Forage Maize Nutritional Quality According to Organic and Inorganic Fertilization

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Forage Maize Nutritional Quality According to Organic and Inorganic Fertilization Scientia Agropecuaria 8(2): 127– 135 (2017) a. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias Scientia Agropecuaria Universidad Nacional de Website: http://revistas.unitru.edu.pe/index.php/scientiaagrop Trujillo Forage maize nutritional quality according to organic and inorganic fertilization Alejandro Moreno-Reséndez1, 2, 3, *; Jesús Enrique Cantú Brito1; José Luis Reyes-Carrillo1, 2, 3; Viridiana Contreras-Villarreal1 1 Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro, Unidad Laguna. Periférico Raúl López Sánchez km 1.5, Carretera a Santa Fe s/n., C.P. 27059, Torreón, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico. 2 Integrantes del Cuerpo Académico Sistemas Sustentables para la Producción Agropecuaria (CASISUPA), Clave: UAAAN-CA-14, Torreón, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico 3 Integrantes de la Red Académica de Innovación en Alimentos y Agricultura Sustentable (RAIAAS) auspiciada por el Consejo Estatal de Ciencia y Tecnología del Estado de Coahuila de Zaragoza y la Comunidad de Instituciones de Educación Superior de la Laguna (COECYT-CIESLAG), Torreón, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico. Received February 10, 2017. Accepted June 16, 2017. Abstract The research was conducted on a commercial land plot from the ejido Granada, municipality of Matamoros, Coahuila, situated inside the Comarca Lagunera, from April to August 2015, in order to establish the effect of two fertilization sources – organic and inorganic, upon the nutritional quality of forage maize during the spring-summer cycle with a randomized block experimental design. T1= Acadian soil +Acadian foliage (marine algae extracts) and T2= Regional control, with 16 replications. The evaluated variables were the nutritional quality of forage maize and the milk production (L•t-1 dry matter and L•ha-1). Due to the effect of the evaluated treatments, statistical differences were registered, both for, nutritional values of forage maize, such as: neutral and acid detergent fiber, non-fiber carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients, total net energy for lactation and for milk production, in favor of organic fertilization. Therefore, it can be concluded that fertilizers of marine origin applied to forage maize increased both nutritional quality of forage maize and milk yield per ton of dry matter and per hectare of this forage. Keywords: Crude protein; forage; milk yield; organic fertilizers. 1. Introduction region, it has been necessary to establish The Comarca Lagunera region has been large acreages for these forages, especially considered through the time as one of the for maize and sorghum. In this matter, most important dairy basins from Mexico statistics indicate that approximately (Pedroza-Sandoval et al., 2014), this 27,486 ha of forage maize were sown in production is mainly based upon the the Comarca Lagunera, from which 12,923 intensive growth of high quality forage as ha corresponded to the Laguna from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), maize (Zea Coahuila and 14,563 ha to the Laguna of mays L.) and forage sorghum (Sorghum Durango (SIAP-SAGARPA, 2014). spp.), during spring and summer, and oats The farming of maize for forage (Avena spp.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production constitutes a fast way of and triticale (Triticosecale spp.) during obtaining high dry matter production rates winter (Zamora-Villa et al., 2016) from and an ideal quality for cattle feeding when which the raw materials used to elaborate it is administered either as fresh forage or the cattle´s feed are obtained. In order to as silage (Boschini and Amador, 2001; satisfy the growing demand of forage and Iqbal et al., 2015). Furthermore, this being able to feed the dairy cattle of this forage, while fresh, has a 7.2 to 8.5% of --------- * Corresponding author © 2017 All rights reserved. E-mail: [email protected] (A. Moreno-Reséndez). DOI: 10.17268/sci.agropecu.2017.02.05 - 127 - A. Moreno-Reséndez et al. / Scientia Agropecuaria 8(2) 127 – 135 (2017) protein, from 32.5 to 33.5% of crude fiber, materials (Ramos-Agüero and Terry- from 1 to 2.5% of fat, besides containing Alfonso, 2014). One of the alternatives that high quantities of carbohydrates, it has the has the interest of both researchers and potential of providing an energy rich agronomic producers is the extract from material for cattle feeding and of being sea algae, being one of the reasons that used at all levels of production without these grow fast, produce a great biomass damages derived from oxalic acid or volume and are a source of many hydrocyanic acid (prussic), as is the case substances with biologic activity (Bettiol, with sorghum (Dahmardeh, 2011). 