Cover Crop Seeding Rate Effects on Forage Yields of Oat and Barley and Underseeded Bromegrass–Alfalfa Mixture

Annual cover crops compete with underseeded perennial forages for light, moisture, and nutrients and may suppress their establishment and growth. Field experiments were established in 2000 and 2001 at Nipawin and in 2002 and 2003 at Melfort in northeastern Saskatchewan to determine the effects of seeding rates of cover crops of oat (19, 38, and 112 kg ha^?1) and barley (31, 62, and 124 kg ha^?1) on forage dry-matter yield (DMY) of the cover crop cut as greenfeed in the seeding year, DMY of the underseeded meadow bromegrass–alfalfa mixture in the following 1 or 2 years after establishment, and forage quality [concentration of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF)]. In the first establishment year, the no cover crop treatment produced considerably less DMY than the treatments with cover crops. Oat seeded at 112 kg ha^?1 produced greater DMY than when it was seeded at 19 or 38 kg ha^?1 in all four site-years, but DMY differences between the 19 or 38 kg ha^?1 seeding rates were not significant in any site-year. For barley, there was no significant difference in DMY among the three seeding rates in 2000, 2001, and 2002. In 2003, barley seeded at 62 or 124 kg ha^?1 produced greater DMY than when it was seeded at 31 kg ha^?1, but DMYs were not significantly different between the 62 and 124 kg ha^?1 seeding rates. The use of a cover crop did reduce DMY in 2003 of bromegrass–alfalfa mixture underseeded in 2002, but the type of cover crop and its seeding rate did not appear to affect DMY in any site-year. Forage quality in the seeding year was consistently superior in no cover crop treatment compared to that in treatments with cover crops, especially related to CP concentration. There was no consistent trend of forage quality in the cover crop treatments, indicating cover crops and their seeding rates had little effect on forage quality. In conclusion, oat appeared to be more sensitive to seeding rate than barley for forage DMY in the establishment year, but in the subsequent 1 or 2 years after establishment there was little effect of cover crop type and its seeding rate on DMY of bromegrass–alfalfa mixture, although DMY was considerably greater in the no cover treatment than that in treatments with cover crops in 1 site-year.     

Effect of Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Harvest Season on Forage Yield,Quality, and Macronutrient Concentrations in Midland Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] is a major forage for grazing and hay production in the southern United States. The objectives of this study were to determine effects of nitrogen (N) fertilization rate (0, 112, 224, 336, and 448 kg ha^?1), split spring and summer applications of N at the 224 and 448 kg ha^?1 rates, and harvest periods (spring and summer) on forage yield, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and concentrations of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca in Midland Bermuda grass. Data were collected from 2002 to 2008 as part of an ongoing, long-term soil fertility experiment in southern Oklahoma. Repeated measures analysis of these long-term data showed that forage yield responses to N rate varied with year and harvest time with up to 2.5-fold yield differences among years. Nitrogen fertilization increased CP, TDN, and macronutrient P and Mg and decreased ADF and NDF. Crude protein was increased by ≥50%, and ADF and NDF dropped by up to 25% with the greatest N rate. In general, split N applications did not affect forage yield but produced low-quality forage compared to single N application in spring. Split application of 448 kg N ha^?1 gave forage with CP, TDN, ADF, and NDF similar to the Bermuda grass receiving 336 or 448 kg N ha^?1 as a single application. Spring forage had better forage quality than summer harvests. While N fertilization increased forage Mg and P concentrations by more than 50% during both spring and summer, it had no effect or slight increased K and Ca concentrations. In the southern Great Plains, despite the weather-dependent variability in forage yield of Bermuda grass, N application increase forage quality.     

