Different mowing frequencies affect nutritive value and recovery potential of forage bermudagrass

2020 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 610
Author(s):  
Yinkun Zhang ◽  
Yanling Yin ◽  
Erick Amombo ◽  
Xiaoning Li ◽  
Jinmin Fu

Mowing is one of the most effective methods of pasture management, and frequency plays a critical role in management strategies. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) is a highly valuable forage grass due to its exceptionally high mowing recovery rate and its high potential to be used as a forage crop. In China, bermudagrass is increasingly becoming a crucial forage crop because of the growing demand from the livestock industry. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of mowing frequencies on forage bermudagrass (‘Wrangler’) yields and nutritive value. Four treatments with different mowing frequencies (2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks) were evaluated. Harvested grasses were assessed for yield and nutritive value. The shoot dry weight, crude fibre and N content did not exhibit any difference at various mowing frequencies. The highest content of crude protein was attained at the 2-weeks mowing frequency, although the 4-weeks mowing frequency resulted in a relatively higher shoot fresh weight, crude fat content, water content, P concentration and plant height. A persistently high upregulation of NRT1, PHT1, PHT2, AOC, AOS, MYC2 and NCED1 genes were observed at 4-weeks frequency. Yield was highest at 4- and 6-weeks mowing frequencies. Consequently, the 4-weeks frequency was considered to be the optimal mowing frequency in view of the forage quality and regrowth capacity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 26-26
Author(s):  
Justin C Burt ◽  
Jennifer J Tucker ◽  
Lisa Baxter

Abstract Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is one of the most common perennial warm-season forage crops grown in the South. While prominent in the region bermudagrass management requires large amounts of fertility and forage quality is moderate at best. Incorporating a legume into bermudagrass pastures could serve as an alternative to the necessary applications of synthetic N, while also improving the nutritive value of the forage base. A two-year grazing evaluation was conducted from May-Sept. 2018 (Y1) and May-Aug. 2019 (Y2) at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus in Tifton, Georgia, to compare concurring production of alfalfa/bermudagrass mixed pastures (BGA) with bermudagrass monoculture pastures with (BGN) or without (BGZ) the application of synthetic nitrogen. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments and two replications. All paddocks were evaluated pre and post grazing event for herbage availability, botanical composition, forage species competitiveness, and nutritive value. Paddocks (0.8-ha) were rotationally grazed using put and take management with stocker steers (Y1 BW=195.9±22.9 kg; Y2 BW=228.5±30.0 kg), two testers per treatment. Steers were weighed at initiation, conclusion, and on a 28–30 day interval for calculation of ADG and gain/ha. Statistical analysis was conducted using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Despite significant drought in Y2, year did not affect total gain/ha, however treatment did (P = 0.04), such that BGA was highest (383.6±35.1 kg/ha), and BGN and BGZ were not different (261.2±35.1 kg/ha and 239.0±35.1 kg/ha, respectively). This is likely due to the lower stocking density and inclusion of high-quality volunteer annual grasses in BGZ treatments which allowed for selective grazing. These data suggest that rotationally grazing alfalfa/bermudagrass mixtures can result in a higher gain/ha, than bermudagrass pastures that are supplemented with or without synthetic N in the South.


HortScience ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 521B-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahed A. Al-mana ◽  
David J. Beattie

A study of applying growth retardants under overhead and subsurface irrigation systems was conducted on bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. cv. Tifway) grown from rhizomes in 15-cm pots containing sand medium. Paclobutrazol (50%) at 2 mg/pot was used as foliar spray or charged-hydrophilic polymers (Super Sorb C) and either incorporated or put below medium surface. Mefluidide (28%) at 0.01% ml/pot was used only as foliar spray. Before spray treatments, grasses were cut at 2 cm from medium surface, and the second cut was made at the 6th week from treatment. All growth retardant treatments reduced grass height compared to non-treated plants. The lowest grass height was produced by paclobutrazol as foliar spray under overhead irrigation in the 6th and 9th week. By the 9th week, all hormonal treatments under the two irrigation systems had no effect on grass quality, color, and establishment rate. Both paclobutrazol foliar spray and below medium surface charged-polymer treatments under subsurface irrigation had the lowest water loss and dry weight by the 6th and 9th week. The paclobutrazol charged-polymer treatment under subsurface irrigation had also the the lowest root dry weight among all treatments. Although mefluidide foliar spray was less effective on grass height than paclobutrazol, they had similar effect on water loss and shoot dry weight.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 18-18
Author(s):  
Justin C Burt ◽  
Jennifer J Tucker ◽  
Lisa Baxter

