A Comparison of Methods Used to Determine Biomass on Naturalized Swards

An experiment was conducted in 2000 to compare simple visual estimate, sward height and rising plate meter (RPM) methods for determining forage biomass in mixed-species, naturalized, rotationally grazed dairy and beef pastures. Measurements were taken pre- and post-grazing on 10 sampling dates at the dairy pasture, and post-grazing at 13 sampling dates at the beef pasture. For each sampling date, the effectiveness of each method for estimating the actual biomass from a quadrat was evaluated using regression analysis. The results for the visual estimate method were not consistent, with non-linear relationships occurring early and late in the season. While the meter stick was most effective in the dairy pasture, the RPM was most effective in the beef pasture. Species composition and structural characteristics of the stand were important factors affecting accuracy of biomass estimation. Equations developed for each method and site using data from all dates had low R²-adjusted values, and were unreliable predictors of biomass. The results from individual sites and dates were extremely variable, with no single method effective in all circumstances. To estimate forage biomass in mixed-species, naturalized pastures, standard quadrat harvesting remains the most reliable method, provided that enough quadrats are clipped to adequately represent a given area.     

Effects of Stocking Rate and Overseeding with Red Clover on Productivity of Native Pasture Continuously Grazed by Yearling Steers

Overseeding with red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and stocking rate are factors that can affect composition and production of hill land pasture. A grazing experiment utilizing yearling beef steers ( Bos taurus) was conducted using 3, 4, and 5 yearling steers ha⁻¹ (285 kg), on native pasture (predominantly Poa pratensis L.) overseeded with red clover and non overseeded. Paddocks of 1 ha were continuously set stocked from mid May to the end of Sept. Herbage mass, herbage consumed and the percentage of legumes, grasses, dead material, and non-leguminous broadleaf plants were recorded. Animals were weighed at the initiation and end of each grazing season and at 4 week intervals. Overseeding increased legume content 4-fold the seeding year but much of this increase was lost the following year. Herbage mass was greater on overseeded pasture the year following seeding but no effect on animal productivity was found. Stocking rate did not affect percentage legume but the proportions of other broadleaf plants increased at high stocking rates. Average daily gain as well as total gain ha⁻¹ was greatest at 4 steers ha⁻¹.     

Accumulation of Secondary Metabolites Formed by Field Fungi in Autumn-Saved Herbage

Taking into consideration the fact that in recent years weather conditions were sufficient to feed cattle on pasture until late autumn or early winter, an experiment was carried out during the years 2000 and 2003 on a low input pasture to show the effect of the pre‐utilization date (June, July, August) and the harvest date in the autumn/winter period (November, December, January) on the accumulation of the following secondary metabolites formed by fungi: ergosterol (ERG), ochratoxin A (OA) and zearalenone (ZEA) in the autumn‐saved herbage. The highest levels of concentration of these metabolites were 470.3, 1.63 and 34.9 ng g^?1 respectively. Lower ERG levels were influenced by later pre‐utilization, which is a logical consequence of the shorter period of time for field toxigenic fungi development. Pre‐utilization in August is strongly recommended as the concentration of ochratoxin A (OA) in the autumn‐saved herbage in January was the lowest (not much changed in comparison with earlier harvest). Later harvest was also affected by higher ZEA concentrations in the analysed samples, which indicates that, under conditions of prolonged pasture utilization, field toxigenic fungi (producing ZEA) increased their population and had proper weather conditions stimulating the biosynthesis of the toxin. The later suggests that the final harvest of autumn‐saved herbage should be made rather in December than in January. Higher levels of humidity influenced higher concentrations of ERG and ZEA in the autumn‐saved herbage.     

Use of a Disk Meter to Evaluate Continuously Grazed Pastures

One of the greatest difficulties in pasture research is accurately measuring quality and quantity of the vegetation. The disk meter may be used to rapidly estimate herbage mass (DM) but its validity depends on a good relationship between disk meter height (DMH) and DM. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between DMH and DM for continuously grazed pastures. Pastures of varied botanical composition were grazed by cows and calves from May through October. Paired data (DMH and DM clipped from under the disk) from seven cool season pastures were subjected to covariance analysis. Prediction equations were developed utilizing data from 2 years for different pastures and dates. Disk meter height accounted for a little over half the variability in DM (R² of 0.54 and 0.59 for years 1 and 2, respectively). Regression coefficients of DM on DMH differed between dates in both years and between pastures in one year. To accurately predict DM the disk meter must be calibrated for each pasture and date. However, the disk meter can be used where an estimate of herbage mass is required and resources are limiting.     

