Identifying potential approaches to improve the reliability of terminating a lucerne pasture before cropping: a review

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Davies ◽  
M. B. Peoples

In the mixed cropping regions of Australia, the perennial fodder legume lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is being utilised to improve the sustainability of farming systems through improving soil fertility and reducing groundwater recharge. However, the full rotational benefits of lucerne cannot be realised without a reliable approach to terminate the lucerne phase before cropping. Farmer surveys have identified difficulties in successfully removing lucerne before cropping as a significant problem with lucerne-based phase-farming systems. In 1 survey up to 40% of the respondents were not satisfied with the level of lucerne control they were achieving, while in another survey 49% indicated that lucerne removal issues were a constraint to further adoption of lucerne on their farms. Most growers used herbicides to kill lucerne, usually in conjunction with cultivation or grazing. Respondents estimated that herbicides were capable of killing 80% of the lucerne, but most regarded this level of control unsatisfactory. Lucerne removal using herbicides is ineffective when lucerne is able to regenerate from buds in the crown that have not received a lethal herbicide dose. Systemic herbicides such as glyphosate and the auxinic herbicides are predominantly translocated to those parts of the plant with a high demand for photosynthate, often the apical meristems. Hence, effective control of lucerne can only be achieved through targeted application of systemic herbicides to lucerne plants that are actively translocating photosynthate to the crown and taproots. Evidence presented in this review suggests that this is most likely to occur when the storage reserves in the crown and taproot are being replenished several weeks after defoliation. The importance of timing of removal and the potential for intercropping are also discussed.


Author(s):  
J.G.H. White ◽  
W.J. Lucas

The performance of dormant and winter-active lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars was compared under sheep grazing in 2 experiments during the cool season. The objectives were to define the cool season management required for winter active cultivars in sheep farming systems. The 'winter-active cultivars Matador and Rere yielded 1760 and 1220 kg DM/ha compared with 890 and 760 kg from Wairau and Saranac respectively in mid-winter, while the reverse occurred in spring when dormant cultivars yielded 50% more than the winter active. This was related to differing levels of non-structural carbohydrates in roots, which had declined to insignificant levels in Rere and Matador by early spring. June grazing increased spring yields of Wairau by 35% due to control of overwintering aphids, but reduced yield of Rere by 25% due to effects on root reserves. Early September grazing greatly - reduced subsequent lucerne yields at late October and early December grazings, and increased the content of weeds. Our findings show that if farmers graze winter-active lucerne with sheep in winter the advantage in production disappears in spring. Cool-season management which combines the use of dormant and winter-active lucernes is discussed. Keywords winter-active lucerne, dormant lucerne, cool-season grazing, root reserves, lucerne grazing management



1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Nagy ◽  
H. W. Ohm ◽  
S. Sawadogo

SUMMARYSpecific soil fertility and water retention constraints limit increased crop production in the subsistence-oriented farming systems of Burkina Faso. Previous attempts to introduce apparently promising technologies based on research that had not directly involved the fanner and that had not benefited from farmer-feedback have been largely unsuccessful. Active farmer involvement can help to identify relevant constraints to production and to identify and modify technologies to make them viable. Formal and informal farmer surveys and farmer participation in field experiments have led to the development of potentially useful cropping practices involving the complementary use of mechanical tied ridge and fertilizer-based technology.



2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Smith ◽  
Andrew D. Moore ◽  
Suzanne P. Boschma ◽  
Richard C. Hayes ◽  
Zhongnan Nie ◽  
...  

Several models exist to predict lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) dry matter production; however, most do not adequately represent the ecophysiology of the species to predict daily growth rates across the range of environments in which it is grown. Since it was developed in the late 1990s, the GRAZPLAN pasture growth model has not been updated to reflect modern genotypes and has not been widely validated across the range of climates and farming systems in which lucerne is grown in modern times. Therefore, the capacity of GRAZPLAN to predict lucerne growth and development was assessed. This was done by re-estimating values for some key parameters based on information in the scientific literature. The improved GRAZPLAN model was also assessed for its capacity to reflect differences in the growth and physiology of lucerne genotypes with different winter activity. Modifications were made to GRAZPLAN to improve its capacity to reflect changes in phenology due to environmental triggers such as short photoperiods, declining low temperatures, defoliation and water stress. Changes were also made to the parameter governing the effect of vapour pressure on the biomass-transpiration ratio and therefore biomass accumulation. Other developments included the representation of root development and partitioning of canopy structure, notably the ratio leaf : stem dry matter. Data from replicated field experiments across Australia were identified for model validation. These data were broadly representative of the range of climate zones, soil types and farming systems in which lucerne is used for livestock grazing. Validation of predicted lucerne growth rates was comprehensive owing to plentiful data. Across a range of climate zones, soils and farming systems, there was an overall improvement in the capacity to simulate pasture dry matter production, with a reduction in the mean prediction error of 0.33 and the root-mean-square deviation of 9.6 kg/ha.day. Validation of other parts of the model was restricted because information relating to plant roots, soil water, plant morphology and phenology was limited. This study has highlighted the predictive power, versatility and robust nature of GRAZPLAN to predict the growth, development and nutritive value of perennial species such as lucerne.



