We compared the reproductive performance, non-productive performance, and milk composition performance of two groups of lactating cows that were either rice straw or tall fescue. We also compared and analyzed these parameters after the first parturition during the breeding period. The calving interval, artificial insemination, and duration from calving to conception were longer in the rice straw group than in the tall fescue group. The 305-day and peak milk yields were significantly higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.01). Milk fat content was significantly higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.001), but milk protein content was the same between the feeding groups. The difference in raw milk sales income between rice straw and tall fescue groups tended to increase as the number of lactations increased, but there was no effect of reduced feed costs. Analysis of the milk production and raw milk sales income of the surveyed farms revealed that the average milk production per head was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group, and raw milk sales income showed a similar tendency. Overall, these results provide important details to be considered when selecting feed as a way to reduce milk production and heifer raising costs. However, there remains a need for future follow-up studies exploring the relationship between feed choice and the management of heifers.

The experiment was conducted to determine the changes in seed productivity of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) according to nitrogen fertilization levels in the southern region of Korea. Italian ryegrass (IRG) variety 'Green Call' was sown in the fall of 2021 in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. The experiment consisted of three nitrogen fertilizer levels (100, 120, and 140 N kg/ha) with three replications using a randomized complete block design. Harvesting was done approximately 30 days after heading on May 18th. There was no difference in heading date among treatments, which occurred on April 18th. The longest IRG was observed in the 140 N kg/ha treatment, but there was no significant difference. No significant differences were observed in lodging, disease resistance, and cold tolerance among treatments, but lodging was severe in all treatments. The length of the spike averaged 44.95 cm, with no difference among treatments, and the number of seeds per spike was highest in the 120 N kg/ha treatment. Seed yield increased with increasing nitrogen fertilizer levels, averaging 3,707 kg/ha (as-fed basis). DM content of seed and straw averaged 76.95% and 62.19%, respectively, with no significant differences among treatments. The remaining straw after harvesting averaged 6,525 kg/ha on a dry matter basis, with the highest value observed in the 140 N kg/ha treatment. Overall, considering the results, the optimal nitrogen fertilizer application rate for seed production of Italian ryegrass in the southern region when sown in autumn was found to be 120 N kg/ha.

Given the recent increases in feed cost, the demand for rice straw has been increasing on dairy farms because it is cheaper than expensive imported forages. Therefore, it is necessary to study the effect of rice straw feeding on the growth and productivity of dairy heifers. This study compared how feeding tall fescue and rice straw affects the growth, age at first calving, and feed cost of heifers. we compared the growth, age at first calving, and feed cost for each group during the breeding period. Body height was higher in the tall fescue-fed group than in the rice straw-fed group (p<0.05). The length of the growing stage was significantly shorter in the tall fescue group than in the rice straw group (p<0.001) and the age at calving also showed a significant reduction in the tall fescue group compared to the rice straw group (p<0.001). However, the feed cost was lower in the rice straw group because of the difference in the unit price of forage (p<0.001). Based on these results, during the growing period, the rice straw group had delays in growth and the age at first calving compared to the tall fescue group, but also had reduced feed costs in the short term.

The aim of this study was to prepare rice straw silage using cabbage by-product and persimmon peel which are agricultural by-products produced during the same season in Korea. The treatments comprised a commercial corn silage as the control and four rice straw silages (P15-1, P15-2, P30-1, and P30-2) with different levels of persimmon peel supplementation (15%, 30%) and ensiled periods (1 or 2 months). The cabbage by-products were used to adjust silage moisture (approximately 65%). The quality of the experimental silages was evaluated based on organic acid content, palatability to three Holstein dairy cows, and manufacturing cost. In the corn silage, all chemical compositions, except total digestible nutrients and levels of lactic and butyric acids, were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of the rice straw silages. However, considering the quality analysis using Flieg's score, the rice straw silage supplemented with 30% persimmon peel ensiled for 2 months (P30-2) was estimated as second grade to corn silage, and was relatively better in palatability to dairy cows than the other rice straw silages, which were considered third grade. The manufacturing cost of rice straw silages using cabbage by-product and persimmon peel compared to that of corn silage was reduced by 28%. Consequently, to prepare rice straw silage adjusted to 65% moisture using only cabbage by-products without inoculant, 30% of persimmon peel, 10% of ground corn, and 2% of molasses as a sugar source should be ensiled for at least 2 months.

