Highest Forage Production Research Articles

Impacts of short-term litter manipulation on rangeland production, soil carbon, and nitrogen contents

Understanding the response of plant communities to litter removal or addition plays an important role in the sustainable management of rangelands. In this study, we investigated the effect of different litter removal and addition treatments on the annual forage production and on soil carbon and nitrogen contents of four rangeland communities in arid to semiarid areas of Iran. The results showed that litter removal reduced the contents of carbon and nitrogen in soil and the annual forage production. There was an 80% drop in annual forage production of Artemisia aucheri stand when whole litter mass was removed. The litter removal increased the annual production in Saccharum bengalense stand, and the highest forage production increment was seen when 50% of litter was removed. There was no significant difference between legume and non-legume plant stands owing to variations of soil nitrogen content. Due to the allelopathic effects in Artemisia aucheri stand, litter manipulation had no effect on the annual growth of annuals. The litter quality was more correlated to soil C and N contents and to annual forage production than to litter quantity in plant stands. Plant stands in semiarid rangelands were more sensitive to litter removal than to litter addition. Generally, short-term litter manipulation for a growing season had greater impacts on shrubland communities.

Comportamiento productivo y calidad de pastos híbridos de Urochloa y estrella pastoreados con bovinos

En las zonas tropicales, las gramíneas son la principal fuente de alimentación para los rumiantes, sin embargo, las condiciones ambientales y el manejo de las praderas inciden directamente en el rendimiento y calidad de las mismas. El objetivo fue estudiar el efecto del rendimiento de los pastos híbridos de Urochloa y pasto Estrella (Cynodon plectostachyus) a diferentes frecuencias e intensidades de pastoreo, con bovinos en el trópico seco. Se evaluaron los pastos Cobra, Mulato II y Cayman (Urochloa) y pasto estrella en frecuencias de corte de 28 y 35 d, e intensidades severo y ligero de 10 y 15 cm, respectivamente, que se distribuyeron de forma aleatoria en un diseño de bloques al azar con arreglo factorial 2 x 2 con tres repeticiones. Se observó efecto del manejo en la acumulación de MS, siendo mayor la acumulación a menor frecuencia e intensidad ligera de pastoreo independientemente del pasto evaluado. El pasto Cobra, Cayman y Mulato II obtuvieron el mayor rendimiento en la frecuencia a 35 d e intensidad ligera con un promedio de 6 679 kg MS ha-1 mientras que, en ese manejo el pasto estrella obtuvo el menor rendimiento con 4 028 kg MS ha-1. La mayor proteína cruda en hoja, en todos los pastos se encontró en el pastoreo severo e intensidad a 28 d con 20, 20, 18 y 10% en Cobra, Mulato II, Cayman y Estrella, respectivamente (p< 0.05). Se concluye que la mayor producción del forraje se obtuvo al cosechar a una intensidad ligera de 15 cm, cada 35 d y el mayor contenido de proteína se alcanzó cuando el forraje se cosecho a intensidad de 10 cm y una frecuencia de 28 d.

Morphological Characteristics and Productivity of Guinea Grass (Panicum maximum CV Purple Guinea) Irradiated with Gamma-Ray

Mutation breeding using gamma irradiation is one of the alternative ways to increase the variability and productivity of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum cv Purple guinea). The aimed of the study was to determine the dosage of gamma irradiation and morphological characters for high-yielding of the putative mutant of guinea grass. The Guinea grass seeds was irradiated by gamma- ray. The treatment was 8 doses of gamma irradiation and control (non-irradiated). The treatment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The study was conducted for 3 generations, which were mutants 1 (M1), mutant 1 vegetative 1 (M1V1), and mutant 1 vegetative 2 (M1V2). The results showed that the gamma irradiation dose affected variables observed. The variables affected in M1 were fresh and dry weights of shoot, the number of tillers, and the length of the leaves. Whereas in the populations of M1V1 and M1V2, almost all characters were influenced by gamma irradiation, except stem diameter, length of internode, and leaf length. Gamma irradiation doses of 175 x 2 Gy, 250 Gy and 350 Gy in M1V1 and 100 x 2 Gy, 150x2 Gy and 175 x 2 Gy in M1V2 produced the high number of tillers, fresh and dry shoot weights. Heritability value and GCV of number of tillers, fresh and dry weight of shoot were high for M1V1 and M1V2 populations. These results indicated that gamma-ray irradiation can be applied to increase productivity and genetic variability of Guinea grass. The highest forage production was obtained at a dose of 100 x 2 Gy, which was 625 g/plant.

