Total Forage Yield Research Articles

Cratylia argentea: UN ARBUSTO FORRAJERO POTENCIAL EN SISTEMAS SILVOPASTORILES. RENDIMIENTO Y CALIDAD DE ACCESIONES SEGÚN LAS EDADES DE REBROTE Y ESTACIONES CLIMÁTICAS

En los sistemas silvopastoriles, las leguminosas arbustivas de alta calidad nutricional representan una alternativa para la escasez de pastos en periodos secos del año. En este estudio se evaluó el efecto de diferentes edades de rebrote (6, 9, 12 y 15 semanas) en tres épocas del año (lluvia, invierno y seca, 2007-2008) de cuatro accesiones de Cratylia argentea (18516, 18666, 18668 y 18676) en Veracruz, México, para el rendimiento de materia seca (RMS), fibra en detergente neutro (FDN), fibra en detergente ácido (FDA), lignina (Lig), proteína cruda (PC) y degradación in situ de MS (DISMS). El rendimiento de materia seca (RMS) (media ± error estándar) fue afectado por la época y la edad de rebrote, pero no se encontró efecto por la accesión o sus interacciones. El mayor RMS se logró en la temporada de secas (3632 ± 306 kg·ha-1), lo que representó 45 % del rendimiento del forraje total, seguido por la temporada de lluvias (33 %, 2615 ± 188 kg·ha-1) y la temporada de invierno (22 %, 1733 ± 61 kg·ha-1). Se encontraron efectos significativos en la edad de rebrote en las tres épocas para FDN, FDA, Lig y PC. La mayor DISMS ocurrió en las temporadas de lluvias y secas promediando 66 y 65 %, respectivamente, después de 72 h de incubación. La temporada de secas fue el mejor período para RMS y DISMS. Estos resultados sugieren que C. argentea es una fuente confiable de forraje para sistemas silvopastoriles.

DURABILITY OF ARTIFICIAL SWARD WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF RED FESCUE SITUATED ALONG THE SLOPES OF THE CENTRAL BALKAN MOUNTAIN VI. STATE OF MIXED SWARD OF RED FESCUE, KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS AND BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL

The state of mixed swards of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and birdsfoot trefoil was studied, situated along the slopes of the Central Balkan Mountain, during the period of 1st to the 13th year of their creation. At a high degree of soil gleying, (at) the low part of slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.8 t/ha –1 (1997, south–easterly exposure) up to 10.66 t/ha –1 (1999, north–easterly exposure). At a low degree of soil gleying, (and) high part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.34 t/ha –1 (1994, westerly exposure) up to 14.34 t/ha –1 (1995, east exposure). The most prominent in productive terms for period of study are variants at the east and south–easterly exposure, slightly gleyed soil. The participation of the sown species in the total forage yield is variable quantity. They reach (at their most) up to 96% in 1998, north exposure, slightly gleyed soils an up to 97% in 2000, north–east exposure, highly gleyed soils. Their share was small in 2004 (44%) and in 2006 (42%) on a westerly slope, highly eroded soils. Кey words: red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, birdsfoot trefoil, Balkan Mountain, slopes.

Morpho-physiological and adaptive variation of Italian germplasm of sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.)

Sulla is a biennial forage legume native to the central-western Mediterranean Basin and has increasing interest for regions with Mediterranean-climate. The Italian germplasm is a reservoir of variation for important agronomic traits. This study aimed to support breeding programs by investigating patterns of agronomic, adaptive and morpho-physiological variation among ecotypes collected from the three main Italian regions of species cultivation: central Italy, and the two islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Forage yield and morpho-physiological traits were evaluated at a site with Mediterranean climate in Sicily. Forage yield and cold tolerance in a cold-prone site of northern Italy were also assessed, to locate useful germplasm for widening crop resilience and climatic adaptability. Collection regions, and ecotypes within regions, differed for total forage yield and final plant survival, but their responses were subjected to interactions with test location. Specific adaptation dominated the adaptive responses of ecotypes and elite commercial varieties. Ecotype adaptation to cold winter was associated with latitude and, more specifically, the extent of cold stress in collecting sites. The ecotype collection region had a bearing also on morpho-physiological characteristics. A few ecotypes from central Italy performed outstandingly with respect to elite varieties, displaying wide adaptation across cold-prone and drought-prone environments.

