Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Buffelgrass Forage And Seed Production Responses To N And Fertilization, W R. Ocumpaugh, M A. Hussey, B L. Burson

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Forage and seed production responses to nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizer of Common buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) were evaluated for three years (1991-93). An incomplete factorial set of five rates of N and P were applied each year. Seed data were collected by hand stripping mature seed followed by a forage harvest. Seed quality characteristics were determined on each seed sample. No response to N fertilizer was observed in 1991 nor to P in any year. In 1992, there was a linear forage yield response to N fertilizer. In 1993, both the linear and quadratic effects of N …

Grassland Management In Central Area Of The Masurian Landscape Park, K Mlynarczyk, E Marks, E Korona

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Permanent grassland occupy some 12% of the area of the Masurian Landscape Park. The Cirsio-Polygonetum plant association was distinguished on the semi-natural meadows situated on the peat-marsh soil. Changes in botanical composition of the meadow sward and the productivity of DM, against a background of different mineral fertilization, were examined in a medium-scale plot experiment. It was concluded that both aspects ofutilization must be accorded high priority in the case of extensively managed meadows: medium level of forage production and the landscape conservation.

Reserving Pastures In Communal Grasslands By Agropastoralists Of Tanzania, M L. Kusekwa, A J. Mwilawa, J.K K. Msechu

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Studies were conducted in “Maasai” and “Gogo” tribal communities to gain understanding of traditional management of reserved pastures. Survey techniques were used and forage production and chemical composition were estimated. Household heads were invariably old men who had no formal education. Household size averaged 14 and 11, in Maasai and Gogo tribes respectively. Most reserved pastures were privately owned. Over 90% of pastoralists preferred individual ownership of reserved grazing. Herbage production was 2510 kg DM/ha in Maasai and 3680 kg DM/ha in Gogo locations. Pastures and low protein content (5.1-6.5% CP). Constraints to reserve grazing strategies were land and water …

Impact Of Extensive Management On Demography Of One Invasive Species Of Permanent Grasslands, D Magda

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study is to show the effect of extensive practices on the population dynamics of a grassland species (Chaerophyllum aureum) in order to control invasion process. Fertilisation intensity (none or 45g/m2), number (none, one or two) and date of cutting (before or after seed maturity) have been experienced on permanent plots in fields to follow consequences on demography of adults and seedlings. Adult density is regulated through cutting effect and intraspecific competition process. Reduction of competition by cutting leads to a paradoxal highest adult survival rate in on cut treatment compared with abandoned invaded fields. …

Influence Of Drying Method And Temperature On Ruminal Degradable Protein Of Switchgrass, D E. Farnham, K J. Moore, J R. George

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The nutritional value of herbage protein fed to ruminant livestock can be influenced greatly by the extent to which it is degraded in the rumen. This study was conducted to determine if drying method and temperature alters measurements of in situ ruminal escape protein (EP) of switchgrass herbage. Switchgrass harvested at the pre-heading stage was either air dried, freeze dried, or oven dried at 38, 49, 60, or 710 C. Samples from each of the six drying treatments were digested in situ in Dacron bags for 4, 8, 12, or 16 h. Drying treatment had a significant impact on EP …

Development Of Natural Horse Pastures In Finland In The 1900s, H Jansson, K H. Jansson, A Olin, T Talikka, J Pykala

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The purpose of the study was to assess the importance of natural pastures as a growing environment for horses and, at the same time, to evaluate the landscape value of such pastures. Another aim was to look at possible ways of conserving areas which have been in use as horse pastures for a long period of time as traditional biotopes belonging to the Finnish horse grazing culture, and to examine how their management and care could be improved.

Relationship Of Soil To Native Pasture In A Flooding Pampa Area (Argentine), S P. Debelis, A A. Bozzo, A Bujan, M B. Barrios

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The influence of the topography in soils found in the area surrounding the Chascomús lagoon is examined. The study of the profiles within the representative transect in each microenvironment reveals changes related to its traits. Its relationship with the vegetation present in each toposequence position was observed. The worsening of the natural drainage conditions, are related to reduction of organic matter, increase in the values of pH and PSI, greater intensity of hydromorphic traces and appearance of groups of characteristic species.

