Meadow Brome Research Articles

Genotype × environment interaction patterns of dry matter yield in meadow brome, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and timothy evaluated at harsh winter sites

AbstractBackgroundGenotype × environment interaction (GEI) slows genetic gains and complicates selection decisions in plant breeding programs. Forage breeding program seed sales often encompass large geographic regions to which the cultivars may not be adapted. An understanding of the extent of GEI in perennial, cool‐season forage grasses will facilitate improved selection decisions and end‐use in areas with harsh winters.MethodsWe evaluated the dry matter yield of nine meadow brome (Bromus biebersteinii Roemer & J. A. Schultes), nine orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), seven tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.), and 10 timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cultivars or breeding populations at seven high latitude and/or elevation locations in Canada and the United States from 2019 to 2021.ResultsFor each of the species, we found significant differences among the genotypes for dry matter yield across environments and found significant levels of GEI. Using site regression analysis and GGE biplot visualizations, we then characterized the extent of the interactions in each species. Except for tall fescue, there was little evidence for the broad adaptation of genotypes across locations.ConclusionsThis research adds further evidence to the limitations of perennial, forage breeding programs to develop widely adapted cultivars and the need to maintain regional breeding efforts.

Perennial rye as a grain crop in Alberta, Canada: Prospects and challenges

AbstractPerennial crops may present an opportunity to produce grain in a more environmentally and economically friendly manner. We examined principal agronomic traits of perennial cereal rye (Secale cerealeL. ×S. montanumGuss ‘ACE‐1’) at two field sites in Alberta, Canada, over two consecutive growing seasons. Treatments included perennial rye, fall rye (S. cerealeL. ‘Hazlett’), spring rye (S. cerealeL.‘Gazelle’), and perennial forage (meadow brome [Bromus commutatusSchrad.] and alfalfa [Medicago sativaL.]) with and without N fertilizer addition. Grain yield of the perennial rye in Year 1 averaged 64 and 51% of the fall and spring rye yields at the Breton and Edmonton sites, respectively. Grain yield of the perennial rye in Year 2 at the Edmonton site averaged 42% of the fall and spring rye. Perennial rye at the Breton site in Year 2 was subject to competition with weeds, resulting in minimal grain productivity. Perennial rye at the Edmonton site yielded significantly more aboveground biomass (without grain) than the other rye crops over both years. Likewise, perennial rye at the Breton site produced 1.5 times more aboveground biomass than the perennial forage in Year 1. The experiment was terminated after virtually nonexistent regrowth at both sites in the spring after two growing seasons. Overall, perennial rye may be an option as a dual‐purpose forage‐grain crop, however, perennial rye cropping beyond 2 yr faces issues of winter survival and weed competition; hence, multi‐year perennial rye cropping is not yet a feasible option for cold temperate conditions.

PSXI-14 Enteric methane and nitrogen emissions in cattle consuming tanniferous and non-tanniferous legumes, grass or a ration

Abstract Incorporation of legumes into forage systems has been a widely adopted strategy to increase pasture productivity and forage nutritive value, while reducing N inputs. In addition, some legumes contain beneficial chemicals like condensed tannins (CT), which could enhance the efficiency of energy and protein use in ruminants relative to other forages. We assessed (i) animal performance, (ii) methane emissions (SF6 technique), and (iii) concentration of nitrogen in urine and blood in cattle grazing a CT-containing legume (birdsfoot trefoil; BFT), a legume without tannins (cicer milkvetch; CMV), a grass (meadow brome; MB), or in cattle fed a total mixed ration (TMR). Fifteen Angus heifers were randomly assigned to one of three treatment pastures: (1) BFT, (2) CMV, and (3) MB. Each treatment had 5 spatial replications, randomly divided into three paddocks (64 × 57m), seeded with BFT, CMV or MB, and one heifer was assigned to each paddock. Five Angus heifers were randomly assigned to individual adjacent pens and received a TMR ration (25% of alfalfa hay, 25% corn silage and 50% chopped barley) during the same period. Response variables were analyzed as a split-plot design, with experimental units as the random factor and treatment as a fixed factor with day as the repeated measure. Cows grazing BFT (1.9% condensed tannins) or fed the TMR showed greater weight gains than cows grazing CMV or MB (P = 0.0006). Methane emissions did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05; Table 1). Blood urea nitrogen concentrations were similar in cows grazing BFT or CMV (P = 0.1202), but greater than in animals grazing MB or fed TMR (P < .0001). Urinary nitrogen concentrations were similar among treatments (P = 0.5266). These results suggest grazing tanniferous legumes enhanced BW gains with similar methane and urinary nitrogen emissions to grass and confinement alternatives and greater levels of production than grass or CMV.

