scholarly journals Wild Herbivore Forage Preferences in Semi-Natural Mountain Hay-Meadows

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Adrian GLIGA ◽  
Dumitrița DASCĂLU
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Floristic Composition ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Plant Composition ◽  
Hay Meadows ◽  
Species Preference ◽  
Herbage Intake ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Herbivore Impact ◽  
Natural Grassland

In the context of increasing grassland abandonment we observed wild herbivore impact on the vegetation in order to understand their influence. To quantify semi-natural grassland usage by wild herbivores, we determined grazing intake in semi-natural hay-meadows surrounded by forest vegetation. Grazing exclusion cages were placed at three locations in the Valea Mare village area situated in Bistriţa-Năsăud County, Romania, from 1 April 2014 – 5 October 2014. Sampling took place at two times during this period, first shortly before the hay meadows were mowed and second at the end of the vegetation growing season. Herbage air dry matter yield was measured using two types of observation plots (cage protected plots and unprotected plots). Plant composition on the studied hay-meadows was analyzed using PC-ORD (in order to explain the preference of herbivores for each location. Although herbage production did not vary significantly between locations, the herbage intake of total dry matter production did vary between locations. Wild animals grazed through the entire growing season and based upon the floristic composition analyses we explained differences in herbage intake based on plant species preference. The management of these meadows maintains an offer of good quality forage throughout summer, and the forest surrounding grasslands provides cover when needed. In order to inhibit woody vegetation and to conserve species-rich open landscape further observation need to be made about the optimal deer species densities.

Low rates of phosphorus fertiliser applied strategically throughout the growing season under rain-fed conditions did not affect dry matter production of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

2010 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 353 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. L. Burkitt ◽  
D. J. Donaghy ◽  
P. J. Smethurst
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Lolium Perenne L ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Intensively Managed

Pasture is the cheapest source of feed for dairy cows, therefore, dairy pastures in Australia are intensively managed to maximise milk production and profits. Although soil testing commonly suggests that soils used for dairy pasture production have adequate supplies of phosphorus (P), many Australian dairy farmers still apply fertiliser P, often by applying smaller rates more frequently throughout the year. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that more frequent, but lower rates of P fertiliser applied strategically throughout the growing season have no effect on dry matter production and P concentration in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), when soil extractable P concentrations are above the critical value reported in the literature. Three field sites were established on rain-fed dairy pasture soils ranging in P sorption capacity and with adequate soil P concentrations for maximising pasture production. Results showed that applied P fertiliser had no effect on pasture production across the 3 sites (P > 0.05), regardless of rate or the season in which the P was applied, confirming that no P fertiliser is required when soil extractable P concentrations are adequate. This finding challenges the viability of the current industry practice. In addition, applying P fertiliser as a single annual application in summer did not compromise pasture production at any of the 3 sites (P > 0.05), which supports the current environmental recommendations of applying P during drier conditions, when the risk of surface P runoff is generally lower. The current results also demonstrate that the short-term cessation of P fertiliser application may be a viable management option, as a minimal reduction in pasture production was measured over the experimental period.

Growth responses of clonal lines of American sycamore grown under different intensities of nutrition

1971 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaus Steinbeck
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutrient Concentration ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Diameter Growth ◽  
Growth Responses ◽  
Matter Distribution ◽  
Dry Matter Distribution ◽  
Seasonal Peak ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Clonal Lines

Four random clones of American sycamore supplied with four concentrations of Hoagland's solution differed in their response to and interacted with treatment as far as height and diameter growth and total dry matter production in the first growing season were concerned. Varying nutrient intensity did not affect the time of the seasonal peak of height and diameter growth; better growth was maintained subsequent to the seasonal peak at the higher concentrations, however. The proportions of the trees in terms of dry-matter distribution and branching characteristics changed with nutrient concentration.

