Productivity and sustainability of four grazed grass – alfalfa mixtures

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. Holt ◽  
P. G. Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Russian Wildrye ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Forage Yields

Forage grasses need to be evaluated in pasture trials in the Great Plains region of North America. The objective of this study was to compare four grass–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures for productivity and persistence when grazed during spring and summer. The grasses were Altai wildrye (Leymus angustus [Trin.] Pilger), intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia [Host] Nevski), meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn. B. biebersteinii Roem. & Schult.) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys junceus [Fisch.] Nevski), with grass rows seeded perpendicular to the alfalfa rows. Two sites, 4 km apart, were grazed with yearling beef cattle from 1987 to 1993. Forage yield differed among grass treatments in 4 of 5 years, but differences were inconsistent over time. Five-year mean forage yields and total livestock production were not significantly different among the four grasses. Mean annual forage yields ranged from 800 to 8170 kg ha−1 and were related to the amount of growing season (April–August) precipitation. Carrying capacity ranged from 35 steer grazing days per hectare in 1992 to 176 in 1991. Grasses in the mixtures did have a significant effect on the grass–alfalfa ratio and on ground cover. Alfalfa content was highest when grown with Altai wildrye and lowest when grown with Russian wildrye. Percentage of ground cover by the grass plus alfalfa increased from an average of 3.8% in 1987 to 16.1% at one site and 31.9% at the second site by 1993. Russian wildrye contained the least alfalfa and weeds after 7 yr. Intermediate wheatgrass and Altai wildrye did not compete with invading weeds at one site, or with alfalfa at the other, and should not be recommended for spring–summer pastures in semiarid regions. Meadow bromegrass maintained a balance of grass and alfalfa and further research should confirm its persistence in semiarid climates. Key words: Leymus angustus, Elytrigia intermedia, Bromus riparius, Psathyrostachys junceus, Medicago sativa, grazing with cattle

Establishment and productivity of cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or alfalfa- hybrid bromegrass mixtures

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan Foster ◽  
Bill Biligetu
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Aqueous Extract ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Allelopathic Effect ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Astragalus Cicer

Cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) (CMV) is a non-bloating, perennial legume that has shown persistence under grazing. Limited information is available on its seedling establishment and subsequent forage yield and nutritive value in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures. Field plots were seeded in May 2013 at Melfort, SK, Canada to evaluate ‘Oxley II’ cicer milkvetch performance in ‘AC Grazeland’ alfalfa or alfalfa and ‘AC Success’ hybrid bromegrass (Bromus riparius × B. inermis) mixtures from 2014 to 2017. Two controlled environment tests were also conducted by treating seeds of CMV using alfalfa root aqueous extract. Seed germination and seedling height of CMV were significantly reduced in aqueous extract. In field, establishment of CMV in a mixture containing alfalfa was reduced, and CMV dry matter proportion in the mixture increased only 3.5% over three years. Increasing CMV seeding rate did not increase its DM percent in the mixtures, indicating a high allelopathic effect of alfalfa. Forage DM yield of all mixtures was linearly correlated to the proportion of alfalfa, and adding hybrid brome did not increase the DM yield. Forage DM yield was higher for the three-cut than the two-cut treatments for CMV-alfalfa mixtures, but there was no difference between the cutting frequency for CMV-alfalfa- hybrid brome mixtures. Fiber concentrations decreased linearly with increased CMV seeding rate in the mixtures. This study showed CMV establishment in alfalfa mixtures was reduced in a same row seeding, and the allelopathic effect was not reduced by lower alfalfa seeding rates or adding a grass.

Grazing tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago spp.) under continuous and rotational stocking systems in pure stands and in mixture with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn. B. biebersteinii Roem & Schult)

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (2) ◽  
pp. 337-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Katepa-Mupondwa ◽  
A. Singh ◽  
S. R. Smith Jr. ◽  
W. P. McCaughey
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Western Canada ◽  
Percent Cover ◽  
Mixed Stands ◽  
Grazing Tolerance ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

