Mean Dry Matter Yield Research Articles

Silphium perfoliatum—A Herbaceous Crop with Increased Interest in Recent Years for Multi-Purpose Use

Silphium perfoliatum is a perennial crop native to North America that has been the subject of increased scientific interest in recent years, especially in Europe. It is drought- and frost-resistant, which makes it suitable for cultivation in Europe on marginal lands that are not used for growing other crops. This review analyzed the distribution and purposes of the cultivation of Silphium perfoliatum worldwide, as well as its biomass yields and characteristics as a feedstock for biogas production and other purposes. A total of 121 scientific publications on Silphium perfoliatum were identified, with the highest number (20 papers) published in 2019. It was found that higher biomass yields can be obtained at higher precipitation levels, with the use of fertilizers and an adequate type of plantation. The mean dry matter yield of Silphium perfoliatum was 13.3 Mg ha−1 DM (dry matter), and it ranged from 2 to over 32 Mg ha−1 DM. In some countries, Silphium is used as a forage crop mainly due to its high crude protein content (from 4.9% to 15% DM), depending on the vegetation phase. Silphium perfoliatum is a promising perennial crop in terms of energy and other benefits for biodiversity, soil quality and applications in medicine and pharmacology.

Influence of the sanitary sewage application method to closed-end furrows on the macronutrient extraction capacity and productivity of elephant grass

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of the form of raw sanitary sewage (RS) application in closed-end and level-bottom furrows on the dry matter yield and macronutrient extraction capacity (extraction of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) by the aerial part (stem and leaves) of elephant grass. Fertigation of elephant grass with RS were conducted for 3 uninterrupted years, and the RS application dose was established as a function of the amount of sodium fed to the soil (300 kg ha−1 year−1). In the experimental planning four treatments were established, where two experimental plots received RS and the water demand was complemented by treated water from the public supply network (TW), with and without alternation in the position of RS application in the furrows (TFA and TFN, respectively); and as a control there were two experimental plots in which the plants received conventional mineral fertilization, where the grass was irrigated with TW, with and without alternation in the position of water application in the furrows (TWA and TWN, respectively). The greatest mean dry matter yield (29.9 Mg ha−1 year−1) and mean macronutrient extraction values were found for plants submitted to TFA (688, 102, 508 kg ha−1 year−1 of N, P and K, respectively), compared to those obtained in the other treatments.

Feasibility of Moderate Deficit Irrigation as a Water Conservation Tool in California’s Low Desert Alfalfa

Irrigation management practices that reduce water use with acceptable impacts on yield are important strategies to cope with diminished water supplies and generate new sources of water to transfer for other agricultural uses, and urban and environmental demands. This study was intended to assess the effects of moderate water deficits, with the goal of maintaining robust alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) yields, while conserving on-farm water. Data collection and analysis were conducted at four commercial fields over an 18-month period in the Palo Verde Valley, California, from 2018–2020. A range of deficit irrigation strategies, applying 12.5–33% less irrigation water than farmers’ normal irrigation practices was evaluated, by eliminating one to three irrigation events during selected summer periods. The cumulative actual evapotranspiration measured using the residual of energy balance method across the experimental sites, ranged between 2,031 mm and 2.202 mm, over a 517-day period. An average of 1.7 and 1.0 Mg ha−1 dry matter yield reduction was observed under 33% and 22% less applied water, respectively, when compared to the farmers’ normal irrigation practice in silty loam soils. The mean dry matter yield decline varied from 0.4 to 0.9 Mg ha−1 in a clay soil and from 0.3 to 1.0 Mg ha−1 in a sandy loam soil, when irrigation water supply was reduced to 12.5% and 25% of normal irrigation levels, respectively. A wide range of conserved water (83 to 314 mm) was achieved following the deficit irrigation strategies. Salinity assessment indicated that salt buildup could be managed with subsequent normal irrigation practices, following deficit irrigations. Continuous soil moisture sensing verified that soil moisture was moderately depleted under deficit irrigation regimes, suggesting that farmers might confidently refill the soil profile following normal practices. Stand density was not affected by these moderate water deficits. The proposed deficit irrigation strategies could provide a reliable amount of water and sustain the economic viability of alfalfa production. However, data from multiple seasons are required to fully understand the effectiveness as a water conservation tool and the long-term impacts on the resilience of agricultural systems.

