High Forage Yield Research Articles

Validating economic and environmental sustainability of a short-term summer forage legume in dryland wheat cropping systems in south-west Queensland

The present study set out to test the hypothesis through field and simulation studies that the incorporation of short-term summer legumes, particularly annual legume lablab (Lablab purpureus cv. Highworth), in a fallow–wheat cropping system will improve the overall economic and environmental benefits in south-west Queensland. Replicated, large plot experiments were established at five commercial properties by using their machineries, and two smaller plot experiments were established at two intensively researched sites (Roma and St George). A detailed study on various other biennial and perennial summer forage legumes in rotation with wheat and influenced by phosphorus (P) supply (10 and 40 kg P/ha) was also carried out at the two research sites. The other legumes were lucerne (Medicago sativa), butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) and burgundy bean (Macroptilium bracteatum). After legumes, spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) was sown into the legume stubble. The annual lablab produced the highest forage yield, whereas germination, establishment and production of other biennial and perennial legumes were poor, particularly in the red soil at St George. At the commercial sites, only lablab–wheat rotations were experimented, with an increased supply of P in subsurface soil (20 kg P/ha). The lablab grown at the commercial sites yielded between 3 and 6 t/ha forage yield over 2–3 month periods, whereas the following wheat crop with no applied fertiliser yielded between 0.5 to 2.5 t/ha. The wheat following lablab yielded 30% less, on average, than the wheat in a fallow plot, and the profitability of wheat following lablab was slightly higher than that of the wheat following fallow because of greater costs associated with fallow management. The profitability of the lablab–wheat phase was determined after accounting for the input costs and additional costs associated with the management of fallow and in-crop herbicide applications for a fallow–wheat system. The economic and environmental benefits of forage lablab and wheat cropping were also assessed through simulations over a long-term climatic pattern by using economic (PreCAPS) and biophysical (Agricultural Production Systems Simulation, APSIM) decision support models. Analysis of the long-term rainfall pattern (70% in summer and 30% in winter) and simulation studies indicated that ~50% time a wheat crop would not be planted or would fail to produce a profitable crop (grain yield less than 1 t/ha) because of less and unreliable rainfall in winter. Whereas forage lablab in summer would produce a profitable crop, with a forage yield of more than 3 t/ha, ~90% times. Only 14 wheat crops (of 26 growing seasons, i.e. 54%) were profitable, compared with 22 forage lablab (of 25 seasons, i.e. 90%). An opportunistic double-cropping of lablab in summer and wheat in winter is also viable and profitable in 50% of the years. Simulation studies also indicated that an opportunistic lablab–wheat cropping can reduce the potential runoff + drainage by more than 40% in the Roma region, leading to improved economic and environmental benefits.

경운방법이 사일리지용 옥수수의 사초생산성 및 토양특성에 미치는 영향

No comprehensive tillage system of corn (Zea mays L.) has been conducted in Korea. Therefore, this experiment was carried to determine soil characteristics, weed and forage production in tillage system of corn. Plot was allotted to one of four treatments in a randomized block design using tillage system. The four treatments were (T1) conventional tillage, plow and rotary till, (T2) rotary till, (T3) disk till, and (T4) no-till system. In soil characteristics before planting and after harvest of corn, pH and organic matter at planting date was higher than at harvest date, however, there were no difference among tillage system. Days from planting to silking of no-till was the longest among tillage system. Lodging resistance of disk and no-till were higher than conventional and rotary till due to its thicken stem diameter. Main weed in corn field are barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgall), velvetleaf(Abutilon avicennae), crabgrass (Digitatia saguinalis), and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). Weed population was lower in no-till than others tillage system. Dry matter (DM) content and ear percentage of conventional and rotary till were higher than others in corn field. However, DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields of disk and no-till were higher than those of conventional and rotary till. Therefore, disk and no-till are more suitable in corn silage system because of high lodging resistance and forage yield, and low weed population.

