Fescue Research Articles

English

The practices of using isolation and distance in the seed production of open pollinated crops are fundamental concepts to ensure seed purity. We uniquely examined the effectiveness of replacing isolation plots for seed production and grass breeding with different sizes of novel nonwoven synthetic fabric pollination control tents (PCTs). Two fabrics, DWB10 and DWB24, were used along with multiple genotypes of tall fescue at Ardmore, Burneyville and Gene Autry locations in Oklahoma, USA during 2018 and 2019. Treatment effects were consistently significant in both years, but location differences were more pronounced in 2019. Interactions of treatments with locations or genotypes were not predominant. The two tent fabrics, generally, performed equally well for various traits in both years. Tent performance for both fabrics was particularly superior over control for various traits in 2019 (e.g., DWB10 tent showed a 36% increase for seed yield (SY) over the control). Introduction of fans in tents for increasing pollen flow in 2019 was not advantageous as it reduced the SY by 23%. The average temperature within tents was higher with lower average humidity than the control producing a microclimate for good yield and disease free seeds. The final germination (%) of seeds from tents and controls at 21 days was high and not much different with a minimum overall germination of 89% at Burneyville in 2018. There was no evidence of pollen contamination from tetraploid ryegrass pollen in any of the tent fabrics. Bad weather in 2018 affected the sturdiness of tents, but modifications in 2019 corrected all such mishaps. Further improvements in the structures, design and cover have since been made for field exploitation of technology in grass improvement and seed multiplication. Key words: Ryegrass, fescue grass, pollination control tents, nonwoven fabrics. &nbsp

A Tale of Two Grass Species: Temperature Affects the Symbiosis of a Mutualistic Epichloë Endophyte in Both Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass.

Many cool-season grasses form permanent, mutualistic symbioses with asexual Epichloë endophytes. These fungal symbionts often perform a protective role within the association as many strains produce secondary metabolites that deter certain mammalian and invertebrate herbivores. Although initially a serious issue for agriculture, due to mammalian toxins that manifested in major animal health issues, selected strains that provide abiotic stress protection to plants with minimal ill effects to livestock are now commercialized and routinely used to enhance pasture performance in many farming systems. These fungal endophytes and their grass hosts have coevolved over millions of years, and it is now generally accepted that most taxonomic groupings of Epichloë are confined to forming compatible associations (i.e., symptomless associations) with related grass genera within a tribe. The most desired compounds associated with Epichloë festucae var. lolii, an endophyte species associated with perennial ryegrass, are peramine and epoxy-janthitrems. No other major secondary metabolites with invertebrate bioactivity have been identified within this association. However, other agriculturally beneficial compounds, such as lolines, have been discovered in related endophyte species that form associations with fescue grasses. A rationale therefore existed to develop novel grass-endophyte associations between loline-producing endophytes originally isolated from tall fescue with elite cultivars of perennial ryegrass to achieve a wider spectrum of insect bioactivity. A suitable loline-producing endophyte strain of Epichloë sp. FaTG-3 was selected and inoculated into perennial ryegrass. We hypothesed that endophyte transmission frequency, endophyte mycelial biomass and endophyte-derived alkaloid production would differ between the original tall fescue host and the artificial association. Consistent with our hypothesis, our data strongly suggest that plant species significantly affected the plant-endophyte association. This effect became more apparent for transmission frequency and endophyte biomass as the plants matured. Overall, the viable endophyte infection frequency was greater in the tall fescue host than in perennial ryegrass, at all sampling dates. Additionally, temperature was found to be a significant factor affecting endophyte transmission frequency, endophyte mycelial biomass and alkaloid production. Implications for the development of novel grass-endophyte associations are discussed.

Effect of fertilization system and tillage on weed infestation of sugar beet sowings in short crop rotations

