Production and Nutritive Value of Grazed Simple and Complex Forage Mixtures

Deak, A.; Hall, M. H.; Sanderson, Matt A.; Archibald, Douglas D.

doi:10.2134/agronj2006.0166

Cited by 88 publications

(109 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…As the digestibility of organic matter (IVOMD) and NDF in grass were higher than in the forbs and legumes [16], IVOMD and NDF decreased when more forbs and legume species were included (Fig 5). Previous studies have shown that differences in nutritive value appear to be more closely related to differences in the relative proportions of the functional groups than to mixture complexity [16, 44]. We also found that the 10-mix and the 12-mix had similar nutritive value, while the 3-mix with a larger proportion of grass had the highest concentrations of IVOMD and NDF.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Species Diversity Effects on Productivity, Persistence and Quality of Multispecies Swards in a Four-Year Experiment

et al. 2017

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Plant species diversity may benefit natural grassland productivity, but its effect in managed grassland systems is not well understood. A four-year multispecies grassland experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of species diversity–legumes and non-leguminous forbs–on productivity, persistence and sward quality under cutting or grazing regimes and with or without slurry application. Three mixtures were established– 3-mix: grass, red and white clover, 10-mix: 3-mix plus birdsfoot trefoil and six non-leguminous forbs, and 12-mix: 10-mix plus lucerne and festulolium. Species diversity increased sward production and yield persistence under cutting regime. The 12-mix had the highest yield from the second year onwards and no statistically significant yield reduction over four years, while annual yields in the 3-mix and 10-mix decreased significantly with increasing grassland age. The higher yield in the 12-mix was mainly due to the inclusion of high-yielding lucerne. The 10-mix and 12-mix had lower proportions of unsown species than the 3-mix, the difference being dependent on grassland age. Generally, the 3-mix had higher concentrations of in-vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP), and a lower concentration of ash than the 10-mix and 12-mix. Slurry application increased annual yield production by 10% and changed the botanical composition, increasing the proportion of grass and decreasing the proportion of legumes. Compared to cutting, grazing increased forage production by 9% per cut on average and lowered legume and forb proportions in the mixtures, but yields did not differ among the three mixtures. Overall, our results suggest that species diversity increases sward productivity and persistence only under an ungrazed cutting regime. We conclude that increasing species diversity by selecting appropriate species with compatible management is key to achieving both high yields and high persistence in managed grasslands.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 68%

Species Diversity Effects on Productivity, Persistence and Quality of Multispecies Swards in a Four-Year Experiment

et al. 2017

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“…Low clover growth rate, especially for white clover, affected initial harvests possibly due to its low competitive ability for light and low stolon density during its establishment [23]. In binary mixtures, white clover establishment is affected by grass density and maturity, a reduced sward density and early maturity would probably increase compatibility [24][25][26][27].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Ability in Mixtures of Prairie Grass and Clovers

Arturi¹,

Aulicino

Ansín³

et al. 2012

AJPS

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Our objective was to evaluate the combining ability among cultivars of forage species, commonly sown in temperate regions of Argentina using a short rotation system. Three genetically diverse cultivars of prairie brome grass (Bromus catharticus, cv Copetona, cv Ñandú and cv Tango), a white clover cultivar (Trifolium repens, cv Lucero) and a red clover cultivar (T. pratense, cv Tropero) were evaluated. A randomized complete block design experiment was established in 2005. The treatments included five monocultures and ten binary mixtures. The experiment was harvested 6 times over an 18-month period. Cumulative dry matter yield (kg·ha -1 ) was calculated as the sum of the six individual harvests. Diallel analysis provided estimates of the general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA). Red clover in monoculture and mixtures produced the highest yields, with significant positive GCA effects (P < 0.01). Lucero white clover, and Copetona and Tango prairie grasses had significant negative GCA effects (P < 0.05). In mixtures, red clover with each of the three grass cultivars and white clover with Tango had significant and outstanding SCA effects (P < 0.01). Grass/grass mixtures and the legume/legume mixture showed non-significant SCA effects, while the grass/legume mixtures generally had higher yield than either component sown as a monoculture (P < 0.01). Given the short-term nature of this study, we must limit our inference to short-term pastures (<2 years). Under these conditions, red clover had the best combination with prairie brome grass.

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“…is one of the most common grass species in the humid transition zone between the temperate North and mild South in the eastern half of the USA [5]. It was also one of the most dominant species in complex mixtures with other grasses and legumes at the end of a grazing study in Pennsylvania [6]. Maintaining adequate legumes in tall fescue was related to improved animal performance and farm profitability [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing Legumes in a Tall Fescue Sward

Min¹,

Moyer²

2015

AJPS

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Tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] is a common grass species in the eastern half of the USA, but legumes grown with it could provide benefits. Obstacles to legume establishment in fescue pastures include disease, insect damage, and grass competition. Experiments were performed in 2010 and 2011 at Site 1 to test the efficacy of insect control, disease control, and two methods of grass suppression on seedling establishment of three legumes. The highest seedling density of red clover (Trifolium pretense L.) was obtained with glyphosate treatment regardless of pest control and for clipping without pest control. No overall or consistent benefit was found for white clover (Trifolium pretense L.) or trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) from seed and foliar insecticides or fungicides, or for grass suppression by either clipping or glyphosate application. Experiments were performed in 2012 and 2013 at Site 2 to test the efficacy of grass suppression by grazing cattle or by clethodim application. Seedling density of red clover was not significantly improved by either treatment, but the density of birdsfoot trefoil was increased by clethodim, and the density of white clover was increased in 2013 by both methods of grass suppression. Overall, red clover was least sensitive to grass competition. Birdsfoot trefoil was better served by the immediate effect of chemical suppression, whereas white clover benefitted most from the lengthier grass suppression provided by grazing.

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Production and Nutritive Value of Grazed Simple and Complex Forage Mixtures

Cited by 88 publications

References 21 publications

Species Diversity Effects on Productivity, Persistence and Quality of Multispecies Swards in a Four-Year Experiment

Species Diversity Effects on Productivity, Persistence and Quality of Multispecies Swards in a Four-Year Experiment

Combining Ability in Mixtures of Prairie Grass and Clovers

Establishing Legumes in a Tall Fescue Sward

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