제주지역에서 동계사료작물의 사초생산성 및 사료가치 비교

본 시험은 제주지역에서 동계사료작물의 사초생산성과 사료가치를 평가하여 청보리를 대체할 수 있는 사료작물을 탐색하고 제주지역에 적합한 동계사료작물 선발을 목적으로 제주시 난지농업연구소 시험포장에서 2007년 10월부터 2008년 6월까지 수행되었다. 제주지역에서 동계사료작물의 내한성은 모두 우수하였다. 출수 기는 밀('금강' 및 '우리')이 4월 5일로 가장 빨랐으며 '삼한' 귀리가 4월 28일로 가장 늦은 것으로 나타났다. 호숙기는 '금강'과 '우리' 밀 (5월 9일) > '유연' 보리(5월 12일) > 'Swan' 귀리(5월 16일) 순으로 나타났으며 초장은 '신영' 트리티케일이 129cm로 가장 크고 '금강' 밀이 82cm로 가장 작은 것으로 나타났다. 사초 생산성은 이탈리안 라이그라스('화산 101호')의 생초수량이 128,667 kg/ha, 건물수량이 25,951 kg/ha로 가장 생산성이 높았으며, 곡류 사료작물 중 귀리('삼한')의 건물수량이 22,556 kg/ha로 가장 높았다. 사료가치에서 조단백질 함량은 이탈리안 라이그라스('화산 101호')가 11.2%로 높았고 밀이 10.8%로 곡류 사료작물 중 가장 높았다. TDN 함량은 밀('금강' 및 '우리')이 69.1과 68.8%로 가장 높은 것으로 나타났으나 초종 간 차이가 5% 내외로 큰 차이를 보이지 않았다. 제주지역에서 동계사료작물은 수량적인 측면에서는 이탈리안 라이그라스가 가장 우수한 것으로 나타났으나 사료비 절감 등을 고려하면 제주지역에서는 귀리나 밀도 곡실효과를 얻을 수 있어 청보리 대체사료작물로 이용 가능할 것으로 생각된다. This experiment was conducted to compare forage production and feed value of winter forage crops at the experimental field of Livestock Division, National Institute of Subtropical Agriculture from 2007 to 2008. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three replications. The five winter forage crops used in this experiment were barely ('Youngyang' and 'Yuyeon'), oats ('Samhan' and 'Swan'), wheat ('Kumkang' and 'Woori'), triticale ('Shinyoung') and italian ryegrass ('Hwasan 101' and 'Florida-80'). The species having the fastest heading date was wheat (5th April) while the heading date of oats ('Samhan') was the latest as 28th April. The dry matter (DM) content of wheat was the highest among the five winter forage crops. Italian ryegrass ('Hwasan 101') showed the highest CP content by 11.2% and oats (Swan) showed the lowest content by 9.8%. Average acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content were 28.6 and 50.8% respectively. The five winter forage crops have narrow range of total nutrient digestibility (TDN) from 64.0% to 69.1%. Italian ryegrass ('Hwasan 101') showed the highest DM yield by 25,951 kg/ha, but the DM yield of barely and wheat low by 13,892 kg/ha ('Yuyeon') and 14,815 kg/ha ('Woori'), respectively. Italian ryegrass and oats have higher forage yield and feed value in Jeju. Also, oats has high grain and forage yield. The results demonstrated oats can cultivate as alternative winter forage crop for whole crop silage barely in Jeju.

Analysis on the Main Causes Resulting in Vegetation Degeneration in the Heihe River Basin

The Heihe River Basin is located in an arid area in northwest China,and its entironment is very fragile.According to the survey,the natural vegetation is seriously degenerated in the middle and lower reaches of the drainage basin.Since the 1950s,the area of the shrubbery meadow steppes with vegetation coverage higher than 70% has been reduced by 78.26%,the areas of the steppes with vegetation coverage varying in a range of 30%~70% in the lake basins and billabongs,marsh meadow grasslands and steppes with high forage yield have been reduced by about 40%,and the total area of steppes has been reduced by about 50%.The old-line Erjina Oasis has been in a deterioration trend,and the areas of woodlands and meadow vegetation have been seriously shrunk.The area of the riparian forests of Populus euphratica and Elaeagnus angustifolia has been reduced by 54% compare with that in the 1950s,and the area of riparian Tamarix ramosissima has been reduced by 33%;the flaky Achnatherum splendens meadows and Phragmites australis marshes are in a gradual disappearance,and most of them have been replaced by the communities of Alhagi sparsifilia,Karelinia caspica and Lycium ruthenicum;the riparian forests and shrubberies are seriously degenerated.There are many factors affecting vegetation degeneration,such as the arid trend of the natural environment in recent years,especially the decrease of inflow to the lower reaches of the drainage basin.Thus,a continuous drawdown of groundwater level and a seriously soil drought in vadose zone occur because of the increase of the vadose zone thickness.

