One of the critical growth and development stages that is vulnerable to drought and heat stress even in hardy staple crops is germination. Sorghum is a critically essential, resilient, and diverse crop that displays genotypic variations in its ability to withstand such harsh conditions, limiting crop stand and ultimately leading to yield losses. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of 50 high potential genotypes of African sorghum, including landraces, breeding lines and check varieties to simulated drought and heat stress at germination stage. The study used a split plot arrangement for temperature treatments, laid in a completely randomized design with three replications. Final germination percentage, mean germination time, germination index and coefficient variation of germination time (CVt) were determined. Data was subjected to generalized linear model, principal component analysis, hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis and principal coordinate analysis to determine statistical differences in genotypes and visualize groups of genotypes according to their overall performance in assessed germination parameters. Drought stress and supra-optimal temperatures suppressed and delayed germination. The genotypes were grouped into six distinct clusters based on their performance. Genotypes NPGRC1593, NPGRC1782, NPGRC1476 and IS224426 performed exceptionally well under both stressors and outperformed check varieties in almost all parameters assessed. To improve crop establishment and increase agricultural yields, breeding and crop improvement programs should focus on genotypes that can withstand both stresses.

Desiccation tolerance (DT) of seeds, one of the plant's environmental adaptation mechanisms, allows them to survive as seeds in a quiescent state under extremely water-deficient conditions during the plant's life cycle, followed by seed germination and seedling establishment under favourable water conditions. The seed-DT is lost after radicle emergence; however, there is a developmental period called the ‘DT window’ during which the germinating seeds can re-induce DT following a cue from their ambient low water potential (i.e. mild osmotic stress). The DT re-inducibility within the DT window has been used as a model biosystem for understanding molecular mechanisms that activate/supress DT in a number of plant species. However, the characteristics of the DT window for species particularly important to the agroindustry are still largely fragmented. Here, physiological analyses were performed, aiming to elucidate the properties of the DT window in tomato, a model species for Solanaceae, holding a key strategic position for the seed industry and commercial use around the world. We revealed that (i) the DT window of tomato seeds is closed when the developing radicle reaches about 4 mm after germination, (ii) the most effective ambient water potential to re-induce DT into seeds is about −1.5 MPa and (iii) there is organ specificity of DT re-induction with hypocotyls, showing a longer DT window than cotyledons and roots in post-germination seeds.

During soybean seed germination, the expansive growth potential of the embryonic axes is driven by water uptake while cell wall loosening occurs in cells from the elongation zone (EZ). Expansins are regarded as primary promoters of cell wall remodelling in all plant expansion processes, with the expression profiles of the soybean expansins supporting their cell or tissue specificity. Therefore, we used embryonic axes isolated from whole seed and focused on the EZ to study seed germination. Using a suite of degenerate primers, we amplified an abundantly expressed expansin gene at the EZ during soybean embryonic axis germination, which was identified as EXP1 by in silico analyses. Expression studies showed that EXP1 was induced under germination conditions in distilled water and down-regulated by abscisic acid (ABA), which inhibits soybean germination by physiologically restraining expansion. Moreover, we also identified a time window of ABA responsiveness within the first 6 h of incubation in water, after which ABA lost control of both EXP1 expression and embryonic axis germination, thus confirming the early role of EXP1 in the EZ during this process. By contrast, EXP1 levels in the EZ increased even when germination was impaired by osmotically limiting the water availability required to develop the embryonic axes’ growth potential. We propose that these higher EXP1 levels are involved in the fast germination of soybean embryonic axes as soon as water availability is re-established. Taken together, our results show strong EXP1 expression in the EZ and postulate EXP1 as a target candidate for soybean seed germination control.

