Herbage production,nutritive value and animal productivity within hardwood silvopasture,open and mixed pasture systems in Appalachia,United States

Demand for livestock food products is projected to increase dramatically through to 2050. Increased livestock production capacity on marginal lands will be critical to meeting this demand. A 5‐year research effort was undertaken to evaluate lamb and sward productivity within open and hardwood silvopasture (SP) systems in Appalachia, USA. Grazing began in mid to late April each year, with the grazing season averaging 141 d. Grazing system treatments during 2002 and 2003 grazing seasons were as follows: 100% open pasture (OP), 67% OP and 33% SP, and 67% OP and 33% SP with delayed SP grazing initiation (OSD). In 2004, a 100% SP (SP) system was added. Animals were rotationally stocked through either 6 (2002–2004) or 7 (2005–2006) paddocks. Open pasture produced greater (P < 0·001) grazing season herbage yield, while all systems generated similar animal performance. Based on summer solstice, herbage production in spring was greater (P < 0·001) than summer, except in 2003. Total non‐structural carbohydrate (TNC) content was greater (P < 0·05) in spring than in summer, except in 2004. Animal performance was superior in spring versus summer (P < 0·001). Animal plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) was lower (P < 0·05) for OP in 2003. When PUN was correlated with nutritive value indicators, the ratio of TNC to crude protein (CP) had the strongest correlation. The strong correlation indicates the need for synchronized ruminal energy and CP availability. Development of silvopasture from existing woodlots has potential to improve whole farm productivity on marginal lands.     

In vitro ruminal fermentation parameters and methane production of Marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha) in a silvopastoral system associated with levels of protein supplementation

The addition of protein supplementation in a silvopastoral system can contribute to improved forage intake and digestibility. Our objective was to evaluate in vitro ruminal parameters, digestibility and gas production of Marandu palisadegrass [Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster] in a silvopastoral system and compare this to parameters obtained from diets with protein supplementation. Forage was sampled during the growing season (November to April) in 2016/17 and 2017/18. In vitro incubation treatments consisted of four levels of protein supplement (20% of crude protein; CP) in the diet (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 g/kg of body weight). The neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and indigestible neutral detergent fibre concentrations were highest in the first year. In the second year, CP concentration was 21% greater than in the first year. There was a linear increase for digestion rate, a quadratic effect for lag time and a linear decrease for average digestion time as supplementation levels were increased. The least lag time and digestion time occurred in the second year. There was no supplementation effect on ruminal pH, acetate and butyrate concentrations. Second-year in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) was greater than in the first year. Increases in supplementation levels linearly enhanced IVDMD and reduced methane (CH₄) production. The inclusion of a protein supplement contributed to reduced CH₄ and increased volatile fatty acids production; therefore, we recommended the supplement inclusion of >0.28 g/kg of BW for animals grazing in well-managed palisadegrass pastures.     

Shading effects on canopy and tillering characteristics of continuously stocked palisadegrass in a silvopastoral system in the Amazon biome

In silvopastoral (SP) systems, forage responses depend on the microenvironment in which the plants develop. Our objective was to evaluate canopy and tillering characteristics of shaded 'Marandu' palisadegrass [Brachiaria brizantha (Hochst A Rich) Stapf, syn. Urochloa brizantha] under continuous stocking in a SP system. Treatments were one full sun (FS) and three shaded systems (silvopasture, SP) corresponding to distances from tree groves: 7.5 m north (SP1), and 15 m (SP2) and 7.5 m south (SP3) studied during two rainy seasons (Year 1 and Year 2). The tree in the SP system was Eucalyptus urograndis (hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden × Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake). The photosynthetic active radiation was greater in FS (923 μmol m^-2 s^-1), followed by SP2 (811 μmol m^-2 s^-1), SP1 (727 μmol m^-2 s^-1) and SP3 (673 μmol m^-2 s^-1). Forage accumulation in FS was 15% greater than the mean of SP1, SP2 and SP3 (10,663 kg DM/ha). There was no difference in net accumulation of leaf, stem and dead material, averaging 3,302, 3,420 and 4,063 kg DM/ha respectively. Leaf accumulation and accumulation rate were greater in Year 2, and leaf accumulation rate was similar among treatments (19 kg DM ha⁻¹ day⁻¹). Leaf proportion increased 14% from Year 1 to Year 2. Specific leaf area was greater for treatments SP1 and SP3 (193 cm²/g). Tiller population density was similar across treatments in Year 1. Shaded palisadegrass maintains leaf productivity similar to FS under continuous stocking in an SP system.     

