Grass Growth Research Articles

Trichoderma viride improves phosphorus uptake and the growth of Chloris virgata under phosphorus-deficient conditions.

Phosphorus (P) readily forms insoluble complexes in soil, thereby inhibiting the absorption and utilization of this essential nutrient by plants. Phosphorus deficiency can significantly impede the growth of forage grass. While Trichoderma viride (T. viride) has been recognized for promoting the assimilation of otherwise unobtainable nutrients, its impact on P uptake remains understudied. Consequently, it is imperative to gain a more comprehensive insight into the role of T. viride in facilitating the uptake and utilization of insoluble P in forage grass. This research explored the influence of T. viride inoculation on P absorption and the growth of Chloris virgata (C. virgata) across various P sources. We treated plants with control P (P), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), calcium phytate (PHY), and low P (LP), with and without T. viride inoculation (P+T, TCP+T, PHY+T, LP+T). We analyzed photosynthesis parameters, growth indices, pigment accumulation, P content, leaf acid phosphatase activity. Results demonstrated that T. viride inoculation alleviated inhibition of photosynthesis, reduced leaf acid phosphatase activity, and enhanced growth of C. virgata in the presence of insoluble P sources. Additionally, T. viride inoculation enabled the plants to extract more available P from insoluble P sources, as evidenced by a substantial increase in P content: shoot P content surged by 58.23 to 59.08%, and root P content rose by 55.13 to 55.2%. Biomass P-use efficiency (PUE) declined by 38% upon inoculation with T. viride compared to the non-inoculated insoluble P sources, paralleled by a reduction in photosynthetic P-use efficiency (PPUE) by 26 to 29%. Inoculation under insoluble P sources further triggered a lower allocation to root biomass (25 to 26%) and a higher investment in shoot biomass (74 to 75%). However, its application under low P condition curtailed the growth of C. virgata. Our results suggest that T. viride inoculation represents an innovative approach for plants to acquire available P from insoluble P sources, thereby promoting growth amid environmental P limitations. This insight is crucial for comprehending the synergy among forage grass, P, and T. viride.

Condicionadores de solo melhoram o ambiente para o crescimento de gramínea em rejeitos de mineração de ferro

ABSTRACT Areas impacted by the deposition of iron mining tailings present physical and chemical characteristics that can hinder root growth, and applying soil conditioners can help alleviate these limitations. The objective was to evaluate the effect of soil conditioners in improving the environment for the growth of grass in soil affected by iron mining tailing. Four different experiments were conducted testing conditioner proportions (0, 5, 10, 25, and 50% v/v), in a completely randomized design with four replications, using Cynodon spp. The conditioners were sand, vermiculite, sawdust, and organic compost. Bulk density, macro- and microporosity, total pore volume (VTP), pH, organic matter content (OM), cation exchange capacity (CEC), and dry mass of the aboveground, root, and total plant were evaluated. There were improvements in porosity and a reduction in density with the application of vermiculite, sawdust, and organic compost; however, sand decreased the VTP. The pH was reduced with sawdust and increased with compost. Sawdust and compost increased OM. CEC increased with vermiculite and compost. The sand and vermiculite conditioners promoted the greatest growth of Cynodon spp., with emphasis on vermiculite, which provided the greatest increases in plant biomass production. The soil conditioners, overall, proved effective in improving porosity conditions, reducing density, increasing OM, and promoting plant growth, this makes this technology efficient for application in tailings. Due to its notable effect on increasing biomass and improving the environment for grass growth, vermiculite can be recommended for rehabilitation environments impacted by iron mining tailings or for post-mining revegetation.

Wildlife activity patterns and encroaching woody vegetation response to bush thinning on farmlands in north-central Namibia

