Weed Science Commons^™

Grasslands1 For Production And The Environment, David R. Kemp, David L. Michalk

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

1. To manage grasslands for production and enhanced environmental values requires a redefinition of the frameworks within which management decisions are made, and a tailoring of practices to suit the ways that farmers operate.
2. Improving the perenniality and permanence of grasslands usually leads to better environmental and production outcomes.
3. There is a case for a more conservative approach to utilising grasslands in order to sustain the functioning of local ecosystems and to improve water quality, nutrient and energy cycling and biodiversity.
4. A landscape rather than paddock focus is more appropriate for meeting current grassland management objectives. Grasslands can be triaged to …

Grassland In Ireland And The Uk, Myles Rath, S. Peel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

1. Grassland is the dominant land use option in Ireland and the UK, and is characterised by a long growing season.
2. Dynamic, interactive systems of grassland management have been developed which combine high grass dry matter intakes with good sward quality. In the better grassland areas milk yields in excess of 7000 kg/cow are attainable with low levels of concentrate supplementation. In the times to come, measures to protect the environment will constrain stocking rates, and fertiliser and manure use on intensive grassland enterprises.
3. A high proportion of beef and sheep farms participate in voluntary, EU-funded agri- environmental schemes that promote …

Diversity And Variation In Nutritive Value Of Plants Growing On 2 Saline Sites In Southwestern Australia, H. C. Norman, R. A. Dynes, D. G. Masters

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In south-western Australia 10% or 1.8 million ha of the farmed area is affected by dryland salinity and a further 6 million ha are at risk of salinity (NLWRA, 2001). Animal production from saltbush (Atriplex spp.)-based pasture systems represents the most likely large-scale opportunity for productive use of saline land in the short to medium term. Feeding saltbush-based pastures as a maintenance feed during the prolonged autumn feed gap typical in Mediterranean-type climates maximises their economic value. The aim of this study was to explore the diversity and nutritive value of plants that typically persist in saltbush-based saltland pastures.

Impact Of Root Herbivory On Grassland Community Structure: From Landscape To Microscale, P. J. Murray, R. Cook, L. A. Dawson, A. C. Gange, S. J. Grayston, A. M. Treonis

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Root herbivores are an important functional group in grassland ecosystems. Whilst there is a plethora of information on their impact as pests in productive grassland, few studies of their impact on biodiversity in upland grassland have been made. Root herbivores act in a number of ways, they reduce host plant biomass, alter root architecture, change root exudation patterns and increase water stress in the plant. Root herbivores may change above ground plant diversity, both through direct removal of plant species and through reduction in competitive ability of some species, through their feeding. In addition, we postulate that root herbivores affect …

Soil Biology And The Emergence Of Adventive Grassland Ecosystems, T. R. Seastedt

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The last few years have seen an explosion of information on the responses and feedbacks of soil biota to species and environmental changes. Soil biologists, plant ecologists, and biogeochemists have been searching for patterns, generality and predictability in these relationships. A few brave souls have had the courage to assemble comprehensive assessments of soil biology in our rapidly changing world. Several years ago, I reviewed Wardle’s (2002) book emphasising the links between above- and belowground components of ecosystems. That activity – as well as the present one – provided me with the opportunity to survey recent findings in soil biology. …

Ruminant Livestock Production Systems And Imperatives For Sustainable Development, J. W. Smith

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Biodiversity Conservation And Sustainable Livelihoods In Rangelands: Trends, Challenges And Opportunities, J. Waithaka

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Rangelands cover about 54% of the earth’s surface and are essential for agricultural and livestock production, environmental protection and the in-situ conservation of genetic resources. Despite providing services that support life on earth, rangelands have been neglected to a large extent when compared to other types of ecosystems. This paper provides an overview of the importance of rangelands in conserving biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people globally. Rangelands have lost ecological integrity due to unsustainable anthropogenic land-use changes and impacts. It is estimated that over 80% of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are either not adequately protected or …

Uses Of Native Plant Species Of A Communal Rangeland Within ‘Sierra De Huautla’ Protected Area, México, E. Cortés-Díaz, T. González-Bonilla, L. López-Aguilar, Pedro A. Martínez-Hernández, A. Hernández-Tapia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Sustainability of communal rangelands has become a major concern at national and international levels because land use conflicts and associated social conflicts allows for over-utilization of selected species making a high pressure on them and given away their places to species with no use at all becoming lands degraded and unproductive. The objective of the study was to determine floristic composition and native plant uses by local peasants. The range surface is of 4262 ha, belongs to the communal land ‘El Limon’, in Tepalcingo, Morelos, Mexico, and it is within the Natural Reserve Area “Sierra de Huautla”. Native vegetation is …

Grasslands For Production And The Environment, David R. Kemp, David L. Michalk

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. To manage grasslands for production and enhanced environmental values requires a redefinition of the frameworks within which management decisions are made, and a tailoring of practices to suit the ways that farmers operate.