林草复合系统的生态效益

当今环境资源的高度开发利用,造成了严重的生态环境问题,而林草复合系统在改善生态环境和实现可持续发展方面具有巨大潜力,可作为一种重要的生态修复手段来加以推广应用。本文对最近5年国内外有关林草复合系统的光合特性、微气候效应、生物多样性、土壤功能等方面研究进行归纳与总结。针对目前林草复合系统生态效益研究中存在的问题和不足,提出今后的研究重点应放在林草复合系统的生态效益综合评价、生态系统固碳机理、土壤微生物遗传多样性、土壤修复机理及量化系统模型等方面。     

A financial analysis of a silvopasture system in southern Mississippi

Silvopasture is reemerging as a land use in the southern US. Alternate land use treatments based on field trials for timber and pasture for beef cattle production were financially evaluated. Multiple-use management aspects of these systems were further illustrated by the addition of fee hunting. Land Expectation Values (LEVs) were lower when silvopasture treatments were compared to steer grazing only. However, silvopasture treatments compared favorably to some grazing treatments. LEVs were higher when silvopasture treatments were compared to commercial forest plantation applications on similar sites. Silvopasture systems promote multiple-use management of the land under an environmentally friendly cropping system whereby certain types of wildlife can thrive. This is particularly relevant in light of recent increases in fee hunting in the South. LEVs were reduced by $289, $200, and $151 ha⁻¹ at discount rates of 5%, 7%, and 9% respectively, when fee hunting was excluded in the recommended silvopasture treatment. The monetary value of a wildlife component in this system can be interpreted as the expected value gained per hectare per rotation in perpetuity when fee hunting is part of the management plan. On average, it represented an 8.6% gain in LEVs for this treatment. Results from this study support the potential for silvopasture applications in the South for private landowners. Cattle grazing of improved forage in commercially productive loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands can relieve annual cash flow problems inherent in tree production. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

4种树叶对宽叶雀稗种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响

为探讨林地树叶对牧草的影响,研究了阿丁枫、钟花樱桃、枫香和红花油茶鲜叶与枯落叶的浸提液对宽叶雀稗种子萌发及4种枯落叶覆盖对幼苗生长的影响,并研究了浇灌钟花樱桃鲜叶、阿丁枫枯落叶浸提液对宽叶雀稗幼苗的影响。结果表明:1)4种树叶对宽叶雀稗的发芽率和发芽指数有不同程度的降低作用,并抑制幼根生长,抑制程度随浓度增大而增强,低浓度时促进幼芽生长;2)枯落叶覆盖抑制株高和分蘖;3)浇灌钟花樱桃鲜叶和阿丁枫枯落叶浸提液抑制分蘖、减少地上生物量。研究表明,4种树叶主要抑制宽叶雀稗幼根生长、幼苗分蘖、株高和减少生物量,其中钟花樱桃鲜叶和阿丁枫枯落叶的抑制程度较强。     

Impact of increasing shade levels on the dry-matter yield and botanical composition of multispecies forage stands

Botanical diversity has been linked to increased biomass production of grasslands, but these relationships have not been explored as extensively in silvopasture systems where shade impacts on forage mass are variable due to the unique structure and environment of each system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of multiple artificial shade levels on the DM yield and botanical composition of three cool-season forage mixtures near Blackstone, Virginia, USA. Mixtures were as follows: simple = tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.] and white clover (Trifulium repens L.); intermediate = simple + orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerate L.) and red clover (Trifolium pretense L.); and complex = intermediate + Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Slatted structures created conditions of 30%, 50% and 70% shade relative to a full sun control. Forages were harvested mechanically (no grazers present). Annual yield (DM kg/ha) did not differ among mixtures. As compared to full sun, annual yield was no different at 30% shade, but was reduced by 22 and 36% at 50 and 70% shade respectively. In contrast to other species in the mixtures, orchardgrass increased in proportion when grown beneath all shade levels and is recommended for silvopasture use. Orchardgrass is not particularly well-adapted to the transition zone between the northern temperate and southern subtropical United States; therefore, these results indicate that silvopastures may be an effective way to integrate marginally adapted, shade-tolerant cool-season forages into transition zone grazing systems.     

