Xylanolytic Enzymes describes the enzyme structure and its interaction with plant cell walls, the properties and production of different enzymes and their application, and the knowledge gathered on the hydrolysis mechanism of hemicellulose. The knowledge gathered about the hydrolysis mechanism of the hemicelluloses, especially xylans, has greatly promoted the rapid application of these enzymes in new areas. Recently there has been much industrial interest in xylan and its hydrolytic enzymatic complex, as a supplement and for the manufacturing of food, drinks, textiles, pulps and paper, and ethanol; and in xylitol production as a fermentation substrate for the production of enzymes. This book describes xylan as a major component of plant hemicelluloses. Presents a thorough overview of all aspects of xylanolytic enzymes Gives up-to-date authoritative information and cites pertinent research Includes studies on xylanase regulation and synergistic action between multiple forms of xylanase

Management Strategies for Sustainable Cattle Production in Southern Pastures is a practical resource for scientists, students, and stakeholders who want to understand the relationships between soil-plant interactions and pasture management strategies, and the resultant performance of cow-calf and stocker cattle. This book illustrates the importance of matching cattle breed types and plant hardiness zones to optimize cattle production from forages and pastures. It explains the biologic and economic implications of grazing management decisions made to improve sustainability of pastures and cattle production while being compliant with present and future environmental concerns and cattle welfare programs. Documents the effects of cattle grazing on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprints Discusses strategies to enhance soil fertility, soil health, and nutrient cycling in pastures Provides information on the use of stocking rates, stocking strategies and grazing systems to optimize cow-calf production of weaned calves and stockers. Presents innovations in cattle supplementation and watering systems to minimize negative impacts on water and soil health Includes methods for weed control to maintain pasture condition and ecosystem stability Describes management strategies to integrate cattle operations with wildlife sustainability

Grassland farming in Europe was already established during the settlement of the rst farmers together with their domesticated animals after the last ice age. Since then, grassland provides the forage basis to feed ruminant animals for the p- duction of meat and milk. Depending on the ecological conditions and intensity of usage, various plant communities with different species developed, displaying a rich biodiversity. With the introduction of improved crop rotations at the end of the 16th century, grasses and legumes were also grown to an important extent as forage crops on arable land. In the last decades the importance of amenity grasses increased markedly, due to the demand of the society for new usages like landscape protection. Around 1900 interested farmers and academics identi ed the need for gra- land improvement through systematic selection and seed production. This marks the beginning of breeding and research in companies but also at universities and specialized research institutes. Plant collection started with many of the species that are still of importance today. The collected materials were grouped according to the intended use and some type of phenotypic selection was applied. Seed mul- plication of such populations was performed in pure stands and the harvested seed was marketed. Although the vegetative biomass and its quality are of utmost imp- tance in forage crop breeding, it is the seed yield potential which determines the commercial success of a new variety.

Keynote address; Pastures and animal production; Problems with pastures: problems of animal production from temperate pastures; Problems of animal production from mediterranean pastures; Problems of animal production from tropical pastures; Limitations caused by chemical composition and digestibility: Differences between species in forage quality; Environmental and nutritional factors affecting herbage quality; Deleterious factors in forages affecting animal production; Limitations to intake: Influence of sward characteristics on diet selection and herbage intake by the grazing animal; Effects of chemical and physical composition of herbage eaten upor intake; Animal factors affecting feed intake; Limitations to digestion and utilization: Microbial breakdown of feed in the digestive tract; Digestion and utilization of energy; Digestion and utilization of protein; Utilization of minerals; Overcoming limitations to animal production: Selecting and breeding better legumes; Selecting and breeding better quality grasses; Animal breeding for improved productivity; Overcoming nutritional limitations through pasture management; Forage conservation; Improving forage quality by processing; Supplementary feeding of grazing animals; Modification of rumen fermentation; Integration of grazing with other feed resources; Role of computer simulation in overcoming limitations to animal production from pasturtes; Summative address; Symposium highlights and their relevante to future research; List of participants.; Index.