Phasey Bean Research Articles

A Preliminary Study on Milk Production in Lactating Dairy Cows fed Rations including the Silage of Forage Rice Mixed with or without Phasey Bean

A Preliminary Study on Milk Production in Lactating Dairy Cows fed Rations including the Silage of Forage Rice Mixed with or without Phasey Bean

Effect of sink on carbohydrate metabolism in stems and roots of the phasey bean (Macroptilium Lathyroides (L.) Urb.) during regrowth

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to investigate the changes in the effect of sink on storage carbohydrate content and the relationship between amylase activity and storage carbohydrate content in stems and roots of the phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.) following defoliation. Plants were grown for 53 days after sowing in pots and then cut at a height of 10 cm. One lateral bud remaining by selective trimming at the cotyledonary node (N0), the second leaf node (N2), or the fourth leaf node (N4) was regrown under dark conditions at 22°C, and new shoot production, carbohydrate content and amylase activity in the stems and roots were measured 0, 1, 3, 6 and 10 days after defoliation. Plants having upper buds produced higher new shoots on day 10 post‐defoliation, indicating that the growth of buds correlated with sink demand and affected dry weight production. Fructose, glucose and sucrose contents decreased in the stems and roots after defoliation and correlated negatively with sink demand especially in the stems. Starch content decreased more than sugar contents in stems and roots, and more considerably in the plants having upper buds (higher sink tissues) especially in stems. Total amylase and α‐amylase activities changed slightly, and α‐glucosidase activity decreased in stems and roots after defoliation. The lack of increase in α‐amylase with the decrease in starch under sink demand indicates that starch content could fluctuate without changes in α‐amylase activity during phasey bean regrowth.

Yield and Nutritive Value of Summer Legumes as Influenced by Dairy Manure Compost and Competition with Crabgrass

Warm‐season legumes have the potential to improve range and pasture value as well as provide wildlife feed and habitat but are often unable to compete with aggressive annual grasses on infertile, low‐P soils. A strip split‐plot design experiment was established on a Windthorst fine sandy loam (fine, mixed, thermic, Udic Paleustalf) under irrigation to evaluate legume herbage production and nutritive value in the 1999 and 2000 growing seasons in competition with crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris Koetz.) and with dairy manure compost as a soil amendment. Legumes included ‘Sabine’ Illinois bundleflower [Desmanthus illinoiensis Michx. Mac Mill ex B.L. Rob & Fernald], rayado bundleflower [Desmanthus virgatus (L.) Willd.], partridge‐pea [Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene], and phasey bean [Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urban] grown in either pure stands or mixed with crabgrass. The application of 15.5 Mg dry matter (DM) dairy compost ha−1 yr−1 increased P concentration in all forage species but did not influence total herbage DM yield or other nutritive factors. Illinois bundleflower was the most productive legume followed by rayado bundleflower and partridge‐pea while phasey bean was the least productive. Although Illinois bundleflower had low crude protein concentrations (152–160 g kg−1), it and rayado bundleflower had lower acid detergent fiber (166–219 g kg−1) and acid detergent lignin concentrations (37–51 g kg−1) than the other entries. Soil amendment with compost did not affect legume development but did favor crabgrass competition. Competition with crabgrass depressed legume yields during the establishment year. This was less a factor during the second year, indicating that legume stand establishment is possible, albeit slowed, in the presence of an annual grass.

Effects of Growth Temperature and Cutting Height on Regrowth of Tropical Forage Legume Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.)

Effects of Growth Temperature and Cutting Height on Regrowth of Tropical Forage Legume Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.)

Amylase Activities and Carbohydrate Contents in Stems and Roots of Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.) after Defoliation

Amylase Activities and Carbohydrate Contents in Stems and Roots of Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.) after Defoliation

Amylase Activities and Starch Contents as Affected by Source-Sink Relation during Initial Regrowth of Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L..) Urb.)

Amylase Activities and Starch Contents as Affected by Source-Sink Relation during Initial Regrowth of Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L..) Urb.)

