Improved soil and irrigation management for forage production 3. Plant - soil - water relationships

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 327 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Mundy ◽  
K. L. Greenwood ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
S. M. Austin ◽  
K. E. Dellow
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Extraction ◽  
Apparent Depth ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Soil Modification

A field experiment was conducted from January 2000 for 2.5 years, at the Department of Primary Industries, Kyabram, in northern Victoria. The experiment determined the effect of soil modification, with and without subsurface drainage, on the yield and water use of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), lucerne (Medicago sativa), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under 2 irrigation frequencies. The soil was a red-brown earth. The forages were spray irrigated from August to May when evaporation minus rainfall (E – R) reached 45–50 mm (frequent) or 90–100 mm (infrequent). The depth of irrigation water applied was equal to the soil water deficit (SWD) of each treatment, measured before each irrigation. Soil modification did not change the plant available water content of the soil (about 115 mm). The apparent depth of water extraction was initially different between soil management treatments but, over time, these differences disappeared. There were consistent differences between the forage species in the apparent depth of soil water extraction. Lucerne extracted water from deeper in the soil than phalaris followed by tall fescue and then perennial ryegrass. In general, the infrequently irrigated forages extracted water from deeper in the soil than did the frequently irrigated forages. The frequently irrigated treatments received slightly more water than did the infrequent treatments. The depth of water applied to the control and modified soil was similar, whereas the drained soils received more water than did the undrained treatments. There were differences between the forages in the depth of water applied, with lucerne receiving up to about 1500 mm/year and the grasses about 1100 to 1300 mm/year. Water use efficiency [kg dry matter (DM)/ha.mm] of the forages ranged from 14 to 18 kg DM/ha.mm in 2000–01 and up to 24 kg DM/ha.mm in 2001–02. The relatively high water use efficiencies were largely due to the high yields achieved, as water use was similar to that of district farms.

Improved soil and irrigation management for forage production 2. Forage yield and nutritive characteristics

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 319 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Greenwood ◽  
K. E. Dellow ◽  
G. N. Mundy ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
S. M. Austin
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Soil Structure ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Metabolisable Energy ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Soil Modification

Pastures are the main source of energy and nutrients for dairy cows in the irrigated dairy region of northern Victoria, yet annual production and utilisation of pasture have remained static over the last 20 years. Previous small plot research has shown that pasture yields can be increased through systems of soil modification that improve soil structure and alleviate limitations to root growth. We compared the yield and nutritive characteristics of 4 forage species [tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), lucerne (Medicago sativa), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)] on soils which had been modified using commercially-available equipment and using spray irrigation at 2 frequencies. In year 1 (2000–01), annual yields of the forages were tall fescue: 21.2 t dry matter (DM)/ha; lucerne: 20.5 t DM/ha; phalaris: 19.8 t DM/ha; and perennial ryegrass: 20.8 t DM/ha. In the second year of the experiment, annual yields averaged 28.9 t DM/ha for tall fescue, 26.1 t DM/ha for lucerne, 31.6 t DM/ha for phalaris and 23.2 t DM/ha for perennial ryegrass. There was no consistent response in yield of any species to soil modification. The improvements in soil structure achieved with soil modification were probably not large enough to result in yield responses. Yields were greater when frequently irrigated, with the exception of perennial ryegrass in the second year. Most of the yield benefit due to frequent irrigation was limited to the summer months. No yield data showed significant soil by irrigation frequency interaction. There were significant differences in forage nutritive characteristics between the 4 species. The lower crude protein content of lucerne would be at least partly due to the frequent application of nitrogen fertiliser to the grasses. Tall fescue usually had similar nutritive characteristics to perennial ryegrass in terms of metabolisable energy, protein and NDF. Phalaris had high fibre contents and low metabolisable energy in summer. We conclude that it is not feasible, at this time, to improve yields of irrigated forages through soil modification on a commercial scale.

