The Adaptation and Production of Species and Selections of Grasses and Clover in Colombia

Item Type Article; text

Authors Crowder, L. V.; A. Vanegas, J.; Lotero C., J.; Michelin, A.

Citation Crowder, L. V., Vanegas A., J., Lotero C., J., & Michelin, A. (1959). The adaptation and production of species and selections of grasses and clover in Colombia. Journal of Range Management, 12(5), 225-230.

DOI 10.2307/3894991

Publisher Society for Range Management

Journal Journal of Range Management

Download date 29/09/2021 19:17:08

Item License http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Version Final published version

Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/649644 eries for 2% years and from The Adaptation and Production of Species and others for 1% years. The material in the introduc- Selections of Grasses and Clover in Colombia tion gardens consisted of the most important pasture and for- LOY V. CROWDER, JAIME VANEGAS A., JAIME age crops used in Colombia and LOTERO C., AND ANGELO MICHELIN also a large group of grass and legume species supplied by the Agronomist, Colombian Agricultural Program of The United States Department of Rockefeller Foundation, and Agronomists, Forage Crops Agriculture. The genera included Division, Department of AgricuZturaZ Research, Ministry were: Agropyron, Agrostis, An- of Colombia AgricuZture, dropogon, Anthoxanthum, Ar- rhenatherum, Avena, Axonopus, The cooperative agricultural tions from 150 to 11,000 feet Bouteloua, Brachiaria, Bromus, research program of The Rocke- above sea level. Seeds of forage Chloris, Coix, Cynodon, DactyEis, feller Foundation and the Co- and pasture crops were planted Digitaria, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, lombian Ministry of Agriculture in rows 20 feet long and spaced 3 Festuca, Heteropogon, Holcus, was initiated in 1950. A division feet apart. Vegetative parts Hyparrhenia, Ixophorus, Lolium, Melinis, Panicum, Paspalum, of forage and pasture crops, with (stems, stolons, crowns) served Pennisetum, Phalaris, Phleum, responsibility for pasture man- to establish grasses such as ber- Poa, Saccharum, Sorghum, Ste- agement and grass and legume muda, pangola, elephant, and notaphrum, Tripsacum, Cajanus, improvement, was added in 1955. guinea. A distance of 6 feet was Calopogonium, Canavalia, Cent- left between rows of the pasture Prior to this time available in- rosema, Clitoris, Crotalaria, Des- formation was largely observa- crops, which are spread by sto- mod&m, Dolichos, GZycine, In- tional and little was known con- lons or rhizomes. Each entry was digofera, Lathyrus, Lespedeza, cerning the distribution of duplicated or placed in triplicate. Lotus, Lupinus, Medicago, MeZiZ- grasses and legumes in Colombia, Lime, nitrogen, phosphorus, and otus, Phaseolus, Pisum, Pueraria, nor their adaptation, and poten- potassium were added when soil Sesbania, Stizolobium, Vicia, and tial productivity. Two of the tests indicated that these ele- Vigna. initial projects conducted by the ments were low. The ratings (not adapted, poor, forage division were a survey of Notes were recorded periodi- fair, good, and very good) shown the pasture crops in common use cally on habit of growth, height, in Tables 1 and 2 give the rela- in Colombia and the establish- spread, date of flowering, relative adaptation as measured by ment of introduction nurseries in tive seed set, relative forage persistence, desirable agronomic a number of climatic regions. yield, and recovery after cutting. type of growth, relative forage This report is a review of the When a growth cycle was com- yield (scored on a rating of relative adaptation and produc- pleted, the plants were cut and height, spread, leafiness and tion of the material studied in the procedure repeated. Data stemminess) , seed production, the collection gardens. The data were collected from some nurs- and aftermath. obtained served as the basis for selecting the better adapted species, which were then placed in more extensive management trials such as rate and method of seeding, height and frequency .of clipping, grass-legume mixtures, fertilization, and irrigation. These data were also used in the screening of material for the breeding program.

Maferials and Methods Nurseries were established in a number of locations at eleva- - l Paper No. 94 of the AgricuZturaZ FIGURE 1. Annual white sweet clover (left and background) is well adapted over a range Journal Series of The Rockefeller of altitude from 2,500 to 9,000 feet and makes excellent growth as compared to the bien- Foundation. nial (right and foreground), which seldom flowers,

225 CROWDER, VANEGAS, LOTERO, AND MICHELIN

Resulfs and Discussion Colombia may be divided into four major climatic zones which are designated as hot, warm, cool, and cold. The boundaries are arbitrarily delimited by altitude as follows: Hot-O to 2,500 feet, Warm-2,500 to 6,500 feet, Cool-6,500 to 10,000 feet, Cold- above 10,000 feet. Although many of the forage and pasture crops extend from one climatic division into another, optimum to maximum growth and production are generally obtained in the specific region of adaptation.

