Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Subject: search.filters.subject.Chicory

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Plant associated soil mechanisms of cadmium uptake and translocation in chicory and plantain : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2021) Ubeynarayana, Nilusha
    Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element that is extensively distributed in the environment. Cadmium is effectively absorbed by plant roots and transported to its aerial parts and plants growing in soils with high Cd concentration can accumulate Cd in their roots and shoots to levels which can threaten human and animal health. Elevated Cd concentrations in New Zealand agricultural soils are a function of the country’s long-term history of using Cd-contaminated phosphate fertiliser. Recent studies have identified that two forage species chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), which are increasingly used in New Zealand agriculture, accumulate a significantly higher shoot Cd concentration than traditional pasture species. The variation in Cd accumulation between forage species suggests that different plants have different abilities to absorb Cd in roots and translocate this trace element from roots to shoots. Thus, Cd uptake and the potential translocation of Cd to aerial tissues deserves more research, particularly for forage species of economic importance to countries such as New Zealand, where agriculture is dependent on pastoral grazing systems. Information from such studies will be useful in mitigating the continuing risk of Cd transfer into the food chain. The overall aim of this thesis is to better understand Cd uptake and translocation mechanisms in chicory and plantain. Cadmium uptake by plant roots is a function of rhizosphere soil chemistry and the interaction between plant roots and soil solution. Plants exude Low Molecular Weight Organic Acids (LMWOA) into soil solution and these play a key role in regulating Cd bioavailability. A pot trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of increasing soil Cd concentration on the secretion of LMWOAs by chicory and plantain roots and to analyse their impact on plant Cd uptake. Chicory and plantain were grown under increasing Cd levels and showed variable secretion of oxalic, fumaric, malic and acetic acids as a function of Cd treatment. Results revealed that the primary cause for the significant increase of shoot and root Cd concentration in both chicory and plantain, as a function of treatment level, is the significantly greater bioavailable Cd concentration in soil solution with increasing Cd treatment level. The significantly higher shoot Cd accumulation in chicory (18.63 mg Cd/kg DW) than plantain (4.22 mg Cd/kg DW) at the highest tested soil Cd concentration (1.6 mg Cd/kg) can be explained by increased acetic acid and reduced fumaric acid excretion from chicory relative to plantain. Increased understanding of Cd translocation mechanisms in plants requires knowledge of the free Cd2+ ion concentration in xylem saps. However, the determination of low concentrations of free Cd2+ ions in a low volume of xylem sap poses an analytical challenge. To overcome this limitation, a thiosalicylic-acid-modified carbon-paste electrode was developed as an alternative and reliable measurement tool for the detection of free Cd2+ ions in environmental samples, including xylem saps. Compared to other Cd2+ ion ligands used to develop Cd2+-ion-specific electrodes in literature, thiosalicylic acid is a readily available solid, which is stable to air, making it a conveniently handled ligand. The developed electrode showed a lower detection limit of 11 μg Cd/L (0.1   10-6 mol Cd/L) with a linear range from 20 to 100 μg Cd/L (0.18   10-6 to 0.88   10-6 mol Cd/L). To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time a Cd2+ ion-specific electrode was developed to determine free Cd2+ ion concentration in plant xylem sap. The modified electrode has the ability to distinguish between total Cd and free Cd2+ in solution and measure only the free Cd2+ ions in environmental samples, including xylem sap, with high precision (RSD<5%). Subsequent analysis using the thiosalicylic acid modified electrode showed that Cd is mainly in a complex form in chicory and plantain xylem sap. Therefore, a glasshouse experiment was set up with six increasing Cd concentrations in hydroponic solution to assess the impact of LMWOA on xylem sap Cd translocation and shoot accumulation in chicory and plantain. Results revealed that both chicory and plantain showed variable production of oxalic, fumaric, citric, malic and acetic acids with increasing Cd concentration in the hydroponic