Effects of Closing Cut Date and Nitrogen Fertilization on Seed Yield and Seed Quality in Two Novel Cultivars of Urochloa spp.

Weenaporn Juntasin,Ichiro Nakamura,Rattikan Poungkaew,Sarayut Thaikua,Yasuhiro Kawamoto,Mohammad Amzad Hossain,Yoshimi Imura

doi:10.3390/agronomy12020513

Abstract

Two field trials were conducted in Thailand to determine an appropriate closing cut date (CCD) and rate of nitrogen application (N-rate) to maximize seed yield and seed quality of the two novel cultivars (cv.) of Urochloa spp. (Synonym Brachiaria spp.), cv. ‘OKI-1’ (an open-pollinated tetraploid Urochloa ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C.M. Evrard) Crins originated from cv. ‘Miyaokikoku-ichigou’) and cv. ‘Br-203’ (U. ruziziensis cv. ‘Miyaokikoku-ichigou’ × U. hybrid cv. ‘Mulato’). The following treatments were evaluated in this study: four CCDs (uncut, 15 June, 1 July, and 15 July) and four N-rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg/ha). The cv. ‘OKI-1’ showed somewhat differences in tiller number/m2 (TN), fertile tiller percentage (FTP), inflorescence number/tiller (IN/T) and spikelet number/raceme (SN/R) with the CCD, while the cv. ‘Br-203’ showed only in SN/R. However, TN and SN/R were highest for 15 June, and FTP and IN/T were highest for 1 July in cv. ‘OKI-1’. The cv. ‘OKI-1’ showed the highest total seed yield (TSY), pure seed yield (PSY), and pure germinated seed yield (PGSY) for 1 July, followed by 15 June, and the cv. ‘Br-203’ showed the highest TSY, PSY, and PGSY for 15 July, followed by 1 July. Nitrogen (N) fertilization showed a negative effect on TSY for both the cultivars due to the higher N content in the soil. Withholding N fertilizer, a CCD in late-June to early-July and early-July to mid-July is recommended for cv. ‘OKI-1’ and cv. ‘Br-203’, respectively.

Highlights

Urochloa (Synonym Brachiaria) is the most extensively distributed genus used for forage grass in the tropics, with approximately 100 species, including several commercially important species [1]
Our findings were confirmed by Rao et al [27], who reported that most commercial Urochloa spp. are adaptable to a wide range of soil types; from poor, acidic soils to highly fertile, neutral soils
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of closing cut date (CCD) and rate of nitrogen application (N-rate) on seed yield and seed quality of two novel cultivars of Urochloa spp

Summary

Introduction

Urochloa (Synonym Brachiaria) is the most extensively distributed genus used for forage grass in the tropics, with approximately 100 species, including several commercially important species [1]. Ruminant livestock farmers use Urochloa spp. because of their high forage production and palatability for cattle, as well as their high nutritive value, adaptability, and environmental benefits (e.g., reducing soil erosion and greenhouse gas emissions) [2]. Urochloa spp. can be utilized as pasture, fodder in cut-and-carry systems, hay, silage, and mixed grass-legumes, among other things. Grasses from the genus Urochloa have been adopted to alleviate livestock feed shortages and improve the availability and quality of feeds. It can increase livestock productivity and farmers’ revenue [3]. The optimal rate of nitrogen application (N-rate) and timing of closing cut date (CCD) were investigated in two novel candidate cultivars of Urochloa grass

Methods

Results

Conclusion