Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 2. Persistence, root characteristics and summer activity

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. N. Nie ◽  
S. Miller ◽  
G. A. Moore ◽  
B. F. Hackney ◽  
S. P. Boschma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Root Density ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Root Characteristics ◽  
Plant Frequency

Field experiments were carried out at seven sites in southern Australia from 2002 to 2006 to measure changes in plant frequency, root characteristics and summer activity for a range of grass and herb species or cultivars. Annual rainfall during the experimental period was on average 75 mm lower than the long-term average. Plant frequency differed significantly between species and between sites. Temperate grasses generally had higher frequencies than subtropical grasses, native grasses and herbs. Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cvv. Currie, Porto), tall wheat grass (Thinopyrum ponticum cv. Dundas), winter-active tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cvv. Fraydo, Resolute MaxP) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cvv. Atlas PG, Australian) were the most persistent of the temperate perennial species over the experimental period. The frequency of most cultivars declined from year 2 to year 4 after establishment, but the frequency of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum cv.Whittet) and wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia richardsonii cv. Taranna) increased by over 5% from year 2 to year 3, and cocksfoot (cv. Currie) increased from year 3 to year 4. At two sites where measurements were made, there were significant differences in rooting depth between species. Whittet kikuyu was the deepest among all species with a rooting depth of up to 2 m, followed by phalaris, tall fescue, grazing brome (Bromus stamineus) and tall wheat grass. Root density was affected by plant genotype and soil structure. Root density of the species varied significantly in the subsoil (0.1–1.1 m) and deeper subsoil (1.1–2 m) but not in the topsoil (0–0.1 m). Green-leafiness over summer was generally higher for subtropical grasses, native grasses, herbs and some summer-active temperate grasses, than most temperate grasses with high summer dormancy.

Field evaluation of perennial grasses and herbs in southern Australia. 1. Establishment and herbage production

2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 409 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. M. Reed ◽  
Z. N. Nie ◽  
S. Miller ◽  
B. F. Hackney ◽  
S. P. Boschma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Plantago Lanceolata ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Root Characteristics ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Themeda Triandra

To review pasture species for regions with 465–680 mm average annual rainfall, 22 perennial grasses and herbs were evaluated for pasture establishment and productivity in four states at seven locations where the arrest of groundwater recharge is considered necessary to ameliorate dryland salinity. Species represented introduced and native, temperate and subtropical grasses, chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.). This report describes establishment and yield; the following paper describes persistence and root characteristics. Yields were measured over 2–3 years except at one site, which suffered severe drought. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L., cv. Avalon) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. = syn. Lolium arundinaceum. (Schreb.) Darbysh., cvv. AU Triumph and Resolute MaxP), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L., cv. Porto) and phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L., cv. Holdfast and Australian) were the most productive species, with dry matter (DM) yields of 13.6–15.1 t/ha. For summer growth, Porto and Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana Kunth, cv. Katambora) were the most productive species; relative to Australian in summer, Porto and Katambora produced 41% and 26% more DM, respectively (95% confidence). Perennial ryegrass (cv. Avalon), tall fescue (cv. Resolute MaxP) and chicory (cv. Grouse) were particularly valuable for autumn growth; Avalon was 30% more productive than Australian. Tall fescue (cv. Resolute MaxP) was 32% more productive than Australian in winter. Avalon and AU Triumph were the most productive grasses and herbs in spring. Based on natural rainfall over the 2–3 years of measurement, the mean water use productivity, ignoring any runoff, was 10.5 kg DM/ha.mm for the three most productive species. Apart from kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra Forssk), native grasses gradually established, but over a prolonged period weeping grass (Microlaena stipoides (Labill.) R.Br., cv. Wakefield) was the most rapid. Perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, cocksfoot and phalaris maintained productive yields across a diverse range of soils and climates. Exploration of the diversity within these species in a nationally coordinated program of genetic improvement appears warranted for improving reliability and expanding the zone of adaptation.

scholarly journals Nutrient Runoff Uptake Potential and Growth for Three U.S. Native Grasses and Tall Fescue

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Salvatore S. Mangiafico ◽  
Donald J. Merhaut ◽  
Julie Newman ◽  
Harold Ewing ◽  
Ben Faber
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
High Water ◽  
Shoot Density ◽  
Root Density ◽  
N Recovery ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Nutrient Runoff ◽  
Quality Measurements