Water extraction by sugarcane on soils of the Ord Irrigation Area

2003 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 487 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M. Plunkett ◽  
R. C. Muchow
Keyword(s):  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Extraction ◽  
Soil Types ◽  
Crop Water ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Irrigation Area ◽  
Crop Water Use

Sugarcane is a new commercial crop in the Ord River Irrigation Area and irrigation management strategies are required for profitable production with minimal environmental consequences such as rising ground water. Knowledge of soil water properties and sugarcane water requirements is a necessary prerequisite for best-practice irrigation. Accordingly, soil water measurements were taken to quantify the amount and depth pattern of water extraction by sugarcane on the Ivanhoe Plain in the Ord River Irrigation Area.The drained upper limit and crop lower limit of extraction were measured on 4 soil types. The amount of soil water available to the sugarcane plant varied between soil types, ranging from 226 to 167 mm in a 2.0 m profile. Sugarcane extracted water down to 1.8 m at the Central and Northern Ivanhoe sites, down to 1.6 m at the Southern Ivanhoe site, but only down to 1.0 m at the Aquitaine site. The pattern of water use over time was determined at 2�sites and showed higher crop water use before the wet season and much lower crop water use after the wet season. There was considerable reduction in the ratio of crop water use to Class A pan evaporation after the wet season. Lower irrigation frequency after the wet season on maturing crops will improve irrigation efficiency and reduce impacts on the environment.This knowledge of the different soil water properties of the 4 soil types can be used with crop growth models to develop recommendations for best-practice irrigation management of sugarcane across the Ord River Irrigation Area. These recommendations need to account for the high soil water extraction capability of sugarcane growing in this environment.

scholarly journals Soil water extraction pattern and water use efficiency of spring canola under growth-stage-based irrigation management

2020 ◽  
Vol 239 ◽  
pp. 106232
Author(s):  
Krishna B. Katuwal ◽  
Youngkoo Cho ◽  
Sukhbir Singh ◽  
Sangamesh V. Angadi ◽  
Sultan Begna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Growth Stage ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Water Extraction ◽  
Spring Canola ◽  
Extraction Pattern ◽  
Use Efficiency ◽  
Soil Water Extraction

Improved soil and irrigation management for forage production 1. Site establishment and soil physical properties

2006 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Greenwood ◽  
G. N. Mundy ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
K. E. Dellow ◽  
S. M. Austin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Soil Aggregates ◽  
Irrigation Management ◽  
Soil Physical Properties ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Plant Soil ◽  
Soil Modification

Red-brown earths (Red Sodosols and Red Chromosols) are the dominant soil type used for irrigated forage production in northern Victoria. However, these soils have dense, clay-textured subsoils that can limit productivity. Soil modification may reduce these limitations through improving subsoil structure. In a field experiment on a Red Chromosol near Kyabram, we compared 2 systems of soil modification involving deep ripping and gypsum application (with and without subsurface drainage) with an unmodified control. Two irrigation frequencies were imposed. This paper reports on the site establishment and the soil physical responses to soil modification. Later papers detail the forage yield responses and plant–soil–water relations. Initially, both soil modification treatments improved the physical condition of the subsoil. For example, the bulk density of the modified and the drained subsoils was reduced to about 1.48 Mg/m3, compared with 1.71 Mg/m3 in the control. Soil strength was reduced in the modified and drained treatments between depths of 0.10–0.40 m at most soil water contents. In the subsoil, the modified and drained treatments had smaller soil aggregates with about 60% by weight being less than 20 mm diameter compared with 39% from the control treatment. Subsoil hydraulic conductivity, at 10 mm water tension, was 12 mm/h in the control, 33 mm/h in the modified treatment and 71 mm/h in the drained treatment when measured 1 year after the treatments were imposed. These improvements in soil physical properties generally persisted for the 2 years of measurements.