Effects of fertilizer type and harvesting age on species composition, yield and chemical composition of natural pasture in the highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract. Yalew S, Asmare B, Mekuriaw Y. 2020. Effects of fertilizer type and harvesting age on species composition, yield, and chemical composition of natural pasture in the highlands of Ethiopia. Biodiversitas 21: 4999-5007. The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fertilizer type and harvesting age on species composition, yield, and chemical composition of natural pasture in the highlands of Ethiopia. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with factorial arrangement of two factors (fertilizer and harvesting age) with five replications. The data collected from the current study were forage species composition, dry matter yield, and chemical composition of natural pasture at different ages of harvesting. Forage species composition was determined by taking representative samples and identifying species from each sampling site. The samples of natural pasture were harvested at 90 and 120 days of age, weighed, dried, and then ground after that subsamples were taken for analyses of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). All the collected data were subjected to GLM ANOVA procedures of SAS version 9.0. The result indicated that all species composition and dry matter yield were significantly affected (P<0.001) by fertilizer type and harvesting ages. Higher forbs (0.66%) were found in control plot at 90 days of harvesting age. Natural pasture harvested at 120 days of harvesting and urea fertilizer application results the highest dry matter yield (DMY) (8.26 t/ha) while the lowest level (3.20 t/ha) from unfertilized plot at 90 and 120 days of harvesting. The relative proportion of legumes in the natural pasture attained its climax stage at 90 days while grass attained at 120 days of harvesting. The highest mean DMY (6.24 tone/ha) was obtained at 120 days of harvesting and the lowest (4.71 ton/ha) at 90 days of harvesting. Among the chemical composition parameters, DM, ash and CP were significantly affected (P<0.001) by both fertilizer type and harvesting age. The content of CP and ash were increased with manure fertilizer at early harvest age and were decreased with delayed harvest age. The application of fertilizer type did not significantly affect (P>0.05) NDF content of the natural pasture rather affected by stage of harvesting (P<0.001). Regardless of DM yield, better quality pasture was recorded for early (90 days) harvesting age and use of compost recommended for future natural pasture improvements as use of chemical fertilizer is relatively expensive for the majority of smallholder farmers in the highlands.

Sowing ratio, NS fertilisation and interactions of Lolium sp. and Festulolium grown in mixtures with Trifolium repens

Current ecological trends for production of forage for livestock indicate a need for small usage of fertilisers while increasing productivity. The study aimed to assess yield and interactions of selected Lolium and Festulolium species grown in mixtures with Trifolium repens and fertilised with NS, regarding mutual interactions based on available indicators. A two-year field study (2016–2017) was carried out in southern Poland and the research objects were designed on degraded chernozems. The highest yield was observed for mixtures: L. multiflorum + T. repens and L. × boucheanum + T. repens sown in the proportion 50 : 50, fertilised with N<sub>50</sub>S<sub>15</sub>. The mean dry matter yield was higher in the 1<sup>st</sup> year of the study, in all variants of fertilisation and types of mixtures. The land equivalent ratio differed for species in individual objects, for individual cuts and study years, and was most often higher than 1.0, which points to a positive interference between species in mixtures. Also, the competitive ratio index was often higher than 1.0, which means that grass species were more competitive than white clover. However, in the second year of study T. repens was dominant in multiple objects.