Identifying Winter Forage Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) Strains for the Central Great Plains

Triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) is mainly used as a forage crop in the central Great Plains. A successful triticale cultivar should have high forage yield with good quality, and also high grain yield so the seed can be economically produced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate existing triticale cultivars and experimental strains for their relative value in the central Great Plains as an annual hay crop primarily for feeding to beef cattle. Two experiments (one for forage yield and one for grain yield) were planted at two locations (one representing the arid Great Plains and the second representing the or higher rainfall central Great Plains) for 2 yr. Twenty‐nine triticale cultivars and strains were evaluated for forage yield and quality, and grain yield. In both experiments, year effects were significant (P < 0.05) for all traits except grain yield; location effects were significant for forage yield, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber. There was no location × strain or year × location × strain interaction for all the quality traits indicating that triticale forage quality was stable across environments. Triticale strains differed significantly for forage yield, grain yield, NDF, acid detergent lignin, and relative feed value. However, forage of all strains had good feed quality. Three strains had high grain and forage yield, and very good relative feed value suggesting that triticale improvement for both grain and forage traits is possible.

High forage yield and quality of sudan grass ( Sorghum bicolor L.) and pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum L.) cultivated in calcareous soils

Sudan grass and pearl millet are major warm season dryland crops, primarily grown for grain production and used as a major source of dietary energy. Both crops are highly water use efficient and belong to the C 4 group of species with high photosynthetic efficiency and dry matter accumulation rates. Both sudan grass and pearl millet have good forage quality, with an adequate crude protein content; that of pearl millet (8.7%) is higher than that of sorghum (6.0%). Therefore, the present investigation was conducted in the Western Delta Region at El-Naubaria, 40 km south of Alexandria, over two successive seasons to evaluate the forage yield and quality of sudan grass and pearl millet. Field experiments were established on calcareous soils, with five fertilization treatments. The results indicate that pearl millet surpassed sudan grass in fresh (6.56 t/ha) and dry yield (2.91 t/ha), which was 8.89% and 5.26% more, respectively, than for sudan grass. As regards the forage quality, pearl millet had good digestibility and was lower in fibre than sudan grass.

Sustainable Reclaimed Water Management by Subsurface Drip Irrigation System: a study case for forage production

In the Canary Islands the price fluctuation of groundwater (0.3 to 0.7 €/m3), which is a private resource, often limits the recovery of the agricultural investments. Availability of alternative resources (reclaimed water: RW, desalinized seawater: DW and desalinized reclaimed water: DRW) at a foreseeable price will allow people to design the optimal infrastructures adapted to their needs The pumping cost is included in the “public” water price of DW (0.6 €/m3), RW (0.2 €/m3) and DRW (0.42 €/m3), but only if it is under 300 m of altitude. As a subsurface irrigation system (SDI), uses the soil as a natural advanced (but not high cost) water treatment, the in situ reuse of RW produced by lower tech wastewater plants would provide a valuable resource for the small villages. A successful study case is presented here. A 2-year SDI experiment was performed using RW, cultivating alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and Sudan grass hybrid (Sorghum bicolor ssp sudanense). Although a saline (EC: 2.24 dS/m) and sodic (SAR: 6.9) water was used, irrigation with SDI led to high forage yields (between 8.4 and 11.9 kg of fresh matter/m2 obtained by 8 harvests per year). However, sand filter and drip lines have to be cleaned weakly and every 6 months respectively. As a conclusion of this study, adequate plant germination and yields, and feasibility of SDI using a secondary effluent was demonstrated. Besides, water cost represents only 24 to 17 % from the gross income.

