Life Sciences Commons^™

Mixed Species Seeding: A Means To Increase Production In Temperate Pastures, Michael P. Schellenberg, Bili Biligetu, Valentin Picasso

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Seeding mixed species for forage production has been suggested as a means of increasing productivity and stabilizing yields under a changing climate. Forages have traditionally been sown as monocultures or binary mixtures only, with the emphasis being on species and not necessarily their function or compatibility. While natural plant communities typically may be dominated by a single species, they are comprised of several species and function-al groups.

This paper provides the results of sowing multiple species at semiarid sites within the North American Great Plains and identifies a similar result from a more humid region reported within the literature.

Experimental Trials And Simulation Modelling Indicate That Summer-Growing Perennial Grasses Are A Potential New Feed Source In The Mallee Region Of Southern Australia, Katrien Descheemaeker, Rick Llewellyn, Andrew D. Moore, Anthony Whitbread

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In the Mallee region of southern Australia, the dry and variable climate results in frequent summer-autumn feed gaps, restricting the profitability of farms that combine livestock and crop enterprises. To assess the suitability of summer-growing perennial grasses to fill these feed gaps, 2 replicated field trials with different cultivars were conducted. The data also served to validate a C4 grass model, which was then used in a simulation experiment comparing 2 different soil types and 3 locations. Most grass cultivars established well except on sandy, non-wetting soils. Four out of 5 cultivars persisted over 6 years, producing 1000 – 9000 …

The Production Potential Of Kikuyu (Pennisetum Clandestinum) Over-Sown With Ryegrass (Lolium Spp.) In A No-Till System, Janke Van Der Colf, Philip R. Botha, Robin Meeske, Wayne F. Truter

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Pastures for milk production in the southern Cape of South Africa are based on no-till systems where kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is over-sown with ryegrass during autumn to improve seasonal pasture production and forage quality. The aim of the study was to quantify the pasture and milk production potential of kikuyu over-sown with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum var. italicum), Westerwolds ryegrass (L. multiflorum var. westerwoldicum) or perennial ryegrass (L. perenne). The study was conducted for 2 years on existing kikuyu pastures grazed by Jersey cows. Growth rate, dry matter (DM) production, botanical composition, …

Designing High-Yielding, High-Diversity And Low-Input Temporary Grasslands, Karen Søegaard, Tine B. Mortensen, Jørgen Eriksen

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Species-rich swards have received increasing interest due to their focus on ecosystem services, animal welfare and product quality. However, in high-yielding swards the proportion of herbs is often limited and there is little knowledge of their management. Seed mixture composition, cutting frequency, fertilization and grazing/cutting strategies were examined over 4 years in 3 experiments to quantify their effects on herbage yield and botanical composition. Inclusion of herbs in the sward gave similar or higher annual yields but swards established with 100% herbs depended on the presence of a driver species. The effects of management differed between species. Herb content in …

Feeding Patterns And Milk Production Of Small-Scale Dairy Farmers Under Semi-Intensive And Extensive Cattle Management Systems In Sri Lanka, Sujatha Premaratne, Sharini Carol Somasiri, Chandrasiri Premalal, Vajira P. Jayawardene, A. R. S. Senavirathne

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The main objective of the present study was to determine the feeding pattern and milk production of small-scale dairy farmers under semi-intensive and extensive management systems in the intermediate zone of Sri Lanka. This region is sandwiched between the Wet and Dry Zones, receives a mean annual rainfall of 1750-2500 mm, and covers an area of about 1.2 million ha. A survey was conducted with 60 farmers and data on their herd size, herd composition and breeds, management system, breeding method, milk production, feeding costs and returns of raising animals were collected. The results indicated that the majority of farmers …

Management Options That Increase Herbage Production In Grassland-Based Livestock Production Systems, Masahiko Hirata, Manabu Tobisa, Sachiko Idota

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Herbage production is the most important measure of performance of grassland systems. Understanding how herbage production responds to various managements is crucial to the success of grassland systems, whether or not maximization of production is pursued. Most of the records of grassland production in the literature are taken as acceptable approximations of net herbage production. Analysis of these production records and accompanying quality data can generalize the response of grassland productivity and quality to individual managements, and can characterize the managements in terms of their efficiency and potential in increasing productivity and quality. Overall, maximum production response is ranked irrigation …