Effects of live yeast on the rumen fermentation parameters and milk performance of Simmental dairy cows during the hot season

The effects of dietary supplementation with live yeast culture (LY) on the milk performance and rumen fermentation parameters of Simmental cows in the middle of lactation were examined under hot season conditions in 2019. The 28 cows, which were divided into two experimental groups of 14, were fed a controlled diet, with or without the addition of 5 g of LY per cow daily. The mean dry matter intake (DMI) and yield of milk in the LY group were greater by 0.25 kg/day and 0.42 kg/day, respectively, than for the control group. The yields of milk components and 4% fat corrected milk were also significantly greater in the LY group than in the control group, but LY supplementation did not significantly alter milk composition percentages. The acetate concentration in the rumen tended to be higher in cows fed LY but the ruminal pH, NH$_{3}$ -N, propionate and butyrate levels, and acetate/propionate ratio were similar in the two groups. It can be concluded that LY supplementation of the diet of Simmental dairy cows during the hot season improved milk production and ruminal fermentation performance to a limited degree.

Influence of Boron Application on Root Growth of Green Gram in Loam Textured Soils

Boron (B) is one of the important essential plant micronutrient elements and plays a significant role in physiological and biochemical processes in the legumes and brassica crops. Some of the alkaline calcareous soils are B deficient soils. Root of the crop acts as zone of nutrient absorbing. On its growth and functioning, uptake of any nutrient takes place. A greenhouse experiment with green gram crop was designed to study the effect of B application on root in some alkaline calcareous loam textured soils for two years. Three soils with percent calcium carbonate content 0.75 (S I), 2.1 (S II) and 4.56 (S III) were collected from different sites of Ludhiana and Bhatinda districts, Punjab, India. The treatments comprised of four levels of soil applied B viz. 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 mg B kg-1 and two levels of foliar applied B viz. 0.1 and 0.2 percent borax solution with common control. Soil applied B had more influence on root mean dry matter yield than foliar applied B. Among all soil applied B, 0.5 mg kg-1 was best treatment. Soil applied B was more uptake by root as compared to foliar applied B. Among all three calcareous soils, Soil I with lower calcium carbonate was best soil in respect of root mean yield in comparison to Soil III with higher calcareous soils. At grand growth stage, the optimum yield (0.895 mg pot-1) was obtained when root B concentration was 10.6 mg kg-1 and the soil applied B level was 0.84 mg kg-1 while at maturity stage, the optimum yield (1.28 mg pot-1) was obtained when root B concentration was 10.6 mg kg-1 and the soil applied B level was 0.87 mg kg-1.

Effect of Heavy Rainfall Events on the Dry Matter Yield Trend of Whole Crop Maize (Zea mays L.)

The objective of this study was to detect the historical dry matter yield (DMY) trend and to evaluate the effects of heavy rainfall events on the observed DMY trend of whole crop maize (WCM, Zea mays L.) using time-series analysis in Suwon, Republic of Korea. The climatic variables corresponding to the seeding to harvesting period, including the growing degree days, mean temperature, etc., of WCM along with the DMY data (n = 543) during 1982–2011, were used in the analysis. The DMY trend was detected using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with the explanatory variables (ARIMAX) form of time-series trend analysis. The optimal DMY model was found to be ARIMAX (1, 1, 1), indicating that the DMY trend follows the mean DMY of the preceding one year and the residual of the preceding one year with an integration level of 1. Furthermore, the SHGDD and SHHR were determined to be the main variables responsible for the observed trend in the DMY of WCM. During heavy rainfall events, the DMY was found to be decreasing by 4745.27 kg/ha (p < 0.01). Our analysis also revealed that both the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall events have been increasing since 2005. The forecasted DMY indicates the potential decrease, which is expected to be 11,607 kg/ha by 2045. This study provided us evidence for the correlation between the DMY and heavy rainfall events that opens the way to provide solutions for challenges that summer forage crops face in the Republic of Korea.