2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (14) ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
S. Barati ◽  
M. Bassiri ◽  
M. R. Vahabi ◽  
M. R. Mosaddeghi ◽  
M. Tarkesh ◽  
...  


Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 844
Author(s):  
Vivianne F. Burnett ◽  
Kym L. Butler ◽  
Jeff R. Hirth ◽  
Meredith L. Mitchell ◽  
Steve G. Clark ◽  
...  

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) persistence is important for farming systems in south east Australia. Defoliation of lucerne that is too frequent (arguably more than once every six weeks) reduces yield and accelerates stand decline. Three experiments were conducted in south east Australia (Burraja, New South Wales; Rutherglen and Hamilton, Victoria) to investigate different cutting regimes on lucerne persistence. At Burraja lucerne was cut 16 (lax) or 33 (severe) times over three years at different plant densities. At Rutherglen and Hamilton lucerne was cut every 21 days (short rotation), every 42 days (long rotation), when new shoots (2.5 cm long) emerged (new shoots) or cutting when new shoots emerged but allowing the lucerne to flower in autumn (new shoots flowering). It was hypothesised that the frequent cutting of lucerne would result in lower plant densities. At Burraja there was little difference between treatments at any density or assessment. At Hamilton, apart from the assessment in June 2016, there was no difference (p > 0.1) between treatments. At Rutherglen, there was no difference (p > 0.1) between treatments at any assessment although plant numbers declined in 2016 from waterlogging. The results provide evidence that lucerne has intrinsic mechanisms that protect it from cutting, often at short intervals, thus promoting its persistence over three to four-year periods.



Author(s):  
Francisco Gavi Reyes ◽  
César Botello-Aguillón ◽  
Leonardo Tijerina-Chávez ◽  
Arturo Galvis-Spíndola ◽  
Rodrigo Roblero-Hidalgo

E Objetivo: Desarrollar un procedimiento para estimar biomasa con imágenes digitales captadas desde un dron y modelación 3D (ID-Dron-3D) aplicable en alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) y avena forrajera (Avena sativa L.). Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Con una cámara digital acoplada al dron se obtuvieron imágenes antes de la cosecha de los cultivos, que fueron procesadas con software para luego estimar volumen de biomasa. En cada cultivo se midió altura de la planta y área cosechada, volumen aparente y real de biomasa, y peso de biomasa fresca y seca. Resultados: Con base en el análisis de regresión se obtuvieron modelos lineales a una p<0.05 para predecir: biomasa fresca en avena (R2=0.70) y alfalfa (R2 =0.47); y biomasa seca en avena (R2=0.78) y en alfalfa (R2=0.31) mediante ID-Dron-3D. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Considerando las R2 de los modelos obtenidos, los resultados en la avena forrajera fueron mejores, respecto a los detectados en alfalfa, lo cual se puede deber a la mayor variabilidad de la cobertura vegetal, ya que, en algunas unidades de muestreo, las plantas de alfalfa no cubrían completamente el suelo. Hallazgos/conclusiones: El rendimiento de biomasa fresca y seca de ambos cultivos se correlacionó significativamente con su respectivo volumen aparente estimado con imágenes digitales tomadas desde un dron y su procesamiento 3D (ID-Dron-3D).



Author(s):  
CC. Castillo-Águilar

Se comparó el uso de diferentes dietas con base en heno de alfalfa cultivada (Medicago sativa L.) en Campeche y su relación con un concentrado comercial y pasto Taiwán (Pennisetum purpureum), T1=concentrado comercial, T2=T1+heno de alfalfa, T3=T1+pasto Taiwán, T4=heno de alfalfa. Se evaluó el comportamiento productivo y metabólico de corderos en sistema intensivo utilizando 20 corderos machos con encaste de Pelibuey, Dorper y Black Belly de 12.5±1 kg de peso vivo (PV). Se midió el consumo de materia seca total (CMS), la ganancia diaria de peso (GDP), la conversión alimenticia (CA), y la digestibilidad in situ de la materia seca (DISMS). También fueron evaluados el pH, nitrógeno amoniacal (NH3) y la concentración de ácidos grasos volátiles (AGV) en líquido ruminal. La mejor GDP en gramos por día, de 234 g (p?0.05) se obtuvo en el T2; en contraste, el T3 mostró la menor GDP. La dieta que incluyó la mezcla de heno de alfalfa y concentrado mejoró significativamente las condiciones de las variables pH, NH3 y AGV (p?0.05).



