Extended Abstract Background: Developing countries, especially with dry weather conditions, are facing the problem of lack of animal feed. Thus, agricultural by-products, which are often processed for feeding in ruminants, can be used as an alternative or part of the diet, it also reduces animal feed costs. The reuse of agricultural waste in ruminant nutrition is a method for managing agricultural waste, which also reduces the risks of environmental pollution. Tomato shoot obtained from tomato plant pruning in the greenhouses for growing and producing this valuable product is one of the major agricultural wastes, which can be considered a part of ruminant feed due to its high volume of production. This study aimed to investigate the nutrient value of tomato shoot silage by in vitro techniqes as a substitute for a part of hay in ruminant feeding and to determine the effect of bacterial additives on the quality of silage. Methods: Pruned tomato shoots in a greenhouse, which are part of agricultural waste, were collected from the industrial greenhouses of the East Azerbaijan region, cut into 3-5 cm pieces, and ensiled in a mini-silo. Microbial additives and amounts used in this experiment were 1-bacterial additive with the SiloLact brand, a product of the Fardis Roshd Mehrgan Company of Iran, containing Lactobacillus plantarium, Bacillus acidophilus, and dextrose monohydrate bacteria (106 colony-forming units (CFU) were added per gram of fodder), 2-enzymatic additive with the brand name enzymatic-SiloLact, produced by the Fardis Roshd Mehrgan Company of Iran, containing L. plantarium, L. acidophilus, cellulase enzyme, xylase, and dextrose monohydrate (106 CFU were added per gram of fodder), and 3-SilOne additive containing L. buccaneri, L. plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, L. acidophilus, and Pediococcus acidi lactici, at the rate of 1010 CFU/g along with multi-enzyme, which was mixed with water based on the amounts recommended by the manufacturer and added as a spray on chopped fodder. The experimental treatments were 1-pruned tomato shoot silage without additive, 2-pruned tomato shoot silage with enzymatic-siloLact additive, 3-pruned tomato shoot silage with non-enzymatic-SiloLact additive, and 4-pruned tomato shoot silage with SilOne additive. It is necessary to explain that in the preparation of silage, three replications were considered for each treatment. The measured chemical compounds included dry matter, crude protein, ash, crude fat, neutral detergent fibers, acid detergent fiber, and fermentation parameters including pH, volatile fatty acids, lactic acid, ammonia nitrogen, and soluble carbohydrates. Besides, gas production and digestibility were measured by in vitro Holden's method. This research was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design, and the resulting data were analyzed with SAS software. Results: The results obtained in the investigation of pruned tomato shoot silage showed that the microbial additive SilOne and enzymatic-SiloLact significantly affected the pH of the silage compared to the control treatment. The pruned tomato shoot ensiled with SilOne additive contained more dry matter and crude protein than the control treatment. the enzymatic-SiloLact and silovan additives reduced ADF compared to the control treatment. The amount of total volatile fatty acids and lactic acid increased in silage treatments with bacterial additive compared to the control treatment, but no significant difference was observed in this increase. Microbial addition of enzymatic-SiloLact and SilOne decreased the amount of ammonia nitrogen in silage compared to the control treatment. The highest volume of gas production was recorded in the treatments ensiled with enzymatic-SiloLact and SilOne at the final hours of the incubation with a significant difference (P < 0. 05). By examining metabolizable energy, net energy for lactation, digestible organic matter, and short-chain fatty acids of untreated and treated tomato shoot silage, it was found that processing by microbial additives did not affect metabolizable energy, but net energy for lactation, digestible organic matter, and short-chain fatty acids were affected significantly (P < 0. 05). Microbial fermentation of enzymatic silolact and silovan reduced the amount of silage ammonia nitrogen compared to the control treatment. The highest volume of gas production belonged to the treatments ensiled with the enzyme silolact and silovan. In the final hours of the experiment, there was a significant difference with the control treatment (P < 0. 05). In vitro digestibility, which was investigated by Holden's techniqe, showed that microbial processing and additives affected the disappearance of dry matter in the rumen and the whole digestive tract system. Moreover, the disappearance of crude protein in the rumen was significantly affected, but the disappearance of crude protein in the whole digestive tract system was not affected. Conclusion: It was found that bacterial additives had no effect on the digestibility of tomato plant silage. Due to the high production of tomato plant waste, this by-product can be used in ruminant feed, but it should be considered that adding another by-product that has high soluble carbohydret content should be examined due to the low level of soluble carbohydrates in the pruned tomato shoot to improve the silage quality.

