scholarly journals Yield and Some Quality Properties of Binary Alfalfa-Grass Mixtures in Different Mixture Ratios

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1020-1029
Author(s):  
Osman Yüksel ◽  
Cahit Balabanlı
Keyword(s):  
Binary Mixtures ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass

The aim of this investigation was to determine appropriate perennial grasses and their most suitable mixture ratios, which can be grown with alfalfa in binary mixtures. The research was conducted during 2009-2011 in Isparta (37.50 °N, 30.32 °E), located in the Western Mediterranean climate conditions. In the study, alfalfa was planted as a binary mixture with perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.), and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) in a randomized block design with three replications. Sowing ratios of alfalfa in the mixtures varied 20, 30, and 40%, and grass species ratios were 80, 70, and 60%. In the study, significant differences were found among the applications regarding hay yield, crude protein content, crude protein yield, NDF, ADF, land equivalent ratio (LER), and grass ratio in the hay (GR). The highest hay yield was obtained from alfalfa + orchardgrass and alfalfa + smooth bromegrass binary mixtures (25.98 and 25.78 t ha-1, respectively). Alfalfa + perennial ryegrass and alfalfa + meadow fescue mixtures gave the highest crude protein contents as 14.93 and 14.80%, respectively. The highest LER values were observed on perennial ryegrass and smooth bromegrass binary mixtures, and the highest grass ratios were determined in orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass mixtures made with alfalfa. Increasing the alfalfa sowing ratio in the mixtures positively affected all quality characteristics such as crude protein, NDF, and ADF. It was concluded that orchardgrass and smooth bromegrass binary mixtures with alfalfa produced high yield and quality hay and that the mixture should contain 40% alfalfa and 60% grass.

The productivity of five grass species at six levels of compound fertilizer application II. Crude-protein production

1962 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Henderson ◽  
R. S. Edwards ◽  
J. L. Hammerton
Keyword(s):  
Protein Content ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Rye Grass ◽  
Compound Fertilizer

1. Data on the crude-protein content and crudeprotein production of five grass species (each sown with white clover) over the period 1954–56, at six levels of compound fertilizer application, are reported. Perennial rye-grass (S. 101), meadow fescue (S. 215), timothy (S. 48), cocksfoot (S. 26) and bent (N.Z. Browntop) were sown in 1953 at appropriate seed rates, each with 2 lb./acre S. 100 white clover. The fertilizer treatments were 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 cwt./ acre of a compound of composition 10% N, 4%P2O5, 9·5% K2O applied in the early spring of each of the years 1954–56. The swards were cut three times a year in 1954 and 1956, but only two cuts were possible in 1955.2. Bent mixtures had a higher crude-protein content than any other mixture in all years and (with one exception) at every cut within years. Differences between other mixtures were smaller and often erratic, though timothy invariably had the lowest crude-protein content at the second cut and cocksfoot at the third. Application of the fertilizer raised the crude-protein level of the herbage at the first cut, but depressed it in subsequent cuts.3. The bent mixture gave the highest yield of crude-protein per acre followed by the timothy mixture, while the lowest yield was produced by the perennial rye-grass mixture. The bent mixture differed from all others in its distribution of crudeprotein production over the season, producing less at the first cuts and more at the second and third cuts. This reflects its pattern of production of dry-matter. Response to spring application of fertilizer in terms of crude-protein yield declined rapidly from cut to cut. Over the whole period of the experiment 1 cwt./acre/ annum of fertilizer containing 10% N gave a response of about 0·5 cwt. crude-protein/annum.

scholarly journals Persistence of ryegrass, tall fescue and cocksfoot following sequential annual sowings: pasture yield, composition and density in 3 establishment years under sheep grazing in Canterbury

2018 ◽  
pp. 169-176
Author(s):  
Thomas M R Maxwell ◽  
Grant R Edwards ◽  
Gerald P Cosgrove
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Sheep Grazing ◽  
Sward Height ◽  
Long Term Effect ◽  
Forage Value

