The effect of sowing time, sowing technique and post-sowing weed competition on tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) seedling establishment

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (7) ◽  
pp. 1251 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Charles ◽  
GJ Blair ◽  
AC Andrews

The effects of sowing time (autumn and spring), sowing technique (conventional cultivation, inverted T direct drill, triple disc direct drill and aerial sowing) and post-sowing weed competition on the establishment of tall fescue were assessed at a field site on the Northern Tablelands of N.S.W. Weed competition [principally Vulpia rnyuros (L.) Gmel.] was removed by pre-sowing herbicide and post-sowing weed control treatments of 0, 30, 60 or 90 days duration. The seedling emergence percentage was monitored until 9 months after the autumn sowing and plots were harvested 9 and 18 months after the autumn sowing. Tall fescue establishment averaged 46 seedlings m-2 from the spring sowing, successful establishment of 15% of viable seed, and 3.5 times better than for the autumn sowing. Eighteen months after sowing, the average dry matter yield of fescue was 960 kg ha-1 for the spring sowing, 33% higher than for the autumn sowing. Aerial sowing resulted in less than 3% establishment at either sowing time. The establishment from the direct drilling machines were equal to that of the cultivated seedbed in the autumn sowing (16 seedlings m-1). In the spring sowing, 79 seedlings m-2 established from the inverted T sowing technique, 43% more than for the cultivated seedbed, and 115% more than for the triple disc. Fourteen months after the spring sowing, post-sowing weed control had reduced the yield of the unsown species 82% on average, and increased the yield of tall fescue by 11956, but had no effect on the final number of established fescue plants. These results show the potential for the establishment of tall fescue on the Northern Tablelands from direct drilling in spring, avoiding many of the problems currently associated with establishment from conventional cultivation in autumn.

1992 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
GW Charles ◽  
GJ Blair ◽  
AC Andrews

The effects of sowing time (autumn and spring) and technique (conventional cultivation, inverted T direct drill, triple disc direct drill and aerial seeding), on the establishment of tall fescue into a weed infested pasture on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales were examined. A pre-sowing herbicide treatment was included in the 2 direct drilling treatments, and heavy pre-sowing grazing was used in the autumn sowing. The design used 38 plots of 0.12 ha, analysed as 2 separate, complete block experiments, with some common treatments. Tall fescue establishment, 120 days after the autumn sowing, averaged 48 seedlingslm2 on the inverted T treatment (16% establishment). Establishment was improved by 63%, to 78 seedlings/m2, with herbicide and 46%, to 70 seedlings/m2, by heavy grazing. These effects were additive, giving 105 seedlings/m2 for the combined treatments. Only 52 seedlings/m2 established on the triple disc treatment with heavy grazing and herbicide, while establishment on the cultivated seedbed was not different from the inverted T (93 seedlings/m2). There was no establishment after the aerial seeding at either sowing. Fescue establishment showed the same trends in the spring sowing, with 140 seedlings/m2 on the inverted T treatment with pre-sowing herbicide, which was higher than the establishment of 107 seedlings/m2 on the cultivated seedbed. The fescue yield, 18 months after the autumn sowing, was highest in the autumn sown, inverted T treatment with pre-sowing herbicide and heavy grazing (123 kg/ha). In the spring sowing, fescue was recorded only on the cultivated treatment (84 kg/ha) and on the inverted T treatment with pre-sowing herbicide (39 kg/ha). These results show that tall fescue can be re-established into weed dominated pastures on the Northern Tablelands with direct drilling, in either autumn or spring, and that heavy, pre-sowing grazing and herbicide increase fescue establishment.


Author(s):  
D.A. Mccallum ◽  
N.A. Thomson

The effect of a molluscicide or an insecticide on the establishment, by direct drilling of 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) 'Ellett' perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L), and 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) was measured in spring and autumn establishment over 2 years. In autumn after a wet summer the application of a molluscicide significantly increased seedling numbers and establishment yield for ryegrass and tall fescue. A molluscicide applied in autumn after a dry summer or in spring had no effect . Application of insecticide significantly improved the establishment of ryegrass and tall fescue in only one of the two springs and had no effect in autumn. Phalaris was the least responsive of the pasture species to either an insecticide or molluscicide. These differences observed at establishment resulting from the applications of a pesticide were not apparent in an assessment made 1 year later. For tall fescue the results recorded on seedling numbers and yield of sown species at establishment and 1 year would suggest that for this species establishment by direct drilling is not recommended. Keywords pasture establishment, 'Grasslands Roa' tall fescue, 'Ellett' ryegrass, 'Grasslands Maru' phalaris, direct drilling, molluscicide, insecticide


