Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Plant Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 21 of 21

Full-Text Articles in Plant Sciences

Long Term Benefits Of Diversified Forage-Oriented Cropping Systems As Compared To Rotations Based Mainly On Cereals Or Maize, E Meister, V Mediavilla, P Weisskopf Jun 2024

Long Term Benefits Of Diversified Forage-Oriented Cropping Systems As Compared To Rotations Based Mainly On Cereals Or Maize, E Meister, V Mediavilla, P Weisskopf

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The aim of this study is to assess the long term effects of a forageoriented, versus a maize- and a cereal-oriented crop rotation on the yield potential and soil fertility, as well as the weed, disease and pest development. We report the results after four cropping cycles using silage maize (Zea mays L.) in 1994 and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in 1995 as reference crops for all three rotations. Two years of a grass-clover mixture in a five-year rotation showed positive effects with respect to most soil and plant parameters.


Forage Maceration On A Self-Propelled Mower: Effect Of Windrow Deposition And Inversion, P Savoie, D Tremblay, J Lajoie, M Roberge, S P. Lemay Jun 2024

Forage Maceration On A Self-Propelled Mower: Effect Of Windrow Deposition And Inversion, P Savoie, D Tremblay, J Lajoie, M Roberge, S P. Lemay

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Forage maceration is an intensive conditioning technique applied at mowing with high speed rolls. Maceration has been observed to enhance the field wilting rate, produce a more efficient silage fermentation and accelerate ruminal degradation. An important technical hurdle has been to scale up maceration for wide mowers without reducing capacity. The paper descibes a three-roll maceration unit that was integrated in a self-propelled 4.2 m wide mower. A capacity of 2.75 ha/h and throughputs up to 14 t DM (dry matter)/h or 64 t WM (wet matter)/h were achieved in alfalfa and timothy. Compared to a commercial mower-conditioner, the macerator …


Phosphogypsum As A Source Of Nutrients For Bahiagrass, J E. Rechcigl, I S. Alcordo Jun 2024

Phosphogypsum As A Source Of Nutrients For Bahiagrass, J E. Rechcigl, I S. Alcordo

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Phosphogypsum is a by-product of the manufacture of phosphoric acid from phosphate rock and is a potential source of sulfur and calcium for crops. There are currently more than 700 million Mg of phosphogypsum in Florida alone stacked in waste piles and an additional 30 million Mg produced annually. A 3-year study was conducted to determine whether addition of phosphogypsum to bahiagrass would increase production and quality. Results indicate that addition of up to 4.0 Mg/ha phosphogypsum increased bahiagrass yields, protein content, and in vitro digestibility of forage. This study has demonstrated that phosphogypsum can be used as an alternative …


Methane Production By Steers On Pasture, W P. Mccaughey, K Wittenberg, D Corrigan Jun 2024

Methane Production By Steers On Pasture, W P. Mccaughey, K Wittenberg, D Corrigan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grazing system, stocking rate and monensin controlled release capsule (CRC) administration were investigated to determine impacts on methane (CH4) production by steers grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)/meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.)/Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski) pastures. Pasture treatments consisted of 2 replications each of two grazing systems (continuous stocking or 10-paddock rotational stocking) at each of two stocking rates (low, 1.1 steer ha-1 or high, 2.2 steers ha-1). Half of the animals in each pasture were administered a monensin CRC while untreated animals served as controls. During the grazing season, 1 steer per treatment …


Salinity Responses In Some Forage Legume Species, M E. Rogers Jun 2024

Salinity Responses In Some Forage Legume Species, M E. Rogers

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The salt tolerances of more than 70 lines and species of forage legumes were evaluated in a series of greenhouse experiments, with the aim of identifying plant material that is more salt tolerant than some of the more traditionally-grown, temperate, forage legume species. Several species or lines showed potential as salt tolerant germplasm including sweet clover (Melilotus albus), berseem clover (T. alexandrinum) cvv. Mescani and Wardan, woolly clover (T. tomentosum), birdsfoot treefoil (L. Corniculatus), slender birdsfoot treefoil (Lotus tenuis) and Trifolium squamosum. However, further selection and field evaluation is required in order to …


New Approaches For Rehabilitating And Developing Fodder Production From Acid Mountain Soils In Nepal To Alleviate Poverty And Restore The Environment, D Pariyar, P Van Der Grinten Jun 2024

New Approaches For Rehabilitating And Developing Fodder Production From Acid Mountain Soils In Nepal To Alleviate Poverty And Restore The Environment, D Pariyar, P Van Der Grinten

