Lolium Perenne Research Articles

Improved nutritional value of surplus bread and perennial ryegrass via solid-state fermentation with Rhizopus oligosporus.

Solid-state fermentation (SSF) is a sustainable method to convert food waste and plant biomass into novel foods for human consumption. Surplus bread crusts (BC) have the structural capacity to serve as an SSF scaffold, and their nutritional value could be increased in combination with perennial ryegrass (PRG), a biorefining feedstock with high-quality protein but an unpleasant sensory profile. SSF with Rhizopus oligosporus was investigated with these substrates to determine if the overall nutritional value could be increased. The BC-PRG SSFs were conducted for up to 72 h, over which time the starch content had decreased by up to 89.6%, the total amino acid (AA) content increased by up to 141.9%, and the essential amino acid (EAA) content increased by up to 54.5%. The BC-PRG SSF demonstrated that this process could potentially valorise BC and PRG, both widely available but underexplored substrates, for the production of alternative proteins.

Improved management of Italian ryegrass (Lolium perenne spp. multiflorum) with mixtures of tiafenacil and ACCase or glutamine synthetase inhibitors

Abstract Herbicide-resistant Italian ryegrass [Lolium perenne L. spp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot] is a significant problem in multiple cropping systems because of its rapid growth, open pollination, prolific seed production, and multiple cases of resistance worldwide, except to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors. This research evaluated tiafenacil, a new PPO inhibitor, in mixtures with glutamine synthetase or acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides to manage resistant L. multiflorum populations. Tiafenacil efficacy against L. multiflorum was growth stage-dependent, with increased efficacy at earlier stages in greenhouse studies. The LD90 was 41.06 g ai ha-1 at BBCH23, and increased to 9.0-fold at BBCH33. Field studies indicated that changes in carrier volume did not affect tiafenacil’s efficacy; the highest tested rate of tiafenacil (75 g ai ha-1) reduced L. multiflorum inflorescence weight by 50-90%. Mixtures of tiafenacil and glufosinate (1,150 g ai ha-1) improved L. multiflorum control (+24-43%) and reduced inflorescence weight (+15-34%), particularly at the highest tested rates (50 and 75 g ai ha-1), suggesting synergistic effects based on Colby’s test. Tiafenacil with ACCase inhibitors improved L. multiflorum control (+19-49%) and inflorescence weight reduction (+8-13%). These mixtures exhibited an additive effect when combined with fluazifop and a synergistic effect with clethodim. Herbicide mixtures and application strategies are critical to effective L. multiflorum management. Tiafenacil, especially when used with glufosinate or ACCase inhibitors, offers an effective solution to L. multiflorum management and is a strategic tool against herbicide resistance, as resistance to PPO inhibitors has not evolved. Further research should assess practices to ensure the long-term viability of these mixtures for resistance management.

Effect of contrasting water-soluble carbohydrate to crude protein ratio’s in perennial ryegrass on nitrogen metabolism in lambs

ABSTRACT The effect of high and low water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) to crude protein (CP) ratios on nitrogen balance in lambs was evaluated. Ryegrasses containing either 35.4% WSC and 12% CP (High WSC) or 14.8% WSC and 23.8% CP (High N) were harvested, frozen and fed to lambs in metabolism crates. These contrasts in WSC and CP delivered diets with markedly different WSC:CP ratios (3.17:1 and 0.70:1). These ratios were higher than those reported in ryegrass previously. There was no difference in urinary nitrogen concentration (0.46 vs 0.48 g/l) but as the total urinary volume was higher on the High N diet (4.2 vs 1.5 l/d, P < 0.001), the end result was that more N was excreted in the urine on the high N diet (18.8 vs 7.3 g/d, P < 0.001). However, the proportion of nitrogen intake that was excreted in urine and faeces was higher on the High WSC diet so there was no evidence that a high WSC forage diet improved nitrogen utilisation.

