The management of Brassica for winter forage in the sub-tropics

In subtropical latitudes temperate crops can be grown during the cool months but the growing season is restricted by the termination and beginning of hot weather. Postponing sowing date in south Florida from October to November to January resulted in 150, 130 and 110-d growing seasons respectively. Dry matter (DM) yields of turnip, swede, rape and kale were lowered by each later sowing date and shorter growing season, and crude protein (CP) concentration was the same as for, or was increased by late sowing. In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of turnip, swede and rape leaves was not affected by sowing date, but roots of turnip and swede from the earlier sowings and longer growing seasons were more digestible. Yield of the four species depended on harvest management as well as date of sowing and length of growing season. Total yield of turnip and swede were unaffected by harvest management but multiple cutting resulted in greater leaf yields and smaller root yields, whereas stockpiling resulted in smaller leaf yields and larger root yields. Kale produced more DM when harvested once at the end of the winter growing season but rape produced the greatest DM yield when sown in October and harvested     

The effect of sowing date and nitrogen on the dry‐matter yield and nitrogen content of forage rape (Brassica napus L.) and stubble turnips (Brassica rapa L.) in Ireland

Two field experiments were conducted at Teagasc, Moorepark, Ireland, to determine the effect of sowing date and nitrogen application on the dry‐matter (DM) yield and crude protein (CP) content of forage rape and stubble turnips. The first experiment consisted of three sowing dates (1 August, 15 August and 31 August) with four rates of fertilizer N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1) on forage rape DM yields. The second experiment consisted of three sowing dates (1 August, 15 August and 31 August) with four rates of fertilizer N (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg N ha^?1) over two soil sites (fertile or nitrogen depleted) on forage rape and stubble turnip DM yields. A delay in sowing from 1 to 31 August characterized a 74·5% decrease in forage rape DM yield, while stubble turnip DM yield decreased by 55·5%. Forage rape DM yields increased positively up to 120 kg N ha^?1 at the first two sowing dates over both sites. In contrast, stubble turnips showed less response beyond 40 kg N ha^?1 on site 1 in the first two sowing dates, while DM yield increased positively up to 120 kg N ha^?1 on the less fertile site. The results indicate that the optimal sowing time for forage rape and a stubble turnip in Ireland was early August.     

Variation in forage yield and quality of three cruciferous catch crops grown in southern England

Cruciferous catch crops are an important source of forage, particularly in sheep systems, but due to their late sowing date, commonly July or early August, soil moisture is often a limiting factor in crop establishment and subsequent growth, causing wide variations in yield from year to year. Crops of stubble turnip ( Brassica campestris ssp. rapifera ), forage rape ( B. napus ssp. biennis ) and fodder radish ( Raphanus sativus ) were grown at Hurley between 1969 and 1977. Fodder radish was the most variable in dry matter (DM) yield, while stubble turnip was the most stable. Both DM yields and in vitro digestibilities rose during the autumn, reaching a maximum in mid-December for stubble turnip and forage rape, and in mid to late November for fodder radish. Yield and digestibility subsequently declined. The N concentrations of the forages exhibited a contrary trend, reaching minimum values at about the time of the highest DM yields. The gradual changes in crop quality suggest that the crops are well suited to grazing utilization, in which management is simplified if crop quality shows little variation.     

Effect of sowing date of triticale on seasonal herbage production in the central Appalachian Highlands of the United States

Triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) was evaluated as a complementary pasture to buffer those periods when herbage production from mixed perennial pasture is marginal in the central Appalachian Highlands of the United States. Triticale was sown every month from May to October for five consecutive years from 1999 to 2003. Plant population structure and herbage production were evaluated at intervals until May of the year following establishment. Triticale established quickly at all times of sowing except late October. Wet summers resulted in foliar disease and a rapid decline in plant density when triticale was sown in May and June. In contrast, during the relatively dry summer of 1999, triticale stands exhibited minimal decline. Triticale sown in August had a herbage yield of 1580 kg DM ha^?1 when harvested in October which was over twice the herbage yield of triticale sown in May, June and July. Average herbage yield in the following April of triticale sown in September was higher (1750 kg DM ha^?1) and less variable than herbage yields from other sowing dates. Plant and tiller populations declined throughout the following April but herbage yields in May were high due to stem and seed head development associated with reproductive growth. Incorporating areas of triticale into mixed‐species perennial pasture systems could buffer herbage production during hot and dry summer periods as well as during cool periods of late autumn and early spring.     