Evaluation Of A Drought Tolerance Native Grass: Cleistogenes Songorica For The Turf Use Purpose, Xinyong Li, Xue Wei, Yanrong Wang

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Water deficit is one of the most important factors to restrict growth of turf grass, especially in northwest China where water available for landscape irrigation is increasingly limited. Use of drought-tolerant turfgrass species or cultivars is one of the strategies used to reduce water utilization and irrigation requirement (Nielsen and Stewart 1990). Recent study showed that regionally adapted native grass species are worth investigating as suitable alternatives to the conventional turfgrasses in many applications (Mark et al. 2011), and several native grass species are suitable for low-maintenance turfgrass use has also been reported (Mintenko et al. 2002). Awnless …

Response Of Selected Cultivars Of Sheep Fescue To Management Strategy In Extensive Lawn Utilization, Barbara Golińska, Piotr Goliński

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina L. sensu lato) is distinguished for its ability to form sods on difficult sites (Dernoeden et al. 1994). This species is a persistent bunch grass that mixes well with wildflowers, without dominating them. For this reason sheep fescue can play an important role in the creation of landscape lawns. In the adaptation of this grass to extremely difficult sites, specific biological features of this grass are very important, especially water efficiency, drought tolerance, and low fertilizer requirements (Aronson et al. 1987; Brar and Palazzo, 1995).

The aim of this work was to …

Effects Of Three Media Cultures On Quantitative And Qualitative Characteristics In Two Turf Grass Genera For Sod Production, Abdolrahman Rahimian Booger, Hassan Salehi, Saeed Reza Gharechahi

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Agricultural environments can be described by several different variables that include soil chemical, physical, and biological data (Mele and Crowley, 2008). Soil structure provides the essential framework which maintains the basic production at farming systems (Smith and Powlson, 2003). Soil responses vary for a number of reasons, such as variability in initial ecosystem conditions, diversity in agricultural methods, variability in the mix of crops and cropping intensity, and environmental sensitivity to alteration (varying resistance and resilience) (Homburg and Sandor, 2011).

Application of compost in turf grass soils can affect dissolved organic C (DOC) levels which affects nutrient dynamics in soil …

AvanexTm Unique Endophyte Technology--Bird Deterrent Endophytic Grass For Amenity Turf And Airports, Christopher G. L. Pennell, M. Philip Rolston

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Bird strike is recognised throughout the civil and military aviation industries as a significant cost with more than $US 2 billion/year attributed to this problem globally. To manage this risk the aviation industries have in the past adopted many practices to frighten wildlife from airports rather than reducing the attractiveness of the area by grass habitat management. There has been little proven research on ground cover species evaluation using fungal endophyte to reduce wildlife. Our research has shown that the adoption of a specialist Neotyphodium fungal endophyte (strain AR601) placed in a turf type tall fescue cv. Jackal (Festuca …

Inputs For Turfgrass Managers And Sod Growers: Marketing Vs. Science-Based Information With Emphasis On Australian Experience, Donald S. Loch

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Industry structure and supporting resources are discussed in relation to information on plant nutritional and biostimulant products and concepts. Critical commentary is provided on examples of such products and services before considering ways in which decision-making by turf managers and sod growers can be improved in the future.

Farmer Based Seed Production Of Leucaena Leucocephala In Eastern Indonesia, Jacob Nulik, Debora Kana Hau, Resti G. Edison, Charles Pakaereng, Dessy Liubana, Putri Ara, H. Max Shelton

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Leucaena leucocephala cv. Tarramba was first introduced to Indonesia in 2001 as an activity of ACIAR Project AS2/2000/157. It has now become the most popular variety used by agencies promoting the use of leucaena for ruminant feeding in Eastern Indonesia (Nulik et al. 2004). The greater adaptability and higher production of Tarramba, even in the dry season, its erect growth habit as well as its tolerance of the psyllid insect (Heteropsylla cubana) compared to the ubiquitous ‘common’ leucaena, has been frequently observed (Nulik et al. 2004).