Purpose. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of soil tillage method and fertilization system on the degree of weed infestation of sugar beet sowings in different crop rotation units under the conditions of the Left-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine.Methods. Field, statistical.Results. The study was carried out in the area of insufficient soil moisture of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine on the slightly saline chernozem in a long-term stationary experiment in the following short crop rotations: crop rotation system esparcet + Festuca pratensis and grain-hoed crop rotation. Fertilization for the experiment was organo-mineral, both in crop rotation and under sugar beet. The research results show that weed infestation was affected by all experimental factors, i.e. by tillage method, fertilization system, and crop rotation unit. Thus, in sugar beet sowings in the crop rotation unit with esparcet and fescue grass, at the time of leaf closure in rows, 33.4 plants/m2 of weeds were recordedin the unfertilized treatment, while in the fertilized treatment their number ranged between 16.7 and 24.0 plants/m2. In the grain − hoed crops rotation 56.0 plants/m2 of weeds were found in the treatment with ploughing and 69.6 plants/m2 in the treatment with combined tillage. The practice of the organic-mineral fertilization system in the crop rotation unit with bare fallow reduced the number of weeds to 16.7−23.6 plants/m2 with ploughing and to 37.0−49.0 plants/m2 with combined tillage.Conclusions. Weed infestation in the crop rotatory system on the background of organic-mineral fertilization was comparable with the grain − hoed crops rotation. In the grain − hoed crops rotation, segetal weeds were dominant in combined tillage. The use of fertilizers markedly reduces weed infestation. The most intensive weed infestation was observed in the treatment with straw + N140P90K90, 49.0 plants/m2 in combined tillage and 23.6 plants/m2 in ploughing. Monocotyledonous weeds were represented by Setaria glauca that was dominant in combined tillage, with 3.0−5.7 plants/m2 of weeds on the background of organo-mineral fertilization. In the treatments with organic-mineral fertilizers, of the dicotyledons, Amaranthus retroflexus was the dominant weed species, both in ploughing (7.0−16.6 plants/m2) and combined tillage treatments (19.6−23.6 plants/m2).

SEED PROTEINS ANALYSIS OF FESTUCA SERIES PSAMMOPHILAE M. PAWLUS AND OVINAE M. PAWLUS (POACEAE)

According to the type of leaf anatomy, narrow-leaved fescues could be divided to three main groups: species with leaves as in F estuca rubra (sclerenchyma strands small, numerous), type F. valesiaca (3 main and big sclerenchyma strands + adventive) and type F. ovina (sclerenchyma ring). The species of the last group were chosen in our study. The seed proteins variation in natural populations of Festuca vaginata , F. psammophila , F. pallens , F. polesica and F. ovina from Ukraine and Bulgaria was examined by means of polyacrylamide (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis. These fescues exhibit high variability and overlap of morphological and anatomical characters, including diagnostic ones, leading to identification difficulties and uncertainties in their taxonomy. The purpose of the present study was to analyze seed protein composition in order to reveal systematic relationships among the above mentioned taxa of genus Festuca . The results showed that F. vaginata , F. psammophila and F. polesica are closely related. The species F. pallens was relatively distant from the above mentioned three species. The specific position of F. pallens is confirmed also by its ecological characteristics– it is the only species growing on carbonate rocks, while the rest of taxa are typical psammophytes. The results showed distinct differences between Ukrainian populations of F. p allens and F. psammophila and confirmed occurrence of latter in Ukrainian Roztocha. The cluster patterns were somewhat inconsistent in regard to different types of proteins (PAGE, SDS-PAGE). The only exception is F. ovina , which always occupies a separate position. This confirms its remote position within the studied group of the genus Festuca and supports the view to consider F. ovina s.str. as a separate series Ovinae among the species with sclerenchyma ring. Whereas all other studied species ( F . vaginata , F. psammophila , F. pallens , F. polesica ) should be considered as a separate series of closely related taxa – series Psammophilae .

Metabolisable energy of grass and red clover silages fed to sheep at maintenance level

