Effects of defoliation and fertilizers on root competition between Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne

Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne were grown in single-species stands and in mixed-species stands in boxes for 1 year. Plants were grown in paired rows in each box with full competition below ground, but aerial partitions prevented shoot competition. The rows were cut either frequently (six cuts) or infrequently (three cuts). In single-species stands, frequent defoliation reduced the root competitive ability of D. glomerata plants, when growing with infrequently defoliated plants, though this occurred only if no N fertilizer was applied. Frequent defoliation did not affect the root competitive ability of L. perenne plants, in single-species stands, whether or not N fertilizer was applied. In mixed-species stands, the root competitive ability of D. glomerata was always greater than that of L. perenne, though N fertilizer applications and frequent cutting both reduced the root competitive ability of D. glomerata relative to L. perenne. Mixtures of frequently cut and infrequently cut plants, in unfertilized single-species stands, always yielded more than the mean of the uniformly treated stands (frequently or infrequently cut); they usually yielded more than the highest-yielding uniformly treated stand. Mixtures of frequently and infrequently cut plants, in fertilized single-species stands, always yielded less than the mean of uniformly treated stands. Mixed-species stands usually yielded more than the mean yield of the component species, and sometimes yielded significantly more than the highest yielding component. This effect generally increased with time. Relative yield totals (RYT) were consistently greater than 1·0, in both single-species and mixed-species stands, when no N fertilizer was applied. RYT were greatest (1·2–1·6) when neither N nor P fertilizer was applied, and generally increased with time. The results are discussed in relation to the effects of cutting on root competition and the probable value of mixed-species stands.     

A comparison of root competition and shoot competition between Dactylis glomerata and Holcus lanatus

Dactylis glomerata and Holcus lanatus were grown together in boxes with either full competition, root competition only, shoot competition only or no competition between them. The boxes were either fertilized (150 kg ha^-1N, 100 kg ha^-1 K, 80 kg ha^-1 P) or not fertilized. The experiment was continued for 13 months, and a total of six cuts were taken.
H. lanatus was more competitive than D. glomerata throughout the experiment, though the effect declined after flowering during the second growing season. The effects of root competition were generally much greater than those of shoot competition and tended to increase during the first year. However, the effects of root competition declined, relative to shoot competition, after flowering in the second growing season.
Fertilizer applications slightly increased the root competitive ability of H. lanatus relative to D. glomerata but slightly reduced its shoot competitive ability.     

The nature of competition between perennial ryegrass and white clover

Perennial ryegrass and white clover were grown in boxes with either no competition, root competition only, shoot competition only, or both root and shoot competition between them, Boxes received either no nitrogen or 200 kg N ha⁻¹ as a split application. The experiment was harvested at 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after sowing. Perennial ryegrass was more competitive than white clover throughout the experiment and its overall competitive ability increased with Lime. The effects of root competition were greater than those of shoot competition at the first harvest, with both forms of competition having similar affects at the second harvest, while at the third and final harvests shoot competition had greater effects than root competition. At the later harvests N application increased the overall competitive ability of perennial ryegrass, relative to white clover, mainly owing to the increase in its shoot competitive ability.     

Survival of plants of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in competition with two companion grass species

A 2-year experiment on competition between sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), meadow fescue ( Festuca pratensis ) and tetraploid perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ) was conducted using plants grown in plastic containers outdoors. Root and shoot systems of sainfoin and the grasses were separated in order to investigate full and no competition of root and shoots, at two planting ratios (0·33 grass:0·66 sainfoin and 0·66 grass:0·33 sainfoin). Survival of sainfoin plants was lower at the higher grass:sainfoin ratio. More sainfoin plants died in the winter than during the growing season. Root competition had no effect on survival of sainfoin plants, but shoot competition reduced survival of sainfoin plants during one growing season. Companion grass species had no effect on survival of sainfoin plants, except in the first winter, when fewer sainfoin plants survived when grown with meadow fescue than perennial ryegrass.     

