Browsing by Subject "alfalfa"
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Item Gastric ulcer syndrome in exercising horses fed different types of hay(2009-05-15) Lybbert, Travis CraigEquine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS) is highly prevalent in horses and most commonly found in racing and performance horses. This condition may negatively impact the health and athletic performance of affected horses (Vatistas et al. 1999). Proton pump inhibitors are commonly used to treat EGUS, however, a less expensive method, such as a change of diet, may give similar results. Alfalfa hay may offer some buffering capabilities within the stomach (Nadeau et al. 2000). The objective of this study was to further investigate any possible antiulcerogenic properties of alfalfa hay. Twenty-four Quarter Horse yearlings, 12-16 months of age, were utilized in this study. The 77-d experiment consisted of two 28-d periods separated by a 21-d wash-out period. Horses were endoscopically examined at the beginning and end of each period and blocked into two treatment groups. Treatment 1 included coastal bermuda grass (CB) hay and Treatment 2 included alfalfa hay as the only forage source. Horses were fed in stalls, housed in small dry lots, and subjected to an exercise regimen using a mechanical horse-exerciser. A significant effect of diet, was observed on ulcer score (P< 0.05). CB hay?fed yearlings experienced an increase in ulcer score severity compared to that of alfalfa hay? fed yearlings. Significant healing did not occur during the wash-out period, but horses experienced a significant increase in ulcer score severity (P< 0.05). The outcome of this study suggests that alfalfa hay does have antiulcerogenic capability.Item The use of gypsum and a coal desulfurization by-product to ameliorate subsoil acidity for alfalfa growth(Texas A&M University, 2004-09-30) Chessman, Dennis JohnAcid soils limit the growth of aluminum-(Al) sensitive crops such as alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Management of acid subsoils can be difficult due to physical and economic constraints. Field experiments were conducted at two locations to evaluate the effectiveness of surface-applied gypsum and a flue gas desulfurization by-product for reducing the toxic effects of acid subsoils on alfalfa. The materials were applied at rates of 0, 5, 10, and 15 Mg ha-1. In addition, a glasshouse experiment was conducted that used 0, 5, and 10 Mg ha-1 of gypsum only. Field studies were concluded 41 and 45 months after treatment application at the two locations. No effect of material on alfalfa yield or tissue mineral concentration was observed. Also, rate did not affect yield. However, there were differences in plant tissue mineral concentration in several harvests that were related to rate. Soil was sampled periodically to 120 cm and indicated movement of Ca and S into the soil profile to depths of 60 and 120 cm, respectively. Subsoil pHH2O and pHCaCl2 were not affected by treatment. Extractable and exchangeable Al were not reduced by movement of Ca and S into the soil. In the glasshouse study, alfalfa yields and root growth were not affected by gypsum rate. As gypsum rate increased, plant tissue S increased, but K and Mg decreased. Alfalfa roots did not grow below 60 cm, even though there was indication of material movement to 90 cm in the soil. Although sulfur moved to 75 cm, no effect on soil Al was observed. Leachate collected from the bottoms of columns indicated that soil cations were leached as a result of gypsum application. Gypsum and the flue gas desulfurization by-product did not significantly affect the acid soils used in these studies or improve alfalfa growth.