scholarly journals Impacts of Improved Switchgrass and Big Bluestem Selections on Yield, Morphological Characteristics, and Biomass Quality

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Delaquis ◽  
Roger Samson ◽  
Philippe Seguin ◽  
Arif Mustafa ◽  
Huguette Martel
Keyword(s):  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Equilibrium Density ◽  
Cellulose Content ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Spring Harvest ◽  
Made In

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatumL.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardiiV.) are promising warm-season grasses for biomass production. Understanding the morphological and quality-related traits of these grasses can guide breeders in developing strategies to improve yield and quality for bioindustrial applications. Elite selections were made in Southern Quebec from four promising varieties of switchgrass and one of big bluestem. Biomass yield, morphological characteristics, and selected quality traits were evaluated at two sites in 2011 and 2012. Significant variation was detected for all measured characteristics, with differences varying by site and year. In some cases the selection process modified characteristics including increasing height and reducing tiller mortality. Switchgrasses reached a similar tiller equilibrium density in both years of 690 m−2and 379 m−2at a productive and marginal site, respectively. Differences in yield were pronounced at the marginal site, with some advanced selections having a higher yield than their parent varieties. Switchgrass yields were generally greater than those of big bluestem. A delayed spring harvest date greatly reduced yield but reduced moisture content and slightly increased cellulose concentration. Big bluestem had a higher cellulose content than switchgrass, likely due to greater stem content.

RESPONSE OF THREE WARM-SEASON GRASSES TO VARYING FERTILITY LEVELS ON FIVE SOILS

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 657-665 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. TAYLOR ◽  
D. W. ALLINSON
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
P Fertilization ◽  
Warm Season Grasses

Animal production in New England has been limited by inadequate forage during mid- to late summer when cool-season grasses are in summer dormancy. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman), indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash] and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) are warm-season grasses that may be a perennial source of summer forage. Since production of these warm-season grasses would be limited to the less fertile soils of the region, a greenhouse study was conducted to examine the growth and quality of these species in five acid, infertile soils as well as fertilizer-amended soils. The soils were fertilized with limestone (L), limestone plus nitrogen (LN), limestone, nitrogen plus phosphorus (LNP), and limestone, nitrogen, phosphorus plus potassium (LNPK). Limestone was applied to adjust soils to a pH of 6.5. Fertilizer was applied at rates of 45, 117 and 111 kg/ha of N, P and K, respectively. First harvest yields were greatest for switchgrass and big bluestem, but indiangrass produced significantly greater yields than either of the other grasses in the second harvest. In both harvests, the yields of all grasses were greatest under the LNP and LNPK fertility regimes. Nitrogen, without P, did not significantly increase yields above the control treatment in the first harvest. Yield responses to P fertilization varied with soils. Although P appeared to be the limiting factor insofar as growth was concerned, the yield response from P fertilization would probably be limited without N fertilization. Indiangrass was significantly higher in crude protein and K concentration and significantly lower in Ca concentration than big bluestem and switchgrass. Phosphorus concentrations were below the recommended levels for ruminant nutrition.

Salinity effects on perennial, warm-season (C4) grass germination adapted to the northern Great Plains

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-881 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R. Schmer ◽  
Q. Xue ◽  
J. R. Hendrickson
Keyword(s):  
Great Plains ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Germination Rate ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Northern Great Plains ◽  
Species Variation ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Salinity Effects ◽  
Prairie Cordgrass

Schmer, M. R., Xue, Q. and Hendrickson, J. R. 2012. Salinity effects on perennial, warm-season (C4) grass germination adapted to the northern Great Plains. Can. J. Plant Sci. 92: 873–881. Limited information is available on the germination of perennial C4grasses adapted to the northern Great Plains under saline conditions. Big bluestem (Andropogen gerardii Vitman), indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash], prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata Link), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) seeds were evaluated under non-saline and saline conditions corresponding to electric conductivity (EC) values of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 dS m−1, respectively. Ten cultivars were evaluated to determine salinity tolerance differences among and within species. Seeds were monitored for 21 d and analyzed for final germination percentage (GP), germination rate index (GRI), corrected germination rate index (CGRI), and germination velocity (GV). Differences among species were observed for all indices tested (P<0.01). Indices showed within species variation for big bluestem, indiangrass, and switchgrass. Big bluestem had the highest germination rates under increased salinity levels while prairie cordgrass had the lowest germination rates under non-saline and saline conditions. Indiangrass showed higher seed germination than switchgrass under low EC levels (0 to 4 dS m−1) but declined at a higher rate when EC levels exceeded 16 dS m−1. Results from this study suggest grassland reestablishment from seed on variable saline soils will be dependent on both the species chosen and the specific cultivar used.