Effect of lowering the root/shoot ratio by pruning roots on water use efficiency and grain yield of winter wheat

A pot and a field experiment were conducted to assess the effects of root/shoot ratio (R/S) on the water use efficiency (WUE) and grain yield of winter wheat. The R/S was regulated by pruning the roots during the stem elongation stage, resulting in reduced root systems of the plants. At the heading stage, the root dry weight of root-pruned plants was less than that of intact-root plants, but their R/S was similar to that of intact-root plants under both experimental conditions. After tiller pruning, the R/S of root-pruned plants was significantly lower than that of intact-root plants (p < 0.05). Root pruning reduced the rate of leaf transpiration and lowered the number of tillers per plant (p < 0.05) during the vegetative stage. As a result, root-pruned wheat showed reduced water use when compared to intact-root plants before heading (p < 0.05). At anthesis, there was no significant difference in transpiration between plants with intact roots and those with pruned roots in the pots. However, under field conditions, transpiration of root-pruned plants was significantly higher than that of intact-root plants at anthesis. Additionally, at anthesis root-pruned plants had a higher rate of leaf photosynthesis and lower rate of root respiration, which resulted in a significantly higher grain yield at maturity when compared to plants with intact roots. Under both experimental conditions, there were no significant differences in shoot dry weight per plant between root-pruned and intact-root plants grown in monoculture. When root-pruned plants were grown with intact-root plants, the root-pruned wheat was less productive and had a lower relative shoot dry weight (0.78 and 0.86, respectively) than the intact-root plants (1.24 and 1.16, respectively). These results suggest that plants with pruned roots had a lower ability to compete and to acquire and use the same resources in the mixture when compared with intact-root plants. Root pruning improved the WUE of winter wheat under both experimental conditions. This suggests that appropriate management for the root system/tillers in wheat crops can be used to increase grain yield and water use efficiency. Specifically, lowering the R/S improved the grain yield and WUE of winter wheat significantly by lowering its competitive ability and improving root efficiency. Therefore, drought-resistance breeding to improve the grain yield and WUE, at least for wheat, should be made by targeted selection of less competitive progeny with a small R/S for cultivation in arid and semiarid areas.     

Turf quality and reliability in varieties of four turfgrass species in contrasting Italian environments

Turf quality is a complex character of fundamental importance in turfgrass evaluation. It takes into account aesthetic and functional aspects, and depends on several individual components which may vary with time. The use of a synthetic and simple quality score is necessary when evaluating large numbers of varieties. The quality of 110 turfgrass varieties belonging to four species (Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Festuca arundinacea and F. rubra) was assessed in the second and third years of growth at three Italian locations, i.e. Lodi (Po Valley, continental climate), Perugia (central Italy, sub‐Mediterranean climate) and Foggia (southern Italy, Mediterranean climate), using a visual score ranging from 9 (outstanding turf) to 1 (very poor turf). A randomized block design with three replicates was used, with varieties of the same species being blocked to facilitate the comparison within species. On average, F. rubra had the lowest turf quality score in summer, whereas the other species had the lowest quality score in winter and the highest quality score in summer and autumn. Components of variance were large for genotype (i.e. variety) main effects in all species. A variety × location interaction was found in F. arundinacea and higher‐order interactions were also found for P. pratensis and F. rubra. Genotype × environment effects were small relative to genotypic effects in L. perenne. Variety × year interactions were small in all cases, whereas variety × location and variety × season interactions were greater. Stability of turf quality across sites, seasons and years was measured for each variety in terms of environmental variance, i.e. the variance of score values across sites, years and seasons. Mean scores and stability values of varieties were integrated into an index of reliability that estimated the lowest score value expected in 0·80 of cases. For each species, a small subset of highly reliable varieties could be identified. Implications of the results for the testing and breeding of varieties in Italy are discussed.     

Root distribution and nitrate interception in eleven temperate forage grasses

Agrostis capillaris, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus willdenowii, Cynosurus cristatus, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Lolium multiflorum, L. perenne, Phalaris aquatica, Phleum pratense, Schedonorus phoenix, and a ryegrass selected for high surface root mass, were grown in 1 m deep × 90 mm diameter tubes of sand. Tubes were irrigated with a low ionic‐strength nutrient solution and ¹⁵N‐labelled nitrate was leached down the tubes prior to harvest. Shoot weights, root weights in 10‐cm depth increments, and shoot and root nitrogen concentrations were determined. Plants of L. multiflorum were the heaviest and plants of A. capillaris were the lightest. Root system shape was analysed by comparing the decay constant from an exponential model fitted to the proportion of root mass in 10‐cm depth increments, and, also, by analysis of the proportion of root mass in the top 10 cm. Cynosurus cristatus was strongly surface‐rooted and the perennial ryegrass, selected for high surface root mass, had more root mass between 0 and 10 cm than did the unselected perennial ryegrass cultivar. There were only small differences in root shape between the other grasses. There was a strong and positive correlation between plant dry weight and the proportion of the pulse of labelled nitrate that was intercepted. The variation in root system shape shown in this experiment had no effect on nitrate interception. Nitrate interception per unit root weight was significantly higher in A. capillaris than in the other grasses. Developing winter‐active grasses that have finely divided root systems should contribute to pastures with better nitrate retention characteristics.     

THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOME GRASS SPECIES UNDER COMPETITIVE STRESS

Two experiments were set up in a semi-controlled glasshouse environment to determine the nature of the competitive stress, and the characters associated with competitive ability, during the seedling growth of some grass species. Over a period from sowing until the attainment of a relatively stable tiller population root competition was almost entirely responsible for the suppression of Festuca arundinacea in association with H1 ryegrass at two densities. In contrast, root and shoot competition were of equal importance in bringing about the suppression of Phalaris coerulescens in association with H1 ryegrass, an effect which only occurred at the high density.
Differences in the patterns of root growth of the species and populations are discussed in relation to differences in their competitive abilities.
It is suggested that the rate and extent of nodal root production are closely associated with seedling competitive ability.     

Morphological and physiological traits of roots and their relationships with shoot growth in “super” rice

Success in “super” rice breeding has been considered a great progress in rice production in China. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that an improved root system may contribute to better shoot growth and consequently to higher grain yield in “super” rice. Two “super” rice varieties Liangyoupeijiu (an indica hybrid) and Huaidao 9 (a japonica inbred) and two elite check varieties Yangdao 6 (an indica inbred) and Yangfujiang 8 (a japonica inbred) were field-grown at Yangzhou, China in 2006 and 2007. Root and shoot dry weight (DW) was significantly greater in “super” rice varieties than in check ones throughout the growth season in both years, so was the root length density. Root oxidation activity (ROA) and root zeatin (Z) zeatin riboside (ZR) content, in per plant basis, were significantly greater in “super” rice than check varieties before and at heading time. However, both ROA and root Z + ZR content, either in per plant basis or per unit root DW basis, were significantly lower in ‘super’ rice than in check varieties at the mid- and late grain filling stages. Grain yield of the two ‘super’ rice varieties, on average, was 10.2 t ha⁻¹ in 2006 and 11.4 t ha⁻¹ in 2007, and was 13% and 21% higher than that of check varieties, respectively. The high grain yield was mainly due to a larger sink size (total number of spikelets) as a result of a larger panicle. The percentage of filled grains of the two “super” rice varieties, on average, was 72.9% in 2006 and 79.0% in 2007, and was 19.4% and 12.9%, respectively, lower than that of the check varieties. The mean ROA and root Z + ZR content during the grain filling period significantly correlated with the percentage of filled grains. Collectively, the data suggest that an improved root and shoot growth, as showing a larger root and shoot biomass and greater root length density during the whole growing season and higher ROA and root Z + ZR content per plant at early and mid-growth stages, contributes to the large sink size and high grain yield in the “super” rice varieties. The data also suggest the yield of “super” rice varieties can be further increased by an increase in filled grains through enhancing root activity during grain filling.     

Yield and nitrogen concentration of above- and below-ground biomasses of red clover cultivars in pure stands and in mixtures with three grass species in northern Europe

Three red clover (Trifolium pratense) varieties differing in productivity and winter hardiness, Jokioinen, Betty and Ilte, were sown in a 2‐year (2003–2004) pot experiment in pure stands and mixtures with the grasses, timothy (Phleum pratense), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis). Grass growth dominated until fertilizer‐N, applied when the stands were sown, was depleted. Timothy was the least competitive of the grass species. Red clover variety Ilte produced the highest dry‐matter (DM) yields. Variety Betty yielded less, but allocated as much biomass to the root and stubble (soil‐bound) fraction as variety Ilte. Variety Jokioinen allocated least to the soil‐bound fraction. While the root structure and the starch concentration of the crown‐root area were similar in all varieties, the high ratio of soil‐bound: harvested fractions could be a key to the higher winter survival and higher DM yields of Betty under field conditions. At the end of the experiment, 3–5 g N pot^?1 (49–81 g m^?2) had been harvested and 0·7–1·5 g N pot^?1 (11–24 g m^?2) was left in the soil‐bound fraction, amounts depending on the red clover variety and grass mixture, with pure clover stands containing the highest N amounts. Because of the high N concentrations in the biomass of red clover, the proportion of red clover and conditions prevailing during canopy and root death in mixed stands are crucial for N mineralization and incorporation into new growth.     