This study investigated the effect of forage type (grass or red clover) and harvesting time (primary growth or regrowth) of silage on energy and N utilisation by sheep fed at maintenance level. Specifically, the assumption of constant loss of energy of digestible organic matter from energy losses in urine and CH4 applied in evaluation of silage metabolisable energy (ME) was investigated. Urinary excretion of high-energy phenolic compounds related to solubilisation of lignin was assumed to affect urinary energy (UE) losses from sheep fed highly digestible grass silage (GS). A total of 25 primary growth and regrowth silages of timothy (Phleum pratense) and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) grass mixtures and red clover (Trifolium pratense) samples collected in digestibility trials with sheep, including faecal and urine samples, were used for energy and N determinations. Urinary concentration of monophenolic compounds and CH4 emissions in vitro were also analysed. Daily faecal N output, CH4 yield (MJ/kg DM intake), proportion of CH4 energy in digestible energy (DE) and proportion of UE in DE were greater (P ≤ 0.03) in sheep fed red clover silage (RCS) than GS. Furthermore, less (P = 0.01) energy was lost as UE of DE in sheep fed primary growth GS compared with the other treatments. The relationship between UE and silage N intake or urinary N output for both silage types (i.e. grass v. red clover) was strong, but the fit of the regressions was better for GS than RCS. The CH4/DE ratio decreased (P < 0.05) and the UE/DE ratio increased (P < 0.05) with increasing organic matter digestibility in RCS. These relationships were not significant (P < 0.05) for the GS diets. The regression coefficient was higher (P < 0.05) for GS than RCS when regressing ME concentration on digestible organic matter. The results of this study imply that ME/DE ratio is not constant across first-cut GS of different maturities. The ME production response may be smaller from highly digestible first-cut GS but could not be clearly related to urinary excretion of monophenols derived from solubilisation of lignin. Furthermore, energy lost in urine was not clearly defined for RCS and was much more predictable for GS from silage N concentration.

Результаты кожного тестирования у больных с аллергическими заболеваниями в Самаркандской области

Study Objective: To assess skin test results in patients with some allergies. Design: Perspective comparative study. Materials and Methods. We examined 1,963 patients with allergies who presented to Tadjieva Allergo-Medical Service LLC (Samarkand) in 2018–2019. 895 patients consented to and underwent allergy testing with scarification skin tests; they had various allergies (bronchial asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, allergic bronchitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria). We used 76 types of most common allergens, including 24 plant allergens, 7 domestic allergens, 13 fungal allergens, 3 epidermal allergens, 27 food allergens, histamine and control test. Results. Most common, positive test results were seen with saltwort (42.9%), plantain (39.5%), wormwood (33.7%), pigweed (26.6%), quitch grass (27.3%), cultivated plant mix (corn, rye, barley, oats, wheat) (41.8%), wild grasses (dart grass, scleranthus, bluegrass, ryegrass, brome grass, couch grass, red-tailed fescue grass, foxtail, timothy) (40.4%). In domestic allergens, the highest number of positive test results accounted for Acarus siro (29.1%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (24.6%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (21.8%), D. farinae (20.9%) mites. Still, the most severe are the diseases caused by hypersensitivity to fungal allergens Аlternaria alternatа (8.7%), Candida (8.9%). Polyvalent sensibilization was recorded in the majority of cases; but it was not a factor of severity and did not correlated with the duration of the disease. Conclusion. The results allow verifying aetiological factors of allergies in each case; later it can be used for targeted molecular diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy. Keywords: allergies, allergen-specific immunotherapy, skin tests, plant, domestic, fungal allergens, polysensitization.

ForageGrassBase: molecular resource for the forage grass meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.).

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) is one of the most important forage grasses in temperate regions. It is a diploid (2n = 14) outbreeding species that belongs to the genus Festuca. Together with Lolium perenne, they are the most important genera of forage grasses. Meadow fescue has very high quality of yield with good winter survival and persistency. However, extensive genomic resources for meadow fescue have not become available so far. To address this lack of comprehensive publicly available datasets, we have developed functionally annotated draft genome sequences of two meadow fescue genotypes, ‘HF7/2’ and ‘B14/16’, and constructed the platform ForageGrassBase, available at http://foragegrass.org/, for data visualization, download and querying. This is the first open-access platform that provides extensive genomic resources related to this forage grass species. The current database provides the most up-to-date draft genome sequence along with structural and functional annotations for genes that can be accessed using Genome Browser (GBrowse), along with comparative genomic alignments to Arabidopsis, L. perenne, barley, rice, Brachypodium and maize genomes. We have integrated homologous search tool BLAST also for the users to analyze their data. Combined, GBrowse, BLAST and downloadable data gives a user-friendly access to meadow fescue genomic resources. To our knowledge, ForageGrassBase is the first genome database dedicated to forage grasses. The current forage grass database provides valuable resources for a range of research fields related to meadow fescue and other forage crop species, as well as for plant research communities in general. The genome database can be accessed at http://foragegrass.org.