scholarly journals Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) overseeding on mature switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) stand: biomass yield and nutritive value after the establishment year

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Alberto Mantino ◽  
Giorgio Ragaglini ◽  
Nicoletta Nassi o di Nasso ◽  
Cristiano Tozzini ◽  
Fabio Taccini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
First Year ◽  
Forage Crop ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Positive Effect

Perennial crops can positively act on the environment providing a better inter-annual protection of soil cover from water erosion, limiting soil fertility degradation, the risk of nutrient leaching and the exploitation of water for irrigation. Switchgrass (<em>Panicum virgatum</em> L.), a warm-season grass native from North America, has been cultivated for decades as forage crop and only recently as bioenergy crop. Even if several studies reported a positive effect of nitrogen (N) supply on switchgrass yield and quality, potential indirect and direct environmental risks (<em>e.g</em>., eutrophication and greenhouse gas emission) are related to this practice. For this reason grass-legume intercropping can represent a sustainable practice able to increase biomass yield and quality, and at the same time to improve N use efficiency, soil structure and fertility. Based on this, the aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of switchgrass to Mediterranean environment as forage crop and to improve biomass yield and its nutritional value by intercropping with alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L). During spring 2013, in two switchgrass pure stands (varieties Alamo and Blackwell, respectively), alfalfa was established through direct seeding implementing a split-plot experimental design. Our first year results report a positive effect of the intercropping in increasing the total annual yield of the stand, of about 20% with respect to the pure switchgrass stand. However, the presence of alfalfa negatively affected switchgrass yield in the mixture. In both varieties, the crude protein content was higher in the mixture than in the pure switchgrass stands. Conversely, the neutral detergent fibre content in the mixture was lower than in pure switchgrass. Then, our results show that switchgrass-alfalfa intercropping leads to increase the profitability of grassland-based livestock production.

Herbicides for Postemergence Control of Annual Grass Weeds in Seedling Forage Grasses

Weed Science ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 375-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Peters ◽  
Russell S. Moomaw ◽  
Alex R. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Warm Season ◽  
Big Bluestem ◽  
Forage Grasses ◽  
Annual Grass ◽  
Cool Season ◽  
Intermediate Wheatgrass ◽  
Green Foxtail ◽  
Annual Grasses ◽  
Large Crabgrass ◽  
Warm Season Grasses

The control of three summer annual grass weeds with herbicides during establishment of forage grasses was studied near Concord and Mead, NE, in 1984, 1985, and 1986. Three cool-season forage grasses, intermediate wheatgrass, tall fescue, and smooth bromegrass, and two warm-season grasses, big bluestem and switchgrass, were included. The control of three major summer annual grasses, green foxtail, barnyardgrass, and large crabgrass, was excellent with fenoxaprop at 0.22 kg ai/ha. Slight to moderate injury to cool-season forage grasses and severe injury to warm-season grasses were evident. Sethoxydim at 0.22 kg ai/ha and haloxyfop at 0.11 kg ai/ha controlled green foxtail and large crabgrass, but not barnyardgrass. Sulfometuron-treated big bluestem and switchgrass plots had the best forage stand frequencies and yields and, at the rate used, sulfometuron satisfactorily controlled green foxtail but only marginally controlled barnyardgrass and large crabgrass.

Utilisation of wild Cicer in chickpea improvement — progress, constraints, and prospects

2003 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 429 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Croser ◽  
F. Ahmad ◽  
H. J. Clarke ◽  
K. H. M. Siddique
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Biotic Stresses ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Cicer Species ◽  
Cultivated Species ◽  
Wild Cicer Species ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Primary Focus

Efforts to improve the yield and quality of cultivated chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) are constrained by a low level of intraspecific genetic diversity. Increased genetic diversity can be achieved via the hybridisation of the cultivated species with the unimproved 'wild' relatives from within the 43 species of the Cicer genus. To date, the 8 species sharing an annual growth habit and chromosome number with C. arietinum have been the primary focus of screening and introgression efforts. Screening of these species has uncovered morphological characteristics and resistance to a number of abiotic and biotic stresses that are of potential value to chickpea improvement programs. Detailed analysis of protein and DNA, karyotyping, and crossability studies have begun to elucidate the relationships between the annual Cicer species. In comparison, perennial species have received little attention due to difficulties in collection, propagation, and evaluation. This review discusses the progress towards an understanding of genetic relationships between the Cicer species, and the introgression of genes from the wild Cicer species into the cultivated species.