Comparing Alternative Non-Selective Herbicides in Oregon and New Mexico

Abstract Municipalities are considering alternatives to traditional herbicides for suppressing weeds and vegetation in areas frequented by the public. Two field experiments were conducted to test the efficacy of alternative non-selective herbicides: one in Corvallis, Oregon, on a mixed lawn of perennial ryegrass, annual bluegrass, and broadleaf weeds, and another experiment in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on a predominantly bermudagrass lawn with broadleaf weeds. The experimental objective was to quantify and compare the effects of repeated applications of ten non-selective herbicides to terminate a lawn with mixed vegetation. Applications were made every two weeks for four applications starting on 15 April 2022 in Corvallis and 26 May 2022 in Las Cruces. Data collected included the percent green cover over time calculated using an area under the percent green cover progress curve (AUPGCPC), the percent green cover at the conclusion of the experiment, and the change in monocot and dicot density over the course of the experiment. All treatments resulted in a lower AUPGCPC compared to water only except for mint oil + sodium lauryl sulfate + potassium sorbate. The only treatments with an average percent green cover less than 50% was a combination of ammoniated soap of fatty acids + maleic hydrazide (47% green cover) in Corvallis and pelargonic acid (38%) in Las Cruces, suggesting that more applications would be needed to terminate the lawn under similar circumstances. At the conclusion of the experiment, the water only plots averaged 90% and 93% green cover in Corvallis and Las Cruces, respectively. The change of monocot and dicot densities over the course of the experiment indicated that some of the products tested may be more sensitive to dicots, or in some cases monocots, suggesting a potential for future selective herbicide research in certain locations and climates.

Metabolic regulation of 5-oxoproline for enhanced heat tolerance in perennial ryegrass

Pyroglutamic acid [(5-oxoproline (5-oxp)], a non-protein amino acid, can be converted to glutamate to regulate amino acid metabolism in plants. Its roles in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses, including heat stress, are not well understood. The objectives of this study were to determine whether exogenous application of 5-oxp could promote heat tolerance in cool-season perennial grass species and identify the major metabolic pathways that could be activated or responsive to 5-oxp for enhancing heat tolerance. Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) plants were foliar-sprayed with 5-oxp or water (untreated control) prior to and during the exposure to heat stress (35/33 ℃, day/night temperature) or ambient temperature (25/22 ℃, day/night temperature, non-stress control) in controlled-environment growth chambers. Application of 5-oxp improved the heat tolerance of perennial ryegrass, as manifested by the chlorophyll content, photochemical efficiency, cell membrane stability, and antioxidant enzyme activities increasing by 31.2%, 25.7%, 37.2%, and 57.1-258.3%, as well as the reduction in hydrogen peroxide production by 36.8%. Metabolic profiling identified metabolites up-regulated by 5-oxp that are involved in the metabolic pathways of carbon assimilation in photosynthesis, glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle of respiration, proteinogenic amino acid metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism for DNA or RNA synthesis and ATP generation. The up-regulation or activation of those metabolic processes could contribute to 5-oxp-mediated enhancement in the heat tolerance of perennial ryegrass.

Cover crops lower the dispersal of grapevine foliar pathogens from the ground and contribute to early-season disease management

Currently, fungicides are widely used to control grapevine foliar diseases. This study explored the possibility of decreasing the use of fungicides to control these diseases using cover crops in the inter-row of vineyards. In small-scale experiments, we found that cover crops (namely horseradish Armoracia rusticana) were able to (i) reduce the numbers of airborne conidia of Botrytis cinerea (originating from an inoculum source above the soil) escaping the cover canopy by &amp;gt;85% with respect to the base soil and (ii) reduce the number of raindrops impacting the soil by 46%–74%, depending on the cover crop height and rain-originated splash droplets that escaped from the ground by 75%–95%, which reduced splash-borne inoculum. In two organic vineyards, for 2 years, fall- (mixture of Lolium perenne, Onobrychis viciifolia, and Trifolium repens) or spring-sown (a mixture of Vicia sativa and Sinapis sp.) cover crops could significantly delay (by 14–30 days) and reduce (till &amp;gt;90%) the development of downy and powdery mildew epidemics. This effect was more evident in plots untreated with fungicides than in treated plots. Cover crops also delayed the onset of epidemics depending on the type of cover crop and disease. Cover crops did not negatively affect grape yield and quality. Overall, the results showed that the introduction of cover crops in vineyard management can significantly contribute to disease control by lowering the load from ground to grapevine canopies of pathogen inocula, delaying disease onset, and reducing diseases severity during the season.

