The effect of controlling bracken [Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn] on pasture production

The outcome of spraying two bracken-infested hill sites in July with asulam at the commercial rate of 4·5 kg a.i. per ha was a 98% reduction in frond numbers which persisted for the following 3 years. Broad-leaved grasses, Agrostis tenuis, Agrostis canina and Poa pratensis, were susceptible to asulam and were severely reduced at both sites while fine-leaved grasses, Festuca ovina and Deschampsia flexuosa, were resistant. Over a period of 3 years after spray application the original bare ground under the bracken canopy and that produced by the effects of asulam was recolonized by the recovery of the broad-leaved grasses and an increase in the cover of herbs. The latter also increased on the unsprayed control areas. A favourable aspect and an abundance of the productive broad-leaved grasses appeared to be the main factors which determined the amount of increase in herbage yield observed following spray treatment. One such area gave a herbage DM yield of 3039 kg ha^-1 during the growing season which was 47% greater than the control while an area with a less favourable aspect and dominated by the less productive fine-leaved grasses gave a herbage yield of 2069 kg ha^-1 which was only 18% greater than the control.     

Nitrogen uptake and leaching loss of thirteen temperate grass species under high N loading

The intensification of grazed pasture systems in New Zealand has resulted in increased nitrate () leaching and associated significant reductions in water quality, resulting from high N loading in the cow urine patch. A glasshouse soil column experiment was conducted at Lincoln University examining the N uptake capacities and leaching losses of sixteen commercial and ‘weed’ pasture grasses, comprising thirteen species. Three dairy cow urine N treatments (N loading rates) were applied in May 2010: 0 (N0), 300 (N300) and 700 (N700) kg N ha^?1. Grass was harvested at 21‐d intervals, leachates collected to quantify N leaching losses and root mass measured. Shoot yield, root mass, N uptake and N leaching loss varied significantly between species (P < 0·001) and were strongly driven by N loading rate. The highest yielding species at N700 were Lolium multiflorum ‘Feast 2’ and ‘Tama’ (782 and 743 g DM m^?2), while Festuca arundinacea ‘Flecha’ and Lolium perenne ‘Alto' were lowest yielding (375 and 419 g DM m^?2). Plant N uptake and root mass followed a similar trend, and only moderate increases in total plant N uptake were observed for most species when urine N application rate was increased from N300 to N700. N leaching loss was highest at N700 for F. arundinacea ‘Flecha’ (378 kg N ha^?1) and lowest for L. multiflorum ‘Feast 2’ and ‘Tama’ (134 and 130 kg N ha^?1). Strong negative linear relationships were observed between N leaching loss, plant N uptake and root mass. The results indicate that species such as L. multiflorum may play a critical role in reducing pasture N leaching losses, while traditionally sown L. perenne, and also F. arundinacea, may be less suitable.     

Impacts of dormancy‐regulating chemicals on innate and salinity‐induced dormancy of four forage grasses native to Arabian deserts

The effects of dormancy‐regulating chemicals (DRCs) on alleviating innate and salinity‐induced dormancy (SID) were assessed in seeds of four perennial forage grasses (Pennisetum divisum, Sporobolus spicatus, Coelachyrum brevifolium and Centropodia forsskalii). These grasses have the potential to be used for restoration or rehabilitation of degraded rangelands of the Arabian Gulf deserts. The four species showed various levels of innate dormancy. Germination of seeds stored for 2 months was not enhanced by any of the five studied DRCs in both C. brevifolium and P. divisum, but significantly improved by thiourea, fusicoccin and gibberellic acid (GA) in C. forsskalii and by thiourea, fusicoccin and nitrate in S. spicatus. Salinity had a significant negative effect on all the studied grasses. Sporobolus spicatus was more tolerant to salinity, compared with the other species. The effect of DRCs on alleviating SID depended on species. Whereas DRCs had little effect on alleviating SID in C. forsskalii and P. divisum, they greatly alleviated it in S. spicatus and C. brevifolium. Partial alleviation was observed by fusicoccin in C. brevifolium and by GA, kinetin and thiourea in C. forsskalii. Nitrate, fusicoccin and GA resulted in a complete alleviation in S. spicatus seeds in 200 mm NaCl.     

