Improved soil and irrigation management for forage production 2. Forage yield and nutritive characteristics

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Greenwood ◽  
K. E. Dellow ◽  
G. N. Mundy ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
S. M. Austin
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Soil Modification

Pastures are the main source of energy and nutrients for dairy cows in the irrigated dairy region of northern Victoria, yet annual production and utilisation of pasture have remained static over the last 20 years. Previous small plot research has shown that pasture yields can be increased through systems of soil modification that improve soil structure and alleviate limitations to root growth. We compared the yield and nutritive characteristics of 4 forage species [tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), lucerne (Medicago sativa), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)] on soils which had been modified using commercially-available equipment and using spray irrigation at 2 frequencies. In year 1 (2000–01), annual yields of the forages were tall fescue: 21.2 t dry matter (DM)/ha; lucerne: 20.5 t DM/ha; phalaris: 19.8 t DM/ha; and perennial ryegrass: 20.8 t DM/ha. In the second year of the experiment, annual yields averaged 28.9 t DM/ha for tall fescue, 26.1 t DM/ha for lucerne, 31.6 t DM/ha for phalaris and 23.2 t DM/ha for perennial ryegrass. There was no consistent response in yield of any species to soil modification. The improvements in soil structure achieved with soil modification were probably not large enough to result in yield responses. Yields were greater when frequently irrigated, with the exception of perennial ryegrass in the second year. Most of the yield benefit due to frequent irrigation was limited to the summer months. No yield data showed significant soil by irrigation frequency interaction. There were significant differences in forage nutritive characteristics between the 4 species. The lower crude protein content of lucerne would be at least partly due to the frequent application of nitrogen fertiliser to the grasses. Tall fescue usually had similar nutritive characteristics to perennial ryegrass in terms of metabolisable energy, protein and NDF. Phalaris had high fibre contents and low metabolisable energy in summer. We conclude that it is not feasible, at this time, to improve yields of irrigated forages through soil modification on a commercial scale.

Improved soil and irrigation management for forage production 3. Plant - soil - water relationships

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Mundy ◽  
K. L. Greenwood ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
S. M. Austin ◽  
K. E. Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Extraction ◽  
Apparent Depth ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Soil Modification

A field experiment was conducted from January 2000 for 2.5 years, at the Department of Primary Industries, Kyabram, in northern Victoria. The experiment determined the effect of soil modification, with and without subsurface drainage, on the yield and water use of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), lucerne (Medicago sativa), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under 2 irrigation frequencies. The soil was a red-brown earth. The forages were spray irrigated from August to May when evaporation minus rainfall (E – R) reached 45–50 mm (frequent) or 90–100 mm (infrequent). The depth of irrigation water applied was equal to the soil water deficit (SWD) of each treatment, measured before each irrigation. Soil modification did not change the plant available water content of the soil (about 115 mm). The apparent depth of water extraction was initially different between soil management treatments but, over time, these differences disappeared. There were consistent differences between the forage species in the apparent depth of soil water extraction. Lucerne extracted water from deeper in the soil than phalaris followed by tall fescue and then perennial ryegrass. In general, the infrequently irrigated forages extracted water from deeper in the soil than did the frequently irrigated forages. The frequently irrigated treatments received slightly more water than did the infrequent treatments. The depth of water applied to the control and modified soil was similar, whereas the drained soils received more water than did the undrained treatments. There were differences between the forages in the depth of water applied, with lucerne receiving up to about 1500 mm/year and the grasses about 1100 to 1300 mm/year. Water use efficiency [kg dry matter (DM)/ha.mm] of the forages ranged from 14 to 18 kg DM/ha.mm in 2000–01 and up to 24 kg DM/ha.mm in 2001–02. The relatively high water use efficiencies were largely due to the high yields achieved, as water use was similar to that of district farms.

Improved soil and irrigation management for forage production 1. Site establishment and soil physical properties

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Greenwood ◽  
G. N. Mundy ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
K. E. Dellow ◽  
S. M. Austin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Soil Modification