Permanence of sown sward situated along the slopes of the central Balkan Mountain

The state of mixed swards of red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass and bird?s foot trefoil was studied. The experiment was situated along the slopes of the Central Balkan Mountain, during the period of the 1st to the 13th year of their creation. At a high degree of soil gleying, the low part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.8 t/ha (1997, south-eastern exposure) up to 10.66 t/ha (1999, north-eastern exposure). At a low degree of soil gleying, high part of the slope, the dry matter yields were within the limits of 2.34 t/ha (1994, western exposure) up to 14.34 t/ha (1995, east exposure). The most prominent in productive terms for the period of the study are the variants at the east and south-eastern exposure, slightly gleyed soil. The participation of the sown species in the total forage yield is variable quantity. They reach (at their most) up to 96% in 1998, north exposure, slightly gleyed soils and up to 97% in 2000, north-east exposure, highly gleyed soils. Their share was small in 2004 (44%) and in 2006 (42%) on a western slope, highly eroded soils.

Yield and Water Use of Siberian Wildrye with Ridge and Furrow Planting in Northern China

Siberian wildrye (Elymus sibiricus L.) is a perennial grass that is widely planted in semiarid northern China, but yield is often low due to insufficient soil water supply. Field experiments were conducted from 2009 to 2011 to study the effects of ridge and furrow planting (RFP) on yield, evapotranspiration, and water use efficiency (WUE) of Siberian wildrye grassland under rainfed conditions. The treatments included bare flat bed planting (FB), bare ridge with bare furrow (BRB), bare ridge with naked oat (Avena nuda L.) straw mulch in furrow (BRM), plastic mulch on ridge with bare furrow (MRB), and plastic mulch on ridge with straw mulch in furrow (MRM). In the RFP system, the ridge and furrow were each 30 cm wide. Total forage yield with MRB and MRM each year was 46 to 111% and 50 to 135% greater, respectively, than with FB (2580 kg ha–1 yr–1). These two treatments also increased total WUE each year by 79 to 121% and 80 to 150%, respectively, compared with FB (10.8 kg ha–1 mm–1 yr–1). The BRB and BRM treatments increased total forage yield by 47 and 81% and total WUE by 51 and 81%, respectively, compared with FB only in 2010. The addition of straw mulch did not result in a further increase in total yield or WUE. Therefore, the MRB planting system will be recommended in Siberian wildrye production for achieving relatively high forage yield and WUE.

Estimates of variance components and repeatability for total forage yield in rye: implications for breeding

AbstractCereal rye (Secale cereale L.) is an important forage crop in the USA for stocker cattle (Bos sp.) production, thus making forage yield an important breeding objective for the crop. However, little information is known about the repeatability for forage yield in this crop. The objectives of this research were to: (i) estimate variance components for forage yield from long‐term variety trials, (ii) estimate the repeatability for forage yield and (iii) relate this to breeding strategies for increased forage yield in rye. Trials were conducted over 14 years where 97 USA open‐pollinated varieties (OPVs) were evaluated. Repeatability ranged from 0.57 to 0.86 when the data were analysed by year for the 3 years with significant genotype main effects. Possible explanations for the lack of significant genotype main effects are discussed. Practical implications of these findings indicate that the development of improved cultivars with greater forage yield will require improved methods of selection based on family performance rather than the current methods based primarily on single plant visual selection.

Exploitation of forage attribute-based variations in Sudan pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] collections

Triggered by the need to develop inter-seasonal, multi-cut cereal forage crops, this study aimed at the exploitation of phenotypic variations among the rich pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) collections in Sudan for possible utilization in forage-type breeding programmes. A total of 100 pearl millet accessions were used in three field trials grown in rainy, winter and summer seasons (2008–2009) at the Gezira Research Station Farm and the Gezira University Experimental Farm. Wide diversity and highly significant differences in the total dry forage yield, days to harvest, plant height, number of tillers/plant and leaf/stem ratio were found among the accessions. At an 80% morphological similarity level, the 100 accessions of pearl millet were clustered into four main groups. In the rainy and winter seasons, 71 and 56% of the accessions produced forage yield of more than 5 t/ha, respectively. In contrast, 77% of the accessions produced less than 5 t/ha in the summer season. Among the top-ranking 25 accessions, two accessions (HSD 2190 and HSD 2236) were common in dry matter yield in the three seasons, whereas 11 accessions were identified in at least two seasons. The presence of such common accessions in more than one season is encouraging for growing pearl millet as a multi-cut crop for a longer period. These results indicated the possibility of the development of forage-suited varieties of pearl millet directly through further evaluation of those common accessions or indirectly through a crop breeding programme.