2006) and in this way, Zermeño-González Plant nutrition is one of the fundamental et al. (2015) highlighted that the use of sea factors affecting crop production and it algae extracts as biofertilizers to the soil plays an essential role in guaranteeing the and foliage increases the performance and right performance of forages. In fact, plant quality of different crops, this is related to nutrition management is one of the main the photosynthesis rate of the plants. Also, strategies for increasing crop yield and it has been put into view that these extracts forage maize is not the exception. In the contains nutritious macro and micro nutrition process, nitrogen and phosphorus elements, organic compounds such as have great relevance because they are the auxin and gibberellins that favor plant nutritious elements with the highest growth besides increasing crop yield and transcendence in yield as well as in the plant vigour against adverse environmental quality attributes of green forage (Iqbal et effects (Arun et al., 2014; Aymen et al., al., 2015). 2014), for these reasons, these On the nutritional aspect, Fortis-Hernández biofertilizers, applied to the soil or foliage, et al. (2009) highlighted that high quality could be used with the purpose of forage production, without the use of replacing, totally or partially, conventional synthetic fertilizers, is a necessity in fertilizers (Hernández-Herrera et al., regions where there is a marked limitation 2014). Because of the above mentioned, of natural resources. Also, it is highly the effect of liquid organic sea originated recognized that, because of the increment fertilizers, Acadian Soil and Acadian of anthropogenic activities, all ecosystems Foliage (Stimplex®), upon nutritional have been impacted by the release of value of forage maize during spring- polluting agents such as heavy metals, summer 2015 cycle was evaluated. pathogens, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, modification of natural 2. Materials and methods conditions, situation that gets reflected upon human health (García-Gutiérrez and The experimental place, with an extension Rodríguez-Meza, 2012). Due to these of 22 ha, known as the “Tablas de Solima”, constraints, together with the constant is located inside de Comarca Lagunera increment of inorganic fertilizer prices, on (101° 41' and 104° 61' W, and 24° 59' and the last few years, rethinking the situation 26° 53' N, with 1100 m average altitude, and the search for alternatives to diminish its climate is dry, desert-like, the annual the use of synthesis soluble fertilizers has mean precipitation is 258 mm, and annual been motivated (Contreras et al., 2014). mean temperature is 21 °C (García, 1973), A recent alternative to the use of synthetic at approximately 5 km from the “La fertilizers has been the application of Partida-Granada” road, municipality of diverse organic fertilizers that contain a Matamoros, Coahuila. part of N in organic forms, more or less The research was carried out in April – stable, which gets mineralized on a gradual August 2015 period. The surface, whose way and become available for the growing previous crop, in summer, was maize, was plant, for which reason, synthetic plowed and tracked as is traditionally fertilizers could be replaced by these done. Sowing of yellow hybrid 2A120 -128- A. Moreno-Reséndez et al. / Scientia Agropecuaria 8(2) 127 – 135 (2017) corn seeds (Dow® AgroSciences of their transfer to the laboratory AGLOLAB México, S.A de C.V.) with 99% purity, of México and, after registering their was done dry planting on April 20, 2015, weight, they were laid on a forced air oven placing from six to seven seeds per lineal at 72 ºC for a period of 24 h. On dry meter, in order to achieve a population foliage, in addition to determining the density ca. 60,000 plants•ha-1. The first quality of dry matter (DM), using the irrigation took place four days afterwards, technique of near infrared spectroscopy in total, four auxiliary irrigations were (NIRS), the following variables were applied, distributed with an interval of 28 evaluated: crude protein (CP) content, acid to 30 days with a total irrigation lamina of detergent fiber (ADF) content, neutral 80 cm, for which a system with an alfalfa detergent fiber (NDF) content, non-fibrous valve was used (Delgado-Ramírez et al., carbohydrates (NFC), total digestible 2013). nutrients (TDN) and net energy for The fertilizing treatments were: lactation (NEL), in mega calories per T1: Acadian soil [seed inoculation (200 mL•20 kilogram of dry matter. Finally, the kg-1 seed) and applied to soil on the 2º and 3º potential milk productions per ton of dry auxiliary irrigation (0.5 L•ha-1•irrigation-1)] + matter and per hectare were determined Acadian foliage (Stimplex) [two applications using the Milk 2006® software (Shaver et on foliage of 0.5 L•ha-1, using an Hagie 10STS al., 2006). sprinkler system Hagie ® Inc. USA, when the For the experiment, a completely plants presented four to six true leaves] randomized block design with two T2: Regional control. At sowing, the dose 50- treatments and 16 replications was used. 80-00 was applied using (NH4)2SO4 and mono- The statistical analyzes for the studied ammonium phosphate (MAP) with a dose of variables were done using an analysis of 140-00-00 (N-P-K) at first auxiliary irrigation variance and the mean separation by the using urea fertilizer.