A long-term pasture persistence trial, consisting of repeated annual sowings, commenced in Canterbury in 2015 and is planned to continue until 2024. Preliminary results of the first 3 years sowings are reported. Each annual sowing used the same randomised block design of eight perennial ryegrass cultivars, one tall fescue and one cocksfoot cultivar, replicated four times. Grasses were drilled into a cultivated seedbed in autumn, with white clover broadcast-sown, then rolled with a Cambridge roller. Except for one 3-week spell in spring and in autumn to accumulate herbage to measure DM yield, botanical composition, morphology and sward density, plots were continuously stocked with sheep to maintain a 3-8 cm sward height from late-August to late-May. Results from the first 12 months following each of the three annual sowings (2015, 2016 and 2017) indicate establishment year had a greater influence on DM yield, botanical composition, grass leaf and stem proportions, and basal cover than did grass species or cultivar. Accumulating data from successive annual sowings and continued monitoring of each will help identify the long-term effect and difference between establishment years, as well as grass persistence traits for inclusion in the Forage Value Index ranking of perennial ryegrass cultivars.

scholarly journals Effect of Herbage Density, Height and Age on Nutrient and Invertebrate Generalist Predator Abundance in Permanent and Temporary Pastures

Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Rémi Toupet ◽  
Alastair T. Gibbons ◽  
Sara L. Goodacre ◽  
Matt J. Bell
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Generalist Predator ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Predator Abundance

The aim of this research was to assess differences in the quantity and quality of herbage and invertebrate generalist predator abundance among permanent and temporary pastures. Two permanent pastures and four temporary ley pastures (either one year or two years since being sown) were monitored weekly for 10 weeks in the spring. Permanent pastures included a diverse range of native UK grass species, and temporary ley pastures were predominantly perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) with or without white clover (Trifolium repens). Weekly measurements of herbage height (in centimeters), herbage cover (fresh and dry matter in kg per hectare) and herbage density (fresh and dry matter in kg per hectare per centimeter) were obtained for each field, along with lycosid spider and carabid beetle abundance. Weekly pasture samples were used to obtain nutrient concentrations of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), ash, oil, sugars, digestible organic matter in the dry matter (DOMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) in the herbage as a measure of forage quality for grazing or harvesting. A linear mixed model was used to assess the effect of sward age, herbage density and height on herbage production, nutrient concentrations and invertebrate abundance. Although this study showed that permanent pastures were associated with lower nutrient concentrations of crude protein, ash, oil and ME compared to younger and predominantly perennial ryegrass pastures, the older pastures were associated with higher carabid numbers. Furthermore, permanent pastures had a higher density of dry matter herbage compared to younger pastures, and more dense and taller swards were associated with higher lycosid numbers. The study suggests that within pastures of 3 to 20 cm height, increasing the height and density of swards increases both ME and oil concentrations in herbage, therefore enhancing forage nutrient quality. Older and more permanent pastures can be beneficial for plant and invertebrate generalist predator populations, and still provide a useful source of nutrients for forage production.

Herbage production and tiller density in five related grasses, their hybrids and mixtures

1996 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wilman ◽  
Y. Gao
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Better Than

SUMMARYFour grass species, three hybrids and three mixtures were grown in field swards near Aberystwyth. All swards were amply supplied with nutrients and were cut at 5-week intervals during the year of sowing (1989) and during the following 4 years. The order of the grasses in rate of establishment was: Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) > Italian ryegrass × perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) > tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). During the sowing year as a whole, Italian ryegrass was the highest yielding grass, followed by Westerwolds ryegrass. During the remaining period (1990–93), as a whole, the highest yields were obtained from perennial ryegrass sown alone or in a mixture with tall fescue. Tall fescue sown alone was one of the lowest yielding grasses in the year of sowing, but developed to be the highest yielding in 1992 and 1993. Westerwolds ryegrass persisted least well, although some plants did survive until 1992. Italian ryegrass persisted better than Westerwolds and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted better than Italian ryegrass. Hybrid ryegrass and perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted satisfactorily but with fewer tillers/m2 than perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. The yield of tall fescue in March was as high as that of Italian ryegrass in 1990 and 1991 and higher than that of any of the other grasses in 1992 and 1993; the tiller density of tall fescue was particularly high in March. The yield of mixtures (Italian ryegrass with perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass with tall fescue and perennial ryegrass with tall fescue) was, on average, 2·5% more than the mean of the component species when sown alone. When grown with ryegrass, tall fescue was not prominent initially but its proportion in the sward gradually increased.