scholarly journals First Report of Leaf Spot caused by Bipolaris oryzae on Switchgrass in Tennessee

Plant Disease ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 1654-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. L. Vu ◽  
M. M. Dee ◽  
J. Zale ◽  
K. D. Gwinn ◽  
B. H. Ownley
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Spot ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Its Region ◽  
Spore Production ◽  
Post Inoculation ◽  
Sterile Water ◽  
Bipolaris Oryzae ◽  
First Report ◽  
Symptomatic Leaf

Knowledge of pathogens in switchgrass, a potential biofuels crop, is limited. In December 2007, dark brown to black irregularly shaped foliar spots were observed on ‘Alamo’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) on the campus of the University of Tennessee. Symptomatic leaf samples were surface-sterilized (95% ethanol, 1 min; 20% commercial bleach, 3 min; 95% ethanol, 1 min), rinsed in sterile water, air-dried, and plated on 2% water agar amended with 3.45 mg fenpropathrin/liter (Danitol 2.4 EC, Valent Chemical, Walnut Creek, CA) and 10 mg/liter rifampicin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). A sparsely sporulating, dematiaceous mitosporic fungus was observed. Fungal plugs were transferred to surface-sterilized detached ‘Alamo’ leaves on sterile filter paper in a moist chamber to increase spore production. Conidia were ovate, oblong, mostly straight to slightly curved, and light to olive-brown with 3 to 10 septa. Conidial dimensions were 12.5 to 17 × 27.5 to 95 (average 14.5 × 72) μm. Conidiophores were light brown, single, multiseptate, and geniculate. Conidial production was polytretic. Morphological characteristics and disease symptoms were similar to those described for Bipolaris oryzae (Breda de Haan) Shoemaker (2). Disease assays were done with 6-week-old ‘Alamo’ switchgrass grown from seed scarified with 60% sulfuric acid and surface-sterilized in 50% bleach. Nine 9 × 9-cm square pots with approximately 20 plants per pot were inoculated with a mycelial slurry (due to low spore production) prepared from cultures grown on potato dextrose agar for 7 days. Cultures were flooded with sterile water and rubbed gently to loosen mycelium. Two additional pots were inoculated with sterile water and subjected to the same conditions to serve as controls. Plants were exposed to high humidity by enclosure in a plastic bag for 72 h. Bags were removed, and plants were incubated at 25/20°C with 50 to 60% relative humidity. During the disease assay, plants were kept in a growth chamber with a 12-h photoperiod of fluorescent and incandescent lighting. Foliar leaf spot symptoms appeared 5 to 14 days post-inoculation for eight of nine replicates. Control plants had no symptoms. Symptomatic leaf tissue was processed and plated as described above. The original fungal isolate and the pathogen recovered in the disease assay were identified using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequences. The ITS region of rDNA was amplified with PCR and primer pairs ITS4 and ITS5 (4). PCR amplicons of 553 bp were sequenced, and sequences from the original isolate and the reisolated pathogen were identical (GenBank Accession No. JQ237248). The sequence had 100% nucleotide identity to B. oryzae from switchgrass in Mississippi (GU222690, GU222691, GU222692, and GU222693) and New York (JF693908). Leaf spot caused by B. oryzae on switchgrass has also been described in North Dakota (1) and was seedborne in Mississippi (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. oryzae from switchgrass in Tennessee. References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/, 28 June 2012. (2) J. M. Krupinsky et al. Can. J. Plant Pathol. 26:371, 2004. (3) M. Tomaso-Peterson and C. J. Balbalian. Plant Dis. 94:643, 2010. (4) T. J. White et al. Pages 315-322 in: PCR Protocols: a Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al. (eds), Acad. Press, San Diego, 1990.

scholarly journals First bioacoustic and morphological data for the presence of Pelophylax bedriagae in Bulgaria

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63
Author(s):  
Simeon Lukanov ◽  
Georgi Popgeorgiev ◽  
Nikolay Tzankov
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Marsh Frog ◽  
Water Frog ◽  
Pelophylax Ridibundus ◽  
Mating Calls ◽  
The Town ◽  
Pelophylax Bedriagae ◽  
Made In

AbstractWater frog mating calls from two localities were studied and analyzed. Recordings were made in the summer of 2010 at the Arkutino swamp near the town of Primorsko and at the Vurbitza River near the town of Momchilgrad. A total of 154 calls were analyzed and the results suggested the presence of both the Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) and the Levant frog (Pelophylax bedriagae) in both sites, with the former being more frequent in Vurbitza River, and the latter – in Arkutino. At Vurbitza, we also captured and measured 2 specimens, which morphological characteristics differed from P. ridibundus and matched those of P. bedriagae. These are the first localities for P. bedriagae in Bulgaria.