Mixtures of grasses: An alternative to traditional pasture monocultures in the tropics

A two-year experiment assessed herbage production and above- and below-ground characteristics of a highly productive monoculture (‘BRS Zuri’ guineagrass [Panicum maximum Jacq.]) and two mixtures of three grasses (Mixture 1: ‘BRS Zuri’ guineagrass, ‘BRS Xaraés’ palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha Stapf.], and ‘Basilisk’ signalgrass [Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.]; Mixture 2: ‘BRS Quênia’ guineagrass [Panicum maximum Jacq.], ‘Marandu’ palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha Stapf.], and ‘BRS Paiaguás’ palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha Stapf.]), cultivated in the Brazilian tropical savanna. Mixtures 1 and 2 were subjected to two grazing intensities (removal of 40 or 60% of pre-grazing height) and ‘BRS Zuri’ guineagrass monoculture was defoliated to a single grazing intensity of 50%. Treatments were randomly assigned to fifteen 0.25-ha plots and managed under intermittent stocking by cattle. Herbage accumulation rate was similar among pastures and years (p > .1). The root mass in the tussocks did not differ (p > .1), with mean values ranging between 0.62 to 1.81 kg DM m⁻². Root density in the tussock interspaces was greater in the mixtures (p < .001), regardless of seasons (p = .405) and years (p = .292). The mixtures were dominated by guineagrass (70%) and palisadegrass (30%) at the end of the experiment, with the population of ‘Basilisk’ and ‘BRS Paiaguás’ being completely suppressed throughout the experimental period. Mixing guineagrass and brachiariagrasses can be an alternative to the traditional pastoral systems in the tropics, as it does not compromise herbage production and presents a capacity to produce more roots than a very productive monoculture of ‘BRS Zuri’ guineagrass.     

Tensile fracture properties of seven tropical grasses at different phenological stages

The intake of forage grasses by grazing ruminants is closely related to the mechanical fracture properties of grasses. The relationship between the tensile fracture properties of grasses and foraging behaviour is of particular importance in tropical reproductive swards composed of both stems and leaves. This study (i) quantified and compared the tensile fracture properties of stems and leaves of seven tropical grass species and (ii) provided insight into the underlying plant traits that explain differences in fracture properties between species. Fracture force, tensile strength, fracture energy and toughness of stems (in various phenological stages) and leaves were measured and compared among five introduced tropical grasses (Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Digitaria milanjiana, Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum maximum), Setaria sphacelata) and two native tropical grasses (Setaria surgens and Dichanthium sericeum). Species differed significantly in fracture force and fracture energy, with stems and leaves of C. ciliaris and S. surgens requiring less force and energy to fracture and stems and leaves of M. maximus and S. sphacelata requiring more force and energy to fracture in comparison with the other species. Differences in tensile strength and toughness were less pronounced. The differences among species in fracture force and energy mainly resulted from differences in cross‐sectional area of plant parts rather than from differences in tensile strength and toughness.     

The effects of clipping height and frequency on net primary production of Andropogon gerardii (C4 grass) and Bromus inermis (C3 grass) in greenhouse experiments

There are potential agronomic and environmental benefits from incorporating warm‐season (C₄) grasses into temperate pasture systems, usually dominated by cool‐season (C₃) grasses, but there is a lack of information on how frequency and height of defoliation affects C₄ grasses. Three greenhouse experiments were conducted under (i) spring, (ii) summer and (iii) spring + summer clipping regimes. In each experiment, the effects of clipping frequency (weekly and monthly) and clipping height (clipped to 5 and 10 cm) were determined on above‐ and below‐ground net primary production (ANPP and BNPP) and total and seasonal dry matter (DM) yield for Andropogon gerardii Vitman (big bluestem, C₄ grass) and Bromus inermis Leyss (smooth brome, C₃ grass). Six replicates per treatment were used. In all experiments, ANPP and BNPP of smooth brome was greater than that of big bluestem although during late summer months big bluestem had higher DM yields of herbage than smooth brome. There were different effects of frequency and height of clipping for both species on two similar measurements: total annual DM yield and ANPP, indicating that the ability to generalize about the effects of defoliation from ecological and agronomic grassland standpoints is questionable. Clipping effects on ANPP and BNPP were different for summer‐clipped pots than for spring, and spring + summer‐clipped pots, indicating that management could be tailored to meet specific agronomic or conservation goals.     