254 Digestibility of sheep offered tall fescue, meadow fescue and orchardgrass grasses ensiled with slurry or commercial urea fertilization

Abstract Silage intake by ruminants can be affected by both fertilization and forage type. The objective of this study was to evaluate digestion by sheep offered three different grasses fertilized with either urea (C) or dairy slurry (S). Plots of meadow fescue (MF), tall fescue (TF) or orchardgrass (OG) were planted on 25 July 2017, and first harvested on 29 June 2018. Plots were then fertilized with urea (52 kg N/ha) or slurry (71,150 L/ha). A second harvest was baled 6 August at approximately 57% moisture and wrapped in plastic. Eighteen lambs (59 ± 1.5 kg) were allocated randomly to one of the 6 treatment combinations to provide 3 lambs per treatment within each of 3 periods consisting of a 10-d adaptation and 7-d total fecal and urine collection. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement using PROC MIXED of SAS. Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intakes (g/kg BW) were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) from MF fertilized with C than from the other forage-fertility combinations. Digestibility of DM and OM were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) from MF vs. OG, and OG vs. TF. Digestibility of OM also was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) from C vs. S. Digestible DM and OM intakes (g/kg BW) were greatest (P &amp;lt; 0.05) from MF fertilized with C. In addition, digestible DM intake (g/kg BW) was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for MF fertilized with S compared to TF fertilized with C, and digestible OM intake was greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) for MF fertilized with S compared to OG fertilized with S. Therefore, urea-fertilized meadow fescue may improve energy intake compared with that from orchardgrass or tall fescue, but fertilization of meadow fescue with slurry may reduce this advantage. The study was supported in part by USDA-ARS specific cooperative agreement 58-3655-4-052.

Repetitive DNA landscape in essential A and supernumerary B chromosomes of Festuca pratensis Huds

Here, we characterized the basic properties of repetitive sequences in essential A and supernumerary B chromosomes of Festuca pratensis Huds. This was performed by comparative analysis of low-pass Illumina sequence reads of B chromosome lacking (−B) and B chromosome containing (+B) individuals of F. pratensis. 61% of the nuclear genome is composed of repetitive sequences. 43.1% of the genome are transposons of which DNA transposons and retrotransposons made up 2.3% and 40.8%, respectively. LTR retrotransposons are the most abundant mobile elements and contribute to 40.7% of the genome and divided into Ty3-gypsy and Ty1-copia super families with 32.97% and 7.78% of the genome, respectively. Eighteen different satellite repeats were identified making up 3.9% of the genome. Five satellite repeats were used as cytological markers for chromosome identification and genome analysis in the genus Festuca. Four satellite repeats were identified on B chromosomes among which Fp-Sat48 and Fp-Sat253 were specific to the B chromosome of F. pratensis.

Mineral composition and nutritive value of Festuca ecotypes originated from the highland region of Bolivia and cultivars from Argentina

Native grasses constitute the most important source of feed for camelids, sheep and cattle in the highlands of Bolivia, where the genus Festuca is one of the major feed components. This study was carried out to investigate the nutritional value of 11 Festuca ecotypes from the highlands of Bolivia and two cultivars from Argentina (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. cv. ‘Taita’ and Festulolium). All ecotypes were grown in the same experimental field and their protein, ash, cellulose, moisture and micronutrients (Al, B, Ca, Cd, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, S, Si and Zn) content was determined. Principal component analysis and unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) cluster analysis, based on all nutrients, clearly defined the two Argentinian cultivars as outliers. This differentiation was mainly explained by their cellulose, ash, Mn and Al contents. Analysis of variance based on the origin of the accessions revealed highly significant (P &lt; 0.001) differences for their cellulose, ash, Mn and Mg contents, while they differ significantly (P &lt; 0.05) in Ni, Fe, Na and Al contents. There was a highly significant positive correlation between several pairs of minerals including Mg–Ca (r = 0.94) and Mg–Zn (r = 0.92). Negatively correlated pairs of minerals include B–Fe (r = - 0.65) and B–Ni (r = - 0.58). This study provides useful information about the nutritive quality of Bolivian Festuca ecotypes for their use in breeding programs of this forage grass in the Andean highlands of South America.