Productive characteristics of maize hybrids at different cutting heights for silage and organic matter and mineral rates in post-harvest residues

Current trial evaluated yield, organic matter and mineral composition of the residual harvest of five maize hybrids at three cutting heights (15, 35 and 55 cm). The experimental design consisted of a randomized block split plot with three replications. Concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, MS, MM and MO in the samples were evaluated. No difference among hybrids occurred in stem diameter (22.4 mm), ear production (8.0 ton DM ha -1 ), grain harvest index (37.3%) and total forage yield (15.0 ton DM ha -1 ). Hybrid effect occurred for variables of mineral composition of harvest residues. With the exception of calcium, a rise in cutting height from 15 to 55 cm failed to increase the concentration of minerals in the residue. The amount of organic matter and mineral residues that remained in the field increased in proportion to crop height.

청보리-옥수수 작부체계시 조사료 최대생산을 위한 청보리 수확시기 구명

This experiment was carried out to determine the harvesting day after heading of barley for highest total forage yield in double cropping with corn at paddy field in middle region. The fresh barley yield was the highest at the harvest of 20 days after heading, but the dry matter yield and TDN yield were the highest at the harvest of 25 days after heading because of higher dry matter rate. The dry matter yield of corn after the harvest of 25 days after heading was decreased about 16 percent than that of the check, sowing on april 25. But total fresh yield of corn monoculture was lower about 31 percent, and decreased 28 percent of dry matter and 23 percent of TDN yield, respectively, than that of the double cropping system with corn and barley. In double cropping system at paddy field, the total forage yield was the highest at the harvest of 25 days after heading of barley and grew corn subsequently. Although yield of corn was reduced by late sowing, the total forage yield was increased by double cropping system compared with corn monoculture.

The Effects of Seeding Rate on Older Stands of Glyphosate‐Tolerant Alfalfa

Increased seed cost of glyphosate tolerant (GT) compared to non‐GT alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) raises questions about reducing seeding rates. The objective of this study was to determine if alfalfa stand density, yield, and forage quality are compromised in the later years of the stand when reduced seeding rates, in combination with glyphosate application, were used during establishment. At seven locations in the United States, GT alfalfa was seeded into conventionally tilled seedbeds at 6.7, 11.2, 15.7, and 20.2 kg ha−1 pure live seed (PLS) in the spring of 2006. Stand density, yield, and forage quality were determined for each seeding rate under three herbicide treatments: (i) glyphosate [N‐(phosphonomethyl)glycine], (ii) non‐glyphosate herbicide, and (iii) no herbicide. For the third through fifth years of the alfalfa stand, there was no herbicide treatment × seeding rate interaction. Higher seeding rates resulted in higher plant densities. The 11.2 and 15.7 kg ha−1 seeding rates had greater alfalfa and total forage (alfalfa + weeds) yields than the 6.7 kg ha−1 seeding rate. Herbicide treatments had no effect on alfalfa plant density but produced cumulative (over the duration of the study) alfalfa yield in the following order: glyphosate > non‐glyphosate > no herbicide. Cumulative total forage yield was less when no herbicide was used compared to using a herbicide. While forage fiber content was generally unaffected by seeding rate or herbicide treatments, using glyphosate to control weeds during alfalfa establishment increased forage crude protein content of older alfalfa stands compared to no weed control.

Effects of cutting frequency on alfalfa yield and yield components in Songnen Plain, Northeast China

The productivity and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is strongly influenced by cutting frequency (F). To clarify that the yield and quality of alfalfa if affected by F, an experiment was conducted on Songnen Plain in Northeast China to investigate the responses of yield components and quality to 3 cutting frequencies (F30, F40 and F60) among 3 cultivars (C) (Longmu, Aohan, Zhaodong). Result from two consecutive years showed that cutting frequency had a greater effect on reducing forage yield and yield components at F40. Cultivars had no effect on 2-year total forage yield and alfalfa quality. Alfalfa at the F40 always had higher crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than F30 and F60 treatments. The interaction (C×F) on forage yield and components (CP and NDF) was not significant. This study provides evidence that: i) 40-day intervals can be advocated for cultivars growing in Northeast China; and ii) at F40 utilization, Longmu is a well-adapted alfalfa variety in the Songnen Plain because of higher yield and quality under three cuttings. Key words : Alfalfa, cutting frequency, yield, quality, Songnen Plain.