media. The higher shoot Cd accumulation (by 28-208%) in chicory compared to plantain can be explained in terms of variations in LMWOA production between chicory and plantain. Functional relationship analysis showed that the primary cause for higher shoot Cd concentration in chicory relative to plantain is fumaric acid production in chicory xylem sap which may bind with Cd in chicory and translocate the metal towards shoots. To explore the specific role of fumaric and acetic acids on Cd uptake and translocation in chicory, a glasshouse experiment was conducted with the external addition of fumaric and acetic acid into the hydroponic solution. Increasing fumaric acid concentration in the hydroponic solution showed the ability to reduce Cd uptake and translocation in chicory with a maximum reduction achieved at 10 mg/L and 50 mg/L fumaric acid treatment for root and shoot Cd accumulation, (respectively) for a solution concentration of 1 mg/L Cd. The shoot Cd concentration significantly increased at lower acetic acid treatment levels (1 mg/L) and reduced with increasing acetic acid concentrations from 10 mg/L to 50 mg/L in the presence of 1 mg Cd/L solution concentration. However, the root Cd accumulation increased as a function of acetic acid concentration in the hydroponic solution up to 50 mg/L acetic acid treatment. The root: shoot Cd concentration ratio showed a significant positive correlation (R=0.729 P<0.05) with acetic acid treatments (up to 50 mg/L treatment). Chicory biomass significantly reduced at all LMWOA treatments compared to the control treatment in the presence of 1 mg Cd/L Cd level, showing that there was a limited potential ameliorative effect of LMWOA on Cd toxicity at any concentration for the experimental conditions used in this study. This study highlights that variations in plant root LMWOA secretion and xylem sap LMWOA production between chicory and plantain can explain the different shoot Cd accumulation characteristics of these two forage species. This work shows that fumaric acid plays a fundamental role in both Cd uptake and translocation in chicory, while such a role is not clear for plantain. Low secretion of fumaric acid by roots and production of fumaric acid in chicory xylem sap aid to increase shoot Cd accumulation in chicory compared to plantain while low acetic acid secretion by chicory roots supports the high shoot Cd accumulation in chicory compared to plantain. Future work is recommended to develop a new cultivar of chicory which express traits of variations in fumaric acid production and acetic acid production. Such work may yield new cultivars of chicory which restrict the translocation of Cd from roots to shoots in this important forage species. The future application of this work is to help develop strategies which could assist in mitigating high Cd accumulation in offal to maintain the standards of New Zealand’s food production.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Chicory (Cichorium intybus) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata); physiological and morphological responses to water stress, defoliation, and grazing preference with implications for the management of the Herb and Legume Mix : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Science, Massey University, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Cranston, Lydia Margaret
    Herb and legume sward mixes containing chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (T. repens) are being increasingly used by farmers to improve animal performance compared to perennial ryegrass and white clover swards. However, little is known about the agronomic properties of this Herb and Legume Mix. The objectives of this research were to examine key factors likely to affect the success of the Herb and Legume Mix as a perennial sward mix. This thesis included a series of glasshouse experiments, a grazing experiment (examining plant parameters and animal grazing preference) and a mowing experiment. The glasshouse experiments indicated that chicory and plantain have different strategies for coping with moisture stress. The results suggest plantain may be more productive under moderate drought due to its greater shoot mass fraction, whereas chicory may be more productive and persistent under severe drought due to its greater root mass and taproot diameter. The Herb and Legume Mix accumulated greater annual dry matter when removed under Hard grazing (post-grazing residual of 4cm) compared to Lax grazing (post-grazing residual of 8cm). Hard grazing favoured plantain growth and persistence, while Lax grazing favoured red clover growth and resulted in chicory with a larger taproot diameter. It was concluded that grazing management