Nitrogen fixation by irrigated lucerne during the first three years after establishment

1995 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1401 ◽  
Author(s):  
RR Gault ◽  
MB Peoples ◽  
GL Turner ◽  
DM Lilley ◽  
J Brockwell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nitrogen ◽  
N2 Fixation ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
15N Natural Abundance ◽  
Natural Abundance ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
The Third ◽  
Matter Production

Nodulation, N2 fixation (estimated by 15N natural abundance methods) and dry matter production were studied in a lucerne (Medicago sativa) crop managed for hay production at Ginninderra Experiment Station, A.C .T. Measurements were taken in the year of establishment and during two subsequent growing seasons. There were three treatments: (1) no inoculation and no annual fertilizer applied, (2) initial inoculation and superphosphate applied annually, (3) no inoculation, superphosphate applied annually and ammonium sulfate periodically. Before planting and after each growth season, soil was analysed for extractable mineral nitrogen, total nitrogen and the 15N natural abundance of this nitrogen, to the depth explored by lucerne roots. Before planting, no appropriate root-nodule bacteria (Rhizobium meliloti) were detected in the soil and initially plants were nodulated only in the inoculated treatment. Thereafter nodulation increased on the other treatments. Eight months after sowing there were no differences between treatments in numbers of R. meliloti g-l soil or in nodulation. In the third growing season, almost 30 kg ha-1 (dry wt) of nodules were recovered to a depth of 25 cm. These nodules were primarily located on fine, ephemeral roots and many appeared to be renewed after cutting of the lucerne. In the year of establishment, dry matter yields (0% moisture) totalled 3 to 4 t ha-1 in three hay cuts. In succeeding years, total yields were in the range 10 to 13 t ha-1 in four or five cuts per season. Nitrogen removed in the harvested lucerne reached 340 to 410 kg N ha-lyr-l in the second and third years and between 65 and 96% of this N arose from N2 fixation, depending on the method of calculation used. Poorer dry matter production and N2 fixation in treatment 1 in the third growing season was attributed to an insufficient supply of available phosphorus. Fixed N removed in Lucerne hay from treatment 2 totalled at least 640 kg N ha-1 in the three years of the experiment. Also, there were substantial increases in soil nitrogen due to lucerne growth. Although soil compaction made the quantification difficult, at the end of the experiment it was estimated that there was at least an extra 800 kg N ha-1 in the total soil nitrogen under lucerne compared to strips of Phalaris aquatica grown between the lucerne plots. It was concluded that lucerne contributed at least the same amount of fixed nitrogen to the soil as was being removed in the harvested hay.

scholarly journals Effect of ammonium and nitrate source of nitrogen on productivity of photosynthesis in Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) seedlings

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Łotocki ◽  
W. Żelawski
Keyword(s):  
Gas Exchange ◽  
Scots Pine ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogen Nutrition ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Sand Culture ◽  
Pinus Silvestris ◽  
Water Culture ◽  
Matter Production

Water culture and sand culture seedlings of Scots pine were investigated in respect to their reaction to ammonium or nitrate source of nitrogen nutrition. Photosynthesis, respiration, and dry matter production were studied in three and four months old plants. The results are preliminary but they have indicated that the effect of various form of nitrogen nutrition on gas exchange and growth rates could change during the growing season.

Variation in Australian and European collections of Trifolium glomeratum L. and the provisional distribution of the species in southern Australia

1974 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Woodward ◽  
FHW Morley
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
New South ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Collection Site ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Flower Growth

Seventy-four lines of Trifolium glomeratum L. from a wide range of Australian and European environments were grown in a glasshouse at Canberra. Time to flower, growth habit, leaf markings, stipule colour, floret colour and dry matter production varied among collections, and within some lines. Numbers of flowers per plant, leaf: stem ratio, and dry matter yields were correlated with days to flower. The variation within the European collection was similar to that within the Australian collection. Time of flowering has probably been important in natural selection in this species, since the date of flowering at Canberra was strongly correlated with date of the end of the growing season (defined by effective rainfall) at the collection site of each ecotype. A survey during 1970 through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia showed the western limit of spread of T. glomeratum to be through Garah, Burren Junction, Coonamble, Euabalong,Booligal, Moulamein, Beulah, Lake Hindmarsh, Mannum and Jamestown. Extrapolation of climatic restrictions to Western Australia indicated that the species could exist west of Lake Biddy, and possibly north and east to Geraldton and Esperance. The distribution appears to be controlled by the shortest length of growing season in which the species can germinate, grow, and set viable seed.