Recommended publications
  • Characterising Forages for Ruminant Feeding**
    116 Characterising Forages for Ruminant Feeding** R. A. Dynes*, D. A. Henry and D. G. Masters CSIRO Livestock Industries, Private Mail Bag 5, Wembley, WA 6913, Australia ABSTRACT : Forages are the most important feed resource for ruminants worldwide, whether fed as pastures, forage crops or conserved hay, silage or haylage. There is large variability in the quality of forages so measurement and prediction of feeding value and nutritive value are essential for high levels of production. Within a commercial animal production system, methods of prediction must be inexpensive and rapid. At least 50% of the variation in feeding value of forages is due to variation in voluntary feed intake. Identification of the factors that constrain voluntary feed intake allows these differences to be managed and exploited in forage selection. Constraints to intake have been predicted using combinations of metabolic and physical factors within the animal while simple measurements such as the energy required to shear the plant material are related to constraints to intake with some plant material. Animals respond to both pre- and post-ingestive feedback signals from forages. Pre-ingestive signals may play a role in intake with signals including taste, odour and texture together with learned aversions to nutrients or toxins (post-ingestive feedback signals). The challenge to forage evaluation is identification of the factors which are most important contributors to these feedback signals. Empirical models incorporating chemical composition are also widely used. The models tend to be useful within the ranges of the datasets used in their development but none can claim to have universal application.
    [Show full text]
  • FORAGE LEGUMES Clovers, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Cicer Milkvetch, Crownvetch and Alfalfa
    FORAGE LEGUMES Clovers, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Cicer Milkvetch, Crownvetch and Alfalfa Craig C. Sheaffer Nancy J. Ehlke Kenneth A. Albrecht Jacob M. Jungers Minnesota Agricultural Jared J. Goplen Experiment Station Station Bulletin 608-2018 Forage Legumes Clovers, Birdsfoot Trefoil, Cicer Milkvetch, Crownvetch and Alfalfa Craig C. Sheaffer Nancy J. Ehlke Kenneth A. Albrecht Jacob M. Jungers Jared J. Goplen Station Bulletin 608-2018 Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station University of Minnesota Saint Paul, Minnesota The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Editors Craig Sheaffer, Nancy Ehlke, and Jacob Jungers are agronomists with the University of Minnesota Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, Saint Paul, Minnesota. Jared Goplen is an Extension Educator in Crops for University of Minnesota Extension. Kenneth Albrecht is an agronomist with the University of Wisonsin’s Department of Agronomy. Acknowledgments This publication is a revision of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 597-1993, Forage Le- gumes, orginally issued in 1993 and then updated in 2003 and then again in 2018. The editors of this third edition gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the coauthors of the original publication: Harlan Ford, Neal Martin, Russell Mathison, David Rabas and Douglas Swanson. Publications editing, design and development for the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station is by Shelly Gustafson, experiment station communications specialist. Photos are by Dave Hansen or Don Breneman.