Comparative Characterization of Three Homologous Glutathione Transferases from the Weed Lolium perenne

The comparative analysis of homologous enzymes is a valuable approach for elucidating enzymes’ structure–function relationships. Glutathione transferases (GSTs, EC. 2.5.1.18) are crucial enzymes in maintaining the homeostatic stability of plant cells by performing various metabolic, regulatory, and detoxifying functions. They are promiscuous enzymes that catalyze a broad range of reactions that involve the nucleophilic attack of the activated thiolate of glutathione (GSH) to electrophilic compounds. In the present work, three highly homologous (96–98%) GSTs from ryegrass Lolium perenne (LpGSTs) were identified by in silico homology searches and their full-length cDNAs were isolated, cloned, and expressed in E. coli cells. The recombinant enzymes were purified by affinity chromatography and their substrate specificity and kinetic parameters were determined. LpGSTs belong to the tau class of the GST superfamily, and despite their high sequence homology, their substrate specificity displays remarkable differences. High catalytic activity was determined towards hydroxyperoxides and alkenals, suggesting a detoxification role towards oxidative stress metabolites. The prediction of the structure of the most active LpGST by molecular modeling allowed the identification of a non-conserved residue (Phe215) with key structural and functional roles. Site-saturation mutagenesis at position 215 and the characterization of eight mutant enzymes revealed that this site plays pleiotropic roles, affecting the affinity of the enzyme for the substrates, catalytic constant, and structural stability. The results of the work have improved our understanding of the GST family in L. perenne, a significant threat to agriculture, sustainable food production, and safety worldwide.

Ecotoxicological Impact of Cigarette Butts on Coastal Ecosystems: The Case of Marbella Beach, Chile

Cigarette butts (CBs) are a major source of persistent pollution in coastal ecosystems, introducing harmful chemicals and microplastics into the environment. This study assesses the ecotoxicological impact of CB leachates on Marbella Beach, Chile, by analyzing the metal contamination and its phytotoxic effects on Lactuca sativa and Lolium perenne. Three scenarios were evaluated: CBs alone, CBs mixed with sand, and sand alone. Leachate analysis revealed significant concentrations of iron and zinc, with higher toxicity observed in scenarios involving CBs. Ecotoxicological assays demonstrated that cigarette butt leachates severely inhibited seed germination and plant growth, particularly in Lactuca sativa, which showed greater sensitivity compared to that of Lolium perenne. The results underscore the partial mitigating role of sand, although it was insufficient to prevent the toxic effects of CBs. The persistence of cellulose acetate in the environment and the continued release of hazardous chemicals highlight the ecological risks posed by cigarette butt pollution. These findings emphasize the need for improved waste management strategies and the development of biodegradable cigarette filters to reduce environmental contamination in coastal areas.

Yeast Synthesis and Herbicidal Activity Evaluation of Aspterric Acid.