In vitro digestibility of mountain-grown irrigated perennial legume, grass and forb forages is influenced by elevated non-fibrous carbohydrates and plant secondary compounds.

Perennial legumes cultivated under irrigation in the Mountain West USA have non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) concentrations exceeding 400 g kg-1 , a level commonly found in concentrate-based ruminant diets. Our objective was to determine the influence of NFC concentration and plant secondary compounds on in vitro rumen digestion of grass, legume and forb forages compared with digestion of their isolated neutral detergent fiber (NDF) fraction. Forages were composited from ungrazed paddocks of rotationally stocked, irrigated monoculture pastures between May and August 2016, frozen in the field, freeze-dried, and ground. The maximum rate (RMax ) of gas production was greater for the legumes alfalfa (ALF; Medicago sativa L.) and birdsfoot trefoil (BFT; Lotus corniculatus L.) than for the legume cicer milkvetch (CMV; Astragalus cicer L.) the grass meadow brome (MBG; Bromus riparius Rehm.) and the non-legume forb small burnet (SMB; Sanguisorba minor Scop.), and intermediate for the legume sainfoin (SNF; Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.). The RMax of isolated NDF was greatest for BFT and CMV, intermediate for ALF, SNF and SMB and least for MBG. More than 900 g of organic matter kg-1 dry matter of legumes was digested after 96 h. Across forages, the extent of whole-plant digestion increased with NFC and crude protein concentrations, decreased with NDF concentrations, and was modulated by secondary compounds. The extent of digestion of isolated NDF decreased with concentration of lignin and residual tannins. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Forage Production and Selection for Vigor in Meadow and Hybrid Bromegrass in the Northern Great Plains

Meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehmann) is an important forage crop in Canada and the Intermountain West, but it has not been extensively evaluated in the northern Great Plains (NGP). Our objectives were to 1) evaluate meadow, smooth, and hybrid bromegrasses for forage production under intensive management in eastern South Dakota, and 2) evaluate the effect of selection for vigor in multiple environments on forage production of meadow bromegrass. Thirteen populations (7 meadow bromegrass, 5 hybrid bromegrass, and 1 smooth bromegrass) were evaluated for 4 yrs (2005-2007, 2009) at Brookings, SD. Biomass at anthesis was greater for smooth (6.75 Mg ha-1) than for meadow or hybrid brome (5.4 Mg ha-1) in 2005, but production at anthesis during 2006 and 2007 was similar for meadow and smooth bromegrass. Regrowth harvested during July and October 2005 and November 2006 was greater for meadow than smooth or hybrid bromegrass. Forage production at anthesis in 2009, after rest (i.e., no cutting) and fertilization in 2008, was 4.2 Mg ha-1 for meadow bromegrass compared with 3.3 Mg ha-1 and 2.6 Mg ha-1 for hybrid and smooth bromegrass, respectively. Smooth and hybrid bromegrasses had more leaves·tiller-1 than meadow bromegrass. After 6 yrs, meadow bromegrass had higher tiller density and greater potential for tolerating multiple harvests during a growing season than did smooth or hybrid bromegrass. Selection for vigor in multiple environments in North America resulted in experimental populations of meadow bromegrass with superior forage yield compared with ‘Fleet’ on marginal crop land in the northern Great Plains.