Hof Climate (0 fo 2.500 feet.)

The area recognized as the hot FIGURE2. Harding grass (left) is not recommended, but the ryegrasses are well adapted climatic zone can be character- to the cool climate and are highly productive. Perennial (English) ryegrass is shown in ized as generally flat with some the center, with annual (domestic) ryegrass on the right. rolling plains and low sloping mountains which are not too cum purpurascens) abounds in and alfalfa may be cut every 5 steep. In the most important the moist places, and guinea to 6 weeks with ample water. A agricultural areas the soil pH grass (Panicum maximum) and prolonged dry season results in ranges from 6.0 to 6.82, and gen- jaragua (Hyparrhenia rufa) are diminished yields, and a striking erally phosphorus and potassium well adapted to the drier loca- deficiency of boron has occurred occur in sufficient amounts to tions. In the lower limits pitted in some areas. Other legumes sustain optimum growth of most bluestem (Andropogon pertusus) which may be utilized are velvet- crops. The mean annual tem- is seen, and other weedy AndTo- bean (Stizolobium deeringian- perature is 85” F. Rainfall varies pogons are common. Among the urn), hyacinth dolichos (Dolichos with location; however, the usual introductions there are several Zablab), pigeon pea (Cajanus pattern is 3 months of ample rain guineas with fine leaves and spp.), pigeonwings (Clitoris followed by 3 months of dry stems which appear to be well spp.), and rice bean (Phaseolus weather. adapted and of superior quality calcaratus). in contrast to the type commonly A rather large number of Warm Climate (2,500 - 6,500 feet.) grasses grow in the hot climatic grown. Pangola grass (Digitaria zone, of which many are quite decumbens) has recently become Several rather large valleys, productive. However, available prominent as a pasture crop, and undulating hills, and rather steep legumes are limited. Common several other grasses appear mountains occur in this region. bermuda grass (Cynodon dacty- promising: Dallisgrass (Paspal- In the important agricultural Zen) and common bahia grass urn dilatatum), buffel grass areas the soil pH ranges from 5.5 (Paspalum notatum) occur (Pennisetum ciliare), signalgrass to 6.5,:ind in some areas the soils throughout the zone and are es- (Brachiariu decumbens), Rhodes are low in phosphorus and nitro- pecially prevalent in overgrazed grass (Chloris gayana), and gen. The daily temperatures pastures. Brownseed (Paspalum coastal, midland, and suwanee vary from 65” to 95” F. and rain- plicatulum) flourishes from bermudas. fall occurs in three-month cycles. about 800 - 1,500 feet, especially Tickclovers (Desmodium spp.) Bahia grass, sour paspalum (P. in the Eastern Plains, and P. con- generally flourish in all pastures conjugatum), bermuda grass, and jugatum thrives in the upper and constitute a fair percentage carpet grass provide limited limits. Mixed with bahia .can be of the sward; however, seeds are grazing throughout the region found carpet grass (Axonopus not commerc’ lly available. and are exceedingly beneficial in compressus). Para grass (Pani- Tropical kudzu % ueraria phase- the conservation of soil on the oloides) and jicama (Calopogoni- steep mountain slopes. Para 2 Baird, G. B., Manuel Rodriguez J., urn spp.) prosper in most of the grass, guinea grass, and jaragua Victor M. Vega J., and Aljonso regions but are not in common occur in the lower boundaries Aristizabal G. 1957. The fertility use. Yields of alfalfa have been status 0 j soils in important agricul- and molasses grass (Melinus . tural areas of Colombia. Soil Sci. outstanding in the upper boun- minutiflora) is encountered in Sot. o j Amer. Proc. 21: 405-408. daries of the hot climatic zone the upper limits and extends ADAPTATION OF GRASSES AND CLOVERS IN COLOMBIA 227

Table 1. The relative adaptation of grass species and selections af eight locations in Colombia, South America.*

