Arrowleaf Clover Research Articles

Forage mass and nutritional value of elephant grass intercropped with forage legumes1

Forage-legume systems are a sustainable and competitive alternative for improving pasture yield and quality because of the symbiotic nitrogen fixation capacity and high nutritional value of legumes. This study aimed to evaluate the forage mass, nutritional value, and nutrient export rate in three forage systems (FS): FS1, with elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (EG), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) (AR), and spontaneous growth species (SGS); FS2, with EG + AR + SGS + arrowleaf clover (Trifolum vesiculosum); and FS3, with EG + AR + SGS + forage peanut (Arachis pintoi ). The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with three replicates, and repeated measures over time. Results of pre-grazing forage mass were 3.5, 3.8, and 3.9 t/ha, and crude protein export were 1.4, 2.1, and 2.3 t/ha, for the treatments FS1, FS2 and FS3, respectively. Highest crude protein, in situ dry matter digestibility and total digestible nutrients, and lowest neutral detergent fiber were found in the intercropping system with forage peanut, especially in winter. Nutritional values were also better in legume-systems than the non-legume system.

Management of defoliation in Trifolium vesiculosum S. for the production of seeds

ABSTRACT The present study aims to determine the appropriate defoliation management for the production of seeds and forage in arrowleaf clover via trail analysis. The results obtained demonstrated that defoliation practices have a great influence on the composition of seed yield and germination power. In addition, when the goal is the maximum balance between dry matter production and seed yield, this can be achieved in up to two defoliation practices. These results are confirmed by analyzing the positive association between the weight of a thousand seeds and the seed yield. When the third defoliation practice is performed, it negatively correlates with the weight of a thousand seeds, suggesting that, with the increase in defoliation frequency, there is a lower weight of a thousand seeds, and, therefore, lower seed yield. Therefore, management planning in Trifolium vesiculosum Savi that aims at natural reseeding, maximum yield and seed germination must prioritize one to two defoliation practices, aiming to promote favorable conditions for the perennialization of the species. In this context, the trail analysis proved to be a useful tool as a criterion for obtaining the ideal management aiming at the production of seeds and forage in vesicular clover.

A 3-year field study to assess winter cover crops as nitrogen sources for an organic maize crop in Mediterranean Portugal

Current environmental concerns, the rising economic and environmental costs of mineral fertilizers and the need to respond to the limitations of N fertilization in organic farming motivate the search for alternative sources of N in maize cropping. Forage legumes used as winter cover crops may improve soil N fertility and offer benefits to the environment. The aim of this study was to examine the effects, in a factorial field experiment, of two sowing dates (SD) and nine different cover crop treatments (balansa clover, crimson clover, gland clover, arrowleaf clover, French serradella, yellow lupin, Italian ryegrass, a cover mixture and a weedy fallow) as a potential alternative N source in an organically managed maize crop. The experiment was conducted at Viseu (Portugal) for three years (2007/2008, 2008/2009 and 2011/12), in the same field. Results showed that maize grain yield was not influenced by cover crop species but was affected by SD and the higher dry matter (DM) aboveground biomass production was observed in early SD (6.1 t ha−1). The cover crops revealed their importance in maize N uptake: yellow lupin of earlier SD had the highest N uptake (83.6 kg N ha−1), but this was not significantly different from balansa clover (83.2 kg N ha−1). Ryegrass was the most efficient in depleting soil mineral N but values were just significantly lower than yellow lupin.Lupin was the least efficient, leaving more mineral N in the soil than the others cover crops, immediately before the period when the risk of leaching is high. It was concluded that, under the edaphoclimatic conditions tested, most of the tested cover crops were efficient in supplying N to maize, and balansa clover had the best performance.

Evaluation of nitrogen-delivery methods for stocker cattle grazing annual ryegrass.

