Effect of stubble-height management on crown temperature of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and chicory

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D. Langworthy ◽  
Richard P. Rawnsley ◽  
Mark J. Freeman ◽  
Ross Corkrey ◽  
Matthew T. Harrison ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Cycle Period ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
North West ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Eastern Australia

Defoliating pasture to shorter stubble heights (height above the soil surface) may increase temperature at the plant crown (plant–soil interface). This is especially relevant to summer C3 pasture production in parts of south-eastern Australia, where above-optimal ambient temperatures (≥30°C) are often recorded. A rainfed field experiment in north-west Tasmania, Australia, quantified the effect of stubble-height management on the upper distribution of crown temperatures (90th and 75th percentiles) experienced by three pasture species: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; syn. Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.; syn. L. arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.), and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Three stubble-height treatment levels were evaluated: 35, 55 and 115mm. Defoliation to shorter stubble heights (35 or 55mm cf. 115mm) increased the crown temperature of all species in the subsequent regrowth cycle (period between successive defoliation events). In the second summer, defoliating to shorter stubble heights increased the 90th percentile of crown temperature by an average of 4.2°C for perennial ryegrass, 3.6°C for tall fescue and 1.8°C for chicory. Chicory and second-year tall fescue swards experienced less-extreme crown temperatures than perennial ryegrass. This may partly explain why these two species often outyield perennial ryegrass in hotter summer environments than north-west Tasmania, and hence the increasing interest in their use.

Effect of stubble height and irrigation management on the growth, botanical composition and persistence of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and chicory swards in cool-temperate Tasmania

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D. Langworthy ◽  
Richard P. Rawnsley ◽  
Mark J. Freeman ◽  
Ross Corkrey ◽  
Keith G. Pembleton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Irrigation Treatment ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
North West ◽  
Irrigation Water Use ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Cool Temperate

The profitability of dairying in south-eastern Australia can be improved by increasing pasture production during summer–autumn, when growth rates for the existing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) feedbase are low. A study undertaken in cool-temperate north-west Tasmania examined the effect of stubble height and irrigation management on swards of perennial ryegrass, continental (summer-active) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Irrigation treatments included full irrigation (~20mm applied at every 20mm precipitation deficit), deficit irrigation (~20mm applied at alternate full-irrigation events) and rainfed (no irrigation). All species achieved greater summer–autumn yields when repeatedly defoliated to stubble heights of 35 or 55mm than when defoliated to 115mm, irrespective of irrigation treatment. Swards were managed under a common defoliation schedule of nine defoliation events in 12 months. Under full irrigation, second-year tall fescue achieved a greater summer–autumn yield than perennial ryegrass (by 10%, or 0.7 t DM ha–1), highlighting the potential role of tall fescue in north-west Tasmania. This was further demonstrated by the high marginal irrigation water-use index values (1.6–2.7 t DM ML–1) of tall fescue. By contrast, summer–autumn growth achieved by chicory was less than or equal to perennial ryegrass.

Potential of summer-active temperate (C3) perennial forages to mitigate the detrimental effects of supraoptimal temperatures on summer home-grown feed production in south-eastern Australian dairying regions

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D. Langworthy ◽  
Richard P. Rawnsley ◽  
Mark J. Freeman ◽  
Keith G. Pembleton ◽  
Ross Corkrey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Stress ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Trifolium Pratense ◽  
Plantago Lanceolata ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
South Eastern

In many south-eastern Australian dairying regions, supraoptimal ambient temperatures (Ta > 30°C) often challenge the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-dominated feed-base during the summer months. A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to identify alternative summer-active temperate (C3) perennial forages more tolerant of supraoptimal temperature stress (day/night Ta of 38/25°C) than perennial ryegrass. Supraoptimal temperature stress was imposed both with and without irrigation. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) was the only species to survive 18 days of combined supraoptimal temperature stress and non-irrigation. Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) survived 12 days of this treatment. Twelve days of exposure to these conditions caused death of perennial ryegrass, prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Irrigation (daily to through drainage) mitigated detrimental effects of imposed supraoptimal temperature stress on the growth and survival of all species. Chicory and to a lesser extent lucerne, plantain, and tall fescue may have a role to play in south-eastern Australian dairying regions, where supraoptimal temperature stress is a frequent and ongoing issue.

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

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.

scholarly journals Growth and Physiological Responses of Temperate Pasture Species to Consecutive Heat and Drought Stresses

Plants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perera ◽  
Cullen ◽  
Eckard
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Photochemical Efficiency ◽  
Cell Membrane Permeability ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Eastern Australia

Heat and drought are two major limiting factors for perennial pasture production in south eastern Australia. Although previous studies have focused on the effects of prolonged heat and drought stresses on pasture growth and physiology, the effects of short term recurring combined heat and drought stresses and the recovery from them have not been studied in detail. A controlled environment experiment was conducted to investigate the growth and physiological responses of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) plants exposed to two consecutive seven day heat (control = 25/15 °C day/night; moderate = 30/20 °C day/night and severe = 35/30 °C day/night) and/or drought stresses each followed by a seven day recovery period. During the first moderate and severe heat and drought treatments, maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), cell membrane permeability and relative leaf water content decreased in chicory and tall fescue compared to perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot. However, during the second moderate heat and drought treatment, all species showed less reduction in the same parameters suggesting that these species acclimated to consecutive moderate heat and drought stresses. Chicory was the only species that was not affected by the second severe heat and drought stress while physiological parameters of all grass species were reduced closer to minimum values. Irrigation mitigated the negative effects of heat stress by cooling the canopies 1–3 °C below air temperatures with the most cooling observed in chicory. All the species exposed to moderate heat and drought were fully recovered and those exposed to severe heat and drought recovered partially at the end of the experiment. These findings suggest that chicory may be a potential species for areas subject to frequent heat and drought stress.

