The Effects of Sowing Date on the Growth and Nutritive Value of Lablab purpureus

In two similar experiments, Lablab purpureus was sown at different dates in July and August to evaluate the effects of sowing date on the yield and nutritive value of the plant and shed leaves. On each occasion, an interim harvest was performed on half of the plants sown at each date and the regrowth recorded. The interim harvest reduced the total yield, and in particular that of shed leaves. In one of the two experiments, late sowing resulted in a considerable reduction in yield, increased crude protein and reduced modified acid-detergent fibre concentrations. Ash concentrations were higher in plants sown later and their shed leaves. Sodium concentrations were inadequate for ruminants and, like phosphorus concentrations, tended to decrease with later sowing. However, both calcium and magnesium concentrations increased with later sowing and were sufficient for ruminant production. Potassium concentrations were high and were little affected by sowing date. It is concluded that both an interim harvest and late sowing are disadvantageous when lablab is grown for ruminant livestock, the former because of yield reduction and the latter because of yield reduction, increases in ash concentration and reductions in sodium and phosphorus concentrations.     

The Effects of Plant Population Density on the Growth and Chemical Composition of Lablab purpureus Grown for Fodder Production in a Semi-Arid Region

Lablab purpureus was grown in two 6-month field experiments in the Savannah region of Africa, with high rainfall and hot temperatures in the first 2 months, followed by low rainfall and cool temperatures until harvesting in January. The experiments evaluated the effects of plant population density (PPD), using rows at 70-, 110- and 150-cm intervals, on the yield and nutritive value of the crop, and the effect of an interim harvest on response to PPD. Lablab yield ha⁻¹ was increased to a greater extent by an increase in PPD from 110 to 70 cm interrow spacing than by an increase from 150 to 110 cm, and yield plant⁻¹ decreased as PPD increased to a greater extent for double-harvested than for single-harvested plants. This suggested that high PPD in the early stages of growth is important to promote high crop yields in this environment, probably because it mitigates drought effects in autumn. The effects of PPD on herbage composition were small and suggested that plant maturity had not been greatly affected by density. It is concluded that the maintenance of plant cover in the early stages of growth is important for high yields in the Savannah region, which can be achieved by an interrow spacing of no more than 70 cm and avoidance of an interim harvest.     

The Effect of Intercropping Lablab purpureus L. with Sorghum on Yield and Chemical Composition of Fodder

In two years the growth and composition of mixtures of sorghum with Lablab purpureus as strips, paired rows and alternate rows were compared with those of sorghum and lablab monocrops. In the first year, when sowing did not occur until 7 August, the sorghum yields were low in the monocrop and even less in the mixed crops. Lablab yield was also reduced in mixtures compared with the monocrop, but total forage yield was greater for the mixed crops compared with sorghum alone. Of the mixed cropping systems, a reduction in the yield of lablab plants and in the phosphorus and potassium content of shed lablab leaves in paired rows suggested that there was more competition for nutrients between lablab plants grown in this treatment. In the second year, earlier sowing increased sorghum growth at the expense of lablab yield in the mixed cropping systems, with the result that total forage yield was not increased when sorghum was intercropped with lablab. However, the crude protein content of sorghum stems and leaf yield were increased in mixed crops, particularly in paired and alternate rows rather than strips, demonstrating that close configuration of the legume and cereal are necessary for the cereal to obtain most benefit from nitrogen fixed by the legume. It is concluded that, when conditions are favourable for rapid sorghum and lablab growth, the sorghum will benefit more when it is grown in paired rows with lablab rather than in strips. However, the close spacing normally adopted for paired rows may encourage competition between lablab plants and increase the requirements for phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.     

Genetic variation, heritability and genetic correlations for forage quality and yield traits of Mediterranean tall fescue germplasm

Higher ruminant intake potential and in vivo digestibility as indicated by lower neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDF and ADF), respectively, and higher crude protein (CP), may be valuable targets in tall fescue breeding. Some 105 full‐sib families from a diallel cross of Mediterranean parent germplasm were grown in a heated greenhouse simulating the temperature pattern of a Mediterranean environment, to estimate genetic parameters for NDF, ADF, CP and dry matter (DM) yield in one autumn and one winter harvest. Family x harvest interaction was large for NDF and ADF, moderate for CP and absent for DM yield. Additive genetic variance was mostly larger than specific genetic variance, and tended to be small for quality traits and large for DM yield. Narrow‐sense heritability was low for CP and ADF in autumn and moderate to fairly high in the remaining cases. Predicted gains per selection cycle never exceeded 5% for quality traits while being greater than 10% for DM yield. An inverse genetic correlation between DM yield and any quality trait emerged in the presence of sizeable genetic variation.     

