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.

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.

INFLUENCE DES CULTIVARS, DES DATES ET DES DOSES DE SEMIS SUR LE RENDEMENT ET LA QUALITÉ DE LA LUZERNE SEMÉE EN FIN D’ÉTÉ

1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 667-675 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. BELZILE
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
First Year ◽  
Seeding Rate ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Seeding Date ◽  
Yield Quality ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

The effects of cultivars, date and rate of seeding on the yield and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) seeded at the end of summer and harvested the year after was studied from 1971 to 1975 on a Kamouraska clay. Seeding in early August gave the best results; seeding should not be carried out after mid-August. Differences between cultivars were more important on the third than on the first cut. Aftergrowth was an important factor on yield during the first year of harvest. Seeding rate did not always affect the yield, but the 6,7 kg/ha rate yielded less than the 13,4 kg/ha rate at the first cut and when the cuts were summed. The combined effects of the three factors studied indicates the importance of the seeding date on the height, cover and yield of alfalfa. Digestibility and crude protein content of the dry matter were affected more by seeding dates than by cultivars. The effect of cultivars on quality was variable and seeding rates had no effect. The variation in forage quality may be attributed to a difference in maturity of the plant at harvest, rather than only to the factors studied.Key words: Medicago sativa L., cultivar, date, rate, yield, quality

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.

scholarly journals Establishment year productivity, botanical composition and nutritive value of grass/lucerne/plantain dairy pasture mixtures

2017 ◽  
Vol 79 ◽  
pp. 229-235
Author(s):  
M.B. Dodd ◽  
D.E. Dalley ◽  
D. Elliott ◽  
C.M. Wims
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
First Year ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Pasture Production ◽  
Grazing Systems ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Urinary Nitrogen Excretion ◽  
Urinary Nitrogen

In the context of dairy grazing systems, pasture mixtures including tall fescue, lucerne and plantain have been identified by animal modelling as having potential to both improve milk production and reduce urinary nitrogen excretion. A grazed paddock-scale trial was established in the Waikato in September 2015 to test this in two short-term grazing trials including these species. This paper presents the pasture production, botanical composition and nutritive value data generated from four pasture mixtures sown in spring 2015 and sampled until autumn 2017 (18 months). The pasture mixtures represented a comparison between perennial ryegrass and tall fescue, with and without the herb narrow-leaved plantain. The inclusion of plantain in grass-lucerne mixtures had a positive effect on firstyear herbage dry matter (DM) production, by ~2.6 t DM/ha/year in ryegrass-based pastures and ~1.6 t DM/ ha/year in tall fescue-based pastures. Where plantain was included, the proportion of grass was reduced by more than half from autumn 2016 through to summer 2016-2017, while the proportion of lucerne was reduced to a lesser degree. The proportion of plantain was 35-70% through most of the first year, declining to

scholarly journals THE INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION ON THE GROWTH OF PAULOWNIA TREES AT THE FIRST YEAR OF CULTIVATION IN A LIGHT SOIL

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiesław PTACH ◽  
Ariel ŁANGOWSKI ◽  
Roman ROLBIECKI ◽  
Stanisław ROLBIECKI ◽  
Barbara JAGOSZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Yield ◽  
Growth Parameters ◽  
Sprinkler Irrigation ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
First Year ◽  
Trunk Diameter ◽  
Forest Division ◽  
Number Of Leaves ◽  
Irrigation Control ◽  
Positive Effect

The field experiment was carried out in 2016 on sandy soil in the forest nursery Białe-Błota (Bydgoszcz Forest Division, Poland). The effect of sprinkler irrigation on the growth Paulownia Shan Tong trees was investigated. The experiment was established as one factorial. The variability factor was the irrigation: S-sprinkler irrigation and C- without irrigation (control). The process included the controls of growth parameters: tree height, trunk diameter, number and surface of leaves. It was found that the sprinkled seedlings of Paulownia Shan Tong were significantly higher than those growing in the non-irrigated plots. The sprinkler irrigation applied in the experiment resulted in an increase in the number of leaves of the Paulownia and their surface area, which resulted in an increase in biomass yield. By analysing the results of the study on trunk diameter, leaf number and surface, it may be stated that irrigation watering significantly influenced the tested parameters. Irrigation significantly increased the height of Paulownia trees. The positive effect of the usage of sprinkler irrigation may indicate the possibility of effective application of this method in the field cultivation of Paulownia Shan Tong.

scholarly journals How Does Sowing Rate Affect Plant and Stem Density, Forage Yield, and Nutritive Value in Glyphosate-Tolerant Alfalfa?