A 2-yr grazing experiment was conducted to evaluate efficacy of nitrogen (N) fertilization, interseeded legumes, and protein supplementation for N delivery to stocker cattle grazing annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum). Each year, 90 steers (initial BW, 241 ± 13 kg) were assigned to the following N-delivery methods, with or without monensin fed in a free-choice mineral supplement as a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments: ryegrass fertilized with 112 kg N/ha (NFERT); ryegrass interseeded with crimson clover (CC, Trifolium incarnatum); ryegrass interseeded with arrowleaf clover (AC, Trifolium vesiculosum); ryegrass plus distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) supplemented at 0.65% BW daily; and ryegrass plus whole cottonseed (WCS) supplemented at 0.65% BW daily. Pastures within the interseeded-clover and protein-supplementation treatments were fertilized with 56 kg N/ha at time of establishment. Steers were weighed every 28 d, and forage mass (FM, kg DM/ha) was measured concurrently using the destructive harvest/disk meter double-sampling method. Each of 30 0.81-ha paddocks was stocked initially with 3 “tester” steers, and stocking density (steers/ha) was adjusted using “put-and-take steers” based on changes in FM and steer BW in order to maintain a uniform forage allowance (FA) of 1 kg DM/kg steer BW. Grazing was discontinued on May 11, 2016 in Yr 1 and May 10, 2017 in Yr 2 following 140 and 84 d of grazing, respectively. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with repeated measures for which pasture (n = 3) was the experimental unit. Ionophore inclusion did not affect (P > 0.10) any variable measured. Mean FM differed (P < 0.0001) between years and among N-delivery methods (P < 0.10), and mean FA differed (P = 0.005) among N-delivery methods. Steer ADG differed among N-delivery methods (P = 0.02) and between years (P < 0.001), whereas total gain/ha differed (P < 0.0008) among N-delivery methods, but not between years (P = 0.78). Stocking density differed among N-delivery methods (P = 0.02) and between years (P < 0.0001), and grazing-days/ha differed between years (P < 0.0001) and among N-delivery methods (P = 0.001). Results indicate that supplementation with a high-protein by-product feed for cattle grazing annual ryegrass maintained ADG, total gain/ha and grazing-days/ha compared with N-fertilized annual ryegrass, and increased ADG, total gain/ha, and grazing-days over interseeded legumes.

Monitoring of the fluidized bed particle drying process by temperature and pressure drop measurements

This work aimed to monitor the temperature and the pressure drop behaviors in bed during the drying of Persian clover and arrowleaf clover seeds in a fluidized bed. The inlet air temperatures were of 40 °C and 50 °C, with a fixed bed height (Hl:Dl ratio of 1:1) and fluidization velocity of 2.7 times the minimum. For the temperature and the pressure drop profiles in bed and the standard deviation of pressure drop, all changed significantly during the process in function to solids moisture content, mainly on the transition of the constant rate period to the falling rate period, due to change of the mass transfer mechanisms. In addition, an analysis of pressure measurements in the frequency domain was performed, using the Fast Fourier Transform, and power spectra of distinct characteristics for the two drying periods was obtained, showing that this technique can be a potential alternative for operation drying monitoring. Highlights Temperature and pressure drop measurements showed great potential for monitoring the particles; Pressure and temperature measurements between of constant and falling rates periods had changed significantly; Standard deviation measures behaved in a similar way to pressure drop; Power spectra became wider and showed a decrease in amplitude during the operation.

Isotermas de adsorção de umidade e cinética de secagem de sementes de trevo persa (Trifolium resupinatum L.) e trevo vesiculoso (Trifolium vesiculosum) ¬¬¬¬

The aim of this work was to obtain adsorption isotherms and to study the drying kinetics of persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) and arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) seeds, in addition, fitting the experimental data by the predicted models of the literature. The equilibrium moisture content and the moisture adsorption behavior were found by isotherms curves at 40, 45 and 50 ºC, and the Peleg model was the most suitable. The drying kinetics was determined by thin layer assays in an air parallel flow dryer at all three temperatures. In addition, it was demonstrated the predominance of the falling drying rate period for the two species of seeds, and the critical moisture content values were approximately of 0.20 and 0.25 gwater gdry matter-1 for persian clover and arrowleaf clover seeds, respectively. The effective diffusivity values were estimated in ranges of values of 3.61×10-11 – 6.81×10-11 m² s-1 for persian clover and 6.76×10-11 – 1.15×10-10 m²s-1 for arrowleaf clover seeds and the temperature effect was expressed by an Arrhenius relation. Thus, drying kinetics confirmed the greater difficulty in moisture removal from the arrowleaf clover seeds, compared to the persian clover seeds drying, in agreement with the results obtained through adsorption isotherms.