Forage herbs improve mineral composition of grassland herbage

Provision of an adequate mineral supply in the diets of ruminants fed mainly on grassland herbage can present a challenge if mineral concentrations are suboptimal for animal nutrition. Forage herbs may be included in grassland seed mixtures to improve herbage mineral content, although there is limited information about mineral concentrations in forage herbs. To determine whether herbs have greater macro‐ and micromineral concentrations than forage legumes and grasses, we conducted a 2‐year experiment on a loamy‐sand site in Denmark sown with a multi‐species mixture comprised of three functional groups (grasses, legumes and herbs). Herb species included chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.), caraway (Carum carvi L.) and salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor L.). We also investigated the effect of slurry application on the macro‐ and micromineral concentration of grasses, legumes and herbs. In general, herbs had greater concentrations of the macrominerals P, Mg, K and S and the microminerals Zn and B than grasses and legumes. Slurry application indirectly decreased Ca, S, Cu and B concentrations of total herbage because of an increase in the proportion of mineral‐poor grasses. Our study indicates that including herbs in forage mixtures is an effective way of increasing mineral concentrations in herbage.     

Contribution of Medicago sativa to the productivity and nutritive value of forage in semi‐arid grassland pastures

The inclusion of legumes in semi‐arid native grasslands may promote the productivity and nutritive value of forage. This study was designed to assess the effect of legumes (the introduced legume Medicago sativa or the native legume Dalea purpurea) and soil P fertility (addition of 0, 50, or 200 P₂O₅ kg/ha at seeding) on the dry matter and nutrient content of native grasses mixtures, compared with the commonly used introduced forage grass Bromus biebersteinii grown with M. sativa. Plant harvests were performed in September 2008, July 2009 and September 2009. Plants nutrient content, δ¹⁵N value and dry matter were analysed. Results show that the M. sativa enhanced the N and P concentrations of native grass mixtures early in the summer, as well as the N concentration in Bouteloua gracilis in late summer of the driest year, 2009. The higher AM fungal diversity promoted by M. sativa was positively correlated with the dry matter and nitrogen uptake of M. sativa and with the P concentration of native grasses, in early summer. Overall, this study shows that M. sativa promoted beneficial AM fungal taxa and improved forage production in the semi‐arid prairies.     

Breaking the dormancy of rice seeds with various dormancy levels using steam and high temperature treatments in a steam nursery cabinet

This study aimed to determine the appropriate steam treatment conditions, using a steam nursery cabinet, to break the dormancy of Japanese rice cultivar seeds exhibiting various dormancy levels. The influence of the temperature and duration of the steam treatments on the germination percentage and germination rate was investigated. In highly dormant ‘Takanari’ seeds, the steam treatment at 40 °C for 7 d increased the germination percentage and decreased the 50% germination time (T_50S; based on seed number); this treatment was as effective as the dry heat treatment at 50 °C for 7 d. For the medium dormant ‘Moeminori’ and ‘Hitomebore’ seeds, the steam treatment at 40 °C for 5 d decreased T_50S sufficiently and more effectively than did the dry heat treatment at 50 °C for 7 d. For the slightly dormant ‘Moeminori’ seeds, the steam treatment at temperatures ranging from 24 °C to 40 °C for 7 d decreased T_50S without a corresponding decrease in germination percentage to <90%. For the non-dormant ‘Moeminori’ and ‘Takanari’ seeds, the same steam treatments had no, or a little if any, useful effect on the germination percentage and T_50S. Therefore, we concluded that, for the highly dormant seeds, steam treatment at 40 °C for 7 d was appropriate. Moreover, for less dormant seeds, steam treatment at 40 °C for 5 d was appropriate, and the steam treatment was not necessary for the non-dormant seeds.     