Aspterric acid (AA) is a novel natural product herbicide that targets dihydroxyacid dehydratase in plants. In this study, we introduced two distinct AA biosynthesis-related gene clusters into Saccharomyces cerevisiae and screened the core biosynthetic enzyme, sesquiterpene cyclase, from various fungi. The combination of sesquiterpene cyclase from Aspergillus taichungensis IBT 19404 and two cytochrome P450s from Penicillium brasilianum resulted in the optimal AA synthesis efficiency in yeast, with the highest titer of 33.21 mg/L achieved by optimizing fermentation conditions in shake flasks. Moreover, the herbicidal effects of AA on weed germination and growth were evaluated. Notably, AA strongly inhibited the germination of Amaranthus tricolor, Portulaca oleracea, Bidens pilosa, Lolium perenne, and Leptochloa chinensis. Furthermore, AA could also inhibit the shoot and root growth of weeds with a superior inhibitory effect on roots relative to shoots. Our work not only provides a sustainable method for the biosynthesis of AA in yeast but also paves the way for the application of AA as a preemergence herbicide.

Groundcover improves nutrition and growth of citrus trees and reduces water runoff, soil erosion and nutrient loss on sloping farmland

IntroductionGroundcover management plays a crucial role in improving water retention and soil nutrition in orchard systems, thereby preventing environmental constrains by non-point source pollution. However, effectiveness of groundcover management in citrus orchards developed on sloping farmland with eroded purple soil has not been studied in detail. In particular, information on the soil nutrient losses, e.g., nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), through interflow and its effects on growth and nutrition of citrus plants has not been reported.MethodsThe present study evaluated the effects of different cover crops, i.e., Lolium perenne L. (Lolium), Vicia villosa Roth (Vicia) and Orychophragmus violaceus (Ory), on nutrition and growth of citrus trees as well as water, soil and nutrient retention in an orchard developed in sloping farmland during two consecutive years.Results and discussionThe results show that the groundcover species Lolium and Vicia mediated nursing effects on nutrition and growth of citrus trees. These nursing effects included enhanced foliar levels of carbon(C), N and P as well as increased tree height, stem diameter, and crown width. Groundcover management generally reduced the annual surface runoff, interflow, soil loss, total N loss and total P loss. Among the cover crop species studied, Lolium and Vicia were overall more efficient than Ory in this context. Lolium reduced the average annual total loss of N and P by 42.53% and 49.23%, respectively, compared with clean tillage. The estimated annual reduction potentials of soil, N and P losses in Southwestern China were 16.3, 3.4 and 8.5 million tons yr-1, respectively. Obviously, Lolium and Vicia provide highly beneficial ground coverage on sloping farmland and, thus, can be used for future sustainable development of citrus orchards.

Performance of Different Cool-Season Species and Cultivars Overseeded on Bermudagrass and Managed with Autonomous Mower

With global warming, the cultivation area of bermudagrass is moving northwards in the Mediterranean area despite its winter dormancy and loss of green color. The most common solution is overseeding with perennial ryegrass, which can be complicated to remove in spring. DLF breeders have released a new cultivar of annual ryegrass that is stress tolerant and easy to transition in spring. A trial was carried out on a sod farm in Pisa, Italy. Twenty-nine varieties of cool-season grasses, encompassing both forage and turf species, were overseeded on a hybrid bermudagrass variety ‘Tifway’ (Cynodon dactylon x transvaalensis). The aim of this trial was to compare the overseeding potential of various cool-season turfgrass species and cultivars and to identify which ones perform best in terms of cleanness of cut when overseeded on hybrid bermudagrass in autumn and maintained at a mowing height of 25 mm. Moreover, the following parameters were also assessed: actual turf height (cm); cumulated height (cm); turf visual color and quality (1–9 scale); and visual ground cover (%). Plots were managed with an autonomous mower, which adopted a daily mowing frequency and was set to work with systematic trajectories. The results showed differences between cultivars, and the annual ryegrass showed the best spring transition (scoring a mean value of 96% green cover in July 2023) compared to the other entries. The best result of CoC was measured for rough-stalked meadow grass ‘Sabrena 1’ and tall fescue ‘Turfway’ with 0.9 mm.

