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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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.

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 (1977-2023)

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, …

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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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.

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 (1977-2023)

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.

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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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 (1977-2023)

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.

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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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 …

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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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 …

Comprehensive Evaluation Of Wild Elymus L. Germplasm In Inner Mongolia, Juan Qi, Wen-Xia Cao, Ting Jiao, Xiao-Peng Pu, Wei-Hong Yan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grassland degradation is increasing in severity and is an important global issue in the 21st century. Increasing research is being conducted on how to solve these problems (Niu and Jiang 2004). Restoration and revegetation of degraded grassland and the establishment of artificial pastures are important in addressing degradation. Successful restoration requires the identification of species and seed sources that are adapted to the ecological conditions of the restoration site. Elymus L. is a large genus that contains about 150 species distributed across a wide range of ecological sites across temperate and subtropical regions of the world (Dewey 1984; Love 1984). …

Fatty Acid Analysis Of The Transgenic Tobacco Expressing A Delta 6-Desaturase Gene From Microula Sikkimensis, Shujuan Wu, Lijing Zhang, Xiaolong Chen, Xiumei Miao, Decao Niu, Hua Fu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

γ-Linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3^{Δ6, 9, 12}) and octadecatetraenoic acid (OTA, 18:4^{Δ6, 9, 12, 15}) are important polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which have been proved to be benefit for human health (Fan and Chapkin 1998; Whelan 2009). Currently, fish are the predominant source of PUFAs. However, with the growth of world’s population and the more nutrition requirements, fishery resources are shrinking. Alternative sources of PUFAs are being investigated (Truksa et al. 2009). The major oil crops do not contain GLA and OTA, only several plant species contain these important fatty acids in their leaf lipids and …

Leaf Growth And Senescence Rates In Brown-Back Wallaby Grass, Rytidosperma Duttonianum, Helen G. Daily, Shaun Lisson, Kerry L. Bridle, Peter A. Lane, Stuart Anderson, Ross Corkrey

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Knowledge of leaf turnover in grasses is necessary to model curing (the accumulation of dead material in the sward), which is not well represented in current pasture growth models, nor for many Australian native species. Leaf turnover begins with the appearance of successive leaves, which elongate until typically, a leaf ligule develops to indicate a mature, fully expanded length. Green leaf life span extends from appearance to the beginning of senescence, which ultimately leads to death (Fig. 1). Here, the individual rates of leaf growth and senescence for the Australian native brown-back wallaby grass, Rytidosperma duttonianum (Cashmore) Connor & Edgar, …

Challenges To Domesticating "Native" Forage Legumes, James P. Muir, José C. B. Dubeux Jr., Mércia V. F. Dos Santos, Inacio C. Maposse, William D. Pitman, Twain J. Butler

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

If ruminant production from cultivated and natural grasslands is to depend less on petroleum-based products, forage legumes must serve as protein sources. Commercially available legumes for warm-dry climate grasslands are, however, very limited and resources available for developing such legumes are inadequate. Indeterminate flowering and dehiscent seed pods combined with the need for specialized seed harvesting equipment are major impediments (Butler and Muir 2012). Warm climates often present environmental challenges such as poor rainfall distribution, extended dry seasons, temperature extremes and aggressive grass species (Muir et al. 2011). Erosion of indigenous knowledge and replacement with inappropriate land management approaches …

Technical Challenges In Evaluating Southern China’S Forage Germplasm Resources, Changjun Bai, Guodao Liu, Yu Zhang, Daogeng Yu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The present status of the collection, conservation and utilisation of the pasture germplasm in tropical and subtropical zones in China is reviewed. The Tropical Pasture Research Centre (TPRC) of Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) has been engaged in this research since the 1940s. A low temperature gene bank, an in vitro plant library and a nursery station have been established. In total, 5890 indigenous fodder materials belonging to 478 species, 161 genera and 12 families have been surveyed and collected in South China; 1130 exotic materials belonging to 87 species, 42 genera of grasses and legumes have been …