    [Show full text]
  • Forage Oat Variety Guide 2015 Forage Oats Is the Preferred Winter Forage Crop for Beef and Prior to Planting
    Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Forage oat variety guide 2015 Forage oats is the preferred winter forage crop for beef and prior to planting. There are approximately 50 000 seeds per dairy cattle in Queensland, due to its ability to produce good- kilogram, but always check the seed container for the correct quality feed when most pastures are dormant. Many farmers seed size and germination rate. rely on oats to fatten livestock during the period from The optimum soil temperature for the germination and autumn to early spring. Leaf rust is the most serious disease establishment of oats is between 15 °C and 25 °C. Avoid of forage oats, reducing yield, quality and palatability. The planting into warm or hot soils, as soil temperatures above use of improved varieties and better management practices 25 °C during the period from January to March will reduce are the key factors to increasing the level of productivity of seed germination and result in poor crop establishment. oat crops. Oat seed is best sown at 5–7.5 cm depth in row spacing of This guide discusses the recommended management 18–25 cm, into moist soil in a well-prepared seedbed. practices for growing oats for forage and strategies to minimise leaf rust infection. The current varieties of forage oats available for commercial sale in Queensland and Nutrition northern New South Wales are described in Table 3 on the Ensure the crop receives adequate fertiliser and weed last page. control. Forage oats will grow on most soils but will not provide good recovery on strongly acidic soils or wet soils Planting that develop aluminium and manganese toxicities.
    [Show full text]
  • Forage Crop Production - Masahiko Hirata
    THE ROLE OF FOOD, AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES IN HUMAN NUTRITION – Vol. I - Forage Crop Production - Masahiko Hirata FORAGE CROP PRODUCTION Masahiko Hirata Faculty of Agriculture, Miyazaki University, Miyazaki, Japan Keywords: agricultural revolution, alternative agriculture, bio-diversity, cover crop, fallow, forage crop, grass, green manure, hay, legume, mixed farming, root crop, rotation system, seed industry, silage. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Early Recognition of the Importance of Forage 3. Early Use of Forage Crops 4. The Dark Ages 5. The Great Progress 5.1. The European Agricultural Revolution 5.2. The Contribution of Forage Crops to the Development of Mixed Farming 5.3. The Dispersion of Forage Crops throughout Europe 5.4. Global Dispersion of Forage Crops: the First Stage 5.4.1. Temperate Grasses 5.4.2. Temperate Legumes 5.4.3. Tropical and Subtropical Grasses 5.4.4. Tropical and Subtropical Legumes 5.5. The Rise of the Forage Seed Industry 6. The Modern Era 6.1. The Development of Plant Improvement 6.1.1. Temperate Forages in Great Britain 6.1.2. Buffelgrass in Australia 6.1.3. Bermudagrass in USA 6.1.4. Wheatgrasses and Wildryes in the USA and Canada 6.2. The Growth of the Forage Seed Industry 6.3. Global Dispersion of Forage Crops: the Second Stage 6.3.1. Temperate Grasses 6.3.2. Tropical and Subtropical Grasses 6.3.3. Tropical and Subtropical Legumes 6.4. ForagesUNESCO in the Growing Industrialized – Agriculture EOLSS 6.5. Forages in the Rise and Growth of Environmental Issues 7. The Future SAMPLE CHAPTERS Acknowledgements Glossary Bibliography Biographical Sketch Summary The history of forage crops can be traced back to about 1300 BC when alfalfa was cultivated in Turkey.
    [Show full text]
  • Understanding Forage Quality
    Suggested retail price $3.50 Understanding forage quality Don Ball Mike Collins Garry Lacefield Neal Martin David Mertens Ken Olson Dan Putnam Dan Undersander Mike Wolf Contents Understanding forage quality 1 What is forage quality? 2 Factors affecting forage quality 3 Species differences 3 Temperature 3 Maturity stage 4 Leaf-to-stem ratio 4 Grass-legume mixtures 5 Fertilization 5 Daily fluctuations in forage quality 5 Variety effects 5 Harvesting and storage effects 6 Sensory evaluation of hay 7 Laboratory analysis of forage 8 Laboratory analytical techniques 8 Laboratory proficiency 10 Understanding laboratory reports 11 Matching forage quality to animal needs 12 Reproduction 12 Growth 13 Fattening 13 Lactation 13 Economic impacts of forage quality 14 Pasture forage quality 14 Hay quality 15 Other considerations 15 Key concepts to remember 15 Additional information 15 Glossary 16 Adequate animal nutrition is essential In recent years, advances in plant and Understanding for high rates of gain, ample milk pro- animal breeding, introduction of new duction, efficient reproduction, and products, and development of new forage quality adequate profits (see sidebar). management approaches have made orage quality is defined in various However, forage quality varies greatly it possible to increase animal perform- ways but is often poorly under- among and within forage crops, and ance. However, for this to be realized, Fstood. It represents a simple nutritional needs vary among and there must be additional focus on concept, yet encompasses much com- within animal species and classes. forage quality.The purpose of this plexity.Though important, forage Producing suitable quality forage for a publication is to provide information quality often receives far less consid- given situation requires knowing the about forage quality and forage eration than it deserves.
