A COMPARISON OF LUCERNE VARIETIES IN SOUTH-WEST SCOTLAND

Five early, three mid-season and two late varieties of lucerne were grown in drills in a replicated plot experiment at the Hannah Dairy Research Institute in south-west Scotland in the period 1956–59, inclusive. The lucerne was cut three times each year after the year of establishment (1956).
Average yields were 10,200 lb. of dry matter and 1970 lb. of crude protein per acre in the first harvest year, but declined rapidly to 6290 lb. of dry matter and 1190 lb. of crude protein per acre in the third year. On average, the early types of lucerne gave the highest yields of dry matter and crude protein. Over the three harvest years of the experiment, Flandria was the highest yielding variety and New Zealand B the lowest. The distribution of dry-matter yields averaged over all varieties was 44, 29 and 27% for cuts 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
The crude-protein content of the herbage from all the varieties was high, 63% of the values being greater than 19%. Grimm, a late variety, had the highest crude-protein content.
With all varieties tiller density declined rapidly from the first to the second harvest year, but increased again at the third harvest year.
11–34% of the total yield of dry matter in the second harvest year consisted of weed grasses, but this was reduced in the following year by spraying the plots with Dowpon, a selective herbicide.     

Influence of initial cutting date and cutting frequency on yield and quality of star, elephant and Guinea grasses

Two experiments were conducted to estimate the influence of initial cutting dates in March and April and of cutting frequencies on Guinea grass, elephant grass and star grass productivity. Increasing delay in date of first cut in the season resulted in a progressive increase in dry-matter yield. 72–81% of the tiller population at any cut were vegetative and this helped to maintain good aftermath yield for each date of first cut. Early April cuts gave the highest dry-matter yield and early March the least.
Harvesting frequencies affected the sward productivity such that the annual dry matter yield increased with increasing harvesting interval from 6800 kg ha^-1 for a 3-week interval to 13,000 kg ha^-1 for a 10-week interval. The proportion of green leaf in the dry matter dropped from 57·7% at 3-week intervals to 32·0% at 10-week intervals. Seasonal effects showed that potential yield was reduced by a short interval between harvests early in the season but not late in the season. Species differences in quality and in the harvesting interval that gave the maximum yields were noted. These results are discussed in relation to management of the sward throughout the growing season.     

THE RELATIVE EFFECT OF FREQUENCY AND TIME OF CUTTING LUCERNE

Eight varieties of lucerne were compared under three cutting schedules for two years. Yield comparisons of early and late types subjected to different cutting treatments gave significant interactions and indicated that their behaviour was not identical in each treatment. With one exception the late types compared unfavourably with the early, so that the latter appear more flexible in their management requirements.
The percentage of leaf and of crude protein showed significant positive correlations; these were most pronounced in the individual cuts.     

LUCERNE STRAIN TRIAL

French, Canadian, U.S.A., German and New-Zealand lucerne strains were compared in a trial under four different cutting treatments from 1951 to 1955 in north-west Norfolk. The French strains W.268 and Du Puits produced the highest yields of dry matter and crude protein, followed by Ile de France, Provence, New Zealand's Marlborough and Germany's Old Franconian Blue and Old Franconian Motley. Rhizoma was the only Canadian strain which produced a high yield of crude protein. The rest of the Canadian and all the U.S.A. strains were inferior yielders compared with those from France. W.268 and Du Puits gave the best relative distribution of dry-matter yield over the season. The highest yield of crude protein and the best distribution of dry-matter and crude-protein yields over the season was given when the first cut was taken at the bud stage and the second cut at 25% flower stage. Cutting treatments with the first cuts taken at the bud stage (early) depressed the growth of weeds more efficiently than cutting treatments with the first cuts taken at the 25% flower stage. Yearly fluctuations in yields over the period of four years were moderate; the majority of strains maintained a high yield into the fifth year.     