Drought stress was evaluated with polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) treatment in Dunaliella salina, a microalga known for its great ability to withstand salinities of more than 30%. The aim was to explore the acclimation mechanisms used by the microalga to regulate its growth and physiology during coping with drought stress. The microalga was subjected to culture mediums containing 2 and 5% PEG for 25 days and was compared with a control culture medium. Significant decrease in growth parameters such as specific growth rate, biomass and number of divisions per day was demonstrated in PEG-treated algae. During PEG treatment, chlorophylls slightly increased, while β-carotene and total protein were not affected. Osmolytes, as well as carbohydrates, were found to be significantly higher in PEG-treated algae than in control. Increased catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were proportionally related to PEG concentrations in the cultures. The PEG-treated cells accumulated a considerable amount of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, especially at higher PEG concentrations. Electrolyte leakage increased, regardless of the PEG concentrations applied, while DNA fragmentation was not observed after 25 days of treating with PEG. It was concluded that Dunaliella cells could respond to the drought stress, probably by using a higher accumulation of a range of osmolytes and also more stimulation of the antioxidant enzymatic system.

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of temperature and water potential on water uptake, germination, and emergence of large crabgrass in order to predict emergence in the field. Water uptake of seed soaked in polyethylene glycol solutions of 0 to −1400 kPa underwent an initial imbibition phase followed by a lag phase and subsequent increase in water content when radicles emerged from the seed. Maximum germination at 15 C was 12% at 0 kPa and 60% at 25 C at 0 to −200 kPa osmotic potential. In the growth chamber, large crabgrass emergence from soil began 2 to 3 d after planting at 30 or 35 C and within 9 to 10 d at 15 C. Maximum emergence of 77 % occurred at 25 C and at a soil water potential of −30 kPa. Emergence percentage decreased as water potential decreased or as temperature increased or decreased. A logistic equation described emergence of large crabgrass at each combination of temperature and soil water potential at which emergence occurred, and a predictive model was developed and validated by field data. In the field, there was little or no emergence at soil temperatures below 15 C or water potentials below −50 to −60 kPa. The model predicted the time of onset of large crabgrass emergence and the time to reach maximum emergence to within 2 to 4 d of that recorded in field experiments. The model also predicted the correct number of flushes of emergence occurring in the field in three of four experiments.

Mayweed (Anthemis cotula L. # ANTCO) achenes and seed were germinated in the laboratory at constant temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 C. Maximum percent germination occurred at 20 C for both achenes and seed. Under all conditions tested, achene germination was less than seed germination. Both acid scarification for 15 min and soaking in 14 mM gibberellic acid (GA3) more than doubled achene germination. Pericarp leachate inhibited achene and seed germination only at high concentrations, indicating that inhibitors in the pericarp are not a primary cause of low germination in achenes. Optimum germination of achenes and seed occurred at pH 4.5 and over a range from pH 3 to pH 6. Achene germination was inhibited to a greater degree by moisture stress than was seed germination. It appears that structural integrity of the pericarp is the predominant factor affecting mayweed germination.

Black nightshade was subjected to two degrees of water stress by adding polyethylene glycol 20,000 (PEG) to the nutrient solution 5 d before treatment with glyphosate. The ED50 values for glyphosate, determined from dose-response curves, demonstrated that both degrees of water stress strongly increased the ED50, with and without the surfactant Ethomeen T/25 in the spray solution. The surfactant reduced the ED50 5-, 4.6-, and 6.9-fold at 0, 15, and 20% PEG, respectively. A 14C study demonstrated that unstressed plants absorbed 22% of applied glyphosate. Without surfactant, water stress reduced foliar absorption 2.2-fold at 15% PEG and 4.5-fold at 20% PEG. With surfactant, the foliar absorption was 35% of the applied amount in unstressed and water-stressed plants. The surfactant and PEG reduced the translocation efficiency of glyphosate. The surfactant had the most pronounced influence and reduced the translocation efficiency 1.5-fold at 0% PEG, 2.2-fold at 15% PEG, and 1.8-fold at 20% PEG. Induction or removal of water stress 24 h after glyphosate treatment indicated that plant growth rate is positively correlated with glyphosate efficacy. It was concluded that the surfactant can overcome the adverse influence of water stress on foliar absorption of glyphosate but not the adverse, postapplication influence of water stress on glyphosate efficacy.