Sulfur fertilization of wheat and triticale for forage production

Abstract

Throughout the Great Plains, wheat (Triticurn aestivum L.) is utilized for grain and forage production. Triticale (Triticum aestivum L. x Secale cereale L.) is known for its ability to produce large quantities of high quality forage. With recent improvement in winter hardiness, interest in and acreage of triticale is spreading north in the central Great Plains. The forage production potential of wheat and triticale is essential to many livestock producers. Very few data are available concerning the effects of sulfur (S) fertilization on production and quality of wheat or triticale forage. Greenhouse research was conducted to evaluate the addition of S as either ammonium thiosulfate (ATS) or ammonium sulfate (AS) on production and quality of wheat and triticale forage on four different soils. Sulfur fertilization increased forage yields and S concentrations of both crops on all soils, and in many cases, resulted in higher N concentrations in the forage. Sulfur fertilization also increased in vitro digestibility of wheat, but had little effect on triticale digestibility. Both S sources performed similarly. Application of S after the first clipping was effective in increasing second clipping forage production on three of the four soils, and forage S concentrations were dramatically increased for both crops on all soils. Although the magnitude of response varied, S fertilization was effective in increasing production and quality of wheat and triticale forage grown in the greenhouse.     

Intercropping winter cereals with Caucasian clover for forage in northern Europe

Intercropping cereal crops with perennial legumes for forage has been demonstrated as a means to improve nutritive value compared to cereal crops alone. Our objective was to determine whether sowing winter rye (Secale cereale L.) or winter triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) into living Caucasian clover (Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.) improves yield or nutritive value compared to monoculture cereal crop forage in northern Europe. The experiments were conducted near Moche?ek and Fal?cin, Poland. In autumn 2010 and 2011, winter rye was sown into existing Caucasian clover or in monoculture at Moche?ek, and winter triticale was sown into Caucasian clover or in monoculture at Fal?cin, with monoculture clover as a third crop treatment at both locations. The following spring, first harvest of forage from the three crop treatments was taken at two maturities: when monoculture cereals reached heading (BBCH 51) or grain milk stage (BBCH 71), and two additional harvests were taken from mixture plots and monoculture clover before autumn. First harvest forage yields of mixtures were similar to monoculture cereal at Fal?cin, less than monoculture cereal at Moche?ek, and greater than monoculture clover at both locations. Full season forage yields of mixtures were greater than both monoculture cereal and clover crops at both locations. The proportion of clover in mixtures was 20–31% in the first harvest, resulting in slightly lower neutral detergent fiber concentrations than in monoculture cereal crop at Fal?cin, but no improvement in nutritive value at Moche?ek. By spring 2012, most Caucasian clover had died from Sclerotinia trifoliorum infection at both locations, so forage was not harvested in the second year of the experiment. Although total season forage yields were greater for mixtures than for either monoculture cereal or Caucasian clover, this system cannot be recommended for northern Europe because of failure for Caucasian clover to persist.     

Effect of Seeding Rate and Nitrogen Fertilization on Proso Millet Under Dryland and Irrigated Conditions

Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is a short-season grain crop in semi-arid regions of North and South America and Asia. The objective of this study was to evaluate seeding rates and nitrogen (N) fertilization on proso millet seed yield, crude protein levels, and biomass yield under irrigated and dryland conditions in a Mediterranean-type transition climate near Bursa, Turkey. Seeds per panicle, panicle length, seed weight per panicle, fertile tillers, protein yield, and plant height were also evaluated. Results indicated seeding rate did not affect seed yield significantly. Seed and protein yield increased with increasing N doses although biomass did not significantly increase. Panicle length, seeds per panicle, and seed weight per panicle decreased with increasing seeding rates. This study proved proso millet can be grown for grain and forage as a short-season dryland and irrigated rotational crop in a Mediterranean-type climate.     

