EFFECTS OF RATES OF N AND REGROWTH INTERVALS ON YIELDS AND QUALITY OF ITALIAN RYEGRASS GROWN AS A SUMMER ANNUAL

1978 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 691-697 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
F. W. CALDER

Italian ryegrass (IRG) (Lolium multiflorum Lam. cv. Lemtal) was grown on a sandy loam and/or on a fine sandy loam in 1974, 1975, and 1976. IRG was fertilized three times each year with 40, 80, or 120 kg N/ha/application and harvested at 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-wk intervals starting in July. Dry matter (DM) yield increased with the rate of applied N. Four-week harvest intervals generally resulted in the greatest DM yields ranging from 4.32 to 7.11 t/ha. Droughty conditions in 1975 reduced the growth and resulted in small DM yields particularly on sandy loam. The mean total N concentrations of IRG ranged from 2.40 to 3.68% and was approximately proportional to applied N. Longer regrowth intervals decreased total N concentrations by. 12–.56% units per week. Applied N did not influence the in vitro disappearance of DM (IVDDM), whereas longer regrowth intervals reduced IVDDM in 1975. The harvest system with a 4-wk regrowth interval and 80 kg N/ha/apphcation resulted in satisfactory DM, N, and digestible DM yields and appeared to be a suitable system for IRG grown as a summer annual.

1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 519-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. T. KUNELIUS

Westerwolds ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. ’Promenade’) was grown on fine sandy and light loam soils. Nitrogen was applied at 40, 80, or 120 kg/ha after emergence and after both the first and second harvests. The 1st harvest under schedules A, B and C was on 10, 15 and 22 July followed by the 2nd harvest in 28, 37 and 40 days and the 3rd harvest in 30, 50 and 37 days after the 2nd harvest, respectively. The 4th harvest for schedule A was 46 days after the 3rd harvest. Mean dry matter yields ranged from 6.26 to 9.03 t/ha, total N in tissue from 2.09 to 2.99%, in vitro digestibility of dry matter from 73.3 to 76.3%, and dry matter content from 12.1 to 14.1% depending on the N rate and/or harvest schedule. Nitrate-N concentration in plant tissue was low for 40 and 80 kg/N/ha/application but reached up to 0.45% for the 120 kg/ha/application under harvest schedule A. Yield distribution within the season was most uniform for schedule B. A 3-harvest schedule with 80 kg/ha of applied N at seeding and after the 1st and 2nd harvests was suitable management for Promenade Westerwolds ryegrass in this region.


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 763-770
Author(s):  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
MICHIO SUZUKI

Frode orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) was fertilized with 99–495 kg N/ha/yr in three equal applications and harvested three or four times per season over a 3-yr period to determine the productivity, quality of forage and persistence of stands. The application of N resulted in significant (P =.001) linear and quadratic increases in dry matter (DM) yields. Higher DM yields were obtained with the 3-harvest system while the yield distribution within the season was more uniform for the 4-harvest system. Total N concentrations of orchard grass increased linearly with the N rates. Total N yields were dependent on the rates of applied N with the recovery of applied N ranging from 39 to 70% at 99–297 kg N/ha/yr, respectively. The in vitro disappearance of DM was slightly reduced by the high N rates in the 1st and 2nd harvests. The nitrate-N concentrations were highest in the early and late summer ranging from.11 to.29% at 297–495 kg N/ha/yr, respectively. The persistence of orchard grass was better under the 4- than the 3- harvest system.


Author(s):  
M.T. Dentinho ◽  
K. Khazaal ◽  
J.M. Ribeiro ◽  
E.R. Ørskov

By using separated values of kinetics of in situ dry matter (DM) degradation or in vitro gas production (Menke and Steingass, 1988) of leguminosae hays, Khazaal et al, (1993) reported high correlation with intake (r= 0.88; r= 0.79) and in vivo DM digestibility (DMD) (r= 0.94; r= 0.88). The aim of the present study was to extend the range of samples used and compare the ability of the 2 stages in vitro digestibility (Tilley and Terry, 1963), the in situ DM degradation or the gas production techniques to predict daily intake (g DM/ kgW0.75) and in vivo DM digestibility (DMD) of 19 leguminous and graminaceous hays fed to sheep.Three harvesting stages (early bloom EB, mid bloom MB or in seed IS) made from lucerne (Medicago sativa), sweet clover (Melilotus segetalis), Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum), Rye (Secale cereale), Triticale (Triticale hexaploid), oat (Avena stativa) and a pre-bloom (PB) Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum ). Each hay was fed ad libitum to 4 Merino male sheep and their intake and in vivo DMD recorded. Gas production (ml/ 200 mg DM) or in situ DM degradation (g/ 100 g DM) were determined as described by Khazaal et al, (1993) after 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h incubation. Measured gas production or DM degradation values were fitted to the equation p=a+b(l-e-ct)(McDonald, 1981) where p is gas production or DM degradation at time t and a, b and c are constants. For nylon bag the washing loss (soluble fraction) was defined as A, the insoluble but fermentable matter was defined as B=(a+b)-A, and c is the rate of fermentation or degradation (Ørskov and Ryle, 1990).


