The assessment of persistence and its application to the evaluation of mid-season and late perennial ryegrass cultivars

Persistence assessments on eight mid-season and ten late cultivars of perennial ryegrass were made at the end of the second, third and fourth years after sowing. Botanical analyses were carried out on the herbage from plots cut in the fourth year and these results related lo the different persistence assessments. It was found that persistence assessments carried out at the end of the second year enabled predictions to be made about botanical composition of cuitivars in the fourth year. Little extra precision was gained by delaying assessment until the third or fourth years as the ranking order of cultivars with respect to persistence remained largely unchanged. All persistence assessments were positively correlated with yields of sown cultivars and negatively correlated with yields of unsown herbage species in the fourth year. However, only low correlation coefficients were obtained between persistence assessments and the total yield of sown cultivar and unsown species in the fourth year, due to yield substitution between these two components. In swards sown as monocultures low persistence in a cultivar is considered to be a lack of perenniality and tiller regeneration rather than poor competitive ability against volunteer species though in mixed swards competitive ability per se will have considerable influence upon the changes in botanical composition under different managements. Persistence and yield capacity are seen, however, as distinct characteristics of a cuitivar and long-term yield potential is a joint function of these characteristics.     

The effects of nitrogen fertilizer applied in spring on swards of ryegrass sown with four cultivars of white clover

Nitrogen fertilizer was applied at 0, 30,60 and 90 kg N ha^-1 in March 1976, 1977 and 1978 to plots containing perennial ryegrass cv. Barlenna sown either alone or with white clover cv. Blanca, Sabeda, Olwen and S100 in four replicated blocks.
Dry matter (DM) yield of all swards responded positively to N with the response being highest in the no-clover swards in two of the three years. Annual DM yields were lower in the no-clover than in the mixed swards at any given N level. The higher levels of N reduced DM yield in mixed swards at some harvests in midsummer.
Swards of S100 were consistently among the lower yielding mixed swards, whereas the other three clover cultivars varied in their relative yields. There were no N x cultivar interactions for white clover yields; irrespective of cultivar, N application reduced annual white clover yield by similar amounts.
It is concluded that it is beneficial to apply moderate amounts of N fertilizer to mixed swards in spring and that under these conditions the yield differences between swards including medium-large and smaller leaved white clover cultivars are similar to differences between the inherent yield potential of these cultivars in mixed swards receiving no N.     

THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOME GRASS SPECIES UNDER COMPETITIVE STRESS

Three experiments were carried out in a semi-controlled glasshouse environment to determine the response of individual plants to competition; (i) between seedlings of different species, (ii) between seedlings derived from seeds of differing sizes within a species, and (iii) between seedlings and established plants.
Differences were detected in seedling competitive ability between species and between plants derived from differing seed sizes. In associations of species of very high and very low competitive ability the differences in competitive ability were accentuated by an increase in plant density.
Established plants of Phalaris coerulescens were less aggressive to seedlings growing in close proximity than were plants of Lolium rigidum and H1 ryegrass. Despite the early death of established swards of L. rigidum , and the consequent removal of competitive stress, there was no rapid increase in the growth and development of seedlings in these swards. Possible mechanisms causing this effect are discussed.
There was evidence of a specific relationship between the species of the established sward and the seedling species, in particular seedlings of HI ryegrass were particularly susceptible to competition from established plants of their own species.
Dry weight per plant, tiller production, rate of leaf appearance and leaf size were ail affected by competition between seedlings; however, tiller production was generally more severely affected than rate of leaf appearance and leaf size.
Dry weight per plant, tiller production, seedling height, number of leaves per tiller and number of seeds per seedling were all affected by competition from established plants.     

Is there a tiller morphology ideotype for yield differences in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)?

