Pure Sowing Research Articles

Changes in yield and gas exchange parameters in Festulolium and alfalfa grown in pure sowing and in mixture under drought stress

ABSTRACTCrop performance and yield are the results of genotypic expression as modulated by continuous interaction with the environment. Among environmental factors, water is globally one of the most limiting for crop production. Water resources in the world are steadily diminishing and in many areas, including Poland, more frequent periods of drought are being observed. The aim of the study was to compare the yields and gas exchange parameters of Festulolium hybrid (Festulolium braunii (K. Richt) A. Camus) and alfalfa (Medicago × varia T. Martyn) under different levels of soil moisture (well-watered conditions and drought stress) and cultivation method (pure stand and mixture). The study has shown that all the measured parameters were affected by drought stress. Net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and dry mass yield were significantly lower under drought stress than under well-watered conditions in all treatment types. Alfalfa grown in a pure sowing showed the strongest reaction to stress, while hybrid Festulolium grown in mixture showed the weakest. It was also found that under stress, grass assimilated CO2 and evaporated water much more intensively in mixture cultivation than in pure sowing. Higher water use efficiency (WUE) was observed in alfalfa and Festulolium growing in mixture only in the first year of the study.

Шляхи підвищення продуктивності люпину вузьколистого в умовах радіоактивного забруднення районів зони Полісся

Шляхи підвищення продуктивності люпину вузьколистого в умовах радіоактивного забруднення районів зони Полісся

Productivity of the forage of perennial grasses and their mixtures on drained peatlands

There showed the productivity, chemical composition of feed and the timing of mowing of grass and variety mixes of permanent grasses on drained peat soils of Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. The presence of early rip­ ened seeded grass provides a uniform supply use mowed mass from middle May until the end of September and the productivity of lands, which ranges from 10 to 14 t/ha of dry weight, metabolizable energy – 100.0 – 130.0 GJ and feed units 7-11 t/ha. Additional manuring of N90 on the background Р45К120 is effective at the start of second year of use. On the organization of hay conveyors of different ripening time herbages is possible to extend the optimal tim­ ing of mowing of green mass to 25-35 days. Best among the early-maturing grass crops are Dactylis glomerata va­ riety Kyivska rannia-1 with Alopecurus pratensis variety Sarnenskiy ranniy or its mixture with Bromus inermis and Festuca pratensis. With medium ripening – pure sowing eastern fescue of variety Lyudmila, Phalaris arundinacea variety Sarnenski-40, Bromus inermis variety Arsen and their compounds. High productivity of late-ripening herb­ age is provided by the inclusion in the composition of grass mixtures of Phleum pratense L. variety Vyshgorodska and Dactylis glomerata of variety Ukrainka, and Agrostis gigantea Roth variety Sarnenska piznia. It is also possible organization hay conveyors of different ripening varieties of Dactylis glomerata varieties Kyivska rannia, Muravka, Ukrainka.

The effect of interspecies interactions and water deficit on spring barley and red clover biomass accumulation at successive growth stages

<p>A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in Olsztyn, Poland, in the period 2010–2012. The aim of the study was to examine whether soil water deficit would change biomass volume and distribution of pure sown spring barley and red clover as well as growth rate during their joint vegetation and mutual interactions. The interactions between spring barley and red clover were of a competitive character, and the cereal was the stronger crop. The strength of this competition increased in time with the growing season. Through most of the growing season, the competition was poorer in water deficit conditions.</p><p>The impact of clover on barley before the heading stage showed facilitation symptoms. Interspecific competition reduced the rate of barley biomass accumulation and decreased stem and leaf biomass towards the end of the growing season. Intensified translocation of assimilates from the vegetative parts to grain minimized the decrease in spike biomass.</p><p>Water deficit stress had a more inhibitory effect on the biomass and growth rate of barley than competition, and competition did not exacerbate the adverse influence of water deficit stress on barley. Competition from barley significantly reduced the biomass and biomass accumulation rate of clover. Water deficit stress did not exacerbate barley’s competitive effect on clover, but it strongly inhibited the growth of aboveground biomass in pure-sown clover.</p>