Producción estacional de materia seca de gramíneas y leguminosas forrajeras con cortes en el estado de quintana roo

The objective of this study was to evaluate grass and legume species in the Dry, Rainy and Windy seasons in Quintana Roo, Mexico for two years. Treatments consisted of harvests every 3, 6, 9 and 12 wk of regrowth. Species reached their highest dry matter (DM) yield and development in the rainy season. The highest forage yield was obtained at 12 wk regrowth (4.1 and 1.8 t DM ha-1 for grasses and legumes, respectively) and was different (P<0.05) from other regrowth ages. Plant height and sward cover increased with time. Interactions season by species, regrowth age by species and season by regrowth age were significant (P<0.05) for annual DM yields, height and sward cover variables. The highest (P<0.05) DM yield was observed in Brachiaria sp. (18 t DM ha-1.) followed by Paspalum atratum (17 t), while Panicum maximum cv. likoni showed the lowest DM yields, 13 t. Cratylia argentea and Crotalaria juncea were the more productive legumes, 9.2 and 9.4 t DM ha-1, respectively. It can be concluded that season and regrowth age affects dry matter yield in all evaluated species.

Yield and nutritive value of alfalfa cultivars sown at different densities

The effect of cultivar and plant density on dry matter yield and nutritive value of alfalfa was studied. The trial was conducted at the first cutting of alfalfa plants in their second and third years of growth, and four cultivars and two different crop densities were tested. The cultivars were found to have significant effect on dry matter yield, proportion of leaf in total yield and content of crude proteins under both densities. The highest forage yield was achieved in first density (20 cm row spacing with 15 kgha-1 seed rate). The wide row spacing (50 cm) with low seed rate (9 kgha-1) was showed lower forage production. The effect of cultivars and plant density on other parameters of forage nutritive value was insignificant. A high positive correlation with the proportion of leaf was found for the content of crude proteins (r=0.961), concentration of potassium (r=0.876), phosphorus (r=0.561), calcium (r=0.550) and content of crude fat (r=0.500). Crude fiber was highly negatively correlated with leaf proportion (r=0.916), while the latter showed no correlation with crude ash (r=0.185) and nitrogen-free extract (0.010).

Cultivar and Nitrogen Splitting Effects on Amaranth Forage Yield and Weed Community

A 2 year field study was carried out at Agricultural Faculty of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (Iran), in order to evaluate the response of Amaranth cultivars and weed dynamic to N splitting methods. Three Amaranth cultivars (i.e., Amont, Trigin and Plainsman) were grown in three N splitting methods (i.e., Commonly, Equal and Semi-equal) that being applied at planting, 12th leaf appearance and stem elongation. A split plot design replicated three times was used which Amaranth cultivars and N splitting methods were arranged in main and sub plots, respectively. Results showed that the highest forage yield was obtained for Trigin with Equal N splitting (i.e., 31.2 t ha(-1)) and Plainsman with Semi-equal N distribution (i.e., 3.8 t ha(-1)) the lowest. Also, the maximum and minimum protein content (%) were obtained for Trigin with Equal N splitting (16%) and Amont with commonly N splitting (11.9%), respectively. It was found that just Trigin with Equal N splitting treatment was the best treatment for both forage quality and quantity yield. Moreover, the weed communities and dominant species changed in response to various N splitting methods and Amaranth cultivars traits. Plainsman with Semi-equal N splitting treatment was the unfavorable treatment for both crop yield and weed infestation. Based on these results it is recommend that N splitting method be applied mainly as an Equal form in Trigin amaranth cultivar, to enhance crop forage yield and reduce weed infestation.

