Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons^™

Genomic Constitution Of Festulolium Varieties, D. Kopecky, V. Cernoch, R. Capka, J. Dolezel

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Hybrids between species of ryegrass (Lolium) and fescue (Festuca) combine useful agronomical characteristics such as rapid establishment from seed and fodder quality from ryegrass and tolerance against abiotic and biotic stressses from fescue. The superior potential of hybrids has stimulated breeding programs generating so called Festulolium varieties. While the varieties have been evaluated extensively for their agronomic characteristics, little information is publicly available on their genomic constitution. The aim of our study was to analyse genomic constitution of a representative set of commercially available European Festulolium cultivars. To do this, we have employed genomic in situ …

Genetic Changes Over Breeding Generations Of Festulolium, M. Ghesquière, P. Barre, L. Barrot

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Festulolium hybrids are a valuable breeding source for tolerance to abiotic stress and to make grass more persistent under drought and in cold environments. In 2004, the EU Commission enlarged the definition of Festulolium which may now include all hybrids between Lolium sp. and Festuca sp. and not only those between L. multiflorum and F. pratensis. We here report allele frequencies at two unlinked PCR-based marker loci in populations derived from tetraploid (2n=4x=28) L. multiflorum x F. glaucescens hybrids where breeding history enables us to test the effects of selection vs that of genetic drift.

Development And Testing Of Novel Chloroplast Markers For Perennial Ryegrass From De Novo Sequencing And In Silico Sequences, S. Mcgrath, T. R. Hodkinson, S. Barth

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Chloroplast DNA is uniparentally inherited and non-recombinant in Lolium perenne. These properties make the chloroplast genome a useful tool for studying inter- and intra- specific relationships. Previous genetic studies on L. perenne have used chloroplast sequence data. However, the relative lack of variation in the chloroplast genome limits its usefulness for analysis at the single individual level within a species. However, chloroplast SSR markers have recently been shown to have high levels of polymorphism (Provan et al., 2004). This is the first study to design and employ such markers for L. perenne. The objectives of this study …

Genetic Analysis Of The Interaction Between Perennial Ryegrass And The Fungal Endophyte Neotyphodium Lolii, E. Van Zijll De Jong, A. C. Vecchies, M. P. Dobrowolski, N. O. I. Cogan, K. F. Smith, G. C. Spangenberg, J. W. Forster

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The fungal endophyte Neotyphodium lolii is widely distributed in perennial ryegrass pastures, especially in Australia and New Zealand. The presence of the endophyte is associated with improved tolerance to water and nutrient stress and resistance to insect pests, but is accompanied by reduced herbivore feeding. The molecular mechanisms responsible for these endophyte-related traits are in general poorly understood. Comparisons of different grass-endophyte associations show that endophyte-related traits are affected by both endophyte and host genotype, and environmental interactions.

Microarray-Based Transcriptome Analysis Of The Interaction Between Perrenial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne) And The Fungal Endophyte Neotyphodium Lolii, S. Felitti, P. Tian, T. Webster, D. Edwards, G. C. Spangenberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Neotyphodium lolii, Neotyphodium coenophialum and Epichloë festucae are common symbiotic fungal endophytes of the temperate pasture grasses perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and red fescue (Festuca rubra), respectively. A genomic resource of 13,964 expressed sequence tags (ESTs), representing 7,585 unique endophyte genes, has been established for Neotyphodium and Epichloë fungal endophytes.

A High-Throughput Gene Silencing Approach For Studying The Interaction Between Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne) And The Fungal Endophyte Neotyphodium Lolii, S. Felitti, P. Tian, D. Edwards, G. C. Spangenberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and its fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii) are known to establish a mutualistic association that impacts on the agronomic productivity of endophyte-infected ryegrass pastures. To study this interaction at the molecular level, a genomic resource consisting of 13,964 endophyte ESTs has been generated. However, the functions of a large proportion of these genes remain to be elucidated. Recent work has demonstrated the potential for RNA-mediated gene silencing to suppress gene expression in a sequence specific manner thus allowing for the subsequent analysis of gene function.

Isolation And Characterization Of Novel Btb Domain Protein Encoding Genes From Fungal Grass Endophytes, M. Ramsperger, S. A. Felitti, D. Edwards, G. C. Spangenberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Pasture grasses belonging to the Pooideae sub-family of the Poaceae family frequently host symbiotic fungal endophytes. These include the sexual Epichloë species and the anamorphic asexual Neotyphodium species, which are thought to have evolved from Epichloë species either by the direct loss of sexual reproduction or by interspecific hybridisation. The two key temperate pasture grasses, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) interact with the fungal endophytes N. coenophialum and N. lolii, respectively. Large insert genomic DNA libraries are valuable resources for the discovery and isolation of genes and their regulatory sequences, for …

Genetic Variation In The Perennial Ryegrass Fungal Endophyte Neotyphodium Lolii, E. Van Zijll De Jong, N. R. Bannan, A. V. Stewart, K. F. M. Reed, M. P. Dobrowolski, K. F. Smith, G. C. Spangenberg, J. W. Forster