PENAMPILAN FISIOLOGI DAN HASIL RUMPUT BENGGALA (Panicum maximum Jacq.) PADA TANAH SALIN AKIBAT PEMBERIAN PUPUK KANDANG, GYPSUM DAN SUMBER NITROGEN

[PHYSIOLGICAL PERFORMANCES AND YIELD OF GUINEA GRASS (Panicum maximum Jacq.) AS AFFECTED BY APPLICATIONS OF GYPSUM, MANURE, AND NITROGEN]. Agricultural production on saline soil is often hampered by the inherent soil properties that limit the plant to gain optimal growth and development. Objective of this study was to determine the effects of gypsum, manure, and nitrogen applications on the physiological characteristics and yield of guinea grass. A factorial experiment was set up in a greenhouse, involving two levels of manure (0 and 20 ton ha-1), four levels of gypsum (0, 0.75, 1.5, and 3 ton ha-1), and three levels of nitrogen (0, 50 kg N ha-1 in form of nitrate, and 50 kg N ha-1 in form of ammonium). Application of manure at 20 ton ha-1 produced higher leaf area per plant (LAPP), photosynthetic rate, nitrogen uptake, relative growth rate (RGR), plant height, and forage and dry matter productions as compared to no manure. Similarly, LAPP, photosynthetic rate, and net assimilation rate (NAR) had increased linearly as the gypsum applications were increased from 0.75 to 3 ton ha-1. ANR were increased in quadratic fashion on both manure treatments in accordance with the increment of gypsum applications. LAPP, NAR, ANR, N uptake, plant height, RGR, and dry matter production were increased by application of either nitrate or ammonium application, whereas the highest forage production was found on combination of manure at 20 ton ha-1 and N at 50 kg ha-1 in form of ammonium.

Componentes del rendimiento y valor nutritivo de Brachiaria humidicola cv Chetumal a diferentes estrategias de pastoreo


 
 
 El objetivo de la investigación fue estudiar el efecto del rendimiento del pasto Brachiaria humidicola cv Chetumal a diferentes frecuencias e intensidades de pastoreo. Se evaluaron las frecuencias de corte de 21 y 28 d y las intensidades de 9-11 y 13-15 cm, que se distribuyeron de forma aleatoria en un diseño de bloques al azar con arreglo factorial 2*2 con tres repeticiones. Se observaron efecto del manejo en la acumulación de materia seca, siendo mayor la acumulación a menor frecuencia e intensidad ligera de pastoreo. La producción del forraje tuvo una distribución estacional del 66, 26 y 7% en épocas de lluvias, nortes y seca, respectivamente. La proporción de hoja en el forraje cosechado fue de 20, 30 y 86% para las épocas de nortes, seca y lluvias, respectivamente. Se registraron reducciones en la digestibilidad de la materia seca en las épocas de nortes y lluvias al aumentar el intervalo de corte. La proteína cruda con pastoreo severo fue 11, 10 y 17% mayor en las épocas de nortes, seca y lluvias que con el ligero. Se concluye que la mayor producción del forraje se obtuvo al cosechar a una intensidad ligera de 13-15 cm, cada 28 d y el mayor contenido de proteína y digestibilidad se obtuvo cuando el forraje se cosecho a intensidad severa cada 21 d.
 
 

Restauración ecológica del suelo aplicando biochar (carbón vegetal), y su efecto en la producción de Medicago sativa

<p>En la provincia de Chimborazo (Ecuador), cantón Riobamba, barrio San Pedro de las Abras, se realizó el estudio de restauración ecológica del suelo mediante la aplicación de diferentes niveles de carbón vegetal (10, 20, y 30 t.ha-1) y se evaluó su efecto en la producción forrajera de alfalfa Medicago sativa, bajo un Diseño de Bloques Completamente al Azar. Los resultados superiores se obtuvieron al aplicar 30 t.ha-1 de carbón vegetal, así: en el primer corte se alcanzó el menor tiempo de ocurrencia a la floración (40,50 días), la mayor cobertura basal (39,35 %), la mayor cobertura aérea (86,0%), la mejor altura (87,98 cm), el mayor número de hojas por tallo (103,45) y, sobre todo, la mayor producción en forraje, tanto en materia verde (15,80 tFVha-1corte) como en seca(33,38 tMSha-1año), y en el segundo corte se alcanzó la mejor cobertura basal (86,55%)y aérea (95,42%), así como la mayor producción en forraje verde (15,92 t.ha-1corte) y en materia seca (33,70 t.ha-1 año). El análisis económico registró la mayor rentabilidad con30 t.ha-1 de carbón vegetal con un beneficio-costo de 1,63. Se recomienda aplicar en Medicago sativa, 30 t.ha-1 de carbón vegetal, por cuanto con esa cifra se obtuvo mayor cantidad de forraje verde por corte y se mejoró la calidad del suelo, lo que garantizará obtener rentabilidades económicas que beneficien a los productores y ganaderos, además de mejorar la calidad de los suelos.</p>