The Namibian savannah ecosystem has experienced considerable anthropogenic pressures, which have resulted in the disruption of key ecological processes, and consequently, the proliferation of a dense vegetation structure, commonly known as bush encroachment. Approximately 45 million hectares of land have been affected, which has caused a significant decline in the grazing capacity, poor economic returns for the farmers, and loss of suitable wildlife habitat. Restoration thinning, a method that involves the selective removal of excess trees/shrubs, has been applied to counteract the negative effects associated with this phenomenon. This thesis aimed to assess the effect of thinning on (a) the activity patterns of local ungulates and predators, (b) the encroaching woody vegetation in terms of (i) regeneration, and (ii) structure, abundance, and habitat sighting lines, in a savannah habitat in the north-central region. Generalised linear mixed-effects models (GLMM) and linear mixed-effects models (LME) were used for statistical analysis. Results showed that thinned areas had overall greater wildlife activity. Thinned areas also had reduced tree/shrub abundance, which was significant for the mature height classes. Natural regeneration was rapid in thinned areas, where the abundance of young cohorts was 34% greater than non-thinned areas. In the thinned areas, red umbrella thorn (Vachellia reficiens) was significantly reduced but umbrella thorn (Vachellia tortilis) numbers increased. Tree/shrub densities in the thinned areas fell within the commonly accepted range for a 400 mm rainfall area (600–750 tree equivalents (TE) ha–1). Thinning significantly modified the dense thornbush to an open vegetation structure with a low woody canopy cover that favours grass growth and provides greater sighting lines for open savannah wildlife. This thesis demonstrated that thinning was effective in controlling bush encroachment and could be used as a method to restore other affected areas. However, periodic post-thinning management is recommended to control the established samplings.

Influence of synthetic chelators and LMWOAs on the yield and quality attributes of Panicum maximum Jacq. (Poales: Poaceae) in chromium phytoextraction

Phytoextraction is a cost-effective technology for contaminated site remediation. The study was carried out to investigate the potential of Panicum maximum (Jacq.) to remediate Cr-contaminated soil in tannery industries. Using chromium chelators and hyperaccumulating plants (Guinea grass), efforts have been made to decontaminate the chromium-contaminated tannery sites. To evaluate, the pot experiment was conducted, and Guinea grass’s yield and quality parameters were analyzed. The changes in root length, shoot length, and number of tillers were studied for three months, and the maximum values were 12.6 cm, 163.6 cm, and 12.6 cm, respectively, in the treatment with citric acid. The fodder quality parameters such as crude protein (9.2%), crude fibre (27.24%), and green leaf yield (370.3 g/plant) were magnificent in the treatment with citric acid as the chelator. Indeed, maximum hexavalent chromium (2.94 ± 0.06) and total chromium (17.98 ± 0.05) were observed in the citric acid treatment. Among all the treatments analyzed, the low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs), especially citric acid at 5 mmol/kg, were the best ones that could be recommended for improving the chelating process in the phytoremediation of chromium by Guinea grass. However, among the synthetic chelators, EDTA has resulted in higher chromium chelation and yield attributes such as root length (10.7 cm), shoot length (153.6 cm), number of tillers (10.3), and quality parameters like Guinea grass such as crude protein (8.1%), crude fibre (28.03%), and green leaf yield (342.6 g/plant). The study indicates that the chelators are enhancing Guinea grass growth and incorporating that may assist in the phytoremediation process.

The Effect of Sheep Dung on the Growth of Odot Grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott)

Forage plays a vital role because it contains substances needed by livestock that can be used for energy metabolism and to support reproduction. Odot grass is very potent and is one of the varieties of elephant grass that grows not too high so that it can be used as shepherd grass. This study aims to see the effect of sheep dung fertilizer application on plant height, number of leaves and leaf area of Odot grass. This study was an experimental trial designed based on a completely randomized design (RAL), with five treatments and four replications: P0 (without sheep dung), P1 (125 gr/hole), P2 (250 gr/hole), P3 (375 gr/hole), and P4 (500 gr/hole). The results showed that the number of sheep dung did not have a significant effect on all research parameters (height, leaves, and leaf area on Odot grass plants); this was most likely caused by the nutrient conditions of the soil where the research was still relatively extensive and met the needs for the growth of Odot grass, so it was not seen the effect of sheep dung on the growth phase of Odot grass (age 0-60 days).

Sustainable intensification of grass-based beef production systems in alpine regions: How to increase economic efficiency while preserving biodiversity?