Ecological influences of sulfadiazine on rhizosphere soil microbial communities in ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)-soil potting systems: Perspectives on diversity, co-occurrence networks, and assembly processes

Microorganisms in the soil are crucial constituents of land ecosystems, significantly influencing their structure and functionality. However, the accumulation of antibiotics in agricultural practices may negatively affect these microbial communities. The objective of this study was to explore the ecological effects of the sulfonamide drug sulfadiazine (SDZ) on the rhizosphere soil microbial communities of ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). A potting system experiment was constructed by exposing for 45 days after treatments with different initial concentrations of SDZ (0, 1, 10, and 30 mg/kg) to assess the effects of SDZ on soil microbial diversity, bacterial-fungal co-occurrence networks, and community assembly processes. The findings indicated that SDZ treatment significantly altered the community composition, especially for bacteria in the phylum Proteobacteria and Gemmatimonadota and fungi in the phylum Mortierellomycota and Aphelidiomycota. Network analysis revealed that SDZ stress caused alterations in microbial interaction patterns, especially at high treatment concentrations, and reduced network connectivity. In addition, SDZ significantly affected microbial community assembly processes, where stochastic processes were enhanced in bacterial communities, while fungal communities showed a balance of stochastic and deterministic processes. Analysis of environmental variables revealed that the presence of SDZ may disrupt the link between soil microorganisms and soil nitrogen compounds. The results provide new perspectives for understanding the ecological impacts of antibiotic residues in agroecosystems and provide a scientific basis for soil health management.

Allelopathic and phytotoxic activity of essential oil of Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers and its major constituents on Amaranthus retroflexus and Lolium perenne

This study investigated the allelopathic and phytotoxic effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia flower essential oil (EO) and its major constituents. Forty-one compounds were identified by GC–MS, accounting for 96.93% of the total oil, with the main compounds being ethyl cinnamate and methyl cinnamate. The allelopathic assay of the EO completely suppressed the seed germination of Lolium perenne and Amaranthus retroflexus at 22.22 mg/mL air treatment. Phytotoxic activities of ethyl cinnamate and methyl cinnamate were much stronger than those of the EO against L. perenne, with IC50 values of 0.386, 0.396, and 7.159 mg/mL, respectively. The strength of the phytotoxic activity of the major constituent ethyl cinnamate, and the mixture of ethyl cinnamate and methyl cinnamate was comparable to that of the commercial herbicide glyphosate in terms of suppressing root elongation in A. retroflexus, with IC50 values of 0.049, 0.076, and 0.017 mg/mL, respectively, indicating a possible synergistic effect of the major compounds.

Migration and transformation behaviors of potentially toxic elements and the underlying mechanisms in bauxite residue: Insight from various revegetation strategies

Revegetation is a promising strategy for large-scale bauxite residue disposal and management, potentially influencing the geochemical stability of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) through rhizosphere processes. However, the geochemical behaviors of PTEs and the underlying mechanisms during bauxite residue revegetation remain unclear. This study examined the migration and transformation behaviors of PTEs and their underlying mechanisms in the bauxite residue-vegetation-leachate system under various revegetation strategies, including single and co-planting of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), over a 100-day microcosm experiment. The results showed significant decreases in pH, EC, Na, Al, and Cr levels in the leachate under various revegetation strategies, with slight increases in Cu, V, As, and Pb. Over time, the pH, EC, Na, Cr, Cu, V, Pb, and As levels in the leachate decreased, while those of Al, Fe, Mn, and Zn increased. The mean pH, EC, and concentrations of Na, Al, Fe, and Cr in the leachate of the revegetated treatments decreased by 6%-8%, 21%-33%, 2%-4%, 19%-27%, 7%-22%, and 15%-26%, respectively, while the mean concentrations of Mn, V, Zn, and As increased by 47%-134%, 26%-46%, 39%-47%, and 3%-10%, respectively, compared to the unamended treatment. Co-planting generally exhibited a greater impact on leachate components compared to single planting. Available contents of Al, Cr, and Pb decreased by 81%-83%, 57%-77%, and 55%-72%, respectively, while those of other PTEs increased in the revegetated bauxite residue. Co-planting significantly reduced the availability of PTEs compared to single planting. Except for Na and Mn, the bioaccumulation and transportation factors of PTEs in both vegetation species remained below 1 under various revegetation strategies. The migration and transformation behaviors of PTEs in the bauxite residue-vegetation-leachate system were mainly influenced by pH and nutrient levels. These findings provide new insights into the migration and transformation behaviors of PTEs during bauxite residue revegetation.