World Interest In Diverse Native Plant Stands, Michael P. Schellenberg, Bili Biligetu, Eric G. Lamb, Jenalee M. Mischkolz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this paper was to provide a brief overview of native plant use and development including examples of native plant research being conducted in Canada. There is increasing interest in native plants in various countries. Currently, native plants are used in reclamation, biomass biofuel production, forage seeding, habitat restoration, and water and soil conservation efforts. Many countries have active programs for native plant preservation and new germplasm development, but seed cost, seed quality, and ease of establishment are still challenges for large-scale use. Many improved native plant germplasms have been released in recent years. In some countries, legislation …

The Use Of Functional Traits To Identify Grasses And Fodder Shrubs For Domestication To Suit A Changing Climate, Meredith L. Mitchell, R. D. B. Whalley, Hayley C. Norman

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is uncertainty about future climatic predictions; however there is little doubt amongst experts that the future will be warmer. Climate change and the associated elevation in atmospheric CO₂ level and temperatures will provide novel challenges and potential opportunities for cultivated plant species. Plant breeding and domestication can contributed to improvements in both yield and quality of grasses and fodder shrubs. A range of key functional traits is required to cope with this changing climate. The main challenges that are discussed are new pests and pathogens; changes in the pattern of nutrient supply and forage quality; challenge associated with …

Development Of New, High Yielding Tropical Grass Varieties For Increasing Productivity Of Semi-Arid Grasslands In India, Ajoy K. Roy, D. R. Malaviya, P. Kaushal, Sunil Kumar, S. Ahmed

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Indian agriculture has traditionally been a mixed farming system since ancient times with integration of arable crops and livestock. It provides employment and livelihood to 70% of the rural population. Livestock are predominantly cattle and small ruminants that graze extensively on rangelands/pasturelands and common property resources (CPRs). CPRs occupy approximately 54 million ha area including permanent pastures in the alpine and temperate parts as well as seasonal grazing lands and wastelands. The productivity and carrying capacity of tropical degraded grasslands is very low, the average carrying capacity being 1.0, 0.7, 0.7 Adult Cattle Unit (ACU)/ha in semi-arid, arid and hill …

Three Dimensional (3d) Reconstruction Of Subterranean Clover, Helen G. Daily, Jianming Guo, Xavier R. R. Sirault

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Three dimensional (3D) plant reconstructions, extended to four dimensions with the use of time series and accompanied by visual modelling, is being used for a number of purposes including the estimation of biovolume and as the basis for functional structural plant modelling (FSPM). This has been successfully applied to crop species such as cotton (Paproki et al. 2012). Measuring the growth pattern and arrangement of a pasture sward is a difficult task but can be used as an indirect measure of other variables of interest, such as growth rate, light interception, nutritional quality, herbivore intake, etc. (Laca and …

Simulating Tall Fescue Pasture Growth In Argentina, Horacio Berger, Claudio F. Machado, Mónica G. Agnusdei, Brendan R. Cullen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) pastures have the potential to maintain high production rates under limiting climate conditions, especially in dry summers, improving the seasonal distribution of forage growth and year round production (Tharmaraj et al. 2008). The purpose of this work was to test the ability and flexibility of the DairyMod biophysical pasture-simulation model (Johnson et al. 2008), to predict herbage mass accumulation (HMA), of tall fescue pastures from Argentina under several environmental conditions that included different seasons, nitrogen fertilizer application levels and irrigation.

Biomass Yield And Nutritive Quality Of Panicum Maximum In The Natural Pastures During The Dry Season In Abeokuta, Nigeria, Adetayo B. Adekeye, Olufemi S. Onifade, Jimoh A. Olanite, Olubukola A. Isah

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Panicum maximum Jacq. is among the prominent grass species in the grazing lands of the South-western part of Nigeria. An understanding of cutting management to find out the best agronomic practices that will improve the yield and nutritive value of these grass species, especially in the dry season formed the focus of this research work. The objective of the research is therefore to evaluate the effects of cutting height and interval on the dry matter yield (DMY), digestibility and chemical composition of P. maximum in the natural pasture during the dry season.