decisions should be determined by ensuring optimal management of chicory. Ewe lambs displayed grazing preference for species within the Herb and Legume Mix; however this varied between seasons and was affected by the species availability, vertical access and palatability. The Herb and Legume Mix had a greater herbage nutritive value than the ryegrass and white clover sward and had a more stable composition over time than pure swards of chicory and plantain under a wide range of defoliation regimes. The results suggest the Herb and Legume Mix might be a more flexible perennial forage option than pure swards of chicory and plantain. Overall the results of this thesis indicated that the Herb and Legume Mix can be successfully utilised in most New Zealand grazing systems as a perennial forage sward.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of herb-clover mixes on weaned lamb growth : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science at Massey University, Palerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2014) Somasiri, Sharini Carol
    The quality and production of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) /white clover (Trifolium repens) pastures are seasonal in New Zealand. Earlier research showed that a sward mix of plantain (Plantago lanceolata), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), white- and red-clover (Trifolium pratense) resulted in greater lamb live weight gains in the late summer early autumn period. However, this has not been tested across all the seasons in New Zealand. Therefore, research was undertaken for two consecutive years (2011/2012 and 2012/2013) on three sward mixes; Pasture mix, Plantain mix and Chicory mix in early spring, late spring and early summer (late spring), summer and autumn. The Pasture mix consisted of perennial ryegrass and white clover. The Plantain mix consisted of plantain, white- and red-clover. The Chicory mix consisted of plantain, chicory, white- and red-clover. It was hypothesised that lamb performance (live weight, live weight gain (LWG) and carcass weight) and apparent carcass weight production per ha would be greatest in the Plantain and Chicory mixes in all four periods. Secondly it was hypothesised that Plantain and Chicory mixes would have lower feed conversion ratios (FCR) with higher herbage utilization efficiencies (EHU%) than the Pasture mix. In each period weaned lambs were reared in the three herbage treatments for a maximum of two months. Lambs were weighed fortnightly and they were slaughtered within 12 hours of being off the pasture at the end of the experiment. Carcass weights were obtained from the abattoir. The Plantain and Chicory mixes had a higher feeding value than the Pasture mix during early spring to autumn. Both Plantain and Chicory mixes produced heavier (P<0.05) lambs, higher (P<0.05) live weight gains (LWG) and carcass weights compared to the Pasture mix in all periods. Total apparent carcass weight production per ha were 407, 748 and 709 kg/ha in year one and 474, 607 and 642 kg/ha in year two in the Pasture mix, Plantain mix and Chicory mix, respectively. Both Plantain and Chicory mixes had lower (P<0.05) feed conversion ratios (FCR) and higher (P<0.05) herbage utilization efficiencies (EHU%) compared to the Pasture mix. This research has shown that sheep farmers in New Zealand can finish lambs at a faster rate for heavier carcasses using herb-clover mixes from spring to autumn than on ryegrass/white clover pastures.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Internal parasitism and growth of farmed deer fed different forage species : a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Animal Science at Massey University
    (Massey University, 1998) Hoskin, Simone Oriel
    A series of grazing and indoor experiments were conducted to investigate interactions between internal parasitism and different forage species affecting farmed deer growth, carcass production, voluntary feed intake (VFI) and nutrient digestion. These studies have provided information into aspects of internal parasitism in farmed red (Cervus elaphus) and hybrid (0.75 red:0.25 elk) deer. These studies have also investigated the potential of forage crops with a different plant morphology to perennial ryegrass/white clover (PRG/WC), such as chicory (Cichorium intybus), and those containing condensed tannins (CT) such as sulla (Hedysarum coronarium) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), as natural aids in the control of internal parasites of farmed deer. Use of such forage crops could enhance sustainable management systems for deer production with minimal anthelmintic input. This is consistent with the New Zealand Deer Industry's