Summer-active perennials in pasture systems improve seasonal pasture distribution without compromising winter-spring production

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 673 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Ward ◽  
S. G. Clark ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
M. R. McCaskill ◽  
M. C. Raeside ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Valley Floor ◽  
Dry Matter Accumulation ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Accumulation Rates ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Triple Systems

Improved dryland pastures for sheep and beef cattle production in south-western Victoria are typically based on summer-dormant cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) or phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.). These are highly productive in spring but exhibit low accumulation rates over summer–autumn. Summer-active perennial pasture species could potentially alleviate this summer–autumn feed gap. Three pasture systems that used different pastures on each of the three landscape classes (crest, slope, and valley floor) were compared over 4 years. The perennial ryegrass system (henceforth Ryegrass) had a different ryegrass cultivar on each landscape class. The Triple system used lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) (crest), perennial ryegrass (slope), and summer-active tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb) Darbysh.) (valley floor). The Novel system used chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) (crest), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) or hybrid ryegrass (L. × boucheanum Kunth.) (slope), and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.) (valley floor). The pastures were grazed by either one (in the case of the Novel system) or three (in the case of the Ryegrass and Triple systems) animal systems that varied over the life of the experiment. Total annual herbage accumulation of the Ryegrass and Triple systems did not differ. The Novel system consistently had lower total annual dry matter accumulation than the other two systems. Lucerne pastures generally had the highest accumulation rates over summer, followed by the chicory pastures. The kikuyu pastures responded well to summer rainfall but otherwise had similar accumulation rates to the perennial ryegrass and tall fescue pastures over summer. Tall fescue pastures grew well in autumn following wet summers. In spring the perennial ryegrass pastures based on Fitzroy or Avalon were highly productive but seldom grew faster than other pastures. The results support the hypothesis that incorporating deep-rooted, summer-active perennial species will increase pasture production over summer–autumn compared with conventional pasture systems but not at the expense of winter–spring production.

Can summer-active perennial species improve pasture nutritive value and sward stability?

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 600 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. G. Clark ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
G. A. Kearney ◽  
A. R. Lawson ◽  
M. R. McCaskill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Active Species ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
High Quality

Although generally well adapted and productive, the summer-dormant perennial pastures of southern Australia do not provide a year-round, high nutritive value feed base, they fail to respond to summer rainfall, and they are inefficient in using stored soil water, which can contribute to dryland salinity. An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that deep-rooted, summer-active perennial pasture species, matched to soil type, can be grown successfully in southern Australia to increase pasture and animal productivity and to provide high quality feed in summer–autumn. Specifically, the experiment compared a traditional perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pasture system with two systems based on summer-active species: the triple system with lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) and tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb) Darbysh), and the novel system with chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) and kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov). The experiment incorporated three livestock systems (two sheep and one cattle) and took into account the three main soil types occurring on the DPI Hamilton research farm. After 4 years the perennial ryegrass, lucerne, and tall fescue components were all persisting well and providing feed with high nutritive value (all with frequency scores >70% in the last year of the experiment). The chicory and kikuyu pastures declined over the life of the experiment and were contributing little at the end (frequency scores <15% in the final year). Lucerne, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass cv. Banquet were able to respond to summer rainfall events to provide valuable, high-quality feed at a time when the quality of perennial ryegrass pasture is normally at its lowest; April 2007 crude protein per cent dry matter values were Avalon perennial ryegrass 16.6, Fitzroy perennial ryegrass 15.6, kikuyu 24.2, lucerne 25.8, and tall fescue 20.3 following a 98 mm rainfall event in late January 2007. This study has shown that the triple and ryegrass systems were persistent and of high nutritive value, with the sown perennial species contributing the majority of the sward dry matter during the growing season.

scholarly journals Annual yield and botanical composition of four dryland grass species with or without nitrogen over six years

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Talamini Junior ◽  
Shirin Sharifiamina ◽  
Elsa Axelle David ◽  
Annamaria Mills ◽  
Derrick Jan Moot
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Water Deficits

Nitrogen (N) and water availability affect pasture production and persistence. Yield and botanical composition of four monocultures of brome (BR), cocksfoot (CF), perennial ryegrass (RG) and tall fescue (TF) were evaluated with (+N) or without (-N) N at Ashley Dene farm, Canterbury, over six growth seasons from establishment in 2014/15 (Year 1) to 2019/20 (Year 6). Total annual yields ranged from 2.04 (RG-N; Year 1) to 12.7 t DM/ha/yr (CF+N; Year 3). Yields differed among species in Years 1, 3, 4 and 6 when TF pastures had the lowest production. There was no difference in DM production from BR, CF and RG pastures. Additionally, +N pastures produced ~55% more yield than –N pastures in Years 3 and 5 when spring/summer rainfall was adequate to maintain growth. Sown grasses accounted for >89% of total DM yield in Years 1 and 2 but the proportion of total annual DM production from sown species declined from Year 3. By Year 6, sown species accounted for 48±3.3 (TF) to 64±3.3% (BR, CF and RG) of total annual DM production. Generally, TF failed to perform in this dryland environment. In contrast, the production and persistence of the other three species were not different when subjected to water deficits alone.