The influence of date of sowing and seed rate on the production of pure-sown red clover

Hungaropoly tetraploid broad red clover was sown at seed rates of 6, 12 or 18 kg ha^-1 on six dates from April to September 1971. Three crops were harvested in 1972 and one in June 1973. In 1972, total herbage dry matter yields ranged from 5.22 to 12.22 t ha^-1 and red clover dry matter yields from 3.61 to 11.92 t ha^-1 when meaned over all seed rates. April to July sowing dates gave significantly higher yields than later sowings. In general, August and September sowings gave the lowest red clover contents in a range from 63.2 to 96.5%, the highest digestibilities within a range 61.9 to 65.0% and the lowest crude protein contents in a range 15.5 to 17.3%. The influence of seed rate was less marked than sowing date. Mean annual yields of total herbage dry matter increased from 9.88 to 10.85 t ha^?1 as seed rate was increased from 6 to 18 kg ha^?1. Red clover dry matter yields and contents of red clover and crude protein in the total herbage also followed this trend. The sowing date effects on total herbage yield and content of red clover did not persist into the second harvest year but the seed rate effects were still noticeable. Plant numbers in spring the first harvest year and hence percentage survival from sowing were depressed by late sowing; plant numbers rose but percentage survival declined as seed rate was increased. The seed rate effects on plant population persisted until spring of the second harvest year but sowing date effects did not. Better stands of red clover were obtained from sowings made between April and June, when a seed rate of 12 kg ha^?1 was adequate. The adverse effects of late sowing cannot be fully compensated by raising seed rates of clover. There was a significant interaction between seed rate and date of sowing. For April-May sowings, seed rate was not critical. Thereafter, a linear effect of seed rate on yield was discernible.     

Establishment and production of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in the UK. 1. Effects of sowing date and autumn management on establishment and yield

The effects of sowing date and autumn management of sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) were investigated over 3 years in the UK. Replicated plots were sown between April and September in 2003 and 2004. Autumn management treatments were early and late cutting carried out in the establishment year and in subsequent years. Dry matter (DM) yields were measured over 3 years. One harvest was taken from April to July sowings in the establishment year and three harvests in each of the following years. DM yields from sowings in April and May were 2·8 and 3·3 t DM ha⁻¹, respectively, in the establishment year, which were higher ( P  <   0·001) than from sowings in June and July. Sowings from April to July yielded 10·9–12·5 t DM ha⁻¹ in the first full-harvest year, and 9·5–11·5 t DM ha⁻¹ in the following year. Sowings in August and September only gave 5 t DM ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Early-autumn cutting of an established sward reduced yields of sainfoin at the second harvest in the first and second full-harvest years. Sowing in May had the lowest proportion of weed species (0·06) in the establishment year, and sowing in July had the highest (0·53). Crude protein concentration increased as the seasons progressed from 149·8 to 230·1 g kg⁻¹ DM.     

Performance of oat (Avena sativa L.) sown in late summer for autumn forage production in Central Europe

Spring‐sown oat (Avena sativa L.) is well adapted for forage production in Central Europe; however, environmental conditions make this crop susceptible to crown rust disease (Puccinia coronata) when grown in summer. The objective of this study was to assess oat cultivars sown in late summer, when conditions for crown rust are less favourable, and harvest in autumn for forage with potential use for feeding lactating dairy cows. Three oat cultivars: Berdysz, Zuch and ForagePlus, the first two from Poland and the latter from United States, were sown 1 and 15 August, and 1 September, over three consecutive years, and harvested for forage in late October. The two Polish cultivars had 61% leaf area affected by rust with 1 August sowing, but ForagePlus was not affected by rust with any sowing date. Sowing 15 August significantly reduced crown rust incidence and increased DM yield of the Polish cultivars 21% relative to the 1 August sowing date, but decreased ForagePlus DM yield by 35%. Sowing 1 September resulted in best forage nutritive value, but the lowest DM yields for all cultivars. Calculated milk production per ton of forage for all cultivars was lowest with the 1 August sowing date. Calculated milk production per hectare was greatest for Berdysz sown in mid‐August. Oat can be sown 15 August and harvested in autumn for forage production, avoiding crown rust disease during summer in Poland. Nutritive value of autumn oat forage is adequate to meet forage requirements of lactating dairy cows.     