Water use by winter wheat as affected by soil management

1984 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Goss ◽  
K. R. Howse ◽  
Judith M. Vaughan-Williams ◽  
M. A. Ward ◽  
W. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Winter Wheat ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Deficit ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Maximum Depth ◽  
Water Extraction ◽  
Soil Water Deficit ◽  
Potential Yield

SummaryIn each of the years from September 1977 to July 1982 winter wheat was grown on one or more of three clay soil sites (clay content 35–55%) in Oxfordshire where the climate is close to the average for the area of England growing winter cereals.The effects on crop water use of different soil management practices, including ploughing, direct drilling and subsoil drainage, are compared. Cultivation treatment had little effect on the maximum depth of water extraction, which on average in these clay soils was 1·54 m below the soil surface. Maximum soil water deficit was also little affected by cultivation; the maximum recorded value was 186±7·6 mm. Subsoil drainage increased the maximum depth of water extraction by approximately 15 cm and the maximum soil water deficit by about 17 mm.Generally soil management had little effect on either total water use by the crop which was found to be close to the potential evaporation estimated by the method of Penman, or water use efficiency which for these crops was about 52 kg/ha par mm water used.Results are discussed in relation to limitations to potential yield.

scholarly journals Additional Host Plants of Four Species of Billbug Found on New Jersey Turfgrasses

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Johnson-Cicalese ◽  
C.R. Funk
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Red Fescue

Studies were conducted on the host plants of four billbug species (Coleoptera:Curculionidae: Sphenophorus parvulus Gyllenhal, S. venatus Chitt., S. inaequalis Say, and S. minimus Hart) found on New Jersey turfgrasses. A collection of 4803 adults from pure stands of various turfgrasses revealed all four billbugs on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and S. parvulus, S. venatus, and S. minimus on Chewings fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud.). Since the presence of larvae, pupae, or teneral adults more accurately indicates the host status of a grass species, immature billbugs were collected from plugs of the various grass species and reared to adults for identification. All four species were reared from immature billbugs found in Kentucky bluegrass turf; immatures of S. venatus, S. inaequalis, and S. minimus were found in tall fescue; S. venatus and S. minimus in perennial ryegrass; and S. inaequalis in strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra). A laboratory experiment was also conducted in which billbug adults were confined in petri dishes with either Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.). Only minor differences were found between the four grasses in billbug survival, number of eggs laid, and amount of feeding. In general, bermudagrass was the least favored host and the other grasses were equally adequate hosts. The results of this study indicate a need for updating host-plant lists of these four billbug species.

scholarly journals VARIATION AMONG PERENNIAL RYEGRASS x TALL FESCUE PLANTS FROM TISSUE CULTURE

1988 ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
A.G. Scott ◽  
D.W.R. White
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Chromosome Doubling ◽  
Chromosome Elimination ◽  
Intergeneric Hybrids ◽  
Hybrid Plants ◽  
Spontaneous Chromosome

Tissue culture was used in an attempt to obtain a fertile perennial ryegrass x tall fescue hybrid. Regenerated hybrid plants were found to be morphologically variable and contain extensive chromosome rearrangements. Spontaneous chromosome doubling had occurred as well as chromosome elimination. though no fertile hybrid plants have been obtained to date. Keywords: somaclonal variation, Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, intergeneric hybrids

scholarly journals Can pasture persistence be improved through the use of nonryegrass species?

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
G.D. Milne
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Recent Discussion

Recent discussion about pasture persistence concentrates on pastures based on perennial ryegrass, the most commonly used grass species. This paper raises the question as to whether some of the causes of poor pasture persistence are due to perennial ryegrass being used in environments to which it is not suited. The adaptation to environmental stresses, particularly water, temperature and nutrient deficiencies, in different regions of New Zealand of tall fescue, cocksfoot, phalaris, and lucerne are discussed, and how this impacts on persistence advantages over perennial ryegrass. Keywords: persistence, pasture, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Medicago sativa, Phalaris aquatica

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