THE EFFECT OF DEFOLIATION ON THE SEED-PRODUCING CAPACITY OF BRED VARIETIES OF GRASSES

Leafy grass varieties S24 perennial ryegrass, S26 cocksfoot, S215 meadow fescue and S51 timothy were cut in October and at various growth stages in spring; S53 meadow fescue was grazed at similar periods. Sub-plots were given different applications of N. The control plots had similar manurial treatments but were not defoliated. The seed yield of S24 following October cutting was significantly lower than the control in the first harvest year and significantly higher in the second; the mean yields over 2 years, as a result of cutting at this stage and before ear formation in March, were very similar to those of the control treatment. The mean yields from 3 harvest years for S26, S215 and S51 were generally improved by cutting in October and before ear formation, but cutting after ear formation reduced the number of heads and the seed yields. Extra N applied in conjunction with the defoliation had no significant effect on the number of seed heads or on seed yield. Double grazing of S53 in Sept. and Dec. reduced significantly its seed production in both harvest years. Application of N in spring gave a greater response than a similar application in autumn.     

A COMPARISON OF BROADCAST AND WIDE-ROW SPACED GRASSES WHEN MANAGED FOR FOGGAGE PRODUCTION

A small-plot trial comparing perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy and meadow fescue sown broadcast and also in 21 inch rows was conducted at Auchincruive from 1954 to 1957. The cutting treatments were arranged so that measurement could be made of both summer and winter production.
Of the four species, cocksfoot was the most suitable for foggage production. Perennial ryegrass suffered severely from winter killing. Timothy and meadow fescue, although persistent, did not yield as much as cocksfoot.
Total dry-matter production over three years was higher from the cocksfoot rows than from the broadcast stand. For ryegrass and meadow fescue, broadcasting gave higher yields than row sowing while timothy showed no significant difference between sowing methods.
During the winter, all species showed a loss of dry matter. Losses for ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy and meadow fescue were respectively 34%, 17%, 18% and 24%. Broadcast stands averaged 11% greater loss than the rows.     

THE EFFECT OF COMPANION GRASSES ON TIMOTHY PRODUCTION IN SWARDS CUT FOR CONSERVATION

To assess the effect of companion grasses on timothy productivity, swards of timothy sown alone or with one of eight companion grasses were harvested as for silage four times per year for two years. The companion grasses were: diploid perennial ryegrasses S24 and S23; tetraploid perennial ryegrasses Reveille and Taptoe; meadow fescues S215 and S53 and cocksfoots Trifolium and S143. Averaged over the N application rates (226, 339 and 452 kg N/ha per year) the total herhage yields of timothy/companion-grass mixtures were all significantly superior to that from timothy alone in the first year. Only perennial ryegrass S24 and the cocksfoot mixtures significantly outyielded timothy alone in the second year. Winterkill hecame evident in April of the second year and pure timothy and timothy/meadow-fescue swards were least affected. Over all swards, timothy DM increased hy a mean of 19% from the first to the second year, compared with a fall of 20% in total herhage DM. The contrihution of timothy herhage to the mixtures was very low with companions other than meadow fescue. Late-heading varieties were more compatihie than early-heading varieties, and tetraploid ryegrasses were more compatihie than diploid ryegrasses. It is concluded that if the inherently valuahle characteristics of timothy are to he exploited, it should not he sovm with aggressive companion grasses.     

THE EFFECT OF METHOD OF SOWING ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GRASS SEED CROPS

Methods used by growers to establish seed crops of perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy and meadow fescue have been examined. While satisfactory establishments were obtained by sowing perennial ryegrass broadcast, cocksfoot, timothy and meadow fescue should be sown in rows, especially if they are to be sown under a cover crop.     

THE SPECIES PREFERENCES OF GRAZING HORSES

Palatability studies of 29 species of grasses, legumes and herbs, and two seeds mixtures, were conducted using three replicates of each species. Crossbred ponies and a few Thoroughbreds were obserred and timed for a total of 260 hours grazing. The results were analysed and sbowed small statistical differences between replicates, between tbe 2 years observed and between horses; and highly significant differences (P<0.001) between certain species. The most palatable was a clover-rich mixture. Tbe pasture varieties of perennial ryegrass were significantly more palatable tban S24, and as palatable as timothy and cocksfoot Alta tall fescue, crested dogs tail and wild white clover were palatable. Some herbs, red clover, brown top, red fescue and meadow foxtail were tbe least palatable. Dandelion, ribgrass and yarrow were palatable herbs.     

