Morphology of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) plants in pastures under sheep and cattle grazing

1997 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. HUME ◽  
J. L. BROCK
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuation ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Cattle Grazing ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Plant Structure ◽  
The Difference

The effects of contrasting management systems either of infrequent rotational grazing by town milk supply dairy cattle, or of frequent defoliation by continuously grazing sheep and beef cattle, on the morphology of independent plants and populations of ‘Grasslands Roa’ tall fescue in mixed pastures, were measured over 1 year (1992/93) in New Zealand. Volunteer perennial ryegrass plants were also measured for comparison.While both species exhibited a similar pattern of clonal growth, tall fescue developed more plants of higher branching complexity than perennial ryegrass, chiefly through maintaining more connective stems, as herbage production was confined to the three youngest branching orders in both species. Greater resistance to microbial degradation of old stems through poorer quality organic matter (wide C[ratio ]N ratio) compared to perennial ryegrass may be responsible for the greater complexity of fescue plants. In addition, tillering rates in tall fescue were three times lower which was offset by greater longevity and size of leaves and tillers, compared to perennial ryegrass. As a result, seasonal fluctuation in the distribution of plants among the various branching orders in tall fescue was small, producing a more stable population relative to the distinct seasonal changes in the population of perennial ryegrass plants. Grazing management had no effect on the seasonal population structure in either species.Differences in plant structure due to grazing management were small, with only slightly more tillers on sheep-grazed than on cattle-grazed tall fescue plants. The major effect of grazing management was on dry weight or size of plant components. Cattle-grazed tall fescue plants were 120% heavier, with greater numbers and lengths of stolons and flower heads than those under sheep grazing. For the volunteer perennial ryegrass, the difference was only 65%, possibly due to competition from the more vigorous tall fescue under rotational cattle grazing.Both species produced stolons throughout the year, although these were primarily associated with reproductive growth in spring. In tall fescue, an additional distinction was made between stolon and rhizome, the latter occurring mainly in the summer–autumn. Their possible functions in plant growth are discussed.

scholarly journals Demonstration of dryland species on 90 east coast North Island farms

1993 ◽  
pp. 39-44
Author(s):  
G.D. Milne ◽  
S.C. Moloney ◽  
D.R. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Hill Country ◽  
The North ◽  
Animal Growth ◽  
Direct Drilling

A drought pasture demonstration programme was established on the east coast of the North Island, between 1990 and 1992. Dryland pasture species were established on 1500 ha, on 91 farms, to encourage other farmers to use them rather than relying totally on perennial ryegrass. 97% of pastures were established successfully, proving to farmers that dryland pasture species can be established reliably. As well as establishing pastures after cultivation, it was also proven that these species can be reliably established by direct drilling, or by oversowing onto hill country, using techniques developed in this programme. Some farmers monitored the amount of grazing obtained from the new pastures, and found that on average they received 112% more grazing annually than resident pastures, the largest increases occurring in summer. Many farmers also reported better animal growth rates on the new pastures, especially in summer and autumn. Monitoring of species presence in tiller cores has shown the sown species to be persisting well to date (Nov 1992), with the exceptions of tall fescue and grazing brome when sown onto hill country. The programme reinforced factors important in the establishment and grazing management of dryland pastures. The programme has brought about a noticeable change in attitude to dryland species, and seed sales have increased markedly while ryegrass sales have decreased. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, Dactylis glomerata, drought, Festuca arundinacea, demonstration, dryland pasture establishment

scholarly journals The pasture ryegrass plant, what is it?

1991 ◽  
pp. 111-116
Author(s):  
J.L. Brock ◽  
V.J. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Plant Structure ◽  
High Plant Density ◽  
Short Internodes ◽  
Average Size

Detailed studies of plant growth processes are important in understanding the performance and persistence of species in pastures, particularly in response to uncharacteristic environmental stress. The morphology of perennial ryegrass plants in mixed sheep grazed pastures was determined in self contained farmlets undercontrasting managements of rotational grazing, set stocking or a combination of both. Average size was 90 mg total DW, with 4- 5 tillers and 12-13 leaves, little different to white clover. Ryegrass exhibits strong clonal growth, with extension at the apex and death of the basal stem releasing branches to form new plants at regular intervals, maintaining a stable population structure of small plants all year. The normally short internodes on ryegrass stems can elongate to form stolon and elevate the apex to a more favourable position if survival is threatened. On average only 2530% of plants contained stolon at any one time. Because of high plant density the quantities of ryegrass stem present was often in excess of that produced by white clover in the same swards. Grazing management did not affect plant structure (numbers of tillers, leaves etc) only their size (dry weight), but had marked effects on pasture structure and subsequent survival of plants under stress. Keywords perennial ryegrass, plant morphology, grazing management, seasonal variation, plant survival, stolon formation

Grazing management of dairy pastures based on tall fescue in southern Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 1081 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Lawson ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
M. E. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Leaf Stage ◽  
High Dry Matter ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Plant Frequency