Comparative defoliation tolerance of temperate perennial grasses

The defoliation tolerance of cultivars of four temperate perennial pasture grasses, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, cv. Yatsyn1), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica cv. Australian), tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae cv. Demeter) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cv. Porto), was determined under controlled conditions over a period of 12 weeks. Undefoliated plants were compared with defoliated plants, where only half of one leaf was left intact at the initial defoliation, and leaf regrowth was harvested every 3–4 d. The growth responses measured were plant tiller number, dry weight, relative leaf regrowth rate, root:shoot ratio, sheath:stem ratio and specific leaf weight. All species showed morphological adaptations that potentially increased their ability to tolerate defoliation (e.g. increased allocation to shoot at the expense of roots and lower specific leaf weights) but cocksfoot was found to be the most defoliation‐tolerant and perennial ryegrass the least. The adaptation that favoured cocksfoot most strongly was high sheath:stem ratio, which, it is proposed, allowed it to maintain photosynthesis and a level of carbon supply sufficient to support regrowth throughout the experiment. The strategy of perennial ryegrass which favours leaf growth and leads to rapid leaf turnover rates made it particularly susceptible to defoliation under the conditions of this experiment. This highlights the likely importance of defoliation‐avoidance responses in explaining the well‐known grazing resistance of this species. Phalaris and tall fescue showed responses that were intermediate between the other two species. The importance of defoliation‐avoidance mechanisms and implications for grazing management are discussed.     

Does relative time of emergence affect stand composition and yield in a grass–legume mixture? Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum)–meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii) and Kura clover–orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) mixtures

Establishing Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum) in mixtures with grass species is challenging, because slow growth of clover seedlings results in low competitive ability. This study examined establishment success by altering time of seeding of the grass component to reduce competition with Kura clover seedlings. Two trials, one of Kura clover–meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii) and the other Kura clover–orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) mixtures were planted in Edmonton, Alberta. Grasses were seeded at the same time as the clover, or introduced when the clover reached one true leaf or three true leaves, in the autumn of the planting year or the following spring. Species composition varied significantly between treatments. When sown at the same time, Kura clover contributed 31 and 14% of yield in the establishment year when sown with meadow bromegrass and orchard grass, respectively. Delaying grass sowing until Kura clover had one or three leaves gave a higher percentage of Kura clover compared with planting at the same time. Autumn and spring grass sowing resulted in stands of 78 and 80% clover with meadow bromegrass, and 74 and 67% clover with orchardgrass. Altering the competitive advantage of the grass species to produce a more balanced mixture was successfully achieved by delaying seeding of the grass relative to Kura clover. A long interval before introducing the grass (autumn or following spring), was not successful as established Kura clover seedlings have an increased competitive ability.     

Root size estimates of red clover and alfalfa based on electrical capacitance and root diameter measurements

Electrical capacitance and root diameter techniques for estimating root dry weight were evaluated in one test with red clover plants grown on slant-boards in plant growth chambers for 37–77 d, and in six tests with alfalfa grown in the field for 55–165 d. Root dry weights of red clover were estimated satisfactorily with regression equations from both diameter ( R ²=90%) and capacitance ( R ²=76%) measurements. Root dry weights of alfalfa were estimated satisfactorily throughout the entire season from diameter values ( R ² from 51 to 92%). Alfalfa root weight was significantly ( P <0·25) related to capacitance values at the beginning and at the end of the season but not at mid-season. Electrical capacitance measurements were similar for intact root systems and roots severed 4 cm below the crown in separate experiments with red clover and with alfalfa. The root diameter technique provided an accurate, rapid and inexpensive method of estimating root size throughout the first season of growth. The root capacitance method provided satisfactory estimates of roots at certain times during the summer. Neither method would be useful if a large portion of the root was naturally severed.     