Extensification Of Sheep Grazing Systems: Effects On Soil Nutrients, Species Composition And Animal Production, C A. Marriott, I J. Gordon

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The effects of ceasing fertiliser inputs to perennial ryegrass/white clover swards, combined with patterns of seasonal grazing, on soil nutrient status, floristic composition and animal production (ewes and single lambs) were studied in a long-term experiment at three upland sites in Scotland. Four unfertilised treatments had a factorial combination of seasonal grazing in summer and autumn at two sward heights (4 and 8 cm). There was also an ungrazed, unfertilised control and a fertilised treatment (140 kg N/ha plus maintenance P and K), grazed at 4 cm sward height in both seasons. All treatments were imposed annually from 1990/91. By …

Grassland Management For Geese: Sustainable Use For Conservation And Agriculture, S M. Percival, R Lilley

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Increasing numbers of overwintering wild geese have caused considerable problems to agriculture but are often also of conservation concern as their populations are relatively small. Islay, Scotland, is one site where this problem is particularly acute. We studied the two goose species which use this site, the barnacle goose, Branta leucopsis, and the white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons flavirostris, and found that they preferred younger pastures located closer to their roost sites. These preferred areas could be important in developing a sustainable strategy for future goose management. Further non-sustainable population increases might be avoided by increasing disturbance in these areas.

Tissue‑ And Time‑Dependent Metabolite Profiles During Early Grain Development Under Normal And High Night‑Time Temperature Conditions, Nathan Abshire, Andrew L. Hauck, Harkamal Walia, Toshihiro Obata

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Background Wheat grain development in the first few days after pollination determines the number of endosperm cells that influence grain yield potential and is susceptible to various environmental conditions, including high night temperatures (HNTs). Flag leaves and seed-associated bracts (glumes, awn, palea, and lemma) provide nutrients to the developing seed. However, the specific metabolic roles of these tissues are uncertain, especially their dynamics at different developmental stages and the time in a day. Tissue- and time-dependent metabolite profiling may hint at the metabolic roles of tissues and the mechanisms of how HNTs affect daytime metabolic status in early grain development. …

Deferred Grazing And Sheep At The Break Of Season In South West Western Australia, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Grazing annual pastures in the first 12 days after germination can lower the productivity of pastures during winter by removing poorly rooted plants, and by reducing plant leaf area to sub-optimal levels. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) recommends deferring grazing of pasture paddocks at the break-of-season until feed on offer is at least 500–800 kilograms of dry matter per hectare (kg DM/ha). At this level, pasture plants are likely to be firmly rooted and have sufficient leaf area to be productively grazed.

Herbicides, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Herbicides play a vital role in integrated weed management programs. Knowledge of the mechanisms and activity of herbicides will improve the impact and sustainability of herbicides as a weed management tactic. This fact sheet is a guide to the types of herbicides available and when and how they should be used.

Manage Crop Weeds At Harvest, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

This management strategy provides an opportunity to control weed seed set in the pasture and during harvest. The strategy physically removes viable seed from the paddock by collecting weed seed and grazing crop residues.

Weed seed removal at harvest can be achieved in 2 ways:

1. collecting weed seeds from the system to prevent them being spread across the paddock or farm

2. grazing weed contaminated crop residue and pastures.

Herbicide Application, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Herbicides can be applied by a variety of means, including boom sprayers, aerial spraying, misters, blanket wipers, rope wick applicators, weed seekers and back-pack sprayers. This fact sheet reviews the different methods, including nozzles and calibration of equipment, used to apply herbicides.