    [Show full text]
  • Defining Forage Quality Subtitle: Nutritive Value of Southern Forages
    SCS-2006-09 Defining Forage Quality Subtitle: Nutritive Value of Southern Forages Yoana C. Newman 1 Barry Lambert 2 and James P. Muir3 Soil and Crop Sciences Department and Animal Sciences Department Forages with good quality are the main asset of any livestock operation, and they are also the foundation of most rations in a forage-based diet. Forages affect individual animal performance. The available nutrients that a forage carries affects individual animal production (i.e. gain per animal) while the amount of forage produced affects production per acre. Forages possess a mixture of chemical, physical, and structural characteristics that determine the quality of that pasture or the accessibility of nutrients to that animal. When forced to think about forage quality, different terms come to mind; among others: nutrients, energy, protein, digestibility, fiber, mineral, vitamins and, occasionally but not usually, we may think about animal production. In practical terms forage quality has been defined as “milk in the bucket”a. In programs for Texas producers, it has been defined as “pounds on the scale”, and some even allow reproduction concerns when stating …“forage quality is calves on the ground”. For beef, dairy, horse, sheep, or goat production, the ultimate quality test of forage is animal performance. This publication discusses the definition of forage quality, the main factors affecting forage quality, and the components and importance of forage analyses. 1 Assistant Professor/Extension Forage Specialist, 2 Assistant Professor/Ruminant Nutritionist, and 3 Associate Professor/Forage Ecologist, Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center, Stephenville, Texas. a See Adesogan et al 2006 in list of references.
    [Show full text]
  • Renovation- Plant Clovers in Grass Pastures Gary Bates, Professor, Plant Sciences
    SP 435-A Renovation- Plant Clovers in Grass Pastures Gary Bates, Professor, Plant Sciences goal of cattle producers should be to rebreed after calving. Clovers are more digestible and provide the nutrients their cattle require contain more nutrients than grasses. Their presence A as economically as possible. Allowing the in a pasture improves the palatability of the forage, cattle to acquire their own feed through grazing is which will increase the amount and quality of the the most efficient way to provide these nutrients. The forage the animal consumes. Research has also shown majority of cattle in Tennessee graze tall fescue or that including clovers in an endophyte-infected tall orchardgrass pastures. While these pastures provide fescue pasture helps decrease fescue toxicosis The good quality forage over a long portion of the year, result is an increase in weaning weights, milk produc- they can be improved. One of the best and easiest tion and conception rates. ways for improvement is to add legumes such as red or white clover and annual lespedeza to these pastures. (3) Nitrogen fixation Another characteristic that makes legumes a Benefits of clovers desirable component of a pasture is their ability to Adding clovers to pastures or hay fields provide nitrogen. Rhizobium is a group of bacteria can produce benefits in four ways: which enter the roots of legumes and form nodules, (1) Increased yield or knots. The bacteria inside these nodules take (2) Improved animal performance nitrogen from the atmosphere and put it into a form (3) Nitrogen fixation that the plant can use. Not only is the nitrogen available (4) More summer production to th legume, but the surrounding grass plants can use a portion of this nitrogen.