The continuing development of adapted alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars that combine high yield, disease resistance, winterhardiness, and grazing tolerance is of great value to the beef cattle industry in western Canada. This study evaluated alternative management strategies and plant measurements for assessing the grazing tolerance of alfalfa cultivars over 3 yr. Seven hay-type, four pasture-type, and one dual-purpose (hay or graze) cultivars were established in pure stands and in mixture with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. syn.B. biebersteinii Roem & Schult). Stands were defoliated under continuous or rotational stocking with beef cattle (Bos taurus). Plants we reassessed for winterhardiness, percent alfalfa within row, percent alfalfa cover, basal area and species composition. Continuous stocking resulted in consistent and significant differences between cultivars, whether persistence was measured as percent alfalfa within row, percent cover and basal area, in both pure and mixed stands (P < 0.05). High correlations between measurement techniques (r = 0.74 to 0.99; P < 0.05) confirmed the value of alfalfa within row and alfalfa cover as time and labour efficient methods to evaluate grazing persistence. Competition between alfalfa and meadow bromegrass resulted in a significant confounding effect under rotational stocking (P < 0.05). Winter injury was identified as an important criteria to evaluate for grazing persistence. The most grazing-tolerant genotypes were selected for subsequent breeding efforts to combine winterhardiness, grazing tolerance, and high productivity. This research showed that grazing method, grass competition, and severe winter conditions strongly influence differential survival of alfalfa cultivars under grazing in western Canada. Key words: Alfalfa, grazing tolerance, grazing systems, Medicago sativa L., Medicago falcata L. Arcang, persistence

Success hybrid bromegrass

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Coulman
Keyword(s):  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Soil Zone ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Cultivar Description ◽  
Plant Characteristics ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Forage Yields ◽  
Prairie Provinces

Success hybrid bromegrass was selected from populations produced by backcrossing smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) with hybrid populations resulting from crosses between meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) and smooth bromegrass. Success has a unique array of plant characteristics, some similar to meadow bromegrass, and others more similar to smooth bromegrass; overall, it more closely resembles smooth brome. In regional trials in the prairie provinces of western Canada, Success produced forage yields greater than meadow brome, but lower than smooth bromegrass. In the drier brown soil zone of the prairie provinces, Success was superior to both meadow and smooth bromegrass in forage yield. It was superior to smooth bromegrass in regrowth after cutting and had lower concentrations of acid-detergent fiber than meadow bromegrass. Key words: Hybrid bromegrass, Bromus riparius × Bromus inermis, cultivar description

Productivity, and composition of smooth and meadow bromegrass mixtures with alfalfa under frequent cutting management

1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Pearen ◽  
V. S. Baron
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Seasonal Distribution ◽  
Bromus Inermis ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Smooth Bromegrass ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
Cutting Management ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass ◽  
Tiller Density

The value of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.)–alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mixtures for pastures in central Alberta is limited by poor seasonal distribution of yield and low alfalfa persistence. Regrowth of meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) exceeds that of smooth bromegrass. The effect of these grasses on yield, seasonal distribution and sward composition when grown in mixtures with alfalfa was evaluated. The DM yield of binary mixtures of Carlton or Manchar smooth bromegrass, or Regar meadow bromegrass with Peace or Beaver alfalfa was examined under a four-cut system at three sites in central Alberta for 3 yr. Annual yield was similar at all sites. Alfalfa cultivar did not consistently affect yield, but annual yield of meadow bromegrass-mixtures was 9 to 19% higher than mixture containing smooth bromegrass at Lacombe. Summer and fall production of meadow bromegrass mixtures was 18 to 53% and 40 to 69% greater (P ≤ 0.0001) than smooth bromegrass mixtures. Tiller weight of smooth bromegrass equalled or exceeded that of meadow bromegrass, so superior regrowth of meadow bromegrass mixtures was due to higher tiller density. Over 3 yr, annual yield of the alfalfa component was similar in smooth bromegrass- and meadow bromegrass mixtures, but alfalfa yield decreased (P ≤ 0.0001) 43 to 70% due to dramatic declines in alfalfa stem density. Competition from the associated grass and frequent defoliation reduced alfalfa longevity. Key words: Smooth bromegrass, Bromus inermis Leyss., alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., mixtures, pasture, sward structure

scholarly journals Harvest Date Effect on Forage Yield, Botanical Composition, and Nutritive Value of Novel Legume-Grass Mixtures

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2184
Author(s):  
Samuel Peprah ◽  
Enkhjargal Darambazar ◽  
Bill Biligetu ◽  
Alan D. Iwaasa ◽  
Kathy Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Total Yield ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Bromus Riparius ◽  
Astragalus Cicer ◽  
Meadow Bromegrass