Abstract Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is one of the most common perennial warm-season forage crops grown in the South. While prominent in the region bermudagrass management requires large amounts of fertility and forage quality is moderate at best. Incorporating a legume into bermudagrass pastures could serve as an alternative to the necessary applications of synthetic N, while also improving the nutritive value of the forage base. A two-year grazing evaluation was conducted from May-Sept. 2018 (Y1) and May-Aug. 2019 (Y2) at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus in Tifton, Georgia, to compare concurring production of alfalfa/bermudagrass mixed pastures (BGA) with bermudagrass monoculture pastures with (BGN) or without (BGZ) the application of synthetic nitrogen. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments and two replications. All paddocks were evaluated pre and post grazing event for herbage availability, botanical composition, forage species competitiveness, and nutritive value. Paddocks (0.8-ha) were rotationally grazed using put and take management with stocker steers (Y1 BW=195.9±22.9 kg; Y2 BW=228.5±30.0 kg), two testers per treatment. Steers were weighed at initiation, conclusion, and on a 28–30 day interval for calculation of ADG and gain/ha. Statistical analysis was conducted using the PROC MIXED procedure of SAS. Despite significant drought in Y2, year did not affect total gain/ha; however, treatment did (P = 0.04), such that BGA was highest (383.6±35.1 kg/ha), and BGN and BGZ were not different (261.2±35.1 kg/ha and 239.0±35.1 kg/ha, respectively). This is likely due to the lower stocking density and inclusion of high-quality volunteer annual grasses in BGZ treatments which allowed for selective grazing. These data suggest that rotationally grazing alfalfa/bermudagrass mixtures can result in a higher gain/ha, than bermudagrass pastures that are supplemented with or without synthetic N in the South.


1927 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Davies ◽  
R. S. Sullivan

Dried spent hops possess a high absorptive capacity, and attention is drawn to its use as a “filler” to absorb such by-products as molasses and treacle.The material possesses a high crude protein value and its ether extract is very high for a fibrous food, while the amount of crude fibre is the same as in good meadow hay. There is a high percentage of mineral matter present.The digestibility of the material has been determined by feeding with hay chaff and linseed cake meal to three sheep. The spent hops were not readily eaten and could only be included in a ration in an amount equal to one-seventh of the dry weight of the total ration.Its digestibility is low, a fifth of the crude protein and the nitrogenfree extractives, one-half of the ether extract, one-twentieth of the crude fibre and one-fifth of the total organic matter only being digestible. The production starch equivalent was 24.5.


Weed Science ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muthukumar V. Bagavathiannan ◽  
Jason K. Norsworthy ◽  
Prashant Jha ◽  
Kenneth Smith

Barnyardgrass biotypes resistant (R) to propanil (PR) or clomazone (CR) have been confirmed in rice production systems in Arkansas. However, it is not clear whether resistance to these herbicides impose any fitness cost on theRbiotypes compared to susceptible barnyardgrass (S). The overall objective of this experiment was to determine if the growth and competitiveness of barnyardgrass is altered by resistance to propanil or clomazone and to establish a competitive hierarchy among theS,PR, andCRbiotypes. A replacement series study was conducted in a greenhouse using five proportions ofSandRbiotypes (0 : 100, 25 : 75, 50 : 50, 75 : 25, and 100 : 0). The study was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The variables, including plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, and shoot dry weight, were used for quantifying the differences in competitive abilities. Replacement series indices were calculated to explore the competitiveness. Expected (He) and observed (Ho) values for relative yield (RY) and relative yield total (RYT) were compared for number of tillers, number of leaves, and shoot dry weight for each biotype comparison. Other replacement series indices including competitive ratio (CR), relative crowding coefficient (RCC), and aggressiveness index (AI) also were calculated for these variables. The results showed that there were no major differences among theSandRbiotypes for these variables, indicating that in the absence of selection pressure, resistance to propanil or clomazone does not influence the growth and competitiveness of barnyardgrass. The findings will be useful for predicting the dynamics of resistant populations in the absence of herbicide selection and for designing suitable management strategies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10294
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ihtisham ◽  
Shiliang Liu ◽  
Muhammad Owais Shahid ◽  
Nawab Khan ◽  
Bingyang Lv ◽  
...  

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers) turf is the most widely used turfgrass in urban landscapes. Large amounts of fertilizer are usually applied for maximum turf performance, while relatively little attention has been paid to efficient nutrient management of bermudagrass turf. The design opted for was a 3-factor and 5-level Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) consisting of 24 experimental runs in the greenhouse with response surface methodology (RSM) and simulated regression modeling. The experiment covered in this study was carried out at Sichuan Agricultural University with the objectives of understanding the interactive effects of nitrogen, (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) fertilization on the bermudagrass integrated turf performance (ITP) and optimizing the amount of N, P, and K required for optimum turf performance during establishment. The qualitative and quantitative relationships between bermudagrass and fertilization significantly affected the ITP. The N, P, and K Fertilization significantly influenced the percent grass cover, turf height, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and total chlorophyll content. Fertilization with N and P significantly enhanced the tiller length, turf density, color, and total protein levels. Root length was augmented with the application of P and K. We found that 3-D surface plots indicated significant interactive effects of NP, NK, and PK on the ITP. A simulation optimization and frequency analysis indicated that the optimal combined amounts of these nutrients were N: 26.0–27.6 g m−2, P: 24.2–26.4 g m−2, and K: 3.1–5.0 g m−2 during the establishment phase. The results suggest that optimized fertilization is key to sustainable nutrient management of bermudagrass integrated turf performance.