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The approach for the re-integration of degraded areas in the farming system demands methods that are simple, affordable and sustainable. Under the Hills Leasehold Forestry and Forage Development Project (HLFFDP) technologies were trialed for the establishment of pasture legume and nitrogen fixing trees on degraded leased sites. Agrisilvipastoralism (ASP) applied using minimum or zero tillage has considerable untapped potential for simultaneously alleviating poverty and restoring the environment in Nepal. Preliminary results presented here indicate that with the introduction of suitable improved forage species under the application of simple establishment techniques, degraded lands have the potential to produce considerable amounts of …


Role Of Non-Traditional Forages In Livestock Production In India, Bhag Mal, J N. Gupta, J P. Singh Feb 2024

Role Of Non-Traditional Forages In Livestock Production In India, Bhag Mal, J N. Gupta, J P. Singh

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The paper reports a number of non-traditional forage species which form the life support system for grazing animals in normal conditions as well as scarcity periods like droughts and famines. Such species vary according to climatic and ecological conditions of India. These species play an important role in domestic livestock production as well as providing forage to the game animals. In the arid region the majority of such species are small trees and shrubs; in semi-arid regions majority of such species are shrubs, aquatic weeds and minor millets. In temperate/alpine Himalaya such species range from lichens, ferns, climbers to shrubs …


The Role Of Leguminous Browse Plants In A Cool Mediterranean Enviornment, P A. Lane, R Reid, D Parsons Feb 2024

The Role Of Leguminous Browse Plants In A Cool Mediterranean Enviornment, P A. Lane, R Reid, D Parsons

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

There is considerable scope for improving the productivity and persistence of pasture systems, in the temperate low rainfall zones (< 550 mm annual rainfall) of Australia and New Zealand. Alternative pasture species, including leguminous browse plants, have potential to increase the diversity and stability of these pasture systems. The genus Dorycnium (canary clover), has previously been identified as containing a number of species with desirable forage and soil conservation characteristics. Preliminary investigations have indicated that at least two species, D. rectum and D. hirsutum, produce significant quantities of forage in the year of establishment and are palatable to sheep. It is proposed that these plants may provide a valuable source of forage on land which currently lacks productive and persistent pasture. Forage produced by these plants would be allowed …


A Transdisciplinary Approach To Landscape Transformation Towards Perennial, Diverse, Circular Systems: Why And How, V. Picasso, C. Williams Feb 2024

A Transdisciplinary Approach To Landscape Transformation Towards Perennial, Diverse, Circular Systems: Why And How, V. Picasso, C. Williams

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Prevailing agricultural systems in the U.S. are dominated by intensification through annual crop monocultures and high amounts of external inputs. Increased yields per unit of land have resulted but many undesirable environmental, ecological, and socioeconomic outcomes have co-occurred. Lack of resilience within intensified agricultural systems is a factor in these outcomes. Redesign of agricultural systems and changes in federal policy are needed to better support resilience in agriculture. Redesign for greater resilience must encourage adoption of agricultural systems that are diverse, perennial, circular, and include forages. We developed a transdisciplinary framework within a project orientation with a focus on crops …


Transitioning To Multiple-Use Polyculture Grassland-Derived Bioenergy Feedstock Systems, J. P. Muir, J. L. Foster, A. Falk, S. Weiss, W. D. Pitman, W. Alsion, H. D. Naumann, J. R. Bow, C. Shadrock, E. Osei, O. Lasater Feb 2024

Transitioning To Multiple-Use Polyculture Grassland-Derived Bioenergy Feedstock Systems, J. P. Muir, J. L. Foster, A. Falk, S. Weiss, W. D. Pitman, W. Alsion, H. D. Naumann, J. R. Bow, C. Shadrock, E. Osei, O. Lasater

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

We argue that research and development of grassland-derived bioenergy feedstock (GBF) has focused unduly on dedicated monospecific biomass systems to the detriment of more stable multiple-use multispecies grasslands. This has retarded GBF adoption as a viable, sustainable contribution to renewable energy production in North America. We hypothesize that focusing on multiple-use GBFs will foster greater feedstock availability for nascent renewable energy generation while minimizing financial risk to grassland husbandry during market transitions from current grazing systems to more flexible business models. Our hypothesis is that source and demand are more likely to develop simultaneously under less risky multiple-use grassland management. …


Participatory Evaluation Of Urochloa (Brachiaria) Grasses In The Cool Highlands Of Central Kenya, Elkana Nyambati, W. Ayako, S. K. Mailu Feb 2024

Participatory Evaluation Of Urochloa (Brachiaria) Grasses In The Cool Highlands Of Central Kenya, Elkana Nyambati, W. Ayako, S. K. Mailu