Identifying key habitats to conserve the threatened brown bear in the Himalaya

The threatened Himalayan brown bear has a fragmented range in the Himalayas. However, its habitat has never been documented, which hinders conservation efforts. The Deosai Plateau in northern Pakistan has long been recognized as the core area for this subspecies in the country. To provide knowledge to help conserve the remnant populations in the Himalayan region, and especially in protected areas, we investigated habitat selection of brown bears and the influence of human presence on brown bear distribution in Deosai National Park, Pakistan.We used an Ecological Niche Factor Analysis to assess brown bear habitat selection, using scats sampled along transect routes throughout the park as location data. Habitat use based on 137 observations of brown bears during monitoring confirmed that differential scat detectability did not bias our results. Only 65% of the park area had productive vegetation. Our analyses indicated that brown bears avoided higher elevations and steeper slopes and selected more productive parts of the park (marshy, grassy, and stony vegetation types). The marshy vegetation was the most preferred habitat, probably because it had the highest forage production and density of golden marmots. Brown bears tolerated human infrastructures, like roads and camps, but strongly avoided grazing areas with high livestock density. The habitat suitability map generally followed the biomass productivity patterns of the park. It indicated the central part as suitable, and classified half of the park, mainly peripheral areas, as unsuitable for brown bears.The vegetation and habitat suitability maps also provide an objective criterion for evaluating present and future developments in the park. Until recently, communities seem to have used the park’s resources without significantly affecting the brown bear population. However, in recent years a large influx of nomadic communities with their livestock has become a challenge, which needs urgent attention to continue the present brown bear population recovery and to secure its habitat. We recommend monitoring the livestock and conducting a detailed inventory of the rangeland to understand grazing dynamics in the park and to maintain sustainable stocking rates.

Efecto de la doble inoculación de rizobios y micorrizas sobre la producción y calidad del forraje de Leucaena leucophala

Esta investigación evaluó el efecto de la doble inoculación de bacterias rizobiales, Entrophospora colombiana y Glomus sp. sobre la producción y calidad de forraje de Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) de Wit a los 30, 60,90 y 120 días después de la germinación. A tal fin se evaluaron variables agronómicas, microbiológicas y de composición química. El tratamiento (T9) en el que se inocularon consecutivamente la cepa C-202, E. colombiana y Glomus sp. presentó las mejores respuestas agronómicas y microbiológicas y obtuvo la mayor producción y calidad nutricional del forraje expresada en incrementos de la proteína cruda, la fracción b3 de la proteína y el contenido de fósforo. Las cepas de micorrizas evaluadas mostraron un comportamiento diferente entre sí, mostrando infectividad mas no efectividad en el tratamiento sin inocular. Esto corrobora la necesidad de utilizar la doble inoculación con cepas nativas de micorrizas arbusculares efectivas asociadas a Leucaena leucocephala para lograr una mejor respuesta productiva de esta leguminosa.

Forage production of woody fodder species and herbaceous vegetation in a silvopastoral system in northern Greece

Introduction of woody plants in silvopastoral systems could be an appropriate land-use for the poor sandy soils of the Mediterranean semiarid zone. Forage production of four woody fodder species and herbaceous vegetation in relation to plant spacing and animal (sheep) grazing was studied in a silvopastoral system on such a site in Macedonia, northern Greece. The woody fodder species tested were Robinia pseudoacacia L., Gleditsia triacanthos L., Amorpha fruticosa L. and Morus alba L. They were planted at the spacings 1.5 × 1.5 m,2.5 × 2.5 m and 3.5 × 3.5 m and kept in a shrubby form by topping. They were grazed by sheep (stocking rate of 1.1 sheep/ha/year) in early July and late August of 1992, 1993 and 1994. Among the species Robinia yielded the highest forage production (394 kg/ha). The spacing 1.5 × 1.5 m had the highest (P ≥ 0.05) forage production per area unit (280 kg/ha) while the spacing 3.5 × 3.5 m had the highest forage production per plant (91.8 g/plant). No competition was observed between the woody and the herbaceous plants in the various spacings probably due to topping of the woody species every winter. Percent utilisation of the native herbage dropped as forage of the woody species increased.

