A two-level unreplicated factorial experiment to determine the effect of organic and inorganic fertilizers on dry matter yield of permanent pasture

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Astatkie ◽  
A.A. Joseph ◽  
R.C. Martin

In organic pasture systems, the balance of soil fertility is maintained by maximizing the cycling of on-farm nutrients. In this study, the effect of fertility management on dry matter yield in organic pasture systems was examined using an unreplicated 25 factorial design. The factors were nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), compost and seaweed extract, each at two levels (with [+] and without [−]). The trials were conducted in 2000 and 2001 at two fields on an organic dairy farm in Nova Scotia, Canada. The pasture mix is predominantly perennial ryegrass, orchardgrass and white clover. The fertility treatments were applied in spring, and forage yield was collected from early-, mid- and late-summer harvests. The analysis revealed the significance of several interaction effects, which varied considerably from harvest to harvest. Both +N and +Compost treatments were associated with increased yield. High levels of P and K already present in the soil either diminished or varied the effects of P and K treatments. Seaweed extract enhanced the effectiveness of N and compost, but reduced yield when used alone. The results suggest that the commonly recommended use of seaweed extract for organic pasture management can be detrimental to biomass production unless sufficient nitrogen is provided. Despite the unusually dry weather in the 2 years, the study demonstrated the applicability of unreplicated two-level factorial experiments in agricultural field studies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-396
Author(s):  
Wondimagegn Tadesse ◽  
Berhanu Alemu ◽  
Mesganaw Addis

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of plant spacing and N fertilizer application on dry matter yield and chemical composition of Urochloa hybrid cv. Mulato II grass for the first 150 days after planting. A factorial experiment with 3 urea fertilizer levels (0, 50 and 100 kg/ha) and 4 spacings between plants and rows (20 × 20, 30 × 40, 40 × 60 and 50 × 80 cm) with 3 replications was used. Data collected were dry matter yield (DMY), leaf:stem ratio and chemical analyses, i.e. crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) concentrations. Results indicated that DMY, leaf:stem ratio, CP%, NDF% and ADF% were significantly (P<0.05) affected by interactions between plant spacing and fertilizer level. However, ash and ADL were significantly (P<0.05) affected only by main effects. The highest DMYs (9.18 t/ha and 8.93 t/ha) were recorded for narrowest plant spacing (20 × 20 cm) with higher urea fertilizer level (100 kg/ha) and narrowest plant spacing (20 × 20 cm) with medium urea fertilizer level (50 kg/ha), respectively. CP% ranged from 14.6 to 20% and leaf:stem ratio from 1.12 to 1.82:1. Similar studies need to be conducted over longer periods to determine to what extent these findings relate to performance over the life of a permanent pasture.


1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. MICHAUD ◽  
C. RICHARD

Fourteen alfalfa cultivars were grown for 2 yr at three locations and evaluated for forage dry matter yield and crown and root rot. Significant differences were found among cultivars for dry matter yield. All cultivars were affected by crown and root rot, most cultivars showing between 20 and 30% of infected tissues. Differences were observed among as well as within the cultivars for disease severity. The frequency of disease-free plants was less than 1.3% of the plants evaluated. Correlation between root rot index and forage yield was −0.87 [Formula: see text] when data were pooled over years and locations.Key words: Lucerne, root rot, cultivar, yield


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-286
Author(s):  
I.R. Muhammad ◽  
B. Abdullahi ◽  
A.K. Mohammed ◽  
R.J Tanko ◽  
M.S. Kallah ◽  
...  

Irrigation trials were conducted in the late dry season (March to June) with Lublab (Lablab purpureus) and Columbus grass (Sorghum almum) in the Sudan savanna of Nigeria. The objective of this study was to determine the dry matter yield (IDM/ha), crude protein (CP), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus(P) in dual-purpose lablab bean and Sorghum almum at 3 irrigation schedules (5, 7 and 10 days irrigation interval). The results obtained showed dry matter yield in lablab increased (P<0.05) and varied from 1.7 to 11.7 IDM/ha. Calcium and P concentrations differed significantly (P<0.05). Mean CP for the lablab was 15.57%. Dry matter yield obtained for Sorghum almum varied (P<0.05) from 11.07 to 19.6 tDM/ha. Concentration of CP and Ca rose and declined thereafter with a mean concentration of 9.86% for CP und 0.08% for Ca while P declined consistently (P<0.05). Intervals of irrigation days had a relationship (P<0.05) with DM/ha, Ca and P in lablab. The increasing trend in foruye yield with increased irrigation interval showed optimum irrigation interval was not attained. It is therefore recommended that longer irrigation intervals be tried to determine the optimum irrigation interval after which forage yield would be depressed due to moisture stress. From the results of the present study Sorghum almum and lablab would be grown successfully at a 10-day irrigation interval. 