Author(s):  
Galina Stepanova

The article describes the main morphological and biological features of alfalfa varieties included in the State register of breeding achievements approved for use in the Central Chernozem zone of Russia. A total of 32 alfalfa varieties are included in the State register. This is 9 varieties of blue alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. subsp. Sativa) of domestic selection and 8 foreign, 11 varieties of variable alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. nothosubsp. varia (Martyn) Arcang.) domestic selection and 1 variety of foreign and 3 varieties of yellow alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. subsp. falcata (L.) Arcang.). It shows the average and maximum yield of varieties determined in the process of state variety testing, as well as independent evaluation in research institutions in the region. Varieties of blue alfalfa of domestic selection Kevsala, Elena, Satellite, Vavilovskaya Yubileynaya were the most productive. The average yield of dry matter of these varieties reaches 8.4–9.2 t/ha, the maximum — 15.3–17.7 t/ha. Alfalfa varieties Timbale and Galaxy were the most productive among foreign varieties: the average yield of dry matter was 8.1 and 8.3 t/ha, the maximum – 15.5 and 17.2 t/ha. Varieties of alfalfa variable Vitalina and Vela provided an average yield of dry matter of 7.6 and 9.0 t/ha, the maximum yield reached 15.4 and 18.1 t/ha.



2008 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Palágyi ◽  
Hamuda Hosam E. A. F. Bayoumi ◽  
Nikoletta Tóth ◽  
Mihály Kecskés

A szennyvíziszappal kezelt talajok minőségének meghatározásához elengedhetetlen a biológiai mutatók jellemzése. Jelen tanulmány célja az volt, hogy modellkísérlet segítségével megvizsgáljuk a talajokhoz (barna erdőtalaj és réti csernozjom) különböző arányban (0, 20, 40, 60 és 100% iszap:talaj) hozzáadott szennyvíziszap hatását a talaj pH-értékére, nedvességtartalmára és légzésére, valamint termőképességére (növényi szárazanyag-tartalom), enzimatikus tulajdonságaira és az ott élő mikrobiális közösségekre.Modellkísérletben, eltérő arányú iszap/talaj keveréken termesztettünk lucernát 63 napon keresztül. Mértük a relatív növényi szárazanyag-tartalmat, valamint a talaj pH-értékének és nedvességtartalmának a változását. Megvizsgáltuk továbbá a rizoszféra mikrobiális összetételét (aerob heterotróf baktériumok, aerob heterotróf spórások, cellulózbontók és foszfátoldók, fuorescens Pseudomonas ok, Sinorhizo-biummeliloti , aktinomicéták, fonalas gombák, valamint élesztők csíraszámát) és a különböző enzimek (FDA, dehidrogenáz, kataláz, ureáz, proteáz, foszfatáz, β-glükozidáz és aril-szulfatáz) aktivitását. Ugyancsak meghatároztuk a kibocsátott CO 2 alapján a talajlégzés mértékét.Eredményeink azt mutatják, hogy a szennyvíziszap hozzáadásával a talaj hosszabb ideig megőrizte nedvességtartalmát, mint a kontroll (100% talaj/0% iszap), valamint emelkedett a talaj pH-értéke is. A növények egészséges fejlődésén és növekedésén kívül, a legnagyobb növényi szárazanyag-tömeget is a nagy szennyvíziszap tartalmú minták (60–100% iszap) esetében mértük. A minták szennyvíziszap- koncentrációjának emelésével jelentősen nőtt a tenyészthető mikrobiális populációk sűrűsége is a lucerna rizoszférájában.A leggyakrabban előforduló baktériumok a következő genus okhoz tartoztak: Acinetobacter, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Brevundimonas, Cellulomonas, Chromo-bacterium, Corynebacterium, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Flavobacterium, Klebsiella, Micrococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Sinorhizobium, Serratia, Stenotrophomonas, Streptococcus, Streptomyces és Zooglea . A legmagasabb fonalasgomba-populációkat a barna erdőtalajban mértük, mindkét (hódmezővásárhelyi és nyíregyházi) szennyvíziszap jelenlétében. A leggyakoribb izolátumok az Altenaria, Aspergillus, Cephalosporium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Geotrichum, Mucor, Penicillium, Rhizopusés _s



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