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (Schreb) Darbysh.) has the potential to become a useful component of irrigated dairy pastures in northern Victoria owing to its high dry matter (DM) production compared with perennial ryegrass. However, tall fescue is not widely grown because its grazing management is perceived as difficult. In October 2010, a tall fescue–white clover pasture was established and irrigated. In September 2011, six grazing-management treatments were imposed over 3 years, involving grazing: at 1-leaf stage; at 2-leaf stage (1.5-leaf stage during spring); at 3-leaf stage (2.5-leaf stage during spring); at intervals based upon days between grazings ranging from 15 days in October–December to 60 days in winter; at intervals as above except for 21 days in October–December; and at intervals approximating that of a well-managed perennial-ryegrass-based pasture . Measurements included pre- and post-grazing pasture mass, nutritive characteristics, botanical composition and plant frequency. Pasture consumption from the treatment grazed at the 3-leaf stage was >3.5 t DM ha–1 year–1 (30%) greater than from the three most frequently grazed treatments. However, crude protein content was 1–3% DM units lower when grazed at the 3-leaf stage compared with the two most frequently grazed treatments. There was no effect on estimated metabolisable energy or neutral detergent fibre contents of the pasture on offer. Differences in pasture composition between the pastures grazed at the 3-leaf stage and those most frequently grazed emerged over time and were most conspicuous in the third year, with a greater plant frequency (79% v. 66%) and tall fescue content (61% v. 40% DM) and lower weed content (14% v. 28% DM). From the study, a grazing regime for tall fescue based on the 3-leaf stage appears promising because it produced the most DM over the experiment. A disadvantage of this regime was the need for an extra mowing each year. The practicality of this approach to grazing tall fescue needs to be tested at the whole-farm level.

scholarly journals Additional Host Plants of Four Species of Billbug Found on New Jersey Turfgrasses

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Johnson-Cicalese ◽  
C.R. Funk
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Red Fescue

Studies were conducted on the host plants of four billbug species (Coleoptera:Curculionidae: Sphenophorus parvulus Gyllenhal, S. venatus Chitt., S. inaequalis Say, and S. minimus Hart) found on New Jersey turfgrasses. A collection of 4803 adults from pure stands of various turfgrasses revealed all four billbugs on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and S. parvulus, S. venatus, and S. minimus on Chewings fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud.). Since the presence of larvae, pupae, or teneral adults more accurately indicates the host status of a grass species, immature billbugs were collected from plugs of the various grass species and reared to adults for identification. All four species were reared from immature billbugs found in Kentucky bluegrass turf; immatures of S. venatus, S. inaequalis, and S. minimus were found in tall fescue; S. venatus and S. minimus in perennial ryegrass; and S. inaequalis in strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra). A laboratory experiment was also conducted in which billbug adults were confined in petri dishes with either Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.). Only minor differences were found between the four grasses in billbug survival, number of eggs laid, and amount of feeding. In general, bermudagrass was the least favored host and the other grasses were equally adequate hosts. The results of this study indicate a need for updating host-plant lists of these four billbug species.

scholarly journals VARIATION AMONG PERENNIAL RYEGRASS x TALL FESCUE PLANTS FROM TISSUE CULTURE

1988 ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
A.G. Scott ◽  
D.W.R. White
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Chromosome Doubling ◽  
Chromosome Elimination ◽  
Intergeneric Hybrids ◽  
Hybrid Plants ◽  
Spontaneous Chromosome

Tissue culture was used in an attempt to obtain a fertile perennial ryegrass x tall fescue hybrid. Regenerated hybrid plants were found to be morphologically variable and contain extensive chromosome rearrangements. Spontaneous chromosome doubling had occurred as well as chromosome elimination. though no fertile hybrid plants have been obtained to date. Keywords: somaclonal variation, Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, intergeneric hybrids

scholarly journals Can pasture persistence be improved through the use of nonryegrass species?

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
G.D. Milne
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Recent Discussion

Recent discussion about pasture persistence concentrates on pastures based on perennial ryegrass, the most commonly used grass species. This paper raises the question as to whether some of the causes of poor pasture persistence are due to perennial ryegrass being used in environments to which it is not suited. The adaptation to environmental stresses, particularly water, temperature and nutrient deficiencies, in different regions of New Zealand of tall fescue, cocksfoot, phalaris, and lucerne are discussed, and how this impacts on persistence advantages over perennial ryegrass. Keywords: persistence, pasture, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Medicago sativa, Phalaris aquatica

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.

Leaf development in eight related grasses

1994 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Gao ◽  
D. Wilman
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Leaf Expansion ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Rate Of Increase

SummaryLeaf development was studied in eight related grasses, grown in field swards cut at 5-week intervals, during the year of sowing and the subsequent year (1989 and 1990). The rate of leaf expansion was in the order Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue > hybrid ryegrass > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The order of grasses was similar, but not identical, for rate of leaf appearance, rate of leaf extension, weight of leaf blade emerging per shoot per week and rate of increase in length of exposed leaf sheath, and the order was approximately the reverse for weight per unit area of emerging leaf blade. The area per leaf blade increased greatly between May and October of the year of sowing, particularly in Westerwolds, Italian and hybrid ryegrasses and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue. Area per leaf blade in tall fescue increased greatly between May and July of the year of sowing and May–July of the subsequent year. Rate of leaf expansion in meadow fescue was much higher in May of the year after sowing than in the previous May.

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