The cultivar has attracted much interest from farmers and other …

Effects Of Fertilizer Applications On Seed Yield And Quality Of Elymus Sibiricus In A Rain-Fed Condition, Qingfeng Li, Xiao He, Guihua Shi

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Siberian wildrye grass (Elymus sibiricus L.) is widely used for reseeding as part of grassland improvement programs in Inner Mongolia. Shortage of seed supply has been a problem that limits wider use of E. sibiricus in Northern China steppes. In this research, we investigate the effects of fertilizer application on the seed yield and seed quality of E. sibiricus grown under rain-fed conditions in Inner Mongolia.

The Effect Of Sulfuric Acid Treatment On Hard Seeds Of Melilotoides Ruthenica, Zhaolan Wang, Jiancai Du, Lili Zhao, Qingfeng Li, Weibo Ren, Fengling Shi

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Melilotoides ruthenica is a perennial legume, and is characterized by cold resistence, drought resistence and high protein content (Luo 1993). It is used for hay and as a pasture plant, but because a high percentage of the seed are hard-seeded to allow reliable germination, seedling production is hindered (Du et al. 2007).

The objective of this research was to study the effect of sulfuric acid treatment on hard-seeds of M. ruthenica and determine the optimal treatment concentration and treatment time.

Combinational Dormancy Of Vicia Angustifolia Seed And Its Ecological Significance, Rui Zhang, Tingshan Li, Xiaowen Hu, Yanrong Wang

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Combinational dormancy is a common phenomenon in seed of temperate legume species, however, less is known about its ecological role in an alpine environment (Hu et al. 2013). Vicia angustifolia is an annual herbaceous legume, widely distributed in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The purpose of this study is to explore the seed dormancy characteristics of V. angustifolia and its ecological significance.

Characterization Of The Semi-Permeable Layer In Seed Of Elymus Nutans, Jing Zhou, Yanrong Wang, Xueqing He

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

A semi-permeable layer of the seed coat exists in many species which allows controlled water uptake and gas ex-change, while preventing solute transport (Beresniewicz et al. 1995). This layer could act as a barrier to apoplastic permeability and radicle emergence (Salanenka et al. 2009). It could also restrict the tetrazolium viability test and the electrical conductivity vigour test applied to evaluate seed quality (Yan and Wang 2008; Zhou and Wang 2012). An earlier study reported that semi-permeable layers exist in grass species, but recently research has shown that the layer was not found in seeds of oat (He …

White Clover Seed Production Response To Irrigation, Ana L. Pereira, Ariel Pimienta, Pamela Aguirre, Marita Ferriso, Virginia Pravia

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

White clover is more sensitive to soil water restriction compared to other perennial legumes, due to its shallow root system and poor stomatal control. Its undetermined growth is influenced by soil water content and seed production is reduced when vegetative growth is not restricted through irrigation management. Restricting the amount of soil available water during the bloom stage reduced plant vegetative growth and increases seed production (Clifford, 1986). In Uruguay, there is not a defined rainy season, and annual average ranges between 1100 and 1300mm. However, due to higher water demand during late spring and summer, a water deficit period …

Does Scarification Time Affect Hydrotime Model Parameters Of Vicia Angustifolia Seed Germination?, Xiaowen Hu, Tingshan Li, Yanrong Wang

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Hard seed, also classified as physical dormancy, is very common in forage legumes (Baskin and Baskin 2004). Many methods, based on scarifying seed coat have been developed such as mechanical scarification, chemical scarification to soft hard seed (Baskin and Baskin 1998). Hydrotime is a way to describe the relationship between water potential (Ψ) and seed germination rates and percentages (Bradford 1990) The hydrotime model has proven to be useful for understanding the physiological mechanism of seed germination and has been suggested as a tool to describe seed germination time in relation to water condition (Alvarado and Bradford 2002). …

Response Of Fertile Tiller Characters And Seed Yield Of Elymus Sibiricus L. To Row Space Alteration, Minghong You, Jinping Liu, Shiqie Bai, Xinquan Zhang, Daxu Li, Changbing Zhang, Jiajun Yan, Qi Wu