SEASONAL PATTERNS OF NITROGEN FIXATION AND DRY MATTER PRODUCTION BY CLOVERS GROWN IN THE PEACE RIVER REGION

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 847-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. RICE
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nitrogenase Activity ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Dry Matter Production ◽  
Flower Initiation ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
River Region ◽  
Gray Luvisol

Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum L.) and red clover (T. pratense L.) were established in field plots on an Orthic Gray Luvisol (Hazelmere CL) and a Black Solod (Landry CL) in 3 consecutive yr, 1972, 1973 and 1974. Data were collected in the 2 yr following the year of establishment. The factors measured included seed and forage yield, dry matter production rate, potential nitrogenase activity (acetylene reduction), soil temperature, air temperature, soil moisture and NH+4-N and NO−3-N content of the soil. Based on calculations using the theoretical C2H2:N2 ratio of 3:1, alsike clover annually fixed 20.8–143.0 kg N/ha, and red clover fixed 15.3–77.3 kg N/ha on the Orthic Gray Luvisol. Also, alsike clover fixed more N2 earlier in the growing season than red clover. The estimate of annual N2(C2H2) fixation by both clovers on the Black Solod was less than one half that on the Orthic Gray Luvisol. There was little difference between the N2(C2H2) fixation by clover crops harvested for forage and those used for seed production. However, the amount of N2(C2H2) fixed always equalled or exceeded the amount of nitrogen removed in the seed, but only occasionally exceeded the amount removed in the forage. Yield and N2(C2H2) fixation varied widely among years, suggesting considerable climatic influence. However, the measured climatic and soil factors were not consistently correlated with potential nitrogenase activity. The seasonal pattern of potential nitrogenase activity appeared to be influenced by the phenological development of the plant. Activity commenced early in May, increased to a maximum about mid-June (flower initiation), and then decreased and generally remained low for the remainder of the growing season. Significant deviations from the usual seasonal profile of potential nitrogenase activity occurred in years with periods of moisture stress or with above average precipitation and soil heat units.

EFFECT OF TILLAGE IMPLEMENT AND DATE OF SWEETCLOVER INCORPORATION ON AVAILABLE SOIL N AND SUCCEEDING SPRING WHEAT YIELDS

1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. FOSTER
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Early Date ◽  
Melilotus Officinalis ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Mouldboard Plough ◽  
The Impact

A 3-yr field study was conducted on a Dark Brown Chernozemic soil to assess the impact of the date of sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis Lam.) incorporation and tillage implement used for incorporation on succeeding spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yields. During year 1 wheat was underseeded to sweetclover. In year 2 the clover was incorporated on either 15 June, 1 July or 15 July. Five tillage implements were evaluated (a) mouldboard plough (b) rotavator (c) tandem disc (d) offset disc and (e) deep tillage cultivator. In the spring of year 3, each treatment was seeded to wheat. Over the duration of the study only small and usually insignificant differences (P ≥ 0.05) in year 3 wheat yields occurred related to incorporation implement. Date of sweetclover incorporation during year 2 was a significant factor when the 15 June incorporation resulted in 6 and 17% greater wheat yields than 1 July or 15 July, respectively. Sweetclover dry matter production, measured at the early date of incorporation was 32% less than the two later incorporation dates. Mineral nitrogen, determined to a depth of 60 cm in year 3 immediately following wheat seeding, was 82, 75 and 62 kg ha−1 for the 15 June, 1 July and 15 July incorporation dates, respectively. It was concluded that the implement selected for sweetclover incorporation is not critical, however the timing of plough down is important and should be relatively early in the growing season in order to maximize succeeding grain production.Key words: Sweetclover, incorporation, green manure

Mutual Influences of Seedling Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), Sicklepod (Cassia obtusifolia), and Soybean (Glycine max)

