scholarly journals Yield of binary- and multi-species swards relative to single-species swards in intensive silage systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Moloney ◽  
H. Sheridan ◽  
J. Grant ◽  
E.G. O’Riordan ◽  
P. O’Kiely

AbstractBinary- and multi-species sown mixtures may increase herbage yield and/or reduce inorganic nitrogen (N) requirement compared to perennial ryegrass (PRG) (Lolium perenne L.) swards. A split-plot design was used to compare yields of binary- and multi-species mixtures to single-species swards of three grasses and red clover managed for intensive silage production under varying N application rates. Perennial and Italian (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) ryegrasses had greater annual yields when grown as single species receiving 360 kg N/ha per year than in binary mixtures with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) receiving 0 kg N/ha per year, whereas timothy (Phleum pratense L.) produced equally high yields in both situations. When no inorganic N was applied, the annual dry matter yield of Mix 1 (10,738 kg/ha; PRG, timothy, red clover and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and Mix 2 (11,679 kg/ha; PRG, timothy, red clover, ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)) was greater than that of a PRG sward (PRG/0N; 5,885 kg/ha) and derived more from the contribution of legumes than herbs. This yield advantage of mixtures declined as inorganic N input increased, as did the legume and herb proportions in the multi-species swards. When averaged across rates of inorganic N input, Mix 2 had a greater annual yield than Mix 1 (12,464 vs. 11,893 kg/ha). Mix 2 receiving no inorganic fertiliser N and both Mix 1 and Mix 2 receiving 120 kg N/ha per year matched the annual yield achieved by PRG receiving 360 kg N/ha per year. Our results indicate that the yield performance of binary- and multi-species grassland swards should be measured in situ rather than predicted from single-species swards of constituent species.

Author(s):  
Denes DEAK ◽  
Ioan ROTAR ◽  
Florin PACURAR ◽  
Anca BOGDAN

Seeded lawns is one of the most important links in the process of improving the forage base, ensure feed quality with high productivity. Mixtures of red clover crops (Trifolium pratense) with perennial grasses (Lolium multiflorum, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis) has high productivity due to better utilization of ecological niches of the biotope (ROTAR I.et al.). These crops has advantages like high content of protein because of the red clover, economy-based fertilizer nitrogen from atmospheric nitrogen fixation by bacteria Rhizobium spp. located in the root of legumes. These seeded pastures get a balanced feed nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids), have a high palatability. The species Trifolium pratense has a greater capacity to restore the soil structure and also the enrichment of the macro-elements, like phosphorus and potassium (CARLIER L., et. al). Our experience took place in the village Simonesti, Cobătesti village of the Harghita county. The experimental field was located respecting the experimental technique rules in randomized blocks with a technique that includes three variants based on red clover plus a perennial grass (Lolium multiflorum, Poa pratensis and Phleum pratense). Every version was fertilized with two types of fertilizer: one liquid (gull) and one solid (stable manure) in four different doses in all three variants. The doses were: V1 = 0 gull; V2 = 5 t / ha gull; V3 = 10 t / ha gull; V4 = 20 t / ha gulle and V1 = 0 stable manure; V2 = 10 t / ha stable manure; V3 = 30 t / ha stable manure and V4 = 50 t / ha stable manure. In our studies we present the influence of fertilization with gull and stable manure on yield of green mass of all three variants. In general, both gull fertilization with manure favors grasses at the expense of installing legumes. The higher doses of fertilizer increase, the share of participant of grasses increases.


2003 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Zebarth ◽  
Y. Leclerc ◽  
G. Moreau ◽  
R. Gareau ◽  
P. H. Milburn

Information on inorganic N content in commercial potato fields in Atlantic Canada is limited. Soil inorganic N measurements were collected from 228 commercial potato fields from 1999 to 2001. Soil NO3 content to 30 cm depth at planting ranged from 2 to 124 kg N ha-1, and was generally higher for preceding potato, red clover, or hay crops compared to preceding cereal or other crops. Soil NH4 content to 30 cm depth measured at planting ranged from 3 to 64 kg N ha-1, indicating that both soil NO3 and NH4 need to be measured to assess plant-available soil N content in spring. Soil NO3 content to 30-cm depth at tuber harvest ranged from 3 to 250 kg N ha-1, generally increased with increasing fertilizer N application rate, and differed among different potato cultivars. Soil NO3 content measured to 30-cm depth in spring ranged from 3 to 100% of soil NO3 at harvest in the preceding fall, indicating that highly variable losses of soil NO3 from the root zone occur between growing seasons. Key words: Nitrate, ammonium, Solanum tuberosum L.


