scholarly journals Effects of Growing-Finishing Pig Stocking Rates on Bermudagrass Ground Cover and Soil Properties

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1666
Author(s):  
Silvana Pietrosemoli ◽  
Charles Raczkowski ◽  
James T. Green ◽  
Maria Jesús Villamide
Keyword(s):  
Soil Properties ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Finishing Pig ◽  
Stocking Rates

This study compares four stocking rates (37, 74, 111 and 148 pigs ha−1) for growing to finishing pigs (18.4 ± 0.5 kg and 118.5 ± 2.0 kg and 35.7 ± 2.1 kg and 125.7 ± 2.3 kg initial and final BW for grazing periods 1 and 2, respectively) and their effect on ground cover and soil traits in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers) pastures, over two 14-week grazing periods (July–September and May–August). The study was conducted at the Center for Environmental Farming systems at the Cherry Research Station, Goldsboro North Carolina. A continuous stocking method was implemented to manage the pasture. The percent ground cover was estimated with a modified step point technique. Soil samples were collected in three sampling positions (center, inner and outer areas of the paddocks) and two soil sampling depths (0–30 and 30–90 cm). The experimental design was a completely randomized block with three field replicates. Data were analyzed using the PROC GLIMMIX procedure of SAS/STAT ® Version 9.4. Greater ground cover and lesser soil nutrient concentrations were registered in bermudagrass paddocks managed with 37 pigs ha−1. The results of this study also validated the existence of a spatial pattern of soil properties, which differed among sampling positions and depths.

scholarly journals Sows-Gilts Stocking Rates and Their Environmental Impact in Rotationally Managed Bermudagrass Paddocks

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvana Pietrosemoli ◽  
James T. Green ◽  
Maria Jesús Villamide
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Swine Production ◽  
Stocking Rates

Ground cover maintenance and nutrients management are key elements to reduce the environmental impact of outdoor swine production. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sows-gilts stocking rates on vegetative ground cover and soil nutrient concentrations in rotationally stocked bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. Pers) pastures. Three stocking rates (10, 15 and 25 sows-gilts ha−1) were compared during three 8-week grazing periods. Increasing the stocking rate from 10 to 25 sows-gilts ha−1 decreased the ground cover of the paddocks from 65 to 48%, and increased soil nutrient concentrations (ammonium 47%; nitrate 129%; phosphorus 53%; zinc 84%; and copper 29%).

Legume-based pasture options for the live cattle trade from the Australian semi-arid tropics

1996 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 947
Author(s):  
WH Winter ◽  
RL McCown ◽  
D Zuill
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Research Station ◽  
Market Demand ◽  
Beef Industry ◽  
Pasture Management ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Young Cattle ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Stocking Rates

The extensive beef industry in the Northern Territory has been based almost exclusively upon native grass pastures for over a century. The recent development of an export trade for live cattle of specific age, weight and type, has increased returns over chilled manufacturing beef exports and has resulted in a demand for improved pastures that can support rapid growth of young cattle. This paper compares the potential of native grass pastures, legume ley pastures and permanent sown grass-legume pastures, in a range of configurations, to meet the market demand. Results of farming systems and sown pasture management experiments conducted at the Katherine Research Station are presented. Data from these experiments and other sources are used to explore options appropriate to the new market. Particular attention has been given to the time required for weaner steers to reach export target weights of 290-300 kg/head and the flexibility of systems to seasonal and animal variability. Permanent sown pastures are sustainable at stocking rates of about 2 steers/ha, but results indicate difficulty in maintaining legume dominance in the ley pastures, particularly if the cropping frequency is reduced. A proposal to use forage crops, rather than grain crops, to deplete soil nitrogen and reduce the incidence of weeds, is discussed. We recommend that ley pastures be retained as part of the management system, despite management difficulties, as they provide higher productivity and greater flexibility for farmers to meet the market requirements.