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisol Berti ◽  
Dulan Samarappuli
Keyword(s):  
North Dakota ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Stem Density ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Rate Maximum ◽  
Medicago Sativa L ◽  
The Relationship

The recommended sowing rate of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is about 10 kg pure live seed ha−1, but it is debated if increasing the sowing rate enhances forage yield and quality in the sowing year. This study was conducted to: (i) determine the optimal sowing rate to maximize forage yield; and (ii) determine the relationship between plant and stem density with forage yield and nutritive value. Experiments were conducted at three sites in North Dakota between 2013 and 2016. Six sowing rates [1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 kg ha−1 pure live seed (PLS)] were evaluated. Results indicated that total forage yield in the sowing year was lower only with the lowest sowing rate. Maximum total forage yield in the sowing, first, second, and third production years was obtained with 73, 52, 37, and 36 plants m−2 and 575, 495, 435, and 427 stems m−2, respectively. In the sowing and first production year, both plant and stem density predicted forage yield similarly. In older stands, stem density predicted forage yield slightly better. Forage nutritive value was similar among sowing rates indicating an increase in sowing rate does not enhance forage nutritive value. In conclusion, increasing the sowing rate above the recommended rate (10 kg PLS ha−1) does not increase forage yield or quality.

Artificial microRNA (amiRNA) induced gene silencing in alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Botany ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian C. Verdonk ◽  
Michael L. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Silencing ◽  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Target Gene ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Mirna Precursor ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Forage Crop ◽  
Ribonucleic Acids ◽  
Endogenous Gene ◽  
Medicago Sativa L

Gene silencing is a powerful technique that allows the study of the function of specific genes by selectively reducing their transcription. Several different approaches can be used, however they all have in common the artificial generation of single stranded small ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that are utilized by the endogenous gene silencing machinery of the organism. Artificial microRNAs (amiRNA) can be used to very specifically target genes for silencing because only a short sequence of 21 nucleotides of the gene of interest is used. Gene silencing via amiRNA has been developed for Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. and rice using endogenous microRNA (miRNA) precursors and has been shown to also work effectively in other dicot species using the arabidopsis miRNA precursor. Here, we demonstrate that the arabidopsis miR319 precursor can be used to silence genes in the important forage crop species alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) by silencing the expression of a transgenic beta-glucuronidase (GUSPlus) target gene.

Effects of Weed Control in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) on Forage Yield and Quality

Weed Science ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 564-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis R. Cosgrove ◽  
Michael Barrett
Keyword(s):  
Medicago Sativa ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Stand Density ◽  
Forage Yield ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Acid Detergent Fiber ◽  
Yield And Quality ◽  
Herbicide Treatments ◽  
Forage Yields

The effects of weed control measures in established alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) on forage yield and quality were investigated at three sites with varying alfalfa densities and weed populations. Herbicide treatments were 0.56 and 1.12 kg/ha metribuzin [4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one] applied in fall or spring, respectively, 1.68 kg/ha pronamide [3,5-dichloro (N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] applied in fall, and combinations of these treatments. First-harvest forage yields (weeds plus alfalfa) were either reduced or unchanged by herbicide treatments. Total forage yield was not altered by the herbicide treatments, but first-harvest and total alfalfa yield as well as first-harvest forage protein content were increased by several treatments, depending on stand density and weed pressure. Little effect was observed on in vitro digestible dry matter or acid detergent fiber content.

scholarly journals 87 Evaluation of two stocking rates for grazing heifers on mixed sward native warm-season grass pastures in the Black Belt Prairie region

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 27-27
Author(s):  
Jane A Parish ◽  
Kalisha C Yankey ◽  
Libby S Durst
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Sorghastrum Nutans ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Little Bluestem ◽  
Year Effect ◽  
Plant Persistence ◽  
Stocking Rates