본 연구는 사일리지 발효제 첨가가 볏짚 사일리지에서 곰팡이 독소 및 in situ 섬유소 소화율에 미치는 영향을 평가하고자 실시 하였다. 사일리지 발효제로 L. plantarum 단일제 및 L. plantarum 과 S. cerevisiae의 혼합제를 첨가하였을 때 사일리지의 발효 및 섬유소 분해에 영향을 주었을 뿐만 아니라 곰팡이독소 감소에도 영향을 주었다. 시험 시료에서 곰팡이독소 중 ochratoxin A 및 zearalenone만 발견되었다. Ochratoxin A 및 zearalenone는 대조구에서 각각 38.11±2.22 및 633.67±50.30 ug/kg 수준으로 발효제 첨가로 감소 경향이 나타났고, 혼합제에서만 각각 27.78±2.28 및 392.72± 25.04 ug/kg 수준으로 유의적 차이를 보였다(p<0.05). pH는 대조 구에 비하여 단일제 및 혼합제에서 낮았고(p<0.05), lactic acid는 대조구(8.18±0.93 mM)에 비하여 단일제(11.73±0.31 mM)가 높았고, 혼합제(16.01±0.88 mM)에서 가장 높은 수준을 나타내었다 (p<0.05). Acetic acid와 propionic acid는 발효제 첨가에 따라 유 의적으로 낮아짐을 발견하였다(p<0.05). 그리고 total VFA도 발 효제 첨가가 대조구에 비하여 낮았다(p<0.05). NDF 및 ADF의 반추위 in situ 분해율은 배양기간 동안 혼합제가 가장 높은 수준 의 분해율을 유지하였고, 다음으로 단일제가 높았으며, 대조구가 가장 낮은 수준을 유지하였다. 그리고 이들 NDF 및 ADF 분해율 은 각각 배양 12 및 24시간 이후 모든 시간대에서 실험구간 유의 차를 나타내었다(p<0.05). 이상의 연구 결과는 볏짚 사일리지 제조에서 사일리지 발효제 사용은 발효 및 섬유소 분해에 영향을 주었을 뿐만 아니라 곰팡 이독소 감소에도 영향을 주었다. 그리고 곰팡이독소 감소는 L. plantarum 단일제보다 L. plantarum과 S. cerevisiae 혼합제의 효능이 더 크게 나타났다. 따라서 사일리지 조제를 위한 발효제로 L. plantarum과 L. plantarum 첨가제의 사용은 사일리지의 품질 과 안정성을 더 증진할 것으로 사료 된다.

The present study investigated the optimum additive ratio of wheat straw pellet as a substitute for beet pulp during oyster mushroom cultivation. The chemical properties across treatments were pH of 4.8–5.5, total carbon content of 45.9–46.5%, total nitrogen content of 1.5–1.7%, and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 27.8–31.0. Mycelial growth was the fastest in a medium containing 20% wheat straw pellet (at 88.2 mm in ‘Heuktari’ and 70.3–79.6 mm in ‘Suhan-1Ho’); however, there were no significant differences in mycelial density among the treatments. The characteristics of fruiting bodies by variety were as follows. In ‘Heuktari’, the valid stipe number per bottle (1,100 cc) was 22.5 and yield was 177.1 g/1,100 cc in the mixed medium containing 10% wheat straw pellet, with the values being comparable to those of controls. In ‘Suhan-1Ho’, the valid stipe number per bottle (1,100 cc) was 14.0 and yield was 151.2 g/1,100 cc in the mixed medium containing 10% wheat straw pellet, with the values being comparable to those of controls.

Sperm cryopreservation is a fundamental process for the long-term conservation of livestock genetic resources. Yet, the packaging method has been shown, among other factors, to affect the frozen-thawed (FT) sperm quality. This study aimed to develop a new mini-straw for sperm cryopreservation. In addition, the kinematic patterns, viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of boar spermatozoa frozen in the developed 0.25 mL straw, 0.25 mL (minitube, Germany), or 0.5 mL (IMV technologies, France) straws were assessed. Postthaw kinematic parameters were not different (experiment 1: total motility (33.89%, 32.42%), progressive motility (19.13%, 19.09%), curvilinear velocity (42.32, 42.86), and average path velocity (33.40, 33.62) for minitube and the developed straws, respectively. Further, the viability (38.56%, 34.03%), acrosome integrity (53.38%, 48.88%), MMP (42.32%, 36.71%) of spermatozoa frozen using both straw were not differ statistically (p > 0.05). In experiment two, the quality parameters for semen frozen in the developed straw were compared with the 0.5 mL IMV straw. The total motility (41.26%, 39.1%), progressive motility (24.62%, 23.25%), curvilinear velocity (46.44, 48.25), and average path velocity (37.98, 39.12), respectively, for IMV and the developed straw, did not differ statistically. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the viability (39.60%, 33.17%), acrosome integrity (46.23%, 43.23%), and MMP (39.66, 32.51) for IMV and the developed straw, respectively. These results validate the safety and efficiency of the developed straw and highlight its great potential for clinical application. Moreover, both 0.25 mL and 0.5 mL straws fit the present protocol for cryopreservation of boar spermatozoa.

