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A Comparison Between Simulated Grazing, 2-Cut And 3-Cut Silage Management On The Performance Of Lolium Perenne L., Mary Mcevoy, Emer Kennedy, Michael O’Donovan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Internationally, the majority of grass cultivar evaluation protocols test the performance of cultivars under cutting managements with little or no exposure to animal stresses such as treading and plant pulling. In addition, the majority of these protocols test cultivars under 2 or 3 cut silage systems. Gilliland and Mann (2000) reported a difference in cultivar ranking between years and also between management systems when a severe (simulated grazing to 3 cm height) or lax (6 cm height) defoliation was applied to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars in plot trials. Internationally, many evaluation protocols use only one management system …

Influence Of Grazing Exclusion On Vegetation And Productivity Of Kyrgyz Pastures, N. V. Kilyazova, М. I. Аdenov, К. A. Samsaliev, А. Каrybekov, B. Jeangros

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of grazing exclusion on the vegetation and productivity of: (1) pastures near villages that are grazed intensively through-out the year; and (2) pastures, which are used in summer and are less intensively grazed through the remainder of the year. The potential of degraded pastures to recover, when protected from overgrazing, was also evaluated. Six pastures (3 located in or near villages and 3 used for summer grazing) were selected with local community representatives in 3 pilot regions of Kyrgyzstan (the Lahol and Теrеk regions of Naryn oblast and the Оrgochor …

Management Strategies To Increase Festulolium Productivity And Persistence, Gerónimo Cardozo, Walter Ayala, Ethel Barrios

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A biennial hybrid of Lolium multiflorum x Festuca pratensis (Festulolium INIA Merlin) was released by the National Institute of Agricultural Research of Uruguay (INIA) in 2008. INIA Merlin is a tetraploid cultivar with a long growing season, semi-prostrate habit and high herbage quality (García 2003). These characteristics make it potentially useful to include Festulolium in short and intensive pasture-crop rotation systems. Grazing management can be used to modify growth, sward structure and persistence, and is known to be critical during the second year of production for stability and sustainability of farming systems that include this type of species. The objective …

Trifolium Vesiculosum: Exploring Its Potential In The Uruguay Lowlands Rice Region, Walter Ayala, Ethel Barrios, Gerónimo Cardozo

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Trifolium vesiculosum, commonly known as arrowleaf clover, is a winter-growing annual legume native to Europe (Duke, 1981), with high persistence and low risk of bloat. Several reports show a wide annual production range between 1.9 and 9.8 t DM/ha/year (Gomes and Reis 1999; Evans and Mills 2008). It shows a high nutritional value (Tekeli et al. 2005) that declines with increasing maturity. Grazing management should consider the need for seed production to ensure natural re-seeding in subsequent years. Recently, INIA Uruguay released the T. vesiculosum cultivar Sagit (Glencoe EC1), characterized by intermediate growth habit and flowering period.

The …

Endophyte Status In Summer-Dormant Tall Fescue In The Southern Great Plains Of Usa, Carolyn A. Young, Dariusz P. Malinowski, Michael A. Trammell, Sindy M. Interrante, Twain J. Butler

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Non-toxic fungal endophytes provide persistence-related benefits to summer-active, continental-type tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), as well as reduced animal toxicosis compared to toxic endophytes. However, the benefits of fungal endophytes to summer-dormant, Mediterranean-type tall fescue persistence or production are unclear. Summer-dormant tall fescue has potential to replace traditional, annual small grain graze-out systems in the Southern Great Plains region of the USA. This region is characterized by severe water deficits accompanied by extreme heat in summer, and by relatively mild, rainy winters (Malinowski et al. 2009). Summer-active tall fescues are better suited to high rainfall areas (> 900 …

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 (1977-2023)

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 (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, …

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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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 (1977-2023)

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 (1977-2023)

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 …

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 (1977-2023)

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 (1977-2023)

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 (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.

