Total Herbage Yield Research Articles

Management and Environment Effects on Dry Matter Yields of Three Brassica Species

AbstractBrassica crops have potential use as a forage during summer, fall, and early winter months. The influence of planting date and harvest date on the initial and regrowth herbage yields for three Brassica species: rape (B. napus L., ‘Winfred’ in 1987 and ‘Emerald’ in 1988 and 1989), turnip (B. rapa L., ‘Purple Top’), and a turnip hybrid (B. rapa × B. pekinensis L., ‘Tyfon’) were investigated. The species were planted in late May to early June, late June to early July, and late July to early August in 1987, 1988, and 1989. Herbage yields before grazing were taken 64, 76, or 85 d after planting. The remaining herbage was allowed to regrow for 60, 70, or 80 d and then harvested. Averaged over planting dates, harvest dates, and species, initial and regrowth herbage dry matter yields were 3.4 and 1.2 Mg haha−1, respectively. The turnip hybrid produced the greatest amount of total herbage yield, 4.5 Mg haha−1, followed by the rape species, 4.1 Mg haha−1. The total herbage yield, 2.7 Mg ha−1, for the turnip species was low because there was little regrowth. The herbage yields for 1987 and 1988 were not significantly different; 1989 yields were much lower, probably due to the wet climate conditions and high weed population. The earliest planting date produced the greatest herbage yields, followed by the mid‐summer planting date. Because of cold temperatures and short days no regrowth herbage was produced from the late summer plantings. Forage Brassica crops could provide adequate herbage yields during the late summer months and well into early winter months, thereby reducing the need for purchased feed.

Pasture legume establishment from oversowing in drought-prone hill country

Plant and environmental factors that affect pasture legume establishment from oversowing were examined in a series of experiments at Poukawa Research Station near Hastings. A combination of 2 sowing seasons and 2 soil conditions gave cool/ dry, cool/wet, warm/dry and warm/wet. The rainfall in the trial year (1992) was 933 mm compared with the mean of 771 mm. Eleven species (5 annual and 6 perennial legumes) from Lotus, Medicago and Tr$olium genera were used. Establishment was poor, less than 10% of total herbage yield (6 and 8 months after oversowing for the cool and warm seasons, respectively) being contributed by any of the legume species. The major cause of poor establishment was poor germination. Eighty percent of sown seed failed to produce a seedling. Although germination was worse under cool (8°C) conditions, particularly for subterranean clover, the major cause of poor germination was not identified. The usefulness of new legume species in dryland hill pastures will depend on the species being suited to establishment from oversowing and a better definition of the factors that affect successful oversowing. Keywords: drought, herbage yield, hill country, Lotus, Medicago, moisture, oversowing, pasture establishment, plant density, temperature, Trifolium

Effects of Clipping on Aboveground Plant Biomass and Total Herbage Yields in a Grassland above Treeline in Central Himalaya, India

The effects of clipping on aboveground plant biomass and total herbage yields are presented for an alpine grassland of Central Himalaya. The total herbage yield declined significantly (p < 0.05) more in plots clipped in June and July than in the plots clipped in May and in the plots which were not clipped (control plots). In terms of the temporal effect of clipping, the rate of recovery (net growth rate following clipping) was reduced by 88.5% in plots clipped in July and by 57.1% in plots clipped in June compared to the plots clipped in May. Similarly, in terms of the compound effect of timing of clipping and of intensity of clipping, the rate of recovery was reduced by 95.1% in thrice-clipped and by 62.3% in twice-clipped plots compared to once clipped plots. Comparison of results of the two experiments indicates that timing of clipping is a more dominant factor than the intensity of clipping. Late clippings have more adverse effects on aboveground live shoot biomass and total herbage yields than the clipping early in the growing season.

