General effects of management and grazing by domestic livestock on the rangelands of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.

1978 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 174 ◽  
Author(s):  
RDB Whalley ◽  
GG Robinson ◽  
JA Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Natural Pasture

Three major pasture types probably occurred on the Northern Tablelands prior to European settlement. The dominants were probably Poa sieberana Spreng. and Themeda australis (R.Br.1 Stapf. at the higher elevations, T. australis, P. Sieberana and Sorghum leiocladum (Hack.) C.E. Hubbard on fine textured soils at lower elevations and T. australis, Aristida ramosa (R.Br.) and Cymbopogon refractus (R.Br.1 A. Camus. on coarse textured soils. The subsidiary species composition of these pasture types is also suggested, derived from fragmentary early accounts, earlier published work and observations on the behaviour under grazing of the different species involved. The characteristics of the important native and naturalised grass species are described. These species are classified into warm season perennials, warm season annuals, cool season perennials and cool season annuals. The native warm season perennials is the largest group of species at present on the Tablelands. The effects of grazing on the species composition of natural pastures is described. The grazing behaviour of merino sheep leads to a striking zonation of herbaceous species resulting from uneven grazing intensity and distribution of dung and urine. Data from an unreplicated stocking rate by superphosphate application rate trial at Shannon Vale are presented. This trial indicated that the proportion of white clover in the pasture depended on both stocking rate and superphosphate rate and that the proportion of Danthonia spp. increased when white clover decreased. Wool production data are also presented which show that high levels of pro- ductivity per hectare can be obtained from topdressed natural pastures. A number of different natural pasture types occur on the Tablelands. A schemeis presented showing the interrelationship$ between the original and the present pasture types as affected by grazing intensity and the addition or depletion of plant nutrients.

scholarly journals White Clover (Trifolium repens) Establishment within Dormant Bermudagrass Turf: Cultural Considerations, Establishment Timing, Seeding Rate, and Cool-season Companion Grass Species

HortScience ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (12) ◽  
pp. 1556-1561
Author(s):  
James D. McCurdy ◽  
J. Scott McElroy ◽  
Elizabeth A. Guertal
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Trifolium Repens ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Cultural Considerations ◽  
Green Cover ◽  
Mechanical Surface ◽  
Initial Seeding

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) inclusion is a proposed means of increasing the sustainability of certain low-maintenance turfgrass scenarios through increased pollinator habitat and as a result of the legume’s ability to biologically fix atmospheric nitrogen (N). Proper white clover establishment is key to maximizing stand uniformity and N contribution to associated grasses. However, there are few guidelines for white clover establishment within warm-season turfgrasses. Four studies were conducted to evaluate seeded white clover establishment within a dormant hybrid bermudagrass [Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy × C. dactylon (L.) Pers.] lawn as affected by 1) pre-seeding mechanical surface disruption; 2) establishment timing; 3) seeding rate; and 4) companion grass species. White clover establishment was improved by scalping before October seeding, but these effects were not further enhanced by the addition of verticutting or hollow tine aerification. Unscalped turfgrass yielded nearly 50% lower white clover densities than those scalped before seeding, possibly as a result of decreased seed-to-soil contact and increased bermudagrass competition. January and February establishment dates generally yielded the lowest spring clover densities, whereas October timing yielded superior establishment. Clover densities resulting from six seeding rates (0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 g live seed/m2) were fit to the linear model (y = y0 + axb, where y equals trifoliate leaves/m2 and x is equal to initial seeding rate). An important feature of this model was that it accurately represented the diminishing response of increasing seeding rate. Clover establishment was negatively correlated with companion grass densities with the largest densities occurring when planted with tall fescue and the smallest when planted with annual ryegrass. Ultimately, scalping alone or in combination with other mechanical surface disruption should be paired with a clover variety acceptable to the height of cut and the environmental conditions of individual scenarios. Likewise, seeding rates and the decision to include a cool-season companion grass species will be dependent on the use of a turf and the desired green cover.

