The two-year study (2020–2022) investigated the effects of seed hydropriming, supplementary irrigation, and foliar amino acid application on a rainfed wheat cultivar at Ekbatan Research Station, Hamedan, Iran. Conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications and a factorial arrangement, the experiment evaluated three factors: supplementary irrigation (applied at sowing, flowering, grain filling, or no irrigation), seed hydropriming (soaking seeds in tap water for 10 hours vs. unprimed), and foliar sprays (lysine, methionine at 50 mg/l, or water) at the heading stage. The absence of supplementary irrigation maximized leaf soluble protein content. Foliar application of amino acids reduced leaf proline levels by 5%. The highest proline accumulation was observed in the second year under non-irrigated and unprimed conditions. Supplementary irrigation during flowering and methionine foliar spray decreased catalase activity by 9.7% and 2.6%, respectively, compared to their controls. In the second year, with an 18% reduction in rainfall, seed hydropriming increased superoxide dismutase activity by 28%, carotenoid content by 21%, and grain yield by 28.6% compared to unprimed seeds. Supplementary irrigation at flowering with seed hydropriming enhanced total chlorophyll by 39.1% relative to unprimed seeds. Methionine application increased grain yield by 5.4% compared to water spray. Therefore, seed hydropriming with tap water, supplementary irrigation at flowering, and methionine foliar application are recommended to enhance rainfed wheat growth and yield in Hamedan.

The goal of this study was to assess starch degradability, protein fractionation, and fermentation profile of wet brewers grain (WBG) ensiled with maize or sorghum grains. Two treatments were prepared: maize + WBG, maize rehydrated with WBG; and sorghum + WBG, sorghum rehydrated with WBG, with 10 replications per treatment, adjusted to 55% dry matter (DM). Data were analysed in a completely randomized design using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Losses and pH were lower in maize + WBG, however, it also presented higher lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, moulds, and lactic acid (P < 0.001). Acetic acid did not differ; but propionic acid was lower in maize + WBG. The DM and EE were higher in maize + WBG, whereas ash, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, and crude protein were lower in this treatment. Starch concentration was similar, however with higher degradability in maize + WBG. The A1, A2, and C protein fractions were higher for maize + WBG; while B1 and B2 were lower. Overall, WBG ensiled with maize showed higher A1 (ammonia) and A2 (soluble protein) protein fractions, and higher starch degradability compared with sorghum silages rehydrated with WBG.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the fermentation characteristics, losses, aerobic stability, and nutritive value of the silage of three cultivars of cactus pear {‘Orelha de Elefante Mexicana’ - OEM (Opuntia sp.), ‘IPA Sertânia’ and ‘Miúda’ [Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm Dyck.]} mixed with three levels of inclusion of Leucaena [Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit] hay (0, 15, and 30%). The design was completely randomized in a 3×3 factorial arrangement, corresponding to cactus pear varieties and Leucaena hay levels, with four replications. Gas and effluent losses, pH, organic acids, aerobic stability, and nutritional value of silages were evaluated. The silages of the cultivar OEM without the inclusion of Leucaena hay had a higher pH (4.95) compared to Miúda (4.11) and IPA Sertânia (4.17). The aerobic stability was maintained for more than 60h after opening the silos. The inclusion of Leucaena hay (up to 30%) increased the pH and reduced losses by effluents without compromising the fermentative characteristics of the silages, indicated by the predominance of lactic acid (93 g/kg).