Weed Science ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Segura ◽  
S. W. Bingham ◽  
C. L. Foy

The phytotoxicity of glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] on seeds (protected or non-protected with soil) and seedlings of Italian ryegrass(Lolium multiflorumLam.) and red clover(Trifolium pratenseL.) was studied in the greenhouse. Percent germination of Italian ryegrass seeds covered with soil was significantly reduced with glyphosate applied at 4 kg/ha. The direct treatment over the seeds on the soil surface was more toxic, reducing the number of established seedlings at dosages of 3 and 4 kg/ha. In the two red clover seed treatments, germination was significantly reduced with 2 kg/ha of herbicide. Even though germination was reduced at intermediate rates of glyphosate, shoot growth and tillering were improved and yields of dry weight were equivalent to that of untreated plants. Postemergence applications of glyphosate were phytotoxic to both species with the effects becoming more pronounced at increasing dosages. However, at equal dosage, red clover was less susceptible than Italian ryegrass. The patterns of foliar absorption and translocation of14C from14C-glyphosate was similar in Italian ryegrass and red clover.14C was translocated throughout the plants and exhibited apoplastic and symplastic movement.


1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (5) ◽  
pp. 893 ◽  
Author(s):  
DC Edmeades ◽  
FPC Blamey ◽  
CJ Asher ◽  
DG Edwards

Ten temperate pasture legumes inoculated with appropriate rhizobia were grown for 31 days in flowing solution culture. Solution ionic strength was approximately 2700 8M and contained inorganic nitrogen (150 , 8M NO3-) only at the commencement of the experiment. Solution pH was maintained at 4.5, 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0. Also, five aluminium (Al) treatments were imposed, with nominal Al concentrations of 0, 3, 6, 12 and 24 8M (2.5, 7.1, 8.3, 11.2 and 24.7 8M Al measured) at pH 4.5. Solution pH <6 . 0 markedly reduced total dry mass (TDM) in all cultivars of white clover (Trifolium repens) cvv. 'Grasslands Pitau, Huia, G18 and Tahora' and red clover (Trifolium pratense) cvv. 'Grassland Turoa and Pawera', and to a lesser extent in the two subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum) cvv. 'Tallarook and Woogenellup'. In contrast, solution pH had no effect on the growth of Lotus corniculatus cv. Maitland, while Lotus pedunculatus cv. Maku grew best at pH 4.5. Lotus pedunculatus cv. Maku grew best in solution where the sum of the activities of the monomeric Al species {Alm} was maintained at 5.9 8M. The growth of all other species was decreased with Al in solution, a 50% reduction in TDM being associated with c. 6 8M {Alm] for white clover and subterranean clover, and c. 3 8M in red clover and Lotus corniculatus cv. Maitland.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D. Langworthy ◽  
Richard P. Rawnsley ◽  
Mark J. Freeman ◽  
Keith G. Pembleton ◽  
Ross Corkrey ◽  
...  

In many south-eastern Australian dairying regions, supraoptimal ambient temperatures (Ta > 30°C) often challenge the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-dominated feed-base during the summer months. A glasshouse experiment was undertaken to identify alternative summer-active temperate (C3) perennial forages more tolerant of supraoptimal temperature stress (day/night Ta of 38/25°C) than perennial ryegrass. Supraoptimal temperature stress was imposed both with and without irrigation. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) was the only species to survive 18 days of combined supraoptimal temperature stress and non-irrigation. Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) survived 12 days of this treatment. Twelve days of exposure to these conditions caused death of perennial ryegrass, prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Irrigation (daily to through drainage) mitigated detrimental effects of imposed supraoptimal temperature stress on the growth and survival of all species. Chicory and to a lesser extent lucerne, plantain, and tall fescue may have a role to play in south-eastern Australian dairying regions, where supraoptimal temperature stress is a frequent and ongoing issue.


1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1101-1103 ◽  
Author(s):  
LUCIUS BELZILE

The influence of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) on winter survival of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) was studied in an experiment conducted in 1984–1985 and repeated in 1985–1986. The results indicate that the presence of timothy can help to improve red clover persistence. When the winter was favorable to the survival of legumes, the red clover population was higher in pure than in mixtured clover populations. However, when the winter was unfavorable to legumes, the red clover population was higher in populations mixed with timothy than in a pure clover population.Key words: Red clover-timothy mixture, winter survival, stand, yield


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. Kunelius ◽  
K. B. McRae ◽  
S. A. E. Fillmore ◽  
G. Dürr