Forage production and nutritive value of Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium subterraneum mixtures under different shading treatments

Production and nutritive value of forage in silvopastural systems can be improved by introducing shade‐ tolerant grass and legume species in appropriate mixtures. The management of these systems can present a challenge regarding the selection of the proper grass and legume species as well as the maintenance of the optimum balance between the two species in the grass–legume stand. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the performance of pure stands and mixtures (75:25, 50:50, 25:75) of Dactylis glomerata:Trifolium subterraneum under full sun, 60% shade and 90% shade. Dry matter production of D. glomerata was not affected by shading, while that of T. subterraneum was drastically reduced. Shading increased the crude protein (CP) and acid detergent lignin content, but did not affect the acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre content. The dry matter production of the 75:25 and 25:75 mixtures was higher compared to the one of the 50:50 mixture, while the CP content of the 75:25 mixture was the highest under moderate shading. However, relative yield, aggressivity index and competitive balance index indicated higher competitive ability for D. glomerata compared with T. subterraneum especially under shade. Therefore, the 25:75 mixture is suggested as the most suitable under moderate shade (60%), to perpetuate the stand and avoid the frequent re‐sowing of T. subterraneum.     

干旱胁迫下氮素对不同基因型小麦根系活力和生长的调控

为了探讨不同水氮耦合处理对小麦根系活力和吸收氮素能力的影响,以多穗型小麦品种西农979和大穗型小麦品系2036为材料进行营养液培养试验,设置正常水分供应、轻度和重度水分胁迫及低氮、中氮和高氮处理,研究了不同水氮耦合对小麦根系形态、根系吸收面积、根系活力、植株氮素积累量的影响。结果表明,水分与氮素存在着明显的互作效应,重度水分胁迫和低氮处理都会降低小麦的生物量、根系总吸收面积、活跃吸收面积和活力、氮含量和植株的氮素积累量,低氮处理增加了根长和根冠比。高氮处理的西农979根系总吸收面积、活跃吸收面积和活力较低,中氮处理显著提高,且分别比2036高11%、14%、27%。西农979在中氮和高氮处理之间的氮素积累量无显著性差异。中氮处理下西农979的植株氮素积累量比2036高13%~62%。相关分析表明,小麦的活跃吸收面积、根系活力与植株氮素积累量呈极显著正相关(P0.01),和根冠比呈极显著负相关(P0.01)。在轻度水分胁迫下,增加氮素供给能有效提高西农979的根系吸收面积和根系活力;过高的氮素不利于2036根系的生长,表明不同基因型小麦的根系活力和生长对不同水氮耦合的响应不同。通过适宜的水氮耦合调控,有利于创造良好的小麦根系形态,提高根系活力及对水分和养分的吸收能力。     

Effects of systemic fungal endophytes on the performance of meadow fescue and tall fescue in mixtures with red clover

A symbiosis between grasses and systemic fungal endophytes exists in both natural and agricultural grassland communities. Our objective was to examine the effects of systemic endophytes on the competitive ability of two agronomically important grass species: meadow fescue [Festuca pratensis (Huds.) syn. Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv] and tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) syn. Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.)]. Plants of meadow and tall fescue were grown for 48 days in replacement series of interspecific mixture with a legume (red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) in different nutrient environments in a greenhouse. Neither of the grass species gained endophyte‐promoted competitive advantage over red clover in grass–clover mixtures. Endophyte infection increased the growth of meadow fescue monocultures by 89% compared to endophyte‐free monocultures in high‐nutrient soils, but plant competition or the cost of endophyte infection to the meadow fescue decreased the yield in resource‐limited conditions. On average, endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free meadow fescues produced 0·15 and 0·17 g, and 0·14 and 0·14 g dry biomass per plant in mixtures with red clover in high‐ and low‐nutrient soils respectively. In contrast to meadow fescue, endophyte‐promoted growth of tall fescue monocultures was not detected. Endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free tall fescue monocultures produced 0·76 and 0·95 g biomass per pot, respectively, in the high‐nutrient environment. Endophyte infection can increase the performance of the host grass, but the positive effects depend on the host species, the species composition and soil nutrient availability.     