Villa- Usme Bogota Las Palmas Manizales IIIi;li: Palmira vicencio Monteria 1.500 ft. Species 11,000 ft. 8,500 ft. 8.000z ft. 6.500, ft. .I . 3.000I ft. 150 ft. Andropogon pertusus N N N N N F F G Anthoxanthum odoratum G F F P N N N N Arrhenatherum elatius F G G P P N N N Avena sativa VG VG VG P P N N N Axonopus compressus N N N G G F N N Axonopus Micay N N N G F N N N Axonopus scoparius N N N VG VG N N N Brachiaria decumbens N N N N G VG G G Bromus catharticus F G G F P N N N Chloris gayana N N N F G VG G F Cynodon dactylon N N N N G G G G C. dactylon (coastal) N N N N VG VG VG VG C. dactylon (midland) N N N N VG VG VG VG C. dactylon (Suwanee) N N N N VG VG VG VG Dactylis glomerata F VG VG F N N N N Digitaria decumbens N N N F VG VG VG VG Eriochloa polystachya N N N N F G G F Festuca arundinacea F G G F N N N N Feslwa elatior F G G F N N N N Holcus Zanatus G F F P N N N N Hyparrhenia ruja N N N P G VG VG VG Ixophorus unisetus N N N P G VG VG G Lolium multijlorum G VG G P N N N N Lolium perenne F VG G P N N N N Melinus minutiflora . N N N F VG F G F Panicum antidotale N N N F G G F P Panicum maximum N N N G VG VG VG VG Panicum purpurascens N N N N VG VG VG VG Paspalum conjugatum N N N F G G G G Paspalum dilatatum N N N F G VG VG G Paspalum notatum N N N G G VG VG G Paspalum plicatulum N N N N F G VG F Paspalum virgatum N N N F G G G G Pennisetum ciliare N N N N F G G F Pennisetum clandestinum P VG VG F F P N N Pennketum purpureum N N F F VG VG VG VG Phalaris coerulescens F VG G F P N N N Phalaris minor Retz. F G G P N N N N P. tuberosa var. stenoptera F VG G P P N N N Saccharum o jjicinarum N N N F G VG VG VG Sorghum sudanense N N N P G VG VG VG Sorghum vulgare N N N P G VG VG VG Tripsacum Zaxum N N N P VG VG VG VG * The classifications (N = Not adapted, P = Poor, F = Fair, G = Good, and VG = Very good) indicate adaptation and relative production under optimum growing conditions.

downward. Axonopus Micay (Axonopus scoparius) is the best tain of the well drained soils of contributes a major portion of adapted soiling crop for the cen- the warm climate but may re- the pasture sward in the central tral and upper areas and ele- quire lime, phosphorus, and bor- area, which corresponds to the phant grass (Pennisetum pur- on for establishment and mainte- coffee growing region. Other pureum) and Guatemala grass nance. Potash and boron defi- grasses that appear outstanding (Tripsacum Zaxum) are best ciencies in alfalfa have been ob- and might become worthwhile adapted to the lower areas. Su- served after one year. Tropical pasture crops are pangola, coast- dangrass (Sorghum sudanense) kudzu is very productive in the al bermuda, and Dallis grass. and sorghum (S. vulgare) are lower areas and mixes well with Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestin- also highly productive in the para’ or guinea grass or may be urn) and Rhodes grass sometimes lower limits but are not in gen- used alone. Desmodium spp. oc- occur but are relatively unpro- era1 use. cur in almost all pastures and ap- ductive. Imperial carpet grass Alfalfa is well adapted to cer- pear to contribute a noteworthy 228 CROWDER, VANEGAS, LOTERO, AND MICHELIN