Effect of stubble height and irrigation management on the growth, botanical composition and persistence of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and chicory swards in cool-temperate Tasmania

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam D. Langworthy ◽  
Richard P. Rawnsley ◽  
Mark J. Freeman ◽  
Ross Corkrey ◽  
Keith G. Pembleton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Irrigation Treatment ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
North West ◽  
Irrigation Water Use ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Cool Temperate

The profitability of dairying in south-eastern Australia can be improved by increasing pasture production during summer–autumn, when growth rates for the existing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) feedbase are low. A study undertaken in cool-temperate north-west Tasmania examined the effect of stubble height and irrigation management on swards of perennial ryegrass, continental (summer-active) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Irrigation treatments included full irrigation (~20mm applied at every 20mm precipitation deficit), deficit irrigation (~20mm applied at alternate full-irrigation events) and rainfed (no irrigation). All species achieved greater summer–autumn yields when repeatedly defoliated to stubble heights of 35 or 55mm than when defoliated to 115mm, irrespective of irrigation treatment. Swards were managed under a common defoliation schedule of nine defoliation events in 12 months. Under full irrigation, second-year tall fescue achieved a greater summer–autumn yield than perennial ryegrass (by 10%, or 0.7 t DM ha–1), highlighting the potential role of tall fescue in north-west Tasmania. This was further demonstrated by the high marginal irrigation water-use index values (1.6–2.7 t DM ML–1) of tall fescue. By contrast, summer–autumn growth achieved by chicory was less than or equal to perennial ryegrass.

Use of water by six grass species. 1. Dry-matter yields and response to irrigation

1979 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Garwood ◽  
K. C. Tyson ◽  
J. Sinclair
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
First Year ◽  
Full Irrigation ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Second Year

SUMMARYThe yield and quality of herbage produced by six grasses (perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, timothy, rough-stalked meadow grass, tall fescue and Italian ryegrass) were examined both without irrigation and under two irrigation regimes. Water was applied according to the potential soil water deficit (potential SWD): the soil was either partially returned to field capacity (FC) after each cut or fully returned to FC whenever the potential SWD reached 25 mm. The swards were cut either at 3 (C3) or 6 (C6) week intervals over a 2 year period.Partial irrigation increased yields by 12–14% in the first year and by 36–58% in the second. Full irrigation produced little more growth than partial irrigation in the first year (maximum SWD, 188 mm) but increased yield by 78–93% in the second, very dry, year (maximum SWD, 311 mm). Under treatment C3 response per unit of water applied was similar with both partial and full irrigation, but under C6 the response was greater with partial (2·86 kg D.M./m3) than with full irrigation (1·79 kg D.M./m3).There were marked differences between the species in their ability to grow under drought conditions in the second year of the experiment. Without irrigation, roughstalked meadow grass and Italian ryegrass did not survive the drought. The performance of tall fescue was markedly superior to both perennial ryegrass and cocksfoot in these conditions. Of the surviving grasses timothy made least growth.

Leaf development in eight related grasses

1994 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Gao ◽  
D. Wilman
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Leaf Expansion ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Rate Of Increase

SummaryLeaf development was studied in eight related grasses, grown in field swards cut at 5-week intervals, during the year of sowing and the subsequent year (1989 and 1990). The rate of leaf expansion was in the order Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue > hybrid ryegrass > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The order of grasses was similar, but not identical, for rate of leaf appearance, rate of leaf extension, weight of leaf blade emerging per shoot per week and rate of increase in length of exposed leaf sheath, and the order was approximately the reverse for weight per unit area of emerging leaf blade. The area per leaf blade increased greatly between May and October of the year of sowing, particularly in Westerwolds, Italian and hybrid ryegrasses and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue. Area per leaf blade in tall fescue increased greatly between May and July of the year of sowing and May–July of the subsequent year. Rate of leaf expansion in meadow fescue was much higher in May of the year after sowing than in the previous May.

scholarly journals Comparative studies on pasture and animal performance and parasite infestation in sheep grazing Yorkshire fog, perennial ryegrass and tall fescue pastures

1995 ◽  
pp. 89-93
Author(s):  
J. Hodgson ◽  
J.H. Niezen ◽  
F. Montossi ◽  
F. Liu ◽  
B.M. Butler
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Comparative Studies ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Condensed Tannins ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Animal Performance ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Parasite Infestation

