The effect of species complexity and sodium fertilizer application on the grazing behaviour of calves

1993 ◽  
Vol 1993 ◽  
pp. 142-142
Author(s):  
M. Youssef ◽  
P.C. Chiy ◽  
C.J.C. Phillips ◽  
M. Metwally
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Individual Plant ◽  
Adult Cattle ◽  
High Sodium ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
High Sodium Diet ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

Cattle exhibit preferences not only for certain sward species but for the same species at different stages of growth, and the various parts of an individual plant and for individual plant of preferred composition. This tendency is termed selective grazing (Fontenot and Blaser, 1965). For example ruminants will select a high Sodium diet. Calves tend to be more selective than adult cattle, muzzling herbage before eating.The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the effect of sward complexity, species and sodium fertilizer on the grazing behaviour of calves.Sixteen dairy Friesian calves, aged 5 to 6 months, with no previous grazing experience, were allocated to groups of 4 similar calves, and then at random to four pasture treatments of 3480m2 each with one (Perennial Ryegrass, P), two (P and Timothy, T), three (P, T and Cocksfoot, C) and four (P, T.C and Red Fescue, R) grass species in a balanced change over design. Each species was sown in plots of 290m2 and one half of each plot received 48Kg/ha. nacl.

The effect of previous experience of four pasture species on the grazing behaviour of ewes and their lambs

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J.C. Phillips ◽  
M.Y.I. Youssef
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Previous Experience ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Preferred Species ◽  
Grazing Behaviour

AbstractFour groups of eight primiparous ewes and their single lambs were grazed for 2 weeks on pasture containing one of four novel grass species – perennial ryegrass, timothy, cocksfoot and red fescue. When subsequently grazed in a field with randomized plots of the four species, both ewes and lambs spent longer grazing the species to which they had been accustomed than was spent by ewes and lambs accustomed to other species. This effect was proportionately greater for the lambs than the ewes, and the lambs responded most to experience of cocksfoot and red fescue. Both ewes and lambs spent most time grazing perennial ryegrass and timothy, and least time grazing red fescue, with cocksfoot intermediate. It is concluded that perennial ryegrass and timothy are grazed by ewes and lambs in preference to cocksfoot and red fescue, but that a two week period of experience will increase the attractiveness of the less-preferred species, particularly to lambs.

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.

The influence of harvest management and fertilizer application on seasonal yield, crude protein concentration and N offtake of grasses in northeast Saskatchewan

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. McCartney ◽  
S. Bittman ◽  
W. F. Nuttall
Keyword(s):  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Harvest Management ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Crested Wheatgrass ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

The goal of pasture management is to match quantity and quality of herbage to the requirement of the grazing animal. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of harvest management and fertilizer application on annual and seasonal production, protein concentration and N-offtake by eight grass species adapted to the central Aspen Parkland. In this 3-yr splitsplit- plot experiment, grasses were either fertilized annually (50 and 13 kg ha-1 of N and P, respectively) or left unfertilized, and cut either twice annually (two-cut) in early July and late September, or three to four times annually (multi-cut), in early June, early July, early August and late September if there was sufficient herbage. The grasses used in this study were Altai wildrye [Leymus angustus (Trin.) Pilger], creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra L. var. rubra), meadow bromegrass [Bromus riparius (Rehmann)], Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski], smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn.), intermediate wheatgrass [Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski] and green needlegrass [Nassella viridula (Trin.) Barkworth]. Fertilizer increased yield of the two-cut treatment 15% (P < 0.05) more than the multi-cut treatment. On average, the multi-cut treatment had 32% higher protein concentration than the two-cut treatment throughout the season. Fertilizer significantly increased protein concentration only in the first harvest of the multi-cut clipped plots, probably because the application rate was low. Nitrogen offtake of the multi-cut treatment averaged 24% higher than the two-cut treatment, even though the latter yielded more. Meadow bromegrass showed the most uniform seasonal distribution of yield among the high-yielding grasses under all management systems while smooth bromegrass and crested wheatgrass were generally the poorest. Crested wheatgrass had significantly more first cut production than all other grasses. Meadow bromegrass herbage also had the lowest protein concentrations throughout the growing season among the high producing grasses. Since the protein concentrations were generally higher than required by grazing beef cattle, the meadow bromegrass herbage was the most suitable for this class of cattle. Green needlegrass also showed potential for use in pastures. Key words: Pasture, hay, protein yield, Bromus, Elytrigia, Nassella, Agropyron, Festuca, Psathyrostachys, Leymus

Pasture degeneration. II.* The importance of superphosphate, nitrogen and grazing management

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
SJ Cook ◽  
GJ Blair ◽  
A Lazenby
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Spring Period ◽  
South Wales

