Yield and Composition of Orchardgrass, Tall Fescue, and Reed Canarygrass Mixtures¹

Abstract

Mixtures of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceae L.) may provide yield and utilization advantages over monocultures. Our objectives were to determine the forage production and relative competitiveness of the three species grown alone and in binary and ternary mixtures. In two field studies each at two locations, we compared orchardgrass (O) with reed canarygrass (R) seeded alone and in binary mixtures (Exp. 1) and orchardgrass, tall fescue (F), and reed canarygrass sown alone and in binary and ternary mixtures (Exp. 2). Species competitiveness was studied in the glasshouse where individual plants of orchardgrass, tall fescue and reed canarygrass were grown alone and in binary and ternary mixtures within circular rows 4, 8, 15, and 30 cm from the center with 12 plants established per row and maintained at two soil moisture regimes. Mixture yields were never significantly greater than those of reed canarygrass, generally the highest yielding species in monoculture. Yield differences between tall fescue and orchardgrass in monoculture were usually nonsignificant. Yields of mixtures containing reed canarygrass were generally not significantly different but were greater than O:F binary mixtures. In Exp. 1 and 2, yields of O:R and O:F:R mixtures were significantly greater than those of orchardgrass in monoculture. Under low soil moisture conditions in the glasshouse and in the field, no significant mixture yield differences occurred, but in Exp. 2 with adequate soil moisture, reed canarygrass had significantly higher summer yields than did the two other species. In field studies, orchardgrass seedlings were most aggressive at establishment; however, in Exp 2 reed canarygrass became the dominant species by the final harvest. In the glasshouse, orchardgrass became the most aggressive species by the final harvest. Tall fescue was the least competitive species in all studies. Mean yields of within‐ and alternate‐row mixtures were not significantly different. Inclusion of reed canarygrass in mixtures with orchardgrass or tall fescue increases production particularly during the summer. If established successfully, reed canarygrass will become the predominant species in these mixtures.

Compositional changes over four years for binary mixtures of grass species grown with white clover

“…Similar to the results of Coulman (1987), timothy showed the most decline according to its poor competitive ability. Our results differ with the findings of Sheaffer et al (1981); we found the growth habits and architectures of reed canarygrass improved growth of the other species in the mixture. We note with interest that reed canarygrass content was the least of all the species in the studied mixtures.…”

Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) as a Biological Model in the Study of Plant Invasions

“…RCG's competitive ability has been documented in the agronomic literature, where it has been found to outcompete orchard grass or tall fescue (Sheaffer et al, 1981;Sheaffer and Marten, 1992). In a greenhouse experiment, Wetzel and van der Valk (1998) showed that RCG underwent rapid height growth that produced a spreading horizontal canopy that shaded its competitors, Carex stricta and Typha latifolia, and thus limited their growth.…”

Yield and Some Quality Properties of Binary Alfalfa-Grass Mixtures in Different Mixture Ratios

“…Therefore, the species to be included in the mixtures should be selected very well. Otherwise, mixtures of incompatible plants cannot provide the expected benefits (Sheaffer et al, 1981;Coulman, 1987). Since the competitive power of the mixture components is different, unwanted changes may occur over time after all one of the species can suppress the other.…”