Browsing by Subject "NIRS"

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    Evaluation of new open pollinating broccoli genotypes (Brassica oleracea convar. botrytis var. italica) specifically bred for organic farming conditions focusing on agronomic performance and glucosinolate content
    (2018) Sahamishirazi, Samira; Graeff-Hönninger, Simone
    Currently, a considerable share of varieties being used in the organic vegetable production are developed for conventional high-input production systems, and broccoli is no exception. In addition, F1 hybrids are cultivated in organic broccoli production to a great extent because of high quality and yield. Two main restrictions of cultivating the mentioned categories of varieties in organic farming are; 1) ban of using cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in organic agriculture for reproduction of F1 hybrids of broccoli and limitations of farmers to produce their own seeds, 2) absence of special traits of these varieties which result in weaker performance when being cultivated under organically low-input conditions. In contrast to hybrids, cultivation of open pollinating broccoli varieties gives the opportunity of reproducing seeds to organic farmers. Therefore, developing new open pollinating broccoli varieties, which have the same quality (agronomical, chemical and sensorial) as F1 hybrids, through organic breeding programs (on-farm breeding) would allow the organic broccoli farmers to replace the hybrids with varieties adapted to organic production conditions. With this in mind, the German Federal office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) initiated a project on “Breeding development of open pollinating cultivars of broccoli for organic farming in terms of agronomic characteristics, secondary and bioactive ingredients and sensory properties”. This was a joint project which was done through the cooperation of University of Hohenheim and Kultursaat e. V. (NGO of on-farm breeders) in two parts during six years (2011-2016). The present doctoral thesis, which was a part of the mentioned project, aims at 1) investigating the agronomic performance of the newly bred open pollinating genotypes of broccoli, 2) developing a Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) method for fast analysis of total, indole, aliphatic and individual glucosinolates content of broccoli samples; and 3) determining the total and individual glucosinolate content of the newly bred open pollinating genotypes of broccoli. For investigations on agronomic performance, two field experiments were carried out by cultivating eleven newly bred open pollinating genotypes, two F1 hybrids and an open pollinating variety of broccoli over two growing seasons of fall 2015 and spring 2016. Evaluation of the effect of genotype, growing season and their interactions on agronomic parameters were targeted in this study. According to our findings, assessment of agronomic variables indicated that although there were distinctions in different parameters such as head firmness, head shape and total biomass fresh weight among the newly bred open pollinating genotypes, some genotypes performed similar to hybrid varieties in organic farming. However, most of the open pollinating genotypes had 16 % to 73 % lower yields compared to the hybrid varieties depending on growing season. Generally, the “marketable yield” of the genotypes was under the significant effect of “genotype × growing season interaction”. Head weight was significantly affected by growing season which resulted in significantly lower head weight of some genotypes in the spring compared to the fall season. Overall, cultivation of the genotypes in fall season led to significantly higher marketable yields, head weight and total biomass weight, as well as firmer heads in contrast to the spring season. Considering the performance of different agronomic parameters, we recommend genotypes “TH-CAN-SPB”, “Calinaro”, “CHE-GRE-G” for both fall and spring growing season. Other genotypes such as “CHE-GRE-A”, “CHE-BAL-A” and “CHE-MIC” and “Line 701” are also recommended for cultivation in spring growing season specifically due to the high marketable yield and share of marketable heads. In addition, this thesis aimed at testing a fast analytical technique for determination of glucosinolates content in order to help breeders to quickly test their most favorable genotypes during breeding procedures based on glucosinolates content. For this purpose, the accuracy of NIRS technic was tested, regardless of type of genotype, for fast analysis of the individual and total glucosinolates content of broccoli samples. NIRS calibration was developed by reference method of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) based on modified partial least squares regression, to measure individual and total glucosinolates content of open pollinating genotypes of broccoli regardless of the type of genotype. The calibration was analyzed using coefficient of determination in prediction (R2) and ratio of preference of determination (RPD). Large variation occurred in the calibrations, R2 and RPD due to the variability of the samples. Derived calibrations for total glucosinolates (RPD = 1.36), aliphatic glucosinolates (RPD = 1.65), glucoraphanin (RPD = 1.63) and 4-methoxyglucobrassicin (RPD = 1.11) were quantitative with a high accuracy, while for indole