Finger millet (Eleucine corocana L. Gaertn.) as a cover crop on weed control, growth and yield of soybean under different tillage systems

Adoption of conservation tillage systems has become more popular in recent years due to erosion control and economics. Weed control is often identified as the limiting factor in the adoption of such systems. Although herbicides are efficient and convenient, the need to reduce herbicide use has been emphasized. Cover crops have become a viable option in this context, but the contribution of cover crops to weed control has not been clearly defined. A 2-year field experiment compared minimum tillage (MT), no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] following paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) with finger millet (Eleucine corocana L. Gaertn.) as a cover crop. Weed emergence, cover crop biomass, main crop growth and yield were observed. Finger millet effectively controlled weeds but total weed biomass was greater with NT than other tillage methods and seeding method had no effect at early stage of growth. Neither crop growth nor leaf chlorophyll content was affected by finger millet under given tillage treatments. Weed biomass was almost half under MT than NT. Finger millet was able to effectively manage weed biomass under MT to a level achieved under CT without a cover crop at the early stage of growth. Number of seeds per pod and 100 seed weight were not affected by tillage treatments but number of pods per square meter was significantly higher with row seeding than broadcast seeding of finger millet cover crop in 2002. The absence of finger millet under MT in 2003, significantly reduced soybean grain yield. Finger millet can be managed with a single mechanical suppression as a cover crop under MT with no yield reduction.     

Cultivation of wheat following pea and triticale/pea mixtures increases yields and nitrogen content

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in 2004–2007 at the University of Podlasie Zawady Experimental Station (52°06′N, 22°50′E), Siedlce, Poland, to examine the effect of either post-harvest residues or residues and straw of spring triticale (Triticale), field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and their mixtures containing the following proportions of both components: 75+25, 50+50, 25+75% on the subsequent crop of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A field experiment was designed as split-blocks with three replicates. Residue mass, straw mass as well as N, P, K, Ca and Mg amounts were determined in the residues and straw. The residue amount of spring triticale was the greatest. N, Ca and Mg amounts in the residues of spring triticale/field pea mixtures were similar or higher whereas P and K amounts were similar or lower compared with spring triticale residues. Spring triticale straw contained less N, P, Ca and Mg than the straw of either field pea or spring triticale/field pea mixtures. Grain yield, yield components, N content and N uptake in the grain of winter wheat following field pea and spring triticale/field pea mixtures were significantly higher compared with winter wheat following spring triticale. Increasing proportions of field pea in mixtures with spring triticale cultivated as previous crops significantly increased winter wheat grain yields as well as N content and uptake. The residues of the previous crops combined with the straw significantly increased winter wheat grain yield, number of ears per m², number of grains in an ear, thousand-grain weight and N content and uptake. The highest winter wheat grain yield and N uptake were determined following an application of residues and straw of field pea and 25+75% spring triticale/field pea mixture. The grain of winter wheat after field pea had the greatest N content.     

不同饲料作物对苏打盐碱土改良效应研究

为探明不同饲料作物种植对苏打盐碱土改良的影响，以内蒙古科尔沁旗苏打盐碱地为研究对象，设置3个土壤等级(中、良、优)和5个饲料作物种类(高丹草、稗草、青贮玉米、湖南稷子、甜高粱)，共计15个处理，研究不同土壤等级下，饲料作物对土壤盐化碱化、养分含量变化的影响，并根据模糊物元-熵权模型进行土壤改良效应评价。结果表明：饲料作物收获后土壤平均p H较播种前降低1.64%，种植前后土壤p H差异不显著；土壤EC、总可溶性盐、碱化度显著降低(P<0.05)。不同饲料作物种植降低土壤Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺、HCO₃^–+CO₃^2–含量，提高土壤K⁺+Na⁺、Cl^–含量，对土壤SO₄^2–含量影响存在差异，收获后土壤碱解氮和速效钾含量比播种前分别降低15.15%、24.06%。基于模糊物元-熵权模型得出，青贮玉米对土壤盐渍化程度较高的土壤改良效果更佳，而甜高粱与高丹...     