Arsenic (As) uptake and accumulation from agricultural soil to rice vary depending on the soil environmental conditions such as soil pH, redox potential, clay content, and organic matter (OM) content. Therefore, these factors are important in predicting changes in the uptake and accumulation of As in rice plants. Here, we studied the chemical properties of As-contaminated and/or rice straw compost (RSC)-treated soils, the growth responses of RSC-applied rice plants under As-contaminated soils, the changes in As content of soil, and the relationship between As uptake and accumulation from the RSC-treated soils to the rice organs under As-contaminated soils. Rice plants were cultivated in 30 mg kg-1 As-contaminated soils under three RSC treatments: 0 (control), 12, and 24 Mg ha-1. No significant differences were indicated in the chemical properties of pre-experimental (before transplanting rice seedling) soils, with the exception of EC, OM, and available P2O5. As the treatment of RSC under 30 mg kg-1 As-contaminated soils increased, EC, OM, and available P2O5 increased proportionally in soil. Increased soil RSC under As-contaminated soils increased shoot dry weight of rice plants at harvesting stage. As content in roots increased proportionally with RSC content, whereas As content in shoots decreased under As-contaminated soil at all stages of rice plants. Nevertheless, As accumulation were significantly decreased in both roots and shoots of RSC-treated rice plants than those in the plants treated without RSC. These results indicate that the use of RSC can mitigate As phytotoxicity and reduce As accumulation in rice plants under As-contaminated soils. Therefore, RSC can potentially be applied to As-contaminated soil for safe crop and forage rice production.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the change in the productivity of Italian ryegrass seeds according to the inter-row spacing in the southern region of the Korean Peninsula. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ‘Green Call’ variety was sown in Jinju, Gyeongnam in the fall of 2020 with three inter-row spacings (20, 30 and 40 cm). The experiment was arranged a randomized block design with three replications. The ryegrass was sown on October 17, 2020, and the harvest was on May 31, about 60 days from the first heading stage. There was no difference among treatments with an average of April 27th in heading stage. Plant height was significantly longer at 30 cm seeding interval and the shortest in 20 cm treatment. The length of the spike was the longest in the 40 cm seeding interval, and the number of seeds per spike was the highest in the 20cm seeding interval, but there was no significant difference among treatments. The seed yield was the highest at the 20 cm sowing interval (2,180 kg/ha), and decreased as the spacing increased. The dry matter content of seeds and straw was found to be 44.90% and 45.51% on average, and there was no significant difference among treatments. The amount of remaining straw after harvesting was found to be 7,506 kg/ha on average on DM basis, and was high at the 20 cm seeding interval. In view of the above results, it was found that it is most advantageous to sow at intervals of 20 cm when producing Italian ryegrass seeds through autumn sowing in the southern region.

To investigate the domestic seed production potential of Italian ryegrass, it was sown in autumn in the southern region and harvested in the spring of the following year to investigate the productivity and quality of seeds and straw. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ‘GreenCall’ variety was sown in Jinju, Gyeongnam in the fall of 2020 with three seeding rates (20, 30 and 40 kg/ha). The experiment was arranged consisted of a randomized block design with three replications. The ryegrass was sown on October 17, 2020, and the harvest was on May 31, about 60 days from the heading stage. The heading stage of Italian ryegrass was April 28, and there was no difference among treatments. Plant height was significantly shorter in the 40 kg/ha seeding treatment group, and there was no significant difference in the remaining treatments. The resistance of lodging, disease, and cold did not show significant differences among treatments. Spike length and number of seeds per spike were highest at 20 kg/ha seeding amount, and there was no difference in the remaining treatments. The seed yield was the highest at 1,956 kg/ha in the 20 kg/ha seeding rate, and there was no difference in the 30 and 40 kg/ha seeding rates. The dry matter content of seeds and straws was 45.60 and 41.83% on average, and there was no significant difference among treatments. The amount of remaining straw after seed harvesting was found to be 7,689 kg/ha on average on a dry basis, and it was high in the 40 kg/ha sowing area, but there was no significant difference among treatments. According to the above results, it was found that it is most advantageous to sow at 20 kg/ha when producing Italian ryegrass seeds through autumn sowing in the southern region.