Little research has been conducted into the growth and nutrient uptake potential of native grasses for use in vegetated buffers, grassed waterways, and cover crops for the mitigation of agricultural and horticultural runoff. A greenhouse experiment was conducted with three U.S. native grasses: Leymus triticoides, Melica imperfecta, Vulpia microstachys, and turf-type tall fescue, Lolium arundinaceum. Treatments were the rate of nitrogen application, with 0, 460, 920, or 1380 kg·ha−1 applied per twelve-week experimental period. Shoot and root material was collected, dried, and analyzed for N and P. Grass quality measurements included visual shoot density and visual root density. Species differences were found for the uptake of water, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), as well as for plant quality measurements such as shoot and root density. Across species, as N application rate increased, apparent N recovery decreased, suggesting that these grasses will exhibit a decreased efficiency in scavenging N when N concentrations in applied runoff are higher. Among native grasses, L. triticoides exhibited some advantages over the others which may make it valuable in remediation applications, including high shoot and root density, rapid vertical growth, and high water, N, and P uptake.

Effect of fertility level on the yield of some native perennial grasses on the North-West Slopes, New South Wales.

1979 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Lodge
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Fertility Level ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
North West ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Yield ◽  
Pot Culture

The effect of fertility on the yields of native perennial grasses was investigated in pot culture and field experiments. Yields of six native perennial grasses and Paspalum dilatatum Poir were determined in the glasshouse at five levels of applied phosphorus (P), sulphur (S) and nitrogen (N) and in the field the biomass of individual tussocks of eight native grasses was compared. In pot culture the maximum yields of the native perennial grasses with P, S and N applied were 15 to 75% lower than those of P. dilatatum. Within the native grasses there were significant yield differences: Bothriochloa macra (Steud) S.T. Blake, Chloris truncata R.Br. and Dichanthium sericeum (R. Br.) Camus yielded up to twice as much dry matter as either Aristida ramosa R.Br., Sporobolus elongatus R.Br. or Eragrostis leptostachya Steud. These data indicate that P, S and N are all essential for maximum yield of some native grasses, and large imbalances in the level of these nutrients resulted in seedling mortalities in most native grasses.

Establishment and persistence of perennial grass and herb cultivars and lines in a recharge area, North-West Slopes, New South Wales

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (8) ◽  
pp. 753 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Boschma ◽  
G. M. Lodge ◽  
S. Harden
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Panicum Maximum ◽  
Comparative Performance ◽  
Rhodes Grass ◽  
Tropical Grasses ◽  
North West ◽  
Native Pasture ◽  
Plant Frequency

Two adjacent sites, one previously cropped and the other a native pasture, were sown with perennial temperate and tropical grasses and herbs (Expt 1), Phalaris aquatica (phalaris) and Festuca arundinacea (tall fescue) cultivars or lines (Expt 2), and perennial tropical grasses (Expt 3) near Manilla, NSW. Establishment, herbage mass and plant frequency were assessed in 2003–06 to (i) identify cultivars/lines with superior persistence, (ii) detect possible mechanisms required for successful production and persistence in a summer-dominant rainfall environment, and (iii) examine the comparative performance of the species groups when sown into previously cropped and native pasture areas. Plots were fertilised annually and grazed or mown at least seasonally. Most cultivars/lines persisted at the previously cropped site, while those on the native pasture site had to be resown and generally failed to persist beyond the first year. At the previously cropped site, summer-dormant tall fescue cv. Resolute MaxP® was the most persistent of the grasses evaluated in Expt 1. Grasses such as Lolium perenne cv. Avalon and Bromus stamineus cv. Gala did not perenneate, but regenerated annually from seed. Native grasses generally had poor establishment; however, Austrodanthonia richardsonii and A. fulva tended to increase in plant frequency over time. Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) cv. Katambora and Panicum maximum (panic) cv. Gatton were the only tropical grasses that established in Expt 1, and both had plant frequencies similar (P > 0.05) to the temperate grasses at the final assessment. In Expt 2, Resolute MaxP again was the most persistent cultivar/line. Several experimental lines of phalaris (e.g. T39 and M225) had high herbage mass and good persistence compared with commercial cultivars. In Expt 3, Katambora Rhodes grass and Digitaria eriantha ssp. eriantha (digit grass) cv. Premier were the most persistent cultivars and had the highest herbage mass. These data highlighted summer dormancy in temperate grasses and frost tolerance in tropical grasses as two possible mechanisms important for persistence of grasses on the North-West Slopes of NSW and the risks associated with sowing perennial grasses into established native pastures.

scholarly journals Relative Rooting Depths of Native Grasses and Amenity Grasses with Potential for Use on Roadsides in New England

HortScience ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 393-400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Nelson Brown ◽  
Cynthia Percivalle ◽  
Sophia Narkiewicz ◽  
Samantha DeCuollo
Keyword(s):  
Rhode Island ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Rooting Depth ◽  
Native Grasses ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Little Bluestem