Hand‐Plucked Forage Yield and Quality and Seed Production from Annual and Short‐Lived Perennial Warm‐Season Legumes Fertilized with Composted Manure

Productive warm‐season forage legume species adapted to drier regions of the southeastern USA have yet to be identified. This trial evaluated adaptability, forage quality, hand‐plucked forage yield, and seed production of legumes in north‐central Texas as affected by dairy manure compost and harvest deferment. For 2 yr, eight warm‐season annual or short‐lived perennial legume species, with or without 20 Mg dairy manure compost ha−1 yr−1 added to the soil, were either hand‐plucked monthly throughout the season or once‐only in the autumn. Compost increased (P < 0.05) forage P and crude protein (CP) concentrations and plant‐available soil P by the end of the trial. Phasey bean [Macroptilium lathyroides (DC) Urb.], peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and ‘iron‐clay’ cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]) harvested throughout the season yielded over 2.5 Mg of high quality forage ha−1 yr−1 during the higher rainfall year. Autumn‐only harvests produced lower yields but “Tecomate” lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] and peanut responded to autumn rainfall in the higher rainfall year with yields over 1.7 Mg ha−1 yr−1 Forage yields were less than 1.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1 during the second year when plots received only 358 mm of moisture from January through September. Both partridge pea [Chameacrista fasciculata (Michx) Greene] and phasey bean produced over 5000 seed ha−1 yr−1 the higher rainfall year under autumn‐only harvest and over 1200 seed ha−1 yr−1 under all‐season harvest. Quality of the herbage changed with precipitation, species, and harvest. Although not highly productive under dryland conditions, these legumes can contribute both forage and seeds for livestock and wildlife.

Hand-Plucked Forage Yield and Quality and Seed Production from Annual and Short-Lived Perennial Warm-Season Legumes Fertilized with Composted Manure

Productive warm-season forage legume species adapted to drier regions of the southeastern USA have yet to be identified. This trial evaluated adaptability, forage quality, hand-plucked forage yield, and seed production of legumes in north-central Texas as affected by dairy manure compost and harvest deferment. For 2 yr, eight warm-season annual or short-lived perennial legume species, with or without 20 Mg dairy manure compost ha−1 yr−1 added to the soil, were either hand-plucked monthly throughout the season or once-only in the autumn. Compost increased (P < 0.05) forage P and crude protein (CP) concentrations and plant-available soil P by the end of the trial. Phasey bean [Macroptilium lathyroides (DC) Urb.], peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and ‘iron-clay’ cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]) harvested throughout the season yielded over 2.5 Mg of high quality forage ha−1 yr−1 during the higher rainfall year. Autumn-only harvests produced lower yields but “Tecomate” lablab [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] and peanut responded to autumn rainfall in the higher rainfall year with yields over 1.7 Mg ha−1 yr−1 Forage yields were less than 1.0 Mg ha−1 yr−1 during the second year when plots received only 358 mm of moisture from January through September. Both partridge pea [Chameacrista fasciculata (Michx) Greene] and phasey bean produced over 5000 seed ha−1 yr−1 the higher rainfall year under autumn-only harvest and over 1200 seed ha−1 yr−1 under all-season harvest. Quality of the herbage changed with precipitation, species, and harvest. Although not highly productive under dryland conditions, these legumes can contribute both forage and seeds for livestock and wildlife.

Improving Fermentation and Nutritive Quality of Napiergrass Silage by Mixing with Phasey Bean

Improving Fermentation and Nutritive Quality of Napiergrass Silage by Mixing with Phasey Bean

7-19 Fermentation quality of silages prepared by mixing of napiergrass with phasey bean

7-19 Fermentation quality of silages prepared by mixing of napiergrass with phasey bean

Diurnal Variation of Amylase Activities and Carbohydrate Contents in Root and Stem of Phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides L. Urb.)

Diurnal Variation of Amylase Activities and Carbohydrate Contents in Root and Stem of Phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides L. Urb.)