CONTEXTBeef production on grasslands has multiple positive impacts. In addition to the production of high-quality protein, marginal lands in particular enable high biodiversity and landscape quality. However, this type of production is perceived as less economical than more intensive meat production systems. OBJECTIVEThe aim of the study is to develop recommendations on how different grass-based production systems can be economically improved without endangering biodiversity. METHODSThirty-five suckler cow farms supplying into two different brand programmes (Natura-Veal: slaughter age at five months; Natura-Beef: slaughter age at 10 months) were grouped into four production systems across two production sites in Switzerland: Natura-Veal, mountain region, extensive (VMount); Natura-Beef, mountain region (BMount); Natura-Veal, hilly region, intensive (VHill) and Natura-Beef, lowlands (BLowla). On the farms, beef production was analysed in detail on the basis of technical production data as well as full cost accounting. The farms were grouped into one model farm (farm type) per production system. On each model farm, optimisation options were simulated and checked for practicability with farmer participation. The optimisation focused primarily on improving cow efficiency via the sale of more slaughter animals per cow, through lower animal losses, higher fertility or the additional purchase of calves suckled by a nurse cow. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSDescriptive statistics showed significant positive correlations between stocking rate and land productivity and significant negative correlations between stocking rate/land productivity and the share of biodiversity areas (SBA), confirming previous findings. These relationships were also reflected in the production site of the farms, as mountain farms with lower productivity had a significantly higher SBA, while farms in areas with better grass growth had fewer biodiversity areas but higher productivity. Accordingly, the optimisation options were adapted to the production site under the constraint of a constant stocking rate. In favourable forage-growing areas, further intensification via improving cow efficiency by buying foreign calves led to significant improvements in profitability (VHill and BLowla). In mountain areas, the optimisation potential is lower. Site-adapted, i.e., small-framed and robust, cow types lead to better cow efficiency, which also contributes to good profitability in extensive production with a high biodiversity share, although this is strongly determined by national direct payments (VMount and BMount). Both income and biodiversity can be optimised if cow efficiency is increased and production systems are adapted to the site as closely as possible. SIGNIFICANCEThe study shows practicable recommendations for sustainable intensification in grass-based meat production systems in the current discussion on maintaining or increasing biodiversity in agriculture.

Three-year field study on grass growth and soil hydrological properties in biochar-amended soil

Field monitoring was conducted to investigate and quantify the long-term effects of peanut shell biochar on soil-grass interaction over three years. Three 10 m × 5 m grassed plots were constructed in completely decomposed granitic soil. Two of them were amended, respectively, with 5% and 10% biochar contents (m3/m3) for grass growth, while the third was without biochar amendment. During the three-year monitoring, plant characteristics, saturated water permeability (ks) of grassed soil and soil suction were measured. The monitored results show that the grass leaf area index (LAI) and root length density (RLD) with biochar amendment were improved by 38% and 200%, respectively. In the grassed plot without biochar, a threshold RLD existed with a value of 1.7 cm/cm3, beyond which ks raised pronouncedly. The threshold RLD increased by 52% when biochar content increased from 0% to 10%. This implies that biochar may restrict the increase in ks of grassed soil due to the rise in the threshold RLD. The presence of biochar and grass can retain over 100% higher suction after heavy rainfalls, while 54% lower peak suction under evapotranspiration (ET) compared with the non-amended plot. Biochar can alleviate the negative effects on hydraulic properties caused by plant growth and reduce ET-induced excessive water loss. A 5% peanut shell biochar content is recommended for the long-term management of vegetated earthen infrastructures.

Improving the Physical Properties and Water Retention of Sandy Soils by the Synergistic Utilization of Natural Clay Deposits and Wheat Straw

Improving the physical properties and water retention of sandy soils is of critical importance in arid and water-scarce regions such as Saudi Arabia. The impacts of organic amendments of different particle sizes coupled with natural clay deposits on improving the soil physio-chemical characteristics, nutrient availability, and growth of Sudan grass were investigated in this study. A loamy sand soil was amended with natural clay deposits at 2.5%, 5.0%, and 10% (w/w) application rates, and in combination with 1.0% (w/w) wheat straw of different particle sizes. The water infiltration, evaporation, and retention characteristics of the amended soil were studied for 9 weeks, and then Sudan grass was grown for 7 weeks. The impacts of the particle size of wheat straw on soil properties and nutrient availability were significant (p < 0.05) when combined with clay deposits. The highest application rate of clay (10%) demonstrated the highest water content (20.63–21.73%), and increased P and K availability to 35.54 and 6980 mg kg−1, respectively, in soil, which were 33% and 88% higher, respectively, compared to the control. Plant N, P, and K concentrations were increased to 0.95%, 0.26%, and 4.33%, respectively, which were 2–3.5-fold higher than the control. Therefore, the integrated application of natural clay deposits and wheat straw of fine particle size could be an effective strategy in improving plant production in water-scarce regions.