Author(s):  
W.N. Reynolds

Following the 2007/08 drought, we experienced poor pasture production and persistence on our dairy farm in north Waikato, leading to decreased milksolids production and a greater reliance on bought-in feed. It is estimated that the cost of this to our farming operation was about $1300 per hectare per year in lost operating profit. While climate and black beetle were factors, they did not explain everything, and other factors were also involved. In the last 3 years we have changed our management strategies to better withstand dry summers, the catalyst for which was becoming the DairyNZ Pasture Improvement Focus Farm for the north Waikato. The major changes we made were to reduce stocking rate, actively manage pastures in summer to reduce over-grazing, and pay more attention to detail in our pasture renewal programme. To date the result has been a reduced need for pasture renewal, a lift in whole farm performance and increased profitability. Keywords: Focus farm, over-grazing, pasture management, pasture persistence, profitability


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 594e-594
Author(s):  
Charles J. Graham

Research is needed to better understand the influence of cell volume and fertility on watermelon transplant size and field performance in order to determine the most economic production practices. `Jubilee' watermelon transplants were grown using a 4 x 4 factorial experimental design consisting of 4 cell volumes (30.7, 65.5, 147.5, and 349.6 cm3) and 4 fertility rates (0, 1/4, 1/2, and full-strength Hoagland's solution). Transplant shoot dry weight significantly increased as cell volume and fertility increased. Increasing cell volume linearly increased watermelon number/ha and tons/ha for early and total harvest in 1995. The average weight per watermelon significantly increased for early-harvested fruit but not for total harvest as cell volume increased in 1995. Soluble solids concentration linearly increased with increasing cell volume for early and total harvests in 1995. Cell volume had no significant influence on the harvest parameters measured in 1997. In 1995, increasing fertility linearly increased watermelon number/ha and tons/ha for early harvests. Increasing fertility increased the soluble solids concentration linearly for early-harvested watermelons in 1997 but not in 1995. Fertility rate had no significant influence on any of the other harvest parameters measured in 1995 and 1997. The growing conditions and disease pressure in 1997 reduced melons/ha, yield, and soluble solids content when compared to 1995 values. The half-strength Hoagland's solution produced the greatest number of watermelons/ha, tons/ha, and the highest soluble solids concentration in 1995 and 1997. Pretransplant nutritional conditioning had no significant effect on total `Jubilee' watermelon production in Louisiana for 1995 and 1997.


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 519d-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth R. Schroeder ◽  
Dennis P. Stimart

Nicotiana alata Link and Otto. was transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens encoding a senescence-specific promoter SAG12 cloned from Arabidopsis thaliana fused to a Agrobacterium tumefaciens gene encoding isopentenyl transferase (IPT) that catalyzes cytokinin synthesis. This was considered an autoregulatory senescence-inhibitor system. In 1996, we reported delayed senescence of intact flowers by 2 to 6 d and delayed leaf senescence of transgenic vs. wild-type N. alata. Further evaluations in 1997 revealed several other interesting effects of the SAG12-IPT gene construct. Measurement of chlorophyll content of mature leaves showed higher levels of both chlorophyll a and b in transgenic material under normal fertilization and truncated fertilization regimes. At 4 to 5 months of age transgenic plants expressed differences in plant height, branching, and dry weight. Plant height was reduced by 3 to 13 cm; branch counts increased 2 to 3 fold; and shoot dry weight increased up to 11 g over wild-type N. alata. These observations indicate the system is not tightly autoregulated and may prove useful to the floriculture industry for producing compact and more floriferous plants.


Helia ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (35) ◽  
pp. 135-148
Author(s):  
Mohammed El Midaoui ◽  
Ahmed Talouizte ◽  
Benbella Mohamed ◽  
Serieys Hervé ◽  
Ait Houssa Abdelhadi ◽  
...  

SUMMARYAn experiment has been carried out in order to study the behaviour under mineral deficiency of three sunflower genotypes, a population variety (Oro 9) and two hybrids (Mirasol and Albena). Sunflower seedlings were submitted to five treatments: N deficiency (N0), P deficiency (P0), K deficiency (K0), N and K deficiency (N0K0) and a control. Plants were harvested when they reached 3-4 true pairs of leaves. Growth parameters measured (height, total leaf area, root length, root and shoot dry mater) were all significantly reduced by mineral deficiency. Leaf area was most reduced by N0 (-61%) and P0 (-56%). Total dry matter was most affected by N0 (-63%) and by N0K0 (-66%). Genotype comparisons showed that Oro 9 had the highest shoot dry matter while Albena had the lowest root dry matter. Effect of mineral deficiency on content and partitioning of N, P, K, Ca and Na was significant and varied according to treatments and among plant parts. Shoot dry weight was significantly correlated with root N content (r2=0.81) and root K content (r2=-0.61) for N0 and K0.


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