We present a germination and emergence model that can be used as a sub-model in an individual-based model of population dynamics. Seed germination and seedling elongation rates were measured in petri dishes in the laboratory for ivyleaf morningglory, velvetleaf, corn, and soybean seeds, as functions of temperature and water potential. The analysis yielded a set of indices: the germination temperature index (GTI), the germination water index (GWI), the emergence temperature index (ETI), and the emergence water index (EWI). The seed populations were divided into 100 discrete cohorts, with each cohort (i), having its own germination rate (GR) as the product of a reference rate and the germination indices, or GRi = GRiREF × GTI × GWI. After germination, the emergence rate (ER) was the product of a reference rate and emergence indices, or ERi = ERREF × ETI × EWI. The model was tested against the timing of emergence in the field for seeds planted 1, 2, 4, and 8 cm deep in natural or rain-excluded environments. The predictions were more accurate for all depths combined than for any particular depth.

Horehound seed from Wyperfeld (Wyp90 and Wyp93) had optimum germination (98%) at constant 25 C and alternating 30/15 C at 0 MPa, while seed from Swift's Creek (SC93) had optimum germination at constant 25 to 27 C (84%) or alternating 25/15 C (95%). The Generalized Additive Models showed the effects of the three covariates (temperature, temperature difference and water potential) followed a smooth and regular pattern. Germination of SC93, Wyp90 and Wyp93 seed increased (P < 0.001) by 9.1, 6.1, and 11.6% for each degree increase in temperature difference but decreased (P < 0.001) with decreases in water potential by a factor of 4.1, 4.8, and 7.1 respectively, and ceased at −1.5 MPa. At constant temperatures the odds of germination were 27, 19, and 18% smaller for water potentials of 0, −0.25 and −0.5 MPa than when alternating temperatures varied by 15 C.

Longspine sandbur germinated readily after 3 months of storage at 0 to 4 C. Germination was 15 to 82 and 10 to 76% for seed retained by or that passed through a 1.7-mm-mesh screen, respectively, and was greatest in complete darkness near 30 C. Light inhibited seed germination at most of the temperatures tested. Incubating imbibed seed at 40 C and 40/10 C for 3 weeks reduced the viability of seed that did not germinate by more than 50%. Primary seed within the bur germinated 77% and secondary seed germinated 35% during 2 weeks at 35/10 C (16 light/8 dark h). Primary seed placed in polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions ranging from −0.5 to −1.5 kPa water potential germinated as much or greater than seed placed in water, while secondary seed germination was inhibited by similar osmotic potentials. Seedlings emerged from depths to 11 cm but emerged most readily from 1- to 3-cm depths.

Winter chilling in the field removed the primary dormancy in common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) seeds and allowed them to germinate in both light and darkness. A secondary dormancy was induced in the spring and seeds again failed to germinate in light or darkness. Kinetin (K) + ethephon (E) + gibberellin A4 + A7 (GA4+7) applied to the soil in December prevented secondary dormancy. The following May only 20% of the seeds at the 15-cm depth remained viable. The rest had germinated or decayed. In contrast, 89% of the untreated seeds remained viable. Application of K + E + GA4+7 on April 22 and May 2 also broke the secondary dormancy. Gibberellin A3 (GA3) was less effective than GA4+7 in preventing or breaking secondary dormancy.

Research was conducted on the leachability and dissipation of sodium azide applied to soil as a solution or as granules with various coatings. The sodium azide leached readily from all formulations, leaving sections of the soil profile with insufficient concentrations to stimulate germination of dormant wild oat (Avena fatua L.) seed. Sodium azide-impregnated clay granules coated with 5% (w/w) polyethylene glycol increased germination of wild oat seed two-fold over uncoated granules at a rate of 5.6 kg sodium azide/ha in field experiments. The polyethylene glycol coating reduced the rate of sodium azide dissipation from the soil in growth chamber experiments. Formulation of sodium azide has potential for increasing wild oat germination stimulation under field conditions.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) measured with NIRS is known to be a valuable faecal marker when used in indoor experiments. In order to verify whether it can be used at pasture, an experiment was conducted with two trials. In trial 1, six Romane breed adult dry ewes placed in metabolism cages were fed daily with natural, freshly cut rangeland from a fertilised or unfertilised paddock for 6 weeks. Three ewes did not receive PEG and the three others were dosed with 10 g of PEG in solution form once daily until the end of the experiment to measure in vivo dry matter digestibility and PEG recovery rate for each forage quality. At the same time (trial 2), 15 ewe lambs and 14 lactating adult ewes suckling one or two lambs were allowed to graze together on the same herbage as that cut for indoor ewes. All animals were initially equipped with faecal bags emptied twice daily for collecting total faeces, and eight ewe lambs and seven adults were dosed once daily with 10 g of PEG. Faecal grab samples were collected for 4 to 5 days for each forage quality grazed. Indoor trial 1 showed that PEG had no effect on dry matter intake (DMI) or on digestibility. PEG recovery rates measured on fertilised (77.7%) and unfertilised (82.1%) forage were not different (P>0.05). PEG recovery rates measured at pasture did not differ (P>0.05) between pasture quality and animal type with an average value of 68.9%. Faecal output measured with bags or estimated with PEG and calculated DMI were not different (P>0.05) when PEG recovery rate measured at pasture was used. Conversely, using indoor PEG recovery values, significantly (P<0.05) or tended to overestimate faecal output. In conclusion, PEG could be used as a faecal marker administered at a minimal dose of 1% of DMI with a recovery rate measured under pasture conditions for pasture intake measurements on a group of animals at the same physiological stage but not for individual measurements.