glucosinolates (RPD = 0.95), glucosinigrin (RPD = 0.62), glucoiberin (RPD = 0.67), glucobrassicin (RPD = 0.81) and neoglucobrassicin (RPD = 0.56) they were more qualitative. Overall, the results showed a good potential of NIRS in determination of different glucosinolates in a large sample pool of broccoli quantitatively and qualitatively. The achieved calibration equations were used to measure glucosinolates content of the broccoli samples of following years. To evaluate the health beneficial value of the open pollinating genotypes, the glucosinolates content of them were determined. The determination was done by the tested NIRS technic. Six individual glucosinolates were detected in the broccoli samples similar to findings of the previous chapter. Glucoraphanin (1.44-1.69 µmol g-1 DW), glucobrassicin (0.63-0.77 µmol g-1 DW) and neoglucobrassicin (0.38-0.74 µmol g-1 DW) had the highest share and were the main individual glucosinolates. Total glucosinolates content ranged from 3.46 to 3.60 µmol g-1 DW across both growing season. Significant effect of genotype and growing season existed on the total glucosinolates content of broccoli samples. All individual glucosinolates were affected by genotype. The effect of growing season was significant on all individual glucosinolates, except for glucobrassicin. The interaction of genotype × growing season was significant on all indole glucosinolates, glucoraphanin and glucoiberin. Generally, the glucosinolates content of the samples were higher when broccoli genotypes were cultivated in the fall growing season, however the difference in the level of glucosinolates contents across seasons was significant only for glucoraphanin, neoglucobrassicin, 4-methoxyglucobrassicin and glucoiberin. The open pollinating genotypes showed a similar range of glucosinolates compared to the tested hybrids and performed as good as the hybrids. Since total glucosinolates were nearly similar in all open pollinating genotypes across seasons, all are recommended for cultivation in both growing seasons. It is important to note that this study only focused on a single health beneficial compound (glucosinolate) in broccoli heads. To provide a full insight into the nutritive and health benefiting compounds of broccoli such as vitamins and polyphenols, supplementary studies will have to be conducted. All in all, releasing new open pollinating broccoli varieties out of this pool of genotypes and replacing the present varieties with them seemed beneficial due to the well adapted agronomic performance and high health value with regard to glucosinolates content under organic farming conditions.
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    Ruminal degradation characteristics of barley, rye, and triticale grains assayed in situ and in vitro, and by near-infrared spectroscopy
    (2017) Krieg, Jochen; Rodehutscord, Markus
    The milk yield of dairy cows and related energy and protein requirements have steadily increased in the last few decades. Since feed intake has not increased to the same extent as nutritional requirements, the concentration of nutrients in mixed rations had to be increased. An increase in energy concentration is often achieved by the inclusion of high levels of cereal grains. In the EU—apart from wheat—barley, rye, and triticale are widely cultivated cereal grains. Starch (ST), followed by crude protein (CP), is the main constituent of cereal grains. The rate and extent of ruminal CP and ST degradation can influence the performance and health of dairy cows, but data that can enable the comparison of ruminal degradation within and between barley, rye, and triticale grains are scarce. Commonly used techniques to explore ruminal degradation of feed are in situ and in vitro incubations. Both techniques require ruminal-fistulated animals, but alternative methods are being demanded by the community, in order to reduce the number of animal trials. An approach with the potential to estimate the nutritional value of various feeds is near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The present thesis has two major parts. In the first part, ruminal degradation parameters and the effective degradability (ED) of DM, CP, and ST from barley, rye, and triticale grains are investigated using standardised in situ and in vitro incubation techniques. A total of 20 genotypes per grain species were used. In the second part, NIRS calibrations were developed with the aim of estimating the CP and ST concentrations of cereal grains and their incubation residues. Subsequently, data from in situ experiments were used to establish the calibrations for estimating the ruminal in situ degradation of cereal grains from their spectral data. In situ degradation studies have been conducted by ruminal incubation, utilising three lactating cows. Ruminal degradation parameters and ED (ruminal passage rate = 8%//h) were calculated. For in vitro incubations, the samples were incubated in a rumen fluid-buffer mixture (‘Hohenheim Gas Test’). The gas production was recorded for estimating gas production kinetics. In vitro gas production—in combination with crude nutrient concentrations—was used to estimate the metabolisable energy concentration (ME) and digestibility of organic matter (dOM). The degradation rates differed between and within the grain species for DM, CP, and ST. The variation within grain species was not