mus inermis), timothy (P hleum pratense), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), redtop (Agros- tis alba), tall oatgrass (Arrhena- therum elatius), reed canary- grass (Phalaris arundinacea), and Harding grass (P. tuberosa var. stenoptera) grow in the cool climate but are relatively un- productive. Common oats (Av- ena sativa) is suitable for use as a soiling crop but does not readi- ly recover after cutting. White clover (Trifolium repens), red clover (T. pratense), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa) are the most productive legumes in the cooler regions. White clover can be found in native FICURE 3. Sudangrass and sorghum are well adapted to the warm climate and act as pastures but a tremendous dif- perennials under these conditions. They may be cut 5 to 8 times a year and yield 10 to ference exists among types. In 20 tons of green material per acre per cut. Tift sudangrass, left; common cattail millet, varietal trials certain ladino se- center; Starr millet, right; and forage sorghum in the background. lections have yielded three and four times as much forage as the amount of forage to the pasture tacked by rust. Orchardgrass locally grown white clover va- mixture. Dolichos spp. make grows slowly for six months rieties. Red clover and alfalfa luxuriant growth and could be after establishment but later out- have been more productive than used as a supplemental grazing yields perennial ryegrass. Kiku- white clover, but alfalfa is more or soiling crop but would prob- yu is the most widespread grass exacting in its soil requirements. ably be most useful as green ma- and occurs throughout the cool Other legumes that have been nure. Cajanus spp. and velvet- region. Velvet grass (Holcus grown, although with less suc- beans are well adapted but are Zanatus) and sweet vernalgrass cess, are Berseem clover (Tri- not generally used. (Anthoxanthum odoratum) oc- folium alexandrinum), alsike cur as weedy grasses in many clover (7’. hybridum), hop clover Cool Climate (6,500 - 10,000 feet) pastures. Smooth brome (Bro- (T. procumbens), bur clover Except for the Savannah of Bogota, the cool region is mountainous with precipitous slopes and small intervening valleys. The soils are rather high in organic matter (4-15 percent), have a low pH (4.5 - 5.5)) and are de- ficient in phosphorus. The mean temperature is 55” F. and rains occur in three-month cycles. The best adapted and most productive grasses are annual ryegrass (LoEium multiflorum), perennial ryegrass (L. perenne), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), meadow fescue (Festuca elatior), tall fescue (F. arundinacea), rescue grass (Bromus catharticus), and kikuyu. The annual ryegrass produces the greatest quantity of forage in the FIGURE 4. Common elephant grass is shown on the left and Napier elephant grass on the early stages of growth but does right. Napier elephant grass grows well in the warm climate, and may be cut 4 to 6 not persist as well as the peren- times a year, yielding from 20 to 40 tons of green material per acre per cut. At the nial form. Both are severely at- extreme left is Guatemala grass, also a productive cutting crop. ADAPTATION OF GRASSES AND CLOVERS IN COLOMBIA 229

Table 2. The relative adaptation of several species and selections of legumes in eight locations in Colombia, South America. * Villa- Usme Bogota Las Palmas M8a;~k&es ~~&l~~ Palmira vicencio Monteria Species 11,000 ft. 8,500 ft. 8,000 ft. , . , . 3,000 ft. 1,500 ft. 150 ft. Ca janus ca jan N N N F VG VG VG VG Calopogonium coeruleum N N N P VG VG VG VG Calopogonium mucunoides N N N P VG VG VG VG Centrosema plumieri N N N P G G G G Centrosema pubescens N N N P G G G G Clitoris ternatea N N N P G G G G Crotaluria intermedia N N N P G G G G Crotalaria juncea N N N P VG VG VG VG Crotalaria paulina N N N P VG VG VG VG Crotialaria striata N N N P G G G G Desmodium spp. N N N F G VG VG VG Dolichos lablab N N N P VG VG VG VG Glycine max N N N P VG VG VG VG Lathyrus tingitanus P VG VG G P P P N Lupinus albus G G G F P P N N Lupinus angustifolius G G G F P P N N Lupinus luteus G G G F P P N N Medicago hispida P G G F N N N N Medicago sativa (Buffalo) N F F F F G N N Medicago sativa (DuPuits) N VG G VG G G N N Medicago sativa (Peruvian) N VG G VG G VG N N Melilotus alba P VG VG VG VG G G P Melilotus officinalis P G G G G F F P Phaseolus angularis . N N N P G VG G VG Phaseolus calcaratus N N N P VG VG VG VG Pueraria phaseoloides N N N P VG VG VG VG Sesbania spp. N N N P F G G F Stizolobium deeringianum N N N P VG VG VG VG Trifolium alexandrinum P G G F P N N N Trijolium pratense F VG VG G F N N N Trijolium repens F VG VG F P N N N Vicia spp. F VG G F F P N N Vigna sinensis N N N N VG VG VG VG * The classifications (N = Not adapted, P = Poor, F = Fair, G = Good, and VG = Very good) indicate adaptation and relative production under optimum growing conditions.