Evaluation of biomass yield and nutritional quality of oats\u2013vetch mixtures at different harvesting stage under residual moisture in Fogera District, Ethiopia

BackgroundThis study was conducted in Fogera District, north western Ethiopia, to evaluate the effect of harvesting stages on biomass yield and nutritive value of oat–vetch mixtures under residual moisture. The experimental plots were prepared thoroughly by plowing the land before sowing. The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design in a factorial arrangement having two factors with three replications. The first factor, factor A, comprises a four combinations of two forage species (oats and vetches) having two varieties each. The two oats varieties used were CI-8237 and CI-8251, represented as (O1) and (O2) and the two vetch varieties, Vicia villosa and Vicia dasycarpa, represented as V1 and V2, respectively. The second factor, harvesting stage, had three levels which follows the three physiological stages of oat varieties as flag leaf stage (HS1), milk stage (HS2) and dough stage (HS3) in the mixtures. Agronomic performance and forage biomass yield were recorded. Chemical compositions of the forage such as crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose were determined. Data were analyzed with general linear model procedure of SAS (version 9.1; 2008).ResultsResults indicated that harvesting stages significantly (P < 0.001) affected most of the agronomic parameters in oats varieties, whereas plant height and number of branches were significant (P < 0.05) in vetch varieties. Significantly higher (P < 0.001) plant height, number of leaves per plant and leaf to stem ratio) were obtained in variety oats CI-8237. Dry matter yield (DMY) and chemical compositions of the forage were significantly affected (P < 0.001) by harvesting stages. More vigor and higher number of branches were recorded in V. villosa, but higher plant height was obtained in V. dasycarpa. The highest mean DMY (4.99 t/ha) and CP yield (0.81 t/ha) were recorded at harvesting stage two (HS2). However, the lowest DMY (3.42 t/ha) was obtained at harvesting stage one. Relatively, the optimum DMY (6.16 t/ha) with maximum CP yield (0.92 t/ha) was recorded from mixture of CI-8237 + V. villosa at harvesting stage two. The fiber components were increased with advanced stage of growth, but CP and ash contents were decreased as the age of the plant matures.ConclusionsProduction of CI-8237 + V. villosa mixture harvested at harvesting stage two would be more beneficial to produce optimum yield and nutritive value and could be recommended in the study area.

Effects of growth stage and growing degree day accumulations on triticale forages: 1. Dry matter yield, nutritive value, and in vitro dry matter disappearance

The use of triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) in dairy-cropping systems has expanded greatly in recent years, partly to improve land stewardship by providing winter ground cover. Our objective was to establish relationships relating indices of nutritive value with growth stage or accumulated growing degree days >5°C for triticale forages grown in central Wisconsin. Replicated 3.7-m × 9.1-m plots were established following removal of corn for silage (fall 2015) and soybeans (fall 2016) and then harvested at various growth stages the following spring. Plants were assigned a numerical growth stage based on a linear staging system suitable for use as an independent regression variable. Response variables [e.g., dry matter (DM) yield, indices of nutritive value, and parameters from in vitro DM disappearance kinetics] were regressed on growth stage and growing degree days using linear, quadratic, cubic, or quartic models. For spring 2016, the mean DM yield at the boot stage (3,804 kg of DM/ha) was only 30% of that observed at the soft dough stage of growth (12,642 kg of DM/ha). Although yields were reduced during spring 2017, primarily due to spring flooding, the relationship between respective yields at these growth stages was similar (1,453 vs. 5,399 kg of DM/ha). Regressions of DM yield (kg/ha) on growth stage for 2016 were explained by a cubic model (Y = 0.0663x3 - 9.44x2 + 595x - 9,810) compared with a simple linear response for 2017 (Y = 103x - 3,024); in both cases, coefficients of determination were very high (R2 ≥ 0.934). Many nutritional and in vitro DM disappearance characteristics were affected by the juxtaposition and balance of 2 generally competing factors: (1) increased concentrations of structural plant fiber coupled with concurrent lignification as plants matured and (2) the accumulation of highly digestible carbohydrate during seed head development. A comparison of respective energy yields between the boot and soft dough stages of growth for 2016 (2,488 vs. 8,141 kg of total digestible nutrients/ha) and 2017 (1,033 vs. 3,520 kg of total digestible nutrients/ha) suggests that yields of energy are greater at soft dough stage and are mostly driven by DM yield. An informed harvest management decision for lactating cows may still favor a boot-stage harvest because of superior nutritional characteristics, a need to plant double-cropped corn expeditiously, or both. Harvest timing of triticale forages for other livestock classes would appear to be more flexible, but prioritizing a subsequent double crop may reduce the effects on DM yield to a secondary consideration.