Specific Gravity,Dry Matter and Starch Concentration of Different Potato Cultivars as Affected by Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic (As) contamination of the soil may affect the quality of potato tubers. When assessing the processing quality of potato cultivars, specific gravity (SG) is the measurement of choice for estimating dry matter (DM) and starch concentrations in the potato tubers. In this study, effects of the As concentration in the soil on quality parameters (SG, DM, starch concentration and total soluble solids (TSS)) of 11 potato cultivars in Bangladesh were investigated in an outdoor pot experiment with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and three blocks, at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from November, 2012 to March, 2013. The results showed highly significant differences between cultivars in quality parameters, except SG. Both As levels (25 and 50 mg As kg^?1 soil) reduced the DM and starch concentration in the tubers of the potato cultivars compared to the control (0 mg As kg^?1 soil), but had no significant effects on SG and TSS. ‘Lady Rosetta’ showed the highest SG (1.093 g cm^?3), DM (23.02%) and starch concentration (16.60%). The lowest SG (1.065 g cm^?3), DM (17.04%), and starch concentration (10.96%) was found in ‘Granola’. Highest TSS (5.91) was found in ‘Jam Alu’ while ‘Meridian’ had the lowest °Brix value (3.76). Bangladeshi potato farmers will benefit from the information generated regarding potato cultivation under As affected areas.     

Effects of temperature and light on salinity tolerance during germination in two desert glycophytic grasses,Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum

The grasses Lasiurus scindicus and Panicum turgidum are among the most important forage species of the Arabian deserts. Both are ‘glycophytic’ or salt‐intolerant species, where seed germination becomes reduced by salinity effects. Here, we report experimental effects of light/darkness, temperature and NaCl salinity on seed germination and ‘recovery’ germination in these two species, after seeds had been transferred from saline solution to distilled water. Seeds were germinated in a range of salinities and incubated at a range of temperatures, in both light and darkness. Seeds of P. turgidum germinated significantly more in darkness than in light at temperatures 15–25°C, but the reverse was true at higher temperatures. Seeds of L. scindicus germinated well across a wide range of temperatures and in both light and darkness. In both species, germination decreased with the increase in salt concentration, and in P. turgidum germination was almost completely inhibited at a concentration of 200 mm . In saline solution, germination in darkness was significantly greater than in light at all the temperatures. Seeds of both species ‘recovered’ their germination capacity after transfer from saline solutions to distilled water. Germination recovery depended on both light and temperature of incubation in both species.     

Seeding cool-season grasses into unimproved warm-season pasture in the southern Great Plains of the United States

Limited availability of herbage during the cool season creates a problem of a supply of nutrients for livestock producers throughout the southern Great Plains of the USA and, particularly, on small farms where resource constraints limit possible mitigating strategies. Six cool‐season grasses were individually sown into clean‐tilled ground, no‐till drilled into stubble of Korean lespedeza [Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim) Makino] or no‐till over‐sown into dormant unimproved warm‐season pastures. The dry matter (DM) yields of mixtures of cool and warm‐season herbage species were measured to test their potential for increasing cool‐season herbage production in a low‐input pasture environment. Only mixtures containing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam) produced greater year‐round DM yields than undisturbed warm‐season pasture with all establishment methods. When cool‐season grass was no‐till seeded into existing warm‐season pasture, there was on average a 0·61 kg DM increase in year‐round herbage production for each 1·0 kg DM of cool‐season grass herbage produced. Sowing into stubble of Korean lespedeza, or into clean‐tilled ground, required 700 or 1400 kg DM ha^?1, respectively, of cool‐season production before the year‐round DM yield of each species equalled that of undisturbed warm‐season pasture. Productive pastures of perennial cool‐season grasses were not sustained beyond two growing seasons with tall wheatgrass [Elytrigia elongata (Host) Nevski], intermediate wheatgrass [Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski] and a creeping wheatgrass (Elytrigia repens L.) × bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh)] hybrid. Lack of persistence and low productivity limit the usefulness of cool‐season perennial grasses for over‐seeding unimproved warm‐season pasture in the southern Great Plains.     