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Grasslands are increasingly threatened by over exploitation, degradation and climate change that has undermined their productive capacity, leading led to inadequate quantity and quality feed. Urochloa grass, a native of eastern Africa has been widely improved and adapted as livestock forage. A farmer participatory study was conducted to evaluate productivity of eight Urochloa grasses (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, U. brizantha cv. Xareas, U. brizantha cv. Piata, U. brizantha cv. MG4, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk, U. humidicola cv. Humidicola, U. humidicola cv. Llanero and Urochloa hybrid Mulato II) compared to controls of Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass cv. Kakamega 1 …


Physically Adjusted Ndf: Integrating Forage Physical Form With Diet Complexity On The Farm, P. J. Kononoff, M. B. Hall Feb 2024

Physically Adjusted Ndf: Integrating Forage Physical Form With Diet Complexity On The Farm, P. J. Kononoff, M. B. Hall

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Physical form of forages and their neutral detergent fiber (NDF) content are crucial in ruminant diets for maintaining a healthy rumen and a productive animal. A challenge has been in taking the concept from its research base and applying it successfully in varied diets. A new system for physically adjusted NDF (paNDF) offers an option. It takes into account the forage, NDF, starch and other components in the diet and uses the Penn State Particle Separator on farm to assess total mixed ration particle size to provide recommendations on directions to move the diet to maintain a healthy rumen. This …


Brix As An Indicator Of Sugar Content And Nutritive Value In Alfalfa And Orchardgrass Herbage, Eric D. Billman, K. Soder, J. Horst, K. Balk, A. Hafla Feb 2024

Brix As An Indicator Of Sugar Content And Nutritive Value In Alfalfa And Orchardgrass Herbage, Eric D. Billman, K. Soder, J. Horst, K. Balk, A. Hafla

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Brix, a measurement of total dissolved solids in solution, has been used by forage producers to provide real-time estimates of energy content of fresh herbage. However, its efficacy has never been validated in herbage through wet chemistry testing and comparisons with other nutritive value parameters. This study compared and correlated Brix measurements with sugar concentrations and common nutritive value parameters relating to protein, fiber, and energy to determine the viability of using Brix to predict when to graze or harvest fresh herbage. Brix measurements were collected monthly on fresh herbage samples of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and orchardgrass (Dactylis …


Forages For Horses Revamped, C. Gelley, E. Lyon, H. Zynda, S. Mastellar, E. Share, B. Hendershot, D. Kreager, G. Wilson, R. Purdin, J. Hampton, J. Morris, T. Wiseman, L. Beers, M. Sulc Feb 2024

Forages For Horses Revamped, C. Gelley, E. Lyon, H. Zynda, S. Mastellar, E. Share, B. Hendershot, D. Kreager, G. Wilson, R. Purdin, J. Hampton, J. Morris, T. Wiseman, L. Beers, M. Sulc

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The Forages for Horses program began in Ohio in1998 as a collaboration between the Ohio Forages & Grasslands Council and Ohio State University Extension. Over time, additional collaborations with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Agriculture and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts expanded the program. At its inception, one to three educators would partner to provide eight hours of in-person lectures followed by a pasture walk to better the management practices of equine enthusiasts. From 2021 through 2022, the curriculum was adapted for a hybrid classroom and included three 90-minute live webinars featuring nine different presentations followed …


More Than Fiber: Forage Carbohydrates Affecting Animal Performance, M. B. Hall Feb 2024

More Than Fiber: Forage Carbohydrates Affecting Animal Performance, M. B. Hall

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Forages are well known as an important source of fiber in livestock diets. However, their carbohydrate contribution is more than fiber. Forage grasses and legumes supply sugars, fructans, and other water-soluble carbohydrates as well as soluble fiber that behave very differently than starch in the rumen. With a focus on ruminants, we will explore the forage supply, and ruminal and animal impacts.


The Business Case For Healthy Grasslands-Based Agriculture – Economic And Social Implications, E. Bisangwa, Pat D. Keyser Jan 2024

The Business Case For Healthy Grasslands-Based Agriculture – Economic And Social Implications, E. Bisangwa, Pat D. Keyser

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Native perennial warm-season grasses (NWSGs) of the United States (U.S.) provide valuable summer forage. Studies have shown their potential within grazing systems as a complement to cool-season forages, as well as their benefits to soil biota, wildlife biodiversity, carbon sequestration and their resiliency to extreme drought and flood events. In this paper, we demonstrate that, in addition to these benefits, NWSGs provide important economic value to beef and dairy producers as a hedge against financial risks posed by overreliance on cool-season grasses.