Fodder Yield And Quality Of Lucerne (Medicago Sativa) Grown As Pure Stands And In Mixture With Oats (Avena Sativa), Mustard (Brassica Campestris) And Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne) Under Different Cutting Managements, Balwinder Kumar, U. S. Tiwana, Ajaib Singh

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Legume-cereal mixtures are important protein and carbohydrate sources for livestock and provide a balanced chemical composition for livestock feeding along with higher green forage yields than the pure stands (Berdahl et al. 2001; Albayrak and Ekiz, 2005). Lucerne is the most important rabi legume crop of Punjab grown under limited irrigation conditions and provides succulent, palatable and nutritious fodder to dairy animals. The fodder yield of first cut of lucerne is very low so it is usually grown in mixture with oats and or mustard. The information on the mixtures of lucerne and suitable cutting times is scant. This …

Ninety Years Of Perennial Forage Grass Breeding For The Canadian Prairie Provinces, Bruce E. Coulman, Paul G. Jefferson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The majority of Canadian beef production takes place in the three prairie provinces of western Canada and seeded pasture and hay land provides a large proportion of the feed for these cattle. This region is characterized by low to moderate rainfall (300-500 mm annually) and extremely cold winters; thus, forage species grown must have high tolerance to cold and drought. Perennial grass breeding for the region began in 1922 and has continued for ninety years in two programs. Major seeded grass species were introduced into Canada from Eurasia. Significant developments from this program include: the development of Fairway crested wheatgrass …

Global Impact Of Sown Temperate Pastures On Productivity And Ecosystem Stability–What Progress Have We Made?, E. Charles Brummer

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Twenty years ago, in 1993, we published one of the first two alfalfa genetic linkage maps. At the time, hopes ran high that genetic marker technologies would revolutionize selection, making the development of superior cultivars both easier and faster. The objective of this paper is to critically examine forage improvement since that time and to suggest ways to more fully capitalize on those initial hopes in the future. Marker studies have been conducted around the world, identifying quantitative trait loci (QTL) for the major agronomically important traits, including biomass yield, nutritive value, disease resistance, abiotic stress tolerance, and others. But …

Establishment Of Leucaena Leucocephala Cv. Tarramba In Eastern Indonesia, Jacob Nulik, H. Dahlanuddin, Debora Kana Hau, Charles Pakereng, Resti G. Edison, Dessy Liubana, S. P. Ara, Hayley E. Giles

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The adaptability and productive value of Leucaena leucocephala cv. Tarramba (Tarramba) in eastern Indonesia has been observed since 2001 (Nulik et al. 2004), with many farmers and other stakeholders currently requesting seed for planting. Tarramba has greater forage and timber production, and psyllid tolerance than other commercial cultivars and locally grown leucaena. The variability of soils and climate in eastern Indonesia means that establishment techniques specific to the region are required to achieve maximum adoption and utilisation of Tarramba.

Animal Performance And Productivity Of A New Cultivar Of Brachiaria Brizantha, Valéria P. B. Euclides, Denise B. Montagner, Cacilda B. Valle, Nayana N. Nantes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brazil has the competitive advantage of a very dynamic and cost-effective animal production system on pastures over other countries. The pursuit of more productive forages that will result in higher quality beef at a lower cost is justified. As Brachiaria is the most important forage genus utilised in Brazil, an intense search for new cultivars amongst collected and introduced ecotypes from Africa is underway. Following agronomic evaluation of this material in plots, 8 Brachiaria ecotypes were pre-selected. As part of Embrapa`s process of cultivar development, B. brizantha cv. Xaraés, characterised by high productivity (liveweight gain/area), was released in 2003, followed …

Morphogenic Responses Of Two Brachiaria Genotypes In Response To Clipping Frequency, Ana Flávia G. Faria, Carlos G. S. Pedreira, Diego N. L. Pequeno, Liliane S. Silva, Damião W. Nguluve, Aliedson S. Ferreira