Ecological restoration of heavy metal-contaminated soil using Na-bentonite and green compost coupled with the cultivation of the grass Festuca arundinacea

Chemophytostabilization is a valuable alternative to many traditional methods of reducing the concentration of heavy metals in soil affected by industrial activity. In this study two soil additives – Na-bentonite and green compost were used separately and as a mixture combined with Festuca arundinacea to reclaim soil highly contaminated with Cd, Zn and Pb. It was found that a decrease in heavy metal concentrations (57–87% for Cd, 48–91% for Zn and 30–82% for Pb) in the amended soils was connected with the application of soil additives rather than with plant vegetation. Both of the soil additives contributed to achieving a higher biomass of F. arundinacea (1.5- to 9.5-fold) than in the non-amended soil. The accumulation of Cd, Zn and Pb in the plant organs was generally higher in the roots than in the shoots. Both soil additives positively influenced the soil enzymes activity and microbial functional capacity. Moreover, they altered the structure of microbial communities in the chemophytostabilized soils. The calculated soil quality indices confirmed that the combined amendments with grass vegetation were most effective in the soil reclamation than other treatments. The obtained results clearly indicate that the chemophytostabilization creates new opportunities for using bentonite and green compost as well as tall fescue grass to limit the transfer of toxic metals from polluted soils to the trophic levels of ecosystems.

174 The effect of forage quality and protein supplementation source on digestibility of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

174 The effect of forage quality and protein supplementation source on digestibility of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue

Effects of feeding UFA-rich cold-pressed oilseed cakes and sainfoin on dairy ewes’ milk fatty acid profile and curd sensory properties

A lactation study was carried out utilizing 72 ewes in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement involving two forages: Tall fescue (FES) and sainfoin (SAIN) hays; and 3 concentrates, which contained hydrogenated prilled palm fat (CTR), cold-pressed sunflower cake (SUN) or cold-pressed rapeseed cake (RPS) as fat sources. Ewes were divided into 6 equilibrated groups of 12 ewes each, according to milk yield and days in milk. Concentrates were offered individually and forage was group fed ad libitum. Milk yield was daily recorded; individual samples of milk were taken for fat, protein, lactose and for fatty acid (FA) composition analysis. Dry matter intake (DMI) and organic matter apparent digestibility (OMD) were estimated using two markers. Feeding behaviour was recorded for 48 h. Blood samples were collected for non-esterified fatty acids, blood urea nitrogen and IGF-1 determinations. Curd acceptance test was carried out using a non-trained sensory panel using a 10-point line scale for the attributes of appearance, flavour, odour, texture and overall acceptability. Milk yield and composition were analysed using the MIXED procedure for repeated measures with fixed effects of concentrate, forage and week, their interaction and the initial record measured at week 0 as covariate, and day and ewe as random effects. Total, hay and concentrate DMI, OMD, plasma metabolites and milk FA profile were analysed using the GLM procedure. Feeding behaviour and sensorial data were analysed using the previous statistical model but without including a covariate. SUN reduced milk total saturated fatty acids (SFA) compared to CTR with both forages, while RPS only reduced SFA with SAIN. Polyunsaturated FA were increased with both cakes and SAIN. SUN increased n-6:n-3 ratio compared to CTR (+54%) and RPS (+62%), and SAIN reduced this ratio compared to FES (−27%). SUN reduced milk index of atherogenicity compared to CTR (up to −33%) with both forages, while RPS reduced (up to −31%) this index only with SAIN. Concentrate did not affect milk production, digestibility and intake, but SAIN increased these traits together with plasma IGF-1. Neither concentrate nor forage affected curd acceptance traits. Healthier milk can be obtained with cakes. Nevertheless the forage used in the ration seems to be of great importance. Neither cakes nor SAIN had a detrimental effect on digestibility, production performance or curd acceptance in lactating ewes.

