Annual legumes as green manure and forage crops in winter canola (Brassica napus L.) rotations

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Shrestha ◽  
Oran B. Hesterman ◽  
Lawrence O. Copeland ◽  
John M. Squire ◽  
John W. Fisk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Trifolium Alexandrinum ◽  
Fertilizer N ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Winter Canola ◽  
Annual Legumes ◽  
Berseem Clover ◽  
Annual Medics

Cropping systems that reduce chemical fertilizer N requirements in winter canola (Brassica napus L.) need further study. Studies were conducted in 1994/1995 and 1995/1996 at two locations in Michigan i) to quantify the N accumulated at plowdown by berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and three annual medic species (Medicago truncatula Gaertn., M. polymorpha L., and M. scutellata L.) when they were managed as green manure or managed as forage; ii) to compare N response of the winter canola crop following the legumes; and iii) to estimate the N fertilizer replacement value (FRV) of the legumes. The legumes were seeded in early May in both years. Winter canola was planted after legume plowdown 90 d after planting (DAP). Four N rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg N ha−1) were applied to the winter canola in early spring. Herbage N yield at plowdown was highest (103.9 kg N ha−1) in berseem clover managed as green manure and this treatment resulted in the highest winter canola yield in 1995, but treatment differences were not significant in 1996. A supplementary effect of some treatments on winter canola yield was observed in 1995. Fertilizer N had a similar effect on winter canola yield across all treatments, and resulted in a quadratic response in 1995 and a linear response in 1996. Winter canola grain yield following annual legumes managed as green manure or as forage were similar. Winter canola yield following berseem clover was higher than when following annual medics. No FRV of legumes on winter canola was observed. Key words: Annual medics, berseem clover, winter canola, Medicago spp., Trifolium alexandrinum L., Brassica napus L., green manure, crop rotation

Effects of defoliation intensity at the first grazing of forage rape (Brassica napus L.) by dairy cattle on subsequent regrowth potential, total DM consumed, nutritive characteristics and nutrient selection

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 226 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Ward ◽  
J. L. Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Present Experiment ◽  
Moisture Stress ◽  
Crop Growth ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Axillary Buds ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Growing Period

The use of summer brassica forage crops in dryland dairy systems in southern Victoria is considered a key component of the feed base as they provide home-grown forage with high nutritive characteristics during a period where perennial ryegrass growth is limited due to high summer temperatures and low soil water content. Current knowledge on the use of single-grazing brassica crops such as turnips (Brassica rapa L.) is well defined; however, information on the management of regrowth brassica species that can provide multiple grazings is more limited. The present experiment determined the effect of different grazing regimes (high, medium and low defoliation intensity) at the first grazing on subsequent regrowth capability and nutritive characteristics of Winfred (Brassica napus L.) over the summer growing period across 2 years. We hypothesised that intensive defoliation of a summer regrowth brassica at the first grazing will result in lower total DM yields and harvested estimated metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein per hectare for the growing season than do more lax grazing options that results in less DM removal at the first grazing. Total DM and estimated ME consumed over the growing period varied between years. In Year 1, more (P < 0.05) DM was consumed at the first grazing and less (P < 0.05) at the subsequent grazing for the high-intensity treatment. However, both total DM and estimated ME consumed were higher (P < 0.05) for the high-intensity treatment than for the low-intensity treatment, while in Year 2, there were no differences between the treatments. Nutritive characteristics and mineral concentrations were relatively unaffected by grazing regimes. The results of the present experiment indicated that the optimum grazing management to maximise total DM yields and consumption of spring-sown Winfred will vary depending on the seasonal growing conditions. In years where moisture stress will be limiting crop growth, a high defoliation-intensity first grazing that consumes a high proportion of DM on offer, including some of the main stem, will maximise the total DM grown and consumed from the crop. Care, however, should be taken not to remove all axillary buds from the remaining stems. In summers where moisture stress is not likely to seriously restrict crop growth, a medium defoliation-intensity grazing where the leaf and petiole, but little of the stem, are removed will maximise DM regrowth, leading to maximum total DM grown for the season. A high defoliation-intensity first grazing that removes at least half the stem is, under these conditions, likely to remove too many axillary buds and reduce water-soluble carbohydrate reserves required for DM regrowth, while a lax first grazing will result in a lower DM regrowth.