In vitro degradation of grass fructan by equid gastrointestinal digesta

Laminitis is a debilitating disease of the equid foot and appears to result from altered metabolism due to insulin resistance (IR) or hindgut acidosis. These disorders may be elicited by high intakes of simple sugars or fructans in pasture grasses. The aim was to determine in vitro (i) whether grass fructan is degraded in the equid foregut and (ii) the fermentation kinetics and organic acid production in cultures containing grasses differing in fructan content incubated with an equid hindgut microbial inoculum. When grass fructan was incubated with equid gastric and small intestinal digesta, polymeric fructan was partially degraded to oligo‐fructan. When incubated with small intestinal digesta, but not gastric digesta, there was limited net loss of total fructan (oligomeric + polymeric fructan). When Lolium perenne of elevated (PRGH) or moderate (PRGL) fructan content was incubated with an equine hindgut microbial inoculum, the rate of fermentation and accumulation of lactate 6 and 9 h post‐inoculation were significantly greater for PRGH than for PRGL (P < 0·05). This may suggest that grass fructan ingested by grazing horses is incompletely digested in the foregut and passes into the hindgut, resulting in elevated production of lactate, which may indirectly lead to metabolic disorders such as laminitis.     

Plant growth – resource or strategy limited: insights from responses to gibberellin

We used exogenous application of a phytohormone (gibberellin GA₃, ‘GA’) to test the hypothesis that common perennial grasses may not be growing at all times to the limit of resource availability. Plants were taken from the field in winter, and again in summer and their responses to GA assessed under standard conditions, indoors, to reveal their ‘potential’ for growth at different times. Time of year, and associated developmental state, had a major impact on the capacity of plants to respond to exogenous GA, and less so their current growing conditions, temperature and N availability, during measurement. A major increase in dry matter (DM) production in winter‐derived plants took place at both low and high N, with no evidence of a reduction in N content in tissues. That ryegrass plant growth can be stimulated, without externally adding resources, supports the hypothesis there is an element of internal control in how plants respond to ‘signals’ in their environment, that might be manipulated. This offers prospects for reducing environmental impacts (leaching, N₂O) compared with obtaining the same yield increase by adding fertilizer N in early season. Responses to exogenous GA were detected (as significant) but far smaller in summer‐derived plants. Molecular mechanisms of detection of N resource signals, developmental triggers and the role of endogenous gibberellin need to be unravelled to assess scope for breeding ryegrass germplasm to better match demands for increased production with greater resource‐use efficiency.     

Effects of polyethylene colour and thickness on grass silage quality

The aim of the investigation was to determine the influence of variations in thickness and colour of agricultural plastic film on silage preservation conditions and grass silage quality. For this purpose, 30 cylindrical plastic containers (mini‐silos; 0·3 m³) were filled with chopped grass and covered with five films of different thickness and colour: 90 μm, white; 125 μm, green; 150 μm, black; 200 μm, green and 200 μm, white. Four replications of each film type were placed in the open air. Two replications were housed indoors and exposed to an ‘artificial sky’ in a test apparatus. The surface temperature of the films was found to be strongly dependent on film thickness and colour. Results of the chemical analysis of silages did not reveal any significant influence of the films. This was also the case when restricting the analysis to the uppermost silage layer. The results showed that under the conditions of this experiment, well preserved forage can be produced with films of differing colour, as well as of lesser thickness.     