Potato dry matter is mainly composed of starch, which can be used in animal feed due to its high available energy. This study aimed to improve the quality of potato silage using wheat straw and additives containing Lactobacillus. This study was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments and 3 repli-cations: 1-Potatoes without additives, control, (PS), 2-Potatoes mixed with wheat straw (90: 10 ratio on a fresh basis) (PWS), 3-Potatoes inoculated with SiloOne additive (including Lactobacillus buchneri, Lacto-bacillus plantarium, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactic acid pediococcus and multi-valent enzyme), (PLS), 4-Sliced potatoes with wheat straw (90: 10 ratio on a fresh basis) and SiloOne addi-tive (PWLS). The samples were stored in laboratory silos for 60 days at a temperature of 25 degrees Cel-sius. According to the results, there was a significant difference between the treatments in terms of pH, dry matter (DM), ash and insoluble fiber in neutral and acidic detergents. The addition of wheat straw reduced the loss caused by silage effluent and increased dry matter (DM) recovery (P<0. 01). The lactic acid concen-tration of inoculated silages (PLS and PWLS) was greater than non-inoculated silages (P<0. 01). The lowest concentrations of acetic acid and propionic acid were observed in the treatment with wheat straw in the absence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (PWS) (P<0. 05). Concentrations of valeric acid and iso-valeric acid were not affected by wheat straw and inoculation with LAB (P>0. 05). The results of this study showed that ensiling potatoes with a wheat straw reduces silage effluent losses and increases DM recovery. But the fer-mentation quality and aerobic stability of PWS were lower than PS. However, LAB inoculation improved the fermentation quality. The use of wheat straw along with LAB inoculation increased the ratio of lactic acid to total volatile fatty acids (VFA).

This study was conducted to determination of the effects of supplementation of alfalfa with fresh whey and bacterial additive before ensiling on the dry matter, organic matter and crude protein degradability’ s by nylon bags. Experimental treatments included the levels of 0, 30, 60, and 90 g fresh whey per kg of fresh alfalfa were added to the alfalfa silage with and without bacterial additive (3 × 10 8 cfu per g fresh alfalfa). Degradability of silage determined using in situ technique with 4 replications (2 replications per sheep) at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours incubation. The data were analyzed in a factorial based (2×4) on a completely randomized design. The highest dry matter degradability was observed for alfalfa silage treatment with 60 g fresh whey, which was observed for 2, 4, 12, 72 and 96 hours of rumen incubation (p<0. 05). The parameter of fraction a of DM in treatments with bacterial additive was not significantly different to compared with control, but in treatments with whey at three different levels (30, 60 and 90 g fresh whey), the significant increase was observed (p<0. 05). After 48 h incubation the highest crude protein degradability was for treatment including 90 g whey and bacterial additive and lowest amount was for treatment including 60 g whey and bacterial additive (p<0. 05). The results showed that the addition of whey at different levels increased rapidly degradable, slow degradable fractions and effective degradability of dry matter.