Agronomic performance of naked oat (Avena nuda L.) and faba bean intercropping

The most common cereals for faba bean (Vicia faba L.) used in intercrops is conventional oat (Avena sativa L.) An alternative to oat may be naked oat (Avena nuda L.), whose oil content and quality is double. Here, intercropping of naked oat with two different faba bean cultivars (determinate-high tannin and indeterminate-low tannin) was compared with sole crops of each species in 2006-2008. The treatments were: sole naked oat at 500 kernels m2, indeterminate sole faba bean at 50 seeds m2, determinate sole faba bean at 70 seeds m2, and an additive series of 25%, 50%, and 75% of faba bean seeding rate mixed with the naked oat seeding rate. Our results demonstrated that intercropping increased the Land Equivalent Ratio by +3% to +9% over sole cropping. Raising the faba bean seeding rate in a mixture from 25% to 75% reduced oat grain yield from 630 (determinate cultivar) to 760 kg ha-1 (indeterminate cultivar) but increased faba bean grain yield from 760 kg ha-1. Higher yield and leaf area index (LAI) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) values show that the indeterminate cultivar of faba bean is more suitable in mixture with naked oat. The high value of competition index (CR > 1) indicates domination and aggressiveness of faba bean towards naked oat. Regardless of cultivar type, mixture of faba bean with naked oat is less productive than pure sowing.

QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MIXTURES OF SOME WARM SEASON PERENNIAL GRASSES WITH ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.) UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITIONS OF CUKUROVA

ABSTRACT This research was conducted to determine forage quality characteristics of duo (alfalfa + one grass) and trio ( alfalfa + two grasses) mixtures of some warm season perennial grass species such as dallis grass ( Paspalum dilatatum Poir.), Rhodes grass ( Chloris gayana L.) and Bermuda grass ( Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) with alfalfa as well as their pure sowings under irrigated conditions of Cukurova during the years of 2009-2011. In the study, crude protein contents, crude protein yields, acid detergent fiber contents (ADF), neutral detergent fiber contents (NDF) and relative feed values (RFV) of the mixtures and pure sowings were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized block design with three replications. The results of the study showed that there were significant differences among mixtures and pure sowings in the forage quality characteristics. The highest crude protein yield (2.32 t ha -1 ) was obtained from the mixture of dallis grass + alfalfa. The highest crude protein ratio (20.6 %) and RFV (164.8) was obtained from the pure alfalfa. The highest ADF (40.2 %) and NDF (70.9 %) was obtained from the pure dallis grass. The result of the study indicated that duo mixture of alfalfa with dallis grass may be used to establish artificial pastures under irrigated conditions of Cukurova or of similar ecologies owing to its high forage quality and high crude protein yield. Key words: Warm season perennial grasses, alfalfa, mixture, quality

THE EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATOR ON STRUCTURAL AND NON-STRUCTURAL CARBOHYDRATES AND LIGNIN CONTENT IN SELECTED GRASS SPECIES AND CULTIVARS

The research was undertaken to determine the effect of the biostimulant Kelpak SL, derived from brown seaweed species Ecklonia maxima (kelp), on structural and nonstructural carbohydrates, as well as lignin content in orchard grass and Braun’s festulolium. The experiment was a split-plot arrangement with three replicates. It was set up at the experimental facility of the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Siedlce, in late April 2009. The following factors were examined: an application of the plant growth regulator Kelpak SL applied at the rate of 2 dm3·ha-1 vs an untreated control (0 dm3·ha-1), pure sown grass species and cultivars grown in monoculture: Dactylis glomerata, cv. Amila and Tukan, as well as Festulolium braunii cv. Felopa and Agula. This study revealed that an application of Kelpak significantly reduced cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin contents of the grasses but significantly increased non-structural carbohydrates, regardless of the remaining factors. Non-structural carbohydrates were the highest in Kelpak-treated Festulolium braunii (on average, 232.7 g·kg-1).

