Use of water by six grass species. 1. Dry-matter yields and response to irrigation

1979 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Garwood ◽  
K. C. Tyson ◽  
J. Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
First Year ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Second Year

SUMMARYThe yield and quality of herbage produced by six grasses (perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy, rough-stalked meadow grass, tall fescue and Italian ryegrass) were examined both without irrigation and under two irrigation regimes. Water was applied according to the potential soil water deficit (potential SWD): the soil was either partially returned to field capacity (FC) after each cut or fully returned to FC whenever the potential SWD reached 25 mm. The swards were cut either at 3 (C3) or 6 (C6) week intervals over a 2 year period.Partial irrigation increased yields by 12–14% in the first year and by 36–58% in the second. Full irrigation produced little more growth than partial irrigation in the first year (maximum SWD, 188 mm) but increased yield by 78–93% in the second, very dry, year (maximum SWD, 311 mm). Under treatment C3 response per unit of water applied was similar with both partial and full irrigation, but under C6 the response was greater with partial (2·86 kg D.M./m3) than with full irrigation (1·79 kg D.M./m3).There were marked differences between the species in their ability to grow under drought conditions in the second year of the experiment. Without irrigation, roughstalked meadow grass and Italian ryegrass did not survive the drought. The performance of tall fescue was markedly superior to both perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot in these conditions. Of the surviving grasses timothy made least growth.

Growth, persistence, and rust sensitivity of irrigated perennial temperate grasses in the Queensland subtropics

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 571 ◽  
Author(s):  
KF Lowe ◽  
TM Bowdler
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
First Year ◽  
Annual Ryegrass ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Second Year

The growth, persistence, and rust sensitivity of a range of temperate grasses were measured to assess their potential for irrigated pastures in the subtropics. Characteristics considered important for adaptation to the subtropics include a relatively even growth rate throughout the year, rust tolerance, and the ability to persist under humid conditions. Cultivars and experimental lines from Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass), L. rnultiflorum (Italian ryegrass), Festuca arundiizacea (fescue), Festuca x Lolium (festulolium), Bromus spp. (prairie grass and bromes), Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot), and Phalaris aquatica (phalaris) were sown at Gatton, south-eastern Queensland, in pure stands or mixtures of annual and perennial grasses, using high seeding rates, 50 kg N/ha.defoliation, and full irrigation throughout the year. As a group, the fescues were the highest yielding and most persistent over 2 years, with AU Triumph the highest yielding cultivar. Maru phalaris was the most persistent grass, increasing from a frequency of 85% at the end of the first year to 100% at the end of the second year. Perennial ryegrass yields were about two-thirds those of the fescues, with a frequency of around 70% after 2 years. Dobson was the best ryegrass, producing a greater proportion of its forage in summer and increasing its density over the 2 years compared with the other perennial ryegrasses. Mixtures of annual ryegrass and fescue cultivars produced yields equivalent to pure fescue swards, with production dominated by annual ryegrass in the first year and by fescue in the second. Matua prairie grass was high yielding, but under frequent cutting was not as persistent as the ryegrasses. Felopa festulolium was inferior to the perennial ryegrasses and fescues in yield, the distribution of that yield, and persistence. Weeds contributed 1-10% of total yield over 2 years. The experiment suggests that the fescue cultivars are the most productive temperate grasses for perennial irrigated pastures in the subtropics, although better animal performance would improve farmer acceptance. The addition of a ryegrass component to fescue swards increased yields during establishment but did not improve overall yields. Late-maturing cultivars are the highest yielding of the perennial ryegrasses. Rust sensitivity needs improvement as all the present lines are highly susceptible.