Planting date effects on flowering,seed yield,and oil content of rape and crambe cultivars

Both crambe (Crambe abyssinicia, Hochst) and rape (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapus L.) are cool season crops, thus they may have potential as irrigated, winter rotational crops in the low deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Currently, no information is available on the effects of fall planting date on the production of these crops. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the effects of fall planting date on flowering patterns, seed yield, and oil content of crambe and two species of rape, and (2) to determine the suitability of rape and crambe as rotational crops for the low deserts of the southwestern United States. Nine cultivars of rape and one cultivar of crambe were planted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center on three dates in November and December of 1995 and four dates from October through December of 1997 on a variable Mohall sandy loam soil (fine-loamy, mixed hyperthermic, Typic Haplargid). Five of the rape cultivars were B. napus types and the remaining four were B. rapus. One was an industrial rape (R-500) and the other eight were Canola types. Seed yield, oil concentration, and seed weight were determined. In 1996, the percent of plants flowering was observed visually on a periodic basis. In 1998, detailed imaging of flowering was done periodically using a digital camera. Planting date affected water application by controlling the length of the growing season. Our plants were taller, oil content was higher, seed weights were comparable, days to flowering were more than doubled, and seed yields were lower than plants from spring plantings in the Northern Great Plains. In both years of the study, the highest yields were obtained when rape and crambe were planted in November, which would fit well with cotton harvest dates. Lodging was a serious problem in rape. Crambe was sensitive to frost and could fail in some years. Only R-500 matured early enough to be used in rotation with current cotton cultivars. In addition to the onset of flowering, the automated method for estimating flowering was able to detect differences between Brassica species and cultivars and to measure the duration of flowering. Each species had a distinctive flowering pattern. Planting dates also affected the pattern and efficiency of flowering. Reproductive efficiency appeared to change with planting date and in general, October and November planting dates produced seed with higher oil content and seed weights than December planting dates.     

Agronomic factors affecting the yield and quality of forage maize in Ireland: effect of sowing date and plastic film treatment

The objectives of these studies were to examine the effects of sowing date and plastic film on the yield and quality of forage maize ( Zea mays L.) in Ireland, a marginal maize-growing area. In 1989–95, comparisons were made of maize sown through clear plastic film (PP treatment), and maize sown in the conventional manner without plastic (NP treatment), in terms of dry-matter (DM) yield and quality (cob, grain and starch contents). The PP treatment significantly increased DM yields in five years, with a mean yield increase of 3·10 t ha⁻¹. Whole-plant DM content increased (significant in four years) by a mean of 0·15; cob content increased (significant in five years) by a mean of 0·32; grain content increased (significant in all of the three years examined) by 0·75; and starch content increased from 236 to 318 g kg⁻¹ DM ( P  < 0·01) in 1995 where the plastic film treatment was used. Organic matter digestibility values were similar for both treatments in 1995. Sowing date in the April-May period had no consistent effect on DM yields, but early sowings did increase cob (significant, except in 1994), grain (significant in one (1995) of the two years tested) and starch ( P  < 0·05) contents (only tested in 1995). Sowing on 11 April 1995 through perforated plastic gave lower yields than the NP treatment sown on the same date, due to severe frost damage in early May.     

播期对饲用油菜鲜草产量和品质的调控研究

为确定华北平原饲用油菜高产优质的适宜播期，选用甘蓝型油菜品种4个，设置4个播期，研究不同播期下温度对饲用油菜鲜草产量和饲用品质的调控效应。结果表明，随播期推迟，饲用油菜生育期内日均温与有效积温升高，花前生育期天数缩短但花后生育期延长，总生育期天数缩短2～7 d。饲用油菜鲜草产量随播期推迟呈降低趋势，3月28日前播种超过35 t/hm2；品种间华油杂62鲜草产量显著高于其它品种（P<0.01）。饲用油菜鲜草产量和饲用品质与纤维含量显著负相关，中性洗涤纤维含量与苗期的有效积温量极显著负相关，与营养生长和花后有效积温量显著正相关。因此，在华北平原春播饲用油菜可选用华油杂62，播期以3月8日-3月18日为最佳，鲜草产量稳定在50 t/hm2以上，具有较高的粗蛋白、淀粉、水溶性碳水化合物和总可消化养分含量，可实现华北平原饲用油菜的高产优质生产。     

