria diversity until that period. The WCR silage was dominated by Lentilactobacillus buchneri (71.2%) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (27.0%) with a sharp reduction in diversity at 12 months. Overall, the WCR silage maintained satisfactory fermentation quality over a 12-month ensiling period. Furthermore, the fermentation characteristics of silage were found to be correlated to bacterial microbiome.

The present study estimated rumen fermentation characteristics and greenhouse gas emissions of different forages. Alfalfa, timothy, tall fescue, Italian ryegrass, and rice straw as the main forage sources for Hanwoo were used in the present study. Crude protein was highest in alfalfa but lowest in rice straw (p<0.05). Ether extract was higher in alfalfa and Italian ryegrass than in the other forages (p<0.05). Crude ash was highest in rice straw but lowest in tall fescue (p<0.05). Neutral detergent fiber was highest in tall fescue but lowest in alfalfa (p<0.05). Acid detergent fiber was highest in Italian ryegrass and rice straw but lowest in alfalfa (p<0.05). In vitro digestibilities of dry matter (DMD) and neutral detergent fiber (NDFD) were highest in timothy but lowest in rice straw (p<0.05). Rumen pH was highest (p<0.05) in alfalfa, while ammonia-N was higher (p<0.05) in alfalfa and Italian ryegrass than in the other forages. Total volatile fatty acid was highest (p<0.05) in timothy, while acetate and propionate were highest (p<0.05) in alfalfa and rice straw, respectively. Acetate to propionate ratio was higher (p<0.05) in alfalfa, timothy, and Italian ryegrass than in rice straw. Rice straw had lowest total gas (mL) (p<0.05) but highest its per DMD and NDFD. Rice straw had higher (p<0.05) CO2 (per DMD and NDFD) compared to alfalfa (per DMD and NDFD), timothy (per DMD and NDFD), tall fescue (per NDFD), and Italian ryegrass (per DMD). Again, rice straw had higher (p<0.05) CH4 (per DMD and NDFD) compared to timothy (per DMD and NDFD) and tall fescue (per NDFD). Therefore, this study indicates that timothy has a higher nutrient digestibility and volatile fatty acid in the rumen leading to a reduction of greenhouse gas emission.

본 연구는 수분함량과 미생물 첨가제가 알팔파 사일리지의 발효특성과 사료가치에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 수행되었다. 알팔파는 개화 10% 시기에서 수확되었으며 수분 함량(M60, M50, M40 및 M30)이 60, 50, 40 및 30%일 때 각각 이용하였다. 1500g을 샘플링한 후, 증류수 10mL을 첨가한 미첨가구(NAD)와 Lactococcus lactis 와 Pediococcus pentosaceus의 혼합물을 증류수(0.1g/10mL)에 1.5 x 1010cfu/g 농도로 희석한 후 접종한 미생물 균주 첨가구(ADD)를 3개월 및 6개월 발효하였다. 수분 및 미생물 첨가제에 따른 연평균 알팔파의 조단백, 중성세제 불용성 섬유 및 산성세제 불용성 섬유에서 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 모든 발효기간에서 pH는 ADD의 M40에서 가장 낮았다(p<0.05). NAD 처리구에서는 젖산이 M50에서 가장 높았고(p<0.05), ADD 처리군에서는 M40 시험구에서 젖산이 가장 높았다(p<0.05). NAD와 ADD의 M60은 젖산 함량이 다른 수분 함량들에 비해 가장 낮으며(p<0.05) 낙산이 유일하게 검출되었다. 미생물군집의 상대적 풍부도는 ADD 처리구의 M40과 M50에서 Homo LAB (Enterococcus, Lactiplantibacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, Lactococcus, Pediococcus)의 비율이 가장 높았고, Clostridium은 M60에서 가장 높았다.