strategy for clean, green, natural products produced using minimal chemical inputs. During 1994, a grazing trial was conducted to evaluate the use of sulla (cv Necton), a new forage legume for deer production. Growth and carcass production from weaning to one year of age on sulla was compared with that on chicory (cv Grasslands Puna) and PRG (Lolium perenne, cv Nui)/WC (Trifolium repens cv Huia) pasture, with all deer receiving three-weekly oral anthelmintic treatment. VFI of deer grazing sulla was greater than for deer grazing chicory in autumn, with pasture being intermediate. Autumn LWG, final liveweight and carcass weight of deer grazing sulla was greater than for deer grazing either pasture or chicory. The proportion of deer reaching 50-65kg carcass weight by one year of age was 100% for sulla and 89% for pasture and chicory. The increased growth and carcass weight of young deer grazing sulla was due to its higher feeding value, particularly during autumn, including increased utilisation of digested nutrients associated with the high CT concentration of sulla (5.1-8.4%). Concurrently, another grazing trial showed that grazing deer on chicory reduced the development of internal parasitism and hence increased deer growth and carcass production, compared with grazing PRG/WC pasture. Deer on the two forages were either treated with anthelmintic three-weekly to control internal parasites, or anthelmintic was withheld until pre-determined trigger-treatment criteria to minimise the welfare risk (to the animal were reached. Chicory and PRG/WC pasture were grazed at the same herbage allowance per animal, but the forages differed in morphology and sward structure, with the broad-leaved chicory sward being taller and more open. Both forages were maintained in the vegetative state, were of high in-vitro digestibility and contained only traces of CT (<0.3%). Untreated deer grazing pasture rapidly developed clinical lungworm infections during the autumn period and required anthelmintic treatment. In contrast, the untreated chicory group required no anthelmintic treatment during the autumn period when grazing chicory, but required treatment 26 days after transfer to pasture during winter. VFI and LWG of untreated deer grazing pasture in autumn was reduced, contributing to lower carcass weights, but anthelmintic treatment had no effect upon the productivity of deer grazing chicory. This experiment also demonstrated limitations of current tools for diagnoses of sub-clinical and clinical internal parasite infections in farmed deer, particularly during the early stages of infection and indicated that further research is needed to investigate the epidemiology, pathogenicity and diagnosis of internal parasite infections. Further research is also needed to partition the effects of plant morphology and plant chemical composition on development of internal parasitism in deer grazing different forage species. Subsequently, a model for sub-clinical parasite infection in deer was established, in a controlled environment, using individually housed deer fed lucerne hay, upon which further evaluation of forage species could be based, allowing individual animal measurement of factors such as VFI, digestion, growth and aspects of parasitology. The initial model investigated the effect of three sub-clinical dose rates of deer-origin lung (Dictyocaulus viviparus) and gastrointestinal (GI) parasite larvae by trickle-infection, relative to an uninfected control group, on deer VFI, liveweight, faecal egg counts (FEC), faecal larval counts (FLC), haematology, serum biochemistry, apparent digestibility, nitrogen (N) retention and digesta N flow at the abomasum and terminal ileum and worm counts at euthanasia. Sub-clinical parasitism reduced liveweight, VFI and serum albumin concentration, elevated serum pepsinogen, gastrin and globulin concentrations and elevated peripheral eosinophil counts, and caused slight haemoconcentration, despite low nematode counts. Reductions in liveweight, N-retention and flow of N at the terminal ileum were shown to be largely due to the reduction in VFI, with no effect of parasite infection on apparent digestibility. This experiment also showed that such studies could be conducted using anthelmintic-treated deer from natural rearing systems as well as artificially-reared deer, thus reducing cost. Finally, the model was used to investigate the effect of feeding forage legumes containing different concentrations of CT on apparent establishment of lung and GI nematodes, VFI, liveweight, FEC, FLC, haematology and serum biochemistry. Fresh, vegetative lucerne (Medicago sativa; 0.1% CT), birdsfoot trefoil (1.9% CT) and sulla (3.5% CT) were compared. This