Production and forage quality of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii) in comparison to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in subtropical dairy pastures

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. F. M. Fennell ◽  
K. Slack
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Tiller Stage ◽  
Prairie Grass

A grazing study was conducted, over a 3-year period (1997–99), on the subtropical north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to compare the yield of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii cv. Matua), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Vulcan) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Yatsyn), on a well-drained red krasnozem soil at Wollongbar Agricultural Research Institute (WAI) and on a heavy clay soil at Casino. The effect of grazing interval (equivalent to the time taken to regrow 1.5, 2.5 or 4 leaves/tiller) in spring, and forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring was also assessed. At both sites, the dry matter (DM) yields of prairie grass over the establishment year and in year 2 were significantly (P<0.001) higher than for the other 2 grass species (mean for 2 years over the 2 sites was 23.8, 8.9 and 7.7 t DM/ha for prairie grass, ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively). In year 3, there was no production of tall fescue or ryegrass at the WAI site while prairie grass produced 11.3 t DM/ha although this was obtained from natural seedling recruitment after the sward was sprayed with a herbicide in February of that year. At the Casino site, ryegrass and tall fescue still made substantial growth in year 3 (3.1 and 2.1 t DM/ha for ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively) but this was significantly below the yields of prairie grass (5.5 t DM/ha). More frequent grazing of prairie grass in spring (equivalent to 1.5 leaves/tiller of regrowth) led to significantly (P<0.05) less plants surviving summer and less seedling recruitment in the following autumn. The annual yield of the 1.5 leaf treatment was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the remaining treatments but only in the third year of the study. Analysis of prairie grass forage samples, taken in June (vegetative sward) and November (reproductive sward), gave magnesium values of less than 0.2% DM which is below the concentration found in ryegrass and that recommended for dairy cattle. The Ca : P and K : (Ca + Mg) ratios in prairie grass improved, as a forage for dairy cows, with regrowth time up to 5 leaves/tiller. Metabolisable energy remained constant with regrowth time in June at 10.8 MJ/kg DM but fell significantly in November from 10.7 MJ/kg DM, immediately post-grazing, to 9.2 MJ/kg DM at the 4.5 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. In contrast to observations in ryegrass, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of forage samples of prairie grass taken in November showed a substantial increase with regrowth time to over 12% DM at the 3 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. The high productivity and forage quality of prairie grass obtained over a 3-year period suggests this grass species could be a suitable temperate perennial grass for subtropical dairy pastures. An appropriately long grazing interval in spring seems critical to optimise plant survival over summer and for adequate seed set for seedling recruitment the following autumn. If summer weeds and/or grasses invade to a significant extent, the large seedbank of prairie grass provides the opportunity to spray out the pasture in summer and rely on seedling recruitment to establish a new sward in autumn. The forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring is similar to perennial ryegrass but the magnesium levels are substantially lower and stock grazing this type of pasture for extended periods would need to be supplemented with this mineral.

Herbage production and tiller density in five related grasses, their hybrids and mixtures

1996 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wilman ◽  
Y. Gao
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Better Than

SUMMARYFour grass species, three hybrids and three mixtures were grown in field swards near Aberystwyth. All swards were amply supplied with nutrients and were cut at 5-week intervals during the year of sowing (1989) and during the following 4 years. The order of the grasses in rate of establishment was: Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) > Italian ryegrass × perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) > tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). During the sowing year as a whole, Italian ryegrass was the highest yielding grass, followed by Westerwolds ryegrass. During the remaining period (1990–93), as a whole, the highest yields were obtained from perennial ryegrass sown alone or in a mixture with tall fescue. Tall fescue sown alone was one of the lowest yielding grasses in the year of sowing, but developed to be the highest yielding in 1992 and 1993. Westerwolds ryegrass persisted least well, although some plants did survive until 1992. Italian ryegrass persisted better than Westerwolds and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted better than Italian ryegrass. Hybrid ryegrass and perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted satisfactorily but with fewer tillers/m2 than perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. The yield of tall fescue in March was as high as that of Italian ryegrass in 1990 and 1991 and higher than that of any of the other grasses in 1992 and 1993; the tiller density of tall fescue was particularly high in March. The yield of mixtures (Italian ryegrass with perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass with tall fescue and perennial ryegrass with tall fescue) was, on average, 2·5% more than the mean of the component species when sown alone. When grown with ryegrass, tall fescue was not prominent initially but its proportion in the sward gradually increased.