Long-term control of aspen poplar and western snowberry with dicamba and 2,4-D

Seven- and nine-year studies were conducted in northeastern Saskatchewan to compare the long-term control of aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis Hook.) following single and multiple applications of 2,4-D ester (2,4-DE) or amine (2,4-DA) mixed with dicamba. The area was bulldozed free of trees and was subsequently invaded by aspen poplar and western snowberry regrowth, native forbs and grasses. Herbicides were applied to 2- and 4-yr-old regrowth of aspen poplar, growing with a small uniform stand of western snowberry. A single application of dicamba with either 2,4-DE or 2,4-DA applied at 1.5 + 2.2 kg (a.i.) ha−1 was as effective as two or three consecutive yearly applications for the control of aspen poplar. In one experiment, two consecutive applications of dicamba + 2,4-D controlled western snowberry whereas in the other experiment a single application was adequate. The highest forage production of grasses and forbs occurred following dicamba + 2,4-DE treatments. Following a single dicamba + 2,4-DE application, grass production, averaged over 7 and 9 yr, increased from 38 to 98 g m−2 and from 31 to 83 g m−2, whereas forb production decreased from 48 to 25 g m−2 and from 58 to 48 g m−2, respectively. Key words: Aspen poplar, Populus tremuloides, western snowberry, Symphoricarpos occidentalis, 2,4-D dicamba

Reclamation of Quartz Sand‐Tailings from Phosphate Mining: I. Tropical Forage Grasses

AbstractPhosphate mining in Florida produces waste products of phosphatic colloidal material and quartz sand. Quartz sand‐tailings disposal areas cover 20–60 ha and support no vegetation. A split‐plot field experiment was conducted to study the production, quality, and nutrient concentration of five tropical grasses: (i) ‘McCaleb’ stargrass (Cynodon aethiopicus Clayton et Harlan), (ii) ‘Transvala’ digitgrass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.), (iii) ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), (iv) ‘Ona’ stargrass (Cynodon niemfuensis Vanderyst var. niemfuensis), and (v) ‘Callie’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon var. aridus Harlan et deWet), grown on four amended sand‐tailing treatments. These treatments were: (i) sand‐tailing control (SC), (ii) colloidal phosphate (CP) at 336 metric tons/ha, (iii) CP at 336 metric tons/ha + oven‐dry sewage sludge (SS) at 45 metric tons/ha, and (iv) CP at 336 metric tons/ha + top soil (TS) at 1,460 metric tons/ha.Generally all grasses produced highest dry matter yields when grown on CP + SS and CP + TS amended sand‐tailing treatments during the first 2 years of the experiment; however, during the 3rd year no difference (P <0.05) was obtained among amendment treatments. Highest forage production during all 3 years was obtained from Callie bermudagrass (average of 14.4 metric tons/ha). Amendment treatments had no effect on forage quality (in vitro organic matter digestion [IVOMD] and crude protein) of perennial grasses, with Transvala digitgrass usually averaging the highest percentage IVOMD and crude protein. Transvala digitgrass also contained the highest nutrient concentrations (P, 0.39%; K, 1.55%; Ca, 0.62% and Mg, 0.26%).

Water Use in Relation to Management of Blue Panicgrass (Panicum antidotale Retz.)

Efficiency of water use was determined for blue panicgrass grown in the field. Management treatments were soil-moisture stress, clipping height, and maturity stage. Water-use efficiency was expressed as the number of units (kg) of water per unit (kg) of forage dry-weight produced. Blue panicgrass showed a relatively broad tolerance to high soil-moisture stress. Efficient use of water and root weight decreased when soil-moisture stress was increased, while dryweight of forage was unchanged. The 30-cm clipping height, when the majority of seed heads emerged from the boot, was most efficient in water use; gave the highest production of forage; produced the highest percentage protein; and produced the most roots. Two noteworthy findings were: a) the most efficient use of water and the highest forage production were obtained from the same management; and b) the highest protein percentage and the highest forage production were obtained from this same management. This performance of blue panicgrass where highest production of forage, highest percentage of protein, and most efficient use of water is contrary to the performance of some crops, because these responses rarely occur for the same management.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF ROW SPACING AND FERTILIZER ON THE PRODUCTIVITY OF RUSSIAN WILD RYEGRASS

A study was conducted from 1947 to 1966 to determine the long-term effects of row spacings and applications of ammonium phosphate fertilizer (16–20–0) on the productivity and persistence of Russian wild ryegrass, Elymus junceus Fisch.The optimum row spacing for highest seed production was 0.9 m, whereas for highest forage production it was 0.6 m. The 280-kg/ha rate of fertilizer significantly increased the seed and forage yield over the 151-kg/ha rate, which in turn significantly increased the yield over the zero fertilizer treatment.Increases in precipitation in August and September increased the seed yield of Russian wild ryegrass the following year. Significant positive correlations were found between forage yields and precipitation during March, April, May, and the previous September for practically all treatments.Width of row increased with age of stand. During the 19-year period there was still bare ground between the grass rows seeded 0.9 and 1.2 m apart. These areas of bare ground were slightly narrower when fertilizer was used, indicating that fertilizer application tended to accelerate row-width development.Russian wild ryegrass was found to have excellent cold tolerance, drought tolerance and persistence. It survived through a long drought period and resisted invasion by weeds and volunteer grass seedlings after the third crop year.