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Elymus sibiricus L. cv chuancao NO.2 is widely planted in the eastern Tibetan Plateau of China. At present, the study about E. sibiricus L. seed yield has focused on the influence of fertilizing and harvest time on seed yield and its components. The response of fertile tiller characters and seed yield of E. sibiricus L. to different row space still has not been reported. This experiment analyzed the response of fertile tiller characters and seed yield to different row spaces, and presents the optimal spacing to increase seed yield and quality in the Northwest Plateau of Sichuan. The objective was …

Production Of Alfalfa Seed In Italy, Alessandra Sommovigo, Domenica Iraci Capuccinello, Marta Giannini

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is considered the largest cultivated forage species in the temperate areas in the world and in Italy covers about 700,000 ha. This species is important for the ability to produce a good quality forage with low input. Alfalfa seed production is spread throughout Italy, France and Spain (Fig. 1). In Italy, about 47% of forage area is planted with alfalfa and the Italian regions where alfalfa seed is mainly produced are Emilia Romagna, Marche and Tuscany (Fig. 2). In 2012 the area for the production of alfalfa seed was 20,906 ha with a seed production …

The Italian Catalogue Of Herbage Varieties, M. Giolo, Giovanni Corsi, N. Mugueta, F. Sorgoni, Pier Giacomo Bianchi, Renzo Torricelli, Mario Falcinelli

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

With 3.4 million hectares, permanent grassland covers 25.8% of Italian U.A.A. (Usable Agricultural Area). Most of this is located in hilly and mountainous areas and is important for the stability of the soil even if their productivity is low. Alfalfa and annual forages cover 1.8 million hectares (C.R.P.A. 2010). Italy’s large longitudinal extension (between latitudes 35° and 47° N), delivers a great variety of climates (Fig. 1). The northern regions bordering the rest of Europe differ greatly from the southern regions surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea.

Criteria For The Registration Of Medicago Polymorpha L. And Lolium Rigidum Gaud. Varieties In A Voluntary Register In Italy, Luciano Pecetti, Giovanni Corsi, Federico Sòrgoni, Pier Giacomo Bianchi, Mario Falcinelli, Renzo Torricelli

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Extensive and semi-extensive livestock systems in Southern Europe rely largely on permanent pastures, the productivity of which could be improved by sowing adapted species. Native forage species are a valuable tool for Mediterranean livestock production, owing to their specific adaptation to the harsh environment (featuring prolonged and severe spring-summer drought) and their generally good tolerance to grazing. Annual, self-reseeding species are able to cope with the prevailing drought stress by terminating the vegetative phase and setting seed before the onset of the stressful period, and enhance the durability of the sward by their self-reseeding capacity and subsequent seedling regeneration. Subterranean …

Trinexapac-Ethyl Application Increased Seed Yield Of Diploid Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense L.), Dave Monks

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) is a perennial legume grown for forage that, when grown with a seed yield focus in New Zealand, averages 260 kg seed/ha (Clifford, 1979). One way to shift the production focus from biomass to seed yield is the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs). Prior work with PGRs in legume seed production has centred on the gibberellin biosynthesis inhibitors paclobutrazol, uniconazol and cycocel that aim to increase the harvest index of a crop by reducing the ratio of vegetative to reproductive biomass. Inhibiting gibberellin synthesis decreases cell division and cell enlargement; reducing the length …

Nitrogen Uptake And Utilisation In Red Fescue (Festuca Rubra Var. Rubra) For Seed Production, René Gislum, Birte Boelt

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Application and utilisation of nitrogen (N) is important from both an agronomic and environmental point of view. Increased utilisation of applied N will increase seed yield and the amount of N removed in the harvested straw and seed and concomitantly lower the amount of N than can potentially leach to ground and surface water. From an agronomic viewpoint it is important to understand the relationship between higher N uptake and seed yield. We know from several field experiments that the current year has a large impact on the uptake and utilisation of applied N due to soil available water, temperature …

Effect Of Gamma Irradiation On Seed Germination Traits Of Bromus Inermis, Ghasem Ali Dianati Tilaki, Arezu Alizadeh, Behnam Naserian Khiabani

