Influence of Mulching on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of  Perennial Forage Crops

Preparing agricultural producers to cope with volatile weather changes, specifically drought, requires a better understanding of forage water-use efficiency (WUE) potentials. Options to improve farm resiliency to drought may include the use of C4 annual and perennial forages, which have greater production efficiency during drought than commonly used C3 forages. Our objective was to measure WUE through real-time gas exchange measurements of photosynthesis and transpiration in (1) a greenhouse study and (2) under field-grazing conditions. Growth parameters, instantaneous water use efficiency (iWUE), and mass-based WUE (mWUE) data were collected under greenhouse conditions in Study 1 for the following species: crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis cv. ‘Red River’), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum cv. ‘Alamo’), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii cv. ‘OZ-70’), indiangrass (Sorghastum nutans cv. ‘Rumsey’), eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides cv. ‘Pete’), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon cv. ‘Vaughn’s #1’), sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor (L.) × Sorghum sudanese (P.) cv. ‘Greengrazer’), and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort). Study 2 occurred from 2014 to 2016, and evaluated iWUE of crabgrass, switchgrass, bermudagrass, eastern gamagrass, and a big bluestem/indiangrass mix under field conditions. Overall, in situ iWUE of crabgrass, switchgrass, eastern gamagrass, and bermudagrass did not differ, while iWUE of the big bluestem/indiangrass was less than switchgrass and crabgrass, an advantage for these species if the standardized precipitation index drops below zero. Bermudagrass, switchgrass, sorghum-sudangrass, pearl millet, and indiangrass had comparable mWUE values under greenhouse-simulated drought. These results will aid in the development of forage species recommendations for mitigating drought and improving resiliency.

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Indices of forage nutritional yield and water use efficiency amongst spring-sown annual forage crops in north-west China

European Journal of Agronomy ◽

10.1016/j.eja.2017.11.003 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 93 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Qingping Zhang ◽

Lindsay W. Bell ◽

Yuying Shen ◽

Jeremy P.M. Whish

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Forage Crops ◽

West China ◽

North West ◽

Use Efficiency

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Comparative forage yield, water use, and water use efficiency of alfalfa, crested wheatgrass and spring wheat in a semiarid climate in southern Saskatchewan

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/p04-115 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (4) ◽

pp. 877-888 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Paul G. Jefferson ◽

Herb W. Cutforth

Keyword(s):

Water Stress ◽

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Potential ◽

Soil Water ◽

Water Use ◽

Spring Wheat ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Crested Wheatgrass ◽

Use Efficiency

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L. Gaertn.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are introduced forage species used for hay and grazing by cattle across western Canada. These species are well adapted to the semiarid region but their long-term responses to water stress have not been previously compared. Two alfalfa cultivars with contrasting root morphology (tap-rooted vs. creeping-rooted) and two crested wheatgrass (CWG) cultivars with different ploidy level (diploid vs. tetraploid) were compared with continuously cropped spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) for 6 yr at a semiarid location in western Canada. Soil water depletion, forage yield, water use efficiency, leaf water potential, osmotic potential and turgor were compared. There were no consistent differences between cultivars within alfalfa or CWG for variables measured. However, these two species exhibit different water stress response strategies. Leaf water potential of CWG was lower during midday stress period than that of alfalfa or wheat. Alfalfa apparently had greater capacity to osmotically adjust to avoid midday water stress and maintain higher turgor. Soil water use patterns changed as the stands aged. In the initial years of the trial, forage crops used soil water from upper layers of the profile. In later years, soil water was depleted down to 3 m by alfalfa and to 2 m by crested wheatgrass. Alfalfa was able to deplete soil water to lower concentrations than crested wheatgrass or wheat. Soil water depletion by wheat during the non-active growth season (after harvest to fall freeze-up) was much less than for CWG or alfalfa as expected for annual vs. perennial crops. As a result, more soil water was available to wheat during its active growth period. In the last 3 yr, the three species depleted all available soil water. Forage yield responses also changed over time. In the initial 3 yr, crested wheatgrass yielded as much as or more than alfalfa. For the last 3 yr of the experiment, alfalfa yielded more forage than crested wheatgrass. Forage crops deplete much more soil water during periods of aboveground growth dormancy than wheat. Water use efficiency of crested wheatgrass declined with stand age compared with fertilized continuous spring wheat. Alfalfa exhibited deep soil water extraction and apparent osmotic adjustment in response to water stress while CWG exhibited tolerance of low water potential during stress. Key words: forage yield, soil water, water potential, water use, water use efficiency, drought

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Green Fodder Production and Water Use Efficiency of Some Forage Crops under Hydroponic Conditions