Effects of rainfall, moisture stress, and stocking rate on the persistence of white clover over 30 years

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
KJ Hutchinson ◽  
KL King ◽  
DR Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Smoothing Splines ◽  
Water Model ◽  
Stocking Rate

The effects of spring rainfall, critical levels of summer moisture stress, and sheep stocking rates on the persistence of white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Huia) have been evaluated in a 30-year experiment (1964-93) based on sown, well-fertilised pasture. Plant species presence was measured each year as basal cover using a vertical 10-pin frame. Hits at ground level from 800 points/plot were recorded in late September on duplicate plots, which were set-stocked at 3 rates (10, 20 reduced to 15, 30 reduced to 20 d.s.e./ha). A soil-water model based on rainfall and tank evaporation was calibrated against on-site soil water measurements (0-260 mm) and used to predict soil water (mm) for weekly time steps over 30 years. Smoothing of long-term rainfall data (SYSTAT, Lowess) showed an overall decline in warm-season rainfall (October-March), which was punctuated by above-average (1969-74) and average runs of years (1983-90). Flexible smoothing splines (SAS) were used to indicate patterns of yearly white clover presence. For all stocking treatments, there were significant declines in the presence of white clover over 3 decades. At the highest stocking rate, the recovery of white clover following the 1965 drought was poor. Late summer (January-March) moisture stress, defined as the number of weeks when soil water (0-260 mm) was <15 mm, was critical in determining white clover presence in the following spring (September). Rainfall received from October to December generally had a positive effect. These climate-based relationships reinforce the importance of stolon growth and survival as a regenerative strategy for white clover. However, over the 30 years, the species showed decreasing resilience post drought, which suggests a long-term failure of seed-based regeneration. Annual rates of soil nitrogen build-up ranged from 29 to 54 kg N/ha.year and were poorly related to white clover presence in the stocking treatments. Governing mechanisms, based on interactions between seasonal moisture stress, sheep stocking rate, interspecific plant competition, and seed pool dynamics, are proposed to explain the nature of long-term decline in white clover presence in well-fertilised, sown pastures in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales.

Effect of Aminocyclopyrachlor on Seedling Grasses

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie L. Wirt ◽  
Rodney G. Lym
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Separate Experiment ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Western Wheatgrass ◽  
Warm Season Grasses

When invasive weeds are removed with herbicides, revegetation of native species is often desirable. The extended soil activity of aminocyclopyrachlor is important for long-term weed control but could reduce recovery of native species as well. The effect of aminocyclopyrachlor applied alone or with chlorsulfuron on cool- and warm-season grass species commonly used for revegetation was evaluated. The cool-season grasses included green needlegrass, intermediate wheatgrass, and western wheatgrass, whereas the warm-season grasses were big bluestem, sideoats grama, and switchgrass. A separate experiment was conducted for each species. Aminocyclopyrachlor was applied at 91 to 329 g ha−1 alone or with chlorsulfuron from 42 to 133 g ha−1 approximately 30 d after emergence. Warm-season grasses generally were more tolerant of aminocyclopyrachlor than the cool-season grasses evaluated in this study. Switchgrass and big bluestem were the most tolerant of the warm-season species when aminocyclopyrachlor was applied at 168 g ha−1 and averaged 199 and 150% forage production, respectively, compared with the control. Green needlegrass was the most tolerant cool-season grass. Western wheatgrass was the least tolerant species evaluated because forage production only averaged 32% of the control the year after treatment and thus would not be suitable for seeding if aminocyclopyrachlor was applied. The effect of chlorsulfuron applied with aminocyclopyrachlor varied by grass species. For example, green needlegrass injury 8 wk after treatment (WAT) averaged 30 and 48% when aminocylopyrachlor was applied alone, respectively, but injury was reduced to less than 16% when aminocyclopyrachlor was applied with chlorsulfuron. However, injury on the less-tolerant intermediate wheatgrass ranged from 48 to 92% by 4 WAT when aminocyclopyrachlor was applied alone and from 60 to 86% when chlorsulfuron was included in the treatment.