The effect of growing mixtures of spring barley cultivars on pest occurrence and yields

ABSTRACT . Experiments were conducted in the 2010 and 2011 growing seasons at two locations differing in their edaphic and meteorological conditions to assess the effects of mixtures of spring barley cultivars on the occurrence of harmful pests and yields. The most significant pests in the experiment on spring barley in pure sowings and mixtures were cereal leaf beetles (Oulema spp.), with bird cherry-oat aphids (Rhopalosiphum padi) and grain aphids (Sitobion avenae) being somewhat fewer in number. With some mixtures, numbers of cereal leaf beetle larvae, bird cherryoat aphids and grain aphids in comparison with pure stands were reduced. Grain yields from mixtures increased in comparison with those from pure sowings up to 6.48 dt·ha-1 in 2010 and up to 3.99 dt ha-1 in 2011.

Pure sowings versus mixtures of winter cereal species as an effective option for fodder–grain production in temperate zone

In a three-year field experiment carried out from 2006–2009 in the temperate climate of Central Europe, the growth and yield of four species of winter cereals, namely, barley, rye, wheat and triticale and their four mixtures (barley+rye and wheat+triticale; each mixture of two shares: 67%+33% and 50%+50%), were compared. Mixed sowings proved to be an effective agro-technological option for a sustainable agriculture in the region. Mixed sowings of winter cereals yielded approximately 0.94Mgha−1 more, as compared to pure sowings, especially in the cooler and wetter growing seasons. In each of the mixtures, height convergence occurred, specifically a shortening of the long-culmed cereal species and an increase in the length of the short-culmed species. It resulted in improved resistance of the canopy to lodging, and an increase in the production of feed grain, in comparison to cereals in the pure sowings.Such a system of interactions between cereals in mixtures resulted in a land equivalent ratio of >1. The length and productivity of the inflorescences and also the harvest index were mostly species-specific. A 50:50 share of species was more effective for the rye and barley mixture, whereas 67:33 was better for the mixture of wheat and triticale. In the mixture, rye showed increased competitiveness as compared to barley.

Zdrowotność pszenżyta jarego w mieszankach zbożowo-strączkowych

Nowadays, when sustainable agriculture has become meaningful, legume crops, which provide high protein content feed and improve soil properties are of special value. A well-balanced cereal-legume mixtures brings many profits, such as better productivity or ecological benefits as improvement of cereal healthiness. In the aspect of the crop structure in Poland dominated by cereals this issue seems to be of a great importance. The aim of the experiment was to determine the health condition of spring triticale in cereallegume mixtures with diversified share of both components. Spring triticale cultivar Milkaro was sown with two cultivars of yellow lupine – Dukat and Mister. Pure sowing of triticale was compared with 50, 73, 86 and 94 share of triticale in mixture. A positive influence of legume participation in mixtures on spring triticale healthiness was shown. No significant influence on the tested properties of yellow lupine cultivars was stated.

Performances of Some Perennial Warm Season Grasses Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Mixtures under Mediterranean Conditions

This research was conducted to determine forage yield and botanical composition of duo (alfalfa + one grass) and trio ( alfalfa + two grasses) mixtures of some warm season perennial grass species such as dallis grass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana L.), Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) Guineae grass (Panicum maximum Jacq.), blue couch grass (Digitaria didactyla Willd) and finger grass (Digitaria milanjiana (Rendle) Stapf) with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) as well as their pure sowings under irrigated conditions of Mediterranean during the years of 2011 and 2012. In the study, green herbage yield, dry matter yield, alfalfa proportion in dry matter yields and land equivalent ratio (LER) were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized block design with three replications. According to the results, it was determined that the ratios of warm season grasses in the botanical composition of the mixtures declined with the establishment age while rate of alfalfa in the botanical composition of the mixtures increased. Increasing the rate of alfalfa in the botanical composition of the mixtures also increased hay quality of the mixtures. The mixtures gave higher dry matter yield than pure sowings of the species. The highest green herbage yield (98.14 t ha1) was obtained from the mixture of Rhodes grass + alfalfa. The highest dry matter yield (22.46 t ha1) was obtained from the mixture of dallis grass + Guinea grass + alfalfa. The highest value of land equivalent ratio (LER) (1.49) was obtained from the mixture of bermuda grass +Rhodes grass + alfalfa. From the results of the study, it was concluded that Guinea grass and finger grass did not show good adaptaion to the Cukurova conditions due to low temperatures during the winter season. Bermuda grass, Rhodes grass, blue couch grass and dallis grass could be used to establish pasture mixtures with alfalfa, having long grazing season and giving high hay yield and quality. Before the establishment of such pasture mixtures, it was needed to research proper mixture ratios and proper management techniques of the mixtures