Radiation interception and the accumulation of biomass and nitrogen by soybean and three tropical annual forage legumes

Field experiments were conducted at Gatton and Dalby in southeastern Queensland to determine parameters associated with radiation interception and biomass and nitrogen (N) accumulation for the ley legume species, phasey bean ( Macroptilum lathyroides (L.) Urban) and vigna, ( Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc.). Sesbania ( Sesbania cannabina Retz.), a native legume species, and soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merrill)) were included in the study for comparison. The most important differences between species related to differences in radiation interception, radiation-use efficiency (RUE), N-accumulation efficiency and the partitioning of N to plant parts. During early growth, soybean intercepted more radiation than the other species, primarily because of its greater leaf area index (LAI). Sesbania had the highest RUE (1.08 g MJ −1) followed by phasey bean (0.94 g MJ −1), soybean (0.89 g MJ −1) and vigna (0.77 g MJ −1). The efficiency of N-accumulation was greater in soybean (0.028 g N g −1) and phasey bean (0.030 g N g −1) than in vigna (0.022 g N g −1) and sesbania (0.021 g N g −1). In all species, the proportion of N allocated to leaves declined throughout the experimental period, being more rapid in soybean than in sesbania and phasey bean. Despite this decline in total N partitioned to the leaves, both soybean and phasey bean maintained a relatively stable specific leaf nitrogen (SPLN) throughout the experimental periods although sesbania and vigna displayed rapid decreases in SPLN. The large variation between species in RUE and N-accumulation efficiency indicates that the development of ley legume cultivars with a combination of traits for more efficient legume production, water use and soil N-accumulation in the water-limited environments of the grain belt of eastern Australia may be possible. The sensitivity of forage production, water use and soil N-accumulation to variation in RUE and N-accumulation efficiency needs to be quantified using modeling techniques prior to embarking on screening programs to select appropriate germplasm for evaluation studies.

Predicting leaf area development in response to temperature in three tropical annual forage legumes

Ley legumes are an important option in nitrogen (N) management in cropping–livestock systems in Australia’s northern cropping region. The complexity of managing N and water in these systems is increasingly being aided by the use of crop models which require quantitative estimates of the various components of growth. A study to predict plant leaf area (PLA) of 3 tropical forage legumes as a function of temperature under irrigated conditions was conducted at Gatton, south-eastern Queensland. The legumes were phasey bean [Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urban.], vigna [Vigna trilobata (L.) Verdc.], and sesbania (Sesbania cannabina Retz.). The PLA was to be predicted by establishing a relationship between plastochron index (PI) and accumulated thermal time, and then between PLA and PI. Daily rate of increase in PI (DIPI) was strongly related to accumulated thermal time in all species, with DIPI higher for phasey bean (0.51 degree-days) and sesbania (0.54 degree-days) than for vigna (0.14 degree-days). At a plant density of 50 plants/m2, the relationship between PI and PLA was largely dependent upon the proportion of PLA originating from branches rather than from the main stem. In sesbania, &lt;20% of the PLA was contributed from leaves originating from branches, compared with about 40% in phasey bean and about 75% in vigna. The slope of the linear component of the relationship between PLA and PI in sesbania (85 cm2) was slightly less than the maximum leaf area per node recorded. The comparable slope for phasey bean was 57 cm2, being greater than the area of any individual leaf (40–50 cm2) because of the greater contribution of leaves originating from branches. In vigna, the very large contribution of leaves originating from branches to PLA, together with the slower DIPI for that species, resulted in the relationship between PI and PLA being much steeper than in either of the other species. The parameters developed for each species were successfully validated using independent data from other experiments in south-eastern Queensland. Increase in PLA in response to accumulated thermal time can be successfully predicted for these 3 tropical legumes at the set plant density. The successful prediction of PLA for legumes with a high degree of branching is of special significance, as it indicates that these methods may have application in predicting leaf growth in legumes which are being grazed and which have a number of active growing points. Nevertheless, the stability of the derived parameters needs to be assessed under a range of plant densities before they can be widely used to predict leaf area development in ley legumes.