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Date of Utilization on the Quality and Yield of Tall Fescue in Winter

There is no information available on the influence of nitrogen (N) fertilization on autumn‐accumulated forage under Central European conditions. In this context, the metabolizable energy and the degree of fungal infection have never been examined before. In this study, the effects of the amount of N fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha^?1), the date of N application (July and August) and the date of winter harvest (December, January and February) on the quality and dry matter (DM) yield of Festuca arundinacea stands in winter were investigated. DM yield, the metabolizable energy and digestibility of organic matter (= in vitro rumen fermentation technique), crude protein, ADL (acid detergent lignin), and for the first time ergosterol were determined. Disregarding the 0 variant, no interactions of any relevance were present. DM yield, crude protein and values of ADL increased with increasing amounts of N, but the concentration of energy decreased. The late N application resulted mostly in lower DM yields but kept the forage physiologically younger, which brought about higher levels of metabolizable energy and lower concentrations of ADL. With later date of harvest, losses of mass and quality occurred. The degree of fungal infection rose as the amount of N fertilizer increased. Three years of investigation under different weather conditions, including interactions with the effects of N fertilization, provide a good base for generalization.     

Changes induced by defoliation in the yield and digestibility of leaves and stems of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) during reproductive development

Ten identical perennial ryegrass plots (cv. Frances) were sequentially harvested for first cut silage at 7 day intervals, with second cuts after 6 weeks regrowth and further cuts until the growing season ended. Total herbage dry matter and digestible organic matter yields increased and digestibility decreased with delayed cutting, as was expected. The opposite and counterbalancing response occurred at the second cut. This pattern of yield change was mirrored by changes in the amount of stem tissue, whereas leaf yield did not change significantly at the first harvest but declined at the second, in response to delayed cutting. Furthermore, stem digestibility declined at the first cycle of harvests from ca. 75 to 62–64% in the most delayed cutting treatments. In contrast, leaf digestibility remained high (ca. 70%) until after seed-head emergence but then decreased rapidly to ca. 56%. This decline may have been associated with accelerated leaf senescence and redistribution of assimilates, though this needs to be examined. It was concluded that although manipulating first harvest date determined the proportioning of yield and digestibility in the first and second cuts, the observation that the combined yield and digestibility in these two harvests did not vary substantially is an important result for farming practice.     

The effect of seed weight and coleoptile tiller development on seedling vigour in tall fescue,Festuca arundinaceaSchreb.

Summary Two characters, previously shown to influence the rate of seedling growth in tall fescue, were studied in detail in three distinct populations as part of a programme to improve seedling vigour in the species. The effect of seed weight was found to be confined to the very early stages of growth and was apparent in seedling dry matter yield but not in tiller number. The development of a tiller in the axil of the coleoptile, which varied significantly between populations, had a far greater and more permanent effect both in terms of dry matter yield and tiller number. The increase in tiller number attributable to the coleoptile tiller and its derivatives increased geometrically in step with the total tiller number, so that the intitial difference of 28% in the first harvest remained practically unchanged in the subsequent three harvests. Similarly, the percentage difference in dry matter yield between plants with and without a coleoptile tiller remained more or less constant at about 22% from the second harvest onwards.It is concluded that the development of a coleoptile tiller may prove to be a useful selection criterion in the breeding of this species.     

Intercropping Maize with Climbing Beans, Cowpeas and Velvet Beans

When one of the crops is a legume, intercropping has potential to reduce fertilizer nitrogen (N) needs and increase food quality. Total dry matter (DM) and grain yields of different plant populations of intercropped maize ( Zea mays L.) and climbing beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.), or velvet beans ( Mucuna pruriens [L.] DC. var utilis [Wight] Bruck.) were compared in two experiments. Maize populations were 40,400 and 50,500 plants ha⁻¹ in combination with climbing bean populations of 0, 20,200, 40,400 and 80,800 plants ha⁻¹ in Experiment 1. In the second experiment, climbing beans, cowpeas and velvet beans at 215,200 plants ha⁻¹ were intercropped with maize at 64,600 plants ha⁻¹. Climbing beans contributed up to 5% to total DM yields in the first experiment. In the second experiment legume contributions to total DM were 20% for climbing beans, 12% for cowpeas and 8% for velvet beans. Increasing populations of maize and climbing beans increased grain and DM yields. Dry matter yield of maize was lowered by intercropping. However, DM yields of the intercrop were not different to maize sole cropped. Maize/cowpeas produced more total DM than maize/climbing beans. Cowpeas increased the total yield of crude protein by over 15% without lowering total DM yield of the intercrop compared to maize alone and are promising as a legume for intercropping with maize. Climbing beans show little promise as a possible legume for intercropping with maize.     

