The influence of sowing method on perennial grass establishment. I. Dry matter yield and botanical composition

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
WD Bellotti ◽  
GJ Blair
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Effect On Yield

'Demeter' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and 'Victorian' perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were sown separately into a white clover (Trifolium repens L.) dominant pasture in June 1981. Eight sowing methods were compared to assess the ability of perennial grasses to establish from direct drill sowing methods relative to conventional seedbed and aerial sowing methods. Within direct drill treatments, two drill implements were factorially combined with three herbicide treatments. Pasture production and botanical composition were sampled over a 27 month period following sowing. After a dry summer, 22 months after sowing, sown grasses dominated pasture composition (69-94% of total dry matter yield) in the high yielding treatments. At this time, the successful direct drill treatments were similar in yield to the conventional seedbed treatment. Within direct drill treatments, sowing implement had little effect on yield and composition, whereas herbicide application markedly increased sown grass yield. Pre-sowing blanket application of herbicide in the triple disc treatment increased tall fescue yield from 82 to 1504 kg ha-1 and perennial ryegrass yield from 98 to 807 kg ha-1. An inverse relationship was described between dry matter present at sowing and eventual yield of sown grasses. These perennial grasses can be successfully established by using direct drill sowing methods provided resident vegetation is adequately suppressed.

Direct drilling tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) into kikuyu and paspalum pastures

1985 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Plant Density ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Seedling Vigour ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Prairie Grass

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were direct-drilled into paspalum and kikuyu pastures at Camden (1980-83) and Bega (1 982) in New South Wales. Prior to sowing, pastures were either slashed or slashed and sprayed with herbicide. In 1980, paraquat (0.28 kg a.i./ha) and glyphosate (0.5 kg a.i./ha) were compared with slashing-only at a March sowing. In 1982 and 1983, glyphosate only was compared with slashing, and grasses were sown on four occasions at 5-week intervals from late January or mid- February to early June. Seedlings were counted and weights of individual seedlings were measured at about 5 weeks after sowing, and pasture yield and species composition were measured 10 weeks after sowing, at the end of winter, and on selected plots, in winter in the following year. In 1980, plant density and dry matter yield at the first harvest of prairie grass and tall fescue was better from plots treated with glyphosate than from those treated with paraquat or slashed-only. However, plant density and dry matter yield of ryegrass was unaffected by preparation. In 1982 and 1983, plant densities 5 weeks after sowing increased with the use of glyphosate, and with later sowing. Prairie grass was least sensitive to sowing time establishing similar populations of between 50 and 150 seedlings/m2 from February to May. Tall fescue only established satisfactory seedling populations (50 to 200 seedlings/m2) at April and May-June sowings with glyphosate; it required suppression of competition, and low temperatures for faster growth than kikuyu and paspalum. The use of glyphosate reduced total pasture production during the first 10 weeks from 5 to 3 t/ha, but the contribution of sown grasses was increased. Winter production was greatest from sowings in March and April. Italian ryegrass always produced significant quantities of dry matter at the first cut and in winter; tall fescue was never productive in the first year. Persistence of prairie grass and tall fescue from 1982 sowings until 1983 was good, and highest tiller densities of 300-400 and 800 tillers/m2 respectively occurred from April sowings with glyphosate. Between June and September 1983, prairie grass and tall fescue from these plots produced about 3 and 2 t/ha of dry matter respectively. As seedling vigour declined from Italian ryegrass to prairie grass to tall fescue, conditions required for successful establishment became more stringent. Persistence and production of perennials was excellent if sown at the right time to encounter favourable temperatures, and competition was suppressed. Mixtures thus established need to be assessed on a paddock scale under grazing to determine their final viability.

scholarly journals Effects of binary seed mixtures of ryegrass, cocksfoot and tall fescue on pasture production

2000 ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
D.R. Stevens ◽  
M.J. Hickey
Keyword(s):  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Replacement Series ◽  
Pasture Production