Co-application of compost and biochar improves soil properties and Desho grass growth on acidic soils in a tropical environment of Southwestern Ethiopia

Co-application of compost and biochar improves soil properties and Desho grass growth on acidic soils in a tropical environment of Southwestern Ethiopia

Effect of mowing numbers and cutting height on growth and forage yield of sorghum cultivar Giraffa grass

A field experiment was carried out in Al-Muthanna Governorate during the summer season 2021-2022. It included a study of the effect of two treatments of mow (cut one, cut twice) and four levels of cutting heights (5, 10, 15, and 20) cm on the growth and yield of forage white sorghum variety Giraffa grass. The experiment was applied according to the design of sectors. The complete randomized R.C.B.D with three replications, the response of the variety Giraffa grass to the number of weeds and cutting heights was estimated by measuring some growth characteristics, as the results of the analysis showed that the mow treatment (cut twice) was significantly superior by giving the highest average of the characteristic of the number of tillers.m-2 , the ratio of leaves to stems (%), and the yield of green and dry forage (tons.h-1 ) were 150.0 tons of m-2 , 41.51%, 19.14 tons.h-1 , and 1.53 tons.h-1 , respectively. As for the treatments for cutting heights, it was observed that the treatment was superior to 10 cm in the characteristic of plant height (cm) and the number of pruning, while the treatment was superior to 5 cm in the characteristic of dry forage yield (ton.h-1 ) and the ratio of leaves to stems (%) was 1.55 tons.h-1 and 34.72%, respectively, while the two cutting treatments were superior to 15 cm and 20 cm, giving the highest average yield of green forage, which reached (16.41 and 16.09) tons.h-1 , respectively

Effectiveness of corn stalk biochar in amending the contaminated soil attributes and enhancing the sustainable grass growth

Effectiveness of corn stalk biochar in amending the contaminated soil attributes and enhancing the sustainable grass growth

Eastern redcedar roots create legacy effects that suppresses growth of prairie species.

The expansion of woody species from their historical ranges into grasslands is a global problem. Understanding the mechanisms that enable species to successfully establish and then re-encroach following their removal is critical to effectively managing problem species. Legacy effects are a mechanism that could be critical to the reestablishment of woody encroachers following their removal. Legacy effects occur when a species alters the biotic and abiotic environment in a way that affects communities that establish subsequently. In this study, we assess whether the eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), a North American woody encroacher, generates legacy effects that affect communities that establish following removal of this species from an experimental grass community. We conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the effects of J. virginiana, roots on the germination and growth of grasses and to determine if the effects of root-addition treatments were derived from a microbial or allelopathic origin. Aqueous extracts of J. virginiana roots were found to inhibit the germination of grasses. We found escalating suppression of overall community biomass and the biomass of each individual species with increasing root treatments. Finally, we determined the origin of the observed suppressive effect is unlikely to be of microbial origin. Synthesis: Our results suggest that J. virginiana exudes an allelochemical into soils that inhibits the growth of certain grasses and thus has the potential to have legacy effects on future occupants. We suggest that the inhibition of the development of grasses in areas where J. virginiana has been removed is a mechanism that may favor the reestablishment of J. virginiana. Our results indicate the legacy effects of J. virginiana must be considered when conducting removal and restoration of J. virginiana infested lands.

Analysis of Application of Corn Cob Biochar As Planting Media on The Growth of Mini Elephant Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum Cv. Mott)

The use of corn cob agricultural waste as a material for making Biochar is an alternative to the abundant utilization of corn cob, where until now, corn cob waste has become waste piled up and burned in corn sheller refineries without being utilized. This study aims to evaluate the vegetative Growth of mini elephant grass given different doses of corn cob biochar. This research was conducted experimentally using the complete randomized design (CRD) method, five treatments, and four replications, namely treatment P0 = control; P1 = corn cob biochar 5% polybag-1; P2 = Biochar 10%; P3 = Biochar 15%; and P4 = Biochar 20%. Parameters observed were plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weight. The results showed that the application of corn cob biochar had a good effect on the Growth of plant height, number of tillers, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weight. The best results were obtained by applying 10% corn cob biochar, which produced an average number of tillers 238% more than the control, the number of leaves 275% more than the control, and fresh weight 394% higher than the control treatment.