The effect of dairy effluent on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics, and mineral content of summer-active regrowth forage crops in southern Australia

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 578 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
G. N. Ward ◽  
Gavin Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Mineral Content ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Magnesium Content ◽  
Linear Increase ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Dairy Effluent ◽  
Dry Land

In southern Australia, the majority of dry land dairy farms use a 2-pond system to treat and contain dairy effluent collected at the milking platform. This effluent contains a range of nutrients that have the potential to affect forage dry matter (DM) yields, nutritive characteristics, and mineral content of forages. The effect of applying second-pond dairy effluent to the summer-active forages chicory (Chichorium intybus L. cv. Grouse), Hunter (Brassica campestris L. × Brassica napus L.), Winfred (Brassica napus L.), and Sweet Jumbo (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanese (Piper) Stapf.) over two summer periods was measured. Effluent was applied at rates of 0, 40, 80, and 100 mm with application split into two equal application times. The first occurred 6–10 weeks after sowing and the second immediately after the first grazing. Forages were assessed for DM yield, nutritive characteristics, and mineral content over the two growth periods in each year. Analysis of effluent showed that on average over the 2 years, the effluent contained 146, 34, 439, and 18 kg/ML of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulfur (S), respectively. Furthermore, the effluent also contained 161 kg/ML of calcium (Ca) and 222 kg/ML of magnesium (Mg). For the total growth period in Year 1, all crops showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in DM yield to applied effluent, with response values varying for each crop. Responses were 49, 52, 29, and 51 kg DM/ha.mm applied effluent for chicory, Hunter, Sweet Jumbo, and Winfred, respectively. For Year 2, all crops also showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in DM yield (15 kg DM/ha.mm applied effluent) with applied effluent. In Year 1, crude protein (CP) content of all crops increased (P < 0.05) in a linear manner at rates of 0.073 and 0.047% per mm applied effluent for growth periods 1 and 2. There were also linear responses (P < 0.05) in Year 2, with responses varying for each crop for each growth period. For chicory there was no effect of effluent application on CP content in either growth period, while other crops generally exhibited a linear increase with responses of up to 0.08% per mm applied effluent. The greatest changes in mineral content of herbage were those of K, Ca, and Mg. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) in K content for all growth periods in Years 1 and 2. Magnesium content of chicory (periods 1 and 2) and Winfred (period 2) showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in response to effluent application in Year 1, whereas there was no effect in Year 2 for any crops. The results from this study highlight the potential of second-pond dairy effluent to increase DM yields of a range of summer-active forage crops. The data also suggest that while effluent can improve DM yields when soil moisture is limiting, when additional moisture as rainfall occurs, responses from effluent are even more pronounced. In addition, the CP content of forages can be improved when effluent is applied. The combination of increased DM yield with higher CP content provides greater flexibility in dairy cattle feeding options through the dry summer period.

scholarly journals Seed Yield and Water Productivity of Irrigated Winter Canola (Brassica napus L.) under Semiarid Climate and High Elevation

Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koffi Djaman ◽  
Michael O’Neill ◽  
Curtis Owen ◽  
Daniel Smeal ◽  
Margaret West ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Water Productivity ◽  
High Elevation ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Winter Canola ◽  
Semiarid Climate

scholarly journals In-field film antitranspirant application shows potential yield protection from flowering-stage drought periods in winter canola (Brassica napus)

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Faralli ◽  
Ivan G. Grove ◽  
Martin C. Hare ◽  
Peter S. Kettlewell
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Yield Loss ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Drought Event ◽  
Flowering Stage ◽  
Phenological Stages ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Winter Canola ◽  
Significant Yield

Crop-management solutions that simulate plant water-saving strategies might help to mitigate drought damage in crops. Winter canola (Brassica napus L.) is significantly drought-sensitive from flowering to mid-pod development, and drought periods lead to significant yield losses. In this study, the drought-protection efficacy of different chemicals with antitranspirant activity applied just before key drought-sensitive phenological stages was tested on field-grown canola in two years. Drought was artificially imposed with rain shelters. The results suggest that in-field application of 1 L ha–1 of antitranspirant (Vapor Gard (VG), a.i. di-1-p-menthene) at GS6.0 (BBCH growth scale, initiation of flowering) mitigated drought-induced yield loss leading to a 22% seed-yield benefit on average over 2 years of experiments compared with the unsprayed unirrigated plots. No significant yield responses were found from application at GS7.0, with increasing VG concentrations (i.e. 2 and 4 L ha–1), or with an antitranspirant with short-lasting effectiveness. The data suggest that in field conditions where drought occurs during the flowering stage, application of 1 L ha–1 of VG just before the drought event can reduce yield loss. This result should encourage further work on water-saving management strategies during key drought-sensitive phenological stages as drought mitigation tools in canola and under different environments.