The results are briefly reported of seven comparative studies on aspects of pasture and animal performance from pastures based on Yorkshire fog (Holcus Zanatus), perennial ryegrass (Lofiurn perenne) or tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) grown under adequate soil nutrient conditions (e.g., Olsen P 20-30 pg/g) and under continuous or rotational stocking by sheep. Pasture production, as measured by the stocking rate required to maintain specified sward conditions, was 2.5% greater on perennial ryegrass than on Yorkshire fog pastures, and 25% greater on Yorkshire fog than on tall fescue. Differences in liveweight gain and wool production in weaned lambs between pastures were relatively small and inconsistent, but levels of worm egg output were lower for lambs on Yorkshire fog than on tall fescue. The use of polyethylene glycol to bind condensed tannins reduced performance slightly in lambs on Yorkshire fog and tall fescue, but not those on perennial ryegrass. Keywords: condensed tannins, Festuca arundinacea, Holcus lanatus, lamb growth, Lolium perenne, wool production

Herbage production and tiller density in five related grasses, their hybrids and mixtures

1996 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wilman ◽  
Y. Gao
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Lolium Multiflorum ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Better Than

SUMMARYFour grass species, three hybrids and three mixtures were grown in field swards near Aberystwyth. All swards were amply supplied with nutrients and were cut at 5-week intervals during the year of sowing (1989) and during the following 4 years. The order of the grasses in rate of establishment was: Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) > Italian ryegrass × perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) > tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). During the sowing year as a whole, Italian ryegrass was the highest yielding grass, followed by Westerwolds ryegrass. During the remaining period (1990–93), as a whole, the highest yields were obtained from perennial ryegrass sown alone or in a mixture with tall fescue. Tall fescue sown alone was one of the lowest yielding grasses in the year of sowing, but developed to be the highest yielding in 1992 and 1993. Westerwolds ryegrass persisted least well, although some plants did survive until 1992. Italian ryegrass persisted better than Westerwolds and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted better than Italian ryegrass. Hybrid ryegrass and perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue persisted satisfactorily but with fewer tillers/m2 than perennial ryegrass or tall fescue. The yield of tall fescue in March was as high as that of Italian ryegrass in 1990 and 1991 and higher than that of any of the other grasses in 1992 and 1993; the tiller density of tall fescue was particularly high in March. The yield of mixtures (Italian ryegrass with perennial ryegrass, Italian ryegrass with tall fescue and perennial ryegrass with tall fescue) was, on average, 2·5% more than the mean of the component species when sown alone. When grown with ryegrass, tall fescue was not prominent initially but its proportion in the sward gradually increased.

The influence of sowing method on perennial grass establishment. I. Dry matter yield and botanical composition

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
WD Bellotti ◽  
GJ Blair
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Dry Matter Yield ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Effect On Yield

'Demeter' tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and 'Victorian' perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) were sown separately into a white clover (Trifolium repens L.) dominant pasture in June 1981. Eight sowing methods were compared to assess the ability of perennial grasses to establish from direct drill sowing methods relative to conventional seedbed and aerial sowing methods. Within direct drill treatments, two drill implements were factorially combined with three herbicide treatments. Pasture production and botanical composition were sampled over a 27 month period following sowing. After a dry summer, 22 months after sowing, sown grasses dominated pasture composition (69-94% of total dry matter yield) in the high yielding treatments. At this time, the successful direct drill treatments were similar in yield to the conventional seedbed treatment. Within direct drill treatments, sowing implement had little effect on yield and composition, whereas herbicide application markedly increased sown grass yield. Pre-sowing blanket application of herbicide in the triple disc treatment increased tall fescue yield from 82 to 1504 kg ha-1 and perennial ryegrass yield from 98 to 807 kg ha-1. An inverse relationship was described between dry matter present at sowing and eventual yield of sown grasses. These perennial grasses can be successfully established by using direct drill sowing methods provided resident vegetation is adequately suppressed.

scholarly journals The effect of vegetation area size on grass seed yield

2003 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Savo Vuckovic ◽  
Aleksandar Simic ◽  
Branko Cupina ◽  
Ivana Stojanovic ◽  
R. Stanisavljevic
Keyword(s):  
Seed Production ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Grass Seed ◽  
The World ◽  
Seed Yields

This paper surveys sowing norms (row spacing and seed rate) in both our country and the world, as well as the optimal seed rates in grass seed production. It gives a short overview of row spacings and seed rates applied in our and some other countries. Earlier, grass cultivated for the purpose of seed production was grown on small vegetation area. According to some researches, high seed yields can be achieved by cultivating grass on large vegetation area. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the highest cocksfoot, timothy, meadow fescue, tall fescue seed yield was achieved with plants grown in 50 cm spaced rows employing lower seed rates (8 and 4 kg/ha of seeds). The highest Italian ryegrass and perennial ryegrass seed yield was achieved with plants grown in 20 cm spaced rows employing 20 kg/ha of seeds.

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