Sward complexity and grass species composition affect the performance of grass-white clover pasture mixtures

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 1199-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. A. Papadopoulos ◽  
M. S. McElroy ◽  
S. A. E. Fillmore ◽  
K. B. McRae ◽  
J. L. Duyinsveld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Reed Canarygrass ◽  
Grass Growth ◽  
Clover Pasture

Papadopoulos, Y. A., McElroy, M. S., Fillmore, S. A. E., McRae, K. B., Duyinsveld, J. L. and Fredeen, A. H. 2012. Sward complexity and grass species composition affects the performance of grass-white clover pasture mixtures. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 1199–1205. The productivity of managed permanent pastures is closely associated with the species composition of seeded mixtures. Ecological theory suggests that increasing plant species' diversity will result in higher productivity, resilience, and resistance to invasive species. To better understand the relationship between sward species composition and pasture productivity, mixtures of four common pasture grass species, timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis L.), were seeded in 2004 in binary (two-grass), tertiary (three-grass), and quaternary (four-grass) combinations with white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Plots were rotationally grazed for 5 yr, with yield determined in the first post-establishment year (2005) and in 3 subsequent production years (2007, 2008, and 2009). Mean dry matter yield (DMY) increased appreciably from post-establishment (3801 kg ha−1) to the production years (6613 kg ha−1). Contrasts revealed significantly higher DMY production in quaternary mixtures versus less complex plots in production years. Repeated measure analysis found significant quadratic trends in DMY for plots containing bluegrass and timothy, showing different patterns of growth between the respective mixtures. Principal component analysis (PCA) of averaged yields over the production years revealed a strong association between seeded grass growth and DMY. This relationship between DMY and seeded grass growth was strongest in swards containing a combination of timothy and bluegrass. In general, the growth of unseeded grasses and forbs increased in mixtures with large proportions of timothy and reed canarygrass. In spite of the fact that mixtures containing timothy and bluegrass were shown to produce high DMY, it appears the aggressiveness of bluegrass suppressed the yield potential of timothy. White clover yields and unseeded grasses/forbs were both significantly lower in mixtures containing bluegrass. Also, the PCA revealed a favourable compatibility between meadow fescue and white clover growth, while bluegrass appears to suppress meadow fescue growth. Results show that species complexity increases sward productivity over the long term, and that the presence of two grass species, in particular (timothy and bluegrass), has considerable influence on DMY.

Effects of Rabbit and Kangaroo Grazing on Two Semi-Arid Grassland Communities in Central-Western New South Wales

1989 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 375 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Leigh ◽  
DH Wood ◽  
MD Holgate ◽  
A Slee ◽  
MG Stanger
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Present Species ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Native Grassland ◽  
Wide Range

The effects of rabbits and kangaroos, and rabbits alone, on the biomass and species composition of a native grassland dominated by Stipa nitida/nodosa, Danthonia caespitosa and Aristida contorta, and a grassland dominated by the exotic species Hordeum glaucum, Vulpia spp., Medicago laciniata and the native Erodium crinitum growing at Yathong Nature Reserve in central New South Wales was monitored between 1979 and 1985. Rabbits generally favoured the grassy component; kangaroos also favoured grasses but less so. Changes in non-grass species composition due to grazing was generally insignificant. Changes in species composition due to seasonal differences in rainfall was highly significant. No new species appeared on plots exclosed from grazing for 10 years, suggesting that the grazing by livestock, rabbits, and kangaroos in the past has determined the present species composition. The annual biomass consumption by rabbits averaged over 6 years was 100-200 kg ha-1, which is equivalent to reducing the carrying capacity by one sheep for every 2-4 ha rabbit-infested area. In the native grassland the spatial pattern of rabbit grazing, as indicated by faecal pellet distribution, biomass removal, and percentage of 'unpalatable' species in the pasture, shows greatest grazing pressure to be within 50 m of the warren, grazing intensity dropping off from there to 300 m the greatest distance studied. From the start of the study 'palatable' species, especially grasses, were at their lowest density within 50 m of the warren; this appeared to be a historical effect of grazing. No patterns were discernible in the pasture dominated by introduced species. Little change in species composition of these grasslands can be expected under a wide range of grazing pressure, except close to rabbit warrens.