The objectives of this study were to measure the variability in ‘realized’ tiller morphology and identify whether there are emergent generalizations about a tiller ideotype for productivity or survival. Morphological traits during the vegetative growth stage were measured for 2 years in the field for eight perennial ryegrass cultivars: six diploid and two tetraploid cultivars under low and high nitrogen fertilizer (50 and 225 kg N ha^?1 year^?1 respectively). Traits measured were lamina width, length and area; pseudo‐stem length and diameter; an index of tiller shape; tiller dry weight; tiller density; and herbage mass. Almost all the traits differed significantly between cultivars and significant correlations were found between the 2 years. Principal component analysis identified that tiller morphology and dry‐matter yield were independent. No trait associations indicating alternative cultivar‐specific tiller morphologies were detected but cultivars differed in tiller size. The patterns of change between the 2 years indicated a possible morphological trajectory as swards age. The genetic compensatory relationship between tiller size and density had a 1:1 slope, indicative of constant yield. This implies that larger tillers would be more leafy, and higher leafiness of tetraploid over diploid cultivars was confirmed by the leaf:non‐leaf ratio and tiller shape index.     

混播比例对热研2号柱花草和飞机草早期生长竞争能力的影响

为明确热研2号柱花草(Stylosanthes guianensis cv.Reyan No.2)与飞机草(Chromolaena odorata(L.)R.M.KingH.Robinson)生长早期的竞争关系,探索飞机草替代控制的途径和管理策略。设置总株数固定(8株),5种柱花草和飞机草分株数混播比例(柱∶飞=8∶0、6∶2、4∶4、2∶6、0∶8)盆栽试验,就各混播比例下2种植物在浇水频率1次/2 d、生长30 d的生长情况和相对竞争能力进行定量分析。结果表明:随着柱花草混播株数的减少,柱花草和飞机草的相对株高、相对平均生长速度、相对单株总生物量和总生物量分配至根、茎和叶的相对生物量均逐渐降低;但飞机草的相对根长、相对根冠比和根生物量质量分数均逐渐减小、茎生物量质量分数无显著变化、叶生物量质量分数逐渐增大,而柱花草的各对应指标反之。柱花草比例较高时(柱∶飞为6∶2)2种植物的相对产量总和显著大于1,2种植物间无种间竞争现象,4∶4和2∶6时相对产量总和均与1相比无显著差异,2种植物间存在资源竞争;混播群落中柱花草的竞争平衡指数均显著小于0,说明生长早期柱花草的相对竞争能力比飞机草弱。下一步进行生长中期、晚期竞争试验和肥力、刈割等其他因素影响试验来确定柱花草替代控制飞机草的可能性。     

Tiller size/density compensation in temperate climate grasses grown in monoculture or in intercropping systems under intermittent grazing

Oat and ryegrass intercropping in pastures is widely used in regions with subtropical climates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tiller size/density compensation mechanisms in monoculture and intercropping swards of black oats (Avena strigosa Schreb cv. IAPAR 61) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv common) under intermittent grazing. Treatments (black oat, annual ryegrass and their mixture) were assigned according to a complete randomized block design with four replicates. Ryegrass, oat and intercropped pastures were grazed when the swards reached a height of 17, 25 and 23 cm, respectively, and with a level of defoliation of 40%. The aerial biomass was determined with a rising plate meter, and the tiller population density (TPD) was estimated by counting tillers in three 10 cm diameter PVC rings per paddock. The mass per tiller was estimated based on the aerial biomass and the TPD of each paddock. Total herbage production did not differ among treatments, with values around 7400 kg DM ha^?1. TPD decreased and mass per tiller increased linearly in the monoculture treatments. Tiller size/density compensation was observed in the three plant communities (treatments) according to the self‐thinning rule. In addition, no relationships were found when each species was analysed individually in the intercrop treatment. The results suggest that species in grass mixed swards adjust their population to keep a relatively constant leaf area index (LAI) over the grazing seasons, and that would help pastures to stabilize herbage production.     