Economic comparison of forage production from annual crops, perennial pasture and native grassland in the alpine region of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, China

SummaryEconomic costs and benefits for different grassland production systems were analysed. Comparisons included one native grassland (alpine meadow dominated by sedges) system, four perennial monocultures of smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss, SB), Siberian wild ryegrass (Elymus sibricus Linn., SW), drooping wild ryegrass (Elymus nutans Griseb, DW) and crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum Gaertn., CW), three mixtures of these grasses (SB + DW, SB + SW + CW and SB + SW + DW + CW), and two annual monocultures of forage oats (FO) and annual ryegrass (Lolium annual, AR) in the alpine grasslands of Qinghai‐Tibet, China. Perennial grass monocultures of SW and DW and perennial grass mixtures of SB + SW + DW + CW and SB + SW + CW had higher forage yields, total revenues, output:input ratios and net profits than native grassland. These grasses and mixtures can be used to reseed native grassland and improve degraded grassland in the alpine region of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau. Perennial grass mixtures can replace FO for more sustainable agricultural production systems as they are comparable in economic value and superior in ecological value to FO.

Kayak orchardgrass

Kayak is a high yielding early maturing orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) cultivar with good level of winterhardiness suited for silage and hay production in western Canada including interior British Columbia. The population was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB. In BC and Western Forage Trials (WFTests), Kayak yielded 4% better than the check cultivar Kay under both rain fed and irrigated conditions. Kayak orchardgrass produces 10% more seed yield than Kay while its seed size is slightly smaller than Kay. Key words: Orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata, high forage yield, winterhardy

권역별 답리작 사료작물 최대 생산을 위한 적작목(품종) 선발 3. 영남지방(밀양)을 중심으로

본 연구는 답리작에서 양질의 조사료를 최대한 생산하기 위한 적정 사료작물을 선발하고자 경남 밀양 영남농업연구소에서 보리(5품종), 밀(2), 호밀(3), 이탈리안 라이그라스(IRG, 3) 등 4작목 13품종을 공시하여 <TEX>$1999{\sim}2001$</TEX>년까지 3년간 생육단계별로 생육특성, 수량 및 사료가치를 조사하였다. 보리의 출수기는 4월 <TEX>$20{\sim}24$</TEX>일, 유숙기는 5월 <TEX>$9{\sim}10$</TEX>일, 황숙기는 5월 <TEX>$21{\sim}24$</TEX>일이었다. 유숙기<TEX>${\sim}$</TEX>황숙기 기준 건물수량은 ha당 <TEX>$7.89{\sim}9.66$</TEX>톤이었으며, 평균 ADF는 29.7%, NDF는 56.3%였고, 5품종 중 알보리와 내한쌀보리가 가장 우수하였다. 밀은 보리에 비해 출수 및 성숙기가 1주일 가까이 늦었으나 수량성이 높고 사료가치가 우수하며(평균 ADF 29.2%, NDF 54.8%), 유숙기<TEX>${\sim}$</TEX>황숙기 기준 건물수량은 <TEX>$9.13{\sim}10.38$</TEX>톤이었다. 호밀은 출수기가 4월 <TEX>$20{\sim}24$</TEX>일이었으며, 초장이 148cm 정도로 개화 이후 도복이 심하였고, 개화기 건물수량은 13.64톤, 사료가치는 평균 ADF 35.0%, NDF 59.9%로 가장 낮았다. 중만생 IRG는 답리작용으로 권장하기 어려웠으나 조생 IRG는 5월 2일 출수로 개화기 전후(5월 13일경)수확이 유리하고, 이 때 건물수량은 5.51톤이었다. 본 시험에서 벼 이앙시기, 건물생산성, 출수기, 사료가치, 도복 등을 종합고려한 유망작목은 보리, 호밀, 조생 다수성 IRG, 밀로 추정된다. 5월 중순 벼 이앙시 적정 사료작물은 5월 상순에 수확이 가능한 호밀, 5월 하순 벼 이앙시에는 5월 중순 수확이 가능한 보리(알보리, 내한쌀보리)와 조생 다수성 IRG, 6월 상순으로 벼 이앙시기가 늦을 경우에는 5월 하순 수확이 가능하면서 생산성과 사료가치가 높은 밀이 권장되었다. This study was carried out to select the promising forage crops fer forage production in paddy field of YARI, RDA, Milyang from 1999 to 2001. The species of forage crop used in this experiment were barley(5 varieties), wheat(2), rye(3) and Italian ryegrass(IRG, 3). Stages of heading, milk and yellow ripe of barley were <TEX>$20{\sim}24$</TEX> April, <TEX>$6{\sim}10$</TEX> May and <TEX>$21{\sim}24$</TEX> May, respectively. In milk to yellow ripe stage, dry matter(DM) yield of barley was <TEX>$7.89{\sim}9.66$</TEX> MT per ha, and averaged ADF and NDF contents were <TEX>$26.9{\sim}33.3%\;and\;53.1{\sim}59.2%$</TEX>, respectively. Albori and Naehanssalbori were the most promising varieties among the barley. The growth of wheat was a little late compared to that of barley, but it seemed to be crop having higher forage yield and nutritive value. In milk to yellow stage, DM yield of wheat was <TEX>$9.13{\sim}10.38$</TEX> MT per ha, and nutritive value of wheat was very good(ADF <TEX>$25.9{\sim}31.7%$</TEX> and NDF <TEX>$53.3{\sim}55.8%$</TEX>). Heading stage of rye was <TEX>$20{\sim}24$</TEX> April, and it seemed to be suitable far harvest at heading to flowering stage because of heavy lodging after flowering. In flowering stage, DM yield of rye was 13.64 MT per ha, and nutritive value of rye was the lowest among 4 species(ADF <TEX>$33.1{\sim}38.0%$</TEX> and NDF <TEX>$56.4{\sim}65.0%$</TEX>). Heading stage of early maturing IRG was 2 May and it seemed to be suitable for harvest at flowering stage of middle May in cropping system. In flowering stage, DM yield of early type IRG was 5.51 MT per ha, and averaged ADF and NDF contents were <TEX>$30.1{\sim}34.7%\;and\;59.7{\sim}60.5%$</TEX>, respectively. The results demonstrated that the promising forage crops far forage production in paddy field were rye, barley, early maturing IRG and wheat in Yeongnam region. In Southern region, rye harvesting at early May was recommended when considered middle May of rice transplanting period, and barley(Albori and Naehanssalbori) and early maturing IRG harvesting at middle May were recommended when considered late May of rice planting period. And also, wheat with high nutritive value and possibility for harvesting at late May were recommended in case of transplanting period at early June.