This study was aimed to isolate bacterial inoculants producing chitinase and evaluate their application effects on corn silage. Four corn silages were collected from four beef cattle farms to serve as the sources of bacterial inoculants. All isolates were tested against Fusarium graminearum head blight fungus MHGNU F132 to confirm their antifungal effects. The enzyme activities (carboxylesterase and chitinase) were also measured to isolate the bacterial inoculant. Based on the activities of anti-head blight fungus, carboxylesterase, and chitinase, L. buchneri L11-1 and L. paracasei L9-3 were subjected to silage production. Corn forage (cv. Gwangpyeongok) was ensiled into a 10 L mini silo (5 kg) in quadruplication for 90 days. A 2 × 2 factorial design consists of F. graminearum contamination at 1.0104 cfu/g (UCT (no contamination) vs. CT (contamination)) and inoculant application at 2.1 × 105 cfu/g (CON (no inoculant) vs. INO (inoculant)) used in this study. After 90 days of ensiling, the contents of CP, NDF, and ADF increased (p<0.05) by F. graminearum contamination, while IVDMD, acetate, and aerobic stability decreased (p<0.05). Meanwhile, aerobic stability decreased (p<0.05) by inoculant application. There were interaction effects (p<0.05) on IVNDFD, NH3-N, LAB, and yeast, which were highest in UCT-INO, UCT-CON, CT-INO, and CT-CON & INO, respectively. In conclusion, this study found that mold contamination could negatively impact silage quality, but isolated inoculants had limited effects on IVNDFD and yeast.

The present study investigated the effects of forage cutting and baler mixing on the chemical compositions, fermentation indices, and aerobic stability of whole crop rice (WCR) haylage. The WCR (“Youngwoo”) was harvested at 48.4% dry matter and ensiled into a 300 kg bale silo with forage cutting (whole crop without cutting vs. 5 cm of cutting length). The WCR forages were ensiled without baler mixing process (CON) or with (MIX). The concentrations of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, crude ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber of whole crop rice before ensiling were 48.4, 9.70, 2.57, 6.11, 41.2, and 23.5%, respectively. The forage cutting did not affect the chemical compositions, fermentation indices, microbes, and aerobic stability of WCR haylage (p>0.05). The CON haylages tend to be higher in NDF content (p<0.10). The MIX haylages had lower in lactate (p=0.019), and lactate:acetate ratio (p<0.001). The MIX haylages had higher in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (p=0.010). Therefore, this study concluded that the fermentation quality of WCR haylage improved by baler mixing, but had no effects by forage cutting.

본 연구에서는 미생물 첨가에 따라 거세한우 비육우 분의 이화 학적 특성, 미생물 성상, 가스발생량 및 퇴비 부숙도에 미치는 영 향을 규명하고자 수행하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합하면, 4주 후,미생물 첨가구에서 수분, 유기물, 총질소 함량 및 pH가 낮았으며, 나머지 이화학적 특성에서는 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 유산균과 효모균 수는 증가하였으며, 대장균 수는 감소하였다. 12주 후, 미 생물 첨가구에서 유산균과 고초균 수는 높았으나, 수분, 효모 및 대장균 수는 낮게 낮았다. 하지만 암모니아, 황화수소 발생량과 퇴비 부숙도는 미생물 첨가에 의한 효과가 나타나지 않았다. 따라 서, 거세한우 분에 미생물을 첨가하면 유익균은 증가하고, 병원성 미생물은 감소하여, 비육우의 생산성은 증진될 것으로 사료되지 만, 가스 발생량 및 퇴비 부숙도에 대한 추가적인 연구는 지속적 으로 수행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on the quality of high moisture rye silage. Rye forage (Secale cereale L.) was harvested at the heading stage (27.3% of dry matter (DM)) and cut into approximately 3-5 cm lengths. Then, the forage divided into 4 treatments with different inoculants: 1) No additives (CON); 2) Lactobacillus brevis strain 100D8 at a 1.2 x 105 colony-forming unit (cfu)/g of fresh forage (LBR); 3) Leuconostoc holzapfelii strain 5H4 at a 1.0 x 105 cfu/g of fresh forage (LHO); and 4) Mixture of LBR and LHO (1:1 ratio) applied at a 1.0 x 105 cfu/g of fresh forage (MIX). About 3 kg of forage from each treatment was ensiled into a 20 L mini-bucket silo in quadruplicate for 100 days. After silo opening, silage was collected for analyses of chemical compositions, in vitro nutrient digestibilities, fermentation characteristics, and microbial enumerations. The CON silage had the highest concentrations of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (p = 0.006; p = 0.008) and a lowest in vitro DM digestibility (p < 0.001). The pH was highest in CON silage, while lowest in LBR and MIX silages (p < 0.001). The concentrations of ammonia-N, lactate, and acetate were highest in LBR silage (p = 0.008; p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Propionate and butyrate concentrations were highest in CON silage (p = 0.004; p < 0.001). The LAB and yeast counts were higher in CON and LHO silages compare to LBR and MIX silages (p < 0.001). However, the mold did not detect in all treatments. Therefore, this study could conclude that L. brevis 100D8 and Leu. holzapfelii strain 5H4 can improve the digestibility and anti-fungal activity of high moisture rye silage.