Relative growth and nodulation of tropical legume species with contrasting persistence and seedling vigor

Carpon desmodium [Desmodium heterocarpon (L.) DC] has proven to be a useful perennial pasture legume for some sites in peninsular Florida. However, slow seedling growth rates have made commercial plantings vulnerable to competition from grasses and weeds and to even short periods of drought. Other, less persistent, legumes establish more dependably in the region. Three legume species with contrasting seedling vigor and plant development were evaluated in plantings of mixtures of the three legumes and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge). Plant development was monitored to determine if nutritional limitations associated with root development or nodulation impair establishment of carpon desmodium. Every two weeks through the growing season, six plants of each legume in each of four replications were dug to determine shoot dry weight, root dry weight, nodule number, nodule dry weight, and shoot to root ratio. Nitrogenase activity was also assayed by acetylene reduction. Shoot, root, and nodule weights and nodule number were substantially lower for carpon desmodium during early seedling development than for phasey bean [Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.] or aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana L.). Nitrogenase activities per gram of nodule were highly variable with no differences detected among species or sampling dates. Nodules were much slower to develop on carpon desmodium than on the other two species, and this delayed nodulation is suggested to be a major limitation in development of seedlings of this species.

Influence of Flooding and Drought Conditions on Herbage Yield and Quality of Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.)

Influence of Flooding and Drought Conditions on Herbage Yield and Quality of Phasey Bean (Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.)

The effects of feeding level and roughage/concentrate ratio on the measurement of protein degradability of two tropical forages in the rumen of goats, using the nylon bag technique

Experiments were conducted with rumen fistulated goats to measure the effect of level of feeding (50, 100 and 150% of maintenance) and roughage/concentrate ratio on the rumen degradability of protein from the forages green panic ( Panicum maximum Jacq. var. trichoglume Eyles) and phasey bean ( Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.), using the nylon bag technique. For both forages, a high level of feed intake caused a significant reduction in protein degradability compared with that for a low level of intake. Protein degradability was higher when incubated in the rumen of goats receiving alfalfa haycubes as a sole diet than when the goats received alfalfa haycubes and a concentrate mixture. The decrease in degradability of forage protein was associated with reduction in pH of the rumen fluid. Rumen degradability of the protein of green panic was much lower than that of the phasey bean at an early stage of incubation (6–12 h incubation). There was a high positive correlation between protein degradability and dry matter disappearance in the rumen ( r = 0.996).

Responses of yearling steers to different stocking rates on a subtropical grass-legume pasture.

Despite potential benefits, limitations of individual tropical legumes have restricted development of sustainable grass-legume pastures in tropical and subtropical regions. Sowing mixtures of complementary legumes may overcome limitations of individual species. Responses of yearling steers grazing a mixture of three tropical legumes with bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) were evaluated at three stocking rates under continuous grazing. Carpon desmodium (Desmodium heterocarpon [L.] DC.), which is persistent under grazing but often difficult to establish, was combined with the short-lived legumes aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana L.) and phasey bean (Macroptilium lathyroides [L.] Urb.). Diet composition, as determined by microhistological analysis of fecal samples, and animal performance were evaluated in three grazing periods: summer 1987 and spring 1988 (2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 steers/ha) and summer 1988 (3.0, 5.3, and 7.5 steers/ha). Stocking rate did not affect percentage of the selectively grazed legumes, aeschynomene and phasey bean, in the diet. Average daily gain decreased linearly (P less than .05) with increased stocking rate, as is typical for grass pastures. Aeschynomene and phasey bean contributed to diets during the first summer, and carpon desmodium contribution was greater in the second summer. These results indicate that this pasture mixture can provide legume herbage from aeschynomene and phasey bean in the year of sowing and from carpon desmodium thereafter. Over the range of grazing pressures obtained, legume responses were generally consistent; thus, optimizing stocking rate for gain per hectare or for economic returns can be targeted without additional constraints to maintain the contribution of these legumes to grazing livestock.