Lamb growth rates and carcass characteristics of White Dorper and crossbred lambs grazing traditional and novel pastures during spring in southern Australia

Context Finishing lambs on pasture and specialist forages is a commonly used production system in southern Australia; however, there is little information properly comparing multiple pasture options for lamb production. Aim We aimed to compare growth rates of lambs when grazing traditional pastures, novel legumes, or a herb–legume mixture. Methods Six pasture and forage treatments were sown in three replicate 0.4-ha plots and with access to irrigation. Treatments were French serradella (Ornithopus sativus Brot.), bladder clover (Trifolium spumosum L.), forage brassica (Brassica napus L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), lucerne + phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.), and arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) + chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). The last two treatments were sown in a 1 : 1 alternate sowing-row (tyne) arrangement. All plots were grazed concurrently from 15 October to 2 December 2014, each plot with a mixed-sex group of 13 weaned lambs: five White Dorper, three White Suffolk × White Dorper and five White Suffolk × Merino lambs. During the grazing period, lambs were weighed each week following an overnight curfew. Starting liveweight (mean ± s.d.) was 32.4 ± 5.5 kg. At the completion of the grazing period, lambs were slaughtered and carcass traits recorded. Key results Lambs grazing arrowleaf clover + chicory had the highest average daily growth rates (ADG) (245 g/lamb.day) and those grazing lucerne + phalaris the lowest (119 g/lamb.day). There was a lag in ADG for the forage brassica treatment over the first 14 days of grazing, and lamb growth plateaued for the bladder clover treatment toward the end of the trial. Overall, ADG for the forage brassica and bladder clover treatments was similar to that for lucerne. Lambs grazing French serradella had similar ADG to 18 November compared with those grazing other treatments, except arrowleaf clover + chicory; however, lambs grazing French serradella were withdrawn from the experiment on 26 November after losing weight. The genotype × treatment interaction was significant for final liveweights, with White Suffolk × White Dorper lambs having higher predicted final liveweight on the arrowleaf clover + chicory pasture (45.2 kg) than White Dorper (43.8 kg) and White Suffolk × Merino (44.0 kg) lambs, and higher liveweight on lucerne than White Suffolk × Merino lambs (42.6 vs 41.4 kg). White Dorper lambs had a higher overall sale value owing to their higher dressing percentage. The proportion of lambs reaching the finished weight target was higher for arrowleaf clover + chicory (0.96) than for any other treatment. Conclusions and implications Using a forage option that maintains high levels of production and quality later in spring can increase the proportion of lambs reaching target weights and the final sale weight of lambs.

Effect of cultivar, timing of establishment and cutting interval on yield and seed set of arrowleaf clover

Arrowleaf clover is an erect hard-seeded annual clover with potential to improve the typically low legume content of dryland hill country. A number of small plot experiments were undertaken to better understand arrowleaf management. Cultivar maturity impacted on single-cut yields, with later maturing cultivars (‘Arrotas’ and ‘Zulu 11’) having significantly higher yields than an early maturing cultivar (‘Cefalu’). When autumn oversowing was practised, the slow growth of arrowleaf during winter caused weed issues. Delaying sowing of arrowleaf clover from April to winter (July) did not affect dry matter yield, seed set or seed viability and avoided the need for a weed spray as the vigorous spring growth of arrowleaf out-competed weed species. Arrowleaf oversown on hill country and allowed to set seed to build a large bank of hard seed resulted in a bulk of fibrous trash that was difficult to clean-up with grazing stock. Four mowings to simulate grazing encouraged weed invasion and reduced legume yields (and trash). Whilst two mowings were optimal for seed yield, up to three mowings provided a compromise between setting seed, utilising feed for grazing and reducing trash after flowering.