2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Takim

Field studies were conducted in 2010 and 2011 at the Teaching and Research Farm of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria (9°29′ N, 4°35′ E) to evaluate the effect of early weed competition on the growth and yield of maize. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and three replications. The main plots consisted of three weed control treatments included weedy (no herbicide), grass weeds (pre-emergence atrazine) and broadleaf weeds (pre-emergence metolachlor), while the sub-plots consisted of six durations of weed infestation (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 weeks after emergence). The pre-emergence herbicides had a greater effect on weed density and weed dry weight. Weed seedling emergence and weed dry weight increased significantly with an increase in the duration of weed interference. The grasses and broadleaf weeds had a similar influence on the growth and grain yield of maize. Three to five weeks of weed interference gave similar grain yields, which were significantly higher than those obtained in plots that had 6-8 weeks of weed interference. These results suggest that the maize crop must be kept free of weeds for 6-8 weeks after the application of pre-emergence herbicide to minimize weed-crop competition and harvest a good grain yield.


Weed Science ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 194-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Shearman ◽  
E. J. Kinbacher ◽  
K. A. Reierson

Spring establishment of tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceaSchreb. ‘Kentucky 31’) is preferred over fall for turfs in Nebraska. Siduron [1-(2-methylcyclohexyl)-3-phenylurea] is commonly used for weed control in spring-seeded tall fescue. Siduron application rates of 6.8, 13.6, 27.2, and 40.8 kg/ha were compared with an untreated control in this study. All siduron applications reduced stand development. The 6.8 kg/ha rate nearly doubled the number of days for seedling emergence. Abnormal seedlings increased with increasing application rates and percent germination decreased with increasing rates. Tiller number declined at rates of 13.6 kg/ha and above. Plants treated with 6.8 kg/ha were 1.3 cm shorter than those growing in the untreated control. Plant and root dry matter production decreased with increasing application rates. Root weight was reduced more than plant weight. Degree of wilting and drought injury increased at 13.6 kg/ha. Water use declined with increased siduron application rates. The amount of water lost before wilting occurred also declined as siduron application rates increased. High temperature injury on seedlings was reduced with increasing rates of siduron. Reduction in high temperature injury was significantly correlated (r = 0.98) to reduced plant tissue moisture.


Author(s):  
J-P Praat ◽  
W.R. Ritchie ◽  
C.J. Baker ◽  
J. Hodgson

Establishment, botanical composition and production of direct-drilled perennial ryegrass and tall fescue were compared for two seeding rates in an autumn-sown, grazed trial. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. cv. AU Triumph) was sown at either 17 or 3 1 kg/ha and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv. Grasslands Supernui) was sown at 12 and 23 kg/ha on 12 April, 1990 all with "Grasslands Pitau" white clover at 3 kg/ha. Measurements of herbage mass and botanical composition during the ensuing 2-year period showed that there was no advantage in terms of suppression of weed species or accumulation of herbage mass of the sown species from sowing more seed than that required to achieve a population of 450-500 plants/m2 of either ryegrass and tall fescue 6 weeks after sowing. A population of 150 white clover plants/m2 appeared to be adequate for development of a balanced sward. Establishment of fescue was slower than that of ryegrass but both species developed to productive swards after infrequent but close defoliation with dairy cattle in the first spring and subsequent rotational grazing by lactating dairy cows. Pasture establishment in Northland is difficult because of shallow topsoils. Direct drilling can preserve this fragile topsoil and successfully establish alternative species such as fescue as long as attention is paid to their establishment requirements. Alternative species may offer a solution to low feed availability of ryegmss in the summer and poor survival of ryegrass in poorly drained areas during the winter. Keywords: direct drilling, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, pasture establishment, seeding rate