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-431
Author(s):  
H. T. KUNELIUS ◽  
MICHIO SUZUKI

Frode orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata L.) was seeded at 20 kg/ha without a companion crop in 1971 and 1972. Nitrogen was applied at 37–185 kg/ha at seeding and after the first harvest, and the stands were subjected to three harvest systems. Total dry matter (DM) yields increased up to 74 kg N/ha/application. Systems with the latest first harvest and longest regrowth intervals produced highest DM yields. Early seeding was important for the production of high DM yields. Late fall harvest in October resulted in poor winter survival. The total N concentrations of orchard grass ranged from 2.58 to 4.40%, with small or no increases beyond 111 kg N/ha/application. In vitro disappearance of DM was not affected by N rates but varied from 60.7 to 69.8% with the highest readings for the early or short regrowth interval harvests. Nitrate-N concentrations of orchard grass were < 0.15% at 37 kg N/ha/application. At or above 74 kg N/ha/application, nitrate-N usually exceeded 0.15% level which might be potentially toxic to livestock consuming the forage.


2008 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. H. McCartney ◽  
H. A. Lardner ◽  
F. C. Stevenson

Annual ryegrass or Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) can be used to improve pasture productivity through extension of the grazing season in the Aspen parkland of western Canada. A study conducted at Agriculture and Agri Food Canada Melfort, SK. and Lacombe, AB, showed that weaned calves could successfully graze Italian ryegrass late into the fall as part of the overall backgrounding system. Spring-seeded annual Italian ryegrass produced between 4300 and 6700 kg total dry matter per hectare across all sites and had an average crude protein content of 184 g kg-1 and in vitro DM digestibility of 640 g kg-1. Spring calves were early weaned in late August or conventionally weaned in October and backgrounded on Italian ryegrass pasture or a silage-based ration in drylot pens. The cost of growing Italian ryegrass was $339 ha-1 resulting in a grazing cost per day of $0.31–$0.68 depending upon the number of grazing days per ha. There were no differences in performance of animals backgrounded on Italian ryegrass pasture compared with those backgrounded in the feedlot. The total cost per head for backgrounding early-weaned calves on Italian ryegrass and finished in a feedlot was $398 compared with $429 for early-weaned calves backgrounded and finished in a feedlot, while conventionally weaned calves backgrounded and finished in a feedlot cost $418. Backgrounding calves on Italian ryegrass pasture reduced the number of days in the feedlot along with the associated cost of yardage and stored feed. Backgrounding calves in a feedlot had a yardage charge of $0.40 or higher, which added a cost in addition to stored feed costs of the ration. Backgrounding calves on extended season grazing of Italian ryegrass reduced health problems due to elimination of mixing animals in feedlot pens, less need for stored feed including storage and feeding losses and less labour to feed the cattle and haul manure in the spring. Backgrounding calves on high-quality fall pasture was more economical than backgrounding in a feedlot system. Key words: Background, steer, pasture, economics


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volatsara B. Rahetlah ◽  
Jean M. Randrianaivoarivony ◽  
Blandine Andrianarisoa ◽  
Lucile H. Razafimpamoa ◽  
Vololoniaina L. Ramalanjaona

<p>A field experiment was conducted under irrigated conditions in the highlands of Madagascar to assess the potential of intercropping Italian ryegrass with common vetch for improving yield and quality of forage. Seed proportions studied were ryegrass-vetch 100:0; 0:100; 50:33; 50:50; 50:66; 75:33 and 75:66. Mixtures were sown in alternate rows and the sowing rates of pure stands of ryegrass and vetch were 20 and 60 kg per hectare, respectively. The results showed that all mixtures achieved yield advantage over pure stands with the highest land equivalent ratio value for dry matter yield obtained from the mixture of 75:66 (1.47) followed by 50:50 (1.35). Slight increase of crude protein content and protein digested in the small intestine when rumen-fermentable nitrogen is limiting (PDIN) content were obtained from mixtures compared with pure stand of ryegrass. Vetch rate in dry matter yield of mixtures increased with the increase of vetch seed proportion and ranged from 31 to 44%. Agressivity and competitive ratio indices showed that ryegrass was slightly competitive than vetch. Intercropping Italian ryegrass with common vetch at the seed proportions of 75:66 or 50:50 could be a more sustainable alternative cropping to alleviate dry season feed shortages of dairy livestock in the highlands of Madagascar.</p>


1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-397
Author(s):  
P. NARASIMHALU ◽  
K. A. WINTER ◽  
H. T. KUNELIUS