2. Improving the perenniality and permanence of grasslands usually leads to better environmental and production outcomes.

3. There is a case for a more conservative approach to utilising grasslands in order to sustain the functioning of local ecosystems and to improve water quality, nutrient and energy cycling and biodiversity.

4. A landscape rather than paddock focus is more appropriate for meeting current grassland management …

Grassland In Ireland And The Uk, Myles Rath, S. Peel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Key points

1. Grassland is the dominant land use option in Ireland and the UK, and is characterised by a long growing season.

2. Dynamic, interactive systems of grassland management have been developed which combine high grass dry matter intakes with good sward quality. In the better grassland areas milk yields in excess of 7000 kg/cow are attainable with low levels of concentrate supplementation.

3. In the times to come, measures to protect the environment will constrain stocking rates, and fertiliser and manure use on intensive grassland enterprises.

4. A high proportion of beef and sheep farms participate in voluntary, …

Can High Density, Short Duration Grazing Replace Fire In A South African Mesic Grassland?, N. M. Chonco, S. C. Nkuna

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

High density grazing (HDG), defined as the concentration of many livestock on a small area for a short period of time has become increasingly popular in the South African mesic grassland yet little is known about it impact. HDG is usually applied without fire, based on the assertion that it is a key contributor to desertification of grasslands. However, fire plays an important role in the development and growth of most South African mesic grassland plant species, as it stimulates resprouting and reduces competition for light. The aim of this study was to determine the impacts of high density grazing …

The Effects Of Grazing Management And Fertilization On Grassland Diversity And Productivity, Warren Mcg. King, David R. Kemp

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of management practices on plant species diversity and productivity within a naturalised grassland was studied as part of a large-scale experiment designed to investigate issues of sustainability in temperate Australia. Fertiliser increased the production but reduced the diversity of the sward. The main decline was in exotic weed species. Strategic grazing resulted in a small increase in pasture diversity but a reduction in productivity. There was a consistent decline in diversity as productivity increased, across all treatments.

Pasture Dynamics After Sodseeding Cool Season Species With Or Without Glyphosate In Subtropical Natural Grasslands, Luciana M. Rizo, E. L. Moojen, Fernando L. F. De Quadros, F. E. Schlick, F. L. Correa

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

This trial was conducted to evaluate vegetation dynamics of natural grasslands fertilized and sodseeded with the cool season species Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), white clover (Trifolium repens) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) with or without glyphosate. Treatments that included herbicide spraying on natural vegetation caused a substitution of perennial grasses by undesirable species, and did not show a significant contribution of introduced species. Andropogon lateralis, Paspalum notatum, Paspalum dilatatum and Paspalum plicatulum almost disappeared, and were replaced by Chaptalia nutans and Apium spp, among others.

Core Collection Approaches And Genetic Diversity In Flemingia Macrophylla, R. Schultze‐Kraft, M. Peters

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Core collections are a useful means to optimise the management, including conservation, of forage germplasm collections. Such optimisation is warranted in view of increasingly limited research resources. As there are several potential options to create core collections, a project is presented in which three approaches are compared: (i) based on germplasm origin information; (ii) genetic diversity assessment by agronomic characterisation/evaluation; and (iii) DNA markers. As example-species for the project, the tropical legume shrub Flemingia macrophylla is selected because of its particular multiple-use potential in smallholder production systems. An important diversity descriptor is the content of tannins influencing feed and litter …

Managing Grassy Woodlands: Balancing Production And Conservation Of Resources, John G. Mcivor, Neil D. Macleod, S. Mcintyre

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Eastern Australian eucalypt woodlands are important agricultural areas that have been widely modified during two centuries of European-style use. Despite this they contain important natural resources including significant biodiversity. Long term sustainability of production depends on maintaining resources and management must be for both production and conservation. A research program on four properties in south east Queensland showed the properties were in generally good condition although all had some problems, and has highlighted a number of significant costs and barriers to adopting a more balanced approach to production and conservation.