This study measured total dry matter production and botanical composition of binary mixtures of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata), ryegrass (Lolium perenne) or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), as a replacement series in proportions of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75 and 0:100 from June 1987 until May 1993. The binary mixtures were sown in March 1986 with white clover, on an occasionally drought affected Kaweku silt loam, with an average annual rainfall of 750 mm near Riversdale, in Southland. Mixtures with ryegrass were allowed a 6-month establishment period before ryegrass was overdrilled in early October 1986. Total yields of ryegrass/cocksfoot mixtures increased as ryegrass seeding rate increased. Clover yields were generally unaffected. Mixtures of cocksfoot/tall fescue produced more sown grass than either species sown alone. This lowered clover and other grass yields, resulting in no total dry matter yield improvement in mixtures compared to pure sowings. Tall fescue/ ryegrass mixtures were competitive in winter and spring with lower total yields than either species sown alone. This competition also lowered other grass yields. During summer and autumn the total production increased as the amount of ryegrass increased. Seed mixtures with two perennial temperate pasture grasses did not provide any extra pasture production in a cool temperate environment under infrequent hard grazing management. The best choice for the region would be the grass that provided the greatest dry matter yield. Other components such as clover may be reduced when mixing grasses. Keywords: cocksfoot, competition, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, mixtures, pasture yield, replacement series, ryegrass, tall fescue, white clover

scholarly journals Effects of the MaxP (TM) endophyte in tall fescue on pasture production and composition, and the sheep grazing preference in a dryland environment

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 259-262
Author(s):  
K.N. Tozer ◽  
S. Ates ◽  
N.R. Mapp ◽  
M.C. Smith ◽  
R.J. Lucas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Annual Grasses

Pasture growth, botanical composition and sheep grazing preference were measured over 20 months in tall fescue (cultivar Advance), without endophyte (Nil) or infected with AR542 (MaxPTM) endophyte, and clover pastures sown into a dryland soil, Canterbury, New Zealand. Pastures were rotationally grazed with sheep, with grazing preference for the two endophyte treatments measured in late autumn and early spring. Annual dry matter production from April 2004 to April 2005 was not significantly different between AR542 (6293 kg DM/ha) and Nil (5864 kg DM/ha) tall fescue. The number of tall fescue plants/m2 and their basal diameter was greater for AR542 (35 plants/m2, 7.5 cm diameter) than Nil endophyte tall fescue (28 plants/m2, 6.8 cm diameter). AR542 endophyte tall fescue pastures had fewer weeds, mainly annual grasses, than Nil endophyte pastures throughout the trial. Grazing preference, measured by the number of sheep grazing each plot, and decline in pasture height did not differ between Nil and AR542 tall fescue. Keywords: tall fescue, novel endophyte, AR542, botanical composition, weed, grazing preference

scholarly journals Comparative studies on pasture and animal performance and parasite infestation in sheep grazing Yorkshire fog, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue pastures

1995 ◽  
pp. 89-93
Author(s):  
J. Hodgson ◽  
J.H. Niezen ◽  
F. Montossi ◽  
F. Liu ◽  
B.M. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Parasite Infestation

The results are briefly reported of seven comparative studies on aspects of pasture and animal performance from pastures based on Yorkshire fog (Holcus Zanatus), perennial ryegrass (Lofiurn perenne) or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) grown under adequate soil nutrient conditions (e.g., Olsen P 20-30 pg/g) and under continuous or rotational stocking by sheep. Pasture production, as measured by the stocking rate required to maintain specified sward conditions, was 2.5% greater on perennial ryegrass than on Yorkshire fog pastures, and 25% greater on Yorkshire fog than on tall fescue. Differences in liveweight gain and wool production in weaned lambs between pastures were relatively small and inconsistent, but levels of worm egg output were lower for lambs on Yorkshire fog than on tall fescue. The use of polyethylene glycol to bind condensed tannins reduced performance slightly in lambs on Yorkshire fog and tall fescue, but not those on perennial ryegrass. Keywords: condensed tannins, Festuca arundinacea, Holcus lanatus, lamb growth, Lolium perenne, wool production

scholarly journals Dry matter yield, nutritive value and tiller density of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass swards under grazing

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 ◽  
pp. 149-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Hendriks ◽  
D.J. Donaghy ◽  
C. Matthew ◽  
M.R. Bretherton ◽  
N.W. Sneddon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area Index ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Dairy Farmers ◽  
Area Index ◽  
Tiller Density

Alternative pasture species with the potential to supply quality forage during summer feed shortages, such as tall fescue (TF), are of interest to dairy farmers. A paddockscale study was undertaken to compare performance of TF managed on a shorter rotation similar to perennial ryegrass (RG) (TF-RG) with TF managed on a longer rotation more consistent with its morphology of 4 live leaves/tiller (TF-TF), and with RG (RG-RG). Accumulated dry matter (DM) yields were similar for the three treatments. Patch grazing was observed during the first spring, with more long patches in TFTF than in either TF-RG or RG-RG. Sown-species leaf area index (LAI) was greater in TF-TF compared with TF-RG and RG-RG (2.25, 1.56 and 0.90, respectively; P