Erosion is a significant problem on highway embankments in Rhode Island. At present, a mixture of red fescue (Festuca rubra L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) is planted to stabilize the soil. However, only the red fescue survives long term on slopes. Red fescue is shallow-rooted, leading to sod sloughing after heavy rains. The objective of this study was to compare the rooting depth, plant height, and adaptation to roadside conditions of 16 native grasses and five amenity grasses with red fescue to identify species that could be used to reduce sod sloughing. Research was conducted from May 2006 through Aug. 2009 in the greenhouse at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston and on the shoulder of state Route 4 in North Kingstown, RI. The cool-season grasses smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss. ssp. inermis), Pumpelly's brome [Bromus inermis Leyss. ssp. pumpellianus (Scribn.) Wagnon], Canadian wildrye (Elymus canadensis L.), Virginia wildrye (Elymus virginicus L.), silky wildrye (Elymus villosus Muhl. ex Wild.), eastern bottlebrush (Elymus hystrix L.), perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.) and the warm-season grasses little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash] and purple lovegrass [Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh.) Steud.] were similar in height to red fescue while rooting significantly more deeply. Of these 10 species, little bluestem, purple lovegrass, and tall fescue showed the best survival on the roadside.

Technologies of drop irrigation of young almond garden on terraces in foothland conditions of the Kyzylsu-Yuzhnaya river basin

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-15
Author(s):  
Daler Domullodzhanov
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Drip Irrigation ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Minimum Amount ◽  
Almond Orchard

The article presents the results of field experiments on the study of the technology of drip irrigation of a young almond orchard on terraces with clear cover with tillage soil surface, with use of mulching and overseeding of perennial grasses. In the variant with mulching, the minimum amount of irrigation observed – 24, with the irrigation norm – 1904 litre per tree. In other cases, the number of irrigation events increases from 8 to 23, respectively, the irrigation norms are 1.39 and 2.06 times.

scholarly journals Improving soil properties and productivity of crop-pasture rotation in arid steppe of the Southern Urals

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 03003
Author(s):  
Yakhiya Kaipov ◽  
Rifkat Akchurin ◽  
Rustam Kirayev ◽  
Asiya Nizaeva
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Humus Content ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Southern Urals ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Reduced Tillage ◽  
The Southern Urals ◽  
Arid Steppe

Field experiments were conducted in the arid steppe zone of the Southern Urals, in the Republic of Bashkortostan of the Russian Federation. The soil is common chernozem. The precipitation during the growing season (May-September) is 166 mm. The experimental crop rotation consisted of 7 fields: 4 with perennial herbs (a mixture of Bromus inermis and Medicago varia), 3 with annual crops. The study analysed soil properties and carrying capacity in perennial grass rotation, conventional and reduced tillage. During the crop-pasture rotation, the humus content in the soil changes insignificantly depending on the tillage, being within 7.6-8.0 %. Perennial grasses loosened the soil, positively affecting moisture accumulation under crop rotation by the beginning of the pre-sowing period. The arable layer of common chernozem in the reduced tillage had a density of 1.05 g/cm3, less than 0.06 g/cm3 in conventional cultivation. Fertilizer application increased yields at 0.49-0.51 t/ha of feed units. Reduced tillage resulted in higher feed units by 0.06-0.08 tons per 1 ha. Crop-pasture rotation implementation and development ensures bioclimatically-determined yields of fodder crops and maintains soil fertility at an optimal level.

scholarly journals A COMPARISON OF PERENNIAL GRASSES UNDER SHEEP GRAZING ON THE CENTRAL PLATEAU

1983 ◽  
pp. 81-90
Author(s):  
N.S. Percival ◽  
F.R. Duder
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Small Reduction ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
Canary Grass ◽  
Autumn And Winter