Voluntary intakes and apparent digestibilities of wilted grass silages produced under humid climatic conditions of the Maritime Provinces of Canada were determined from feeding trials with wether lambs during two 24-day periods. The silages included seeding year Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam. ’Lemtal’), and first-cut perennial ryegrass (L. perenne L. ’Norlea’), meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds. ’Trader’), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L. ’Tardus’), and quack-grass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.). Second-cut quackgrass was also included. Dry matter and digestibile energy intakes were not different among the first-cut silages (58.8–65.7 g and 746–848 KJ/kg.75BW, respectively) but were higher (P < 0.05) in comparison to the intakes of the nutrients contained in the second-cut quackgrass silage (49.6 g and 467 KJ/kg.75BW). The two-stage in vitro dry matter disappearance, but not the acid-pepsin solubility determinations on the silage samples dried at 55 °C, were closely correlated with the intakes of silage dry matter (r = 0.90, P < 0.05) and digestible energy (r = 0.98, P < 0.01), and with the apparent digestibilities of these respective nutrients (r = 0.92 and 0.96, P < 0.01). Silage content of acid detergent fiber, in comparison with in vitro dry matter disappearance, was less closely correlated with the apparent digestibilities of dry matter (r = −0.82, P < 0.05) and digestible energy (r = -0.75, P < 0.10).


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-55
Author(s):  
Chang Liu ◽  
Guo Qiang Zhao ◽  
Sheng Nan Wei ◽  
Hak Jin Kim ◽  
Yan Fen Li ◽  
...  

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of wilting and microbial inoculant treatment on the fermentation pattern and quality of Italian ryegrass silage.Methods: Italian ryegrass was harvested at heading stage and ensiled into vinyl bags (20 cm×30 cm) for 60d. Italian ryegrass was ensiled with 4 treatments (NWNA, no-wilting noadditive; NWA, no-wilting with additive; WNA, wilting no-additive; WA, wilting with additive) in 3 replications, wilting time was 5 hours and additives were treated with 10<sup>6</sup> cfu/g of <i>Lactobacillus plantarum</i>. The silages samples were collected at 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 30, 45, and 60 days after ensiling and analyzed for the ensiling quality and characteristics of fermentation patterns.Results: Wilting treatment resulted in lower crude protein and <i>in vitro</i> dry matter digestibility and there were no significant differences in acid detergent fiber (ADF), total digestible nutrient (TDN), water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), ammonia content, and pH (p>0.05). However, wilting treatment resulted in higher ADF and neutral detergent fiber content of Italian ryegrass silage (p<0.05), and the WNA treatment showed the lowest TDN and <i>in vitro</i> dry matter digestibility. The pH of the silage was higher in the wilting group (WNA and WA) and lower in the additive treatment group. Meanwhile, the decrease in pH occurred sharply between the 3-5th day of storage. The ammonia nitrogen content was significantly lower in the additive treatment (p<0.05), and wilting had no effect. As fermentation progressed, the lactic and acetic acid contents were increased and showed the highest content at 30 days of storage.Conclusion: The wilting treatment did not significantly improve the silage fermentation, but the inoculant treatment improved the fermentation patterns and quality of the silage. So, inoculation before ensiling is recommended when preparing high quality of Italian ryegrass silage, and when wilting, it is recommended to combine inoculation for making high quality silage.


Author(s):  
Celal Yucel ◽  
Ilker Inal ◽  
Derya Yucel ◽  
Rustu Hatipoglu

The research was carried out to determine the effects of different mixture ratios and cutting times on dry-matter yield and silage quality of mixtures of bersem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in Adana province, Turkey. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with four replications during the years of 2011-2013. The mixture-ratios ( 80% BC + 20% IR, 60% BC + % 40 IR, 40% BC+ % 60 IR, 20% BC + 80 % IR, pure berseem clover (BC) and Italian ryegrass (IR) ) were main plots, and harvest times (beginning of the flowering, mid flowering and full flowering of BC) were sub-plots. From the result of the study, it was concluded that the mixture of 60 % BC +40 % IR harvested at full flowering of BC was superior in terms of dry matter yield and silage quality.


1977 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Ollerenshaw ◽  
D. R. Hodgson

SummaryThree constant and four variable heights of cutting were applied to swards of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cv. Aberystwyth S. 22 and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cv. Aberystwyth S. 23 for a period of 2 years. The treatments were initially given in the seeding year of the Italian ryegrass swards and first harvest year of the perennial ryegrass. The same swards were used throughout the duration of the two experiments. The three heights of cutting 3, 6 and 9 cm were defined by the mean lengths of tiller remaining after defoliation with a flail harvester.The yield of dry matter (D.M.) was relatively low from Italian ryegrass cut repeatedly to 3 cm because many plants died. Higher yields were obtained by cutting repeatedly to 6 or 9 cm but only when the grass at the end of the season was cut to 3 cm. Italian ryegrass produced more herbage by variable than constant heights of cutting, especially when a lax cut occurred in mid-summer.Perennial ryegrass gave higher yields of D.M. by constant low than high cutting, but there were no differences in yield when the constant high cut swards were closely defoliated at the end of each season. More herbage was produced by variable than constant heights of cutting in the second year, especially when several lax cuts occurred in the variable height of cut treatments.As perennial ryegrass had a very prostrate growth habit in swards which received several close cuts tillers were not defoliated too severely. In contrast, Italian ryegrass remained erect in growth habit even in swards which were closely defoliated and thus tillers were cut more severely than those of perennial ryegrass. The need to measure accurately the actual lengths of tillers after defoliation is emphasized in height of cutting treatments.


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