Management targets for continuously stocked mixed oat × annual ryegrass pasture in a no-till integrated crop–livestock system

Feeding livestock with cover crops can improve the efficiency and sustainability of integrated crop–livestock systems under no-till. However, no-till systems are based on permanent soil cover by organic material, so grazing livestock can compete for soil cover. Hence, managing stocking rates during the grazing period of the cultivated forage species is a key factor to assure enough herbage mass for maintaining long-term sustainable no-till systems. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine sward management targets for a continuously stocked mixed oat (Avena strigosa) × annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) pasture in rotation with soybean in a no-till integrated crop–livestock system to determine the optimum balance between animal production and herbage mass for soil cover. The effects of sward height management on animal performance and herbage mass covers were evaluated. Treatments corresponded to four sward heights: 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm, maintained throughout the experimental period through continuous stocking and variable stocking rate, plus a no-grazing control area. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Herbage mass and animal performance increased linearly with sward height, but weight gain per hectare decreased. Grazing efficiency fitted to a quadratic regression and conversion efficiency a logarithmic model. Equilibrium between grazing and conversion efficiencies was reached on swards managed at 20 cm, indicating that this sward height provided enough herbage mass to allow both animal performance and no-till crop demand for soil cover.     

Maximising lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) production with fixed‐length recovery intervals after defoliation in mild winter environments

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is an important temperate legume for livestock production systems. Lucerne requires a recovery period after a defoliation event so that taproot energy and nutrient stores can be replenished. A field experiment examined the effects of recovery period management following defoliation, on lucerne herbage production and nutritive value at two contrasting sites in Victoria, Australia. Sites were established at Rutherglen and Hamilton, using established SARDI Seven lucerne stands. Treatments were short recovery (SR; plots cut at 21‐day intervals), long recovery (LR; plots cut at 42‐day intervals), new shoots (NS; plots cut when new shoots from the crown were at least 2 cm long) and new shoots + flowering (NSF; as for NS but plots were left to grow to reach late flowering from late summer to mid‐autumn). At each defoliation, measurements were made of phenology, dry matter production and herbage nutrient concentrations (neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, metabolisable energy and water‐soluble carbohydrate %). Persistence was measured at approximately 6‐month intervals. At both sites, lucerne persisted equally well in all treatments although SR showed some decline at Hamilton at the final measurement. LR led to a more productive pasture (in terms of cumulative dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, metabolisable energy and water‐soluble carbohydrate %) than the three other treatments. The results indicate that phenological management systems that allow lucerne to replenish reserves through late summer and autumn are unnecessary in mild winter environments.     

用灰色关联系数法对26个苜蓿品种生产性能的综合评价

为筛选最适宜在呼和浩特地区种植的苜蓿品种,应用灰色关联度分析研究了生长在呼和浩特地区的26个国内外优良苜蓿品种的生产性能。结果表明:众多性状中株高对鲜草产量的贡献最大,其次是单株重、单枝重、茎粗、分枝数、干鲜比,而茎长和根茎粗对苜蓿生产性能影响较小。评价筛选出牧野综合性状最好,生产性能优异,其次为射手2号、润布勒、金皇后、牧歌,可广泛在该地区推广应用。     

油草混播种类对油菜生产和草地生产性能的影响

为筛选与门源油菜混播效益最高的牧草种类,解决油菜连作障碍问题,提高青藏高原高海拔区土地的生产能力。采用油菜混播箭筈豌豆、青稞和燕麦的方式,分时段取样,探究油菜混播不同牧草对在不同时段牧草自身生产能力的影响,并通过土地当量比判断各混播组合的优劣。结果表明：油菜—燕麦混播处理在7月6日时表现干重最高,单位面积达174.48 g;在7月21日表现为鲜重和鲜干比最高,在8月15日时表现为株高显著高于单作油菜(P<0.05),较单作油菜高97.02%,鲜重最高,达2817.00 g。在9月11日,油菜—青稞和油菜—燕麦混播处理的株高显著高于单作油菜(P<0.05),分别较单作油菜高64.33%和99.68%,以油菜—青稞混播处理的干重最高,达589.00 g,较单作油菜处理高147.51%。油菜—箭筈豌豆混播和油菜—燕麦混播有产量优势,油菜—燕麦混播的土地当量比最高,为1.11,土地利用效果最好。     

Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding in integrated crop–livestock systems: Effects of grazing management and crop rotation strategies