Several external markers can be used for estimating total faecal output in view of assessing ruminant intake at pasture. Among them, ytterbium (Yb) has been used for many years in various conditions. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a promising external marker because it can be rapidly determined using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The study consisted of 24 adult lactating dairy ewes over three periods (P1, P2 and P3), fed with three different diets: P1, total mixed ration (TMR); P2, Italian ryegrass (IRG); and P3, pasture. After an adaptation period, the ewes were administered a daily dose of ytterbium oxide (0.35 g/day) and PEG (20 g/day) for 2 weeks. During the last week, the daily organic matter intake (OMIOBS) was measured. Faecal samples were collected at milking time (0800 and 1600 h) to determine marker content, using only samples collected in the morning (PEGm) or by averaging samples (Yb, PEGma). Faecal marker content made it possible to assess total faecal output, either using the two recovery rates for PEG (0.98 or 0.87) or not. The OMIOBS was assessed on the basis of total faeces estimated with Yb (OMIYb) or PEG (OMIPEG), and the digestibility was calculated on the basis of feed analysis. With total TMR (P1), the OMIPEG, corrected with recovery rate (OMIPEGm98) or not corrected (OMIPEGm) was 2.40 kg/day and 2.50 kg/day, respectively, and was not different (P>0.05) from OMIOBS (2.51 kg/day), whereas OMIYb was lower (2.14 kg/day) (P<0.001). With IRG (P2), OMIPEGm98 (1.67 kg/day), OMIPEGm87 (1.51 kg/day) and OMIYb (1.59 kg/day) were not different (P>0.05) from OMIOBS (1.57 kg/day). With pasture (P3), the OMIPEGm (1.54 kg/day) and OMIPEGm98 (1.48 kg/day) were not different (P>0.05) from the OMI assessed from the biomass measurement (1.52 kg/day). The OMIYb (1.36 kg/day) was lower (P<0.05) but not different from OMIPEGm98 and OMIPEGm87. Spearman’s rank correlation between OMIOBS and other OMIs (predicted with Yb or PEG P1 and P2) showed that it is possible to rank animals using PEG when there is a sufficiently wide range of OMIOBS (1.65 to 2.8 kg/day in P1) but not within a narrower range (1.47 to 1.72 kg/day in P2). In conclusion, the present study confirms that PEG is a valuable external faecal marker, easy to prepare (solution), administer and determine (NIRS). It can be used to assess intake with numerous animals at pasture, but only for groups, and not to quantitatively estimate individual OMI.