DIFFERENTIAL SURVIVAL OF CULTIVARS OF LOLIUM, DACTYLIS AND PHLEUM

A study of plant establishment showed that a considerable depletion in the size of the grass poptilation occurred during the first few months after sowing. In this experiment, two months after reseeding, the surviving grass seedlings amounted to about 20% of the viable seed sown; this figure was further reduced to about 10% before the swards were twelve months old.
In swards based on several cultivars within a species the casualty rate varied from cultivar to cultivar, and may be further modifted by manuring and management.
Evidence from older swards indicated that within a period of six years one cultivar could suppress another almost completely.
The data suggest that not only is there a strong selection pressure within a sward during its early life, but also that the environment (produced in this case by manuring and management) eternities the relative persistency and aggressiveness of the individual cultivars. This illustrates how a sward originally composed of several plant types eventually settles to a narrow range, provided the management is not varied.     

Dynamics of structural traits in two competing C3 grass species: influence of neighbours and nitrogen

This work analysed the regulatory structural mechanisms involved in the competitive interactions between the annual grass Bromus willdenowii Kunth. (BW = prairie grass) and the perennial C₃ grass Dactylis glomerata L. (DG = orchardgrass) during pasture establishment. Four combinations of species (pure BW, pure DG, DG flanked by BW and BW flanked by DG plants), with and without winter nitrogen fertilization, were factorially arranged in a randomized complete block design. Data were recorded at two organization levels: tillers (three tiller age cohorts) and target plants. Annual neighbours caused a decrease in the number of living leaves in tillers of intermediate age of both species. This structural regulatory mechanism led to a decrease in tiller number per plant and, therefore, restricted the development of horizontal space occupation. Annual neighbours did not cause an increase in tiller size, measured as lamina length or pseudostem height, but decreased root biomass. As a consequence, annual neighbours did not lead the hierarchy in light capture, but limited species radical colonization and competitive ability for soil resources. Winter nitrogen fertilization only affected tiller size in older tillers. These findings emphasize the importance of the cultural decisions, as sowing densities and nitrogen fertilization, to optimize pasture floristic composition.     

Some effects of added phosphorus on perennial ryegrass—white clover swards

The effect of applying 100kg P ha^-1 per year in the form of triple superphosphate to mixed swards of perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ) and white clover ( Trifolium repens ) was examined on a soil of low P status.
The dry matter yield of total herbage was increased by 10'/i by added P. In the year of sowing the ryegrass benefited more than the clover from added P: in the subsequent four years the two species benefited equally. Both species responded 10 added P to a similar extent in terms of leaf size; the clover responded less well than the ryegrass in terms of rate of leaf emergence. However, clover responded positively to added P in terms of stolon internode length, length of stolon per m² and number of growing points per m². It is suggested that the application of P may promote the spread of white clover within an open sward, but that its application may not enhance the competitive power of white clover when growing with vigorous grasses.     

测土配方施肥对水稻生长发育及产量形成的影响

以当地优质稻南粳5718和糯稻99-25为供试材料,根据试验地土壤养分状况,采取减氮增磷增钾的措施,即在基肥中减少氮肥,增加磷钾肥,并在追肥中降低氮肥投入,来研究测土配方施肥技术对当地水稻增产的途径和方法。结果表明,测土配方施肥技术能够通过促进水稻分蘖,提高成穗数,其中南粳5718高峰苗较常规施肥处理增加8.02%,有效茎蘖数增加5.26%,穗数增加4.89%;糯稻99-25高峰苗较常规施肥处理增加10.12%,有效茎蘖数增加4.32%,穗数增加2.34%。测土配方施肥可以提高抽穗期的叶面积指数(增幅19.47%),强化水稻的光合能力。在不影响穗粒数和结实率的情况下,测土配方施肥可以增加水稻千粒质量,从而最终提高产量。     

The effects of separated cow slurry liquor on soil and herbage nitrogen in Phalaris arundinacea and Lolium perenne