Offering subterranean clover can reduce methane emissions compared with perennial ryegrass pastures during late spring and summer in sheep

Sheep production systems in south-west Victoria are based predominantly on perennial ryegrass pastures, resulting in highly seasonal growth and declining feed quantity and nutritive value in late spring and summer. These changes result in reduced animal performance and increased CH4 emissions per kg DM intake. A potential alternative to the feedbase used in south-west Victoria that provides high quality and quantity of feed in late spring and early summer are legume-based pastures, such as clovers and lucerne. This experiment examined the impact of legume-based pastures on the growth rates and CH4 emissions of Maternal Composite ewes during late spring and early summer. In 2014, 240 Maternal Composite ewes grazed either perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) or arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.) pastures for 6 weeks during late spring and early summer (November and December). Sheep grazing subterranean clover were heavier at the end of the experiment than sheep grazing perennial ryegrass. Methane measurements using portable accumulation chambers indicated lower daily CH4 emissions (g/day) from sheep grazing subterranean clover (23.5 g/day) than from sheep grazing lucerne (27.3 g/day) and perennial ryegrass (32.3 g/day) pastures. Methane emissions and liveweight changes appeared to be associated with the nutritive characteristics of the forage offered. Legume-based pastures provide sheep producers in south-west Victoria an option to increase growth rates and decrease CH4 emissions during a period when perennial ryegrass pastures are declining in nutritive value.

Nitrogen Delivery Method and Monensin Effects on Productivity, Nutritive Value, and Botanical Composition of Grazed Annual Ryegrass Pasture

Nitrogen fertilization is a major input cost of forage production, and alternatives that maintain yield and nutritive value would be advantageous. A 3‐yr study was conducted to evaluate forage nutritive value and clover proportion when N fertilizer was replaced partially with interseeded clovers (Trifolium spp.) or protein supplements for stocker cattle grazing annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Nitrogen delivery methods with or without monensin included annual ryegrass fertilized with 112 kg N ha−1 in split application (NFERT), and other methods that received 56 kg N ha−1, including annual ryegrass interseeded with crimson clover (CC, Trifolium incarnatum L.) or arrowleaf clover (AC, Trifolium vesiculosum Savi), or grazing cattle supplemented with distillers dried grains plus solubles at a rate of 0.65% body weight daily (DDGS) or whole cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.) at the rate of 0.65% body weight daily (WCS). Clover proportion was greater (P = 0.003) for CC than AC across all 3 yr of the study, and CC was more (P = 0.003) abundant when monensin was fed. Year affected forage in vitro true digestibility (IVTD, P &lt; 0.001) and crude protein (CP, P &lt; 0.001) concentration such that IVTD and CP were greatest in Year 3, intermediate in Year 2, and least in Year 1. Forage degradable intake protein (DIP) concentration was affected by N delivery method (P &lt; 0.001) and year (P &lt; 0.001) such that CC was less than NFERT, DDGS, WCS, and AC, and Year 1 was greatest, Year 2 was intermediate, and Year 3 was the least. Results are interpreted to mean that year affected forage nutritive value more than did N delivery method.

White (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Trifolium repens&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) and Arrowleaf (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Trifolium vesiculosum&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Savi) Clover Emergence in Varying Loblolly Pine (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Pinus taeda&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Tree Alley Spacings

Agroforestry systems have the potential to provide year-long income opportunities via the integrated forage or crop, timber, and livestock. Legumes are an attractive alternative option during the growing season when more traditional forages may not be as productive. The objective of this study was to test the establishment of arrowleaf and white clover grown under varying pine tree alley widths. In 2011, existing forage was removed in 15-yr old loblolly pine tree row alleys of different widths (3.7, 4.9, 7.3, and 9.8 m), including an open area. Arrowleaf, as an annual, was replanted in 2012. Seedlings were counted twice/year, while dry matter was measured three times/year. Photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) was measured in all alley widths to compare light penetration through the canopy. Hot and dry conditions occurred throughout 2012, affecting results. In 2012 and 2013, the greatest PAR for most treatments was observed in June. Seedling counts for all treatments were greatest immediately after establishment, and gradually declined throughout the course of the study. Dry matter yields increased throughout the growing season, and were greatest in arrowleaf clover in the open area on all measurement dates; however, increased weed pressure and repeated flooding affected yields. This study demonstrated that clover establishment in shady wooded areas is possible, but only under suitable environmental conditions.