The potential for novel forage mixtures to address reduced herbage for late season grazing was investigated. Forage legumes, sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) (SF) cvs. AC Mountainview, Shoshone, and Nova (MountainSF, ShoshoneSF, and NovaSF), cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) cv. AC Veldt (CMV), Canadian milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis L.) cv. Great Plains (CaMV), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cv. AC Yellowhead (ALF) were evaluated in binary mixtures with meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) cv. Admiral (MBG), hybrid bromegrass (B. riparius × B. inermis Leyss.) cv. AC Success (HBG) and Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys junceus (Fisch.) Nevski.] cv. Tom (RWR) for yield, botanical composition, and nutritive value on July and September harvest dates at Saskatoon and Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada from 2016 to 2018. Hybrid bromegrass-legume mixture produced 16–38% greater forage compared to RWR-legume (7.5 vs. 5.6 Mg ha−1 in July and 6.1 vs. 5.1 Mg ha−1 in September at Saskatoon, and 3.2 vs. 2.0 Mg ha−1 in July at Swift Current). MountainSF and ALF had the greatest legume contribution to total yield at July harvest at Swift Current (67.7 ± 3.2%) and Saskatoon (62.1 ± 2.1%), respectively, while CaMV had lowest composition at Swift Current (20.2 ± 2.5%) and Saskatoon (12.6 ± 3.5%). The CMV and ALF-grass mixtures at Saskatoon and legume-RWR mixtures at both sites in July had greatest CP content. The July harvest had greatest yield, legume content and nutritive value compared to the September harvest at both sites. Study results suggest if yield is the objective, then either ALF or CMV with HBG may be considered. If nutritive value is the goal, any legume with RWR is an option. Finally, ALF or CMV in mixture with either HBG or RWR could be summer or fall stockpile forage in the Northern Great Plains of western Canada.

Effects of including dry polyacrylamide gel with seed on establishment of alfalfa and Russian wildrye

1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Waddington
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Polyacrylamide Gel ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
First Year ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Psathyrostachys Juncea ◽  
Loam Soil ◽  
Russian Wildrye ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

To examine the possible benefits of crosslinked polyacrylamide gel when establishing forages in a semiarid environment, applications of dry gel in fine, medium and coarse granular forms were made at rates from 0.25 to 4.00 g m−1 of row with seed of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and Russian wildrye [Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski] in each year 1992–1994 at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. The gel had no effect on seedling year establishment or first year forage production on a sandy-loam soil. On a nearby sandy-clay loam soil, in one of 3 yr with alfalfa, and 2 of 3 yr with Russian wildrye, the lowest gel rate decreased establishment compared with the check, with a further reduction as the rate of gel increased. Alfalfa forage yields were not affected. Gel application decreased Russian wildrye forage yield in 1 of 3 yr. Key words: Medicago sativa, Psathyrostachys juncea, forage yield, soil texture

Effects of Weed Control in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) on Forage Yield and Quality

Weed Science ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 564-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Cosgrove ◽  
Michael Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Acid Detergent Fiber ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Forage Yields

The effects of weed control measures in established alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) on forage yield and quality were investigated at three sites with varying alfalfa densities and weed populations. Herbicide treatments were 0.56 and 1.12 kg/ha metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] applied in fall or spring, respectively, 1.68 kg/ha pronamide [3,5-dichloro (N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] applied in fall, and combinations of these treatments. First-harvest forage yields (weeds plus alfalfa) were either reduced or unchanged by herbicide treatments. Total forage yield was not altered by the herbicide treatments, but first-harvest and total alfalfa yield as well as first-harvest forage protein content were increased by several treatments, depending on stand density and weed pressure. Little effect was observed on in vitro digestible dry matter or acid detergent fiber content.

scholarly journals Irrigation Timing as a Practice of Effective Weed Management in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Crop

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 550
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Kanatas ◽  
Ioannis Gazoulis ◽  
Ilias Travlos
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Chenopodium Album ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Amaranthus Retroflexus ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Irrigation is an agronomic practice of major importance in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L), especially in the semiarid environments of Southern Europe. Field experimentation was conducted in Western Greece (2016–2018) to evaluate the effects of irrigation timing on weed presence, alfalfa yield performance, and forage quality. In a randomized complete block design (four replications), two cultivars (“Ypati 84” and “Hyliki”) were the main plots, while three irrigation timings were the subplots (split-plot). The irrigation timings were IT-1, IT-2, and IT-3, denoting irrigation 1 week before harvest, 1 week after harvest, and 2 weeks after harvest, respectively. IT-1 reduced Solanum nigrum L. density by 54% and 79% as compared to IT-3 and IT-2, respectively. Chenopodium album L. density was the highest under IT-2. IT-3 resulted in 41% lower Amaranthus retroflexus L. density in comparison to IT-2, while the lowest values were observed under IT-1. Stand density and stems·plant−1 varied between years (p ≤ 0.05). Mass·stem−1 and alfalfa forage yield were affected by the irrigation timings (p ≤ 0.001). Total weed density and forage yield were negatively correlated in both the second (R2 = 87.013%) and the fourth (R2 = 82.691%) harvests. IT-1 and IT-3 increased forage yield, leaf per stem ratio, and crude protein as compared to IT-2. Further research is required to utilize the use of cultural practices for weed management in perennial forages under different soil and climatic conditions.

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