Simulated swards of reed canary grass ( Phalaris arundinacea L ) and ryegrass received applications of separated cow slurry liquor in winter, at rates up to the equivalent of 500 m³ha⁻¹. Subsequent measurement of oxidized nitrogen in the soil under the different species indicated that lower levels of soluble forms of nitrogen were found under the reed canary grass than were under the ryegrass sward. At the first harvest after liquor application, the dry weight yield of reed canary grass responded positively to increasing applications of slurry liquor, but the ryegrass sward appeared to be damaged by very high rates of application. At later harvests, yields of the two species were similar, but over the season, apparent recovery of the nitrogen applied to the swards was greater in the reed canary grass than in ryegrass, suggesting that this species could be of value in the control of losses of nutrients from livestock wastes.     

The use of frequency estimates in studying sward structure

Estimates of the frequency of absence of rooted perennial ryegrass tiller bases from concentric sampling quadrats of different sizes are recommended for characterizing the open space structure of perennial ryegrass swards. It is proposed that these estimates are useful for evaluating the persistence of grass species and cultivars in swards. Data on this aspect of sward structure could provide criteria for the productivity of a sward and thus for the need to reseed grassland.     

Persistence and colonization of gaps in sown swards of grass and clover under different sward managements

The effects of extensive sward management and patch size on the persistence and colonization of gaps in sown swards was examined by creating gaps of five different sizes (2·3, 7, 10, 14 and 19 cm in diameter) in four different sward treatments: a fertilized sward grazed to 4 cm, i.e. relatively intensive management, and three extensively managed unfertilized swards, which were not grazed or grazed to 4 cm or 8 cm. The swards were originally sown with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), but had developed differences in species composition as a result of the management treatments imposed 2 years before and during the experiment. Light quality measurements, i.e. red-far red (R/FR) ratio, were used to determine when the light environment in the gaps no longer differed from that in control, uncut patches and this was used as an estimate of gap persistence. Persistence of gaps depended on both sward management and gap size. Gaps disappeared most rapidly in the ungrazed sward and fertilized 4-cm sward, and most slowly in the unfertilized 8-cm sward. Small gaps persisted for up to 2 weeks in all but 8-cm swards, whereas larger gaps were estimated to persist for up to 20–25 weeks in unfertilized, grazed swards. There was no evidence that the number of grass or dicotyledonous species increased in the gaps compared with the control areas. There were significant positive linear relationships between the vegetation that developed in gaps and that in the control, uncut patches, reflecting the different species composition of the established sward of the grazed (grass-dominant) and ungrazed (Ranunculus repens-dominant) treatments. For total grass dry matter and tiller numbers, as well as L. perenne tiller numbers, there was a small, but significant, effect of both patch size and sward management on the slopes of the regressions between the controls and gaps. The results are discussed in relation to the potential for species composition of sown swards to change as a result of gap creation.     

Three-year field evaluation of early and late 20th century spring wheat cultivars to projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide (CO₂), along with light, water and nutrients, represents an essential resource needed for plant growth and reproduction. Projected and recent increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide may allow breeders and agronomists to begin intra-specific selection for yield traits associated with CO₂ sensitivity. However, selection for maximum yield, particularly for cereals, is continuous, and it is possible that modern cereal cultivars are, in fact, the most CO₂ sensitive. To test CO₂ responsiveness, we examined two contrasting spring wheat cultivars, Marquis and Oxen, over a 3-year period under field conditions at two different planting densities. Marquis was introduced into North America in 1903, and is taller, with greater tiller plasticity (i.e. greater variation in tiller production), smaller seed and lower harvest index relative to modern wheat cultivars. Oxen, a modern cultivar released in 1996, produces fewer tillers, and has larger seed with a higher harvest index relative to Marquis. As would be expected, under ambient CO₂ conditions, Oxen produced more seed than Marquis for all 3 years. However, at a CO₂ concentration 250 μmol mol⁻¹ above ambient (a concentration anticipated in the next 50–100 years), no differences were observed in seed yield between the two cultivars, and vegetative above ground biomass (e.g. tillers), was significantly higher for Marquis relative to Oxen in 2006 and 2007. Significant CO₂ by cultivar interaction was observed as a result of greater tiller production and an increased percentage of tillers bearing panicles for the Marquis relative to the Oxen cultivar at elevated carbon dioxide. This greater increase in tiller bearing panicles also resulted in a significant increase in harvest index for the Marquis cultivar as CO₂ increased. While preliminary, these results intimate that newer cultivars are not intrinsically more CO₂ responsive; rather, that yield sensitivity may be dependent on the availability of reproductive sinks to assimilate additional carbon. Overall, understanding and characterizing vegetative vs. reproductive sink capacity between cultivars may offer new opportunities for breeders to exploit and adapt varieties of wheat to projected increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.     