Carry‐Over Effect of Leguminous Winter Cover Crops and Living Mulches on Winter Wheat as a Second Main Crop Following White Cabbage

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe direct effect of winter cover crops (WCCs) or living mulches (LMs) on a first vegetable crop has already been investigated. However, little is known about the effect on growth and yield of a second cash crop in the rotation.AimsThe aim of the study was to assess the carry‐over effect of legumes grown as WCC or LM on winter wheat as a second crop after cabbage, measured in yield and nitrogen release.MethodsTwo field trials were carried out in Germany between 2019 and 2022. In the WCC trial, rye, rye with vetch, vetch, pea, and faba bean were used as WCC and compared to bare soil. The WCC biomass was incorporated before cabbage planting in late spring. For the LM trial, perennial ryegrass or white clover was used as LM during cabbage cultivation and compared to bare soil. The LM biomass was incorporated with the cabbage residues and compared to an early incorporation of LM biomass before cabbage planting. In both trials, winter wheat was sown in the fall as the second following main crop in the rotation.ResultsLeguminous WCC species had significant higher wheat yield compared to non‐legumes but not compared to the control without WCC. Late incorporation of LM biomass resulted in increased wheat yield at 10.1–10.4 Mg ha−1 compared to an early incorporation before cabbage planting at 9.35 Mg ha−1. Net N releases show that for WCC, the main effect of legume nitrogen fixation is achieved in the first crop cabbage immediately after incorporation of WCC biomass. In the case of leguminous LM, the effects of legume nitrogen fixation are of much higher relevance in the second main crop, winter wheat, due to LM biomass incorporation after cabbage cultivation.ConclusionTherefore, we suggest to consider not only the direct but also the carry‐over effects of leguminous cover cropping in vegetable crop rotations.

Investigating the impact of treading damage on the plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) content and performance of a plantain/ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pasture over two years.

Investigating the impact of treading damage on the plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) content and performance of a plantain/ perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pasture over two years.

Allelopathic Effects of Soil Extracts from Rhus typhina Plantations on Common Turfgrass Species in Northern China

The allelopathic plant Rhus typhina (Rt) has a shallowly distributed root system with a high density of secretory canals, which may allow it to exhibit indirect allelopathic effects through the soil on an understory turf species in a plantation. However, how these effects occur is still not well understood. For this study, the soil from the root zone of Rt was extracted via distilled water, and extracts at different concentrations (25, 50, and 100 g L−1) were used to treat six commonly planted turfgrass species, including Medicago sativa (Ms), Lolium perenne (Lp), Trifolium repens (Tr), Medicago falcata (Mf), Festuca arundinacea (Fa) and Coronilla varia (Cv), during a continuous germination–seedling culture experiment via the sand culture method. The germination, physiological, and growth indicators of the turfgrass seedlings were analyzed. The allelopathic effects of the soil extract at different concentrations on the six receivers were evaluated to provide a scientific basis for managing plantations with multilayer structures. The results indicated that, in general, the extracts of the soil from the root zone of Rt inhibited the germination and seedling growth performance characteristics of the mentioned turfgrasses; the inhibitory effects on Ms, Lp, and Mf increased with increasing concentrations of the Rt soil extracts, whereas those on Fa tended to decrease. In addition, the inhibitory effect on Tr obviously weakened at 50 g·L−1 relative to that at 25 g·L−1, whereas it became more obvious at 100 g·L−1; however, it exhibited the opposite trend for Cv. Generally, Mf and Cv were more sensitive to Rt allelochemicals at relatively low concentrations, and these species should be avoided when planting in Rt plantations at low densities. In contrast, Lp and Tr were more sensitive than those at relatively high concentrations and should be avoided when planting in Rt plantations at high densities.