New winter oilseed rape varieties – seed quality and morphological traits depending on sowing date and rate

Many studies have focused on research about impact of time and density of sowing on the agronomic characteristics of different crops. However, the number of studies investigating such a response on the qualitative composition of different types of winter oilseed rape varieties is still limited. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of sowing date and density on yield, protein and oil content and quality of winter oilseed rape varieties: open-pollinated, a typical hybrid of traditional type of growth and a new semi-dwarf hybrid, which biology and yielding have not been thoroughly established. This experiment was conducted applying four sowing dates (August 14, August 25, September 4, September 15), three winter oilseed rape cultivars (PR45D03 -semi-dwarf hybrid, PR46W31 – hybrid, Californium – open-pollinated) and four sowing rates (30, 40, 50, 60 seeds/m²). Among the compared sowing dates, August 25 proved to be optimal for yielding of the tested winter oilseed rape cultivars. Semi-dwarf variety contained less protein and glucosinolate in seeds, but more oil in comparison to other studied varieties (hybrid and open-pollinated). The yields did not differ significantly within a density of 40, 50, 60 seeds/m², so it is important result, especially for the agricultural practice.     

播期对啤酒大麦开花期形态指标、产量及品质的影响

为给不同用途大麦高产、优质栽培适宜播期的确定提供参考,在大田条件下,以港啤1号、扬农啤2号、苏引麦3号、单2等4个大麦品种为材料,分析了播期对冬大麦开花期形态指标、产量和品质的影响以及形态指标与产量和品质的相关性。结果表明,随着播期的推迟,大麦产量、千粒重、开花期叶面积指数和干物重呈减少趋势,开花期单茎茎鞘重、籽粒蛋白质和淀粉含量呈增加趋势。产量在早播时与开花期单茎茎鞘重和叶面积指数正相关;适播时与开花期干物重和单茎茎鞘重正相关;迟播时与开花期单茎茎鞘重负相关,与叶面积指数正相关。千粒重早播时与开花期干物重和叶面积指数负相关,适播和迟播时与开花期单茎茎鞘重和叶面积指数负相关。籽粒蛋白质含量在早播和晚播时与开花期干物重和叶面积指数正相关;适播时与开花期单茎茎鞘重和叶面积指数正相关。各个播期下籽粒淀粉含量与开花期单茎茎鞘重和叶面积指数负相关。     

Effects of sowing date and nitrogen fertilizer on forage yield,nitrogen‐ and water‐use efficiency and nutritive value of an annual triple‐crop complementary forage rotation

Complementary forage rotation (CFR) systems based on non‐limiting inputs of fertilizer nitrogen (N) (～600 kg N ha^?1) are perceived as uneconomic. An experiment was carried out in Australia to investigate the effects of rates and timing of N fertilizer and sowing date on yield, nutrient‐use efficiency and nutritive value of a triple‐crop (maize, forage rape, field peas) CFR system. Treatments were early‐ and late‐sown maize grown with 0 or 135 kg fertilizer N ha^?1 pre‐sowing (N1) and 0, 79 or 158 kg N ha^?1 post‐sowing (N2). Forage rape was sown with 0 or 230 kg N ha^?1 (N3) and field peas without N. Application of fertilizer N at N1, N2 and N3 increased CFR yield from 28·5 to 48·8 t dry matter (DM) ha^?1 and irrigation water‐use efficiency (IWUE) from 3·4 to 6·1 t DM per megalitre. Increase in yield and IWUE of CFR occurs at the expense of nitrogen‐use efficiency (NUE) as applications of N at N1, N2 and N3 decreased NUE of CFR from 524 to 91 kg DM kg^?1 N. Nutritive value, particularly metabolizable energy content of all forages, was similar among N treatments, and interactions between treatments were minimal. Results indicate that increase in NUE of CFR may occur at the expense of reduced yield, but increased IWUE need not compromise the yield of this CFR system.     

