Growth factors and management technique used in relation to the developmental rhythm and yield formation pattern of a pure grass stand

Abstract

Abstract. The investigation of meadow fescue as a forage crop was carried out at the University of Helsinki in Viikki in 1975 78. The main objective was to study the rhythm of the growth and yield formation pattern of a stand and the relationship between growth pattern and growth factors during different phases of the growing season. The management techniques studied were the number of cuttings, use of nitrogen, requirements of population density and the relationships of management factors to the changes in the quantity and quality of forage yield.The most important growth factors in the seeding year spring and autumn development were the temperature sum and the total radiation available to the plant and nitrogen fertilization beyond the temperature sum range of E 500°C, respectively.During the production years the most important variables in the spring growth were the growing time, the temperature sum and the total radiation. The midsummer and autumn growth were mostly influenced by the total precipitation, amount of nitrogen for the cut and the precipitation during the week before the prior cut.For spring, summer and autumn growth one unit increase in LAI created a DM yield increase of 715, 500 and 315 ha -1 respectively.Increasing the cutting frequency from two to four decreased the total DM yield 2 527 kg ha -1 . The protein content and DM cellulase digestibility increased 4.8 and 13.3 % units respectively. Increasing nitrogen from 130 to 260 kg N ha-1 raised DM and protein yields 1 110 and 485 kg ha-1 , the protein content and DM cellulase digestibility 4.2 and 1.4 % units. The seeding rate requirements for the maximum DM yield were 60 kg ha -1 in the seeding year, 15 -3O kg ha -1 in the second year and 15 kg ha -1 in the third year.The management system involving a seed rate of 30 kg ha-1 , 3 4 cuts and 260 kg N ha-1 is recommended.

Tiller Characteristics of Timothy and Tall Fescue in Relation to Herbage Mass Accumulation

“…The herbage DM accumulation rates in primary growth were slightly less than those reported by Bélanger and Richards (1997) but again similar to or higher than those of timothy-meadow fescue mixtures in Finland (0.0015-0.0040 Mg DM ha -1 °C d [Pulli, 1980] and 0.0028 Mg DM ha -1 °C d [Kuoppala et al, 2008]). The lower herbage DM accumulation rates of timothy regrowth in Finland compared to that reported for eastern Canada or southern Norway could be at least partially related to a water stress.…”

“…The herbage DM accumulation rates in primary growth were slightly less than those reported by Bélanger and Richards (1997) (0.0132 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) and Bélanger et al (2008) (0.0125 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) for timothy in eastern Canada but similar to those of timothy–meadow fescue ( Festuca pratensis Huds.) mixtures in Finland reported by Pulli (1980) (0.0100 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) and Kuoppala et al (2008) (0.0093 Mg DM ha −1 °C d). In the regrowth, however, the herbage DM accumulation rate of timothy (0.0046 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) was clearly lower than that reported by Bélanger and Richards (1997) (0.0079 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) or Höglind et al (2005) (approximately 0.0095–0.0117 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) but again similar to or higher than those of timothy–meadow fescue mixtures in Finland (0.0015–0.0040 Mg DM ha −1 °C d [Pulli, 1980] and 0.0028 Mg DM ha −1 °C d [Kuoppala et al, 2008]).…”

“…mixtures in Finland reported by Pulli (1980) (0.0100 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) and Kuoppala et al (2008) (0.0093 Mg DM ha −1 °C d). In the regrowth, however, the herbage DM accumulation rate of timothy (0.0046 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) was clearly lower than that reported by Bélanger and Richards (1997) (0.0079 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) or Höglind et al (2005) (approximately 0.0095–0.0117 Mg DM ha −1 °C d) but again similar to or higher than those of timothy–meadow fescue mixtures in Finland (0.0015–0.0040 Mg DM ha −1 °C d [Pulli, 1980] and 0.0028 Mg DM ha −1 °C d [Kuoppala et al, 2008]). The lower herbage DM accumulation rates of timothy regrowth in Finland compared to that reported for eastern Canada or southern Norway could be at least partially related to a water stress.…”

Yield profile of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in comparison with meadow fescue (F. pratensis) in Finland

“…Meadow fescue has been studied relatively extensively in Finland as an important forage species for northern latitudes in both pure and mixed swards (Jäntti, 1953; Raininko, 1968; Hiivola et al. , 1974; Mela, 1974; Pulli, 1980).…”

Variability of herbage production in mixed leys as related to ley age and environmental factors: a farm survey

“…Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds. ), on the other hand, has a better regrowth ability than timothy or red clover (Pulli 1980, Nissinen and Hakkola 1995, Mela 2003. Consequently, in Finnish conditions a harvest system involving three or four cuts is recommended for meadow fescue leys (Pulli 1980) whereas timothy and red clover-grass leys are usually cut only twice (cf.…”