Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization Rate, Stockpiling Initiation Date, and Harvest Date on Canopy Height and Dry Matter Yield of Autumn‐Stockpiled Bermudagrass

Abstract

ter. Recently, there has been increased interest in the utilization of autumn-stockpiled standing bermudagrass Autumn stockpiling is a management technique in which forage for this purpose (Lalman et al., 2000; Scarbrough et al., is allowed to accumulate throughout the late summer and early fall 2001). Stockpiled forages can provide winter pasture for for subsequent grazing throughout the late fall and winter. Wellgrazing livestock, thereby reducing the need for suppleestablished stands of common and 'Tifton 44' bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] located at Fayetteville and Batesville, AR, respec-mental hay and its associated costs (Adams et al., 1994; tively, were chosen to evaluate the effects of stockpiling initiation D'Souza et al., 1990; Hitz and Russell, 1998). date (August or September) and N fertilization rate (0, 37, 74, or 111 Previously, Lalman et al. (2000) suggested that the kg N ha Ϫ1 ) on the canopy height and dry matter (DM) yield potential digestibility and concentrations of crude protein in stockof autumn-stockpiled bermudagrass forage. Within year, DM yield piled bermudagrass are generally adequate to meet the increased linearly (P Յ 0.008) with N fertilization rate at Fayetteville nutritional requirements of spring-calving cows during in 2001 and in Batesville during both years. For August initiation the first few weeks after frost. Scarbrough et al. (2001) dates, DM yield declined linearly (P Յ 0.007) with harvest date at suggested that this forage should be used in northern both sites during both years; however, cubic responses (P Յ 0.024) Arkansas during a relatively short (60-d) window bealso were observed at both sites in 2000 but not (P Ն 0.076) in 2001. tween mid-October and mid-December; after that time, For September initiation dates, DM yield exhibited less consistent the nutritive value becomes very poor. However, aupatterns over harvest dates, but responses were cubic (P Յ 0.053) tumn-stockpiled bermudagrass potentially could fill an over time for all four site-years. Tests of homogeneity for regressions important niche in the upper South by providing forage of DM yield on canopy height for individual site-years indicated therein mid-to late autumn when many producers in the were differences for the intercepts (P Ͻ 0.001) and linear coefficients region are allowing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea (P Ͻ 0.001) and a tendency for the quadratic coefficients (P ϭ 0.063) to differ. Quadratic equations are not suitable for producer use; there-Schreb.) to accumulate before use throughout the winter fore, a combined linear model for all data (N ϭ 512) was determined, months. This system offers considerable potential for Y ϭ 146X Ϫ 838 (P Ͻ 0.001; r 2 ϭ 0.762), which may address the need reducing reliance on harvested forages. for a quick estimator of available forage.

Evaluation of plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria on stockpiled bermudagrass

“…The values in this study were comparable to those of Scarbrough et al. (2004) who reported DM yield for stockpiled bermudagrass ranging from 924 to 2,254 lb/acre. Fike et al.…”

“…Bermudagrass is extremely responsive to N fertilization, and herbage yield increases with N application (Ball et al, 2015). The values in this study were comparable to those of Scarbrough et al (2004) who reported DM yield for stockpiled bermudagrass ranging from 924 to 2,254 lb/acre. Fike et al 2017reported that PGPR-treated bermudagrass hay was similar to hay treated with 25 lb N/acre.…”

Nitrogen Fertilizer Rate and Weather Dictate Nutritive Value of Fall Stockpiled Bermudagrass

“…Nitrogen application date did not affect fall forage accumulation ( Table 2). The date when stockpiling began was likely more important to forage accumulation than N application date (6). In southern Oklahoma, initiation of stockpiling in early August and application of N fertilizer by 15 October would enable forage to accumulate before a killing frost, provided rainfall is sufficient to support growth during this period.…”

Enhanced efficiency nitrogen formulations on stockpiled tall fescue production

“…Poore et al (2000) confirmed that one of the main factors influencing the yield and nutritive value of stockpiled tall fescue was N fertilization. The fact that dry matter (DM) yields increase with increasing N rates on stockpiled tall fescue is well known (Collins & Balasko, 1981a;Gerrish et al, 1994;Kallenbach et al, 2017;Riesterer et al, 2000;Scarbrough et al, 2004;Teutsch et al, 2011;Teutsch et al, 2005). Tall fescue yield in Kentucky was over two-fold higher (1,822 vs 3,843 kg DM ha −1 ) when 100 kg N ha −1 as ammonium nitrate (AN) was applied in mid-August and the forage harvested in early November (Taylor & Templeton, 1976).…”