experiment showed a significant negative linear relationship between dietary CT concentration and apparent establishment of abomasal nematodes, particularly T.axei. Deer fed sulla had reduced FLC, higher liveweight gain, carcass weight, dressing-out percentage, serum total protein and albumin concentration and lower serum gastrin concentration, compared with lucerne-fed deer. There were no significant differences in mean VFI between treatment groups during the period of infection, suggesting that the increased liveweight gain of deer fed CT-containing forages was due to an increased efficiency of utilisation of digested nutrients, probably caused by action of CT counteracting protein losses normally associated with parasite infections. It is proposed that the reduced establishment of abomasal nematodes and reduced faecal Lungworm larval count in deer fed sulla containing a high concentration of CT may be due to a direct effect of free CT inactivating nematodes in the GI tract. This study is the first to report and quantify significant reductions in VFI, liveweight gain, N-retention and carcass production in young, farmed deer sub-clinically infected with internal parasites, with most of the reductions being attributable to reduced VFI. Indices for diagnosis of internal parasitism in farmed deer have also been evaluated. Feeding forages containing CT has been shown to reduce apparent establishment of GI nematodes, FLC and increase liveweight gain of parasitised deer. Grazing chicory, a crop of differing plant morphology and sward structure to PRG/WC pasture has also been shown to reduce the development of internal parasitism in farmed deer. The grazing and indoor studies together highlight the potential use of forage crops to increase growth of farmed deer while minimising anthelmintic input. The studies presented in this thesis have great potential significance to the New Zealand Deer Industry. The working model of internal parasitism for deer developed here can now be used to develop further knowledge of deer parasitism and alternative methods of parasite control that are more ecologically sustainable than regular chemical treatment.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Investigating summer and autumn endoparasitism in farmed red deer, effects of weaning date, anthelmintic treatment and forage species : a thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Animal Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2007) Mwendwa, James Musyimi
    Previous research has shown that even small numbers of lung and gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes cause sub-clinical infections during autumn and can reduce voluntary feed intake (VFI) and liveweight gain (LWG) post-weaning in farmed deer. However, little is known about the effect of parasitism on growth of young farmed deer prior to weaning (summer and early autumn). At present, the control of deer parasites is largely by anthelmintic treatment. Alternatively, chicory sown as a pure sward has been shown to reduce parasitism and increase post-weaning growth of deer compared with perennial ryegrass-based pasture, although, neither forage plantain nor the inclusion of chicory in a pasture mix have yet been evaluated in this context. In addition, it has been suggested that to achieve a high pregnancy rate early in the mating season, deer calves should be weaned prior to mating to optimise nutrition and body condition of the hinds. At present there is no adequate evidence in the published literature to justify this. Two experiments were conducted in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The first experiment investigated the impact of early or late pre-rut weaning, with and without anthelmintic treatment, on parasitism and growth (LWG g/day) of deer calves during summer and early autumn. Weaning date effects on hind reproductive parameters were also investigated. The second experiment was a preliminary investigation to compare the effect of grazing permanent perennial ryegrass pasture (Lolium perenne) with chicory (Cichorium intybus) narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and pasture mixes based on short-rotation tetraploid ryegrass (TSR-mix; nil endophyte) or long-rotation tetraploid ryegrass (TLR-mix; low endophyte), with both mixes sown with the same clover (white and red) and chicory, on post-weaning growth and endoparasitism of weaned farmed red deer calves in autumn. In 2005, seventy-six deer calves were randomly allocated in a 2x2 factorial design, involving sex, genotype, weaning date (February 17 or March 17), treatment with either topical moxidectin (0.5mg/kg) on January 14 and February 25 or no anthelmintic treatment. Liveweight gain, faecal