Late-maturing cultivars of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.) may be grown in short-term rotations with other crops and harvested for hay and silage. Harvesting forage in mid-summer is often advantageous for field curing, but the quality of mature forage may be low. We studied how harvests at different developmental stages affected yield, composition of herbage, and species persistence. The late-maturing single-cut red clover cultivar Altaswede and late timothy cultivar Farol were grown alone and in combination with and without applied N. Total forage, and red clover and timothy dry matter yields, increased between the first (27 June) and third (11 July) dates of harvest. Timothy grown alone or combined with red clover and fertilized with N produced greater forage yields than red clover alone or red clover + timothy without applied N. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter declined from 670 to 625 g kg−1 and crude protein from 134 to 109 g kg−1 between 27 June and 11 July. Water soluble carbohydrates in forage were low (36–66 g kg−1) in cuts 1 and 2. Macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations were generally highest at the first date of harvest on 27 June. Nutrient concentrations in cut 2 were similar for the three harvest schedules. We conclude that growing late-maturing single-cut red clover combined with late timothy produced high yields with good nutritional quality even at advanced stages of maturity. Single-cut red clover persisted for the first production year making this combination suited for short-term rotations that involve late harvesting of the primary growth. Key words: Red clover, Trifolium pratense, timothy, Phleum pratense, composition


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Honghong Li ◽  
Petri Penttinen ◽  
Hannu Mikkola ◽  
Kristina Lindström

A three-year field experiment was established to assess intercropping for sustainable forage production in Finland. In split-plot design, fertilizer treatment with unfertilized control, organic fertilizer, and synthetic fertilizer was the main plot factor, and crop treatment with fallow, red clover (Trifolium pratense), timothy (Phleum pratense), and a mixture of red clover and timothy was the sub-plot factor. Dry matter, carbon and nitrogen yields in mixture plots were highest with relatively high N% and the optimum C:N ratio (p < 0.05). Fertilization increased annual yields of mixture and timothy but not that of red clover. Soil NO3-N changed over time (p < 0.05) and was highest in fallow, followed by red clover, mixture, and timothy (p < 0.05), and the decrease during late growing season was smaller in the mixture and timothy plots. At the end of the experiment, soil C/NO3-N ratio was higher in timothy and mixture while lower in red clover and fallow plots (p < 0.05), and the relationship between soil DNA and NO3-N content may indicate that the potential nitrogen loss was lower in mixture and timothy than that in fallow and red clover plots.


2015 ◽  
Vol 77 ◽  
pp. 89-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.M. Cranston ◽  
P.R. Kenyon ◽  
S.T. Morris ◽  
P.D. Kemp

Many farmers are sowing mixed swards containing chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (T. repens) (hereafter termed herb and clover mix). This herb and clover mix has comparable annual dry matter (DM) production to perennial ryegrass white clover pasture (rye/wc), however, it has a different pattern of growth, producing more DM during summer and autumn. The herb and clover mix also has a higher nutritive value and is able to support greater rates of animal production, especially over summer, than rye/ wc in both sheep and cattle. The herb and clover mix is most suited to a rotational grazing interval of 3-4 weeks to an 8 cm residual height, with no winter grazing. When managed appropriately the herb and clover mix is able to persist for at least 2 years and up to 5 years under both sheep and cattle grazing. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, Plantago lanceolata, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, legume, perennial, nutritive value.


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.-P. Claude ◽  
A. F. MacKenzie ◽  
G. R. Mehuys ◽  
B. E. Coulman

Because corn (Zea mays L.) production may cause soil degradation, cultural systems to minimize this degradation are required. Intercropping of corn with legumes may reduce such degradation, but effects on corn yields must be evaluated. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of a red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) intercrop in conjunction with spring ploughing on the yield of grain corn on two soil types: a Chicot sandy loam and a Ste-Rosalie clay loam. A split-plot experimental design established on each soil consisted of three cultural practices as the main plots and three rates of N fertilizer as the split plots. Corn yields decreased significantly from 1987 to 1989 in conjunction with an increase in the biomass produced by the intercropped red clover and the weeds that it harboured. However, spring ploughing of this biomass rather than fall incorporation had no negative effects on the yield of corn. Although in the case of fall ploughing the presence of red clover did allow for the accumulation of additional inorganic nitrogen in the soil in the spring, the competitiveness of the red clover and especially of the weeds caused a decrease in the yield of grain corn. The use of intercropped red clover for soil conservation in Quebec may thus be limited if a tight control over weeds is not maintained. Key words: Intercropping, Zea mays, Trifolium pratense, nitrogen, spring ploughing


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