Root and shoot competition between established grass species and newly sown seedlings during spring growth

Competition between established Dactylis glomerata or Festuca pratensis / Taraxacum officinale swards and seedlings of Trifolium pratense was studied under field conditions in Norway. Root competition from the Festuca pratensis / Taraxacum officinale sward was significantly greater than that from a Dactylis glomerata sward. The balance in root and shoot competition varied between experimental years because of variation in environmental conditions. In the first experimental year, root competition had a greater effect on seedling dry weight than shoot competition, whereas the opposite was found in the second year. However, both root and shoot competition (full competition) in comparison with no competition gave proportionally the same effects in both years, indicating that an alleviation in root competition will be followed by intensified shoot competition. An increasing effect of shoot competition with time on plant dry weight was found. In a second experiment, seedlings of Lolium perenne and Trifolium pratense produced the highest plant dry weights in competition with an established Phleum pratense sward, followed by seedlings of Poa pratensis , Phleum pratense and Trifolium repens in decreasing order. However, no interactions between seedling species and competition treatments were found, indicating no differences in sensitivity between seedling species to competition from the established grass sward. The results are discussed in the context of renovating grassland by direct drilling.     

Independence of seasonal patterns of root functional traits and rooting strategy of a grass‐clover sward from sward age and slurry application

Root functional traits (RFTs) are crucial for understanding nutrient cycling processes. However, seasonal variation of RFTs and their potential changes in root foraging pattern have been almost ignored in field studies. In this work, belowground net primary production (BNPP, g m^?2), root length density (RLD, km m^?2), specific root length (SRL, m g^?1), root N concentration and C/N ratio in defoliated grass‐clover swards of different sward ages and receiving different cattle slurry levels were investigated for 2 years. All measured RFTs showed significant seasonal variation: in general, seasonal variation was most marked between primary growth period (until heading stage of perennial ryegrass) and subsequent regrowth periods following defoliation; meanwhile, the rooting pattern also differed. These phenomena were not affected by current management or sward composition, but were correlated with plant C availability. Daily BNPP and RLD rates varied 7‐ to 8‐fold in the growing season. Moreover, BNPP and RLD were asynchronous due to seasonal variation in SRL. Rooting pattern and the relationship with shoot phenology are discussed. We conclude that root functional traits vary with season; thus, roots which develop in different seasons may be involved in belowground nutrient cycling processes with different turnover characteristics; trade‐off among traits may also involve temporal variation. Root‐C related investigations in grass‐clover swards should include root mass sampling rather than use of root length observations alone.     

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.     

Effect of harvest date on the chemical composition and nutritive value of Cerastium holosteoides

Abstract Cerastium holosteoides is a short‐lived plant often found in small proportions on dry and mesotropic semi‐natural, species‐rich grassland communities. To obtain more information about its nutritive value, two experiments on Arrhenatheretum elatioris grassland were carried out to examine the effect of harvest date on in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF), acid‐detergent fibre (ADF), acid‐detergent lignin (ADL), estimated net energy for lactation (NEL) and crude protein (CP) concentrations of C. holosteoides, and selection of this plant by dairy cows grazing on semi‐natural grassland. C. holosteoides starts flowering in spring and continuously develops new flowers on new branches throughout the summer. Harvests were made in relation to particular growth stages of Dactylis glomerata present in the sward: (A) tillering; (B) stem elongation; (C) ear emergence; (D) flowering; and (E) ripening. Chemical composition and nutritive value were evaluated in 1998 and 1999. With advancing maturity, IVOMD of C. holosteoides decreased from 0·771 at growth stage A to 0·485 at growth stage E. At the same time, CP concentration decreased from 153 to 69 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM) and estimated NEL concentration from 6·00 to 4·07 MJ kg^?1 DM. With advancing maturity, there was a significant increase in NDF, ADF and ADL concentrations. In the summer harvest season, C. holosteoides contained significantly higher NDF, ADF and ADL concentrations, lower NEL concentration and had a lower IVOMD value than in the spring. Differences between years were also found for IVOMD and for NDF, ADF, ADL and NEL concentrations. In a grazing experiment in the year 1999, at growth stage B, Simmental cows grazed an A. elatioris sward in which the main species was D. glomerata (0·092), and the proportion of C. holosteoides was 0·034. C. holosteoides was, on average, grazed by cows to the same relative extent as other species in the sward.