Effects of Clipping on Aboveground Plant Biomass and Total Herbage Yields in a Grassland above Treeline in Central Himalaya, India

Effects of Clipping on Aboveground Plant Biomass and Total Herbage Yields in a Grassland above Treeline in Central Himalaya, India

Host range, symptoms and effects on pasture production of a Victorian isolate of ryegrass mosaic potyvirus

A local isolate of ryegrass mosaic potyvirus (RMV) was identified from a pasture in Leongatha, south-east Victoria. The virus was mechanically inoculated to ryegrass and oats but could not be detected by ISEM in inoculated and symptomless wheat, cocksfoot or barley. Symptoms associated with infection varied between a white mosaic and a brown necrosis. The presence or absence of RMV did not significantly affect the total herbage yields of field plots. However, infection with RMV resulted in reductions in dry weight of 5-50% in the ryegrass component of total herbage yields; the reduction in ryegrass was compensated by increased weed growth. The extent of the reductions in ryegrass associated with RMV infection varied with both species and cultivar. Both the host range study and the herbage yields from the field trial showed that the Victorian isolate of RMV differed from isolates reported overseas.

Effect of fertilizer nitrogen source and cattle slurry on herbage production and nitrogen utilization

AbstractA field plot experiment was carried out on an established grassland sward from 1983–88 inclusive to examine the effects of time of application, chemical form of nitrogen (N) and cattle slurry dry matter (DM) content on yield and efficiency of N use. Four forms of fertilizer N (a semi‐organic fertilizer, a combined 2.1:1 (w/w) semi‐organic/calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fertilizer, CAN and urea, each supplying 300 kg N ha−1 year−1, were applied with or without unseparated or separated cattle slurry at 93 and 73 g kg−1 DM respectively, both supplying approximately 150 kg N ha−1 year−1. All fertilizers and slurries were applied in three equal dressings (February/March, May/June and July/August). The efficiency of use of fertilizer and slurry N was evaluated by measuring DM yield, N uptake and apparent recovery of N in herbage at all harvests during each growing season.Fertilizer N application significantly increased (P&lt;0.001) the mean yields of herbage at each harvest in all years. The form of fertilizer N had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on first harvest and total herbage yields, nor on N uptakes by herbage at the first harvest in any year. The performance of urea and of CAN was more variable at the second and third harvests relative to that of the semi‐organic or combined 2.2:1 (w/w) semi‐organic/CAN sources which had similar efficiencies of N use. Lower DM production was associated with reduced uptake of N. Values for mean overall apparent recovery of N ranged from 57.9 ± 2.67% for the semi‐organic fertilizer to 50.2±3.05% for CAN.Unseparated cattle slurry and separated cattle slurry produced similar herbage yields and N responses that were lower and more variable than with fertilizer N. The overall mean apparent recovery of N from unseparated cattle slurry was 25.5 ± 5.03% compared to 5.0 ± 4.74% for separated cattle slurry. Efficiency of N use was highest with spring applications and least with mid‐season applications. Recoveries ranged from −29% for separated cattle slurry applied in June 1984 to 56% for unseparated and separated cattle slurry applied in February 1988 and June 1987 respectively. No interactions were recorded between cattle slurry and fertilizer N in terms of DM production or N uptake by herbage.The results of this study support the use of a fertilizer N source, selected on a least‐cost basis, in combination with slurry to promote spring herbage production. For subsequent production, N should be supplied in fertilizer form only. The use of urea is risky under low rainfall conditions. Mechanical separation did not improve the efficiency of use of slurry N.