Controlled grazing studies on Nardus grassland: effects of between-tussock sward height and species of grazer on diet selection and intake

Groups of mature, non-lactating sheep and cattle grazed a Nardus stricta community during the growing season for six consecutive years from 1984 to 1989. Three unreplicated treatments were applied by continuous variable stocking to maintain between-tussock sward height at (a) 4·5 cm by cattle grazing and (b) 4·5 cm or (c) 3·5 cm by sheep grazing. Diet composition and herbage intake were measured from 1984 to 1987 on three occasions in the growing season, and live weight and stock density were recorded from 1984 to 1988. The diet of cattle usually contained more dead herbage, Nardus, sedges and rushes but less forbs and other fine-leaved grasses than the diet of sheep. Principal coordinate analysis showed different trends across years in diet composition, especially between the sheep and cattle treatments at 4·5 cm. Diet digestibility was usually higher for sheep treatments than for the cattle treatment. Diet digestibility and herbage intake increased between 1984 and 1985, and 1986; they also declined from spring to late summer. Regression of diet digestibility on independent principal components — which were derived from diet composition measurements — showed that the two most important principal components accounted for 72% of the variation in digestibility. Stock-carrying capacity (kg LW × d ha^?1, calculated from live weight, grazing days and stock density) was greater on the cattle treatment than on either sheep treatment. Stock-carrying capacity also increased more in successive years on the cattle than on either sheep treatment, and it was greater on the sward maintained at 3·5 cm than at 4·5 cm by sheep. These increases in stock-carrying capacity were generally positively associated with the increase in the percentage specific frequency both of live material and of the more productive grasses in the swards. These data indicate that sheep-only stocking tends to Nardus dominance and suggest that further study using productive cattle — either alone or mixed with sheep — is needed, preferably in association with measurements of floristic change both within and between tussocks.     

Simulating tropical forage growth and biomass accumulation: an overview of model development and application

Crop models can aid the synthesis and application of knowledge, planning of experiments and forecasting in agricultural systems. Few studies have reviewed the uses and applications of these models for tropical forages. The purpose of this study was to review the information available in this scientific area, highlighting the main models, their applications and limitations. Several empirical models have been developed to predict the growth and biomass accumulation of tropical forages, especially for the genera Cynodon, Paspalum, Panicum and Brachiaria. Their application, however, is often location or region specific. The adaptation of mechanistic models to accurately predict biomass accumulation in tropical grasses is still limited. Recent advances have been made on the plot‐scale and farm‐scale process‐based models ALMANAC, CROPGRO Perennial Forage and agricultural production systems simulator (APSIM), with promising results. In addition, global‐scale process‐based models, such as the Century Agroecosystem Model and the Orchidee Grassland Management Model, have been tested for tropical grassland areas. A greater number of region‐specific calibrations of empirical models can enhance their use, and improved databases and model parameterizations for a wide range of tropical grasses will enable the continuous improvement of mechanistic models.     

青稞主效休眠基因单倍型分布及利用

穗发芽严重降低谷物的产量和品质,种子休眠与穗发芽高度相关。为了解中国青稞品种休眠特性及其主效休眠基因AlaAT和MKK3的单倍型分布,以143份地方品种和42份育成品种(系)为材料,分别种植在四川雅安、什邡和西藏拉萨,进行大田种子休眠性鉴定;选择休眠性极端材料,分别利用2对引物对含有目标休眠基因功能性SNP的片段进行扩增、测序,并用于AlaAT 和 MKK3基因特异性KASP标记开发与供试材料的单倍型分析。结果表明,3个种植点,地方品种的发芽指数（GI）均高于育成品种（系）,但差异不显著;四川2个种植点间GI值差异不显著,但显著高于西藏种植点,说明青稞品种（系）普遍休眠性弱,高原气候条件显著促进种子休眠。KASP标记检测发现,AlaAT 和 MKK3的强优势单倍型均为弱休眠单倍型 （频率>80%）,供试材料中有4种单倍型组合,分别为AlaAT-ND+MKK3-ND、 AlaAT-ND+MKK3-D、 AlaAT-D+MKK3-ND和AlaAT-D+MKK3-D,频率分别为80.0%、12.4%、6.0%和1.6%,其GI值随强休眠单倍型数量增加而降低;3个环境下,含有组合AlaAT-D+MKK3-D的GI值最低,说明休眠基因具有加性效应,聚合优良单倍型的品种（系）具有稳定的休眠特性。青稞生产和育种应根据种植区域和用途选择与利用上述主效休眠基因单倍型。     