Abstract Optimal use of native warm-season grasses in pasture systems involves stocking grazing livestock at suitable rates. The study objective was to evaluate forage nutritive value and heifer ADG at two stocking rates on mixed-sward pastures of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman), little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L.). Pastures (3 replications) were stocked for 56 d during June and July in 2 yr with crossbred (Bos taurus) heifers (n = 24 heifers/year) stratified by initial BW (288.3 ± 1.7 kg) to one of two continuous stocking rates: 1.9 heifers/ha (HIGH) and 1.2 heifers/ha (LOW). Mean forage nutritive values on a DM basis were not different between HIGH and LOW stocking rates, respectively, for CP (7.0 ± 0.2% vs 6.7 ± 0.2%; P = 0.27), ADF (41.0 ± 0.6 vs. 41.4 ± 0.6; P = 0.64), NDF (69.9 ± 0.5 vs. 68.7 ± 0.5; P = 0.09), or relative feed value (RFV) (76.0 ± 1.0 vs. 76.9 ± 1.0; P = 0.53). There was a year effect (P &lt; 0.01) and stocking rate x day effect (P &lt; 0.01) for TDN. At LOW, TDN decreased from day 0 to day 28 (P = 0.02) and day 28 to day 56 (P = 0.02). At HIGH, TDN decreased (P &lt; 0.01) from day 0 to day 28 but remained steady until day 56 (P = 0.21). There was a stocking rate x day interaction (P &lt; 0.01) with ADG: LOW day 28 to 56 (1.20 ± 0.08 kg/day), HIGH day 0 to 28 (0.89 ± 0.08 kg/day), HIGH day 28 to 56 (0.44 ± 0.08 kg/day), and LOW day 0 to 28 (0.30 ± 0.08 kg/day). Further assessment of cattle ADG using more divergent stocking rates and plant persistence measures is warranted to inform ideal native grass stocking rate recommendations.

scholarly journals 115 Nitrogen fertilizer effects on above ground sward characteristics and beef heifer performance from native warm-season grass blends

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Caroline Chappell ◽  
Landon Marks ◽  
Katie Mason ◽  
Mary K Mullenix ◽  
Sandra L Dillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Light Interception ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Forage Production ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Fertilizer Application Rate ◽  
Canopy Light Interception

Abstract A 2-yr study was conducted at Black Belt Research and Extension Center in Marion Junction, AL, to evaluate the effect of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application rate on forage production characteristics, nutritive value, and animal performance of beef heifers grazing a mixture of native warm-season grasses (NWSG) including big bluestem, little bluestem, and indiangrass. Six, two-hectare plots were randomly assigned to one of two treatments (0 or 67 kg N ha-1 applied in early April; n = 3 replications per treatment). Paddocks were continuously stocked with four weaned Angus × Simmental beef heifers (initial BW 288 ± 7 kg) from late May/early June through mid-to-late August during 2018 (73 grazing d) and 2019 (70 grazing d), respectively. Put-and-take cattle were used to manage forage to a target of 38 cm. Forage mass and canopy heights were collected every two weeks during the trial. Visual ground cover ratings, canopy light interception, and botanical composition were measured at the beginning and end of the trial in each year. Hand-plucked samples were collected every two weeks during the grazing trial to determine forage nutritional value. Data were analyzed using the PROC MIXED procedure in SAS 9.4, and differences were declared significant when P ≤ 0.05. Nitrogen fertilized NWSG had greater crude protein (P &lt; 0.0001), sward heights (P = 0.0003), and canopy light interception at the beginning of the season (P = 0.0049) compared to non-fertilized paddocks. However, there were no differences (P ≥ 0.05) among N-fertility treatments for mean forage mass, heifer ADG, or BCS across the 2-yr study. Botanical composition data indicated that indiangrass decreased from 64% to 61% (P = 0.0022) and weed pressure increased from 11% to 15% (P = 0.0064) across the summer grazing season. Canopy light interception decreased by 51% from early June to August in fertilized NWSG and 26% in unfertilized paddocks, respectively. These data illustrate that NWSG systems may provide a viable grazing system in the summer months under reduced N inputs.

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