Author(s):  
G.D. Milne ◽  
S.C. Moloney ◽  
D.R. Smith

A drought pasture demonstration programme was established on the east coast of the North Island, between 1990 and 1992. Dryland pasture species were established on 1500 ha, on 91 farms, to encourage other farmers to use them rather than relying totally on perennial ryegrass. 97% of pastures were established successfully, proving to farmers that dryland pasture species can be established reliably. As well as establishing pastures after cultivation, it was also proven that these species can be reliably established by direct drilling, or by oversowing onto hill country, using techniques developed in this programme. Some farmers monitored the amount of grazing obtained from the new pastures, and found that on average they received 112% more grazing annually than resident pastures, the largest increases occurring in summer. Many farmers also reported better animal growth rates on the new pastures, especially in summer and autumn. Monitoring of species presence in tiller cores has shown the sown species to be persisting well to date (Nov 1992), with the exceptions of tall fescue and grazing brome when sown onto hill country. The programme reinforced factors important in the establishment and grazing management of dryland pastures. The programme has brought about a noticeable change in attitude to dryland species, and seed sales have increased markedly while ryegrass sales have decreased. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, Dactylis glomerata, drought, Festuca arundinacea, demonstration, dryland pasture establishment


2001 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. ILIADIS

The possibility of increasing seed yield in chickpeas was studied by changing sowing time from spring to autumn in an experiment conducted in central Greece over 4 years. Six chickpea varieties, two susceptible to Ascochyta blight and Sclerotinia diseases and four resistant, were evaluated in two sowing seasons (autumn and spring).Results showed that autumn sowing in comparison with spring influenced reproductive and growth periods of the varieties as follows: advanced initiation of flowering (April instead of May), increased flowering duration of the varieties from 7 to 13 days and advanced time for harvest, on average up to 4 days when an exceptionally rainy spring prevailed and up to 30 days when exceptionally dry. Due to the above changes induced by autumn sowing, varieties yielded on average from 23–188% (655–1015 kg/ha) more than if they were sown in spring. The largest per cent increase was observed during the year with the driest spring and the smallest during the year with the wettest spring. The two susceptible varieties ‘Thiva’ and ‘Gravia’ when infected by Ascochyta blight and Sclerotinia diseases in autumn sowing, had yields similar to the spring sowing. However, during the years without infection these two varieties yielded more in autumn sowing.


HortScience ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 798-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
John B. Workman ◽  
Patrick E. McCullough ◽  
F. Clint Waltz ◽  
James T. Brosnan ◽  
Gerald M. Henry

Turfgrass managers applying aminocyclopyrachlor for annual and perennial broadleaf weed control in cool-season turfgrasses may want to reseed into treated areas. Field experiments were conducted in Georgia), Tennessee, and Texas to investigate perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) reseeding intervals after aminocyclopyrachlor applications. Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue establishment were similar to the non-treated control after treatments of aminocyclopyrachlor and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) + dicamba + methylchlorophenoxypropionic acid (MCPP) at 0, 2, 4, or 6 weeks before seeding. Results demonstrate that no reseeding interval is required after aminocyclopyrachlor treatment. Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue can be safely seeded immediately after aminocyclopyrachlor treatment at 39, 79, and 158 g/a.i./ha.


Author(s):  
D.E. Hume ◽  
T.B. Lyons

Optimal systems for establishing new pastures were considered at trial sites in southern Hawkes Bay and Manawatu. Systems of pasture establishment, before drilling new pasture in autumn, were: (a) spring sown barley, (b) summer fallow by cultivation, (c) summer fallow by glyphosate spraying, and (d) pasture during summer then a single glyphosate spray at drilling. Each establishment treatment was sown with white/sub clover, and either tall fescue (an example of a dryland grass species) or perennial ryegrass. Methods (a) and (b) used a roller drill to sow pastures into a cultivated seedbed, and methods (a), (c) and (d) used a direct drill. A very moist cool summer resulted in no advantage to the fallow treatments in terms of better soil moisture at sowing, but generally these treatments had the best establishment, possibly due to low weed contents and higher soil nitrogen levels. A single spray with glyphosate before direct drilling gave the poorest results for both grass species. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each treatment are discussed. Establishment and yields of tall fescue were lower than for ryegrass, although tall fescue had higher white/sub clover contents and less dead matter than ryegrass pastures. A low sowing rate and colder-than-average temperature at sowing may have depressed the establishment of tall fescue. Ryegrass quickly recovered from lower levels of establishment (within 3-6 months) but tall fescue took 9-12 months to show any improvement in contribution to pasture yields. Keywords: dryland, Festuca arundinacea, L.&urn perenne, pasture establishment


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