Red-brown earths (Red Sodosols and Red Chromosols) are the dominant soil type used for irrigated forage production in northern Victoria. However, these soils have dense, clay-textured subsoils that can limit productivity. Soil modification may reduce these limitations through improving subsoil structure. In a field experiment on a Red Chromosol near Kyabram, we compared 2 systems of soil modification involving deep ripping and gypsum application (with and without subsurface drainage) with an unmodified control. Two irrigation frequencies were imposed. This paper reports on the site establishment and the soil physical responses to soil modification. Later papers detail the forage yield responses and plant–soil–water relations. Initially, both soil modification treatments improved the physical condition of the subsoil. For example, the bulk density of the modified and the drained subsoils was reduced to about 1.48 Mg/m3, compared with 1.71 Mg/m3 in the control. Soil strength was reduced in the modified and drained treatments between depths of 0.10–0.40 m at most soil water contents. In the subsoil, the modified and drained treatments had smaller soil aggregates with about 60% by weight being less than 20 mm diameter compared with 39% from the control treatment. Subsoil hydraulic conductivity, at 10 mm water tension, was 12 mm/h in the control, 33 mm/h in the modified treatment and 71 mm/h in the drained treatment when measured 1 year after the treatments were imposed. These improvements in soil physical properties generally persisted for the 2 years of measurements.

scholarly journals 111 Metsulfuron and variable nitrogen application rates on infected tall fescue: effects on stocker performance, forage yield, nutritive value, ergovaline concentration and botanical composition

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 31-31
Author(s):  
Kevin R Meng ◽  
Eric Bailey ◽  
Josh Zeltwanger ◽  
Hannah Allen ◽  
Mikaela Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Ergot Alkaloids ◽  
Fertilization Rate ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Nitrogen Application ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Seed Head ◽  
Application Rates

Abstract Chemical seed-head suppression of endophyte infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) improves stocker cattle performance but may decrease forage yield. Spring nitrogen application increases tall fescue growth with a concomitant increase in ergot alkaloids, produced by the symbiotic endophyte Epichloë coenophiala. We hypothesized that greater amounts of nitrogen applied to tall fescue would increase forage yield and offset losses in forage production from chemical suppression of seed-heads with metsulfuron without effect on alkaloid concentration. Ninety-six steers (270 ± 20 kg) were randomly assigned to one of sixteen paddocks (1.8 ha) on April 18 and continuously grazed for 57 d. Paddocks were blocked by previous use (n = 4) and randomly assigned to one of four treatments; no metsulfuron, no nitrogen (NEGCON), metsulfuron with 0 (MET0), 67 (MET67), or 134 (MET134) kg/ha of ammonium nitrate, applied March 11. Steers grazing MET0 paddocks were removed 17 d early due to insufficient forage availability. Steer weight, forage yield, forage nutritive value and ergot alkaloids in forage samples were measured monthly. Seed-head frequency and species composition were determined in June. Metsulfuron application reduced (P < 0.01) tall fescue seed-heads by 80%. Metsulfuron decreased (P = 0.03) ergovaline but ergovaline increased (P < 0.01) at each monthly sampling across treatments. Nitrogen had no impact on ergovaline concentration (P = 0.50). Forage yield tended to be least (P = 0.07) for MET0, intermediate for NEGCON and MET67, and tended to be greatest for MET134 (P = 0.08). Steer ADG was not affected by treatment (P < 0.80). Metsulfuron decreased NDF (P=0.02) regardless of fertilization rate. Forage CP increased with fertilization (P < 0.01) and no differences were detected between NEGCON and MET0 (P = 0.45). Species composition was not impacted (P >0.07) by treatment. Metsulfuron decreased seed-head growth and ergovaline concentration in tall fescue. Additional nitrogen fertilizer ameliorated forage yield lost to metsulfuron application but did not impact steer gain.

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.

Use of water by six grass species. 1. Dry-matter yields and response to irrigation

1979 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Garwood ◽  
K. C. Tyson ◽  
J. Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
First Year ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Second Year

SUMMARYThe yield and quality of herbage produced by six grasses (perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy, rough-stalked meadow grass, tall fescue and Italian ryegrass) were examined both without irrigation and under two irrigation regimes. Water was applied according to the potential soil water deficit (potential SWD): the soil was either partially returned to field capacity (FC) after each cut or fully returned to FC whenever the potential SWD reached 25 mm. The swards were cut either at 3 (C3) or 6 (C6) week intervals over a 2 year period.Partial irrigation increased yields by 12–14% in the first year and by 36–58% in the second. Full irrigation produced little more growth than partial irrigation in the first year (maximum SWD, 188 mm) but increased yield by 78–93% in the second, very dry, year (maximum SWD, 311 mm). Under treatment C3 response per unit of water applied was similar with both partial and full irrigation, but under C6 the response was greater with partial (2·86 kg D.M./m3) than with full irrigation (1·79 kg D.M./m3).There were marked differences between the species in their ability to grow under drought conditions in the second year of the experiment. Without irrigation, roughstalked meadow grass and Italian ryegrass did not survive the drought. The performance of tall fescue was markedly superior to both perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot in these conditions. Of the surviving grasses timothy made least growth.