    [Show full text]
  • Forage and Cover Crop Planting Guide
    FORAGE AND COVER CROP PLANTING GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS ALFALFA 4 - 14 FORAGE BLENDS 45 - 54 COVER CROPS 77 - 89 Cavalry DQ 5 Ultimate Hay Blend 46 Chicory 78 Armour RR 6 Premium Hay Blend 47 Kale 79 EnforceHT 7 Cattle Grazer Blend 48 Rapeseed 80 Fierce XT 8 Pasture Blend 49 Radish 81 LeafGuard XL 9 All Grass Forage Blend 50 Turnips 82 Viper HVXRR 10 Water - Way Blend 51 Corn Champion Blend 83 Triticale / Annual Ryegrass 52 Groundbuilder Radish 84 CLOVERS 15 - 31 Triticale / Pea Blend 53 Beanbuilder Blend 85 Medium Red Clover 16 Oat / Pea Blend 54 Winter Mix 86 Gallant Red Clover 17 Oat Radish Blend 87 Alsike Clover 18 SUMMER ANNUALS 55 - 70 Annual Ryegrass 88 Crimson Clover 19 Sorghum Sudangrass 56 Cereal Rye / Winter Rye 89 Ladino Clover 20 Sweet Six BMR 57 White Clover 21 Sweet - Forever BMR 58 Annual Clover 22 Forage Sorghum 59 Sweet Clover 23 Pearl Millet 60 Plowdown Clover Mixes 24 Milo / Grain Sorghum 61 Birdsfoot Trefoil 25 M6313 62 Crown Vetch 26 M6885 63 Hairy Vetch 27 German Foxtail Millet 67 Korean Lespedeza 28 Japanese Millet 68 Winter Peas 29 Teff Grass 69 Spring Peas 30 Buckwheat 70 Cowpeas 31 CEREAL GRAINS 71 - 76 FORAGE GRASSES 32 - 44 Oats 72 Orchardgrass 33 Barley 73 Forage Tall Fescues 34 Cereal Rye / Winter Rye 74 Smooth Bromegrass 35 Triticale 75 Meadow Bromegrass 36 Spelt 76 Meadow Fescues 37 Annual Ryegrass 38 Italian Ryegrass 39 Perennial Ryegrass 40 Festulolium 41 Timothy 42 Forage KY Bluegrass 43 Reed Canarygrass 44 ALFALFA Alfalfa is the fourth most widely grown crop in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual and Perennial Forage Clovers for Arkansas
    DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE R E S E A R C H & E X T E N S I O N University of Arkansas System Agriculture and Natural Resources FSA3137 Annual and Perennial Forage Clovers for Arkansas ruminants. Not all clovers cause bloat, Dirk Philipp Introduction and the problem is unlikely even Assistant Professor ­ Clovers and other legumes are with bloat­inducing types unless the Animal Science highly desirable species in pastures proportion of clover in the stand is greater than 50 percent. A few clovers and hay meadows. First, legumes synthesize estrogen­like compounds John Jennings are able to obtain nitrogen from air called phytoestrogens that can cause Professor ­ through their symbiotic relationship Animal Science with Rhizobium bacteria and, there­ reproductive problems in livestock, especially sheep. Sheep should not be fore, are not dependent on nitrogen fertilizer. The fixed nitrogen is grazed on these clovers during the Paul Beck primarily used to support clover breeding season. On rare occasions, Professor ­ Animal Science growth, but parts of it become avail­ some clovers become infected with able to neighboring grass plants when a fungus that causes “slobbers” or clover tissue dies. A second valuable excessive salivation in cattle and role of clovers is to increase forage horses. If this occurs, animals should quality of pastures, hays or silages. be removed from the offending forage. Legumes are higher in crude protein and digestibility than most grasses In summary, clovers are beneficial commonly used in Arkansas. Animals additions to many forage programs usually consume diets higher in because of improved forage growth quality than grass alone when pas­ distribution, increased forage yield, tured on grass/legume mixtures or increased forage quality and reduced fed grass/legume hays.