Fertilizer application and grazing management were shown to be important factors affecting trends in botanical composition in a 5-year-old perennial ryegrass–white clover pasture showing signs of pasture degeneration. In the absence of continuing superphosphate application, native and weed species invaded the pasture, irrespective of grazing management. However, where superphosphate was applied at 500 kg ha-1 year-1, the subsequent trends in botanical composition were dependent on the grazing strategy used. Pastures which were intensively grazed during the winter-spring period were invaded by red grass and other native grass species following a decline in the perennial ryegrass component, whatever the grazing management of other times of the year. In contrast, lax grazing, or pasture spelling, during this winter-spring period led to an increase in the basal area of ryegrass and checked the encroachment of unsown species. The role of superphosphate and grazing management in maintaining stable and productive pastures on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales is discussed. Part I, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 29: 9 (1978).

The effects of previous grazing experience and ewe presence on the response to novel grass species by weaned lambs

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-341 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J.C. Phillips ◽  
M.Y.I. Youssef
Keyword(s):  
Synergistic Effect ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Novel Species ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Biting Rate ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Preferred Species

AbstractForty single lambs were either artificially reared indoors or were at pasture with their mothers until weaning at 3 months of age, after which one half of each group were joined by five adult, dry ewes, to examine the effects of grazing experience and presence of adult ewes on the response to the introduction of novel grass species. Lamb groups sequentially grazed paddocks with one, two, three and then four grass species in four 1-week periods, and grazing and ruminating times and pasture biting rates were recorded during daylight hours. In the first period the lambs grazed only perennial ryegrass, then timothy, cocksfoot and finally red fescue were introduced in periods 2 to 4 respectively. The total time that lambs spent grazing and ruminating were both increased (P < 0·001) by grazing experience and to a lesser extent by the presence of adult ewes. Pasture biting rate was considerably increased by experience, and to a lesser extent adult presence, with a synergistic effect between these two factors (P < 0·001). Timothy and to a lesser extent perennial ryegrass were the most preferred species, and lambs spent less time grazing cocksfoot than either of these two, and even less time grazing red fescue (P < 0·001). Experience of grazing particularly increased the time spent grazing cocksfoot and red fescue (P < 0·001), but the presence of adult ewes did not increase the time lambs spent grazing novel species (P = 0·59). The pasture biting rate was greater on species that the lambs preferred grazing (P < 0·001), but neither experience nor ewe presence increased the biting rate on novel species in the period of their introduction. It is concluded that although both grazing experience and, to a lesser extent adult presence, increased the total time spent grazing and the pasture biting rate, only grazing experience increased the acceptability of novel species.

scholarly journals The effect of fertilizer seed coating on the germinating capacity and initial development of some turf grass species and white clover

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
Martin Sochorec ◽  
Pavel Knot
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Germinating Capacity ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect

The effect of the iSeed method treatment on germination dynamics, total germinating capacity and the length of above-ground and root parts was studied in laboratory conditions for the Red fescue varieties Darwin and Moccasin, Kentucky bluegrass varieties Yvette and Miracle, Perennial ryegrass varieties Beatrice and Milan, and White clover varieties Pirouette and Pipolina. In the Perennial ryegrass, the iSeed treatment adversely affected the energy of germination in the first days of study. The germinating capacity gradually equalized during the experiment. Red fescue and Kentucky bluegrass did not show any response to the treatment. Similarly as the Perennial ryegrass, the two varieties of White clover exhibited higher energy of germination on the third day from the establishment. A demonstrably positive effect of the iSeed treatment was recorded on the number of germinated individuals. Particularly the variety Pirouette showed significantly higher germinating capacity until the tenth day of monitoring the treated seeds. The iSeed method had no statistically significant influence on the values of total germinating capacity in all tested species and varieties. The effect of the iSeed method treatment on the length of shoot and root parts was not statistically demonstrated. Some varieties showed a positive effect and some showed a negative effect. A significant difference was observed only in the untreated variety Moccasin whose above-ground part was by 14 mm longer as compared with the treated variant.

scholarly journals EFFECT OF DROUGHT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THREETURF GRASS SPECIES

2018 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 3-22
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Żurek ◽  
Kamil Prokopiuk ◽  
Agnieszka Rachwalska
Keyword(s):  
Water Deficit ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Drought Period ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Drought Avoidance ◽  
The Face ◽  
Different Response