Comparison of two spring seeding methods to establish forage cover crops in relay with winter cereals

The establishment of cover crops, in relay, to minimise soil erosion, improve soil physical condition and provide a main-season crop in rotation with potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a recommended agronomic practice in Atlantic Canada. This is usually achieved by seeding winter rye (Secale cereale L.) or winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) immediately after potato harvest for ground cover followed, the next spring, by inter-seeding an annual or biennial forage crop by drilling. Spring drill seeding can, however, be delayed or prevented by wet ground conditions, thus, making broadcast seeding a considered alternative. This study examined, therefore, the comparative merits of spring broadcast seeding and drill seeding of two adapted forages, Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), into a standing crop of fall-seeded winter rye or winter wheat. Crop performance was evaluated, using meter-square quadrats, as ground coverage and grain yield (of cereals). Soil compaction, evaluated as shear strength in the 0–15 cm layer (avoiding wheel tracks) of a fine sandy loam (Orthic Podzol), was greater after drill seeding than after broadcast seeding by a factor of 7.2% and was attributed to the greater ground-contact mass of the drill seeder. The forage crops provided 5.5% more ground coverage with drill seeding than with broadcast seeding. However, seeding method had no effect on the cereal host crops' ground coverage or grain yield. Ryegrass coverage was 123% of red clover coverage and winter rye coverage was 176% of winter wheat coverage. Forage coverage, in this study, suffered no setback because of the greater soil compaction associated with drill seeding. However, soils are subject to greater compaction under wetter conditions, thus, broadcast seeding is expected to be a better option, the wetter the spring.     

Response of Different Crops to Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Fungal Inoculation in Phosphorus-Deficient Soil

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have the capability to improve crop yields by increasing plant nutrient supply. A pot experiment was conducted under natural conditions to determine the response of AMF inoculation on the growth of maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.), mash bean (Vigna mungo L.), and mung bean (Vigna radiata. L.) crops during 2008. The experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design in three replications using phosphorus (P)–deficient soil. Three plants were grown in 10 kg soil up to the stage of maximum growth for 70 days. Spores of AMF were isolated from rhizosphere of freshly growing wheat and berseem crops and mixed with sterilized soil with fine particles. Crops were inoculated in the presence of indigenous mycorrhiza with the inoculum containing 20 g sterilized soil mixed with 40–50 AMF spores. Inoculation with AMF improved yield and nutrient uptake by different crops significantly over uninoculated crops. Inoculated millet crop showed 20% increase in shoot dry matter and 21% in root dry matter when compared with other inoculated crops. Increases of 67% in plant nitrogen (N) and iron (Fe) were observed in millet, 166% in plant P uptake was observed in mash beans, 186% in zinc (Zn) was measured in maize, and 208% in copper (Cu) and 48% in manganese (Mn) were noted in sorghum crops. Maximum root infection intensity of 35% by AMF and their soil spore density were observed in millet crop followed by 32% in mash beans. Results suggest that inoculation of AMF may play a role in improving crop production and the varied response of different crops to fungi signifies the importance of evaluating the compatibility of the fungi and plant host species.     

Dry matter yield and n recovery from bromegrass in south‐central alberta as affected by time of application of urea and ammonium nitrate

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for periods of 14 or 15 years at four sites on Thin Black Chernozemic soils in south‐central Alberta to determine the effect of source and time of N application on dry matter yield (DMY), protein yield (PY), protein concentration, N use efficiency and recovery of N applied to bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) grown for hay. Two sources of N (urea and ammonium nitrate ‐ A.N.) were applied at four times (early fall, late fall, early spring and late spring) at a rate of 112 kg N ha^‐1. Urea was generally less effective in increasing DMY, PY, protein concentration, N use efficiency and % N recovery than A.N. The average, DMY, PY, protein concentration, N use efficiency and % N recovery with A.N. were 4.38 t ha^‐1, 445 kg ha^‐1, 104 g kg^‐1, 21.2 kg DM kg^‐1 N ha^‐1 and 40.2%, respectively. In the same order, the values with urea were 3.90 t ha^‐1, 376 kg ha^‐1, 99 g kg^‐1, 16.9 kg DM kg^‐1 N ha^‐1 and 30.2%, respectively. The DMY was greatest with early spring application for A.N., while the protein concentration, PY and % N recovery were greatest with the late fall application for both urea and A.N. The increase in DMY or recovery of applied N with urea as a percentage of the increase with A.N., was greatest with application in late spring and least with application in early fall. In conclusion, urea was less effective than A.N. as a forage fertilizer and early spring application was most effective for increasing DMY.     