Short-Term Response Of Soil Microbial Community And Soil Bio-Chemical Properties To Soybean Intercropping In A Cassava-Based Cropping System, Nolissa Organo, John Lester Pide, Michelle Anne Calubaquib, Elmer Enicola, Evelyn Delfin, Vanessa Calderon, Raymund Antiola, Hosne Dilzahan, Andre Cruz

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

A cassava-based cropping system study assessed the short-term response of soil chemical and biochemical properties and soil microbial communities to soybean intercropping. Two soybean varieties (‘Select Manchuria’ and ‘Tiwala 12’) were tested as intercrops. The treatments did not affect the soil’s chemical (pH, OM, N, P, K) and biochemical (basal respiration and dehydrogenase and urease enzyme activities) properties after one cropping period. Amplicon sequencing analysis found that intercropping promoted the abundance of bacterial orders Actinomycetales, Solibacterales, Sphingomonadales, and Rhodospirillales. These groups play active roles in organic matter decomposition and can potentially improve the soil quality in an area by enhancing …

Row Covers Limit Pests And Disease And Increase Profit In Organic Acorn Squash, Kathleen Fiske, Nieyan Cheng, Ryan Kuesel, Wendong Zhang, Ricardo Bessin, Mark A. Williams, David J. Gonthier

Entomology Faculty Publications

Organic cucurbit growers face many challenges to production including insect pests, insect-vectored diseases, and non-vectored diseases. While Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) -listed pesticides underperform at suppressing pests and diseases, some alternative pest management strategies hold promise, but little research exists on their cost-effectiveness. We compared the efficacy of mesotunnel systems (nylon-mesh netting row covers deployed over bent metal hoops) and OMRI-listed pesticides (fungicides and insecticides) on acorn squash across 2 years. During the early part of the season, before row covers were removed for pollination, we found 1.7 (2020) and 0.3 (2021) times more cucumber beetles in the uncovered …

Shared Patterns Of Population Genomic Variation And Phenotypic Response Across Rapid Range Expansions In Two Invasive Lady Beetle Species, Angela G. Jones, John J. Obrycki, Arun Sethuraman, David W. Weisrock

Entomology Faculty Publications

Non-native lady beetle species have often been introduced, with variable success, into North America for bio- logical control of aphids, scales, whiteflies, and other agricultural pests. Two predatory lady beetle species, Propylea quatuordecimpunctata and Hippodamia variegata, both originating from Eurasia, were first discovered near Montreal, Quebec, in North America in 1968 and 1984, respectively, and have since expanded into northeastern North America and the midwestern United States. In this study, we estimate the range-wide pop- ulation structure, establishment and range-expansion, and recent evolutionary history of these lady beetle species using reduced-representation genotyping-by-sequencing via ddRADseq. In addition, we quantified the responses …

Grazing Annual Pastures – Using Feed On Offer (Foo) As A Guide, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Animal production and livestock factsheets

Grazing management in winter and spring in South West Western Australia (SW WA) can manipulate the quality, quantity and composition of pasture. These pasture changes can increase livestock feed efficiency and productivity, reduce insect populations and improve pasture persistence. Seasonal grazing based on feed on offer (FOO) is described here to maximise stocking rate and pasture production.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development recommends using feed measurements and feed budgeting to increase productivity and reduce livestock health risks.

Boosting Winter Pasture Growth, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

Applying gibberellic acid or nitrogen fertiliser to pasture in winter can increase dry matter production of grasses and broadleaf weeds and help reduce feed shortages in winter.

Reduce Crop Weed Seed Numbers In The Soil, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development, Western Australia

Grains and other field crops factsheets

There are various methods of weed control in the pre-sowing phase, including removing weed seed numbers in the soil, fallow, stubble, and by various methods. This factsheet covers some of the methods, including:

• Burning crop residues to reduce the surface seed bank of many weeds

• Encouraging insect predation of seed

• Inversion ploughing to bury weed seeds at a depth they can’t germinate

• Autumn tickle to encourage earlier germination of weed seeds for destruction using a knockdown herbicide

• Delaying sowing to allow greater germination of weed seeds for destruction using a knockdown herbicide or cultivation, prior …