Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Irrigation Management Strategies For Fodder Beet (Beta Vulgaris L.) Crops, Edith N. Khaembah, John M. De Ruiter, E. Chakwizira, S. Maley, M. J. George

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The production of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L.) in New Zealand is concentrated in the South Island, and often requires irrigation to achieve high yields. Development of efficient irrigation management strategies requires information on the effect of timing and rate of irrigation on crop growth. A field study was conducted on a moderately deep soil at Chertsey, Canterbury, New Zealand, to evaluate crop growth responses to five irrigation managements: Rain-fed (control), weekly replacement of full evapotranspiration (FullET-weekly), and 50% of evapotranspiration replaced weekly (HalfET-weekly), fortnightly (HalfET-2weekly) or 3-weekly (HalfET-3weekly). Irrigation to replace ET was adjusted to account for rainfall …

Maintain Forage Yields In Long- And Short-Term Grasslands In Norway, I. Sturite, T. Maeland, M. Höglind

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Various reasons have been invoked explaining the low renovation activity in Norwegian grassland farming: swards are often located in marginal areas, ploughing and reseeding gives low or no yield in the renovation year, and it may be unprofitable to establish a new sward. The establishment of new leys can also prove difficult in seasons with unfavourable weather conditions. Thus, farmers prefer long-term or permanent swards as opposed to ploughed and reseeded swards. The hypotheses of this study is that under equal management conditions, permanent and temporary swards (leys) that are reseeded frequently are equally productive. We present results from an …

Sowing Rate Effects On Biomass Production Of A Forage Oat In The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, C. T. Liu, H. B. Zhang, J. Q. Deng, Yuying Shen

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Oat (Avena sativa L.) has been a quality forage for the livestock husbandry in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. But farmers tend to use high sowing rates to avoid forage production risks, which does not always give the optimum yield. An field experiment was carried out to explore the response of dry matter production of forage oat Jiayan No.2 to sowing rates in three locations of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: Tianzhu county (TZ), Haiyan county (HB) and Hongyuan county (HY).The five sowing rates were set as 30 , 60 , 90 , 150 and 240 kg·ha^-1. Sowing rates had a …

Regeneration Of Old Ungrazed Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex Nummularia) Stands In South-West Australia, S. J. Bennett, S. G. Low, D. Collins, V. Crouch

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Many old man saltbush (Atriplex nummularia) stands were sown in the grainbelt of Western Australia for soil regeneration and salinity management up to 25 years ago, but have not been effectively grazed subsequently, such that the main feed available for sheep is above grazing height. The aim of the study was therefore to see if it was possible to return the old man saltbush stands to a productive grazing stand.

Two sites were chosen that had been sown up to 25 years previously in Goomalling and Corrigin, in the south-west of Western Australia. The sites were split into …

Shelf Life Potential And Microbial Load Of Varying Mixtures Of Grass-Legume Pellets: A Dry Season Feed, O. A. Aderinola, S. T. Oyewole, D. O. Okunlola

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of storage duration (0, 6 and 12 weeks), storage medium (plastic container, polythene bag and jute sack) and varying mixture of grass-legume (60% Panicum maximum (6Pm); 30% Panicum maximum + 30% Lablab purpureus (3Pm3Lp); 40% Panicum maximum + 20% Lablab purpureus (4Pm2Lp); 40% Panicum maximum + 20% Stylosanthes hamata (4Pm2Sh) and 30% Panicum maximum + 30% Stylosanthes hamata (3Pm3Sh)) on shelf life and microbial load of grass-legume pellets were examined in the derived savanna zone of Nigeria (Latitude 8⁰N, Longitude 4⁰E) using a 3 x 3 x 5 factorial arrangement using completely randomized design …

Grass-Legume Mixtures For Diversified And Profitable Forage Production, M. A. Islam, D. Ashilenje

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Grass-legume mixtures can improve forage yields, nutritive value, and net economic benefits. A replicated experiment was conducted from 2013-2017 at the University of Wyoming Sheridan Research and Extension Center to determine forage yield, nutritive value, and gross margin for meadow bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) mixtures and monocultures. Treatments included 50-50% and 70-30% mixtures of meadow bromegrass with each legume and 50-25-25% mixture of meadow bromegrass with two legumes and 50-16.7-16.7-16.7% mixture of meadow bromegrass, alfalfa, sainfoin, and birdsfoot trefoil. Grass monocultures received …

"Estimation Of The Primary Net Production Above Ground Through Remote Sensing In A Pastoral System Of The Colombian Altillanura.", R. A. Díaz, M. Álvarez, O. Pérez, J. Bernal, M. Arango