Forage Yield and Botanical Composition of Mixtures of Some Perennial Warm Season Grasses with Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Under Mediterranean Condi

This research was conducted to determine forage yield and botanical composition of duo (alfalfa + one grass) and trio ( alfalfa + two grasses) mixtures of some warm season perennial grass species such as dallis grass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.), Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana L.) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) with alfalfa as well as their pure sowings under irrigated conditions of Mediterranean during the years of 2009-2011. In the study, green herbage yield, dry matter yield, botanical composition and land equivalent ratio (LER) were determined. The experimental design was completely randomized block design with three replications. According to the results, it was determined that the ratios of warm season grasses in the botanical composition of the mixtures declined with the establishment age while rate of alfalfa in the botanical composition of the mixtures increased. The mixtures gave higher dry matter yield than pure sowings of the species. The highest green herbage yield (68.44 t ha-1) was obtained from the mixture of alfalfa + Rhodes grass. The highest dry matter yield (15.40 t ha-1) was obtained from the mixture of alfalfa + Bermuda grass + Rhodes grass. The highest alfalfa proportion (50.0%) was obtained from the mixture of alfalfa + Bermuda grass. The highest LER (1.63) was obtained from mixture of alfalfa + dallis grass

CEREAL MIXTURES – AN EFFECTIVE WEED MANAGEMENT TOOL

Abstract Field experiments carried out in the 2005-2007 time period were aimed at assessing the use of competitive potential against weeds of spring cereals cultivated in mixtures, for the purpose of reducing the herbicide application selected for the research. In the experiments, a mixture of the active substances, florasulam + 2,4 D (Mustang 306 SE), was applied at a recommended dose (0.5 l/ha) and then at a reduced dose (0.3 l/ha). The research objects were the spring wheat cultivar Bryza, spring barley cultivar Antek, and oat cultivar Cwał. The cereals were grown in two-species mixtures, and in pure sowing. The effect of a decreased herbicide dose was compared to the effect of the recommended dose, and the control. The research included two-time analysis of crop weed infestation (weed species composition, number, and fresh weight of weeds), determination of the number of productive culms, number of grains per ear (panicle), the thousand grain weight, and grain yield of spring cereals. The obtained results confirmed that spring cereals cultivated in mixtures had a higher competitive potential against weeds in comparison with individual species which were pure sowed. The use of the reduced herbicide dose proved to be effective in weed control and ensured a significant increase in grain yields of spring cereals. The applied herbicide doses did not affect grain number per ear and the thousand grain weight.

Large-Leaved Lupin (Lupinus polyhyllus Lind.) and Early Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) as Green Manure Grops

Trials with large-leaved lupine (‘Lupi’) and early red clover (‘Jõgeva 433’) as green manure were carried out to study their suitability for green manure production. The trials were carried out on the trial fields of the Estonian University of Life Sciences in 2008-2010. Biomass production abilities of various plants grown with or without a cover crop were examined. In the experiment, different green manure crops with undersowing and pure sowing were compared for amounts of N, C, P, K and organic matter driven into soil and their effect on cereal yield. The value of these green manure crops as manure was estimated, based on their effect on the succeeding cereal yield. From green manure plants, sown with cover crops, red clover gave the best results, while large-leaved lupine was better grown as pure crop (18% more biomass than red clover in similar situation). Biomass from large-leaved lupine, grown without cover crop, was also the most efficient in returning nutrients into the soil. Pure green manure had bigger effect and it lasted longer if grown as undersowing.