We evaluated the re-establishment of an Italian ryegrass pasture by self-seeding on a no-till integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) in the southern region of Brazil. This work is part of a long-term experimental protocol initiated in 2003. We tested the effects of various management practices, such as summer crop systems (soybean vs. maize–soybean rotation), stocking methods (continuous vs. rotational) and grazing intensities (low vs. moderate), on Italian ryegrass pasture establishment. In addition, we tested resilience of the system by testing pasture's ability to re-establish following a year without seed head production. The experiment consisted in the rotation, on the same area, of Italian ryegrass pasture grazed by sheep during the winter and up to the end of the grass production cycle, and soybean or soybean–maize grain crops rotation cultivated during the summer. The pasture established itself by self-seeding since 2005. Data were collected in 2011 and 2012 stocking season. The soybean summer crop, continuous stocking and low grazing intensity, all positively affected the production of reproductive tillers in 2011. Grazing intensity in 2011 strongly influenced early vegetative tiller densities (before crop harvest) in 2012. However, none of the grazing intensity or the stocking method treatments affected herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment in 2011 or 2012. On the other hand, the soybean summer crop positively affected pasture establishment, both in term of tiller densities and herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment. The removal of all seed heads in 2011 (preventing seed production) resulted in the total failure of pasture establishment in 2012. Overall, Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding relies on the annual replacement of the soil seed bank. This experiment demonstrated that under various stocking methods, moderate grazing intensity and maize or soybean summer crop, Italian ryegrass pasture establishment by self-seeding remains successful even when the stocking periods extended up to the end of the grass production cycle. Self-seeding with moderate grazing intensity ensures successful pasture establishment, reduces labour and costs and allows to increase the stocking period and so animal live weight gain over the grazing season.     

Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding in integrated crop-livestock systems: Effects of grazing management and crop rotation strategies

We evaluated the re-establishment of an Italian ryegrass pasture by self-seeding on a no-till integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) in the southern region of Brazil. This work is part of a long-term experimental protocol initiated in 2003. We tested the effects of various management practices, such as summer crop systems (soybean vs. maize–soybean rotation), stocking methods (continuous vs. rotational) and grazing intensities (low vs. moderate), on Italian ryegrass pasture establishment. In addition, we tested resilience of the system by testing pasture's ability to re-establish following a year without seed head production. The experiment consisted in the rotation, on the same area, of Italian ryegrass pasture grazed by sheep during the winter and up to the end of the grass production cycle, and soybean or soybean-maize grain crops rotation cultivated during the summer. The pasture established itself by self-seeding since 2005. Data were collected in 2011 and 2012 stocking season. The soybean summer crop, continuous stocking and low grazing intensity, all positively affected the production of reproductive tillers in 2011. Grazing intensity in 2011 strongly influenced early vegetative tiller densities (before crop harvest) in 2012. However, none of the grazing intensity or the stocking method treatments affected herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment in 2011 or 2012. On the other hand, the soybean summer crop positively affected pasture establishment, both in term of tiller densities and herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment. The removal of all seed heads in 2011 (preventing seed production) resulted in the total failure of pasture establishment in 2012. Overall, Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding relies on the annual replacement of the soil seed bank. This experiment demonstrated that under various stocking methods, moderate grazing intensity and maize or soybean summer crop, Italian ryegrass pasture establishment by self-seeding remains successful even when the stocking periods extended up to the end of the grass production cycle. Self-seeding with moderate grazing intensity ensures successful pasture establishment, reduces labour and costs and allows to increase the stocking period and so animal live weight gain over the grazing season.     

Productivity of Bahiagrass Pastures in South-western Japan: Synthesis of Data from Grazing Trials

This study examined the rate of herbage production and herbage quality of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) using data from five grazing trials in the low‐altitude region of Kyushu, south‐western Japan, in an effort to (a) evaluate productivity of bahiagrass pastures, (b) analyse its relationship to meteorological, vegetational and managerial variables, and (c) obtain implications for better management of bahiagrass pastures. The rate of herbage production, ranging from ?56 to 213 kg DM ha^?1 day^?1, tended to increase from spring (April–May) to mid‐summer (July) and decrease thereafter. The rate was expressed by a multiple regression equation where nitrogen fertilizer rate, air temperature, rainfall and herbage mass had positive effects. Dry matter digestibility (DMD) and crude protein (CP) concentration of herbage were in the range of 471–727 and 84–161 g kg^?1 DM respectively. DMD was expressed by a regression equation where the day number from 1 April and herbage mass had negative effects, and the sampling height and nitrogen rate had positive effects. CP concentration was expressed by an equation showing a positive effect of nitrogen rate and a negative effect of herbage mass. The results indicate that management of bahiagrass pastures should aim at maintaining herbage mass closely above the critical level below which intake by grazing animals is restricted, in order to increase quality and ensure quantity. This is particularly important when nitrogen fertilizer is applied.     