Yield and Forage Quality of Different ×Festulolium Cultivars in Winter

×Festulolium ssp. are of particular interest as autumn‐saved herbage in the winter grazing system, but information concerning their performance in this low‐input system is not available. To this end, we examined dry matter (DM) yield and forage quality in winter of four different cultivars of ×Festulolium ssp. (×Festulolium pabulare, Festulolium braunii), either with festucoid or loloid attributes, compared with Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Furthermore, pre‐utilization (accumulation since June or July) and date of winter harvest (December or January) were varied examining the influence of different sward management. DM yield, crude protein, metabolizable energy (ME) (in vitro rumen fermentation technique), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ergosterol concentration were determined. Within all years, the festucoid cultivars (mean 3.4 t ha^?1) attained significant higher yields during winter than the loloid cultivars (mean 1.6 t ha^?1), but their yields were comparable with F. arundinacea (mean 3.0 t ha^?1). Crude protein was decisively influenced by the different yield levels of the cultivars resulting in higher values for the loloid cultivars. Energy concentrations decreased with later winter harvest, whereas ADF as well as ergosterol concentrations frequently increased from December to January. The greatest differences between festucoid and loloid cultivars were generally observed during severe winters. Obviously, the festucoid cultivars were better adapted to a utilization as autumn‐saved herbage than the cultivars with rather loloid attributes. However, the hybrids did not surpass F. arundinacea regarding yield and quality.     

种植密度对不同类型玉米青贮产量和营养价值的影响

为明确不同类型青贮玉米在临沂地区最佳种植密度,设置了4个密度梯度（60 000、75 000、90 000、105 000株/hm ²）,研究种植密度对专用型青贮玉米雅玉8号和粮饲兼用型玉米登海605饲用产量和营养价值的影响。结果表明：密度对不同类型青贮玉米鲜草、干草产量影响显著,密度增加,青贮玉米鲜草产量和干草产量均先增加后减少,在密度75 000株/hm ²时均获得最高鲜草、干草产量。密度对不同类型青贮玉米粗脂肪、粗灰分、酸性洗涤纤维含量和子粒产量、粗蛋白产量、粗脂肪产量、可消化干物质、相对饲喂价值、无氮浸出物含量和总能量影响显著,密度增加,雅玉8号粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量和可消化干物质、干物质采食量、相对饲喂价值和无氮浸出物含量下降,粗灰分、中性洗涤纤维和酸性洗涤纤维含量呈上升趋势,子粒产量、粗蛋白、粗脂肪产量和总能量先增加后减少,在密度75 000株/hm ²均获得最高子粒、粗蛋白、粗脂肪产量。从饲料总能量来说,专用型青贮玉米雅玉8号和粮饲兼用型玉米登海605在山东临沂地区饲用的最佳种植密度均为75 000株/hm ²。     

Defoliation Regime Effects on Accumulated Season-long Herbage Yield and Quality in Boreal Grassland

Within boreal grasslands, little information exists on the effects of initial defoliation date, frequency, and intensity on accumulated herbage yield and quality. We investigated the effects of initial defoliation in May, June or July, at heights of 5, 10 or 15 cm, and repeated at 2‐, 4‐ or 6‐week intervals throughout the growing season. Harvested material was combined with year‐end residual biomass, and examined for herbage removed, crude protein (CP), crude protein yield (CPY) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF). Compared to single defoliated check plots, total, grass and forb dry matter (DM) yields were lower under repeated defoliation by 25, 38 and 17 %, respectively. The majority of total herbage produced was harvested in the spring clipping. Total, grass and forb DM yields peaked under moderate (10 cm) clipping. Total DM and grass biomass were maximized with long (6 week) recovery periods. In contrast, forb biomass was greatest with May defoliation followed by a 4‐week interval. While maximum grass CPY was found under 10‐cm defoliation, forb CPY peaked with early and moderate to intensive defoliation. These results indicate that season‐long herbage biomass, along with CPY, can be maximized in boreal grasslands through controlled defoliation.     

Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Timing Effect on Bread Wheat Protein in Eastern Canada

Nitrogen management for production of bread quality wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) in eastern Canada has received little research attention. An experiment was conducted for 2 years at each of two sites in Québec to study the effect of level and timing of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application on grain protein concentration, protein content per seed, non-protein seed dry matter, grain protein yield and nitrogen harvest index (portion of plant N in the grain) of four hard red spring wheat cultivars known to have potential as bread wheats in eastern Canada. The soil types were Bearbroock clay (fine, mixed, non-acid, frigid, Humaquept) and Ste-Rosalie clay (typic, non-acid, frigid, Humaquept). The experiment was a 4 × 4 × 2 factorial. Four cultivars were used: Columbus, Katepwa, Max and Hege 155–85. In both years 0, 60, 120 and 180 kg Nha⁻¹ were applied either all at seeding or 60 % at seeding and 40 % at heading. Grain protein concentration and grain protein yield increased consistently with increasing N fertilizer and with split N application. Nitrogen harvest index was not increased by increasing applications of N fertilizer. Protein content per seed was more critical in determining grain protein concentration than non-protein seed dry matter content. The western Canadian cultivars Columbus and Katepwa generally had greater grain protein concentration than the European cultivars Max and Hege 155–85, With reasonable N fertility the grain protein concentration of spring wheats grown in eastern Canada are sufficient for bread production.     

北京地区中苜一号苜蓿年内草产量及品质分析

2002年在北京农学院农学试验站内对紫花苜蓿中苜一号各茬的株高、干草产量、粗蛋白含量的变化进行了分析。结果表明中苜一号紫花苜蓿全年干草总产量9582.3kg/hm2,第二茬与第一茬和第三茬的干草产量和株高存在显著差异。中苜一号苜蓿年内各茬粗蛋白含量依次是19.82%、11.70%和21.14%,第二茬与第一、三茬的粗蛋白含量差异达显著水平,除第二茬苜蓿等级评价为中等外,其余两茬都为上等。苜蓿加工调制的方法不同,也会影响其营养物质的含量。     

The Nutritive Value and Yield of Alfalfa Cultivated on Sulphur Postmining Lands

The study was carried out on the reclaimed lands of a bore-hole sulphur mine. The cropping of two succeeding cuts of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was determined and its chemical composition was analyzed. Alfalfa was cultivated on waste lime (flotation tailings), enriched with a humus layer. The levels of basic nutrients, total S, total F, Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe and Mn were determined in alfalfa. The biomass of an average crop was 6830 kg  ha^–1 in the first cut and 14300 kg  ha^–1 in the second one. The yields of dry matter as well as of crude and true proteins were positively correlated with the phosphorus level in the dry matter of alfalfa (P < 0.01). The level of total sulphur was positively linearly correlated with the phosphorus content (P < 0.01). No harmful accumulation of sulphur or fluoride was observed. A deficiency of phosphorus in alfalfa and an abnormal Ca:P weight ratio was found. The S total level was positively correlated with N total concentration. (P < 0.01). The percentage of true protein in crude protein was negatively correlated with total sulphur (P < 0.01). The level of nonprotein nitrogen compounds was positively correlated with S total level (P < 0.01).     

Evaluation of the Forage Potentials of Pearl Millet in a Semi-arid Tropical Environment

The pastures and rangelands of the semi-arid region of Nigeria wherein is the bulk of the livestock in the country, provide sufficient nutrients for livestock for no more than three to five months of the year. There is therefore need to have high yielding and good quality forages to ensure adequate all-year-round forage supply for the livestock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage potentials of pearl millet ( Pennistetum americanum [L.] K. Schum.) which is well adapted to the region. Twenty cultivars were evaluated for their growth, forage yield and mineral content potentials.
The cultivars were significantly different in the number of leaves per plant, plant height, dry matter yield and potassium content in each cutting. Differences in crude protein and crude fibre contents were significant only between cuttings. Variations in crude protein and crude fibre contents ranged from 14.1 to 20.3 % and from 28 to 30.8 %, respectively. Cultivars had a progressive dimunition in growth, yield and mineral content potentials after the first or second cutting. Pearl millet therefore seems less suited to forage production in the semi-arid region of Nigeria since no cultivar showed the potentials for adequate supply of all-year-round forage.     