Comparative study of morphological traits and productivity of alfalfa (Medicago media Pers) cultivated in pure sowing and in mixture with papilionaceous plants and grasses. Part II. Relationship between morphological traits of papilionaceous in l -st cutting

Plant samples at the and of 1-st cutting were collected from field experiment or from teaching collection in order to determine the degree of relationship of in pairs of traits. The degree of the relationship between investigated was estimated by linear or curvilinear regresion and only equations for which coeficient of determination R<sup>2</sup> was greated than 0.5 were reported in the paper. Leave surface area from steams of compared species of papilionaceous depended to small degree on the shave of small leaves in this feature (<1/4 x) The magnitude of the total leave surface area depended on large, and mainly average leaves. Increasing number of leaves on the steam had a positive effect on total leave surface area, and moderate linear relation between features was observed (R<sup>2</sup>=0.70). The order of species according to their decreasing number of leaves on the steam is following: alfalfa-33,4 > bird's foot trefoi1-15,2 > red clover-7,9 > sainfoin-5,1. Between the mass of the steam of single species and its length curvilinear relation was observed, which informs about above average influence of longer steams (>70 cm) on yield. Plant mass was poorly correlated with the total steam length. Among single plants (small, average, large) significant differences were observed in the mass of single steams. Share of separated groups of steams in the mass of tops varied greatly and was following: 25% of largest steams decided about the half of its yield. In turn 50% of steams (small and very small) formed only 25% of top yield.

Studium porównawcze cech morfologicznych i produktywności lucerny mieszańcowej (Medicago media Pers.) uprawianej w czystym siewie i w mieszankach z roślinami motylkowatymi i trawami

The investigation carried out in the years 1994-96 had to aim the analysis of morphological features perennial papilionaceaus plants and grass in pure sowing (6 objects) and mixture (3 objects. It was considerated the following morphological features: the number of stem per square metre, mass of single stem, number of leaves on the stem, leaves area of stem in square centimeter and two description of the stand: the number of leaves per square metre and leaves area index in square metre. The experiment was localited on the degraded chernozem, favourable for good growth of all plants. As result of carried out investigations it was confirmed that alfalfa headed in cuts and years of cultivation the greatest leaf area of stem and' stand in comparison to ather p1ant species. In results of species difference and method of sowing the all features was differentiated significantly. Interaction between features of investigated species and descriptions of the stand indicated to considerable greates effects of cut in comparison to the effects cultivation years, which appeared distincd only with respect to the leaves area index of stand. The greater density of plants stem cultivated in mixture in composition with cultivation in pure sowing proved about the co-existence between grass species and papilionaceous plants formed the phytocenosis of mixtures, particulary visible in mixture of alfalfa, clover, festuca and ryegrass.

Competition between spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) under different water supply conditions

A pot experiment with an additive design and three series was conducted to test competition between spring barley and Italian ryegrass under different soil moisture conditions. The experimental factors were as follows: 1. type of sowing – mixed sowing and pure sowing; 2. water supply – plants supplied with water to meet their full requirements and 50% water supply reduction. The study covered five phenological development stages (BBCH) of spring barley: emergence (10–13), tillering (22–25), stem elongation (33–37), heading (52–55), and ripening (87–91). The competitive effects were evaluated based on relative yield (RY), relative yield total (RYT), competitive balance (CB), and relative efficiency index (REI). Spring barley and Italian ryegrass competed for resources throughout the growing season. Competition intensity was found to increase until the heading stage, and it decreased towards the end of the growth cycle. More intense competition was observed under reduced water supply. Spring barley dominated over Italian ryegrass from the tillering stage to the ripening stage. In mixed populations, Italian ryegrass captured the available resources more effectively than spring barley from the stem elongation stage until the end of the growing season, particularly in the treatment with optimal water supply.

The share of roots, sward and stubble biomass in biological yield of selected grass species

In this study assessed the share of harvested yield and share of root stem bases and stolon biomass in biological yield of 6 grass species grown in pure sowing. The biological yield included harvested yield from 3 regrowth and biomass of RSS (roots, sward and stubble), which was taken after 3th cut. The highest biological yield was observed in Festuca rubra, next in Arrhenatherum elatius and Poa pratensis, and the smallest in Holcus lanatus and Agropyron repens. In F. rubra harvested yield held 13.8% of biological yield, and RSS biomass held 86.2%. In contrast, in H. lanatus harvested yield was 44.7% and RSS biomass was 55.3% of biological yield.