Grass Yields Under Clipping and Watering Explain Varied Efficacy of Management Intensive Grazing on Rangelands

Grass Yields Under Clipping and Watering Explain Varied Efficacy of Management Intensive Grazing on Rangelands

Forage Production of Grass–Legume Binary Mixtures on Intermountain Western USA Irrigated Pastures

Well‐managed irrigated pasture production can be optimized without nitrogen (N) fertilizer. The objective was to determine mixture and planting ratios of tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinacea Schreb.) (TF), meadow brome (Bromus riparius Rehm.) (MB), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) (OG), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) (TIM), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) (PRG) with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) (ALF), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) (BFTF), or cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.) (CMV) that maximize productivity. Planting ratios were 0:100 (grass:legume), 25:75, 50:50, 75:25, and three 100:0 grass monocultures fertilized at 0, 67, and 134 kg N ha−1. Seasonal production of TF–ALF was 12.69 Mg ha−1, equal to TF fertilized at 134 kg N ha−1. ALF mixtures with MB, OG, TIM, and PRG produced 12.57, 10.97, 11.77, and 10.74 Mg ha−1, respectively, and 8 to 40% more than grasses receiving 134 kg N ha−1. Production of BFTF mixtures with TF, MB, and OG were 11.69, 11.45, and 9.95 Mg ha−1, respectively, equal to their respective grass monoculture receiving 134 kg N ha−1. The BFTF–TIM and BFTF–PRG mixtures averaged 12% more forage than grass monocultures receiving 134 kg N ha−1. Production of CMV‐grass was similar to that of grasses receiving 67 kg N ha−1. Seasonal forage distribution was more uniform in ALF– and BFTF–grass mixtures, averaging 30% more at the second and third harvests than fertilized grasses. The TF and MB legume mixtures averaged 7% more production in the 50:50 planting ratios than the other two grass–legume mixtures, while the 50:50 and 25:75 ratios of OG and TIM–legume mixtures averaged 12% more than the 75:25 and the 25:75 PRG–legume planting ratio averaged 9% more than the 50:50 and 75:25. Forage production of grass–legume mixtures can equal or exceed fertilized grass monocultures and with more uniform distribution over the growing season.

The use of less common grass varieties as a factor of increasing forage lands productivity

Purpose . To assess introduced samples of drought-resistant species of perennial grasses, select a promising parent material and create on its base high-yielding varie­ ies with economic characters. Methods . Field experiment, laboratory testing. Results . The results of studies on introduction and breeding were given aimed to improve drought tolerance of non-traditional perennial grasses under the conditions of the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe zone of Ukraine. Based on the selected parent material, varieties were created by the use of hybridization and ecotype breeding methods and then entered into the State Register of plant varieties suitable for dissemination in Ukraine, among them: intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski) – ‘Hors’, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn.) – ‘Petrivskyi’; meadow brome (Bromus riparia Rehm.) – ‘Boian’; slender wheatgrass (Roegneria trachycaulon (Link) Nevski) – ‘Co­umb’. As compared with conventional, relatively drought-tolerant species of smooth brome (Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub) – ‘Mars’, increment of dry matter content of these species in the extreme drought conditions of 2011 was increased by 1,52–3,73 t/ha. Under more sufficient moistening conditions of 2012, slender wheatgrass ‘Columb’ was at the level of the сheck variety in terms of this indicator. Other varieties exceeded it by 1.44–3.22 t/ha. The data was given including seed productivity and sowing quality indicators, after-ripening duration and economic fitness of seeds. Conclusions . The use of the recommended varieties of drought-resistant species of perennial grasses as part of grass mixtures will increase significantly the productivity of grasslands and pastures in the current context of climate change.

Chemical composition and physico-mechanical properties of perennial cereal seeds as a factor of their economic longevity