Persistence of cool-season grasses under grazing using the mob-grazing technique

1994 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 723-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. McCartney ◽  
S. Bittman
Keyword(s):  
Rest Period ◽  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Elytrigia Repens ◽  
Grazing Intensities ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

Evaluation of grass germplasms for pasture is usually done in trials which are harvested mechanically. This study evaluated the persistence of 13 cool-season grass species and germplasms under 4 yr of grazing in northeast Saskatchewan, using the mob-grazing technique. Thirteen grass germplasms were contained within each paddock, and the paddocks were grazed by large groups of cattle so that all the herbage was consumed evenly in 1–2 d. Three grazing intensities (light, moderate and intense) were established by varying the rest period between grazings. Ground cover declined more rapidly under intense than under light grazing, but no interaction was found between grazing intensity and grass germplasm. The ground cover of the seeded grasses generally declined but at different rates during the trial, giving a significant grass × year interaction. Parkway crested wheatgrass [Agropyron cristatum (L.) Beauv. ssp. pectination (Bieb.) Tzvel.] declined less than Carlton smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) and the meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.) cultivars. The most rapid stand decline was observed in intermediate wheatgrass [Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski], northern wheatgrass (Elymus lanceoiatus Scribn. & Smith), and hybrid wheatgrass [Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski × E. spicata (Pursh) D. R. Dewey]. Seeded grasses were replaced mainly by bluegrass (Poa spp.). The results suggest that mob grazing is a useful technique for evaluating new species and germplasms intended for long-term pastures. Key words: Grazing tolerance, temperate grasses, pasture, ground cover, bromegrass, wheatgrass, wildrye, bluegrass

Rangeland Vegetation Response Following Control of Brownspine Pricklypear (Opuntia phaecantha) with Herbicides

Weed Science ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 640-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Price ◽  
Rodney K. Heitschmidt ◽  
Steven A. Dowhower ◽  
James R. Frasure
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Canopy Area ◽  
Significant Difference

Brownspine pricklypear (Opuntia phaecantha Engelm. & Bigel.) was effectively controlled within 2 yr following application of a 1:1 mixture of 2,4,5-T [(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetic acid] and picloram (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid) at a rate of 0.6 kg ae/ha. Brownspine pricklypear canopy cover and dry weight declined from approximately 23% and 3800 kg/ha to 8% and 1600 kg/ha, respectively. No significant difference in total herbaceous forage dry weight was found between plants growing inside brownspine pricklypear canopy areas and plants growing outside the canopy areas. Differences between areas in species composition were significant in that cool-season grasses dominated the canopy area of the brownspine pricklypear colonies while warm-season grasses dominated the area outside the canopy. Control of brownspine pricklypear will enhance livestock carrying capacity of rangeland in the Rolling Plains of Texas by increasing forage availability but not forage production.

scholarly journals Differential Responses of Nutrients to Heat Stress in Warm-season and Cool-season Turfgrasses

HortScience ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 2009-2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Shen ◽  
Hongmei Du ◽  
Zhaolong Wang ◽  
Bingru Huang
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Heat Tolerance ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Temperature Conditions ◽  
Differential Responses ◽  
K Concentration