Drought is the main environmental factor hampering world agriculture production. In the face of warmingclimate and reduced fresh water resources it become obvious that search for any factors decreasing water useis strongly recommended. Turf grasses able to withstand drought period longer could be recommended for turfareas as parks, lawns, home gardens etc. and relatively lower amounts of water should ensure satisfactory turfquality. Therefore, twelve turf varieties from three major cool-season turf grass species: perennial ryegrass(Lolium perenne L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.) were tested inglasshouse pot experiment and in the laboratory for determination of their relative ability to withstand greenlonger in the face of water deficit.The different response of the examined forms to drought was noted. Conditions that favor fast water depletionwere the most suitable for the expression of water deficit-related traits. Therefore, sandy mixture of 16%volumetric moisture content at field water capacity was mostly suitable for observation of the variation oftested forms. Turf condition of Kentucky bluegrass, as contrary to red fescue, was strongly connected with thesoil moisture. Different manifestation of drought resistance was observed in tested species. Kentucky bluegrass,as rather no resistant to drought, exposed low level of drought avoidance. Red fescue was able to survivedrought mainly due to leaf blades resistant to desiccation. In perennial ryegrass some other mechanismsevolved to survive drought. Early leaf wilting and senescence contributes to nutrient remobilization duringdrought and avoids large water loses during the transpiration. Therefore, perennial ryegrass turf was able toregenerate better after drought, as compared to the other tested grass species.Search for new turf forms should focus on searching for ability to maintain acceptable conditions longer ina presence of increasing water deficit. It will then reduce the duration of period of poor turf conditions andfurther, turf water demands.

Use of the hydrothermal time model to analyse interacting effects of water and temperature on germination of three grass species

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Søren Ugilt Larsen ◽  
Christophe Bailly ◽  
Daniel Côme ◽  
Françoise Corbineau
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
The Other ◽  
Thermal Time ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Hydrothermal Time ◽  
Time Model ◽  
Red Fescue

The temperate grass species, red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. litoralis), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), are often sown in mixtures for turfgrass. Differences in germination response to environmental conditions often result in different establishment success. The three species were compared in a study of imbibition at reduced water potential (Ψ) and in a study of the effects of Ψ and temperature on germination. In all three species, imbibition rate and extent were reduced with decreasing Ψ, causing a prolonged lag-phase before germination, particularly in Kentucky bluegrass. In perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass, water content at radicle emergence decreased non-linearly with decreasing Ψ, with a lower asymptote expressing the critical water content for germination. Seeds were germinated in factorial combinations of two temperatures (10 and 25°C) and nine Ψ levels (–2 to 0 MPa). Kentucky bluegrass required a longer thermal time to germinate than the other species and exhibited conditional dormancy at 25°C, which affected the use of the thermal time model. The effects of Ψ were described by a hydrotime model. Kentucky bluegrass had higher base water potential (Ψb) and required a longer hydrotime for germination than the other species. However, Ψb increased with temperature in Kentucky bluegrass and red fescue, but decreased in perennial ryegrass, and the base temperatures also changed with Ψ. The interacting effects of Ψ and temperature affected the ability of the hydrothermal time model to predict germination performance across all temperature and Ψ conditions.

scholarly journals The Epichloë festucae Antifungal Protein Efe-AfpA Is Also a Possible Effector Protein Required for the Interaction of the Fungus with its Host Grass Festuca rubra subsp. rubra

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 140
Author(s):  
Ruying Wang ◽  
Simin Luo ◽  
Bruce B. Clarke ◽  
Faith C. Belanger
Keyword(s):  
Disease Resistance ◽  
Insect Resistance ◽  
Effector Proteins ◽  
Antifungal Protein ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Effector Protein ◽  
Festuca Rubra ◽  
Symbiotic Interaction ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Epichloë Festucae

Strong creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra) is a commercially important low-maintenance turfgrass and is often naturally infected with the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae. Epichloë spp. are endophytes of several cool-season grass species, often conferring insect resistance to the grass hosts due to the production of toxic alkaloids. In addition to insect resistance, a unique feature of the strong creeping red fescue/E. festucae symbiosis is the endophyte-mediated disease resistance to the fungal pathogen Clarireedia jacksonii, the causal agent of dollar spot disease. Such disease resistance is not a general feature of other grass/ Epichloë interactions. E. festucae isolates infecting red fescue have an antifungal protein gene Efe-afpA, whereas most other Epichloë spp. do not have a similar gene. The uniqueness of this gene suggests it may, therefore, be a component of the unique disease resistance seen in endophyte-infected red fescue. Here, we report the generation of CRISPR-Cas9 Efe-afpA gene knockouts with the goal of determining if absence of the protein in endophyte-infected Festuca rubra leads to disease susceptibility. However, it was not possible to infect plants with the knockout isolates, although infection was possible with the wild type E. festucae and with complemented isolates. This raises the interesting possibility that, in addition to having antifungal activity, the protein is required for the symbiotic interaction. The antifungal protein is a small secreted protein with high expression in planta relative to its expression in culture, all characteristics consistent with effector proteins. If Efe-AfpA is an effector protein it must be specific to certain interactions, since most Epichloë spp. do not have such a gene in their genomes.

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