Use Of Limpograss As An Alternative Feed During The Fall Forage Gap In Beef And Dairy Systems In Central And North Florida, L. Garcia, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., Marcelo O. Wallau, J. D. Pereira-Neto, M. A. Bernardini, M. Ruiz-Moreno Jan 2024

Use Of Limpograss As An Alternative Feed During The Fall Forage Gap In Beef And Dairy Systems In Central And North Florida, L. Garcia, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., Marcelo O. Wallau, J. D. Pereira-Neto, M. A. Bernardini, M. Ruiz-Moreno

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

In central and North Florida, the use of limpograss [Hemarthria altissima (Poir.) Stapf & C. E. Hubb.] for beef and dairy operations is limited and its potential use is not well documented. Two on-farm projects have been conducted in Central and North Florida to explore the use of limpograss as an alternative conserved forage during late fall and winter. The potential use of this forage as baleage for dairy farmers and as stockpiling for livestock producers would offer another alternative to reduce feed costs and fill the forage gap in the area when typical warm-season forages go dormant. In …


Chlorophyll And Mineral Dynamics Of Perennial Grass Species Found In Semi- Arid Rangelands Of South Africa, N. H. Msiza, K. E. Ravhuhali, H. K. Mokoboki, Sydney Mavengahama, L. E. Motsei Jan 2024

Chlorophyll And Mineral Dynamics Of Perennial Grass Species Found In Semi- Arid Rangelands Of South Africa, N. H. Msiza, K. E. Ravhuhali, H. K. Mokoboki, Sydney Mavengahama, L. E. Motsei

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Minerals are essential for ruminants and are mostly provided by grass species. Their growth stage is vital in the supply of these minerals. Perennial grass species have been mostly undervalued, owing to the scarce information concerning their potential feeding value and little documentation about their potential nutritive value in different growth stages. This study was conducted to investigate the chlorophyll and mineral concentration of grass species at different growth stages under greenhouse conditions at the North-West University Experimental farm, North West province, South Africa. The soil, collected from different villages, was mixed and samples were drawn for chemical analysis before …


Opportunities For Promoting The Adoption Of Forages In Kenya, Joseph G. Mureithi, Elkana M. Nyambati Jan 2024

Opportunities For Promoting The Adoption Of Forages In Kenya, Joseph G. Mureithi, Elkana M. Nyambati

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Livestock production plays an important socio-economic role in many areas across Kenya. They are kept in all the major livestock production systems including smallholder mixed crop- livestock system, crop-livestock-tree production system, and pastoral/extensive livestock production system, which occupy about 70% of land in Kenya. Livestock production is mainly constrained by inadequate feed quantity and quality. Forage forms the major source of feed for ruminant livestock as they provide high-quality forage to alleviate feed shortages. The demand for pasture and fodder production and conservation to meet livestock feed requirements, particularly during the dry seasons, has created the need to re-position the …


Annual Clovers Around The World: Current Status And Future Prospects, P. G. H. Nichols, G. R. Smith, D. J. Moot, Serkan Ates, Claudio Porqueddu, Esteban F. Rios, Mounir Louhaichi, Alejandro Del Pozo, N. Kotze, Alan W. Humphries, K. Ghamkhar, M. H. Ryan Jan 2024

Annual Clovers Around The World: Current Status And Future Prospects, P. G. H. Nichols, G. R. Smith, D. J. Moot, Serkan Ates, Claudio Porqueddu, Esteban F. Rios, Mounir Louhaichi, Alejandro Del Pozo, N. Kotze, Alan W. Humphries, K. Ghamkhar, M. H. Ryan

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

This paper reviews the distribution and importance of annual clover (Trifolium) species for pasture and fodder production systems globally. Of the 158 recorded annual Trifolium species, 65.2% are endemic to the Mediterranean basin and surrounding areas, 14.6% to sub-Saharan Africa, 17.7% to the United States of America and 2.5% to Chile. Fourteen species have been commercialised, while other endemic and naturalised annual clovers are also utilised. Key species for self-regenerating pastures include T. subterraneum, T. michelianum and T. respinatum var. resupinatum, while major dual-purpose grazing and fodder species include T. incarnatum, T. vesiculosum, T. alexandrinum and T. …


Southeast Research And Extension Center Agricultural Research 2024 Jan 2024

Southeast Research And Extension Center Agricultural Research 2024

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The 2024 Southeast Research and Extension Center Agricultural Research report includes research conducted in the areas of beef cattle management, cropping systems, and forage crops.