Relationship between soil apparent electrical conductivity and forage yield in temperate pastures according to nitrogen availability and growing season

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (10) ◽  
pp. 908 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L. Cicore ◽  
M. Castro Franco ◽  
N. R. Peralta ◽  
J. R. Marques da Silva ◽  
J. L. Costa
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nitrogen Availability ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Seasonal Interactions ◽  
Management Zones

Mapping of the apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) can be used to estimate the variability of forage yield within a plot. However, forage production can vary according to the growing season and to soil properties that do not affect the ECa (e.g. nitrogen (N) content). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ECa and forage yield of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.) during different regrowth periods and contrasting levels of N availability and then use this information to determine potential management zones. The ECa was measured and geo-referenced in a 5.75-ha paddock that sustained a permanent pasture dominated by tall fescue. In addition, a 30 m by 30 m grid cell size was chosen and 43 sampling areas, each 4 m2 in size, were geo-referenced and divided into two experimental units of 1 m by 2 m, one of which was fertilised with 250 kg N ha–1 (N250) at the beginning of four regrowth periods (spring 2015, spring 2016, autumn 2016 and autumn 2017) and the other was not fertilised with N (N0). At the end of each regrowth period, we estimated the accumulated biomass. During the spring growing season, accumulated biomass was positively associated with ECa in both N0 and N250 treatments (R2 = 47% and 54%, respectively). By contrast, in autumn, accumulated biomass and ECa were poorly associated (R2 = 10% and 27% for N0 and N250). This may be due to seasonal interactions that alter soil–yield relationships. To assess whether ECa can be used to determine management zones, the differences in accumulated biomass were compared through analysis of variance. Results showed that ECa is associated with the spatial distribution of tall fescue forage yield variability in spring at different N availabilities. Thus, ECa can be reliably used for defining management zones in marginal soils under permanent pastures.

PSXI-19 Impact of toxic-infected tall fescue renovation strategies on second-year hay yield, botanical composition, and nutritive value

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 344-345
Author(s):  
Charlotte L Talbott ◽  
Deidre D Harmon ◽  
Matt H Poore ◽  
Alan J Franluebbers ◽  
Carolyn A Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Cover Crop ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Randomized Complete Block Design ◽  
Second Year

Abstract Renovating toxic-infected tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) (TF) pastures to novel endophyte tall fescue (NE) is a solution to mitigate the negative associated effects of toxic fescue in beef cattle. However, beef cattle producers are uncertain of the payback period for costs associated with renovation techniques in terms of farm profitability and agronomic performance. In 2018, three renovation strategies were implemented in a randomized complete block design in Bahama, NC. Strategies included: 1) control (C), 2) renovation to NE after one season of a single specie cover crop (1-SM), 3) renovation to NE after three seasons of a single specie cover crop (3-SM), and 4) renovation to NE after three seasons of a multi-specie cover crop (3-CM). Each treatment plot (0.81 ha) was evaluated for botanical composition and hay was harvested in May and August of 2020. Round bales from each treatment were weighed to determine yield and core sampled to determine nutritive value. Data were analyzed using proc GLIMMIX of SAS v9.4. Combined forage yield was greater (P = 0.0226) for 3-CM (8,816 kg/ha) compared to 3-SM (7,191 kg/ha) and C (6,920 kg/ha), but did not differ from 1-SM (7,775 kg/ha). Crude protein concentration was greater (P = 0.035) for C (10.2%) in comparison to 3-SM (9.35%) in harvest 1, but was not different (P = 0.93) in harvest 2. Percentage of fescue in the sward was greatest (P = 0.0002) for 3-SM and least for C (84.9 and 62%, respectively). Similarly, presence of undesirable plants was greater (P < 0.0001) for C (37.5%) than 1-SM, 3-CM and 3-SM (23.7, 15.2 and 12.7%, respectively). Percentage of bare ground did not differ among treatments (P = 0.31). Data suggest agronomic performance for 3-CM and 3-SM was improved compared to C in years following pasture renovation.