Agronomic advantages conferred by endophyte infection of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 747 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Hume ◽  
J. C. Sewell
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Endophyte Infection

Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are key grasses of sown pastures in the high-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Ryegrass in naturalised pastures, and in sown seed, is widely infected with Neotyphodium fungal endophytes, with toxic endophyte strains occasionally causing toxicosis in livestock. Endophyte infection is also beneficial in sown grasslands, assisting ryegrass hosts to overcome biotic stresses, and tall fescue hosts to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses. We review the literature for Australia and present new data, to examine the agronomic effects of endophyte. Frequency of endophyte infection in old, perennial ryegrass pastures and ecotype-based cultivars is high and, in all pastures, increases with time, providing evidence for endophyte-infected plants having an agronomic advantage over endophyte-free plants. Within a cultivar, agronomic field experiments have compared endophyte-infected with endophyte-free swards. Endophyte significantly improved ryegrass establishment in seven of 19 measurements taken from 12 trials. In mature ryegrass pastures, over half of the experiments found advantages to endophyte infection. Tall fescues infected with a selected endophyte (‘AR542’) had improved agronomic performance relative to endophyte-free in a majority of experiments, and on occasions, the endophyte was essential for tall fescue persistence. Cultivar × endophyte interactions occurred but were inconsistent. In high-stress environments, endophyte was more important for agronomic performance than difference between cultivars. The relative importance of cultivar and endophyte is discussed, with elite cultivars that are adapted to the region and are infected with elite endophytes being the best avenue to capture the benefits and minimise detrimental endophyte effects on livestock. The major drivers are likely to be insect pests and drought, but evidence is limited.

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

Effects of summer irrigation and trampling in dairy pastures on soil physical properties and earthworm number and species composition

1997 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Lobry de Bruyn ◽  
T. J. Kingston
Keyword(s):  
Soil Surface ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Lumbricus Rubellus ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
Main Plot ◽  
On Farm

In 1989 a replicated split-plot trial on a Krasnozem soil was established at Elliott Research Station (ERS) in the north-west of Tasmania, as well as 14 on-farm trials in newly irrigated pastures on 3 different soil types (Alluvial, Podzolic, Krasnozem) in the dairy districts of Scottsdale, Smithton, and Deloraine. There were 3 main treatments at ERS: irrigated before grazing, irrigated after grazing, and grazed and not irrigated. Part of each main plot was fenced to prevent trampling but still allowed grazing. Effects of summer irrigation and trampling by dairy cows were examined for pasture production, and soil chemical and structural properties. Summer irrigation at ERS and on-farm trials has led to a decline in soil structure indicated by slower ponded water in filtration rates on irrigated plots compared with the dryland plots. The decline in ponded water in filtration rates suggests a reduction in macroporosity, especially in the soil surface. However, other indicators for soil structural change in the top 100 mm|percentage water-stable aggregates (>2·5 mm) and bulk density|revealed no significant variation between the irrigated and dryland paddocks. There were, however, higher water in filtration rates and lower bulk densities in the untrampled areas than the trampled areas at ERS. Pasture production at ERS was about 50% more with irrigation in each of the 2 years of the study. Data collected at ERS in autumn and spring on the numbers of Aporrectodea caliginosa(Savigny) and Lumbricus rubellus (Hoffmeister) earthworms showed that they respond quite differently to irrigation. After 2 irrigation seasons, A. caliginosa numbers in irrigated plots dropped by over 50%, whereas in the dryland plots densities of this earthworm have remained around 390 earthworms/m 2. In contrast the densities of L. rubellus at ERS rose under irrigation practices, especially in the autumn{winter sampling period. Therefore, with the advent of summer irrigation at ERS, there was a shift in earthworm composition from a fauna dominated by A. caliginosa to a fauna with an increasing proportion of L. rubellus and a decreasing number of A. caliginosa. The typical dairy pasture in the on-farm trials recorded 2 main species, A. caliginosa (70%) and L. rubellus (30%). Total earthworm densities were highest in the north-west (Smithton) region of the State (293{351 earthworms/m 2) regardless of soil type, and the lowest densities were recorded in the Alluvial soils of Deloraine (96 earthworms/m 2). The north-west area also had the most diverse earthworm fauna, with 5 species recorded in one site: A. caliginosa, A. longa, Allolobophora chlorotica, L. rubellus, and O. cyaneum. Summer irrigation effects after 2 seasons on earthworm composition and abundance on dairy farms caused no significant change in A. caliginosa numbers, but there was a 45% increase in the numbers of L. rubellus in irrigated treatments. L. rubellus was considerably more active over summer in irrigated paddocks (25 earthworms/m 2) than in non-irrigated paddocks (7 earthworms/m 2). In contrast the number of A. caliginosa recorded in dryland paddocks was not statistically different to the irrigated paddocks, but the A. caliginosa in dryland paddocks were mostly inactive 8-20 mm from the soil surface.

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