EFFECT OF HERBICIDE TREATMENTS ON DANDELION, ALFALFA AND SAINFOIN YIELDS AND QUALITY

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were seeded in 1978 and 1979, respectively. Weed control treatments initiated in sainfoin in 1979 and in alfalfa in 1980 included annual applications of terbacil, metribuzin, simazine, hexazinone and chlorsulfuron until 1985 plus an untreated check. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber) was the main weed infesting check plots in the sainfoin and alfalfa stands. Quackgrass (Agropyron repens L. Beauv.) and nonpalatable weeds such as foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum L.) produced 4.5 and 4.0% of the total yield, respectively, where chlorsulfuron selectively controlled broadleaf weeds. In hexazinone, metribuzin and chlorsulfuron treatments, alfalfa and sainfoin stands were almost free of dandelions. In sainfoin plots, dandelion control produced large increases in sainfoin and total herbage yield. In alfalfa plots, dandelion control had no effect on alfalfa yield or total yield. In sacco dry matter digestibility in a 72-h experiment was higher for dandelions than for alfalfa, whereas protein digestibilities were similar for these herbages. The protein content was less in dandelions than in alfalfa at the first harvest. Thus, dandelion control in sainfoin may increase yield, whereas dandelion control in alfalfa does not seem to increase yield but may increase protein content and marketability.Key words: Control, protein, digestibility, hexazinone, terbacil, metribuzin

Herbage yield and botanical composition over 20 years of a predominantly ryegrass sward treated frequently with phorate pesticide and three rates of nitrogen fertilizer

SUMMARYPlots at Hurley, UK, sown to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in 1968 were given 188, 376 or 752 kg N fertilizer/ha per year. Half of each plot at the lowest and highest rate of N fertilizer was given a severe pesticide (phorate) treatment at frequent intervals. Plots were cut and their herbage yield was assessed on five occasions during each of the following 20 years. There was no indication of a long-term decline in total annual herbage yield at any rate of N fertilizer use. The severe pesticide regime enhanced yield by an average of 14·6%/year during the first 11 years, but tended to have little effect or to reduce yields subseque7tly. Initially (1969) all treatment plots comprised at least 85% perennial ryegrass, but this proportion declined to between 67% (medium N) and 40% (high N) by 1989. Apart from ryegrass, the main sward components were species of the grasses Agrostis, Poa, and Elymus and traces of the broad-leaved species Stellaria media and Taraxacum officinale.

Production of soiling rice herbage and grain from regrowth. I. Effects of cropping season and soiling time and height on herbage and grain yields and feeding value.

With the objectives to develop a simultaneous production system of rice for soiling herbage and for grain from the regrowrth, wre investigated effects of cropping season and soiling time and height on herbage and grain yields and their feeding value. As the soiling time delayed, the herbage yield linearly increased but the grain yield from the regrowth linearly decreased. Later soiling brought a remarkable reduction of crude protein and also a slight reduction of crude fat concentration of the herbage. These concentrations of rice herbage soiled until 30 dayrs before heading were higher than those of average over 6 temperate grasses. The total yields of crude protein and fat summed over the herbage, grain and straw of the regrowth reached a maximum at the soiling of 30 to 40 days before heading and were higher than those of unsoiled rice by 6-28%. The 5cm soiling reduced the grain and straw yields of the regrowth and also crude protein, fat and organic matter concentrations of the herbage, especially at the late transplanting. In conclusion, earlier transplanting and soiling at 30-40 days before heading at the height of 10cm are considered to be an optimum for the total yield of herbage, grain and straw and also for the feeding value of herbage. Under a traditional fertilizer application and planting density, this production system enables us to produce about 1.5 t/ha of herbage and 70-90% of grain yield of unsoiled rice.

Improvement of annual forage and seed production in the sub-humid zone of Nigeria through supplement irrigation

A two-year study was conducted at Shika in the Northern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria to evaluate several perennial and annual forage species for seasonal and total annual herbage and/or seed production. Over the entire experimental period, total dry matter (DM) yields for grasses, perennial and hay-suited annual legumes varied from 27.5 to 79.1, 18.8 to 40.3 and 40.5 to 50.5 t/ha, to which irrigation contributed 48 to 66, 50 to 57 and 56 % respectively. Irrigated grass crude protein (CP) contents averaged 5.3 and 9.9 %; and legume CP contents 16.1 and 18.8 % for the May and December harvests while rainfed grass CP contents ranged from 7.7 % (August) to 10.9 % (October), the corresponding legume values being 18.7 and 20.9 %. Irrigated cropping accounted for 55 to 56 % of the 9 207 to 12 461 kg/ha seed yield recorded in dual purpose legumes. It was inferred that on the basis of total herbage yield, distribution of yield and responsiveness to irrigation Pennisetum purpureum, Brachiaria decumbens, Cajanus cajan Acc UQ 50 or 3D 8104 and S. guianensis cv Cook proved to be promising; reasonable seed yield levels were obtained from C. cajan 3D 8104, Glycine max Acc. 49-14 and M 216 and Vigna unguiculata Acc Ivu 1283, whether irrigated or rainfed. The potential of irrigation is discussed in relation to feed, food and livestock production.