Growth response and nutrient uptake by forage crops under effluent irrigation

Abstract

The forage crops corn (Zea Mays), sorghum‐sudangrass (Sorghum Vulgare Pers. x Sorghum sundanese stapf.), and kenaf (Hybiscus cannabinus L.) were irrigated with municipal effluent at rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 cm/week on Lakeland fine sand. Plant samples were collected weekly from each plot to measure green weight, dry matter, and nitrogen content. From these data crop nitrogen (kg/ha) was calculated for each week. Finally, uptake of nitrogen was calculated to determine efficiency of nitrogen recovery from the effluent as the crops matured. In all cases efficiency of uptake decreased with increasing application rates, as expected from fertility studies. For corn, efficiency of uptake continued to increase up to harvest. For sorghum‐sudangrass and kenaf a peak was reached at about 50 days after planting, after which efficiency of uptake declined rapidly.     

Annual warm-season grasses vary for forage yield,quality, and competitiveness with weeds

Warm-season annual grasses may be suitable as forage crops in integrated weed management systems with reduced herbicide use. A 2-year field study was conducted to determine whether tillage system and nitrogen (N) fertilizer application method influenced crop and weed biomass, water use, water use efficiency (WUE), and forage quality of three warm-season grasses, and seed production by associated weeds. Tillage systems were zero tillage and conventional tillage with a field cultivator. The N fertilization methods were urea broadcast or banded near seed rows at planting. Warm-season grasses seeded were foxtail (Setaria italica L.) and proso (Panicum mileaceum L.) millets, and sorghum–sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudenense Stapf.). Density of early emerging weeds was similar among treatments, averaging 51 m^?2. Millets exhibited higher weed density and weed biomass than sorghum–sudangrass. At harvest, sorghum–sudangrass produced significantly greater biomass and N accumulation than either millet. Water use (157 mm) and WUE (25.1 kg mm^-1 ha^?1) of total biomass did not vary among treatments or grass entries. Weed seed production by redroot pigweed and green foxtail was respectively 93 and 73% less in sorghum–sudangrass than proso millet. Warm-season grasses offer an excellent fit in semiarid cropping systems.     

Genotypic Differences Among Plant Species in Response to Aluminum Stress

Abstract

Genotypic differences in aluminum (Al) resistance in rye (Secale cereale L.), triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and buckwheat (Fygopyrum esculentum Moench) were examined using a compartmental hydroponic system. Four-day-old seedlings were grown for 24 h in 0.5 mM CaCl₂ (pH 4.5) containing 0 or 50 μM Al. Relative root elongation (RRE) at 50 μM Al. (as a percentage of that at 0 Al) was used as the index of Al resistance. On average, rye exhibited the highest Al resistance, followed by buckwheat, triticale, and wheat. However, triticale displayed the greatest genotypic differences. Al content in the root tips of triticale breeding lines negatively correlated with RRE (r = 0.5, P < 0.01), implying that the Al exclusion mechanism contributed to Al resistance. Furthermore, high Al resistance in buckwheat correlated well with the growth habitats of buckwheat, indicating that adaptation mechanisms giving good Al resistance have evolved in buckwheat. All of these results suggested that it is possible to obtain greater Al resistance in plants by screening current existing cultivars. The selection of new cultivars with increased Al resistance and sensitivity will provide important material for further studies exploring Al phytotoxic and resistant mechanisms.     