gastrointestinal egg counts (FEC) and lungworm larval counts (FLC), haematological parameters and serum proteins concentrations (i.e., total protein, albumin and globulin) of calves were measured. Mixed-age adult hinds (64) were used to investigate the effect of weaning date on internal parasitism, conception date and pregnancy rate determined by ultrasound scanning. These hinds were not given anthelmintic treatment, but FLC and FEC were determined on January 12, February 17, March 17, March 31 and May 4. All deer rotationally grazed permanent perennial ryegrass-based pasture (Lolium perenne) together until weaning at which point calves were removed to separate but similar pasture. Calves weaned in March had a higher LWG to March 31 than those weaned in February (P<0.0001). Faecal larval count in treated calves was zero, but FEC remained similar to the untreated control calves, regardless of when they had been treated (average 136 epg, range 0-600 epg in mid February and average 92, range 0-350 epg at the end of March). Treated calves had higher serum albumin, and lower serum globulin concentrations than the untreated control group (albumin, 36.2 ± 0.3 vs 35.2 ± 0.3g/L; P<0.001; globulin, 23.9 ± 0.4 vs 25.5 ± 0.4g/L; P<0.005). In hinds, FLC averaged 5 lpg (range 0 – 122) and FEC averaged 26 (range 0- 200) with no significant relationship between weaning date and either FLC or FEC. No effect of weaning date on conception rate or date was observed. This study showed that pre-rut weaning date, (although confounded by weaning process management) and sub-clinical parasitism during summer and early autumn may influence LWG in young farmed deer. The failure of moxidectin to reduce FEC to zero raises the question of the efficacy of this macrocyclic lactone anthelmintic against GI nematodes in farmed deer and/or emergence of farmed deer GI nematode resistance. Potential diagnostic parameters such as serum albumin concentration, which was reduced in untreated control deer, warrant further investigation for clinical diagnostic use in farmed deer. The study also highlighted the need for further research to demonstrate the advantages or disadvantages of pre-rut weaning on growth of deer calves and hind reproduction. The 2006 grazing experiment investigated the effect of pasture species grazed on post-weaning growth and endoparasitism of farmed red deer from 3- 6 months of age. Ninety-five red deer calves were randomly allocated to five groups based on sex, LW, FEC and FLC. These calves rotationally grazed either a permanent pasture based on perennial ryegrass, chicory, narrow-leaved plantain, or one of two pasture mixes based on either a short-rotation tetraploid ryegrass (TSR-mix) or long-rotation tetraploid ryegrass (TLR-mix). Both mixes included the same white clover, red clover and chicory. All deer were initially treated with an anthelmintic (albendazole), with subsequent trigger treatment withheld until weight loss or clinical parasitism was observed. Anthelmintic trigger treatment (albendazole) was given on an individual animal basis. The anthelmintic trigger treatment and LWG data in this study suggest that plantain, TLR- and TSR-mixes and chicory may all have a role in aiding control of endoparasitism in young growing deer in autumn in deer production systems based on permanent perennial ryegrass-based pasture with low anthelmintic input. However, any potential effects of forage feeding value and anti-parasitic plant compounds of chicory, plantain and pasture-forage mixes on parasitism and growth could not be separated in this study. It is therefore acknowledged that these observations are preliminary and based on a design intended only to establish whether further replicated studies are warranted, particularly with plantain and pasture mixes. However, the study has shown that pasture species, either sown as a pure crop or in a pasture mix can influence LWG, resilience to internal parasitism and requirement for anthelmintic use in young farmed deer. Data from the first experiment (2005) has shown that pre-rut weaning date and sub-clinical parasitism during summer and early autumn can influence LWG in young farmed deer while the trigger treatment and LWG data from the second experiment (2006), suggest that plantain, TLR-and TSR-mixes and chicory may have a role in aiding control of internal parasitism in young deer in autumn. The outcome of the second experiment has application to deer production systems with low anthelmintic input. Serum protein and haematological parameters investigated in both studies demonstrated the need for further research to establish diagnostic markers for both sub-clinical and clinical internal parasitism in farmed young deer.