Tolerance of perennial pasture grass seedlings to pre- and post-emergent grass herbicides

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 637 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dear ◽  
G. A. Sandral ◽  
B. C. D. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Control Plant ◽  
Subterranean Clover ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Leaf Damage ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Plant Responses ◽  
Yield Losses ◽  
Research Committee

The tolerance of 5 perennial grasses during the seedling stage to pre- and post-emergent grass herbicides was examined in 3 glasshouse experiments. The perennial grass species screened were phalaris, (Phalaris aquatica L.), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.), wallaby grass [Austrodanthonia richardsonii (Cashm.) H.P. Linder], perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were included as non-target species and annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaudin) and oats (Avena spp.) as representatives of typical weed species. Herbicides evaluated were fluazifop-p, tralkoxydim, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl + pyrazoline, sethoxydim, flamprop-m-methyl, quizalofop-p-ethyl, clethodim, simazine, imazethapyr, propyzamide, carbetamide, clodinafop-propargyl + cloquintocet-mexyl, propaquizafop, atrazine, trifluralin, triallate, pendimethalin, metribuzin, trifluralin + oryzalin, cyanazine, chlorsulfuron and triasulfuron. Herbicide phytotoxicity was assessed 15 and 30 days after post-emergent herbicide application using the European Weed Research Committee (EWRC) visual score of leaf damage (1 indicating no effect, 9 indicating all plants dead) and plant herbage yield depression relative to the unsprayed control. Plant responses to pre-emergent herbicides were assessed 45 days after sowing. Most herbicides were highly phytotoxic (EWRC score 4–9) to the perennial grass seedlings. However, atrazine, flamprop-m-methyl, imazethapyr, fenoxaprop-ethyl, and triallate caused less severe phytotoxicity (EWRC score 1–4) in phalaris, fescue, cocksfoot and perennial ryegrass from which they could be expected to recover, with yield reductions of between 0 and 45%, 30 days after spraying. Simazine caused yield losses of 20–50% in fescue, phalaris and perennial ryegrass which may be acceptable in swards with high weed burdens. Wallaby grass showed tolerance to flamprop-m-methyl, carbetamide, propyzamide and imazethapyr. Subterranean clover was tolerant of most herbicides with yield losses less than 20% except for the post-emergent herbicides simazine and atrazine, and the pre-emergent herbicides triasulfuron, metribuzin, cyanazine and chlorsulfuron where yield suppression was between 50 and 99%.

EFFECT OF ROW SPACING ON SEED AND HAY PRODUCTION OF ELEVEN GRASS SPECIES UNDER A PEACE RIVER REGION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

1987 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 755-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. DARWENT ◽  
H. G. NAJDA ◽  
J. C. DRABBLE ◽  
C. R. ELLIOTT
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Phleum Pratense ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
River Region ◽  
Narrow Row ◽  
Seed Yields

The effect of row spacing on seed and hay yields of 11 perennial grass species, including crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.), intermediate wheatgrass (A. intermedium (Host.) Beauv.), a northern biotype of bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.), a southern biotype of bromegrass, Russian wildrye (Elymus junceus Fisch.), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Hudson), creeping red fescue (F. rubra var. genuina L.), chewings fescue (F. rubra var. commutata Gaud), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), a turf-type timothy (Phleum bertolonii DC (P. bulbosum auct.)) and hexaploid timothy (Phleum pratense L.), was studied under a system with limited inputs of fertilizer and no weed control. The width of the row spacings ranged from 16 to 104 cm where seed yields were measured and from 27 to 93 cm where hay yields were measured. The seed yield of all grasses was greater at a row spacing of 16 cm than at row spacings of 60 cm or more. Hay yields of all grasses, averaged over four production years, were also greatest at narrow row spacings (27 cm). These yields decreased as row spacings increased to 49 through 93 cm. Row spacing had its greatest effect on hay yields during the first production year. After this period the effects of row spacing on hay yields were small.Key words: Row spacing, perennial grasses, seed yields, hay yields