    [Show full text]
  • INVASIVE SPECIES Grass Family (Poaceae) Wild Oats Are Annuals
    A PROJECT OF THE SONOMA-MARIN COASTAL PRAIRIE WORKING GROUP INVASIVE SPECIES I NVASIVE A NNUAL P LANTS WILD OATS (AVENA FATUA) AND SLENDER WILD OATS (AVENA BARBATA) - NON-NATIVE Grass Family (Poaceae) Wild oats are annuals. WILD OATS: Are native to Eurasia and North Africa. WILD OAT ECOLOGY Is often dominant or co-dominant in coastal prairie (Ford and Hayes 2007; Sawyer, et al. 2009), Occurs in moist lowland prairies, drier upland prairies and open woodlands (Darris and Gonzalves 2008), Species Interactions: The success of Avena lies in its superior competitive ability: o It has a dense root system. The total root length of a single Avena plant can be from 54.3 miles long (Pavlychenko 1937) to, most likely, twice that long (Dittmer 1937). Wild oats (Avena) in Marin coastal grassland. o It produces allelopathic compounds, Photo by D. (Immel) Jeffery, 2010. chemicals that inhibit the growth of other adjacent plant species. o It has long-lived seeds that can survive for as long as 10 years in the soil (Whitson 2002). Citation: Jeffery (Immel), D., C. Luke, K. Kraft. Last modified February 2020. California’s Coastal Prairie. A project of the Sonoma Marin Coastal Grasslands Working Group, California. Website: www.cnga.org/prairie. Coastal Prairie Described > Species: Invasives: Page 1 of 18 o Pavlychenko (1937) found that, although Avena is a superior competitor when established, it is relatively slow (as compared to cultivated cereal crops wheat, rye and barley) to develop seminal roots in the early growth stages. MORE FUN FACTS ABOUT WILD OATS Avena is Latin for “oat.” The cultivated oat (Avena sativa), also naturalized in California) is thought to be derived from wild oats (Avena fatua) by early humans (Baum and Smith [2011]).
    [Show full text]
  • Plant Name: Switchgrass Scientific Name: Panicum Virgatum L
    Plant Name: Switchgrass Scientific name: Panicum virgatum L. Short Description: Switchgrass is a native, perennial, tall-grass that is well adapted to the majority of the United States. Description: Switchgrass is a native, warm-season, perennial, tall grass that reproduces from seed and rhizomes. Switchgrass is categorized as either upland or lowland. Upland types are typically shorter and generally found on upland sites with lower fertility and drier conditions. Lowland types can reach 8 to 10 feet tall, very robust, and found in moister low areas with highfertility. Mature lowland types will tolerate long periods of flooding. Switchgrass is a very persistent species with excellent drought hardiness and cold tolerance. Switchgrass is widely adapted and found throughout the United States with the exception of the West Coast. Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangled-type seed head. The stem is round, hollow, and usually has a reddish tint. Switchgrass is easily identified by a small nest of hair where the blades attach to the sheath. Switchgrass is used for pasture and makes a good quality hay when mowed prior to seedhead formation. It should not be grazed closer than 5 to 7 inches during the growing season. In recent years interest in biofuel research has generated substantial interest in developing new varieties of Switchgrass as well as new management strategies. Cimarron Switchgrass is a new release that is produced and marketed exclusively by Johnston Seed. Check out Cimarron on our website. For conservation and range use, Switchgrass
    [Show full text]
  • Selecting Hay for Your Horse
    Selecting Hay for Your Horse Lori K. Warren, PhD, PAS Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida Forage, in the form of hay or pasture, is the 1) Type of hay most important component of your horse’s diet. Forage provides essential nutrients, including Legumes, such as alfalfa or perennial peanut, protein, minerals and vitamins. The fiber in generally produce higher quality forage than forage provides a source of energy, helping to grasses, such as timothy, orchardgrass, and meet the horse’s caloric needs. Fiber is also Coastal bermudagrass (Table 1). This is because needed to maintain gut health and motility. legumes usually have less fiber, which results in greater energy (or calorie) content, as well as Because forage is the foundation of any feeding greater intake by the horse. Legumes also are program, selection of a hay that is appropriate typically higher in protein and calcium than for your horse is very important. grass hays. This article will provide guidelines for visual Differences in nutrient content between different appraisal of hay quality, tips on how to interpret grass hay varieties are much smaller than a hay analysis report, and discussion on what differences between legumes and grasses (Table types of hay work for specific types of horses. 1). Cool-season grasses (grown in temperate Determining value when buying hay will also be climates) include timothy, orchardgrass, fescue discussed. and annual ryegrass. Warm-season grasses (adapted to tropical and subtropical regions, like Florida) include Coastal bermudagrass, Tifton-85 Visual Appraisal of Hay Quality bermudagrass, and bahiagrass. There are some minor differences between cool-season grasses and warm season grasses; but if cut at a similar The quality of any given hay can be influenced stage of maturity, these differences are minimal.
    [Show full text]