Factors contributing to reduced productivity of subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) pastures on acidic soils

In a field study on four sites, soil acidity, root rot (Phytophthora clandestina), and soil phosphorus were identified as causes of 'subterranean clover decline'. Liming increased herbage and seed production at four sites, with a tendency for lime to increase herbage yields in autumn (22%) and winter (15%) but not in spring. The presence of ryegrass with clover increased total herbage yields, and reduced clover seed production, but there was no interaction with liming. Losses caused by root rot associated with P. clandestina were quantified for the first time in New South Wales. Root rot reduced survival of seedlings as well as herbage production in autumn and/or winter at three of the four sites. In the presence of the disease, lime did not improve root health or seedling survival. On two sites with high aluminium saturation of exchangeable cations (&gt; 17%) and high phosphorus sorption index values, subterranean clover growth responded to high levels of P fertilizer. On one site, where lime increased the soil pH to above 5.5, the P sorption index was temporarily increased, and this was associated with a temporary adverse effect on herbage yields. Some possible mechanisms underlying the seasonality of lime responses are proposed and the practical implications of our findings are discussed.

Herbage Yield Response to the Maturation of a Slash Pine Plantation

Herbage yields in 8 newly planted slash pint (Pinus ellyonif Engehn.) plantation were measured annually for 26 years. Total herbage yield initially increased in response to removal of the previous forest canopy. Thereafter, yield decreased steadily as the canopy of the developing pine plantation closed until it leveled off rt about age 20. The maxima function described trends in yield for most spedes 8nd groups of tpecies. Accumte herbrge yield estim8tes over time don nun8gers of forested rangeland to plan crttle stocking r8tas or ur8nge for 8lternative sourcea of forage.

The invertebrate population and response to pesticide treatment of two permanent and two temporary pastures

SUMMARYDuring 1979 and 1980 the herbage yields of two permanent pastures and two temporary swards were compared. All four swards received 250 kg N/ha per yr. The invertebrate population of all four swards was studied. Pot‐worms (Enchytraeidae) and some species with long life cycles, e.g. wireworms (Agriotes spp.) were more numerous in the permanent swards, but aerial species were more numerous in the temporary swards. A range of pesticide treatments was applied. At one temporary sward site, application of the broad‐spectrum pesticide aldicarb increased total annual yield of herbage by 16% in 1979 and 33% in 1980. Insecticide application at the same site resulted in no increase in herbage yield in 1979 and 12% yield increase in 1980. At the other three sites no significant increases in total annual yield were recorded in either year, but there were significant responses at one harvest or more at every site.

Slot‐seeding investigations. 5 The effects of simulated delayed emergence and propyzamide on the spread and growth of white clover in permanent pasture

AbstractThe effects of delayed emergence of white clover (cv. Grasslands Huia) seedlings, following slot‐seeding during spring and early summer 1983, were simulated by sowing seeds at intervals into slots cut in turves of permanent grassland in soil‐filled tanks or in the field. The resulting spread and growth of the species were assessed during the following 15–18 months. The effects of propyzamide, a grass‐suppressing herbicide (at 0·2 kg ha‐1), were also investigated in the field.A delay of 10 or 18 days in the sowing of seeds in turves in the tanks reduced clover dry weight yield from 23 to 11 during 1983 and from 118 to 96 g (0·12 m)‐2 during 1984. Spread of stolons from the slots was also greatly delayed and effects persisted for at least a year. Increased clover growth on the earliest sown treatment more than compensated for a slightly smaller yield of grass.In the field, yields of clover from late summer 1983 until spring 1984 closely reflected the order of emergence. Afterwards, differences were less clear‐cut but the cumulative yield of clover until August 1984 of the earliest‐sown treatment was twice that of a treatment sown 20 d later. Effects of delayed sowing in summer 1983 were more pronounced on stolons than on foliage growth when measured in September 1984, with significant reductions in many stolon attributes even with 8 d delay in sowing. Application of propyzamide in autumn 1983 increased clover yield during 1984 from 1·7 to 3·0 and total herbage yield from 7·1 to 8·6 t ha‐1.The results demonstrated some of the benefits of rapid seedling emergence and of the use of a grass‐suppressing herbicide, but did not indicate any interaction between the two factors.