The aim and tasks of the study. To determine dependence of seed longevity of rare grasses, depending on their chemical composition and physico-mechanical properties.Materials and methods. We studied varieties of cereal grasses bred in the Institute of Feed Research and Agriculture of Podillya NAAS and entered in the State Register for the first time in Ukraine: crested wheatgrass Agropyron cristatum (L.) Gaertn. – Petrivskyi, hair fescue Festuca tenuifolia Sibth. – Barva, meadow brome Bromus riparia Rehm. – Boian, intermediate wheatgrass Elytrigia intermedia (Host) Nevski – Khors and slender wheatgrass Roegneria trachycaulon (Link) Nevski – Kolumb. The research was conducted at the above-mentioned institute during 2008-2014.Results and discussion. The study determined that the economic longevity of seeds with typical chemical composition of the test species during storage was 40-≥54 months for hair fescue, 46-54 months for intermediate wheatgrass, 32-42 months for meadow brome, 28- 42 months for crested wheat grass, and 32-34 months for slender wheatgrass. The peculiarity of chemical composition of hair fescue seeds is high starch content and low protein content; intermediate wheatgrass seeds are rich in starch and fat and poor in protein; meadow brome seeds have the lowest starch and fat contents and the highest protein content; crested wheatgrass seeds are characterized by moderate contents of basic reserve substances in comparison with the other test species; slender wheatgrass seeds are rich in protein and poor in starch. No relationships were found between the seed shape, length, 1000-seed weight and their longevity. The most long-lived species – intermediate wheatgrass and hair fescue – were noticeable for contradictory values of the seed length and 1000-seed weight. In addition, these species differ by the seed shape: hair fescue has lanceolate seeds, intermediate wheatgrass – elongated ones. The fill mode for seeds of the test species depended on their physico-mechanical properties, indicating that the air/seed ratio upon in bulk storage affects physiological processes during storage.Conclusions. The longevity of seeds depended on their chemical composition. The most long-lived seeds distinguished by high starch content, a key ingredient in stored cereal seeds. The physico-mechanical properties affected the fill mode and physiological processes during seed storage. The fill mode for the most long-lived species (intermediate wheatgrass and hair fescue) was characterized by the lowest seed amount.

Legume finishing provides beef with positive human dietary fatty acid ratios and consumer preference comparable with grain-finished beef.

Consumer liking, proximate composition, pH, Warner-Bratzler shear force, fatty acid composition, and volatile compounds were determined from the LM (longissimus thoracis) of cattle ( = 6 per diet) finished on conventional feedlot (USUGrain), legume, and grass forage diets. Forage diets included a condensed tannin-containing perennial legume, birdsfoot trefoil (; USUBFT), and a grass, meadow brome ( Rehmann; USUGrass). Moreover, representative retail forage (USDA Certified Organic Grass-fed [OrgGrass]) and conventional beef (USDA Choice, Grain-fed; ChGrain) were investigated ( = 6 per retail type). The ChGrain had the greatest ( < 0.05) intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage followed by USUGrain, the IMF percentage of which was greater ( < 0.05) than that of USUGrass and OrgGrass. The IMF content of USUBFT was similar ( > 0.05) to that of both USUGrain and USUGrass. Both grain-finished beef treatments were rated greater ( < 0.05) for flavor, tenderness, fattiness, juiciness, and overall liking compared with USUGrass and OrgGrass. Consumer liking of USUBFT beef tenderness, fattiness, and overall liking were comparable ( > 0.05) with that of USUGrain and ChGrain. Flavor liking was rated greatest ( < 0.05) for USUGrain and ChGrain, and that of USUBFT was intermediate ( > 0.05) to those of ChGrain, USUGrass, and OrgGrass. Cumulative SFA and MUFA concentrations were greatest ( < 0.05) in ChGrain and USUGrain, whereas USUGrass and OrgGrass had lower ( < 0.05) concentrations. Concentrations of cumulative SFA and MUFA in USUBFT were intermediate and similar ( > 0.05) to those of USUGrain and USUGrass. Each forage-finished beef treatment, USUGrass, OrgGrass, and USUBFT, had lower ( < 0.001) ratios of -6:-3 fatty acids. Hexanal was the most numerically abundant volatile compound. The concentration of hexanal increased with increasing concentrations of total PUFA. Among all the lipid degradation products (aldehydes, alcohols, furans, carboxylic acids, and ketones) measured in this study, there was an overall trend toward greater quantities in grain-finished products, lower quantities in USUGrass and OrgGrass, and intermediate quantities in USUBFT. This trend was in agreement with IMF content, fatty acid concentrations, and sensory attributes. These results suggest an opportunity for a birdsfoot trefoil finishing program, which results in beef comparable in sensory quality with grain-finished beef but with reduced -6 and SFA, similar to grass-finished beef.