Effects of grazing interval on basal cover of four perennial grasses in a summer-dry environment

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
A. Bowcher
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Basal Cover ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Supplementary Irrigation ◽  
Movement Index ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L

The response to variation in grazing interval over the spring–autumn period in southern New South Wales was examined on 4 perennial grass species over 2 years. Plots of phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Sirolan), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L. cv. Porto), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb cv. Demeter) and a native danthonia (Danthonia richardsonii cv. Taranna), were grazed by sheep every 2, 5 or 8 weeks, either rainfed or given supplementary irrigation. Basal cover was monitored over this period and is combined with measurements of phenological development and herbage mass to explain differences in persistence. The seasons differed with respect to rainfall, 1994–95 being dry compared to 1995–96. Over the 1994–95 season, the relative change in basal cover [RCBC, the ratio of final (May 1995) to initial (September 1994) basal cover] of the 3 introduced perennial grasses was significantly less than 1, which indicated a decline in basal cover over the measurement period. In contrast, RCBC was 1.55 for danthonia. Grazing interval treatments significantly affected RCBC in 1994–95, RCBC increasing with grazing interval. In the 8-week grazing interval, RCBC did not significantly differ from 1. Changes in density were also measured in 1994–95 and followed a similar pattern to RCBC for species effects although there was no significant effect of grazing interval. In 1995–96, there were interactions between watering and both species and grazing interval. The RCBC (September 1995–May 1996) was significantly greater than 1 for cocksfoot and tall fescue under irrigated conditions but not under rainfed conditions. The response to grazing interval depended on water supply. The 5-week grazing interval led to the highest RCBC under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. However, when rainfed, the 5- and 8-week treatments were not significantly different, whereas under irrigation, the 2- and 5-week treatments did not significantly differ. For the 1995–96 season, a movement index (MI, ratio of newly colonised area to that occupied throughout the season) was measured. There was a strong interaction between species and watering but phalaris was the most mobile (highest MI) of the 4 species under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. The absence of any interaction between species and grazing interval in either 1994–95 or 1995–96 suggests that response to grazing of these species may be similar despite differences in survival mechanisms.

GENETIC VARIATION AND CORRELATION OF AGRONOMIC TRAITS IN TALL FESCUE (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) GERMPLASM

1983 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. A. de ARAUJO ◽  
B. E. COULMAN ◽  
M. A. FARIS ◽  
C. WROBEL
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agronomic Traits ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Heading Date ◽  
Phenotypic Correlation ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
Genotypic Correlations

Sixty-seven accessions of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were studied for total genetic variability and phenotypic and genotypic correlations among eight traits. The traits were annual dry matter yield, height, spreading ability, volume, first cut recovery, second cut recovery, incidence of diseases and number of days to heading. Highly significant differences existed among accessions for all characters. The ratios of genetic to phenotypic variances were relatively high in magnitude for most of the traits, except first cut recovery and disease score, indicating that most of the characters were mainly under genetic control. However, the ratios of genotype × year interactions to phenotypic variances were quite large for some characters, particularly second cut recovery. Genotypic and phenotypic correlations were obtained between the different characters measured. Genotypic correlations were slightly higher than phenotypic correlations for most of the traits. Annual dry matter yield was significantly and positively correlated, with all traits measured with the exception of disease incidence where this association was negative. Selection for yield using heading date and height as an index may be possible in the development of superior tall fescue cultivars. Certain accessions appeared to have good yielding capacity, being superior to the check cultivar, Alta, in this character. These accessions were also as winterhardy as the check, and thus could prove useful as source material in a breeding program.Key words: Phenotypic correlation, genotypic correlation, genotype × year interactions

scholarly journals Target populations for direct-drilled ryegrass and tall fescue

1995 ◽  
pp. 77-81
Author(s):  
J-P Praat ◽  
W.R. Ritchie ◽  
C.J. Baker ◽  
J. Hodgson
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Direct Drilling ◽  
Alternative Species