COMPARATIVE PRODUCTIVITY OF HERBAGE VARIETIES ON UPLAND PEAT

The productivity and persistence of 27 varieties of herbage plants were compared, following sowing on a blanket peat after ploughing. Yields were estimated from 3–5 cuts per year for 5 growing seasons. The top yields in each year ranged from 2510 lb/ac. in the 5th year when no nitrogenous fertilizer was applied up to 4700 lb/ac. in the 3rd year when given 174 lb N/ac. Such levels are slightly less than half the level expected on lowland, but livestock output on hill land is far lower than on lowland. Varietal differences were significant, with red fescues, especially S59 smooth-stalked meadow grass, S170 tall fescue, S143 cocksfoot, Yorkshire fog and S53 meadow fescue giving top yields and persistence. Aberystwyth varieties were in all cases superior to other varieties. S50 timothy and S23 perennial ryegrass were persistent but production was low. The conclusions are compared with those of other investigators.     

A COMPARISON OF THE REACTION OF DIFFERENT GRASS SPECIES TO FERTILIZER NITROGEN AND TO GROWTH IN ASSOCIATION WITH WHITE CLOVER

Seven species or varieties of grass, and a mixture of 3 of them, were sown in pure swards and treated with 4 levels of nitrogenous fertilizer (0,17·5, 35 and 70lb N per acre per cut). Each species, and the mixture, was also sown with white clover. The experiment was cut 4 or 5 times per year. The effect of fertilizer on the yield of each grass was compared with the effect of clover on the yield of the grass/clover swards. Mean annual yields showed an approximately linear response to N; there was a small but significant fall in response to the highest level of N. Response among the species ranged from 20 to 30 Ib of dry matter per Ib N applied for the intermediate level of fertilizer and from 14 to 23 Ib for the final increment of fertilizer.
S37 cocksfoot, S48 timothy, S24 ryegrass, and a mixture of these grasses, were high yielding and responded well to fertilizer N; Irish ryegrass and Agrostis tenuis were less productive and gave poorer responses to N. S215 meadow fescue and S23 ryegrass were intermediate in yield and response.
There were no significant differences between the annual yields of the 8 grass/clover mixtures; the yields of the grass and clover components of each mixture were inversely related. The effect of clover on the yield of the grass/clover mixtures was estimated to be equivalent to the effect of an annual application of 205 lb N per acre to Agrostis tenuis and 120 lb N to S48 timothy. The fluctuations in annual yields were greater with grass/ clover mixtures than with grass swards receiving N.
The yields of grasses when sown with clover were in similar order to their yields when sown pure; but whereas the latter tended to fall from year to year, the yields of the grass components of mixtures (except Irish ryegrass) did not.     

FERTILE TILLER PRODUCTION AND SEED YIELD IN MEADOW FESCUE (FESTUCA PRATENSIS L.)

The seed-producing capacity of two varieties of meadow fescue, S215 and S53, sown at three different spacings, was compared. One level of nitrogen was applied on three different dates in the spring. Tiller counts were made periodically during the growth of the crop. Fertile-tiller production was found to be related to vegetative growth.
The varieties differed not only in yield, but also in growth dynamics. A larger percentage of overwintering shoots became fertile in the hay variety, than in the pasture variety.
Drill spacings had significant effects on plant establishment and on vegetative-and fertile-tiller numbers. In both years N applied in March gave the highest production of fertile tillers. Date of N application did not produce marked trends in yield. The influence of spacing and date of N application on the number and density of spikelets indicated that the plant adjusted itself to environmental factors. Thus spikelet numbers were reduced in early heads with narrower drill spacing and with late applications of N. Head emergence was earlier in narrow drills, but time of N application in the spring did not produce significant differences in this respect.     

THE PRODUCTION OF EARLY SPRING GRASS

The effects of autumn management and nitrogenous manuring on the production of early spring grass were studied from 1954 to 1957 on farms throughout England and Wales.
The most important management factor influencing spring yields was the application of spring nitrogen. In the early spring 6 to 10 lb. of dry matter were produced per lb. of nitrogen applied. Autumn nitrogen increased herbage yields in the auttimn by 8 to 17 lb. of dry matter per lb. of nitrogen applied.
Italian and perennial ryegrass responded well to autumn nitrogen but it was important to graze off the extra growth fairly quickly to prevent the sward becoming too open. The yield of ryegrass swards which received spring nitrogen were very much higher if they were grazed during the previous September and October than if they had been rested during those months.
In two years neither the autumn management nor alumni fertilizer appeared to influence the spring yields of cocksfoot, timothy or meadow fescue swards, in one year, however, when autumn growth was poor, autumn nitrogen and resting resulted in slightly better yields on these swards in the following spring.
It is suggested that resting swards during September and October to build up "reserves" is relatively unimportant in relation to the yields of grass in the following spring.     