Weed Science ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry D. Sims ◽  
Lawrence R. Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Glycine Max ◽  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Growth And Yield ◽  
Sorghum Halepense ◽  
Competitive Effects ◽  
Matter Production

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate competitive effects of johnsongrass and sicklepod on growth and yield of irrigated and nonirrigated soybeans. Johnsongrass reduced soybean growth early in the growing season. Sicklepod was competitive all season, but competitiveness was greatest during the soybean reproductive stage. Soybean yields were reduced 31% by sicklepod, 14% by johnsongrass, and 36% by both weeds growing together. Nonirrigated soybeans yielded less than irrigated, but percent yield reductions were similar. Johnsongrass dry matter production and seed yield were reduced more than sicklepod by soybean interference. Soybean and sicklepod interference reduced johnsongrass seed production 73 to 95%. Johnsongrass produced 245 to 1238 seeds per plant when interfering with soybeans and sicklepod. Sicklepod seeds per plant were reduced 6 to 31% by johnsongrass interference and 47 to 75% by soybeans and soybeans plus johnsongrass.

The effect of sodium molybdate mixed in the lime seed pellet on nodulation, nitrogen content, and growth of subterranean clover

1969 ◽  
Vol 9 (39) ◽  
pp. 432 ◽  
Author(s):  
JW Gartrell
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Sodium Molybdate ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Trifolium Subterraneum ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Combined Nitrogen ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Clover Seed ◽  
Ground Limestone

Sodium molybdate at l 1/2 oz, 3 oz, and 6 oz mixed with 6 lb ground limestone and pelleted onto 12 lb of Trifolium subterraneum cv. Geraldton inoculated with peat culture markedly reduced clover nodulation, growth, and combined nitrogen production compared with nil sodium molybdate. Mixtures of sodium molybdate l 1/2 oz, 3 oz, and 6 oz with l80 lb superphosphate drilled at 180 lb an acre with 12 lb an acre clover seed inoculated and pelleted with 6 lb ground limestone had no effect on nodulation, increased dry matter production by 70 per cent, and increased nitrogen per acre in tops by 110 per cent compared with nil sodium molybdate. The differences persisted into the second growing season.

The growth and water use of three species of conifer seedlings planted on a high-elevation south-facing clearcut

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 1234-1242 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Livingston ◽  
T. A. Black
Keyword(s):  
Stomatal Conductance ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
Dry Mass ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Western Hemlock ◽  
Silver Fir ◽  
Matter Production ◽  
Seedling Leaf

Container-grown 1-0 seedlings of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco), western hemlock (Tsugaheterophylla (Raf.) Sarg.), and Pacific silver fir (Abiesamabilis (Dougl.) Forbes) were spring planted on a south-facing high-elevation clearcut located on Mount Arrowsmith, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and their growth and development was measured over three successive growing seasons. Treatments designed to modify seedling microclimate, including provision of shade cards, irrigation, and irrigation and shade cards combined, had a marked effect on the extent and type of growth in all species. Irrigated seedlings had the largest shoot dry masses and the highest shoot to root dry mass ratios. Shaded seedlings had larger shoots than untreated seedlings, which had the lowest shoot to root dry mass ratios. All seedlings showed a pronounced decline in seasonal growth 1 year after planting. Douglas-fir seedlings exhibited a high degree of drought tolerance; in the driest year there was only a 20% difference in total dry matter production between irrigated and nonirrigated seedlings. Western hemlock and Pacific silver fir seedlings, despite not being drought tolerant, expended water to achieve growth and thereby exposed themselves to desiccation. Measurements of growing-season seedling dry matter production were better related to estimates of growing-season transpiration, obtained by summing the products of seedling leaf area, hourly D/(RvT′), where D is vapour pressure deficit, Rv is the gas constant for water vapour, and T′ is the absolute air temperature, and stomatal conductance derived from a boundary-line analysis model, than to estimates of growing-season average total seedling canopy conductance, i.e., the average of the products of seedling leaf area and stomatal conductance.

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