Modelling inter-annual variation in dry matter yield and precipitation use efficiency of perennial pastures and annual forage crops sequences

In livestock systems of the Argentinean Pampas, its forage production stability relies on the integration of two landcovers, annual forage crop sequences and perennial pastures. Despite the key role that these forage cropping systems have on current milk and beef production, it is unclear how year-by-year variability of precipitation affect forage dry matter (DM) yield and precipitation use efficiency (PUE, i.e. the quotient between forage DM yield and precipitation). The aims of this study were to analyze the impact (i) of year-by-year precipitation variability on DM yield and PUE of oats-maize (Avena sativa L. - Zea mays L.) double-crop and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and (ii) of cumulative precipitation during the critical period of maize on DM yield and PUE of oats-maize double-crop. We used a modelling approach to estimate DM yield and PUE of oats-maize (sequence) and alfalfa in five locations of the Argentinean Pampas, which differed in annual precipitation (AP) and variability of it. Coefficient of variation (CV) was used as the main statistical variable to compare the variability of AP (CVAP), DM yield (CVDM), and PUE (CVPUE). Mean DM yield of both landcovers was higher in locations with high AP (>800 mm) than with low AP (<800 mm). Although alfalfa had lower mean DM yield than sequence in all locations, it showed a lower CVDM than sequence. In contrast, sequence showed lower and higher CVDM than CVAP, depending on location. Moreover, changes in DM yield due to variations of AP were higher in sequence than in alfalfa. On the other hand, mean PUE was higher for sequence (2.2 g DM m−2 mm−1) than that of alfalfa (1.6 g DM m−2 mm−1). The CVPUE between locations, i.e. an index that reflects the spatial variability, ranged from 20 for the sequence to 68% for alfalfa, whereas CVPUE between years, i.e. an index that reflects the temporal variability, ranged from 16 to 31 % for both landcovers. Precipitation use efficiency tended to be similar across locations in years with low AP (<800 mm) compared to years with high AP (>800 mm). Our results provided valuable knowledge for decision making in livestock systems of this region through the development of spatial and temporal models between DM yield and AP. In a broader sense, they also showed that shifts from perennial to seasonal forage covers increased yields but also its inter-annual variability, posing a risk for farmers.

Modelling climate change impacts on early and late harvest grassland systems in Portugal

Climate change projections for Portugal showed warming and drying trends, representing a substantial threat for the sustainability of forage production in perennial grassland. The objective of the present study was to assess climate change impacts on seasonal dry matter yield (DMY) in three locations (North-west-, Central-inner and South-Portugal) with different climatic conditions, for two grassland production systems deviating in growing season length, either early cuts in spring (ES) or late cuts in summer (LS). Impacts were estimated using the STICS (Simulateur mulTIdisciplinaire pour les Cultures Standard) crop model, by comparing a historical baseline period (1985–2006) with simulated projections over future periods (2021–2080). For this purpose, the STICS crop model was driven by high-resolution climate data from a coupled Global Climate Model/Regional Climate Model chain. As a result, we obtained that, during the baseline period, DMY of LS was consistently much higher than that of ES in all three locations. For LS, significant reductions in mean DMY were forecasted during 2061–2080, ranging from mild (–13%) in the north to severe (–31%) in the south of Portugal. In contrast, seasonal DMY was largely maintained for ES among sites until 2080, benefiting from low water deficits, the expected atmospheric CO2 rise and the forecasted temperature increase during cool season. Thus, the yield gap was projected to gradually decrease between the two regimes, in which mean DMY for ES was foreseen to exceed that of LS over 2061–2080 in the southern site. Moreover, ES was projected to have very low exposure to extreme heat and severe water stresses. Conversely, LS, subjected to high summer water deficit and irrigation needs, was projected to experience increased summertime water stress (9–11%) and drastically increased heat stress (33–57%) in 2061–2080, with more pronounced heat stress occurring in the south. Frequency of occurrence of extreme heat stress was projected to gradually increase in summer over successive study periods, with a concomitant increased intensity of DMY response to inter-annual variability of heat stress during 2061–2080. Heat stress tended to be more important than water stress under the prescribed irrigation strategy for LS, potentially being the main limiting factor for summertime DMY production under climate change scenario.