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The primary net production above ground (ANPP) represents the main forage resource that supports the bovine production systems and its valuation is essential to help in the decision making on the management of the pastures. The ANPP has been estimated by periodic biomass courtesy, but with the use of the remote sensor integrated into the efficiency model formulated by Monteih (1972), it has been possible to estimate this biophysical parameter more efficiently at different scales and at low cost. The objective of this study was to estimate the PPNA based on a model of efficiency in the use of light …

Closing Feed Gaps By Winter Forage Production In Limpopo: What Is The Potential?, S. A. Lamega, M. Komainda, M. P. Hoffmann, J. J. Odhiambo, K. K. Ayisi, Johannes Isselstein

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In southern Africa, livestock productivity in mixed crop-livestock systems is constrained by forage supply towards the end of the dry period. Opportunities to improve forage availability to close the temporal feed gap counteracting negative effects on production as well as on environment need to be explored. A promising option might be the planting of cover crops (CC) during the winter period. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in the Limpopo province (South Africa) during the autumn-winter period of 2019 at two sites (Syferkuil, Thohoyandu) with contrasting climatic conditions and soil type. We selected multi-functional C3 species – winter rye ( …

The Morphological, Crude Protein And In-Vitro Dry Matter Degradability Characterisation Of Nine Native Grass Species For Veld Restoration In Semi-Arid Environment, N. H. Msiza, K. E. Ravhuhali, H. K. Mokoboki, Sydney Mavengahama

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pasture production is dependent on results from favourable conditions that allow for stimulation of tillers and absence thereof does not promote the development of tillers. The study sought to investigate the comparative characterisation of the morphology, crude protein and in-vitro dry matter degradability (DMD) of nine native grass species (Anthephora pubescens, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Dactylis glomerata, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, Festuca arundinacea, Panicum maximum & Themeda triandra), subjected under controlled conditions. Plants were assessed for germination percentage, chlorophyll, number of leaves and tillers, crude protein and in-vitro dry matter degradability (DMD). Data on these parameters was analysed …

Uses And Knowledge Of Plant Species By Mongolian Herders In The Gobi Desert And Identification Of Species Of Interest For Planting, A. Barnes, Simon Taugourdeau, S. Bazan, V. Rayot, Ts. Enkhjargal

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Central Asia, many projects propose to establish single-species saxaul (Haloxylon ammodendron (C.A. Meyer) Bunge) plantations. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among herders in Ulaanbadrakh, in the Dornogobi province, and herders in Gurvansaikhan, in the Dundgobi province in the Gobi Desert (Mongolia). The aim of this survey is to verify the interest of saxaul for the local populations, and to identify other woody species of interest for planting. Herders were questioned about the use of plant species from the Gobi grazing lands: livestock feed, human food, and then about plant species non-eaten by livestock and those that could …

The Cropgro Perennial Forage Model Simulates Productivity And Re-Growth Of Tropical Perennial Grasses, K. J. Boote, D. N. L. Pequeno, P. D. Alderman, S. J. Rymph, M. A. S. Lara

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This paper introduces the CROPGRO Perennial Forage model (CROPGRO-PFM) and describes its ability to simulate regrowth dynamics and herbage production of Brachiaria and Panicum as affected by harvest management and weather. The model simulates regrowth, herbage harvests, percent leaf, and herbage protein of perennial forage grasses and legumes over multiple seasons. It can regrow from zero LAI (after harvest) based on use of carbohydrate and N reserves in storage tissues; however, the amount of residual stubble and residual leaf area index (LAI) are also important for rapid regrowth and productivity. The model is publically available for download from DSSAT.NET.

Formononetin Of Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense L.) As Affected By Water Availability, Fernando Ortega-Klose, Rafael López-Olivari, Muriel Melo, Andrés Quiroz, L. Bardehle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Red clover is a valuable legume in the world. Among the biotic factors limiting persistence of the species in Chile is the root borer Hylastinus obscurus (Marsham). Our previous studies have shown a negative effect of formononetin content of the plant on the root borer fitness The purpose of this research was to assess the relationship between water availability and formononetin concentration. Two independent growth chamber experiments were established at Carillanca Research Center, INIA-Chile in order to study the effect of water availability on formononetin concentration in the aerial and root parts of the plants. In experiment I, three levels …

Isolation And Identification Of Lactic Acid Bacteria Strains And Their Effects On The Fermentation Quality Of Elephant Grass (Cenchrus Purpureus) Silage, Azizza Mala, Babo Fadlalla, Zhihao Dong, Junfeng Li, Tao Shao