Plant Responses to Stocking Rate in a Subtropical Grass‐Legume Pasture

Abstract‘Florida’ carpon desmodium [Desmodium heterocarpon (L.) DC] is a persistent legume under grazing but is often difficult to establish. Aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana L.) and, especially, phasey bean [Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urb.] establish more reliably. Overseeding a mixture of these legumes in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) pastures could provide the quality forage and N input of legumes initially from the rapidly establishing species and for extended periods from the persistent carpon desmodium. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of such mixtures. Effects of stocking rate and grazing season on botanical composition, herbage availability, and herbage nutritive value were evaluated on a Pomona fine sand (sandy, siliceous, hyperthermic Ultic Haplaquod). Following overseeding of legumes in March 1987, pastures were grazed at three stocking rates in summer 1987 and in spring and summer 1988. Carpon desmodium increased from less than 1% at the start of grazing in 1987 to over 7% of the live herbage in 1988. Combined percentage of aeschynomene plus phasey bean decreased during 1987 from more than 4 to 1.6%. Carpon desmodium percentage was highest (P &lt; 0.10) at the intermediate stocking rate, while percentage of other legumes was not affected by stocking rate. Herbage mass decreased linearly with increases in stocking rate in both summer grazing seasons. Leaf/stem ratio and nutritive value of legume leaf and stem were not affected by stocking rate but decreased with time during each grazing season. The short‐lived legumes, aeschynomene and phasey bean, provided high quality forage during the establishment period of carpon desmodium but contributed negligibly during the second year.

Botanical Composition of Tropical Grass‐Legume Pastures Estimated with Near‐Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

AbstractQuantifying pasture composition requires either laborious or subjective approaches. Evaluations of near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to determine botanical composition of mixed pasture swards have shown potential. In this study, characterization of botanical composition of pastures comprised primarily of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), aeschynomene (Aeschynomene americana L.) and phasey bean [Macroptilium lathyriodes (L.) Urb.] by NIRS was evaluated. Three approaches (hand‐composited samples, single‐component samples, and actual pasture samples) were compared for equation development. Theoretical potential of NIRS is illustrated by high coefficients of determination (0.98–0.99) and low standard errors (1.4–2.9%) of equations for the above species from hand‐composited samples. Equations developed from the three approaches were evaluated for estimation of the botanical composition of a separate group of pasture samples. Equations developed from hand‐composited samples from a single source of each component were not acceptable for estimating composition of pasture samples despite the excellent calibration statistics. Single‐component samples approached adequate results only for composite total grass and total legume groups, even though the pasture sample composition appeared to be well represented in the calibration sample set. Equations from pasture samples provided useful estimates of sample means, although some individual samples were poorly estimated. Thus, botanical composition of these pastures may be estimated using equations from actual pasture samples, and estimates of total grass and total legume may be obtained from use of single‐component samples, which provides further labor reductions. A comparison of original software and updated software packages CAL, BEST, REG70, and partial least squares principal component regression showed none to be consistently superior.

Selenisa sueroides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): A Pest of Subcanopy Irrigatrion Systems in Citrus in Southwest Florida

Mature larvae of Selenisa sueroides (Guenee) damaged micro-sprinkler irrigation systems in three citrus groves located in Hendry Co., Florida during October and November 1987. After completing development on fabaceous food plants, American jointvetch, Aeschynomene americana L., or phasey bean Macroptilium lathyroides (L.) Urban, larvae left the host plants, climbed nearby irrigation sprinklers, and chewed holes in the flexible polyvinylchloride tubing. Larvae then entered the tubing and pupated. Damage to sprinklers and connecting tubing resulted in additional grove costs that averaged $797 per site (range, 50 to $1,500). The level of damage within each grove was related to the abundance and distribution of host-plants, larval population levels, sprinkler type, and grove cultural practices.