Effects of whole crop canola silage on Holstein dairy cow performance in early lactation

It is clear that providing sufficient fiber in dairy cattle diets has most positive effects on improvement of rumen ecosystem and feed intake efficiency. In semiarid countries such as Iran providing forage requirement of cattle is limited. So it is better to use plants with low water requirement, high growth rate and high forage yield per hectare. Canola (Brassica napus L.) recently has received consideration as a forage source for livestock (Lancaster et al., 1990). Canola is reasonably widely adapted and performs well in many areas of Iran. In addition to its low water requirements and high growth rate, its cultivation season is well matched with environmental condition in Iran. The main objective of this study was to evaluate effect of replacing maize silage with canola silage (as dry matter %) on Holstein dairy cow performance.

Effects of wilting and lactic acid bacteria inoculation on fermentation quality of white lupin and fababean silages

Fababeans and lupins are short-term catch crops with a high crude protein content, which provide a high forage yield in a short growing period. Legumes are difficult to conserve as silages because of their low water soluble carbohydrates content (WSC) and high buffer capacity. To our knowledge, little information is available on the ensiling of fababeans and lupins in Southern Europe. The research was carried out in Lodi (Italy) in order to evaluate the effects of wilting and inoculation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) on fermentation characteristics of the resulting silages. The data show that both wilting and LAB inoculant significantly improved fermentation quality of the legumes silages.