The development competition and productivity of linseed and pea-cultivars grown in a pure sowing or in a mixture

A field experiment was undertaken to study the growth and productivity of linseed and pea cultivars grown in either a pure sowing or mixture in the vegetative seasons, 2004–2006. Two different mixtures were studied: oil-linseed cv. ‘Flanders’ with grain–peas cv. ‘Ramrod’ (mixture I) or oil-linseed cv. ‘Barbara’ with fodder–peas cv. ‘Phönix’ (mixture II). The cultivars chosen for both mixtures were characterized by similar height. In the mixed sowings, a substitutive model was used, with 50% share of each of the components. Growth and productivity of both species and cultivars grown in a pure sowing or mixture depended on the weather conditions during vegetation. Non-typical weather conditions in the vegetative seasons 2005 (wet) and 2006 (dry) resulted in a decreased 1000 seed mass (MTS) of linseed cv. ‘Barbara’ grown in the mixture, by about 19% and 25%, respectively. Moreover, in 2005 a decreased share of seeds of cv. ‘Barbara’ in mixture I was stated, as compared with the seed share of cv. ‘Flanders’ in the mixture II. Edible peas cv. ‘Ramrod’ grown in the mixture I had reduced the fruiting part of the shoot by about 37%, the lowered number of pods by about 33% and the MTS by about 6%, as compared to its pure sowing. Mutual aggression between the linseed and peas in the mixtures was higher during the seasons of less favorable weather conditions. The significantly higher aggression towards the companion plant in the mixture showed peas cv. ‘Ramrod’ sown in the mixture I. At the same time, the harvest index value of ‘Ramrod’ grown in the mixture I was higher by about 15%, as compared to its pure sowing, which was due to using linseed as supporting plants. The mixture II of fodder peas cv. ‘Phönix’ with linseed cv. ‘Barbara’, proved to be significantly more reliable, as evidenced by the value of the land equivalent ratio (LER=1.20).

Fungi colonising the above-ground parts of fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) cultivated in pure sowing and mixed with smooth brome-grass (Bromus inermis Leyss.)

Field experiments were carried out in 1999-2001 in the experimental field in Knopin near Dobre Miasto to determine the intensity of fodder galega diseases cultivated in pure sowing and mixed with smooth brome-grass (the Hillstrand and Auld' s modified scale, 1982). The fungi colonising the phyllosphere of fodder galega were analysed in a laboratory (Chruoeciak , 1974). The following symptoms were observed in fodder galega: ascochyta blight (<i>Ascochyta</i> sp.), gray mould (<i>Botrytis cinerea</i>) and plant wilting (<i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>.). The climatic conditions had an effect on the development of diseases. The greatest intensity of gray mould (Ii = 24.3%) and plant wilting (17.9% of plants with the disease symptoms) were observed in 2001. Ascochyta blight occurred with the lowest intensity and the highest infection index in 1999 in the cultivation of fodder galega mixed with smooth brome-grass was only 12.1%. The type of cultivation also modified fodder galega disease intensity. Gray mould and plant wilting developed better in pure sowing than in mixed sowing with smooth brome-grass. Throughout the entire experiment period the average infection index was 22.8% and 15.9% of plants with the wilt symptoms. Ascochyta blight found better conditions for development in plants cultivated in a mix with smooth brome-grass (average infection index - 10.0%). The fodder galega phyllosphere provided 4149 fungal isolates represented by 17 species and yeast-like fungi. Yeast-like fungi dominated (75.6% of the total isolates). The following species were less numerous: <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, <i>Humicola brevis</i>, <i>Acremonium strictum</i> and <i>Cladosporium cladosporioides</i>. From the leaves of fodder galega cultivated in pure sowing, 3.8% more fungi were obtained than from the leaves of plants cultivated with a mix of smooth brome-grass, including more frequently isolated pathogenic fungi representing the genera of <i>Fusarium</i> and the species of <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>.