Interactions between elevated atmospheric CO2 and defoliation on North American rangeland plant species at low and high N availability

Although common disturbances of grazing lands like plant defoliation are expected to affect their sensitivity to increasing atmospheric CO₂ concentration, almost no research has been conducted to evaluate how important such effects might be on the direct responses of rangelands to CO₂. This growth chamber experiment subjected intact plant–soil cylinders from a Wyoming, USA, prairie to a 3‐way factorial of CO₂ (370 vs. 720 μL L^?1), defoliation (non‐clipped vs. clipped) and soil nitrogen (control vs. 10 g m^?2 added N) under simulated natural climatic conditions. Above‐ and below‐ground biomass and N dynamics of the functional groups C₃ grasses, C₄ grasses and forbs were investigated. CO₂ and defoliation had independent influences on biomass and N parameters of these rangeland plants. Growth under CO₂‐enriched conditions enhanced above‐ground biomass 50% in C₃ grasses alone, while shoot N concentration declined 16% in both C₃ and C₄ grasses. Plant‐soil ¹⁵N uptake was unaffected by CO₂ treatment. In contrast, defoliation had no effect on biomass, but increased tissue N concentration 29% across all functional groups. Without additional N, forage quality, which is in direct relation to N concentration, will decline under increasing atmospheric CO₂. Increased dominance of C₃ grasses plus reduced forage quality may necessitate changes in grazing management practices in mixed‐species rangelands.     

The conservation management of mesotrophic (meadow) grassland in northern England. 1. Effects of grazing, cutting date and fertilizer on the vegetation of a traditionally managed sward

The results are reported from an experiment on the effects of cutting date (14 June, 21 July and I September), fertilizer application (none or 80 kg ha^?1 N plus 40 kg ha^?1 P and K) and grazing treatments (none, autumn or autumn plus spring) on the vegetation of an upland mesotrophic grassland in Upper Teesdale. northern England, UK. Effects on plant species number and cover are reported for 4 years (1989–93) of treatment. Effects on ‘species -attributes’ are given for the fourth year. The cessation of grazing combined with the use of fertilizer progressively reduced species number by about 25%. Under traditional management (no fertilizer, cutting date on 21 July, autumn and spring grazing) the species number and cover remained relatively static over the 4 years. Comparison between treatments in the fourth year showed a reduction in species number under the fertilizer application, cutting date on 1 September and no-grazing treatments. Fertilizer use together with cutting date on 1 September particularly lowered species number and cover. Analysis of variance was used to assess the effect of treatment on species that occurred frequently in the sward. A cutting date of 1 September favoured Agrostis capillaris. Alopecurus pratensis, Poa trivialis, Phleum pratense and Trisetum flavescens, The absence of grazing favoured Dactylis glomerata and Holcus lanatus. The use of fertilizer particularly favoured A. pratensis and H. lanatus. Ordination methods were used to assess the effect of treatment on the less frequent species. These were primarily associated with the treatment combination that matched ‘traditional’ management. Deviations from this ‘traditional’ regime acted separately, rather than in combination, and favoured different grass species. Traditional management was associated with ruderal, stress-tolerant ruderal and competitive ruderal strategists and with longer seed germination times, heavier seeds, some of which needed scarifying or chilling to break dormancy, and transient seed banks that germinated in the autumn. The original sward was an Anthoxanthum odora-turn-Geranium sylvatirum grassland, Briza media subcommunity (MG3b). After 4 years, Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-Trifolium repens subcom-munity (U4b) and Lolium perenne-Alopecurus pratensis-Festuca pratensis grassland (MG7c) were found in many of the fertilized and late-cutting treatments.