采收时期对鲜食糯玉米品质和产量的影响

以国审郑白糯918糯玉米品种为研究对象,分3个采收时期研究了采收时期不同对糯玉米品质和产量的影响。研究结果表明：采收时期不同,对鲜食糯玉米籽粒主要营养组分含量和微量元素含量影响较大,对鲜穗产量影响较小。粗蛋白含量随着采收时期的推迟含量先下降后上升,总体表现为降低;粗脂肪和粗淀粉含量是随着授粉天数的增加而逐渐增加;赖氨酸含量和可溶性总糖的含量随着采收期的推迟逐渐降低;铁含量随着采收期推迟含量先上升后下降;镁含量随着采收期推迟含量先下降后上升,总体表现为下降;钙含量随着采收期的推迟逐渐降低。     

A plant ideotype for Bromus inermis Leyss. in Western Canada

Summary This study relates the yield of two harvests of Bromus inermis Leyss. to tiller type and morphology. Tillers were classified as being nonelongated, elongated and headed. At four times during the growing season, observations were made of tiller density; individual tiller weight; leaf number, area and weight; stem length, area and weight; leaf to stem ratio; specific leaf weight; head area and weight.Results showed that there was a pattern of tiller control over yield which was different for each of the two harvests. Stem characters contribute more to yield than leaves. Growth, early in the season, had a prominent effect on yield of the first harvest and also influenced the second harvest. Height at the time of each harvest was highly predictive of yield of the respective harvests. A morphological ideotype for bromegrass harvested twice in a season was described.     

Nitrogen uptake and nitrogen harvest index in durum wheat cultivars varying in their grain protein concentration

Summary In a field experiment, plant (excluding roots) and grain nitrogen at harvest were estimated in 15 durum wheat cultivars varying in their grain protein concentration. They showed significant variation in grain yield, grain protein concentration, biological yield, total plant nitrogen at harvest and residual nitrogen in straw. Harvest index and nitrogen harvest index were calculated from this primary data. Nitrogen harvest index varied from 57 to 83%. Plant nitrogen showed significant positive correlation with biological yield, grain yield and grain protein yield, but the correlations with grain protein concentration, harvest index and nitrogen harvest index were not significant. Nitrogen harvest index was positively correlated with harvest index indicating that the distribution of N between straw and grain to a large extent, but not entirely, depends upon the partitioning of dry matter between the two. Grain protein concentration was neither correlated significantly to plant nitrogen nor to nitrogen harvest index.     

Effect of Nitrogen Rate and Stubble Height on Dry Matter Yield,Crude Protein Content and Crude Protein Yield of a Sorghum–Sudangrass Hybrid[Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf.] in the Three‐Cutting System

In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) rate (60, 120, 180 and 240 kg N ha^?1 applied in three equal dressings at seeding and after the first and second cuttings) and stubble height (7, 14 and 21 cm) on the dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) content, and CP yield of a sorghum–sudangrass hybrid [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf., cv. Pioneer 988] in the three‐cut system was investigated. The N rate had no significant effect in the first and third cuttings, but in the second cutting DM yields increased significantly with increase in N rate. The highest yield of 9.1 t ha^?1 was obtained with 80 kg N ha^?1 for the average of 2 years at the second cutting, but no significant difference was found among the 40, 60 and 80 kg N ha^?1 rates. CP content and yield were not significantly affected by N rate at the first and third cuttings, but CP content and yield were significantly affected by application of N at the second cutting. Stubble height had a significant effect on CP content at the third cutting. However, it had no significant effect on CP content at the first and second cuttings. Stubble height had a significant effect on the CP yield at the first cutting, but no significant effect on CP yield at the second and third cuttings.     

刈割期与晾晒天数对饲料油菜产量和粗蛋白含量及水分的影响

为了明确长三角地区饲料油菜适宜收获期与晾晒时间,2016-2018年连续2年开展田间试验,终花至角果期刈割5次并于田间晾晒,比较不同刈割期和晾晒天数下饲草产量、粗蛋白含量及水分变化差异。结果表明,与首次刈割（终花期）相比,终花后4到16d刈割饲草鲜重显著增加,饲草干重分别提高了31.93%、41.50%、49.14%和61.43%。随着刈割时间延迟,饲草粗蛋白含量呈下降趋势,末次刈割饲草含水量显著降低（P<0.05）。油菜终花后4d刈割,并于田间晾晒第4和5天时,其鲜草含水量由82.16%下降为71.45%和65.26%。不考虑刈割期,田间原位晾晒3d,平均鲜草含水量由81.00%下降至66.30%。晾晒期间土壤累积温度每增加10°C,鲜草含水量降低2.30%。由此,长三角地区稻茬油菜在终花后4d刈割,饲草鲜产和粗蛋白含量均能达到较优水平,刈割后田间原位晾晒4~5d,可满足青贮水分要求。