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tropical grasslands represent an important resource for the Brazilian cattle industry, which is heavily dependent on grazed pastures. Total pasture area in the country totals 196 M ha (23% of the country’s land area) (FAO 2013). The genus Brachiaria represents around 85% of cultivated pastures in Brazil (Moreira et al. 2009), 40% of which are established with B. brizantha cv. Marandu (Barbosa 2006). Mulato II is a new hybrid brachiaria grass cultivar which has been developed to improve agronomic characteristics, broaden the range of adaptation, and to ensure high forage production and nutritive value. It has also been viewed …

Sward Structural Characteristics Of Perennial Peanut Genotypes As Affected By Harvest Frequency, Aliedson S. Ferreira, Carlos G. S. Pedreira, Carla M. Marassatto

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Despite the high potential of tropical forage species, herbage production, nutritive value and animal productivity in Brazilian livestock production systems are lower than what can be obtained from both a biological and operational point of view (Pedreira and Mello 2000, Da Silva and Sbrissia 2000). Even with these limitations, the livestock industry is often able to sustain high productivity levels (animal product per hectare) by using good animal genetics and supplementation. Reducing production costs, however, will likely depend on the identification and incorporation of a high-quality forage resource, in terms of both improving diet quality of grazing animals and sustaining …

Breeding Strategies For Brachiaria Spp. To Improve Productivity–An Ongoing Project, Geovani F. Alves, Ulisses J. De Figueiredo, Antônio D. Pandolfi Filho, Sanzio C. L. Barrios, Cacilda B. Valle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Two strategies have been used in the breeding of Brachiaria (syn. Urochloa) to produce new cultivars. The first involves exploring the natural variability existing in nature, which is the selection of ecotypes, mostly apomicts, from the diversity in germplasm banks. This strategy proved efficient originally and the cultivars in use in Brazil were derived in this way, but progress with this strategy is limited in the medium to long term.

Dry Matter Intake By Beef Steers On Piatã Palisadegrass (Brachiaria Brizantha Cv. Brs Piatã) Pasture, Denise B. Montagner, Valéria P. B. Euclides, Teresa C. M. Genro, Nayana N. Nantes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Beef production in Brazil is primarily based on tropical pastures and 85% of these pastures are Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu. Such a monoculture could prove disastrous if some pest or disease emerged. With the goal of further diversifying pastures and contributing to the sustainability of the pasture production system, B. brizantha cv. BRS Piatã was released by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). Little is known about the characteristics of this cultivar in relation to grazing management and plant-animal interactions. Dry matter (DM) intake by grazing animals is influenced by the structural characteristics of tropical grasses (Stobbs 1973, 1975), and …

Agronomic Evaluation Of 324 Intraspecific Hybrids Of Brachiaria Decumbens In Brazil, Rogério G. Mateus, Sanzio C. L. Barrios, Ulisses J. De Figueiredo, Cacilda B. Valle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk is the most planted pasture grass in the tropics owing to its adaptation to poor and acid soils, typical of the tropics, plus good animal performance. This cultivar was responsible for a radical change of scenario in central Brazil in the early 1970s and is the only cultivar available commercially. Efforts to breed this species have been recent, as the successful somatic chromosome duplication of sexually reproducing diploid plants of B. decumbens was accomplished only in 2009 (Simioni and Valle 2009). Subsequently, intraspecific crosses with natural apomictic tetraploid accessions were carried out. Breeding is needed since …

Effect Of Season And Year Of Evaluation In The Selection Of Brachiaria Humidicola Hybrids, Ulisses J. De Figueiredo, José A. R. Nunes, Cacilda B. Valle, Sanzio C. L. Barrios, Geovani F. Alves

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Brachiaria humidicola is well adapted to infertile and acid soils with poor drainage or temporary flooding (Keller-Grein et al. 1996). It is widely used in Brazil in wetlands and areas of marginal land characterised by waterlogged soils. During the evaluation stages of the breeding program of this species, genotypes are generally tested using consecutive cuts within different seasons for at least 2 years. The ‘Cerrado’ region, where most animal production takes place in Brazil, has 2 well defined seasons: spring-summer with warm weather and rain; and autumn-winter with cooler, dry weather. Thus, owing to environmental variation, especially related to …