Stand Establishment and Persistence of Perennial Cool-Season Grasses in the Intermountain West and the Central and Northern Great Plains

Stand Establishment and Persistence of Perennial Cool-Season Grasses in the Intermountain West and the Central and Northern Great Plains

‘Don’, a Diploid Falcata Alfalfa for Western U.S. Rangelands

‘Don’ (Reg. No. CV‐205, PI 655519), a diploid falcata alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp falcata L.), was developed by the Forage and Range Research Laboratory in Logan, UT, in cooperation with the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University. Recent interest in falcata alfalfa has been high due to its value for increasing the productivity of rangelands. Don was selected for persistence under harsh conditions, uniform yellow flower color, increased seed production, and large‐stature plants. Don traces to PI20725, an original collection made by N.E. Hansen in the Don Province of Russia. Don was tested as AU021. Don is significantly more persistent than typical sativa (M. sativa Subsp sativa L.)–type alfalfas and is meant for use in mixed plantings with grasses either in range or pasture situations typical of the Intermountain region of the western United States. In comparative trials, including irrigated and nonirrigated, where 25 to 50% mortality was observed on sativa alfalfas, Don showed no mortality. When used in mixtures, the production advantage of Don with tall fescue [Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub; syn. Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.] and meadow brome (Bromus riparius Rehm.) ranged from 10 to 32% When Don is grown with crested wheatgrass on dry rangelands, similar production advantages are expected, which will make rangelands more productive. Furthermore, when grown in mixtures with grasses, Don will not dominate; rather, it has a low growth habit and stays well below the canopy of most cool‐season grasses.

Success hybrid bromegrass

Success hybrid bromegrass was selected from populations produced by backcrossing smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) with hybrid populations resulting from crosses between meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) and smooth bromegrass. Success has a unique array of plant characteristics, some similar to meadow bromegrass, and others more similar to smooth bromegrass; overall, it more closely resembles smooth brome. In regional trials in the prairie provinces of western Canada, Success produced forage yields greater than meadow brome, but lower than smooth bromegrass. In the drier brown soil zone of the prairie provinces, Success was superior to both meadow and smooth bromegrass in forage yield. It was superior to smooth bromegrass in regrowth after cutting and had lower concentrations of acid-detergent fiber than meadow bromegrass. Key words: Hybrid bromegrass, Bromus riparius × Bromus inermis, cultivar description

Performance of birdsfoot trefoil, white clover, and other legume-grass mixtures under irrigation in the Intermountain West USA

Two trials were designed to provide baseline data on the productivity and quality of irrigated pastures in the Intermountain West USA. An initial clipping trial (1997- 1999) screened a number of temperate grass-legume mixtures well-adapted to the soils and climate of the Intermountain West, and a successive grazing trial (2001- 2003) evaluated a subset of these mixtures under rotational grazing. The most productive and best utilised grass in mixtures was meadow brome (Bromus riparius), followed by tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) mixtures tended to become legume-dominated (up to 44% under grazing), and were therefore high in quality but a potential bloat threat. The bloat-safe legume birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) proved to be productive, well-utilised, and as persistent as other legumes in mixtures under grazing. Keywords: grass, grazing, Intermountain West USA, legume, mixtures, pasture

Development of Agitators for Seeding Forages Using Air Delivery Systems

Development of Agitators for Seeding Forages Using Air Delivery Systems

Evaluation of Openers for Seeding Meadow Brome Grass (Bromus riparius) Using Air Delivery Seeding Systems

Evaluation of Openers for Seeding Meadow Brome Grass (Bromus riparius) Using Air Delivery Seeding Systems

Forage production of cool season pasture grasses as related to irrigation

Forage production of cool season pasture grasses as related to irrigation

Development of Agitators for Seeding Forages Using Air Delivery Systems

Development of Agitators for Seeding Forages Using Air Delivery Systems

Evaluation of Openers for Seeding Meadow Brome Grass (Bromus riparius) Using Air Delivery Seeding Systems

Evaluation of Openers for Seeding Meadow Brome Grass (Bromus riparius) Using Air Delivery Seeding Systems

Knowles hybrid bromegrass

Knowles was selected from hybrid populations resulting from crosses between meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.) and smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.). It has a unique array of plant characteristics, some similar to meadow bromegrass, and others more similar to smooth bromegrass. In regional trials, Knowles produced hay yields greater than meadow brome, but lower than smooth bromegrass. It was superior to smooth bromegrass in regrowth after cutting. For steer grazing performance, Knowles was equal or superior to its parental species, perhaps due to its lower fiber concentrations at vegetative growth stages. Key words: Hybrid bromegrass, Bromus riparius × Bromus inermis, cultivar description