Assessment of yield and quality characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars with different fall dormancy rating

This research was conducted to determine performances of seven alfalfa cultivars with different fall dormancy rates in terms of dry matter yield and some quality parameters under Mediterranean conditions throughout the years of 2007-2009. In the study, cultivars were evaluated for dry matter yield (DMY), leaf/stem ratio (LSR), crude protein (CP) content, crude protein yield (CPY), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), digestible dry matter (DDM) content and relative feed value (RFV). According to average of two year results, there were significant differences among alfalfa cultivars in terms of all characters studied. Mean DMY, LSR, contents of CP, ADF, NDF, DDM and RFV were determined as 18.147 t ha-1, 0.82, 17.4 %, 41.0 %, 49.0 %, 56.9 % and 114. The highest DMY averaged over two years was obtained from cultivar Nimet while lowest one was obtained from Magnum 5. As a dormant cultivar, Magnum 5 was superior in terms of LSR and CP content to the other alfalfa cultivars and it was lower in ADF and NDF content than the others. It was concluded that cultivar Nimet with the highest DMY and CPY yields can be recommended as a non-dormant cultivar for farmers in regions of Turkey with the Mediterranean climate.

Sorghum, a sustainable feedstock for biogas production? Impact of climate, variety and harvesting time on maturity and biomass yield

The experiments comprised three vegetation periods of five sorghum varieties. Novel data on the development of biomass yield, maturity level and biogas production were gained. Dry matter (DM) biomass yield ranged between 15.7 and 20.67 t ha−1 when sorghum was grown as main crop. The variety SOR 4 achieved a methane yield of 6500 m3 ha−1. The suitability of different sorghum varieties as summer catch crops was measured and assessed by combining growing degree days (GDD; temperatures > 10 °C) and maturity stage. This paper introduces a correlation of yields in course of the vegetation period with GDD values which enables to transfer yield and economic efficiency predictions from present results to other sites.Sorghum is able to provide high-yields when used as catch crop, whereby an adapted varietal selection is indispensable. The sorghum variety SOR 2 (year2) of 1100 growing degree days (GDD) proofed to be fast ripening and is especially suitable as a summer catch crop. This variety achieved mean DM yields of 12.4 t ha−1 when used as summer catch crop.Within this study crop maturities between 20 and 45% DM were investigated. Within this range, no decrease in specific methane yield with the increase in maturity and DM yield was observed.The three year experimental data also included one year with low precipitation. The statistical analysis did not reveal a significant influence of the precipitation on the biomass yield which confirms the drought resistance of sorghum. This result is especially important in view of adaptation to climate change.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) from North Dakota—a New Bioenergy Crop for the Nemoral Zone of Europe

ABSTRACTParallel to the growing interest in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) in southern countries of Europe, there is enhanced interest in knowing about its potential adaptability in the European regions with cool and moderate climates. The objective of this work was to characterize important agricultural parameters of switchgrass originated from North Dakota in order to identify the most valuable accessions for further research, propagation, and breeding in the Nemoral zone of Europe. The selection aimed at evaluating overwintering and productivity of switchgrass, with the ultimate objective of biomass quality improvement. Field trials were carried out in the central lowland of Lithuania during 2012–2014 on 33 germplasm accessions of switchgrass originating from North Dakota. Allthe tested accessions exhibited almost similar overwinter survival rate, i.e., 93.7–96.7%. Significant differences were observed in mean dry matter yields of all the tested accessions harvested once or twice per season (P < 0.05). The higher yielding accessions during both study years were differentiated. The yield potential of these accessions depended on a number of morphological traits, including internode thickness, plant height, panicle length, and leaf and stem weight per tiller (P < 0.05). Ash and mineral composition was associated with the genotype and the year of biomass harvest (P < 0.05). The switchgrass genotypes originating from North Dakota appeared to be adaptable to the European environment with cool and moderate climate and short growing season. The best-performing accessions can serve as a valuable genetic source for future breeding programmes.