Resistance of New Zealand dairy pastures to ingress of summer-active annual grass weeds

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. N. Tozer ◽  
E. Minneé ◽  
C. A. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
First Year ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Second Year

Yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila) and summer grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) are summer-active annual grass weeds which infest temperate dairy pastures. A study was undertaken over 2 years to compare hand-sown yellow bristle and summer grass establishment, survival, and seed production in pastures grazed by dairy cows and based on (i) tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), (ii) tetraploid perennial ryegrass and white clover (Trifolium repens), and (iii) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and white clover, to determine which pasture type offered the greatest resistance to these grass weeds. Ingress of grass weeds was similar in all three pasture types. Total dry matter production was similar for all pasture types for the first year and lower in tall fescue + clover than perennial ryegrass pasture in the second year. All pasture types had a similar distribution of microsite types (bare ground ± canopy, basal cover ± canopy) in both years. The annual grass weeds were most prevalent in bare ground + canopy microsites, which were also the most frequent of the four microsite types. In the first year, <5% of microsites were occupied within 2 months of sowing, whereas in the second year, microsite occupation remained >13% for all assessments. In the first year, panicle production of yellow bristle and summer grass was similar (averaging 4.1 panicles plant–1); in the second year, panicle production was greater for summer grass (0.80 v. 0.16 panicles plant–1, respectively). Where present, these annual grass weeds are likely to spread in dryland dairy pastures sown with either perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. Variability in their panicle production between years shows how their impact on pasture performance and consequent need for control measures will also vary from year to year.

A comparison of the sown swards of perennial ryegrass S. 24 and Italian ryegrass RvP in a two-year lamb production system, with different breeds of sheep

1976 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. Newton ◽  
N. E. Young ◽  
R. J. Orr
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
First Year ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Intensive System

SummaryA comparison was made between an intensive system of lamb production based on Italian ryegrass RvP and one based on perennial ryegrass S. 24, over 2 years, each at three stocking rates (14, 17, 20 ewes/ha). More grass was grown in the first year than in the second when the yield of RvP was particularly reduced. The ewes and lambs ate more RvP than S. 24 but there was no difference in lamb growth rate. The lambs grew faster at the low stocking rate from 0 to 18 weeks and from 0 to slaughter than at the medium and high stocking rates, in both years. Ewe intake and lamb growth rate were higher in the second year than the first. The Masham ewes with two lambs ate significantly more grass per unit of body weight than the Finnish Landrace × Scottish Halfbred and Finnish Landrace × Scottish Blackface ewes, and their lambs grew significantly faster. It was concluded that for an intensive system of lamb production from grass, S. 24 was more suitable than RvP.

Time and level of pruning with cincturing or PCPA in relation to yield and quality of Zante currant

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (45) ◽  
pp. 484 ◽  
Author(s):  
N El-Zeftawi ◽  
HL Weste
Keyword(s):  
First Year ◽  
Dried Fruits ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Dried Fruit ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Intermediate Results

Results of a two-year trial on forty-year-old Zante Currant vines (Vitus vinifera) showed that yields of dried fruit could be increased by about 20 per cent by pruning the usual number of spurs to six buds instead of the customary two, with four-bud spurs giving intermediate results. The yield increases were associated with an increased number of bunches per vine. For the two years of the trial there was no evidence of overcropping. In the same trial, pruning in mid-winter was compared with pruning in spring when t h ~ shoots were 5 cm long. In the first year the earlier pruning gave higher yields, but in the second year there was no difference. Cincturing and PCPA spray were also compared and tincturing was found to give higher yields of fresh and dried fruits.

scholarly journals 'GRASSLANDS ROA' TALL FESCUE: A REVIEW.

1983 ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.L. Brock
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
First Year ◽  
Young Stock ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Seed Mixture ◽  
Development Methods

Relative to perennial ryegrass, tall fescue has increased summer production, pest resistance and persistency under summer dry conditions. The new cultivar 'Grasslands Roa' also has attributes of increased crown rust resistance and a high acceptability to stock. Animal performance has proved similar to that of perennial ryegrass with no stock health problems. Roa has very slow growth and no other grass species should be included in the seed mixture; the seed should be well covered at sowing: N fertiliser could be used to speed seedling growth; grazing should be frequent and lax with young stock during the first year to allow adequate root development. Methods of use of Roa are discussed. Keywords: Festuca arundinacea, Roa tall fescue, potential, selection, summergrowth, drought tolerance, establishment management.