English

Kentucky -31 (KY-31) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacae) produces an effective ground cover and can be a valuable forage crop; however, it has been shown to be a detriment to wildlife populations through habitat colonization (elimination of bare ground, suppression of other valuable plants, and the toxic nature of seeds and vegetative matter to wildlife species). Because of its ability to effectively control erosion and produce high forage yields, KY-31 has been a commonly used grass species for surface mine reclamation. The objective of this study is to assess the suitability of approximately 54.1 hectares of reclaimed wildlife habitat inadvertently seeded with KY-31 fescue at Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AECI), Prairie Hill Mine in northern Missouri. Land type assessment models were used to score wildlife habitat suitability. Models were structured to rate quality factors based on vegetative communities, spatial distribution, and favorable environmental conditions to wildlife species. Data collection was accomplished with real time mobile mapping GPS devices using ArcPad software and analyzed with ArcGIS desktop. Through the use of spatial technologies, wildlife models produced a score under optimal conditions as well as applied a rating to both KY-31 seeded wildlife habitat and wildlife areas proposed by AECI for mitigation. Rating points for wildlife habitat seeded with KY-31 and areas proposed for mitigation were totaled and compared to the derived target value. Initially, wildlife sites seeded with KY-31 fescue scored below the target values. However, when the fescue areas were totaled with the wildlife mitigation tracts the habitat suitability exceeded the target values generated by the assessment models. This study demonstrates the site specific effects of KY-31 in differing wildlife habitat land types and provides field assessment techniques to measure suitability. Through the use of adapted wildlife habitat rating models and new technologies such as mobile computing and GIS, the effects of KY-31 can be quantified, allowing appropriate mitigation to offset resource losses.

Dynamics of soil organic carbon and soil fertility affected by alfalfa productivity in a semiarid agro-ecosystem

We explore the dynamics of soil organic carbon of various forms and its relation with soil fertility in seeded alfalfa grassland established using a field micro-catchment technique to harvest water on the semiarid Loess Plateau in China. Five regimes were set up: (1) conventional flat cultivation without mulch (CK), (2) ridges and furrows were set up alternately on flat land, with 15 cm between each so that the distance between successive ridges (or successive furrows) was 30 cm, and the ridges were mulched with plastic film (M30), (3) similar to M30, but with twice the distance between furrows and ridges (M60), (4) similar to M30, but the ridges were not mulched (B30), (5) similar to M60, but the ridges were not mulched (B60). The increase in alfalfa forage yield in the mulch regimes promotes soil organic carbon (SOC) content, the light fraction of organic carbon (LFOC), the heavy fraction of organic carbon (HFOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC). MBC was significantly higher in M30 and M60 than in the other regimes. Significant positive correlation is found between MBC and LFOC (R=0.89; P<0.0001), and MBC and HFOC (R=0.82; P=0.00016). At the end of our three-year experiment, the C/N ratio of 10.09 in M60 was significantly (P<0.005) higher than the other regimes. Since a lower C/N ratio accelerates SOC decomposition in this region, the higher C/N ratio in M60 could limit mineralization of soil nitrogen, conserving soil nitrogen and SOC. The lower ratio of nitrate and nitrite nitrogen to total nitrogen, of 10.74, in M60 at the end of this experiment than in the other regimes and before sowing supports this point. The correlations of SOC with available P and with the ratio of available P to total P are positive in the dry year of 2001, but negative in the wet year of 2002. This can be explained on the basis that a high forage yield of alfalfa requires more soil available P in the wet years than in the dry years.

Biplot Analysis of Lovegrass Hybrid Performances in the Semi-Arid Region of Argentina

Weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) has increased meat production in cattle-fattening systems of the central semi-arid rangeland of Argentina. New apomictic lovegrass hybrids are usually tested in multi-environment trials (MET). The objective of this paper was to investigate the relative magnitudes of the effects of genotype (G), environments (E), and genotype-by-environment interaction (GE) in weeping lovegrass MET. Variability in forage yield and other agronomic traits was analyzed via biplot analysis of data from 19 weeping lovegrass genotypes grown at three locations of the central Argentinean crop area for two consecutive growing seasons. The proportion of GE relative G was relatively small, and season-to-season performance of hybrids and differences across locations were predictable. Genotype-by-trait biplots suggested that selection based on dry matter and panicle number could be a good strategy of indirect selection for high forage yield and seed production in lovegrass. The analysis of environment-by-trait biplot showed the highest selection values of panicle number and dry matter in the first growing season, and the highest values of panicle length, crown diameter and leaf length in the second growing season.