The objective of this study was to compare differential nutrient responses to heat stress in relation to heat tolerance for warm-season (C4) common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] and cool-season (C3) kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). Both species were exposed to two temperature regimes in growth chambers: optimal day/night temperature conditions (24/20 °C for kentucky bluegrass and 34/30 °C for bermudagrass) or heat stress (10 °C above the respective optimal temperature for each species). Heat injury in leaves was evaluated and the concentrations of several major macronutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg)] in both grass species were measured at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of treatment. Heat stress reduced leaf photochemical efficiency and cellular membrane stability in both species, but bermudagrass leaves exhibited less damage in these parameters than kentucky bluegrass. Heat stress caused a significant decline in N, P, and K concentration, beginning at 7 days in kentucky bluegrass, but had no significant effects on N, P, and K concentration in bermudagrass during the 28-day treatment period. The concentration of Ca and Mg increased under heat stress in both kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass, but there were no significant differences between the species under optimal or high-temperature conditions, suggesting they were not involved in heat responses in either species. The differential responses of N, P, and K to heat stress could at least partially account for the differences in heat tolerance between the two species and demonstrate the importance of sufficient N, P, and K in turfgrass adaptation to heat stress.

Potential utilization of native prairie grasses from western Canada as ethanol feedstock

2004 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 1067-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul G. Jefferson ◽  
W. Paul McCaughey ◽  
Ken May ◽  
Jay Woosaree ◽  
Linden McFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Little Bluestem ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Warm Season Grasses

The utilization of native grass species for potential biomass feedstocks of the emerging ethanol industry requires more information about their cellulose and hemicellulose concentration. Ten native species were grown at seven sites across the prairie region of western Canada for two to four growing seasons. Northern wheatgrass, Elymus lanceolatus, produced high concentrations of cellulose (363 g kg-1) but low concentrations of hemicellulose (266 g kg-1). Green needlegrass, Nasella viridula, produced high concentrations of both constituents (351 and 307 g kg-1). Four warm-season grasses, big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, prairie sandreed, Calamovilfa longifolia, and switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, had 346, 342, 340 and 338 g kg-1, respectively, concentrations of cellulose and also exhibited a positive response to temperature that resulted in increased hemicellulose concentration. Accumulated thermal time (degree day base 10°C) was correlated to hemicellulose concentrations in the warm-season grasses but not for cool-season grasses. Holocellulose (cellulose + hemicellulose) concentration differences varied among site-years but warm-season grasses were more stable in hollocellulose concentration than cool-season grasses. Key words: Biomass, native grasses, cellulose, hemicellulose, biofuel

scholarly journals European Chafer Grub Feeding on Warm-season and Cool-season Turfgrasses, Native Prairie Grasses, and Pennsylvania Sedge

2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suleiman S. Bughrara ◽  
David R. Smitley ◽  
David Cappaert
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Schizachyrium Scoparium ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Cool Season

Six grass species representing vegetative and seeded types of native, warm-season and cool-season grasses, and pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica) were evaluated in the greenhouse for resistance to root-feeding grubs of european chafer (Rhizotrogus majalis). Potted bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), buffalograss (Buchlöe dactyloides), zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), and pennsylvania sedge grown in a greenhouse were infested at the root zone with 84 grubs per 0.1 m2 or 182 grubs per 0.1 m2. The effects on plant growth, root loss, survival, and weight gain of grubs were determined. Survival rates were similar for low and high grub densities. With comparable densities of grubs, root loss tended to be proportionately less in zoysiagrass and bermudagrass than in other species. European chafer grubs caused greater root loss at higher densities. Grub weight gain and percentage recovery decreased with increasing grub density, suggesting a food limitation even though root systems were not completely devoured. Bermudagrass root weight showed greater tolerance to european chafer grubs; another mechanism is likely involved for zoysiagrass. Variation in susceptibility of plant species to european chafer suggests that differences in the ability of the plants to withstand grub feeding damage may be amenable to improvement by plant selection and breeding.

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