Severity of damage to Trifolium repens leaves by certain invertebrate species in mixed perennial ryegrass/white clover swards: response to cultivar, cutting frequency and sward characteristics

The severity of damage by certain invertebrate species to white clover (Trifolium repens) leaves on the main stolons of plants grown in mixed perennial ryegrass/white clover swards was examined in a field experiment in the Netherlands in which two cutting frequencies (high and low) and three white clover cultivars (Retor, Alice and Gwenda) were used. The damage to the leaves was described in terms of the numbers of damaged leaves and the extent of that damage (slight <20%, moderate 20–50% and heavy >50%). The relationships between leaf damage and sward characteristics (white clover content, above-ground biomass and sward height) were evaluated throughout the growing season. Over the whole experimental period, 23·7% and 27·4% of the total number of leaves produced per stolon were damaged by slugs and weevils in the low- and high-frequency cutting treatments respectively. High-frequency cutting increased the number of leaves in the total leaf damage and moderate leaf damage categories by 21·4% and 34·8%, respectively, compared with the low-frequency cutting. The cv. Retor (medium-leaved) experienced the most severe damage by invertebrates. It had much higher leaf damage than cvs Alice (large-leaved) and Gwenda (small-leaved) at either cutting frequency, both in the total number of damaged leaves and in the different damage categories. Differences among cultivars in the number of damaged leaves and relative leaf damage occurred primarily in spring, late summer and autumn, but did not differ during the early- and mid-summer months. This study indicates that variations in leaf damage among clover cultivars were associated with differences in measured sward characteristics. Both the number of damaged leaves and the relative leaf damage were strongly negatively correlated with white clover content and biomass in spring, late summer and autumn under each cutting treatment. White clover content and biomass explained 65%, 59% and 50% of the variation in the number of damaged leaves in spring, late summer and autumn, respectively, and 58%, 57% and 45% of the variation in relative leaf damage in these three periods. Thus, sward characteristics may play a role in regulating the severity of invertebrate damage to clover leaves in addition to the primary effects of HCN.     

油菜作绿肥还田的培肥效应及对水稻生长的影响

 为明确油菜作绿肥对稻田土壤的培肥效应及其对后季水稻生长的影响,2004-2008年在浙江富阳进行空闲 单季稻（CK）、紫云英 单季稻(T1)、油菜收获后秸秆焚烧还田（T2）和油菜盛花期还田（T3）4种模式的定位试验。研究结果表明,油菜盛花期还田（T3）能提高土壤有机质、全氮和全磷含量,培肥地力;增加稻田土壤的总孔隙度,减少容重,改善土壤物理性状;增加后季水稻生长过程中土壤的脲酶和酸性磷酸酶活性,从而提高供试水稻品种的产量,其中杂交稻内2优6号、两优培九、秀优5号表现为有效穗数增多,常规稻秀水09的每穗粒数增加;在光合生理指标上,油菜作绿肥还田后,水稻的叶面积指数、剑叶叶长、叶宽、叶绿素含量、光合速率、干物质积累量增加。研究结果还表明,油菜作绿肥还田是一种很好的稻田生物培肥新途径,能以远低于紫云英的生产成本取得类似的水稻增产效果。     