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This study aims to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria and examine their effects on the fermentation quality of elephant grass silage. The isolated strains were identified based on morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics as well as 16S rRNA analysis. Three strains namely Pediococcus acidilactic (AZZ5), Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. Plantarum (AZZ4), Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. Argentoratensis (AZZ6) were isolated from elephant grass silage. Isolation of the microbes was done by serial dilution method. Three LAB and one commercial bacteria Lactobacillus Plantarum, Ecosyl MTD/1(CB)) were used as additives to fresh material of elephant grass. To follow the fermentation quality during ensiling, …

Nutritive Composition And In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility Of The Most Browsed Forage Species By Lactating Camels, Lucy W. Ikanya, J. G. Maina, C. K. Gachuiri, W. O. Owino, José C. B. Dubeux Jr.

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Camels are both grazers and browsers of a broad spectrum of forages. The objective of this study was to identify and to determine the chemical composition of the most preferred forage species by lactating Somali camels in Laikipia County, Kenya. Lactating Somali camels and their calves were observed during the wet and dry seasons while browsing for a period of two weeks. The forage species were ranked based on the bite count. The most browsed forages identified through observation were sampled for identification by the local and scientific names and laboratory analysis. They were analyzed for proximate composition, detergent fiber …

Integrated Nutrient Management And Cover Cropping Practices In Louisiana Sugarcane Production Systems, Daniel Erneso Forestieri

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Integrating effective fertilizer management with conservation practices is essential to improve farm income and promote environment friendly sugarcane production systems. A study was conducted in multiple to document the impact of nitrogen (N) source and cover cropping on sugarcane yield and quality components. The treatment consisted of different N sources: urea, knife-in urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) solution, calcium nitrate-CaNO3, ammonium sulfate-NH4SO4, and knife-in UAN. + foliar N, applied at 90 kg ha-1 and control (0 N). The cover crops included: crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa), and oilseed radish (Raphanus sativus L.) planted at 13, 17, and 1 …

Forage Yield And Nutritive Quality Of Haulm From Dual-Purpose Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L Walp) Cultivars For Dry Season Feeding In Nigeria, N. J. Anyanwu, Olufemi S. Onifade, Jimoh A. Olanite, V. I. O. Olowe, B. O. Boukar, I. I. Ekpe

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The availability of high quality forage especially during the dry season remains a major challenge to ruminant livestock production in Nigeria and many parts of West Africa. Due to the prevailing mismatch between livestock population and supply of feed resources in the arid and semi arid Nigeria, the humid forest zone represents a potential source for crop residues, especially during the dry season due to longer rainfall duration and suitable climate. This study was conducted to evaluate forage yield and nutritive quality of haulm from selected dual purpose cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) cultivars in the humid rain forest …

Influence Of Seeding Rate On Growth Performance And Yield Of Early Maturing Sorghum, Ismail S. Selemani, O. B. Ngonyani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Heavy grazing pressure in Tanzanian semi-arid rangelands coupled with climate change and variability has resulted into severe decline in forage production and changes in vegetation composition. To increase forage biomass production in the face of climate change and variability, climate resilient fodder crops such as early maturing sorghum have been recommended in arid and semi-arid regions. However, paucity of information on the best agronomic practices especially the optimal seeding rate and row spacing fostered the need to carry out research on growth performance and yield of early maturing sorghum. The experiment was conducted at Magadu Dairy Farm to assess the …

Comparison Of Four Maize Cultivars (Zea Mays L.) As Winter Forage In Sudan, Rihab El Zubair

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Winter forage availability in Sudan is constrained by lack of a suitable annual winter forage crop. The main forage crop grown is Abu70 (Sorghum bicolor) which is a summer crop that yields 7.6-8.4 t/ha in summer but much less in winter. There is, therefore, need for a winter high yielding forage crop that exceeds Abu70 in productivity and quality. This study was aimed to evaluate four forage maize cultivars as potential winter crops in central Sudan in terms of productivity and quality. An experiment was conducted using four maize forage cultivars. The experiment lasted for two consecutive seasons …

Nitrogen Options To Increase Yields For Stockpiling Cool Season Grass In Eastern Ohio, Usa, C. D. Penrose, J. S. Mccutcheon, D. F. Lima, T. G. Wiseman, M. A. Landefeld

