Hybrid Bermudagrass compared with Kikuyu and common couch in coastal New South Wales. 2. Crude protein content, and estimated in vivo digestibility

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (99) ◽  
pp. 444 ◽  
Author(s):  
AC Andrews ◽  
FC Crofts

In a previous study it was found that four ecotypes of hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) (ecotypes 632, 692, 6389 and 719) outyielded kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) and common couch (C. dactylon) at three sites in New South Wales. The relative feeding value of these grasses was compared in terms of their crude protein content and organic matter digestibility when grown for two years at Mitchells Island, New South Wales (Lat. 32�S). Over the two years, kikuyu had the highest crude protein content, averaging 124 g kg-1 compared with 11 6,115,ll 1, 103 and 108, respectively, for the ecotypes 632, 692, 6389, 719 and common couch. Mean digestibilities of ecotypes 632, 692, 6389 and 719 were 63, 60, 61 and 58% respectively, compared with 60% for kikuyu and 57% for common couch. The crude protein content and digestibility of all ecotypes tended to be highest in early spring and late autumn and lower in summer, trends which were opposite to dry matter production rates. It was concluded that the quality of hybrid Bermudagrass forage was comparable with that of other sub-tropical grasses now being used in subcoastal New South Wales. However, careful pasture management would be required to maintain herbage quality during summer.

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 777
Author(s):  
R Ferraris ◽  
MJT Norman ◽  
LK Fussell

Two experiments were carried out at Camden, New South Wales, to compare the productivity under defoliation of an early-maturing (cv. Tamworth) and a late maturing (cv. Katherine Pearl) pearl millet with the sorghum-sudan grass hybrid, Sudax SX-11 A. In experiment 1, harvests were taken at 30 cm stubble height at 3 and 6-week intervals. Total forage dry matter and protein content were similar for all species. Total forage yields were higher and protein content was lower with the 6-week cutting interval. In experiment 2, cutting frequency was kept constant at 3-week intervals, while cutting height was maintained at a. 30 cm and b. above the average apical meristem height until booting and then at 30 cm. Total forage dry matter yields were highest for Sudax and lowest for Tamworth. Regrowth yields generally declined with time, though for Katherine Pearl a relatively high late-season yield was harvested from cutting treatment b. Protein content was maintained at reasonable levels at all harvests. Sudax foliage generally had the highest protein content. Estimated in vivo organic matter digestibility values were little affected by cultivar or cutting regime but showed severe mid-season depression. A significant negative association of digestibility with mean minimum temperature during the regrowth period was noted (r = -0.81 3). In both experiments, the removal of apical meristems reduced the amount of regrowth. Sudax was less susceptible to decapitation because of the substantial contribution of secondary tillers to regrowth.


2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fred Ford ◽  
Andrew Cockburn ◽  
Linda Broome

The smoky mouse, Pseudomys fumeus, is an endangered rodent for which ecological information is lacking across much of its range. This paper provides the first detailed study of the local diet and habitat preference of P. fumeus since 1980, conducted on the recently discovered Nullica population in New South Wales. Diet and trap-revealed movements were examined in conjunction with 18 characteristics of habitat to determine the factors influencing habitat choice. Multiple logistic regression of habitat variables and capture locations revealed a floristically determined preference for heath habitat characterised by Epacris impressa, Monotoca scoparia, Leptospermum trinervium, Xanthorrhoea spp. and a variety of legumes. Hypogeal fungi and seeds were the most common food items in the diet of P. fumeus. Fungi were most abundant in winter diet, while seeds and fruit became dominant in late spring and summer. The spring and summer preference for ridge-top heath habitats observed in this study is probably the result of this dietary preference. Resident females constituted 71% of the population in early spring. However, there was a severe decline in numbers of female mice during early spring, and resident males also disappeared from the population. Causes of the decline were unclear. Five of eleven males captured during this study were transient, while no transient females were caught. The sudden decline in the study population, combined with the patchy distribution of suitable habitat and high level of male transience, suggests that P. fumeus form a metapopulation in the Nullica region.