Slot‐seeding investigations. 6. A comparison of the spread and productivity of different white clover varieties introduced into permanent pasture

AbstractSeeds of six cultivars of white clover were sown in 1983 in slots in tares of permanent pasture in soil‐filled tanks in spring and in small plots in the field during midsummer. The clover cultivars investigated were the large‐leaved Olwin and Milk nova, the medium‐leaved Grasslands Huia and Aberystwyth S100, and the small‐leaved Kent Wild White and Aberystwyth S184. Seeds from an indigenous clover population were also sown in the tanks. All herbage was defoliated at three‐ to six‐week intervals to simulate rotational grazing and assessments were made until autumn 1984.Leaf and stolon production and spread of stolons from the slots were more rapid in Milkanova, S184, Huia and Kent than in Olwen and S100 In the tanks, harvested yields of clover leaf and petiole were largest for Milkanova and Olwen and least for the indigenous population; both Olwen and S100 had a smaller percentage of their total weight outside the slot area than had the other varieties. In the field, Milkanova greatly out yielded all other varieties and S100 yielded the least, contributing 48 and 27%, resf actively, to total herbage yield. The yield of grass differed little between varieties in tanks but in the field it tended to be higher with the smaller than with the larger‐leaved varieties. Total herbage yield was largest for Olwen and Milkanova in tanks and for Milkanova in the field. The greatest weight of stolons in tanks was produced by Olwen and in the field by Olwen and Kent, but the greatest length of stolons and number of nodes in both environments occurred in the smalt‐leaved varieties, especially Kent. Least length of stolons and fewest nodes in the tanks were produced by Olwen and in the field by Milkanova.It was concluded that all the varieties investigated could be successfully slot‐seeded into permanent pastures but that the choice of variety will depend on subsequent use and management of the resulting swards.

Growth of white clover in eight grass species and the effects of propyzamide, a grass‐suppressing herbicide

AbstractSeedlings of white clover (cv. Grasslands Huia) were introduced as spaced plants into 3‐year‐old monoculture plots of eight grass species (Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense and Poa pratensis) during June 1984. In mid‐April 1985 plots were split for application of propyzamide at the following concentrations: 0, 0·2, 0·4, 0·6 kg a.i. ha‐1.During 1984 differences between clover seedling growth in the different grass species became apparent within 2 weeks; growth was greatest in F. rubra, P. pratensis and H. lanatus and smallest in D. glomerata, L. perenne and P. pratense. During 1985, when more N fertilizer was given, H. lanatus and D. glomerata, were equally competitive and clover contributed only 16–18% of the total herbage yield of 10·4 t ha‐1 in them, compared with 33–50% of yields ranging from 9·6 to 119 t ha‐1 in the other six species. Propyzamide decreased grass growth in mid‐season by more than 50% but there was little overall persistent benefit to clover yield, except for A. stolonifera and P. pratense with 0·4 and 0·6 kg ha‐1 treatments. Dactylis glomerata and perenne were least and H. lanatus, F. rubra and P. pratensis most suppressed by the herbicide.Possible reasons for the overall large clover contribution from a very sparse seedling population and the relatively small effects of propyzamide are discussed as well as future work required to improve the predictability of effects of grass suppression.

Effects of seed irradiation on yield and quality of essential oil in palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii Stapf.)