Diallel analysis of competition between grass species

1968 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Norrington-Davies
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Diallel Analysis ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Pure Stand ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Plant Weight ◽  
B Values ◽  
Competitive Effects ◽  
Reciprocal Differences

SUMMARYTimothy [S. 50], meadow fescue [S. 53], perennial ryegrass [S. 23], Italian ryegrass [S. 22] and cocksfoot [S. 143] were grown together in all possible pair combinations at two levels of fertility, in a pot experiment. Dry weight of herbage and tiller counts were determined at 136 and 198 days from sowing. The data were analysed for competitive effects by the application of the diallel analysis technique of Durrant (1965). The competitive effects were largely compensatory in type with dominant species such as Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass increasing in mixtures, relative to their pure stand values, more than species such as timothy and meadow fescue declined. This resulted in a tendency for the mixture means to exceed their mid-constituent values.The competitive effects on the reciprocal differences were seen to be predominantly of the alpha type; that is, there was a constant increase or decrease in one or more species when grown with others. The alpha values were found to be correlated with the unmixed species values so that ƀ, the mean effect, wasappropriately calculated from alpha. The over-all value of ƀ was –1.216, which means that for each gram difference in weight between the species when grown by themselves there was 2.452 g increase in difference between the species when grown in mixtures, the larger species increasing and/or the smaller species decreasing. There were significant differences in ƀ values between harvests, the ƀ competitive effects being approximately twice as large in the more mature plants. Although the alpha competitive effects increased in magnitude with time the species order remained relatively constant, and in terms of competitive ability the species could be placed in the ascending order, meadow fescue, timothy, cocksfoot, perennial ryegrass and Italian ryegrass.Tiller number showed a similar pattern, but the ƀ values were smaller, and not significant. Nevertheless competition had differential effects upon the plant weight/ tillering relationship and it is possible that the resultant morphological changes would influence the re-growth quality of the species.The conclusions derived from the analysis of reciprocal differences in this work is compared with earlier examples.

scholarly journals Perennial forage grasses, from breeding to healthy ruminant feed

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 599-614 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Sokolovic ◽  
J. Radovic ◽  
Z. Tomic
Keyword(s):  
Animal Feed ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Forage Grasses ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Livestock Products ◽  
Main Components

Temperate forage grasses are the main components of grasslands occupying 40.5 % of the world?s terrestrial area and 30-40% of European agricultural area. They cover the land, providing a habitat and a source of food for domestic livestock, thus ensuring a supply of livestock products, with contributes to rural agricultural and economic development. Grasses are a natural food for ruminants. Rich in fibre, they provide the bulk necessary for good rumen function. Eaten at a sufficiently young stage, they are highly digestible and contain lot of energy. At this stage they also have high mineral and protein contents that cover a large part of animals? requirements. Grasslands usually produce the majority of the forage ingested by ruminant animals during grazing season. During winter housing grass hay and silage are often major parts of the staple diets. There are many improved grass genotypes in Serbia that share main characteristics: high yield and quality of dry matter within a target group of environments and in particular agricultural context. Beyond this common breeding goal there are vast of forage breeding programs as varied as the species upon which they are based and the breeders who develop and implement them. The intensification of forage production and utilization, especially during the second half of the twentieth century, led to a drastic reduction in the number of grass species in sown mixtures, as well as in permanent grasslands. Only a small number of species mainly the ryegrasses, timothy, cocksfoot and fescues are highly suited to intensive management. Moreover, in Europe from 1980 onwards, many forage systems were deintensified and wild or hardly selected species became more important in grasslands. Therefore, it is evident that importance of perennial grasses as animal feed will be increased in the future.