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Stockpiling cool season grass for grazing in the fall and winter is an option to extend the grazing season. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of yield and quality by adding urea, urea with Agrotain®, and ammonium sulfate to cool season grasses, primarily fescue and orchardgrass. This was the third year of the three location study in Southeast Ohio. Each location had a randomized complete block design with four treatments (control, 112 kg urea ha^-1, 112 kg urea ha^-1 plus Agrotain®, and 245.5 kg ammonium sulfate ha^-1) and four replications of …

Title Evaluation Of Yields And Nutritive Composition Of Dual Purpose Sweet Potato Vine Cultivars For Forage Use, R. S. Kenana, A. I. Hoka, N. Ondabu, F. Ondabu, J. Mercy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The sweet potato vine (SPV) is a widely grown but underutilized feed resource for livestock. The vines have desirable characteristics suitable for fodder production due to high contents of protein and digestible energy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and nutritive composition of five dual purpose cultivars based on vine production for forage use. The experimental design was arranged in randomized complete block design where six cultivars of sweet potato were established in plots of 2.5m x 2.5m in three replicates. The cultivars used were; Kenspot 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. An improved forage type …

Diet Selection By Goats At Kalemando, North Darfur, Sudan, Abdelrahim I. H. Mansoor, Babo Fadlalla

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pressure on rangelands of Sudan has increased in the last few decades due to increase in human population and in animal numbers. The rangelands were also impacted by climate change, desertification, agricultural expansion, mining, and overgrazing. Decreased amounts of rainfall have impoverished the natural rangelands. Goats are capable of grazing on semi-desert regions characterized by low rainfall and scarce grazing plants. It is therefore necessary to know and enhance plant species preferred by goats to properly manage the rangelands. The present study was conducted at Kalemando, North Darfur State during the rainy season of year 2017 when most plants were …

Smallholder Farmer Seed Production Of Mulato Ii Hybrid Brachiaria In Thailand And Laos - Bringing Quality Forage Seeds Home To Africa, M. D. Hare

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Seeds of Mulato II hybrid brachiaria [Urochloa ruziziensis (syn. Brachiaria ruziziensis) x U. brizantha (syn. B. brizantha) x U. decumbens (syn, B.decumbens)] produced by smallholder farmers in villages in northeast Thailand and northern Laos, under contract to Ubon Forage Seeds Co. Ltd, a tropical forage seed company in Thailand, have come home to Africa. Since 2012, over 20,000 kg of Mulato II seed have been exported from Thailand to Kenya. The seed is hand-harvested from seed-heads in Laos and by hand-sweeping the seed from the ground in Thailand. The farmers semi-clean the seed in the field …

Induction Of Tetraploid Ruzigrass (Brachiaria Ruziziensis) By Colchicine And Possibility Of Using Seed Weight As Screening Method, R. Poungkaew, Y. Mangpung, J. Arananant, P. Chuchuay, S. Thaikua, P. Chanpeng

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tetraploid ruzigrass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) have been obtained by colchicine treatment of in vitro apical meristems and embryogenic calli. The colchicine treatment consisted of culturing apical meristem on MS basal medium containing 6.0 mg L^-1 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.05-0.20% colchicine for 8, 14, 20 and 26 h. After treated by colchicine, apical meristems were transferred onto former medium without colchicine for 4 weeks. Surviving apical meristems were induced multiple roots on MS basal medium containing 2.0 mg L^-1 BAP. The ploidy level of plants after colchicine treatment was determined by flow cytometry. Apical meristems treated with 0.05% …

Growth Performance And Yield Of Three Brachiaria Cultivars Subjected To Different Eco-Climatic Zones Of Tanzania, Ismail S. Selemani

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Replacement of high quality (perennial forage) with low quality (annual forage) due to the effects of climate change has resulted into low milk production in Tanzania to 4.5L which is below the genetic potential of producing at least 15L of milk per cow per day. Though high yield fodder grasses such as Brachiaria have been recommended as climate smart fodder grass, little information has been documented in Tanzania particularly with respect to the growth performance of these grasses across different eco-climatic zones. The current study determine the performance and yield of three cultivars of Brachiaria (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piata, …

Differences In Urochloa Hybrids And Cultivars Biomass Production In Several Sites In Western Kenya, S. Mwendia, A. O. Notenbaert, D. M. Mwangi, R. Odhiambo, I. Ogutu, A. Juma

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage production is at the core of improved livestock productivity, especially in sub Saharan Africa. The genetic potential of existing animals remains underutilized due to limited forage quality and quantity. Albeit wide range of forage germplasm that exists, little data is available for identifying suitable genotypes, matched to specific environments and production systems. Due to the spatial and temporal diverse environments in which livestock production happens, multi-locational screening of forage production and characterizing genotype by environment interaction is key. We selected seven Urochloa (Syn. Brachiaria) genotypes comprising three hybrids and four cultivars and established them in on-farm trials in …

