HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Related articles in Crop Science Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (5) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Redfearn, D. D. Articles by Ward, J. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Redfearn, D. D. Articles by Ward, J. D. Agricola Articles by Redfearn, D. D. Articles by Ward, J. D. Related Collections Forage Management Other Forage Crops

FORAGE & GRAZING LANDS

Cultivar and Environment Effects on Annual Ryegrass Forage Yield, Yield Distribution, and Nutritive Value

^a Oklahoma State Univ., Plant and Soil Sci. Dep., Stillwater, OK 74078
^b LSU AgCenter, Southeast Res. Stn., Franklinton, LA 70438
^c LSU AgCenter, Rosepine Res. Stn., Rosepine. LA 70659
^d LSU AgCenter, Macon Ridge Branch, Winnsboro, LA 71295

* Corresponding author (dredfearn{at}mail.pss.okstate.edu)

Differences among annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cultivars for weight gain of grazing steers have been reported, even though plot experiments suggest that forage dry matter yield among cultivars should not be a limiting factor. Likewise, forage nutritive value differences among cultivars have not been assessed. The objectives of this research were to evaluate differences in cumulative forage yield, yield distribution, and nutritive value among ‘Gulf’, ‘Jackson’, ‘Marshall’, ‘Rio’, ‘Rustmaster’, and ‘Surrey’ annual ryegrass. Plots were harvested six times beginning in December at approximate 30-d intervals during the 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 growing seasons. Nutritive value measurements included crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), and digestible NDF (DNDF). There were no differences among cultivars for cumulative forage yield (P = 0.99). However, for the January harvest, Surrey and Gulf averaged 1030 (±65) kg DM ha^-1, whereas Marshall yielded only 672 (±79) kg DM ha^-1. For the March harvest, yields of all varieties were similar and averaged 1350 (±95) kg DM ha^-1. At the May harvest, Marshall and Jackson yielded 1232 (±123) kg DM ha^-1, whereas Gulf yielded only 929 (±74) kg DM ha^-1. Crude protein concentration differed significantly among harvests with a general decrease from 260 to 120 g CP kg^-1 as the growing season progressed. Similar declines in nutritive value occurred for NDF, IVTD, and DNDF. Trends in yield distribution and forage quality may indicate a need for cultivar specific recommendations based on intended forage need and season of use.

Abbreviations: CP, crude protein • DM, dry matter • DNDF, digestible neutral detergent fiber • IVTD, in vitro true digestibility • NDF, neutral detergent fiber • NIRS, near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Related articles in Crop Science:

This issue in Crop science

Crop Science 2002 42: 1763-1765. [Full Text]  

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. B. Vendramini, L. E. Sollenberger, J. C. B. Dubeux Jr., S. M. Interrante, R. L. Stewart Jr., and J. D. Arthington Concentrate Supplementation Effects on Forage Characteristics and Performance of Early Weaned Calves Grazing Rye-Ryegrass Pastures Crop Sci., May 18, 2006; 46(4): 1595 - 1600. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. D. Redfearn, B. C. Venuto, W. D. Pitman, D. C. Blouin, and M. W. Alison Multilocation Annual Ryegrass Cultivar Performance over a Twelve-Year Period Crop Sci., October 27, 2005; 45(6): 2388 - 2393. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]