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Effect of Drying Method on Losses of Carbon, Nitrogen and Dry Matter from Alfalfa

Mayland, H.F. (1968) Effect of Drying Method on Losses of Carbon, Nitrogen and Dry Matter from Alfalfa. Agronomy Journal. 60:658-659.

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Abstract

Methods of drying forage samples were examined for
their influence on the total C, N, and dry matter (DM)
content of 'Ranger' alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Forage
samples were freeze-dried; air-dried in perforated paper
bags and on trays; dried in perforated paper bags in
mechanical convection ovens at 60, 80, and 100 C; and
oven-dried at 100 C for 90 minutes followed by drying
at 60 C, or by air-drying. All treatments were terminated
after 48 hours.

Losses in C and N were measured by changes in C:K
and N:K ratios. The DM losses were measured by
changes in K concentration. Carbon and DM were lost
more readily than N by either respiratory or thermo-chemical
processes. These losses resulted in an apparent
concentration of N in all forage dried between ambient
and 100 C. All treatments, when compared to freeze-drying,
resulted in losses of C and DM. The greatest
loss of DM, 5.4% occurred in samples dried at 100 C.
Oven-drying at 100 C for 90 minutes followed by air-drying
caused DM losses of only 0.2%. Significant differences
in actual N content between the various drying
methods were not generally observed.

Item Type: Article
NWISRL Publication Number: 0091
Subjects: Irrigated crops > Alfalfa
Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User: Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited: 20 Nov 2010 21:54
Last Modified: 15 Mar 2017 22:03
Item ID: 668
URI: https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/668