Role of Cover Crops and Planting Dates for Improved Weed Suppression and Nitrogen Recovery in No till Systems

ABSTRACT

Cover crops improve the recovery and recycling of nitrogen and impart weed suppression in crop production. A two-year study with six weekly plantings of cover crops including non-winterkilled species (hairy vetch, Vicia villosa L.; winter rye Secale cereale L.) and winterkilled species (oat, Avena sativa L.; forage radish, Raphanus sativus L.) were assessed for effects on growth of forage rape (Brassica napus L.) and weed suppression. Early planting of cover crops gave the highest biomass and highest nitrogen accumulation. Delaying planting from early-September to mid-October suppressed cover-crop biomass by about 40%. Forage radish produced more biomass in the fall than other cover crops but was winter killed. Spring biomass was highest with rye or vetch. All cover crops suppressed weeds, but suppression was greatest under rye or hairy vetch. Hairy vetch accumulated the largest nitrogen content. Forage rape plants yielded more biomass after a cover crop than after no-cover crop.     

The productivity and energy potential of alfalfa,fodder galega and maize plants under the conditions of the nemoral zone

This study aimed to investigate the productivity of two C3 legumes – alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) – and the feasibility of their use as renewable energy resources. Maize (Zea mays L.), a well-established bioenergy crop belonging to the C4 plant group, was used as a baseline in comparison. Field trials were conducted at the Institute of Agriculture at the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry during the period 2012–2013. The perennial forage legumes were grown without mineral or organic fertilizers. The maize was grown (a) without and (b) with nitrogen fertilizers. The perennial forage legumes were harvested three times per growing season. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) contents of biomass were determined by using a dry combustion method. The calorific value of biomass was determined by a combustion method using an IKA bomb calorimeter. The largest share of the total annual yield of biomass of perennial forage legumes was obtained from the first cut and amounted to 54% and 57% for alfalfa and fodder galega, respectively. The S content of biomass was similar in all crops investigated, but the N content was higher in perennial forage legumes. Biomass C content did not differ between the crops, but the C:N ratio was widely varied – from 28–35 in fertilized maize, to 16–17 in alfalfa and 15–16 in fodder galega. This study showed that alfalfa and fodder galega can be grown as energy crops under less intensive management; however, the specific chemical composition of biomass should be considered before choosing the most appropriate conversion process.     

Comparative Phytoremediation of Chromium‐Contaminated Soils by Fenugreek,Spinach, and Raya

Abstract

A glasshouse investigation was undertaken to evaluate the natural potential of fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and raya (Brassica campestris L.) for cleanup of chromium (Cr)–contaminated silty loam and sandy soils. Four kilograms of soil per treatment in earthen pots was treated with five levels of chromium [0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg Cr kg^?1 soil through dipotassium chromate (K₂Cr₂O₇], equilibrated for 21 days at field-capacity moisture content, and then fenugreek, spinach, and raya were grown for 60 days after seeding. The concentration of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐extractable Cr increased significantly with increasing rate of Cr application in both soils, but the increase was higher in sandy soil than in silty loam soil. The DTPA‐extractable Cr in both soils decreased after harvesting of crops compared to its concentration in soil before sowing of the crops. The decrease in DTPA‐extractable Cr concentration was highest in soil growing raya and least in the fenugreek‐growing soil. The percent reduction in dry‐matter yield (DMY) with increasing levels of added Cr in comparison to the zero‐Cr control was highest for fenugreek (49 and 52%) followed by spinach (36 and 42%) and lowest for raya (29 and 34%) in silty loam soil and sandy soil, respectively. Also, the percent reduction in mean shoot yield of all crops was higher in sandy soil (41%) compared to silty loam soil (36%), when the rate of applied Cr was increased from 0 to 10 mg Cr kg^?1 soil. The DMY of both shoot and root was highest for raya and lowest for fenugreek. The Cr concentration in fenugreek, spinach, and raya increased with increasing level of added Cr in both soils. The concentration of Cr in both shoot and root was highest in raya, followed by spinach and fenugreek. The overall mean uptake of Cr in shoot was almost four times and in root was about two times higher in raya compared to fenugreek. The findings indicated that family Cruciferae (raya) was most tolerant to Cr toxicity, followed by chenopodiacea (spinach) and Leguminosae (fenugreek). Because raya removed the highest amount of Cr from soil, it could be used for pytoremediation of mildly Cr‐contaminated soils.     