PROSPECTS FOR THE USE OF FESTULOLIUM IN FODDER PRODUCTION OF SIBERIA

The urgency of introduction of a new fodder crop, Festulolium, into the agricultural production of Western Siberia is substantiated. Festulolium (Festulolium Aschers F.. et Graebn.) is a new fodder crop in domestic feed production developed in the All Russian Williams Fodder Research Institute. It was obtained by hybridization with the genera Festuca – fescue, and Lolium – ryegrass. The external characteristics of the new crop are given. On the basis of the literature data, the main morphotypes of Festulolium are analyzed and identified. They are the morphotypes of Italian ryegrass, pasture ryegrass, reed fescue and meadow fescue. Fescueryegrass hybrid (Festulolium) is currently a valuable fodder crop, which, when harvested for feed in the early phases of vegetation, is characterized by a high content of exchange energy, protein and fat in the green mass. Good leafiness of this crop ensures high nutritional value of the feed. In 1 kg of dry matter, Festulolium contains 0.82 feed units, 12-18% crude protein, as well as all the necessary amino acids. Water-soluble carbohydrates are mainly fructose. High efficiency of cultivated pastures on the basis of Festulolium is noted. Festulolium in mixtures with red clover provides up to 7.2 t/ha of dry matter and the collection of protein up to 1.27 t/ha. For early green feed in the pasture conveyor system, the use of Festulolium also proved to be effective. Festulolium is well ensilaged, the feed from this crop can be successfully used in diets of all animal groups. The energy value of properly prepared feed from Festulolium is 10.1 to 10.7 MJ of metabolizable energy in 1 kg of dry matter. Feed prepared from Festulolium has a high coefficient of digestibility.

Foraging behaviour of a native topminnow when shoaling with invaders

Foraging behaviour of a native topminnow when shoaling with invaders

STUDY OF SOD-FORMING GRASSESIN THE CONDITIONS OF A TAIGA ZONE

Seven species of three genera of perennial grasses for lawn agrophytocenoses on ashen-gray soils in a taiga zone were studied for the first time. The objective of the study was to identify the best samples of lawn grasses that can effectively use the agro-resource potential of natural climatic conditions of the research area. The width of a leave (texture) was used as one of the main indicators for the assessment of the decorativeness of a lawn grass stand. The samples were studied according to the methodological instructions of the All-Russian Williams Fodder Research Institute. Samples distinguished by grass stand high decorativeness were identified. Samples of meadow grass, bent grass and fescue grass, a variety of English bluegrass Yuventus are distinguished by complete winter hardiness. The lowest samples of meadow grass were varieties Yaskia, Limonsine, Barkenta; English bluegrass - Sport, Fiesta, Yuventus; bent grass - wild populations K-14272, K-14273, K-14265. Samples of English bluegrass - Yuventus, Primevere, K-14233 - are distinguished by the highest decorativeness of the grass stand in terms of the texture.

Highly-productive seed grass stands of meadow fescue pasture-lawn ecotype

Efficiency of industrial use of agricultural crops is determined by economic parameters of varieties and technologies of their cultivation. The paper determines appropriate seeding rates and planting methods for meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) of pasture and lawn Quart variety. These rates and methods contribute to better structure of seed grass for maximum yield on sod-podzolic soils in the central part of Russia. The authors found out that sowing from 4 to 16 kg/ ha of oatmeal seeds with a row spacing of 15 and 30 cm results in the shoots equal to 59 to 69 %. In this case, the authors observed inverse pattern of reducing the value of the index of shoots with increased seeding rate and row spacing. Breeding highly productive seed agrophytocenoses with efficient parameters of structure and sowing density (132-254 un /m2) at three-year usage of herbage is recommended to be carried out by means of row planting (15 cm) or skip-row planting (30 cm) with 8-4 sowing rates kg/ha (3,6-1.8 million un/ha of germinating seeds). This results in receiving 429-446 seed yield kg/ha during three years of usage. Most efficient way of initiation highly productive seed grass stands of meadow fescue Quart variety is seen as open sowing. It forms 13% higher number of generative shoots with 14% higher seed content in the first year of undersowing. In the second and third years of application, the influence of nurse crop on the aftereffect on meadow fescue productivity is not observed. Cultivation of meadow fescue with a sub-method is cost-effective. Efficiency of meadow fescue seeds in open sowing is 89 %, when sown under barley it was equal to 82 %. The authors make a case that the way of seed initiation of meadow fescue grass stands and nurse crop in the commercial production of seeds should be based on economic activity of seed breeding enterprises.

Isoenzyme variation and genetic affinities among five Festuca species of section Aulaxyper Dumort.