(Medicago hispida), black medic sweet vernal and velvet grass persistence, desirable agronomic (M. Zupulina), birdsf oot trefoil which cover most mountain type, high forage yield (scored (Lotus corniculatus), lupines slopes. Other genera which oc- on a rating of leafiness, stemmi- (Lupinus spp.) , and vetches cur but are relatively unimpor- ness, height and spread), good (Vicia spp.). tant are Agrostis, Eragrostis, seed setting ability, and rapid re- Calamagrostis, Stipa, and Sporo- covery after cutting. The scores Cold Climate or Paramos bolus. show optimum yields as obtained (above 10,000 feet) Legumes are rarely found; under good management. The region above 10,000 feet is however, native lupines and largely mountainous with very white and red clover grow in Summary small valleys. Many of the the lower fringes. Grasses and legumes that oc- mountains extend above the tim- In Tables 1 and 2 are listed the cur in Colombia and introduc- ber line and several have snow- species and several varieties or tions obtained from other sources capped peaks. The soil is gen- selections which proved to be were studied in observational erally high in organic matter superior in their regions of nurseries located at elevations (lo-20 percent), low in pH (4-5)) adaptation. The species that ranging from 150 to 11,000 feet and extremely low in phospho- were not rated as good or better above sea level. The nurseries rus. The daily temperature were omitted. Most varieties re- contained 33 grass and 24 legume ranges from 0” to 55” F. acted in a similar manner to the genera. The two most important species. The ratings given indi- Data were recorded on habit grasses in the cold region are cate adaptation as measured by of growth, height, spread, date 230 CROWDER, VANEGAS, LOTERO, AND MICHELIN of flowering, relative seed set, divided into four climatic zones: to adaptation within each zone. relative forage yield, and recov- hot (0 - 2,500 feet), warm (2,500 - The ratings measured per- 6,500 feet), cool (6,500 - 10,000 sistence ery after cutting. Observations , desirable agronomic feet), and cold (above 10,000 were made for 1 $$aor 2Yz years. feet). The data compiled were type, relative forage yield, seed The country was arbitrarily used to rate the species according production, and aftermath.

near some. woody vegetation.

Wildlife Survival in Brush Burns Caged Animals To test the protection from W. E. HOWARD, R. L. FENNER, AND fire that various environmental H. E. CHILDS, JR. situations may offer, an experi- ment was conducted with 37 Specialist, Field Station Administration, University of caged animals: four rattlesnakes California, Davis; Comburologist, Fenner and Forest (Crotalus viridis) and two Day Company, Richmond, California; and Instructor, ground squirrels (Citellus beech- Life Sciences Department, Cerritos Junior College, Nor- eyi) in Horn-Fitch hardware- walk, California cloth squirrel traps (6 by 6 by 18 inches) ; 8 white-footed mice Control burning of brush is July 26, 1952; it was first burned (Peromyscus maniculatus, P. now a common practice in range- in 1950. The spring was on the boylei, and P. truei) and 23 lab- improvement in California. Fre- John O’Neal property, adjacent oratory rats in Sherman sheet- quently, before burning, some or to the Experimental Range. The metal live traps (3 x 3 x 10 all of the brush is mashed down rest of the information was ac- inches). Thirteen of the Sher- with mechanical equipment or quired from a 200-acre burn on man traps were buried with killed by chemical sprays. To the Experimental Range on Sep- their tops 2 to 7 inches below the learn how destructive such fires tember 6,1952. In both instances ground surface (Figure 1) . All are to wildlife, a study was made some brush had been knocked other cages were placed in crev- to measure the survival of ani- down by a bulldozer the previous ices of rock outcroppings or in mals, either surrounded by fire year. The second-mentioned depressions under rocks. Four or in various environments with- burn was accomplished by area additional traps, containing rats in such a fire. The study took ignition-the simultaneous igni- as controls, were buried in a place at the San Joaquin Experi- tion of all, sides and the middle. sunny area of sparse grass out- mental Range, O’Neals, Califor- To that end, some of the periph- side the burn, with the trap nia. ery and the center of the area tops at depths of l%, 2%, 5, and Information on wildlife sur- were wired with incendiary 7 inches. Cages and traps in the vival was obtained in three bombs so hazardous areas could burn area were not exposed to ways: (1) caged animals were be ignited electrically while men the heat of the sun. placed in different habitats with- with torches ignited the re- Two temperature recorders in the fire area, with tempera- mainder of the boundary. were placed on each Sherman ture-recording devices on the In both fires the principal veg- trap, one on the top and the cages; (2) birds and animals etation was annual grasses and other on the floor, under the drinking at a spring were forbs, wedge-leaf ceanothus (Ce- trigger treadle, so the caged an- counted on three mornings both anothus cuneatus), Mariposa imals could reach neither re- before and after the area was manzanita (Arctostaphysos mar- corder. The two cages contain- burned; and (3) the behavior of iposa), interior live oak (Quer- ing squirrels each had a single individual animals during the cus wislixenii), blue oak (Quer- recorder attached at one end. fire was observed from within cus douglasii), and Digger pine No temperatures were obtained the burn and from points behind (Pinus sabiniana). Both brush on the rattlesnake cages. the advancing fire. and trees were sufficiently For determining maximum This material has been gath- sparse to require grass for fuel temperatures, narrow bands of ered from two burns. The data between patches of woody vege- various colors of Tempilaq Thin- on birds drinking at a spring tation. Nevertheless, the heat ner (Tempil Corporation, New came from a 200-acre reburn on was intense - at least 1200” F. York City) were painted on a