Phenotypic and genotypic variation in seed production traits within a full-sib family of meadow fescue

Phenotypic and genotypic variation for seed yield and associated traits (heading date, plant height, number of fertile tillers, 1000‐seed weight, panicle length, seed weight per panicle, fertility, flag‐leaf length and flag‐leaf width) were studied in a full‐sib family of meadow fescue using replicated clonal trials at two locations in Norway. Genotypic variances were highly significant for all traits and genotype × location interactions were significant for heading date, number of fertile tillers and seed yield. Seed yield and other seed component traits exhibited the largest genotypic variations. Heading date showed large genotype × location interaction, probably because of the very diverse origin of the two parents of the full‐sib family. Path coefficient analysis showed that panicle fertility, measured as seed weight per unit length of panicles, was by far the most important component trait contributing to seed yield, followed by the number of fertile tillers, plant height and flag‐leaf width. Flag‐leaf width and plant height had sizeable indirect effects on seed yield via panicle fertility. This is the first time that the importance of the size of the flag leaf for seed yield in herbage grasses has been demonstrated.     

农艺措施对成都平原两熟区机插超级稻长龄秧苗生长的影响

以超级稻II优602为材料,研究了播种量、播期和育秧盘类型等农艺措施对成都平原稻麦(油)两熟区机插稻长龄秧苗生长的影响。结果表明: (1)正常播期下超级稻长龄秧在播种后30~42 d,发根力虽有降低,但群体数量减少缓慢,根冠比、茎基宽度、单位苗高干重等指标均有所增加; 而播种后42~54 d,群体数量急剧减少,根冠比和单位苗高干重下降,发根力进一步降低。(2)推迟播期有利于提高苗床秧苗数量,但根冠比、单位苗高干重以及发根力等指标并无明显的提高甚至有所降低。(3)播种量为431.03~554.19 g m^-2时有利于兼顾长龄秧群体数量和个体素质。(4)当秧龄超过一定时期(播种后40 d左右)后穴盘育秧的效果更佳,无论进一步延长秧龄还是适当增加播种密度,均减缓秧苗素质和群体数量的下降。以上结果表明,在成都平原旱育方式下机插稻长龄秧的培育播期选择在4月15日左右,播种量选择431.03~554.19 g m^-2,秧龄在42 d左右,秧盘选择塑料硬穴盘为宜。     

Biomass partitioning during the life cycle of saffron (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Crocus sativus</Emphasis> L.) using regression models

In this study saffron biomass partitioning was investigated in the research station of the Saffron Research Group, University of Birjand, Iran during 2009 - 2010. Plant sampling was done 25 times during the crop growth cycle. In each sampling date, the amounts of corm dry weight, root dry weight, root length, leaf dry weight, leaf area, bud number, bud dry weight (nodes on the surface of the corm), and flower weight were measured. Finally, different regression models were tested for predicting biomass partitioning in saffron. The cubic polynomial model was found to be the best for predicting biomass changes in most saffron organs (R ² = ~74%). Total corm dry weight showed a decreasing trend up to the 120^th day of plant growth and then increased until the end of the life cycle (mid-May). However, different trends were observed for root and leaf dry weights. Root and leaf dry weight increased up to the 120^th and 150^th day of the plant growth cycle, respectively, followed then by decreasing trends. Therefore, in the early growing season, leaves and root systems were developed using mother corms reservoirs, but at the end of the growth cycle replacement corms were grown by translocation of reservoirs from other saffron organs. In addition, the number and dry weight of buds had increasing trends during 160 days of measurement from the beginning of the growing season. The total length of roots and leaf area increased up to the middle of the growth cycle (Feb. 10) and then decreased. Moreover, saffron flower yield showed a rapid increasing trend in the first phase of the flowering period and then declined with a slower trend during the second flowering phase.     