Despite a considerable number of taxonomical and biosystematic studies of genus Festuca L. in Europe , there are few papers discussing phylogeny and systematic of genus Festuca as well the evolution of its different groups. The most important among them are the studies of N. Tzvelev , who proposed three sections within type subgenus Festuca : Variae Hack., Aulaxyper Dumort. and Festuca . There are many studies on species belonging to section Festuca , including chemosystematic ones , but the species of section Aulaxyper are rather neglected. For this reason we choose F. rubra L., F. nigrescens Lam., F. picturata Pils., F. amethystina L. and F. heterophylla Lam. , which belong to section Aulaxyper . The aim of the study was to examine the isoenzyme variation and to evaluate the genetic affinities among the above-listed species of genus Festuca . Ten natural Bulgarian populations were examined . The isoforms of enzymes glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, malate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on mean allelic frequencies/locus/taxon, genetic identities (I) values for all pair-wise comparisons among the studied species were calculated . The group of F. rubra s.l. is more primitive compared to F. ovina s.l. and has sheaths closed nearly to the mouth while the sheaths of species of section Festuca are closed to the base. Festuca amethystina occupies an intermediate position as its sheaths are closed for 1/3-1/2 of their length. This character indicates for its specific position within section Aulaxyper and isolates it from the rest taxa of the group. Our results confirmed its peculiar position within section Aulaxyper. Festuca heterophylla at the same time includes both primitive traits which are specific for the ancient species of genus Festuca , and the number of highly-specialized characters. The obtained molecular data confirm a peculiar position of F. heterophylla within genus Festuca . On the contrary, the closely related to F. rubra polyploids, namely F. nigrescens and F. picturata should be considered as more recent “new” species. Festuca amethystina showed the greatest divergence and should be considered also as an ancient species. Despite a considerable number of taxonomical and biosystematic studies of genus Festuca L. in Europe, there are few papers discussing phylogeny and systematic of genus Festuca as well the evolution of its different groups. The most important among them are the studies of N. Tzvelev, who proposed three sections within type subgenus Festuca: Variae Hack., Aulaxyper Dumort. and Festuca. There are many studies on species belonging to section Festuca, including chemosystematic ones, but the species of section Aulaxyper are rather neglected. For this reason we choose F. rubra L., F. nigrescens Lam., F. picturata Pils., F. amethystina L. and F. heterophylla Lam., which belong to section Aulaxyper. The aim of the study was to examine the isoenzyme variation and to evaluate the genetic affinities among the above-listed species of genus Festuca. Ten natural Bulgarian populations were examined. The isoforms of enzymes glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, malate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Based on mean allelic frequencies/locus/taxon, genetic identities (I) values for all pair-wise comparisons among the studied species were calculated. The group of F. rubra s.l. is more primitive compared to F. ovina s.l. and has sheaths closed nearly to the mouth while the sheaths of species of section Festuca are closed to the base. Festuca amethystina occupies an intermediate position as its sheaths are closed for 1/3-1/2 of their length. This character indicates for its specific position within section Aulaxyper and isolates it from the rest taxa of the group. Our results confirmed its peculiar position within section Aulaxyper. Festuca heterophylla at the same time includes both primitive traits which are specific for the ancient species of genus Festuca, and the number of highly-specialized characters. The obtained molecular data confirm a peculiar position of F. heterophylla within genus Festuca. On the contrary, the closely related to F. rubra polyploids, namely F. nigrescens and F. picturata should be considered as more recent “new” species. Festuca amethystina showed the greatest divergence and should be considered also as an ancient species.

The effect of Stockosorb® 500 Micro on the growth-production process of Festuca arundinacea Schreb.

The effect of Stockosorb® 500 Micro on the growth-production process of Festuca arundinacea Schreb.

Behaviour of the Angoumois grain moth ( Sitotroga cerealella Oliv.) in different grain substrates and assessment of losses

The Angoumois grain moth, Sitotroga cerealella, is a primary stored grain pest, which development occurs within a single grain. The respond of the pest to various offered grain substrates was studied in no choice laboratory experiment (temperature 27±1oC; relative humidity 60-80%), by rearing moth populations on entire grains (corn, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass) and mechanically damaged grains (corn in fractions with/without embryo, polished rice). The pest behaviour was determined by observation of the entrance and exit hole position on different grains. The food consumption was estimated after adult emergence, by measuring of mass losses of infested grains. Mass losses were correlated with quantitative and qualitative grain parameters. The development was successfully accomplished in all grain substrates, except in Kentucky bluegrass. Strategies of larval penetration and exit hole position depended on morphological properties of grains. As a rule, the development of an individual was completed in a single grain, but in polished rice the transfer from one to another grain was observed. The highest loss of infested grain was recorded in corn grains (55.48 mg), the lowest in tall fescue grains (2.40 mg). Positive correlations were detected between the mass losses and protein, lipid and sugar content, negative in relation to cellulose and ash content.