Residues from renewable energy production: Their value for fertilizing pastures

Abstract A field study was conducted to investigate the potential of residues from renewable energy production for fertilizing pastures. Six treatments including manure or biogas sludge, each combined with wood ash at 0, 1 and 3 t ha −1 were applied at the same N equivalent (190 kg N ha −1 ). Three soil samplings and two cuttings were carried out within one growing season (4 months). Plots amended with biogas sludge had a higher EC and total N, those amended with wood ash at 3 t ha −1 scored higher soil pH, EC and C/N ratio. K concentrations increased in plots amended with biogas sludge. Basal respiration, microbial biomass, metabolic quotient and C mic /C org from the differently treated soils were not influenced neither by the nature of the organic waste nor the amount of wood ash added. The time of sampling (seasonal effects) was found to influence the soil pH, EC and all the microbial parameters. A higher forage yield and lower proportion of leguminous plants was observed for soil treated with anaerobic sludge. It may be concluded that the combination of anaerobic sludge and wood ash has a double positive effect, both on some selected soil chemical parameters as well as on total forage yield. The results obtained need to be confirmed in long term experiments, and the best practice for a combined application still needs to be worked out.

YIELD AND MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS OF SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES OAT CULTIVARS USED FOR FORAGE

A shift in oat (Avena sativa L.) production from grain to forage (hay and grazing) is occurring in the southeastern USA. However, most available cultivars were developed for improved grain production, rather than forage yield. We field tested several standard and new oat releases over 2 years, using repeated clippings to determine forage yield, nutrient uptake, and the potential to match plant nutrients with cattle mineral dietary needs. There were no differences in total annual forage yield among the tested cultivars within years but there was a difference between years. Forage tissue phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca) were sufficient, potassium (K), sulfur (S), and manganese (Mn) were excessive, and iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) were occasionally or frequently deficient to meet daily cattle dietary mineral needs. Sulfur, Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn may be the most challenging to regulate in U.S. Coastal Plain soils at concentrations that satisfy both, oat and cattle nutritional requirements.

THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY AND WIND SPEED ON SEED SETTING AND FERTILITY OF FIVE EGYPTIAN CLOVER (Trifolium alexandrinum, L.) CULTIVARS

Five Egyptian clover cultivars were evaluated for the fertility traits, open pollinated seed set/ floret%, no. of floret/ inflorescence. no. of inflorescences/ plant, the weight (gm) of 1000 seeds, productivity of seed per m2 and vital pollen grain under different heat treatments oC, relative humidity % and wind speed m/sec, for four blooming periods. The study was conducted in Randomize Complete Block Design with three replications at Agricultural Research Center (ARC) in Giza Station during winter 2008-2009 and 2009/2010 seasons. Three cuts were taken during the two seasons and total forage and dry yield were analyzed as a total yield over the two seasons. Affect the temperature and relative humidity on many of the attributes of plant flowering (the speed of dispersal of pollen, matured pollen, pollination and fertility and increased use of seeds), while affecting the wind speed, the movement and the activity of pollinators, especially honey bees and its role in floret pollination, which leads to increase seed production. Helaly-1 cultivar was demonstrated high seed set, over the two seasons, 17.77%, 29.10%, 42.48% and 56.65% in all blooming dates except for the fourth date followed by Giza-6 cultivar was the superior seed set of the fourth blooming date (58.35%). The four blooming dates set seed over the two seasons recorded 13.70% of the first date, 28.30% of the second date, 39.78% of the third date and 55.12% for the fourth date. Heritability over two seasons indicated 94.78%, 93.20%, 91.34% and 81.50% of the first, second, third and fourth blooming dates, respectively. The local cultivars Helali-1 and Giza-6 were generally higher than Sakha-4, Gemmiza-1 and the cultivar Serw-1 was lower one in the most flowering traits. The same performance showed in forage and dry yield t/fed. Whereas Helali-1 and Giza-6 cultivars were insignificantly different in number of inflorescences per plant, but both of them were significantly higher than for both cultivar in all trail. Helaly-1, cultivar followed by Giza-6 cultivar was classified as the highest productivity of seed per m2 compared with the other cultivars under study. This study has shown that early blooming date has low seed set, but the latest blooming date produce the highest percentage of seed setting under Giza environmental conditions of commercial berseem cultivars. It could be concluded that cultivation of Helaly-1 and Giza-6 cultivars produced the maximum of seed setting in July and produced highest forage and dry yield under Giza environmental conditions. Vital pollen grain ranged from 75% to 90% of third and fourth bloom. Temperature (28 - 32oC), relative humidity (45 -55%) and wind speed (1.2- 2 m/sec.) and their interactions may be the best environmental conditions, in Giza, for setting seeds and regulating the movement of pollinators, increase the pollination efficiency and increase seed yield. The current study may be need for more studies on pollinators' densities and activities to determine pollination practices for berseem clover commercial seed production in all Egypt regions.