THE YIELDS OF LUCERNE VARIETIES IN WEST WALES

Nine varieties of lucerne were grown at the Welsh Plant Breeding Station in broadcast plots, without a companion grass, and three cuts of each variety were taken each year for three years.
None of the newer varieties significantly outyielded the control variety Du Puits, although Alfa and G.P.R.l. produced 6% and 4% more dry matter. Cardinal gave a similar yield to the control; Omega and G.P.R.2 produced considerably less. A new late variety AF1 yielded 8% less dry matter than Du Puits but was equal to it in yield of crude protein. Vernal and Provence were very markedly inferior to all other varieties.
The average yields of the lucerne fraction were 5910, 11,850 and 10,160 Ib/acre in the first, second and third harvest years. Unsown grass contributed from one-half to one ton per acre per annum, in inverse proportion to yield of lucerne; the contribution was greatest in the first cut, but was negligible in the last two cuts.
Data were also collected on susceptibility to leaf spot ( Pseudopeziza medicaginis ) and on plant counts.     

No relationship between leaf size and yield in medium leaf size white clover varieties under rotational sheep grazing and cutting

Nine medium leaf size varieties of white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) were grown in field plots with perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne L.) variety Fennema, and yield measurements were taken under both cutting and rotational sheep grazing. The sampling and management protocols in the cut plots mirrored those for the National List testing of white clover varieties in the UK. Dry-matter yields of the white clover and perennial ryegrass components of the mixture were recorded for six cuts in each of three harvest years. White clover yields were highest under cutting, perennial ryegrass yields under grazing. Significant differences were seen between the yields of white clover varieties, and significant interactions between white clover yields and management type were also observed. This interaction effect was not seen with respect to perennial ryegrass yields. No correlation was observed between leaf size and white clover dry-matter yield under either management type. The results suggest that leaf size, on the scale of variation represented within a leaf size category, is not a good predictor of yield under rotational sheep grazing or cutting. The significance of these results for varietal evaluation and for ascertaining the underlying bases for yield differences is discussed.     

SYSTEMATIC TESTING OF QUALITY IN GRASS VARIETIES

Methods of testing grass varieties are discussed and the efifects of differences in management and of nitrogen fertilizer on quality are shown. In a grazing-management system with 9 cuts per season, cocksfoot was higher than perennial ryegrass in protein and fibre and lower in soluble-carbohydrate content and in vitro dry-matter digestibility throughout the season. All species showed the lowest value for digestibility in August.
Curves for digestibility in primary growth were plotted for 4 varieties of ryegrass for leaf and stem fractions. The tetraploid variety Reveille was slightly more digestible than S24 in leaf and stem throughout the period, while at ear emergence S23 was lower in digestibility in both fractions than S24.
There were significant differenees in composition and digestibility between experimental centres, but relative differences between varieties were consistent. The level of N fertilizer did not materially alter the comparison between varieties in quality data.     

APPLICATIONS OF THE TWO-STAGE IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY METHOD TO VARIETY TESTING

The in vitro digestibility method described by Tilley and Terry (5) has been applied to varieties of kale, rape, flat poll cabbage, clover, lucerne and silage maize in trials at the National Institute of Agricultural Botany. Several small modifications of the method are described. The method was developed originally for grass and had not previously been used for the brassicas and maize. Steps taken to check in vitro against in vivo results are described briefly in the appendix.
The digestible dry-matter content of the leaf in kale and rape was constant at about 80% but that of the stem varied over a wide range. Varietal differences were found, while a significant negative correlation was established between digestible dry matter and crude fibre. Some difficulties were encountered in applying the method to maize.     

THE RELATIVE PALATABILITY OF VARIOUS VARIETIES OF WEEPING LOVEGRASS (ERAGROSTIS CURVULA (SCHRAD) NEES)

It has been found for pasture purposes that the numerous varieties belonging to the species Eragrostis curvula can be grouped into types for which the names curvula, robusta blue, robusta green, robusta intermediate and chloromelas are proposed.
The relative palatability of 20 varieties of E. curvula , and 1 variety of E. plana, Chloris gayana and Digitaria smutsii were compared with one another. Chloris and Digitaria were found to be the most palatable. Of the Eragrostis varieties studied, the robusta green, robusta intermediate and robusta blue were the most palatable, chloromelas varieties and E. plana being intermediate and the curvula varieties the least palatable.
The grasses with the highest phosphate and potash contents were also those most acceptable to livestock. Results obtained from analyses suggested that crude fibre had little bearing on palatability.
The more acceptable grasses were also the more succulent.
No relationship between leaf structure and livestock preference could be demonstrated.     