Nutritional Evaluation of Two Promising Varieties of Forage Sorghum in Sheep Fed as Silage

Two promising varieties of forage sorghum viz. HD-15 and J. Sel-10 were identified for their higher forage yield (350- 400 quintals per hectare) compared to traditional/existing variety, HC-136 at Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhansi. Silage of these three forage sorghum varieties viz., HD-15, J.Sel-10 and HC-136 were prepared in three concrete silos for their nutritional evaluation in sheep. Twelve adult Muzaffarnagari Ewes, divided into three equal groups of 4 each, were offered a particular variety of sorghum silage ad libitum over a period of 30 days followed by a 6 day metabolism trial and a collection of rumen liquor and blood samples. The HD-15 variety of forage sorghum silage contained higher crude protein (CP) than both the J.Sel-10 and HC-136. Average daily dry matter (DM) intake (% of live weight) differed significantly (p<0.05) in sheep that were fed the different varieties of silage, with the maximum amount in HD-15 (2.55) followed by J.Sel-10 (2.49) and HC-136 (1.84). The average apparent digestibility of all the nutrients was low in the sheep that were fed the HC-136 variety of sorghum silage when compared to both HD-15 and J.Sel-10. However, digestibility of organic matter (p<0.05) and crude protein (p<0.01) was significantly low in the HC-136 variety. The average daily nitrogen retention was-0.19, 2.15 and 0.42 g in HC-136, HD-15 and J.Sel-10, respectively which differed significantly (p<0.01). The average digestible crude protein and total digestible nutrient (TDN) contents (%) of the silage varieties were higher in HD-15 (3.14 and 55.3) than HC-136 (0.25 and 58.6) and J.Sel-10 (1.58 and 55.3) varieties. On comparing to the maintenance requirements (ICAR, 1985) for dry matter, crude protein and total digestible nutrients, both the improved varieties (HD-15 and J.Sel-10) almost met the requirements except crude protein, which met only 73.3% of the requirement by J.Sel-10, while the HC-136 variety was unable to meet the requirements. The average rumen pH and total volatile fatty acids concentrations were comparable among the groups. However, concentrations of nitrogen metabolites were higher in the animals fed the HD-15 variety of silage. Varieties of sorghum silage also did not have any influence on the concentration of the blood metabolites. It was concluded that the HD-15 variety of sorghum silage was nutritionally superior to both J.Sel-10 and HC-136 silage. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 12 : 1715-1720)

Effect of Location, Year and Variety on Forage Yield and Quality of Winter Rye

The objective of this experiment was to determine agronomic characteristics, and forge yield and quality responses of rye variety to location and year for a double-cropping system in South Korea. Five forage rye varieties ('Koolgrazer', 'Jlee select', '9909', 'Homill22', 'Danko') were evaluated for forage quality and yields during the two growing years (the First year; 2001-2002, and the Second year; 2002-2003) at two locations (the central and southern zone). The heading date of rye in the central zone (Cheonan) was 15 April, and that of the southern zone (Daegu) was 10 April. The heading dates of 'Koolgrazer', 'Jlee select' and '9909' were earlier than those of the others. Although the five varieties had resistance to foliar diseases and insects, these had less lodging resistance. Dry matter (DM) content, DM and total digestible nutrients (TDN) yields had significant differences among rye varieties. DM and TDN yields of the rye varieties at the second year were higher than the first year in the central zone. In the southern zone, DM and TDN yields at the first year were lower than the second year. 'Jlee select' and '9909' had higher DM and TDN yields than the other varieties in both location and year except the first year of the central zone (p<0.001). The crude protein (CP) contents of rye grown in Cheonan were higher than Daegu. The CP content of 'Danko' variety was highest among tested varieties. The acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents were greater for the varieties grown in Cheonan and in the second year. The ADF and NDF contents of 'Danko' were lowest, while 'Danko' in TDN and relative feed value (RFV) was highest among rye varieties. Our study showed that there are differences in forage production and quality from location to location, year to year and variety to variety. Therefore, forage quality and forage production are an important factor for screening forage rye varieties. Early maturing varieties should be recommended as high-yielding forage in a double-cropping system because their production of forage was greatest early in the season. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2005. Vol 18, No. 7 : 997-1002)