Introduction: Ensiling is a popular preservative method for forage crops and some byproducts. In this process water soluble carbohydrates in forages are converted into lactic acid with lactic acid bacteria and prevents nutrients losses by other microorganisms. Low dry matter in fresh forage may lead to higher losses of nutrients in efflunet or fermentation process. Moreover, corn silage are susceptible to spoilages by fungi. Deteriorated silages are rich in mycotoxins and some other harmfull components which may reduce dry matter intake, milk production and milk composition or may led to some acute or chronic disease in ruminatns. Whey powder is a product with high potential to water absorbents which may reduce effluent production at ensilinbg high loisture forages. Lactobacillus buchnery is a lactic acid producing bacteria which produce acetic acid while producing latic acid. Acetic acid is an antifungal compound ahich may inhibit fungi development in silage. This study was conducted to determine the effects of whey poewser and a lactic acid bacteria inoculant (Lalsil Fresh, containing Lactobacillus Buchneri) on chemical composition, pH, aeirobic stabilit and in vitro digestibility of corn silage. Materials and Methods: The whole-crop corn was harvested at 1/2 milky maturity stage. Treatments were: 1. Control (corn silage without any inoculant), 2. Corn silage treated with whey powder (1% or 10 kg per ton fresh forage) 3. Corn silage treated with Lalsil Fresh at 1. 8 × 10 6 colony forming unit per gram fresh forage and 4. Corn silage treated with whey powder (1% or 10 kg per ton fresh forage) and bacterial additive at 1. 8 × 10 6 colony forming unit per gram fresh forage. The additives were solved in water and then sparayed over forages and mixed throughtly. The same amount of water was applied to the control treatment. Laboratory PVC silos 70 cm in height, 10 cm in diameter with a sink at the bottom for measurement of seepage were used for ensiling the whole corn crops. Corn forage was ensiled in triplicate laboratory mini silos for 90 days at room temperature and in the dark. Results and Discussion: Effluent production was lower and concentration of dry matter (DM) was higher in prebiotic and bacterial treated silages when compared to control (P<0. 05). Lower efflunet production from corn silag can inhibit environmental pollution and also retain nutrients in sialge. Application of whey powder to corn silage resulted in silages with higher crude protein concentration and lower concentrations of cell wall compositions (P<0. 05). The pH value of silages was lower in bacterial inoculated treatments (P<0. 05) compared with control. This was maybe due to accelerated fermentation and rapid fall in pH. Treating corn silage with whey powder reduced aerobic stabilities of corn silages when they were exposed to the air (P<0. 05) due to higher concentration of water soluble carbohydrates. But, treating corn silage with Lalsil Fresh improved the aerobic stabilities of corn silages in comparition with control group (P<0. 05) due to higher ratio of acetate to lactate. Higher resistance of silage to spoilage can inhibit fungi from mycotoxin production and nutrients deterioration which led to better animal performance and health. The most potential of in vitro gas production and metabolisable energy (ME) concentration was measured in whey powder treatment (P<0. 05). Also, treating corn silage with the bacterial inoculant resulted an increase in potential of in vitro gas production and ME concentraion of corn sialge (P<0. 05). Higher energy content in corn silage may improve milk production and composition in dairy cattle. Conclusion: Results suggest that whey powder can improve nutritive value of corn silage by increasing dry matter and crude protein concentration and decreasing fiber. Also, Whey powder reduces effluent production from corn silage which consequently prevents environmental pollution. Bacterial inoculant improves corn silage resistance to spoilage by fast falling in pH and improvement of aerobic stability. Higher resistance to spoilage in corn silage can increase milk production and prevents mycotoxin related diseases and problems in ruminants. Both whey powder and bacterial inoculant improve metabolisable energy concentration of corn silage which may lead to higher production in ruminants.

Purpose The work aimed to investigate the effect of cow dung and cellulolytic bacteria on humic characteristics during municipal solid waste composting. Four Bacillus isolates (B. subtilis, B. tequilensis, B. venezuelans and B. amyloliquefaciens) sourced from dumpsite soil were formulated as consortium for the study. Methods Four treatments were considered with addition of bulking agents (ratio 1: 7: 6) to 15 kg MSW. Treatment Cs1 (control): only MSW, Cs2: MSW + cellulolytic bacterial inoculum @ 5 ml (2 × 109 CFU ml− 1); Cs3— MSW + cow dung slurry @ 1 kg (1: 100 based on wet weight) and Cs4— MSW + cellulolytic bacterial inoculum @ 5 ml (2 × 109 CFU ml− 1) + cow dung slurry @ 1 kg (diluted 1: 100 based on wet weight). The analyses of humic acids were done by elemental analyzer, UV and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy during 90 days of composting. Results MSW amended with consortia of effective microorganisms and cow dung slurry projected highest humification degree at 82. 4% (P < 0. 01). Highest temperature (63 ° C) was recorded in the treatment Cs4 during composting. The data corresponded to an increase in H/C ratio (0. 9%) with a decrease in C/N (14. 8%) and O/C ratio (0. 5%). In addition, most stabilized values for E4/E6 ratio (4. 1) and E2/E3 ratio (2. 1) were observed in Cs4. The humification indices manifest positive regression values (F (4, 1) = 0. 007; P < 0. 01) and 99% significant model. Conclusion In the study, bio-augmentation (bacterial consortia and cow dung slurry) to MSW composting facilitates early maturity compared to other inoculated/uninoculated treatments. The result substantiates the effect of temperature on the humification rate of composting.