Prediction Results of Different Modeling Methods in Soil Nutrient Concentrations Based on Spectral Technology

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
X.-Y. Li ◽  
P.-P. Fan ◽  
Y. Liu ◽  
G.-L. Hou ◽  
Q. Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Modeling Methods

Common Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) Interference in Newly Planted Peach (Prunus persica) Trees

Weed Science ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen C. Weller ◽  
Walter A. Skroch ◽  
Thomas J. Monaco
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Prunus Persica ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
First Year ◽  
Allelopathic Effect ◽  
Trunk Diameter ◽  
Leaf Chlorophyll ◽  
Tree Leaf ◽  
Common Bermudagrass

Field experiments conducted over a 2-yr period demonstrated that common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. # CYNDA] inhibited growth of newly planted peach (Prunus persica L. ‘Norman’) trees. Common bermudagrass densities of 100, 75, 50, and 25% ground cover reduced tree fresh weight by 86, 64, 43, and 19%, respectively, the first year (1978) and 87, 62, 44, and 28%, respectively, the second year (1979) after planting. Tree trunk diameter relative growth rate (RGR) was reduced by 75 and 100% common bermudagrass ground cover densities at all measurement dates only in 1978. Tree leaf N and K were reduced in both years by common bermudagrass; however, only at the 100% common bermudagrass density in 1978 was N at a deficient level. Leaf chlorophyll was reduced in trees grown in all densities of common bermudagrass only in 1978. Reduced tree growth cannot be explained entirely by competition for essential nutrients; thus an allelopathic effect of the bermudagrass on young peach roots is suspected.

scholarly journals Aboveground plant-to-plant communication reduces root nodule symbiosis and soil nutrient concentrations

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuta Takahashi ◽  
Kaori Shiojiri ◽  
Akira Yamawo
Keyword(s):  
Root Nodule ◽  
Total Phenolics ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Chemical Defenses ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Soil C ◽  
Plant Communication ◽  
Root Nodule Symbiosis ◽  
Nodule Symbiosis

AbstractAboveground communication between plants is well known to change defense traits in leaves, but its effects on belowground plant traits and soil characteristics have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that aboveground plant-to-plant communication reduces root nodule symbiosis via induction of bactericidal chemical defense substances and changes the soil nutrient environment. Soybean plants were exposed to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from damaged shoots of Solidago canadensis var. scabra, and leaf defense traits (total phenolics, saponins), root saponins, and root nodule symbiosis traits (number and biomass of root nodules) were measured. Soil C/N ratios and mineral concentrations were also measured to estimate the effects of resource uptake by the plants. We found that total phenolics were not affected. However, plants that received VOCs had higher saponin concentrations in both leaves and roots, and fewer root nodules than untreated plants. Although the concentrations of soil minerals did not differ between treatments, soil C/N ratio was significantly higher in the soil of communicated plants. Thus, the aboveground plant-to-plant communication led to reductions in root nodule symbiosis and soil nutrient concentrations. Our results suggest that there are broader effects of induced chemical defenses in aboveground plant organs upon belowground microbial interactions and soil nutrients, and emphasize that plant response based on plant-to-plant communications are a bridge between above- and below-ground ecosystems.

Influence of alpine plants on soil nutrient concentrations in a monoculture experiment

2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir G. Onipchenko ◽  
Mikhail I. Makarov ◽  
Eddy van der Maarel
Keyword(s):  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Alpine Plants ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations

Spatial Patterns and Drivers of Soil Chemical Properties in a Typical Hickory Plantation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengjiao Sun ◽  
Enqing Hou ◽  
Jiasen Wu ◽  
Jianqin Huang ◽  
Xingzhao Huang
Keyword(s):  
Random Forest ◽  
Soil Nutrients ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Parent Material ◽  
Mean Annual Precipitation ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Available Phosphorus ◽  
Mean Annual Temperature

Abstract Background: Soil nutrients play critical roles in regulating and improving the sustainable development of economic forests. Consequently, an elucidation of the spatial patterns and drivers of soil nutrients in these forests is fundamental to their management. For this study, we collected 314 composite soils at a 0-30 cm depth from a typical hickory plantation in Lin 'an, Zhejiang Province, China. We determined the concentrations of macronutrients (i.e., soil organic carbon, hydrolyzed nitrogen, available phosphorus, and available potassium) and micronutrients (i.e., iron, manganese, zinc, and copper.) of the soils. We employed random forest analysis to quantify the relative importance of soil-forming factors to predict the soil nutrient concentrations, which could then be extrapolated to the entire hickory region. Results: Random forest models explained 61%–88% of the variations in soil nutrient concentrations. The mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation were the most important predictor of soil macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations. Moreover, parent material was another key predictor of soil available phosphorus and micronutrient concentrations. Mapping results demonstrated the importance of climate in controlling the spatial distribution of soil nutrient concentrations at finer scales, as well as the effect of parent material, topography, stand structure, and management measures of hickory plantations. Conclusions: Our study highlights the biotic factors, abiotic factors, and management factors control over soil macronutrient and micronutrient concentrations, which have significant implications for the sustainability of soil nutrients in forest plantations.

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