Yield and net return from alfalfa cultivars under irrigation in Southern Alberta

Field studies with two types of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars were conducted at Lethbridge in 2012 and 2013 and at Picture Butte in 2012 to determine the effects of irrigation on the dry matter (DM) yield and on net returns. The irrigated cultivars (Longview and Blue J) and dryland cultivars (Rangelander and Rambler) were arranged on plots in a randomized complete block design with four irrigation treatments and replicated five times. For the optimal irrigation treatment (W1), soil water content was maintained between 60 and 90% of available water in the designated root zone. Other irrigation treatments received 75% (W2), 50% (W3), and 25% (W4) of the irrigation water applied to the optimal treatment. The mean DM yields of irrigated alfalfa cultivars were greater than one of the dryland cultivars in both locations. The mean total DM yields for W2and W3at Lethbridge for Blue J, Longview and Rambler were greater than those of W1, although the differences were not always significant. The net returns, calculated by using the same price for all alfalfa harvests were similar across the cultivars and irrigation treatments excepting Rangelander, where the returns were lower. The results obtained from this study indicated a trend towards comparable yields and net returns between the optimal and the 75% irrigation treatment with 40% depletion of available water at the root zone, for the irrigated alfalfa cultivars and a dryland type Rambler.

Adaptation Trial of Oat (Avena sativa) Varieties in Dehana District, Northern Ethiopia

The experiment was conducted in Dehana District to identify the adaptable and high yielding oat accession (s). Data on dry matter yield (kg × m−2), dry matter (percentage), grain yield (kg × m−2), plant height (centimeter) and fresh weight (kg × m−2) were taken for the accessions of oat used (579-D-27, CI-8237, CI-8235, DZF- 00551 and 6710). A significance difference (p<0.05) was observed in the parameters of dry matter yield, grain yield and fresh weight but the other parameters did not show significant differences. The mean dry matter yield of CI-8237 (0.735 kg × m−2) was significantly higher than 579-D-27 (0.562 kg × m−2), 6710 (0.533 kg × m−2) and CI-8235 (0.506 kg × m−2) varieties. The mean fresh weight yield of CI-8237 (2.446 kg × m−2) was significantly higher than 6710 (1.819 kg × m−2) and CI-8235 (1.774 kg × m−2). The mean grain yield of DZ-00551 (0.283 kg × m−2) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than all the other varieties. At the end of the experiment a field day was prepared and all the participants of field day (100%) prefer the variety CI-8237 for its biomass yield. Hence, it can be concluded that the oat variety CI-8237 should be recommended to farmers of Dehana District and of similar climatic conditions in order to enhance livestock feed production.

Yield Response of Chinese Cabbage to Compost, Gypsum, and Phosphate Treatments under the Saline-sodic Soil Conditions of Reclaimed Tidal Land

Salt stress in crops in reclaimed tidal lands can be reduced by applying soil amendments. To evaluate the effects of compost, gypsum, and phosphate on the growth of Chinese cabbage in saline-sodic soil conditions, we conducted a pot experiment in 2013 and 2014. The treatments consisted of a standard fertilizer application of a mix of compost and N-P-K fertilizer (S) and standard fertilizer applications with additional compost (S + C), gypsum (S + G), phosphate (S+P), and gypsum and phosphate (S + GP). The mean dry matter yield of cabbage in 2014 was three times as great as that in 2013, although soil EC (Electrical conductivity) in 2014 was not decreased. However, the mean ratio of sodium ion in soil solution (SAR1:5) significantly decreased from 17.3 ± 1.1 in 2013 to 11.2 ± 2.7 in 2014. Application of gypsum had the greatest positive impact on the growth of Chinese cabbage. The S + G treatment increased dry matter yield by 7.0 (48.2) and 7.9 g/plant (16.6%) in 2013 and 2014, respectively, compared to the S treatment. Applying gypsum increased soil EC, but decreased SAR1:5 by 14 and 38% in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The application of compost and phosphate had a small effect on the growth of Chinese cabbage. These results suggest that applying gypsum in reclaimed tidal lands can reduce the sodicity of the soil and improve crop growth.