Establishment, botanical composition and production of direct-drilled perennial ryegrass and tall fescue were compared for two seeding rates in an autumn-sown, grazed trial. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. cv. AU Triumph) was sown at either 17 or 3 1 kg/ha and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Grasslands Supernui) was sown at 12 and 23 kg/ha on 12 April, 1990 all with "Grasslands Pitau" white clover at 3 kg/ha. Measurements of herbage mass and botanical composition during the ensuing 2-year period showed that there was no advantage in terms of suppression of weed species or accumulation of herbage mass of the sown species from sowing more seed than that required to achieve a population of 450-500 plants/m2 of either ryegrass and tall fescue 6 weeks after sowing. A population of 150 white clover plants/m2 appeared to be adequate for development of a balanced sward. Establishment of fescue was slower than that of ryegrass but both species developed to productive swards after infrequent but close defoliation with dairy cattle in the first spring and subsequent rotational grazing by lactating dairy cows. Pasture establishment in Northland is difficult because of shallow topsoils. Direct drilling can preserve this fragile topsoil and successfully establish alternative species such as fescue as long as attention is paid to their establishment requirements. Alternative species may offer a solution to low feed availability of ryegmss in the summer and poor survival of ryegrass in poorly drained areas during the winter. Keywords: direct drilling, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, pasture establishment, seeding rate

scholarly journals An evaluation of tall fescue, phalaris and cocksfoot in mixes as an alternative to single-species pastures

1994 ◽  
pp. 133-138
Author(s):  
R.J. Johnson ◽  
N.A. Thomson ◽  
D.A. Mccallum ◽  
T.G. Judd
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Phalaris Aquatica ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L

Seasonal and annual dry matter production of ryegrass was compared with drought- and grass grub-tolerant species Grasslands Roa tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Grasslands Maru phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and Grasslands Kara cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) as both single species and different combinations of mixes in two trials from 1982 to 1991. In trial 1, Nui ryegrass (damaged by Argentine stem weevil) produced significantly less than cocksfoot, phalaris and mixtures of the drought-tolerant grasses. Yatsyn-1 ryegrass in trial 2 was not subjected to stem weevil attack and the annual dry matter production was significantly higher than that of tall fescue and, although not significantly, higher than that of phalaris and cocksfoot. In both trials the highest producing mixture was the phalaris/ cocksfoot mix with the exception of the triple mix of phalaris/cocksfoot/tall fescue in trial 2. The phalaris/cocksfoot mix produced significantly more than phalaris as a single species and although not significant, 14% more than cocksfoot suggesting these species are complementary in a mix. The triple mix in trial 2 produced significantly more than all single species except ryegrass. Mixes of srgnificant. tall fescue/phalaris and tall fescue/cocksfoot had no advantage in DM production over single-species sowings of phalaris or cocksfoot, but improved yields over tall fescue. These results show possible complementary effects to sowing phalaris and cocksfoot. The addition of tall fescue to the mix had small and non-significant benefits. Keywords: Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Loliumperenne, Phalaris aquatica. grass grub, pasture mixes, pasture production, single species, summer dry spells

scholarly journals Grass grub tolerant pastures and fertiliser nitrogen as an alternative to white clover in pasture subject to grass grub attack

1990 ◽  
pp. 105-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.A. Mccallum ◽  
N.A. Thomson ◽  
A.H.C. Roberts
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Average Annual Production ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L

The effect of replacing white clover with fertiliser nitrogen (N) on dry matter production and grass grub populations in 'Grasslands Roa' tell fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), 'Grasslands Mat-u' phalaris (Phalutis aquatica L.), 'Grasslands Kara' cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), 'Grasslands Mama' prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) and 'old' (30 year plus) ryegrass was measured over a 2 year period. For all pastures the replacement of white clover with fertiliser N significantly reduced grass grub numbers. This was greatest in tall fescue, phalaris and cocksfoot, showing that pure swards of these species were resistant to grass grub. Decreases in grass grub numbers in ryegrass and prairie grass were less. There was overall a significant increase in pasture production by eliminating white clover and applying fertiliser N, with a differential response between species. Average annual production of prairie grass was unaffected, whereas the yield of cocksfoot increased by 9 % and old ryegrass, phalaris and tall fescue increased by 26 % . Most of this extra production for tall fescue and phalaris occurred in autumn. These results show that the use of tall fescue and phalaris and the replacement of white clover with fertiliser N has potential for increasing pasture production in districts subject to grass damage. Keywords old ryegrass, Roa tall fescue, Maru phalaris, Kara cocksfoot, Matua prairie grass, white clover, grass grub, nitrogen fertiliser

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