Forage canola (Brassica napus): spring-sown winter canola for biennial dual-purpose use in the high-rainfall zone of southern Australia

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annieka Paridaen ◽  
John A. Kirkegaard
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Oilseed Crop ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Winter Canola ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Forage Rape ◽  
High Seed Yield

European winter canola (Brassica napus L.) varieties adapted to the long, cool seasons in high-rainfall areas of southern Australia have recently been adopted as autumn-sown, grain-only and dual-purpose crops. A spring-sown winter canola could be used as a biennial dual-purpose crop, to provide additional forage for summer and autumn grazing before recovery to produce an oilseed crop. We report a series of field experiments demonstrating that European winter canola types have suitable phenological characteristics to allow for their use as biennial, spring-sown crops, providing significant forage (2.5–4 t ha–1) for grazing while remaining vegetative through summer and autumn, and recovering following vernalisation in winter to produce high seed yield (2.5–5.0 t ha–1). Sowing too early (September) in colder inland areas risked exposure of the crop to vernalising temperatures, causing the crop to bolt to flower in summer, whereas all crops sown from mid-October remained vegetative through summer. Crop stands thinned by 20–30% during summer, and this was exacerbated by grazing, but surviving stands of ~30 plants m–2 were sufficient to support high yields. Grazing had no effect on grain yield at one site, but reduced yield by 0.5 t ha–1 at a second site, although this was more than offset by the value of the grazed forage. The spring-sowing approach has potential to replace the existing forage rape–spring cereal sequence, or to add a further option to the existing autumn-sown winter canola in areas such as southern Victoria, where early autumn establishment can be problematic and spring-sown crops can better withstand pests and winter waterlogging, which limit yield of autumn-sown crops. Because these are the first known studies in Australia to investigate the use of spring-sown winter canola, further work is warranted to refine further the crop and grazing strategies to maximise productivity and profitability from this option.

Effect of nitrogen application on dry matter yields, nutritive characteristics and mineral content of summer-active forage crops in southern Australia

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Jacobs ◽  
G. N. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Protein Content ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Crude Protein Content ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
Brassica Napus L ◽  
N Application ◽  
Short Supply

In the dryland areas of southern Australia, summer-active forage crops have been traditionally grown to provide additional home-grown feed during a period when pasture is often in short supply. Dry matter (DM) yields are often variable and the use of nitrogen (N) fertiliser is considered a viable option to increase such yields. The effect of applying N fertiliser to the summer-active species, forage brassica cv. Hunter (Brassica campestris L. × Brassica napus L.), forage brassica cv. Winfred (Brassica napus L.), turnips (Brassica rapa L. cv. Barkant), chicory (Chichorium intybus L. cv. Grouse), plantain (Plantago lanceolata L. cv. Tonic), sorghum sudangrass hybrid cv. Sweet Jumbo [Sorghum bicolour (L.) Moench × Sorghum sudanese (Piper) Stapf.], millet (Echinochloa utilis Ohwi & Yabuno) and a mixture of Winfred and millet (1 : 5) over two summer periods were measured. N was applied at 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 kg N/ha with half of the N being applied ~5–6 weeks after sowing for all crops and the remainder immediately following the first grazing of regrowth crops and at 9 weeks after sowing for turnips. DM yield responses to applied N were variable, with increases only being observed in the first year. For the regrowth forages (all forages except turnips), the DM yield increase occurred during the second growth period and reflects higher than average rainfall during that period. The crude protein content of all forages generally increased with increasing N application in both years, with the highest response being 0.14% per kg N applied. In contrast, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of forages decreased with N application. The results from this study indicate that the effect of applying N fertiliser to summer forages is limited by available moisture and subsequent active growth of the forage. Where there is adequate moisture, N application can improve DM yield and also the crude protein content of most summer forages. Application of N to summer forages should be seen as a tactical decision based on available soil moisture and active plant growth to ensure N uptake and subsequent DM accumulation.

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