scholarly journals The composition of pasture grasses at the university farm Viik

1965 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-147
Author(s):  
Maija-Liisa Salo
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Pasture Grasses ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Heading Stage

During the grazing seasons of the years 1961—63 determinations were made on the contents of monosaccharides, sucrose, fructosan, crude protein and ash in various grass species. In 1961 cocksfoot and meadow grass were investigated, in 1962 meadow fescue was included and in 1963 also timothy. Weather observations were also made during the seasons. The following results were established: At the beginning of the grazing season the contents of water-soluble carbohydrates in all the grasses were at a high level, reaching a maximum of slightly over 20 % of the dry matter. This high-sugar level lasted from one to four weeks, depending on the temperature, until the plants began to form flowering heads. At the heading stage the total amount of water-soluble carbohydrates decreased to nearly half of the previous level. During the remainder of the grazing season, or for 3—3 ½ months, the total sugar content was about 8—13 % of the dry matter, dropping sometimes, however, to as low as 6 %. At the end of the dry summer of 1963, higher contents than usual were determined. There were no great differences in the total contents of water-soluble carbohydrates between the different grass species. From the highest to the lowest sugar content, the species were: meadow fescue, meadow grass, cocksfoot. In fact timothy should be ranged as the first but this grass was not sampled from the pasture paddocks. Of the various water-soluble carbohydrates, the sucrose fraction was the largest in most of the samples. Cocksfoot contained less fructosan than the other grasses, and at the heading stage its content of monosaccharides was very high. Of the three years of the study, two were rainy and one was dry. In spite of the differing weather conditions, however, no noteworthy differences in the water-soluble carbohydrate contents were observed. The crude protein content was found to be dependent upon the growth stage. No appreciable differences were observed between cocksfoot, meadow grass and meadow fescue. Timothy, on the other hand, had a lower content of both protein and ash than the three pasture grasses. Contents of cell-wall substances were generally alike during the pasture season. Notable exceptions were evident only in the cases where the samples represented grass at an early growth stage. Meadow grass contained slightly more cell-wall constituents than cocksfoot, e. g. its xylan and crude lignin contents were somewhat higher. Furthermore, the solubility of such constituents in weak acid was slightly less for meadow grass than for cocksfoot.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Perennial Grass-legume Cropping Systems for Year-round Supply of Fodder for Dairy Farms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bellamkonda Murali ◽  
R. Susheela ◽  
M. Shanti ◽  
K. Shailaja ◽  
T. Shashikala
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Green Fodder

Background: Long-term and stable livestock productivity could be possible only through a year-round supply of quality green fodder and it is essential for the sustainability of dairy farms. The year-round supply of quality green fodder is challenging to livestock farmers; however, it is possible by adopting perennial grass-legume intercropping systems. Methods: A field experiment with eight treatments consisting of two perennial grasses (Napier- bajra hybrid grass and guinea grass) alone or in combination with three fodder legumes (Lucerne, Hedge Lucerne and Sesbania) was conducted for 3 years (2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19) in a sandy loam soil at the Agricultural Research Institute, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University, Hyderabad. The treatments were replicated thrice in a randomized block design. Perennial grasses were raised in paired row method (row to row 120cm and plant to plant 60 cm. The legume intercrops were grown with their respective spacing within 120 cm row. Sesbania inter crop was allowed to grow for 6 months and later trimmed to a height of 1 meter in the establishment year. Growth parameters were measured only for grasses at each harvesting and green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields were recorded for both grasses and legumes at each cut and accumulated annually (total 6 cuts/year) for statistical analyses. Result: The results indicated that among the grasses, Napier-bajra hybrid recorded significantly higher green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields; in case of leguminous inter crops, Sesbania recorded highest green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields followed by Hedge Lucerne. About total productivity of the system, Napier-bajra hybrid + Sesbania (2:1) cropping system recorded highest green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields. Highest net returns and B:C ratio was also noted with Napier bajra hybrid +Sesbania (2:1) cropping system and proved to be the best perennial fodder system for year-round supply fodder to the livestock.

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