Production of irrigated Trifolium repens L. under a cutting regime in the subtropical region of Gauteng,South Africa

Abstract

The productivity of Trifolium repens L. cv. Ladino, under irrigation in the subtropical region of Gauteng, South Africa, is unknown. The performance of T. repens was determined over five years (1981/1982 to 1985/1986), at two defoliation frequencies, four levels of nitrogen (0, 400, 800 and 1 600 kg N ha^?1 ‐ total applied over five years), and either the removal or recycling of harvested material. Frequent, compared to infrequent defoliation, resulted in higher dry matter (DM) yields from the second year onwards. Dry matter yields were positively affected by the recycling of material, compared to no recycling. A mean DM yield of 191 ha^?1 in the first year and 12 t ha^?1 in the final year, was obtained. The highest DM yields occurred during October for all years and lowest DM yields from January to March. The first and final year showed similar peaks (late October) and troughs (March till April). Crude protein (CP) content of the herbage was influenced more by frequency of defoliation than recycling of material, where the highest CP content in any year was obtained from frequent defoliation. Nitrogen fertiliser applied up to a total of 1 600 kg N ha^?1 over five years had no effect on either DM yield or crude protein content. This study has shown that T. repens could be a productive pasture for at least five years in the subtropical region of Gauteng, South Africa. Productivity and quality of T. repens were enhanced by a defoliation interval of less than five weeks and when soil high fertility was maintained by recycled plant material.     

Assessing legumes indigenous to South Africa,Lesotho and Swaziland for their pasture potential

In contrast to the exploration and use of southern African grass plant genetic resources over the past century, only a few indigenous legume species are currently used as forages, notwithstanding the vast untapped legume diversity available in southern Africa. The aim of this study was to assess legumes, indigenous to South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland and propose a list of species with pasture potential for further evaluation. Towards this end, legume species documented as being cultivated, grazed or browsed as well as plant collection data from the National Herbarium, South Africa, were used. The majority of cultivated, grazed or browsed species were recorded in the Central Bushveld, Lowveld and Mopane Bioregions, the Drakensberg Foothill and Coastal Region, Savanna Group and Northern Mistbelt leguminochoria and is largely enclosed by the Wolkberg Centre of Plant Endemism. The Phaseoleae tribe was found to contain the highest percentage of cultivated legume species. Legume species adapted to low soil phosphorus levels were identified, with 22 of these species previously noted for their pasture potential. It is suggested that the results of this study be used in the continued search for alternative indigenous legumes species for eventual integration into local and international pasture systems.     

Effect of nitrogen application,seeding rate and defoliation height on mixtures of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium Multiflorum cv midmar: II. Yield advantage as reflected in the land equivalent ratio*

Abstract

Pure stands of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar were compared with a range of mixtures of these two species in terms of dry matter production, crude protein content and crude protein production. Land equivalent ratios (LER) calculated for both dry matter and crude protein production showed that mixing of the two species was advantageous. This was more evident in terms of crude protein production than in DM production. High seeding rates of the grass (20–25 kg/ha), low levels of nitrogen (60 kgN/ha) and heavy defoliation (50 mm) gave the highest LER values. It was concluded that better utilization of land could be obtained with mixtures of the two components than with pure stands.     

Effect of nitrogen application,seeding rate and defoliation height on mixtures of Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar: I. dry matter production,crude protein content and crude protein production*

Abstract

The interaction between Trifolium vesiculosum cv Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv Midmar was measured in a field trial, in terms of dry matter production, crude protein content and crude protein production. The treatments included in the field trials were five different seeding rates of the grass component, four rates of nitrogen application and two defoliation heights. Total DM production of the mixtures differed only slightly, and height of defoliation had, likewise, little effect on the DM production. N application tended to increase the yield of pure grass as well as the grass component of the mixtures. Crude protein content and crude protein production of the mixtures were markedly increased by nitrogen application, largely due to effective uptake of nitrogen by the grass component. However, the highest crude protein production, achieved by an application of 240 kg N/ha to both mixtures and pure grass swards, did not differ appreciably from the amount produced by pure clover receiving no nitrogen fertilizer.     

Clinical efficacy of a single injection of ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile injectable suspension versus three daily injections of ceftiofur sodium sterile powder for the treatment of footrot in feedlot cattle

A study was conducted in a feedlot in Alberta, Canada, to compare the clinical efficacy of a single injection of ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile injectable suspension with three daily treatments of ceftiofur sodium sterile powder for the treatment of footrot. Use of a long-acting antimicrobial to treat footrot would reduce labor costs and hospital pen space requirements during high-risk periods. Four hundred cattle clinically diagnosed with footrot were systematically randomized to one of two treatment groups. The treatment success rate at 14 days after treatment (99.5% for ceftiofur crystalline free acid sterile injectable suspension and 99.0% for ceftiofur sodium sterile powder for injection) was not statistically different (P>.05) between the two drugs.     

Mykotoxinbildung während der Infektion der Weizenähre durch den pathogenen Pilz Fusarium graminearum

Fusarium graminearum is one of the most destructive pathogens of cereals and a threat to food and feed production worldwide. Infection especially of wheat leads to yield losses and mycotoxin contamination. Deoxynivalenol is a hazardous mycotoxin inhibiting the biosynthesis of proteins. Its production by the fungus is a prerequisite for the colonization of the wheat spike. Combining molecular genetics with bioimaging techniques allows a fascinating insight into the pathobiology of this cereal pathogen.