SEASONAL TILLER POPULATIONS OF GRASS AND GRASSJCLOVER SWARDS WITH AND WITHOUT IRRIGATION

The number of tillers per unit area of pure swards of S23 and S24 perennial ryegrass, S37 cocksfoot, S48 timothy and of a S23 perennial ryegrass/white clover sward, were examined at intervals of 4 weeks during a period of two years. The monthly appearance of new tillers and the death of tillers of S23 and S24 ryegrass and S48 timothy were followed for 15 months. The studies were made with and without irrigation.
The number of tillers varied with season through the year. Tiller numbers increased rapidly in late winter or early spring, and then declined until midsummer. Numbers rose again between June and August. This seasonal pattern of tiller numbers was most marked in ryegrass and timothy and least in cocksfoot. The effect of irrigation on tiller numbers was variable, and usually small in relation to the overall seasonal fluctuations in tiller numbers, but dry soil conditions could delay an increase in tiller numbers between June and August. The relationship between seasonal fluctuations in tiller number and root growth of swards is discussed.     

SOME SELECTIVE EFFECTS OPERATING ON WHITE- AND RED-CLOVER IN SWARDS

Populations of white- and red-clover were examined after they had been grown for several years in grass/clover swards. The method of sowing, nitrogen application, management and season affected the ratio of very similar clover cultivars differing specifically in the leaf mark when sown in the same mixture. The companion grass also infiuenced the proportion of legume cultivars in the sward. In addition, the mean date of emergence of a single cultivar of broad-red clover was affected by management.     

The assessment of persistence and its application to the evaluation of early perennial ryegrass cultivars

Botanical analyses were carried out on the herbage from plots of twelve early cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cut in their fourth year and the results related to visual persistence assessments carried out on the cultivars at the end of the second and third harvest years. Persistence assessments were found to be highly and positively correlated with the yields of sown cultivars (r=+0.96***,r=+0.99***) and to be highly and negatively correlated with the yields of unsown herbage species (r =+0.98***, r =?094***). The plots of the less persistent cultivars were invaded by unsown grass species and docks which contributed in varying degrees to total DM yield, reducing the correlation of total yield with persistence. Assessments of botanical composition of swards made at the end of the second year provided reliable predictions of the relative persistence of the cultivars. The results of the investigations indicated that assessment of persistence, as well as yield potential, is fundamentally important in cultivar evaluation.     

THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOME GRASS SPECIES UNDER COMPETITIVE STRESS

Two pot experiments were carried out in a semi-controlled environment to examine the response of individual plants to competitive stress in simple systems incorporating varying cutting frequencies and soil–nitrogen levels. A third experiment was set up outdoors to examine the effect of competition on individuals in an association, on the association as a whole, and to extend the controlled environment studies to a more complex model involving micro-plots.
Phalaris coerulescens , although its seedlings possessed a high competitive ability, showed a dramatic decline in competitive ability in later stages of the association, this decline being associated with extensive floral development. In micro–plots the effect of competition was so severe as to prevent the expression of seasonal growth characteristics by P. coerulescens .
Considerable inter-specific differences existed in the response to competition of leaf-area production per tiller during periods of regrowth.
Whilst P. coerulescens remained highly productive and maintained a dense tiller population in monocultures, its tiller regeneration following flowering was severely suppressed in competition with vegetative plants of HI ryegrass or Festuca arundinacea .
The number of heads produced per plant, head length and time of head emergence were all affected by competitive stress, the former response being a reflection of the relative competitive abilities at the time of floral initiation. The response of the latter two characters reflected the decline in competitive ability which occurred during later stages of the growth and development of P. coerulescens .