A COMPARISON OF COCKSFOOT- AND TALL FESCUE-DOMINANT SWARDS FOR OUT-OF-SEASON PRODUCTION

Swards based on a mixture of SI 70 tall fescue and S215 meadow fescue were very early in spring, gave high yields for conservation in mid-season and, rested from mid-August, gave good grazing in November-December. Under this treatment, the tall fescue assumed dominance, and the swards were persistent and remained productive. The digestibility of the tall fescue swards was always higher than that of swards based on cocksfoot with which they were compared. During spring and autumn the former sward was better grazed by stock, but the position was reversed in mid-summer. Cattle grazing tall-fescue-dominant swards made better liveweight gains than those grazing cocksfoot swards during November-December.     

THE DIGESTIBILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY OF SELECTED HERBAGE VARIETIES

Much of the published digestibility data refer to swards grown in the south of Britain. In order to study digestibility curves in a more northerly latitude, several pure swards were established in the west of Scotland in 1962 and 1963. Varieties included S22 and Tetila Italian ryegrass, S37 cocksfoot, S170 tall fescue, S215 meadow fescue, Scots timothy, English broad red clover, and SI00 white clover. In addition to primary growth in vitro digestibility, the effect of various cutting managements on digestibility and productivity was measured. Flowerhead emergence was delayed, with the result that the digestibility curve was later than is reported from southern Britain. Highest yields of digestible organic matter were obtained from the less frequent cutting regimes, but the mean digestibility of the herbage was lower. Pre-dictibility of herbage digestibility is desirable as the basis of a reliable and planned herbage utilization programme, particularly for conservation.     

COMPARING THE OUTPUT FROM MIXTURES BASED ON PERENNIAL RYEGRASS AND ON MEADOW FESCUE

Herbage and livestock production from swards based on meadow fescue and on perennial ryegrass were measured over three years. The meadow fescue mixture had no practical advantages in terms of either annual output or seasonal distribution of production. This may have been due to inefficient methods of measurement or may have been peculiar to the management imposed, but it is considered that it was due to the depressing effects of timothy and cocksfoot on the meadow feseue.     

A COMPARISON OF LEAF AND TILLER GROWTH IN SEVEN PERENNIAL GRASSES AS INFLUENCED BY NITROGEN AND TEMPERATURE

Leaf and tiller development along the main shoot of cocksfoot, ryegrass, timothy, Hordeum bulbosum , meadow fescue, S170 tall fescue and an Algerian tall fescue are described. Comparisons between plants grown at two levels of applied nitrogen, and in a heated and an unheated glasshouse, from January to April, 1961, showed that timothy, cocksfoot and, to a lesser extent, H. bulbosum and ryegrass, generally developed leaves faster than the fescues. Numbers of live leaves per shoot, and numbers of actively-elongating leaves per shoot declined in a similar varietal order. Despite this, the large leaves of the fescues resulted in their having a leaf area per main shoot equal to, or exceeding that of, the other grasses for most of the experiment. In general, rate of leaf appearance, number of live leaves, number of actively-elongating leaves and leaf length were increased by a high level of N and high temperature, but high tesnperature reduced leaf width and, in some instances, tiller numbers.     

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

The yields of two varieties of lucerne grown with and without each of three companion grasses, under two cutting treatments, were compared during 1956–9 to elucidate further the potential production of this crop and to clarify some contradictions in earlier results.
Du Puits lucerne (early) and its mixtures produced 20% more dry matter than the corresponding mixtures based on AF1 (late). Meadow fescue S215/lucerne mixtures were superior to lucerne grown alone in the first year, but not subsequently. Mixtures with S37 cocksfoot and S22 Italian ryegrass gave significantly lower yields.
Over three years higher yields were obtained from three cuts in the first harvest year compared with two.     

THE RECOVERY OF FERTILIZER NITROGEN FROM VARIOUS DEPTHS BELOW SWARDS

A microplot technique for the placement of nitrogen at depth under an established grass sward is described. The effect of nitrogen placement at various depths on the dry matter yields, root yields and nitrogen uptake of two grass species is recorded. The results for cocksfoot and red fescue indicate that there is little fall-off in uptake of nitrogen from placement at depths down to 12 inches, and that cocksfoot also recovers substantial amounts of nitrogen from 18 inches and 2 feet. Recovery by red fescue at these depths was not investigated.
Althotigh there is little difference between the two grasses in their relative ability to absorb nitrogen at the various depths, there is an indication that, weight for weight, cocksfoot roots are probably more efficient absorbers of nitrogen than those of red fescue.
The significance of the findings is discussed in the light of present-day methods of fertilizer application.     