Is Spectral Unmixing Model or Nonlinear Statistical Model More Suitable for Shrub Coverage Estimation in Shrub-Encroached Grasslands Based on Earth Observation Data? A Case Study in Xilingol Grassland, China

Due to the effects of global climate change and altered human land-use patterns, typical shrub encroachment in grasslands has become one of the most prominent ecological problems in grassland ecosystems. Shrub coverage can quantitatively indicate the degree of shrub encroachment in grasslands; therefore, real-time and accurate monitoring of shrub coverage in large areas has important scientific significance for the protection and restoration of grassland ecosystems. As shrub-encroached grasslands (SEGs) are a type of grassland with continuous and alternating growth of shrubs and grasses, estimating shrub coverage is different from estimating vegetation coverage. It is not only necessary to consider the differences in the characteristics of vegetation and non-vegetation variables but also the differences in characteristics of shrubs and herbs, which can be a challenging estimation. There is a scientific need to estimate shrub coverage in SEGs to improve our understanding of the process of shrub encroachment in grasslands. This article discusses the spectral differences between herbs and shrubs and further points out the possibility of distinguishing between herbs and shrubs. We use Sentinel-2 and Gao Fen-6 (GF-6) Wide Field of View (WFV) as data sources to build a linear spectral mixture model and a random forest (RF) model via space–air–ground collaboration and investigate the effectiveness of different data sources, features and methods in estimating shrub coverage in SEGs, which provide promising ways to monitor the dynamics of SEGs. The results showed that (1) the linear spectral mixture model can hardly distinguish between shrubs and herbs from medium-resolution images in the SEG. (2) The RF model showed high estimation accuracy for shrub coverage in the SEG; the estimation accuracy (R2) of the Sentinel-2 image was 0.81, and the root-mean-square error (RMSE) was 0.03. The R2 of the GF6-WFV image was 0.72, and the RMSE was 0.03. (3) Texture feature introduced in RF models are helpful to estimate shrub coverage in SEGs. (4) Regardless of the linear spectral mixture model or the RF model being employed, the Sentinel-2 image presented a better estimation than the GF6-WFV image; thus, this data has great potential to monitor shrub encroachment in grasslands. This research aims to provide a scientific basis and reference for remote sensing-based monitoring of SEGs.

Effect of Different Cellulose Fillers on the Properties of Xanthan-Based Composites for Soil Conditioning Applications

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different types of natural cellulose-based fillers on the properties of Xanthan gum (XG) in order to develop novel bio-based soil conditioners (SCs) that could be used in forestry and agricultural applications. Rheological measurements highlighted that SCs with cellulose fillers characterized by a high aspect ratio and low oxide ash content exhibited an average increase of 21% in yield stress compared to neat Xanthan gum. The presence of cellulose fillers in the composites resulted in a slower water release than that of neat XG, limiting the volumetric shrinkage during the drying process. Furthermore, an analysis of the water absorption and water retention capacity of soils treated with the different SCs was carried out, demonstrating that the addition of 1.8 wt.% of SC with optimized composition to the soil led to an increase in water absorption capacity from 34% up to 69%. From the soil water retention curves, it was observed that the addition of SCs significantly increased the amount of water effectively available for plants in the area between field capacity and permanent wilting point (100–1000 kPa). From practical experiments on grass growth, it was observed that these SCs improved the water regulation of the soil, thus increasing the probability of plant survival under drought conditions.

Modeling the daily dynamics of grass growth of several species according to their functional type, based on soil water and nitrogen dynamics: Gras-Sim model definition, parametrization and evaluation

Gras-Sim model, through the environmental conditions and the dynamics of water and nitrogen in the soil, enables the prediction of the biomass yield in permanent grasslands. It was developed from existing models and simulates the dynamics of several grass species grouped into plant functional types (PFTs) A and B. Model inputs include weather data, fertilizer application, soil data, and cutting management. In contrast to previous models, Gras-Sim proposes a complete nitrogen balance at the field scale as well as a new formalism to estimate actual evapotranspiration based on the crop coefficient (Kc) for a better prediction of biomass production even under moderate stress. Gras-Sim was evaluated in this paper on the basis of data from experiments conducted between 2010 and 2018, on 3 sites fairly representative of the soil and climate conditions in Wallonia (Belgium). The relative root mean square error (RRMSE), normalized deviation (ND), and model efficiency (EF) across all cuts, sites, and PFTs were 29 %, 2 %, and 71 % respectively, for biomass production. Gras-Sim is a simple and efficient model that can be used as a starting point for the design of a decision support tool for better management of permanent grasslands.