Seeding patterns and companion grasses affect total forage yield and components of binary red clover–grass mixtures

Lafrenière, C. and Drapeau, R. 2011. Seeding patterns and companion grasses affect total forage yield and components of binary red clover–grass mixtures. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 91–97. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is the most popular seeded legume for forage production in northern Quebec and Ontario because of the poorly drained soils that prevail in these regions. The objective of this experiment was to determine which seeding patterns [mixed within a row (MR), single alternate rows (1+1), or double alternate rows (2+2)] and which companion grasses (smooth bromegrass, Bromus inermis L.; tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata L.; or timothy, Phleum pratense L.), in association with red clover, were best for sustaining the total forage yield of a red clover–grass mixture and how these factors affect red clover and grass components. Test plots were established at Kapuskasing, ON, and Normandin, QC. At each site, two independent seedings were performed and harvested over 3 yr following the seeding year. Total dry matter (DM) yield and contribution of red clover grasses and weeds to total forage yield were measured. The MR pattern gave higher yield over both alternate seeding patterns by nearly 0.5 Mg DM ha−1 at the Normandin site and 1.0 Mg DM ha–1 at the Kapuskasing site. Neither the seeding pattern nor the companion grass species improved significantly the contribution of red clover to total forage yield beyond the second production year even though there were differences between sites. Environmental conditions, principally high precipitation in the fall, and maturity stage at harvest resulted in major differences between sites. Results from this experiment showed that tall fescue and orchardgrass could be good alternatives to timothy or bromegrass in association with red clover given that plots were still productive in the third production year and invasion by weeds was lower.

Seeding patterns and companion grasses affect total forage yield and components of binary red clover-grass mixtures

Lafreniere, C. and Drapeau, R. 2011. Seeding patterns and companion grasses affect total forage yield and components of binary red clover-grass mixtures. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 91-97. Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is the most popular seeded legume for forage production in northern Quebec and Ontario because of the poorly drained soils that prevail in these regions. The objective of this experiment was to determine which seeding patterns [mixed within a row (MR), single alternate rows (1+1), or double alternate rows (2+2)] and which companion grasses (smooth bromegrass, Bromus inermis L.; tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb.; orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata L.; or timothy, Phleum pratense L.), in association with red clover, were best for sustaining the total forage yield of a red clover-grass mixture and how these factors affect red clover and grass components. Test plots were established at Kapuskasing, ON, and Normandin, QC. At each site, two independent seedings were performed and harvested o...