1988 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 493-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Garrick McDonald ◽  
Roger A. Farrow

AbstractAerial sampling for Nysius vinitor Bergroth was undertaken in the surface and upper air, at altitudes of 2 and 100-300 m, respectively, at Trangie in central New South Wales and at Corny Point, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Insects were sampled for 15 periods, each of 3-11 days, between October 1979 and February 1984, covering all months except January, March and May. N. vinitor was one of the most abundant insects caught in the upper air during the day and night (mean density of 652/106 m3), while the congeneric N. clevelandensis Evans was rarely caught at any time. N. vinitor was caught in all months sampled except for the winter months of July and August, and the largest daily catches occurred in September. Females were generally less common than males, although the relative incidence in the upper air catches frequently increased significantly from day to night. Fewer mature females were caught in the upper air (0-16·8%) than at the surface (0-48·4%). Densities were generally much greater in the surface air than in the upper air, although during the major flights of spring, there was less than a two-fold difference, indicating increased migratory activity. Migration occurred in a range of synoptic conditions resulting in the displacement of individuals in a variety of directions and distances depending on synoptic flow at the time of flight. Major migrations occurred at night, following dusk take-off, in disturbed weather associated with prefrontal airflows. These resulted in net southward displacements of ca 200-300 km depending on flight duration. It is suggested that major immigration flights into central-western New South Wales and regions to the south regularly occur in early spring (September-October) and probably arise from breeding areas in subtropical latitudes.


1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 209 ◽  
Author(s):  
KH Kreeb ◽  
RDB Whalley ◽  
JL Charley

The characteristics of the soil, vegetation and groundwater at a dryland salinity site on Miramoona, a property near Walcha on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, were investigated. Soil parameters measured at 23 points along a 200 m transect were highly correlated with the pattern of vegetation. Of overriding significance was soil pH, which varied from a high of over 10 on bare areas delineated by Critesion marinum and Cynodon dactylon to a low of less than 5 on grazing land supporting the growth of a wide range of pasture species. The bare areas were characterized by alkalinity. While they were sodic at all depths measured, they were only marginally saline and then only at the soil surface. The chemical composition of the groundwater collected from three piezometer tubes varied quite markedly over the site. It is hypothesized that the presence of alkaline bare areas on the Northern Tablelands is not a new problem, but rather the natural result of alternating wet and dry periods which have induced accumulation of carbonates and bicarbonates of the alkali cations, notably sodium. Drainage of the original perched swamps by the early landholders, tree clearing and the grazing of domestic livestock would have accelerated the process since European settlement. However, tree planting would appear unlikely to have any impact on the reclamation process in the short term. A more viable option would be the recreation of the original swamps in suitable situations, although this solution would create problems for grazing management.


1962 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Henderson ◽  
R. S. Edwards ◽  
J. L. Hammerton

1. Data on the crude-protein content and crudeprotein production of five grass species (each sown with white clover) over the period 1954–56, at six levels of compound fertilizer application, are reported. Perennial rye-grass (S. 101), meadow fescue (S. 215), timothy (S. 48), cocksfoot (S. 26) and bent (N.Z. Browntop) were sown in 1953 at appropriate seed rates, each with 2 lb./acre S. 100 white clover. The fertilizer treatments were 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 cwt./ acre of a compound of composition 10% N, 4%P2O5, 9·5% K2O applied in the early spring of each of the years 1954–56. The swards were cut three times a year in 1954 and 1956, but only two cuts were possible in 1955.2. Bent mixtures had a higher crude-protein content than any other mixture in all years and (with one exception) at every cut within years. Differences between other mixtures were smaller and often erratic, though timothy invariably had the lowest crude-protein content at the second cut and cocksfoot at the third. Application of the fertilizer raised the crude-protein level of the herbage at the first cut, but depressed it in subsequent cuts.3. The bent mixture gave the highest yield of crude-protein per acre followed by the timothy mixture, while the lowest yield was produced by the perennial rye-grass mixture. The bent mixture differed from all others in its distribution of crudeprotein production over the season, producing less at the first cuts and more at the second and third cuts. This reflects its pattern of production of dry-matter. Response to spring application of fertilizer in terms of crude-protein yield declined rapidly from cut to cut. Over the whole period of the experiment 1 cwt./acre/ annum of fertilizer containing 10% N gave a response of about 0·5 cwt. crude-protein/annum.