Ensiling alfalfa is difficult due to some restrictions such as low water soluble carbohydrate concentration and high buffering capacity. This study was conducted to document the effects of supplementation of alfalfa silage with fresh whey and bacterial additive on gas production, dry matter, organic matter and crude protein degradabilities by in vitro method. Experimental treatments included the levels of 0, 30, 60 and 90 g fresh whey per kg of fresh alfalfa were added to the alfalfa silage with and without bacterial additive (3 × 108 cfu per g fresh alfalfa). The gas production was measured at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h after incubation. The data were analyzed using a factorial 2 × 4 in a completely randomized design. After 120 h incubation, the highest amount of gas production was related to alfalfa treatment with 90 g of fresh whey and bacterial additive and the lowest was for alfalfa treated with bacterial additive (147. 93 and 133. 54 ml/g DM, p<0. 05). Adding fresh whey with bacterial additive at 3 different levels at 2, 4 and 24 h incubation increased the dry matter degradability compared to control (p<0. 05). Add fresh whey at three different levels of 30, 60 and 90 g fresh whey, increased the fraction (a) dry matter degradability compared to the control (p<0. 05). After 24 hours of incubation, adding whey with bacterial additive increased the crude protein degradability compared to control (p<0. 05). The results of this study showed that the addition of whey at different levels increased rapidly degradable, slowly degradable fractions and effective degradability of dry matter.

In bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ), crop height is an important determinant of agronomic performance. To map QTLs with additive effects and additive×additive epistatic interactions, 148 recombinant inbred lines and their parents, (‘ YecoraRojo’ and Iranian landrace (No. #49)) were evaluated under normal and water deficit conditions. The experiments were carried out on research farms of Mahabad University and Miyandoab Agricultural Research Center in 2014-2015. The experimental design was an alpha lattice design with two replications. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the studied traits were carried out for additive effects and additive×additive epistatic interactions using the QTL Network 2. 0 software based on the mixed-linear model. A number of 177 microsatellite and 51 retrotransposon markers were used to construct the linkage map. In the present study stem length, plant weight, peduncle length, and peduncle weight were measured. Results showed that under both normal and water deficit conditions, both positive and negative transgressive segregations were significant, also the highest and lowest broad and narrow sense heritability were estimated for stem length (73. 69 and 36. 74 percent) and peduncle length (40. 51 and 20. 25 percent), respectably. The results showed that under the normal condition, seven QTLs (R2 A=5 to 11%), and eight additive×additive epistatic interactions (R2 AA=1. 66 to 10. 92%) were significant. Under the water deficit condition seven QTLs (R2 A=4. 27 to 9%), and five additive×additive epistatic interactions (R2 AA=3. 8 to 14. 58%) were significant. Five QTLs from the 14 QTLs identified in this study were located in chromosome 5A, indicating the importance of this chromosome in controlling the plant architecture characteristics and possibly using it for marker-assisted selection and genetic engineering.

To map quantitative trait loci (QTL) for harvest index, 148 recombinant inbred lines and their parents, Yecora Rojo and an Iranian landrace line (No. 49), were evaluated under normal and terminal water deficit stress conditions in the research stations of Mahabad University and Miyandoab Agricultural Research Center, Iran, during 2014 and 2015. The experiment was carried out as design alpha lattice design with two replications. A linkage map of 51 retrotransposon and 177 microsatellite markers was used in this investigation. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for additive effects and additive × additive interactions were determined by QTL Network 2. 0 software using CIM and mixed-linear methods. QTL analysis revealed that under normal condition, six QTLs (R 2 A= 0. 04 to 12. 0%), two QTL × environment (E) interactions (R 2 AE= 6. 28%), five additive × additive epistatic effects (R 2 AA= 0. 7 to 8. 68%) and 12 additive × additive × E (R 2 AAE= 3. 76 to 11. 4%) were significant. Under water deficit stress conditions, two QTLs (R 2 A= 5. 0 to 7. 0%), two additive × additive interactions (R 2 AA= 3. 72 to 5. 48%) and seven additive × additive × E interactions (R 2 AAE= 8. 04 to 9. 58) were identified. Among the eight QTLs identified, three QTLs were located on chromosome 2D, suggesting the importance of this chromosome in controlling harvest index, which may be used for marker assisted selection in breeding programs.