Low soil water potential limits or prevents germination and emergence of rainfed winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in the winter wheat–summer fallow region of the US Inland Pacific Northwest, where wheat is routinely sown deep to reach moisture with 12–15 cm of soil covering the seed. Wide differences in seedling emergence among winter wheat cultivars have been reported, but few previous experiments have examined germination differences among cultivars as a function of water potential. The objective of our laboratory study was to quantify seed germination of five commonly sown winter wheat cultivars (Moro, Xerpha, Eltan, Buchanan and Finley) at seven water potentials, ranging from 0 to − 1.5 MPa. Germination was measured as a function of time for a period of 30 d. At higher water potentials (0 to − 0.5 MPa), all cultivars had germination of more than 90%. At the lowest water potentials ( − 1.0 to − 1.25 MPa), however, Moro consistently exceeded the other cultivars for speed and extent of germination, with total germination of 74% at − 1.0 MPa and 43% at − 1.25 MPa. Since its release in 1966, Moro has been sown by farmers when seed-zone water conditions are marginal. Scientists have long known that coleoptile length is an important factor controlling winter wheat seedling emergence from deep sowing depths. In addition to having a long coleoptile, our data suggest that Moro's known excellent emergence ability from deep sowing depths in dry soils can also be attributed to the ability to germinate at lower water potentials than other cultivars.

The objective of this study was to characterize the condensed tannins (CTs) in wrapped silage bales of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and examine their potential action on in vivo and in situ digestive characteristics in sheep. Silage was made from sainfoin, cut at two phenological stages. The first phenological stage, at which silage was made, was from the first vegetation cycle at the end of flowering and the second stage silage was made from regrowth, 5 weeks after the first cut, but before flowering. The silages made from the two phenological stages were fed to 12 rumen-fistulated sheep in a crossover design. Of the 12 sheep, six received polyethylene glycol (PEG) to bind with and remove the effects of CT, whereas the other six were dosed with water. Organic matter digestibility, total-tract N digestibility and N (N) balance were measured over 6 days. Kinetic studies were performed on total N, ammonia N (NH3-N) and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in rumen fluid before and 1.5, 3 and 6 h after feeding. The kinetics of degradation of dry matter and N from Dacron bags suspended in the rumen were also determined. Biological activity of CT (protein-binding capacity) and CT concentration were greater for the silage made from sainfoin at the early flowering stage. Total-tract N digestibility was increased by the addition of PEG (P < 0.001) to the sainfoin silage before flowering (P < 0.001). CTs decreased N excretion in urine (P < 0.05) and increased faecal N excretion (P < 0.001), but had no effect on body N retention, which is beneficial for the animal. Ruminal N degradability was smaller in the presence of active CT (P < 0.001) at both phenological stages; however, soluble N (P = 0.2060) and NH3-N (P = 0.5225) concentrations in rumen fluid remained unchanged. The results of this experiment indicate that CT in the sainfoin retain their ability to affect the nutritive value of preserved forage legumes.

Changes in soluble sugars in cauliflower seeds were followed during 50 h of imbibition in relation to desiccation tolerance. Sucrose and stachyose contents decreased, and glucose and fructose accumulated. This occurred in radicles first and subsequently in hypocotyls and cotyledons. Loss of desiccation tolerance in the various seed parts coincided with an increase in glucose and fructose and the complete loss of stachyose, but sucrose content, the major sugar, was still high. Drying imbibed seeds over silica gel did not evoke resynthesis of stachyose, but did increase sucrose and decrease glucose and fructose contents. Seeds primed in solutions of 30% polyethylene glycol for 10 days showed a loss of stachyose, while sucrose remained high and glucose and fructose contents were still very low. Redrying of primed seeds did not change the sugar contents. The primed seeds were still tolerant of desiccation. We conclude that stachyose is not a prerequisite for desiccation tolerance, but that sucrose may be. We suggest that glucose and fructose may be involved in desiccation damage.

This work was conducted to evaluate the effect of tannins, contained in a by-product derived from olive oil extraction (two-stage olive cake), on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen (N) losses and liver and kidney functions in goats and wethers. Six Segureña wethers and six Granadina goats were fed three experimental diets: alfalfa hay (AH); alfalfa hay and a concentrate (formulated with two-stage olive cake, barley and a mineral-vitamin mixture) without (AHCO) or with polyethylene glycol (PEG) addition (AHCOP). The inclusion of two-stage olive cake increased condensed tannins content of the diet and led to a decrease ( P < 0.001) in dry matter, organic matter, neutral-detergent fibre, acid-detergent fibre and crude protein (CP) digestibility. PEG supply increased ( P < 0.001) CP digestibility and N losses in urine and faeces only in wethers. Concentrations of creatinine and alkaline phosphatase activity, measured in the serum of animals, were not modified either by olive cake inclusion or by PEG supply. Results from this work indicate a higher sensitivity of sheep to diets containing condensed tannins, compared with goats, and reveal no toxic effect of tannins from two-stage olive cake at the concentration used in the experimental diets.