1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (99) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
AC Andrews ◽  
FC Crofts

Four ecotypes of hybrid Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) were compared with common couch (C. dactylon) and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) at five sites in coastal districts of New South Wales. The sites were Grafton and Coaldale (Lat. 30�S), Mitchells Island (Lat. 32�S) and Richmond and Badgerys Creek (Lat. 34�S). Hybrid Bermudagrass ecotypes 6389 and 692 were established quickly at all sites while ecotypes 71 9 and 632 were satsifactory. Kikuyu was strong at all sites except Grafton but the rate of establishment of common couch was poor. At the frost-free sandy site of Mitchells Island, Bermudagrass ecotypes 719, 692, 6389, and 632 outyielded kikuyu by 75, 65, 65 and 35%, respectively. However, at Grafton and Coaldale, the highest yielding Bermudagrass ecotype, 719, had only 35% higher production than kikuyu. At the frost prone southern sites of Richmond and Badgerys Creek, the annual production of kikuyu was equal to that of ecotypes 719, 6389, 692 and 632. Common couch yields were equal to kikuyu at all sites except at Richmond. At Mitchells Island, the hybrid Bermudagrasses outyielded kikuyu in spring, summer and early autumn but in the late autumn kikuyu had equal and sometimes higher growth rates than the best Bermudagrasses. In winter, the growth of both species was negligible, although kikuyu, unlike the Bermudagrasses, did produce some new shoots at the base of the sward. Data on persistence under grazing were collected from only three of the sites but trends were similar to establishment. Ecotype 6389 had the highest persistence rating of the Bermudagrasses. Kikuyu failed at the poorly drained sandy site of Grafton but remained strong at the other sites. It was concluded that hybrid Bermudagrasses were of potential value for pastures in New South Wales, especially for sites with sandy soils and low frost incidence.


Pastura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 63
Author(s):  
P. Yuwono ◽  
T. Warsiti ◽  
M. Kasmiatmojo

The purpose of this study was to find out the types of weeds and their nutrition content that grow in the planting area of crops in Batur district, Banjarnegara regency potential as ruminant feed. The results showed that at least there were seven types / species of weeds that grows in the Batur village and is often used as an animal feed that were Axonopus compresus (Swarttz) Beauv, Alternanthera sesilis (L) D, C, Lantana camara L., Nasturtium montanum Wall, Commelina benghalensis L ., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers, Digitaria adscendens (HBK) Henr. Results of the proximate analysis showed that the weeds have crude protein content ranged from 8.02 to 23.66% and crude fiber content ranged from 19.87 - 39.36%. It could be concluded that the weeds contain crude protein and crude fiber that were pretty good for ruminants. Keywords: weeds, ruminants, crude protein, crude fiber


1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (121) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
BS Dear ◽  
AN Smith

The ability of superphosphate strip tests to identify responsive pastures was evaluated at eight sites on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Five rates of superphosphate (0, 100,200, 300 and 600 kg/ha) were applied in 100 x 7 m strips in early spring and the pasture dry matter responses measured every three months with a capacitance probe. Herbage responses, ranging from 12 to 232% occurred in the following three months on seven of the eight pastures. The spring and autumn periods gave the largest quarterly responses. The variation in growth within strips observed was small enough to establish differences in dry matter between strips. On deficient sites all fertilizer rates produced measurable responses, however the 300 kg/ha rate was sufficient to give clear-cut responses at all the deficient sites. As the pasture responses observed in the strip tests were consistent with predicted responses by plant and soil analyses, it was concluded that they offer a practical alternative for use by farmers. Suggestions are made on the layout of fertilizer strips, and the interpretation of results.


1979 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 351 ◽  
Author(s):  
AD Wilson

This paper reviews those aspects of the scientific literature that bear on the management of the native saltbush, grassland, belah and bluebush communities of south-west New South Wales. In includes information on the structure, vegetation change, erosion, animal production and management, and includes tables of the characteristics of the major plant species. Grazing can induce major vegetation changes in saltbush areas, but only relatively minor changes in the more stable communities, such as belah. Erosion hazards are severe in the bluebush communities, although they are generally stable at present. Animal production is closely related to the winter incidence of rainfall, when both sheep and cattle concentrate their grazing on annual plants. In summer saltbushes, bluebushes and copper burrs become the main constituents and diet quality is adequate for maintenance. Research suggests that controlled continuous grazing is the best option for both production and pasture management in these communities. The future use of controlled burning to reduce unpalatable shrubs in belah communities is indicated.


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