Dry seeds of palmarosa (Cymbopogon martiniiStapf) var. motia were subjected to 12 doses of gamma rays ranging from 5 kr to 100 kr to find out the effects of gamma irradiation on growth parameters, herbage yield and yield and quality of essential oil. Several biological parameters such as seedling growth, pollen fertility, mitotic chromosome behaviour, productive tillers/plant, leaf area index, leaf/stem ratio (by fresh weight) and total herbage yield/ /plant together with yield and quality of oil have been studied in the first (M1) generation. Marked stimulatory effects of gamma radiation in 10 kr and 15 kr doses have been compared with the control for herbage yield, oil percentage and total alcohols (free geranyl and geranyl acetate).

Further studies on the effect of phosphate fertilizer and propyzamide on the growth of white clover slot‐seeded into permanent pasture

AbstractAssessments were made of the clover yield and clover content between early June and late July 1984 of white clover in a permanent pasture which had been slot‐seeded in spring 1982.Past reserves of phosphate or application of propyzamide alone only slightly increased clover dry matter yield but together they increased it from 13 to 785 kg dry matter ha‐1 and gave 31% clover in the total herbage yield. Applications of P2O5 during the experiment, alone or together with past reserves of phosphate, Iased clover yield from 13 to 242 kg dry matter ha‐1 and the proportion of clover from 1 to 10%. However, highest yields (1282 kg) and clover content (37%) were attained when P2O5 and propyzamide were applied to treatments with past reserves of phosphate.These results confirmed the trends evident during the second year and also indicated a potential role for grass‐suppressants in increasing management options during the early years after slot‐seeding.

Effects of white clover and fertilizer nitrogen on herbage production and chemical composition and soil water

SummaryEffects of seven levels of N application and three seeds mixtures were studied on two sites for 4 years. One seeds mixture comprised perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and two comprised perennial ryegrass with white clover (Trifolium repens L.). One site (Trefloyne) was 24 m above sea level on deep soil and the other (Pwllpeiran) was 328 m above sea level on relatively shallow soil. The plots were cut seven times per year.White clover grew very strongly at Trefloyne in the first 2 years, fixing 350 kg N/ha/year where no N was applied; the clover declined very markedly during the 3rd year and there was very little in the sward in the 4th year; quite large quantities of clover were harvested in the 1st year even where 600 kg N/ha were applied. At Pwllpeiran the yields of clover were never high, but the clover persisted well where no N was applied. At Trefloyne the indirect contribution of the clover (in increasing the yield of grass) was greater in the first than in the second half of the year; clover was later than grass to grow strongly in the spring, but the extra grass growth compensated for this, so that the seasonal distribution of total herbage yield was similar on a grass-clover sward receiving no fertilizer N to that on a grass sward receiving six applications of N per year. At Pwllpeiran, on the other hand, the indirect contribution of the clover tended to be greater in the second than in the first half of the year where no N was applied.The olover was similar to grass in phosphorus and potassium content and higher than grass in calcium and nitrogen. The clover was higher in nitrate-N content than grass grown without clover, at low levels of applied N, and increased the nitrate-N content of the grass growing with it.Water consumption at Trefloyne was greatest on swards which contained olover and on the swards without clover which received at least 400 kg N/ha/year. The effect of clover on soil water was apparent particularly in the lower horizons of the soil.

Winter growth and nutritive quality of serradella (Ornithopus spp.)

Two genotypes of yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus) and one of French serradella (O. sativus) were compared with subterranean clover when grown as swards in boxes in an open-sided glass shelter at Perth, Western Australia. The swards were defoliated at 1.5 cm, at weekly intervals, from 4 weeks after sowing until harvest at almost 15 weeks. The total yield of herbage was as high in serradella as in subterranean clover, although net herbage production (i.e. plant material removed by defoliation) was 9% less in the serradella because the sward was shorter during early growth. After 10 weeks, net herbage production rates were similar for the four legumes (5.4-5.8 g/m2.day). No major differences between the legumes were found in several measures of nutritional quality.