Performance and weed-suppressive potential of selected pasture legumes against annual weeds in south-eastern Australia

Mixed farming systems have traditionally incorporated subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) as key components of the pasture phase across south-eastern Australia. However, poor adaptation of subterranean clover to acidic soils, insufficient and inconsistent rainfall, high input costs, soil acidification and the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds have reduced efficacy of some traditional clover species in recent years. To overcome these challenges, numerous novel pasture species have been selectively improved and released for establishment in Australia. Despite their suitability to Australian climate and soils, limited knowledge exists regarding their weed-suppressive ability in relation to establishment and regeneration. Field trials were therefore conducted over 3 years in New South Wales to evaluate the suppressive potential of selected pasture legume species and cultivars as monocultures and in mixed stands against dominant annual pasture weeds. Pasture and weed biomass varied significantly between pasture species when sown as monocultures, but mixtures of several species did not differ with regard to establishment and subsequent weed infestation. Arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi.) and biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus L.) cv. Casbah showed improved stand establishment, with higher biomass and reduced weed infestation compared with other pasture species. Generally, weed suppression was positively correlated with pasture biomass; however, yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus L.) cv. Santorini exhibited greater weed suppression than other pasture legumes while producing lower biomass, thereby suggesting a mechanism other than competition for resources affecting weed-suppressive ability. Over the period 2015–17, arrowleaf clover and biserrula cv. Casbah were generally the most consistent annual pasture legumes with respect to yearly regeneration and suppression of annual pasture weed species.

Seed production, seedling regeneration and hardseeds breakdown of annual clovers

ABSTRACTSeed production of four annual clover species, arrowleaf (Trifolium vesiculosum), balansa (Trifolium michelianum), gland (Trifolium glanduliferum) and Persian (Trifolium resupinatum) was quantified from four sowing dates in 2010. Following initial sowing rate at 4–6 kg/ha, these clovers produced seed yields up to ∼2340 kg/ha for balansa and gland, 914 kg/ha for arrowleaf and ∼814 kg/ha for Persian. After herbage was removed the clover seedlings that regenerated produced a maximum ground cover of 91% for balansa, 65% for gland, 17% for Persian and 6% for arrowleaf. The seeds of ‘Mihi’ Persian clover were all soft and none were recovered in the soil after three months of burial. In contrast, arrowleaf clover had the highest percentage of hardseededness (>97%) and therefore retained most of its viable seeds in the soil into the second year. The differences in hardseededness and regeneration potential mean different management strategies for their successful establishment into dryland farming systems.

Long‐Term Forage and Cow–Calf Relationships for Bermudagrass Overseeded with Arrowleaf Clover or Annual Ryegrass Managed at Different Stocking Rates

Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] pastures are often overseeded with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and/or clovers to extend grazing. The bermudagrass pastures were stocked at three levels of forage mass to quantify cow and calf average daily gain (ADG, gain ha−1) and its relationship with mass and allowance (forage dry matter/animal body weight [DM:BW]). From 2002 through 2013, ‘Coastal’ and common bermudagrass pastures were overseeded with either ‘Apache’ arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi.) without N fertilization or annual ryegrass plus N. Calf ADG was greater (P &lt; 0.001) on arrowleaf clover and ryegrass from February to mid‐June (spring) compared with Coastal and common bermudagrass from mid‐June to late September (summer). Calf ADG was similar for bermudagrass pastures in spring, but different (P &lt; 0.001) at all three stocking levels for low (1.42 kg d−1), medium (1.22 kg d−1), or high (0.90 kg d−1) stocking rates. Cow ADG in spring was greater (P &lt; 0.01) for ryegrass (0.41 kg d−1) than for arrowleaf clover (0.22 kg d−1), and at all three stocking levels. In summer, calf ADG was affected by stocking (P &lt; 0.001) at low (1.05 kg d−1), medium (0.81 kg d−1), and high (0.58 kg d−1) stocking rates. Cow ADG in summer varied by stocking level (P &lt; 0.01), bermudagrass pasture (P &lt; 0.04), and stocking level × bermudagrass pasture interaction (P &lt; 0.04). Calf ADG was optimum at 2000 to 2500 kg ha−1 mass in spring, and 3000 to 3500 kg ha−1 mass in summer. Optimum allowance for calves was 1.2 to 1.5 (DM:BW ) in spring and 1.5 to 2.0 in summer. A two‐phase linear relationship best fit mass and allowance with cow and calf ADG for the overall 11 yr.