scholarly journals Genetic Variation for Biomass Yield and Predicted Genetic Gain in Lowland Switchgrass “Kanlow”

Agronomy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1845
Author(s):  
Santosh Nayak ◽  
Hem Bhandari ◽  
Carl Sams ◽  
Virginia Sykes ◽  
Haileab Hilafu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Panicum Virgatum ◽  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Narrow Sense ◽  
Bioenergy Feedstock ◽  
Narrow Sense Heritability

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season, perennial grass valued as a promising candidate species for bioenergy feedstock production. Biomass yield is the most important trait for any bioenergy feedstock. This study was focused on understanding the genetics underlying biomass yield and feedstock quality traits in a “Kanlow” population. The objectives of this study were to (i) assess genetic variation (ii) estimate the narrow sense heritability, and (iii) predict genetic gain per cycle of selection for biomass yield and the components of lignocelluloses. Fifty-four Kanlow half-sib (KHS) families along with Kanlow check were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications at two locations in Tennessee: Knoxville and Crossville. The data were recorded for two consecutive years: 2013 and 2014. The result showed a significant genetic variation for biomass yield (p < 0.05), hemicellulose concentration (p < 0.05), and lignin concentration (p < 0.01). The narrow sense heritability estimates for biomass yield was very low (0.10), indicating a possible challenge to improve this trait. A genetic gain of 16.5% is predicted for biomass yield in each cycle of selection by recombining parental clones of 10% of superior progenies.

scholarly journals Correlations and path analysis of morphological and yield traits of cactus pear accessions

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diogo Gonçalves Neder ◽  
Fabiane Rabelo da Costa ◽  
Ricardo Loiola Edvan ◽  
Lenildo Teixeira Souto Filho
Keyword(s):  
Path Analysis ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Indirect Selection ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Fresh Matter ◽  
Cactus Pear ◽  
Green Matter ◽  
Selection For

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationships between morphological characteristics and fresh matter yield of cactus pear and identify their direct and indirect effects. Nineteen accessions were evaluated for the following traits: number (NCl), thickness (ThCl), length (LCl) and width (WCl) of cladodes, plant height (PH) and plant width (PW), and green matter yield (GMY), dry matter yield (DMY) and dry matter percentage (DM). The correlations were estimated, and path analysis was performed by the method proposed by Wright. GMY was strongly correlated with DMY, allowing indirect selection for this trait. NCl and ThCl had a direct effect on GMY and can be used for indirect selection or as secondary traits in the selection process. Given the lack of significant correlations between MS and DMY, it is possible to select a palm variety with high DMY and DM.

scholarly journals Gübrelemenin Kayacık (Ostrya carpinifolia Scop.) Fidanlarının Morfolojik Gelişimine Etkisi

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Şemsettin Kulaç ◽  
Özge Yıldız
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Vegetation Period ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Compound Fertilizer ◽  
Seedling Length ◽  
Collar Diameter ◽  
Root Collar ◽  
Ostrya Carpinifolia ◽  
Made In

In this study, in order to help the mass production of seedlings, the effect of fertilization on the morphological development of hornbeam leafy European hophornbeam (Ostry carpinifolia Scop) seedlings were investigated. For this, seedlings, which were obtained from the seeds coming from different European hophornbeam populations (Düzce-Yığılca, Antalya-Finike, Antalya-Akseki, Kastamonu-Şehdağ ve Adana-Saimbeyli) from various parts of Turkey, were used. European hophornbeam seedlings were treated with different fertilizers, including urea, ammonium sulphate, compound fertilizer 15-15-15 and 20-20-0, and 6-9 months Osmocote release fertilizer, and effects of these fertilizers on the morphological characters were investigated. Fertilization contained the same amount of nitrogen, and was made in three different ways; (1) mixing with habitat, (2) topical application and (3) liquid application. The development of germinated European hophornbeam seeds, which were spring-sowed in the same medium were monitored during the vegetation period. At the end of vegetation period, seedlings were removed from the soil and morphological characteristics of root (seedling length, root collar diameter, root length, fresh root and stem weight of the seedlings, dried root and stem weight of the seedlings and bud number) were measured. As a result, it was observed that fertilization positively affects the development of seedlings and depending on the fertilization type the seedlings of European hophornbeam populations were found to exhibit different improvements/growing. In addition, 6-9 months Osmocote release fertilizers were determined to be the best fertilizers affecting the morphological (diameter and height) development of European hophornbeam populations effectively, and among the populations, Düzce and Kastamonu populations showed the best improvement/growing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document