Resistance of New Zealand dairy pastures to ingress of summer-active annual grass weeds

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 1026 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. N. Tozer ◽  
E. Minneé ◽  
C. A. Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
First Year ◽  
Similar Distribution ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Bare Ground ◽  
Second Year

Yellow bristle grass (Setaria pumila) and summer grass (Digitaria sanguinalis) are summer-active annual grass weeds which infest temperate dairy pastures. A study was undertaken over 2 years to compare hand-sown yellow bristle and summer grass establishment, survival, and seed production in pastures grazed by dairy cows and based on (i) tetraploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), (ii) tetraploid perennial ryegrass and white clover (Trifolium repens), and (iii) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and white clover, to determine which pasture type offered the greatest resistance to these grass weeds. Ingress of grass weeds was similar in all three pasture types. Total dry matter production was similar for all pasture types for the first year and lower in tall fescue + clover than perennial ryegrass pasture in the second year. All pasture types had a similar distribution of microsite types (bare ground ± canopy, basal cover ± canopy) in both years. The annual grass weeds were most prevalent in bare ground + canopy microsites, which were also the most frequent of the four microsite types. In the first year, <5% of microsites were occupied within 2 months of sowing, whereas in the second year, microsite occupation remained >13% for all assessments. In the first year, panicle production of yellow bristle and summer grass was similar (averaging 4.1 panicles plant–1); in the second year, panicle production was greater for summer grass (0.80 v. 0.16 panicles plant–1, respectively). Where present, these annual grass weeds are likely to spread in dryland dairy pastures sown with either perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. Variability in their panicle production between years shows how their impact on pasture performance and consequent need for control measures will also vary from year to year.

Study of genotype by environment interaction in tall fescue genotypes and their polycross progenies in Iran based on AMMI model analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 792
Author(s):  
M. R. Dehghani ◽  
M. M. Majidi ◽  
A. Mirlohi ◽  
G. Saeidi
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Genotype By Environment Interaction ◽  
Model Analysis ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Environment Interaction ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Ammi Model

Development of forage grass genotypes which maintain a high level of performance over a wide range of environments is a goal of most breeding programs. In this study the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) model analysis was used to understand the complexity of genotype by environment interaction and to evaluate the adaptability and yield stability of some tall fescue genotypes and their selected polycross progenies. Replicated forage yield data of 72 genotypes (24 parental, 24 early flowering and 24 late flowering progenies) from six main cropping seasons (2008–14) at two locations and under two levels of irrigation were used for this purpose. The AMMI-1 analysis results accounted for 47.6% of the genotype by environment interaction. Interaction patterns revealed by AMMI-1 biplots indicated that most of the tall fescue genotypes were narrowly adapted and among all evaluated genotypes, only four genotypes (G22, G50, G62 and G65) with yield performance above the average were considered broadly adapted. The AMMI-1 mega-environment analysis indicated that all the environments in Lavark were grouped in one mega-environment, except for E1 and E2. For this mega-environment the winning genotypes were the genotypes G9, G48 and G72. The environments in Isfahan location, except for E13, were grouped in another mega-environment. The genotypes G23, G8 and G15 were the winners in this mega-environment.

Yield and nutritive value of irrigated tall fescue compared with orchardgrass: In monocultures or mixed with alfalfa

2013 ◽  
Vol 93 (5) ◽  
pp. 799-807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Thompson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Diversity Effect ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata L ◽  
Schedonorus Phoenix

Thompson, D. J. 2013. Yield and nutritive value of irrigated tall fescue compared with orchardgrass: in monocultures or mixed with alfalfa. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 799–807. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is commonly grown for irrigated forage production in interior British Columbia. Tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Schop.) Holub.] is also adapted to the area but no comparative trials have been reported. Three varieties of each grass species were grown in monocultures or in mixtures with alfalfa at three irrigated sites throughout southern interior British Columbia. Study objectives included comparing the forage yield and nutritive value of the following groups: (1) tall fescue and orchardgrass monocultures, (2) tall fescue and orchardgrass mixtures with alfalfa and (3) grass-alfalfa mixtures with monocultures. In monoculture, tall fescue yield was 9% greater than orchardgrass (significantly greater yield at 3 of 6 site-years), though forage nutritive values were similar. Mixtures of the two grasses with alfalfa had similar yields, but those containing tall fescue had superior nutritive value. Alfalfa contributed a greater percentage to total yield and had higher survival when mixed with tall fescue. Tall fescue is a viable alternative to orchardgrass for irrigated forage production in monoculture and may be more suitable for mixtures with alfalfa. Our findings demonstrate a functional diversity effect; grass-alfalfa mixtures over-yielded the mean of the alfalfa, orchardgrass, and tall fescue monocultures by 12%.

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