scholarly journals Variability of major traits of marigold seed in respect of genotype and climatic conditions

2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40
Author(s):  
Radosav Jevdjovic ◽  
Radojka Maletic
Keyword(s):  
Great Influence ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
First Year ◽  
Germination Energy ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Absolute Mass ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Standard Cultivar

The results of the two-year comparative research of qualitative and quantitative traits of marigold seed of different genotypes in regard to the standard cultivar were analyzed. The highest yield of seed in both study years was registered in genotype "King orange", and the lowest in genotype "R". Concerning the quality of seed, that is, germination energy and total germination, the best results were established for genotype "King orange" and the poorest for genotype "R" in both study years. The highest absolute mass was registered in domestic cultivar "Domestic orange". Climatic conditions had great influence on yield and quality of marigold seed. In the first study year, with 2.5 times higher water sediment during the vegetation period, seed yield in all genotypes was higher compared to the second study year. Also, absolute mass of seed of all genotypes was higher in the first study year. However, germination energy and total germination for all genotypes was better in the second year, when the sum of temperatures during the vegetation period was 37580C compared to the first year when the sum of temperatures recorded was 35230C.

Responses to the renovation of an irrigated perennial pasture in northern Victoria. 2. Botanical composition, and plant and tiller densities

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Lawson ◽  
K. B. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Active Species ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Point Density ◽  
Plant Frequency ◽  
Tiller Density

A field experiment was established in northern Victoria in the autumn of 1999 to quantify the effects of renovating a 15-year-old, irrigated perennial pasture with a high paspalum content. The treatments were: (i) control, the existing pasture; (ii) oversown, the existing pasture grazed, topped and direct drilled; and (iii) resown, the existing pasture sprayed, cultivated and a new pasture sown. The grass species used in both renovation treatments were perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass and tall fescue. The treatments were grazed by dairy cows. The botanical composition, tiller density and plant frequency are reported in this paper. Oversowing with either perennial or Italian ryegrass increased the sown grass content by an average of 4–8% DM, and by up to 20% DM during winter and spring, but did not affect the average white clover, volunteer species or dead contents. Oversowing did not affect the sown grass or paspalum tiller densities but annual oversowing with either perennial or Italian ryegrass increased the ryegrass plant frequency and, in 2 of the 4 years, reduced the white clover growing point density. Resowing increased (P < 0.05) the content of sown grasses (by 12% DM for perennial ryegrass and by 20% DM for tall fescue) and white clover (by 8% DM) and decreased (P < 0.05) the content of volunteer species (by 18% DM) and, in years 1 and 2, dead material. The plant frequency of tall fescue increased over time (from 75 to 83% of quadrats), whereas that of perennial ryegrass declined (from 87 to 72% of quadrats). This resulted in the resown tall fescue having a lower (P < 0.05) white clover content and growing point density in years 3 and 4, and a tendency for a lower volunteer species content and tiller density in year 4, than the resown perennial ryegrass. Tall fescue is thus better able to resist the invasion of summer-active species and is less likely to require either oversowing or resowing than perennial ryegrass-based pastures. These results suggest that tall fescue should be considered as an alternative to perennial ryegrass when sowing pastures. The use of nitrogen did not improve the sown grass content, tiller density or plant frequency and will not therefore overcome problems resulting from a low ryegrass content.

GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY OF A RANGE OF GRASSES IN A CONTINENTAL CLIMATE

1999 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wilman ◽  
K. H. Dong ◽  
Z. L. Jin
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Growth Yield ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Cell Content ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Leaf Appearance ◽  
Continental Climate

The possibility of producing herbage of higher quality than that of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in a continental climate with cold winters, hot summers and low precipitation was investigated, with and without irrigation, at Taigu, Shanxi, China. Tall fescue was compared with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue in field swards, managed by cutting, during the year of sowing and in the three subsequent years. Perennial ryegrass yielded well in the year of sowing, but was low yielding subsequently; perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue yielded well in the year of sowing and in the following year. Both of these grasses had high rates of leaf appearance and extension and a high proportion of cell content in the dry matter. Tall fescue yielded well, but was low in proportion of cell content.

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