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 (1977-2023)

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 …

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

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

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 …

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 (1977-2023)

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 …

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 (1977-2023)

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 (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 …

Restoring North America’S Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystem Using Seed Enhancement Technologies, Matthew D. Madsen, Kirk W. Davies, Chad S. Boyd, Jay D. Kerby, Daniel L. Carter, Tony J. Svejcar

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangelands occupy over a third of global land area, and in many cases are in less than optimum condition as a result of past land use, catastrophic wildfire and other disturbance, invasive species, or climate change. Often the only means of restoring these lands involves seeding desirable species, yet there are few cost effective seeding technologies, especially for the more arid rangeland types. The inability to consistently establish desired plants from seed may indicate that the seeding technologies being used are not successful in addressing the primary sources of mortality in the progression from seed to established plant. Seed enhancement …

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). …

Controlling Lethal Browning Of Hemarthria Compressa Tissue Cultures, Chunhua Yang, Yaohua Xu, Lingzhi Chen, Yifang Sui

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Hemarthria compressa is an important warm-season forage grass for use in Southwest China. However, due to poor seed set, it is propagated by vegetative cuttings of stolons, rhizomes, and nodal sections. The in vitro propagation of H. compressa is still faced with difficulties including blackening or browning of tissues prior to culturing due to the oxidation of phenolic compounds by polyphenolic oxidase enzyme present in excised tissue (Yang et al. 2008). The objectives of the study were to investigate possible means of successful initiation of cultures through elimination of phenolic browning.

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 …

Row Spacing Effects On Biomass Components And Accumulated Energy In Elymus Sibiricus L., Jinping Liu, Minghong You

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Elymus sibiricus L. is widely distributed in the eastern Tibetan Plateau of China. Current research on E. sibiricus mainly focuses on resource assessment, breeding, cultivation and dynamics of forage yield. Little is known about the effects of row spacing on the biomass components and accumulated energy of E. sibiricus. We conducted a study to determine the effects of row spacing on biomass components and accumulated energy in E. sibiricus. These data are important to optimize forage and seed production of E. sibiricus, and can assist in developing animal husbandry, structurally adjusting the agricultural industry and protecting the …

Seeding Rate And Row-Spacing Effects On Seed Yield And Yield Components Of Leymus Chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel., Yunhua Han, Xianguo Wang, Tianming Hu, Zhenlei Zhu, Zhengwei Wang, Ying Wang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chinese sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel.) is widely distributed in the eastern portion of the Inner Mongolian Plateau and the Songnen Grassland of China. This grass is highly salt, cold and drought tolerant and has been the major source of forage for cows and other ruminants in China (Gao et al. 2012). Seed yield of this grass is very low under native conditions because of the low heading percentage and percentage of seed set (Wang et al. 2010). The Hexi Corridor, located in China’s northwestern Gansu Province, is the seed production center of China because of its …

Using Common Gardens And Aflp Analyses To Identify Metapopulations Of Indigenous Plant Materials For Rangeland Revegetation In Western Usa, Douglas A. Johnson, B. Shaun Bushman, Thomas A. Jones, Kishor Bhattarai

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Past mismanagement, overgrazing, invasive weedy species, wildfires, marginal crop production, mineral and energy extraction, recreation and global climate change are challenges currently facing rangelands (Pierson et al. 2011). These disturbances may lead to long-term reductions in biodiversity, altered nutrient and water cycling, diminished forage production for livestock and wildlife, increased wildfire frequency and increased soil erosion and stream sedimentation (Sheley et al. 2008). Rangeland revegetation with desirable plant materials may be required to improve degraded conditions, speed recovery, and prevent further erosion and degradation. There is a critical need for plant materials to restore and revegetate rangeland ecosystems. …

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 Values Of Warm-Season Native Perennial Grasses Grown For Pasture Or Biofuel In The Southern Great Plains, Usa, James K. Rogers, Bryan Nichols, Jon T. Biermacher, Jagadeesh Mosali

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The Renewable Fuel Standard under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated the production of 136 billion liters of cellulosic biofuel by 2022. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) has been identified as a primary feedstock because it is a perennial, produces high yields and is adapted to a wide environmental range. Development of the cellulosic biofuel industry has been slow. A reason for this slow development is lack of available feedstock driven by lack of a developed market. Rather than considering switchgrass only as a dedicated biofuel feedstock, we examined its potential both for grazing and biofuel feedstock. …

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 …

Genetic Diversity And Relationships In Cocksfoot By Molecular Markers, Bing Zeng, Fu-Yuan Zuo, Xinquan Zhang, Liang Huan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) originated from the Northern Hemisphere, including Eurasia and North Africa. It is widely distributed in temperate climates and has been widely used in the world more than 100 years, especially in North America, Europe and Japan. Genetic variability of cocksfoot had been detected by RAPD (Kölliker et al. 1999), and the correlation between genome size of natural populations of cocksfoot and location altitude has been analyzed by AFLP (Reeves et al. 1999). To date, information on the genetic diversity of cocksfoot at the molecular level is still scarce, This study is the first to …