The present study investigated effects of microbial additives and silo density on chemical compositions, fermentation indices, and aerobic stability of whole crop rice (WCR) silage. The WCR (“Youngwoo”) was harvested at 49.7% dry matter (DM), and ensiled into 500 kg bale silo with two different compaction pressures at 430 kgf (kilogram-force)/cm2 (LOW) and 760 kgf/cm2 (HIGH) densities. All WCR forage were applied distilled water (CON) or mixed inoculants (Lactobacillus brevis 5M2 and Lactobacillus buchneri 6M1) with 1:1 ratio at 1x105 colony forming unit/g (INO). The concentrations of DM, crude protein, ether extract, crude ash, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber of whole crop rice before ensiling were 49.7, 9.59, 2.85, 6.74, 39.7, and 21.9%, respectively. Microbial additives and silo density did not affect the chemical compositions of WCR silage (p>0.05). The INO silages had lower lactate (p<0.001), but higher propionate (p<0.001). The LOW silages had higher lactate (p=0.004). The INO silages had higher yeast count (p<0.001) and aerobic stability (p<0.001). However, microbial counts and aerobic stability were not affected by silo density. Therefore, this study concluded that fermentation quality of WCR silage improved by microbial additives, but no effects by silo density.

The present study was aimed to estimate the effect of ensiling period and bacterial inoculants on chemical compositions and fermentation characteristics on rye silage harvested at delayed stage. Rye (Secale cereale L.) was harvested after 20 days of heading stage (29.4% dry matter, DM). The harvested rye forage was applied with different inoculants following: applications of distilled water (CON), Lactobacillus brevis (LBB), Leuconostoc holzapfelii (LCH), or mixture of LBB and LCH at 1:1 ratio (MIX). Each forage was ensiled into 20 L mini bucket silo (5 kg) for 50 (E50D) and 100 (E100D) days in triplicates. The E50D silages had higher in vitro digestibilities of DM (IVDMD, p<0.001) and neutral detergent fiber (IVNDFD, p=0.013), and lactate (p=0.009), and acetate (p=0.011) than those of E100D, but lower pH, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and yeast. By inoculant application, LCH had highest IVDMD and IVNDFD (p<0.05), while MIX had highest lactate and lowest pH (p<0.05). The CON and LCH in E50D had highest LAB and yeast (p<0.05), whereas LBB in E100D had lowest (p<0.05). Therefore, this study concluded that LCH application improved the nutrient digesbility (IVDMD and IVNDFD) of lignified rye silage, and longer ensiling period for 100 days enhanced the fermentation characteristics of silage compared to ensiling for 50 days.