In vitro digestibility of green lamina of cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) in relation to water deficit

The effect of water deficit on in vitro dry-matter digestibility (IVDMD) of green lamina of cocksfoot ( Dactylis glomerata ) was investigated over a 6-week period following a cut. Two levels of water deficit were compared with a well-irrigated sward. The leaf water potentials were –10·3, –7·6, –1·9 bars, respectively, for the three treatments. For the last 25 d of the regrowth period, the IVDMD of green laminae decreased significantly faster on the well-watered (–0·11) than on the treatments that were subjected to a water deficit (from –0·036 to –0·068). This difference was associated with a smaller drop in the leaf appearance rate and a greater increase in the length of the successively emerging leaves on the well-watered than on the two water-stressed treatments. Overall, the IVDMD showed greater correlation with the average leaf insertion level on a tiller than the sampling date. In the range of water stress observed, the IVDMD increased in relation to a delay of the normal onto-genetical drift.     

THE GROWTH OF VARIETIES OF PERENNIAL RYEGRASS IN THE SEEDING YEAR

These studies showed that in the first autumn the capacity for soil establishment of different varieties of perennial ryegrass was connected with seed size. On one of two experimental fields, shoot production in the early stages was found to be positively correlated with seed size. The rate of tillering was initially similar for all varieties, but by January or February, the pasture varieties had the highest tiller numbers. However, shoot weights at this time differed very little from variety to variety. Tillering virtually ceased during December and January and started again in February.
The yields obtained from the five varieties in spring, when cut with an autoscythe. differed greatly despite the similar shoot weights of individual plants. It is suggested that the spring growth in pasture varieties is largely below cutting level.     

Some effects of herbage composition, as influenced by previous grazing management, on milk production by cows grazing on ryegrass/white clover pastures. 2. Milk production in late spring/summer: effects of grazing intensity during the preceding spring period

Three experiments (2a, 2b and 2c) were carried out to examine the effects of different grazing intensities imposed during spring on subsequent herbage composition and milk production measured in summer.
Increased intensity of grazing imposed during spring (including the period of reproductive development in ryegrasses) produced swards in early summer with lower pre-grazing herbage masses, which contained higher concentrations of green leaf, clover and digestible nutrients, but lower concentrations of grass stem and senescent material.
In the first and second experiment cows were given a common daily allowance of total herbage dry matter (DM). The cows grazing on low-mass swards in early summer produced larger daily yields of milk, fat and protein than those grazing on the high-mass swards.
In the third experiment, cows were given a common daily allowance of green leaf DM from three swards which differed in pre-grazing herbage mass and in herbage composition. The allowances of total DM required differed widely between the treatments. There were no significant differences in milk yields between the swards despite the large differences in herbage composition.
The practical implications of these results are discussed.     

Effect of spring defoliation pattern on the mid‐season production and morphology of swards of perennial ryegrass cultivars of different maturity

The effect of three spring management treatments on the vertical distribution of dry‐matter (DM) yield and morphology of four cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Fennema, Corbet, Foxtrot, Melle) in mid‐season was investigated. The management treatments commenced with cuts on 15 February (Early), 1 March (Medium) and 29 March (Late), each followed by a 28‐day re‐growth period until the next cut and then further 21‐day re‐growth periods after each subsequent cut. This created four mid‐season measurement periods across the management treatments at cut 3 (5 April–17 May), cut 5 (17 May–28 June), cut 6 (7 June–19 July) and cut 7 (28 June–9 August). Tiller and sheath height and their ratio, and leaf lamina length, were measured prior to the four mid‐season cuts (cuts 3, 5, 6 and 7) when measurements of DM yield and proportions of leaf, stem and dead material in three herbage horizons (Lower, 0–8 cm; Middle, 8–15 cm; Upper, >15 cm) were made. There were significant responses in mid‐season to the management treatments involved complex interactions between management treatment and cutting date, which modified seasonal patterns in DM yield and leaf:stem ratio. There were significantly greater tiller heights, tiller:sheath ratios and leaf lamina lengths but lower sheath heights from the Early to Late management treatments. The greatest responses in morphological characteristics occurred in the Middle horizon compared with either the Lower (predominately stem and pseudo‐stem), or the Upper (predominately leafy) horizons. Distribution of DM yield between Middle and Lower horizons but not overall DM yields was significantly affected by management treatment. Morphological differences between cultivars were mostly in the Middle horizon and ranking of the cultivars was similar across the management treatments. The different responses of cultivars Fennema and Melle showed that genotype had a significant effect regardless of management. The leafiest mid‐season swards were achieved by delaying initial spring defoliation in the cultivar which had the lowest stem production.     