不同播期对麦绿素用大麦产量和品质的影响

为了给麦绿素用大麦新品种(系)科学种植、提高产量和改善品质提供试验依据，研究了不同播期对麦绿素用大麦品种生长期、产量和品质的影响。结果表明,随着播期的推迟，麦绿素用大麦品种从播种到出苗、第一次收获所需天数依次延长。大麦苗收获三期的鲜叶总产量和干物质积累量均以10月10日和10月30日播种的最高，品质也较优；9月20日和10月20日播种的品质最优,产量也较高；而11月9日和11月19日播种的产量低、品质差。因此，麦绿素用大麦的适宜播期应为9月20日至10月30日。     

播期对麦茬大豆生长发育特点及产量形成规律的影响

探讨了播期对麦茬复种大豆生长发育特点和产量构成各因素的影响。结果表明,在栽培条件相同的情况下,除受品种本身丰产潜力等因素影响外,播种期的早晚是影响麦茬大豆产量的主要因素。要想提高春麦区麦茬复种大豆产量和品质,必须抢时早播,为创造高产提供较充余的生育时间。     

Agronomic factors affecting the yield and quality of forage maize in Ireland: effect of plastic film system and seeding rate

The objectives were to compare the effects of two plastic film systems [perforated (PP) and complete‐cover (CC) systems] on the yield and quality of forage maize, and to study the effects of seeding rate on maize grown with, and without, plastic film. Between 1995 and 1998 (Experiments 1 and 2), comparisons were made of maize without plastic film systems (NP), sown through clear plastic film (PP) and covered with clear plastic film (CC). In the CC system, the plastic was removed manually from the crop. Two dates of removal (CC1 and CC2) were compared in 1995, while four removal dates (CC1, CC2, CC3 and CC4) were examined in 1996–98. In 1996–98, three sowing dates (early, mid‐April; mid, early‐May; late, mid‐May) were also examined. Four seeding rates (78 200, 93 900, 107 000 and 126 000 seeds ha^?1) were examined in two experiments (Experiment 3 in 1996 and Experiment 4 in 1996–98). No plastic was used in Experiment 3, while three plastic treatments (NP, PP and CC) were examined in Experiment 4. In the CC treatment, the plastic film was removed at the six‐ to eight‐leaf stage. In Experiment 1, the PP treatment gave lower DM yields than the NP treatment due to frost damage which killed 0·30 of the plants in the PP treatment. Plants were undamaged by frost in both CC treatments, and the CC2 treatment (plastic removal at the six‐leaf stage) gave significant increases in DM and grain yields. In Experiment 2, averaged over years and sowing dates, DM yields were significantly increased by all plastic film treatments except CC4. All plastic film treatments gave significantly earlier tassel emergence than the NP treatment, and significantly increased grain yields and contents of DM and grain. The highest yields of DM and grain were obtained from the PP system. Within the CC treatments, leaving the plastic film intact until the ten‐leaf stage (CC4) gave lower yields of DM and grain than removing the plastic film at an earlier stage. Averaged over years, the largest DM yields were obtained from the CC system with early‐sown material, while the yield differences between treatments with late‐sown crops under this system were not significant. Highest DM and grain yields were obtained with early sowing, while late sowing gave lower contents of DM and grain, and later tassel emergence. In Experiments 3 and 4, DM and grain yields increased as seeding rate increased up to 126 000 seeds ha^?1 with NP and CC plastic treatments. With the PP treatment, DM yield reached a plateau at 107 000 seeds ha^?1. Seeding rate did not significantly affect DM content in either experiments but grain content declined in both experiments as seeding rate increased.     

THE EFFECT OF CUTTING AND NITROGEN TREATMENTS ON YIELD, PROTEIN CONTENT AND CERTAIN MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TIMOTHY AND SMOOTH BROMEGRASS

Timothy and bromegrass were studied in pure sowings in a glasshouse, and each in a mixture with lucerne, dominated by the grass–fraction in the first crop year, in the field. In the glasshouse both species were cut 3, 5, or 6 times at a 2–in. and 6 times at a 3/4–in. stubble height. In timothy, cutting 6 times gave lower DM but higher protein yields than less frequent cutting. In bromegrass close cutting gave higher DM yields than lax cutting. The following results applied to both species: root weight decreased with increasing severity of defoliation, final tiller density was very low under close cutting, and a complete application of N at the time of sowing was superior to a split application.
In the field, the first cut was taken on 5 dates at intervals of 1 week, the second cut 6 or 8 weeks after the first cut, and the third cut 7 weeks after the second cut (for bromegrass mixture only). DM yield was generally the higher the later the first cut was taken and the longer the subsequent rest period. However, the opposite applied for best sustainment of yield. The 1 1/2–in. stubble treatments outyielded the 3 1/2–in. treatments. Generally, production of CP was influenced more by DM yield than by % content. Reduced removal of tiller primordia in the second cut led to higher third–cut yields, but at the cost of total yield. Difficulties in the control of shoot apex removal encountered in both glasshouse and field are discussed.     