Thirty young male sheep were given air-dried foliage of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. ad libitum and 400 g oat hay. Animals were divided into five equal groups each of which was supplemented with either 300 g concentrate with (CPEG) or without (C) 20 g polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG) or urea-containing feedblocks with (BUPEG) or without (BU) PEG. One other treatment was PEG-containing feedblock without urea (BPEG). PEG was used to preferentially bind A. cyanophylla condensed tannins (CT). Feedblocks (BU, BPEG and BUPEG respectively) were made from olive cake (395, 376 and 353), wheat bran (263, 250 and 235), wheatfeeds (132, 125 and 118), quicklime (88, 83 and 78), salt (44, 42 and 39), mineral and vitamin supplement (12, 10 and 10), urea (66, 0 and 59) and PEG (0, 114 and 107 g/kg). These diets were used in growth (60 days) and metabolism (7 days) studies. Urea-containing feedblocks, as compared with concentrate, were higher in crude protein (CP; 235 v. 116 g/kg DM) and lower in metabolizable energy (6 v. 10 MJ/kg DM). The type of supplement (i.e. concentrate v. feedblocks) had no effect (P > 0·05) on A. cyanophylla DM intake, CP and neutral-detergent fibre (NDF) digestibilities and nitrogen (N) retention. However, concentrate-containing diets exhibited higher DM and organic matter (OM) digestibilities (P < 0·05), urinary excretion of allantoin (P < 0·05), microbial N supply (P < 0·001) and average daily gain (P < 0·001). PEG supply increased DM intake of A. cyanophylla, CP digestibility, N retention, allantoin voided in urine, microbial N supply and lamb growth. PEG-containing feedblocks enriched (BUPEG) or not (BPEG) with urea had similar effect on A. cyanophylla intake, DM, OM and NDF digestibilities, allantoin in urine, microbial N supply and average daily gain. These findings suggested that urea inclusion in feedblocks are not necessary and thus the feeding cost may be reduced. The higher amount of microbial N and daily gain in lambs given concentrate as compared with those on feedblock-supplemented diets was ascribed to the level of energy which was low in the latter diets. Enrichment of feedblocks with energy-rich ingredients such as molasses or cactus fruits could be a solution. This work confirmed that tannins depressed the nutritive value of this shrub species and lamb growth. However, the reduction was not drastic in the absence of PEG in the diet. Feedblock diet (BU) matched maintenance requirements of lambs while lambs on concentrate-supplemented diet (C) grew at a rate of 78 g/day. The choice between these two supplements will depend upon farm conditions and objectives.

Twenty-five male Barbarine lambs aged approximately 150 days were divided into five groups. All the animals received 400 g/day of oat hay and Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. foliage ad libitum. Two groups also received 300 g/ day of a mixture (70: 30) of processed barley and wheat bran, with or without 20 g polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG), groups CPEG and C respectively. The three other groups had free access to feedblocks based on olive cake, and containing urea, urea and PEG, or PEG, groups BU, BUPEG and BPEG respectively. Lambs were slaughtered at age 230 days and meat quality was determined in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle. Lean colour was significantly affected by dietary condensed tannins. Lightness (L*) was higher in those animals that did not receive PEG (P < 0·001) indicating that condensed tannins can cause lighter meat colour. This difference was not due to the ultimate pH, which was not affected by the inclusion of PEG in the diet. Meat from groups that received supplementation of concentrate had lower values of resistance to the Warner-Bratzler shear device compared with those that received feedblocks. This result was confirmed by a taste panel, that found samples from groups C and CPEG more tender than samples from groups BU, BUPEG and BPEG. Inclusion of PEG in the diet increased intensity of flavour (P < 0·05) but had no effect on overall acceptability. Meat from animals that had received the concentrate had higher overall acceptability (P < 0·05) than meat from animals that received the feedblocks. No differences were found in meat chemical composition.