This in vitro study investigated the enhancement of rumen bacterial adhesion on a substrate to increase the digestibility of rice straw in Hanwoo cattle. The rice straw was pretreated with enzymes, probiotics, or ammonia, and the effects on the enhancement of bacterial adhesion and fiber degradation were analyzed using in vitro rumen fermentation. Enzyme treatment included spraying of cellulase and xylanase at 40 and 120 U per g of rice straw, respectively; Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture of 1.0×107 CFU was sprayed as a probiotic treatment per gram of rice straw; ammonia was sprayed at 0.3% per gram of rice straw. Following enzyme treatment, Fibrobacter succinogenes formed a higher adhesion colony than the control group (7.26±0.03 and 8.43±0.20) after 6h and 12h of in vitro culture (p<0.05), respectively. Attachment of Ruminococcus flavefaciens also increased following enzyme treatment (p<0.05) after 6 and 12 h compared to that of the control (5.18±0.06 and 6.60±0.15); and R. albus attachment showed a significant increase compared to that of the control (5.94±0.15) after 6 h of incubation (p<0.05). Probiotic treatment increased attachment of F. succinogenes in comparison with untreated rice straw after 6 h and 12 h of fermentation (p<0.05); R. flavefaciens attachment showed an increase only after 6 h of culture (p<0.05); R. albus was not affected. Attachment of F. succinogenes, R. flavefaciens, and R. albus increased with ammonia treatment after 6 h and 12 h (p<0.05). Dry matter digestibility was higher after the enzyme treatment (3.45±0.21 and 7.04±0.09) than in the control group(1.85±0.08 and 3.94±0.04) after 6 and 12 h of in vitro culture (p<0.05), respectively. It was also higher than that of untreated rice straw after probiotic and ammonia treatments (p<0.05). There was an increase in the enhancement levels of bacterial adhesion depending on the type of fibrolytic bacteria following enzyme, probiotic, and ammonia treatment. These treatments improved digestibility. This enhancement is considered to be greater following enzyme and ammonia treatments than with probiotics.

In the current work, we have developed a new composite catalyst for methanol oxidation based on Ni and/or NiO incorporated in activated carbon (AC) derived from agricultural wastes (Rice straw). The new electrocatalysts based on nickel-activated carbon (Ni/AC) and nickel oxide-activated carbon (NiO/AC) composites were prepared by electroless plating technique. Physico-chemical characteristics of the composites such as structure, composition and morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and particle size analyzer. The electrochemical activity of the prepared composites towards methanol electrooxidation reaction (MOR) has been evaluated under alkaline conditions by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. Among the examined electrodes, the electrochemical performance of NiO/AC preceded either Ni/ AC or Ni free AC and showed better stability. The dispersion of different forms of Ni in activated carbon in case of NiO/AC electrode is predicted to give rise to the increase in electrocatalytic activity in the potential range under study and makes it more resistant to poisoning by the byproduct of methanol oxidation. The effect of changing methanol concentrations and scan rates on the electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrode was studied and it was found that the diffusion process is controlled by methanol rather than OH− ions.

In the present study, we examined the effect of straw size on spermatozoa motility, viability, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and plasma membrane integrity after freezing-thawing. Hanwoo semen was collected from three bulls and diluted with an animal protein-free extender, divided into two groups, namely, 10 million spermatozoa in 0.25 mL and 20 million spermatozoa in 0.5 mL straw, and cryopreserved. In Experiment 1, the motility and motility parameters of the frozenthawed spermatozoa were evaluated. After freezing-thawing, the spermatozoa motility parameters fast progressive, straight line velocity, and average path velocity were compared between the 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. They were 35.2 ± 1.0 and 32.3 ± 0.7%, 34.6 ± 0.7 and 31.8 ± 0.5 μm/s, 51.4 ± 1.3 and 47.1 ± 1.1 μm/s, 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups, respectively. In Experiment 2, the viability, acrosome membrane integrity, and mitochondrial membrane potential of the frozen-thawed spermatozoa were assessed. After freezing-thawing, the percentages of spermatozoa with live, intact acrosomes and high mitochondrial membrane potential were compared between the in 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. They were 48.0 ± 2.6% and 35.6 ± 2.8% between the 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. In Experiment 3, the plasma membrane integrity of frozen-thawed spermatozoa was compared. After freezingthawing, the plasma membrane integrity was higher for the in 0.25 mL straw group than the 0.5 mL straw group. They were 62.0 ± 2.2 and 54.1 ± 1.3% between the 0.25 mL straw and 0.5 mL straw groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that freezing semen in 0.25 mL straw improves the relative motility, viability, and acrosomal, mitochondrial membrane potential, and plasma membrane integrity of Hanwoo bull spermatozoa.