Identification And Analysis Of Flowering Time Candidate Genes Of Dactylis Glomerata L., X. Q. Zhang, G. Y. Feng, L. K. Huang, X. X. Zhao, Z. F. Yang

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is an important forage grass for cultivating livestock worldwide. Heading date is a surrogate measure of flowering time and is strongly correlated with the yield and quality of forage grasses. Here, we identified 210 flowering-related genes in orchardgrass by BLASTP. In addition, our integrated analysis of transcriptome, quantitative trait locus (QTL), and bulked segregant analysis (BSA) provided insights into the genetic network regulating flowering time. The results revealed that four main candidate genes may participate in flowering time control, including one FT-like gene and three MADS-box genes. Expression investigation between the early-flowering and late-flowering phenotype …

Brs Quênia And Brs Tamani: New Panicum Maximum Jacq. Hybrid Cultivars In Brazil, Liana Jank, C. M. S. De Andrade, Giovana A. Maciel, Rodrigo A. Barbosa, Gustavo J. Braga, Manuel C. M. Macedo, José R. Valério, Jaqueline R. Verzignassi, A. H. Zimmer, Celso D. Fernandes, M. F. Santos, Rosangela M. Simeão

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Since 1982 Embrapa Beef Catle in Campo Grande, MS, Brazil, develops a Panicum maximum Jacq. breeding program, based on the germplasm collected and assembled by IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Developpment) and received through a cooperation-agreement with IRD. The germplasm was evaluated and four cultivars were released directly from the germplasm: cultivars Tanzania, Mombaça, Massai and BRS Zuri. Breeding began in 1990 and involved crosses between sexual plants and selected apomictic accessions. The program consists of evaluation followed by selection of hybrids in plots with replications, evaluation of the selected hybrids in national network experiments in diverse regions and …

Nutritional Characteristics Of Brachiaria Ruziziensis (Germain & Evrard) Subjected To Different Doses Of Gamma Rays, A. I. Hoka, M. Gicheru, S. Otieno

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Appropriate methods of mutation induction are of high importance in pastures for increased genetic variability and improved forage performance. The objective of this research was to improve agronomic and nutritive performance of mutant lines through induced mutagenesis to seeds of a local landrace Brachiaria ruziziensis. The seeds were irradiated with 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40Gy doses of gamma radiation from Cobalt 60 (⁶⁰Co). Treatments were; KE 0Gy, KE 10Gy, KE 20Gy, KE 30Gy, and KE 40Gy resulting into M1 seeds. The seeds were planted in the greenhouse in germination pots then transplanted to the field. Seeds …

Soil Microbial Carbon, Nitrate And Ammonium Nitrogen Dynamics In Urochloa Grass Cultivated In Sub-Humid Kenya, K. W. Ndung’U-Magiroi, M. N. Koech, M. C. Mutoko, M. Kamidi, Elias M. Gichangi, Donald M. G. Njarui

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

A study was conducted to monitor the dynamics of available soil phosphorus (P), soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), nitrogen (SMBN), ammonium and nitrate nitrogen under seven Urochloa grass cultivars at Kitale, Kenya. The Urochloa cultivars: Urochloa brizantha cvs. Marandu, MG-4, Piata, Xaraes, U. decumbens cv. Basilisk, U. hybrid cv. Mulato II and U. humidicola cv. Llanero was compared with two popularly grown forages, Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana cv. KAT R3), Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. KK1) and annual weeds. The treatments were tested in a randomized complete block design arranged in a split plot treatment structure with two …

Productivity And Nutritive Value Of Urochloa Grass Cultivars In Semi-Arid Tropical Kenya, Donald M. G. Njarui, Mwangi Gatheru

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

There is increasing demand for high yielding and nutritious forages to meet the growing dairy farming in semi-arid Kenya. The productivity and nutritive value of seven Urochloa grass cultivars (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, U. brizantha cvs. Marandu, MG4, Piatá and Xaraes, U. humidicola cv. Llanero and U. hybrid cv. Mulato II) were evaluated in two diverse semi-arid environments, Katumani and Ithookwe in Kenya. At Katumani, the dry matter (DM) yield (5000 - 7500 kg/ha) was highest during the first harvest during the long rains (LR) 2014 season. Dry matter yield declined progressively with season and in the third season …