Triticale and other small grain cereals for forage and grain in Mediterranean conditions

In field experiments conducted over 2 years, triticale was compared with barley, bread wheat and oats for its dual-purpose (forage and grain) capability.
The effect of spring forage removal on grain yield ranged from small yield increases (in the triticale and barley genotypes that otherwise lodged) to a 53% decrease, and was dependent on species, genotype, stage of development when cut, and time for recovery before grain harvest. A key factor influencing grain yield after early cutting was the number of spikes that developed.
The complete types of triticale were better than the one substituted type tested for dual purpose but, as there is variability among them, selection for good mixed aptitude is possible.
The production of the best triticale averaged over 2 years 3 t of forage DM ha^-1 (with 684 kg of crude protein ha^-1) and then 4–3 t of grain ha^-1. In this instance, neither the grain yield nor the number of spikes per plant were reduced after clipping, in spite of the fact that the shoot apices were removed.
Plant height and lodging were reduced by a forage cut. In triticale, the number of days to heading was increased even more when the cut was late, but no effect was observed in barley.     

饲用红麻产量及品质研究初报

为了筛选适于我国南方栽培的饲用红麻品种,在闽南地区对8个饲用红麻品种进行产量、品质、适口性等方面研究。结果表明,供试饲用红麻品种1号和6号综合表现较好,其鲜茎叶产量分别达25.4t/hm2和23.6t/hm2;粗蛋白含量分别达19.42%和22.84%;鲜茎叶饲喂肉牛适口性一般,青贮后外观品质属中等偏上青贮料,饲喂肉牛适口性好。     

The effect of defoliation practice in Western Australia on tiller development of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) and Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and its association with forage quality

The effect of defoliation on the vegetative, early reproductive and inflorescence stages of tiller development, changes in the dry‐matter yield of leaf, stem and inflorescence and the associated changes in forage quality was determined on plants of annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) and Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum Lam.). The field study comprised seventy‐two plots of 1 m × 2 m, sown with one annual ryegrass and seven Italian ryegrass cultivars with a range of heading dates from early to late; defoliation commenced 6 weeks after germination. During the vegetative stage of growth, plots were defoliated when the tillers had three fully expanded leaves (three‐leaf stage). During the early reproductive stage of growth, to simulate a cut for silage, plots were defoliated 6–7 weeks after 0·10 of the tillers displayed nodal development. The subsequent regrowth was defoliated every 3 weeks. Assessments of changes in tiller density, yield and quality were made in the growth cycle that followed three contrasting cutting treatments during the winter–spring period (from 10 July). In treatment 1, this growth cycle (following closing‐up before a subsequent conservation cut) commenced on 7 August following two defoliations each taken when the tillers were at the three‐leaf stage. In treatment 2, the growth cycle commenced on 16 October following: for early‐maturing cultivars, two cuts at the three‐leaf stage, a cut for silage and an additional regrowth cut; for medium‐maturing cultivars three cuts at the three‐leaf stage and a cut for silage; and late‐maturing cultivars, five cuts at the three‐leaf stage. In treatment 3, defoliation up to 16 October was as for treatment 2, but the growth cycle studied started on 27 November following two additional regrowth cuts for early‐ and medium‐maturing cultivars and cut for silage for the late‐maturing cultivars. Tiller development for all cultivars was classified into three stages; vegetative, early reproductive and inflorescence. In treatment 1, in vitro dry‐matter digestibility (IVDMD) and crude protein (CP) content were negatively associated with maturation of tillers. IVDMD ranged from 0·85 to 0·60 and CP ranged from 200 to less than 100 g kg^–1 dry matter (DM) during the vegetative and inflorescence stages respectively. This large reduction in forage quality was due to an increase in the proportion of stem, inflorescence and dead material, combined with a reduction in the IVDMD and CP content of the stem. A high level of forage quality was retained for longer with later‐maturing cultivars, and/or when vegetative tillers were initiated from the defoliation of early reproductive tillers (treatments 2 and 3). However, 15 weeks after the closing‐up date in treatment 1, defoliation significantly reduced the density of inflorescences with means (±pooled s.e_m.) of 1560, 1178 and 299 ± 108 tillers m^–2, and DM yield of inflorescence with means of 3·0, 0·6 and 0·1 ± 0·15 t ha^–1 for treatments 1, 2 and 3 respectively. This study supports the recommendation that annual and Italian ryegrass cultivars should be classified according to maturity date based on the onset of inflorescence emergence, and that the judicious defoliation of early reproductive tillers can be used to promote the initiation of new vegetative tillers which in turn will retain forage quality for longer.     