Rhodes grass breeding in Kenya. III. Seed and herbage yield in selections of four maturity classes based upon intra variety variation

Summary Selections of four maturity classes developed from within each of three commercial varieties of Rhodes grass, Mbarara, Masaba and Pokot, were assessed for yield of PGS (pure germinating seed), speed of establishment after sowing, total dry matter yield and dry matter yield under frequent clipping (persistence), over three years.The range in heading date between the selections was well outside the range of the original varieties. The best selection with the highest overall response was the early-heading selection developed out of Mbarara with a 127% gain in PGS yield, 75% gain in dry matter yield three months after sowing, 11% gain in overall dry matter yield and 17% gain in dry matter yield under frequent clipping, compared with the standard Mbarara.Mbarara entries were the best in PGS yield, herbage yield and % dry matter. Masaba entries were better in persistence, while the late-heading Pokot entries were the poorest in PGS yield, herbage yield and persistence.Within varieties, yield of PGS dropped progressively and sharply in later maturity classes, whereas dry matter yields were largely unaffected by heading date. Thus late-heading selections dropped below the standard varieties in PGS yield but remained above the standard varieties in dry matter yield.Early-heading selections were generally more persistent than late-heading selections.     

Identification of cultivars of Stylosanthes capitata Vog. by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of seed proteins

Summary A method was developed for identification of cultivars of the pasture legume, Stylosanthes capitata Vog., using electrophoretic patterns of seed proteins in polyacrylamide gels as the genotypic markers. The method can be used for accurate identification of cultivars in germplasm banks, in selecting parents for development of new varieties, and in registering new cultivars for proprietary purposes.     

基于气象适宜度指数的若尔盖湿地天然牧草产量估算模型

气象条件极大地制约着若尔盖湿地天然牧草的生长状况,为了从气候条件适宜角度评估牧草长势年景的优劣,利用若尔盖湿地天然草场牧草1983—2013年近31年(2002年缺测)牧草产量观测资料,得到能够反映光、温、水对牧草生长影响程度的气象适宜度指数,分析了若尔盖湿地天然牧草产量与气象因子之间的关系,分别建立了5月、6月和7月牧草产量气象适宜度线性和生长曲线估算模型。结果表明:所建立的牧草产量气象适宜度估算模型能够较好地模拟牧草产量的演变趋势;各月气象适宜度产量线性模型的精度普遍高于生长曲线模型;与干重模型相比,鲜重模型精度较差。受牧草产量观测资料精度的限制,6、7月牧草产量估算模型还需要进一步改进。     

Morphological and Yield Traits of Wild Legume (Tetragonolobus palaestinus Boiss) Populations

Through the process of domestication, cultivated crops have been selected from their wild ancestors for various anthropocentrically important characteristics. Tetragonolobus palaestinus Bioss is a wild grain legume species which grows naturally on the plains and hilly areas of north Jordan and neighbouring countries. In a study of agronomic and morphological traits of wild populations of T. palaestinus at two locations, the following variables were evaluated: number and dry weight of nodules per plant, plant height, number of branches and pods per plant, pod length, number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, and seed weight per plant. Positive and significant correlations between 14 pairs of variables were noted, including number and dry weight of nodules per plant, plant height, number of branches and pods per plant, pod length, and seed weight per plant. The wild populations of T. palaestinus studied here appeared to be homogenous, although some of the observed variation could have arisen from variation of the environmental conditions among locations.     

Pasture grazing intensity and presence or absence of cattle dung input and its relationships to soybean nutrition and yield in integrated crop–livestock systems under no-till

In integrated soybean–beef cattle systems, the pasture grazing intensity affects the grain crop performance in succession. In addition, the dung cattle input influences the soil nutrients distribution in the field affecting the grain crop yield. This experiment aims to evaluate the effects of winter pasture heights and cattle dung input in soybean crop performance in succession. Main soil macronutrient content, soybean plant population, dry shoot biomass, plant height, plant nutrient content, soybean yield and yield components were assessed in the 10th experimental year. The experiment was conducted in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, in a long-term integrated crop–livestock systems implemented in 2001. Treatments were arranged in a split plot design with four pasture heights (0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40 m) and two levels of dung input (with or without). For all the variables analyzed, there was no interaction between pasture heights and cattle dung input (P > 0.05). The pasture height management had only effect in soil P content, soybean dry biomass production, plant height and number of grains per pod. The increase in grazing intensity was associated to the rise in soybean plant height and dry mass production but was without effect on grain yield. The presence of grazing animals in the integrated soybean–beef cattle systems, and the resultant augmentation of dung input increased by 122% and 38% the availability of soil K and P, respectively in relation to the absence. Thus, the content of such nutrients in the plant were increased in 41% and 7%, respectively. The improvement in soybean nutrition increases the amount of pods per plant by 20%, and resulting in a 23% increase in soybean yield. These results indicate that cattle dung input resulting from grazing animals in the pasture phase increased soybean grain yield due to better plant nutrition. Although, the occurrence of cattle dung was very concentrated in some spots of the field and thus future studies should address strategies to improve spatial distribution of cattle dung input.