Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

About: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is a facility organization based out in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Soil water. The organization has 10921 authors who have published 21332 publications receiving 748193 citations. The organization is also known as: Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Grasshoppers and locusts

Abstract: Grasshoppers and locusts belong to the class Orthoptera, superfamily Acridoidae. While the majority of pest species are found within the family Acrididae, species that cause economic losses in some circumstances are found in other families within the superfamily. In this chapter we refer to this group of insects collectively by the common name, “acridoids.” Acridoids have a tremendous impact on agricultural production throughout the world.

Tillage and N-source influence soil-emitted nitrous oxide in the Alberta Parkland region

Abstract: Zero tillage systems are receiving attention as possible strategies for sequestering atmospheric carbon. This benefit may be offset by increased N2O emissions, which have been reported for soils under zero tillage (ZT) compared to those under more intensive tillage (IT). Comparisons of N2O emissions from the two systems have been restricted to the growing season, but substantial losses of N2O have been reported during spring thaw events in many regions. Inorganic and organic additions of nitrogen and fallowing have also been shown to increase levels of soil-emitted N2O. The objectives for this study were: (i) to confirm that losses of N2O are higher under ZT than under IT in Alberta Parkland agroecosystems; (ii) to compare the relative influence of urea fertilizer (56 or 100 kg N ha−1), field pea residue (dry matter at 5 Mg ha−1), sheep manure (dry matter at 40 Mg ha−1) additions, and fallow on total N2O losses; and (iii) to investigate possible interactions between fertility and tillage treatments. Gas s...

Response of soil physical properties to tillage and residue management on two soils in a cool temperate environment

Abstract: In view of their potential benefits, reduced or no tillage (NT) systems are being advocated worldwide. Concerns about impairment of some soil conditions, however, cast doubt on their unqualified acceptance. We evaluated the effects of 6 years of tillage and residue management on bulk density, penetration resistance, aggregation and infiltration rate of a Black Chernozem at Innisfail (loam, 65 g kg −1 organic matter, Udic Boroll) and a Gray Luvisol at Rimbey (loam, 31 g kg −1 organic matter, Boralf) cropped to monoculture spring barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) in a cool temperate climate in Alberta, Canada. Tillage systems were no tillage and tillage with rototilling (T), and two residue levels were straw removed (−S) and straw retained (+S). Bulk density (BD) of the 0–7.5 and 7.5–15 cm depths was significantly greater under NT (1.13–1.58 Mg m −3 ) than under T (0.99–1.41 Mg m −3 ) in both soils, irrespective of residue management. In both soils, penetration resistance (PR) was greater under NT than under T to 15 cm depth. Residue retention significantly reduced PR of the 0–10 cm soil in NT, but not in T. In the 0–5 cm depth of the Black Chernozem, the >2 mm fraction of dry aggregates was highest under NT + S (72%), and lowest under T − S (50%). The wind-erodible fraction (dry aggregates

Fibrolytic enzyme treatment of barley grain and source of forage in high-grain diets fed to growing cattle.

Abstract: We conducted a study to determine the effects of treating barley grain with a fibrolytic enzyme mixture on chewing activities, ruminal fermentation, and total tract digestibility in cattle. We also investigated the potential benefits of using barley straw rather than barley silage as a roughage source in high-grain diets for feedlot cattle. Steers were given ad libitum access to one of four diets that consisted of 95% barley-based concentrate and 5% forage (DM basis). The concentrate was either control or enzyme-treated, and the forage was either barley silage or barley straw. Applying the enzyme mixture onto the barley lowered the concentrations of dietary ADF and NDF. However, it is not certain when this fiber hydrolysis occurred relative to feed consumption because the fiber analyses were conducted after the study was completed. Enzyme treatment of barley increased total tract dietary ADF digestibility by 28% (P <.05). Acetate-to-propionate ratio tended to decrease, which suggests that enzymes may have increased ruminal starch digestion as a result of enhanced digestion of barley hulls. Replacing silage with straw increased ADF intake (P <.05) and resulted in 1-h/d increase in rumination time (P < .05). Even though there was no effect of diet on ruminal pH, replacing silage with straw increased ruminal acetate, as a percentage of total VFA, and total tract ADF digestion (P <.01). This study demonstrates that using a fibrolytic enzyme mixture in high-grain diets that contain mainly barley grain can improve fiber digestion and grain utilization, but the mode of action is unclear. Straw can be used rather than silage to increase the effective fiber content of a high-grain feedlot diet.

Composition, physicochemical properties of pea protein and its application in functional foods

Abstract: Field pea is one of the most important leguminous crops over the world. Pea protein is a relatively new type of plant proteins and has been used as a functional ingredient in global food industry. Pea protein includes four major classes (globulin, albumin, prolamin, and glutelin), in which globulin and albumin are major storage proteins in pea seeds. Globulin is soluble in salt solutions and can be further classified into legumin and vicilin. Albumin is soluble in water and regarded as metabolic and enzymatic proteins with cytosolic functions. Pea protein has a well-balanced amino acid profile with high level of lysine. The composition and structure of pea protein, as well as the processing conditions, significantly affect its physical and chemical properties, such as hydration, rheological characteristics, and surface characteristics. With its availability, low cost, nutritional values and health benefits, pea protein can be used as a novel and effective alternative to substitute for soybean or animal proteins in functional food applications.