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The common fungal endophytes (Neotyphodium species) of temperate pasture grasses are associated with improved tolerance to water and nutrient stress and resistance to insect pests, but are also the causal agents of animal toxicoses. Considerable variation exists among grass-endophyte associations for these beneficial and detrimental agronomic traits. The extent to which this variation may be attributed to the endophyte genotype, the host genotype or environmental interactions is currently unknown. The development of molecular genetic markers for endophytes based on simple sequence repeat (SSR) loci and the demonstration of the specific detection of endophytes in planta with these markers (van …

Metabolome Analysis Of The Interaction Between Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne) And The Fungal Endophyte Neotyphodium Lolii, P. Tian, S. Felitti, M. P. Dobrowolski, K. F. Smith, D. Edwards, R. Hall, J. Kopka, G. C. Spangenberg

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) frequently contain endophytic fungi (Neotyphodium lolii in perennial ryegrass and N. coenophialum in tall fescue). The presence of the endophyte has been shown to improve seedling vigour, persistence and drought tolerance in marginal environments as well as provide protection against some insect pests. Endophyte-infected grasses also produce a wide range of metabolites, including ergopeptine alkaloids, indole-isoprenoid lolitrems, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and pyrrolopyrazine alkaloids. In contrast to information on alkaloids and animal toxicosis, the beneficial physiological aspects of the endophyte/grass interactions have not been well characterised. The physiological …

Endophyte Effects On Antioxidants And Membrane Leakage In Tall Fescue During Drought, C. P. West, R. D. Carson, C. A. Guerber, B. De Los Reyes

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.)=Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire] infected (E+) by its fungal endophyte [(Neotyphodium coenphialum Morgan-Jones & Gams.) Glenn, Bacon & Hanlin] often shows greater persistence during summer drought than endophyte-free (E-) plants (Malinowski et al., 2005). Survival of the apical meristem and growing zone of vegetative tillers likely involves biochemical adaptations whose benefits to the host are enhanced by endophyte presence. Antioxidant enzymes may scavenge free radicals during heat and drought, and thereby reduce membrane damage. Their roles in endophyte-mediated drought tolerance in tall fescue have not been tested. Our objective was to …

Nutritive Value Of Alopecurus Pratensis, Festuca Rubra, Arrhenatherum Elatius And Lolium Perenne Grown In The South Of Belgium, A. Nivyobizi, A. G. Deswysen, D. Dehareng, A. Peeters, Y. Larondelle

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Europe, recent strategies have aimed at encouraging farmers to use production techniques more efficient in preserving the environment and maintaining natural areas. Those strategies have encouraged the use of secondary grass species in forage production systems. However, the nutritive value of those grasses is not well known. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the energy and nitrogen values of Alopecurus pratensis (ALPR), Festuca rubra (FERU) and Arrhenatherum elatius (AREL) under moderate rates of nitrogen (N) application (60 kg N/ha per cut) and a hay-cutting regime (2 cuts/year: 25 May and 9 July). Lolium perenne cv. …

The Influence Of Management On Health Status Of Festuca Rubra In Mountain Meadows, B. Voženílková, F. Klimeš, J. Květ, Z. Mašková, B. Čermák, K. Suchý

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Snijders & Winkelhorst (1996) investigated swards in West Europe and showed that it was not the snow mould (Microdochium nivale) but other species of the genus Fusarium (F. cerealis (Cooke) Sacc., F. graminearum Schwabe, F. culmorum (Wm. G. Sm.) Sacc. and F. acuminatum Ellis & Everh.) that caused serious damage to grasslands where Lolium perenne L. and Festuca rubra L. were dominant components. In this study the spread and harmfulness of pathogeneous fungi involved in damage to and death of some species (Festuca rubra L., Holcus mollis L.) in grass swards was examined.

Increasing The Productive Potential Of Permanent Grasslands From The Forest Steppe Area Of Romania, V. Vintu, C. Samuil, T. Iacob, St. Postolache

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In Romania permanent grasslands represent 32 % of the total agricultural area, stretching over 4,872 million hectares, out of which 340,000 ha are located in the forest steppe area, on less productive soils, which explains their inadequate botanical composition and low quality and yields (Vintu, 2003). One of the main measures taken to increase the productivity of grasslands is through fertilisation (Birch, 1999). This paper presents the results obtained during 2000-2004 on the effect of organic fertiliser on degraded grasslands made up of Festuca valesiaca L.

Productivity Of Sahiwal And Friesian–Sahiwal Crossbreds In Marginal Grasslands Of Kenya, W. B. Muhuyi, F. B. Lukibisi, S. N. Ole Sinkeet

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Dual-purpose cattle can be used to exploit the production potential of semi-arid grasslands of Kenya for milk and meat production. Although the Sahiwal is adapted to these grasslands, its productivity is low. In order to increase milk and meat productivity, the Sahiwal has been crossed with the Friesian to produce Friesian-Sahiwal crossbreds (McDowell et al., 1996) adapted to the tropical environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the productivity of Sahiwal and Friesian-Sahiwal crossbreds.