Forage production in mixed grazing systems of elephant grass with arrowleaf clover or forage peanut

ABSTRACT Most dairy production systems are pasture-based, usually consisting of sole grass species. This system facilitates pasture management, but results in high production costs, mainly because of nitrogen fertilizers. An alternative to making forage systems more sustainable is to introduce legumes into the pasture. Mixed pastures allow better forage distribution over time and reduce fertilization costs. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate, throughout the year, three forage systems (FS): FS1 (control) - elephant grass (EG), ryegrass (RG), and spontaneous species (SS); FS2 - EG + RG + SS + arrowleaf clover; and FS3 - EG + RG + SS + forage peanut. Elephant grass was planted in rows spaced 4 m apart. Ryegrass was sown between the EG lines, in the winter. Arrowleaf clover was sown according to the respective treatments and forage peanut was preserved. Evaluation was carried out using Holstein cows. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design, with three treatments (FS), and three repetitions (paddocks) with repeated measurements (grazing cycles). Forage mass achieved 3.46, 3.80, and 3.91 t ha-1 for the treatments FS1, FS2 and FS3, respectively. The forage systems intercropped with legumes produced the best results.

ALTERNATIVES FOR SPRING FORAGE EMPTINESS IN PAMPA, BRAZIL

The spring forage emptiness is an obstacle to the development of Brazilian livestock, including in the Bioma Pampa region. Feed strategies for this period contributed to the development of livestock and to the conservation of the biome. The objective of this work was to know the nutritional potential of forages during spring forage for use as strategies in the forage planning. The experiment had a completely randomized design, with ten forages and four replicates. The chemical composition, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and the total digestible nutrient content (NTD) of elephant grass, brachiaria cultivars Convert and Marandu, Tifton 68; diploid and tetraploid ryegrass; red, white and arrowleaf clover; and bird’s-foot trefoil. The grasses had a higher proportion of fibrous constituents, and lower levels of NDT and DMD, thus, lower nutritional value. Negative correlation between mineral matter and fibrous constituents with CP, TDN and IVDMD, was observed. Forages studied can be used as pasture alternatives for ruminants in the spring forage emptiness of the Pampa, Brazil, however, the strategy of using them should be a pasture planning.

Effect of Grass-legume Intercropping on Dry Matter Yield and Nutritive Value of Pastures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The Eastern Cape Province, South Africa is faced with inadequate quantity of livestock feed especially during the drier (winter) seasons. Forage legumes were over sown into natural grasses to determine their potential to improve feed quality and quantity. Four forage legumes namely: Trifolium vesiculosum (Arrowleaf clover), Lespedeza cuneata (sericea lespedeza) , Trifolium repens (white clover) and Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil) were intercropped with native grasses in the old arable land located in Lushington communal area in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The treatments consisted of natural grasses growing in pure stands and native grasses intercropped with forage legumes grown under rain-fed conditions. Grasses and legumes were harvested for dry matter yield (DMY) once in spring 2013 (September - November), summer 2014 (December-February), autumn 2014 (March-May) and winter 2014 (June -August). Amongst the legumes, L. cuneata was more (P<0.05) productive than rest of the legumes. However, T. vesiculosum was the least (P <0.05) productive legume during the four seasons. Total dry matter (TDM) yield was higher (P<0.05) during summer and lower during winter seasons, respectively. Grasses harvested in autumn had the highest (P<0.05) 12% crude protein (CP) than those harvested in winter which, had the lowest 4.6% CP content. Similarly, all legume pastures harvested in spring had superior (p<0.05) 10.8% CP, while those harvested in winter had the least 3.5% CP. Likewise, forages harvested during the wet seasons (i.e. autumn and or summer) had improved (P < 0.05) herbage micro nutrient content than those harvested in the drier (winter) season. Results of the study indicated that overall total dry matter yield of grass-legume mixtures was higher than that of sole natural grasses, with grasses constituting the major component of the herbage yield. Results from this study also indicated that forages produced in wetter seasons had superior biomass yield and nutritive value, respectively.