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Ionizing radiation technology and in particular gamma radiation is developing as a useful treatment in crop production. Gamma rays cause different physiological and morphological responses in cells and tissues that appear as an increase in germination speed, germination capacity and growth of the leaves (Amjad and Anjum 2007). Several reports on the stimulatory affects on plant growth when exposed to irradiation techniques with radioactive rays at low doses are available (Charbaji and Nabulsi 1999; Moussa 2006). Seed treatment with low doses of gamma rays resulted in a significant increase in germination traits, plant vigor and yield attributes of wheat (Melki …

Germination Of Tropical Forage Seeds Stored In Ambient And Controlled Temperature And Humidity Conditions, Michael D. Hare, Supaphan Phengphet, Theerachai Songsiri, Naddakorn Sutin, Eduardo Stern

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Storage of tropical forage seeds in the humid tropics is crit-ical in order to safeguard germination. Storing Mulato hybrid brachiaria (Brachiaria ruziziensis x B. brizantha) seed under ambient conditions could be safely done for 8-12 months in Thailand, but rapid deterioration in viability occurred with longer storage, with seed being totally non-viable after 20 months storage (Hare et al. 2008). However, Mulato seeds kept in cold storage (10°C and 40% RH) for 3 years still maintained 80% germination. Similar results were found in northern Australia (Hopkinson and English 2005) where loss of viability of Panicum maximum, …

Advances In Nutrient Management Of Grass Seed Crops, René Gislum, Birte Boelt

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Nutrient management of herbage grass seed crops is just as complex as for other agricultural crops when the aim is to optimise economic net return and minimise environmental impact. The use of economic optimum nitrogen (N) application rate (ECO-N) defined as the N application rate that maximise net return for the seed grower is an easy and applicable method for seed growers. Besides the economic advantages of implementing ECO-N there is an additional positive environmental effect as ECO-N is lower than the N rate that maximises seed yield and a lower N application rate will concomitantly lower the potential risk …

Impact Of Tropical Forage Seed Development In Villages In Thailand And Laos: Research To Village Farmer Production To Seed Export, Michael D. Hare, Supaphan Phengphet, Theerachai Songsiri, Naddakorn Sutin, Edward S. F. Vernon, Eduardo Stern

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Seed of six forage species, Mulato II hybrid brachiaria, Cayman hybrid brachiaria, Mombasa guinea, Tanzania guinea, Ubon stylo and Ubon paspalum, are currently being produced by over 1000 smallholder farmers in villages in northeast Thailand and northern Laos, under contract to Ubon Forage Seeds, Faculty of Agriculture, Ubon Ratchathani University, Thailand. The seed is mainly exported overseas (95%) and the remainder is sold within Thailand. Tropical Seeds LLC, a subsidiary of a Mexican seed company Grupo Papalotla, employs the seed producing and seed research group, Ubon Forage Seeds, to manage seed production, seed sales and export, and to conduct research …

Effects Of Storage Conditions On Endophyte And Seed Viability In Pasture Grasses, David E. Hume, Stuart D. Card, M. Philip Rolston

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Several important temperate pasture grasses have co-evolved with mutualistic Epichloë fungal endophytes. These endophytes impart beneficial attributes to their host as they enhance the fitness of the grass when under biotic and abiotic stresses. The asexual species of these fungi (formerly classed as Neotyphodium) are obligate symbionts, and efficiently colonise newly formed tillers and infect seed by direct colonisation of the embryo. These endophytes are strictly seed transmitted. Survival of the fungus in this seed is therefore critical for the dissemination of endophyte-infected seed to grassland farmers. Longevity of endophyte in stored seed is primarily determined by the length …

Managing Seed Dormancy In Forage Legumes And Grasses: An Update, Yanrong Wang, Xiaowen Hu

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Seed dormancy is a common feature of the majority of forage species. It usually causes problems both to the grower and the seed analyst. Many methods have been developed to break dormant seed over the time, and efficacy of a method usually varies with species and cultivars. The objective of this paper is to review and summarise important methods used for seed dormancy breaking in forage legume and grass species, and the mechanisms involved.