reflected in the ED of CP and ST, due to the relatively fast and almost complete degradation of the grains. The ED of CP was 77% (69–80%) for barley, 85% (83–86%) for rye, and 82% (79–84%) for triticale. The corresponding ED of ST was 86% (82–88%), 95% (92–96%), and 94% (90–95%). Accordingly, the estimated ME (barley: 13.5 MJ/kg DM, rye: 13.9 MJ/kg DM, triticale: 13.5 MJ/ kg DM) showed only relatively minor variation within one grain species. The dOM was overall at a high level (barley: 91.3%, rye: 95.3%, triticale: 95.8%). The relatively small variation within one grain species could not be explained by the chemical and physical characteristics of the samples. Hence, it was concluded that it is feasible to use mean values for every species in feed formulation and ration planning. In the second part of this thesis, it was shown that it is possible to replace chemical CP and ST analyses of samples from in situ studies by NIRS without affecting the calculated ruminal degradation characteristics. NIRS could be used to estimate the ED of CP and ST from cereal grains. The sample set to establish the calibrations included barley, durum, maize, rye, triticale, and wheat grains. Calibrations for the CP and ST concentration were extended to pea samples. The calibrations with the best validation performance for CP and ST concentration were obtained by using the wavelength segment of 1250 to 2450 nm and the first derivative of the spectra (CP: R2 = 0.99; SEP = 0.46% DM. ST: R2 = 0.99; SEP = 2.10% DM). The results of in situ studies did not differ, irrespective of whether chemical or NIRS analysis was used. Like the CP and ST concentration, the ED was estimated with a high accuracy (ED8 CP: R2 = 0.95; SEP = 2.43%. ED8 ST: R2 = 0.97; SEP = 2.45%). However, calibrations need to be extended before they can be recommended for routine use. The present thesis demonstrates that the ED of CP and ST of barley, rye, and triticale grains differ between the species, but variation within one grain species is relatively small and not related to the chemical and physical characteristics of the grain. Hence, under the prevailing cultivation conditions, the mean values for each grain species in feed evaluation are deemed adequate. It was demonstrated that NIRS has the potential to facilitate the evaluation of the nutritive value of cereal grains for ruminants.
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    Untersuchungen zur Vererbung von Qualitätseigenschaften bei Silomais (Zea mays L.)
    (2004) Krützfeldt, Birte A. E.; Geiger, Hartwig H.
    In central Europe silage maize (Zea mays L.) is a major source of cattle feed. The quality or the feeding value of a silage maize variety mainly depends on its digestibility and energy content. The establishing of the near-infrared-reflectance-spectroscopy- (NIRS) technique allows the analysis of more than one quality determining trait simultaneously in an easy and short way. In this study one objective was the influence of stover quality on whole plant quality. In hybrid breeding indirect selection on the basis of inbred line performance has a great advantage because the number of testcrosses can be reduced. Therefore it was tested, if the stover quality of the testcrosses could be predicted on the line per se value. Besides the correlation between agronomic and quality traits was analysed. In the years 1999 and 2000 the evaluation of the stover of the lines and testcrosses and the whole plant of the testcrosses was conducted at four climatically diverse sites in Germany. Three data sets with flint-lines and dent-lines, each proved with one tester-line, were evaluated for the correlation between inbred line and testcross performance. The test for combining ability was performed with three smaller data sets also consisting of flint-lines and dent-lines with two tester-lines per data set. The coefficients of heritability were high for the agronomic and quality traits in the data sets of the inbred lines. In the data sets of the testcrosses the variation attributed to the genotypic variance was smaller, genotype × location-interactions were of lower importance. In the data sets, each with two tester-lines it was obvious that for quality traits of stover and whole plant the interaction between line and tester was mostly not significant. The genotypic correlation between inbred line and testcross performance was highly significant for almost all quality traits of the stover, but the correlation coefficients were mostly only moderate. Only the expected success of an indirect selection on line per se- value for cell-wall digestibility of the stover exceeded that of the direct selection on testcross performance in all data sets. However, a selection of extremes on line per se value should be possible for stover digestibility. The genotypic correlations between comparable traits in stover and whole plant were mainly low. The cell-wall digestibility was the only trait which was independent of dry matter content. For evaluation of the further quality traits attention has to be paid to the maturity stage, to prevent a maturity-based bias of the results. In the testcrosses stover digestibility increased and whole plant digestibility was reduced with an increase in whole plant dry matter yield. But the genotypic correlations were only moderate and a simultaneous selection to improve quality and yield seems to be possible.