Author(s):  
Kwadwo Gyasi Santo ◽  
Abdulai Muntala ◽  
Patrick Mawuenyegan Norshie

Field studies were undertaken at Offinso in the Ashanti Region of Ghana during the 2015/2016 growing season to evaluate growth, root and dry matter yields of an improved cassava variety (Bankyehemaa) treated with poultry manure (PM), NPK 15-15-15 and NPK 23-10-10 fertilizers. The treatment structure was a 3 x 4 factorial, laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Three levels of fertilizer (600 kg/ha NPK 15-15-15, 600 kg/ha NPK 23-10-10 and 2 t/ha PM) were applied at 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks after planting. The parameters measured included plant height, fresh and dry shoot weights, number of stems per plant, stem girth, fresh and dry root yields and total dry matter yield. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using the Genstat Statistical package. Main effects of fertilizer type and time of fertilizer application on most of the parameters measured were not significant. However, the interaction effects of the two factors were significant in all the parameters measured. Vegetative growth of Bankyehemaa increased when mineral fertilizers were applied earlier than 12 weeks after planting. The highest fresh and dry shoot weights and the biggest stems were produced when NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer was applied at 6 weeks after planting. Plants treated with NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer at 10 weeks after planting were the tallest, while those treated with NPK 23-10-10 fertilizer at 8 weeks after planting produced the highest number of stems per plant. Application of poultry manure at 6 weeks after planting produced the highest fresh cassava root yield of 28.10 t/ha. The highest dry matter yield of 19.80 t/ha was obtained when poultry manure was applied at 12 weeks after planting.


2021 ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Abdullah Oktem ◽  
Yıldız Kahramanoglu

In this study, it was aimed to determine forage yield and yield characteristics of some popcorn (Zea mays L. everta) genotypes and find out the using possibilities of popcorn as a feed material. Study was carried out during the second crop growing season under Sanliurfa, Turkey climatic conditions in 2017. The experiment was designed complete randomized blocks design with three replicates. In the research 13 popcorn new genotypes were used as a crop material. In the study, tassel flowering duration values ranged from 52.0 day to 58.0 day, plant height from 161.23 cm to 210.20 cm, leaf number from 11.16 to 13.90 number ear-1, stem diameter from 21.12 mm to 25.39 mm. Also, another characteristic such as height of fist ear value values were between 74.1 cm and 111.4, biomass yield between 5092.9 kg da-1 and 8069.28 kg da-1. Dry matter yield values varied from 1812.28 to 3333.54 kg da-1, harvest index from 17.72% to 41.64%. When the plant height, biomass yield and dry matter yield values evaluated together for forage value of popcorn genotypes it was determined that 5YTR1305, AYCİN R-997, KUM1347 and 235EAD05 popcorn genotypes was found better than others. It was observed that biomass yield in popcorn plant reached 8 tons da-1 and dry matter yield over 3 tons da-1. It has been seen that popcorn can be used as a feed source for livestock animals.


2011 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
R. Brazendale ◽  
J.R. Bryant ◽  
M.G. Lambert ◽  
C.W. Holmes ◽  
T.J. Fraser

The farm system model, Farmax Dairy Pro, was used to evaluate the impact of new pastures on dairy farm profitability, assuming a range of pasture yields and qualities, and different levels of persistence in the new pastures, which were established on 10% of the farm annually. Scenarios were tested for Waikato, Taranaki, Canterbury and Southland dairy farm systems. Assuming a $6.50/kg MS milk payment and a response to pasture renewal of 10% in dry matter yield and a 0.6 MJ ME/kg DM increase in quality, increasing persistence from 4 years up to 8 years was modelled to increase dairy farm profitability by $271/ha to $478/ha. Management practices, including selections of cultivars and endophytes, that improve pasture persistence are likely to increase dairy farm profitability. Keywords: dairy farms, modelling, pasture renewal, persistence


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-113
Author(s):  
Aleksandar Simic ◽  
Violeta Mandic ◽  
Savo Vuckovic ◽  
Zorica Bijelic ◽  
Rade Stanisavljevic ◽  
...  

Managing N, P and K inputs in semi-natural meadow production systems is important for achieving maximum yields in livestock farming. The objective of the present study was to estimate the effect of different NPK levels (N0P0K0, N50P50K50, N100P50K50, N100P100K100, N150P100K100 and N200P150K150 kg ha-1 yr-1) on the yield, quality and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) in a grassland community of Agrostietum capillaris (semi-natural meadow) in western Serbia. The study was conducted during the seasons of 2005-2008. The values of the investigated parameters, except for the unit N uptake, were the highest in 2004/2005 due to favorable climate conditions. The levels of nitrogen significantly increased all of the studied parameters compared to the control treatment, except for unit N uptake. Mineral fertilizers at N200P150K150 provided the highest green forage yield (25.12 t ha-1), dry matter yield (8.12 t ha-1), crude protein yield (876.3 kg ha-1), nitrogen uptake (140.2 kg ha-1) and nitrogen nutrition index (70.2%), and the lowest unit N uptake (0.0022 kg N kg DMY-1). The use of mineral fertilizers increased green forage yield, dry matter yield and crude protein yield, increasing fertilizer from lowest to highest rate increased fresh and dry matter yield, as well as protein yield. Based on the results of the study, monitoring of nutrition indices would be necessary in order to increase productivity and economic benefits.