This study was conducted to estimate the effect of different cutting lengths on fermentation characteristics and aerobic stability of whole crop rice (WCR) silage. The WCR was harvested at the yellow ripe stage (43.7%, DM), and then cut at 5 (R05), 10 (R10), and 20 cm (R20) of the theoretical length of cut with no cut WCR (R60). Each forage was ensiled into 20 L mini bucket silo (5 kg) for 150 days in quadruplicates. The cutting lengths were not affected the chemical compositions of WCR silage (p > 0.05). The pH (p < 0.001) and concentration of ammonia-N (p = 0.022) in WCR silage were increased linearly with the increase of cutting length. The concentration of lactate had quadratic effect (p = 0.007), which was highest in R20 silage (p < 0.05). The concentration of acetate was increased linearly (p = 0.014), but the concentration of butyrate was decreased linearly (p = 0.033). The lactic acid bacteria count was decreased linearly (p = 0.017), and yeast count had quadratic effect (p = 0.009), which was the highest in R20 silage (p < 0.05). Aerobic stability had strong quadratic effect (p < 0.001), which was the highest in R20 silage (p < 0.05). In conclusion, R60 silage had highest pH by a linear increase of ammonia-N concentration and led to low aerobic stability. While R20 silage had the lowest pH by high lactate concentration and led to high aerobic stability.

Membrane separation processes have been widely used in water purification or gas separation applications because of their process simplicity, low cost operation and small footprint. Nowadays, applications of ceramic membranes with high thermal, chemical and mechanical resistance has rapidly grown in new separation applications where the polymeric membranes cannot be used (e.g., high temperature, strong acidic/basic or solvent-contained corrosive feed solution). In this study, robust ceramic hollow fiber membranes were prepared by extrusion-phase inversion followed by sintering. The effects of preparation conditions on membrane characteristics were studied to improve the separation performance of ceramic membranes. In addition, a variety of modification methods and applications based on ceramic hollow fiber membranes will be discussed.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique has recently been applied in agriculture and food science. It has potential to visualize internal structure of foods in nondestructive way and provides spatial information which could make reconstruct of three-dimension. MRI system also has great advantage for tracking water in beans or seeds. This study intends to analyze the changes of water distribution of coffee beans during water up-taking process. Samples used in the experiment were ‘Robusta’ coffee beans (Vietnam G1, Scr18 polish). A 30mm diameter plastic disposable test tube was used to hold bean during water up-take process. The oil column was placed next to the tube to get and to use as a reference signal. The magnetic resonance imaging system which installed at Institution for Agricultural Machinery & ICT Convergence in Chonbuk National University was used to obtain magnetic resonance (MR) image data sets. 30 images are included in each image data sets with ‘Axial’ image plane direction. In experiment, we used ‘Gradient Echo 3D’ pulse sequence. The water uptake process was performed for 150 minutes and acquired image data sets in every 10 minutes. This study showed some coffee beans which extracted as region of interest (ROI) from each images to study the water uptake process.

Korea is the second largest coffee consuming country in Asia after the Philippines. For modern people, coffee has jumped over a favorite food and grown into a single culture. There are many processing ways to make coffee. In this study, we utilized magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) and achieved to acquire images with an non-destructive and non-invasive way. The samples we used in the experiment were ‘Robusta’ coffee bean(Congo). Magnetic resonance(MR) image sets were acquired using a MRI system, installed at Institution for Agricultural Machinery & ICT Convergence at Chonbuk National University. From the raw phase(Green Bean stage) to the roasted phase, we obtained MR images from each phase to monitor the internal changes. We divided experiment into 5 stages, starting with ‘Green Bean’ phase to ‘Roasted’ phase. We obtained images every 6 hours during the ‘Fermentation’ phase and every 3 hours during the ‘Dry’ phase. In MRI, we used a gradient echo pulse sequence to scan fast and to take images right after each experiment stage ends. The direction of imaging plane was coronal 30 images with 64 mm x 64 mm field of view(FOV). As MRI uses the magnetic properties of nuclei which especially hydrogen nuclei from water molecules, images could see clearly with sufficient moisture, but in ‘Dry’ phase, images obtained with noise involved. These result suggested that MRI technique was an efficient method to monitor the moisture distribution changes inside the coffee beans.