THE YIELDS AND COMPOSITION OF LUCERNE, GRASS AND CLOVER UNDER DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF MANAGEMENT

The mean yields of 4 varieties of lucerne were compared under 5 methods of growing: broadcast with and without grass; drills 2 ft apart; alternate lucerne/grass drills 1 ft apart; spaced plants. One cut was harvested in the sowing year and 3 cuts a year for the next 3 years.
The alternate lucerne/grass drills yielded 20% less dry matter than the comparable broadcast plots. Broadcasting and sowing in alternate drills had the same effect on the pattern of lucerne/grass competition. The meadow fescue companion produced its highest yield at the first cut and there was a marked drop during each year and from year to year. There was little evidence of nitrogen transfer from the lucerne to the grass.     

RESPONSE OF GRASSLAND TO NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER IN THE WEST OF ENGLAND

Extensive replicated plot experiments were carried out at Henley Manor Farm from 1956–1961 to obtain accurate measurements of herbage production and response to nitrogenous fertilizers under West of England conditions. 356 plots were used; use of the herbage by both cutting and grazing was studied. The principal results are: Grass/ clover swards (containing approx. 35% clover) grown without nitrogenous fertilizer averaged 75 cwt dry matter per acre per annum. Application of nitro-chalk to initially grass/clover swards reduced the clover content of the herbage. About 133 lb N/annum was required by an all-grass sward to equal the production of a grass/clover sward without N. Attempts to increase production of grass/clover swards by using N for early growth and relying on clover for mid-season growth were unsuccessful in 2 out of 3 years. Swards (initially grass/clover) gave significant increases in total dry-matter production from regular use of the lowest level of N (26.0 or 34.7 lb N/acre/cut or graze) in 44 out of 49 cases. Extremely high yields were obtained from the heaviest use of N (104.2 lb N/acre/silage cut). 52.1 lb N/acre/cut or graze was the optimum rate of application on ail-grass and grass/clover swards. Up to about 350 lb N/acre/annum the dosage-response curve was very nearly straight for all-grass and grass/clover swards. On the grazed plots herbage left ungrazed amounted on average to only 6% of the total. The health of all stock on the high nitrogen plots (as well as all others) was excellent.     

Influence of temperature on the digestibility of the tropical legume Macroptilium atropurpureum

The effect of temperature on the nutritive value of Macroptilium atropurpureum cv. Siratro and line 10–105 was determined in a controlled environment at day/night temperatures of 24/18, 30/24 and 36/30°C, and a 13-h daylength. Estimated dry matter digestibility, cell wall and lignin concentrations of leaf, stem and stubble were measured in two 5-week regrowth cuts.
Siratro and line 10–105 were similar in digestibility and responded similarly to temperature with whole tops, stem and stubble decreasing by an average of 0.0023, 0.0026 and 0.0056 units of digestibility for each 1°C rise in growth temperature. These changes reflect the increase in cell wall and lignin concentrations with higher temperature.
The digestibility of young, just-expanded leaves was increased by increased growth temperature. This effect may be explained by the faster rate of leaf expansion at high temperature which reduced cell wall and lignin concentrations at this stage of leaf development. However, for the bulk leaf fraction digestibility was unaffected by temperature. Leafiness declined at high temperatures.     

THE EFFECT OF WHITE CLOVER AND NITROGENOUS FERTILIZER ON THE PRODUCTION OF A SWARD

Three-year leys of cocksfoot/white clover and cocksfoot alone were dressed with 0, 35, 105 and 210 lb N per acre every year to provide information on the effect of clover and N on production.
Data from the grass-alone swards allowed an estimate to be made of the effect of N on production at different cutting dates. This was compared with the effect of clover.
The effect of N was greater than that of clover in the mid- and late-season cuts. Clover made its greatest contribution, both directly and indirectly, at the first cut, taken in May.
Under very dry conditions (1959), N was more effective than clover in maintaining production and the proportional response was large in relation to that produced under moist conditions.
The results are discussed with reference to the present seasonal use of N on grassland and an argument is advanced for increasing its use in mid-season.