Atrazine selectivity for Panicum maximum cv. Massai under no-till and conventional tillage

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of atrazine applied in pre-emergence in the control of weeds and its selectivity for forage Panicum maximum cv. Massai in no-till and conventional tillage systems. The experiment was installed in a stripped experimental design, in an 8 x 2 factorial scheme (8 doses of atrazine in 2 planting systems) with three replicates for each treatment. The variables were analyzed and being the presence of phytotoxicity, dry matter accumulation (DM), height of Massai grass plants, and visual evaluation of control effectiveness on weeds. The data were submitted to analysis of variance with the application of the F test, where the control values of 50% of weeds (C50) and a reduction of 50% in the growth of weeds and Massai grass (GR50) were defined. In the no-tillage system the doses for C50 and GR50 of weeds were 944.83 g a.i. ha-1 and 556.39 g a.i. ha-1, respectively. For the conventional planting system, the doses for C50 and GR50 of weeds were 329.52 g a.i. ha-1 and 301.77 g a.i. ha-1, respectively. In both systems, doses below the recommended were able to perform efficient weed control, where the GR50 values of the crop were higher than those of weeds, requiring doses of 1,184.51 g ai ha-1 for no-tillage and 1,632.92 g ia ha-1 for conventional planting.

How does grazing pressure affect feed intake and behavior of livestock in a meadow steppe in northern China and their coupling relationship

Livestock feeding behavior and intake play a crucial role in influencing grassland health and productivity. A comprehensive investigation into livestock feeding behavior and intake can effectively elucidate the interactions and impacts of livestock and grasslands, providing scientific evidence and technical support for the formulation and implementation of sustainable grassland development strategies. Based on a long-term controlled grazing experiment platform conducted over 13 years, the feeding behavior and forage intake of cattle under different grazing intensities were observed and analyzed. Additionally, we used GPS sensors to study cattle grazing behavior trends. Using Mantel's test, we analyzed the relationship between cattle movement distance, forage intake, and environmental factors. The results demonstrated that cattle forage intake decreased with increasing grazing intensity. Forage intake peaked at the end of July and beginning of August, with the highest efficiency observed in August. Moreover, under light grazing intensity, cattle exhibited greater fluctuations in forage intake than those under moderate and heavy grazing intensity. Cattle movement levels increased with higher grazing intensity, and during the period of lush grass growth, cattle displayed significantly higher movement levels than during grass senescence. The accuracy of the behavior determination model based on cattle velocity ranged from 60 to 80 %. Using this model, we found that under heavy grazing conditions, cattle spent significantly more time roaming than under light and moderate grazing. Conversely, under light grazing conditions, cattle spent significantly more time feeding. A negative correlation was identified between cattle forage intake and movement distance. Cattle's forage intake was significantly positively correlated with grass height and grass biomass and significantly negatively correlated with stocking rate and movement distance. Thorough research on livestock feeding behavior and intake offers scientific evidence and technical support for formulating and implementing sustainable grassland development strategies.

Synergistic Effects of Compost and Beneficial Bacillus Bacteria on Sudanese Grass Growth in Saline Soils

Synergistic Effects of Compost and Beneficial Bacillus Bacteria on Sudanese Grass Growth in Saline Soils

Soil health, microbial communities, and annual ryegrass yield under contrasting management practices

AbstractBiological indicators are often used to evaluate the effect of management practices on soil health. However, determining which indicators can detect changes in soil health after implementation of conservation practices and how these indicators relate to plant growth in grass seed production systems remains unclear. The goal of this study was to explore the relationships between management practice history, soil health metrics, plant growth, and soil microbial communities in annual ryegrass grown under greenhouse conditions. Soils were collected from 12 annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum (L.) Husnot] fields managed under conventional (till/bale) or conservation (no‐till/full straw) management practices, with three silt loams and three silty clay loams collected for each practice. Annual ryegrass was grown for 5 months on each of the 12 soils in a greenhouse. Soils with a history of conservation management improved the majority of the carbon cycling‐related metrics for the silt loam soils. Management practices had no effect on seed yield, however, conservation management significantly improved aboveground biomass in silty clay loam soils. Contrasting management practices resulted in distinct microbial communities, making them sensitive indicators of changes in soil conditions. Soil health and plant metrics were positively associated with the microbial communities in soils under conservation management. Total C and organic matter were positively correlated to plant parameters in silt loams, while few indicators were correlated to plant metrics in silty clay loams. These results highlight the complex interplay between microbial communities, soil health, and plant growth and the importance of considering inherent soil properties like texture.