Fall dormancy and cutting frequency impact on alfalfa yield and yield components

The productivity and survival of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) is strongly influenced by cutting frequency (CF), but there is a lack of knowledge of how cultivar differences in fall dormancy (FD) respond to CF. The yield components of alfalfa also are affected by CF, but it remains unclear which of the components are most affected and if this effect is similar between cultivars differing in FD. Our objectives were: (i) to evaluate the FD × CF interaction on alfalfa productivity (forage yield and yield components), and (ii) to determine relative importance of yield components in response to CF and FD. Treatments were a factorial combination of three alfalfa cultivars with different FD (3, 6 and 10) and three CF (20, 30 and 40 days intervals). Cultivars were sown on August 24, 2006 in rows 30-m long and 0.5-m apart in a randomized complete block with three replicates. The experimental period was two years where cutting frequencies were applied during 120 days of each year. At the end of each regrowth, forage yield, shoots m −2, mass shoot −1, height shoot −1, mass of shoots per centimeter and stage of maturity by the mean stage count (MSC) were measured. In both years, the FD × CF interaction on forage yield was not significant. Of the two factors used in this experiment, FD and CF, the latter had a greater effect on alfalfa performance reducing forage yield, yield components and survival at the 20-day CF. FD treatment had no effect on two-year total forage yield and alfalfa survival. Plants in the CF 20 treatment always had lower MSC than CF 40 and CF 30 treatments and FD 3 plants were always less mature at cutting than FD 6 and FD 10 plants. Our study provides evidence that: (i) in temperate areas, cutting management recommendations can be advocated for short-term stands of dormant, semidormant and nondormant cultivars alike; and (ii) the choice of cutting frequency by the farmer compared to the choice of FD is more important on productivity and survival of alfalfa. Shoot height −1 was the yield component that had the most impact on forage yield; therefore management practices, genetic improvements, and environment conditions that increase this yield component could improvement alfalfa productivity.

Overseeding Unimproved Warm-Season Pasture with Cool- and Warm-Season Legumes to Enhance Forage Productivity

Overseeding forage legumes into existing warm-season pasture may help to reduce cool-season forage deficit on small and resource-limited small farms in the southern Great Plains of the United States. Unimproved warm-season grass pastures were overseeded with Korean lespedeza (Lespedeza stipulacea Maxim) or were not overseeded with summer legume. These same plots were subsequently overseeded with hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.), black medic (Medicago lupulina L.) or ladino white clover (Trifolium repens L.) or, not overseeded with cool-season legume. Including lespedeza in a forage mixture increased total forage yield by an average of 15%, or 1700 kg ha−1 over 4 years. Overseeding with cool-season legumes provided a net benefit in total annual forage yield of 0.75 kg for each 1.0 kg of legume produced. Yield increases resulting from overseeding with hairy vetch or black medic were largely limited to the harvest season following sowing, while overseeded crownvetch or white clover provided limited short- to medium-term yield benefit. Improvement of low-productivity pasture resulting from legume introduction is likely to be slow and will require sustained management input to ensure the presence of a productive legume plant stand.

Effect of Clovers Intercropping and Earthworm Activity on Weed Growth

Forage legumes are used to enhance soil fertility of the agroecosystem. Understanding their effect on the agroecosystem during their growing period is essential. The objective of this field study was to evaluate annual clovers intercropping and earth- worm activity on the growth of weeds. The field experiment was carried out during the 2006-2007 growing seasons at the research farm of the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Karaj (Iran) involving various mixed cropping ratios of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L., B) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L., P) (B : P = 1 : 0, 3 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 3) with and without earthworm Pheretima sp. inoculation. Nitrogen content of plants and weeds as well as biomass was measured. Forage yield was higher in 2006 than 2007 but had similar response to cropping systems and earthworm inoculation. Total forage yield was highest in mixed cropping system (MCS). While in the first cut, the berseem sole crop (SC) tended to greatly suppress the growth of weeds, in the second cut Persian clover sole crop further suppressed weeds. The greater total crop biomass had an even higher weed suppression. Earthworm activity did not affect cut 1 but increased forage and weed biomass yield in cut 2. However in cut 1, berseem tended to greatly suppress the growth of weeds, which may be explained by the greater nitrogen accumulation in monocultures and intercrops, Persian clover in cut 2 had greater suppression on weed biomass production. Nitrogen accumulation of crops and weed increased under earthworm activity in the second cut.

Reestablishing Chicory into Multi-Species Perennial Pastures

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) has the potential to provide abundant, high quality forage during periods of drought, but poor persistence limits its usefulness in permanent pasture. This experiment compared the effectiveness of three seeding methods to reestablish chicory into a grazed multi-species pasture where it had previously provided a major proportion of total forage yield. Seedling methods included: frost-seeding in February; no-till seeding in late March; and broadcast seeding followed by hoof incorporation of the seed in May. The three methods did not differ from each other, and all resulted in adequate seedling emergence. However, survival was poor with mortality rates of 77 to 84% by early October of the seeding year. It is likely that greater seeding rates and more vigorous suppression of existing vegetation will be necessary to successfully reestablish chicory into existing cool-season pastures.