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.     

GRAZING MANAGEMENT FOR SEED PRODUCTION IN LEAFY STRAINS OF GRASSES

Leafy strains of five grasses were grown for seed and subjected to various cattle grazing treatments between October and April for three harvest years. The grasses were: S.143 cocksfoot, S.215 meadow fescue, S.170 tall fescue, S.59 red fescue and S.23 perennial ryegrass. All but S.59 red fescue (row crop) were studied as row and broadcast crops. The plots were sown under an arable silage crop and received top dressings of nitrogenous fertiliser every year. Yield of seed, and also quantity of herbage in winter, were measured.
October grazing in the seeding year reduced the first crop of seed in all species except ryegrass. Grazing in December improved the yield of meadow fescue throughout the experiment, and of cocksfoot, tall fescue and red fescue after the first year. Several factors might operate to bring about this effect; suggestions are made for further investigation. Repeated grazing from December to March tended to reduce vigour, and so to offset the advantage of removing autumn-grown herbage. Grazing at intervals from December to late April seriously reduced yield in all species. Tall fescue and red fescue, early flowering species, were most seriously affected, meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass least. Cocksfoot and tall fescue yielded more seed when grown in 2-ft. rows than when broadcast. Meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass did not. The yield of meadow fescue was less affected by adverse conditions than cocksfoot.     

FERTILE TILLER PRODUCTION AND SEED YIELD IN MEADOW FESCUE (FESTUCA PRATENSIS L.)

The effect of defoliation and date of nitrogen application in the spring to seed crops of meadow fescue, S215 and S53, were compared in two harvest years, in drills spaced at 18 in. S215 tillers were generally more robust than S53 tillers, and S215 produced a higher number of fertile shoots as the result of a higher conversion rate of over wintering to fertile tillers. N applied early and absence of defoliation gave the highest ratio of seed heads to over wintering tillers.
Seed- and straw-yields were depressed by April and May defoliations; May cutting had a particularly drastic effect on both varieties. S53 yields in all treatments were generally inferior to those of the hay variety, S215.
Head lengths and spikelet numbers were higher and 1000-seed weight lower in S53 than in S215.     

THE EFFECT OF COMPANION GRASS AND SEED RATE ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF A TALL-FESCUE SWARD

The effects of sowing from 10 to 50 lb/acre of tall-fescue seed on plant establishment and on the annual and seasonal distribution of DM yield of tall fescue and its companion grasses were measured through two growing seasons. Increasing the seed rate increased plant numbers per unit area and decreased per cent establishment. Adding Scots timothy as a companion grass depressed both plant number and per cent establishment. S37 cocksfoot and New Zealand perennial ryegrass reduced both still further. Total annual dry-matter production was relatively unaffected by varying either the seed rate or the companion grass. The contribution of tall fescue to total production was highest when sown alone and was successively reduced by timothy, perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot. When sown alone there were only slight differences in contribution of tall fescue due to seed rate. With any companion grass the contribution from tall fescue increased with increasing seed rate. Early growth was not reduced by modifying seed rate but was reduced by all the companion grasses. It is concluded that increasing the seed rate of tall fescue above 30 lb is not justified, that Scots timothy can be sown at 3 lb/acre with tall fescue without affecting total production or early growth of the mixture, with the advantages of control of unsown species and improved palatability of the herbage.     

Harvest ripeness in grass seed crops

Ten varieties of forage grasses, including perennial and Italian ryegrasses, tall and meadow fescues, cocksfoot and timothy, grown in seed-production drills were sequentially harvested from 14 days after peaks of flowering. Seed germination capacities were generally good in seed samples harvested early in the mattiration period, with the exception of timothy. PeaJc yields of germinable seed were usually obtained some time after shedding had begun; delay in harvesting resulted in further seed losses, some of which were substantial. The maxima of individual seed weights mostly did not coincide with, and were frequently later than the peaks of germinable seed yields. Endospenns did not generally harden until after the maxima of germinable seed yields. Endosperm development stages were found to be reliable guides to assessment of correct harvest date, and it is suggested that examination of endosperm consistencies be used to corroborate assessment of harvesting times tising moisture meters.