EPSPS gene amplification in a glyphosate-resistant population of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) from Oregon.

Lolium multiflorum Lam. (Italian ryegrass, annual ryegrass) is both a weed and a crop in Oregon. Because it is commonly managed using chemical controls, herbicide-resistant populations have evolved within the seed production region. A glyphosate-resistant population was identified in Yamhill County, Oregon, in a fallow field previously cropped with perennial ryegrass. Dose-response studies showed that the glyphosate-resistant population, OR12, was nine-fold more resistant to glyphosate than the susceptible population. No EPSPS amino acid substitutions known to confer glyphosate resistance were observed via gene sequencing. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of genomic DNA revealed a mean 30-fold increase in EPSPS gene copies in the OR12 population. Biomass after glyphosate treatment was correlated with EPSPS gene copy number of individual plants. This is the first known report of glyphosate resistance associated with EPSPS gene amplification to arise in L. multiflorum populations in Oregon. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Endophyte mixture effects on ryegrass staggers in sheep

Epichloë endophytes protect ryegrass from insect pests, but no strain provides both the highest level of insect protection and lowest risk to livestock health. This study examined mixtures of endophytes to find combinations that could mitigate ryegrass staggers in sheep. At Barenbrug NZ, Courtenay, pastures varying widely in sown proportions of perennial ryegrass infected with nea3, nea12 and standard endophyte (SE) were sown in May 2019 and tested with lambs in summer and hoggets in spring 2020. In summer, sown proportions of &gt;65% nea3, &lt;35% nea12 and no SE delayed severe staggers (score 4–5) by 1 week. Alkaloid profiles of these pastures included the tremorgens epoxyjanthitrem I (&lt;0.28 ppm) of nea12 and paxilline (&lt;0.15 ppm) and terpendole C (&lt;1.37 ppm) of nea3. In spring, sown proportions of &gt;65% nea3 and &lt;35% nea12 and/or SE did not induce staggers (score 0–0.1). Those pastures had low concentrations of the potent tremorgen lolitrem B (&lt;0.30 ppm) of SE, epoxyjanthitrem I (&lt;0.39 ppm) of nea12 and paxilline (&lt;0.09 ppm) and terpendole C (&lt;0.41 ppm) of nea3 and SE. The optimal endophyte formulations that minimised staggers across summer and spring were &gt;65% nea3, &lt;35% nea12 and no SE.

Can additives or controlled release coating improve the nitrogen use efficiency of urea fertiliser

A plot trial was undertaken to determine whether tactical use of nitrogen (N) fertiliser applied with or without coating or biostimulant improved herbage yield and N use efficiency. A randomised complete block design was used to compare no fertiliser (CON), frequent low rates of urea (FL), infrequent moderate rates of urea (IM), IM with controlled release (IM+CR), IM with Progibb (IM+PG), IM with Agrisea (IM+AS), or IM with N-Boost (IM+NB) on irrigated, grazed perennial ryegrass and white clover dairy pastures in Canterbury. The total annual N applied in all fertilised treatments was 190 kg N/ha. The use of fertiliser increased annual herbage yield (16.9±0.44 vs 14.5 t DM/ha/y; P&lt;0.05). Combining urea with a coating or biostimulant altered the distribution of pasture growth, but did not affect net annual production or herbage quality. Due to the lack of response and greater application costs with liquid versus granule products, these results highlight the need to consider expected responses to different fertiliser regimes when adopting practices to achieve economic benefits and N efficiency.