ISRN Agronomy ◽

10.5402/2012/924672 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ghazi N. Al-Karaki ◽

M. Al-Hashimi

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Arabian Gulf ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Fresh Matter ◽

Fodder Production ◽

Growth Room ◽

Green Fodder ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Hydroponic Conditions

The objectives of this study were to evaluate five forage crops (alfalfa (Medicago sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), and wheat (Triticum aestivum)) for green fodder production and water use efficiency under hydroponic conditions. The experiment has been conducted under temperature-controlled conditions (24 ± 1°C) and natural window illumination at growth room of Soilless Culture Laboratory, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain. The results showed that green forage can be produced in 8 days from planting to harvest using hydroponic technique. Highest values for green fresh yields were recorded for the crops cowpea, barley, and alfalfa which gave 217, 200, and 194 tons/ha, respectively. However, only cowpea and barley crops gave the highest green dry yield, but not alfalfa. Barely crop used water more efficiently than the other four tested crops when produced about 654 kg fresh matter/m3 water in comparison to 633, 585, 552, and 521 kg fresh matter/m3 water for cowpea, sorghum, wheat, and alfalfa, respectively. No significant differences between barley and cowpea for water use efficiency were noted. It can be concluded from this study that barley crop can be considered the best choice for production of hydroponic green fodder with less water consumption.

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Assessment of reclaimed water irrigation on growth, yield, and water-use efficiency of forage crops

Applied Water Science ◽

10.1007/s13201-011-0009-y ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (1-2) ◽

pp. 57-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

S. A. Alkhamisi ◽

H. A. Abdelrahman ◽

M. Ahmed ◽

M. F. A. Goosen

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Reclaimed Water ◽

Growth Yield ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Reclaimed Water Irrigation

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Using limited irrigation water - crops or pasture?

Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association ◽

10.33584/jnzg.2006.68.2651 ◽

2006 ◽

pp. 173-176 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

G.N. Ward ◽

J.L. Jacobs ◽

F.R. Mckenzie

Keyword(s):

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Irrigation Water ◽

Irrigation System ◽

Irrigation Management ◽

Dairy Farmers ◽

Forage Crops ◽

Irrigation Water Use Efficiency ◽

Irrigation Water Use ◽

Use Efficiency

The irrigation of perennial pasture and the growing of dryland summer forage crops are two common methods of increasing the supply of and nutritional value of home grown forage on dairy farms in south west Victoria. In recent years the amount and reliability of supply of irrigation water to dairy farmers in the region has decreased through drought and increased regulation. Over the last 8 years a series of studies have been conducted to investigate the most efficient use of unreliable irrigation water supplies. Perennial pasture was found to be particularly sensitive in terms of reduced productivity and water use efficiency (WUE) to poor irrigation practices. However, under good management and reliable water supply it is still likely to be the easiest and most economically efficient irrigation system. Irrigated summer forage crops were found to have a higher WUE, but responses were variable due to year to year seasonal differences. These crops were found to be more tolerant of poor irrigation management and were able to take advantage of reduced amounts of irrigation water and one off irrigations. Keywords: brassicas, forage crops, irrigated pasture, irrigation, water use efficiency.

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Assessment of Different Water Use Efficiency Calculations for Dominant Forage Crops in the Great Lakes Basin

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11080739 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 739

Author(s):

Kevin De Haan ◽

Myroslava Khomik ◽

Adam Green ◽

Warren Helgason ◽

Merrin L. Macrae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Physiology ◽

Water Use Efficiency ◽

Water Use ◽

Carbon Assimilation ◽

Farming Practices ◽

Great Lakes Basin ◽

Forage Crops ◽

C3 Plant ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Input Variables

Water use efficiency (WUE) can be calculated using a range of methods differing in carbon uptake and water use variable selection. Consequently, inconsistencies arise between WUE calculations due to complex physical and physiological interactions. The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare WUE estimates (harvest or flux-based) for alfalfa (C3 plant) and maize (C4 plant) and determine effects of input variables, plant physiology and farming practices on estimates. Four WUE calculations were investigated: two “harvest-based” methods, using above ground carbon content and either precipitation or evapotranspiration (ET), and two “flux-based” methods, using gross primary productivity (GPP) and either ET or transpiration. WUE estimates differed based on method used at both half-hourly and seasonal scales. Input variables used in calculations affected WUE estimates, and plant physiology led to different responses in carbon assimilation and water use variables. WUE estimates were also impacted by different plant physiological responses and processing methods, even when the same carbon assimilation and water use variables were considered. This study highlights a need to develop a metric of measuring cropland carbon-water coupling that accounts for all water use components, plant carbon responses, and biomass production.

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