Efectos de la densidad de siembra, la altura de corte y el mes de cosecha sobre el rendimiento de materia seca y contenido de proteína de Ubon Stylo

En la primera fase de esta investigación y en la presente segunda fase se usaron cuatro niveles de semilla al establecer Ubon Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. vulgaris x var. pauciflora); esta misma variable así como tres alturas de corte y cuatro meses de cosecha a intervalos de 90 d se evaluaron en sus efectos sobre el rendimiento de materia seca (RMS) y contenido de proteína bruta (PB) del forraje. Los niveles de semilla (5, 10, 15 y 20 kg/ha) constituyeron las parcelas principales; las alturas de corte (10, 15 y 20 cm) fueron las subparcelas; y los meses de cosecha (marzo, junio, septiembre y diciembre) las sub-subparcelas. El análisis estadístico reveló que el RMS no se afectó significativamente por la altura de corte ni por las interacciones de esta variable con las otras dos en cuestión. El mes de cosecha si ejerció un efecto (P&lt;0.05) sobre el RMS, y la densidad de siembra mostró una tendencia similar (P&lt;0.063). Además, se detectó una interacción (P&lt;0.05) entre estas dos variables. Las medias de RMS, expresadas en equivalencia anual (kg/ha), correspondientes a las cuatro cosechas consecutivas desde marzo hasta diciembre fueron: 5,949; 11,285; 8,105; y 6,543, siendo la media general 7,970. Los valores de RMS correspondientes a los cuatro niveles de semilla desde 5 hasta 20 kg/ha fueron: 7,488; 8,343; 8,375; y 7,672 kg/ ha. La interacción de nivel de semilla x cosecha quedó ilustrada por el hecho de que el mayor RMS a la cosecha de junio (13,795 kg/ha) se obtuvo con 15 kg/ha de semilla, mientras los RMS máximos en las otras tres cosechas correspondieron al nivel de semilla de 10 kg/ha. La media general de contenido de PB fue de 13.4% sin efectos principales ni interacciones significativas de las variables bajo estudio. Los resultados confirman la conclusión previa de que el nivel de semilla de 10 kg/ha es óptimo para uso en el establecimiento de Ubon Stylo porque promueve un buen RMS sin incurrir en un gasto mayor innecesario. Además, los altos rendimientos obtenidos en verano sugieren que sería posible acortar el intervalo entre cosechas para mejorar el contenido proteico durante esta época del año.

사일리지용 옥수수의 건물수량에 영향을 미치는 기후요인 탐색

The purpose of this research is to identify the significance of climate factors related to the significance of change of dry matter yield (DMY) of whole crop maize (WCM) by year through the exploratory data analysis. The data (124 varieties; n=993 in 7 provinces) was prepared after deletion and modification of the insufficient and repetitive data from the results (124 varieties; n=1027 in 7 provinces) of import adaptation experiment done by National Agricultural Cooperation Federation. WCM was classified into early-maturity (25 varieties, n=200), mid-maturity (40 varieties, n=409), late-maturity (27 varieties, n=234) and others (32 varieties, n=150) based on relative maturity and days to silking. For determining climate factors, 6 weather variables were generated using weather data. For detecting DMY and climate factors, SPSS21.0 was used for operating descriptive statistics and Shapiro-Wilk test. Mean DMY by year was classified into upper and lower groups, and a statistically significant difference in DMY was found between two groups (p 0.05). These results indicate that the SHAGDD, SHP and SHH are related to DMY of WCM, but the comparison of R 2 among three variables (SHAGDD, SHP and SHH) couldn’t be obtained which is needed to be done by regression analysis as well as the prediction model of DMY in the future study.