Short-Term Soil Responses for an Emulated Loblolly Pine Silvopasture

Pine (Pinus spp. L.) stands are often overstocked early in the tree rotation, prior to initial thinning. While pre- and/or post-thinning fertilizer applications are best-management practices to optimize growth of southern pines, there can be poor nitrogen (N) utilization and adverse environmental impacts associated with fertilization. Our objective was to determine short-term (3-year) soil responses of an emulated loblolly pine (P. taeda L.) silvopasture, which received a single application of commercial N–phosphorus (P)–potassium (K) fertilizer (CF) or pelletized poultry litter (PPL) applied at about midrotation (12 years postplanting). Compared to the control, CF decreased soil pH at depths of 0–10 and 10–30 cm, and PPL increased Mehlich 3 available P at 0–10 cm. Fertilizer responses were found for soil extractable ammonium (NH₄ ⁺)-N, and nitrate (NO₃ ^?)-N concentrations, mineral N ha^?1, pH, and available P but not for diel carbon dioxide–carbon (CO₂-C) flux, total C, and total N. Total soil C, total soil N, pH, and available P decreased with depth, whereas mineral N ha^?1 and 1 M potassium chloride (KCl)–extractable aluminum (Al) increased with depth. These results further our understanding of the nutrient dynamics during alley cropping of an upland soil and demonstrate the challenge in detecting short-term responses with fertilization.     

锦鸡儿林草带状复合系统细根空间分异特征

以立地条件基本相同、林带完好、长势均匀的两行一带锦鸡儿林草带状复合系统(带距分别为4,6,8m)为研究对象,采用壕沟法对锦鸡儿根系进行分层挖掘取样,研究其在不同造林带距条件下的空间分异特征。研究显示:锦鸡儿根系生物量在水平方向上多靠近林带分布,与6m和8m带距系统相比,4m带距系统林地中部锦鸡儿根系生物量密度相对较高。锦鸡儿在林地中部土体的细根根长和表面积密度随带距增大而减小;带距分别为4,6,8m的系统中,锦鸡儿在4m带距系统整个样地土体中细根根长和表面积密度均处于相对较高的水平;而随带距增大,在0～40cm土层中,锦鸡儿平均细根根长密度、细根长度累计百分比、平均细根表面积密度和细根表面积累计百分比均呈减小趋势。因此,与4m和6m带距系统相比,在8m带距系统中,锦鸡儿细根较少地分布于表土层和林地中部土体中,林草主要资源利用层发生隔离,而且林地两侧锦鸡儿根系在林地中部较少发生接触,使得林草种间竞争和锦鸡儿种内竞争较为缓和;同时8m带距系统仍可有效防止林地发生风蚀,所以在我国西北干旱半干旱地区进行锦鸡儿林草带状复合系统建设时,采用8m带距较为适宜。     

林草复合系统地下部分种间互作关系与化感作用研究进展

林草复合系统作为一种具有可持续发展特点的土地利用方式,已在全球范围内得到了广泛的应用和研究,其经营的成败通常是由各生物组分之间的相互作用关系所决定。目前,林草复合系统的经营者比较重视对系统地上部分种间互作关系的调控,而忽视地下部分种间互作关系和化感作用对系统经营的潜在影响。笔者对国内外相关研究进行了分析和总结,以完善和加深人们对林草复合系统地下部分种间互作关系和化感作用的认识,可为优化系统物种结构、避免或降低种间不利影响、实现系统经营收益的最大化提供经验借鉴和理论指导。未来应深入研究林草复合系统地下部分与地上部分种间互作关系及化感作用三者之间如何相互影响和协同运行、探索系统对土壤水肥资源利用的耦合效应、揭示林草根系主要分布层发生隔离的机制、筛选具有水力提升作用的树种并尝试性地在人工林草复合系统中进行应用、探求系统地下部分种间互作关系对全球气候变化的响应以及加强林草复合系统中化感作用的研究等。