AGROFOR ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darko UHER ◽  
Zlatko SVEČNJAK ◽  
Dubravka DUJMOVIĆ-PURGAR ◽  
Dario JAREŠ ◽  
Ivan HORVATIĆ

Maize forage is poor in protein content which shows its low quality and nutritive value. Regarding to high feed costs of protein supplementations, legumes can be used in livestock nutrition for their high protein content and, thus, providing cost savings. Since legumes have low dry matter yield, acceptable forage yield and quality can obtained from intercropping cereals and legumes compared with their sole crops. In this study, maize (Zea mays L.) and climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were intercropped in different sowing densities and their monocropping equivalents were tested to determine the best intercropping system on forage yield and quality. Maize was cultivated alone (75 000 plants ha-1) and intercropped with bean as follows: 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 37 500 plants ha-1 of bean (MB1), 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 50 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB2) and 75 000 plants ha-1 of maize and 75 000 plants ha-1 of bean (MB3), in rows alternating with maize. The highest dry matter yield was produced by MB3 (20.9 t ha-1), and the lowest by maize (16.9 t ha-1). All intercropped systems had higher crude protein contents, MB1 (92 g kg-1 DM), MB2 (99 g kg-1 DM) and MB3 (110 g kg-1 DM), than the maize (77 g kg-1 DM). Intercropping of maize with bean reduced neutral and acid detergent fiber, resulting in increased forage digestibility. Therefore, maize intercropping with bean could substantially increase forage quantity and quality, and decrease requirements for protein supplements as compared with maize.


Author(s):  
Emine Budakli Çarpici

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of mixture rates of hairy vetch with oat, barley and wheat on dry matter yield and its quality and to determine the suitable mixture when grown as catch crop at Uludag University, Faculty of Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Application Center, Bursa Turkey during 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 growing seasons. The experimental plant entries were Menemen-79 variety of hairy vetch, Faikbey cultivar of oat, Akhisar-98 cultivar of barley and Flamura cultivar of wheat. Nine mixtures (25 % oat:75 % hairy vetch, 50 % oat:50 % hairy vetch, 75 % oat:25 % hairy vetch, 25 % barley:75 % hairy vetch, 50 % barley:50 % hairy vetch, 75 % barley:25 % hairy vetch, 25 % wheat:75 % hairy vetch, 50 % wheat:50 % hairy vetch, 75 % wheat:25 % hairy vetch) were used. Several parameters such as dry matter yield, leaf area index, light interception, crude protein content and yield; ADF (acid detergent fiber) and NDF (neutral detergent fiber) contents and relative feed value have been examined in the experiment. The highest dry matter yield was obtained from the mixtures of 50 % oat:50 % hairy vetch (12 040 kg ha-1) and 75 % oat:25 % hairy vetch (11 748 kg ha-1). According to the two-year results, the higher and quality hay yield (low in ADF and NDF values, high in relative feed value) was produced at 50 % oat:50 % hairy vetch mixture, and this mixture have been proposed to the experimental conditions due to its suitability.


1969 ◽  
Vol 92 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 15-26
Author(s):  
Teodoro M. Ruiz ◽  
Carlos Torres-Meléndez ◽  
David Sotomayor-Ramírez ◽  
Gustavo A. Martínez

This experiment evaluated the effect of season of the year and stocking rate (SR) on pasture availability to lactating dairy cows supplemented with concentrates. In study 1, herbage mass (HM) and pasture allowance (PA) were evaluated on a commercial dairy farm during the months of July to February. Regression analysis indicated a significant and quadratic negative relationship between time and HM (P < 0.05; R2  = 0.65) and a weaker linear relationship between time and PA (P < 0.05; R2 = 0.47). Herbage mass and PA were lower from October to February, when the climate is dryer and cooler in the Caribbean tropics. Pasture allowance declined from 48.7 (July to September) to 21.1 kg/cow (December to February). However, estimated pasture consumption increased from 6.4 to 8.1 kg of dry matter per cow over the same period. In a second study, the effect of SR on HM, PA and concentrate supplementation was evaluated on 12 farms. As expected, HM (P < 0.05; R2 = 0.31) and PA (P < 0.01; R2 equal 0.80) declined as SR increased. There was no significant relationship between SR and concentrate intake (Cl) or between Cl and milk yield. On most farms pasture herbage appeared to be underutilized because of relatively high levels of concentrate supplementation. Pasture management and supplementation strategies should be modified to account for seasonal variability of pasture yield and intake. This modification would improve nutrient utilization from pasture and would reduce the need for purchased feeds and ultimately ration costs.


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