Details are given on the production and survival over four years of five perennial grasses under rotational sheep-grazing on a pumice soil. The comparison involved three perennial ryegrasses ('Grasslands Nui and Ruanui', and Yates Ellett), and mixtures of Ellett with 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue and Ellett with 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris. All pastures were sown with white and red clovers. Annual dry matter yields from Nui and Ellett pastures were similar, at about 6,500 kg/ha. Ruanui pastures were on average 600 kg/ha lower. The pastures containing tall fescue and phalaris were similar to Ellett. The major seasonal yield effects were in autumn and winter, when Ruanui pastures were substantially poorer than those with Nui and Ellett. Ryegrass yield of Ellett pasture was greater than Nui, and Nui was greater than Ruanui at all seasons. Ellett ryagrass was a higher proportion of the total yield at all times, and had higher tiller populations than Nui and Ruanui. Neither tall fescue or phalaris were, able to compete with Ellett ryegrass. It is suggested that neither of these be sown with ryegrass. Clover yields were higher in Ruanui than Ellett pastures, with Nui intermediate. The use of Nui, Ellett and Ruanui ryegrasses is related to the problems of seasonal distribution and total annual yields of pastures on the Central Plateau. It is suggested using Nui or Ellett as the base for perennial pastures will give substantial increases in production. Ellett ryegrass had higher survival than Nui which was considered an advantage, though this was achieved at the expense of a small reduction in clover vields. Keywords: Perennial ryegrass, Ellett, Nui, Ruanui, Roa tall fescue, Maru phalaris, canary grass, sheep grazing, central North Island, Central Plateau, grass grub, Argentine stem weevil, Lolium endophyte.

scholarly journals Scientific bases of the humus stabilization in ordinary chernozem in Russia

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Oleg Goryanin ◽  
Anatoly Chichkin ◽  
Baurzhan Dzhangabaev ◽  
Elena Shcherbinina
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Humus Content ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Crop Rotations ◽  
Organic Fertilizers ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Ordinary Chernozem ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Plant Residues ◽  
Middle Volga Region

<p>The influence of long-term use of mineral and organic fertilizers, crop rotations, plant residues, soil treatment systems on humus content of common chernozems and stabilization of productivity of field crops in the arid conditions of the Middle Volga region is considered on the example of researches in the Samara area. The zone climate of field experiments is characterized as extremely continental. The sum of the active temperatures (above 10°C) is 2,800-3,000°C. The average annual rainfall is 454.1 mm with fluctuations over the years from 187.5 mm to 704.6 mm. At some years, precipitation does not happen within a month or more. Hydrothermal index in May-August is 0,7, the duration of the frost-free period is 149 days. If the humus content in the region is 4.35-4.52%, then, it is necessary to introduce 6.7-8.0 t/ha of manure per year to maintain the balance of the deficit. The introduction of biological methods for the conservation and reproduction of soil fertility (green fertilizers, perennial grasses, straw as fertilizer) reduces the loss of humus by 0.15-0.24 t/ha. This makes it possible to increase the payback of mineral fertilizers, which must be taken into account when developing fertility reproduction systems for soils. In the variants with minimal and differentiated cultivation of the soil during crop rotation in 30 years of the study, the loss of humus in the 0-30 cm layer decreased by 0.04 - 0.73% (43-789 kg per year with maximum values in the combination of direct seeding of spring crops with deep loosening for a number of crop rotations is 4.14%, significantly exceeding the control (by 0.54%). The decrease in soil fertility in the variants with constant plowing and minimal tillage contributed to an increase in the conjugation of productivity of crops with humus. Based on the research, in order to preserve the fertility of the soil of ordinary chernozem, it is necessary to use green fertilizer, leguminous perennial grasses. In the regional rotations of crop production, new generation technologies are recommended, the basis of which is differentiated tillage with the use of crushed straw as fertilizer.</p>

scholarly journals Testing of new cultivars of perennial grasses in year of sowing

2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 81-88
Author(s):  
Zorica Tomic ◽  
Z. Nesic ◽  
V. Krnjaja ◽  
Miroslav Zujovic ◽  
M. Vorkapic
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Crude Fibre ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Precipitation Difference ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
New Cultivars

Testing of new cultivars of perennial grasses cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Huds.) was carried out on experimental field of the Institute for Animal Husbandry in year 2005. Trial was set according to random block system, on 10m2, soil type carbonate chernozem. Climatic conditions in year of sowing were at the level of average values for several years for daily temperature, 12,40C compared to 12,10C, and for precipitation difference was even greater 831,6mm compared to average calculated for several years of 645,2mm. Main morphological and phenological traits of plants were investigated, plant growth, height at 1st cut, plant regeneration after 10 days, as well as production of green mass and dry matter. All five cocksfoot cultivars had considerably higher yields per cuts, total (2,12-2,69 t ha-1). Two cultivars of meadow fescue showed no significant difference in yield of dry matter (1,84-2,03 t ha-1), whereas cultivars of tall fescue differed highly significantly in this regard (1,84-1,62 t ha-1). Also, main parameters of plant quality, organic matter, content of crude protein, crude fibre and crude fat in the 2nd cut were determined. Investigated cultivars of cocksfoot and tall fescue differed significantly, whereas cultivars of meadow fescue were very similar. Obtained results were processed using variation statistical methods and mean values were tested using LSD test.

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