Biodiversity And Fire In Shortgrass Steppe, Paulette L. Ford

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Effects of fire at two levels of intensity on beetle diversity in shortgrass steppe were examined. The experimental design was completely randomized, with 3 treatments and 4 replicates per treatment. Treatments were two levels of fire 1) dormant-season fire (relatively hot), and 2) growing-season fire (relatively cool), and unburned plots. The response variables were arthropod species richness and abundance. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis predicts that maximum species richness occurs at intermediate levels of disturbance. Data obtained in this study support that prediction. Species richness was higher on plots of intermediate fire intensity than the more intensely burned plots, and almost …

Tropical Forage Genetic Resources -- Will Any Be Left For Future Generations?, B. L. Maass, B. C. Pengelly

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

After very active years of pasture and forage research at major institutes, interest in tropical forage genetic resources has drastically declined. Apparently, the early phases of collecting and evaluation were much more valued than conserving and keeping the germplasm available for future generations. Accumulated data are not easily accessible and, therefore, the knowledge of tropical forage genetic resources is progressively being lost. This worldwide decrease in activity and loss of knowledge is due to declining resources. It is suggested that a global database on tropical forage genetic resources should be established and also that finances be made available to at …

A Systematic Review Of Ecological And Production Outcomes Under Rest-Grazing Systems, S. E. Mcdonald, R. Lawrence, R. Rader

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

With increasing pressure on grazing lands throughout the world, there is a growing need to balance sustainable management of livestock to meet food production and environmental impacts. Grazing management practices that incorporate periods of planned rest between grazing events (RG) may achieve both ecological and production goals simultaneously. We conducted a systematic review of global literature that compared ecological and production outcomes of RG systems with either continuously grazed (CG) or ungrazed (UG) areas. In addition, we evaluated the extent to which ecological and livestock production outcomes have been assessed simultaneously in these studies and identified future research needs. A …

Counteracting Green Alder Shrub Expansion By Low-Input Grazing, M. K. Schneider, T. Zehnder, J. Berard, C. Pauler, M. Staudinger, Michael Kreuzer, A. Lüscher

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the past decades, the decline of traditional agriculture has caused an abandonment of marginal pastures in many mountain areas of Europe. In the Swiss Alps, green alder (Alnus viridis) is the most abundant successional shrub. A survey of 24 pasture-shrub gradients showed that the encroachment by green alder, in contrast to other shrubs, is associated with a substantial decline in plant species richness. The understorey of alder is primarily populated by very few, broad-leaved herbaceous species benefitting from the atmospheric nitrogen fixed by actinomycetes in symbiosis with green alder. However, the understory vegetation also provides an underestimated …

Pasture Management For Conservation Of Multipurpose Plants In Italian Mountains, Andrea Pardini, V. Pratesi, R. Tallarico

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Contribution Of Mixed Farming Systems To Biodiversity Across Australia's Sheep‐Wheat Zone: The Grain & Graze Participatory Research Model, Kerry L. Bridle, Peter Mcquillan, Dave Green, Janet Smith, Margy Fitzgerald, Ted Lefroy

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Too Many People, Too Many Animals For Too Little Grass-‐A Canadian Perspective, G. Luciuk, M. Boyle, G. Brown, B. Kirychuk, B. Sonntag

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Biodiversity Of Plants And Animals In Grassland Systems: Approaches To Conservation And Restoration In England, S. Peel, S. P. Chaplin

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Commercial Grazing Versus Peri‐Urbanisation: Comparisons Of Landscape Condition, Cam K. Mcdonald, Neil D. Macleod, John G. Mcivor, F. Kearney

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Inheriting And Advancing The Essence Of Nomadic Culture, And Searching For A New Course Of Harmonious Development On The Grassland, Zhongling Liu, Cunzhu Liang, Lixing Wang, Dunyuan Hao, Huaming Liu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Different Reactions Of Plants And Insect Taxa To Reduction Of Stocking Rate: A Concrete Reason To Promote Habitat Heterogeneity In Grazing Systems, Bertrand Dumont, Anne Farruggia, J.-P. Garel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Biochemical Aspect Of Grazing Behavior On Mediterranean Rangelands, J. Rogosic, J. Kezic

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Germplasm Of Leymus Chinensis In North Of China, Gongshe Liu, Z. P. Liu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Maintaining Grassland Biodiversity While Controlling The Shrub Rhus Glabra, James Stubbendieck, Kay L. Kottas

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.

Research On The Relationship Between Climate And Plant Community In North Grassland Of China, Xuebiao Pan, Yurong Wei, Buju Long, Zhihua Pan

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

No abstract provided.