Use of Mefluidide to Alter Growth and Nutritive Value of Pearl Millet

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L. Leeke) has an inherent rapid growth rate that often presents management problems to achieve optimum utilization by livestock throughout the growing season. Both the rapid spring–summer growth rate and photoperiodism that diminishes growth in late summer—early fall creates the need to use both grazing and mechanical defoliation to have efficient use of forage production. The objectives of this 2‐year field study were to evaluate the effects of a growth regulator, mefluidide (N‐[2, 4‐dimethyl‐5‐([(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl] amino) phenyl] acetamide), on growth characteristics and nutritive parameters of “Millex 24” pearl millet. Mefluidide was broadcast applied at different rates to determine the effect on dry matter (DM) yield and nutritive value of leaves and stems of pearl millet. Mefluidide reduced DM biomass at each weekly harvest, and at three weeks post‐treatment DM was reduced 3‐fold in Year 1 and 2‐fold in Year 2. Percent leaf, however, was nearly doubled by mefluidide application. Crude protein (CP) of leaves was not affected by mefluidide, however, CP of treated stems was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than untreated pearl millet. Fiber components were lowered (P < 0.05) in treated leaves and stems compared to untreated pearl millet. The 2‐year study showed that mefluidide enhanced nutritive value of pearl millet, but at the expense of DM.     

Boron,molybdenum and selenium status in different plant parts in forage legumes and vegetable crops 1

This study was conducted in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.), Canada to characterize the levels of B, Mo, and Se in the various plant parts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica Plenck.), Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera Zenker), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.), and rutabaga (Brassica napobrassica Mill). The three micronutrient anions were consistently highest in the leaves and lowest in the stems. The lower halves of the vegetable crops usually contained close to the highest amounts of B and Mo. In forage legumes, the B concentration was higher in the bottom than in the upper leaves, but B was lower in the bottom than upper stems. Since leaves consistently contained the highest amounts of B and Mo, it is recommended that most recently matured leaves in the Brassica species, and young leaves in forage legumes be sampled to characterize the B and Mo status of these crops. Selenium is of significance to livestock, but not in plant nutrition; therefore, only the parts fed to animals, e.g. the whole vegetative tops of forage legumes, should be used to determine the crop Se status.     

Effects of organic solid cattle manure application on nutritive value of winter cereal forages

Nutritive value of winter cereal forages is one of interested subjects of farmers for animal feeding. Field experiments were established in 2007–2008 and 2008–2009 growing seasons in northeast Turkey to investigate the effect of organic solid cattle manure application (0, 10 and 20 Mg ha^?1 yr^?1) on nutritive value of three annual cereals for forage. The winter cereal forages were: wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and rye (Secela cereale L.). ADF (acid detergent fiber), NDF (neutral detergent fiber) CP (crude protein), nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, zinc and boron (N, P, K, S, Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn and B) concentrations were researched in this study. Wheat had the highest CP, N, Ca, Cu, Na and Zn concentration, whereas oat had the lowest ADF and NDF and the highest K, Fe and Mn concentrations. The greatest Mg and P concentrations were determined in rye. Organic solid cattle manure applications had no effect on N and CP contents, but it decreased ADF and NDF contents. However, in most cases it positively affected the P, B, Cu, Fe, Mg and Na concentrations, whereas it decreased K, Ca, Mn and Zn concentrations. The results showed that wheat and oat are more nutritive species than rye in terms of animal feeding and the organic solid cattle manure, in some cases increased the nutritive values of wheat, oat and rye under organic agriculture conditions.