Pleurotus djamor var. roseus is an edible mushroom isolated from the wild and cultivated on paddy straw substrates. The present study was carried out to compare the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of P. djamor var. roseus at different growth stages (primordia, basidiomata, and mycelia). The protein content was is in the range of 31.48 to 35.50 g/100g dw. The crude fiber content ranged from 8.0 to 14.60 g, and that of total carbohydrates ranged from 44.75 to 48.90 g. Sodium, magnesium, and calcium reached the maximum levels in basidiomata, and selenium was detected in basidiomata and mycelia (0.47 - 0.22 mg/Kg). The amino acid profile showed that all essential and nonessential amino acids and glycine showed maximum levels in basidiomata and 15.98 ± 0.01 g/100g. The fatty acid profile showed the presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids; the unsaturated fatty acid content was maximum in all of the samples, ranging from 76 – 40.41%. The total phenol and flavonoid contents as well as the scavenging (DPPH), ferric thiocyanate (FTC), and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) activities in the context of methanol and water extracts from primordia, basidiomata, and mycelium were determined. Among them, basidiomata and mycelial methanol extracts exhibited significant antioxidant activity. Overall, these findings show that P. djamor var. roseus can be used as a functional food for daily consumption.

This study was conducted to research on the efficacy of chemical treatment as an effective method for reducing mycotoxin in rice straw silage. As a chemical treatment method, ammonia and sodium hydroxid were treated at 4% level of rice straws contaminated with mycotoxin, and the effects of silage storage on fungal toxin reduction, fermentation quality, and fiber digestion were evaluated. Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and fumonisin B1, B2 as well as deoxynivalenol were not detected in all experimental groups, and ochratoxin A and zearalenone were detected. Ochratoxin A was detected lower in the chemical treatment than control (41.23 g / kg) (p<0.05). Zearalenone showed lower results in sodium hydroxide treatment (297.44 μg / kg) than control (600.33 μg / kg) and ammonia treatment (376.00 μg / kg) (p<0.05). The pH of rice straw silage was the lowest in ammonia treatment and the highest in sodium hydroxide treatment (p<0.05). The lactic acid contents of control and ammonia treatments were similar, but sodium hydroxide treatment was the lowest (p<0.05). Propionic acid was higher in the control than in the chemical treatments (p<0.05), and showed similar contents in the ammonia and sodium hydroxide treatment. Both the rumen microbial degradation rate of NDF and ADF showed the highest in sodium hydroxide treatment, followed by ammonia treatment, and the control showed the lowest level (p<0.05). Therefore, the results of this study are demonstrated to have a good effect on the treatment of ammonia and sodium hydroxide to reduce the mycotoxins and increase the rumen microbial degradation rate in the rice straw silage. Sodium hydroxide treatment was more effective in reducing mycotoxins and improving fiber degradation rate than ammonia treatment, but it is thought to have an inefficient effect on silage fermentation in rice straw silage.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of different storage periods of lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-fermented low moisture fresh rice straw silage. The low moisture fresh rice straw sample was inculcated with LAB and stored for different storage periods such as 45, 90, and 365 days, respectively. The low moisture fresh rice straw (LMFRS) silage inoculated with LAB exhibited reduction in pH throughout the fermentation as compared with the control (P<0.05). The lactic acid content was increased at the late fermentation period (90 and 365 days, respectively) in LAB inoculated LMFRS silage as compared with the control (P<0.05). In contrast, the acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations were slightly reduced in the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage sample at 90 and 365 days fermentation, respectively. Meanwhile, the non-inoculated LMFRS silage showed higher amounts of acetic acid and butyric acid at an extended fermentation with low bacterial population as compared with the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage. However, lactic acid concentration was slightly high in the non-inoculated LMFRS silage at early 45 days fermentation. Additionally, the nutrient profile such as crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and total digestibility nutrients (TDN) were not significantly different in control and LAB inculcated samples during all fermentation. Though, the microbial population was greater in the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage as compared with the control. However, the massive population was noted in the LAB inoculated LMFRS silage during all fermentation. It indicates that the inoculated LAB is the main reason for increasing fermentation quality in the sample through pH reduction by organic acids production. Overall results suggest that the LAB inoculums are the effective strain that could be a suitable for LMFRS silage fermentation at prolonged days.