Making sense of yield trade-offs in a crop sequence: A New Zealand case study

Crop growth is driven by the capture and utilisation of solar radiation. The most productive crop sequences are those that maximise the interception and use of solar radiation. However, there are yield trade-offs because of the timing of transitions between successive crops. A longer duration of one crop will mean that the following crop is sown later and will therefore produce a lower yield. Maximising the yield of a sequence involves a compromise between the yields of successive crops. We describe a case study of a forage cropping rotation in New Zealand, demonstrating how simulation models can be used to define the best compromise between the yields of successive crops, and thereby maximise the total yield of the full sequence.A case study using a series of long-term simulation experiments for four diverse environments in New Zealand was undertaken in a continuous, summer maize - winter cereal, cropping sequence. Maize sowing dates and hybrid durations, and cereal sowing and harvest times were varied systematically. The actual simulated crop and sequence yields varied from site to site, but there was a consistent trend identifying the most productive combinations of sowing date and hybrid duration. The sequence of comparatively late sowing date of maize (1 December) and a long-season hybrid maximised the total yield of the sequence. The highest sequence yields were achieved by balancing the need to capture a high level of annual solar radiation and the need to have a large proportion of solar radiation captured by maize, which has the greater RUE in summer. This analysis illustrates how crop simulation models can be used to design and understand the processes that give the most productive cropping sequences.     

The effect of companion perennial ryegrass cultivars on red clover productivity when timing of the first cut is varied

Replicated plots of Hungaropoly red clover were sown on a sterilized area in May 1975 alone (seed rate 11 kg ha^-1) or with one of six cultivars of perennial ryegrass (seed rate 3·5 kg ha^-1) viz. Cropper and S24 (early heading), Barlenna and Hora (medium heading) and Melle and Perma (late heading). In 1976 and 1977 primary growth was cut at one of four dates ranging from mid-May to mid-June and thereafter plots were harvested twice each year.
Varying the time of first cut did not have a significant effect on total dry matter (DM) yield in either year despite differences in means of cutting treatments on annual red clover yields of the order of 6–9%.
In some companion grass treatments total DM yield in 1976 was increased and total red clover yield and percentage red clover contribution were reduced relative to swards sown only with red clover. In 1977 a similar but non-significant trend was found. Swards containing early ryegrasses had higher total herbage DM yields but lower red clover yields and contents than all other swards at the first harvest in both years.
Delay in date of taking the first harvest in 1976 reduced DM digestibility in the first cut and increased it in the second in both years.
It is suggested that by cutting early and increasing the number of harvests from three to four per year, differences in the content of red clover between the first and second cut might be reduced, and it is concluded that more benefit is derived from red clover when medium or late heading ryegrasses are used as companion grasses.     

A comparison of a hybrid stubble turnip (cv. Appin) with other cruciferous catch crops for lamb fattening. 1. Initial evaluation for dry matter yield and forage quality

A novel hybrid stubble turnip, Appin, bred by the Scottish Plant Breeding Station ( Brassica campestris ssp. rapifera cv. Tigra × B. campestris ssp. nipposinica cv. Mizuna) was compared in small-plot cutting trials with stubble turnip ( B. campestris ssp. rapifera cv. Ponda), forage rape ( B. napus ssp. biennis cv. Canard) and fodder radish ( Raphinus sativus cv. Neris) for 3 years, 1975–77, samples being taken from October to December or January each year to cover the likely period of utilization by grazing lambs. Except for the first year, Appin proved to yield less DM than Ponda, and be inferior in digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME) content, though N contents were on occasion higher. Canard had the highest overall ME content. In dry conditions in autumn 1977, Ponda proved the more reliable crop, suffering less depression in yield than other species. Anti-metabolite contents were determined in freeze-dried samples taken in winter 1976-77 and showed Canard to have the most brassica anaemia factor ( S -methyl cysteine sulphoxide): contents of thiocyanate were generally similar between crops.
As the degree of utilization of such forages when grazed can outweigh differences in recorded above-ground DM yields from cutting trials, it was considered that claims of better root anchorage and hence better utilization for Appin warranted evaluation in a grazing trial.