The Influence Of Harvest Period And Fertilisation On The Yield Of Some Mixed Grass And Leguminous Species Under The Forest Steppe Conditions Of North-East Romania, V. Vintu, C. Samuil, T. Iacob, St. Postolache

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

In the forest steppe area of North-east Romania, temporary grasslands represent an important source of high quality fodder but they have a short period of exploitation, associated with some changes in the floristic composition (Vintu, 2003). Fertiliser application and harvest period have an important role in maintaining high productivity (Hopkins, 1991). The aim of this paper is to determine the influence of harvest period and fertilization on the yield of some grass and leguminous species in the forest steppe conditions of North-east Romania.

Yield And Mineral Concentration Changes In Maize And Italian Ryegrass Cropping Systems, Sachiko Idota, Yasuyuki Ishii

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Mineral balance between plants and soil to which fertilizer has been applied is important in sustainable agriculture. Cropping systems are chosen based on considerations of crop yield, soil physical and chemical properties and climatic conditions. Thus, the sustainability of a forage cropping system should only be assessed after continuous cultivation has been practiced for several years. Forage crop production is employed in the rice paddies of Japan during summer. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and mineral concentration of forage crops cultivated in hard-textured soils for 4 years.

Drought Susceptibility Index; A Preferred Criterion In Screening For Tolerance In Soybean, Muhammad Zeshan Zafer, Muhammad Hammad Nadeem Tahir, Muhammad Amir Bakhtavar, Essam Darwish, Mahmood Alam Khan, Zulqurnain Khan, Chahat Fatima, Ayesha Aftab, Shifa Ur Rahman, Shoaib Ur Rehman

Journal of Bioresource Management

Soybean (Glycine max L.) yield and yield related traits are constrained by drought. Adaptation of soybean to changing environment could be improved by exploitation and introgression of diverse germplasm in breeding program. In present study, the response to drought conditions, especially at flowering stage, was evaluated to determine the potential soybean germplasm for future soybean breeding programs in Pakistan. Field experiment was conducted under two water regimes i.e. well-water and water-limited, to assess the effect of drought in seed yield and yield related traits. Although, drought led to overall reduction of ~15 % in thousand seed weight but still …

Predicting Site‑Specific Economic Optimal Nitrogen Rate Using Machine Learning Methods And On‑Farm Precision Experimentation, Alfonso De Lara, Taro Mieno, Joe D. Luck, Laila A. Puntel

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Applying at the economic optimal nitrogen rate (EONR) has the potential to increase nitrogen (N) fertilization efficiency and profits while reducing negative environmental impacts. On-farm precision experimentation (OFPE) provides the opportunity to collect large amounts of data to estimate the EONR. Machine learning (ML) methods such as generalized additive models (GAM) and random forest (RF) are promising methods for estimating yields and EONR. Twenty OFPE N trials in wheat and barley were conducted and analyzed with soil, terrain and remote-sensed variables to address the following objectives: (1) to quantify the spatial variability of winter crops yield and the yield response …

A Plea For Scale, And Why It Matters For Invasive Species Management, Biodiversity And Conservation, Nicholas A. Mcmillan, Samuel D. Fuhlendorf, Craig A. Davis, Robert G. Hamilton, Landon. K. Neumann, Samantha M. Cady

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

1. Invasive species are suspected to be major contributors to biodiversity declines worldwide. Counterintuitively, however, invasive species effects are likely scale dependent and are hypothesized to be positively related to biodiversity at large spatial scales. Past studies investigating the effect of invasion on biodiversity have been mostly conducted at small scales (<100 m²) that cannot represent large dynamic landscapes by design. Therefore, replicated experimental evidence supporting a negative effect of invasive plants on biodiversity is lacking across many landscape types, including large grasslands.

2. We collected data across eight large (333–809 ha) grassland landscapes managed with pyric herbivory—that is the recoupling …

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Soil Depth And Geographic Distance Modulate Bacterial Β-Diversity In Deep Soil Profiles Throughout The U.S. Corn Belt, Lucas Dantas Lopes, Stephanie L. Futrell, Emily E. Wright, Gerasimos J. Danalatos, Michael J. Castellano, Tony J. Vyn, Sotirios V. Archontoulis, Daniel P. Schachtman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Understanding how microbial communities are shaped across spatial dimensions is of fundamental importance in microbial ecology. However, most studies on soil biogeography have focused on the topsoil microbiome, while the factors driving the subsoil microbiome distribution are largely unknown. Here we used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing to analyse the factors underlying the bacterial β-diversity along vertical (0–240 cm of soil depth) and horizontal spatial dimensions (~500,000 km²) in the U.S. Corn Belt. With these data we tested whether the horizontal or vertical spatial variation had stronger impacts on the taxonomic (Bray-Curtis) and phylogenetic (weighted Unifrac) β-diversity. Additionally, we …