Forage mass, botanical composition and stocking density of bermudagrass overseeded with forage legumes

ABSTRACT Pastures of the genus Cynodon are being cultivated alone in conventional production with high rates of nitrogen fertilizer. Information and research about its use on mixed-pasture system is scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate three grazing systems with coastcross-1 (CC) + 100 kg N ha-1 year-1 + common vetch; CC + 100 kg N ha-1 year-1 + arrowleaf clover; and CC + 200 kg N ha-1 year-1. The experiment was carried out from May 2013 to April 2014. The sward height, forage mass, botanical composition, leaf:stem ratio, and animal stocking density were evaluated. Experimental design was completely randomized with three treatments (grazing systems) and three replicates (paddocks) in completely split-plot time (grazing cycles). The average stocking rate was 7.0, 6.8, 6.8 cows ha-1 day-1 for the respective forage systems. Better results were found with coastcross-1 mixed with common vetch + 100 kg N ha-1 year-1 in winter and spring and coastcross-1 alone + 200 kg N ha-1 year-1 in autumn.

Development of Plant-Parasitic Nematode Populations on Forage Crops under Field Conditions

The continuous increase in cost and scarcity of mineral fertilizers resultingfrom the use of high-cost energy sources has renewed interests in organic recyclingand biological nitrogen-fixation to improve soil fertility and productivity. Foragelegumes can fix nitrogen from atmosphere which has the merit to offer nitrogen forboth crop production and soil fertility. However, plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs)interactions with leguminous crops can be agronomically damaging under variousconditions. The present study examined population development of each of thePPN genera Meloidogyne spp., Paratrichodorus spp., Criconemella spp.,Pratylenchus spp., Tylenchorhynchus, and Tylenchus spp. on fourteen legumecultivars (i.e. 'Florida' red clover, 'Nolin' red clover, 'Kenland' red clover, 'Kenstar'red clover, 'Tibbee' crimson clover, 'Dixie' crimson clover, 'Mt. Barker' Subterraneanclover, 'Amclo' arrowleaf clover, 'FL - 77' alfalfa, 'Abon' persian clover, 'Wood ford'big flower vetch, 'Seqrest' ball clover, 'Kondinin' rose clover, and 'Chief' crimsonclover). The nematode initial and final populations varied considerably among thelegume cultivars. Therefore, we adjusted for the rate of nematode multiplication byusing analysis of covariance. However, we could not use one of the statisticalmultiple comparison methods because each treatment had different mean ofsquares for the experimental error. Consequently, a matrix was designed to test thesignificance of nematode populations on the cultivars using the t-test. Using acomputer program, the exact (numerical) level of statistical significance fornematode densities among the cultivars could be established. Relatively lowerpopulations of the nematode genera were found on 'FL-77' alfalfa plants.

The effect of forage-types on the fatty acid profile, lipid and protein oxidation, and retail colour stability of muscles from White Dorper lambs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different forage-types on lamb meat quality parameters. White Dorper lambs that had grazed five forage-types, were slaughtered commercially. At 24h post-mortem, the m. longissimus lumborum (LL) was removed from one side, sliced into three equal sub-samples, vacuum packaged and assigned to ageing periods (5, 12 or 40days); the other side of LL was aged for 5days. The m. adductor femoris was used for fatty acid analysis. Lambs fed chicory+arrowleaf clover had the highest concentration of health claimable omega-3 fatty acids and the lowest omega-6:omega-3 fatty acid ratio. Forage-types with higher vitamin E content showed lower lipid oxidation levels independent of ageing period. Forage-type and ageing period did not influence the redness, yellowness, chroma or reflectance ratio (630nm÷580nm) of displayed meat. Chicory+arrowleaf clover gave the best results to improve the fatty acid content of lamb meat.